Omotesando Koffee

The coffee shop is tucked away in a cute little residential area away from the bustling city. Although it’s basically someone’s home, you can’t miss it because of the line that forms outside. After all of the places we’ve checked out in Japan, this was the first time Steph and I had to wait in line. The line does not move fast like Starbucks though because these people really take care of their customers and take the time to make sure they make their drinks well. Much appreciated!
The owner Eiichi Kunitomo has another coffee shop close by called Bread, Espresso &, but this shop is definitely more special. The store has a small garden in the front, where you can enjoy your drinks, and glass sliding doors that lead to the coffee counter. The décor is simple yet beautiful, making the wait quite bearable.
Although it was pretty cold, I decided to order one of their most popular drinks, the iced cappuccino. With the dusting of cocoa powder on top, you can see the milk foam that bubbles on the top of my drink. So unique! Besides coffee, they also sell these small custards that they make in small batches. Stephanie S. and I shared a lot of snacks during our trip to Japan/​Taiwan so we could try more things. However, after one bite into this little custard square, I immediately regretted not getting my own. Actually, I regretted not buying a whole set (of 5). I’m not really sure how to explain it, but it’s like a baked egg tart without the pastry.
Unfortunately, Omotesando Koffee closed on December 30, 2015. Opening in 2011 as a pop up shop, they became a big hit and stayed opened. However, there were too many costly repairs needed for the 60 year old traditional Japanese house, so they decided to just close up shop. They do have another location in Tokyo called Toranomon though. And they’re opening another shop in Hong Kong!
Steph and I were pretty lucky for coming to Tokyo when we did so we could check out this super popular and hipster coffee shop. :)

It’s sad to hear that Omotesando Koffee closed before I could complete my review, since it was a super cute boutique coffee shop in Tokyo. The café was very modern and sleek, and you could see the care they took to make your coffee. Although the café was busy during the time we went in the afternoon, there was no line. We tried the Las Hojas Coffee (
), which took 5 – 10 minutes for them to make. The coffee was very clean tasting, and super super smooth. I really liked the tables and chairs and there was plenty of space to sit and hang out. This was a great place to stop by for coffee!

December 30, 2015, was Omotesando Koffee’s final day of business. The location closed due to costly repairs needed for the old house, and the owners decided to close up shop instead. Their other Tokyo location, Toranomon Koffee, will remain in operation, and they are also opening a shop in Hong Kong early in 2016.
Omotesando Koffee had the best flat white in the city. It was the first cup of coffee I could drink without sugar – the velvety microfoam in the drink brought out the natural sweetness of the milk and was folded perfectly through the cup. In the summer, their iced shakerato was an elegant frappucino-​style drink with 大人の甘さ, a subtle sweetness that appeals to adult tastes. Maybe by now you can guess that my coffee tastebuds have come to expect sugary drinks from years of drinking coffee from the big chain coffee shops, but Omotesando Koffee was the place that broke that for me.
In addition to the excellent coffee, the shop’s location in an old wooden Japanese house made every visit an experience. I could go on about zen and wabi sabi and all that, but suffice to say that it had a uniquely Japanese charm that drew in people from around the world. It was a favorite place to take friends who were visiting from abroad.
So long, Omotesando Koffee, and thanks for all the coffee!

You want this!!!
I like my coffee with baileys in it and this was the perfect mix out of both never had a coffee like that
A lot of hipsters dough… you might have to listen to their shitty conversation while waiting in line
Put some headphones on and listen to your favorite song or something cause I had problems keeping my coffee in because of all the hipster bs

Yeah yeah! Everyone go ahead and spit on me because I gave this place 3 stars and I’m from the states! I’m not a coffee snob by any means and I don’t need coffee to survive my day.
I read numerous reviews and even magazine articles about how this old house in this cute neighborhood serves up tokyo’s best coffee!
After walking about 27 minutes and finding this place through harajuku I have arrived! Among a line of 20 other foreigners who have probably all read the same damn reviews.
Therefore it lost its treasure value but oh well, a line must mean it’s the shit right??! Well after 25 minutes in line in up at the bar to order my coffee.
The barista was one guy and one guy collecting money. Hence the line? Then I get my iced coffee and realize damn this shit taste like basic?! It wasn’t amazing and I’m not a coffee snob but really? Da fuq was I in line for in Japan? I could’ve been cuddling with cute shiba dogs!
The crazy part the only coffee place that makes me go damn that shit was good is philz coffee! And someone next to me also mentioned philz coffee was better half way across the glob in Japan!
Try it if you want hipster or not…

This place is very cute, at least as a Westerner I just love the nicely Japanese looking little house hidden on a back street in Omotesando. It is very small and there is usually a long line outside. That combined with the fact that they do not really rush anything it is best to come prepared with some patience.
There’s meticulous effort and attention going into each and every cup so just for that reason it’s almost impossible not to love them. They are friendly but not overly chatty. So how’s the coffee then? Well to be frank it is not the beat I had. The execution is flawless but the roast was too dark for my taste. It is still a nice cup but I have other places that I would rather visit for coffee but the nice atmosphere is worth an extra star on its own.

