Bear Pond Espresso

Well known as the birth place of infamous Dirty Latte, I admit that the dirty latte here is amazing and beyond comparison. I am not sure if it is the coffee or the milk, it just tastes delicious. If you’re a coffee drinker and coffee lover and in the area, make sure to visit this coffee store to try. It has other coffee menu though.

One in a lifetime you have to try if your are a coffee person. The original Dirty is very nice, no syrup added. The espresso is very thick, it's their signature.

The staff suggested that Dirty should not be mixed. Thank you for the suggestion, but I felt a little embarrassed. I heard that this shop created the first Dirty coffee. The coffee isn’t too strong, it tastes more milky than coffee.

This coffee shop is on my list of places to visit. After reading the reviews, I was surprised by its low rating for a coffee shop in Tokyo. Most reviews focused on the customer service rather than the actual taste of the coffee, so I decided to try it for myself. • Coffee I ordered a hot T*O*P latte. The taste was okay, scoring a 7/10 for me. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t bad either. I might try their dirty latte next time. • Price I bought two hot T*O*P lattes, which are kind of their specialty. It cost ¥1300 for both, which I think is fair for specialty coffee. • Customer Service There were many complaints about the customer service, but my experience was just okay—not terrible. The clerk didn’t smile at all, which might suggest he was tired. While I didn’t mind, some people might see that as unfriendly. I ordered in Japanese, but he responded in English, which confused me a bit. Maybe it was because I don’t look very Japanese. • Payment The coffee shop didn't accept cashless payments. I couldn’t use my card, so I had to pay in cash. It’s 2024—why is that still a thing? Overall, my feelings about the coffee shop are neutral. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn’t great either. I didn’t feel a warm atmosphere, but the coffee was decent.

The shop itself is dope! Decor is neat but I don’t find myself loving the drinks. They tend to be on the bitter side which just isn’t my preference.

I had high hopes coming here to try the dirty latte after seeing it all over social media. However, reality could not have been further from the truth. Don’t let the photos online fool you - not only is it NOT a dirty latte, there is absolutely no coffee taste/flavour in the drink. All you taste is milk. For 790 yen it’s really just such a letdown. Maybe their hot drinks will be better - but, be warned that the standard drinks are all made with a single, and not double, shot of espresso. Would not recommend and would not return - you can find better coffee elsewhere in Tokyo. Side note: No alternative milks offered at the cafe.

Good coffee and the origin of dirty coffee menu. The original is of course the original but I find Thai baristas take this menu and elevated it to a new high. No fault but also not wow. Cozy seating area for no more than 10 persons. Good for grab and go kind of place. Cash only.

Small coffeeshop around trendy area with many thrift shops around, pioneered the Dirty Coffee (espresso over chilled milk). While I've had better versions in Bangkok, Bear Pond's take is still one of the nicest: a mild espresso paired with extra-creamy milk (typical of Japan's milk-forward coffee style). Definitely will come back to try their latte. Solo barista operation, so service is efficient but not overly warm. Very understandable. Taking photo isn’t really prohibited, but be mindful of queues in the tiny space. Standard price like most coffeeshop, between ¥650-800 for a cup of milk-based coffee.

First heard about Bear Pond from my wife who sent over an article about how unique this coffee shop was and how they only offered a limited number of espresso shots only during hours before noon. I was so intrigued, that I made it a point to check it out. Located in what the locals consider the "old" Tokyo, this small coffee shop does have some pretty tasty coffee. Though I'm not a huge espresso drinker, this was definitely the thickest and richest shot of espresso I've had. The Angel Stain definitely delivered a strong caffeine punch as I had the jitters for at least 2 hours afterwards. Ordering their TOP latte did cross my mind and I'm glad I didn't as my caffeine jitters would've been off he charts. Though the owners/workers weren't super friendly, you can definitely tell they take pride in what they serve. Would definitely recommend trying their coffee at least once during a trip and if in the area, would definitely head back.

