How do you start your day? Some of you may like waking up with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Some may like having a big breakfast with meat and eggs. Some may just want to take it slow and meditate immediately after getting out of bed. There are so many kinds of morning habits that we consciously and unconsciously do. But whatever they may be, we guarantee that you will find a good spot in Tokyo to actualize your morning routine.
We have compiled some spots for the best breakfast in Tokyo, perfect for those who are looking for something other than the usual and the ordinary.
If you search “Japanese breakfast” on Google, you will most likely find pictures of “washoku set” consisting of rice, a main dish such as grilled fish, a side dish like pickled vegetables, and a bowl of soup. This is the traditional Japanese breakfast but it does not necessarily mean that most households in Japan eat this every day.
If you explore around Tokyo, you will find a variety of breakfast places that also serve Western-style dishes. One of the cool things about Tokyo is that because it is such a big city, there are so many breakfast options to choose from that will definitely not disappoint!
Ditch the familiar hotel breakfast buffets and explore the best breakfast in Tokyo! Let us give you recommendations from the eyes of a local resident.
Top 6 Places for the Best Breakfast in Tokyo
Here are some of the best breakfast places in Tokyo to jumpstart your day! We hope you find time in your Tokyo itinerary to explore the neighborhoods as well.
- Cafe Rostro
- Eggs n’ Things
- Shinpachi Shokudo Shinjuku
- Blu Jam Cafe
- Le Pain Quotidien
- Kopikalyan
1. Cafe Rostro
This might come as a surprise to you but many Japanese people are used to having a “morning” (mōningu) for their breakfast instead of the usual washoku set. So, what is a “morning”? It is a shortened term for “morning service” which usually refers to a Western-style breakfast consisting of toast, coffee or tea, and a hard-boiled egg for a bargain price.
You can get one in most Japanese cafes in Tokyo but I recommend you to have it in Cafe Rostro in Shibuya and enjoy the best Tokyo coffee experience. For only 800 yen, you can have a set of toast, boiled egg, salad, yogurt, and coffee or tea. You can also change the toast to a plain bagel.
What makes this cafe special is that you can opt for a personalized pour-over blend specifically customized based on your “mood.” The staff will ask you what you’re in the mood for at the moment ー Do you want something sweet and not acidic? Bitter and strong? Maybe something that has a fruity aroma? After evaluating your answer, they will start preparing your cup: hand-grinding the beans that were personally selected and roasted by the owner, brewing it in the meticulous pour-over style, and finally serving it in one of their beautiful and unique cups that you can even purchase if you fall in love with it.
Come visit this quaint cafe if ever you feel like unwinding from a hectic schedule of travel/work. If you visit on a warm day, we recommend you to sit on the terrace beneath some trees and enjoy the laid back vibe of the neighborhood.
Address: 1 Chome-14-20 Tomigaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0063
Hours: Weekdays 8AM-7PM; Weekends 8AM-9PM (Morning Set 8AM-11AM)*
2. Eggs n’ Things
Serving the spirit of Aloha since 1974, this Hawaiian and family-friendly restaurant has been included in countless lists of best breakfast places in Tokyo.
Eggs n’ Things has several branches nationwide and is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. They offer pancakes with a variety of flavors such as chocolate chips, blueberry, coconut among others. Plus you can order additional toppings of your choice. Whipped cream, mangoes, extra chocolate sauce ー you name it! The strawberry, whipped cream, and macadamia nut pancake plate is the most popular ones, so be sure to give it a try!
The pancake plate comes with 4-5 pancakes so you can definitely share with a group of friends. But don’t worry, no one will judge you if you get a plate only for yourself.
Complement it with a cup of Kona coffee and you’ll certainly get transported to the sunny mornings of Hawaii.
For those who want a more Japanese style breakfast, we recommend the Uji matcha, whipped cream, and red bean pancake.
Not in the mood for sweets? Get a plate of spam and eggs over rice. Yum!
Address: Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 1 Chome−8−19 Eggs ’n Things Ginza Branch
Hours: 8AM-8PM*
While you're in the area, check out some other spots for breakfast in Ginza, too!
3. Shinpachi Shokudo Shinjuku
Welcome to the best traditional Japanese breakfast in Shinjuku! At Shinpachi Shokudo, you will find traditional washoku sets that will surely leave you satisfied and feeling like a true local without hurting your pocket! The price ranges from 700 to 1,000 yen ー very reasonable for high-quality and delicious food!
Shinpachi Shokudo offers a fish menu and a meat menu. Although their Buta Shogayaki (grilled pork and ginger) set looks tempting, we suggest you opt for the fish menu and dine in the most traditional way. The grilled cultured and dried saba (mackerel) is a fan favorite so be sure to give it a try! If you feel like having a heavier meal, get the grilled salmon belly and enjoy all the healthy fats and oils that your body needs.
