This new arrival on Kuramae’s vibrant coffee scene is all set up to get your morning in Tokyo’s ‘Little Brooklyn’ off to a bright start. From opening time at 8am, sunlight pours through the glass windows of this roastery-café located just across from Kuramae Shrine. Inside, rough-hewn concrete walls contrast with ‘Japandi’ (Japanese-meets-Scandinavian) furniture to create a space that combines refinement with a sense of untamed nature. Enjoy one of Bark’s crowd-pleasing croissant roll sandwiches with fresh coffee, as you contemplate the day ahead.
Bark’s signature croissant roll sandwiches (served with coffee of the day; ¥1,200) have a shape that echoes the tree trunks which inspired this venue’s name, and are served until 11am. With these croissants, a crisp and crunchy exterior gives way to a tender inner which is moist with fragrant butter. Ham, melted cheese, mayo and grainy mustard complete the medley of flavours.
A range of other baked goods includes an Instagram-worthy ‘Bark Cookie’ (¥350), which is moulded to create a tree stump-like effect. Coffee roasted on the premises, meanwhile, is available in both light and medium roasts. Especially recommended is the cold brew coffee, which is made with Ethiopian beans and possesses a refreshing acidity.