Minimalism is the ethos at this quaint Japanese cafe and pottery shop. Retreat from the hubbub of busy Smith Street to an intimate space where a sense of calm permeates the aroma of roasted green tea, which naturally complements the dark wooden tables and potted plants dotted around the eatery. Nestled against whitewashed walls is a large white grid shelf, with each cube housing delicate pieces of artisan pottery. These unique pieces are used to serve simple Japanese dishes and are also available for sale.

The Cocoro menu is easy to follow and split into sections of fish, sushi and sashimi, chicken and vegetarian, and offers small dishes intended for sharing. The antipasto platter – a marriage of delicate flavours that showcases homemade salads and pickles, including sesame chicken and cucumber salad and spinach, cucumber and wakame seaweed – is a perfect introduction to the Cocoro experience. These are presented neatly on organically shaped pottery, and almost too pretty to eat. A large bowl of soba noodles dusted with baked seaweed and served chilled or steaming hot with soy, radish and bonito stock is a welcome alternative to rice, also for the slurp factor. The menu also provides heavier meals such as the beef and tofu stew, which are simmered to tenderness with sake, soy and mirin.

As well as pottery, Cocoro has its own range of organic green tea. Our favourite is the genmaicha tea, a blend of dark green loose-leaf tea and organic roasted rice, which is available to purchase separately or to sip away during or after the meal.

With limited opening hours, phone ahead to reserve a table and look forward to a little piece of Zen amid the hustle and bustle of the inner city.