Among Harajuku’s many pancake specialty shops, one name has stayed firmly at the top for years: RAINBOW PANCAKE. This beloved café is famous for pancakes that are unapologetically thick and fluffy, with a lightly caramelized, fragrant surface and an inside so soft it feels like biting into a cloud.

The star of the menu is the macadamia sauce pancake (マカダミアナッツソース). The sauce is rich and creamy without being overly sweet, delivering a deep, nutty macadamia flavor that pairs perfectly with the moist, airy pancake. It is the kind of dessert that makes you understand the hype after just one bite.

Because of its popularity, lines are common, especially during peak hours. That said, visitors coming in larger groups or with kids can reserve a private room by phone for an additional fee. And if you are wandering around Takeshita Dori and suddenly find yourself craving pancakes, Rainbow Pancake is close enough to make a delicious detour worth your while.

Originally launched in Osaka in 2016, the wildly popular café MICASADECO & Café Jingu-mae has since made its way to Harajuku’s stylish Cat Street. One of the fun things about this spot is that each pancake flavor has its own texture and personality, so there is always something new to discover.

The must-order item is the adorably plump fluffy ricotta pancakes (ふわふわリコッタパンケーキ). Stacked into three impressively thick layers, they look striking the moment they arrive at the table.

Take a bite and you will see why they are so beloved. A rich, milky aroma fills your mouth, followed by an unbelievably soft texture that seems to melt away almost instantly. Served simply with butter, maple syrup, and fresh cream, the toppings let the pancake’s natural flavor shine. Beyond sweets, the café also offers a solid selection of savory dishes, making it an easy and satisfying choice for lunch while exploring Harajuku.

Tucked away inside Omotesando’s atmospheric Urasando Garden, Riz Labo Kitchen opened in December 2016 with a surprising concept. This cozy pancake café makes its pancakes using 100 percent rice flour instead of wheat flour, resulting in completely gluten-free treats that are still incredibly soft and fluffy.

The pancakes are developed by a certified rice-flour food specialist, making them especially appealing to health-conscious diners. Thanks to their light texture and gentle, clean flavor, the café quickly built a strong reputation and has since become a popular stop for pancake lovers in the know.

One standout experience is enjoying pancakes in the calm, traditional Japanese atmosphere of Urasando Garden. A top recommendation is the elegant “Fluffy Rice Flour Riz◎Pancake Matcha” (ふんわり米粉のRiz◎Pancake 抹茶パンケーキ), served with Hokkaido-grown red beans, fresh Hokkaido cream, and fragrant matcha. It is genuinely impressive how rice flour can create pancakes this soft, and the subtle aroma of rice adds a uniquely comforting touch that sets these pancakes apart.

Taking a short break from shopping to enjoy Japan’s unique style of pancakes is part of the travel experience, too. All of the shops introduced here tend to get especially busy on weekends, so visiting on a weekday is highly recommended. Either way, make sure to treat yourself to these irresistibly comforting pancakes that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

(This article was originally published in April 2020. Prices have been updated, but menu options may have changed. Be sure to check official websites before your visit.)