If size matters, come here for the Chiffon cake

Area: Jinryo Station (if you follow the main road in front of the station for about 10min, you'll reach this cafe)

Restaurant: Milkbush Cafe

Website:  http://milkbush.info/shop.html

It's on the outskirts of Nagoya, but if you're in the area, it's a nice cafe to visit.  The shop reminds me of a country house in Canada, something you won't find much around the busy centre of Nagoya.  

They seem to be known for their Chiffon cake, so that's what a friend and I shared.  For the whole cake and a coffee it was about 900円.  But it's HUGE, so sharing it might be a good idea!  

It was a light and fluffy cake with delectable cream filling, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come just for that.  Especially since roll cakes, and cream cakes are so popular in Japan, it's easy to find a cafe closer to wherever you are.  

Want good quality coffee??

Area: Unimall (East side of JR Station, underground shopping area), around exit No. 6
Cafe: Kohikan （珈琲館）
Map: http://www.ufs.co.jp/shop-search/shop_id/212

This is a big chain cafe, but I really think their coffee is of high quality.  They have a variety to choose from and it's made in a stylish, glass vacuum coffee maker, from which it is served and poured at your table.

The sandwich set is a good deal considering one coffee is over 400円.  The set comes with a salad, coffee and sandwich for only 880円　(depending on the sandwich you choose).  I had the smoked salmon sandwich (is it because I'm Canadian that I wanted this?).  I like my bread toasted, WITH crust, so I was pleased with the execution of it here.  The salmon marinated well with onions and crispy lettuce.  If I want a nice sandwich these days I often come to this cafe.

It's a small place and could feel cramped at times.  Not the most modern looking, but the coffee makes up for that!

Open-air is why this cafe is alright

Area: Near Bic camera at JR Nagoya Station
Restaurant: Valis Cafe & Bar
Map and info: http://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001027666/

This was the lunch ladies set (1200円）.  It consisted of a pumpkin soup, avocado salad, vinegar fish salad, ratatouille-like veggies, potato salad, spaghetti and a western flavoured tamago-yaki (like an omelette).  Dessert and coffee were also included.

The sweet chilled soup was very smooth and silky making me think it was mostly cream.  Avocado salad was refreshing and had chunks of shrimp (always a good match).  The spaghetti was very plain and I think it could have used either a thicker sauce or more spices.  The flavours of this lunch were not that impressive, but I like that there were 6 different things to try (who has time to cook 6 different dishes for themselves for lunch!).

It was relaxing to have lunch in this open-air cafe.  With its decor, it had the feeling of sitting in a beach bar at a resort (minus the view of the cars and the surrounding buildings...) I'm not sure if I'd necessarily come back here for the food, but the atmosphere was a plus.

Bright and Friendly...and cheap pizza!

Area:  Near Nagoya station.  Inside the Winc Aichi building (Exit 7 of Unimall underground shopping area)
Restaurant: Flat Cafe
Website: http://www.ys-labo.jp/flatcafe_meieki/index.html
Map: http://tabelog.com/aichi/A2301/A230101/23033963/

One thing I miss when I'm in Japan is cheap but yummy pizza.  Why is it that a medium sized pizza here can cost about 2500円 when back home it is a fifth of that price?  For that amount, I'd expect there to be foie gras and real cheese on it.

When I saw pizza as an option on the lunch set menu for under 1000円, I had to give into my yearning.  It's not a medium sized pizza, but this margherita pizza did satisfy my taste buds.  The crust was a nice chewy texture similar to Neapolitan style pizza.  It's a very simple, plain pizza....if I were served this at a pizza parlor I might be disappointed, but this cafe is not a pizza parlor nor an Italian restaurant.  As such, I was pleased with my choice!!  

Although the cafe is in the basement of the building, it is brightly lit and its colourful atmosphere makes it feel like an outdoor cafe.  Overall a great place to rest and have a bite!

Tad $$$, but that's Midland Square for you

Area: Midland Square (4th floor)

Restaurant: Bishoku Maimon (美食　米門）

Website: http://www.midland-square.com/shop/shop_guide_check.php?store_code=402

This lunch may be fit for a special occasion, as it is a tad on the more expensive side (around 2800円 range).  But it does include top-notch sashimi, crab+fish eggs on top of sushi rice, scrumptious chawan mushi (steamed egg savoury custard), tempura, nice quality steamed pork (like shabu shabu) and grilled fish.  Dessert and coffee are also included.  

The atmosphere of this restaurant is what makes this meal worth the money.  The flavours were right on, but nothing out of the ordinary.  The modern design, spaciousness, and comfort is perfect for a date....you can have an intimate conversation without the next table hearing you. 

