Popular cafés in the Shinjuku area! 20 stylish picks

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Paul Bassett Shinjuku, about a 4-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Nishi-Shinjuku Station and about a 7-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Shinjuku Station, is a concept cafe by the popular barista Paul Bassett.

In a space filled with the warmth of wood, you can enjoy world-class espresso coffee made only with fresh beans.

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The espresso uses Special coffee beans selected from around the world and roasted in-house on the shop's roaster.

If you want to enjoy a rich, bold bitterness straight up, go for the "Espresso". If you prefer something milder and easier to drink, the "Cafe Latte" with milk is recommended.

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They also offer a full lineup of sweets that pair well with the bitterness of espresso. Reviews say the baked cheesecake is especially popular.

The baked cheesecake is made with plenty of French cream cheese, and people say its balanced sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture are irresistible.

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Salon Bake and Tea is a cafe on the 3rd floor of NEWoMan, directly connected to Shinjuku Station, and it is known for its gorgeous desserts.

Created in collaboration with GINORI 1735, an Italian tableware brand, the interior has a stylish and open feel based on white tones, and it also has counter seats where you can comfortably spend time on your own.

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The sweets menu changes with the seasons, so you can enjoy it no matter how many times you visit.

The parfaits stand out for their beautiful and unique look. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as strawberries, melon, and peaches.

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The weekend and holiday only "Order Sweets Buffet with Cafe Free," where you can enjoy a wide variety of sweets and breads to your heart's content, is also popular.

The "Afternoon Tea" is available to order on weekdays only. It is said to be packed with seasonal flavors and is well reviewed for its high level of Manzoku.

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Breizh Cafe Creperie Shinjuku Takashimaya Ten is a cafe where you can enjoy galettes and crepes made with carefully selected ingredients. It is on the 13th floor of Shinjuku Takashimaya, directly connected to Shinjuku Station, which makes it easy to visit even on rainy days.

It also has terrace seating facing the garden, where you can relax in a pleasant atmosphere while looking out at seasonal flowers.

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The galettes use 100% Special buckwheat flour and are known for their fragrant aroma and pleasantly chewy texture.

They are made using the traditional cooking method of Brittany, France, and the restaurant also puts a lot of care into ingredient selection, using cheeses air-freighted from (Each) region and fresh vegetables delivered directly from contracted farms.

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Crepes made with komugiko (wheat flour) are perfect for dessert. The lunch set, which you can enjoy together with galettes, is also recommended.

The “Hokkaido-san (from Hokkaido) butter and brown sugar” is a simple dish that lets you enjoy the good taste of the batter itself. Ice cream toppings are also available.

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Cafe WALL is a hideaway cafe right by Shinjuku-sanchome Station on the Tokyo Metro, popular for its Homemade dishes and seasonal sweets.

Inside, an out-of-the-ordinary space unfolds with playful touches built around the theme of “WALL.” It is bright with natural light during the day, and at night it takes on a moody atmosphere lit by candles.

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The food menu is extensive, with hearty select plates and pizzas you can enjoy casually.

Reviews say the Creamy Omurice is also popular. The Creamy, mild-tasting egg pairs perfectly with the demi-glace sauce that has been simmered for a long time.

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For those with a sweet tooth, the patissier's “3-Shu no Yokubari Oyatsu Plate” is recommended.

This well-reviewed plate features a lineup of sweets made with seasonal fruit, including a mini parfait, and its bright, cute presentation is said to be irresistible. The menu changes regularly.

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Hana no Aru Seika is a museum-style cafe & bar where you can enjoy flowers and an art-filled space, and it stands in a great location just a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station.

The open interior is decorated with floral accents throughout, and it is said to have many sofa seats with outstanding comfort. There are also Private rooms with darts and karaoke.

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They offer a lineup of stylishly plated dishes, and the signature item is the “Shikkoku no Cheese Fondue (Jet-Black Cheese Fondue).”

The cheese fondue sauce is said to bring out the rich umami of ikasumi (squid ink) along with the deep flavor of katsuo dashi (bonito broth). It is a popular dish enjoyed with seasonal vegetables, seafood, and more.

