Famous Tokyo-based bakery-café chain Bread, Espresso & has set up its flagship roastery in the quiet neighbourhood of Nishitenma in Osaka, and it’s easily one of the city’s most atmospheric places to enjoy a cup of coffee.
Formerly a factory from the nostalgic Showa era (1926–1989), the facility now supplies coffee to the brand’s 30-plus outlets across Japan, all roasted here using a state-of-the-art Probatone roasting machine from Germany. Moreover, the repurposed space also houses a gelato workshop producing an enticing selection of flavours including matcha, earl grey, salted caramel, black sesame and many more.
To best savour the coffee and gelato freshly roasted and churned on the premises, order one of the signature affogatos. Designed to look like its namesake pastry, the doughnut affogato comes in two variants: a ‘white’ version that pours espresso over a scoop of vanilla gelato, and a ‘black’ version that reverses the composition by pouring milk over rich espresso gelato.
For something even more indulgent, the canelé affogato combines your choice of gelato with a beautifully caramelised canelé, topped with a strong shot of espresso. On the menu, you’ll also find an array of toasts made with the brand’s signature loaf, featuring toppings like prosciutto and eggs, salmon and cream cheese, as well as the classic Japanese pairing of red bean and butter.
Bread, Espresso & Roastery has beautifully preserved the factory’s original retro vibes. The ground floor offers a moody, industrial aesthetic, while the second floor resembles an old-school office from the ’70s, complete with vintage metal desks, cabinets and chalkboards. The calming, laidback atmosphere is just perfect for lingering.
AloJapan.com