Japan is among the world’s top coffee consumers (behind only the U.S. and Germany) with approximately 7.5 million 60 lb bags used in 2019. And there is nowhere in Japan that is more obsessed about their coffee than Nagoya and the Tokai region (Gifu, Mie, and Aichi Prefectures).
Nagoya’s Coffee Culture
Gifu City, located north of Nagoya, has ranked first in coffee shop expenses per household for three straight years, followed by Nagoya City. What’s even more surprising is that Gifu and Nagoya pay less per cup than Tokyo—suggesting it’s the free breakfast offerings that help keep locals frequenting cafes.
Yes, you read that correctly. Free breakfast.
In Nagoya and most of the Tokai region you receive a free breakfast with purchase of a drink in a custom which is referred to as “Morning Service.”
The tradition of Morning Service began in the 1950s just north of Nagoya in Ichinomiya. The increasing prevalence of manufacturing warehouses meant that there was also an increased number of businessmen who sought quieter coffee shops away from noisy textile factories. Local cafe owners began offering boiled eggs and peanuts alongside coffee as a gesture of thanks (and a hope to keep their business). Soon, local cafes outdid each other, expanding offerings into full free breakfast spreads. The trend spread across Nagoya and neighboring cities, becoming a defining regional custom.
Where to Enjoy Morning Service in Nagoya
There are hundreds of cafes across Nagoya offering a wide selection of breakfasts and Morning Service options. Here are some of our favorite and most visited cafes selected by our local guides in no particular order.
Matsuba Cafe
- Location: Endoji Shopping Street
- Hours: 8:00–18:00 (subject to change)
- Price: Drinks and sets from 550–1,200 yen
Matsuba Cafe is the home of Ogura Toast, having created the very first version of this Nagoya specialty. Housed on the retro Endoji Shopping Street, this cafe blends nostalgic Showa-era charm with a quiet, welcoming atmosphere.
Their original Ogura Toast is a thick, golden-brown sandwich filled with sweet adzuki bean paste—just as it was when the dish was first invented. The café also serves its signature Mild Blend coffee, roasted in-house from carefully selected green beans. The result is a smooth, lightly aromatic cup that pairs perfectly with the toast.
Komeda’s Coffee
- Location: Various locations across Nagoya (100+ shops)
- Hours: 7:00–22:00 / Morning Service: 7:00–11:00
- Price: 460–800 yen per beverage; Morning Service included
No list about Morning Service is complete without mentioning Komeda’s. Komeda’s Coffee is one of Nagoya’s most iconic café chains, with its first shop opening in 1968. Today, it's a household name throughout the region, known for its cozy interiors featuring red velvet sofas, warm wooden accents, and inventive specials.
Order any drink and you’ll be treated to one of three Morning Service sets for free:
- Set A: Thick-cut toast with margarine and a boiled egg
- Set B: Toast with creamy egg salad
- Set C: Ogura-an (sweet red bean paste) to make your own Ogura Toast
You may also find seasonal or limited-time variations depending on the location.
Tip from our local guides: Though not included as part of Morning Service, Komeda’s has great fluffy pancakes!
New Poppy
- Location: Endoji Shopping Street, Nishi Ward
- Hours: 8:00–11:00 (Sun–Thu), earlier service on Fri/Sat
- Price: Morning Set 165–600 yen; Drinks: 700–850 yen
Originally founded in 1976, New Poppy has moved locations over the years but remains a beloved spot for coffee lovers in Nagoya. The café features vintage decor and roasts its own beans on-site for a fresh, rich cup of coffee every time.
With a drink purchase, you can choose between two Morning Set options:
- Bread Set (+165–220 yen): One or two slices of toast with a boiled egg, salad, and a topping like jam or Ogura-an
- Curry Set (+600 yen): A hearty Japanese-style breakfast with rice and curry
Tip from our local guides: Try their black sesame seed bread!!
Bucyo Coffee
- Location: Near Meiekiminami, Nakamura Ward
- Hours: 7:15–17:00 / Morning Service: 7:15–10:30
- Price: Basic Morning Service free with drinks (550–750 yen); upgrades available
Bucyo Coffee is a favorite among locals for its bold, flavorful coffee and charming retro feel. Tucked into a quiet street, it offers a more traditional and intimate Morning Service experience.
Choose between toast or a fluffy Kaiser roll as your base. For a small extra charge, you can upgrade with Ogura-an(sweet red bean paste), whipped cream, or their unique Kinako Butter—a rich, nutty roasted soybean spread that pairs beautifully with coffee.
Tip from our local guides: Their Kinako Butter toast is a must-try.
