#Japan #Tokyo #Impressionism #Café 1894 #Mitsubishi Ichigokan

Artistic Dining Experience at Café 1894

From June 13 to September 23, 2026, Café 1894 at the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum will host a unique dining experience, featuring an exhibition titled "Artists Gather in Cafés – From Impressionism to Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Picasso." This collaborative menu reflects the culinary offerings reminiscent of 19th-century Parisian cafés, celebrated for their role as communal spaces for artists.

Lunch Special: Parisian Café Lunch

Available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the special lunch is priced at 2,800 yen (tax included). It includes:

• - Appetizer: A fresh herb salad with smoked duck, grapes, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and walnuts, finished with a red wine vinegar dressing.
• - Main Course: Chicken thigh cooked in porcini cream and wrapped in a tortilla-style galette, designed to balance robust flavors and spices for a satisfying meal.

This menu not only represents the artistic vibrancy of 19th-century Paris but also aims to tantalize the palate with rich culinary details.

Mini Dessert: Cocoa and Amaretti Bonet

For an added treat, a mini dessert priced at 500 yen (tax included) is also available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This cocoa-flavored pudding is inspired by the interplay of cocoa and café culture in late 19th-century Paris, showcasing a harmony of textures with vanilla bean aroma and delicate Amaretti cookies.

Signature Dessert: Classic Paris-Brest with Pistachio and Cherry

Served from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, this dessert, priced at 1,550 yen (tax included), is inspired by the Paris-Brest cycle race. It features rich pistachio cream, the tartness of griotte cherries, and cool vanilla ice cream—an exquisite balance perfect for summer.

Dinner Offerings

From 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the dinner menu incorporates elements of Spanish cuisine, reflecting the influence of Paris cafés on prominent artists such as Picasso. Priced at 2,000 yen (tax included), the Quattro Tapas appetizers feature:

• - Marinated cherry tomatoes in the style of Pan con Tomate
• - Smoked duck and fig tartine
• - Octopus a la Gallega
• - Spanish potato tortilla

The Montmartre Windmill Paella is offered as the main course for 3,000 yen (tax included), featuring seafood goodness inspired by the famous windmills of Montmartre, accompanied by a separately served squid ink sauce for flavor variation.

Dessert lovers can enjoy the Moulin Rouge Spectacle for 2,200 yen (tax included). This artistic parfait encapsulates the vibrancy of the famous cabaret, with layers of rich chocolate, cassis sorbet, grapes, and white wine jelly for a flavorful experience.

Signature Drinks

Available from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Café 1894 offers:

• - Muse’s Favorite (1,000 yen) – a non-alcoholic espresso tonic with orange, served to complement your meal.
• - La Goule Highball (1,200 yen) – inspired by the famous dancer La Goule from Toulouse-Lautrec’s artwork, featuring a cacao-infused highball reflecting the spirit of the late 19th century.

In summary, the Café 1894 experience offers a chance to delight in gourmet cuisine while exploring artistic history, honoring the vibrant café culture that shaped modern art.

Event Background

This exhibition, organized by the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum and the Hiroshima Museum of Art, showcases approximately 130 pieces from renowned artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Picasso, alongside the masterpiece “Madeleine” by Catalan artist Casas. It highlights the social and cultural significance of cafés during the era, marking a pivotal shift towards modern artistic expression.

Café 1894 Details

Located in Marunouchi, Tokyo, Café 1894 was once a banking space from the Meiji period in 1894, beautifully restored to offer visitors a serene atmosphere. Open daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, it remains an excellent venue for enjoying art and cuisine.

For more recent updates on opening hours, visit Café 1894's website.