This is our review of Cafe 1894 (Maps), visited in December 2025.
Hidden within the elegant Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum (三菱一号館美術館) in Tokyo’s Marunouchi district, Cafe 1894 is not just a place for a quick coffee stop—it’s an experience that blends art, history, and fine desserts in one unforgettable setting.
Walking into the café feels like stepping back to the Meiji era. Housed in a meticulously restored 1894 bank building, the space is filled with towering ceilings, glowing chandeliers, and polished wooden counters that tell a story of old Tokyo. Soft sunlight filters through tall windows, casting a golden glow on every detail, creating a calm, nostalgic atmosphere that invites you to linger.
A Café Where Art and History Meet
The concept behind Cafe 1894 is simple yet beautiful: a place where you can enjoy art, history, and food all at once. During the day, it serves as a peaceful retreat for museum visitors who want to reflect on the exhibitions they’ve just seen. By evening, it transforms into a stylish bar-like space for adults, offering quiet sophistication right in the heart of the city.
The Beloved Classic Apple Pie
The café’s most iconic dish is its homemade classic apple pie (自家製クラシックアップルパイ) —a must-try for any dessert lover. The moment it arrives, a heavenly aroma of baked butter, sweet apples, and cinnamon fills the air. The pie crust is perfectly flaky, with layers that crackle lightly under your fork, revealing soft, cinnamon-spiced apples and a generous crumble topping.
To complete the experience, a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream sits beside the warm pie, slowly melting into a velvety sauce. Each bite is a harmony of hot and cold, sweetness and spice, creating a dessert that feels both comforting and luxurious.
The Perfect Pair: Hot Coffee
If you order the apple pie, don’t skip the café’s hot coffee. Smooth and balanced, it’s the ideal companion—it enhances the flavors of the pie without overpowering them. Take a bite of pie, then a sip of coffee, and you’ll notice the butter and cinnamon deepen as the apple’s tartness fades, leaving behind a soft, lingering warmth.
A Must-Try Mocktail: Smoked Tea “Zero Penicillin”
For something unique, try the Smoked Tea Zero Penicillin (燻製紅茶のゼロペニシリン), Cafe 1894’s signature non-alcoholic take on a classic cocktail. Made with smoked black tea, lemonade, and ginger ale, this sophisticated drink offers a refreshing yet complex flavor. The first aroma is gently smoky, followed by citrus and deep tea notes. Every sip gives a subtle fizz and a smoky aftertaste that pairs beautifully with both desserts and light meals.
The Perfect Stop After the Museum
After exploring the exhibitions at the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, relaxing at Cafe 1894 feels like the perfect ending. As I sit surrounded by the grandeur of the restored bank architecture, sipping my coffee and tasting that flaky apple pie, I find myself replaying the colors and emotions of the artworks I just saw. It’s as if the art continues here, expressed through flavors and scents instead of paint.
In the middle of Tokyo’s busy Marunouchi business district, Cafe 1894 offers a rare moment of calm and refinement. Whether you’re an art lover, a coffee enthusiast, or a traveler searching for a quiet escape in the city, this café satisfies both the heart and the palate—one timeless bite at a time.
A Glimpse into the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Historical Archives
After your visit to Cafe 1894, I highly recommend stopping by the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Historical Archives (三菱一号館 歴史資料室), located right next door. This small but fascinating exhibition space offers a deeper look into the history of the original building and the development of Marunouchi as one of Tokyo’s most vibrant business districts.
Inside, you’ll find architectural drawings, vintage photographs, and documents that trace how this Western-style red-brick building—designed by British architect Josiah Conder—became a symbol of Japan’s modernization during the Meiji era. The exhibits beautifully connect the past and present, allowing visitors to appreciate not only the art inside the museum but also the architectural artistry that houses it. It’s a quiet, enriching stop that perfectly complements the atmosphere of Cafe 1894.
