(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
Near Harajuku Station, just past the crowds and tucked away on the second floor of a busy shopping complex, you’ll find a small escape serving delicious food at Eataly.
From the outside, the chain’s Harajuku branch looks like a mini supermarket, but if you push past the expensive chocolates, pasta and sauces up front, you’ll find two restaurants perfect for a quick meal. La Pasta e La Pizza is a more formal sit-down with a full menu including pizza and pasta, while La Gastronomia is a deli-style casual dine-in for sandwiches and gelato. Both are inside Eataly, so the variety they offer is nice to have.
(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
My wife and I were looking for a light meal so we went with La Gastronomia and ordered the Panini Caprese sandwich, a focaccia bread loaded with mozzarella cheese, juicy tomato and basil. We also couldn’t resist sharing a small cup of gelato and selected chocolate and milk flavors. The total for our meal was only 2,658 yen (around $16) which felt like a total steal in this touristy Tokyo area.
The restaurant was empty and it was a relaxing departure from the busy street below. Although we had the restaurant to ourselves, we waited a while to receive our meal, but we enjoyed the people watching until it was time to eat.
When our order arrived, the first thing I dug into was this simple yet tasty sandwich. The cheese and tomato had a nice subtle blend each bite with a slightly salty bread to balance things out. It was served cold, so it was a refreshing snack for the summer heat. The gelato was delicious with a dark and bitter yet slightly sweet serve, and the milk paired great with it.
If you are interested in some Italian products, Eataly’s grocery has many to choose from including wine, pasta and sweets. Though the prices were a bit expensive, if you’re looking for something specific, it’s worth a browse.
If you’re looking for a mini escape from the Tokyo crowds and summer heat, then a trip to Eataly might be what you need!
(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
Things to know
Address: 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 1-14-30 3F
Hours: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. 7 days a week
* Payment can be done with card and yen.
* Parking is available but expensive around the city. I would recommend taking the train.
