5 Famous Cafes and Desserts in Hakodate: Taste the Best Local Sweets!
Most of the major attractions in Hakodate, such as Motomachi Park and Goryokaku, are conveniently located close to each other. This allows visitors to explore the city on foot and enjoy leisurely walks along its lively streets. In this article, we highlight cafes with a relaxing atmosphere and delectable desserts that make for perfect pit stops during your explorations.
Tea Room Victorian Rose (Former British Consulate): Enjoy a Wonderful Tea Time!
The elegant Tea Room Victorian Rose is located on the first floor of the Former British Consulate, nestled halfway up Motoizaka. The building, completed in 1913, showcases a fusion of Japanese and Western architectural styles and served as a consulate until 1934.
Now a museum, the Former British Consulate features exhibits that narrate the history of the opening of Hakodate Port. Its exquisite English rose garden is renowned, with the flowers reaching full bloom from June to August.
Tea Room Victorian Rose offers a delightful selection of authentic British teas sourced from the famous tea specialty shop, Ruhuna. The Afternoon Tea set is served on a three-tiered dish and includes sandwiches, homemade Victorian cake, scones, and desserts, accompanied by a choice of tea from five options available for pot service. This set can be ordered at a price of 2,800 yen (tax included) for one person, with a minimum order requirement of two people. Additionally, the tea room offers a special set featuring the signature Gâteau Fromage from Maison Fujiya Hakodate, paired with tea.
Nearby attractions include the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, where visitors can enjoy a historic costume rental service, Hachimanzaka Slope with its scenic views of Hakodate Bay, and the Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples, an educational venue where visitors can delve into the rich culture of the Ainu indigenous people.
For more information
https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing-spots/food-drink-cafe/victorian-rose-former-british-consulate-of-hakodate/
Kyuchaya Tei: Enjoy Matcha Green Tea and Japanese Sweets
Kyuchaya Tei is a tea salon that first opened its doors in 1992, housed within a renovated building from the late Meiji period (1868-1912). The interior décor and furnishings perfectly capture the classic and elegant ambiance of early 20th-century Hakodate.
The drink menu offers an array of options, including various types of green tea beverages such as matcha and hojicha (roasted tea), as well as coffee.
When it comes to desserts, Kyuchaya Tei boasts a selection of delectable original treats. From pumpkin soup with sweet rice cakes to sherbet, and custard pudding with a delightful firm texture reminiscent of nostalgic Taisho-era confectionery.
You can choose to pair your dessert with a refreshing tea drink or a cup of coffee. The matcha set is priced at 1,150 yen, while the coffee set is 1,120 yen. Drinks can also be ordered individually, with options including three-year-aged coffee for 665 yen, matcha for 705 yen, and roasted tea for 765 yen. Please note that the set sweets may vary depending on the season.
Located conveniently near the Bay Area and the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, Kyuchaya Tei is an ideal place to take a break and unwind. It is also within close proximity to the Jujigai stop of Hakodate’s streetcar service.
For more information
https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing-spots/food-drink-cafe/tea-room-kyu-chaya-tei/
https://www.hakobura.jp/spots/93
Night View Bar Estellado: A Cocktail with Panoramic Views of Hakodate’s Night Skyline
Hakodate is renowned for its stunning nighttime cityscape, best viewed from the Mt. Hakodate Observatory. Night View Bar Estellado, situated on the 13th floor of Premier Hotel CABIN PRESIDENT Hakodate, is an elegant cocktail bar located just a one-minute walk away from JR Hakodate Station. It offers patrons the opportunity to savor the magnificent nighttime views of Hakodate’s city center while enjoying delightful beverages.
The bar has a seating capacity of 40, with 10 counter seats and 30 table seats. The counter seats provide panoramic views of Mt. Hakodate and tend to be in high demand, so we recommend making a reservation beforehand if you wish to secure one.
In addition to a variety of cocktails, Estellado also offers local craft beer, complemented by options like cheese plates, assorted ham plates, and smoked salmon. Nearby attractions include the Hakodate City Seikan Train Ferry Memorial Museum Mashumaru and the Bay area.
We suggest visiting Estellado shortly after sunset to witness the captivating twilight colors of the sky and watch as the city lights gradually illuminate the landscape with their enchanting glow.
For more information
https://www.hakodate.travel/en/sightseeing-spots/food-drink-cafe/night-view-bar-estelado/
https://www.hakobura.jp/spots/126
Rokkatei Goryokaku Store: Taste Famous Hokkaido Confectionery
Rokkatei is a renowned confectionery manufacturer from Hokkaido, famous for their delightful Marusei Butter Sandwich Cookies, a well-known souvenir from Hokkaido.
In Hakodate, there are five Rokkatei shops, two of which also operate as cafes, offering visitors the opportunity to leisurely savor Rokkatei sweets alongside their choice of beverages.
Rokkatei Goryokaku Store features a spacious interior with one entire glass wall, providing customers with unobstructed views of Goryokaku Park throughout the changing seasons.
In addition to the popular Rokkatei sweets available, paired with tea or coffee, the cafe menu offers various desserts like hot pancakes (750 yen) and Yuki Kon Cheese (250 yen), a baked cheesecake sandwiched between cocoa biscuits. For those seeking savory options, the Tomohiro-style Hayashi Rice (1,200 yen) is also available, making this cafe an excellent choice for lunchtime before or after a visit to Goryokaku Park, Goryokaku Tower, or the Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido.
Goryokaku Park is a picturesque destination all year round, with cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant autumn foliage, and stunning light displays during the winter season.
Rokkatei Goryokaku Store
Hakodate, Goryokaku-cho 27-6
Shop business hours: 9:30 – 17:30
Cafe hours: 11:00 – 16:00 (last order 15:30)
Official website: https://www.rokkatei.co.jp/shop/hakodate/
Petite Merveille Red Brick Warehouse BAY Hakodate Store: Exquisite Sweets Born in Hakodate
Pâtisserie Petite Merveille is a confectionery brand from Hakodate known for its delicious pudding desserts and melty cheese cakes. You can find their products at department stores and supermarkets, as well as their own cafes in the city.
If you’re in the Hakodate Bay Area, make sure to visit the Petite Merveille Red Brick Warehouse BAY Hakodate Store, located in the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.
Their must-try is the one-bite-sized Melty Cheese cake, available in plain, strawberry, chocolate, and caramel flavors. It’s a perfect balance of cream cheese richness and refreshing taste.
Don’t miss out on their silky pumpkin pudding, made with the sweet Kuririn pumpkin from Miyoi Farm in Hokkaido. The regular version lets you savor the pumpkin’s aroma, while the caramel sauce version offers a unique combination of flavors.
Petite Merveille is a great place to visit when exploring Hakodate’s Bay Area or Hakodate Meijikan, a converted post office now filled with local souvenir shops.
Pâtisserie Petite Merveille Red Brick Warehouse BAY Hakodate Store
Address: Hakodate City, Toyokawa-cho 11-5
Phone: 0138-84-5677
Business hours: 9:30 – 19:00
Offcial website: https://www.petite-merveille.jp/?mode=f1
Enjoy Hakodate’s Local Confectionery
In Hakodate, you can feel the pride the city takes in its confectionery, made with carefully selected Hokkaido ingredients. Take the opportunity to enjoy delicious desserts and beverages while immersing yourself in the historic atmosphere of the city as you explore.