Tabelog ratingMatsunosuke Kyoto honten (松之助 京都本店) has earned a city-wide reputation for bringing the comforting taste of American home baking to Kyoto. The cafe is celebrated for two items in particular: its signature sour-cream apple pie and its classic American-style pancakes. The pie features a balanced filling of thinly sliced apples with a crunchy crumble topping, while the pancakes are praised for being fluffy yet substantial, served with syrup on the side.
Guests consistently rave about these specialities, with many calling the apple pie one of the best they have ever had and describing the pancakes as tender and melt-in-your-mouth. Other items like the banana cream pie, New York-style cheesecake, scones, and biscuits also receive regular praise. The quality of the core menu keeps locals and visitors coming back.
The cafe's popularity means queues are routine, especially on weekends, and service can be slow as pancakes are cooked to order. A small number of non-Japanese visitors have reported feeling that service was inconsistent, though most reviews describe the staff as polite. A few guests found certain desserts to be dry or not sweet enough for their taste.
For the quality, prices are considered fair. Reviewers in 2024 paid around ¥760 for the Sour Cream Apple Pie and ¥1,700 for a large pancake set like the 'Fruit Gardens'. A single biscuit was about ¥320. A typical visit costs between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999. While the signature dishes are widely seen as worth the price and potential wait, it may not be worth a long detour for those only casually curious.
- Getting There: The cafe is a 3-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station.
- Booking: Walk-in only; reservations are not accepted for regular tables. Queues are common, so be prepared to wait.
- Service: You order and pay at the counter. Takeout is also available.
- Pancakes: Note that pancakes are only served during specific hours (mornings and early afternoons, varying by season) and can sell out.
- Payment: Credit cards are not accepted. Payment is by cash, and some reviewers note that PayPay is also an option.
- Seating: The interior is small and stylish, with only 17 seats.
- Children: Children are welcome.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Parking: There is no dedicated parking, but paid coin parking is available nearby.
