To be in Japan and not explore its people’s undying love for the outlandish and quirky is a missed opportunity. Among the most accessible ways to witness and experience this is through themed cafes in Osaka and other cities. These casual culinary hotspots are a delight, not just visually or thematically but in how they seamlessly merge food and entertainment.
Although there are many things to do in Osaka with the family, quirky cafes in the city are for more than just the young. Offering tasty menus developed around a theme or character, they are a great place to satiate your cravings and enjoy memorable moments in a fun environment.
Pokémon Cafe
Address: 1 Chome-7-1 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-8501, Japan
Google Location
Dedicated to all things Pokémon, the Pokémon Cafe is by far among the most popular themed cafes in Osaka. Situated next to the Pokémon Center in the heart of Shinsaibashi, the cafe is the ultimate destination for fans, young and old, of the anime.
Unfortunately for those who like to play it by ear, Pokémon Cafe is a reservations-only eatery, like most famous places in Japan. Bookings for tables open a month in advance and fill up pretty quickly. Moreover, you are expected to finish in 90 minutes, which might seem less, but is more than sufficient. Should you be lucky enough to get a table, there is the option to pre-order specially-themed goods on their limited menu.
Year-round delectable items include Pikachu and Bulbasaur’s Best Friends Forever Curry Plate, Pikachu Hamburger, and the Last Resort Japanese Mixed Rice Plate Meal with Eevee and Colorful Friends. Customers can also choose their favorite characters styled on lattes as well as buy Pokémon mugs and glasses.
If willing to experiment, a unique selection of Cafe Poltchageist’s Tea Party Sweets Set serves Pikachu as a cheese-flavored steam cake. What’s more, guests can end up winning a free Pokémon placemat with every drink they order!
JTRRD CAFE
Address: 3 Chome-4-5 Tashita Building 1F, Tenma, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0043, Japan
Google Location
Situated in the populous Kita Ward, the JTRRD Cafe believes in amalgamating the stylistic devices of food art and the integral psychosomatic experience of the mind and body.
It’s quite the quirky cafe in Osaka, started in 2018 by Tomomi Tamura, who named it after her dog’s initials. On entering the cafe, expect a plush green array of creepers, floral wreaths, and climbing calicos walled along the rustic wooden tables. Under a natural photogenic set-up, JTRRD Cafe stands out as an art exhibition for food connoisseurs.
JTRRD uses simple yet effective ingredients like basil seeds in smoothies, serving as a ‘beautifying ingredient’ for the glass and the skin. The cafe offers custom-made pet-themed drinks for guests who own cats or dogs.
The trendy cafe is known for its fruit-filled smoothie bonbons and ones embellished with acrylic and block-print designs. The vibrant, awe-inspiring smoothies are created after your favorite colors, soothing your palate with natural pink, red, orange, yellow, green, and purple.
Additionally, there’s much to try in terms of solid food. Not to miss are the paprika curry, bespoke desserts with cute marshmallows, and various cakes and pastries.
With limited seating, customers may have to wait a while on busy days before witnessing this art spectacle. Still, when it comes to taste and visual appeal, you’ll soon forget the time spent in line to get in.
Kumanote Cafe – Bear Paw Cafe
Address: 5 Chome-3-11 Uehonmachinishi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0062, Japan
Google Location
Arguably one of the most viral—rightly so—and cute-themed cafes in Osaka, Bear Paw is a two-minute walk from Osaka-Uehommachi Station. Famous as the hole-in-the-wall ‘kawaii’ cafe, drinks here arrive through a customized hole, served by a person in a bear costume. Or so I would like to believe, but they do have a paw glove on, at least.
The idea behind the cafe originates from creating a place for individuals who are introverts, socially anxious, or dealing with mental health challenges. People who might find it hard to interact with others in their day-to-day lives can now earn a living without having to suffer anxiety.
Kumanote Cafe, famous as Beer Paw Cafe, employs students from the Mental Support Academy who battle depression, adjustment disorder, or Hikikomori (Social Withdrawal). A gender-sensitive destination, it also employs mothers with children who have learning disorders.
The cafe is certainly nondescript; you must know about it to spot it. It doesn’t have regular seating or a genteel, visible staff member to serve customers. Instead, a fluffy bear paw politely stretches its hand to offer the perfect parfaits or pleasing coffee through a literal hole in the wall.
