Au Temps Jadis Harajuku | Buckwheat Galettes & Crepes Worth the 1-Hour Wait

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Au Temps Jadis |

There’s a galette shop worth waiting in line for an hour to eat at.

" Au Temps Jadis." Meaning "days gone by" or "the good old days" in French, this café is a brick house quietly nestled in a Harajuku alleyway. Its overwhelming charm lies in its unique atmosphere—just one look at the exterior makes you think, "I absolutely have to go inside."

Specializing in authentic Breton-style buckwheat galettes and dessert crepes, this café often has a one-hour wait on weekends. Yet the line never seems to end—and once you visit, you’ll understand exactly why.

A brick house that captivates you just by looking at its exterior

Tucked just off Harajuku’s main street, this classic brick building appears out of nowhere. With ivy-covered arched windows, an iron gate, and white lanterns, it looks as if it were plucked straight from a small French town.

Long lines form in front of this building on weekends. I actually visited on a weekend and waited in line for about an hour. Since lines often form even on weekdays, I recommend allowing plenty of time for your visit. Even so, it’s definitely worth the wait.

Antique-style interior | It feels like you’ve wandered into a French country home

The moment you step inside, you’ll be taken aback by the atmosphere. The ceiling features exposed old beams, the walls are plastered, there’s a fireplace, and the shelves are lined with antique tableware and knick-knacks. It feels like you’ve wandered into an old country house café in the French countryside—a truly unique and enchanting space.

The tables are set with red gingham check tablecloths. The floral napkins placed on the tables are charming, and every detail has been carefully coordinated. Through the windows, you can see the terrace seating in the courtyard, and the scenery created by the brick walls and trees is truly picturesque.

Many guests are dressed in Lolita fashion or classic styles, blending perfectly with the café’s unique atmosphere. There are photo spots everywhere you look inside the café.

Menu | We recommend the A Set for ¥2,500

The menu is simple, featuring three main set options.

• Set A ¥2,500: Buckwheat Galette + Dessert Crepe + Drink
• Set B ¥1,800: Buckwheat Galette + Drink
• Set C ¥1,500: Dessert crepe + drink

We highly recommend Set A, which lets you enjoy both a galette and a crepe. You can choose from a total of 7 types of galettes, and there are several varieties of dessert crepes as well. We offer a wide selection of drinks, including coffee, tea, and fruit juice, and you can also choose alcoholic beverages such as cider or beer (+¥200).

Tasting Report | I Ordered the A Set

This time, I ordered the A Set (¥2,500 + ¥100). For the galette, I chose “② Tomato, Egg, and Cheese Galette (Oregano-flavored).”

The galette is neatly folded into a square, with a soft-boiled egg, tomatoes, and cheese wrapped inside, and finished with a fragrant sprinkle of oregano and paprika powder. The buckwheat dough is thin and crispy on the outside, with a chewy texture on the inside. Breaking the egg yolk as you eat allows all the flavors to blend together, creating an exquisite dish. It had a somewhat rustic, gentle flavor reminiscent of French country cuisine.

For dessert, I ordered the “ Butter, Sugar, and Lemon Crêpe.” It’s a simple dish consisting of a crêpe folded into a triangle, served with powdered sugar, butter, and a slice of lemon. Precisely because it’s so simple, the deliciousness of the crêpe itself really shines through. Squeezing a bit of lemon added a refreshing touch, making it a perfect, light finish after the galette.

For my drink, I chose the “ Apple Earl Grey Tea (Iced).” Served in a charming floral-patterned glass, it had a refreshing taste where the crisp aroma of apple blended perfectly with the Earl Grey tea. It paired exceptionally well with my meal.

Things to know before you line up

• Be prepared for a wait of over an hour on weekends. It’s often crowded even on weekdays
• Since they don’t accept reservations (though it’s recommended to check availability), it’s best to aim for the early hours
• The restaurant is on the small side, so visiting in small groups (1–2 people) tends to result in shorter wait times
• If you want to take your time taking photos, we recommend visiting right after opening on a weekday

Store Information

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