Cafe & Sweets · Practical guide
CAFÉ de CRIÉ
Solbeige Frozen Frappes, Toasted Sandwiches & Relaxing Cafe Workspaces
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
Last checked against official information: 2026-11-09.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | カフェ・ド・クリエ (Cafe de Crie) |
| Category | Dining & Cafe / French-Inspired Casual Self-Service Cafe, Specialty Frappes & Fresh Sandwiches (CAFÉ de CRIÉ Official Website) |
| Store Count | 171 locations nationwide (as of September 2026) across major railway station buildings, downtown business districts, hospitals, and shopping centers throughout Japan, operated by C-United Co., Ltd. (founded in Nagoya/Tokyo in 1994) (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Fast-casual self-service cafe: walk up to the order counter; order drinks, hot sandwiches, and pastas from the overhead menu board; pay at register; collect beverages immediately on your tray; take a numbered table stand for freshly toasted sandwiches delivered to your seat; clear tray to return counter |
| Membership Required? | No reservation, membership, or ID required |
| Approximate Price Range | Fresh-brewed coffee and tea ~¥350–¥490; signature Solbeige frozen frappes ~¥530–¥690 (by flavour); hot toasted sandwiches ~¥630–¥650; fresh pasta lunch sets with drink ~¥850–¥1,100; strictly zero cover charge (¥0 Otoshi); all tax-included (as of October 3, 2026; subject to revision) |
| Payment Methods | Cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA), electronic money (iD, QUICPay), and smartphone QR code payments (PayPay, 楽天ペイ, d-barai) |
| Multilingual Support | Storefront menu boards feature clear English item names, vivid color photographs, and visual seasonal beverage charts |
What it is
CAFÉ de CRIÉ (カフェ・ド・クリエ), established in 1994 and operated by cafe powerhouse C-United, is beloved across Japan as a warm, French-inspired everyday cafe sanctuary. Designed around the concept of bringing Parisian sidewalk cafe ease to Japanese daily life, CAFÉ de CRIÉ provides an unpretentious, comfortable space for solo travelers, workers, and sightseers. The chain is internationally renowned for its signature blended frozen frappes called "Solbeige" (ソルベージュ)—most famously its seasonal cult-favorite Mint Chocolate Solbeige (Chocomint) — a summer limited edition — topped with whipped cream and chocolate flakes—alongside freshly grilled Toasted Sandwiches (Toast Sand) pressed to order, fresh chewy pasta dishes, and rich chocolate ganache beverages (Chocolat). With free Wi-Fi at most locations and power-equipped counter seating at many, it is an indispensable urban pit stop.
How to order
Visiting CAFÉ de CRIÉ is intuitive, fast, and simple:
- Approach the order counter: Walk in and view the overhead menu boards displaying drinks, sandwiches, and fresh pastas.
- NO Otoshi cover charge: Enjoy honest dining—CAFÉ de CRIÉ charges strictly zero table fee and zero cover charge (¥0 Otoshi)!
- Select your drinks & hot foods:
- Signature Solbeige (ソルベージュ - Frozen Blended Frappes):
- Mint Chocolate Solbeige (爽快チョコミント): Cult Legend — a seasonal summer limited edition (officially ~¥690–¥750 when on sale)! Vibrant refreshing mint ice blended with crunchy dark chocolate chips and whipped cream!
- Strawberry / Mango / Seasonal Fruit Solbeige: Sweet and fruity.
- Coffee & Tea: Blend coffee, cafe au lait, royal milk tea, or rich hot Chocolat.
- Toasted Sandwiches (トーストサンド - Pressed Fresh to Order!):
- Toast Sand BLT: Crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and ripe tomatoes with pepper mayo.
- Toast Sand Pastrami Beef: Savory pastrami slices with fresh vegetables.
- Toast Sand Ham & Melting Cheese: Classic French croque-style.
- Fresh Pasta (生パスタ): Chewy, freshly boiled pastas like Shrimp & Mozzarella Bisque or Japanese Meat Sauce.
- Signature Solbeige (ソルベージュ - Frozen Blended Frappes):
- Declare Eat-In or Takeout: Tell the cashier "Eat-in" (10% tax) to sit at a cafe table, or "Takeout" (8% tax) to go.
- Pay at the register: Tap your Suica transit card, credit card, or pay via cash/QR code.
