Ouchi-cafe Noel — Restaurant in Nara

We stopped by here for a quick lunch after touring the nearby temple and seeing the deer. We are a family of 5 with 3 young kids. The cafe was cozy and in a home and the hosts were very friendly. Afterwards, my wife purchased some kimonos as a souvenir and we went on our way. 2 days later, we found that the obi (kimono belt) was missing from one of the kimonos. After calling the cafe and trying to explain (and not sure if what we were saying was lost in translation) we thought that we would have to drive back from Osaka to the shop to pick it up again. Minutes later, Noel somehow messaged me on SMS to say they did have the obi and can mail it to us! What’s even more touching, they were going to be in Osaka before we left Japan and they personally brought it down to our hotel! We can’t speak enough about Japanese hospitality and the care that small business owners put into customer service. To top it all off, even though it may have been our oversight to not check before we left the shop, Noel even gave my wife a pair of earrings as well. I would recommend anyone who passes by Nara with young kids to stop by the cafe for a coffee, snack or meal. We are very touched and this experience just made us...

Such a cute place and such yummy food!! As foreigners in Japan we were concerned that there would be a large language barrier but the woman running the store was so kind, knew some English and we didn't feel at all out of place! the place is so cute and homely, everything is home cooked and delicious. my sister who is a pretty picky eater even found something to eat! We noticed that there was a pizza making experience on the menu which seemed so fun so maybe check that out if you are able. The whole family seems so hard working and sweet and they genuinely had some of the best food we ate in Japan....

This spot is located just across from the famous udon place near Tōdaiji Temple, which makes it a super convenient stop if you’re exploring the area.

They also offer kimono rentals, which is a great way to immerse yourself in the traditional vibe of Nara. You can rent a kimono and walk around the nearby temples and parks.

The café itself has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The food is simple but well-prepared, with a good mix of traditional Japanese flavors and some modern café-style options

Prices are reasonable, and the staff are friendly, even if there’s a bit of a language barrier....