Toriyu

As the evening settles in, the smoky aroma rising from sizzling skewers makes a cold drink feel particularly well earned. Tucked away near a residential pocket of the Nakanobu area, Toriyu is an unpretentious izakaya where you can drop in for yakitori, diverse grilled skewers, and a varied spread of small plates.

A good place to start is the chicken tsukune skewer, glazed in tare and grilled until plump with a light, aromatic char. Its sweet-savory richness pairs naturally with beer. Toriyu also offers plenty of punchier bites that complement drinks, including skirt-steak skewers seasoned with garlic, garlic-accented chicken thigh, and shishimi skewers combining shishito peppers with skirt steak.

The menu leaves plenty of room to tailor your evening, whether you prefer sipping wine alongside yakitori or adding a made-from-scratch pizza to the table. Anchored by counter seating, the room keeps things casual and accessible, fitting comfortably into a quiet solo drink or an evening catching up over skewers with friends.

Toriyu is closed on Tuesdays and open from 18:30 to 0:00 the following morning on Mondays and Wednesday through Sunday. Payment is accepted in cash. Whether for a quick bite after work or a relaxed second stop of the night, it is an easy spot to unwind with affordable skewers and a drink.