This is the kind of place you go when you want to treat yourself, especially for its seasonal parfaits. Each one is delicately layered with fresh fruit, cream, and crunchy textures, changing slightly as you work your way down. You might find combinations like sakura in spring, strawberry with mascarpone and pistachio, or citrus with yoghurt cream and honeyed granola. The balance is perfect – nothing too heavy or overly sugary. Interiors-wise, it’s simple and bright, keeping the focus on the desserts. Save this for when special occasions call for something sweet.

La Pita de Maison Cinquante Cinq offers a more relaxed counterpoint to its bistro sibling, focusing on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. Expect soft, freshly baked pitas filled with falafel, spiced chicken, or lamb, each balanced with bright herbs and sauces. The space is compact, with takeaway at street level and a few seats upstairs. There’s a casual feel, but the same attention to detail runs through everything – from the texture of the bread to the careful layering of flavours.

Fuku is a refined yakitori restaurant with a tight menu built around all the cuts of chicken, some with tare (sauce), salt or toppings that are cooked to bring out the cut and character of the meat. The setting is intimate, with attention on the grill and the rhythm of service. Reservations are essential due to limited seating. You can order omakase or individually, pairing with beer or a highball to balance the richness.  

Nadoya no Katte is tucked into a residential backstreet of Yoyogi-Uehara, set within a carefully restored traditional house. Shoes come off at the entrance, and inside, low timber beams, sliding doors, and filtered daylight create a quiet, domestic rhythm. Seating is limited, often arranged around a small counter or facing the garden. Coffee from specialty roaster, Glitch, is brewed individually, cup by cup, with a focus on clarity and balance. It’s more akin to visiting someone’s home than a café, making it a place to pause and reset.