On my perpetual hunt to find the best iced coffee in each city. Here’s my round-up of the best cafes in Kyoto, Japan by category (will continue to update as I discover more!).

Best Cafes to Work From

  • Dandelion Chocolate Kyoto – This San Francisco chocolate company with a cult following also has a Kyoto location! In addition to serving its wide array of famous chocolates in a chic, minimalist setting, it also serves drinks and has a spacious cafe with tons of seating on the second floor.
  • Cafe Bibliotic Hello! – I have not tried this one yet, but plan to this week! Recommendation comes from a promising source; I’ll get back to you with the full report.

Best Vibes

  • Piece Hostel Sanjo – I accidentally stumbled on this one after trying to go to Weekender’s Coffee and finding out it was standing room only. The cafe is on the ground floor (you walk down a set of stairs from the sidewalk) and the hostel is above it. It’s a spacious cafe flooded with natural light and there was a live jazz band performing. Very cool.

“The Rachel Special“

This started back in Cape Town, where I frequented the nearby coffee shop around the corner from my apartment off Adderley St, Motherland Coffee. Iced Soy Vanilla Latte. Man, did they make it right. Ever since, I have continued to try and find the next best Rachel Special in each city.

  • Drip & Drop Coffee Supply – Great grab and go spot in the city center by our co-working workspace (andwork), and solid iced soy latte (though a bit expensive).
  • Still searching…

Feels Like Home

  • Still searching…

Have any recommendations I should try on your list of best cafes in Kyoto? Comment below!