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Monocle Cafe Tokyo [Closed]

Where food and literature meets

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The location on this page has been reported permanently closed.

Last updated: Nov 30, 2020

If you are an avid reader of the global briefing magazine Monocle, then the Monocle Café is a must-go. Perfect for both afternoon tea and proper meals, this café is a great pit-stop between shopping at Yurakucho. Located in B1 of Hankyu Men’s department store, Monocle Café maximizes its relatively small space into something the magazine can be proud of.

Stylish businessman, the casual tourist and urban dwellers looking for a haven to catch up on work can all be found here. Decorated with Monocle’s magazines (that are also available for your reading leisure), the café serves up surprisingly affordable good eats, a stark contrast to the many expensive Monocle Shop products displayed at the café’s entrance.

The menu comes in both Japanese and English, and if that is not enough, right at the counter where food is ordered is a glass case with models of all the food served at the café. Coffee at this café is provided by the popular Omotesando Coffee, although ringing in at ¥400, many might feel that the price and taste is a tad underwhelming. The food more than makes up for this weakness. Sourcing local ingredients, such as charcoal bread from Kamakura, the café serves up delicious and healthy meals that combines Japanese sensibilities with international favourites. The black hotdog combo is a steal at ¥700, featuring a delicious sausage, bell pepper relish, in-house sauerkraut all on Kamakura’s famous bamboo charcoal bun along with freshly brewed coffee or tea. Other, larger, meals come in around the ¥1000 mark, a rather standard price for delicious food made with fresh produce. A worthy mention is the Taco Rice, which has all your familiar Taco flavors combined with rice, served on a large piece of lettuce. Tacos have never looked healthier.

If you are already a fan of Monocle, the café is evidently a no-brainer. However if you are new to the Magazine, take note that this café is not just a worthy visit for Monocle lovers. The Scandinavian inspired minimalist decor is a great reprieve from the multitudes of department store displays, and at the same time you can soak up the atmosphere generated by the stylish businessmen and women holding casual meetings at the café. Service, as expected of Japan, is impeccable, although water is free-flow and self-serviced. Aside from the many volumes of Monocle magazine available for browsing, there are also featured magazines available at the counter that you can take, for free.

So if you are ever in the mood for a little relaxed but intellectual afternoon or evening, pop by to the Monocle Café! On a completely unrelated note, photo-enthusiasts would be delighted to know that the lighting in the shop is absolutely perfect for photo-taking, just a heads up.

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Tada Ratchagit 9 years ago
Very love it, especially Monocle curry. ; )
Jessica A Paje 9 years ago
I'm a big fan of Monocle and I just love your article! Can't wait to try the black hotdog combo. Yum!

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