A very stylish cafe on an Ikebukuro backstreet; they serve cocktails and a limited snack menu as well as coffee and tea. This is also headquarters for the hip toy company Roughtoyz.[feedback]

Minami-Ikebukuro 2-14-12. Open noon-10:30pm (LO) daily.

A friendly, comfortable cafe with great coffee, excellent baked goods from Kyle's in Nakano, and bagels with lox. They also have plenty of special events during the week, including live music and go lessons. The art on the walls changes every two weeks.[feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-29-21. Open 11am-11pm daily.

A big selection of small food items - ranging from salads to stews - ready to assemble into a meal or a snack.[feedback]

Nishi-Shinjuku 1-3-14. (on Ome-kaido) Open 11:30am-11:30pm daily.

Good panini and other Italian-style sandwiches, desserts, coffee, tea, and wine by the glass. There's a small counter area, but business is mostly take-out. No smoking.[feedback]

Sendagaya 3-15-12. Open 8:30am-midnight. Closed Sundays.

Sitting atop the tech-heavy and design-savvy KDDI Designing Studio, this popular cafe is an oasis of greenery and art magazines, with nice panoramic views overlooking Harajuku. The menu features light food as well as coffee and other drinks, and it's a nice place to take a break from an afternoon of shopping.[feedback]

Jingumae 4-32-16, KDDI Designing Studio 5F. Open 10am-10pm daily.

Those with a fondness for cartoon-character dolls and action figures will find a kindred spirit in Yoshitomo Nara, whose paintings and sculptures of devilish children are as disconcerting as they are cute. A joint project with the Graf design firm, A to Z Cafe, with its original artwork, mismatched furniture, and liberal use of worn wood and corrugated iron, is a cool place to spend the afternoon. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Minami-Aoyama 5-8-3, Equbo Bldg 5F. Open 11:30am-11:30pm (to 4am weekends) daily.

A relaxing, quiet space inside a museum devoted to the whimsical works of sculptor Taro Okamoto. [feedback]

Minami-Aoyama 6-1-19. Open 11am-7pm. Closed Tuesdays.

A convenient Gaienmae meeting spot, with music listening booths as well as a coffee and food menu.[feedback]

Kita-Aoyama 2-7-18, Yamazaki Bldg. 1F. Open 8:30am-midnight daily.

A comfortable, spacious cafe with design books on the shelves and a dog-accessories boutique. The cafe menu includes pizzas, pastas, and grilled meats and seafood.[feedback]

Kita-Aoyama 2-9-15. Open 11am-midnight daily.

A stylish cafe at the base of Parco serving Spanish-style tapas, coffee in the daytime and Spanish wines in the evening.[feedback]

Udagawacho 15-1, Parco Pt. I, 1F. Open 10am-midnight daily.

A funky/comfy cafe with mismatched furniture, Okinawan food and a Hawaiian/Tahitian tropical theme. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Jinnan 1-4-2. Open noon-11:30pm daily.

Dexee is known for their good, inexpensive food as well as the drinks selection. There's a big library of magazines to browse through.[feedback]

Shoto 1-4-8. (on the back road that runs from Tomigaya to Tokyu Honten, a couple of blocks before Tokyu) Open noon-4am daily.

Cheap prices, stylish decor, good music and a bustling atmosphere have drawn crowds of hip young patrons to this sprawling cafe space in a trendy corner of Shibuya. The kitchen offers entertaining variations on standard cafe fare - Vietnamese sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, rice bowls, and salads - along with some decent California wines by the bottle and a big cocktail list. [feedback]

Shibuya 1-11-1, 2F. Open 11:30am-2am daily.

This big, trendy cafe has a large terrace with ample outdoor seating and even a small swimming pool on the third and fourth floors of this Shibuya shopping complex.[feedback]

Shibuya 1-23-16, Picasso 347 3/4F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

A very French-style multi-story cafe with a relaxed atmosphere; they serve light food items and desserts as well as coffee and drinks.[feedback]

Ebisu 3-28-12. Open 10am-2am daily.

