Looking to stay on the cutting edge of food and drink trends in Tokyo? Sure, keeping track of all the new restaurants, bars, shops and stands opening across the city every month can feel exhausting and almost hopeless – but that's where we come in. Sparing you the trouble of wading through long lists of shiny promotional pics and hollow praise, we've compiled a handy list of the top five spots to start business this month. Check out our editorial team's picks below, and make sure to leave a comment if you think we missed something.
1) Minimal Ginza Bean to Bar Stand
One of the first exclusively bean-to-bar focused chocolate shops in Tokyo, Tomigaya's Minimal sources cacao beans from select producers all over the world and creates delectable treats at their factory, upholding the ideal of maintaining in-house control of the entire production process. Their latest venture, a takeout-only spot in central Ginza, lets you try before you buy – and we're not talking just the finished product here. The Bean to Bar Stand also offers free samples of freshly roasted cacao beans, whole cacao nibs and ground nibs, giving you a taste of all four steps in the chocolate-making process.
There's no shortage of pancake cafés around Harajuku's Cat Street, but this plucky newcomer is trying to surprise the competition with its extra-thick, extra-fluffy ricotta 'cakes, served simply with mildly sweetened whipped cream and maple syrup. Micasadeco also offers creative combinations like 'matcha-style' mochi pancakes and a simple lunch menu composed of savoury slapjacks and sandwiches.
Classic Harajuku vintage store Grimoire expands its fairytale operation with this new outpost, found right across from its main store on the other side of the Yamanote tracks near Shibuya Station. As the shop name suggests, most of the import items (mainly from the US and Europe) on sale are turqoise, blue and green in colour, with the selection ranging from clothing and feminine accessories to decorative antique pieces.
4) Les Copains de Dominique Bouchet
On the back of earning a second Michelin star for his main Tokyo outpost, Robuchon apprentice and globetrotting star chef Dominique Bouchet is taking up a new challenge with this Ginza bistro, set to open in late June right by the Sukiyabashi crossing. With lunch sets starting at ¥2,900 and dinner at ¥5,500, the prices aren't looking too terrifying – how locals will take to Bouchet's French casseroles, steak-frites and rice-incorporating experiments is another question altogether.
Taiwan's Ice Monster was last year's most discussed shaved ice purveyor, but Korean newcomer Sulbing is surely aiming to knock out the champion with this Harajuku outpost, the brand's first Japan branch. Since starting life in Busan back in 2013, Sulbing has expanded at breakneck pace and now operates over 500 locations in Korea, serving up milky, powder snow-like ice with topping combinations like soy powder, almonds and mochi, or fresh strawberries with strawberry paste.
Catching up? Check out the hottest openings in May here.