18 Best Restaurants in Tokyo, Japan

This small, friendly roastery and café in a repurposed warehouse across from Ando Gallery serves excellent espresso, flat whites, and cappuccinos, plus simple snacks like cookies and toasted sandwiches. There are some seats inside, but if the weather is nice get a drink to go and walk a few minutes east to Kiba Park; a lovely green spot to while away an hour.

This is possibly the best coffee in the neighborhood since that is essentially all they sell (save some branded merchandise). Sit on old wooden benches in this tiny establishment that feels as if it's both in the now, and from long ago. Look for the cute neon bear they have as their sign.

Associated with the funky clothing shop that is just around the corner, this cafe is bright and open, and serves quality coffee, cakes, snacks, and gelato. They also have some Kitsuné-branded goods on hand.

No surprise that eggs are the thing at this convenient diner on the first basement floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Eggs are organic and available every which way, including in egg tarts, eggs benedict, pancakes, and a fried breakfast.

If you needed proof that Koenji caters to all sorts of tastes, the cute Moomin-like drawings on the walls of this popular café, not to mention the lattes with cute cartoon faces drawn in the foam, show that Koenji has a soft side too. If you are hungry, try the pizzas or desserts, which include a pumpkin Mont Blanc.

Standing on the border of Ueno and Yanaka, just a short walk to the west from the National Museum, this historic café is a popular stop for lunch or a light snack. A century old, the café has been stylishly renovated and serves homemade sandwiches, curries, cakes, and kaki gori, a traditional treat of flavored shaved ice. The first floor has a bar and dark wood tables, while the second is an airy Japanese style tatami room with low tables. Although Kayaba is usually not too crowded in the morning, expect to line up if you arrive at lunchtime.

Drop by this hipster hangout for hand-dripped coffee made with house-roasted beans, or lattes with artistic patterns in the foam. If you are really into your coffee, try the taster set to compare three different beans. And don't worry, Light Up doesn't mean this is a smoker's cafe. It's smoke free.

Maid cafés won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you do want to try one out, this main branch of Japan’s biggest maid café chain is as reputable a place as any. All manner of people come to be served by young women in French maid outfits who affect extreme levels of kawaii (cute) and occasionally break into song and dance. As for the fare, the menu includes colorful parfaits, simple pastas, and omuraisu (rice omelet), plus the option of taking paid photos with the maids. The long drink menu features coffee, juices, and cocktails. Be aware that there’s an admission fee of ¥770.

The concept of brunch is fairly new in Tokyo but thankfully it's starting to take off. By day, this pleasant café offers outdoor seating and brioche French toast with great coffee just minutes from Tokyo Midtown and the art museums of the “Roppongi Art Triangle.” From 5 pm, the menu changes to more expensive grilled meats and pastas.

For an afternoon of people-watching, head to this three-story café on Omotesando street in the heart of one of the most fashion-conscious areas of Tokyo. It's the perfect place to relax and indulge. Order one of the scrumptious homemade tarts or cakes, sip a coffee, and watch the trendiest Tokyoites stroll by the full-length windows.

If you're looking for a quick coffee near Shimokitazawa Station, Norah's can offer you a place for people-watching and some good snacks. While the drink selection is mostly coffee, they do have tea, make an Irish coffee, and serve wine and beer.

This specialty roaster now has several branches in Tokyo, including this small stand (with limited seating) near Naka-Meguro Station. The baristas here are extremely knowledgeable and brew up great espressos, hand-drip coffees, and lattes. As for the name, it's not a misspelling of omnibus, but a playfully unusual mix of oni (devil) and bus.

Satisfying the need for light, healthy food that is neither raw nor fried, this airy but rather nondescript bakery and café, which also has branches in Paris and London, serves up a tasty selection of salads, quiches, vegetables, and other deli-style dishes. Although the interior's rows of tables and blank white walls can feel a bit too much like a hip reinterpretation of a school cafeteria, Rose Bakery is a good bet for a quick lunch or pastry while out wandering the Ginza area. It's also good for breakfast (from 9 am), especially if you crave a full English breakfast.

On Kappabashi-dori, just north of the Kama-Asa knife store, this café has a very hipster feel thanks to its stark concrete walls and occasional in-store art exhibitions. The menu includes specialty coffees as well as organic matcha and ginger lemonade.

While you may or may not typically seek out Starbucks while traveling, this super-fancy Starbucks Reserve Roastery is especially inviting during sakura (cherry blossom) season. You'll be able to get sakura-flavored drinks like cream soda sakura (only available seasonally), and the second-floor terrace is a wonderful spot to view the blossoms.

Really taking pride in their coffee, the Roastery serves up some good single-origin coffee. Tucked away along a shopping street connecting Omotesando to Shibuya, the shop offers outdoor seating, giving you a place to watch the shoppers stream by.

For a quick caffeine break, Verve serves up single-origin beans from around the world in fashionable, but laidback surrounds. They also have herb teas, sandwiches, and sweet treats like carrot cake and vegan cookies.