Tokyo is a great city for foodies. Embracing an enormous variety of ingredients, dishes, and regional variations (not to mention every type of world cuisine), the myriad dining options are united by one common thread: the best quality ingredients, simple preparation and elegant presentation. And it’s not even expensive – or at least it doesn’t have to be. There’s a huge range of options that will cost you less than ¥1,000 – popular cheap eats include tempura, gyūdon (beef on rice), and every sort of noodle dish. Further up the scale, dinner in a nice restaurant fit for a date starts at about ¥3,000 per person including drinks. For a swanky meal in a popular part of town, budget ¥7,000 and upwards. That leaves newcomers with two problems – knowing where to start, and figuring out the menu. Helpful restaurant staff will generally do their best to help with the latter, and a few pointers can help with the former.