It’s not often we recommend making a beeline for a café’s bathroom, but Café Gyoen’s subway-inspired one is undeniably worth checking out. While the rest of the café takes on a minimalist aesthetic, complete with white chairs and tables with glass tops, the bathroom is decorated to mimic the subway stations and trains seen in Tokyo. The toilet signs are in the style of the various signs you can find in a subway station, even including ‘directions’ to the Oedo and Ginza lines. The bathroom replicates the train itself, with tinted mirrors acting as the train’s windows.
Besides the typical café fare like gelato (from $4.50), waffles (from $15.50) and croissants ($5), Café Gyoen offers a variety of Japanese dishes. Try the teishoku big breakfast (from $18) – a Japanese take on classic big breakfast meals. Each set comes with sweet and fluffy tamagoyaki, onigiri, miso soup, and a main of your choice, ranging from crispy deep-fried karaage ($18) to an indulgent soft shell crab ($24). Other standout dishes include the zangi don ($16.90), a deep-fried marinated chicken simmered in egg over rice, and the tori karaage curry ($16.90). Do note that the kitchen is closed from 2.30pm to 6pm, so be sure to avoid going around that time if you want to try the café’s food menu.
Don’t miss out on Café Gyoen’s unique array of drinks including a black sesame latte ($7), and a Kyoho grape float ($7). If you crave a bolder coffee experience, be sure to try the kohi jelly oat latte ($8.50). The homemade coffee jelly boasts a robust flavour that pairs seamlessly with the creamy oat milk,resulting in a subtly sweet drink. Plus, it’s fun sipping up the jelly with a straw.
Find out more about Café Gyoen here.
