Tokyo Cafes that are Worth Your Time and Money
Last updated on December 4th, 2025 at 08:33 pm
I’ve been to 50+ Tokyo cafes over several months and to be honest, the food wasn’t mind blowing.
Yes, I’m serious. And yes, I know that people *rave* about food in Japan.
“It’s sooo convenient and delicious!” says everyone and their mom.
If you’re only in Japan for 1 – 2 weeks, yeah, the food isn’t that bad.
Also, I think people tend to hype any and everything related to Japan.
Now, before you throw tomatoes at me, I did manage to eat at some awesome food spots.
And I put together this list of cafes (and/or restaurants) in Tokyo (and Kyoto!) that have great:
- food
- ambiance
- and customer service
for your ultimate cafe hopping experience!
Enjoy These Tokyo Cafes that are Actually Worth Your Time, Money & Tastebuds
1. Chiyaba (チャバ)
It is absolutely worth getting soaked in a random Tokyo rainstorm to try this tea house specializing in Nepalese tea.
You can sit at the large bar, outside on the bench or in the back with sofa seating.
My first visit was on a Saturday afternoon. It was packed but I managed to get a seat at the desk near the small bookcase.
Chiyaba is one the few cafes I went to where groups of friends catching up and people on a solo outing can coexist without it being too noisy or too quiet.
A+ customer service and super friendly staff. And some of the best chai I’ve had in a long time.
Pictured: Iced lemon masala tea (¥680 for the regular size), sel roti rice donut (¥550) & houjicha and cacao seasonal wagashi (¥660)
Payment method: Cashless
Instagram: @Chiya_Ba
2. Mute Cafe
Guess what you need to do while at this cafe? Yep, be quiet.
Mute Cafe is the perfect place to get some reading done. And the food is excellent!
Pictured: Samgyetang ginseng chicken soup set (¥1500)
Tucked away in Nakameguro, Mute Cafe feels like you’re in the living room of your friend who has great taste in home decor.
And they make a lot of money.
Need to get some work done? Can’t find a good spot in Tokyo to study?
Well, you no longer have that problem because Mute Cafe is here for you.
Payment method: They accept credit cards!
Instagram: @MuteCafe.Tokyo
3. Under the Mat
Honestly, I want to live here.
Out of all the Tokyo cafes on this list, I felt the most at home at Under the Mat and super cozy.
Pictured: Taiyaki (¥350) and hot chocolate (¥600)
It’s like being in a cool vintage furniture store surrounded by neat knick knacks that’ll take you a lifetime to collect.
And it doesn’t hurt that Under the Mat is located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Nakameguro.
Payment method: Cash only. Don’t remember if they take PayPay, but they don’t accept credit cards.
Instagram: @UTM_Nakameguro
4. Baggage Coffee
It’s amazing how hard it is to find good pound cake and chai lattes from Tokyo cafes. But I’ve found both at Baggage Coffee.
Pictured: Pound cake slice (I don’t remember the price) and chai tea (¥600) with soy milk (¥100)
This is a really popular cafe in Harajuku, but still worth going if you get there early.
There are two different buildings, but they are right next to one another. On the right, is the counter where you put your cafe order.
Straight ahead is the seating area plus the clothing and accessories store. Oh, and don’t run into the big mirror in the back.
Payment method: They accept credit cards!
Instagram: @BaggageCoffee.Harajuku
5. BERTH Coffee
My favorite thing about this cozy two-story cafe is the walk-up bay window with bar seating.
BERTH Coffee, in the Tokyo Nihonbashi area is located in the CITAN Hostel building, a hostel that’s popular with backapackers.
There are ample places to sit outside and inside but come early or on a weekday to have a chance at an open seat.
Don’t skip the apple ginger latte, one of the best drinks I’ve had in the city.
The CITAN Lounge is downstairs and it’s a great spot to get some work done, hang out with friends or take someone (or yourself!) on a date.
Pictured: Apple ginger latte (¥700) with soy milk (¥100) and carrot cake slice (¥500)
Payment method: They accept credit cards!
Instagram: @BerthCoffee_Tokyo
6. Kyle’s Good Finds
If you have a taste for classic American desserts that aren’t too sweet but still have bold flavors, then Kyle’s Good Finds is a must.
One of things I love about desserts in Japan is that they aren’t too sweet.
But I cannot tell you how many times I tried something that was neither sweet or flavorful.
You won’t have that problem at this bakery in the Nakano neighborhood.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a full cafe with a lot of seating options, but there’s a small table inside and a bench in front of the store.
Pictured: Carrot cake (キャロットケーキ) and spice cake (スパイスケーキ)
Payment method: Cash only. Don’t remember if they take PayPay, but they don’t accept credit cards.
Instagram: @KylesGoodFinds
More Tokyo cafes to visit in Japan
Heading to Kyoto? Don’t miss these cafes
