Hidden Foodie Delights – 8 Kyoto Cafes & Restaurants Off the Beaten Path

◆The Kamanyu Fishery

Escape the summer heat of downtown Kyoto and embrace the cooling sea breeze in the idyllic fishing village of Ine, where The Kamanyu Fishery awaits customers with its freshly caught seafood specials.

This hidden gem is renowned for its generous lunch sets which are sure to delight any seafood lovers. Lunch sets typically include sashimi, steamed fish, tempura, shellfish, sea vegetables, rice, soup, and an array of complementary small bites.

Diners can indulge in this seaside feast for just 2,000 yen (tax included), with outdoor seating available beneath the shade to create a memorable dining experience.

More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/restaurants/1393/

◆Un.donpuri Dessert Shop

For those with a sweet tooth, an early visit to Un.donpuri café and dessert shop in Fukuchiyama City is a must. This renowned establishment is famous for its delicious puddings, skillfully crafted to resemble iconic Japanese dishes in appearance.

The cafe’s puddings are so popular they are often sold out well before the day’s end. With a choice of 11 pudding varieties, including katsudon (fried pork cutlet on rice), ramen, and Japanese hot pot, your taste buds are in for a treat.

Beyond these Instagram-worthy puddings, Un.donpuri also offers a tempting array of baked goods from cakes and donuts to delightful cookies, making it a true haven for dessert enthusiasts.

More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/restaurants/1385/

◆Yanagimachi

Yanagimachi is a famous restaurant located in the castle town of Fukuchiyama. The restaurant is housed within a traditional machiya house from the Meiji era (1868-1912)　that showcases regional specialties. From the menu diners can select dishes that feature local and seasonal produce. One particular highlight is their sukiyaki made with duck meat and topped with Kyoto-grown green onions.

Lunchtime specials include hearty dishes such as oyakodon (rice topped with chicken and egg) or karaage (fried chicken) set meal options, both made using the local Fukuchiyama chicken, and accompanied with seasonal local vegetables.

After finishing their meal, diners can enjoy the restaurant’s ambience with a coffee or alcoholic beverage whilst admiring their collection of books.

More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/restaurants/1384/

◆Chatsubo Yoshida

Chatsubo Yoshida is a must-visit café for lovers of matcha tea without having to worry about difficult preparation methods, located in the small city of Ayabe. Customers can choose for the matcha to be prepared by the staff at their table or by whisking it by hand themselves.

This traditional establishment which was once a tea and tea utensil shop has undergone a renovation to emerge as a cozy café where good matcha and meaningful conversations come together.

More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/restaurants/1390/

◆Asahiya

This friendly and traditional Japanese restaurant is renowned for its signature saba-zushi (mackerel sushi). They use premium mackerel from north-eastern Japan and delicious local rice from Yawata City.

Asahiya is located at the base of Iwashimizu Hachimangu, one of the three major Hachimangu shrines. It has been loved by many locals and visitors for over 100 years, and you can experience the regional atmosphere.

The history of saba-zushi is rooted in the necessity of preserving mackerel through salting or pickling for the long journey from Kyoto’s northern coast to southern Kyoto.

More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/restaurants/27050/

◆Dan Dan Cafë

Nestled in Ishitera in “Kyoto Tea Country” that is one of Japan’s most renowned tea-producing regions, this cafe has an enviable location with a fantastic view of Wazuka Town’s most famous tea plantation, which is a part of the Japan Heritage (Japanese Tea: Eight Centuries of Tradition).

The family-owned café started by two siblings serves familiar Japanese comfort food for lunch, such as dry curry or omelet with rice, and a lunch set with a variety of dishes. All the matcha green tea used in this cafe is from Wazuka, and the rich gelato called Dark Matcha is incredible. In the warm season, you can savor this gelato in a parfait, too. There are other gelato flavors, including seasonal fruit options, so you can enjoy a delightful combination with another flavor.

More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/restaurants/21076/

◆Uosu Kyoto Cuisine

Just a short train ride from downtown Kyoto, Uosu is a Japanese restaurant that specializes in creating unique dishes using bamboo shoot as the main ingredient. One of Uosu’s most well-known dishes is the ‘Takenoko Sugata Sushi’, an aromatic and tender sushi dish made with stuffed bamboo shoots instead of seafood. A healthy and filling dish that also looks amazing, this kind of sushi can be enjoyed all year round.

When it comes to desserts, be sure to try Uosu’s soy milk ice cream that contains delicious pieces of bamboo shoots dusted with a sprinkling of bamboo leaf powder to create a distinctive tasting dish.

More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/restaurants/26835/

◆Unir

This specialty coffee roastery and café is run by a former Japanese representative in the 2019 World Barista Championship. Tomoko Yamamoto and her husband run the Unir café where you enjoy freshly brewed coffee made from beans roasted onsite by one of Japan’s best baristas.

In addition to the excellent coffee, a professional chef is on hand to prepare delicious lunches for customers, whilst desserts are whipped up by a specialist pastry chef.

More information: https://www.kyototourism.org/en/restaurants/13498/