Shangs Café — Restaurant in Tokyo

Fantastic café located just off the main street of Akihabara. They have a very wide range of different blends both hot and cold.

I had the opportunity to try their Blue mountain blend. It was quite good with a smooth taste, but perhaps not for me. The taste was a little strong for me.

I chose the mushroom and cheese (unexpected combo!) and the chicken marinade sandwiches for food. Both were really fantastic, especially the mushrooms. All the ingredients felt fresh and the size was just right. Keep in mind though these are bites, not full courses! It definitely won't fill an American palette.

For desert I had earl grey tea and their special cake nod the day which was a caramel nut pound cake. This is where the biggest disappointment was since it vanished in seconds! It was just the right blend of sweetness, nuts, and they had a little cream on the side with a drizzle of caramel. The piece was small sadly, but all you need to do is simply get another!

The staff are kind and attentive, and I had no issues with my extremely broken Japanese alongside their English including menu. The place itself is small but cozy, with some nice jazz lounge tunes going on over the speakers.

Overall a fantastic start to my day and one place I will...

Absolutely my favorite overall coffee spot in Tokyo. It is a great choice any time of day, alone or with friends, for just coffee or if you want some light food and desserts.

Non-smoking.

They play popular jazz music but at a low level so it feels peaceful yet upbeat.

If you’re a coffee lover (or snob) then this is a place you’ll enjoy. They import beans from around the world and have a large variety of coffees/espressos available (all the usual cups: cappuccino, black, etc).

All of the food tastes so fresh.

The best part for me though was the service. In general, Japan is a very polite society but the staff and owner at this spot make you feel like a guest in their home. They deliver the food and coffee quickly and while they don’t speak much English, they make every attempt to help you choose a coffee/dish or...

I had the hot sandwich. If you know what Japanese kissaten typically serve (simple, light, minimalist takes on western food), this is it, but with very, very tasty bread. I haven't had bread that good in Tokyo for a while.

Soft jazz music plays, atmospheric and relaxing--not loud like at Starbucks. The seating is very comfortable too, so you can actually find some respite here for a bit during a busy day.

The staff are quiet but welcoming.

I had a cup of Ethiopian (hand poured), it was delicious. There were about 10 other choices of pourovers, in addition to the standard espresso-based drinks list.

I finished with the chiffon cake pictured. Overall, it was a totally satisfying meal without feeling heavy.

Tldr: A lovely modern...