Tokyo’s café scene has evolved dramatically, transforming from traditional tea houses to modern coffee havens. Over the years, various neighborhoods have embraced this transformation, with cafés sprouting up in unexpected places, from narrow alleyways to basements of high-rise buildings.

Among these hidden treasures is a café known as “Saryo Tsujiri,” located in the heart of the historic district. With its focus on matcha, the café not only serves delicious drinks but also provides a serene ambiance where visitors can enjoy the delicate flavors of traditional Japanese tea.

Another must-visit is “Hattifnatt,” a magical café that resembles a storybook setting complete with whimsical decor and an enchanting atmosphere. This place is a favorite for individuals looking to relax with a cup of coffee while basking in a unique environment filled with artistic touches.

One cannot overlook “Koffee Mameya,” which has won accolades for its expertly brewed coffee. This specialty shop, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, offers coffee enthusiasts the chance to savor beans sourced from around the world, expertly prepared by knowledgeable baristas.

A visit to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without stopping by “Café de L’ambre.” Established in 1948, this café is a pioneer in the coffee culture of Japan and is celebrated for its dedication to the craft of coffee making. The baristas here take pride in their meticulous brew methods, delivering a rich and unforgettable coffee experience.

For those who enjoy a literary atmosphere, “Gundam Café” perfectly combines mecha culture with café aesthetics, providing fans with a thematic environment distinct from any other. Guests can enjoy themed menus while appreciating a vibrant ambiance that merges pop culture with culinary creativity.

Many visitors are drawn to these cafés for their distinctive menus and atmosphere, yet the real charm lies in their locations and the stories they tell. These cafés are not just places to grab a drink; they represent the heart of Tokyo’s social scene, serving as community hubs where friendships are formed over well-crafted coffee.

As the café culture continues to flourish, one can expect to see even more hidden gems emerging throughout Tokyo. These cafés are often influenced by the local culture, integrating art and innovation into their offerings. This blend of tradition and modernity is what makes Tokyo’s café scene so captivating.

What makes Tokyo’s hidden cafes special?

These cafés often offer unique drinks, personalized service, and atmospheres that reflect local culture, making each visit a memorable experience.

Where can I find the best hidden cafes in Tokyo?

Exploring neighborhoods like Shimokitazawa, Koenji, and Yanaka will lead you to some of the city’s best hidden cafes.

Are reservations required at these cafes?

While most hidden cafes welcome walk-ins, it’s advisable to check in advance, especially on weekends or holidays, to avoid long waits.

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#1 Explore the Viennese coffee culture

Coffee is an inseparable part of the lifestyle in Vienna. The city’s coffee culture has even been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, where Viennese coffee houses are described as places

“where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill”.

There are some cafés in the city that, aside from serving amazing coffee, can also tell some interesting stories. One of them is Bräunerhof café (Stallburggasse 2). In the last century, it was a literary café whose bohemian spirit attracted many young writers and artists – including the famous Austrian poet and novelist Thomas Bernhard. It is also home to one of the biggest collections of old newspapers in the country.

Another one worth visiting is Café Frauenhuber – the oldest coffee house in Vienna, as well as the place where Mozart had his last public performance. The café, located in Himmelpfortgasse 6, was actually a favorite haunt of the legendary Austrian composer.

Café Frauenhuber

#2 Drink coffee like an Italian

Nowhere is coffee as much of a cult as it is in Italy. As such, there are certain rules that must be followed, which should be well examined before setting off on the adventure of drinking coffee like a local. Here are the basics:

1. Espresso is simply a technical term – not your order. Neither is anything consisting of more than the one simple word – caffè (a strong shot of espresso).
2. Drink it fast (not more than three gulps) while standing at the bar, having a small chat with the barista.
3. Never order a cappuccino after 10 am.

#3 Take part in a Buna coffee ceremony in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is famous for being the birthplace of coffee and the ceremony of coffee preparation is an important part of its culture. An invitation for such a ceremony is a way to show respect towards the guest. The ceremony itself can last hours, since it includes roasting, grinding and brewing the beans. For brewing, Ethiopians use a special clay pot called a jebena. When the brewing is over, you are served with three cups of dark, bitter coffee.  The ceremony is a social ritual, where sharing and communicating with the people around is as important as the beverage itself.

Coffee beans roasting as part of the Buna ceremony

#4 Visit coffee plantations in Brazil

Brazil is the biggest coffee producer and exporter in the world. Coffee is one of the main sources of income for the country, so it is easy to understand why here the beverage is a lot more than just a drink to wake you up. The most common type of coffee in Brazil is cafezinho – a small cup of filtered black coffee – and is drunk frequently throughout the day, at any possible moment.

While here, you have the unique opportunity to visit one of the many Brazilian plantations and coffee farms. Here you can learn about the coffee-making process from A to Z, from planting to brewing the beans. Many of the big cities like Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte offer guided one-day tours to nearby plantations.

#5 Have street coffee in Cambodia

From sidecars on motorbikes and rickshaws, people in Cambodia sell coffee in tied-up plastic bags. Drinking this coffee through a straw is an experience all the coffee lovers out there should try at least once. The coffee is served with ice to create a fresh start to the day for locals, who can often be seen carrying bags of coffee on their motorbikes on the way to work or back home.

#6 Drink coffee brewed on hot sand in Turkey

Coffee plays a big part in everyday life in Turkey, as well as on some special occasions like engagement and marriage. Turkish coffee is unfiltered, thick and strong. The best way to drink it is with some Turkish delight on the side, and the best way to prepare it is on hot sand. That gives the coffee-brewer perfect control over the temperature and is, moreover, spectacular to behold. Some skilled coffee-makers can make the coffee-preparation process into a real show, and turn something as simple as having your morning coffee into the highlight of your day.

#7 Master the skills of frappe-making in Greece

The foam-covered iced drink is a life-saver during the hot summer days in Greece and Cyprus. The drink was invented in 1957 and became a symbol of post-war Greek outdoor coffee culture. Frappe comes from the French word for ‘shaken’ and is best consumed either right on the beach or in a beach bar on a Greek Island. Though the ingredients are only instant coffee, ice cubes and sugar, and the preparation process is quite easy, a few sneak-peeks of how exactly the bartender is doing it might help you master some techniques and come back home with something better than a souvenir – an instant memento in the form of an authentic frappe recipe.

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Anyway, you can experience pure bliss almost everywhere else. These are five of the things I love the most about Italy.

Narrow streets – because you never know what’s around the next corner.

Towns on hills – the memorable vistas are worth those sweaty walks up steep cobbled streets.

Vineyards – and sunsets with a glass of wine, and sunrises engulfed in the morning fog. Wine goes hand in hand with the concept of dolce far niente.

Vespas – exploring cities on an old-school Vespa is as Italian as it gets.

Espresso – Italy has perhaps the most serious espresso culture in the world. If you don’t want to look like a tourist in Italy, have your espresso in one shot, standing at the bar and exchanging gossip with the barrista.

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