The best cafés in Kyoto in 2026 are % Arabica in Arashiyama for riverside lattes, Weekenders Coffee Tominokoji in a hidden courtyard, Kurasu near Kyoto Station, and the old-school kissaten Smart Coffee and Inoda Coffee. For tea, Ippodo's main store has one of the best tea rooms in Japan.
Kyoto mixes traditional kissaten (old-style coffee houses) with a strong specialty-coffee scene. Many cafés open early, which makes them perfect before temple visits.
Lattes with a river view.
% Arabica's Arashiyama shop faces the Katsura River and Togetsukyo Bridge, serving excellent espresso drinks.
It is famous on social media, so lines form.
Good to know: Go at opening before the crowds.
3-47 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto 616-8385
Specialty coffee in a hidden courtyard.
Weekenders Coffee roasts its own beans and serves them from a small shop tucked behind a parking lot downtown.
It is a local favorite.
Good to know: Look for it behind the parking lot.
560 Honeyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8064
Specialty coffee near Kyoto Station.
Kurasu serves pour-overs and lattes from Japanese roasters near Kyoto Station, and sells brewing gear.
It is handy before a train.
Good to know: Pick up brewing gear as a gift.
552 Higashiaburanokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8216
A 1932 kissaten famous for pancakes.
Smart Coffee has served coffee on Teramachi since 1932, with famous hot cakes and French toast.
It is a Kyoto institution.
Good to know: Order the hot cakes.
537 Nakajimacho, Teramachi-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8081
A classic coffee house since 1940.
Inoda Coffee serves classic coffee and a Kyoto breakfast in a traditional building.
It is busy on weekends.
Good to know: Order the Kyoto breakfast.
140 Doyucho, Sakaimachi-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8118
A tea room run by a merchant since 1717.
Ippodo's tea room lets you prepare matcha and gyokuro with staff guidance.
Buy tea to take home.
Good to know: Sit in the Kaboku tea room.
52 Tokiwagicho, Teramachi-dori Nijo, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-0915
% Arabica, Weekenders and Kurasu are the specialty-coffee favorites.
A traditional Japanese coffee house, often serving breakfast sets; Smart Coffee and Inoda are classics.
Ippodo's tea room and the tea houses of Uji, a short train ride away.
% Arabica in Arashiyama gets long lines; go at opening.
Yes, kissaten like Inoda and Smart Coffee serve breakfast sets.