(Illustration: Photographed at Verve Coffee Roasters Yoyogi Park next to Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Shibuya. Image source: Ernest)
About
After a simple breakfast at Fuglen Tokyo in the morning, I headed to Yoyogi Park for a walk and some reading. The winter temperature was quite pleasant, and after spending some time outdoors, I thought about finding a nearby coffee shop. When I opened the map, I discovered that Verve Coffee Roaster, which I had visited in the California Bay Area a few days ago, had a branch right next to the park. Without much thought, I decided to go.
Directions
(In the photo, Yoyogi Park is on the left side, and Verve Coffee Roasters Yoyogi Park branch is on the right. Located in an alley, it’s quite peaceful.)
Environment
(The weather and lighting were great that day, and it would have been comfortable sitting in the outdoor seating area enjoying the sunshine.)
(Upon entering the store, there were various beans available for purchase on the shelves to the left, but I had already bought several packages, including beans from Verve in the California Bay Area, so this time I just relaxed and enjoyed the pour-over coffee on site.)
(There were many types of cookies, dried fruits, and other blood sugar-spiking options available. Since blood sugar was going to spike anyway, I just closed one eye and pointed at one of them XDD)
(Verve Coffee Roasters is also a pet-friendly coffee shop.)
(I found a large wooden table with a view of both the preparation counter and the outdoor sunlight.)
Dishes
(I visited between breakfast and lunch time (having gone out for a walk too early), so I skipped this extensive menu and directly asked the barista to recommend something matching my preferred taste, paired with an energy-boosting dark chocolate cookie.)
Chocolate Cranberry (JPY 480, tax-inclusive)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
Whether due to the cold temperature or the cookie being lightly toasted, sitting relaxedly in the shop with a bite of dark chocolate was quite comfortable, though conventional. Dark chocolate paired with warm coffee was very pleasant.
(Enjoying dark chocolate in the shop was just comfortable.)
(Even the water cups at Verve Coffee Roasters are beautiful - simple, sleek, and wide-mouthed.)
KITA KAMAKURA ROAST (JPY 780, tax-inclusive)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
As I recall, I asked the barista to select a bean with a more bitter taste, and they chose the washed KITA-KAMAKURA. After one sip, Japanese precision immediately came to mind - it was indeed bitter XDD Great choice! This third encounter with Verve made me fall in love with them again! Later, I even got their instant espresso from Verve to carry around. The thermal cup from Verve’s collaboration with MiiR was already packed and brought home from California :p
For those who don’t like acidity and prefer a bitter taste, you can try this KITA-KAMAKURA, or ask the on-site barista to recommend something that suits your taste :)
(Coffee cards with simple introductions on the back.)
(The front of the coffee cards has cute designs - perhaps another collectible item?! (The minimalist organizer beside me says… XDD))
(Sitting at the large wooden table was very comfortable, occasionally watching the baristas’ preparation process.)
(Refills within 90 minutes get a 200 yen discount. If you want to stay in the shop longer, remember to order another cup after 90 minutes to support this excellent establishment.)
Bottom line
(The coffee machine at the counter. A view towards the sunny entrance. The entire space is filled with light and coffee aroma.)
Previously, I often used transportation from the east side of Meiji Shrine to access the Shinjuku and Harajuku areas. Today, trying to walk from Shibuya to the west side of Yoyogi Park, I found many interesting small shops hiding here, such as: delicious late-night spot “Binchotan Yakitori KADOKURA SHOTEN Yoyogi Park Store,” second-floor hidden “PREMIER MAI,” and bakery “365 days” selling wine and tableware. The nearby subway “Yoyogi-kōen Station” is also convenient if you don’t want to walk.
I really like Verve Coffee Roasters’ environment and atmosphere, their beans, and the interaction between staff and customers. Besides the Yoyogi Park branch, there’s also a Verve branch in Tokyo Roppongi area to try.
Information
- Name = VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS YOYOGI PARK
- Address = Japan, 〒151-0053 Tokyo, Shibuya, Yoyogi, 5 Chome−66−5 アルベリ代々木公園 1F
- Google Maps = https://maps.app.goo.gl/ygmeNMU11FG9jnLSA
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(Let’s stop chatting for now - I’m going to enjoy my coffee and dark chocolate cookie while they’re hot. See you on the next journey.)