Tokyo holds a special place in my heart. The Japanese culture is astonishing, apparent even in this modern city. The shops are carefully curated with a selection of the best Japanese homegrown brands (think Issey Miyake, Comme des Garcons) and a myriad of European brands (Isabel Marant, No 21 and more). For the food lovers, you will (I stress) never run out options. From the traditional Japanese eateries, to the hippest pastry store hailing from New York City and the growing Scandinavian-inspired coffee culture, there is really so much to do. You will never get bored in bustling Tokyo.
As a frequent visitor of Tokyo, I’ve gone through my lists to present the best the city has to offer. In this post, you'll find the top places to fuel up.
TO EAT
Dominique Ansel Bakery & Cafe
Bakery
You don’t need to be in New York City to have a taste of the world-famous cronuts. Hailing all the way from the United States, Dominique Ansel bakery is one of the most successful pastry chefs in our generation. The creator of Cronuts, a combination of croissant and donut, head to his namesake bakery to enjoy other treats. The marshmallow on a stick and cookie shots are also a favourite. Note that cookie shots are only available in the late afternoon so be prepared for a wait.
Little Nap Coffee Stand
Café
Tucked in one of the residential areas of Tokyo lies an obscure coffee shop. It’s not hard to get here — with a direct bus ride from our hotel in Shinjuku. A tiny store with only a few seats, you’ll be surprised by the coffee they serve. The food menu is limited but the hotdog is a great choice if you’re after a nibble.
Number Sugar
Confectionery
Famous for their salted caramels, this confectionery is the prettiest we’ve ever seen. Showcasing their kitchen and the behind the scenes of their candy making, Number Sugar takes their craft very seriously. Their original sweets are popular so if you’re looking to get a box of them, do come early.
Streamer Coffee Company
Café
A coffee company whelmed by women. Bad-ass, original and has a lot of attitude. Their coffee is a mix of floral and fruity notes. Despite not being a big fan of these type of coffee, it’s still worth checking out.
Gyukatsu Motomura
Restaurant
Limited to only 9 seatings in their restaurant, there is almost never a no-line at Gyukatsu Motomura. The menu is extremely limited and this is what makes it unique. Here, a slice of steak is lightly pan-fried to a rare perfection and then served to diners. Diners then decide how well-done they want their meat to be. It is a perfect presentation of how great of a quality Japanese produce is.
Commune 246
Collective Restaurants
Commune 246 takes its inspiration from Portland’s food truck culture. Different vendors serving a variety of food comes together to create this community. The food variety is amazing at Commune 246. From craft beers, to new-fusion Japanese to Mexican food, this is one place that you’ll enjoy live-band music while dining al fresco.
Margaret Howell Cafe
Cafe
The only Margaret Howell café in the world, bask into Britain’s most celebrated cult-designer’s namesake cafe. Serving an organic and simple tea time selection, it is the perfect embodiment of slow-living.
Cafe Kitsune
Cafe
The fox’s den for coffee, tea and cookies. Cafe Kitsuné is a hidden gem between the Omotesando region. Taking a leaf of the Japanese culture, the cafe’s interior is eye-pleasing. A breather for an afternoon’s worth of shopping, don’t miss out on their green tea lattes — they’re absolutely out of this world.
Matsunosuke N.Y.
Cafe
The go-to place and the holy grail of all apple pies. Matsunosuke NY is my must-visit whenever I come to Tokyo. Famous for its apple pies that is crispy on the outside, there’s something about these pies that I cannot put a word to it. Their pancakes are amazingly fluffy as well.
Fuglen Tokyo
Cafe
Hailing from Norway, Fuglen is a coffee store by day and cocktail bar by night. Although a little out of place from the main spots in Tokyo, the offerings make the trip out worthwhile. Consistent to their first store in Norway, the quality and taste is exactly the same. My favourite is to take home their ungrounded, freshly roasted beans.
Restaurant
A small restaurant that fits only about 8 people, this place is a recommendation from a dear friend. Sometime last year, head chef decided to take a small break. The food is honest at Beard — every item off the menu is a simple fare but is extremely delicious. It’s a restaurant that you have to try out once in your life.
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You can view the guide easily by exporting the CATHHALIM.COM: Tokyo map into your Google Maps application. Mobile and web friendly. Enjoy!
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