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5 Hidden Cafes and Desserts You Need To Try in Tokyo

Omotesando and Harajuku are best known as Japan’s center of youth and street-fashion. But between the alleys of these streets lies unsuspecting desserts that you might miss if you’re not aware. Taste the delectable dishes served by these 5 cafes in Tokyo!

1. Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku

Nestled comfortably in Takeshita street, is a popular pastry shop, Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku. This is known for its puffs filled with vanilla custard cream fillings and Hokkaido milk ice cream, topped with crispy almond crumbs.

Photo credits: Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku

Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku‘s open concept store with transparent windows allows let you see the pastry cafe at work. On most days, Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku is crowded with patrons, however, with the fast and efficient services in Japan, you can expect to get your desserts without waiting too long in line!

  • Address: 150-0001 CUTE CUBE HARAJUKU 1F, 1-7-1, Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
  • Operating Hours: 10:00am to 8:00pm
  • Branches: For other outlets, click here.

2. Calbee Plus

Photo credit: Flickr / chinnian

Meh, we’ve all heard of Calbee chips, what’s so special about Calbee in Japan? How about warm, crisp potato chips? Fresh out of the oven, you can try Calbee‘s potato chips or fries first-hand before deciding on your purchase. Even better, top off your guilty pleasure with toppings like salt and butter, double cheese, Royce chocolate and more!

Photo credit: Flickr / chinnian

After indulging in Calbee chips on the first floor, move over to Calbee Plus‘ second floor where they have tons of merchandise on display ranging from food keychains to Calbee souvenirs. If your family and friends are huge fans of Calbee, you know what to bring home for them.

  • Address: Calbee Plus Tokyo Station 9-1 Marunouchi 1 Chome Chiyoda-ku Tokyo
    Inside Tokyo Okashi land B1 floor
  • Opening Hours: 9:00am to 9:00pm
  • Address: 1-16-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Harajuku Station / Meiji-Jingumae Station
  • Opening Hours: 9:30am to 8.30pm

3. PABLO Cafe

Photo credit: Flickr / Bryan

Tucked away in the streets of Omotesando, you’ll have to follow their advertisements and their indicators along the street to find PABLO Cafe. Upon arrival, you’ll notice that PABLO Cafe‘s Omotesando outlet is split into two cafes separated by the different levels. You’ll be handed both menus while you’re queuing up so you can decide which of PABLO Cafe‘s two levels you’d like to dine in.

If you’re looking for an escape from the crowd while enjoying your desserts, go up to the second floor, where it’s relatively more peaceful. Take away a box of mini cheese tarts even if you don’t intend to dine in — you won’t regret following our advice!

  • Address: 1-14-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
  • Operating Hours: 10:00am to 9:00pm (last order at 8:00pm)

4. Bills Omotesando

Photo credit: Flickr / Wei-Te Wong

Known for serving “the best breakfast in the world”, Bills Omotesando is a popular Western-style cafe located on the 7th floor of Tokyu Plaza. By 8.30am you will be able to see women poised and ready to wait in line!

Photo credit: Flickr / Wei-Te Wong

We recommend getting their muffin, coming with a roasted banana that compliments the taste of this seemingly simple dish. You can even drizzle honey over your muffins if you prefer to have a sweeter breakfast.

  • Address: 7F Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku Tokyo
  • Operating Hours: 8:30am to 11:00pm (last order at 10:00pm)

5. Blue Bottle Coffee

Photo credit: Flickr / Saaleha Bamjee

Move over Starbucks, Blue Bottle Coffee is the newest hipster coffee place — evident by its minimalist logo of a simple blue bottle. The coffee place prefers placing its emphasis on the production of their coffee, as shown by their extensive brewing guides. Originating from United States, Blue Bottle Coffee currently only has two outlets in Asia, one of which is situated right in Tokyo. This is a good place to relax and unwind after shopping in Harajuku.

  • Address: Japan, 〒135-0023 Tokyo, Hirano, 1−4−8
  • Operating Hours: 8:00am to 7:00pm

Heard so much about the desserts in Tokyo, but not sure how to score them? We’ve got you covered with these transportation options below:

Travel Essentials:

Here are some basic Tokyo guides to get you started:

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