As a coffee-lover who has lived in Shinjuku for over two years, I can confidently say these top shinjuku cafes contain some of the best tokyo coffee experiences in the entire city.
Shinjuku’s coffee scene has something for everyone, whether you’re a coffee snob, remote worker, or on your first family vacation to Tokyo, there is an out-of-this-world Shinjuku Cafe for you.
Tokyo is home to hundreds (maybe thousands) of exceptional, world-class cafes, many of which I have tested out during my time in Japan. If you’re a digital nomad, student, or simply looking for a work-friendly spot to spend a few hours, try checking out my Top Tokyo Coffee Shops for Remote Work Guide.
The Six Best Coffee Shops in Shinjuku
Counterpart Coffee Gallery
Known For: Delicious coffee served in a tiny industrial three-story building.
Why I Love It: Counterpart is a hidden gem, found in the heart of Nishishinjuku. This tiny, unassuming building contains some of the best coffee in Shinjuku, crafted by an expert barrister who always serves you with a smile.
The menu is simple and coffee-forward, highlighting the funky tastes of their speciality blends. You can sit upstairs, or take your drink to enjoy in Shinjuku Chuo Koen (central park) in front of Tocho.
Good For: Reading, speciality coffee, and people watching.
Address: 3 Chome-12-16 Honmachi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0071
Flip Flip Coffee Supply
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Known For: Relaxed and open-plan atmosphere often showcasing an amazing retro car.
Why I Love It: Flip Flip is the perfect spot for a chatty coffee with friends, or remote work afternoon. There is plenty of space in this airy coffee shop found right next to Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Park, and only a 12-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. The staff are always lovely and the menu includes oat milk, great pastries, and usually a fun seasonal option.
Good For: Working remotely, catching up with friends, resting between Shinjuku and Meiji Jingu.
Address: 1 Chome-21-5 Yoyogi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0053
Coffee Swamp
Known For: Immaculate vibes and an unbeatable cup of speciality coffee.
Why I Love It: Coffee Swamp is arguably the best cup of coffee in the whole of Tokyo. A tiny establishment with a handful of crates used as seats, Coffee Swamp is a quintessential Japanese experience.
The barrister hand-selects records to play throughout the day and puts the utmost pride and attention into brewing each drink. Coffee Swamp is hidden in the alleys just West of Shinjuku station and is a must-visit for any true coffee enthusiast. This is a Shinjuku Coffee Shop you simply cannot miss.
Good For: Solo coffee adventures, coffee snobs, and reading.
Address: 7−21−12 れんげ荘 105号, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0023
Starbucks Shinjuku Gyoen
Known For: Unmatched location and serene Japanese garden views.
Why I Love It: It’s rare to find a Starbucks featured on any of my Top Cafes Lists, however, for this one I will make an exception. Located in the phenomenally stunning Shinjuku Gyoen, this Starbucks may be among the best Tokyo coffee experiences all across the city.
This park is known for its tranquil beauty, ornate gardens, and impressive greenhouse, all magically hidden in the heart of one of the busiest places in the world. Shinjuku Gyoen is worth every bit of its 500 yen entrance fee, and Starbucks offers a little piece of familiarity among the classic Japanese landscape design.
Good For: Families, working remotely, and sightseeing.
Address: 11 新宿御苑, Shinjuku City, Naitomachi, Tokyo, 160-0014
All Seasons Coffee
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Known For: Specialty pour over coffee brewed to perfection
Why I Love It: When I’m in the heart of Shinjuku and want a high quality cup of coffee that I know for a fact will hit the spot, I go to All Seasons. It’s only nine minutes from Shinjuku station and even closer to Shinjuku Gyoen making the location super convenient when I’m out and about in the city.
Being 100% honest, All Seasons probably serves the best specialty pour over coffee in all of Shinjuku. They have an ever-changing selection of beans with knowledgable baristas ready to explain the notes, origin, and blends to help you select your ideal bean. Inside is small but not intimidating, with a relaxed and comfy atmosphere that is just plain cool.
Good For: Speciality beans, great coffee, catching up with friends
Address: 2-7-7, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0022
Dean and Deluca NEWoMan
Known For: Great pastries and a quick but delicious coffee on the go.
Why I Love It: Found behind Shinjuku Station’s South Exit, Dean and Deluca is a Japanese chain cafe that you can always trust for high-quality drinks, cakes, and lunches. The South Exit location makes it perfect for a break between stops, and the menu caters for all needs (and has oat milk).
Sit inside and enjoy the spacious Scandinavian-style interiors, or take your drink to go and enjoy the Suica’s Penguin Park seating area.
Good For: A light lunch, tourists, and small groups.
Address: 5−24−55 NEWoMan新宿 2F, Sendagaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo, 51-0051
How to Order Coffee in Japanese
Whilst more and more establishments have English menus and staff who speak English, entering some of the speciality cafes can be intimidating. Don’t let this stop you from experiencing something new!
Luckily, ordering coffee in Japanese is so much simpler than you think.
Here are the basics:
| English | Japanese (phonetic) | Japanese (written) |
|---|---|---|
| Americano | A-me-ri-kaa-no | アメリカーノ |
| Latte | Ra-te | ラテ |
| Cappuccino | Ka-pu-chii-no | カプチーノ |
| Iced Coffee | Ai-su Koo-hii | アイスコーヒー |
| Hot Coffee | Ho-to Koo-hii | ホットコーヒー |
| Tea | O-cha | お茶 |
| Oat Milk | Oo-to Mi-ru-ku | オートミルク |
| Soy Milk | Too-nyu | 豆乳 |
| Water | Mi-zu | 水 |
| Coffee, please | Koo-Hii O-ne-gai-shi-ma-su | コーヒー お願いします |
| Do you have oat milk? | Oo-to Mi-ru-ku Ga A-ri-ma-su-ka | オートミルクはありますか |
Simply put, the politest way to order a drink is to say its name, followed by ‘onegaishimasu’ for example, ocha onegaishimasu (tea please) or ooto miruku no rate onegaishimasu (an oat milk latte please).
Read More:
Ranking Tokyo’s Top 10 Coffee Chains: The Good, The Bad, and the Plain Acidic
Discover the best and worst Japanese coffee chains perfect for remote work in Tokyo.
Work-Friendly Cafes in Tokyo
I hope this list of my favourite Shinjuku cafes has inspired you to try something new when it comes to finding the best Tokyo coffee next time you’re in Japan. For those looking for cafes perfect for remote work, why not check out my guide to How to Work From a Cafe (and actually be productive)?
Japan truly prides itself on customer service and producing some of the highest quality food and drink in the world, and this includes its coffee. Every cafe has its own brewing techniques, speciality blends, and serving methods, and the staff love to share their passion for coffee with their customers.
There are so many more interesting, unique, or absolutely strange cafes all across Tokyo. Check out some of guides to other work-friendly cafes across the city:
Read More:
Work-Friendly Cafes in Minato City (Roppongi, Azabu Juban, and Aoyama)
Top 5 coffee shops for working in Minato-Ku, Tokyo including Roppongi, Azabu Juban, and Aoyama.
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