This is a review for the BOUTIQUE, not the restaurant next door. The Boutique was a consolation prize since I was actually trying to go to the actual Canal Cafe Restaurant, but was told 30 minutes before they closed that they were closed. So why was the door unlocked? Disappointed, I saw the Boutique next door and tried there instead. Here, I wasn't disappointed at all. I was quite pleased. All the desserts were beautifully decorated and so was the inside of the store itself. I chose a chocolate cake and a cheesecake. The employee was patient with me as I simplified our conversation to bridge the language barrier. It went something like "Chocolate, one" with me holding one finger up, and "This one, one" holding one finger up. She was so careful about packing them up so that they wouldn't get crushed, and even included ice packs so that they wouldn't spoil on the train ride home. I ended up eating the chocolate cake for dinner and then the next day ate the cheesecake for breakfast before my flight home that same day. They were both so decadent and tasted as good as they looked. They weren't exactly the healthiest last meals in Tokyo, but they were definitely a treat. I'm grateful that at least the Boutique was open and took me in when the restaurant itself turned me away. Thank you to the woman who was kind and patient with me and handled my purchases with so much care. She single handedly salvaged what would've otherwise been a ruined last day of my trip to Japan.

+2

The vibe is great here, both outdoor and indoor seatings, especially during the Sakura season. Compare to the ambience, food quality seems not as outstanding. Price is fair. A good choice for dating or just take a break from the busy pace in Tokyo.

+2

Great daytime atmosphere if you want to be under the sun. It could get very hot in the summer so this place’s highly recommended in the spring. The pork belly was dry in the middle but tasty. The rest of the food was okay.

Canal Café in Kagurazaka has a really nice ambiance, especially with its view of the canal, which gives the place a relaxed and scenic feel. I ordered the tagliata di manzo lunch set, and the courses were served at a proper and comfortable pace, which made the meal enjoyable. The beef was soft and well cooked, though the overall flavor could have been a bit better. After lunch, we moved to the outdoor area for coffee. Since it was summer, it was quite hot and we could not stay long, but it was still nice to enjoy the space for a short while. The location is very convenient, just beside both the subway and JR lines, making it easy to get to. It is also a good spot for taking photos, especially with the canal as a backdrop. A pleasant place to try if you are in the area and want a relaxed dining experience.

+3

This seems to be the main area with over 100 open-air seats, mostly slightly roofed, but it's a complicated layout with several other seating areas. Quiet on a weekday afternoon but I strongly feel heavy party vibes for groups on weekends. Mostly serving drinks and pizza in this part right now, but there's a separate restaurant on the expensive side looking over the canal. It's called the Kanda River but I'm pretty sure it all started as a canal around the shogun's quasi-palace. Also offers small boat rental and other stuff. Public Wi-Fi didn't work but they have their own with an obvious password on request, but you better sit near the west end in that case. Average coffee at an average price but I'll call it a high four stars on the atmosphere.