During my visit, I couldn't resist trying their signature strawberry shimeparfait. It looked like a work of art, with lots of fresh Amaou strawberries, creamy white, pistachio, and chocolate soft serve, crunchy toppings, and beautiful flower decorations. The taste was just as impressive as the presentation - rich and indulgent, but balanced with the perfect amount of sweetness and tartness.
My friend ordered the chocolat banane (chocolate banana) parfait, which was a towering creation made with rich chocolate, bananas, sauces, and crunchy bits. Although it was definitely decadent, the deep, bittersweet chocolate flavor balanced out the sweetness nicely.
What sets INITIAL's parfaits apart is their commitment to using high-quality, homemade, seasonal ingredients. They change their parfait options to showcase the best fruits of each season, like white peaches, figs, citrus, and berries. It's like edible high fashion.
The cafe is located on the second floor of a building in a narrow alley, about 200 meters from Naka-Meguro Station. You'll need to walk up the external stairs of a slightly stylish building to get to the entrance on the right. The restaurant has a glass front, so you can peek inside before entering. When we visited an hour after opening on a weekend, it was fairly empty.
The cafe's interior has a chic yet comfortable atmosphere, with plush seating, soft lighting, and some elegant dried flower decorations. It's the perfect place to relax and enjoy one of their amazing parfait creations.
Inside, there are six counter seats in pairs by the window on the right, a large oval table in the center with ten pairs of seats, and four tables on the left - one for four people and three for two people each.
If you're a serious dessert lover in Tokyo, you won't want to miss INITIAL Nakameguro and their parfait masterpieces. The cafe also has a great ambiance for relaxing with drinks or hanging out with friends.
Even their signature regular menu items are worth trying for any parfait enthusiast or anyone who loves beautiful, elevated desserts. Just make sure to snap a photo before you dig in!
