Kurasu Kyoto Stand — Restaurant in Kyoto

A Hidden Gem for Coffee Lovers

I started with a coffee from one of their featured beans — it was very good: clean, balanced, and well-executed. Good enough that I felt genuinely curious to try another one from a different origin they were showcasing. That second cup completely blew me away.

It had a beautifully distinct banana aroma — natural, refined, and free from any artificial or cloying notes. As a chemist, I know how difficult it is to achieve such a flavor, given the complexity and instability of banana-scented compounds. This flavor was layered, elegant, and truly fascinating. My wife ordered a matcha latte, and it was so good she immediately went back for a second one — something she almost never does!

The staff were warm, knowledgeable, and spoke excellent English, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. They clearly love what they do, and it shows.

If you have some time while waiting for your Shinkansen at Kyoto Station, it’s absolutely worth the 10-miA Hidden Gem for Coffee Lovers

I started with a coffee from one of their featured beans — it was very good: clean, balanced, and well-executed. Good enough that I felt genuinely curious to try another one from a different origin they were showcasing. That second cup completely blew me away.

It had a beautifully distinct banana aroma — natural, refined, and free from any artificial or cloying notes. As a chemist, I know how difficult it is to achieve such a flavor, given the complexity and instability of banana-scented compounds. This flavor was layered, elegant, and truly fascinating. My wife ordered a matcha latte, and it was so good she immediately went back for a second one — something she almost never does!

The staff were warm, knowledgeable, and spoke excellent English, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. They clearly love what they do, and it shows.

If you have some time while waiting for your Shinkansen at Kyoto Station, it’s absolutely worth the 10-minute walk to Kurasu. You won’t regret it. Whether you’re chasing unique flavor profiles or just want a seriously well-made cup, Kurasu delivers — with quality, heart, and a dash of curiosity. nute walk to Kurasu. You won’t regret it. Whether you’re chasing unique flavor profiles or just want a seriously well-made cup, Kurasu delivers — with quality, heart, and a dash...

Cozy Evening Coffee at Kurasu Kyoto Stand | Exceptional Matcha Latte

During a recent trip to Kyoto, we decided to stop by Kurasu Kyoto Stand for a quick evening coffee. Conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto Station, this small, neat café is a hidden gem. The café is very well lit, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and it is exclusively run by women, at least during our visit. We were pleased to find that the staff is conversant in English, making the experience more comfortable for non-Japanese speakers.

Kurasu Kyoto Stand offers a variety of coffee options, including a unique Rwandan roast. We decided to try the Rwandan roast Iced Latte and the Matcha Latte. The wait time was impressively short, less than 5 minutes. The Iced Latte had a fruity flavor, which was a bit too strong for my taste, but the quality of the milk used was excellent. On the other hand, the Matcha Latte was exceptional, rich, and smooth, making it a standout choice.

The café is located on a corner with a Family Mart right across the street, giving the area a nice vibe with people walking around, but it never felt too crowded. Large glass windows allow patrons to enjoy the street view while sipping their beverages. However, the seating arrangement could use some improvement. The stools are narrow and high, making them feel a bit unstable. Additionally, there is a bench outside, but it lacks depth for comfortable seating, which might be by design to encourage quick visits.

Despite the seating issues, I appreciated the prompt and polite nature of the staff. They were friendly, asking where we were from and serving us quickly. Overall, Kurasu Kyoto Stand is a great spot for a quick, high-quality coffee, especially if you enjoy watching the world go by from the comfort of a well-lit café. Just be prepared for the seating to be a bit less comfortable than you...

Hands down the best coffee and matcha in Kyoto. Especially coffee. Coming from Australia we tend to have high standards for coffee, so we didn’t expect to find a place we would fall in love with in Japan. But we absolutely did. We stayed in Kyoto for 5 nights and every single morning we had coffee at Kurasu. I almost teared up when we were saying good bye to the team as they were just fantastic. Every single one of them. We even got a mug to take home so now when we make coffee it reminds us of this amazing coffee shop. Coffee tastes great, temperature of the milk is just as needed, little bench outside was our favourite place to sit, but inside is cosy and nice too. I also tried little gluten free cookie and it was super soft and nice with the coffee. First time trying iced espresso matcha and img it’s awesome. Flavours match perfectly. We didn’t mind 10 minutes walk from the hotel and it’s also located not far away from station, buses and a shopping mall. They were also open every day despite of the Golden Week. Miss you guys and thank you...