Kyoto Cafes that are Actually Worth Your Time and Money
Anyone planning a trip to Japan most likely has Kyoto cafes on their must-do list.
Cafe hopping in Kyoto is just as popular as visiting shrines and temples and shopping.
These are the Kyoto cafes (plus a map!) that are worth your time, money and taste buds.
Kyoto Cafes for the People Who Prioritize Taste Over Instagram Photos
1. Mar Cafe / マールカフェ
With the perfect combination of cozy vibes, amazing city views and delicious meals and desserts, Mar Cafe should be at the top of your list. Many cafes I went to either had really good desserts or savory food – not both. But you won’t have that problem at this cafe. The couch facing away from the entrance is my favorite seat but you can also choose the bar, a table or outside on the deck.
Pictured: Keema curry plate (for lunch ¥1050) and the Maru chocolate & mont blanc parfait (¥1100).
2. Book and Vege OyOy / 本と野菜 OyOy
Part cafe, bookstore and specialty food market, Book and Vege OyOy is not just one of my favorite cafes. It’s one of my favorite places in all of Japan. I’ve had almost everything on their menu and some of my favorites are: vegan douhua, vegan plate and their seasonal mulled wine for the winter.
This cafe focuses on sustainability and they source their fresh & organic ingredients from local farms.
Many people come to ShinPuhKan (shopping mall on Karasuma-dori) for Traveler’s Factory Kyoto & BEAMS, but this cafe should not be missed.
Pictured: Seasonal vegan plate (¥1850)
3. Walden Woods (near Kyoto Station)
I tend to skip the really popular cafes, but Walden Woods is well-liked for good reason. This two-story cafe decorated with white-painted wood, serves some of the best chai I’ve had in a long time. Their soft serve ice cream is also excellent. Out of all the cafes on this list, it’s probably the closest to Kyoto Station – about a 15 min walk.
It’s often busy inside but not too crowded for you to still feel cozy among the stadium-style seating.
Being inside Walden Woods is what I imagine lounging in an A-frame cabin in the middle of the woods during the winter is like.
Pictured: Hot chai (¥650), Matcha Black soft serve (¥700) and strawberry canele (¥300).
4. Mumokuteki Cafe
Mumokuteki is pretty well known with travelers because of their wide variety of vegan & vegetarian dishes. On their menu you’ll find: ramen, curry, omurice and gozen set meals. I prefer their desserts but haven’t tried their chocolate bars yet.
My favorite seat is at the bar where you can look out onto their garden balcony.
Mumokuteki also has a small home goods shop on the ground floor. And if you walk in the opposite direction, the area opens out onto Teramachi-dori, the historic Kyoto street known for its shopping.
Pictured: Seasonal cheesecake with raspberry sauce & cacao nibs (¥850) and the matcha soy milk ice cream shake (¥850)
5. Totaro
I almost missed the Shinkansen (bullet train) back to Tokyo for this cafe, but it was worth it! Totaro should be at the top of your Kyoto cafe hopping list.
Totaro’s decor is minimal, but I care more about how good the food is than a cafe being aesthetically pleasing for social media.
I’ve had a lot of pudding (too much, really) in Japan and it’s usually too egg-y, however Totaro’s raw pudding is light but balanced.
Definitely my favorite pudding not just in Kyoto but in Japan so far.
If I remember correctly, each drink order comes with an order of the baby castella.
Pictured: Wasanbon matcha latte (¥800) with oat milk (¥100), matcha pudding (¥800) and baby castella
