After the restaurant specialising in okonomiyaki (a vegetable omelette) and the bakery, both located on rue Sainte-Anne, Aki opens a third address near the Quatre-Septembre metro station. It’s not quite as cosy as the nearby Tomo, another Japanese tea room with immaculate service. Here, it's more of a help yourself, grab-and-go vibe with red velvet seats, trays and plastic cutlery.
You can dine at any time of the day. The more adventurous should try the bizarre soba noodle sandwich. The less risky options include countless matcha pastries, from brioche éclairs to doughnuts, flavoured with the on-trend finely ground green tea powder. The cakes are very sweet and lack finesse, but as a snack, washed down with a cup of green or iced tea does the trick. Sit at the counter along the large bay window for a solid people-watching session.