Ten Tokyo bars our editors book for Mother's Day brunch — civilised pours, no DJ, an honest mimosa list.
Mother's Day brunch in Tokyo is its own genre. Half the venues that pitch for it run a deafening DJ set and a £45 bottomless mimosa scheme; the other half quietly serve the best brunch in the room with no surcharge. Our editors only book the second category. These are the ten Tokyo bars our team takes our own mothers to.
The Tokyo brunch picks our editors actually use
The first six picks below are the editors' default — the rooms we send a friend to first when they ask. Each is followed by a recommendation we have ordered ourselves at least three times. Click any bar name to read the full review, signature drink notes, neighbourhood guide and how to book.
At Bar Leyenda in Ebisu, the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
At The SG Club in Shibuya, the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
In Shinjuku, Zoetrope the japanese whisky flight arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
Bar Trench sits in Ebisu, and the trench old fashioned arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
Tokyo Confidential sits in Akasaka, and the confidential old fashioned arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Bar Kage in Roppongi, the kage sour is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Order: Kage Sour
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These last four are the editors' deeper-cut picks. Smaller rooms, more specific energy. If the first six feel obvious to you — meaning you have already been — start here.
At SG Low in Shibuya, the low punch arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the 11am and 2pm slots are the picks; book either one as soon as the calendar opens. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
In Ebisu, Bar Tram the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the 11am and 2pm slots are the picks; book either one as soon as the calendar opens. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
The Bellwood sits in Shibuya, and the bellwood highball is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the 11am and 2pm slots are the picks; book either one as soon as the calendar opens. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
The Blacksmith (in Roppongi) the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the 11am and 2pm slots are the picks; book either one as soon as the calendar opens. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Order: Blacksmith Whiskey Sour
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Three Mother's Day rules. Book the 11am or 2pm slot — the noon-to-1pm window is loud. Skip the 'bottomless' offers; the picks on this list pour properly and the bill ends up the same. And ask the manager about a corner table when you book — most rooms on this list keep one back for family bookings.
Other seasonal Tokyo guidesFrom New Year's Eve to Halloween - every annual Tokyo occasion our editors cover, cross-linked.
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