Best Coffee in Tokyo: My Recommendations

I’m not particularly fussy about my coffee. If there’s no other option, I’ll drink a cup of Nescafé. I default to Nespresso capsules at home. But when I travel, exploring interesting coffee shops becomes one of my favorite little adventures. It’s an effortless way to inject some excitement into a busy workday. Even if the rest of the day is filled with meetings and stress, at least I can say, “Hey, I had good coffee today.” And on weekends? A specialty coffee experience makes for a great start—sipping slowly, reflecting on the week, observing locals, all while staying within my fasting routine (black coffee doesn’t break the fast!).

The recommendations below are based on where I spend most of my time: the Naka-Meguro-Roppongi-Otemachi triangle. I’m sure there are amazing coffee spots elsewhere in Tokyo, but these are the ones that have stood out to me during my visits. Enjoy!

Roppongi Area

Verve Roasters Roppongi

This clean, modern coffee shop is conveniently close to both my usual hotel and our office in Roppongi Hills (which, by the way, is a complete architectural disaster—ask me about it sometime!). I almost always end up here a couple of times during each trip. They offer a wide variety of blends, with creative branding and illustrations that make browsing fun. I usually grab their “Quick Cup,” the fastest way to get a solid brew. For mornings back at the hotel, I stock up on single-serve drip coffee bags—I’m partial to the “1950” blend. The space is airy, spacious, and bright, which is rare in Tokyo.

Blue Bottle Roppongi

As a global chain, Blue Bottle offers far more interesting coffee than Starbucks. This particular location is tucked away near a tiny, picturesque temple, making it a peaceful spot for a quiet morning. The interior design—with its whites and pale wood—feels more Finnish than Japanese. Their drip coffee is reliably nice. I’d probably go for a slice of their lemon soy cake if I weren’t fasting. It’s worth noting that Nestlé owns a majority stake in Blue Bottle, which might feel odd given the counter-culture vibe of specialty coffee. But honestly? I just enjoy the coffee and the ambiance without overthinking corporate ownership.

Honorable Mention - Le Pain Quotidien

Let’s be real—their coffee isn’t anything special. Still, the branch in Tokyo Midtown is perfect for breakfast meetings with clients. It’s spacious, quiet, and the coffee is perfectly serviceable. Sometimes, convenience trumps everything else.

Kanda/Otemachi Area

Otemachi, Tokyo’s financial district, is surprisingly barren when it comes to exciting coffee options. It seems like Otemachi salarymen aren’t looking for anything beyond their standard Starbucks or Tully’s fix. But head over to neighboring Kanda, and you’ll find a treasure trove of coffee gems. I think even a Melbourne coffee snob would feel envious here.

Glitch Coffee Roasters

I first discovered Glitch Coffee in Osaka, where their selection of single-origin gesha coffees blew me away. So naturally, I had to visit their Tokyo location too. It’s a smallish place, but you can smell the coffee roasting from a hundred meters away—it’s intoxicating. I tried a fermented Java coffee here, and wow, what a funky, complex flavor explosion! The staff is incredibly helpful in guiding visitors through their extensive menu. While the shop could exist anywhere in the world, the jazz music playing on a record player gives it a distinctly Japanese touch.

Kissako

Near Jimbocho Station, Kissako falls squarely into the category of traditional Japanese kissaten: unassuming, older coffee shops without the fussiness of specialty beans or elaborate brewing methods. The coffee here is excellent—rich, dark roast—and pairs beautifully with their famous cheesecake. This isn’t a place for idle chatter; it’s for sipping, tasting, thinking, and enjoying the fantastic jazz music wafting from the record player. Don’t skip the cheesecake (go with the baked option)—it’s divine.

Kanda Coffee

Kanda Coffee offers a kissa-like experience but with the front open to the street. It’s less cozy for lingering on cold winter mornings, but the gentle jazz music creates a soothing atmosphere. They serve a crunchy, flaky chocolate croissant alongside other baked goods, and they lean toward third-wave coffee with a thoughtful selection of beans. Next time, I need to try their crème caramel.

Mametora Jimbocho

If you’re looking for single-serve drip coffee to take back to your hotel, Mametora is a must-visit. They have the most extensive selection I’ve ever seen, with detailed descriptions of flavor profiles, tasting notes, and origin information. With 20+ options, experimenting with wildly different tastes is half the fun—even on rushed weekday mornings. Their single-serve packets are a bit finicky, though. For simpler packaging, check out Aomi Coffee Jimbocho, just five minutes away. But Mametora’s charm and the aroma of freshly ground coffee keep pulling me back.

Naka-Meguro/Ebisu Area

Kobeya Kitchen Deli & Cafe

I have a soft spot for this adorable bakery/coffee shop. Sitting midday with a sausage roll and a simple black coffee feels grounding. Watching people pass by lets me slow down and reflect on life. Maybe it’s the presence of so many elderly ladies picking up bread, snacks, and desserts—they bring a sense of calm that’s hard to resist.

Onibus Coffee in Naka-Meguro

Naka-Meguro station is one of my favorite street photography spots in Tokyo, thanks to the dramatic beams of light filtering through the overhead train tracks. Onibus Coffee is a convenient pit stop during photo walks. My friend Richard and I have developed a system: we pick up our coffee, take it along for a stroll, then circle back to dispose of the empty cups since public bins are scarce in Tokyo. The coffee is strong, delicious, and absolutely worth the effort.

Asakusa

Fuglen Asakusa

Fuglen is often recommended by specialty coffee enthusiasts visiting Tokyo. Their Asakusa location is closer to me, so I decided to check it out. Exiting the metro station, I braced myself for the throngs of tourists flocking to one of Tokyo’s most over-touristed areas. The temples and streets are undeniably beautiful, but the crowds, souvenir shops, and rickshaw pullers create chaos that’s the opposite of what I seek in travel. Fuglen sits right in the middle of this madness. Given the noise and bustle, I opted for their Daily Coffee quick-cup from the pot. It was good—nothing extraordinary—but certainly not bad either. This isn’t the place for a contemplative, slow drip-and-sip session. Instead, it works better as a quick lunch spot with your coffee. If you’re planning to visit, I’d recommend checking out their other location instead.

I hope I inspired you to go out and get a nice coffee next time on your travels!