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2025.8.8
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Kyoto's 23 oldest and retro coffee shops! Popular lunches are also introduced!

[2025] 23 Long-established, Pure & Retro Coffeehouses in Kyoto! Including popular lunches!

In the historic city of Kyoto, retro coffee shops, from classic coffee shops with stately interiors to old-fashioned pure coffee shops, are very popular. In this article, LeafKYOTO's editorial staff, who know Kyoto inside and out, selects 23 coffee shops, ranging from the classic to the obscure, that are well known among the locals. Each coffee shop offers a special menu, including coffee carefully roasted by the owner, a hearty lunch, and special sweets. On your next holiday, experience Kyoto's unique coffee shop culture. (TEXT/Saori Yoshikawa, EDIT/Moe Sawamura)

Contents of this article

1.
Kitashirakawa/Exquisite seasonal desserts in a coffee shop with the aroma of a different culture [Shukagacafe Kashihate]
2.
Gion Shijo / Jewelry store coffee shop in a famous building in Gion [Gion Ishi Coffee Shop].
3.
Gion-Shijo/Yasaka's pure coffee shop with 80 years of history [COFFEE Cattleya
4.
Nishijin / Pure coffee shop where you can enjoy specialty coffee and handmade sweets [Kaze to COFFEE Cafe Kazeko]
5.
Kiyamachi / Pure coffee shop where you can take a break in the city late at night [late-night coffee shop/hall Tamon]
6.
Teramachi Sanjo / Sweet store [Ama-no-chaya Ume-en Sanjo Teramachi] is a place that brings a smile to everyone's face.
7.
Teramachi Sanjo / Old-fashioned coffee float at Smart Coffee Shop
8.
Karasuma / Food menu at Ogawa Coffee Sakaimachi Nishiki, which makes the most of seasonal ingredients to be enjoyed with coffee
9.
Karasuma Oike: Egg sandwiches from a long-established Western-style restaurant at Cafe Madrague
10.
Nishijin / A hearty menu served in the historic space of Sarasa Nishijin
11.
Karasuma Oike/ A hearty morning at Inoda Coffee
12.
Shijo-Kawaramachi: Jelly punch in five sparkling colors at Cafe Soiree
13.
Shijo Kawaramachi / Sweets for Adults [Francois Cafe]
14.
Coffee and cheesecake marriage to be enjoyed in the peaceful atmosphere of Sanjo Kawaramachi / [Cafe Reed Island
15.
Shichijo / Sandwiches at Cafe Amazon to enjoy with home-roasted coffee
16.
Okazaki/Omelette rice from Kisa Me, a long-established coffee shop in Ginza, Tokyo
17.
Higashiyama / A place of relaxation for locals and tourists alike [Yamamoto Cafe] offers a nostalgic taste of the past
18.
Karasuma / Contemporary Art in Everyday Life. [Enjoy the coffee menu at Maeda Coffee Meirin
19.
Coffee and homemade donuts at Rokuyosha in Kawaramachi Sanjo
20.
Nijo Castle / Simple but delicious egg sandwiches at Cafe Tyrol
21.
【閉店】今出川/[喫茶ゾウ]のカラフルで可愛いクリームソーダ
22.
Retro Showa-style fruit parfait at Cafe Jade in Murasaki
23.
Shimogamo / Enjoy a perfect cup of coffee at the well-known Shimogamo restaurant "caffè Verdi Shimogamo Honten" (caffè Verdi Shimogamo Honten)

11. Karasuma Oike/ A hearty morning at Inoda Coffee

Founded in 1940, Inoda Coffee's main coffee shop has an elegant and charming retro atmosphere that has remained unchanged since its establishment. The morning meal served in the store is very popular, along with the home-roasted coffee. The morning meal is a hearty meal with original boneless ham, scrambled eggs, croissants, and other items!

Inoda Coffee Main Store
Breakfast in Kyoto at Inoda Coffee Head Office

Kyo breakfast 1830 yen. In addition to a glass of orange juice, you can choose a set drink such as coffee or cafe au lait!

Inoda Coffee Main Store

  • Inoda Coffee Honten
  • 140 Dosyu-cho, Sanjo-sagaru, Sakaicho-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Six-minute walk from Exit 5 of Karasuma-Oike Subway Station
  • Tel. 075-221-0507

12. Shijo-Kawaramachi: Jelly punch in five sparkling colors at Cafe Soiree

A retro café that has remained unchanged since its founding in 1948. Soiree means "evening party" in French, and as the name suggests, the blue lighting creates a bewitching mood. The standard item is the jelly punch, which contains 5 different colors of jelly. You will be captivated by the sparkling jewel-like visuals that match the atmosphere inside the store.

Cafe Soiree Appearance
Cafe soiree

Jelly punch 850 yen (*price varies). Fruits vary depending on the season.

Cafe soiree

  • Kissa Soiree
  • 95 Nishikiyamachi-dori Shijo Kameru Shinmachi, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
  • Short walk from Hankyu "Kyoto Kawaramachi Station" Exit 1A
  • Tel.075-221-0351

13. Shijo Kawaramachi / Sweets for Adults [Francois Cafe]

The Francois Café is a long-established coffee shop in Kyoto. The Western street-corner-like exterior and the interior decor reminiscent of a hall on a luxury cruise ship have remained unchanged since the shop's establishment in 1934. Its melt-in-your-mouth rare cheese cake is loved by many people.

Francois Tea Room
Rare cheesecake from Francois Cafe

Melt-in-your-mouth rare cheese cake made with rich cream cheese and fresh cream 700 yen

Francois Tea Room

  • Francois kiss
  • 184 Funatocho, Shijo Shimoru, Nishikiyamachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • Short walk from Hankyu "Kyoto Kawaramachi Station" Exit 1B
  • Tel.075-351-4042

14. Coffee and cheesecake marriage to be enjoyed in the peaceful atmosphere of Sanjo Kawaramachi / [Cafe Reed Island

The coffee is carefully roasted in small quantities using an open-flame roasting machine, and a well-balanced selection of beans is always available to meet the diverse tastes of guests. In 2023, a second store will open in Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. [T8], so be sure to check it out.

Reed Island Inside the store
Reed Island Cheese Cake

Sanjo Cheesecake to enjoy with Reed Island Blend 800 yen, a medium deep roast with good balance 700 yen

coffee shop or cafe where one can read manga, often has Internet facilities

  • red-banded sand wasp (Ammophila sabulosa)
  • 5F Bunmeido Building, 37 Daikoku-cho, Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Sanjo-Dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
  • 4 minutes walk from Exit 6 of Sanjo Station, Keihan
  • Tel. 075-241-2210

15. Shichijo / Sandwiches at Cafe Amazon to enjoy with home-roasted coffee

Café Amazon is an old-fashioned coffee shop that serves home-roasted coffee. The master, who loves bread, has created a variety of sandwiches to enjoy with his strong, deep-roasted coffee. It is recommended when you want a delicious morning meal or just to take a breather. Take-out is also available.

Amazon Appearance
Amazon Egg Sandwich

Egg sandwich with ketchup and mayonnaise with tangy mustard butter, 1,000 yen (half size 700 yen)

Coffee Amazon

  • Amazon
  • 235 Shimohorizume-cho, Shichijo Kamigaru, Sasamachi-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 2 minutes walk from Exit 4 of Keihan "Shichijo Station".
  • Tel. 075-561-8875
The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
※内容の誤りや閉店情報などお気づきの点がございましたら、info@leafkyoto.co.jp までお知らせください。
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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