Best Cafes In Tokyo: Our Complete Guide

Best Cafes In Tokyo: Our Complete Guide

Not only are the Japanese known for their passion and ceremony surrounding tea, but coffee and the cafe culture around it carved a unique niche in the Japanese urban landscape and lifestyle (Grinshpun 2014).

Tokyo cafes range in styles from the cozy spot on the corner to the outlandishly weird place you just have to try.

We’ve chosen the best cafes in Tokyo for their blend of great drinks, good food and amazing atmosphere.


Best Specialty Cafes

Gram Cafe

Home of the fluffiest tower of pancakes the internet has ever seen, Tokyo’s Gram Cafe has shown up on every social media feed in existence at this point.

Enjoy the modest but classic selection of coffee drinks while you wait for their pillowy pancakes to hit the table.

If you’re in the mood for different breakfast foods to go with your coffee, we’ve got the spot for you in the next section.

% Arabica Cafe

If you’ve planned a day trip over to Kyoto, % Arabica provides a worthy excuse to hop on a bullet train and make a leisurely stop at a cafe that boasts a rare treat once you’re there.

The tornado roasting machine here churns out a precision product in under 20 minutes.

Baristas serve up amazing flavor and perfectly extracted coffee drinks with the cafe’s premium-grade Slayer espresso machines. My personal favourite drink here was their Macchiato.

Floto

Why choose between coffee and gelato when you can have both?

At Floto, classic Italian gelato and rich, flavorful coffee can be had separate or together as a coffee float or an affogato, which uses a fresh shot of espresso to drown a scoop of gelato in the flavor of your choice.

Don’t worry; if you like to keep your hot drinks and cool treats separate, you can still choose them separately. This isn’t the only fun food and coffee combo on our list, which you’ll see in the next segment.


Best Weird Cafes

Kawaii Monster Cafe

The menu takes a seat to the atmosphere here at Kawaii Monster Cafe, but it belongs on any list best-of list when it comes to Tokyo cafes.

These larger-than-life decorations have to be seen to be believed. Every space of this cafe is covered in a bright, colorful mix of make-believe monsters and mayhem.

Even the servers dress to fit a handful of monster-girl character tropes.

Soineya Cuddle Cafe

Japanese cafe culture focuses on theme and service as much as it does develop choice menus and blending interesting drinks.

At Soineya, perking up with a shot of espresso comes after a relaxing cuddle session with one of the cafe’s cuddling specialists.

These cuddle cafes have become a popular retreat for busy visitors who might not have opportunities to enjoy comforting company during the work and weekend schedule.

Dumbo Doughnuts and Cafe

While not the weirdest pairing, the way Dumbo Doughnuts serves up their oversized bites is a unique take that’s sure to cause a few double takes.

Huge, fluffy doughnuts are served as coffee cup toppers to create an Instagram-worthy snack.

The coffee and espresso drinks are made with beans from an earlier favorite on our list: % Arabica in Kyoto.


Best Themed Cafes

Maiddreamin

As one of the most popular of the themed cafes in Tokyo, Maiddreamin offers visitors the ultimate in kawaii, or cute, service. A maids cafe in Japan blends acting and dining.

The maids may have special songs or routines they perform as part of their role-playing, and diners may be able to buy souvenirs or pose for pictures with the cosplaying maids.

Swallowtail Butler Cafe

Butler cafes may not be as trendy as the maid-style themed cafes in Tokyo, but they offer the same experience with a different character archetype.

While the maid cafes usually decorate their space with ultra-cute fashion, the Swallowtail Butler Cafe goes for a more classical and antique look.

The Victorian-era decor and upscale menu proves that the focus at this cafe is on an elegant, fine-dining experience.

Alice in Wonderland Cafe

Every inch of this cafe feels like you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland itself.

Servers dress as recognizable characters from this popular tale, and even the drinks and food come out looking as if they were made by magic.

