Cafes in the Ikebukuro area! 16 popular spots you'll want to visit at least once

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This Italian restaurant is on the second floor of a building, about a 2-minute walk from the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station. Its specialty is craft beer, and you can also stop by just for cafe use.

The stylish space features a natural color palette. There are bar-style counter seats and table seating that looks easy to use for groups.

The photo shows the "homemade pudding," perfect for cafe time.

It is said to have a rich taste and bouncy texture, made with plenty of Domestic fresh cream and eggs from contracted farms. Since it is on the larger side, it is also recommended for sharing.

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Their signature craft beer lineup includes more than 10 kinds from all over Japan. You can enjoy a wide range of different tastes and aromas.

The restaurant’s original beer is served in a wooden masu (square wooden cup), like Japanese sake. The beer, enjoyed with the aroma of hinoki (Japanese cypress), is said to taste especially good.

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Racines Farm to Park is a café located on the east side of Ikebukuro Station, inside Toshima City Ikebukuro Park. Open from morning to night, it is a place you can use throughout the day.

The interior gets plenty of natural light through its large windows. The second floor has an atmosphere like a library, and there are also terrace seats overlooking the park.

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Breakfast sets are popular here, centered on toast or pancakes, with the option to add a fried egg, soup, or yogurt for an extra charge.

On sunny days, you can also enjoy an open air meal on the terrace seats in front of the lawn plaza.

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At dinnertime, the interior takes on a moody atmosphere. You can pair the food with alcohol and enjoy a relaxed time.

Drinks made with homemade syrup from seasonal fruit are available throughout the day. You can add it to alcohol, or mix it with sparkling water and enjoy it as a squash.

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RACINES Boulangerie & Bistro is a restaurant near the Minami-Ikebukuro 1-chome intersection. You can enter the restaurant from the outdoor staircase of Tokyo Fukushi Daigaku (Tokyo University of Social Welfare) Building No. 8.

The stylish space is based on dark brown tones. It is open across three time slots: lunch, cafe, and dinner.

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The popular choice at cafe time is the "kisetsu kudamono (seasonal fruit) afternoon tea set." It also comes with All you can drink tea, with more than 6 kinds available.

You can enjoy several kinds of treats, including pies and cakes made with fruits that are unique to that time of year. The assortment is also beautifully presented, making it feel like a real treat.

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The restaurant has an attached boulangerie, and it is also known for its tasty bread baked by artisans in the in-house oven.

The salad and soup lunches come with Premium Bread. This soft bread is made with honey, and you can enjoy it fresh from the oven.

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Ain Soph. Soar is a cafe on the first floor of a building about a 10-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station’s East Exit. Its concept is glamping.

The interior has a natural and relaxing feel. There are also raised seating areas with large sofa seats where you can take off your shoes and stretch out, so everyone from kids to adults can enjoy their time here.

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A restaurant where you can enjoy vegan food and drinks.

One of the popular menu items, the Ripple Cheeseburger, also uses vegan cheese. The patty is said to have such a meaty taste and texture that you would not notice unless someone told you, and it is delicious.

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The "Tenjo no Vegan Pancake" is a gluten free sweet. It uses rice flour in the batter, giving it a light and airy texture.

They also serve mildly sweet vegan ice cream, organic coffee, and even matcha (green tea) flavored beer.

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HEARTH SMOKED GRILL & GALETTE is located near the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station, on the second floor of Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ikebukuro Higashiguchi. The restaurant name, "Hearth," is a coined word combining heart and earth.

You can enjoy cafe time in a stylish brown-toned space with wood, brick, and leather sofas.

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It is also a dining spot where you can enjoy Domestic Kuroge Wagyu (Japanese Black Wagyu) dishes along with wine and craft beer.

The specialty is galette. It is made with buckwheat flour from Hokkaido and cooked to order. It is recommended for lunch or as something to go with alcohol.

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A popular dessert is the Puru Fuwa Pancake. Just like the name suggests, it is so soft that it jiggles, and it is said to melt nicely in your mouth.

Many people seem to visit in groups and share the galette and pancakes to enjoy both.