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Only during dinner hours, they offer pastry chef special parfaits that are perfect To finish after drinks.

The photo shows the "Citrus Tea," made with an original blend of black tea and citrus fruits. It is known for its rich aroma and light texture, and is easy to enjoy because it is not too sweet.

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Lounge South Court is a cafe lounge popular for its seasonal afternoon tea, and it is located on the 20F of Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower.

They say every seat in the lounge offers a spectacular view from 100 meters above the ground. The large windows make it bright and full of an open feel during the day.

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Their afternoon tea, served on an eye catching three-tier stand, is very popular. Another nice point is that you can choose from more than 15 kinds of drinks.

You can mainly enjoy sweets specially made by the pastry chef using seasonal fruits and ingredients. In the evening, they also offer a high tea menu.

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They offer not only sweets but also meal options such as pasta and hamburgers. It is perfect for lunch or a light meal.

The photo shows the "American Clubhouse Sandwich." It comes topped with plenty of French fries, and looks nice and filling.

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APPARTEMENT 301 is a cafe built around the concept of “an apartment in the French countryside with slightly quirky residents.”

The interior has a unique retro feel, with spacious antique sofa seats, and it seems to be popular as a place where you can fully enjoy an out-of-the-ordinary atmosphere.

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Not just the atmosphere, but the food also features a lineup of casual yet stylish dishes.

You can relax and enjoy lunch until the evening, and at dinnertime they also offer a good selection of wine and cocktails that pair well with pasta and Appetizers.

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They also offer a wide range of sweets and drinks, so it is a great spot for a casual cafe visit. You can choose from several kinds of cheesecake.

The photo shows the "Earl Grey Baked Cheesecake." It is said to be an irresistible dessert with a firm texture and a rich Earl Grey flavor.

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HAND BAKES Lumine Shinjuku Ten is a cafe on the fashion floor of Lumine Shinjuku LUMINE2, 3F, directly connected to JR Shinjuku Station.

The dishes and drinks made with seasonal ingredients are popular. The interior has a calm atmosphere with the warmth of wood and greenery.

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True to the name HAND BAKES, the concept here is Homemade, and you can enjoy seasonal dishes and sweets made with fruit at its peak.

Many reviews recommend the “Recommend Plate,” a set that comes with your choice of main dish, drink, and sweet from several options.

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Many people also come to enjoy the afternoon tea and evening high tea, which have been featured in multiple media outlets.

With not only sweets but also a wide range of savory items, it looks like it can leave you satisfied even after work or at dinner time.

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Bress Cafe is a cafe about a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station, and it is popular for dishes and sweets that are as pleasing to look at as they are to eat.

The interior, with its wood-toned decor and greenery, is said to be a stylish space where time seems to move slowly. It is recommended not only for lunch and tea time, but also for an evening cafe visit.

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They have a full lineup of food menu items like Omurice and pasta that will really fill you up.

If you want to enjoy a meat dish, the “breath Steak Rice” is a great choice. The medium-rare Special lean beef is said to go perfectly with the original sauce.

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Along with the popular "Ohitorisama Ichigo Chiffon Cake," they also offer a full lineup of house-made sweets that dessert lovers will find hard to resist.

In the reviews, many people had good things to say about the "Jikasei Retoro Purin (house-made retro pudding)." It has a firm, old-fashioned texture that goes very well with the slightly bitter caramel.

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"Sanagi Shinjuku" is a cafe and food hall with about 200 seats, built around the theme of an "Asian and Japanese yatai-mura (street food village)."

The colorful lighting and decor give the place a fun atmosphere that gets conversations going with friends. It is located under the elevated tracks, just a 1-minute walk from the Southeast Exit of Shinjuku Station.

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They offer a wide range of menu items from around the world, including noodles, sushi, and Napolitan (Japanese-style ketchup pasta).

At lunchtime, many people seem to enjoy the set meal menu that comes with a drink bar. The "Mushidori to Pakuchi no Fo (steamed chicken and cilantro pho)" with the aroma of pakuchi (cilantro) is also popular.

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Dessert menu items are also a great pick for after-meal sweets or cafe time.