The only slight downside is that you’ll have to wait for your meal a little longer because the chefs grill the fish upon ordering. Aside from this, the overall service quality is great and some staff can even cater to you in English if your Japanese is a bit rusty.
This is the best breakfast in Shinjuku for those on a budget who still want to experience an authentic traditional Japanese breakfast.
Address: 1 Chome-15-9 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023
Hours: 7AM-1AM*
4. Blu Jam Cafe Azabu-Juban
Looking for a hearty meal but with gluten-free and vegan options? We present to you another one of the best cafes in Tokyo: Blu Jam Cafe.
This award-winning restaurant from L.A. serves breakfast like a pro ー with a flavorful menu, friendly customer service, cozy jazz club-inspired ambiance, and great music. It used to have a branch in Daikanyama (where we used to go more often) but it closed down recently. Fret not! They still have a branch in Azabu-juban where you can get generous servings of American-style breakfasts with some Mexican and Italian inspirations.
For first-timers, the Blu Jam Benedict is usually the most recommended dish. It’s a classic eggs benedict with English muffins and grilled rosemary potatoes.
But let’s get you a healthier option ー the Vegan Rancheros! This is a festive mix of scrambled tofu, black beans, red bell peppers, chipotle, and cilantro served on a crispy corn tortilla. It’s also served with fresh tomato salsa, avocado, and a handmade vegan sour cream on grilled rosemary potatoes. Whew! That will surely get you full!
If you’re in a more zestful mood in the morning, then Blu Jam Cafe is the place to go.
Address: 106-0045 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabujuban, 1 Chome−11−10 地下１階 Juubann ANEX
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (8AM-11PM)*
5. Le Pain Quotidien
Locals are very fond of bread and pastries even though rice is the common staple for Japanese breakfasts. If you are into pastries and a more European-style breakfast, we recommend you to go to Le Pain Quotidien! It’s a bakery restaurant from Belgium that’s loved worldwide. It has several branches in Tokyo including one in Shiba Park where you can have a view of Tokyo Tower as you dine.
Picture this: Maybe it’s a chilly winter morning and you just want something to warm you up. You enter Le Pain Quotidien in Shinjuku and order a cup of their hot Belgian chocolate. You take a seat at the communal table and enjoy the cup with an almond croissant on the side. You then get comfortable with the rustic vibe of the place and appreciate the gentle air filled with people’s conversation and laughter as you slowly forget about the time. You won’t notice that it’s almost noon and you are getting in the mood for a heartier meal. You smile and decide to reward yourself with their Butcher’s Brunch (a set which has assorted bread, ham, roast beef, soft boiled egg, Gruyere cheese, and mini granola parfait that comes with orange juice/coffee/tea) and enjoy an extended breakfast routine. No doubt, this is one of the places with the best breakfast in Shinjuku.
Address: 3 Chome-3-1 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011
Hours: 7:30AM-10PM*
6. Kopikalyan
Californian… European… and now, Southeast Asian! Tokyo really has so many breakfast options! This modern and hip cafe hails from Jakarta and uses carefully selected Indonesian coffee beans in their drinks. Currently, it’s one of the most trendy Tokyo coffee spots, so you may find yourself lining up with all the locals who can’t wait to try it.
If it is your first time at Kopikalyan, you might want to try their ES Kopi Kalyan, a special blend of cafe latte which is usually iced. Or, if you're visiting during the colder months, they also offer it hot. The place opens at 11AM so it might be a good spot for those who are not early risers. You can have some toast with Kopikalyan jam which is a mix of Javanese palm sugar, creamy butter, and Kopikalyan espresso. What a treat for the best breakfast place in Shibuya!
The minimalist interior brings focus to the baristas and their brewing tools. Be sure to check out the origami filters!
Address: 6 Chome-15-14 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001
Hours: 11AM-7PM
Some people say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Debatable? Maybe. But I think we can all agree that having a good breakfast will not do us harm. It might even bring us the positivity and energy that we need to fully enjoy the day. We hope you get to experience the best breakfast in Tokyo and tackle the city like a local.
Still on the hunt for the best breakfast in all of Japan? Check out our other breakfast in Japan guides:
- Best breakfast in Ginza
- Best breakfast in Shinjuku
- Best breakfast in Shibuya
- Best breakfast in Kyoto
- Best breakfast in Osaka
Looking for a cool cafe to stop by for your morning coffee or tea? Check out these 3 unique cafes in Shibuya!
