mi:ne — Plant Café in Tokyo

Tokyo can feel like a concrete jungle. But what if we told you there’s a serene green indoor space right in the middle of the city?

Tucked away on an unassuming residential street between Ebisu and Daikanyama, mi:ne is more than a café — it’s a way of relaxing.

Concept

The concept behind this café is simple — to provide a breathing indoor forest admist the hustle and bustle of the city. Through carefully cultivated plants and thoughtful spatial design, this café, bar, and gallery allows visitors to reconnect with themselves and with nature.

During the day, it’s a bright, airy space where you can enjoy healthy light meals and drinks. At night, it transforms into an elegant wine bar, letting you sip within a botanical atmosphere. We reckon it would make a great spot for a date.

Price range

Prices vary depending on the time of day, and on which menu is being served.

The café menu, available until 5 p.m., offers a range of light meals which range from ¥1,100 to ¥3,900. Desserts range from ¥700 to ¥1,080, and drinks — including coffee, tea, and juice — from ¥450 to ¥850.

Bar food, some of which overlaps with the café menu, costs around ¥960 to ¥3,900. Alcoholic drinks start from ¥1,300 for a glass and go up to ¥81,900 for a bottle of premium champagne if you’re feeling fancy.

Note: From 5 p.m., a 10% service charge will be added to alcohol, bar food, drinks, and desserts.

Food

The food offerings feel as energizing and organic as the space itself. The star is the wrap sandwiches — one with colorful vegetables and chicken, and the other with burdock salad and chicken (both priced at ¥1,400). We tasted the colorful wrap, and everything was fresh, well-seasoned, and satisfying.

Other menu highlights include the mushroom risotto (¥2,200), wild steak (¥3,900), and tomato sauce pasta with Japanese shio-koji (¥1,800). The menu combines earthy flavors with Japanese culinary traditions.

Drinks

In addition to its solid food menu, mi:ne offers a carefully curated drink menu. You’ll find café classics like coffee, matcha, tea, and juice. On our visit, we were even able to sample the seasonal sakura latte — perfectly creamy and sweet. The regular matcha latte was also smooth and full-bodied.

Notably, the bar on the top floor is a wine bar. It offers an intentional collection of red and white wines, as well as champagne. One type of beer is also available.

Ambience

The ambience changes between the two floors of this space. The ground floor is lush with greenery. With natural light streaming in and real moss on the walls, it feels as though you are enveloped in a forest. You are in the good company of ficus, schefflera, Amazon olives, and more.

As you head up the stairs, you enter a more dimly lit space, evoking a nighttime feel that matches the bar atmosphere. On one side, there are sofas where you can relax, chat, or even do a bit of remote work. On the other side is the main bar area. Each section has its own collection of plants, with the standout being the glass-encased lights which house seasonal flowers — in spring, it was sakura.

Our review of mi:ne

Different from most cafés in the city, mi:ne feels like a proper escape. Interacting with real moss and other plants in a thoughtfully designed space brings some zen to your mind.

mi:ne is good for:

For those who appreciate a quiet space and nature, mi:ne offers a slow-paced alternative to the usual bustling coffee shops. With spacious, open interiors, and limited seating, every visitor can enjoy a more laid-back experience. No rushing, no distractions.

by Jane Pipkin