Food and Restaurant Reviews, Cafes and Cakes, Desserts and Sweets
Goodman Roaster, founded by renowned coffee artisan Atsuomi Ito, is a specialty coffee roastery and cafe near Shijo-Karasuma intersection. Sip hand-drip pour-overs or espresso classics, pair your coffee with bakes, and settle into a relaxed mid-century space — a favorite stop for those chasing good coffee in Kyoto, just 15-20 mins from Kyoto Station and away from tourist crowds.
Discover Mizuya Chaya, a hidden thatched roof teahouse in Nara Park where deers roam freely and join you for lunch at outdoor tables. Tucked off the main trail between Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha, this lunch spot has been serving udon since 1948. In autumn, maple leaves frame the teahouse in an atmospheric scene. A must-visit for those seeking rustic beauty off the beaten path.
Inside a 100-year-old machiya or traditional townhouse near Nanzenji, Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto is a must-visit for both coffee lovers and interior design buffs. Sipping a good cup of coffee in a cafe that pays homage to Japanese aesthetics and heritage while melding with modern coffee culture sure has its draw.
% Arabica is one of Kyoto’s best-selling coffee stands, popular among locals & international visitors who flocked to its cafes in Kyoto and around the world. With a latte art champion and a specialty coffee trader at its helm, % Arabica quickly became one of the must-visit cafes for coffee lovers in Kyoto.
IZAMA 居様 serves up Kyoto home-style food, platter meals or obanzai おばんざい in a traditional Kyoto townhouse. Concocted of skillfully arranged small dishes, the chefs brings the natural flavors, colors, and Kyoto style of cooking to the forefront. Read our review on IZAMA’s seasonal bento box obanzai.
Freundlieb フロインドリーブ is a bakery-cafe housed within the former Kobe Union Church which was built in 1929. This German bakery and its beautiful cafe have many locals flocking to its door to savour their breakfasts and lunches, partake of its quiet elegance, and pack home breads & cookies.
Discover the perfect blend of tradition and modernity at Inoda Coffee, nestled in the heart of Kyoto’s historic district. Follow the scenic trail from Kiyomizu-dera and find your haven of warmth and flavor.
Nishiki Market 錦市場, also known as Kyoto’s Kitchen, is a more than 400-year-old, 400-metre arcade full of cooked food, seafood, eateries, shops, and fresh food ingredients that never fail to entice locals’ and travelers’ tastebuds. Time to fill your stomachs and stock up your kitchens!
Experience a quick escape from the bustle of Kyoto at Sagano-Yu Cafe 嵯峨野湯, a public bathhouse turned cafe. Located just a short walk from Tenryu-ji and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, this charming cafe offers a serene atmosphere perfect for coffee, tea, and a respite for tired feet.
Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect when I decided to locate Hisago (ひさご) in Kyoto, Japan. We definitely did not expect to see such a long queue outside the restaurant, not when the restaurant opens at 11.30am for lunch. It’s off the usual track for most travelers, and pretty out of the way. That is why we didn’t think many would go to the trouble of finding this place. Since we finished early at our previous visit to Kiyomizudera 清水寺, we decided to take a leisurely walk exploring some really old streets and houses. We reached Hisago (ひさご) at about 11am. Somehow, you know you have stumbled upon an excellent place to eat when you see Japanese of different ages in the queue – young, families with toddlers, elderly folk, groups of teenagers, and of course, tourists from different countries. I heard Taiwanese, French, Thai, Korean, English and Chinese while I stood in queue with the rest. Our curiosity piqued with more and more joining the queue. Many times, we contemplated abandoning the queue …
