BrunchVegan pancake brunch¥¥¥2,000-3,500Daily 11:30-22:00 (varies)Walk-in (reserve weekends)
Ain Soph Journey in Tokyo's Shinjuku-Sanchome serves the souffle-style vegan pancake brunch that built its reputation. All-plant menu, English staff.
Order: Heavenly Vegan Pancakes with maple syrup
Tip: Saturday brunch queues from 11:00; arrive by opening or reserve. The pancakes serve two comfortably.
BrunchShokupan toast tasting brunch¥¥¥1,500-2,500Daily 10:00-19:00Walk-in only
Centre The Bakery in Tokyo's Ginza runs the shokupan toast flight that put the city's milk bread on the map. Three loaves, three preparations, side-by-side.
Order: Three-style shokupan toast flight with butter, jam, sweet bean paste
Tip: Cafe side seats a 50-minute toast brunch; takeaway counter sells loaves whole. Queue from 10:30 most days.
BrunchFrench boulangerie brunch¥¥¥1,500-3,500Daily 09:00-22:00Walk-in (reserve weekends)
Viron Shibuya in Tokyo is the French boulangerie-brasserie open from 09:00 for breakfasts of Retrodor baguette, croissants, and croque-monsieur with wine.
Order: Croque-monsieur with Baguette Retrodor and a glass
Tip: Bakery counter downstairs, brasserie upstairs. The morning queue is for the takeaway window.
BrunchAustralian-style brunch¥¥¥2,500-4,500Daily 08:30-22:30Reservation recommended
Bills Omotesando in Tokyo is Bill Granger's Tokyo flagship. Ricotta hotcakes since 1993 and scrambled eggs that started a global brunch trend in Sydney.
Order: Ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter and banana
Tip: Reserve weekend brunches; queues from 09:00 otherwise. The ricotta hotcakes plate stays the menu's anchor.
BrunchAmerican Hawaiian pancake breakfast¥¥¥1,500-3,000Daily 08:00-22:30Walk-in only
Eggs 'n Things Harajuku in Tokyo is the Honolulu pancake chain's Japanese flagship. Mountain of whipped cream, strawberries and macadamia syrup over pancakes.
Order: Pancakes with whipped cream and macadamia nut sauce
Tip: Weekend queues from 08:30. Walk-in only; arrive by 09:00 weekdays for the canonical breakfast.
BrunchAustralian cafe breakfast¥¥¥1,500-2,800Daily 10:00-21:00Walk-in (reserve weekends)
Deus Ex Machina Cafe Harajuku in Tokyo serves Australian-style cafe brunch all day. Flat whites, smashed-avocado plates with surf and bike retail around.
Order: Smashed avocado on toast with poached egg
Tip: Open from 10:00. The smashed-avocado plate is the consistent order; weekday afternoons calmest.