Cafes and bars in Kyoto
Japan's ancient capital has a cafe scene as considered as its temples. The best rooms here sit quietly between old machiya walls and garden views, and ask nothing of you except that you slow down.
4 venues reviewed, each visited and scored in person.
Every review in Kyoto
- GOODMAN ROASTER KYOTO Steep PickYadacho · Steep Index 8.5/10
A small, quaint roastery cafe near Shijo-Karasuma with a wide bean selection and espresso drinks pulled with real care. An easy, welcoming place to sit alone and watch Kyoto go by.
- Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto CafeNanzenji · Steep Index 8.3/10
Blue Bottle's Nanzenji outpost is the rare cafe where the setting outscores the coffee, and the coffee is already good. A garden, a quiet lane off the temple grounds, and no particular reason to rush.
- KAEru coffeeSakaicho · Steep Index 7.8/10
A quirky, frog-themed roastery cafe near Gojo Station with a strong reputation online. The single-origin Guatemala and iced latte both read under-extracted on this visit, well short of what the region should deliver.
- Kurasu EbisugawaEbisugawa · Steep Index 7.7/10
A small, well-known coffee destination on Kyoto's Ebisugawa Street, built around home-brew gear rather than espresso. The pour-over itself is excellent and well-extracted. The staff on this visit made it hard to enjoy.