Courtesy of pb's cafe

One of the new trends among boutiques is to combine the shopping experience with an eating experience in the form of an in-store cafe. Perhaps full-stomached customers are happier and likely to spend more yen than wilting famished ones. In any case, a word of warning: Many of these places cater to Japanese women with pea-sized appetites, not starving, gluttonous men. Also, many fall into the designer trap of looking good - but little else. As a general rule, minimal decor equals minimal satisfaction at major prices. Choose your food like you choose your shoes - with care. Samantha Johansen

pb's cafe
This is a worthy exception to the minimal decor/minimal quality rule. Perched high above Omotesando Dori on the third floor of the Penny Black boutique, pb's picture window offers one of the best people-watching vistas in the area. There is also a selection of browsable Japanese, Italian and English fashion magazines. The spinach pie lunch set (JY1200) was delicious and came with good coffee. The panini option looked more filling (albeit in a baguette) and used high quality mozzarella. Our salad was summarily swapped for cheesecake - thankfully, as the cake was excellent. Again, the portions wouldn't satisfy Musashimaru but are better than some. Bruschetta JY300, insalata caprese JY800, panini JY850, coffee JY400-JY600, glass of wine JY700.
Open Sun-Thu, 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm. 6-3-9 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku (03-5464-0707). Nearest stn: Meiji-Jingumae.

Obrero
Slightly off the beaten track, the restaurant below this large clothes store is pretty impressive. The Gap among fashion cafes, it has a vibrant atmosphere, good range of food, friendly staff and reasonable prices. Lunch sets (with salad and drink) included a Parmesan and pumpkin risotto (not bad, but slightly like cheesy rice pudding), sausage and tomato spaghetti (both JY1000), steak sets (JY1200) and a panini set (JY850). Wine or beer can be included as the drink for an extra JY100. Extensive drink menu and evening menu of salads, omelets, pasta and risotto (JY1000-JY2000) also available. Portion sizes are normal, too. A fun place which attracts a friendly variety of customers.
Open 11:30am-11pm. 6-16-23 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku (03-3406-6402). Nearest stns: Meiji-Jingumae, Shibuya.

Trans Cafe
Behind the Trans World men's/women's fashion store on Meiji Dori and next to Giorgio Armani, the Trans Cafe is a colorful, bustling, unpretentious place with probably the best menu of the lot. Their panini (JY950) was by far the most authentic, with warm bread and delicious tomatoes and mozzarella. Other dishes include Thai-style chicken (JY1000), an Asian platter (JY1100), Japanese omelets (JY1000) and a mouth-watering selection of desserts, from crepes to banana cake. Also serves an interesting selection of Belgian beers (JY900-JY1100).
Open 11:30am-10pm. 1-23-17 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku (03-3834-5246). Nearest stn: Shibuya.