Top 5 Cafes & Bars in Kyoto

The old capital of Japan is renowned for its stunning temples and scenic streets. In case you need to recharge in between an inevitably packed sightseeing schedule, below are my Top 5 picks (in alphabetical order) for bars and cafes around the beautiful town!

1. Affinage, Fruit Cocktail Bar

2. Cafe Rheinbeck, Pancakes

3. JTRRD, Smoothies

4. K36, Rooftop Bar

5. Umezono, Cafe

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Affinage

• A wine bar in Kyoto is renowned for its fresh fruit cocktails using seasonal fruits

• Book via phone: +81(0)75-525-5175

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Cafe Rhinebeck

• A popular cafe that has been selected as Japan’s Top 100 sweet shops by Tabelog, famous for their fluffy and subtly sweet pancakes and retro interiors

• Walk-in only

• Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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JTRRD

• Their completely natural smoothies from the cafe originally from Osaka not only taste amazing but are absolutely stunning!

• Walk-in only (recommend visiting in the morning to avoid queues)

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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K36

• Rooftop bar at Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu with a stunning 360-view of the old city - beware of cover charges and expensive drinks!

• Walk-in only for non-hotel guests

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Umezono CAFE & GALLERY

• Highly recommend their matcha pancakes and "kinako" (sweet soy bean powder) French toast

• Walk-in only

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Top 5 Restaurants in Kyoto

Planning a trip to the ancient Japanese capital? Below are my Top 5 picks (in alphabetical order) for a sit-down meal, from a rustic izakaya to Michelin-starred Kaiseki!

1. Jiki Miyazawa, Kaiseki

2. Kiyama, Kaikseki

3. Kuishinbo Yamanaka, Wagyu Steak

4. LURRA°, Innovative Fusion

5. Sasakura, Izakaya

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Jiki Miyazawa

• A Michelin-starred Kaiseki restaurant with a modern twist

• Book via Ikyu

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Kiyama

• A renowned Kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto that has received the prestigious Tabelog Silver award as well as a Michelin star

• Book via Pocket Concierge

• Website | Tabelog | Google Maps

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Kuishinbo Yamanaka

• Delicious old-school wagyu steak house - highly recommend their "hambaagu" (Japanese Salisbury steak) for lunch, which is great value for money!

• Book via phone: +81(0)75-392-3745

• Tabelog | Google Maps

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LURRA°

• An innovative fusion restaurant that received a Michelin star just a year after opening - the 3 owners have a combined experience at the world-renowned NOMA and Quintessance, as well as featuring on Forbes Japan's "30 Under 30" list

• Book online

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Sasakura

• A hidden gem izakaya tucked away down a quiet alley just a few minutes from Karasuma-Oike station, which opened nearly 3 decades ago

• Book via phone: +81(0)75-252-3210

• Tabelog | Google Maps

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#kyoto #tokyohalfie_kyoto

Top 5 Cafes in Nagoya

Nagoya has been gaining popularity over the past few years as one of the foodie hot spots. Below are my Top 5 picks around the city (in alphabetical order) for coffee and cake, scroll down for more info!

1. Chez Kobe, Patisserie

2. Chi-Roba, Cafe

3. Double Tall Coffee, Cafe

4. Fika., Patisserie

5. Q.O.L. Coffee, Cafe

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Chez Kobe

• An old-school patisserie that was established nearly 4 decades ago, renowned for its cakes that feature seasonal fruits

• Walk-in only

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Chi-Roba

• The retro cafe offers a range of unique desserts to accompany your cup of coffee, including their signature bite size French toast fried with rosemary

• Walk-in only

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Double Tall Cafe

• Make sure to order their special "coffee jelly", which magically transforms from liquid coffee in just 3 minutes

• Walk-in only

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Fika.

• A popular cake shop that offers weekly changing flavours and combinations depending on ingredients that are best during that particular season

• Pre-order via phone: +81 (0)52-746-9134

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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Q.O.L. Coffee

• The owner-barista opened this cafe in 2017 after working at over 10 cafes and spending time in Australia

• Walk-in only

• Website | Tabelog | Instagram | Google Maps

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#nagoya #tokyohalfie_nagoya