Pizza, but not as you know it. A Tokyo fine-dining pizzeria that keeps intact the essence of Italian pizza but elevates it with Japanese seasonal produce.
Tucked into the heights of the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo lies a dining experience that defies expectation.
The Pizza Bar on 38th, with its modest name and minimalist seating, is not just a pizzeria but also a masterclass in precision cuisine, flavour, and intimacy.
An intimate setting
Step inside and you’ll find eight seats around a sleek marble counter. It’s a culinary theatre where each guest has front-row access to the artistry of the chefs.
There are no loud tables or bustling servers — just the quiet crackle of fire, the rhythmic shaping of dough, and the warm exchange between chef and guest.
This omakase-style pizza tasting menu is a rarity. Guests are guided course-by-course through a thoughtful selection of pizzas, each highlighting peak-season Japanese ingredients with Italian sensibility.
through a thoughtful selection of pizzas.
Where Japan meets Naples
At first glance, you might expect Neapolitan-style pies. And while that influence is present, the chefs here, often led by culinary director Chef Daniele Cason, have taken pizza into a new realm.
The dough is slow-fermented for over 48 hours, the tomato sauce made from San Marzano DOP tomatoes, and the flour flown in from Italy.
Yet what sets this bar apart is its fusion of local Japanese produce with traditional Italian roots: there is Hokkaido uni (sea urchin) atop creamy stracciatella, dusted with yuzu zest. Or a seasonal truffle pizza, delicately shaved tableside, layered over a white base infused with house-made garlic oil.
Every ingredient is introduced with intention. Every slice is served whole encouraging guests to eat as the chef intended.
Japanese produce with traditional Italian roots: like Hokkaido uni (sea urchin) atop creamy
stracciatella, dusted with yuzu zest. (Representative image).
Theatre and technique
Much like a sushi omakase, dining here, you watch every motion: the gentle toss of flour, the shaping of the dough, the slide into the blistering custom-built brick oven. Within 90 seconds, a pie emerges: bubbling, blistered, and perfect.
At one point, the chef pauses to explain the difference in moisture content of local mushrooms being used that day: a small detail, but one that illustrates the depth of care at every step.
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World-class pairings & service
In true Mandarin Oriental fashion, service is intuitive and flawless. There is no rush. The chefs engage comfortably, offering commentary on their techniques and ingredients, adjusting spice levels based on your feedback.
The wine-and-sake pairing program is excellent. A Barbaresco here, a crisp Junmai Daiginjo there. Each glass enhances the texture and flavour of the course it accompanies.
For guests wanting a non-alcoholic pairing, house-made infusions and rare teas are offered with flair.
-to-ceiling windows that frame an extraordinary skyline.
The view: Tokyo at your feet
One of the most enchanting elements of The Pizza Bar on 38th is the setting itself. Towering above Tokyo, the floor-to-ceiling windows frame an extraordinary skyline: glass towers reflecting the city lights, and on a clear evening, even the faint silhouette of Mount Fuji in the distance.
Reservations & practicalities
Reservations here are not easy — and rightly so. With just eight seats and worldwide acclaim, bookings open exactly two months in advance and are typically claimed within minutes.
For Panache World clients, this experience is curated seamlessly into your Tokyo itinerary — with prime time slots and tailored enhancements wherever possible.
Prices reflect the exclusivity, typically around ¥20,000–25,000 per person (excluding drinks), but for what you receive — artistry, intimacy, and the unmatched view — it is worth every moment and yen.
The Pizza Bar on 38th is a meditation on craftsmanship, cultural synthesis, and the joy of doing something exceptionally well. From its elegant setting and masterful technique to the gentle, reverent atmosphere, this restaurant is a true luxury experience.
Panache World x Mandarin Oriental: perks with every stay
As a preferred partner of Mandarin Oriental hotels worldwide, Panache World clients enjoy exclusive privileges across all MO properties — not just in Tokyo, but in Bangkok, London, Paris, Dubai, Marrakech, and more.
These include:
- Daily breakfast for two
- Complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability)
- Early check-in / late checkout
- VIP welcome amenities
- Unique culinary or wellness experiences
- Priority reservations at signature restaurants like Pizza Bar on 38th
When you book with Panache World, you’re also securing the kind of bespoke access and personal attention that only trusted luxury insiders can provide.
