American-style burger joint featuring full bar and open kitchen and sports played on TV. Its signature dish is the "Superior burger” and there are also other burgers made with a house-made vegan patty and vegan cheese sauce. The owner will answer questions you have and also make local recommendations. Last food orders 9pm. Est. 2019 and switch to being fully vegan in 2020. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-8:00pm. Closed Mon. Last order 7.30pm.
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3-27-4 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku (at Daiichi Carat Kawasu Bldg, 1st floor), Tokyo, Japan, 169-0051
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- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 25 Mar 2023 by Uncolored
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Featured Review
MarionBowie
Points +37
One of the best in Tokyo - Edit
My husband and I are huge fan of burgers and we really loved all the burgers.
Read moreThe fries and milkshake were delicious too !
It was tasty, the portion size were perfect and it's not expensive.
My husband is a big eater so he ate 3 and was really happy about everything.
We highly recommand the place, we often go back and we've never been disappointed.
Pros: Inexpensive, Delicious, Good size portion
Guest
157 Reviews
First Review by HeidiDørrSkinstad
Kostikas
Points +225
A great burger joint - Edit
Good food and great vibes! I got the superior burger with tater tots and mint chocolate chip ice cream(went there in October). I really enjoyed the fact that every food item is vegan and made from scratch.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-12-31
Pros: The whole menu is vegan, Everything is homemade, The ice cream is amazing
Cons: The food was quite salty
Guest
hisashis
Points +2668
Best vegan burger ever - Edit
(English follows Japanese)
Read more東京で一番美味しいヴィーガンバーガーだと聞き、来てみましたが、それに値する美味しさでした。ボリュームもあってしかもヘルシーで満足感があります。今後何度も通おうと思います。
It is said that they offer one of the best vegan burgers in Tokyo, and it deserves! So tasty, so satisfying, and healthy - I’ll definitely come again.
Updated from previous review on 2021-10-22
Guest
Ruzha
Points +3753
The Best Vegan Burgers in Tokyo - Edit
No doubt, Great Lakes has my favorite vegan burgers in Tokyo! It had been awhile since we ate here, but I will definitely make it a point to come by more often. This time we had the Superior Burger with tater tots, the Michigan Burger, double and with French fries, and a mint chocolate chip milkshake. Superb! Their original patties are outstanding, and the tomato jam gives such a great taste! The milk shake was thick and full of flavor. Really, you can't go wrong, so hurry and get yourself a burger and a milkshake at Great Lakes!
Read moreGuest
CarlaMaria
Points +38
Melhor burguer - Edit
Maravilhoso, sem palavras, tudo perfeito e preço justo.
Read moreGuest
MathewEvans
Points +43
Try it all - Edit
Will be a main stay for us while we're here.
Read morePros: Everything was so good. Definitely worth a stop!
Guest
David-O
Points +13
Tater Tots!!!!!!! - Edit
For those who had American school lunches in the 1970s: TATER TOTS!
Read moreFor those who liked Napolean Dynamite: TATER TOTS!
For those who think french fries are just too long and thin and prefer their potato-based guilty pleasures to have greater heft and density: TATER TOTS!
There is probably no comfort food side dish more comforting to a former American suburban kid than tater tots, and I did not know that I missed them until I had the chance to have a fistful from John's restaurant. They were so good. My family got take-out and we overordered, so one of the burgers lasted until late into the next day (I am intermittent fasting, and went particularly late into the day without eating) and the patty, veggies, and remaining tots got repurposed into amazing side dishes by my wife (it was like having a side of spiced sausage and home fries without being mean to your body or cruel to animals). Seriously, everything was good. Wish he would open a satellite shop closer to me (though that might be dangerous). Highly recommended. Mom and dad (not even vegetarian adjacent) said the burgers were better than "real" burgers. Think we need to redefine what real burgers are.
So glad GL is weathering the pandemic.
Pros: Great food., Friendly owner and staff., Reasonably priced (esp. for vegan in Tokyo).
Guest
Marties
Points +1421
Amazing spot - Edit
The Michigan burger sounds amazing (pickles and caramelized onions), but the superior burger is the real star!! That tomato sauce was amazing.
Read moreThe meat eater I went with was super super surprised and satisfied as well
Pros: Small menu (that's a good sign!), Not expensive at all, Lemon water
Cons: The place is a bit small for the open kitchen
Guest
ToraKo
Points +498
Best vegan burger! - Edit
This was such a great meal! I had the Superior burger and it was indescribably delicious. The rosemary lemonade was really nice too, and I had the matcha milkshake for dessert - such a treat!
Read moreI especially enjoyed the confidence they have in their product. The menu was very small and offers just 3 burgers and some sides, but what burgers!
Definitely 100% recommended.
Pros: Best burgers in Tokyo
Guest
Charlotchan
Points +150
Hands down the best vegan burger - Edit
Seriously, the best burger I’ve ever had.
Read moreNothing else.
Pros: Juicy burger , Doesn’t fall apart when you bite it , Superb taste
Cons: Slightly pricey but TOTALLY WORTH IT , Limited seating (only three tables plus counter)
Guest
Otaku_in_Ota-ku
Points +38
Best burger I've had in Tokyo - Edit
Great burger, good price, friendly staff.