We started off a morning with a trip to Omotesando Koffee, which is tucked away in a residential part of Omotesando. The coffee shop itself could be mistaken for someone’s house where there are tatami mats, sliding wood doors, and a small garden in front. The coffee itself was good for a batch brew as most of their drinks on their menu were espresso drinks. I couldn’t help but notice that a lot of the people passing through got iced drinks, so if I were to come back, it’d be to try some of the options on their cold menu. You could easily walk right by this place a number of times without being able to find it, so make sure you trust the location on the map — it really is amongst houses!

If I could give Omotesando 10 stars, I would. This is THE BEST coffee I have ever had. Hands down. Oh sooo smooth and tasty: the perfect amount of brightness, sweetness, and richness, Omotesando is the sort of cup that you dream about. If you are a coffee drinker and visit Tokyo, and you don’t come to Omotesando, you are missing out big time. Cute space too!

I came here to buy a coffee bean hand grinder and enjoyed an iced latte as I recovered from hitting my head on the doorway. The koffee kafe is a short walk from the Omotesando subway station. I lived in this neighborhood so walking around brought back lovely memories.
The barristers take their work seriously and the atmosphere is very relaxing. My iced latte was the best cold coffee I have ever tasted. The care and dedication to each drink is rarely matched elsewhere.
I am a big fan of the Japanese pour overs and tried to learn a few tricks from the barrister.

L’endroit parfait pour les cofee lovers. Le Omotesando Koffee est planqué dans les hauteurs du quartier d’Omotesando. Pour le trouvez vous aurez intérêt à avoir un peu de wifi parce que sinon ça risqué d’être compliqué.
Donc planqué entre les maisons magnifiques du quartier, vous entrerez dans une petite maison en bois ou on vous propose un choix restreint et efficace de cafés. Plusieurs sortes sont proposés, vous choisissez, commandez et on vous le prépare devant vous. Des purs baristas quoi, tout cela à prix plutôt raisonnable je trouve surtout quand on voit la taille du gobelet. Bön on peut pas consommer sur place mais ce n’est pas grave on sirotera son café en se baladant tranquillement dans le quartier.

I thought the guy was very innovative, and for that I will give him 5 stars. Whereas in most places iced cappuccino does not exist, this guy made it happen. His method is probably not the standard nor is it approved by the coffee community, but I don’t like to think of myself as a coffee snob.
He uses a Cimbali machine and also looks like he has previous bartending experience. For the iced cappucino, he blends the chilled steamed milk with espresso for the bubbles and tops it with chocolate powder. For the iced espresso he uses a cocktail shaper to chill it with the ice, which is very interesting. I think it’s just fun to watch him work. «Doppio» means double shot and if you want any of the little custard squares, you will have to earlier in the morning…
The only thing I did not like is the wait time… even at 5:30 close to closing time I still waited around 20 minutes and it is indeed very popular among tourists (naturally) who Unilocal

let’s join in the chorus of praises for this truly deserving caffeine peddler!
omotesando is such a beautiful neighbourhood and omotesando koffee adds a mystical kyotosque feel to it.
do follow the whiff of coffee AND your trusty Unilocal app (of course!) to this small nondescript house with a distinctly long queue through it’s door.
as for me, i was lucky to have with me an insider guide (dean f.) without whom this review may not have been possible.
after a comatose inducing curry soup lunch AND not to mention a sleepless red-​eye flight from singapore, i was more than ready for yet another cuppa to pick my lids up!
i love the quiet and patient clientele here, standing in line without moaning or groaning.
knowing that, when it comes to your turn to be served, they will show you 100% attention!
there’s no sense of urgency, in a good way, here and they will politely serve only one customer at a time, with total disregard for how many that stands behind them, just to make sure that the end result is nothing but a perfectly extracted brew and a zenly satisfied customer.
without further ado, i’m more than please to place them on the same pedestal as abraco in NY and nylon in SG.

This is the coffee shop dreams are made of. Go, sip (gulp), and zen out in caffeinated bliss!
Take the time to figure out how to get there and pay close attention walking so you don’t miss it.
There’s a reason for the five stars. It’s that good!

