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

◆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/