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4 Cafes You Must Visit in Sapporo: Coffee & Sweets Paradise

4 Cafes You Must Visit in Sapporo: Coffee & Sweets Paradise

Date published: 10 October 2022

Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo, is home to some of the finest foods in the whole of Japan. While seafood, dairy, and ramen are popular foods, you can also find comfort in some of Sapporo’s cafes. When you are feeling a little peckish and want to relax from the city’s hustle and bustle, cafes offer the perfect retreat.

From the chic to the unique, this curated café list includes a variety of spots to get your caffeine fix. Relax with a cup of coffee and some small treats at these four cafes in Sapporo!

1. Poool

Coffee counter and seating view from the entrance
Coffee counter and seating view from the entrance

Poool opened in August 2021 and is a trendy and stylish cafe, located next to Sapporo Station. Part of the CO&CO company, the CEO, Rieko Nishio, aims to “Make memories meeting people from around the world by creating a community”. “The looping in Poool’s logo is designed to convey the connection of people.” The ground floor is an open cafe and co-working space, while the second floor is part cafe and private working space. The mix of people studying and working is the perfect place to connect to people from around the world, all while enjoying some coffee and sweets.

Bookshelf available to read or purchase
Bookshelf available to read or purchase

The ground-floor cafe has an open and stylish interior. The cafe counter is located in the center, acting as the hub of the shop. To the left is a selection of books to read as well as merchandise available to purchase. To the right, there are counter seats to work and study semi-privately. At the back of the cafe, there are more lounge-like tables, perfect for group work or meetings.

On some occasions, featured artist’s work are hung across the shop’s interior, which is also available to purchase. “The artist’s paintings help inspire and create our customers who are working,” Nishio explains. Poool also holds live painting events, where the featured artist creates a new artwork, whilst interacting with staff and customers.

Seating area
Seating area

The menu has an extensive list of drinks available, all made in-house. From various espresso drinks to hot chocolate, there is something for everyone. There are two types of coffee blends available - mild and dark. The former is lighter, refreshing and well-balanced, whilst the latter is deeper and darker in taste. The cafe lattes (550yen regular and 600 yen for large, tax incl.) come with beautiful latte art, using Hokkaido milk. You can choose which blend you would like for your coffee, each pairing perfectly with the creamy milk. For something equally refreshing, they also have store-made craft cola (500 yen, tax incl.), orange juice (500 yen, tax incl.), and lemonade (500 yen, tax incl.). Single-origin coffee beans are available to drink, which change every 3 months depending on the season for an additional 100 yen, tax included.

Mild roast hot caffe latte and carrot cake
Mild roast hot caffe latte and carrot cake

To pair with their homemade drinks, they have a small selection of sweets. Basque cheesecake (500 yen, tax incl.), chocolate terrine (500 yen, tax incl.), and Poool’s most popular, carrot cake (550 yen, tax incl.), are all delicately sweet and pair perfectly with the cafe’s drinks. as well as being made in house.

Whether you are looking for a place to take a quick break from the city, get inspired and get some work done, Poool is one of the best cafes in Sapporo.

Health and Safety Measures
・Indoor disinfection measures taken
・Sanitizer installed
・Ventilation measures in place
・Plastic partitions installed
・Staff wear masks, wash hands regularly
・Guests required to wear masks
・Coin trays used
Multilingual Services
・English menu available
・Staff speak English
  • poool -Espresso&Work-
    プール 札幌店
    • Address Takesato Building 1F, 3 Chome-1-29 Kita 2 jonishi, Chuo-ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0002
    • Nearest Station Sapporo Station
    • ・Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
      ・Closed: Open daily

2. Sabi

Sabi exterior
Sabi exterior

Situated in southern Sapporo, Sabi combines camping and a natural lifestyle with Hokkaido roasted coffee. Opened in November 2021, Sabi was designed by an architecture company based in the port city, of Otaru. The interior was then filled by the staff, mincing a typical camping site. Camping goods, as well as everyday household items, are displayed on workshop-like benches. “All of these items are hand-picked by the Sabi staff as to items they would want to use,” manager Yuka Yamamoto describes. T-shirts, lanterns and lamp shades (made in Asahikawa) make up just some of the large collection of items available to purchase.

Camping and natural lifestyle goods available to purchase
Camping and natural lifestyle goods available to purchase

The seating for the cafe carries on the theme with small camping chairs and low-lying tables. Upstairs there is a spacious terrace with hammocks, a camping tent and 12 countertop seats to enjoy the sunshine with your coffee and sweets.

