Ippodo Kaboku Cha-shitsu ★ 4.6
Ippodo's adjoining cha-shitsu in Kyoto, behind the tea shop. Self-whisk a bowl of matcha at the counter with a seasonal namagashi pair, walk-in any day.
Order: Self-whisked matcha bowl with seasonal namagashi pair
Walden Woods Kyoto is a brunch spot in Karasuma Kawaramachi, Kyoto.
Walden Woods' white-on-white brunch cafe in Shimogyo, Kyoto. Espresso tonics, lattes and a morning oat-milk programme; minimalist stepped-wood seating.
Must order: Espresso tonic with daily-baked banana bread
Address: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8445, Japan
Ippodo's adjoining cha-shitsu in Kyoto, behind the tea shop. Self-whisk a bowl of matcha at the counter with a seasonal namagashi pair, walk-in any day.
Order: Self-whisked matcha bowl with seasonal namagashi pair
Holly's Cafe in Daimaru Kyoto's basement opens at 08:00. American breakfast plate, hand-drip coffee and weekend stacks for a Western start at 1,200 yen.
Order: Bacon-and-egg breakfast plate with pour-over
Soiree's 1948 Showa kissaten on Nishikiyamachi in Kyoto. Iconic blue-soda jellies, cheesecakes and the city's most-photographed kissaten neon since the 1960s.
Order: Blue-jelly soda set with cheesecake
Fukujuen Kyoto's six-floor tea house on Shijo serves morning matcha-and-soba sets in Kyoto. Tea-blending workshop downstairs, brunch upstairs.
Order: Matcha-and-soba breakfast set with hojicha creme brulee
Le Petitmec Oike opens at 08:00 in Kyoto with the anchor French boulangerie morning. Beurre croissants, pain au chocolat and take-away coffee at the door.
Order: Beurre croissant and pain au chocolat with a coffee
Ippodo's adjoining cha-shitsu in Kyoto, behind the tea shop. Self-whisk a bowl of matcha at the counter with a seasonal namagashi pair, walk-in any day.
Order: Self-whisked matcha bowl with seasonal namagashi pair
Akatsuki Coffee's no-laptops brunch room in Sakyo, Kyoto, husband-and-wife run. Daily cakes, a single Weekenders pour-over and a quiet morning room.
Order: Pour-over with daily-changing homemade cake
Holly's Cafe in Daimaru Kyoto's basement opens at 08:00. American breakfast plate, hand-drip coffee and weekend stacks for a Western start at 1,200 yen.
Order: Bacon-and-egg breakfast plate with pour-over
Soiree's 1948 Showa kissaten on Nishikiyamachi in Kyoto. Iconic blue-soda jellies, cheesecakes and the city's most-photographed kissaten neon since the 1960s.
Order: Blue-jelly soda set with cheesecake
Fukujuen Kyoto's six-floor tea house on Shijo serves morning matcha-and-soba sets in Kyoto. Tea-blending workshop downstairs, brunch upstairs.
Order: Matcha-and-soba breakfast set with hojicha creme brulee
Le Petitmec Oike opens at 08:00 in Kyoto with the anchor French boulangerie morning. Beurre croissants, pain au chocolat and take-away coffee at the door.
Order: Beurre croissant and pain au chocolat with a coffee