Cafe La Boheme

A few months ago, I was promising to better explore the cafes of Tokyo's busy Shinjuku district, and I'm afraid I haven't been doing a very good job. Even though Shinjuku has the city's biggest station, and there's certainly no lack of shopping or eating options, I continually find myself gravitating to other parts of the city. But I haven't given up, and so a recent stop in the area brought me to a branch of the Cafe La Boheme chain of budget Italian eateries.

The Shinjuku location (1-1-7 Shinjuku, 03-5366-2242) is notable for its proximity to the massive Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, so getting there means a pleasant walk along the park. The shop itself is one of the biggest branches I've experienced, with a vast open hall, but the best spots are the booths on the second floor that offer a pleasant balcony-like perch. The food is good, and the branches are always open late (until 3 a.m.) -- definitely something to keep in mind when you miss that last train.

Cafe La Boheme [Official site]