Cafe area with table and seating
Cafe area with table and seating

The cafe menu is simple, with the sari curry (790 yen, tax incl.), grilled cheese curry (890 yen, tax incl.) and roast beef bowl (990 yen, tax incl.) headlining the savory menu. For dessert, their most popular item is the canelé (390 yen, tax incl.), which comes in two flavors, plain and earl grey. To pair with the sweets are a wide variety of drinks from coffee to craft lemonade (500 yen, tax incl.). The cafe latte (hot or ice, 550 yen, tax incl.) is the most popular drink that uses a blend of Indonesia Mandheling and Costa Rica coffee beans. “We also have seasonal drinks,” explains Yamamoto. “During spring we had a sakura latte that was popular.” At the time of writing, the sakura latte is not available but they have a chocolate mint latte (600 yen, tax incl.), which can also be enjoyed with a shot of espresso (650 yen, tax incl.).

Chocolate mint latte with espresso on the roof terrace
Chocolate mint latte with espresso on the roof terrace

Sabi also has various camping experiences available. Wood chopping can be done free of charge in front of the store or on the roof terrace (depending on staff availability). Fire making can also be learned for free with a reservation. “We also hold a roof barbecue, which is currently not available but should be soon”, says Yamamoto.

Cafe latte and plain canelé on the roof terrace
Cafe latte and plain canelé on the roof terrace

“At first we had lots of customers who came for our camping goods,” explains Yamamoto. “Now we have customers who have never camped before but come to enjoy our food and drinks. We’re happy with these new customers because we can introduce them to the world of camping,” says Yamamoto. Whether you are a camp lover or just looking for some delicious food or coffee, Sabi is a fantastic cafe for everyone!

COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures
・Indoor disinfection measures taken
・Sanitizer installed
・Ventilation measures in place
・Staff wear masks, waand sh hands regularly
・Guests reqare uired to wear masks
・Coin trays used
Multilingual Services
・No English menu
・Staff can speak a little English
  • Natural Life Style sabi
    【キャンプ&カフェショップ】Natural Life Style sabi (サビ)
    • Address 2 Chome 1-23 Tokiwa, Minami 1 jonishi, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 005-0851
    • Nearest Station Tokiwa Bridge Bus Stop
    • Phone Number 011-252-7443
    • ・Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m (Mon-Fri), 9:00am - 7:00pm (Sat&Sun)
      ・Closed: Open daily

3. Brown Books Cafe

Caption: Counter top
Caption: Counter top

Brown Books Cafe originally opened in September 2017, on the west side of Sapporo, Maruyama. Speaking to owner Yoko Hoshikawa, she describes her love for old buildings. “I fell in love with coffee shops where you could read books, whilst we traveled around the U.S. We couldn’t find these kinds of cafes when we returned to Japan.” Her love for old buildings saw their cafe relocate from Maruyama to Susukino and now their new location, just south of Odori Park. The new location has been open for just 3 months. After climbing a narrow staircase, you are greeted by an old-fashioned style interior, reminiscent of your grandmother’s house. “The interior of the shop is made from an old private house. It is filled with antique furniture so we can evoke the nostalgic feel,” says Hoshikawa.

Seating with book shelf
Seating with book shelf

Hoshikawa focuses on using organic coffee, that has been roasted in Miyanomori, Sapporo. Combined with her love for books (especially art), she has created a small, tranquil and nostalgic cafe. “We like to welcome anyone but in particular, people who love books, coffee and like to relax without their phone,” explains Hoshikawa.

The menu has savory dishes as well as sweets, accompanied by various drinks. For a savory bite, they have spaghetti with meat sauce (1045 yen, tax incl.). For dessert, they have three to four different homemade cakes every day (550 yen each, tax incl.). These include gateau chocolate and orange and cassis tart at the time of shooting (cakes will change depending on the season), which are all baked in the previous shop’s location. Hoshikawa uses nel drip to brew coffee, adding a deep body pairing perfectly with the sweets. Blend coffee (660 yen, tax incl.) and cafe au lit (715 yen, tax incl.) are the popular drinks. However, it is the homemade lemonade (715 yen, tax incl.), which Hoshikawa says is “more popular than the coffee!” They also have soft drinks, tea and alcohol, ranging from craft beer to coffee cocktails.

Cake topped with whipped cream and iced coffee
Cake topped with whipped cream and iced coffee

The interior is narrow adding a cozy feel, with a bookshelf, holding an impressive collection of Hoshikawa’s favorite books. Upon entering the cafe, you can see an Italian stained glass window. It filters light into the shop adding a relaxing ambiance. On the second floor are four tables along with counter seats, perfecting for enjoying your coffee, sweets and reading a book.

