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A cafe in Sannomiya with a comfortable retro space! 9 popular spots where you can relax

Photograph:こうグルメ

A cafe in Sannomiya with a comfortable retro space! 9 popular spots where you can relax

Sannomiya, the heart of Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture, is a port town full of international charm, surrounded by the sea and mountains. Its historic Western style buildings and refined streetscape are part of the appeal, and it is a highly competitive food area with everything from top notch Kobe-gyu (Kobe beef) to long established yoshoku (Japanese-style Western food), Chinese food with an international feel, and high quality sweets. In this article, we have rounded up retro cafes worth stopping by in Sannomiya, where you can enjoy sightseeing and great food all at once.

Created: July 21, 2026

This article is based on4,206Tabelog reviews.

Cafe Freundlieb Honten

Cafe Freundlieb Honten is a retro cafe located a 10-minute walk from the south exit of Shin-Kobe Station, in a renovated former Kobe Union Church. The 1st floor of the restaurant is a bakery, and the 2nd floor is the cafe.

Inside, the simple Gothic-style interior opens into a calm and relaxing space.

The house-made "Original Roast Beef Sandwich" is popular. It is finished with demi-glace sauce and mustard mayonnaise.

The beef has a tender texture and is said to be so good you could keep eating it endlessly.

It is also popular for its wide variety of parfaits. The “Chocolate Parfait” is generously topped with plenty of ice cream for a rich finish.

The crispy pie and the cold, clean tasting ice cream are said to go perfectly together.

Delilah

Freundlieb, a symbolic presence of Kobe’s haikara (Western-influenced modern) culture, has a retro-modern building that feels nostalgic even on your first visit. If you love Kobe, be sure to stop by at least once.

Source:Delilah's review

おゆ(梅田・大阪グルメ)

The renovated church atmosphere is simply wonderful! The classical space with its high ceilings gives you a bit of a Special feeling the moment you walk in◎It is calm and relaxing, so it is also perfect for a Kobe (Kobe) cafe tour!

Source:おゆ(梅田・大阪グルメ)'s review

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Akaneya Kohee Ten

Akaneya Koohii Ten is a retro cafe located right in front of the west exit of Sannomiya Station. Inside, classical records play in a relaxed and spacious setting.

The cafe has a large collection of cups from famous ceramic makers around the world, and you can choose your favorite color and pattern.

All the coffee beans they carry are top-grade sumibi-baisen (charcoal-roasted) beans.

The "Akaneya Tokusei Blend" stands out for its rich, full-bodied depth. It has low acidity, so people say it is easy to drink.

The popular cheesecake is sold only as a set with a drink. You can choose your favorite from the four kinds of jam sauce available.

The cheesecake has a rich, dense flavor, and it pairs perfectly with coffee.

CGのグルメノート

Akeneya Koheiten is right near Sannomiya Station. This long established kissaten (Japanese-style coffee house) stands out for its retro and calm atmosphere, and one of its nice points is that you can also buy beans to take home. This time, I bought the Akeneya Tokusei Blend for Takeout. I took my time and enjoyed it at home.

Source:CGのグルメノート's review

yasukichi720

At a retro, understated kissaten (Japanese coffee shop), I ordered an iced coffee. I really enjoyed a carefully prepared cup made by chilling hot coffee over ice.

Source:yasukichi720's review

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DORSIA

DORSIA is a retro cafe with a stylish white exterior, located a 6-minute walk from Sannomiya Station.

Inside, the blue carpet catches your eye. The cafe has comfortable leather sofa seating and nostalgic game table seating.

The exterior and interior have a retro feel, but the menu has a modern lineup with a trendy touch.

The "croque monsieur" is served fresh from the oven. The cheese melts just right, and the portion is said to be perfect for a light meal.

They offer a wide range of cream sodas, including melon and Cola.

The "Serina Cream Soda (Blue)," with a blue color just like the sea, has a look that mixes nostalgia and freshness. It is well liked for its simple, enjoyable taste.

im___sk

This new retro kissaten (Japanese-style coffee shop) in Sannomiya had such a cute space, with blue carpet and retro interior decor. It felt nostalgic somehow while still looking current, and the comfort level was great. I thought it might just be photogenic, but the food was tasty too, and it was easy on the wallet! A kissaten I’d love to visit again!