Coffee House Kako
- Location: Shikemichi, 10-minute walk from Nagoya Station
- Hours: Typically morning to late afternoon (check Instagram for updates)
- Price: Drinks from ~500 yen; “Chantilly Rouge” toast set available at additional cost
Located near the historic Shikemichi district, Coffee House Kako is a beloved Nagoya café filled with traditional charm. Established in 1972, it was the first shop in Nagoya to offer home-roasted coffee, setting the stage for a lasting local coffee culture. The owner continues to hand-select and roast beans in-house, ensuring every cup delivers freshness and deep flavor.
Inside, antique furnishings, stained glass, and a small cozy counter create a nostalgic and intimate atmosphere.
Though Morning Service here isn’t free, the quality and uniqueness deserves it a spot on our list of favorite cafes in Nagoya. Their signature item, the Chantilly Rouge Special, is a luxurious toast topped with sweet red bean paste, fluffy whipped cream, and four kinds of seasonal homemade jam.
Tip from our local guides: Come early on weekends, as this place is quite popular with locals.
Tsuzuki Cafe
- Location: Tsuzuki Building, Nakamura-ku
- Hours: 8:00–17:00
- Price: Drinks 500–700 yen; Morning Service included
A local legend, Tsuzuki Cafe has been researching and refining its coffee techniques for over 70 years. But it’s their Café au Lait Ceiling Pour that’s become an internet sensation. The owner climbs a step ladder to pour milk from high above into your coffee cup—a theatrical (and very Instagrammable) moment.
Beyond the spectacle, Tsuzuki offers a full menu of drinks and Morning Service options served with warm hospitality. While the ceiling pour steals the spotlight, regulars love the cafe for its friendly service, quality brews, and photo-worthy presentation.
Tip from our local guides: Ask the owner for photo tips. He loves guiding people to the best angle while he performs the pour.
Pigment
- Location: Fukuromachi Building 3F, Nishiki, Naka-ku
- Hours: 8:00–17:00 / Morning until 11:30
- Price: Drinks from 700 yen; Morning Set from 1,000–2,500 yen
Tucked away on the third floor of the Fukuromachi building, Pigment is a design-forward café offering one of Nagoya’s most customizable and beautifully plated morning sets. Choose from a range of toppings to build your own Australian-style breakfast, from savory grilled bacon and burrata cheese to sweet caramelized bananas and local honeycomb. This cafe is a great option for those who want a more western-style breakfast.
Yoake
- Location: 2-14-1 Nakono, Nishi-ku (Nago Campus 1F)
- Hours: 8:00–17:00 (Weekends until 18:00) / Morning Service: 8:00–11:00
- Price: Drinks from 500–700 yen; Sets 700–1,000 yen
Set inside a repurposed former elementary school, Yoake brings community and creativity together. Located in the artsy Entonji Honmachi Shopping Street, this unique café offers Morning Service options including Ogura Toast with a smiley face of butter, or a comforting rice ball and pork soup set for those who prefer a more Japanese-style breakfast.
Gemia
- Location: 2-16-1 Nakajima-cho, Nakamura-ku
- Hours: 8:00–11:00 (Morning); Lunch follows until 15:00
- Price: Morning Set 1,000–2,000 yen
Gemia is a stylish café offering a gluten-free pancake morning set. They also have a chocolate pancake option made with high-quality cocoa powder from the Netherlands and served with seasonal toppings. These pancakes are both indulgent and a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
MACCARONI
- Location: Inside Nagoya Station
- Hours: Sun–Thu: 8:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30) Fri, Sat & Holidays: 8:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
- Price: from ~990 yen; drinks & meals typically ~1,000 yen
Conveniently located inside Nagoya Station, MACCARONI is a stylish and accessible café perfect for travelers looking to enjoy a high-quality breakfast without venturing far. Their QR code-based menu with images and English translations makes ordering easy for travelers.
MACCARONI offers a variety of drinks and light meals throughout the day, but its breakfast are especially popular for both locals and commuters. The standout morning item is the Nagoya Cochin Egg Benedict (990 yen), made with locally sourced Cochin eggs (a Nagoya specialty known for its rich flavor and bright yolk).
Discover Nagoya's Food Culture
The best way to learn more about Nagoya's unique food scene is by tasting it for yourself! Our local guides designed an itinerary perfect for foodies and hungry travelers that takes you to some of Nagoya's most iconic locations while enjoying it's most delicious dishes.
Recommended Tour: Snow Monkey Resort's 1-Day Tour: Nagoya's Highlights and Small Bites will not only give you a taste of the wonderful flavors of the region and introduce you to some of the most notable landmarks in the city (including Nagoya Castle, Sakae, and Osu shopping district), but will also provide you with the confidence to go out and try more "Nagoya Meshi" on your own.
