Le Pain Quotidien is French for "daily bread", and it's also the name of an international chain of bakery restaurants. Several of the chain's branches are located in Tokyo, including one within Shiba Park in Minato-ku.
One of the best things about this branch of Le Pain Quotidien is that it opens bright and early at 7.30 am, which is in stark contrast to many other Tokyo cafes that don't even consider unlocking their doors until the clock hits double digits. It's also pleasant because it has both indoor and outdoor seating, with the inside full of rustic charm and the outside allowing you to watch the world go by while you dine.
Along with a wide variety of pastries on offer, Le Pain's organic breads are all vegan-friendly and they also serve up a variety of breakfast and brunch options through to hearty main meals, with a good number marked vegan like their Supergrains Bowl, Lentil & Avocado Salad and Avocado Tartine (open-faced sandwich).
Omnivores will like the other tartines with tasty combinations like grilled chicken and gruyère cheese, roast beef, or smoked salmon just some of the choices that diners can opt for. Other main dishes include things like Australian lamb chops, spicy grilled chicked from Iwate Prefecture, and Aurora salmon from Norway.
If you're coming here for a special occasion — or just want a drink with your meal — there's a comprehensive alcoholic beverage menu too. Red wine, white wine, beer, rosé, and several types of cocktails are available, plus plenty of non-alcoholic options like coffees, teas, and organic juices. Conveniently, menus can be provided in English, ensuring no orders are lost in translation if you don't read or speak Japanese.
