Top 5 Cafes to Try in Fukuoka
From award-winning beans to Finnish comic book characters, discover Fukuoka's booming cafe culture at these recommended picks.
If Fukuoka is making a name for itself as the chill coffee capital of southern Japan – with rising artisanal bean purveyors muscling in on the renowned trade of Hakata’s traditional masters – it’s easy to become overwhelmed with choice. From the generations-old to the notable new, check out this list for a sip of the city’s flourishing cafe culture.
Manu Coffee
For those who aren’t 100% confident in their ability to navigate ordering food and drink in Japanese, Manu Coffee offers both English and Japanese menus, along with pictures. It’s more than easy enough to burrow yourself in one of their many locations for an entire afternoon, as the oh-so-Instagrammable interior is furnished with comfortable seating and rustic wooden tables. Aside from the regular drinks, they also offer specialty drinks such as cinnamon honey lattes and Portland mochas.
When: Open 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on weekends.
Where: Chuo-ku, Daimyo 1-Chome, 1-3 Ishii building.
Tagashiro Chaho
This isn’t your conventional café, but rather a matcha-lovers paradise. Tucked away in the basement of the IMS building near Fukuoka City Hall, Tagashiro Chaho is a themed cafe that offers desserts and beverages made from – you guessed it – matcha. Fukuoka is particularly known for its high-quality matcha; one of its cities, Yame, is famous for its plantations. This place makes all its products from locally-sourced Yame matcha and roasted green tea from Kyoto. In the area during the summertime? Try the parfait piled high with matcha ice cream, fruit, and adzuki beans – it’s majestic.
When: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday.
Where: Chuo-ku, Tenjin 1-7-11 Tenjin IMS B1F.
Photo by Tomoyoshi.
Moomin Café
Definitely one to check out if you’re keen to jump on the Moomin fan bandwagon in Japan. Originally hailing from Finland, the comic book characters have now made their way here, where they have stolen the hearts of pretty much the entire population. Pop in and see what all the fuss is about after shopping at Canal City – you get to sit with a life-sized Moomin character doll and enjoy food and drinks all inspired by their world.
When: Open everyday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m..
Where: Hakata-ku, Sumiyoshi, 1-2-22 Canal City Opa.
Photo by Ville Misaki.
Café Bimi
Boasting an absolutely gorgeous exterior, the interior of this spot isn’t any less impressive. A venue decked out in Victorian-style furniture, this is a great place to spend an intellectual afternoon with a world-class brew and a classic book. Offering blends from places such as Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Guatemala, many a coffee connoisseur swear by this place. Head here if you’re looking for meticulous quality and authenticity.
When: Open everyday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. except on Mondays and the first Tuesday of every month.
Where: Chuo-ku, Akasaka, 2−6−27.
Cafe Miel
For award-winning beans in a neo-traditional kissaten setting, pull up a burgundy bar stool at this spot run by renowned coffee house, Honey Coffee. Opposite a branch of their always-busy takeout stand in the Hakata Central Building, Cafe Miel offers a limited menu of carefully-crafted cups of coffee as well as a signature curry set that includes selected beans to properly accompany the flavor of the curry.
Where: Hakata-ku, 2-2-1 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata Center Bldg, B2F.
When: Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday (Saturdays until 10 p.m.). Closed Monday and Tuesdays.
Via Honey Coffee.