Hidden Café in Sakae: Why Cafe Vincennes Deux Is Worth the Wait

27/12/2025

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A Hidden Underground Café in Sakae: Cafe Vincennes Deux

If you’re looking for a cozy hidden café in the heart of Nagoya, Cafe Vincennes Deux is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Located near Sakae Station and Hisaya Odori Station, this café is a true gem — but be warned, finding it is not easy!

The café sits in the basement of a building, and the entrance is quite tricky to spot. Even with GPS, my friend and I spent about 10 minutes walking around trying to locate it. But that’s part of its charm — once you find it, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered a secret hideout known only to locals.

Despite being hard to find, Cafe Vincennes Deux is extremely popular. When we arrived, around 15 people were already waiting in line outside the small entrance. We had no choice but to wait our turn. And even once inside, patience is required — their famous apple pie, the café’s signature dessert, takes about 30 minutes to prepare after ordering. Because of that, many guests spend about an hour or more at their tables, so the line moves slowly. Even on a weekday afternoon around 3 p.m., expect a long wait.

Honestly, I felt that the café could improve efficiency by taking orders from people while they’re waiting in line. But since there seemed to be only a few staff members, it might not be easy for them to manage that.

Inside, the café has a dimly lit, Western-style atmosphere that makes great use of its underground setting. It feels warm, quiet, and intimate — perfect for relaxing conversations. The staff, though a bit tired and not particularly cheerful, were working hard to keep up with the constant stream of customers. Considering how popular the place is, that’s understandable.

I ordered their signature apple pie with vanilla ice cream and a cup of coffee. When I placed my order, I was told that the pie would take about 30 minutes. But honestly, I didn’t mind — the cozy ambiance made the wait quite pleasant.

When the apple pie finally arrived, it was warm, flaky, and beautifully crisp. The crust was perfectly baked, though I felt the apple flavor could have been a little stronger. Still, the combination with the melting ice cream was simply delightful. The coffee, on the other hand, was rich and full-bodied — a perfect match for the dessert.

Overall, while the café is a bit hard to find and you’ll likely have to wait quite a while, Cafe Vincennes Deux is absolutely worth visiting. If you’re staying near Hisaya Odori or Sakae and want to enjoy a refined and relaxing café experience, this hidden underground spot is highly recommended.

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I’ve compiled a list of Nagoya’s places that I’ve personally visited. Is Nagoya boring? Not at all! While it has developed as an industrial city, it also hides interesting places full of history and culture. Use this guide to explore Nagoya and discover its hidden gems.