Tabelog ratingPerched on the 38th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, The Pizza Bar on 38th (ザ ピッツァバー ON 38TH) offers a pizza experience unlike any other in the city. Here, at an intimate eight-seat counter, pizza is served omakase-style. The star is the Roman-style dough, which undergoes a 48-hour fermentation and is made with an exceptionally high water content, resulting in a texture that reviewers consistently praise as airy, crisp, and chewy all at once.
The format is a live performance, with the chef preparing each course in front of you. Guests single out signature items like the 'pizzino'—a small focaccia with mascarpone and black truffle—and the grand finale, a seven- or eight-cheese pizza drizzled with truffle honey. Toppings are a creative fusion of Japanese and Italian ingredients, with past seasonal examples including asparagus with scallop, botan ebi shrimp, and even tuna with fig. The staff are noted for being friendly and proficient in English, catering to a diverse international clientele.
However, visitors should be aware of the format's limitations. The omakase consists of small, shared slices, and a number of diners report feeling a bit hungry afterwards. Some find the inventive toppings occasionally unbalanced or salty, and the price is high. A typical lunch or dinner costs between ¥20,000 and ¥29,999. Reviewers in 2024–2026 reported paying around ¥15,180 for the lunch omakase, with final bills including a 15% service charge and drinks often reaching ¥20,000–¥22,000. It's considered good value for a special occasion and a one-of-a-kind culinary show, but not for those seeking a hearty, traditional pizza.
- Booking: Reservations are mandatory and notoriously difficult to secure. Slots are released 30–60 days in advance at midnight and are booked instantly; a waitlist is the most practical option. Cancellations are not accepted once confirmed.
- Access: The restaurant is directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hanzomon lines), via exits A7 and A8.
- Age Restriction: For lunch, children must be 6 or older. For dinner, they must be 10 or older.
- Dress Code: Smart casual attire is requested. Baseball caps, tank tops, and casual sandals are not permitted.
- Payment: Major credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
- Seating: There are only 8 counter seats. Private rooms are not available.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Parking: Available.