You know the 'Soup Nazi' episode of Seinfeld? That's kinda how I felt entering Bear Pond after reading a bunch of reviews online (both here and elsewhere). I was...nervous. Didn't wanna pull an Elaine and be too casual, or George it up by asking for bread with my order. But hey you know, my experience wasn't bad at all. I kinda enjoyed the place actually. Sure the workers weren't the most chatty or super smiley with us, whatevs. Coffee was coffee, and it was strong, and you could tell they care about their craft. I ordered the iced coffee with some sort of chocolate syrup down the sides of the glass that brought back all the Nesquik memories of my childhood. I was digging it. On top of that, the decor is super hip. Maybe eight or so seats inside and a small bench outside. Definitely not the place to post up with a computer--by design, I'm guessing. Heard they're not big fans of people taking lots of pics of their coffee, space, etc., so I didn't even bother trying. Just enjoyed my beverage, chatted for a little bit with the wifey, and went on our way. Very business-like.

No. No and just no. A double espresso came out as a spoonful's-worth of mud and all of that without a lick of hospitality. The best part is the worn-down piece of wood outside that you sit on.

Without a doubt in my mind, the best cappuccino I ever had in my life was from Bear Pond. My friend ordered for us and I didn't think much of it when he handed off my cup as I was obviously too busy photographing it. But after that first sip, and then that second sip to be sure, the look on my face must have been something. My jaw dropped and I looked down at my cup again and just mouthed the words, "oh my God". Velvety smooth, perfectly roasted, gah. In too short of sips later, my cup was empty. The woman behind the counter wasn't the friendliest (yelled at me for taking a photo; never saw the sign; oh well!) but on our third visit (yes, we came three times), the owner himself was there and we had a long chat with him and learned more about his shop, his time in the US and the evolution of coffee culture in Japan. It's a little out of the way to get to - it took us a bit to figure out the train but it's totally worth it. Catch some wi-fi to post your instas at the Watsons across the street.

The espresso was just excellent and very smooth Would I call it the best espresso in the world ? No Many bars in Italy can claim that. But it is definitely excellent coffee .

Not the most heartwarming experience, but their coffee is excellent. From what I've heard (several of my friends have been here as well), the owner is very particular about the espresso. The power/electricity is supposedly different at certain times of the day, which affects the machine, so that is why the espresso is not served after a certain time. There are signs warning about this, though they may be in Japanese. The customer service is intimidating (the cashier stared down my friend who had a big DSLR, but that is kind of their thing). They have a sign at the register saying something to the effect that no photos are allowed. As for my drink, my mocha tasted more like chocolate milk but I happened to like it. It's a bit of a trek to get here from the more touristy parts of Tokyo, but worth checking out if you're a coffee lover.

World-class espresso, world-class "attitude." People definitely don't visit BEAR POND for the service or the smile, and anyone who's ever read an article or a Yelp review will know that there's a method to every little bit of their madness... except for the scary lady working the counter. I was fortunate enough to get to Shimokitazawa in time to watch Katsu strike up a conversation with his neighboring store owners while swarms of confused tourists walked past the storefront two or three times because there is absolutely no indication that BPE is a cafe when their steel pull-down doors cover up the windows. I came here three times over the course of two years to try their world-famous Angel Stain and after finally having gotten to try it, I'm kind of glad I tip-toed around the storefront all that time to get to it; to quote Katsu, "Bear Pond is about smooth chocolate," and you'll taste things in Katsu's espresso and espresso-based drinks you'd never expect to taste from coffee. If you do end up missing out on the Angel Stain by a hair like the first two times I was here, do try the Gibraltar and the Dirty, and try to pick up a bag of Flower Child if they have it available. And for the love of god, do NOT take pictures without asking their permission first -- they're actually very lax about photos despite their infamous policy, just as so it's with their blessing and it's not before you've had the chance to finish your Angel Stain (Katsu will tell you that you need to drink it within five seconds of him pulling the shot before it starts to turn sour.) Above all else, sit back, relax and try to enjoy one of the finest coffee craftsmen doing what he does best -- the keyword here being "try" :)

