Tabelog ratingCafe Verdi (カフェ・ヴェルディ) is a cornerstone of Kyoto's coffee scene, a place where the craft of roasting and brewing is on full display. This award-winning café in the quiet Shimogamo district roasts its own beans on-site, offering a wide selection of single-origin and blended coffees. Baristas here are known for their precise low-temperature brewing (around 80–85°C), a technique that brings out the nuanced flavours of the beans, which you can also purchase to take home.
Guests consistently praise the quality of the coffee, with the house Verdi and Shimogamo blends being particular favourites alongside the single-origin pour-overs. The food menu, though small, is executed with the same precision. Reviewers love the simple but perfectly made cinnamon and cheese toasts, as well as light desserts like crème caramel, financiers, and seasonal cakes. The ability to watch the roasting process and chat with knowledgeable staff adds to the experience.
However, the café's popularity means it can get very busy, especially on weekends. Several visitors report long waits for a table—sometimes 30-40 minutes—and slow service during peak hours. A few have also noted that staff can seem brusque, and there's a strict expectation that each guest orders at least one drink.
For the quality on offer, prices are considered fair by coffee aficionados. Reviewers recently paid around ¥600–¥680 for a single coffee. Morning sets, like a cheese toast with coffee, cost about ¥1,030, while a hot sandwich lunch set was around ¥1,530. A crème caramel set was reported at ¥1,200.
- Reservations: Reservations are not accepted. It is a walk-in-only café, and queues are common, especially on weekends. Be sure to give your name to the staff when you arrive.
- Getting There: The café is a 1-4 minute walk from the 'Rakuhoku High School' city bus stop, or a 20-minute walk from Kitaoji Station (Exit 5) or Kitayama Station (Exit 1) on the subway.
- Payment: Credit cards (JCB, Amex, Diners) and QR code payments are accepted. Electronic money is not. It is wise to carry some cash.
- Seating: There are 21 seats, including a 6-seat counter where you can watch the baristas at work.
- Children: Children are welcome.
- Smoking: The entire premises, including the area outside, is non-smoking.
- Parking: Four parking spaces are available.
- Take-out: Coffee, beans, and pastries are available for take-out, but popular items may sell out.