It's a safe choice if yo want to treat someone to a nice meal!

Sakura-dori Cafe: One of the best cafe's so far!!

Area: Sakura-dori, close to Kokusai International Centre (exit 14 of unimall underground shops)
Restaurant: Sakura-dori cafe 桜通りカフェ
Website: http://product-shop.jp/cafe.php

I have to say right off the bat, I recommend this cafe!
It's a cafe/shop/travel info store that specializes in products of the Mie district.  It's modern, non-smoking, and quiet making it a nice & relaxing atmosphere.

The day's lunch was a crispy outside, juicy inside, flavourful chicken with green onion and shiitake mushrooms.  The rice was topped with a soy sauce based hijiki (goes nicely if you mix it with the rice as well).  The soup was a healthy but tasty seaweed soup and the white flakes were egg, meant to sprinkle over!  A nice change from miso soup.

Take a look at the website, they post their day's special lunch and where the ingredients come from.

I'd say the entire meal is worth more than I paid, considering the volume and my satisfaction.  All for 850円！Will definitely be going back....

Sumi Cafe: Healthy, Inventive, Comfortable Cafe

Area: Near Marunouchi station
Restaurant: Sumi Cafe
Website: http://www.lafetecompany.com/about-1/sumi-cafe/

Salad, baked fish with squash + mushrooms + cheese, boiled egg, tsukemono, miso soup, tomato sauce veggies.  The Healthy Lunch set, all for a good price of about 780円.  The baked fish was nice...just the right amount of seasoning and it went well with the squash.  The miso soup was a bit different than the usual; it may have had shiitake flavouring in the base, but it added oomph.
I liked the amount of veggies and their preparation... it's sometimes difficult to find something other than shredded cabbage salad in Japan, but this cafe seems a bit more adventurous.

The atmosphere: very calm and quiet, comfortable seating.  Would definitely come back again!

Bond Cafe: Stylish and Modern Cafe on the not so stylish side of JR Nagoya

Area: Nakamura-ku (Bic Camera side of JR Nagoya Station, about a 10min. walk)
Restaurant: Bond Cafe
Website: http://www.bond-create.jp/bondcafe/index.html

Salmon, avocado, mayonnaise...you can't go wrong!  The sweetness of the teriyaki-like sauce was just fitting.  This was one of the daily lunch specials at Bond Cafe, a very stylish restaurant/bar.  All for under 900円 including a delicious cup of coffee (not sure where the beans are from, but delicious!). Considering the coffee is normally over 400円 per cup, the lunch deal is a steal.

The cafe's atmosphere, small, quaint, but modern and in the summer opens up to a nice patio, adds to this cafe's attractiveness.  I would like to go back for dinner sometime for a special occasion with the girls...

Anzu tei: Spicy, but flavourful ramen....a must-try!

Area:  West side of JR Station (BIC Camera side, about a 10min walk from the station)
Restaurant: Anzu-tei 杏亭
Info on the Web: http://tabelog.com/aichi/A2301/A230101/23009093/

Spicy is the main word here!  This small, but busy restaurant is supposed to have one of the best tan-tan men (Taiwan flavour ramen) in Nagoya.  I have not tried all the tan-ten men in this city, but that statement might just be true.  I shouldn't just use the word spicy.... there is also a nice combination of ingredients that give the soup an addictive flavour. The ground meat also adds a strong flavourful component so it's delicious even when mixed into to the soup.

It's pretty busy and service is quick here at this counter-only restaurant, so if  you're looking for somewhere peaceful and calm this might not be the place for you. It definitely fits the image of a ramen-ya.

Yamamotoya Honten: It's all about al dente in this UDON

Area: various (JR Station - ESCA, Lucent Tower, Sakae - Chunichi Building)
Restaurant: Yamamotoya Honten 山本屋本店
Website: www.yamamotoyahonten.co.jp 
                (or take a look at http://tabelog.com/aichi/A2301/A230101/23000122/)


This is another one of Nagoya's specialities; Miso Nikomi Udon.  The soup is thick, and of course made from red miso, so it's fairly strong in the miso flavour.

What I liked about this udon were the noodles.  If you like chewy, al dente noodles, this is the place to go!  They are housemade and DON'T have the texture of soft soupy overcooked noodles.

It's a little more expensive than regular udon, but it's worth the visit once in a while.  The veggies they bring before the soup are 'jiyu', meaning you can ask for another plate.
 I can't remember if they had other flavoured soups, but I'd definitely be interested in trying it if they do.