You may have heard of this place on a blog or in a magazine, it is a bit of a journey to get here from central Tokyo but it is well worth it. This is one of the best if not the best espresso bars in Tokyo proper. Come here, be good, enjoy your coffee and leave and tell everyone about how you experienced one of the tastiest and most obscure coffee houses in the world. There are some unspoken rules and customs in Bear Pond (like the soup nazi in that Seinfeld episode,lol). Picture taking in and around the establishment isn't really smiled upon. I'd hardly call it a cafe because of how tiny, quiet and the fact there is limited seating. I unknowingly sat in reserve seating in the front window, even though I saw the sign I had thought it was part of props or decorations of the cafe, as I have never encountered reserve seating in a cafe with so few seats. Nevertheless it is charming and a place not to be missed. I ordered a cappuccino which of course was made by none other than,the great Katsu Tanaka. The taste was out of this world, the cappuccino with well pulled shots has a rich and bold taste, as any espresso would, but is toned down by the steamed milk. However as stated by Adam Goldberg in his blog about Bear Pond, I too found the way lattes and cappuccinos reversed. Bear Pond also has some cool mugs and other items only for sale at the shop and nowhere else, I regret not getting a mug to prove I've been there and adding it to my pantheon of around the world coffee experiences.

Don't go out of your way to Shimokitazawa for this shop. Rude cashier. Spilled our drink even before drinking it and didn't even say sorry. People say they have the best cappucino but I was disappointed. I flew all the way from Indonesia not for this disheartening attitude from the owner and mediocre cofgee. P.S. You are not allowed inside with kids. You are not allowed inside for more than an hour. No photo taking - which i got reprimanded of and didn't take - still got a scolding and bad scowl from the scary lady. Maybe that's why she spilled the coffee. Espresso is muddy, dark crema, not in a good way. Milk was steamed terribly. Bubble and just awful.

This is a heads up for any out of towners, avoid the shop. I've spent better half of a year excited to go to this shop for it to end as quickly as I downed my drink. A common trend in other yelp reviews is their severe customer service - fine I still want to try it. Maybe the coffee has some special quality to it that leap frogs it to "must try". Nope. not even a little. It was a shot of espresso (apparently I'm special because they paid their electrical bill on time and the machine wasn't feeling exhausted) and cold milk. But it's messy so that means that's artistic. Which means it's pricey. And it's not worth a cent. It really was as dumb as I'm making it out to be. That's the word. Dumb. I just can't put into words how fustrating the whole experience was - getting barked at to sit down, the uncomfortable and pretentious atmosphere (it's coffee by the way not an elaborate tea ceremony. Don't tell us what we can put in the coffee to adjust it) just took away anything nice I could say about it.

I love this place! Located on the backstreets away from the north side of Shimokitazawa station (use the north central exit), finding the place is half of the fun as you have countless distractions along the way. The walk is well worth it though if you crave a thick, rich, robust hand-drawn espresso or mixed espresso drink. Before proceeding further, a few primer points: - Service: Other reviews have mentioned snarky attitudes of the shop's staff. OK, fair enough; however, they're there to take your order and prepare it properly. The shop is just too small and often crowded - no time for chit chats, no problem. It's not Starbucks! - No photos! OK, if you ask nicely, you can shoot your coffee drink, that's all. No interior panoramas, no revealing selfies, no artsy mood shots just because the interior decor is so sparse and so damn cool. No means no - please don't piss off the baristas! - Food: None on premises to buy. The ONLY food allowed in to enjoy with your excellent coffee is that from across the street - N.Y. Cupcakes and the Mixture Bakery nearby (see photo). On to coffee: They offer a special straight shot on certain days - when supply is available, right after opening and...if you're lucky...damn lucky. For me, one out of five visits so far. I've been craving it since my first taste! Closest is a macchiato, strong, stout and aromatic. Double is ¥500; single ¥350. I recommend getting two singles because after it cools to lukewarm, the taste changes. Drink one, bask in the caffeine high, write a Yelp review (hint, hint), then order your second - one hour gone in the blink of an eye! They also have beans to go. I've yet to try those for home consumption but I will, along with specific recommendations about storage and grinding. Yup, they're expensive too. The current featured variety (also used in the drinks served) is a high altitude Ethiopian bean..didn't spend much time getting the details as I was too busy getting buzzed off the coffee. OK, what else? Try it! Don't expect the whip cream, nuts, sauces and sprinkles you get at other "specialty coffee drink" places. This is a more purist experience - no frills all the way around. P.S. If you're lucky, you can get a seat. Two benches, two plank-bolted-to-the-wall "tables" with minimalist chairs. Each of the four seating places can seat two; that's eight total for the shop. Oh, one bench out front for three skinny people, or two average folks.

