A hop and a skip away from Omotesando’s luxurious avenue of storefronts, Aoyama is the less ostentatious center of Tokyo’s upscale fashion scene. Its relatively quiet, charming paths house gorgeous museums and galleries, such as the Nezu Museum, striking flagship stores and chic cafes galore.
From long-established gems like Ginza West Aoyama Garden to popular contemporary establishments like Blue Bottle Aoyama, the area has no shortage of elegant and unique cafes to check out. Here are a few spots surrounding the neighborhood’s three central stations: Omotesando, Gaiemmae and Aoyama-itchome.
courtesy of ginza west
Ginza West Aoyama Garden
If you witnessed the global pancake craze of the mid-2010s, you likely have come across Ginza West Aoyama Garden’s star: irresistibly smooth “hotcakes” straight out of an animated film. Cartoon-like in its significant size, perfect roundness and even, golden-brown surface, the cafes’ Japanese pancakes are a sight to behold.
Beyond its fluffy showstopper, though, Ginza West Aoyama Garden offers a serene, classically decorated space to converse and relax in. Starting out as a restaurant in Ginza in 1947, Ginza West shortly transformed into a coffee shop known for its intellectual atmosphere and live music. The Aoyama location retains much of the flagship’s Showa-era ambience, with elegant, simple interior pieces, beautiful silverware and flowers on every table.
courtesy of cafe landtmann
Cafe Landtmann Aoyama
The original Cafe Landtmann is located along the Ringstrasse in Vienna, Austria. Established in 1873, when most of the Ringstrasse’s famously eclectic buildings — featuring Baroque, Gothic and Classical styles — were still under construction. The Aoyama branch, opening in 2009, is the first overseas location of the historic Viennese gem.
Landtmann Aoyama highlights traditional Viennese cuisine, desserts and of course, more than 30 types of delicious Viennese-style coffee. The plush, velveteen booths and gorgeous tiered curtains will make you feel like you stepped back in time.
courtesy of anniversaire cafe
Anniversaire Cafe Omotesando
Located right next to Omotesando Station, Anniversaire is not only accessible but also very spacious for Tokyo standards. It has over 100 seats, including Parisian-inspired al fresco tables and bistro chairs. With a name that translates to “Anniversary” in French, the space is perfect for birthday lunches and special brunches.
The cafe is especially lovely during the springtime and early summer days, when you can enjoy the sun and warm breeze alongside great food. Afternoon teas at Anniversaire are also a charming affair, featuring tiers of extravagant seasonal sweets.
courtesy of aoyama flower market
Aoyama Flower Market Green House
Aoyama Flower Market, established in 1989 in Aoyama, is one of the country’s most well-known florists. Based on the concept “Experience Living With Flowers Every Day,” the brand also offers a string of cafés resembling lush greenhouses.
With glass tables, glowing lanterns and flowers decorating every nook and cranny, Aoyama’s Tea Houses are nothing short of spellbinding. The menu items are equally enchanting, including a famous wreath-shaped French toast dish, seasonal floral teas and colorful beverages. The Aoyama location is particularly beautiful, with peaceful terrace seats and soft natural light.
courtesy of spiral cafe
Spiral Cafe
Located in Spiral, a cultural center and gallery, Spiral Cafe is a gorgeous lounge space for art lovers. It sits in the center of the ground floor gallery space, known for its stunning spiral structure designed by architect Fumihiko Maki. Although the marble pillars and soft carpets add an element of sophistication, the cafe still feels casual and inviting. Here, you can enjoy a variety of lunch sets, afternoon desserts and even dinner while admiring the gallery’s rotating exhibits.
courtesy of blue bottle coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee Aoyama
Hailing from Oakland, California, Blue Bottle Coffee was established in the early 2000s by James Freeman. Since then, Blue Bottle has experienced incredible growth and now has locations all over the world, including Japan.
Beyond their coffee, Blue Bottle is known for their clean, aesthetically pleasing logo and stylish interior design. The Aoyama branch is no exception, featuring a blend of industrial and rustic textures. It offers terrace seating, and plenty of natural light for the colder months.