A pleasant "Mediterranean Rim" restaurant with a very casual cafe area up front (including outdoor seating) and a more formal dining room in back. The food is serviceable but not spectacular, and includes Spanish, French and Italian main dishes and starters, pizzas, paellas and pastas. There's also an extensive (and not very expensive) wine selection.[feedback]

Ebisu-Minami 3-1-24, City Square Ebisu 1F. (on Komazawa-dori) Open 11am-9pm (LO) daily.

A very spacious, relaxing place to while away some time. Wine and other drinks are relatively inexpensive, and there are plenty of light dishes to nibble on. Pets are allowed, and dog biscuits and water bowls are available. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Sarugakucho 2-11. Open 11:30am-3am (LO) daily.

This relaxed cafe-bar is a perfect meeting spot, right in front of Daikanyama station.[feedback]

Daikanyamacho 19-14. Open 11am-11pm daily.

This big, European-style cafe opens onto the street for enhanced people-watching, with lots of outdoor seating when the weather permits. The casual food menu includes pastas, sandwiches and desserts. Drinks include Italian wines, grappa and liqueurs. Set lunch from Y1600. [feedback]

Sarugakucho 29-3. Open 11am-midnight daily.

This bakery-cafe offers a nice selection of baked-on-premises cakes, muffins, cookies and scones, along with assorted teas and coffees. The menu also includes sandwiches, and everything is available for take-out. [feedback]

Nishi-Azabu 4-18-20. Open 10am-7pm. Closed Sundays.

A trendy but comfortable cafe where you can enjoy the open-air front section during the warmer months. The back area is set up like a very large living room, with plenty of sofas for lounging. (Note that after 6pm there's a table charge in some areas of the cafe - Y500 per person at tables in the back, Y1000 per person on the sofas.) The desserts are especially recommended (they also run a wholesale cake shop from the basement). [feedback]

Minami-Azabu 4-12-26. Open 11:30am-1:30am (LO) daily.

This small chain of French brasserie-cafes is popular for their authentic food and atmosphere. The cafe serves simple dishes like omelettes and salads all day long, while the brasserie has more substantial fare, with lunch an especially good value. Quiches and pastries are ready to take home from the bakery section. [feedback]

Takanawa 4-10-8, Takanawa Keikyu Bldg #7. Open 9am-11pm daily.

This spacious cafe-bar is done up in retro early-1970s modern style, with a nice big terrace seating area with retractable roof. It's run by the folks from the always-hip Planet 3rd cafe in Shibuya, and it's attached to a travel-oriented bookstore run my Paper Sky magazine. [feedback]

Minami-Aoyama 1-2-6. (in the block behind Aoyama Twin Towers) Open 10am-2am daily.

Assorted American-style pies, burgers and sandwiches, at this remaining branch of a once-popular chain.[feedback]

Akasaka 3-5-2. Open 7:30am-10:30pm daily.

Delicious Bretagne-style artisanal sweet crepes and savory buckwheat galettes are served at this charming little cafe, along with hard cider and soft drinks imported from the region. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

A cheerful cafe with a nice lunch menu (under Y1,000) and a take-away bakery department.[feedback]

Akasaka 1-12-32, Ark Mori Bldg. 2F. Open 10am-10pm (LO) daily.

Inexpensive bakery and deli items and salads from the famous no-brand design store Mujirushi. Breakfast is served from 7am.[feedback]

Yurakucho 1-2-1, Toho Theater Crie Bldg Rem Hibiya 2F. Open 6:30am-9:30pm (LO) daily.

This picturesque little Italian-style cafe-bar is worth noting for their late-night hours (till 2am Monday-Saturday); stop by for coffee, a glass of wine or a light Italian snack. [feedback]

Ginza 2-4-6, Ginza Velvia-kan 1F. Open 11am-11pm (LO) daily.

