BREAD, ESPRESSO & — Restaurant in Kyoto

If you're the type of traveler that isn't just looking for a solid cup of java, you also want some tasty baked goods and aesthetic relaxing place to enjoy both of those things, this is the spot I'd recommend. It has a great vibe and seems to place a real emphasis on giving their customers nice, photogenic visuals.

The entrance of the shop seems like an unassuming bakery, with shelves of interesting looking treats to grab with tongs and put on a tray. However, once you've grabbed your baked goods, you can either take them to go, or enter further in order to find yourself in a space that expands into a counter bar with a small corner table.

There's a small nature area in the open right outside the bathroom, for when nature calls. Off to the side, there's also a tatami section for people who prefer that sort of vibes for their tea + sweets enjoying experience.

As for the coffee, they don't do a straight black coffee, but I enjoyed their latte, and my wife, despite not being a coffee drinker, enjoyed their seasonal Cafe Basileus, a striking layered beverage that features a bottom layer of bright green basil liqueur. Supposedly, this drink was invented by a barista champion, and I believe it. The basil added this really bright, interesting note to the coffee drink. I might be buying a bottle of this and attempting to make this on my own.

As far as food goes, I tried the Honey French Toast, the Brioche Sausage Roll, and some jalapeno cheese bread. Al the baked goods were really good, though I think I got them a bit past optimal freshness because they stuck to the teeth a little bit.

I came back a second time, and the Basileus was sadly gone, but I went with an espresso shot, a canele, and what looked like a salmon and potato pizza. The salmon pizza was delicious. I thought it was going to be tough to bite through just from the looks of it, but no, it was crispy and airy and all kinds of yum. I really wish this place just did a drip...

I would really like to give this a higher rating. The food was well-balanced and tasted great. I ordered a French toast with a sausage and bacon. I feel like they could've easily been a bit more generous with the bacon, and at least added am extra slice. Just the single one was a bit little. The salad was ok, but not much more than that. We did try a few of the pastries, more specifically one slice of honey toast, a melonbread and a custard pastry. They were delightful, sweet but not overwhelming. All around fantastic pastries.

The reason for the love rating is however the service and the way they handled the queueing. You sign your name to a wait list and once seats are available they will call out your name - or that is at least the idea. We constantly saw people leave but people from the waiting list were not let in to replace them, only every now and again. But after 40 minutes or so we finally were able to enter to order, and when we did we could see several tables that were free but just not cleaned off - I'd argue that there were at least 10 seats available. And keep in mind that there are around 20 seats in total. It was extremely unclear why no one was able to enter, with no real attempts at communication. Even if I give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they might have been short-staffed. At least try to communicate that and allow us to enter and sit down. Feels a lot better than just queuing outside when there are tables available.

Sadly, because of that it left quite a bitter aftertaste for us. Even though the food was great and that the staff were helpful and friendly once inside - we left feeling disappointed and do not feel like we would...

If you’re looking for a breakfast spot that combines warm hospitality with true Japanese charm, this place is a gem. The bread is outstanding—freshly baked, with just the right balance of softness and flavor that makes every bite memorable. Pair it with their excellent coffee, which is smooth, rich, and brewed with great care, and you’ve got the perfect morning start.

What really sets this café apart is its authentic Japanese décor. From the minimalist wooden accents to the carefully curated details that reflect traditional Japanese design, the atmosphere feels both calming and genuine. It’s the kind of space where you can slow down, enjoy your meal, and almost feel transported to Japan.

Overall, it’s more than just a breakfast spot—it’s an experience. Delicious food, great coffee, and a beautifully authentic ambiance make it a place worth revisiting...