As for the menu, there’s much to experiment and enjoy. Try the bear paw parfait, grape ice cream, bear-shaped extra-large cookies, or fruit tea, and you won’t be disappointed.
LeBresso Osaka
Address: 1-1 Ajiharacho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0023, Japan
Google Location
LeBresso is a local culinary institution in Osaka known for its delectable artisanal bread. Its name combines the words Leb (heart) + bread + espresso. Incredibly stylized with retro wooden stools, countertop seating alongside the window, and an old-world brick facade, this cafe oozes a vintage bakery vibe. Complete with bread shelves, open food preparation platforms, and an intoxicating fragrance of freshly roasted coffee, LeBresso transports you to a quintessential rural bread factory.
There’s a simplicity to the place that makes it an excellent spot for introspection over a cup of coffee. Its Scandinavian, albeit third-wave coffee shop vibes in terms of decor make it all the more appealing amidst the traditionality of Osaka.
The broad range of bread is freshly baked, served simply as toast, or customized into exquisite sandwiches. You also have the option to savor one of their signature creations, like the seasonal Tamra Black Soy Beans Bread, Black Sesame and Cheese Hard Toast, or the Chocochips Bread.
Furthermore, LeBresso Osaka serves the most delicious milk jams in flavors like honey butter, pistachio, and rum raisin.
Peanuts Cafe
Address: 1F, 2-1 Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Expocity, Senribanpakukoen, Suita, Osaka, 〒565-0826, Japan
Google Location
One day spent in Japan will instantly make you aware of Snoopy’s popularity among the locals. After becoming one of the most favored themed cafes in Tokyo, the Peanuts Cafe has opened its new branch at Lalaport Expocity, welcoming Snoopy fans to join the Peanuts gang.
The themed cafe in Osaka is a Snoopy paradise with Peanuts merchandise at the entrance and school-table seating. The walls display vivid episodic graffiti, and the bright lights do justice to the vibrant dishes on the menu.
Peanuts Cafe offers comfort in all its healthy dishes. Offering an English, Chinese, and Korean menu, customers can indulge in Snoopy’s favorite suppertime delicacies.
Try the three kinds of cheese solar carbonara, the Bagle Scout bacon and egg burger—a favorite—and Lucy’s pepperoni globe pizza. Make sure you keep some space for the Peanuts Gand Dessert Buffet. The food is comforting, and the quantities are more than sufficient.
In case you need more than that, look out for unique menu offerings like Snoopy’s Happy Dance Pudding, Peppermint Patty’s Apple & Cinnamon Pizza, and Snoopy Kids’ Meal. Of course, the cafe has a gift shop where you can purchase a variety of Peanuts memorabilia and paraphernalia.
Cinnamoroll Cafe
Address: 1 Chome-5-14 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan
Google Location
The shy, friendly, chubby puppy with flying ears, Sanrio’s favorite character, Cinnamoroll, now has a cafe to its name. Coordinated with the blue eyes and pink cheeks of Cinnamoroll, this cafe does not let you forget that the character’s main hobby is eating.
The great part about Cinnamoroll Cafe is that it has two floors that do not require a reservation. For drinks only, you can even opt for takeout. However, for the third-floor seating, one needs to avail of an advance online reservation and pay a YEN 1000 entry fee to access their sparkling pastel-shaded blue room. As a return gift, everyone gets an acrylic keyring.
With fluorescent built-in lighting, animated Cinnamoroll cut-outs, and cloudy oval couches, this Cafe stands out as among the the adorable and kid-friendly themed cafes in Osaka.
Before heading to the dining area, one can grab limited goods like Cinnamoroll can badge, tote bags, Diatomaceous earth coasters, and gradient cups.
For food, the Cinnamoroll Faraway Sky Blue Curry is a popular item that looks like a graphic statuette on a plate! Other favorites include Milk’s “I Want to Fly in the Sky Someday” pasta, Cinnamoroll Special Shortcake, and the cute Cinnamoroll and Milk Fizzy Soda (Blue/Pink).
Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe
Address: 1 Chome-4-27 Pasela Resorts Namba Dotonbori Store 5F, Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 〒542-0071, Japan
Google Location
The Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) Final Fantasy XIV collaborated with Pasela Resorts to create the Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe. Consequently, you have one of Osaka’s most exciting themed cafes for gamers.