Source:im___sk's review

もんぶらんらん

When you think of a kissaten (Japanese-style coffee shop), you think of vanilla ice cream sitting neatly on top of the coffee! It already looks delicious... It even comes with a cherry on top for that retro touch. I got to enjoy a nice sense of nostalgia!

Source:もんぶらんらん's review

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Kobe Nishimura Coffee Sannomiya Ten

Kobe Nishimura Coffee Ten Sannomiya Ten is a retro cafe right near Sannomiya Station, with an air of elegance. The 1st and 2nd floors of the Green Chapeau Building are the restaurant.

The spacious interior is unified in a retro style, from the tables and chairs to the lighting and decorations.

They carefully source Special coffee beans with stable quality from producing countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala.

The "Ethiopia Samurai Natural" has a bright acidity at first, but it is said to develop into a more rich and full impression over time.

The "Canadian Set" is a popular menu item that comes with a hearty bacon and egg toast sandwich, plus a salad and drink.

The toasted yamagata shokupan (mountain-shaped loaf bread) is said to be excellent.

stammbaum

This shop has a classical atmosphere, and the furnishings also give off a retro feel. It is very comfortable. The service is also quick and efficient. I ordered the Nicaragua. It had a fruity aroma, with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.

Source:stammbaum's review

はるをまく

Refined-tasting cakes (there are so many kinds that it is hard to choose...!) and good coffee that pairs well with the cakes. The stylish interior also gives the place an elegant, refined feel. The staff were lovely too.

Source:はるをまく's review

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Kissa Ponokio

Kissa Ponokio is a retro cafe a 3-minute walk from Sannomiya Station, and it is popular for its Pancake. The shop is located on the first basement floor of Sannomiya Center Plaza.

The interior has a warm feel, with wood toned furniture throughout. The sofa seats at the tables are said to be exceptionally comfortable.

They offer a full lineup of food and drinks that brings back a sense of nostalgia.

The “Natsukashi no Napolitan” is the kind topped with a fried egg. The spaghetti is thick and satisfying, according to reviews.

The popular "Ponokio DX Pancake" is a very filling dessert that comes with Pancake, pudding, chocolate banana, and more.

The fluffy Pancake goes well with honey and butter, and the pudding is said to have a rich egg flavor.

tonko2zuki

A Showa retro coffee shop, this hideaway-like spot feels like a log house, and with both counter and table seating, it is easy to use whether you are on your own or in a group.

Source:tonko2zuki's review

7cb834

The food was delicious! We had omelet curry, Naporitan (Japanese-style ketchup spaghetti), Pancake, and pudding. The omelet curry was very filling! Everything had a nostalgic old-school taste.

Source:7cb834's review

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Moegi Sannomiya Ten

Moegi Sannomiya Ten is a retro cafe tucked away in the basement of a building near Sannomiya Station, perfect for a grown-up day off.

Inside the counter area, you will find a row of famous ceramics such as Meissen, Herend, and Royal Copenhagen. The calm atmosphere makes it a comfortable place to spend some relaxing time.

There are more than 10 kinds of coffee alone. They serve authentic coffee, carefully brewed by hand drip.

The "Original Blend Coffee" has a deep flavor, and it seems to go well with the calm atmosphere of the shop.

They offer light meals and desserts that go perfectly with coffee, including ice cream, toast, and Homemade cakes.

The “cheesecake” is a rare cheesecake, and people say it is delicious with a nice balanced tang.

Maialino onnivoro(雑食の子豚ちゃん)

・Tiore
Tiore has a very strong milk-forward taste. It comes highly recommended for people who like milk. The black tea flavor is a little mild, but you can still get a decent sense of the aroma. It is served in a cute glass. This retro kissaten (Japanese coffee shop) lets you relax and enjoy the pleasant feeling of time passing slowly.

