BREATHER COFFEE — Restaurant in Zushi

Overall 4.5.

Discovered Breather Coffee last year, and visited again this year during our annual stay in Zushi. Outstanding coffee and excellent breakfast cake.

SERVICE: 4.5. She was attentive and friendly last year, and he the same this year.

COFFEE: 5.0. This year had a choice of 4 drip coffees, which are brewed after ordering. (There are other coffee options also.) I chose the Colombian blend which had a medium-light somewhat fruity taste; it was outstanding. Last year ordered a long coffee, black. Beautifully presented with rich unburnt taste. Outstanding.

TEA: 4.5. My partner loved the Cascara tea.

CAKE/PASTRY: Quality over quantity - only three choices during 2022 visit. Carrot cake, Banana bread, and a gluten-free chocolate/coconut cookie; we chose the first two. CARROT CAKE: 5.0. Moist, with just the right amount of sweetness. BANANA BREAD: 5.0. same comments as the carrot cake. 4.0: During 2023 visit I had a slice of began chocolate cake in the afternoon: rich, moist, and very good.

AMBIANCE: 4.5. Airy and bright. Two long counters with seats, one facing the window looking out on the sidewalk/street. Pleasant soulish Motown-type American songs were playing during 2022 visit that seemed to have been re-interpreted by Japanese bands. Perfect morning music at a just-right ("Goldilocks") volume. During 2023 visit smooth jazzy instrumental music was playing in...

I've visited Breather Coffee 5 times since I discovered it and I will continue to visit again and again. It's cute, clean, and has a lovely atmosphere. There menu includes a lovely chai tea sourced all the way from Australia that you can enjoy iced or hot.. I prefer the hot so that you can see and smell the lovely spices like cardamon and clove... This is nicely paired with a perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie with big goey chocolate chunks.. it's crispy on the outside soft on the inside and just the right shade of golden brown. There are cute lattes, banana bread and hot chocolate too! But the thing I love the most... Is the Avocado Toast!! It's topped with sprouts, cherry tomatoes, cheese, lemon zest, cracked pepper, pumpkin seeds and a generous helping of creamy delicious avocado. Breather coffee is a delightful addition to Zushi...I will definitely...

I am not sure what that One Star review was about - ignore them. I have been going regularly to this cafe since it opened and I’m a big fan of this lovely cozy shop. Their coffee is excellent, and is ever never boring as the blends are changed on a regular basis. (Now they even roast in-house). Another review mentioned they have proper brown sugar, which is best in coffee and fairly rare here in Japan. You can also get tasty sandwiches and home made cakes. All served and made by the lovely young couple who own this coffee house. Added advantage for overseas tourists is that the owners can speak English.

Yes you cannot use a credit card - but that is not unusual in small places in Japan - the merchant charges from the card companies make it not worthwhile. No big deal as Japan is still a cash...