Japan Food Series: Espresso D Works in Sapporo – Fluffy Pancakes, Excellent Coffee, and a Mixed Food Experience
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Table of Contents
Espresso D Works – Restaurant Overview
4 Chome-1 Minami 4 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0804, Japan
Espresso D Works is a modern café in Sapporo that feels noticeably different from many of the traditional food spots I visited during this trip. Where ramen shops, sushi counters, and bakeries often lean heavily into Japanese tradition or regional specialties, Espresso D Works feels more contemporary and international in style. It’s the kind of café you could easily imagine in a large North American or European city, but executed with Japanese attention to detail.
The space itself is stylish and comfortable, clearly designed for people to sit, relax, and spend time rather than eat and leave quickly. It feels like a destination café rather than a stop of convenience. Espresso D Works is particularly known for its Japanese-style fluffy pancakes, which have gained popularity across Japan and beyond, as well as for its coffee program. This made it a natural place to visit after days of heavier meals and traditional dishes.
As part of my Japan Food Series, this stop offered a change of pace. Instead of focusing on local Hokkaido specialties, Espresso D Works represents the café culture side of Sapporo—where presentation, texture, and atmosphere play just as important a role as flavour.
Would return? Yes.
Café Latte
The café latte from Espresso D Workswas the best one I had during my time in Sapporo. That stood out immediately. The coffee had a smooth, well-balanced flavour without any bitterness, making it very easy to drink. The milk was properly textured and integrated into the espresso rather than sitting on top of it.
What made this latte particularly enjoyable was how clean it tasted. There was no harsh aftertaste, no sharp acidity, and no burnt notes. It felt carefully prepared rather than rushed, which aligns with the café’s overall vibe. After having many good coffees throughout Hokkaido, this one still managed to rise above the rest.
If you’re someone who prioritizes coffee quality over novelty, this alone makes Espresso D Works worth visiting. It’s the kind of latte you could order repeatedly without getting tired of it.
Order again? Yes.
Triple Chocolate Japanese Pancakes
These pancakes are one of Espresso D Works’ signature items, and it’s easy to see why. Japanese fluffy pancakes are known for their height and airy texture, and this version delivered exactly that. The pancakes were thick but incredibly fluffy, almost soufflé-like, yet somehow not dense at all.
Despite their size, they felt very light when eating them. Each bite practically dissolved, making it easy to finish the dish without feeling weighed down. That balance—thickness without heaviness—is what sets good Japanese pancakes apart from Western-style pancakes, and Espresso D Works executed it well.
The triple chocolate element added richness, but it didn’t overwhelm the pancakes. The chocolate flavours were present without turning the dish into something cloying or overly sweet. It still felt like a dessert, but one that relied more on texture than sugar.
What impressed me most was how refined the pancakes felt. They weren’t greasy, and they didn’t leave that heavy feeling you sometimes get with rich desserts. This was easily one of the most enjoyable sweet dishes I had during the trip, and it lived up to the reputation of fluffy Japanese pancakes.
Order again? Yes.
Chicken Pesto Croissant
The chicken pesto croissant was more mixed. On the positive side, the chicken itself was excellent. It consisted of three pieces of dark meat that were very tender and full of flavour. The chicken was easily the strongest component of the dish.
The croissant was also well prepared. It had a nice crispiness from being toasted, which added texture and prevented it from feeling soggy under the filling. Structurally, it held together well and was enjoyable to eat.
That said, the portion felt lacking. I was expecting more chicken, especially given the price point. While the quality of the meat was high, the quantity didn’t quite match expectations. As a result, the dish felt overpriced for what it delivered.
Flavour-wise, the pesto was fine but not particularly memorable. It didn’t elevate the croissant in the way I hoped it would. Overall, this was a decent savoury option, but it didn’t come close to matching how strong the pancakes and coffee were.
Order again? Maybe.
Atmosphere & Experience
One thing Espresso D Works does very well is atmosphere. It’s a place that invites you to slow down. The modern design, comfortable seating, and café-style layout make it ideal for taking a break between sightseeing stops.
Compared to many other food experiences in Sapporo—where efficiency and turnover are prioritized—this café felt intentionally unhurried. That made it a nice contrast to ramen shops, sushi counters, and market restaurants. It’s the kind of place you’d go to recharge rather than refuel.
Service felt aligned with that atmosphere: calm, attentive, and not rushed. That matters in a café where the experience is just as important as the food.
Value Consideration
Espresso D Works is not inexpensive, especially compared to traditional Japanese eateries. That’s not necessarily a problem, but it does raise expectations. The coffee and pancakes justified the price. The chicken pesto croissant, however, felt like weaker value in comparison.
This is a place where choosing the right items makes a big difference. If you focus on what they do best—coffee and pancakes—you’ll likely walk away very satisfied. If you lean too heavily into the savoury food, results may vary.
Final Thoughts
Espresso D Works was one of the more memorable café experiences I had in Sapporo. The café latte was outstanding and set a high bar for coffee during the trip. The triple chocolate Japanese pancakes fully delivered on their reputation, offering a unique combination of height, fluffiness, and lightness that made them genuinely enjoyable rather than just visually impressive.
The chicken pesto croissant was decent but underwhelming relative to its price, highlighting that not everything on the menu shines equally. Still, that didn’t detract significantly from the overall experience, especially when the café’s strengths are so clear.
As part of my Japan Food Series, Espresso D Works represents the modern café side of Sapporo’s food scene. It’s a reminder that beyond regional specialties and traditional dishes, the city also offers polished, contemporary dining experiences done at a high level. If you’re looking for great coffee and want to try authentic fluffy Japanese pancakes, Espresso D Works is absolutely worth a visit—just be selective with what you order.