Balcony by 6th Azabudai Hills: Souffle Pancake Menu
Tokyo Mate
Must-read before visiting Azabudai Hills Balcony by 6th!
A popular Tokyo brunch spot known for its souffle pancakes and basque cheesecake. Here you'll find terrace seat reservation tips, operating hours by time slot (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and how to reduce your wait time.
Hello! This is Tokyo Mate, always on the hunt for the sweeter side of travel.
Today I'd like to introduce the restaurant with the longest lines at Azabudai Hills, Tokyo's newest landmark: Balcony by 6th.
This legendary souffle pancake spot, where people used to line up back in the Yurakucho days, has relocated to Azabudai Hills, and the views and atmosphere are now perfect too. It's so popular that getting in without a reservation on weekends is nearly impossible, so checking the details before your visit is important.
The operating format differs slightly between breakfast, lunch, cafe, and dinner time slots, which can be confusing for first-time visitors. This guide covers everything in one place: operating hours, reservation methods, tips for reducing wait times, and how to get the best terrace seats.
Why Balcony by 6th Is So Popular
Balcony by 6th is a restaurant that opened in November 2023 on the 3rd floor of Tower Plaza at Azabudai Hills, Tokyo's new landmark.
This restaurant traces its roots to "6th by Oriental Hotel", a cafe that was hugely popular in Yurakucho.
Born from the brand philosophy of the Kobe Oriental Hotel, one of Japan's most prestigious hotels founded in 1870, this restaurant became a social media sensation in Tokyo for its souffle pancakes and basque cheesecake. The Yurakucho location closed in October 2023 due to building redevelopment, but the restaurant relocated to Azabudai Hills and reopened as an all-day dining establishment.
As an international restaurant with Italian cuisine at its core, a major advantage is that it operates as all-day dining covering breakfast, lunch, cafe, dinner, and bar time. But what made this the most popular restaurant at Azabudai Hills with the longest wait times is, without a doubt, the cafe menu.
The signature items are the souffle pancake, made to order by a patissier in the glass-walled open kitchen (glass kitchen), and the basque cheesecake, inspired by the classic Spanish dessert. These two desserts have been signature menu items since the Yurakucho era, and they remain the reason for the longest waits at Azabudai Hills today.
Balcony by 6th Operation Info
| Name | Balcony by 6th |
|---|---|
| Ratings | Google 4.0 (956) / Tabelog 3.53 |
| Hours |
|
| Closed | Open year-round (except year-end/New Year holidays) |
| Seats | 154 seats (110 indoor, 44 outdoor terrace) |
| Budget | 1 drink order per person required at all times Lunch: 3,000–4,000 yen / Dinner: 6,000–8,000 yen |
| Payment | Credit cards OK, transit cards (Suica, etc.) accepted |
| Reservations | ✅ (Official) Balcony by 6th Online Reservation (TableCheck) |
| Location | Azabudai Hills Tower Plaza 3F 🚇 Hibiya Line Kamiyacho Station Exit 5 (direct connection) 🚇 Namboku Line Roppongi-Itchome Station Exit 4 (direct connection) 📍 View on Google Maps |
Souffle Pancake & Basque Cheesecake Menu Prices
Balcony by 6th has separate menus for breakfast, lunch, cafe, and dinner.
| Time | Souffle Pancake | Basque Cheesecake |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast 8:00 – 10:30 | Single 1,100 yen Double 2,000 yen Triple 3,000 yen | 1,200 yen |
| Lunch (Weekdays) 11:00 – 14:30 | Double 2,000 yen Triple 3,000 yen | 1,300 yen |
| Lunch (Weekends) 11:00 – 15:00 | Double 2,000 yen Triple 3,000 yen | 1,300 yen |
| Cafe 11:00 – 17:30 | Double 2,000 yen Triple 3,000 yen | 1,300 yen |
| Dinner Mon–Thu 17:30 – 23:00 Fri–Sun 17:00 – 23:00 | ❌ Not available | 1,200 yen |
Souffle Pancake
This is the signature menu item that defines Balcony by 6th.
Since the patissier bakes each pancake to order in the glass kitchen, there's a wait of about 15 to 40 minutes after ordering. The wait might feel long, but once the pancake arrives at your table, you'll immediately understand why.
Just lightly touching it with a fork, you can feel the pillowy spring, and when you take a bite, it melts away in your mouth. That's why so many people come here looking for the Azabudai Hills pancake spot.
Souffle pancakes are not sold during dinner hours, so you need to visit before cafe time ends (before 17:30).
Basque Cheesecake
This is a reinterpretation of the traditional Spanish basque cheesecake in Balcony by 6th's own style.
The surface is deeply caramelized with a subtle smoky aroma, while the inside gets progressively creamier and more melt-in-your-mouth. Rather than sweetness, the deep richness of the cheese comes through first. You could say it's a dessert suited to more mature tastes.
This menu item has been a signature dessert since the 6th by Oriental Hotel days in Yurakucho, and along with the souffle pancake, it's one of the defining items of this restaurant.
However, it's available in limited quantities, so if you visit late in the afternoon, it may already be sold out. If you really want to try the basque cheesecake, visiting during brunch or lunchtime is recommended.
Truffle Fries
The classic sweet-and-salty combo! The sweetness of the pancakes and the saltiness of the fries make you keep reaching for more. Also great as a side with beer or wine.
Reservation Methods & How to Reduce Wait Times
At Azabudai Hills Balcony by 6th, the queue for reservation holders and the walk-in queue are managed separately. On weekends and holidays especially, walk-in wait times can be quite long, so making a reservation in advance is the most reliable option if your schedule is set.
