Not a castle keep this time — a temple of tea. I visited the Mariage Frères main store in Ginza. A long queue stretched out from the entrance, proof of just how popular this place is. A gloriously glossy chocolate cake and a slightly strong cup of tea made for a rather elegant afternoon.
What Kind of Place is Mariage Frères?
Mariage Frères is a long-established tea house founded in Paris in 1854. The Ginza main store sits on Suzuran-dori: the ground floor is a boutique selling teas and teaware, while the first and second floors house the salon de thé. The sheer number of teas on offer is almost dizzying — opening the menu made my head spin a little (laughs). If in doubt, asking the knowledgeable staff seems the way to go — and that’s exactly what I did. My staff member really knew their teas, so you can safely leave yourself in their hands ❤️
A Tabletop Journey: Mariage Frères Ginza Main Store
From the queue at the entrance to cake, tea, and Rouge Bourbon for home, in the order the visit unfolded.
4 scenes
The Queue at the Entrance
When I arrived, plenty of people were already lined up outside. The building has a wonderfully French air that somehow blends right into the Ginza streetscape, and just looking up at it lifted my spirits. The moment I stepped inside, the beautiful scent made me so happy I must have looked slightly suspicious, grinning away (lol).
The Glossy Chocolate Cake★Star of the Day
My choice was a rich chocolate cake with a beautifully glossy surface. Slide the knife in, and a framboise sauce (or was it? some kind of berry, anyway) comes oozing out from the centre. On top, a drizzle of mint sauce — rich, yet with a refreshingly clean finish. The plate with the brand’s logo was lovely too, and my pre-tasting photo session ran rather long (laughs). I just wanted to eat it already.
A Slightly Strong Chai-Based Tea
For my tea, I chose a slightly strong blend of Colombian tea and chai. I wanted a partner that could stand up to that rich chocolate cake, and it turned out to be exactly right. The spiced aroma balanced the sweetness of the cake beautifully.
A Box of Rouge Bourbon to Take Home★The Finale
Before leaving, I picked up a tea for home at the boutique: Rouge Bourbon, a vanilla-flavoured rooibos. I’d loved the rooibos version of Marco Polo before, and the words “vanilla flavour” won me over. It’s caffeine-free, so my evenings just gained a new little pleasure.
Final Thoughts
A queue-worthy tea house in Ginza, a cake, a pot of tea, and a box to take home. Even after stepping outside, I felt as though a lovely fragrance lingered around me for a while.
Next comes brewing Rouge Bourbon at home. The journey continues — at my own table. And next time, I’m thinking afternoon tea ❤️
