Coffee Journey & Bake
Takadanobaba · Tokyo · Steep Index 8.3/10
A funky, plant-filled corner of Takadanobaba pouring Akha Ama's fair-trade beans with real precision, best worked from alone with a slice of carrot cake.
The Steep Index
Solo-Friendliness leads, a small room with good wifi and a staff that leaves you alone to work. Atmosphere follows close behind, the room is genuinely quirky in a way that photos undersell. Coffee Quality is strong too, a well-pulled espresso from a roaster with a real story behind it. Value comes in lowest, standard specialty-cafe pricing for a neighbourhood spot rather than a bargain.
- Coffee / Drink Quality: 8.2/10
- Atmosphere: 8.6/10
- Solo-Friendliness: 8.8/10
- Value: 7.8/10
- Staying Power: 8.1/10
- Overall: 8.3/10
Perfect for: working alone
The Space
The room is small and packed with mismatched furniture, plants, and odd knickknacks, more like somebody's well-loved apartment than a designed cafe. It takes a minute to take in on a first visit, and the minute is worth it.
The Coffee
The beans come from Akha Ama, the Thai roaster built on fair-trade relationships with hill-tribe farmers, and the espresso here is pulled with real precision. The iced latte held its shape all the way down, no thin finish, no bitterness sneaking in at the end.
The espresso is pulled with real precision. The room looks like nobody agreed on a theme, and somehow that works.
The Vibe
Staff are warm and quick with a smile, and the wifi holds up fine for a laptop session. A genuinely good place to disappear into for a few hours on your own.
The Verdict
Order the iced latte and the carrot cake, then claim a corner. This is a legitimate solo work spot in a part of Tokyo that does not have many.
Practical information
- Address: 2 Chome-12-5 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0075
- Price: ¥¥
- Type: specialty cafe
- Wifi available
- Laptop friendly
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