[Complete Guide] Hidden Food Spots in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo - Perfect for Sightseeing! 5 Selected Places

Shimokitazawa is known as an area in Tokyo where uniquely individual shops gather, creating a rich food culture. As you walk down its narrow streets, hidden cafes, restaurants, and unique eateries appear one after another, loved by both locals and tourists alike. In Shimokitazawa, numerous gourmet spots ideal for food hopping exist, with a diverse array of establishments. However, because it's also a famous tourist destination, you might find yourself wondering where to go.

In this article, we'll carefully select representative food spots in Shimokitazawa and introduce five hidden gems frequented by local food connoisseurs. Each shop uses carefully selected ingredients and unique recipes, offering new discoveries with every visit. Enjoy the gourmet charms of Shimokitazawa to the fullest as you walk through the streets in search of delicious food.

KAISO

"KAISO" is a hidden gem bakery in Shimokitazawa beloved by local food enthusiasts. Since opening in June 2011 along Sazawa Street near Shimokitazawa's south exit, it has continued to offer authentic bread made with natural yeast.

The owner, Takuma Suzuki, is a skilled baker with 10 years of experience at bakeries such as "Huit" in Nakameguro, a bakery in Futakotamagawa, and the Hotel New Otani bakery. He was inspired to pursue this path after encountering French bread while studying abroad during university.

The shop is a small take-out only space with a simple atmosphere conveying the warmth of wood. The shelves are lined with a variety of breads including baguette sandwiches, rustic loaves, and raisin bread. The French-style hard breads are particularly well-regarded, with the rustic loaf featuring a chewy texture made with 90% water content. It's delicious as is, but when rebaked, the crust becomes crispy and fragrant, enhancing the umami of the wheat.

Another popular item is the raisin bread filled with raisins soaked in red wine. The dough is soft and slightly sweet; when warmed and spread with butter, the sweet-tart flavor of the raisins and the aroma of red wine are further enhanced.

The shop opens late at 12 noon, but due to its popularity, items often sell out early, so an earlier visit is recommended. Though it's a 10-15 minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station, this bakery is worth the journey. Why not pick up some special bread at "KAISO," loved by locals, and enjoy exploring Shimokitazawa while snacking?

Kaiso

住所	5-6-15 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-6805-3131
営業時間	12:00~
営業日	Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
定休日	Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
公式サイト	https://www.instagram.com/suzuki_takuma_kaiso

Toyonchi no Tamago - Shimokitazawa

"Toyonchi no Tamago Shimokitazawa Store" is a hidden gem specializing in eggs that's beloved by local food enthusiasts. This shop offers a variety of sweets and foods made with fresh eggs delivered directly from farms.

Inside the store, you'll find various types of eggs ideal for different purposes—eggs perfect for eating over rice, eggs suitable for making tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette), and even rare eggs with blue shells. These eggs are delivered to the store every morning, freshly laid that day at the farm.

The sweets made with generous amounts of eggs are also popular. The "Smooth Pudding" is particularly well-regarded and often sells out early. They also offer a variety of other sweets including egg tarts and baumkuchen.

The store is located about a 5-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station and is open from 10:00 to 20:00. As it's a take-out only shop, you can enjoy walking around Shimokitazawa while eating your purchased sweets. The egg tarts, in particular, are easy to hold in one hand, making them perfect for food hopping.

"Toyonchi no Tamago Shimokitazawa Store" is popular among locals and tourists as a place to discover new charms of eggs. Why not stop by when visiting Shimokitazawa?

TOYONCHI NO Tamago Shimokitazawa

住所	Fujiki Building 1F, 2-37-16 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-5790-9385
営業時間	10:00 to 20:00
営業日	whole day
定休日	no rest
公式サイト	https://www.toyo-tama.net/

N.Y.Cupcakes

"New York Cupcakes (N.Y.Cupcakes)" is a hidden gem in Shimokitazawa specializing in American cupcakes that's beloved by local food enthusiasts. Founded in 2007 in Setagaya, Tokyo, they have continued to provide cute and delicious cupcakes ever since.

Stepping into the store, you're greeted by the sweet aroma of baking cakes, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of visiting an overseas bakery. They use carefully selected ingredients such as fresh butter from Hokkaido, seasonal fruits, and French chocolate, creating cake bases that are not overly sweet. The cupcakes are decorated with adorable sugar confections such as flowers, butterflies, and animals, making them visually appealing as well.

The menu changes with the seasons, allowing you to enjoy new flavors with each visit. In addition to classic vanilla and chocolate, they offer seasonal fruit flavors and special designs for events. This ensures new discoveries with every visit, attracting many repeat customers.

