Totaro — Restaurant in Kyoto

Ah, Kyoto! The very name conjures images of ancient temples, serene gardens, and the delicate artistry of Japanese tradition. But for a true connoisseur, it's also the heartland of matcha, and it was in this very essence of Kyoto that I discovered Totaro, a café that elevates the humble tea leaf to an art form. Stepping into Totaro was like entering a quiet, emerald-tinged haven, a serene pause from the city's gentle hum. The air itself was infused with the clean, earthy aroma of high-grade matcha, a silent promise of the delights to come. As the barista, with movements precise and deliberate, began preparing my order, a thrill ran through me – the tension before a masterpiece is unveiled! First, the Brown Sugar Matcha Latte. This was no ordinary latte; it was a revelation! The moment the cup reached my lips, a complex symphony erupted. The initial sensation was the velvety, almost impossibly smooth foam, a cloud of jade green that kissed the palate. Beneath it, the matcha itself, a vibrant emerald liquid, tasted of the very soul of the tea leaf – rich, profound, with that characteristic pleasant bitterness that speaks of quality. But then, the brown sugar entered the stage, not as a cloying sweetness, but as a deep, caramel-like warmth that embraced the matcha. It wasn't just sweet; it was umami-sweet, a subtle depth that perfectly rounded out the tea's verdant notes. It was a dance, a harmonious duet where neither ingredient overshadowed the other, but instead, they elevated each other to dizzying heights! It was like a gentle, invigorating whisper on the tongue, a sensation so perfectly balanced that it left me momentarily stunned, my mind's eye conjuring images of a vibrant green forest bathed in golden sunlight. And then, the dessert arrived. A plate of pure elegance. The star, naturally, was the matcha ice cream. Its color was a testament to its authenticity, a deep, almost mystical green. The moment it touched my tongue, a wave of intensely rich, yet remarkably clean matcha flavor washed over me. It wasn't overly sweet; instead, it allowed the true essence of the tea to shine, with a delightful bitterness that lingered just long enough to beckon for more. The texture was impeccably smooth, almost silken, melting on the palate with a cool, refreshing sensation that cut through any lingering richness. It was accompanied by elements that served not as mere accompaniments, but as ingenious counterpoints – perhaps perfectly chewy shiratama dango, their soft resilience a delightful contrast, or a sprinkle of fragrant kinako that added another layer of nutty aroma. Each component was chosen with meticulous care, designed to highlight and enhance the matcha's inherent brilliance. Totaro isn't just a matcha café; it's a testament to the dedication and artistry of matcha craftsmanship. Every sip, every bite, was a journey into the very heart of Kyoto's tea culture, prepared with a skill and care that would undoubtedly make any Shokugeki judge declare it a resounding victory! This is a place where the simple act of enjoying matcha becomes an unforgettable, almost...

This tiny café, tucked into the corner of an old, charming building, exudes a unique atmosphere with its sugar-scented air and focus on matcha-based drinks and sweet treats.

We ordered a matcha coffee with brown sugar and a warm matcha latte with oat milk and brown sugar. While the drinks were priced at ¥800-¥1000 each, the quality was here—vibrant green, fragrant, and served with two delightful baby castella cakes.

However, the experience was marred by the service. Despite only a couple of customers ahead of us, it took so long to place an order and over 25 minutes to prepare our drinks and the cafe started to filled up. They even forgot the brown sugar in my matcha, and by the time I could point it out, i tried to make signs but it was too late to reach them. It’s also worth noting this is a standing café, which adds to the inconvenience of such long wait times.

The staff, while polite, lacked warmth and seemed more focused on maintaining a “cool” demeanor rather than providing a welcoming experience.

It feels as though the extended wait is intentional, perhaps designed to create a sense of anticipation. However, this approach only frustrates customers and elevates expectations for an experience that ultimately doesn’t live up to the hype.

For ¥1700+ for two drinks in a standing café, the quality and the service felt unnecessarily slow, creating expectations that weren’t fully met. While the matcha itself was good, the overall experience fell short. also, the matcha whisk has seen better days.

A charming spot worth trying once, but not...

Very compact shop specializing in matcha. Poor conditions inside imo, I don't recommend dining in during summer.

I visited Totaro on a heat wave day at the recommendation of a chef (friends with the owner). I wanted to check out the parent shop [8108 Kyoto], but didn't have enough time.

I was a bit disappointed with the state of the shop, it was overcrowded and uncomfortable. The air conditioned was wayyy too weak, even the staff were sweating. The building is very lightly renovated, they opened less than half a year ago from when I visited. I assume they are trying to keep the original historical building vibe but it have me more of an impression of a rundown building (I'm a city person so maybe some of this type of renovation nuances are lost on me 🤷🏽‍♂️).

The food and service were decent. Although the staff seemed overwhelmed with the non-stop orders in the heat, they retained excellent composure and friendliness. Again, the heat within the shop led to the pudding melting as it was being consumed and the ice in the latte melting quickly, resulting in an unfortunately watered down drink.

The matcha lattes included a small castella cake, a nice touch.

Overall, Instagram-worthy but overly hyped imo and I emphasize again, not...