Food & Drink
Five Kyoto Cafés to chill in this Summer
Famous for its green tea and beautiful machiya townhouses, Kyoto has a booming café culture. It’s hard to walk down a street in Kyoto without stumbling upon a new hip establishment. There’s something for every taste, whether you’re an espresso fan or a sweet-tooth. Here are a selection to try out this summer. It’s a good idea to bring your mask for when you are not eating or drinking, and be aware that some establishments will insist on keeping conversation to a minimum at this time.
Thread Cafe
Open: Tues-Fri: 14:30 – Sunset; Sat-Sun: 11:40 – 16:30
Irregular closures. Check the website for their schedule.
Follow the needle and thread logo down a narrow corridor to be transported into a minimalist oasis. Thread Cafe is the perfect place to grab breakfast before a busy day. On offer are delicious morning sets, toast and cakes. Sitting under the many plants filling the cafe, time seems to move a little more slowly here.
Cafe Bibliotic Hello!
Open: 11:30 – 23:00
Closed Mon.
If you like to read, this is the perfect cafe for you. Built inside a renovated machiya, Cafe Bibliotic Hello! offers light meals and delicious homemade drinks. The cafe walls are lined with bookshelves, and visitors are free to browse the huge collection of interesting books and magazines. This is the perfect place to spend a rainy day reading and nursing a coffee.
WEEKENDERS COFFEE TOMINOKOJI
Open: 7:30 – 18:00
Closed Wed.
If you’re not looking for it, it’s easy to miss WEEKENDERS COFFEE TOMINOKOJI. Hidden at the back of a parking lot, this was one of the first places in Kyoto to serve truly specialist coffee. For fans of the bean, this unique coffee bar is not to be missed.
Cafe Cherish
Open: Weekdays: 11:00 – 18:00; Weekends and national holidays: 11:00-19:00
Closed Mon, Tues.
Walking into Cafe Cherish, you might feel like you’ve accidentally stumbled into Wonderland. The whimsical design of the cafe also extends to their menu. From color-changing drinks to ice cream floats decorated with mermaid tails — there is a bit of magic in every sip!
Bon Bon Cafe
Open: 11:30 – 19:00
Irregular closures. Check the website for a schedule.
Located next to the Kamogawa river, Bon Bon Cafe is a great place to stop for some french toast after a river-side stroll. If you can, grab a window seat for a great view of the river. This is a perfect place to relax with a coffee, or a delicious herb tea.
