Kafe Kosen — Restaurant in Kyoto

This place is a classic. Sit at the counter to taste very good coffee, eat cheese toast (real cheeses) or cake, shared spaces with workshops, bicycle office, artsy startups - very hip and nice vibe, and all about coffee. You can watch an old water kettle boil while you sip coffee and wonder why did you ever go to corporate cafe franchises in your past coffee life.

I still like coming here! The staff is overworked but nice and the manager very interesting. Sometimes good old Japanese music plays. Sometimes music in english. At least they play what they want and not a repeating list from a subscription like at other cafes in Japan. This place has character. There is also a need for a cool cafe for trendy young smokers, so this is a good place to chill and smoke ...

Sometimes it is very smoky here (people smoke), sometimes not, sometimes the place is full and busy. It varies from a relaxed empty space, to waiting 20min for a coffee. On a lucky day, it will be wonderful time here. On another day, it may be 30 min before all the toasts arrive. Last visit in Jan 2022, and still great. The bicycle shop is gone so the shop is larger now. ;)

Give it a try... it...

If your karma is good you'll find Kafe Kosen, the secret masterpiece of Kyoto. "God Tier" is the only way to describe the offerings. The pudding is one of the best desserts I've ever had: super fresh strawberry jam, rich and super fresh cream pudding, layered together with what felt like Hokkaido whipped cream on top. They also have Yame tea, very elegant (and rare) green tea from Fukuoka. I've only seen it one other time in my life, at a specialty tea store in Hong Kong inside the Prince's Building (LVX, Prada, type stores) which is now gone for 10 years. This place totally made my day, and despite being a total coffee freak I had to try the Yame. They have four different varieties!

Yes, it takes a freaking long time to get your order. It's made patiently and with love. Yes, people smoke. You're in Japan. Recognize the artistry and handmade quality of everything on offer here, it isn't Starbucks, it's like sitting at the feet of a grandmaster. No, there is no wi-fi either. Come for the tea and the transcendence and leave inspired. Thank you Kosen-Sama for blessing me with this ultra premium...

It could be considered a secret coffee bar but definitely worth finding. All the coffee snobs would fall in love with this shop and it has the beans to accommodate all kind of preferences. From medium roast to very dark roast. From low acidity to highly acidity one. The major point I love from this shop is the aroma the coffee they brew has released. It smells so good that it would comfort your hard day at least...