Reservation Policy by Time
Reservation availability at Balcony by 6th varies by time slot.
| Time Slot | Reservations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | ⭕️ Available | Reservation may be canceled if more than 10 min late |
| Lunch | ⭕️ Available | Reservation may be canceled if more than 10 min late |
| Cafe (General) | ❌ Not available | Walk-in only |
| Cafe (Terrace only) | ⭕️ Available | Reservation may be canceled if more than 10 min late |
| Dinner | ⭕️ Available | 10% service charge applies for dinner/bar time |
👉 [Official] Balcony by 6th Online Reservation (TableCheck)
📌 Important
If you're visiting during cafe time just for pancakes or dessert, reservations are generally not accepted. Walk-in is the standard policy.
However, there is a separate terrace-only reservation plan, so check for the [TERRACE] category on TableCheck. The minimum order requirement is 1 drink + 1 dessert or meal per person.
📌 Same-day reservations are sometimes possible, but weekend lunch and cafe time slots tend to fill up days in advance. If your Tokyo travel schedule is set, booking ahead is a good idea.
Wait Time Reduction Tips (Crowd Levels by Time)
| 🟢 Least crowded | Weekday breakfast (8:00 – 10:00) Weekday afternoon transition (15:00 – 16:00) |
|---|---|
| 🟠 Relatively manageable | Weekday lunch right after opening (11:00 – 11:30) 1 hour before cafe closing (after 16:30) |
| 🔴 Most crowded | Weekend lunch (11:00 – 14:00) Weekend cafe time (14:00 – 17:00) |
📌 Visit Tip
If souffle pancakes and basque cheesecake are your goal, aim for cafe time after 3 PM. The lunch rush will have passed, and walk-in wait times tend to be shorter.
Terrace Seats & Photo Spots
True to the name Balcony by 6th, the most popular seats at this restaurant are the terrace seats.
The view from the 3rd floor overlooking Azabudai Hills' green garden and the Mori JP Tower is a view that's not inferior to any other cafe in Tokyo. On nice days, you can often see lines of visitors waiting to take photos with their souffle pancakes at these terrace seats.
Tips for Getting Terrace Seats
Balcony by 6th's official position is that they cannot accommodate specific seating requests. If you really want a terrace seat, the following two methods are the most effective.
① Cafe Terrace Reservation Plan (Most Reliable)
Select the [TERRACE] category on TableCheck to book a plan with guaranteed terrace seating. There are separate plans for weekdays and weekends/holidays. The requirement is 1 drink + 1 dessert or meal per person.
② Dinner Terrace Plan
For dinner hours, there is a separate [Terrace seats only] plan that guarantees terrace seating. Note that in case of rain or strong winds, the reservation will be canceled and you cannot be moved to indoor seating, so be sure to check the weather on the day of your visit.
③ Walk-In
When visiting without a reservation, priority terrace seating is not guaranteed. If you aim for less crowded times (weekday morning breakfast, 3–4 PM), your chances of finding an open terrace seat are higher.
😂 Requesting a terrace seat: Terasu-seki onegaishimasu (テラス席、お願いします。)
It's not guaranteed, but if there's an open seat, they may accommodate you.
☔ Check the Weather
Terrace seating may be restricted on rainy or windy days. Check the weather before your visit.
Photo Spot Tips
- Pancake x Terrace x Garden View: Natural light is prettiest between morning and 2 PM.
- Glass Kitchen: Watching the patissier create sweets through the glass is a photo opportunity unique to this restaurant.
📌 Looking for another terrace cafe at Azabudai Hills?
%Arabica Tokyo on the 4th floor of the same Tower Plaza building is also an excellent choice. You can enjoy coffee while taking in the Azabudai Hills scenery from the terrace seats.
👉 Azabudai Hills %Arabica Tokyo Kyoto Latte Review
FAQ
Q. Can I eat here without a reservation?
A. Yes! Walk-ins are welcome. However, on weekend lunchtimes you may wait over an hour. The bar seats near the entrance tend to open up relatively quickly, so ask the staff about those.
Q. Can I bring children?
A. Yes, up to 2 strollers can be accommodated, and high chairs are available in limited quantities. If you have 3 or more strollers, they will need to be stored, and high chairs are not guaranteed due to limited availability.
Q. Does it really take that long for the pancakes to come out?
A. Yes, when orders are backed up, it can take over 40 minutes. We recommend ordering an appetizer like salad or truffle fries to enjoy while you wait!
Q. What's a recommended half-day course at Azabudai Hills?
① 8:30 Balcony by 6th breakfast (Tower Plaza 3F)
↓
② 10:00 Azabudai Hills teamLab Borderless (Garden Plaza B, B1F)
↓
③ 13:00 Azabudai Hills Parlor Yazawa lunch (Garden Plaza C, B1F)
↓ (10-min walk)
④ 14:00 Walk to Tokyo Tower
Balcony by 6th at Azabudai Hills is where you can enjoy both the luxurious atmosphere and delicious pancakes at the same time.
Whether you start your day with a relaxed breakfast or wind down over dinner with a glass of wine and the night view, it's a perfect spot. Highly recommended as a must-visit on your Tokyo trip!
🧡 Related Azabudai Hills Guides
👉 Azabudai Hills Sky Room Observatory Cafe | Admission, Access, Menu, Sunset & Night Views
👉 Azabudai Hills Suzukake Strawberry Mochi & Wagashi Gift Guide