They offer soft serve, pudding, and parfaits, so anyone with a sweet tooth is sure to leave satisfied. The parfaits are said to be bigger than expected.

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WPÜ CAFE is a cafe about a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, where you can enjoy a wide menu selection from full meals to tea time.

Despite its convenient location near the station, it is popular as a place where you can relax away from the noise of the city. The interior is dotted with greenery, and the high ceilings give it a great sense of openness.

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The menu is full of options that are perfect for either lunch or a light meal, including taco rice and open faced sandwiches.

The photo shows the "Craft Cheeseburger." It comes with a piping hot, juicy patty and plenty of vegetables as well. A nice bonus is that it comes with fries.

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They also offer a wide range of sweets that go perfectly with drinks, and the house-made "carrot cake" is especially popular.

The spiced cake is packed with raisins and nuts, and people say the rich lemon cream with a nice tang is also delicious.

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Hawaiian Cafe OluOlu Nishi-Shinjuku Ten, about a 10-minute walk from JR Okubo Station and around a 12-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station, is a Hawaiian cafe known for serving dishes that make you feel like you're in Hawaii in a resort-like setting.

It has counter seats with USB ports that are comfortable for solo visits, as well as box seats that are ideal for groups.

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The food menu is extensive, ranging from casual cafe items to hearty dishes that are perfect for a full meal.

The classic Hawaiian dish “loco moco plate” is popular for its juicy, well-seasoned meat that people can’t get enough of.

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At tea time, the five kinds of pancakes are popular. They may look like a lot, but they are said to be so good that one person can easily finish them all.

The batter contains rice flour and yogurt, giving the pancakes a light and fluffy texture. The one in the photo is the "Chocolate Banana Pancake."

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Caffice, conveniently located with direct access from Exit E6 of Shinjuku-sanchome Station, is a popular spot with a name that says it all, blending the feel of a cafe and an office, with well-equipped amenities like free Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat.

The high ceilings and wide spacing between tables have earned it praise as a place where you can relax and spend time in comfort.

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The drink selection is quite extensive, and they even roast green coffee beans in-house. You can enjoy the rich aroma of freshly ground authentic coffee.

The "Blend Coffee" is an original cup with a good balance of acidity, bitterness, and sweetness. You can choose either hot or iced.

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The food menu also has a wide selection, with mainly Western-style dishes such as pasta and sandwiches to enjoy.

If you order a plate menu item, you can also get a discount on soft drinks. The photo shows the "All-Beef Hamburger Steak Plate."

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"ABC canteen Rumine Esuto Shinjuku Ten" is a cafe on the 7th floor of "Rumine Esuto Shinjuku," directly connected to Shinjuku Station. It is popular for its wide variety of Rice bowl dishes.

The interior is spacious and easy to enter, making it a casual place to stop by in many situations, such as during a shopping break or while meeting up with someone.

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They offer a wide range of menu items, and many people order the "Mini Rice bowl set meal Set," which lets you choose any 2 Rice bowls from about 20 kinds.

They have tempting Rice bowls such as chicken tatsuta (Japanese-style fried chicken) made with rice flour in the coating and roast beef spread all across the top of the rice.

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They also offer a wide selection of sweets that are perfect not just with a meal, but also for dessert after dining or for cafe time.

There are about four kinds of French toast, and the small, easy-to-finish size is also well liked. The "4-Shu no Berry to Ichigo no French Toast" is a popular item, loved for its bright look and eye-catching presentation.

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The Station Cafebar is a cafe bar in Shinjuku that is recommended for people who want to avoid the crowds and relax, and it is located on B1F of Shinjuku Prince Hotel, directly connected to Seibu-Shinjuku Station.

The interior is bright, spacious, and stylish, and is said to be popular for its casual feel. It also appears to have seats with power outlets.

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Many reviews say the pizza baked in the in-house oven is a must-try when you visit, and it is popular for its thin crust that makes it easy to eat.

It is finished with the hotel’s original chewy dough and seasonal ingredients at their peak. You can choose from S and L sizes.

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Another big draw is the wide selection centered on Western dishes, including pasta, hamburgers, and hot dogs.