Source:Maialino onnivoro(雑食の子豚ちゃん)'s review

らて111

When I first walked in, I thought it might be a quiet and formal kind of place, but it gradually got livelier, with people of all ages and even solo diners there! I think it’s a place anyone can feel comfortable walking into! I ordered cake and iced coffee! The iced coffee was good T_T

Source:らて111's review

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Sanpauro

Sao Paulo, about a 10-minute walk from Sannomiya Station, is a retro cafe on the first floor of Sunshine Court, with a retro look and feel.

There are not many seats, but the seating area is spacious and comfortable. The pleasant aroma of coffee fills the shop, adding to its grown-up atmosphere.

When you order coffee, the master carefully brews it for you, so you can enjoy a freshly made cup.

The “blend coffee” has a pleasantly bittersweet taste, and its rich aroma gently spreads across your palate.

Light snacks like cake, toast, and ice cream are available when you want a little something to eat.

They say every snack tastes great, and you can tell they are carefully made, with a high level of quality.

Alpaqua

A coffee specialty shop near Yamamoto-dori after heading up Hunter-zaka, marked by its retro building♩Once you place your order, the serious looking master brews each cup one by one♩The original blend coffee is a little strong, with a full rich taste♩

Source:Alpaqua's review

moritomoya0926

I enjoyed a coffee and honey toast set in an interior with a Surprising antique atmosphere. The honey toast was coated with honey lemon and had a light, tasty flavor, and the coffee also had a wonderful taste with no off notes at all.

Source:moritomoya0926's review

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Kitano Medium Tei

Kitano Medium Tei, about a 10-minute walk from Sannomiya Station, is a retro cafe where you can enjoy afternoon tea in a space that blends Kobe’s history with foreign cultures.

The restaurant’s extraordinary interior is also well liked for its many nostalgic touches, including white walls, antique furniture, and items such as gramophones and lighting.

The "Chef's Today's Afternoon Tea" comes with 4 sweets, 3 savory items, and 1 pot of tea. You can order it even for 1 person.

The stand is on the small side, but it still offers enough to leave you feeling Manzoku.

They offer seasonal afternoon tea made with fruits at their peak, as well as afternoon tea created in collaboration with famous shops in Tokyo. If you reserve a seat only, you can order from the cafe menu.

The parfait topped with a bear looks adorable, and it is said to be irresistible for anyone with a sweet tooth.

izayui

At a stylish ijinkan (Western-style residence). It seems the first floor gives priority to guests ordering afternoon tea, so I was shown to the second floor. I ordered tea and a parfait! They brought milk for the tea when I asked. There is also an All you can drink tea option, but I went with a single flavor. It was good.

Source:izayui's review

テラモト1121

This classic cafe makes use of a Western-style house in Kobe Kitano, offering a calm, grown-up kind of time. The space, surrounded by antique-style furniture, is quiet and ideal for taking a relaxing break between sightseeing stops. The coffee and tea have a lovely aroma, and the cakes and light meals are carefully made.

Source:テラモト1121's review

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Kobetei

Kobetei is a cafe in Sannomiya Center Plaza Higashikan near Sannomiya Station, popular for its Showa-retro atmosphere.

The slightly dim interior feels like a hideaway for adults. There are counter seats, table seats, and sofa seats, so you can choose based on the occasion.

They have a wide range of drinks, including coffee, floats, and juice.

The “Maron Wiener Coffee” comes with fresh cream mixed with chestnut paste. Reviews say the slight bitterness of the coffee pairs well with it and tastes great.

The “Spaghetti Set” on the value set menu comes with a mini salad and a drink.

There are two sauce options: meat sauce and tuna cream. The linguine is said to have a nice chewy texture and taste great.

はるにゃん201

This is a retro-style kissaten (Japanese-style coffee shop) located in a place like Kobe’s underground shopping arcade! I had the spaghetti! The noodles were a little thick and tasted great!

Source:はるにゃん201's review

hiko_780

I came back to this kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee shop) with its Showa era feel for the first time in several years. Whenever I come to Sannomiya Center-gai (Sannomiya Shopping Street), I usually at least walk past the front of the shop, and it was crowded on this day too, but I managed to get in. I ordered an iced coffee and, without doing anything in particular, felt Manzoku with the chance to spend time again in Sannomiya, then left the shop.

Source:hiko_780's review

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