Breakfast at Chef's Table Courtesy of Chef's Table

Tokyo is a gastronome's paradise, but there's one thing missing from the three-squares-a-day scene: a place to get a good breakfast. The traditional Japanese breakfast of rice, pickles and miso soup, with or without a raw egg, is not particularly appealing to many Westerners in the early hours of the morning. Even fans of all types of sushi tend to be less adventurous at breakfast time! If your idea of a good day-starter is a croissant or an omelet, try one of these places. Stephanie Wratten

Anna Miller's
Open 24 hours daily. Akasakamitsuke: Akasaka 3-5-2, Minato-ku (3586-7369). Hiroo: Minami Hiroo 5-10-24, Minato-ku (3446-6577). Shibuya: 13 Uchidagawacho, Chitose Kaikan1F, Shibuya-ku (3463-9273). Kichijoji: 2-4-1 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi (0422-21-3493). For other locations call 0120-489-020.

The food is fairly uninspired American grub of the old-school variety. But they do serve breakfast 24 hours a day (omelets, eggs and bacon, pancakes, etc.) at low, low prices and the cup of coffee is bottomless. They even have decaf, too.

Chef's Table
Open 7am-9pm Mon-Fri. Closed Sat, Sun and holidays. 3-20-6 Toranomon, Minato-ku (5405-4473). Nearest stn.: Kamiyacho, exit 3.

The freshly baked croissants and pain au chocolat are delicious. There's tea, coffee, and unremarkable cappuccino. Soup and a variety of sandwiches are available, as well as healthy and refreshing fruit smoothies. There's a bench to sit on, but the table is the right height for standing, so either is awkward. Take-out is probably your best option.

Little Tribeca
Open 8:30am-10pm daily. 1-7-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku (3400-0555). Nearest stn.: Shibuya.

Little Tribeca does an interesting assortment of cream cheese spreads which can be ordered to go or on top of one of their chewy, crusty bagels. Try blueberry, lox spread, tofu or aloe vera on your choice of plain, garlic, onion, sesame, poppy, cinnamon raisin or blueberry. Pair it with a yummy cappuccino or a sinful Caffe Mocha for a great start to a long day of shopping.

Soup Deli's bagel break Stephanie Wratten

Soup Deli
Open 9am-10pm Mon through Fri. 2-34 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku (03-5226-0050). Nearest stn.: Jimbocho, exit 2A.

Has bagels and coffee in addition to soups and deli items. The bagels are bread-like - not New York-style - but pretty tasty nonetheless. There is one table and a counter with stools along the wall. At lunch time this restaurant has a deli counter - you can fill a take out container for JY180 per 100gm.

Wall Street Lounge
Open 6pm-9am daily. 3-15-24 Roppongi, #2 Togensha Bldg 2F (3478-7659). Nearest stn.: Roppongi.

This newly opened, very comfortable bar cum Internet cafe cum TV room does a hearty English breakfast every weekday morning between the hours of 4 and 9am, and from 11pm-9am on weekends. Starting at JY800, have your choice of toast, sausage, bacon, eggs, tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, omelets, chips and more.