Tokyo’s Top 10 Brunch Spots

These brunch deals are worth getting out of bed for.

In a busy city like Tokyo we can easily become used to rushing by the minute: Have a quick bite while you’re running for your 7:33 a.m. train; be at the office on time; pick up the kids from school by 5 p.m.; don’t forget the shirts from the dry cleaners’ and meanwhile think about what to cook or where to eat… Suddenly, before you know it your day has passed by and, for Christ’s sake, you can’t even remember how it went by so quickly!

Well, for many of us this is the reality and while there’s probably a certain beauty in it, sometimes you just need to Take. It. Slow.

To help you give yourself an occasional break — a very long breakfast-lunch with the family or friends — we’ve put together a guide to our favorite brunch spots in the city. Here you can take it slow and enjoy delicious menus (with drinks!) without checking your watch. And breathe.

1. OUT (Omotesando/Shibuya)

When this lovely bar-restaurant opened back in 2017, Out’s mission was to provide the comfort of a one-dish (truffle pasta), one-wine and one-sound (Led Zeppelin), a concept that, according to owner Sarah Crago, was missing from Tokyo’s dining scene. Now, two years later, the popular locale has a new mission: to become Tokyo’s number one brunch spot, because, as Crago says, “real brunch is still missing here.”

And when she talks brunch, she means Bloody Mary’s, eggs, sourdough bread and good coffee. This is exactly what you’ll be getting at Out every Sunday: A choice of three beautifully presented and delicious seasonal brunch plates that change every week served alongside coffee by Allpress Espresso, signature Bloody (and Virgin) Mary’s, wine and champagne. The only problem you’ll have is choosing one among the three plates — trust us, we speak from experience! 

Where: Vort Aoyama 103, 2-7-14 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
When: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Cost: ¥1,500 per plate. Drinks are charged separately.

2. Crista (Omotesando/Shibuya)

We’ve written a lot about Crista in the past because everything this stylish restaurant does is simply perfect, but their weekend brunch goes a step beyond. The brunch menu here has nine different set options, from light to hefty, in addition to a la carte and other signature dishes you can choose from, depending on how hungry you are. You can expect plates like bacon, maple and cheddar cheese waffles with buttermilk fried chicken; smoked Tasmanian salmon and poached egg on NY rye toast with horseradish sour cream; quinoa, sweet potato, avocado and tofu hash with two fried eggs and duka spice; and crunchy vanilla-almond french toast with whipped cream and seasonal fruit compote. All plates are served with fresh seasonal fruit, a homemade muffin or scone, and a choice of coffee drinks or tea. And, there’s a free flow menu too in case you want to pair your brunch with some quality booze. Don’t mind if we do!

Where: 1-2-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
When: From 11 a.m. on weekends and holidays.
Cost: Brunch plates from ¥2,200, a la carte from ¥700. Free flow menu: ¥5,000.

3. Blu Jam Cafe (Daikanyama)

 

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This LA-born and raised popular cafe is all about “brunches that aren’t boring” and they live by their motto. Here you can enjoy an all-day American brunch, from steaks to eggs of all kinds, salmon hash, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads, french toast, pancakes and so much more! Being really serious about feeding everyone who’s entered their venues, Blu Jam Cafe also offers a great variety of gluten-free and vegan options on the menu, and if you have any other food restrictions, feel free to talk to the friendly and fully bilingual staff —they’ll assist you with anything you need!

It’s a great family-friendly spot, too, with a whole selection of dinosaur-related books in English—we’re not sure why that is but we think it’s cool! Blu Jam Cafe also has a branch in Azabujuban.

Where: Moncheri Daikanyama B2-2, 20-20 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku
When: Wed-Mon: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Brunch served all day.
Cost: From ¥1,150.

4. Sarabeth’s (Shinagawa)

Known as the “The Breakfast Queen of New York,” Sarabeth’s opened its first store in Japan in 2015 and has since been one of the most popular places for Tokyoites to get some classic eggs benedict, pancakes and French toast throughout the day. Here time passes slowly, the food is delicious and reasonably priced, and you can be sure that you won’t leave the restaurant hungry—the portions are NY style as well! Apart from Shinagawa, you can also find Sarabeth’s in Shinjuku, near Tokyo station, and in Nagoya and Osaka.

