% ARABICA Kyoto Higashiyama — Restaurant in Kyoto

Before our Japan trip commenced last May this year, we often went to %Arabica at Yorkdale Mall and ordered our favorite Kyoto latte.

I tried a cafe latte from the newly opened %Arabica in Hong Kong in International Finance Centre in 2017. I was amongst the first few batches of patrons who tried the speciality coffee. However I could not remember the flavour, I vaguely remembered that I did not really fond of this bit pricey specialty coffee at that time. Nowadays %Arabica Hong Kong gained its popularity due to people increasing acceptance and favouring to speciality coffee with aromatic and delicate flavors.

Then we decided to give the Arabica coffee another try at their shop in Yorkdale Mall earlier this year. As we planned to go to Kyoto in May, so we ordered the Kyoto latte which was made of Arabica single shot of coffee mixed with a touch of condensed milk. The latte had a rich and smooth texture with a touch of sweetness. The staff were friendly and courteous. The bright and modern interior design creating a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. A tower of coffee sacks above the serving station was definitely the focal attraction of the shop.

Our third encounter was at % ARABICA Kyoto Higashiyama. After our visit to Kiyomizu-dera, we slowly walked to Arabica to grab a morning coffee to warm us up in a rainy day. No queue! Because we arrived at the shop at 9am and it was just opened for business. 🤪😂

We deliberately ordered our favourite Kyoto Latte (600 yen) to compare with the one we had in Canada. 🍁 The coffee from these two shops, amid the location distance, have the same rich taste and smooth texture. Admire the coffee quality control techniques.

Share the two shops’ different interior design images; they looked different from each other at first glance; but the subtle interior design elements showed the spirit and essence...

Arabica is a chain but one that has consistently given me great coffee every time. This store in the middle of the very touristy Higashiyama area was a happy find. We queued for our coffee then waited to collect. About par for Arabica, I believe.

We came here twice. First time, I had their Arabica blend latte and my wife had their decaf blend in a macchiato. Beautiful flavours in the macchiato with good acidity and floral flavours up front and a lot of body and taste (given it's a decaf). The latte was as expected with the sweetness of the coffee complementing the milk. I've tried their other coffee beans before but for a latte, I like their house blend.

2nd day, I tried their Kyoto latte (I'm in Kyoto after all) but it's a bit sweet for my taste. Should have stuck with an espresso, my original choice 🤣. My wife had the decaf latte and she really liked it. Enough that we also bought 400g of decaf beans to bring home.

Amazingly, they said it would take 20 mins as they were going to roast it fresh. You can pick a level of roasting as well, but we stuck with their house roast level. Will see whether we can replicate the...

After checking into our hotel in Kyoto, I found myself in need of a good cup of coffee. A short walk down the road led me to % ARABICA in the Kyoto Higashiyama area. Despite it being packed with customers, the coffee shop had a fantastic vibe.

The place was bustling with energy, which contributed to a cool, albeit crowded, atmosphere. It's quite a modernized coffee shop, especially considering its location in the heart of Kyoto. The contemporary design and vibe of % ARABICA stood out, offering a contrast to the traditional surroundings of the city.

The coffee itself was exceptional. It's clear why the shop was so busy – they obviously have a reputation for quality. Even with the long lines, the service was efficient, and the wait wasn't as long as I initially anticipated.

Overall, % ARABICA Kyoto Higashiyama is a great spot for coffee lovers looking for a quality brew in a modern setting, right in the heart of historic Kyoto. It's a must-visit for anyone needing a caffeine fix while...