Cafe Yamamoto — Restaurant in Kyoto

This is my second year visiting Yamamoto Café, and I’m glad to say it’s still one of my favorite spots in Kyoto. Last year, I was staying very close by, so the café felt tucked away in a quiet, residential neighborhood. This time around, the area feels a little less hidden—probably because more tourists have discovered it—but the café still manages to keep its cozy and chill atmosphere.

One nice improvement since last year is that they now accept credit cards. It wasn’t an issue for me before since I always carried cash, but it makes things easier for travelers who don’t.

The café has a morning set menu from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., which is a great way to start the day. If the café is full, the staff kindly ask you to wait outside, but the turnover is usually quick since most people place their orders without much delay.

Overall, Yamamoto Café remains a warm, welcoming place with good coffee, a simple but satisfying menu, and a vibe that balances local charm with a growing international crowd. Definitely worth stopping by—whether it’s your first time or a...

We went here once early in the morning and staff were friendly and coffee was good. We went the next day and were treated horribly. The waiter took our order, but then proceeded to serve other Japanese customers before us, even those who came in after us. We politely asked if when we could get our coffees, as others were getting theirs before their meals, and she said sorry, then proceeded to serve others their coffee, again to those who had come in after us. It was so blatant we could NOT believe it. I would not go here. Based on the reviews we were so surprised to be treated this way. I don’t know if this was the waiter we had or an off day for them, but when you are visiting the country, why take the chance with the limited time...

In a city that doesn’t open super early, this is a great place for a 7am coffee and a simple breakfast. This cafe has a cosy feel and the staff are very friendly. The service is fast and the food is simple, which I really like. There's old school filter coffee on offer, which gives the cafe an old school vibe; so you need to let go of any expresso dreams and go with the flow. The cafe overlooks a nice canal and is in an interesting part of the city. It's good for kids too, with a few different varieties of toast and juice on the menu. You can sit at the bar if you're travelling solo or grab a booth if you...