3 best Tokyo cafes for the business traveller
We know the business traveller's dilemma when it comes to Tokyo cafes. The hotel restaurant is too stiff, and the Starbucks around the corner is too noisy and crowded.
So here are the three cafés that work particularly well for business travellers. Throw the laptop in a bag, the iPhone in a pocket and head to these cafés to get a few hours work done in peace.
1. Tarlum
Tarlum in Tomigaya is the perfect spot to have a working lunch (or breakfast) with a client or contact -- and then feel completely comfortable carrying on with work in the same seat once they’ve left. The ambiance is quiet and reserved, and the food is top-notch as well. Most importantly, the waiters don't rush or bother the customers as too often seen elsewhere.
The second floor of Tarlum has the best seats in the house, with great views of Yoyogi Park. The ground floor is best for those wanting a laid back café feel.
Tarlum: As HEITZ, Tomigaya 1-10-2, Shibuya-ku, tel. 03 3466 1105, (closed first Wed of month)
2. Koots Green Tea
Koots Green Tea is a beverage chain owned by Tully’s Coffee specializing in Japanese-style tea. But stop what you are thinking: you will not be choosing from different bowls of bitter green hot water. Koots offers a silky selection of neo-Japonesque beverages, from roasted hojicha tapioca tea to green tea kuromitsu (molasses) lattes.
The cafe also serves wholesome finger food like onigiri (rice balls), as well as deliciously tempting Japanese sweets like black sesame parfait. And for traditionalists, Koots does serve coffee.
Menu aside, Koots manages to create a serene and zen-like environment, extremely conducive to getting through a backlog of tasks.
Roppongi Hills Koots Green Tea: Roppongi Hills North Tower 1F, Roppongi 6-2-31, Minato-ku, tel 03 5775 4750
3. Ben’s Café
For those looking to work on slightly more creative endeavors, Ben’s Café is ideal: free WiFi, some of the best coffee in town and a relaxed friendly vibe. This is the go-to place to write a chapter of your book, sketch design plans, type up notes from an interview or do some research on the web for an article about the 3 best cafés for business travellers.
Ben’s Café is also a perfect place for work meetings. The Japan Music Week committee holds its gatherings here, as does the Tokyo Writing Group.
Ben’s Café: Takadanobaba 1-29-21, Shinjuku-ku, tel. 03 3202 2445, 11:30am-11:30pm (closes at 12:30am on Fri and Sat)
