Cafe Denmark

Name: Cafe Denmark
Type: Cafe / Bakery
Station: Shibuya

Location: You couldn't ask for an easier to find place, especially in Shibuya. Just get out at the Hachiko Exit from Shibuya Station, cross the famous crossing, walk to the left of Starbucks and head towards HMV. It's about two blocks after Starbucks and almost opposite HMV. Entrance is on the street level as is the bakery and the register but table and chairs are upstairs.

Info: Ph: 03-3462-5880

Being in such a public location I've walked past this Denmark Cafe on almost a weekly basis but had never really bothered to give it ago, mostly out of my paranoia over the unhygienic displaying of uncovered pastries in Japan. But today I felt like some coffee and pastry and being on a super tight budget for the Christmas holidays I decided to give Denmark a go.

Much to my surprise, they serve more than just pastries and coffee, they have a rather substantial drink menu as well as several soups, sandwiches, and other solid foods in addition to the sweats pastries on show in the window.

I ordered a "Vegetable Hotdog", a special Christmas themed pastry and a mug of hot cocoa.

Service was really fast, especially on a weekend though there was some unnecessary confusion when I ordered my cocoa. The girl behind the register kept thinking I was saying "Coca Cola" for some reason and after a few minutes of even pointing at the Japanese writing for "Cocoa" I was given hot cocoa and a Coca Cola. I managed to explain to her that I just wanted the cocoa but a little common sense on her part would have saved us a lot of trouble.

Upstairs there was a huge selection of seats to choose from. Again not very busy at all. I decided to sit by the window as I was by myself and thought people watching would be some fun. This is what I saw.



The cocoa and pastry were rather good. The "Vegetable Hotdog" turned out to be just a regular hotdog but with lettuce but it too was rather good. All three set me back around Y840 which wasn't too bad at all.

I recommend Cafe Denmark, especially if you're on a budget or if your favourite cafe is packed on your day off. I wouldn't take a date here though it would be ideal to meet friends of students for private lessons due to it being almost impossible not to find and the number of seats available.

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Bio Cafe

Name: Bio Cafe
Type: Organic Cafe and Restaurant
Station: Shibuya

Location: Take Hachiko Exit and cross the main crossing. Keep walking with the Starbucks on your right. Keep walking away from the station. When you see HMV, walk through it to get to the block to the right of you, cross the road and keep walking down that street away from the station. Two blocks down the street you'll see an Italian themed alley going up a hill on your right, leading off of the main road. Head up it and you'll find Bio Cafe on your right halfway up the hill. For a map, visit here on their site.

Info: Web Site, Ph: 03-5428-3322, E: webmaster@biocafe.jp

I've been to the Bio cafe twice now and love it. There's very metropolitan feel to the place yet it's so quiet that you forget that you're in the heart of one of Tokyo's busiest areas.

Both time's I've been here I've had to wait (the cost of visiting a popular cafe I guess) but the wait has never been more than 10 minutes. I asked the waitress about throwing a party here on the following weekend but she said that they're booked solid so if you're planning to use them for an event, make sure to book several weeks in advance.

The Bio Cafe offers a wide range of superbly made dishes, all of them being organic. From pasta dishes to salads, cheesecakes and quiches I loved almost everything me and my friends tasted. The drinks are also worth trying with a huge variety in organic fruit blends, coffees, teas and alcohol this establishment is prepared for any kind of social meal you and your friends are up for.

It's also a nice place to relax by yourself with the place being staffed with the ever rare Japanese waitress, the kind that doesn't yell, scream and screech when all you want is peace and quiet and a chance to unwind.

Menus are in Japanese and English (though I found when we had a Japanese friend with us they didn't give us the English menu and when it was just me and my Aussie pal they gave us the English option by default). In short you may have to ask for it. The English isn't perfect (actually quite funny in places) but it's completely functional and at least they tried.

The prices are on par with Starbucks but with a better environment and selection making this little secret well worth checking out at least once and maybe again, and again and again.

Can't recommend this place enough.

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