The menu changes with the seasons, so no matter how many times you visit, you can enjoy discovering new flavors.

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Located about a 3-minute walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, cafe&bar E'clat is a place that operates as a cafe during the day and a bar at night.

Inside, wooden tables and antique furniture create a stylish atmosphere. It also has plenty of power outlets and well-equipped Wi-Fi.

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The overwhelmingly popular item at lunchtime is the "acai bowl," and its bright, colorful look really catches the eye.

Along with the creamy acai, it comes topped with coconut chips and chocolate flavored granola, making it a nutrient packed dish. They also seem to offer a wide range of topping options.

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They have a full range of drinks, and customers are required to order at least one drink.

The rich coffee is well liked for really hitting the spot after an acai bowl (a bowl made with acai), especially when you feel chilled. They offer a wide selection, including regular coffee and cappuccino.

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Fuwatoro Omurice to Cheese Cafe Tamago no Kimochi. Shinjuku Higashiguchi Ekimae Ten is a specialty restaurant where you can enjoy fun, one of a kind Omurice, and it stands in a great location just a 1-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Shinjuku Station.

From the interior on the 5F of the building, you can also look out over the streets of Shinjuku, and it also comes with Private room seating where you can enjoy a sense of privacy.

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The signature dish, "Omurice with demi-glace sauce," is a plate that has been getting a lot of buzz online.

A soft set omelet sits on top of the rice, and when you cut into it with a knife, creamy egg flows out from inside. The rich sauce is not too heavy, and it is said to be so good you can finish it in no time.

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Also popular is the "Cheese-ya-san no Anaaki Cheesecake," which looks like something straight out of an anime world.

It is not just striking to look at—the tartness of the berry sauce and the rich, airy cheese flavor are said to be irresistible.

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BORECA is a cafe in the Shinjuku Kabukicho area, directly connected to Seibu-Shinjuku Station, and is popular for its health-conscious food and drinks.

It also has a fitness gym and salon, but you can use the cafe on its own. It seems to have spacious sofas and fully equipped seats with power outlets.

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They offer 9 kinds of smoothies with excellent nutritional balance, and the amount of protein is listed in each menu name.

The “Banana Pink 16” is a smoothie with the natural sweetness of banana and a light beet flavor. It gets good reviews for being tasty and easy to drink.

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They also offer protein-rich dishes, including plates that look packed with nutrition.

The "Homemade Chicken and BORECA no Mori Salad 30" is loaded with plenty of fresh vegetables along with moist, tender chicken. It is also nice that it is low in calories and high in protein.

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"live cafe G" is a quiet hidden gem on the 1st floor of Shinjuku Granbell Hotel, about a 4-minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station.

The interior has high ceilings and an open, airy feel, creating a space where you can relax and forget the hustle and bustle of the city. It also has terrace seating surrounded by greenery.

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Coffee lovers will want to enjoy authentic espresso made with coffee beans from Toraja (Indonesia).

The beans are slowly dark roasted over time, bringing out a rich, toasty aroma.

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Homemade cakes made by a chef with extensive French cooking experience also come recommended to go with your coffee.

The menu seems to change with the seasons, with items like mont blanc and gateau chocolate. They also offer “kuroffuru (croissant waffle),” made by baking croissant dough like a waffle and serving it with ice cream.

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Pronto Nishi-Shinjuku Ten is a place with two sides: a cafe by day and a bar by night. Its Breakfast time is also popular.

It is said to be a convenient spot where you can relax on your own or enjoy chatting with friends. The shop is a 4-minute walk from the West Exit of Shinjuku Station.

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Fresh pasta and spaghetti are great picks at lunchtime. The menu offers plenty of variety, including tomato sauce, cream sauce, and Japanese style options.

The "Eggplant and Bacon Tomato Sauce" is a standard favorite built on a sauce that brings out the tomato’s natural sweetness.

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They also have a good lineup of sweets and drinks, so it is perfect for a break or snack time.

The "Kanari Katame no Classic Purin (very firm classic pudding)" stands out with its retro look topped with a cherry. It is firm, yet still said to have a smooth melt-in-your-mouth texture.