Colors Cafe — Hidden Restaurant Serving Lasagna and Coffee

Authentic lasagna and a proper cup of coffee (yes, we said it) are hard to come by in Tokyo. Tucked away on the eighth floor of an office building in Ebisu, Colors Cafe invites you to enjoy a satisfying plate of this Italian favorite that feels like home cooking.

Price range

As of the time of writing, Colors Cafe offers two types of set meals. The signature lasagna and coffee set is ¥2,750, and includes unlimited coffee refills, as well as a coffee pairing.

If you aren’t feeling lasagna (though we’re not sure why you wouldn’t be), there’s also a dessert and coffee set for ¥1,650, which also includes coffee refills. Prefer just the coffee? You can grab one to go, choosing from a variety of blends, for ¥800.

Food

Collaborating with Daisuke Ichikawa, the owner and chef of “LITA” in Kitasando, Colors Cafe set out to bring traditional lasagna to Tokyo, in contrast to the more common meat-sauce version found in Japan.

The minimalist menu offers just four main dishes: Spinach and Chicken Doria, Squid Ink Tomato Risotto, Lasagna with Aubergine, Tomato, and Parmigiano, and Emiliana-style White Lasagna. Each is served with a generous helping of mixed salad, other small side dishes (which change regularly), and dessert.

During our visit, we had the chance to try the Emiliana-style White Lasagna. Filled with herb-seasoned pork, this rich, creamy, and cheesy lasagna melted in our mouths and offered a burst of flavors.

Also on our plate was some sliced carrot, a slice of spinach omelette, a piece of salami, and a sweet potato and yoghurt flavored ball. To balance out the savory palette, a small crema al caramello was on the plate which was perfectly syrupy, caramlised, and smooth.

The side dishes change from time to time to reflect the seasons, and so does the main menu itself. One thing to keep in mind is that as of the time of writing, all the main dishes contain some type of meat or seafood with no vegetarian option available.

Drinks

For drinks, there is one simple option — coffee — but many different blends to choose from. There are eight roasts, divided by four types: Verde, Bianco, Rosso, and Nero. The light roasts are sourced from Glitch Coffee & Roasters in Jimbocho, while the dark roasts are from Hamada.

To align with their lasagna and coffee concept, Colors Cafe has carefully thought out pairings. For example, with our Emiliana-style White Lasagna, a Bianco roast from Etophia was recommended, as the coffee perfectly complements the creamy lasagna.

As part of the lasagna set, you will get a complimentary coffee pairing. On our visit, we got to sample a Verde from Colombia and a Nero from Tanzania. This Verde was notable for its tea-like taste, being fruity and comparable to green tea. In comparison, the Nero had a beautiful smoky flavor with the manager, Takaharu Yanagi, comparing it to “classic Japanese kissaten coffee”.

According to Yanagi, the most popular roast is the Nero from Peru, with its sweet and floral notes. If you want to know more information about the roasts, or the menu in general, you can scan the barcode provided to see the whole menu in English.

Note: Although the cafe does not offer milk alternatives for now, they are hoping to in the future. In addition, they plan to expand their drink selection to include teas as well.

Ambience

The space has a contemporary and minimalist feel to it — one you would expect from a trendy coffee shop. With both table and window seating, it offers a comfortable space to dine alone or with friends. The staff are welcoming and are happy to give recommendations when needed.

Notably, Colors Cafe also has free Wi-Fi and plugs at every table, meaning you can work here while enjoying some satisfying food and endless cups of coffee. If you grab a window seat, you’ll also get a nice view of Ebisu. The hidden location on the eighth floor gives the space a pleasantly private vibe.

Our review of Colors Cafe

Colors Cafe brings an original concept to Ebisu’s dining scene — one that most people can enjoy thanks to its affordability and well-rounded menu. To avoid the salaryman lunch hustle and bustle, it’s best to stop by between midday to 1 p.m. While it’s tempting to pop in for just a coffee, you’ll be missing out if you don’t try the lasagna.

Colors Cafe is good for:

People who appreciate flavor profiles and good home-style cooking. If you’re craving a filling meal and happen to be near Shibuya, there’s no better place to go.

We also highly recommend it for anyone looking to settle in and get some work done. While the typical coffee shop might offer a few brews and baked goods, here you can explore a full spectrum of coffee and eat a proper meal. Sounds like the perfect productivity method to us.

by Jane Pipkin