Read moreI will be back.
Pros: All vegan and most items hand made on site
Guest
KokusaiCanuck
Points +128
Delicious Burgers! - Edit
Cozy and modern space with friendly staff and well-priced diner-style burgers and fries. All vegan of course! I had the Superior Burger and my partner had the Ontario burger and we were so impressed with how much the burger tasted exactly like a beef patty burger. If you’re looking for a good-tasting vegan burger with some crispy fries, this is a must-try!
Read morePros: Classic diner burgers, Good portions, Friendly staff
Cons: Sign is small, easy to overlook!, No convenient bicycle parking
Guest
LiaSantee
Points +228
Tasty hamburger! - Edit
The menu is simple but very tasty! The French fries were crispy, and the sandwich had many flavors. I recommend.
Read morePros: Tasty
Cons: Only three sandwich options
Guest
GrayHorwitz
Points +2081
Nice burger and fries place - Edit
The burgers here are nice and flavorful, but texture wise I prefer ones that are more firm. Milkshake is made with homemade ice cream and fries are thin and crunchy.
Read moreGuest
Tomo Okabe
Points +817
Amazing vegan burger joint. - Edit
With so many vegan restaurants closing in Tokyo, I’m really happy to know that this restaurant is keeping the torch on and offering amazing vegan food for everyone.
Read moreThe staffs are friendly and the food is just amazing.
If you have not tried their vegan burger you are definitely missing out. Highly recommended
Guest
Minoria
Points +441
Best of the best hamburger - Edit
I had their superiority burger and milkshake since many reviews recommend them.
Read moreThe bun, vegetables and sauces were real good, and the patty was unbelievably meaty and rich...
Totally worth visiting them.
Even my clothes smell like after going to Yakiniku somehow 😂
Also the milkshake is the must try! The vanilla flavour makes it tastes special and hard to forget one.
Pros: Taste is so real, Friendly staff
Cons: Nothing!
Guest
Turtlegirl
Points +61
Nice place! - Edit
I took a Japanese friend here after it became all vegan, and she said she wants to go again despite being an omnivore. Burgers were tasty and pretty much the perfect size for two small women.
Read moreGuest
KadzyRussell
Points +17
This was gooda - Edit
Very nice place, my first vegan burger and I enjoyed it! I definitely recommend...
Read moreGuest
sasham
Points +4907
Very nice and unique! - Edit
I originally just came to have my first milkshake ever, but was very tempted to try the delicious burgers on the menu, so I went with what looked like the smallest burger, the Michigan burger. To my surprise it was quite filling and affordable. The burger has caramelized onions and the onion taste really dominates the burger. If you're not a fan of onions, steer away, but this is the cheapest burger at around 500Y.
Read moreThe milkshake was good. The owner was very kind and attentive, and also washed my metal straw for me when I was about to leave (which was a super nice gesture )
I was happy and proud to read in the Japanese English press that the owner and the shop went fully vegan as a response to Covid-19, which really shows integrity and compassion, making me want to support The Great Lakes and its owner even more.
Pros: Great music in the background, Affordable and filling, Turned all vegan restaruant in 2020
Cons: Plastic straws
Guest
MarionBowie
Points +37
One of the best in Tokyo - Edit
My husband and I are huge fan of burgers and we really loved all the burgers.
Read moreThe fries and milkshake were delicious too !
It was tasty, the portion size were perfect and it's not expensive.
My husband is a big eater so he ate 3 and was really happy about everything.
We highly recommand the place, we often go back and we've never been disappointed.
Pros: Inexpensive, Delicious, Good size portion
Guest
veganintokyo
Points +28
Best vegan burger (and best burger I've had in a long time) - Edit
I brought two of my friends here because I was craving burgers that week. I ordered the double patty and as soon as I took a bite I was in love. Freaking amazing. Even more incredible, the patty is made from genmai (rice) and spices, rather than soy meat. We didn't taste rice at all!
Read moreThe owner is from Los Angeles and is very friendly. He said it took 4 years or so to open the restaurant.
I felt like I was finally participating in American fast food culture - but with WAY better quality and taste. Dying for another of those burgers!
Updated from previous review on 2020-09-25
Pros: Excellent food , Good value, Friendly staff
Cons: Difficult to find (Google Maps is a bit off)
Guest
heartkid
Points +84
One of the best burgers in Tokyo - Edit
Small, cool joint in Takadanobaba. I had wanted to go for a long time, and when I finally went, the burgers didn't disappoint! Probably one of the top 3 best burgers I've had in Tokyo - and also decent price. The french fries could use some work though... I don't know if it's something to do with the temperature of the frying oil, but they were not crispy at all.
Read morePros: Burger, Price, Location
Cons: French fries
Guest
VeganJapan
Points +117
Best Vegan Burger in Tokyo!! - Edit
HANDS DOWN BEST VEGAN BURGER IN TOKYO!
