Nishi-Ogikubo: A Must-Reserve Spot Even on Weekdays – Grace’s Exquisite Handmade Specialty, "Strawberry Pie," Is Worth the Visit

「ティーアンドケーキグレース」の「いちごのパイ」イメージ — Image of TEA & CAKE Grace’s “Strawberry Pie”

The specialty tea café “TEA & CAKE Grace” in Nishi-Ogikubo Station offers its popular seasonal sweet, “Strawberry Pie,” made with fresh, in-season strawberries from January through spring.

All cakes at TEA & CAKE Grace are handmade in-house, with the menu changing to match the seasonal fruits. In addition to tea, the café also offers a variety of coffee options.

While every item is exceptional, the “Strawberry Pie” is particularly popular. As soon as sales begin, a reservation battle for takeout orders ensues. When I called, nearly all slots for the coming week were fully booked—even on weekdays. The café itself is packed even on weekdays, with a line forming outside. After coordinating my schedule, I had to wait nearly 10 days for a reservation. If you’re lucky, you might secure one the day before, but calling early is highly recommended.

In conclusion, it was well worth the wait—I was glad I made a reservation.

After entering the café and placing my order, it arrived in about 5 to 10 minutes. The pie featured a visibly crisp and flaky pastry crust, fresh strawberries, rich red strawberry sauce, custard, and a perfectly thick white cream drizzled on top. The combination of these elements formed a dessert that looked like a masterpiece from a European painting—or perhaps a mouthwatering illustration straight out of a gourmet manga.

When I gently pressed my fork into the soft pastry, it made a satisfying “crisp” sound. The sweetness of the custard and cream was not overpowering, allowing the natural tartness and sweetness of the strawberries to shine through. The slight variation in taste and texture from the cream added another layer of enjoyment. Everything was perfectly balanced, making it incredibly easy to eat. It’s no surprise that it’s consistently praised as “exquisite” on social media and various review sites.

If you’re searching for one of the best strawberry pies in Tokyo, this should definitely be on your list. It’s a dessert worth making the trip for. If you have room, be sure to try their other cakes as well—they’re just as highly rated.

Please note that the café’s closing days, prices, and availability periods may change.

TEA & CAKE Grace
Address: 3-16-6 Nishiogiminami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Takeout: Available
Closed: Sundays & Mondays
Payment: Cash only (Japanese yen)
Phone: 03-3331-8108