Cafe Igel/ あかいはりねずみ — Restaurant in Hiroshima

Tiny café, big heart—and absolutely fantastic sandwiches. We ordered two different vegetarian sandwiches: one with tempeh and cheese on ciabatta (incredible flavor and the bread was perfectly crunchy) and another with vegetables and miso spread on homemade sourdough. The owner learned to bake in Germany and Austria, and you can taste the love and care in every bite. With drinks (coffee and mint tea), we spent around 2000–2500 yen per person.

The café is very small—only six seats—and you’ll likely share the table with others. When we arrived, there were just two spots left, and the other guests kindly made space for us. It’s best to come without large bags or backpacks, as there’s not much room to spare.

The owner is lovely—warm, thoughtful, and passionate about food and travel. She speaks English (and even a bit of German!), and we had a great conversation once the café quieted down.

You can pay by card, which is always a plus.

If you’re looking for soulful food and a meaningful experience in Hiroshima, Iceland Café is a true gem. Just come early and be ready to share the space with fellow...

It's an incredibly cosy place. 8-ish seats around one table, a short, but varied menu. It's run by the owner herself (whose name I forgot to ask!), who has travelled various countries and now includes dishes from them into the cafe's menu. There always is a daily special (the day I visited it was Brazilian!), but even the standard menu includes hard-to-find items in Japan such as baklava and humus.

If I could, I'd give it 6 stars for today. Why? You see, I'm from Lithuania. And as I sat down and looked around, I noticed another guest finishing a creamy pink soup. I had to do a double take. I asked the owner. Yes, it was šaltibarščiai. The traditional Lithuanian cold summer soup. I dare to say it's not sold anywhere around it 10'000km radius. And here it was, in Hiroshima, as today's soup.

I still can't...

Artisan sandwiches made carefully and with love by the owner in her tiny place. If there are more than two people in your party, you should order to go, because the place only seats 6-8 guests. Also, the food on the rotating menu takes time to prepare because it is artfully crafted by one person. The vegetarian sandwiches are amazing and the desserts are sublime. The same goes for the specialty sodas,...