Cafe de Variete

At Cafe de Variete, choosing a coffee is part of the pleasure, and there are cakes to pair with it. The Variete Blend, the house recommendation, is based on medium-dark-roasted beans, selected to bring out body and sweetness. The cafe describes it as low in acidity and bitterness, with a pronounced sweetness, making it an approachable place to start for anyone curious about the house blend.

For a comparison of different bean profiles, consider the Floral Blend, with gentle acidity and a smooth finish, or the dark-roasted Bitter Blend, which includes Mandheling. The single-origin coffees offer other directions: Ethiopia Guji has acidity and sweetness reminiscent of lemon and apricot, while Guatemala Azotea Estate is noted for cinnamon and herbal aromas and a chocolate-like sweetness. One diner who ordered dark-roast coffee with cheesecake enjoyed the contrast between its richness and the cake’s refreshing lemon notes. They also noted that the beans were ground to order, making this a pleasant spot to linger over a cup and cake.

The menu’s Baked Cheese Cake is a subtly sweet, lemon-flavoured pie-style cheesecake made with cream cheese, cottage cheese and fresh cream. It works well whether you want the coffee to take centre stage or are stopping for a treat. Another visitor described the Ethiopia Guji as a thoroughly roasted coffee with a memorable fruity aroma, and also enjoyed a raisin-filled sweet. Chiffon cake and gateau chocolat are other options to pair with coffee.

Herbal tea and chai, served in a pot, are alternatives mentioned by diners—handy when coffee is not quite what you fancy or you want to settle in a little longer with a different drink. Visitors have also described spending quiet time alone or chatting with someone close in the calm atmosphere. With dine-in service and table service, Cafe de Variete is an option in Asagaya-kita for a relaxed coffee and snack.