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Sakura Cafe & Restaurant Ikebukuro is a cafe on the 1st floor of Acra Hotel Ikebukuro Annex, about a 6-minute walk from the West Exit of Ikebukuro Station. The place has an international feel.

The terrace seating is well equipped, with tables lined up under a red awning. Inside, there are also Semi-private room seating and a standing bar-like space.

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They also have some menu items recreated from local recipes shared by hotel guests from around the world.

The specialty “Giant Hamburger Gratin Parisejinya” is based on francesinha (a Portuguese local dish), a regional specialty from Portugal.

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The buffet-style breakfast is also popular. You can help yourself to as much simple toast, soup, coffee, and more as you like.

They also serve tea and coffee from around the world, and they reportedly have more than 60 kinds of beer.

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Little Delirium Cafe Hareza Ikebukuro is a cafe on the first floor of the building that houses TOHO Cinemas on the east side of Ikebukuro Station. It is an easygoing place you can stop by anytime from lunch through dinner.

The interior has high ceilings and a bright, stylish feel. There is also a covered terrace seating area in front of the cafe.

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The signature menu item is Chicago pizza. At about 3.5 cm thick, it is packed with fillings inside the Homemade crust, making it very satisfying to eat.

When you cut into it, tomato sauce and cheese come spilling out like an avalanche from inside. It is a size that several people can share.

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More than 15 beer taps line the counter, where you can enjoy directly imported Belgian beers and original craft beers.

The glass changes depending on the beer, which makes you want to try a variety of them. They also have a full selection of wine and non-alcoholic drinks.

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24/7 cafe apartment Ikebukuro is a cafe on the 10th floor of a building in front of the Ikebukuro Station East Exit bus stop. You can also use it as a night cafe.

The stylish space is put together with natural-color interiors. You can relax in your seat of choice, including sofa seats and dining tables.

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The basque cheesecake (Basque cheesecake) is said to be rich yet leave a clean finish, and to pair exceptionally well with iced coffee.

You can also feel the care put into the plates and presentation, and some say it lifts your mood.

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The menu also has a wide range of dishes made with hyoon jukusei (ice temperature aging) meat. The meat’s natural umami is concentrated, giving it a rich taste.

Dinner with steak and wine is popular, and so are the lunch sets that come with dessert.

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J.S. BURGERS CAFE Lumine Ikebukuro Ten is located on the 8th floor of Lumine Ikebukuro, directly connected to the South Exit of Ikebukuro Station. This is a cafe centered on hamburgers by Journal Standard, a brand that offers seasonal items from Japan and abroad.

It sits in one corner of a floor lined with restaurants, and features a woody space with an American taste.

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"J.S. Burger" is a popular menu item topped with creamy avocado and melty cheddar cheese.

It is said to be a hearty dish where you can really taste the juicy flavor of the meat. The bun is also tasty, according to reviews!

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The fillings they sandwich inside, like tuna, grilled vegetables, and Kara-age, come in a wide variety. You can also choose mini hamburgers.

It is also popular that you can pick 2 mini burgers you want to eat, along with salad, fries, and donuts, to make your own original set.

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ESPRESSO D WORKS Ikebukuro is a cafe on the second floor of Grand Scape Ikebukuro on Sunshine Street. You can enjoy freshly baked bread and freshly made pasta.

The interior is inspired by Melbourne, Australia. The natural decor creates a warm and gentle atmosphere.

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A wide variety of pancakes are popular here. They start cooking them only after an order comes in, and even though they are thick, they stay soft and airy, so they are easy to finish.

They also get good reviews for pairing well with the house original blend coffee. It seems many people share them with friends as a dessert after a meal.

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A popular lunch item is the "House Specialty! Truffle Omelet." The softly cooked omelet comes with plenty of truffle sauce.

Another nice point is that you can add All you can eat freshly baked bread. It sounds like fun to try a little of many different kinds of bread.

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cafe & bal No.8 co. is a cafe bar located on the second basement floor, right near the west exit of Ikebukuro Station. It opens in the evening on weekdays and from daytime on weekends and holidays, and stays open until late at night.

Inside is a spacious area done in chic colors. It has a stage and a large screen, so it can also be used for live performances and parties.

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They offer a wide range of menu items, including pasta, steak, and desserts. The main menu item is tacos.

