JR Harajuku Station (Omotesando Exit)
Tokyo Metro Meijijingumae Station
TEL: (03) 5772-1133
Budget: ￥3,000
Located within Tokyu Plaza in Omotesando, bills was created by Australian chef Bill Granger and famous for its ricotta pancakes. Visitors can also enjoy other breakfast food staples, such as organic scrambled eggs and sweet corn fritters, as well as the expansive second-hand book library within the restaurant.
Read the full review of bills Yokohama branch.
Note: bills also has locations in Odaiba, Yokohama, and Shichirigahama. Reservations can only be made for dinner.
JR Harajuku Station (Omotesando Exit)
Tokyo Metro Meijijingumae Station, Omotesando Station
TEL: 050-5531-9452
Budget: ￥2,000
Since being imported from Hawaii’s island of Oahu to Omotesando in 2012, Cafe Kaila has been a solid competitor in the pancake craze. People literally line up for hours to get a bite of Cafe Kaila’s pancakes, served with whipped cream, powdered sugar and a hearty load of fruit.
Note: Cafe Kaila has a second location in Maihama. There are no reservations.
Read the full review of Cafe Kaila.
JR Harajuku Station (Omotesando Exit)
Tokyo Metro Meijijingumae Station, Omotesando Station
TEL: (03) 6418-4295
Budget: ￥2,000
Following Cafe Kaila’s warm welcome, Kailua-based Cinnamon’s hopped on the wave and opened its doors in Omotesando in 2013. Unlike its predecessor, Cinammon’s pancakes are known for being light and simple. The most popular of its pancake offerings is pancakes smothered in pink guava sauce and whipped cream.
Note: Cinnamon’s has a second location near Miyashita Park in Yokohama.
JR Harajuku Station (Omotesando Exit)
Tokyo Metro Meijijingumae Station, Omotesando Station
TEL: (03) 5775-5735
Budget: ￥2,500
Another of the big Hawaiian pancake chains, Eggs ‘n Things first set up shop in Harajuku in 2012, and has expanded across Kanto and to other prefectures ever since. Most visitors to Eggs ‘n Things focus less on the “Eggs” and more on the “Things,” namely the pancakes, which are topped with a mountain of whipped cream that tower over the stack itself.
JR Harajuku Station (Omotesando Exit)
Tokyo Metro Meijijingumae Station
TEL: (03) 3498-3438
Budget: ￥1,000
Tucked on a side street away from Omotesando and Meiji Dori, Pancake Days may be a location that is often overlooked by sweets stalkers. However, Pancake Days is certainly not a location to be missed, with its pastel-inspired decor and smiley-face imprinted cakes. The restaurant offers up a wide variety of sweet and savory selections.
JR Shinjuku Station, Lumine EST
TEL: (03) 6457-4155
Budget: ￥1,200
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Slappy Cakes offers visitors a new pancake experience, with grills attached to the tables. Diners have the opportunity to construct their own pancakes from scratch, adding a variety of toppings such as chocolate chips and chorizo sausage.
See the full review here.
JR Shinjuku Station, Lumine
TEL: (03) 5357-7535
Budget: ￥2,000
Boasting the title of “Breakfast Queen of New York,” Sarabeth’s arrived in Tokyo with its simplistic lemon and ricotta pancakes. Guests can dine in the minimalistic, chic space and enjoy other favorites such as the French toast, farmer’s omelette or a classic Eggs Benedict.
Note: Sarabeth’s also has locations in Shinagawa, Daikanyama and Osaka.
JR Tokyo Station, Yaechika
TEL: (03) 6225-2016
Budget: ￥2,000
New York-born Bubby’s originally began as a pie shop. Bubby’s is popular for its American-size burgers and apple pie, but the pancakes are nothing to scoff at. The restaurant, which seeks not to give in to “Japan-ification” of its products, serves a mean sour cream pancake, as well as banana walnut pancakes and shortcake pancakes.
Note: Bubby’s New York has other locations in Roppongi, Yokohama, Shiodome and Futakotamagawa.
More info on Bubby’s New York Yaechika branch.
List compiled by Melynie Yoneda.
