A collection of famous coffee shop gourmet restaurants! 4 retro delicacies to savor in Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro is home to many coffee shops where you can enjoy an old-fashioned atmosphere, loved by those seeking retro delicacies. From pure coffee shops that retain the atmosphere of the Showa period (1926-1989) to long-established bakery cafes, you can taste carefully selected coffee, Western food, and sweets in a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. In this issue, we will introduce a selection of the best coffee shop gourmet restaurants in Ikebukuro that you should visit.

1.Margaret

Margaret, a coffee shop in Ikebukuro, is located about a 2-minute walk from Higashi Ikebukuro Station and is a long-established coffee shop that has been in business for over 40 years. The store is characterized by its pale pink exterior, and its interior is a retro space with a Showa-era atmosphere, with seats on the first and second floors, especially those by the window, where you can relax while enjoying the view outside.

The signature item on the menu is the “French Parfait” (870 yen), a luxurious dish filled with fresh cream and ice cream and topped with melon, orange sauce, and chocolate chips. Other varieties include the “Banana Parfait” and “Chocolate Parfait,” offering a variety of sweets that are typical of coffee shops.

The food menu is also extensive, with popular items including old-fashioned Neapolitan, egg sandwiches, daily lunch, American set, and Italian set. The egg sandwiches, in particular, are characterized by their fluffy texture and are loved by many regular customers.

The interior of the restaurant is decorated with a Showa-era atmosphere and lined with comic books, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Smoking is allowed, making it a pleasant environment for smokers. Open from 8:30 to 19:00, it is perfect for mornings and lunches. Closed on Sundays, national holidays, and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.

We recommend this coffee shop for those who want to enjoy a retro atmosphere and taste delicious sweets and gourmet food in Ikebukuro.

Margaret

住所	2-43-17 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3987-4357
営業時間	08:30 - 19:00 L.O. 18:30
営業日	Monday ～ Satday
定休日	Sundays & Holidays

2.Budouya

Budouya, located at the east exit of Ikebukuro, is a long-established coffee shop that retains a strong Showa-era atmosphere. Located near the Toshima Ward Office, it is marked by a modest awning with an illustration of grapes. Stepping inside, you will find a retro space with burgundy sofas and stained glass pendant lights that will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time to the Showa period.

Seating is available at the counter and at tables, and the cozy, warm atmosphere is appealing. The quiet and calm space is ideal for those who want to spend time reading or relaxing. Smoking is allowed inside the restaurant, a nice feature for smokers, but computer work is prohibited, so the restaurant is not suitable for work or study purposes. There is also a rule that requires re-ordering every hour during busy times.

The menu includes coffee and other beverages, toast, and set menus, and it can accommodate both light meals and solid meals. Especially popular is the “Iced Cafe Au Lait. It is an authentic cup of coffee topped with a generous amount of fresh cream, and its deep-brewed bitterness and mild flavor are in perfect harmony. In addition, old-fashioned pancakes and sandwiches are also offered, allowing customers to enjoy the nostalgic flavors that only a coffee shop can offer.

What makes the atmosphere of the store even more special is the presence of the friendly mama. She enjoys talking with regular customers and welcomes them with warm hospitality. As a result, once you visit, you will feel comfortable and want to repeat your visit.

It is open from 10:00 to 16:30 and closed on the first and third Sundays of the month. Since the restaurant is relatively empty in the morning, we recommend that you visit early in the day if you want to spend a relaxing time. Budouya is the perfect coffee shop for those who want to experience the retro atmosphere of the Showa period in Ikebukuro. It is a precious place where you can spend a relaxing time while cherishing the old-fashioned coffee shop culture.

Budouya

住所	2-30-1 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3987-3987
営業時間	10:00 - 16:30
営業日	whole day
定休日	1st-3rd Sunday of the month

3.Coffee Specialty Count - Ikebukuro North Exit Branch

Located a minute's walk from the North Exit of Ikebukuro Station, Coffee Senmonkan Hakkoku Ikebukuro North Exit Branch is a long-established coffee shop established in 1976. It features a gorgeous, retro atmosphere, with burgundy sofas, chandeliers, and stained glass lights decorating the interior, making it seem as if you have wandered into a Western-style house from the Showa period.

