Capricciosa Japan Guide for Tourists: Tomato Garlic Pasta, Sharing & Herb Tea

Quick Facts

What it is

Founded in 1978 in Tokyo's Shibuya district, Capricciosa (operated by WDI Corporation / WDI JAPAN) is one of Japan's pioneering casual Southern Italian trattoria chains with over 90 locations nationwide. Built around generous portions and authentic Italian hospitality, it is nationally famous for its legendary signature dish, *"Tomato and Garlic Spaghetti" (Tomato to Ninniku no Spaghetti)*, which features a rich, sweet Southern Italian tomato sauce infused with caramelized whole garlic cloves. Because many pasta dishes are offered in an oversized "Double Size" designed for two to three people to share, it is a favorite dining spot for traveling families and groups. Continuing a cherished founding tradition, staff serve a complimentary cup of hot herbal digestive tea at the end of every meal to refresh diners.

How to order

Dining at Capricciosa is a relaxed, hospitable trattoria experience:

1. Be seated by the host: Walk in and wait at the entrance. Staff will escort your party to a table or booth.
2. Review the menu and portion sizes: Browse the photo menu or scan the tabletop mobile ordering QR code. Note the sizing:
   • Regular Size: Generous portion for 1 person (approx. 110g dry pasta weight).
   • Double Size: Massive sharing platter for 2–3 people (approx. 220g dry pasta weight), offering substantial cost savings for couples or groups.
3. Place your order: Order your pasta, stone-baked pizzas, and famous appetizers like the Sicilian Rice Croquette (Arancini).
4. Share and dine: Servers bring dishes to the center of your table accompanied by small sharing plates (torizara) and serving tongs.
5. Enjoy complimentary hot herb tea: After you finish your savory dishes, staff will bring a complimentary cup of steaming hot herbal tea to your table to help cleanse the garlic palate.
6. Pay at the front register: When finished (no tipping is required in Japan), take the table check folder to the cashier counter near the entrance to settle your bill.

What to order first

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

• *Tomato and Garlic Spaghetti (Tomato to Ninniku no Spaghetti)*: Capricciosa's undisputed #1 signature dish since 1978; al dente spaghetti coated in a rich, velvety tomato sauce infused with fragrant garlic; priced at around ¥1,320 for Regular size and ¥2,580 for Double sharing size tax-included (as of September 22, 2026).
• *Sicilian Rice Croquette with Meat Sauce (Ganso Sicilian Rice Croquette Tomato Meat Sauce)*: A giant crispy fried sphere of Italian rice stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese, served resting in a pool of hot savory bolognese meat sauce, priced around ¥1,000 tax-included (as of September 22, 2026).
• Neapolitan Stone-Baked Pizzas: Freshly stretched pizza dough baked crisp and chewy, including classic Margherita and 4-Cheese Formaggi with honey, priced around ¥1,590–¥1,940 tax-included (as of September 22, 2026).
• *Squid Ink Spaghetti (Kōika no Sumi-nuri Spaghetti)*: Silky black spaghetti tossed in savory cuttlefish ink sauce, a cult classic among long-time fans.
• Complimentary Post-Meal Hot Herbal Tea: Served free of charge to all seated guests at the end of the meal.

Payment & practical info

Payment methods and individual amenities vary by location (check the Official Location Directory for branch specifics):

• Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club), transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy, WAON, nanaco), and QR code payments (PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay). Branches inside commercial shopping malls and outlet centers conform to the facility's payment terminal standards.
• Group Sharing Value: Ordering one or two Double Size pasta dishes alongside a pizza is significantly more economical than ordering individual single portions for every diner.
• Birthday & Celebration Perks: Capricciosa is famous for its birthday hospitality—guests dining on their birthday frequently receive a complimentary celebration dessert plate upon showing ID or advance notice.
• Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Varies by location, generally utilizing host commercial mall or outlet facility Wi-Fi networks.
• Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Restaurant dining services are classified as domestic consumption.

Good to know / Common mistakes

• Underestimating the Double Size portion: The "Double Size" pasta is enormous. Unless you have an extraordinary appetite, do not order a Double Size for a single person—it is designed specifically for sharing between 2 to 3 people.
• Skipping the Rice Croquette: The giant Sicilian Rice Croquette (Arancini) is one of the most beloved appetizers in Japan. Cut it open at the table to reveal the molten mozzarella cheese stringing into the meat sauce!
• Leaving before the free herb tea arrives: Do not rush to the register immediately after putting down your fork. Wait a moment for staff to bring your complimentary hot herbal tea, which is specially blended to neutralize garlic breath.
• Tipping the staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan. Settle the exact amount on the printed table bill at the cashier counter.

Sources

• Capricciosa Official Website: https://capricciosa.com/ (Verified: 2026-09-22)
• Capricciosa Menu: https://capricciosa.com/menu/ (Verified: 2026-09-22)
• Capricciosa Location Directory: https://capricciosa.com/location/ (Verified: 2026-09-22)