Photo/Illutration Five Pepper robotic receptionists recommend meals based on the expressions of customers’ faces at a cafe in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward. (Aki Sato)

Robots that can recommend food based on customers’ facial expressions are among the humanoids providing service and entertainment at a new cafe in central Tokyo.

The Pepper Parlor coffeehouse in the capital’s Shibuya district deploys 10 Pepper robots. It is the first cafe operated by SoftBank Robotics Corp., the developer of the robot.

With 162 seats, Pepper Parlor began its business within Tokyu Plaza Shibuya on Dec. 5, the day the rebuilt commercial complex opened.

Customers can use five Peppers and tablet computers at the reception counter to place orders and pay their bills while conversing with the robotic clerks.

The Pepper robots can offer recommendations by assessing the customers’ health conditions and other elements based on their looks, according to Pepper Parlor representatives.

The facial analysis function can prompt the robots to, for example, suggest the most suitable waffles, such as ones for lunch or dessert, they said.

Small biped robots called Nao perform dances and signal the time for the diners.

Tokyu Plaza Shibuya closed in March 2015 to coincide with the Tokyu Group’s redevelopment of facilities in Shibuya.

The newly opened complex targets mainly consumers in their 40s to 60s, despite being in a district popular among younger people.

It houses 69 shops and stores, including a foreign-affiliated club lounge and an asset assessment outlet that uses artificial intelligence technology.

On the second floor, a free meeting spot was set up featuring a digital reproduction of Hachiko, the faithful dog that is a symbol of Shibuya.