Read moreI finally got to check out Great Lakes (it’s about a 30 sec walk from Meiji Dori) and wow! I ordered the Superior Burger (got the double) and it’s easily the best vegan burger in Tokyo. Everything in made in house (patties, cheese, etc.) aside from the bun, which is made bespoke for them. The flavor of this burger is what I have been missing in every other vegan burger in Japan. (I think it now makes the Mos Burger offering taste like paper, because the Great Lakes burger has that much flavor!) The vegan cheese was great too! Even tho the double filled me up, I was curious about the milkshake, once flavor is available, vanilla but it’s good and really creamy.
The shop is owned and run by an American from California, the staff is all cool Japanese people.
This place is great! Like nothing else in Tokyo.
This is a place you can bring your non-vegan friends to and they will not have a single complaint!
Pros: Totally vegan , Place you can easily bring non-vegan friends too, Delicious
Cons: Limited food menu as of 08/2020 3 burgers& sides
Guest
AyanaYanaura
Points +26
こんなに美味しいヴィーガンバーガーが食べられるなんて - Edit
スペリオルバーガーのシングル
Read moreフライドポテト
ミルクシェイクを頂きました。
ヴィーガン100%のハンバーガー屋さん
パティもお肉のような食感で、ソースもしっかりしててジャンクな味わい✨
ルッコラの香りがとてもマッチしてました🌿
最初バンズはぱさっとしてるかな？と感じたけど、中身と合わさるとちょうどよかった✨
.
そして何よりバニラシェイクが！！！おいしすぎて！！
高田馬場駅から少々歩くんだけど、行く価値アリ！です✨
My order is Superior Burger,French fries and vanilla shake.
This is an all vegan food Restaurant.
Those were very delicious.
Guest
JackieJans
Points +1228
Soooo good!! - Edit
Loved their burgers and their vegan cheese. 10/10 recommend
Read moreGreatLakesJP
We love that you loved your meal! Thank you!!
Read moreGuest
PabsPablo
Points +51
100% vegan - Edit
Following the Outbreak of Corona they decided to stop serving 'flesh'... Great call
Read moreDelicious double superior burger... If it could be a little bigger
Guest
ForAnimalsJapan
Points +5412
W O W - Edit
English below👇 高田馬場駅から10分程の所にある『Great Lakes』に行ってきました。
Read more店内は小さめで多くても12名程しか着席出来ませんがとても清潔感があり、リラックスできる雰囲気でした。また、今回はコロナ禍の3密回避の為、カウンター席などが使えない状態でした。
今回は『スペリオルダブルバーガー』と『フライドポテト』と『ミルクシェイク』を注文しました。
スタッフはひとりだったのにも関わらず、注文から5分ほどで出来上がり、久しぶりのヴィーガンバーガーの到着に喜びと感動を覚えました。
バーガーは自家製のバンズとパティ、驚く程のボリュームと美味しさで、加えてフライドポテト、トマトソースも自家製で不揃いで細いカリカリポテトとトマトソースがとてもマッチして美味しかったです。
〆のミルクシェイクは紙ストローで飲みました。これまた久しぶりのシェイクで懐かしさを感じつつ、動物の犠牲が無くこんなに美味しいものが食べられる事に感動しました。
このレストランはひと月程ですが、是非また行きたい素晴らしいレストランです。会計時、対応してくれたスタッフの女性に『Happy Cow』のステッカーを差し上げたらとても喜んでくれました。
現在はテイクアウトをメインにしているようですが、機会があれば是非リラックス出来る店内で、ボリューム満点のバーガーを堪能してみて下さい！
Great Lakes had been on our radar since they opened last year, but once we heard that the Covid19 pandemic had inspired them to go 100% vegan, we knew we had to pay them a visit.
The restaurant is on a quiet side street about 10 minutes’ walk from Takadanobaba station. The space is small, but charming, with three tables at a safe distance from one another. I also appreciated the 90s alternative music on the speakers and 90s Pokémon anime on the tv. The restroom was nice and clean.
There was just one staff member present, but she was a superstar, taking the orders and cooking the food. And what food it was!! We went all-out and got the Superior Double Burger with fries and a milkshake.
This is easily the best burger I’ve had in Japan. The (vegan) meat was moist and flavorful, the cheese sauce was cheesy, and the homemade tomato sauce was a nice touch. The fries were nice and crispy too, just like I like em.
And the milkshake? It tasted a lot like the McDonald’s milkshakes of my youth, in the BEST way. The entire meal was A .
The prices are a little high, but totally worth it given the quality of the food. In a recent interview with The Japan Times, the owner of Great Lakes said that Covid has seriously harmed their business. So people of Tokyo, please support them! We think you’ll be glad you did. 🍔
Pros: Amazing food, Friendly service, nice space
Cons: Not cheap (worth it, though)
Guest
dwmerlin
Points +896
When you miss burger in Japan, this is the place! - Edit
Great burgers, fries, ice cream
Read moreThey also have beers
Everything is vegan
The owner is American and a super nice dude!
Pros: Everything is vegan , Different that the food served in other restauran, Staff is great
Cons: A bit expensive
Guest
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