Unzen — Restaurant in Kyoto

Tucked along an old street, this café feels like stepping into someone’s quiet dream. The skylight above the corner table, the guitar leaning idly nearby, the warmth radiating from the kerosene heater—it all feels curated by someone with a tender heart and a love for slower days. There’s a gentle hum of retro jazz, just enough to keep the silence company.

Their coffee—simple, but striking. The Americano has depth; the café au lait is smooth and full of warmth. Pancakes here are the kind that make you smile without meaning to: soft, airy, just sweet enough, paired with salted butter and maple syrup. The toast dishes were more ordinary, but not disappointing.

It’s the kind of place where time slows down. A little worn, a little quiet, and...

Disappointing experience. I went with a friend and we both ordered meals. My friend also got a drink, and I was told I must to order one too. I wasn’t interested in spending another 800 yen just for that. I understand minimum order policies, but requiring a drink on top of food is ridiculous—especially with no sign anywhere explaining this rule. It felt really tacky. You can definitely find better food (and better...

The prices have gone up compared to the previous visit, and during rush hours, you’ll need to wait outside the café. We arrived around 10 PM on a Sunday and had to wait about 20 minutes. The atmosphere is cozy and great for relaxing with friends or family, but it’s not ideal for a date since there’s little privacy—but that’s okay. The pancakes were the main reason I came, but unfortunately, they didn’t meet my...