Stylish kissaten (Japanese coffee shops) in Tokyo! 10 picks by area

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Tricolore Honten, about a 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro's Ginza Station and Higashi-Ginza Station, is a kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee shop) with a long history dating back to 1936. It is popular for its carefully selected coffee and desserts.

The restaurant is said to charm guests with its classic exterior that recalls a European cafe, and its retro interior marked by red chairs and stained glass.

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The coffee served here is said to use beans harvested in the high mountains of Central and South America.

Using a hand drip with a neru (cloth filter), they carefully brew each cup after the order is placed. Among them, the recommended choice is their original "Antique Blend Coffee," which aims for a mellow, nostalgic style.

Photograph:るーくん。

Along with your coffee, you will also want to enjoy the house-made sweets, such as apple pie and cheesecake.

The photo shows the "eclair," which is said to pair perfectly with the "Antique Blend Coffee." They fill it with cream after you order and finish it with chocolate, making it a dish with a crisp, crunchy texture.

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Cafe de L'Ambre, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Tokyo Metro Shimbashi Station, is a kissaten (traditional Japanese coffeehouse) that mainly serves a wide variety of coffee, making it a great spot for coffee lovers.

Inside, the table seating has a design that looks like records, and the space is said to have a nostalgic, cozy feel.

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They have a wide lineup of coffee beans, and in addition to blended coffee, they also offer a broad selection of single-origin coffees such as Sumatra and Mexico.

If you tell the staff what kind of flavor you like, they will suggest a recommendation, so even people who are not familiar with coffee can enjoy it.

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For those with a sweet tooth, Blanc et Noir Kohaku no Joou is a perfect choice. Reviews also praise it for feeling like a refined dessert drink.

It stands out for the sweetness and mellow richness of milk, and its stylish look is part of the appeal as well.

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Kissa Pupe has been a beloved kissaten (Japanese-style coffee shop) in Kanda, Tokyo, since opening in 1970. Its Western-style dishes, including its special curry, are popular.

The interior has a warm, somewhat nostalgic feel, and the space is said to be calm and relaxing, where time seems to pass slowly. There is seating on the 1st and 2nd floors.

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They take pride in serving homemade items, from their original blend coffee to dishes that are perfect for lunch.

At lunchtime, they offer a full lineup of meal dishes that come with coffee or tea, including a good selection of spaghetti dishes such as meat sauce and Napolitan (Japanese-style ketchup spaghetti).

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One of this restaurant's signature dishes is the "Pupe Tokusei Curry," which has often been featured in the media.

This thick curry is said to be fruity and delicious. The moderate level of spice seems to add a nice accent.

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Kissaten & Sakaba Sanmari is a place that operates as a kissaten (Japanese-style coffee shop) by day and a dining bar for drinks at night. Its meal set menus at lunchtime are popular.

The spacious interior has counter seats that are easy to use even when visiting alone, as well as table seating where groups can relax comfortably.

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At lunchtime, they offer Homemade yoshoku (Western-style Japanese) dishes made with carefully chosen cooking methods.

The hugely popular "Napolitan" gets its edge from an extra step that adds depth of flavor. They thin the reduced sauce with pasta water, creating a plate that coats the noodles well.

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All lunch sets come with soup, salad, and a free drink. The "Omurice" is also a popular dish with a wide range of age groups, from kids to adults.

Ketchup rice is tucked inside the soft, runny egg, and it seems to go very well with the light sauce.

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Ten no Ya is a kissaten (Japanese-style cafe) popular for casual light meals such as sandwiches and toast. It first opened in Osaka in 1922, then moved to its current location in Minato-ku, Tokyo in 2002.

Inside, the restaurant has an elegant Japanese atmosphere with a refined feel, and gentle music plays quietly in the background. It also has raised seating areas where you can take off your shoes and relax.

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Perfect for when you want a quick bite, the “tamago sando (egg sandwich)” is made with an original recipe. It features beautiful golden egg tucked between soft fluffy bread.

The dashimaki tamago (Japanese rolled omelet) uses plenty of Kansai style dashi, and one bite fills your mouth with its gentle flavor.

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"Ogura Toast," made with homemade an filled with Tanba Dainagon azuki (Tanba Dainagon red beans), is also one of the popular menu items.

The toast, with its buttery aroma, seems to pair perfectly with the an's just-right sweetness. It is the kind of item you will want to enjoy with one of the many drinks on offer, such as coffee or milk.

