Astrea Coffee — Restaurant in Kyoto

Posting 4 days later because we’re determined this place needs the bad reviews.

Unfortunately our experience was ruined by the rude waiter/barista on 2 different occasions. We went there 4 times over 3 days as we were staying nearby and the first 2 experiences were lovely and nice coffee too.

The third time we were given our stay-in coffee in a takeaway cup and when I asked for a stay in cup, the waiter shrugged, barely have eye contact and said ‘It’s already made’. His English is good and upon reflection I think he put it in a takeaway cup so that we wouldn’t stay in 😆

The 4th visit we were unfortunate to meet him again and experience his rudeness again too. I had brought my parents too and we had been on our feet all morning so we sat down. My dad asked if the waiter had a bin for a small piece of plastic he’d been carrying around all morning (no bins in public) and he said ‘no I don’t’ when clearly he has a bin behind the counter. Many places have been helpful and taken the rubbish we’ve carried or shown us where we can go but not him. We also asked about where the sugar was and he pointed as if we were an inconvenience and didn’t say a thing.

When we left he didn’t say bye- probably the only place in Japan (restaurant, bar, shop, hotel, attraction, etc) that hasn’t said a lovely hello/goodbye to all their customers.

I have decided he hates tourists and wants these bad reviews to keep tourists away. He seemed like the owner which surprises me, but if he isn’t I’d consider getting a new face for the cafe.

Posting to tell others to visit only if you’re not served by...

Yup, listen to the other reviews about the poor service lol. The barista (who I think is the owner) was unfriendly to me (not terribly rude or anything but just very blunt and short with me, and did not smile at all even though I smiled at him - wth?). I am a foreigner traveling solo and I do feel like his tone and treatment towards Japanese customers was different than towards me - so do with that info what you will! He also would not take my credit card because it was "too thick" because I have a sticker cover on it (from cucu covers). No one has ever rejected my credit card just because it was too thick and I have used that card literally thousands of times lol. Usually they at least give it a nice push and it works just fine but he didn't really even try to - I think he just did not want to deal with me lol. I got a matcha latte and it was very mediocre. It honestly tasted like the matcha lattes I make at home or easily can get in the US. Nothing special or unique. The aesthetic is very IKEA minimalist with lots of plants vibe. Meh skip this one. There are sooo soooo many amazing and delicious cafes, coffeeshops, and restaurants in Kyoto that you could spend your money at instead! For example- The matcha latte at nana's green tea was...

The male Barista is very rude without a reason to be rude. My order was 3 lattes (one with oatmilk), a flat white , and a hot chocolate and a cheese toast. The hot chocolate had a different name “latte chocolates”, i asked whether there is coffee politely, to the female at the counter to which the male barista came over barking rudely that my this is hot chocolate and pointed to the name as if it was obvious that there was no coffee in his “ latte chocolate.” I thought What a pick this guy is maybe its still early, who took the jam out of your doughnut. This wasnt the end of it as when the change came, i politely asked if i could change my 500 yen coin into 100 yen ( mainly to pay for parking) this male barista barked back again saying No. i then reminded him I just ordered quite a few items and asked if breaking down 500 yen is such a fuss. Then he barked back again now claiming he is not a bank. And that i should leave. What a pick this guy is. Ive had better coffee made by a real dog not a barista barking orders at polite foreigners. If youre reading this don’t bring your backside to Bangkok Thailand. You’ll get it handed right back at you with your smelly attitude. ...