Upmarket French wines and excellent country-style French cooking; chef Masashi Hadachi (formerly of Aux Bacchannales in Harajuku) is in charge of the kitchen. The bistrot-style setting is casual, occasionally cramped. Y4500 prix-fixe for three courses in the evening. Their afternoon cafe menu (2-6pm), featuring sandwiches, steak frites and other light fare, is worth knowing about if you're in need of a late lunch in this neighborhood.[feedback]

Marunouchi 3-3-1, Shin-Tokyo Bldg. 1F. Open 8am-midnight (from 11am weekends). Open every day.

Inexpensive bakery and deli items and salads from the famous no-brand design store Mujirushi, inside their huge flagship store in Yurakucho. [feedback]

Marunouchi 3-8-3, Infoce Yurakucho 2/3F. Open 10am-9pm daily.

A combination bakery and brasserie; it also features a small standup bar serving ten wines by the glass - a good place to meet up before dining nearby. [feedback]

Marunouchi 2-7-3, Tokyo Bldg Tokia 1F. Open 10am-midnight daily.

This hip little cafe is known for their inexpensive, eclectic menu - sandwiches, rice bowls, unusual pizzas, and mains like roast pork with wasabi sauce. Desserts include French toast. Open all day. [feedback]

Marunouchi 2-7-3, Tokyo Bldg Tokia B1F. Open 11am-10:30pm (2am Thu/Fri) daily.

An "event cafe" in the heart of the Maru Biru atrium, at the center of the action.[feedback]

Marunouchi 2-4-1, Marunouchi Bldg. 1F. Open 7:30am-11pm daily.

Deluxe sandwiches and desserts from famous French chef Joel Robuchon.[feedback]

Nihonbashi 2-4-1, Takashimaya 2F. Open 11am-7:30pm (LO) daily.

A bright and airy branch of this French-cafe landmark, located directly in front of the New Otani Hotel. There's a take-out bakery at the entrance, a big cafe area, a smaller dining room for proper French meals, and plenty of outdoor seating, heated in winter. Lunches in the dining room start at Y850; full-course dinners from Y3800. The cafe serves light snacks like quiche, omelettes, salade nicoise and steak frites. [feedback]

Kioicho 4-1, Shin-Kioicho Bldg. 1F. Open 10am-11pm daily.

Cafes with scenic settings are a rarity in Tokyo, so this lovely spot looking out over the rowboats on the moat is worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood. After 5pm it's a proper restaurant, with surprisingly good upper-level Italian fare, including a nice assortment of small appetizers and lots of good-value wines. Budget around Y6000-9000 for dinner. There's also a separate self-service section of the cafe next to the boat docks; they're open for coffee a little later in the evening.[feedback]

Kagurazaka 1-9. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

We certainly can't complain about a conveniently located indoor-outdoor cafe-bar that's open all afternoon and serves great food and drink. The menu offers simple but tasty dishes like duck confit and mussels steamed in white wine, along with freshly baked pizzas and wines by the glass, all at very reasonable prices. Our only worry is that they'll be too popular to get into. [feedback]

Koraku 1-3-61, Tokyo Dome City Meets Port 3F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

A Finnish cartoon-themed bakery and cafe, with some Finnish beers and Scandinavian-style pastries on the menu.[feedback]

Kasuga 1-1-1, Tokyo Dome LaQua 1F. Open 10am-11pm daily.

Australian wines and retro 70s decor overlooking Tokyo Bay. The food is simple deli fare - sandwiches and donburi are Y620, while more filling deli/salad/cheese platters run Y1000-1500. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Daiba 1-7-1, Mediage 3F (Aquacity Odaiba). Open 11am-11pm daily.

A very casual Italian cafe where you can find wines by the glass (from Y500) along with simple fare like salamis, grilled chicken and organic vegetable salads. [feedback]

Higashi-Shinagawa 2-2-4, Tennoz First Tower 1F. Open 11:30am-10pm (LO) daily.

