Our Story
The name Rikyu is inspired by Sen no Rikyū, the 16th-century Japanese tea master who shaped the philosophy of tea culture in Japan. His influence centered around simplicity, humility, and intentional presence, values that continue to resonate today.
This café began as an experimental idea within the culinary kitchen at Hiroshi in Los Altos. Our team, known for Japanese omakase and fine dining. We wanted to explore something more everyday. A space built around matcha, sandos, and bentos. Something casual, but still thoughtful.
You can learn more about the team behind Rikyu here:
https://www.hiroshi328.com/team
We’re proud to open a new shop in downtown Palo Alto.