4 Best Restaurants in Kyoto, Japan

Café Bibliotic HELLO!

$$ | Nakagyo-ku

Leafy banana trees visible from several blocks away mark this airy two-story town-house café that's especially popular at night with young people. Lunch options that include sandwiches, rice dishes, and curries change regularly. All go well with Moroccan chai or imaginative seasonal smoothies like one with strawberry, mint, and ginger. Among the desserts are mango and coconut cream and French toast with candied almonds. While waiting for your meal, you can browse the wall of books. Attached is an art gallery. The cafe is a 10- to 15-minute walk from either the Oike or Marutamachi subway station.

Café Lunch Dinner $$
650 Haremeicho, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 604-0951, Japan
075-231–8625
cafe-hello.jp
Known For
  • stylish and cozy
  • casual atmosphere
  • reasonably priced menu
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

In the Green

$
This combination trattoria, pizzeria, and café in a contemporary glass, metal, and wood space borders the northern side of the Kyoto Botanical Gardens. Both the location and the food make it popular, so it is wise to make a reservation by phone or in person and see the gardens first. The chefs fire up thin-crust Neapolitan-style pizzas in a tile-covered wood-fired oven, and simple fish and meat dishes are also on the daily-changing menu.

Indépendants

$ | Nakagyo-ku

A great backpacker hangout, this café is especially popular midday, when a devoted clientele of students and artists comes for the cheap, bountiful plate lunches (including curries, salads, and soups), friendly service, live music, and convivial atmosphere. The setting is the former Mainichi Newspaper Building, with its brick-and-plaster basement, colorful mosaic tiles, and exposed masonry. If the scene here is too frenetic for you, head up to the pleasant Cafe Chocolat, on the second floor.

Café Lunch Dinner $
Sanjo-dori and Gokomachi-dori, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 604-8082, Japan
075-255–4312
cafe-independants.com
Known For
  • hip atmosphere
  • excellent desserts
  • vintage and stylish interior
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted

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Maeda Coffee Meirin

$
The lively café occupies a classroom in a former elementary school the city converted into an arts center. Maeda serves simple fare, an assortment of beverages, and some innovative desserts. With its creaky wooden classroom floors and the artworks of many university students and local artist groups, the arts complex is heavy on atmosphere.