Starbucks Coffee - Naka-Meguro Tsutaya Books — Restaurant in Tokyo

This has got to be the Starbucks branch with the most uncomfortable narrow indoor seats I’ve been to. I’ve been here twice now, once last year and again this weekend while waiting for a restaurant reservation and neither visit was particularly memorable. This time though, I really couldn’t ignore how uncomfortable the seating was. 🤣 I get that it’s a popular spot and not really meant for long stays, but even just sitting for 30 minutes to sip and chill felt like a challenge. The store itself is cramped, and since it’s a Tsutaya branch, there are shelves around, which adds to the tight space. There are outdoor seats, but with the intense summer heat, they weren’t exactly an option. On a positive note, the staff were very polite...

蔦屋書店が併設されているスターバックスは他にも複数ありますが、このスターバックスは非常に独特な造りをしているように思います。 コーヒー等のドリンクの注文や受け取りのカウンターは独立していますが、客席を含めたそれ以外のスペースはかなり入り組んでおり、書店とカフェの明確な境界線がありません。客席フロアには書籍の他にも様々なグッズが販売されており、それらの商品の陳列もカラフルで、購入をしなくても見た目で楽しめると思います。 一方でそういった店内の構造が、利用客によっては圧迫されていると感じるかもしれません。様々な商品の陳列棚が所狭しと並べられているため、友人との待ち合わせにもあまり向かないかもしれません。客席に使用されている一部のテーブルや椅子は、高めに設定されており、子供や身長の低い人にとっては利用しづらいと感じるかもしれません。 加えて、鉄道の高架下にあるからか、電車が通過する騒音が強く響きます。あまりお喋りに向くカフェでは無いと思います。

There are several other Starbucks with an attached Tsutaya bookstore, but this Starbucks seems to have a very unique structure. The counter for ordering and receiving coffee and other drinks is independent, but the rest of the space, including the seating area, is quite intricate, and there is no clear boundary between the bookstore and the cafe. In addition to books, various goods are sold on the seating floor, and the colorful displays of these items are pleasing to the eye, even if you do not purchase anything. On the other hand, some customers may find such a store structure oppressive. The shelves displaying various products are so cramped that it may not be the best place to meet up with friends. Some of the tables and chairs used for seating are set high, which may make it difficult for children and people of short stature to use. In addition, the noise of passing trains is strong, probably because it's located under an elevated railroad line. It's not a cafe...

You don't go here for Starbucks, because the biggest Starbucks Roastery in the world is few meters away from here (so head there for leisurely coffee). You go here if you also need some trinkets or handpicked English books from Tsutaya. This is a good spot to meet up friends or wait for friends coming from the station because this is right smack the...