Enhance Your Trip to Kyoto: Five Gourmet Locations around the Station
Kyoto is beautiful in every single season so no matter when you visit, you’re bound to have an amazing time. Exploring a city can be as exciting as it is exhausting, however, and to further enhance your authentic Kyoto experience, we’ve carefully selected five gourmet spots around Kyoto Station. From fluffy pancakes for breakfast to Kyoto-style home cooking called Obanzai for lunch and dinner, these locations serve a variety of must-try dishes when in the old Japanese capital! Look forward to relaxing in cafés off the beaten path and discover an entirely new gourmet side of Kyoto.
1. How to Start your Morning in Kyoto: From the Platform to a Famous Café
It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so let’s begin our Kyoto gourmet journey right in the morning, in one of the city’s most famous and long-established cafés. There are two different types of menu available but we warmly recommend the Kansai-style egg toast. The fluffiness of the scrambled egg and the hot coffee served along with it will wake up your taste buds! As Inoda Coffee is located right outside the bullet train platforms, it’s just the place to go for those who arrive particularly early.
Inoda Coffee
858-1 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-0000
2. The Real Kyoto Style: A Pancake to Stimulate all Senses
How about a fluffy pancake break to go with your relaxed Kyoto morning? Created with the old Heian culture in mind, this unique pancake dish is beautiful to look at, smells absolutely amazing, and feels wonderfully fluffy in your mouth - in short, it stimulates far more than just one sense! This café is located in a building adjacent to Kyoto Station, allowing for an excellent view over the city while the pancake deliciousness melts on your tongue. Between sightseeing and shopping, this is definitely the perfect spot to take a break!
Malebranche
901 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-0000
3. The Sweets Discovery Tour around the Station!
Kyoto can get rather busy, not only around the station but also at the various sightseeing spots – taking a little break once in a while is sure to revitalize mind and body. This is precisely why we’ve set out to find the best leisure break cafés all around Kyoto Station, serving authentic Kyoto-style sweets such as matcha cake, and elaborate waffle creations. All of them are within a five-minute walk from Kyoto Station, so whether you’d like to relax your tired feet for a while or grab a luxurious snack to feast on while continue exploring, you won’t have to look far!
Malebranche Café
31-1 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-0000
Nakamura Tokichi
Kyoto Isetan 3F, Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-8555
Figueras
https://gurunavi.com/en/k269907/rst/
Mayfair
901 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-8216
4. Off the Beaten Path: Hidden Gems of Kyoto’s Café Culture
The area around Kyoto Station is littered with sightseeing spots but as already mentioned, they do get rather busy. For all those who like to relax in a less crowded environment in between temple hopping, we’ve just the right places for you. While still in the direct vicinity of the main station, these cafés are genuine insider tips that do not only offer a nice and quiet atmosphere but also serve the delicious Kyoto Obanzai cuisine. Why not travel off the beaten path and spend an hour or two at one of these recommended places?
Hiizuru Café
172 Komeya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-8229
Santres Conleche
392 Osakacho Karasuma 5-jo Sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-8177
Saredo Café
727 Ebisuno-cho Shimmachi, Higashi Iru 7-jo Dori, Simogyo-Ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-8310
CHA CHA
522 Kitafudondo-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-8233
5. The Epitome of Japanese Confectionery
The famous confectionery “Tsuruya Yoshinobu” has recently opened a new store on the premises of Kyoto Station – and this one is really different from all the other shops and restaurants of the franchise. It focuses on sweets that are both unique and modern while still staying true to traditions of old. The results aren’t only extremely delicious but also a feat for the eyes, perfect to be enjoyed all by yourself as well as taken home as a souvenir.
Tsuruya Yoshinobu Irodori
8-3 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-8216