Only at lunchtime, they offer a "tacos buffet," where you can eat your choice of fillings. The creative tacos made with pink tortillas also include sweet dessert options.

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They also have an extensive drink menu. The colorful cocktails made with fruit are also popular.

It seems many people make reservations to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions. The staff service and the nice atmosphere have a strong reputation.

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Kojo no Kuni no Alice is a cafe located in a building basement about a 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station East Exit. The cafe has an Alice in Wonderland theme.

From the entrance, the place is designed to make you feel like you are stepping into the world of a picture book. It offers a variety of unique seating areas, including the "Red Bedroom" and the "Sea Temple."

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The menu items use the names of characters and scenes from the story. “Oshaberi Hana no Orchestra” is said to be a milky berry cocktail.

They also offer glowing non alcoholic cocktails, and it is popular for giving guests an out of the ordinary experience.

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The "Alice no Golden Afternoon Tea Party Set" is popular. It also comes as an assortment of sweets with rabbit and playing card motifs.

If you make a reservation in advance, they will prepare a Special dessert plate for you. It is also perfect for a surprise.

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ABC canteen Lumine Ikebukuro Ten is a cafe on the 8th floor of Lumine Ikebukuro, directly connected to Ikebukuro Station. It is known for its cute food and drinks.

The interior has a bright wood toned feel. Open from daytime through evening, with great access, it looks like an easy place to drop by.

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The specialty is afternoon tea. They offer two kinds with different numbers of items, and you can add free-flowing café drinks to either one.

They also offer Special afternoon tea with decorations to match seasonal events.

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You can also stop by just for drinks. If you have a favorite color, the Oshi Color Float, which lets you choose your favorite from 6 colors, is recommended.

They also have stylish cocktails made with tea blended with herbs and spices or with added alcohol. Many of them are said to have beautiful colors.

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Creperie Kenny's Cafe Sunshine Ikebukuro Ten is a resort-style cafe with its Honten in Izu Kogen (Izu Highlands), Shizuoka Prefecture. The Ikebukuro branch is a 3-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station, on the first floor of the shopping center Alpa inside Sunshine City.

The interior is a bright space decorated in natural colors.

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You can enjoy cream and soft serve made with fresh milk from the Izu Kogen production region. Even when they add plenty of it to the crepes, the cream is said to be light and not too sweet.

The crepe batter is also Homemade. They also serve rich crepes topped with seasonal fruit and cream.

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The Omurice with beautiful folds like a dress is popular. Mountain-shaped rice is covered with a neat layer of egg and paired with demi-glace sauce.

You can choose tomato sauce or add toppings like Hamburger Steak and cheese to enjoy your own original Omurice.

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Eno Panino Ikebukuro is about a 1-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station’s C3 Exit. It is a place you can use as a cafe during the day and as a wine bar at night.

The concept is a bar (Italian cafe bar) like one you would find in an Italian town. They also sell Italian ingredients and a wide selection of wine.

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The specialty here is panini. They sandwich freshly sliced prosciutto and cheese at the shop. You can enjoy authentic panini, pressed and grilled with dedicated panini equipment.

For drinks, the recommended choice is espresso, made by a barista using beans from a classic Italian coffee maker brand.

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The shop offers a wide selection of wines, mainly natural wines imported directly from Italy, and plenty are also available by the glass size.

Dried fruits, cheese, chocolate, and more are lined up on the counter, making this a place where you can lightly snack while enjoying wine.

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Puronto Ekia Ikebukuro Ten is located right in front of the north ticket gate at Ikebukuro Station. It is open from morning, operating as a cafe during the day and as an izakaya (Japanese pub) at night.

It has more than 100 seats, which makes it easy to drop by. It is said to be comfortable and a nice place to relax and stay awhile.

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The cafe menu has several sweet options, including pancakes and cheesecake.

The pudding is especially popular. It is a classic style, and its firm texture is one of its main features. It is topped with smooth cream, and the slightly bitter sauce adds a nice accent.

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It seems many people come for the Breakfast set, which pairs toast and salad with a boiled egg and coffee.

The pizza-like “asagopan,” which combines egg and toast in one, is also popular. It is close to the station, so it is easy to stop by to fit your train schedule.