This is such a nice minimalist coffee shop tucked in a quieter side of Omotesando! This coffee shop’s location is pretty unconvincing but trust me, if you’re a coffee lover then this is the place for you or even if you’re not a coffee lover, you’ll still be hooked.
I had a cup of iced black coffee without sugar by default (and if I can recommend you anything is that, if you like your coffee cold & sweet, if possible try not to order the cold coffee as they only prepare sugar for the hot one. So no sugar in any form available).
The coffee here is like an art, it is really amazing and pairs perfectly with the baked custard, and the owner is friendly and takes great care with each cup of coffee (hence the long queue). There are only a couple benches out in the garden so you may or may not be able to sit down and chill (depends on the crowds) — we saw some people walking back out of the neighborhood with coffee cups. Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for good coffee!

Omotesando takes coffee to another level. The space is beautiful and simple, and each drink takes what feels like five minutes to prepare. But that is because the barista is taking much care to make the perfect, rich, delectable coffee.
Tim M. got the iced cappuccino (the bubbly drink in all the Unilocal photos). I got the Iced Shakerato (espresso that is cooled in a shaker, 500Y). Super fancy. Rich as hell. Probably the strongest — and best — coffee I had during our trip.
It takes a bit of a trek to get here, but if you’re looking for amazing coffee and an unique coffee experience, this is definitely a must.
There’s not too much seating to hang out, but if you’re lucky, snag one of the few spots in the front garden.

I’m not a coffee person but we saw this on Unilocal and had to check out the «cute little café» everyone speaks so dearly of. Omotesando Koffee is located in the middle of a neighborhood and can be difficult to spot. Luckily, we ran into an American speaking resident who pointed us in the right direction.
Leading up to the actual café is an outdoor garden with two benches. The café itself is small and the menu is simple. We ordered an iced latte and two baked custard bites, which we enjoyed in the outdoor garden as we charged our phones and took a reprieve from sighsteeing. The custard bite was just right in terms of sweetness level and was definitely a nice accompaniment to the smooth and refreshing beverage.
Note: This place does not open until 10 am, so if you are an early bird looking for some caffeine to kickstart your day, you should probably consider a different café. This is a nice stop if you are in Omotesando to take a break from shopping, sightseeing, etc.

I had been saving a visit to Omotesando Koffee for a day when I really needed it. You see, while I was out walking the streets of Tokyo, sometimes I just needed a cold drink and I wouldn’t even taste it. Finally, one day I set out from my apartment with Omotesando Koffee as my first destination.
I highly recommend wandering here through side streets as much as possible; accessing this area from Harajuku, or Shibuya are both very interesting pathways on foot and there’s a lot of small interesting streets to explore. By the time I arrived, I was drenched in sweat; it was one of the first days in Tokyo with a 100-​degree heat index during my visit and I was ready for a respite. It is so easy to miss this place– it looks like a simple humble home on a small side street. My favorite thing about this shop is how beautifully simple it is: no music, no garish lighting, no signs, no loud exclamation of «irashaimase!», just simple, restrained traditional elegance.
Once inside, the menu is incredibly simple, with only 3 – 4 drinks and two sizes. I ordered the «iced» cappuccino, which is the only one I’ve ever seen that involves a small amount of ice, and instead the barista whirs the cold milk and espresso in a blender, giving it a lot of froth and lift, and creating the infamous bubbles you see in photos. While my drink was being prepared, the barista engaged me in conversation and even indulged my terrible Japanese.
When your drink is finished, you can drink it in the small traditional garden, or take it with you. My only warning would be to get a smaller size than you think you want; in 90+ degree heat, cold milk quickly becomes lukewarm milk and your beverage becomes less refreshing. That said, this is such a great place to stop for a carefully crafted beverage, and a peaceful getaway in your day.

40 reviews and still a five star? Well, let me make that 41 reviews :)
Omotesando Koffee truly is a gem to find within the neighbourhood. I walked there from Roppongi (because exploration is best made on foot!), and it was certainly a pleasant surprise to see how discrete it was in the small alleys.
Guess we were lucky there was no long wait, as it was about 4pm in the afternoon when we arrived. Their americano wasn’t all that impressive, but do try out the ice cappuccino (as recommended by other Unilocalers as well). If I could come back again, I would probably try out the iced mocha for a bit of flair.
Usually, I like my coffee black, but Omotesando Koffee has shed light into my new fondness for cappuccino. Definitely check this place out if you’re in the area, you won’t regret it!