As soon as one enters, the dungeon of the living game comes alive in front of the eyes. Modeled after the desert city of Ul’dah, the antiquated game design, puzzles, mazes, and in-battle switching are paid tribute to in an extraordinary manner. Customers dine in a hall of hallucinating stained glass windows, for starters. Moreover, the wooden panels add an impression of a cabinet utilizing metal casings and iron locks, accentuating the Medieval ambiance of the cafe.
The cafe is expedition-based, with grand dark wood countertops, eerie pendant lanterns, and accompanying goblins. It’s essential to book early as it fills up as soon as the ticket goes on sale three weeks in advance.
The food menu resembles an encoded manuscript with block print stylistics and a captivating vintage font. The staff, dressed as in-game retainers, offer a welcome drink before customers choose from the menu. On it are stunning pieces of epicurean delights such as the Mondragon Potted Salad, Tataru’s Takoyaki, Pudding from the Blue Star, and Baked Alien Soup.
Kirby Cafe Petit
Address: 10−39 Tennoji Mio 6F, Hidenincho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0055, Japan
Google Location
The Nintendo video game character Kirby has received adulation in many places worldwide. In Japan, though, it has turned into a craze. The Kirby Petit Cafe in Osaka offers a limited menu of adorable takeaways, all based on the lovable character.
Items resembling Kirby include pink custard cakes, pink bun custards, and Kirby’s strawberry pudding. A familiar feature of Pupu Land is ‘A star block that looks like cheesecake,’ and the pecan-stuffed Meta Knight’s Noble Chocolate Cake is a favorite. They are also the reason many go back to this themed store.
Muteki Candy’s Banana Tart and Warp Star bread are distinctive and made in the chef’s characteristic style. However, if you are looking for something genuinely exceptional, go with the Kirby and Waddle Dee Tiramisu, arguably the tastiest.
Things are a lot more straightforward when you want to visit Kirby Cafe Petit. There is no reservation required, and service is on first cum first basis. However, things fly off the shelves quickly, so if you crave something specific, try to get to the cafe store early.
Biotop Cafe
Address: Meblo 16, 1/2/4F, 1 Chome-16-1 Minamihorie, Nishi Ward, Osaka, 550-0015, Japan
Google Location
Combining a florist’s shop, a cafe, and a clothing boutique, Biotop Cafe pieces in the art of sustainable fashion with the sheer joy of epicurean delights. Walking in the beautifully contemporary facade, customers first get a whiff of nature through the lush plant nursery. The store display provides a frameless view, setting the mood for a laid-back gastronomic adventure.
With an inviting front porch and compact pieces of resin and wood furniture, the petite cafe highlights the goodness of the wilderness. Think outdoor heaters, armless chairs, and tiny patio tables. Furthermore, the cafe nurtures the meals on its select menu with utmost care. The theme here is clearly nature and its soothing disposition, reflected in every corner of the cafe.
While the corner cafe satiates your liquid cravings, a restaurant on the rooftop floor is ideal for a more extended meal. Customers can order daily specials, including the bagle plate, pot eu feu set, pizza set, Neapolitan spaghetti, and French toast. If willing to splurge, a glass of wine goes perfectly as a sundowner.
Gufo Groovy Ice Cream
Address: 1-chōme-11-9 Kitahorie, Nishi Ward, Osaka, 550-0014, Japan
Google Location
Located 5 minutes on foot from Shinsaibashi Station, Gufo Groovy Ice Cream is a must-visit culinary destination for those with a sweet tooth and a penchant for quality indulgence. While the shop doesn’t have a theme per se, the soft serves and jar ice cream are picture-perfect and social media-worthy.
The huge ice cream cone sign above the tiny shop is unmissable, while inside, a variety of flavors in cups, cones, and jars is a fascinating sight for ice cream lovers.
The long-standing barstools and the navy-blue seater sofa usher guests into a casual yet rustic ambiance. At the entrance, one finds the blinking filament lighting on top of a mini library and display.
The custom-made glass jars are always on sale. A slate board with personalized feedback from visitors adorns the open, teak shelf of the locker. Visitors enjoy music from Friskies, the underground house music radio station.
If confused amidst the endless array of flavors, go for a sneak peek in front of the glass counter. Favorites include melon sundae, pistachio, tiramisu, Earl Grey, and roasted green tea.
To upgrade your dreamy purchase, add caramel sauce, white chocolate sprinkles, or plain crunchy chocolate. Better yet, go with one of the seasonal flavors.
Either way, remember that the shop typically remains closed on Wednesdays.
