Jonathan's Japan Guide for Tourists: Tandoori Chicken, Morning Buffets & Drinks

Quick Facts

What it is

Jonathan's, operated by Skylark Restaurants Co., Ltd. (part of Skylark Holdings Co., Ltd.), is an upscale urban family restaurant chain with roughly 180 locations concentrated in prime downtown Tokyo neighborhoods (such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa) and the surrounding Kanto region. Positioned as a slightly more premium sister brand to Gusto, Jonathan's focuses on carefully selected ingredients and artisanal Western and Japanese comfort dining. It is nationally renowned for its iconic cult signature, Tandoori Chicken & Mexican Pilaf, alongside 100% beef hamburger steaks and seasonal fruit parfaits. With early morning operating hours starting from 6:00 AM, free high-speed Wi-Fi, abundant charging outlets, and premium tea and coffee drink bars, it serves as an indispensable urban refuge for international sightseers.

How to order

Dining at Jonathan's is modern, convenient, and traveler-friendly:

1. Be seated by staff or host kiosk: Walk in and be escorted to a spacious cushioned dining booth.
2. Switch the tablet to English: Pick up the tabletop touchscreen tablet and toggle the language to English or Chinese.
3. Explore the diverse menu: Browse Western steaks, 100% beef hamburgs, Italian pastas, Japanese set meals, and morning breakfast specials. Add the unlimited Drink Bar.
4. Submit your order: Tap to submit your items; orders transmit directly to the kitchen.
5. Watch the cat-robot deliver your dishes: Within minutes, an automated cat-faced BellaBot robot will roll to your table with your sizzling plates. Take your dishes and tap the confirmation button on top of the robot.
6. Visit the Premium Drink Bar: Help yourself to unlimited freshly brewed espresso, specialty drip coffees, fruit juices, and premium loose-leaf herbal teas.
7. Recharge devices at your booth: Many booths feature built-in AC electrical outlets along the wall—plug in your phone or laptop while you dine.
8. Pay at your table or self-checkout kiosk: Settle your bill using the digital tabletop barcode scanner, or take your table check to the self-checkout register near the entrance (no tipping is required in Japan).

What to order first

All dishes below are officially featured on the Jonathan's Official Menu and row reference data (prices subject to seasonal updates):

• *Tandoori Chicken & Mexican Pilaf (Tandoori Chicken & Mexican Pilaf)*: Jonathan's undisputed signature dish since its founding—spicy, oven-roasted marinated tandoori chicken served over flavorful Mexican-style tomato rice pilaf, priced around ¥1,000–¥1,200 tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
• 100% Beef Hamburg Steak: Plump, juicy hamburger steak made strictly with 100% ground beef, served sizzling on a cast-iron skillet with demiglace or garlic sauce, priced around ¥1,000–¥1,400 tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
• Early Morning Breakfast Sets (6:00 AM – 10:30 AM): Western scrambled egg and sausage plates or traditional Japanese grilled salmon sets including unlimited Drink Bar access, priced around ¥600–¥900 tax-included (as of September 25, 2026).
• Seasonal Fresh Fruit Parfaits: High-grade Japanese seasonal dessert parfaits featuring sweet Japanese strawberries, Miyazaki mangoes, or Shine Muscat grapes.
• Premium Drink Bar: Unlimited self-serve gourmet espresso, drip coffee, cold juices, and specialty hot teas.

Payment & practical info

Amenities and payment gateways are standardized across the Skylark chain (check the Official Store Directory for branch specifics):

• Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy), and smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au PAY, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay). Tabletop digital checkout is supported at many branches.
• Prime Tokyo Station Locations: With dozens of locations situated right beside major subway and JR stations across Tokyo, it is an ideal spot to wait for hotel check-in or rest during walking tours.
• Early 6:00 AM Breakfast Solution: Many downtown Tokyo hotels charge ¥2,500+ for breakfast buffets. Jonathan's provides a complete breakfast with unlimited coffee and juice for under ¥1,000 starting from 6:00 AM.
• Late-Night Surcharge (10% after 22:00): Orders placed after 22:00 incur a standard 10% late-night service fee.
• Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Equipped with free high-speed `Skylark Free Wi-Fi`, and many booths feature built-in AC power outlets.
• Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining services cannot be exempted from consumption tax.

Good to know / Common mistakes

• Missing the Tandoori Chicken & Mexican Pilaf: This is Jonathan's most famous dish of all time. The chicken is delightfully spiced, and the tomato-seasoned pilaf has a smoky aroma that makes it a must-try.
• Overpaying for hotel breakfast: If your hotel does not include breakfast, walk to the nearest Jonathan's. From 6:00 to 10:30 AM, their morning sets give you toast, eggs, soup, and endless drinks for around ¥600–¥900.
• Forgetting your phone charger: Jonathan's is one of the most laptop- and smartphone-friendly restaurant chains in central Tokyo. Look for the power outlet under your table cushion or along the wall.
• Tipping the cat-robot or staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan. Settle your exact bill at the self-checkout register.

Sources

• Jonathan's Official Website: https://www.skylark.co.jp/jonathan/ (Verified: 2026-09-25)
• Skylark Group Store Locator: https://store-info.skylark.co.jp/jonathan/ (Verified: 2026-09-25)