My daughter brought us here for shopping for vintage clothing. So many stores and so many choices... We decided too have some coffee while she shopped and she recommended this place. It fits the vibe of this part of Tokyo. Doesn't look like much, very anti corporate/establishment but very good coffee. You have to buy a drink if you want to stay in the shop though. It's a very small space so totally reasonable request. No phots either. If you're in the area don't go to the Starbucks. This fits the vibe perfectly.

So underwhelmed. Don't believe the hype. It's not bad, but I have had easily much better coffee in both SF and Tokyo. I won't even dock points for their shots being weak because I think that's just a Japan thing. The quality of the coffee did not justify the terrible, unwelcoming service and crazy arbitrary rules. There are better places in the same neighborhood to try. Also what the heck, their cappuccino and latte was basically the same.

Absolutely amazing espresso, totally unique roasting flavor that wasn't wholly bitter, but instead was earthy, sweet, and with bite. The service was good. The atmosphere is pretty hipster, they even use a local New York radio station. The one negative is that there are no dairy substitutes, only whole milk and cream.

In my entire month in Japan, I never met someone so extremely rude. The owner is actively hostile to customers, pejorative and pedantic all at once. I could almost forgive that, but the coffee was also completely mediocre. Any of the milk-based drinks tasted nothing of coffee, the espresso drinks tasted over roasted. Coming from NYC, and having had coffee all over the west coast, I expected much better. Won't ever go back, and don't think anyone else should either.

We had the best experience at Bear Pond! My brother recommended we go to Bear Pond while we were in Japan. I am so happy he did because we loved it! The angel stain is nothing like you have ever tasted before, it's great. The owner was very nice to us and was genuine in the questions he asked us! We will definitely go back the next time we are in Japan!

It's worth the short train ride to Shimo-Kitazawa just for a Cappuccino from Bear Pond. It's a tiny but not hard to find coffee shop with limited seating. It wasn't crowded when I got there, but as I drank my cappuccino, a steady stream of coffee fans arrived. The cappuccino is rich and balanced, very chocolate, which I like. I ended up buying some coffee beans (roasted that same day) to take home, which I'm glad I did since it makes an awesome cup of pour-over coffee.

Simple, strong, sensual. Espresso that'll make you feel warm inside, soul and all. The shot is a thick, dark punch of molasses to the face (or taste buds). If you don't know what you like, do some research before come it because they don't know what you like and they can't guess. I suggest not asking for a recommendation, go in with some confidence. The place is small, rustic and clean. The music is easy on the ears. Sit outside on the bench if it's a nice cool day!

This place has the best cappuccino I've ever had in my life! It's teeny tiny, so don't expect to settle in for long. It's also in a very cool neighborhood, so it's a really fun place to walk around. They request no pictures, but the atmosphere is really sweet and cute! Very trendy. If you're someone who cares about coffee, you should definitely make a visit!

Great coffee, great place, great neighborhood. Gibraltar was the bomb! If you like ur coffee strong and black, try the angel stain, intense crema in a shot glass, only 10 cups a day.

Rude, unaccommodating (doesn't serve espresso after 11am-12pm or so), and just an overall horrible experience. Latte flavour and quality is good, but the best coffee in the world couldn't remove the horrible taste left in your mouth after dealing with the "coffee nazi" (not in a positive meaning). If you want equally good coffee in a nicer setting with kind staff, check out On the Corner (bear ponds younger brother) in shibuya.

Rude. This is the only rude encounter we've had in Japan in a neighborhood Vogue mag deemed as "the coolest in Tokyo". Maybe it's on the rise but for us, the area was one of the most boring. And rude thanks to the negative Nancy running Bear Pond. Firstly, smile. Or at least seem like life is actually worth living. The attitude was served up thick along with an iced apple juice which was amazing and an iced coffee that was just okay. The barista also wouldn't let us sit in the window, offering it to locals instead. Listen lady, I'm in this town ONCE in my life and also supporting your business - I'mma sit where I damn please. The no photo rule seemed silly too as they weren't doing anything different and we live in a sharing economy. It's 2015. But, it's their house, and you've got to respect house rules as a guest. Needless to say, we will never be back. A sour attitude does not get my repeat business.