Open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., the restaurant is open from early morning until late at night, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions, from morning breakfast to lunch and dinner. The morning menu is especially popular, offering a set of toast or sandwich and a cup of coffee with a special flavor. The relaxed atmosphere makes it possible to spend a leisurely morning.

As the name “Coffee Specialty” implies, we are particularly particular about our coffee, which is made from carefully selected beans and has a deep flavor. The coffee is carefully brewed using nerd drip and is highly aromatic, making it an irresistible cup for coffee lovers. We also have a full menu of drinks, including tea, milk, and oolong tea, for you to choose from according to your taste.

The food menu is also abundant, with set menus with drinks starting at 980 yen, making it a cosy place to eat. In addition to sandwiches and toast, there is also a full menu of Western-style dishes such as spaghetti, pilaf, and hamburgers, allowing customers to enjoy the nostalgic flavors that only a coffee shop can offer.

Some seats in the restaurant have old-fashioned arcade game machines as tables, further enhancing the retro Showa-era atmosphere. Smoking is allowed in some seats, making the restaurant popular among smokers.

The quiet and relaxed atmosphere is ideal for taking a break from work, reading, or talking with friends. We recommend this coffee shop to those who want to forget the hustle and bustle of Ikebukuro and spend a relaxing time.

Coffee Specialty Count - Ikebukuro North Exit Branch

住所	Hotel Suncity Ikebukuro 2F, 1-29-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3988-4997
営業時間	07:00 - 23:00
営業日	whole day
公式サイト	https://kanou.co.jp/ikebukurokita

4.Takase - Ikebukuro

Takase Ikebukuro Honten is a long-established confectionery store established in 1920 and located just off the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station.

The first floor sells bread and western-style confections, and the retro atmosphere of the store is filled with nostalgic cakes and breads. Particularly popular items include anpan (bean-jam buns), which have been offered since the store's founding, and apple rolls made with raisins, orange peel, and premium apples soaked in rum. Another specialty is the almond tuile, which has been selected as one of the 50 best products of Toshima Ward.

On the 2nd floor, there is a coffee shop where you can enjoy a pure coffee menu in a renovated Showa-era retro space, and on the 3rd floor, there is a Western-style restaurant where you can taste authentic Western cuisine of the olden days. The coffee lounge is located on the 9th floor, where you can spend a relaxing time.

The first-floor bread and pastry floor is open from 9:00 to 21:00, the second-floor coffee lounge from 9:00 to 19:30 (from 20:00 on weekends and holidays), the third-floor restaurant from 11:00 to 16:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00 (open all day on weekends and holidays), and the ninth-floor coffee lounge from 11:00 to 19:30 (from 21:00 on weekends and holidays). 00).

Takase lost its original building during the war, but the current Takase building was built in 1978 and has been a longtime favorite in the Ikebukuro area ever since. Its natural, retro atmosphere and simple, old-fashioned tastes have made it a favorite among many people. If you are looking for a retro coffee shop or Western-style restaurant in Ikebukuro, this is a great place to visit.

TAKASE - Ikebukuro

住所	1F, 2F, 3F, 9F, Takase Central Building, 1-1-4 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-3971-0211
営業時間	2nd floor coffee shop (Mon-Fri) 9：00-19：30 | (Sat, Sun, Holidays) 9：00-20：00
営業日	whole day
公式サイト	https://takase-yogashi.com/

Summay

Ikebukuro is home to many famous coffee shops that boast a long history, and every coffee shop is full of its own specialties and charm. Enjoying the atmosphere of an old-fashioned coffee shop while savoring slow-brewed coffee, carefully prepared Western food, and nostalgic sweets is a time to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We hope you will enjoy the retro delicacies of Ikebukuro while touring the stores introduced here.