cafe ataraxia

Take the stairs or lift down to basement 1 and leave the bustle of the street behind. Inside cafe ataraxia, vintage audio equipment—including a Credenza gramophone made in 1926—sits alongside classical records. It is a calm place to linger over a drink and music.

Single-origin coffee, brewed to bring out each producer’s character

Alongside the regular Ataraxia Blend, the coffee list includes several single-origin beans chosen with attention to their farms and producers. The Colombia Cauca Geisha has a fragrant, fruit-like aroma and a sweet finish reminiscent of white peach. Ethiopia Niguse Gemeda Mude, a medium roast, develops a fresh sweetness as it cools. Iced coffee is also brewed to order, rather than made in advance. For a more unusual option, the Single-Origin Caffè Shakerato is brewed strong and shaken over ice, then served without ice in the glass so its flavour is not diluted.

From a currywurst hot dog to house-made sweets

For a filling snack, try the Berliner Currywurst Hotdog: a whole sausage in a 20 cm French baguette-style roll. Other options include a toasted French roll with sweet red bean paste and butter, a sweet-and-savoury combination, and a Marushin Hamburger Egg Muffin, a nostalgic taste of the Showa era. The sweets range from house-made adult coffee jelly, made with a concentrated blend, to rare cheesecakes topped with berries or mango. There is also dorayaki topped with candied chestnut from Yamえ Village in Kumamoto Prefecture, to enjoy with coffee or tea.

Japanese tea, black tea and room to unwind

The drinks list extends beyond coffee to include usucha made with tencha from Asahina in Shizuoka, sencha from Hishidai Seicha in Fukuroi, Shizuoka, tea from the British brand Williamson Tea, and large-bean black soybean tea from Kyotamba. Whether you want to read quietly on your own or catch up with a friend, there is a soothing drink to settle in with.