Grenier Umeda Store: A Popular Pastry Stop That Didn’t Quite Hit the Mark

EAT: Lunch at Grenier Umeda Store

Japan, 〒530-0017 Osaka, Kita Ward, Kakudacho, 8 Hankyu Grand Building, 1F

Located in the heart of Umeda, Osaka, Grenier Umeda Store is a pastry shop that draws long lines and glowing reviews — especially for its signature mille-feuille. Tucked beneath the stairs of the Hankyu Grand Building, it’s a spot that many dessert lovers seek out.

There’s no dine-in space, just a small bench outside. Most customers opt for takeaway and enjoy their treats in the nearby plaza — which makes enjoying the food on-site a bit awkward — especially in bad weather or peak hours. And we are also joined in by plump pigeons hoping for a crumb or two.

We sampled two items from their menu, both beautifully crafted and visually festive:

Mont Blanc Mille-Feuille (Halloween Edition): This baked pastry featured a rich purple sweet potato cream piped into a spooky Halloween design. It was fun to look at and had a nice balance of sweetness, but the overall texture felt a bit heavy.
Signature Japanese Chestnut Mille-Feuille: Made with premium Japanese chestnuts, this version was more refined, with a subtle earthy sweetness and smooth cream layered between crisp pastry.

The pastry for both are Flaky and crisp, with layers that shattered delicately and filled to the brim with with smooth, creamy custard that wasn’t overly sweet and dripped all over.

While I can see why Grenier is popular — the pastries are photogenic, and the flavors are subtle — I personally found it overhyped. The food was decent, but not memorable, and the lack of seating really detracted from the experience. It’s hard to savor a delicate mille-feuille and a drink while standing outside or balancing it on your lap. Futhermore, while you eat, pigeons will peck at your feet and the cream will ooze out of the pastry. If i will to revisit, i may just purchase one mille feuille to taste and if its out of my way, i will skip this.

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