Tabelog ratingLocated in the bustling B2F food hall of the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store, Frederic Cassel is a takeout-only counter from the renowned French pâtissier. The main draw, and the reason for its stellar reputation, is the Mille-feuille Vanille. Reviewers consistently praise its construction: layers of deeply caramelized, shatteringly crisp puff pastry laminated over several days, sandwiching a dense, fragrant custard made with premium Tahiti vanilla. Many consider it the best version of the classic they have ever had.
Beyond the signature pastry, guests also love the choux cream puffs and a rotating selection of seasonal petits gâteaux, such as opera cakes, fruit tartes, and peach verrines. The service is noted as efficient and friendly, with staff often taking orders from people waiting in line to speed up the process.
The main drawbacks cited by visitors are the high prices, which position it firmly as a special-occasion splurge, and the fact that popular items sell out quickly. The mille-feuille, in particular, often appears around noon and can be gone by early afternoon. A few reviewers found the mille-feuille's pastry very firm if not cut carefully, or felt that some of the non-vanilla flavors were a bit muted.
Despite the cost, most agree the quality justifies the expense. Reviewers in 2024–2026 reported paying around ¥1,100–¥1,188 for the Mille-feuille Vanille, ¥972 for a pistachio choux, and around ¥800 for a tart. A box of cookies was noted at ¥3,456. The typical spend is between ¥2,000 and ¥2,999 for a few items.
- Location: This is a takeout counter on the B2F floor of the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store. There is no seating.
- Access: It is a 1-minute walk from Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.
- Booking: Walk-ins are welcome, but queues of 5–20 minutes are common. To secure the signature mille-feuille, which sells out fast, a phone reservation made a few days in advance is strongly recommended.
- Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners), electronic money, and various QR code payment systems are all accepted.
- Family-Friendly: The counter is accessible and welcoming to guests with children and strollers.
- Practical: Excellent takeout packaging with optional cooling packs (around ¥100) is available to protect the pastries. Parking is available in the department store's lot, with validation for purchases over ¥2,000.