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Santa Fe Nakanobu Ten in Tokyo's Shinagawa area is an easy cafe to use for all kinds of occasions, from a short break to cafe time to a full meal.

It is also a popular spot with many local customers, and its warm, homey atmosphere feels like a relaxing gathering place for everyone.

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They have a full toast menu, and the Breakfast set with salad and a drink is popular.

The thick cut bread in options like the "Cinnamon Toast" and "Cheese Toast" is said to have an irresistible soft and fluffy texture. The coffee is also well regarded.

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They also offer a wide range of yoshoku (Japanese-style Western food) dishes like doria (Japanese baked rice gratin) and pasta that look sure to fill you up.

The photo shows the "Omurice." White sauce is tucked between the egg and chicken rice, giving this classic dish an extra touch.

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Kissa Coniwa is a coffee shop just a 1-minute walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station in Suginami, Tokyo. It is popular for desserts that look so good you will want to take photos, with presentation that is as enjoyable as the taste.　

The building, renovated from a former watch shop, features an open atrium structure and a stylish antique-inspired space.

Photograph:肉食獣イソラー

There are about three dessert options, and all of them are said to be good. Recommended for cafe time or dessert after a meal.

The photo shows the “Kuroi Chiizukeeki (Black Cheesecake).” It is said to have a rich cheese flavor within a slight bitterness, with a smooth mouthfeel as its defining feature.

Photograph:きらきらふたごぼし

At lunchtime, the "meal set" that comes with salad and a drink is a great choice. You can pick from several options, including curry and risotto.

The "lu rou fan (Taiwanese braised pork rice)," a one-plate Taiwanese street food dish, is said to be a healthy plate served with multigrain rice.

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Retro Kissa ELLA&LOUIS is a retro coffee shop where a new owner has taken over and now runs a long loved kissa (Japanese-style cafe) with a history dating back to 1975.

It is a 2-minute walk from Hakusan Station in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, and you can spend your time listening to jazz played from records.

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They offer a wide selection of carefully chosen coffee and tea, along with dessert menu items you will want to enjoy with them.

One of the several pudding desserts is the "Hakusan Purin Parfait." Inspired by the local area name Hakusan, it appears to feature a rich pudding topped with plenty of cream.

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They also offer hot sandwiches and rice dishes, so it is also a good choice when you are hungry.

Okinawa’s signature dish, taco rice, is a dish where Homemade salsa sauce pairs well with generously torched cheese, with the fragrant cheese and spicy meat adding a nice accent.

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Kissa to Osake Nagomi no Himitsukichi, about a 3-minute walk from Hirai Station, is a spot in Tokyo’s Edogawa City area that operates as a kissa (Japanese-style coffee shop) by day and a bar at night.

It has a calm, hideaway-like atmosphere, and the interior is unified with stylish decor.

There are only counter seats, but it is said to be very comfortable.

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At lunch, they offer a wide range of sandwich options that come with French fries. Their most popular item is the "ebi katsu sando (shrimp cutlet sandwich)," filled with freshly fried shrimp cutlet.

The ebi katsu has a crisp coating and seems to be packed with plump shrimp inside. It pairs perfectly with the soft, fluffy shokupan (Japanese milk bread).

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The more indulgent than usual "Cremia Soft Serve" is said to be rich yet leave a clean finish. It also comes in chocolate and matcha flavors.

They also have a lineup of irresistible items for sweets lovers, including parfaits with Cremia Soft Serve and melon bread.

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Sunkohi is a kissaten (Japanese-style coffee shop) in Building A of Keio Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Shopping Center in Tama, Tokyo, and it is also a great place to take a break while shopping.

The shop also has sofa seating, which makes it nice and easy to stop by even for just a single cup of coffee. Since it is directly connected to the station, you do not need to worry even on rainy days.

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The casual food menu is extensive, with items like pancakes and doria (rice gratin). For an additional charge, you can also add a drink set.

The most popular item at any time of day is the "Deluxe Sandwich," which is packed with fillings between the slices of bread and is said to be very satisfying.

Photograph:もぐのすけ太郎

The sweets menu, including parfaits and tarts, is also popular. The photo shows the "Kissaten no Purin a la Mode," loved for its nostalgic feel and rich taste.

The pudding, made with milk from Hokkaido and Domestic eggs, is said to have a distinctly sweet flavor. It also comes with a wide variety of fruit.