Second floor seating and Italian stained glass window
Second floor seating and Italian stained glass window

“In our busy modern life, we want people to come in and enjoy the feeling of being out of your daily routine, a feeling of peace and nostalgia. I want our cafe to be a place where you can feel calm and refreshed when you leave,” Hoshikawa explains. Brown books cafe is a fantastic retreat from the busy city life, not just for its calming atmosphere but for its coffee and sweets.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures
・Indoor disinfection measures taken
・Sanitizer installed
・Ventilation measures in place
・Staff wear masks, wash hands regularly
・Guests required to wear masks
・Coin trays used
・Disinfection after each guest leaves
・Plastic partitions installed
Multilingual Services
・English menu available
・Staff can speak English
  • Brown Books Cafe
    ブラウン ブックス カフェ
    • Address 7chome-7-26, 2F, Minami 3-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0063
    • Nearest Station Nishi Hatchome Station
    • Phone Number 011-221-6333
    • ・Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m (Mon-Sat),11:00am - 7:00pm (Sun)
      ・Closed: Wednesday

4. Wake Cafe

Exterior of Wake Cafe
Exterior of Wake Cafe

Wake cafe is located in the quiet neighborhood of Miyanomori, next to Hokkaido Jingu Shrine. Wake Cafe was opened by owner Ryoichi Tamura in July 2006 and started off as a traditional Japanese kissaten (a Japanese-style tearoom).

After giving birth to their first child, Tamura and his wife took time off from the cafe and traveled overseas, most notably to the United Kingdom. They fell in love with the country and culture, which inspired some new changes to Wake Cafe. Small little trinkets, such as a London bus, line the walls of the cafe. “We are like an old traditional Japanese kissaten but with influences from Europe and overseas,” says Tamura.

Trinkets and memorabilia from Tamura’s time overseas.
Trinkets and memorabilia from Tamura’s time overseas.

The menu also changed, previously being limited to coffee, tea and toast - a traditional kissaten menu lineup. The main change was the addition of an English breakfast (850 yen, tax incl.) with sausage, eggs, bacon and more classic foods from the British classic. However, according to Tamura, the most popular dish is lemon toast (400 yen, tax incl.). Slices of thin lemon top a thick, fluffy yet crispy slice of toast, making it the perfect start to the morning. The menu has a variety of savory dishes to enjoy any time of the day, most notably the Napolitan spaghetti (700 yen, tax incl.) - a Japanese classic made up of bacon, onion and green pepper in a tomato sauce.

Lemon toast with iced coffee
Lemon toast with iced coffee

For dessert, today’s cakes (400 yen, tax incl.) - from a German dessert store in Shiroishi town - are the most popular choice according to Tamura. It can also be enjoyed as a cake set (800 yen, tax incl.) along with some coffee. Other desserts include the cream shiratama (shiratama is a type of mochi) parfait (600 yen, tax incl.) and homemade jelly with ice cream (550 yen, tax incl.).

What’s staggering is that Tamura makes and prepares this all by himself! Tamura has close connections to the neighboring grocery store, frequently receiving fresh, seasonal produce that helps him come up with new dishes for his menu.

Counter top display and seats
Counter top display and seats

The interior of the cafe is spacious with counter seats if you are eating alone or tables to enjoy with friends or family. “We have many regular customers that live close by to the cafe. Also, many people that come in after their morning run or visiting Hokkaido Jingu,” says Tamura.

Wake Cafe interior
Wake Cafe interior

Wake Cafe is the perfect spot to enjoy an early morning breakfast or relax after your visit to Maruyama park and Hokkaido Jingu Shrine!

COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures
・Indoor disinfection measures taken
・Sanitizer installed
・Ventilation measures in place
・Staff wear masks, wash hands regularly
・Guests required to wear masks
・Coin trays used
・Disinfection after each guest leaves
Multilingual Services
・No English menu
・Staff can not speak English
  • Wake Cafe
    ウェイク カフェ
    • Address 10 chome-4-33, Miyanomori 1-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 064-0951
    • Nearest Station Hokkaido Jingu Bus Stop
    • ・Hours: 10:00a.m - 6:00pm (Tue-Thur), 6:00 a.m. - 9:00a.m & 10:00a.m - 6:00pm (Fri-Sun)
      ・Closed: Monday

Written by:
Andy Cheng
Andy Cheng

Andy is a chef and culinary journalist with over 7 years in Japan, extensively exploring its regional dishes. A University of Nottingham graduate, he trained in five Japanese restaurants before transitioning to freelance work. He contributes to over 10 global clients, including Marriot Bonvoy and the Hokkaido Tourism Board, and assists in translation and promoting inbound tourism with local governments.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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