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

◆Asahi-ya Mackerel Sushi

This friendly and traditional restaurant dates back more than 100 years and is located at the foot of Iwashmizu-Hachimangu Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines.

Asahi-ya specializes in saba-sushi (mackerel sushi) and its specialty dish is stick sushi that contains high-quality mackerel sourced from north-eastern Japan, as well as rice and vegetables grown locally in Yawata City where the restaurant is situated.

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

◆Dan Dan Café

This scenic cafe has an enviable location overlooking the famous Ishitera Tea Fields in Wazuka town. The family-owned café run by two siblings specializes in familiar Japanese comfort food lunch dishes such as curry and omelet with rice, alongside sweet treats including gelato and parfaits made with seasonal fruits.

As one would expect when visiting a café situated in one of Japan’s most famous tea-producing areas, Wazuka tea is also on the menu!

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/