Boasting approximately 120 locations across Japan, “Excelsior Caffé” is a popular coffee shop chain. Operated by the same company behind the famous “Doutor Coffee,” it is widely celebrated as a stylish, Seattle-inspired cafe. Beyond their carefully pulled espresso drinks, their extensive sweets and dessert menu is another major draw.
Among their offerings, the “New York Cheesecake” has enjoyed enduring popularity for many years. As a dedicated cheesecake enthusiast, it is one of my personal go-to recommendations that I order time and time again. Here is my detailed review.
Here is a short video capturing the actual cake up close.
A Cheesecake Crafted with a Cocoa Cookie Crust
Priced at 480 yen (tax included), you also receive a 50-yen discount when ordering it as a set with a drink.
While it appears straightforward at first glance, the base features a dark, black cookie crust made with cocoa-flavored crumbs.
This cake was already on the menu back in 2018. Even as seasonal desserts regularly cycle in and out, this New York Cheesecake has firmly held its ground on the menu—a testament to its steady and loyal following.
■ What is a New York Cheesecake?
A baked style of cheesecake traditionally consumed in New York around 1900. It generously incorporates cream cheese and sour cream, baked slowly at low heat using a water bath (bain-marie). This process yields a rich, dense flavor and an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel. However, there is no strict technical definition, and many stylistic variations exist.
* What is a New York Cheesecake? Origins, Characteristics, and History Explained
Tasting Impressions
The texture makes an immediate impression: you can savor a wonderful contrast between the delicate, melt-in-the-mouth crumbly cheese layer and the crunchy cookie crust below.
In terms of taste, the creamy, deeply savory richness of the cheesecake is complemented by the pleasantly bitter roasted cacao notes of the black cookie crust. A subtle lemon-like acidity drifts through, lending a clean, refreshing finish to each bite.
While rich and satisfying, it never feels heavy or cloying, making it remarkably easy to finish in no time. Delivering exceptional mouthfeel and flawless flavor balance, it is easy to see why it has remained a long-selling favorite.
Summary of Key Features
- A long-selling staple sweet at Excelsior Caffé
- Crafted with a cocoa-flavored cookie crust
- Delivers a rewarding contrast between rich, creamy cheese and bitter cocoa
- Captivating, crumbly texture that melts delicately across the palate
- Refined finish with a hint of lemon-like citrus acidity
Product Details
| Shop | Excelsior Caffé |
| Product Name | New York Cheesecake |
| Price | 480 yen (tax included) |
| Calories | 425 kcal |
| Visit Date | April 2025 |
| Reference Links | ・Official Product Page |
[Enthusiast’s Take] Cheesecake is a permanent fixture across almost every major cafe chain, but Excelsior Caffé’s rendition truly deserves special praise. Among the various brand concepts operated by Doutor Coffee (including Doutor, Excelsior, Cafe Colorado, and Doutor Coffee-ten), Excelsior’s cheesecake stands apart with clear distinction.
Its defining attribute is the black cocoa cookie crust—a pairing rarely seen among major coffee chains. Furthermore, the batter itself exhibits thoughtful culinary dedication to both texture and balance. While Excelsior doesn’t have quite as many stores as Starbucks or Tully’s, any true cheesecake fan should make a point to try it.