5 Reasons To Make ‘Stall’ Restaurant Your New Hang Out

It’s not often that Tokyoites find a gem that offers everything we need to fill our stomachs, sip on creative cocktails, lounge with a laptop, shop and socialize — all in one space.

When you think of a restaurant you think of somewhere to enjoy a meal and then leave, right? And in Tokyo where there are, um, quite a lot of people, there’s often an unspoken pressure to make way for the next customer, especially if they’re waiting in a long line outside.

Set in Nakameguro along the famous Meguro River — Tokyoites’ favorite cherry blossom viewing spot — is “The Works” building, a five-storey multi-purpose warehouse space which holds restaurant Stall, a café stand The Workers Coffee, and a cocktail bar on its first floor, in addition to a community lounge, an event space, and share offices spread on other floors. In contrast to the industrial vibe of the area, Stall, particularly, has something different to offer.

This a place to settle into; a place for “gathering” as their website says, where workers, moms, dads, kids, couples and solo diners can come and enjoy the space freely and at their own pace. Don’t just take my word for it, though. Here’s five reasons why Stall should be on your list of new favorite hangout spots in Tokyo.

1. Great food is served all day

The restaurant serves food from 8 a.m. through to 11 p.m. so whatever time you choose to go there, you’ll be able to sample some of the delicious offerings.

Breakfast

The oh-so-Instagrammable breakfast includes delectable eats such as their popular “Egg in Cloud” which comes in the form of a fluffy egg white enveloping a sunny yolk and resting on a bed of toast and bacon. Other options include the granola topped with chia seeds and fruit, avocado on toast served with bacon and eggs, and pulled pork burgers.

Lunch

Pasta dishes, power salads and hearty sandwiches comprise the weekday lunch menu which changes daily. Go all in with the five-course (¥2,500) or seven-course (¥4,000) set menu with items such as soup, pasta and fish dishes. On weekends a larger à la carte brunch menu is filled with various soups, salads, pastas and meats.

Dinner

The formidable Japanese-Italian dinner menu is a plethora of healthy tapas dishes perfect for sharing (not that you’d want to). Beautifully-presented, colorful and well-thought-out, highlights in the tapas section include the organic burrata with figs and olive oil, and an exceptionally refreshing tuna tartare dish with quinoa, thyme and dill. The bright and unique duck carpaccio is also worth a try, sweetened with a drizzle of honey and olive oil.

Equally palate-pleasing options are the grilled corn with parmigiano reggiano and the deep-fried cauliflower with hummus and paprika powder.

The main dishes are split into three categories: vegetables, seafood and meat. Vegetarians and carnivores alike will gasp at the mountainous spaghetti plate with 12 kinds of seasonal vegetables. The signature meats are refined and perfectly cooked – winners are the grilled wagyu sirloin steak as well as the generously portioned roasted lamb chops, served with eggplant ratatouille.

If you’re stuck on what to choose, there are two types of wallet-friendly tasting menus costing ¥5,000 for seven dishes or ¥8,000 for ten.

2. There are cocktails galore

Stall restaurant take their drink menu as seriously as their food and the creative cocktails on offer will not disappoint. Whatever your poison of choice, you’ll be pleased to know that the mixologist uses seasonal fruits to ensure the freshest concoctions.

I recommend you sip on the “Bergamont Fizz” with Earl Grey-infused bourbon, simple syrup, soda and orange zest or the stylish “Workers Revival #1” which blends calvados, fig, rosemary syrup, Angostura Bitters, soda and grilled rosemary.

Unique coffee-based cocktails come in the form of the “PWC Negroni”, a mix of iced coffee, campari, sweet vermouth and orange zest, or the creative “Sweet Things” which brings together coffee-infused rum, Chambord, mascarpone cheese and simple syrup.

Popular classic cocktails are also on offer, as are beers, non-alcoholic cocktails, and a suitably large wine list.

3. You can find unique gifts at the pop-up shop

How about a spot of shopping before, after or even whilst you wait for your food and drinks? Within the cafe space is a small pop up shop which regularly changes its exhibitors. Different collaborations means that you’ll always see different styles of fashion, art and unique designs, and whatever you buy will be just that little bit extra special. Past events include a leather couture exhibit and photo collections. You can find details of upcoming exhibits and events via their Facebook @theworks.tokyo.

4. Or get work done in the coffee-fueled lounge space

For those of you who are looking for a space to lounge in with your laptop, relax with a book or for that much-needed caffeinated break – The Workers coffee/bar has you covered.

The lounge space near the entrance of the restaurant serves fine quality coffee as well as moreish treats such as sweet or savory tarts, salads, muffins and cupcakes which you can eat in or take out. At dinner time, the cafe turns into a bar, offering a different kind of creative fuel with wine, craft beer and cider. Stall Restaurant also offer a catering service for private events.

5. The interior is just gorgeous

Upon entering, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you were in the hip part of Brooklyn with its strong warehouse presence mixed with wood-panelled walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. The space itself has a church-like high ceiling from which a stunning artsy yet modern lighting fixture hangs down.

There has clearly been a lot of attention to detail from Line-Inc interiors to ensure that Stall is a trendy, colorful yet unpretentious and welcome space suitable for all occasions and tastes. The beautiful ceramic plates they use for the dishes alone will give you decor envy. The stunning bouquet of flowers on each table are changed on a weekly basis and the eye-catching artwork which adorns the walls also changes to exhibit different local artists.

The Stall restaurant is definitely a hangout spot you’d want to experience, eat in and be seen in. Check it out! 

The Deets

Address: 3-18-3 Aobadai, 1F The Works, Meguro 153-0042, Tokyo 
Tel: 03-6416-4646 
Business Hours: Mon – Fri 8 am – 11 pm (LO 10 pm), Sat: 10 am – 11 pm (LO 10 pm). Public holidays: 10 am – 10 pm (LO 9 pm).