Café Alps

Head up the stairs to the second floor near Ebara-Nakanobu Station, and you are welcomed into a lodge-like room hung with mountain landscape posters and photographs. True to its name, Café Alps channels the relaxed feel of an alpine hut while serving handmade gourmet burgers centered on 100% beef patties.

The burger selection spans familiar staples like cheeseburgers and bacon-and-egg burgers to inventive house specials. A favorite among diners is the Grilled Mushroom Cheese Burger, pairing thick-cut mushrooms with basil, cheese, and garlic mayonnaise to enrich the savory punch of the patty. The Pineapple Burger introduces layered fruit, where sweet-tart acidity cuts through the richness of seared, coarse-ground beef. For contrasting textures and heat, the Taco De Burger combines crisp fried tortilla chips with a house green harissa sauce.

The drinks list is equally considered. Options include craft beer from local Ikari Brewing as well as Hotaka Beer from Shinshu, offering refreshing pairings for an afternoon burger. Afterward, you can settle in with a cup of Café Florestal hot coffee, noted for its delicate acidity, or a caffe mocha pulled on a manual espresso machine, lingering in the mountain-cabin atmosphere.

Payment is cash only, so having bills on hand before arriving is advisable. Between the fragrant toasted buns and substantial patties, the cafe offers a cozy, unhurried space to unwind.