Cafe KANO — Restaurant in Kyoto

"An arguably less than two star experience at a patisserie that's not a patisserie"

Unfortunately my experience at this cafe was best described as unsettling.

It is such a pity, fom the outside, cafe Kano looks beautiful. It's located beside a little stream and there is a cherry blossom tree outside its main window.

A peek through a side window showed dark wooden furniture and floorboards. It looks comfortable. It looks alluring.

With high expectations, we went into the cafe.

However once inside the cafe had a completely different atmosphere to what we expected from the outside. At a closer glance, there something mismatched about the furniture. Oddly shaped stools and strange reflective features with red spindly decorating bon bons. The shelves looked like they were chosen to clash as violently as possible with the rest of the furniture. I am not sure what sort of atmosphere they were trying to go for, but it was somewhat unsettling.

That was fine. I told myself. We shouldn't judge a cafe based simply on it's furniture or decor. This is a matter of taste. I have to be as objective as possible.

But what happened next was what decided my overall feeling of the cafe.

We are travelling students and we got out our laptops to do a bit of study. Almost immediately, the cafe owner, came swooping down and told us laptops weren't allowed. That is fine. I understand some cafes have their rules. This must be an encouragement for their patrons to engage in meaningful conversation.

We packed our laptops away, and our teas arrived: they weren't in teapots, they were in medium sized cups.

That is fine.

But they were stylishly thrown on the table. This must be a practiced throw as the tea did not spill. My thank you hardly elicited an expression on the stern cafe owners face.

That was when I browsed through the reviews and was surprised that the cafe had rather high ratings.

While reading through other reviews, I noticed they did not like children. I also chanced to see a patron complain they only offered one glass of water. The host wrote a huge rebuttal on the reasons why they had a one cup policy. And he defended that a medium sized cup was provided.

This, I though strange as well.

I think overall, this cafe gave me an impression that their philosophy was very against the kyotoite culture of hospitality. There is a lack of generosity, demonstrated by a strict one medium sized glass of water, tea being served in a teacup without teabags to ensure customers shall not enjoy a second cup of tea.

I seriously think there are many better cafes in Kyoto.

In short: don't go to this cafe if you want to study with a laptop or drink more than one medium sized glass of water...

Love this Cafe! Came to have breakfast on 28th Mar 2023 and the next morning again!

We came at 07:30, there was no Q and was greeted with a warm welcome by the owner when we stepped into the cafe. There are 4 crew members in the cafe and they looked like a family; parents, son and daughter if I am correct. All of them were very friendly.

Imagine having breakfast by the window with the Sakura blossom beside the Takase river, nice coffee and toast aroma that filled up the atmosphere… Everything in this cafe is very delicious! Price is very reasonable for the quality of the food.

The level of service they provided well exceeded their charges; to move customers already seated to the table at the window when it is vacant after someone leaves so they can have a better view of the Sakura by the Takase river.

Will definitely visit again when we are...

After having a quick look at the reviews of this place I decided to give it a go. Have to say it did not disappoint! Straight away I noticed the amazing decor (that old time cafe feel) then I was greeted enthusiastically by the owner. After sitting down and browsing the menu, he came over to take my order and before I could say anything he said exactly what I wanted, guess I just look like a breakfast with the lot type of guy. Breakfast isn't huge but neither is the price, keep this in mind if you plan on coming here. What I can say though, everything was fresh and tasty, even the salad was crispy. Nice and light to start the day, overall...