Cafés & Coffee Houses in Kyoto

Kissa Ashijima: Meticulous Hand-Drip Coffee

Kyoto · Coffee Shop

A quiet coffee house on the fifth floor of a building in Kyoto's Nakagyo ward, known for its precise, hand-dripped coffee from house-roasted beans and signature 'half-ice' cheesecakes designed to pair with it.

ELEPHANT FACTORY COFFEE: Artisanal Dark-Roast Coffee

Kyoto · Café

A late-night coffee house in Kyoto's Nakagyo district, hidden on the second floor. Visitors come for its carefully prepared dark-roast pour-overs and signature mini cheesecake in a dim, intimate setting.

Smart Coffee: Classic Kyoto Kissaten

Kyoto · Coffee Shop

A beloved Kyoto institution since 1932, Smart Coffee serves its famous thick-cut French toast and house-roasted coffee in a timeless, wood-panelled kissaten setting in the Nakagyo ward.

Ichikawa Ya Coffee: Artisanal Coffee and Fruit Sando

Kyoto · Café

In Kyoto's Higashiyama district, this popular café in a 200-year-old machiya house serves house-roasted, hand-dripped coffee and its famous seasonal fruit sandwiches, made to order at the counter.

Salon de the FRANCOIS: A Historic 1934 Kyoto Kissaten

Kyoto · Coffee Shop

A registered Tangible Cultural Property in Kyoto, this 1934 kissaten preserves a Showa-era salon atmosphere. Visitors come for its famous cheesecakes, firm custard pudding, and a step back in time.

ZEN CAFE: Modern Wagashi in a Gallery Setting

Kyoto · Café

A modern wagashi café in Kyoto's Gion district, from the makers of the famed Kagizen Yoshifusa. It's known for its minimalist design and exceptional kuzumochi and seasonal sweets.

Cafe Karirenge: Artisanal Desserts in a Kyoto Machiya

Kyoto · Café

Tucked down a narrow alley in Nakagyo, Kyoto, this restored machiya cafe offers a tranquil escape. It's celebrated for its unique desserts, like a bold blue-cheese cheesecake, and a single, well-executed daily lunch.

Matsunosuke Kyoto honten: American-Style Pies and Pancakes

Kyoto · Café

A beloved Kyoto cafe in Nakagyo Ward, famous for its authentic American-style apple pie and fluffy pancakes. It's a popular spot for breakfast and dessert, drawing long queues for its signature bakes.

Cafe Bibliotic Hello!: Kyoto Machiya with a Two-Storey Book Wall

Kyoto · Café

In a renovated Kyoto machiya in Nakagyo Ward, Cafe Bibliotic Hello! is famous for its dramatic two-storey book wall. It's a popular spot for its house-roasted coffee and excellent baked goods.

kashiya

Kyoto · Café