Where: 4F Atre Shinagawa, 2-18-1 Konan, Minato-ku
When: Mon-Sat: 9 a.m.-12 a.m., Sun & Holidays: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: From ¥1,250

5. Le Pain Quotidien (Shiba Park)

This bakery-restaurant from Brussels is a favorite brunch and breakfast spot for many expats living in the Minato area for a reason—the bread here (although not cheap!) is really delicious and the eggs benedict are some of the best in the city. Apart from a good bakery selection, you can also enjoy other simple but beloved brunch dishes such as avocado toast, goats cheese, mushroom, and spinach omelet, Belgian waffles, Surf & Turf brunch and more. Simplicity is the key here, so if you’re looking for a place to just sit, enjoy a simple but quality meal and get back to business, well, this is it! Le Pain Quotidien can also be found at Tokyo Midtown, Tokyo Opera City in Shinjuku and other locations.

Where: 3-3-1 Shibakoen, Minato-ku 
When: Open daily, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 
Cost: Average around ¥1,500 to ¥2,000 for brunch. 

6. Mercer Brunch (Roppongi)

 

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This favorite little place of ours has everything you’d expect from a quality brunch: delicious food, a spacious terrace to enjoy it at, and an interior that simply tells you to sit back and relax. Specializing mainly in egg dishes and NY-style brunch, this restaurant-cafe makes you feel as if you’re on vacation, despite being in the very heart of the city. The menu features everything from marinated nordic salmon and eggs and salmon tartar, avocado and poached egg dill sauce served with two pieces of Brioche French toast, to omelet of lobster prawn and fresh tomato, plus there’s even a Japan-inspired omelet of sea urchin and scallops with urchin cream sauce. Oh, and did we mention that the coffee is good, too?!

Where: 1F, 4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku
When: Daily, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Weekdays), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Weekends). Open for dinner too until 11 p.m.
Cost: From ¥1,200.

7. World Breakfast Allday (Harajuku)

 

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This is a very unique place that reminds us in the most delicious possible way that yes, breakfast and brunch are universal. Every two months, this diner changes its menu to introduce traditional breakfast plates that can be enjoyed all day from all over the world—from Japan to Vietnam to the UK, Italy and beyond. The menus are curated in cooperation with foreigners and embassy officials living in Tokyo, so you can trust that the taste is authentic. In addition to the country breakfast, there is also a regular breakfast/brunch menu as well, which features English, Swiss, Mexican and American plates.

Where: 6-15-14-1F Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
When: Daily, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: From ¥1,300

8. Captain Cook Tokyo (Hiroo)

 

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This tiny home-style British restaurant has been selling “British cuisine that is actually delicious” (did you think otherwise?!) to Tokyo’s hungry folks since 2015 and is a lovely place to enjoy brunch or simply coffee during the day. The menu is inspired by the recipes of the owner’s own British grandmother, as well as dishes popular in countries that have been influenced by the British Empire. Captain Cook Tokyo also promotes healthy eating and lifestyle by offering a number of delicious gluten-free dishes, as well as some vegan and vegetarian options. Brunch is offered only on weekends and there are mimosas, too!

Where: 5-2-37 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku
When: Brunch (Sat-Sun) 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Open for lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and breakfast too. See details here.
Cost: Brunch plates from ¥1,350.

9. The French Kitchen (Roppongi)

For something more classy and filling, head to The French Kitchen, Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s famous flagship French bistro. This luxurious yet cozy place with a spacious open-air terrace offers two different packages under its “Grand Weekend Brunch,” a seasonal buffet with a glass of champagne (¥6,200) and a seasonal buffet with a free-flow plan including mojitos, house spirits and more (¥8,800). The buffet includes everything you can imagine—meat, salads, deli bites, and desserts, as well as freshly baked bread and so much more. The perfect deal for real brunch lovers who don’t mind spending a little more on Sunday’s main meal!

Where: Grand Hyatt Tokyo 2F, 6 Chome-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku
When: Weekends and national holidays, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m
Cost: ¥6,200-¥8,800 per person.

10. Clinton St. Baking Company

The Tokyo branch of the famous Manhattan diner, Clinton St. Baking Company doesn’t have a specific brunch plan but instead offers a variety of goodies that can be enjoyed all day long, at your own pace and preference. New York-inspired dishes are the trend here, but this is a rather wide concept certainly not limited to pancakes and eggs. The menu includes the owner’s signature buttermilk biscuit sandwich with bacon, country breakfast, Spanish scramble, huevos rancheros, sandwiches and burgers, and so much more. A lovely home-style spot, if you’re missing your family’s late Sunday brunch, stop by here.

Where: 5-17-1, Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
When: Open daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: From ¥1,200.

Have we missed your favorite spot? Share it with us in the comments below!