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