When it comes to Tokyo’s coffee shops, Piao Er already has a certain impression. They are not necessarily full of retro Showa style, but the coffee is old-fashioned and not good, or they are small coffee shops with a unique style, but usually have a narrow storefront and the coffee may be good but not at the level of estate coffee. Otherwise, the food is not delicious. Unexpectedly, today in Shinjuku, Piao Er was able to find a coffee shop that is close to full marks in terms of decoration, professionalism of the waiters, spacious seating, delicious food, and tasty coffee. This level of coffee shop is not in Ginza, but in the bustling area of Shinjuku. The key point is that it is open 24 hours a day, so whether you want to have breakfast or supper, you can come here. Piao Er will introduce you to this old coffee shop with a strong retro style, “Coffee Aristocrat Edinburgh”.
【Store Information】Coffee Aristocrat Edinburgh
- Address: Shinjuku M&E Square Building 2F, 3-2-4 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Transportation: 30 seconds walk from Exit C4 of Shinjuku-sanchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Line and Toei Subway, 5 minutes walk from the South Exit of Shinjuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line
- Business hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: 03-5379-2822
- Free Wi-Fi and charging outlets available
- Official website
Coffee Noble Edinburgh is located in a back alley of Shinjuku San-chome. You can walk there from the east exit of Shinjuku Station. The customers dining inside the shop are all Japanese, and even on weekdays in the afternoon, there is a long line. I had to wait for 20 minutes before being seated.
Read More: Shinjuku Travel Guide: 9 Best Activities In The Best Areas To Live in Tokyo
Coffee Aristocrats’ Dining Environment in Edinburgh
Coffee aristocrat Edinburgh was founded in 1975, located in Kabukicho on Jingguo Avenue. After closing in 2014, it moved to Shinjuku San-chome.
Located in Shinjuku, the coffee aristocrat Edinburgh has a decoration that combines Japanese and Western styles, similar to the Showa-style coffee shops commonly seen in Japan, with many wooden elements and classical chandeliers. However, it also has more Western features. But in fact, it is not very similar to the Edinburgh in Scotland that Piaor has been to. Nevertheless, Edinburgh attracts more young people to dine than the typical Showa-style coffee shops, and because it has sockets and is open 24 hours, many people aged 20 to 40 come here to work on their computers, instead of the whole shop being filled with wealthy and idle elderly people chatting and gossiping.
However, the Coffee Aristocrats in Edinburgh have a major drawback – smoking is not allowed. Although there are designated smoking and non-smoking areas, there are no barriers. During peak dining hours, if you happen to be seated next to the smoking area, you may be overwhelmed by the smoke. It is recommended to visit in the morning or early morning to avoid the impact of smoke.
The red bricks inside the Coffee Aristocrat Edinburgh store were moved from the old location during the founding era to the new location.
Coffee aristocrats must-order dishes in Edinburgh
The menu at Coffee Nobility in Edinburgh is much more extensive than that of a typical Showa-style coffee shop, and there are also a plethora of coffee options available, including estate coffees from Guatemala, Tanzania, and Brazil. Although most of the coffee is blended, there is also a small selection of straight coffees on the menu. Coffee Nobility in Edinburgh is most famous for its siphon coffee, which we highly recommend.
Premium Blend (¥1,000)
This time I tried the slightly more expensive Premium Blend. It tasted even richer than the coffee shops outside, but because it’s a blend and not a single origin, it doesn’t have that pure taste. I suggest those who value coffee quality to order single origin and choose based on their own preferences.
Premium Blend is a coffee shop where the baristas will bring freshly brewed coffee to your table and pour it into your cup right in front of you. It is a coffee shop that heavily relies on the service of its staff. Even though there are almost twenty servers in the coffee shop, each one is extremely busy but still manages to maintain a good mood. The servers here have a European feel to them and don’t overly serve with a Japanese-style smile. This way, there are fewer mistakes and any professional questions can be answered. The foundation and professionalism are sufficient, and there are no mistakes when serving.
【Must-Try Dish】Cafe Au Lait
One of the must-try items at the coffee aristocracy in Edinburgh is the “Caffè Latte”. It is served by professional waiters on a tray with a set of coffee cups, and then the performance begins with the hot milk and hot coffee being poured in a manner similar to Indian chai.
This latte made with frothed milk that has been in contact with air and artificial additives is quite enjoyable to drink.
【Must-Try Dish】Pizza Toast 530 yen
What impressed me the most at Coffee Aristocrats in Edinburgh was actually the food. This Pizza Toast is a must-try, with perfectly melted cheese and delicious toast. I highly recommend it and one serving is definitely not enough!
【Must-Try Dish】Potato Gratin (馬鈴薯焗烤) 830 JPY
Potato Gratin is also surprisingly delicious. The potatoes are delicate and tasty, and the gratin is perfectly baked without being too salty or heavy. Highly recommended!
Coffee aristocrat Edinburgh is a well-decorated café with decent seating, especially for a Japanese café. It offers free Wi-Fi and power outlets for charging, and is open 24 hours. The coffee itself is better than that of most cafés, but still not quite up to the level of single-estate coffee (due to the price point). However, the food here is really delicious and has been selected as one of the top 100 cafés in Japan by the food website Tabelog. It is a Tokyo café that Float would be happy to recommend to everyone.
If you like to drink good coffee instead of just coffee, especially single-origin and estate coffee, you must visit: Nakameguro Starbucks Reserve Roastery® in Tokyo.
More Shinjuku East Exit Food
- Tourist-friendly hot pot restaurant with black-haired wagyu beef: Kisoji Shabu Shabu & Sukiyaki (Shinjuku San-chome branch)
- Specialty rice ball ramen with rich seafood and fish bone broth: Menya Kaijin
Ultimate Tokyo Food Guide: 20 Best Japanese Foods to Try in Tokyo