Dread Nought

2 Chome-3-21 Hirano, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0023, Japan
+81 3-5809-9008
$$$ cafe
(172 Reviews)
Price Range ¥1,000–2,000

Welcome to Dread Nought, a unique haven for book lovers and food enthusiasts nestled in the heart of Koto City, Tokyo. This charming café stands out not just for its delicious offerings but also for its remarkable collection of literature, particularly those focusing on military history, warships, and even some intriguing UFO books. As you step through its doors at 2 Chome-3-21 Hirano, you'll be greeted by an inviting atmosphere that seamlessly combines the serenity of a bookstore with the vibrancy of a café.

The café is designed for those who seek a cozy spot to unwind with a book or a laptop. You'll find comfortable seating that is particularly accommodating for longer stays, making it the ideal place to settle in and lose track of time. Customers have hailed Dread Nought as a superb space for studying or simply enjoying a heartfelt chat over good tea and tasty food. The atmosphere here is peaceful, with soft music and the gentle rustle of pages turning, creating a perfect backdrop for quiet reflection or productive work sessions.

Dread Nought offers a menu that includes delightful offerings such as red bean butter toast and omelette rice. While some patrons have noted that the prices may lean towards the higher side, the flavor and quality certainly justify the splurge. As Lindie Botes remarked, the red bean butter toast is a must-try, perfectly complementing the café's warm vibe. For those seeking something sweet, the cheesecake has been praised by multiple customers as a standout dessert, promising a creamy delight that is irresistible.

Real customer experiences echo the café’s charm and commitment to service. Rinoa Carmichael describes Dread Nought as a superb café to get things done, while Jude Peel appreciates the polite staff and their thoughtful substitutions. Xavi echoes the sentiments about the café’s comfort and unique military-themed collection. The personal touches from the staff, like offering replacements for menu items, are testament to a service-minded atmosphere that enhances your visit.

Whether you're a military history buff seeking rare books or simply someone craving comfort food in a relaxing setting, Dread Nought promises an experience that caters to both your appetites. This café embodies more than just a place to grab a bite; it is a gathering place for ideas, stories, and delicious fare—truly a hidden gem in Tokyo's bustling landscape.

So if you find yourself wandering through Koto City, make sure to stop by Dread Nought for a refreshing break that stimulates both the body and the mind. You'll leave with a satisfied palate and perhaps a new book to add to your collection.

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Quick bite
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Cash only
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Sunday

09:00 AM - 08:00 PM

172 Reviews
Lindie Botes

05 Sep 2025

Stumbled across this by accident and I’m so glad I did! Full of WW2, warships and war plane books. And a section on UFO books even. Also the red bean butter toast was really good.

Rinoa Carmichael

18 Aug 2025

Superb cafe to get something done. Very much a cafe to sit with a good book to read or a laptop to do some work on. Good food, good tea. Although a little expensive for my preferences. Comfortable seating for fat folk.

James Arguello

18 Jul 2025

Making a bookstore/cafe really makes sense these days if you want to be able to sell books in a brick & mortar shop. If you zero in on a genre of books, this can draw loyal customers in. Books & Cafe Dreadnought does an excellent job reeling in an audience with not only a decent comfy cafe to chill in, but with many interesting books to browse through. Many other cafes just use books as a superficial window dressing to pose as a "deeper" gathering. This cafe however actually specializes in a wide variety of militaria subjects from Armor, Naval and Aviation alike. It's more of a serious specialty bookstore that happens to sell drinks and cakes. Obviously there is a focus on Naval history with the name "Dreadnought". There are many books in Japanese and English, (even French) that focus on many modern Naval warships and battles. The many well-crafted collection of practically every British Royal Navy battleship in history is a testament to this. You'll spend a lot of time marvelling at the many 1/700 scale ship kits on display in the large cabinet. You can even buy kits here too! You can buy the HMS Dreadnought along with other warship kits. Military aircraft kits and tanks are also in their stock. The display featuring Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a nice touch. You could buy books written about the life of the famed Little Prince author and buy kits of the planes he flew, such as the Caudron C.630, or the Lockheed F5 Recon Lightning he tragically died in during WWII while fighting for Free France. They have fairly traditional Japanese cafe fare. Prices tend to be a bit on the high end. I paid 700 yen for an iced coffee. They also offer cakes and some light cafe meals. I ended up devouring the books more quickly then I did any meal. There is so much to looi through here. Being mainly an aviation enthusiast I found a Model Art special edition magazine on USAF jets during the Vietnam War that just happened to have a walkthrough and modeling guide of the F-86D Sabre Dog in JASDF service. Since this is a model subject I have had on my cards as a project I decided to buy this book before I left the shop. I found a few other books here that had interest in but didn't want to bankrupt myself before leaving! Overall this is my kind of cafe. If you are a modeler or have an interest in any kind of militaria, this will become your main HQ. Some of the books on sale here are quite rare. If you've been looking fruitlessly for a book on a particular military subject that is your specialty, you might get lucky here and find it. I never thought I'd find a well-researched and illustrated book on the HMNZS battle cruiser New Zealand!

Xavi

17 Jul 2025

Comfy with many military and politics stuffs, and the owner must love battleship of UK :p

Jude Peel

09 Jul 2025

A nice little cafe, quiet, the food was good. I sat at the counter for working which was a little narrow. The staff were very polite, I had a set which I didn't realise came with coffee jelly which I unfortunately can't eat. They gave me a small piece of cheese cake as a replacement even though I didn't ask for it. The omelette rice was nice but not remarkable, the cheesecake was delicious. It had a nice atmosphere I would go again though maybe not to work, just to read.

Chris Nagasako

03 Jul 2025

If you are craving some British food in Tokyo. A quick train ride to Kiba. Dreadnought has easy menu for visitors. Also books, books and more books

為貞張

21 Jun 2025

Perfect vibe, services and food!!! Quietness and peace make it even better.

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