Coffee may not be their signature menu item here, but it makes the list for its style and ability to transport you to another world.

If you‘re on the hunt for a more traditional experience that focuses on coffee, we take a look at shops like that a little later on.


Best Animal Cafes

Monta Cat Cafe

What first began in Taiwan has now swept the Japanese coffee shop scene.

Tokyo coffee shops that pair visitors with resident cats have become the leading trend in animal cafes (Galloway 2012).

At Monta, you can sip robust coffee and espresso drinks while enjoying a variety of breeds for feline company.

Plush couches and mini-beanbags for the cats means everybody can be comfortable in this cozy nook of a cafe.

Cafe Hoot Hoot

While not as cuddly as cats, owls are adorable and unique in their own right, so the owners of Cafe Hoot Hoot have made their space comfortable for humans and birds alike.

Their coffee may not be the fanciest available, but the experience can’t be beaten.

Several species of owl are available to come and sit with guests and offer plenty of prime picture-taking opportunities.

Harry Hedgehog Cafe

This cafe has put comfort at the top of the list for both their customers and their four-toed friends.

There are cozy nooks and plush cushions to sit on, special spaces for the hedgehogs to run and roam and smaller troughs to let you have a more one-on-one visit with these quirky little creatures.

The drinks they provide are all self-service, but you can also bring in beverages of your own choosing — check out the next section for more traditional Japanese coffee shop choices.


Best Traditional Cafes

Bongen

If you’re looking for third-wave artisanal coffee with the next modern twist, look no further than Bongen.

The modern lighting and minimalist interior puts the focus on the craft, and that produces excellent coffee drinks alongside gourmet onigiri.

Take your time savoring the flavor pairings of your chosen drink and the many rice balls with a variety of fillings.

Vermillion Espresso Bar

This may be a list that focuses on the best cafes in Tokyo, but plenty of visitors opt for a train trip west to check out the old capital of Japan, Kyoto.

There, you’ll find Vermillion Espresso Bar in the Fushimi Inari shrine, which is where you can fuel up before hitting the local hiking trails or visiting the other local shrines.

They serve up coffee and espresso drinks made with beans from the roastery at Weekender’s Cafe. Check out the Weekender’s cafe for Japanese iced coffee.

Monozuki

Old world Japan comes to life within the walls of this traditional kissaten, or tea-drinking shop. Stained glass and soft jazz set a scene that takes you back in time.

Their black, drip-brewed coffee is the mainstay of the menu. When you just need a straightforward cup and a warm, antique atmosphere, this is the place to go.

See our article on the best cafes in Japan here.


Best Game & Anime Cafes

Artnia Square Enix Cafe

Artnia Cafe is one part cafe and three parts shrine to all things published by gaming juggernaut, Square Enix.

You’ll find toys and trinkets made for dozens of characters from their many game franchises in addition to a mini-museum for the groundbreaking Final Fantasy series.

When you’re done gawking at all the fun details in every corner of this space, you can sit down and enjoy a drink — and choose from a selection of recognizable characters for latte art.

Pokemon Cafe Tokyo

The subtle decoration of this bright and airy cafe focuses on just a few key touches to show off its Pokemon theme to visitors.

The real wow factor happens when the food and drinks come from the kitchen to the table.

Stylized dishes evoke favorite characters and foods from the series and games.

Here, too, there’s latte art to choose from when you want a fun twist to your hot coffee or cocoa.

Eorzea Cafe

If the Final Fantasy mini-museum wasn’t enough for you, the Eorzea Cafe has you covered.

The entire theme at this cafe is based entirely on the Final Fantasy series.

As a sanctuary for fans of this long-running game franchise, everything from the decor down to the food items on the menu are styled after the lore and legends of the Final Fantasy world.

The mix of medieval artistry and high-tech minimalism creates a moody atmosphere with a few extra touches in the form of moogle sculptures and replica weaponry.

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