If you're an espresso fan abroad, you owe yourself a trek here. I'm from San Francisco, where we smugly pride ourselves on a fanatical devotion to espresso preparation. Bear Pond is on an entirely different coffee plane. I had read a bit about their espresso prep method -- heavily-packed portafilters with very little water, something like an extreme ristretto. Allegedly, the owner doesn't let anyone else touch the machine, so as to avoid messing with its just-so calibration. I was excited to see the guy's technique in action, but the woman behind the counter told me I couldn't watch because "it would make him nervous". I'm not sure if that's actually the case, or if they're just tired of overcaffeinated tourists -- but I liked the idea of a barista requiring that much focus. Anyway, after several (presumably) laborious minutes, I was handed my espresso. The shot was literally only a few drops (probably 1/4 the volume of a standard shot), with the texture and flavor of dark chocolate syrup. And it was really good.

Terrible people. I'd read so much stuff about this place and was giddy with excitement when I finally stepped in. I love camping and really wanted to grab some enamel mugs and the filter he'd developed for camping. Everything I read spoke of his quirks but he was made out to be seemingly down to earth. The second I walked through the door holding my 9-month old, I was told no kids. No kids was repeatedly said to me so I left empty handed after traveling all the way from Los Angeles. I have the happiest baby too! Don't trust the garbage you read on blogs. Unless you look a certain way, your business will not be welcome.

Best coffee I've ever had in my entire life. I travel to Japan once a year and when I do I absolutely must go here. Truly a chocolate-y, smooth espresso with zero trace of bitterness. Yes, the staff are not glowing and chatty like Starbucks employees, but the quality of the coffee, their expertise and the atmosphere are worth it. Music is all melancholy 60's hippie jams. They speak English perfectly and offer English to foreigners before you can fumble in broken Japanese (if you need). The perfect place to write in your diary about unrequited love. I'm still looking for the NYC equivalent.

Rude owner. They told me to leave the restaurant when I came in with kids and said they have an unposted "no kids" rule in their coffee shop. I've never had this happen before and thought it was pretty unbelievable.

The worst customer service I've ever had in Japan. I am sure the coffee is fine but I didn't even try it. I was criticized and insulted by a surly barista (she wasn't Japanese). When I asked her a simple question about the coffee she suggested that I take my business elsewhere (I did and vowed to never return) and my friend who had already ordered and paid for her coffee was told to leave once receiving her order because I didn't order anything. I wanted to try this place because I had heard good things about the coffee and I even made a special trip to shimokitazawa. But the rude service turned me off and I will not be back. Disappointing because JAPAN usually has excellent customer service.

Everyone is so well-mannered in Japan so it's jarring to experience customer service that is as unwelcoming and unfriendly as it is at this place. I came with a party of six, all of whom ordered coffee. Because I wasn't drinking any coffee they told me I was not allowed to stay inside with everyone else. (The place was not busy - there was no line). They made it clear that if I'm not spending money, I'm not welcome. We all vowed not to go back again. Horrible, horrible.

Rude, rude, rude! Could any coffee be worth the extreme arrogant attitude and dehumanizing treatment? I think not. I stumbled upon this place and happily went in for an espresso. To my confusion, I was told that they didn't have espresso.. (note the name of the place as well as the fact that the workers wear shirts saying 'espresso'..). when I inquired what was available, I was told a macchiato.. To this day, I still don't get how they make macchiato bypassing the espresso phase, but whatever... who cares.. When I questioned this, I was scolded, and I told to get out because I hadn't spent money! (not like they gave me a chance to - I did want some kind of coffee). However, I am very glad I did not support them in any way. I got kicked out an espresso place for asking for an espresso!! WTF? There was a happy ending to this story, however. I went down the street and happened to come upon YANAKA COFFEE! omg, simply one of the best coffees I've ever had! I am so happy to have discovered them. I suggest you do the same instead of supporting the assholes at Bear Pond.

Try to get a shot of espresso. He only serves something like 20 shots a day. We got there when it opened and luckily, all three of us managed to get a shot. It is one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. The espresso is extremely viscous and syrupy. My whole mouth was tingling - I have never experienced anything even remotely close to this anywhere else. Very flowery, balanced... I honestly don't have language for bear pond espresso, it surpasses my linguistic abilities. If you ever find yourself in Tokyo, make the pilgrimage here. I would literally go back to Tokyo just to go here again.