GLITCH COFFEE || Indulge in Specialty Coffee Handpicked for Your Palette at This Tokyo Coffee Shop
“What kind of flavours are you looking for?”
The friendly barista behind the counter took us through the aroma and tasting notes of the various coffee beans on display. My friend living in Tokyo is a regular here and insisted that I must come with her to this coffee shop in Tokyo’s book district—Jimbocho.
A quaint menu display atop of the rustic shelves in the coffee shop.
The friendly baristas will help you find the perfect flavour for your palette.
If you love single-origin coffee, then this is your spot. My friend continued to gush about how amazing all the coffee is here and how she and her husband get all their coffee beans from here as we sat down at a cozy corner nook outside the cafe to enjoy the winter sunshine. I love to hear about shops that locals love because you can tell that they frequent the shop on a regular basis, and they aren’t bringing you there because it’s the latest trending spot.
I’ll be honest that I’m more of a tea drinker, and one can discover a plethora of tea tins both at my home and in the office, but I do indulge in a creamy latte whenever I visit a coffee shop. Hearing that I was unfamiliar with coffee beans and their tasting notes, the barista shared the tasting notes for a selection of coffee beans, and when I heard the words ‘…and a supremely buttery taste and texture,’ I was sold.
A satiating and buttery latte perfect for a sunny winter day.
My friend ordered a coffee which came with a little guide to the bean’s name and flavour profile.
As we waited for our drinks, I observed that Glitch is a trendy destination for visitors, locals, and even foreigners working in the area. In the short time we sat outside the cafe, we saw several couples who were tourists just like me, an ex-pat with pastel pink hair who seemed like he was a regular customer sipping on an espresso at the counter, a businessman in a sharply-tailored suit grabbing his morning coffee, and my friend the housewife and me. I love the eclectic mix of people because it makes for the perfect spot to people-watch on a lazy day (just like any vacation day).
With a hot latte in hand, served in a beautiful ceramic cup to complete the experience, I took a sip of the buttery latte and praised the barista for her recommendation. Even though the coffee shop faced a main road, it was peaceful and quiet, with modern towers across the street. Leaning back against the window, my friend and I caught up on all we had missed in the past three years since the pandemic began. Glitch Coffee is that kind of spot where you can savour each sip of your coffee and spend hours chatting. You will likely find yourself purchasing their coffee beans and perhaps one of the ceramic wares to recreate the experience at home.
The next time you find yourself in Tokyo, stop by the Jimbocho Book District to wander the bookshops and end your visit to the neighbourhood with a cuppa joe at Glitch Coffee. That will be the perfect day off if you ask me!
Outside looking in at staff brewing coffee.
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+81 3-5244-5458
1F 3-16 KANDA-NISHIKICHO CHIYODA-KU TOKYO
Photography by Florence Leung