I've had excellent, even world class coffees at the Jimbocho/Kanda location so was expecting something similar here. This is more a comparison of Glitches rather than against all other coffee shops. The Glitch standard tends to be near the top worldwide so take it with that in mind.
The service at this location was quite a bit inferior to the main branch. The staff were young and seemed comparatively inexperienced in both the coffee and the service industry in general. They were confused, and it didn't seem like either English or Japanese was the first language, at least with the person who first took my order. The order was wrong, incomplete and generally they didn't either strongly recommend or were able to answer my questions. I think this is largely a training issue because clearly the staff at the other location know exactly what they are doing. So I hope the owner will invest some more time training these staff. In a similar manner, I felt that there was a fake "servicey" smiley mannerism to all the staff which I know from training my own staff is not rooted from contempt, but from "trying to fake expertise." In short, true experts don't need to try, they just do the job. Again, this isn't a reason to avoid the shop, it's just that the standard of Glitch is high and I feel they missed what they are attempting. One must remember that the coffee here is 2x or 3x more expensive than typical places so I think it's understandable to expect the best service.
The coffee itself was good, although not exactly the style that I was looking for. I specifically wanted to take some honey processed beans but 2 of the 3 staff didn't know what that meant which is odd for the upper echelon of coffee shops. Perhaps if I regularly went to this shop and learned all the beans myself I could handicap the staff and find the tastes I'm looking for, but it seems that shouldn't really be my responsibility.
The interior is ok, but again, neither luxurious nor particularly unique or cozy. Given the hundreds of high-design coffee shops in Tokyo, it doesn't rate above average.
While all these criticisms may seem overly negative, Glitch is still a worthwhile shop for everyone to visit because it is likely you'll taste something you haven't had before. To use the Michelin restaurant analogy, this place could be a 1 or 2 star restaurant with a little more care...
Read moreA Coffee Lover's Haven in the Heart of Ginza!
If you're a coffee lover exploring the vibrant district of Ginza, make sure to mark GLITCH COFFEE GINZA as a must-visit spot on your list. Situated not far from other interesting cafes, this coffee shop stands out as a true gem in the area.
Having previously visited their shop in Osaka, I can confidently say that GLITCH COFFEE consistently delivers an exceptional coffee experience. As you step into their Ginza location, you're greeted by a cozy and inviting ambiance that is perfect for savoring your favorite brew.
The coffee at GLITCH COFFEE is simply outstanding. From expertly brewed pour-over coffees to velvety smooth lattes, their baristas showcase their skill and passion in every cup they serve. The beans are carefully sourced and roasted to perfection, resulting in a rich and flavorful coffee experience that will satisfy even the most discerning palates.
What sets GLITCH COFFEE apart is their dedication to quality and attention to detail. They prioritize the art of coffee-making, ensuring that each cup is a work of art. The baristas take the time to explain the flavor profiles and offer recommendations based on individual preferences, adding a personal touch to the overall experience.
The location of GLITCH COFFEE GINZA makes it a convenient stop while exploring the area. You can easily hop between other interesting cafes nearby, allowing you to create your own coffee adventure in the heart of Ginza.
While the prices at GLITCH COFFEE may lean towards the higher end, the quality and craftsmanship of their coffee justify the expense. It's an investment in a memorable coffee experience that is well worth it for coffee enthusiasts. I highly recommend the slow pour.
In conclusion, if you find yourself in Ginza and in need of a top-notch coffee fix, I highly recommend visiting GLITCH COFFEE GINZA. Prepare to indulge in a delightful coffee journey that will leave you with a lasting appreciation for the art of coffee-making.
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Read moreTravelled from Copenhagen to Tokyo mostly just to visit this place. I’m a serious coffee lover, and the experience gives a mixed feeling.
I went there a few times over a 4-day vacation. Tried all three champion beans on the offering and an innovation bean over that 4 days. Here is what happened:
Some days it is very difficult to get into the cafe. The place is tiny, and if there are other customers making orders, I’m sometimes asked to wait outside, which is 38 degree under the sun. This is very frustrating for me.
When making order and having coffee in the place, the chance of conversing is limited, both due to the place being pretty busy, and the barista generally are not that good with English. Some of them are very polite, just don’t speak good English, some of them have no interest to say anything to you.
The 4 pour-over coffees I ordered are very well priced for their quality levels. Two of the champion beans are hugely impressive, at only 3800 yen per cup. Such a shame that you can not get the barista to say much about them, not even about the processing - they just repeat what was printed on the labels.
My biggest complain is that IMO three cups out of the four I experienced have sandpaper aftertastes when they are medium cold or colder. which suggest either bad grinder(ek43?) or over-extraction. I’m not sure if it is intentional, maybe the recipe is designed for presenting some aspect of the beans at the cost of the rough aftertaste? I find it hard to understand, coz these three cups are IMO with pretty serious and consistent brew defects. I can see the beans are perfect, the problem is probably 60% in the recipe or technique, 10% chance of grinder issue, and 30% chance from water? But since one of the champion brew is sweet and smooth as it should be, I can’t really explain what happened with the other 3 brews.
So in conclusion, the beans are amazing and well priced, the place is limited, the communication with the barista is a let down, and I don’t understand the rough aftertaste taste in 75%...
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