Make yourself comfortable at Koenji's Cafe Apartment, where you are given a pair of slippers at the door. The floor plan is that of a 1DK apartment, strikingly similar to the domiciles of many Tokyoites. Low tables and soft cushions line the walls; green plants inhabit the corners. Picture books and magazines await perusal, while crayons and white paper placemats are provided for more creative moments. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Koenji-Kita 3-2-15 2F. Open 3-11:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

A bohemian-style cafe with music and food from Southeast Asia and the rest of the world. The menu at lunchtime is mostly Vietnamese, but there's a wider selection in the evening, including pastas.[feedback]

Nishi-Ogi-Kita 3-31-5, 1F. Open 11:30am-2am (4am Fri,Sat) daily.

Inexpensive deli-style dishes and drinks from this seemingly ubiquitous chain of casual cafes.[feedback]

Kichijoji Honcho 2-2-2. Open 11am-2am daily.

There are several Thai restaurants in the neighborhood, but this sprawling shop stands out for its comfortably laid-back, ethnic-cafe atmosphere. There's a menu of Thai standards along with plenty of desserts and exotic drinks, all at very reasonable prices. [feedback]

Kichijoji Honcho 2-17-12. Open noon-2:30, 5-10:20pm (LO) daily.

Up on the rooftop and surrounded by greenery, this is a pleasant hideaway to stop for a coffee and snack break or an early-evening drink. [feedback]

Kichijoji Honcho 2-3-1, Tokyu Dept. Store 10F. Open 10am-7:30pm (LO) daily.

This multi-purpose art space/cafe-bar is way off the beaten track but it draws a crowd of loyal regulars, including personalities from the Tokyo art scene and local hipsters. During the day you'll find standard cafe lunches (pastas, curries) served till 6pm, plus gourmet coffees - they roast their own beans once a week. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Kitazawa 1-45-36. Open 1pm-midnight daily.

They've pulled out all the stops to recreate the feel of an open-air Italian caffe-bar here - barrel tables, chalkboard menus, old advertising posters, grafitti on the walls, hams hanging from the ceiling, with Italian radio providing the soundtrack. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Kitazawa 2-14-14. Open 3pm-2am (LO) daily.

One of Tokyo's many ethnic-style cafes, with Indian-style curries, tea and desserts, imported handicrafts and a charmingly laid-back atmosphere. Around Y1000 at lunch (weekends only); Y2500 at night. [feedback]

Kitazawa 2-26-13. Open 5-11pm (from noon weekends). Closed Tuesdays.

A spacious, high-ceilinged bakery-cafe in the midst of Shimo-Kitazawa's young-fashion shopping district. The menu includes casual dishes like shrimp and avocado salad with French toast and cream cheese risotto with chestnuts, plus some elaborate desserts.[feedback]

Kitazawa 2-29-2. Open 11am-8pm daily.

A big, sprawling antique shop with a charming little cafe and dessert corner; the best seats seem to be out front, looking out onto the street.[feedback]

Ikejiri 2-7-8. (on Mishuku-dori, just south of Route 246) Open 11am-8pm daily.

Tucked into a leafy lane along the Meguro River, Combine feels rather like a hidden gem. Reminiscent of a converted loft, the industrial concrete and aluminum interior is tempered by velveteen chairs that encourage lounging and a marvelous bookcase that dominates the west wall. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Naka-Meguro 1-10-23-103. Open noon-4am (food LO 2am) daily.

This sprawling cafe-restaurant in Shin-Yokohama's Cubic Plaza is produced by the popular French brasserie-cafe Aux Bacchanales, and it includes a brasserie section, bakery and tea salon. Convenient early-morning hours start at 8am. [feedback]

Yokohama-shi, Kohoku-ku, Shin-Yokohama 2-100-45, Cubic Plaza Shin-Yokohama 10F. Open 8am-11pm daily.