Veggie latte?
Located by the river in Nakameguro, Soaks serves up great coffee, and, for the braver punter, the more wholesome variety of a veggie latte—in pumpkin, spinach and carrot flavor (¥600). Who said coffee couldn’t be nutritious? Soaks also specializes in fresh vegetarian foods to balance the surging caffeine rush, and sells exceptional homemade veggie donuts (from ¥150) to enjoy on the go after grabbing one at a booth right next to the entrance.
1-5-10 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku. Tel: 03-5794-3451. Open daily 10:30am-11pm. www.soaks.jp

Kosoan

Zen caffeine
For a caffeinated sip in the context of a traditional Japanese teahouse, Kosoan is a tatami-lined, mindhealing space reminiscent of a Kyoto sabo. The coffee (¥500) comes in all the usual forms, and can be enjoyed in the Zen wash of the gorgeous garden, or while you gaze upon the traditional Japanese folk art on display in the gallery space. If you are bored of the black beverage, go green with some matcha and wagashi (Japanese sweets) for ¥800, red with a strawberry milk (¥500), or scoff other summer desserts like anmitsu (agar jelly; ¥800).
1-24-23 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku. Tel: 03-3718-4203. Open Thu-Tue 11am-6:30pm. Nearest stn: Jiyugaoka. www.kosoan.co.jp

Crayon House restaurant

Feeling wholesome
Get in on the natural vibe at Crayon House with their organic coffee (¥550), or their caffeine-free cereals coffee, made from cereal and chestnuts (¥525). Choose from a rich selection of wholesome desserts, such as sesame and maple tart, carrot pudding, and butter cookies (¥525). Also try their—mainly veggie—lunch buffet (11am-2pm) which costs ¥1,260 for adults and ¥630 for kids aged 2-6.
B1, 3-8-15 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03 3406 6409. Open daily 11am-11pm. www.crayonhouse.co.jp

If you don’t have the time for a sit-down coffee session, and don’t fancy heading into one of the holy trinity of stock standards in the chain market, try the Little Nap Coffee Stand located opposite Yoyogi Park (5-65-4 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku; www.littlenap.jp), which serves good, quick drip coffees (from ¥300). If you happen to be in Ebisu, Sarutahiko Coffee (1-6-6 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku; http://sarutahiko.co) has a long list to choose from (from ¥380).

double-a cups

Get the best from your barista

With all the new-fangled coffee lingo out there (venti soy non-fat caramel macchiato no-foam stirred extra-cream extra-hot extra-caramel run-through-twice anyone?), things could get mixed up. What’s a coffee junkie to do?
Hiroyuki Takagi made the coffee on this issue’s cover at Café Celi (1-13-6 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku; http://cafeceli.com). A specialist barista trainer for Kyoto roaster Ogawa Coffee, we asked him for some tips.

First off, all cafés are different. Some don’t have espresso machines, for example. Takagi suggests ordering off-menu. Baristas take pride in serving up their best, so don’t get too complex. While the “latte art” might be beautiful—it’s not the barista’s main focus. Their focus is on pulling the perfect shot of espresso every time: from the micro-millimeter of the grind to the pressure of the tamping so the hot water flows just right.

Takagi compares coffee to wine: conditions have to be perfect. Depending on the day, the temperature, or the humidity, the same coffee bean will produce a very different espresso. “We try really hard every time to make that Holy Grail of perfect coffee,” he proclaims.

Barista otaku are so obsessed, says Takagi, that some even carry their own milk containers and use them exclusively. They know by feel when their personal stainless-steel jug’s contents are ready for frothing and tamping for your latte, cappuccino or macchiato.

A good barista will get to know the customers. Some like their coffee strong, some mild; some like aromatic, while others prefer coffee oil. Takagi’s best tip in a new place? “Just ask your barista, ‘What do you recommend?’”