Excelsior Caffé

The pancetta carbonara is finished with fragrant Japanese pepper, pairing a creamy sauce with the pancetta’s savoury saltiness. Some diners say the pepper is subtle, lingering beneath the cream rather than taking centre stage. There is also a version topped with an egg, an option if you’re in the mood for an especially mellow sauce.

For a more substantial meal, choose from dishes such as shrimp and avocado mentaiko doria or lemon-cream doria with smoked chicken and asparagus. Some people come at lunchtime specifically for the doria; it’s a welcome rice-based alternative to pasta. For something lighter, try the teriyaki chicken and kinpira burdock pretzel sandwich.

Breakfast is available too, making this a handy stop for a light bite with coffee. Drinks include hot or iced caffè latte, matcha latte and hojicha latte. One customer said they enjoyed a quiet morning over a caffè latte. The Toritsudaigaku Station branch suits a solo break or a coffee stop combined with a meal.