It is pretty rare for me to see on Unilocal a place that is rated 5 stars with more than 2 or 3 reviews, especially in Japan where Unilocal has not quite taken hold yet although seems to be growing. Seeing over 30+ reviews for a coffee place, we had to try it out. Located in a residential area of Ometasando, just a few minutes from the craziness of Shibuya, we walked by Omotesando coffee about 3 times before seeing another couple walk into what looked like a house. But it was in fact, Omotesando Koffee. From the minute we stepped in we knew it would be good. A tiny place with 1 super nice guy working, we just got a great vibe walking in. On a hot day in Tokyo we considered getting an iced drink, which I usually regret since often they get diluted down compared to hot lattes. But for this hot day we decided to get an iced cappuccino and a hot cappuccino to compare.
Everyone’s coffee tastes are different. My wife and I like a particularly balance of milk to espresso that has a strong (but not overpowering) coffee taste but tends to be thicker in foam and milk. Given that I have tried some of the best coffeeshops in cities like Seattle, Chicago, Portland and New York plus our home of St. Louis, I have to say that this coffee may have been the best I have ever had. The iced coffee was unbelievable. Just check out the photo. With sugar blended in I believe and a dusting of cocoa power on top, with milk foam that bubbled, this was unbelievable and an absolute must for any cappuccino/​latte snobs traveling to Tokyo.

THIS is the kind of place that lets me know Unilocal is indeed the MOST valuable tool for local businesses. I would of NEVER walked in here if it wasn’t for Unilocal.
After walking a few streets off the main road — passing a few homes in this residential area and actually missing it — before following our noses to the sweet smell of roasting coffee, through a little garden and facing an open sliding door to a tiny space — we arrived.
It’s not an exaggeration when I say this is a tiny place (there was 8 ppl when I was there and that felt crowded).
Extremely nice gentleman working the counter/​coffee/​register. This is a one man show. He did have an assistant, but he was off in another room doing some other duties it seemed. He ground the coffee, added mocha dust, took our money — and did it all with such efficiency no one waited too long.
Iced cappuccino is what I got based off of the default photo. IF you are wondering what that lump is in the coffee — it isn’t whip cream as I’d hoped. It’s actually a bubble. YES — a bubble! As the coffee settled the bubbles grew bigger and bigger. HOW DO THEY DO IT?! I really have no idea — but they are super fun.
When we ordered he asked us how much sugar? 1 Spoon = sweet and 2 spoons = super sweet. My wife and I looked at each other and with a «YOLO» look on our face said — 2 spoons! It’s important to remember what we consider super sweet in the US isn’t the same in other countries. For us there was barely any sugar in it at all. That’s fine though — the coffee was SO good we chugged it down regardless.
Also tried the custard — but I wasn’t really a fan. It was super small, and while a nice treat, I didn’t really see it as all that special.
Reccommend this to anyone the Harajuku area looking for a nice pick me up.

M writes in any email, «What’s your position on coffee?» I say, «I like good coffee.» He writes back, «Then go to Omotesando after Harajuku.» I then reply, «Okay… You know. when I get back, you can make me coffee in your Nob Hill home.» All true. He has three coffee makers. He writes, «Can’t explain it. Just go.»
My feet were hurting after Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Dori. Place was hard to find but not so hard as there was a quiet line forming onto the street. It’s in the expensive part of the town. A bit alternative. A lot of fashion. A lot of people walking towards the same spot. Mostly foreign. It’s one of those seen and to be seen hipster joint. I had my doubts. It felt like a Blue Bottle gone zen and not gone pedestrian. Remember that alleyway Blue Bottle to-​go window on 1^st just before Market? Way before it got served in million other restaurants in the bay area? Yes, like that but with bonzai trees, odd plants and Japanese lantern in a miniature rock garden courtyard.
Coffee was surprisingly good. It justified the 15 minute quiet wait (yes in Japan people who talk loud are tourists), and had the 5 piece custard dessert to go. Later inhaled them. Very delicious. Two coffee and a small package of custard set you back 1800 yen, or roughly $ 15, so it’s San Francisco price for sure but it’s well worth it. The coffee was super smooth and creamy, and after being in Japan for a while, one can take a break from the constant loudness that you often hear in tech worker heavy Mission or banker /​consultant heavy Financial district, and you start to really appreciate drinking coffee quietly while contemplating life and not the next pitch deck.
While on the stone bench sipping cappuccino made by the coffee zen master in Tokyo, you remembered, once upon a time, there was a man in San Francisco, who was always so quiet and so sweet, no words need to be uttered out loud for hours on end when you two were together, yet, you knew in your gut, that he had always loved you, just so. Yes happy Valentine’s day, wherever you are.