Restaurants & Cafés in Kyoto Prefecture

% ARABICA Kyoto Fujii Daimaru is a premium specialty coffee shop located on the first floor of the Fujii Daimaru department store in the Shijō‑Kawaramachi area of Kyoto. The location is part of the globally known % ARABICA chain, founded by the Kyoto trading company Asiamix, which operates in 17 countries. The café is famous for its distinctive Kyoto latte (made with condensed milk), rich espresso and professional baristas using top machines such as Slayer Espresso. The space is compact with limited seating but offers an upscale coffee experience for shoppers and tourists. This location usually has shorter queues compared with the popular Arashiyama branch, making it a more accessible option to try % ARABICA's famous coffee.

A traditional Japanese restaurant that uses only seasonal ingredients, located near the Nishiki Tenmangu Shinto shrine and awarded one Michelin star. The chef speaks good English and explains the ingredients and cooking process while preparing the dishes. The restaurant specializes in kaiseki, a traditional multi-course meal that can include more than 14 dishes. There are three menus differing by number of courses and price: lunch costs ¥3,500–¥7,000, and dinner costs ¥7,000–¥15,000.

Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Fufu no Yu offers a tranquil and authentic Japanese hot spring experience, perfect for unwinding after exploring the scenic Arashiyama district. Visitors consistently praise its cleanliness, convenient location near Togetsukyo Bridge, and the peaceful atmosphere of its indoor and outdoor baths.

Step back in time at Ichimonjiya Wasuke, a teahouse operating for over a thousand years, serving only its signature aburi-mochi. Visitors praise the historical ambiance and the simple, delicious sweet rice cakes, making it a memorable stop for a taste of ancient Kyoto.

A 300-year-old shop and tea house. Try a set of green tea or hōjicha (roasted green tea), served with seasonal wagashi sweets. Menu items start from 800 yen.

A great spot for a bite and coffee right by Fushimi Inari Shrine. The café offers a wide selection of light Japanese and European dishes, such as avocado toast and hummus with seasonal vegetables. They also serve pastries and coffee. The terrace overlooks a pond — it’s especially beautiful and peaceful in autumn.

% Arabica Kyoto Higashiyama is a popular specialty coffee shop located in the historic Higashiyama district near Kiyomizu-dera. The café is famous for its signature Kyoto latte, which many visitors describe as exceptional with a perfect balance of espresso and milk. The minimalist interior has limited seating with one large communal table for 8–10 people. While the coffee quality is widely praised, service is highly inconsistent, with numerous complaints about rude and dismissive staff toward both foreign and Japanese customers. The location attracts many tourists, which leads to frequent queues that can increase waiting times to about 25 minutes at peak hours. Prices range from ¥500 to ¥650 for coffee drinks, with the signature Kyoto latte being the most popular order.

Omurice is a delicacy of rice wrapped in a fluffy omelet. Today the dish is very popular, largely thanks to a viral video of the Japanese chef who amazes customers with theatrical flair when preparing the omelet. The restaurant has an eight-seat counter, a six-person table and an open kitchen; reservations should be made at least two to four weeks in advance. Kichi Kichi's signature dish — an open omelet over fried rice — costs 2700 yen, and the chicken cutlet with cheese and mustard costs 1500 yen.