HARBS: Tokyo Cafes With Must-Try Cakes and Lunch Sets

If you're a dessert lover who visits Tokyo, you must have tried HARBS at least once. What charm do HARBS' cakes possess to turn first-timers into regulars? We sampled them all to show you!

HARBS: A Coffee Shop Chain Born in Nagoya

Established in 1981, HARBS opened its first store in Nagoya. The name HARBS is said to derive from the meaning of a spice plant, aiming to become a place where customers could relax while enjoying their cakes.

Every day, a limited number of cakes are handmade at the factory and delivered to each branch on the same day without freezing to ensure freshness. In recent years, they have successfully expanded to New York, captivating dessert lovers from around the world.

HARBS Stores in Tokyo

HARBS has 14 branch stores in Tokyo. We will look at their menus and queue times for everyone's reference.

Convenient but with long queue times
Shibuya HIKARIE store, LUMINE Yurakucho store, LUMINE Shinjuku store, LUMINE Ikebukuro store, Ueno store.

Stores offering business lunch sets
Marunouchi store, Tokyo Chuo store, LUMINE Yurakucho store, LUMINE Shinjuku store, LUMINE Yokohama store, Shibuya HIKARIE store, Ueno store, atre Ebisu store, atre Kichijoji store.

Stores with shorter queues
Wing Takanawa EAST store, Futakotamagawa store, Marunouchi store.

Must-Try Cake Varieties at HARBS

Every HARBS shop typically offers around fifteen types of cakes. Each month, they unveil two to three seasonal exclusive cakes.

For example, in August during the summer, they feature grapefruit fruit mousse, lemon yogurt cake, and blueberry cheesecake, providing diverse selections for guests who enjoy exploring new flavors every time they visit.

Among the many flavors, the most popular dessert at HARBS is the Fruit Mille-Feuille Cake.

With its soft, tender, and crispy crepe layers stacked with kiwi, banana, and cream, this six-layered delight offers a rich, sweet, and satisfying experience with every bite. (880 yen/piece in the size included in the business lunch set)

The limited-time Summer Strawberry Cake features the tart sweetness of fresh strawberries, paired with fluffy sponge cake and silky cream, delivering a classic flavor that instantly skyrockets happiness levels. (1,080 yen)

The Honeydew Melon Cake offers a refreshing blend of sweet fresh cream with aromatic honeydew melon flesh, a unique flavor that captivates with each bite. (850 yen)

The Fresh Fruit Cake, modest in name but extravagant in filling, features an abundance of seasonal fruits (blueberries, honeydew melon, kiwi, strawberries, etc.) atop a moist sponge cake with perfectly balanced fresh cream. Its rich fruit textures are irresistibly delightful. (1,050 yen)

Value-Packed Business Lunch Sets for 2,000 Yen!

The lunch menu at HARBS offers light fare like sandwiches and pasta.

Some stores even feature a business lunch set for 1,600 yen, allowing a choice of pasta, which includes a starter salad, half-sized cake of the day, and a drink. Given the generous portions, it's recommended to share a set for two, and additionally order a cake and drink to enjoy a full meal with two cake flavors.

We ordered the Tomato Shrimp Pasta; the spiciness of this dish can be adjusted based on your preference.

The shrimp is fresh, sweet, and springy; the tomato lends a refreshing touch with a slight acidity and a lingering aftertaste. (1,400 yen when ordered separately)

To Note: Minimum Order is One Beverage! Recommended Drinks

All customers above elementary school age are required to order at least one beverage per person at HARBS.

While the drink prices might seem a bit high, they feature carefully selected tea leaves and coffee beans from around the world, hand-brewed for quality you can taste with every sip.

We highly recommend the Iced Royal Milk Tea. Made with milk ice cubes that enhance the richness of the tea as they melt, this drink offers a delicate, smooth sweetness combined with the fragrant essence of the tea. (780 yen)

Perfect for Take-Out and Enjoying at Your Hotel!

HARBS offers takeout with cold packs lasting about an hour. Please note that their sweets are usually meant for same-day consumption. Customers need to request forks as they are not automatically provided.

Enjoy Tokyo Sweets at HARBS

HARBS has undoubtedly become one of Tokyo's dessert havens for cake enthusiasts.

With a variety of seasonal sweets and meticulously selected refreshing beverages that complement the cakes without overshadowing their sweet and tart flavors, each visit leaves a lasting impression, prompting you to return for more!