An American & Retro Bakery in the Heart of Harajuku: The Little BAKERY Tokyo

Published on 2023-09-04

An American & Retro Bakery in the Heart of Harajuku

Hard to miss given its bright and retro exterior, this quaint Western-style bakery is filled with lots of character and delicious baked treats to take home.

Located in one of the back alleys of Cat Street, The Little Bakery Tokyo is a must-visit for those living in the city and want to feel as though they have had a little getaway.

A Variety of Fresh Baked Goods & More

As soon as you step foot inside, you feel as though you have been transported to somewhere in America. Your eyes will instantly be drawn to the outstanding arrangement of breads and pastries, each one having just been freshly baked to perfection that morning. On the middle table, there is a mix of savoury pastries, including sausage rolls and potato bread, and sweet pastries such as cinnamon rolls and slices of cherry pie. You can even pick up a fresh loaf for home.

As soon as you step foot inside, you will see an outstanding arrangement of breads and pastries, each one having just been freshly baked to perfection that morning. On the middle table, there is a mix of savoury pastries, including sausage rolls and potato bread, and sweet pastries such as cinnamon rolls and slices of cherry pie. You can even pick up a fresh loaf for home.

You will then probably notice the small deli fridge filled with soft drinks, sandwiches, and stylishly packaged cakes. These cakes are some of the most popular items on the menu, so we recommend trying one out.

The Little Bakery Tokyo is also home to some of the most tasting-looking donuts in all of Tokyo. Inspired by American classics, choices include maple bacon, sea salt caramel and chocolate crunch. All super aesthetic, making them good for instagram photos. You can even buy a full box to take away.

At the main counter, you will likely be tempted by one of the delicious New York style cookies and muffins. It is here that you can order drinks and pay. There is such a large range of drinks to choose from including coffee, tea, smoothies, alcohol and soda fountains. You can even buy a bag of the coffee beans used in the store.

But wait, there’s more! From 11am to 2pm on weekdays, you can enjoy a lunch set service with food options including New York Pizza, sandwiches, omelettes, and avocado toast. Amazingly, you can even order a Birthday Pizza Box which includes eight slices of New York cheese pizza and a personalized birthday on top, all for ¥4860.

On a hot day, you can get a super premium ice cream, with flavours including Madagascar vanilla, roasted pistachio and strawberry mascarpone. There are a few seats outside where you can sit and enjoy your ice cream. Alternatively, you could opt for one of the ice cream cookie sandwiches.

To find out more, view the full menu here.

Enjoy Eating-in By Yourself or with Friends

After picking out your favourite fresh baked goods, you can sit back and relax in the dining area located at the back. With its vintage interiors and homely vibe, you feel as though you have been transported to a 60s American diner.

Many people come here with their friends as it is such a nice setting for a casual catch up and Instagram photos. Don’t feel shy visiting by yourself though, there are many individuals who come here just to relax and enjoy a fresh pastry. You can also make use of the free Wifi by working or studying here. However, keep in mind that many customers pop in around lunchtime and given that there is not a lot of seating, you may have to give up your table after an hour or so.

On this day, I had a chocolate croissant and a classic iced americano. The croissant was not only perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside but a decent size. One of the other things I loved, is that the croissant was served on a wooden log dish and that the towelette said ‘you look good’ on it, a simple but effective touch.

Don't Forget To Pick Up Some Branded Goods!

Before you leave, you need to check out the original branded goods on sale. From T-Shirts to mugs, there’s a good selection of useful lifestyle items on offer, all with the vibrant and retro ‘Little Tokyo Bakery’ logo printed on them. The majority of these goods cost around ¥2000 to ¥3000 but it is worth it given how exclusive and high-quality they are, being made in Japan.