The store is within walking distance from Shimokitazawa Station with excellent accessibility. Business hours are from 11:00 to 18:00, with Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday being regular holidays. As it's a take-out only shop, you can enjoy walking around Shimokitazawa while eating your cupcake. The palm-sized cupcakes are easy to hold, making them perfect for food hopping.

"New York Cupcakes" is popular among locals and tourists for its cute appearance and high-quality taste. Why not stop by when visiting Shimokitazawa? Walking around Shimokitazawa with a cupcake in hand is quite enjoyable.

N.Y.Cupcakes

住所	3-27-1 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031
電話番号	03-3465-4262
営業時間	11:00 - 18:00
営業日	Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
定休日	Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
公式サイト	https://www.cupcakes.jp/index.html

気になったら今すぐ予約へ

Make a reservation at Tabelog

Captain's Donuts - Shimokitazawa

"Captain's Donuts Shimokitazawa Headquarters" is a hidden gem specializing in donuts that's beloved by local food enthusiasts. This shop offers donuts with a gentle, nostalgic flavor made using soy milk and okara (soy pulp) from domestically grown blue soybeans.

Stepping into the store, your attention is drawn to the showcase filled with handmade donuts. The freshly fried donuts have a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, evoking a sense of nostalgia. With a simple yet deep flavor, they're perfect for eating while walking around.

The menu is simple, with two main products: fried donuts and baked donuts. The fried donuts are made with handmade dough using soy milk and okara, characterized by their gentle flavor. Baked donuts were introduced as a new menu item in December 2017, offering a moist texture and rich flavor.

Soy soft-serve ice cream is also a popular menu item. The soy milk-based cream is rich yet has a clean aftertaste and pairs perfectly with the donuts. Seasonal limited flavors sometimes appear, allowing you to enjoy new tastes with each visit.

The store is located about a 4-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station's central exit, diagonally across from Honda Theater. Business hours are from around 11:00 to 17:00, open until donuts are sold out. As the regular holidays are irregular, it's recommended to check the official website for the latest information before visiting.

"Captain's Donuts Shimokitazawa Headquarters" is popular among locals and tourists, supporting Shimokitazawa's food culture. Why not stop by when visiting Shimokitazawa? Walking around Shimokitazawa with a donut in hand is quite enjoyable.

Captain's Donut Shimokitazawa

住所	Shimokitazawa Platz Building 1F, 2-7-5 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
電話番号	03-6407-9691
営業時間	After 11:00 - 17:00 until the donuts run out.
営業日	whole day
定休日	Irregular holiday
公式サイト	https://captain-d.com/

FLIPPER'S - Shimokitazawa

"FLIPPER'S Shimokitazawa Store" is a hidden gem pancake specialty shop beloved by local food enthusiasts. With their "Miracle Pancakes" that feature a fluffy texture and beautiful appearance, they captivate many people.

The interior has a calm atmosphere with the warmth of wood, allowing you to spend relaxed moments. With counter and table seating available, it's an accessible space whether you're visiting alone or with friends.

The star of the menu is, of course, the "Miracle Pancakes." Characterized by their fluffy and moist texture, they offer a melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. They're topped with seasonal fruits, cream, ice cream, and more, creating a visually appealing presentation.

The lunch menu is also extensive, offering light meals such as sandwiches, salads, and soups. Like the pancakes, these menu items also focus on quality ingredients, providing a handmade taste.

The store is located about a 3-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station, making it highly accessible. Business hours are from 10:00 to 20:00, with irregular holidays. It's recommended to check the official website for the latest information before visiting.

"FLIPPER'S Shimokitazawa Store" is popular among locals and tourists for its delicious food and atmosphere. Why not stop by when visiting Shimokitazawa? Walking around Shimokitazawa with a pancake in hand is quite enjoyable.

FLIPPER'S Shimokitazawa

住所	1-26-20, Kitazawa 2-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 1F
電話番号	03-5738-2141
営業時間	10:00 - 20:00
営業日	whole day
定休日	no rest
公式サイト	https://www.flavorworks.co.jp/flippers

Summary

The food spots in Shimokitazawa are all uniquely individual and delicious. The five shops introduced are all beloved by locals, allowing you to enjoy meals in an atmosphere overflowing with local flavor. For example, you can enjoy a wide range of genres such as fluffy pancakes, sweets made with fresh fruits, donuts with a nostalgic taste, and unique lunch menus.

Enjoying delicious gourmet food while walking around Shimokitazawa provides a treasure-hunt-like pleasure. Each shop is a special place where you can feel not just the food but also the ambiance and warmth of the owners. On your next visit to Shimokitazawa, be sure to tour the shops introduced here and enjoy gourmet moments. You'll certainly want to visit again.