Coffee at Tricolore Cafe Ginza, Tokyo
I have to admit that I have been a coffee lover since childhood. My favorite drink helps me to get ready for a challenging day, and I never get tired of its incredible range of taste sensations. So, wherever I travel, I venture out into the local coffee scene. Needless to say, that I am only going for real coffee, not the over-roasted kind, made drinkable with sugary syrups, other artificial flavors, or trendy milk substitutes. If you want that, you should go to some well known chains.
One of my favorite places for top-quality coffee is in the Ginza area of Tokyo. This area is packed with shops of all the major international fashion brands, historical specialty shops, and fine-dining restaurants. Shopping in Tokyo's Ginza district can be a lot of fun, but it could also empty your wallet real fast.
Taking a break and having a coffee in a Ginza Cafe can be disappointing. Even a cup of standard-quality coffee can be quite expensive. Fortunately, I found a charming café right in the dead center of Ginza with great coffee preparations that will not strain your budget too much.
Tricolore Cafe in Tokyo's Ginza
Ambiance and Atmosphere
When you enter the café through the revolving door, you may have the impression that you have left modern-day Japan for a European location back in time.
Since its opening in 1936, Tricolore Cafe in Ginza has maintained a nostalgic yet elegant atmosphere with a European feel.
The cafe's retro style is underlined by brick walls and slightly faded wall mirrors—the antique-looking furniture adds to the impression of old Europe. The nostalgic atmosphere reminded me of an upscale Austrian cafe in Vienna, but I could also recognize style elements from France. The eclectic mix of classic vibes is a bit confusing but charming. It produces a tranquil atmosphere that will help you recover from the stress of your shopping spree.
Interior Views of Tricolore Café
Photos by Author
Coffee Choices
The only obvious hint of Austrian coffee is the menu item Vienna Coffee, but a careful look at the menu reveals at least another Austrian inspired one. Here are the coffee preparations of Tricolore Ginza:
Antique Blend
Tricolore Cafe's signature coffee is the Antique Blend, a rich coffee made from coffee beans sourced from Central and South America. Every cup is hand-brewed as a pour-over using a cotton flannel filter. This method is also used at the Ueshima Coffee shops, where they call it Nel drip. The result is a cup of smooth and deep flavor without any hint of paper flavor. I prefer the Nel drip over a paper filter, as I find the paper flavor extremely distracting. it reminded me of the brewing method I experienced in Costa Rica.
Café au Lait
The other main choice is a French Roast coffee served with milk. The waiter will pour the milk at your table, so you have full control over the right balance. It's the Tricolore version of a latte.
Toarco Toraja, a single-origin coffee
Further down the menu, I found Toarco Toraja coffee and decided to go for it because I like Indonesian coffee. Also, I always go for a single-origin coffee when I see one. It turned out to be the right decision.
Toarco Toraja is a rare coffee from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Its history goes back to the 1700s when Indonesia was a Dutch colony. Unfortunately, the plantations were neglected for decades until after WWII, when Key Coffee, a major Japanese coffee company, revitalized the old plantations in the highlands. The Japanese company developed the region's infrastructure to facilitate the production of this high-end coffee. They also helped farmers and cooperatives improve their farming and post-harvest methods.
This single-origin coffee is known for its clean, well-balanced, and slightly fruity flavor profile. The meticulous preparation at Tricolore Cafe, again using the Nel drip method, ensures that every cup brings out the distinctive characteristics of the Toarco Toraja bean. I have had the same coffee at other cafes, but they didn't do justice to these outstanding beans.
Vienna Coffee
My wife went for the Vienna Coffee. You may know that Austria has a long list of coffee specialties, but there is no Vienna Coffee among them. Outside of Austria, the term is generally used for coffee with whipped cream or what they call whipped cream. Instead of real whipped cream, very often you will be treated to something from a spray can. It may look a bit like whipped cream, but it's made from vegetable oils, has a greasy mouthfeel and is sweetened, Usually, you are in for a big disappointment, but not in Tricolore Café.
What you get here as "Vienna Coffee" would be called "Einspänner" in Austria. A strong coffee with a generous dollop of real whipped cream on top, not the disgusting spray can version. The whipped cream in this café is outstanding and reminded me of my childhood experience in Germany. Taste the whipped cream first before gently stirring. On the bottom of the glass is some coarse sugar, which will slowly dissolve and round the taste of this heavenly drink. It is not overly sweet, but if you prefer it without sugar, mention it when ordering.
Cointreau Coffee
This drink is also a classic Austrian coffee drink known in Austria as "Maria Theresia Kaffee", a favorite of the late Austrian Empress. It looks like the Einspänner above but is fortified with a shot of the French orange liqueur Cointreau. I first had this amazing drink in Business Class at Austrian Airlines and fell in love with it.
The Coffee Menu
Food choices
Beyond coffee, Tricolore Ginza offers a selection of mouth-watering cakes proudly displayed in a case near the entrance, where you can't overlook them. The chocolate cakes grabbed my attention in particular.
We just had lunch somewhere else, so we skipped those cakes for today, but friends told me that the cheesecake is creamy and just right in sweetness, while the apple pie is a perfect combination of flaky crust and tender fruit. It must be particularly good in autumn when the marvelous Japanese apples hit the market.
Other patrons had sandwiches and a crispy salad for lunch, which looked like an attractive option. For dessert, you could order one of the great cake selections to complete the perfect lunch in style.
Like many cafés in Japan, they have a Morning Menu, often called morning service. It includes a cup of Antique Blend, buttered toast, and salad.
Since the café closes at 7:00 pm, it is not a dinner destination.
My Verdict: Must-go
Whether a cup of coffee or a coffee preparation qualifies as a gourmet item depends on the quality of ingredients and the skill and method of preparation. The Tricolore Cafe excels on all levels.
That's why it became my instant favorite. It is also more than just a coffee shop; here, it's a place to take a break from the bustling Ginza area and relax for a while in a nostalgic atmosphere. Treat yourself to a cup of exceptional coffee and a delicious cake. Whether you're drawn by the charm of their Austrian style coffee preparations, the exotic flavor of Toarco Toraja coffee, or the distinctive taste of their Antique Blend, you will have one of the best coffee experiences in the center of Tokyo.
Practical Information for Visiting Tricolore Cafe Ginza
Location and Contact
It is very close to the main intersection of the Ginza district, which has the Mitsukoshi Department Store on one corner and the Wako jewelry store on another corner. In a quieter street parallel to the main drag of Ginza, you will find Tricolore Café. You can't overlook the French flag in front of the building. From the outside, it may look like a fancy French restaurant, but when you step in, you will see it is a charming café on two floors.
The address is 5-9-17 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. For reservations, you can call them at their telephone number, 03-3571-1811.
It's just a minute's walk from Ginza Station, which you can reach via the Ginza Line, Hibiya Line, or Marunouchi Line. If you're coming from Higashi-Ginza Station (Hibiya Line, Toei Asakusa Line), it's only a two-minute walk.
Opening Times
Their opening hours are:
- Monday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Reservation and Seating
There are 49 seats on two floors. Although not mandatory, making a reservation might be wise to avoid waiting, especially during peak hours. I've found that an early visit or a late afternoon stop is usually less crowded. On weekends, there will usually be a lot of visitors lining up.
Smoking
Since April 2020, the rules regarding smoking have changed in Tokyo. Smoking is generally not permitted indoors, with a few exceptions, to provide a comfortable environment for all guests and protect the staff.
Payment Options
All major credit cards in addition to cash and other payment systems like PayPay are accepted.