- Collect drinks & number stand: Collect your cold or hot beverages immediately on your plastic tray. For toasted sandwiches or pasta, the staff hands you a small numbered table stand.
- Take an open seat: Walk into the cafe. Settle into a cushioned booth or plug your phone into a counter bar equipped with free power outlets and free Wi-Fi!
- Fresh food delivered to your table: Staff will hand-deliver your piping-hot toasted sandwich or pasta directly to your table in 3 to 5 minutes.
- Return your tray: Carry empty dishes and cups to the cleanup window (Henkyakuguchi).
What to order first
Dishes below reflect core brand staples officially featured on the CAFÉ de CRIÉ Official Website:
- Signature Mint Chocolate Solbeige (ソルベージュ 爽快チョコミント): Japan's most famous cafe mint chocolate drink — a seasonal summer limited edition, not a year-round menu item; icy refreshing peppermint blended with rich chocolate chips and whipped cream (~¥690–¥750 tax-included when on sale).
- Toast Sand BLT (トーストサンド BLT ～シーザーサラダ仕立て～): Multi-layer toasted white bread stuffed with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes in a Caesar-salad-style dressing (~¥630 tax-included as of October 2026).
- Toast Sand Pastrami Beef (トーストサンド パストラミビーフ): Savory pastrami beef and crunchy vegetables on warm toasted bread (~¥650 tax-included as of October 2026).
- Fresh Pasta Shrimp & Mozzarella Bisque (海老とモッツァレラのビスク風パスタ): Chewy fresh pasta in a rich shrimp bisque sauce with melting mozzarella cheese (~¥1,030 tax-included as of October 2026).
- Rich Hot Chocolat (濃厚ホットショコラ): Velvety Belgian-style hot chocolate topped with steamed milk foam (~¥480–¥540).
Payment & practical info
- Pricing & Value: Very accessible casual dining; a freshly pressed hot toasted sandwich and coffee costs around ¥800–¥950 with zero table charge.
- Cover Charges: Strictly zero cover charge and zero seating fees (¥0 Otoshi).
- Payment Methods: Accepts Japanese Yen cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA), electronic money (iD, QUICPay), and mobile QR codes (PayPay, Rakuten Pay).
- Atmosphere: Relaxing, bright, and modern. Warm light wood, dark blue accents, wide windows overlooking street traffic, and quiet jazz music.
- Work & Charging Friendly: Most city-center branches feature dedicated single-seat counter desks equipped with free AC power outlets (100V plugs) and free high-speed CRIÉ Wi-Fi.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- The "Chocomint" Cult Phenomenon: In Japan, lovers of mint chocolate are nicknamed "Chocomin-to" (チョコミン党 - The Chocomint Party). CAFÉ de CRIÉ is widely celebrated as the national headquarters for mint chocolate drinks, offering extra-minty versions every summer!
- Eat-in vs. Takeout tax difference: Tell the cashier your preference at checkout: 10% for cafe table dining, 8% for takeaway cups.
- Ask for sandwich halves: The toasted sandwiches are generously sized and pre-cut cleanly into two triangles, making them very easy to share with a travel partner.
- Morning Toast Sets (Open to 11:00 AM): Before 11:00 AM, CRIÉ serves morning sets featuring buttered toast, scrambled eggs, sausages, and coffee for under ¥600.
- No tipping: Tipping is never accepted. Pay the exact bill at the counter.
FAQ
Q1: What is a "Solbeige"? "Solbeige" (ソルベージュ) is CAFÉ de CRIÉ's proprietary registered name for its ice-blended frozen frappe beverages. Crafted by blending flavor syrups, fresh milk, and finely shaved ice, it is topped with whipped cream and dessert sauces.
Q2: Can I charge my smartphone at CAFÉ de CRIÉ? Yes! Most branches have dedicated counter bars with standard Japanese 100V power outlets and USB ports, making them ideal for travelers needing an emergency phone recharge during sightseeing.
Q3: Is CAFÉ de CRIÉ completely smoke-free? Yes, all customer dining sections are completely smoke-free, with enclosed, sealed negative-pressure smoking booths available at select urban locations.
Sources
- CAFÉ de CRIÉ Official Website: https://c-united.co.jp/crie/ (Verified: 2026-10-03)
- C-United Co., Ltd. Corporate Portal: https://c-united.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-10-03)