Okaffe Kyoto is down a narrow alley and inner yard just south of Shijo-Karasuma, near Kyoto's subway and Hankyu lines. The compact cafe has an animated counter and serves coffee and food.
Owner-barista Akihiro Okada was Japan Barista Champion in 2008 and 2009. His cafe combines espresso, matcha, breakfast, lunch and sweets with the feel of a modern kissaten.
Coffee
The menu includes Okaffe’s Dandy Blend, cappuccino, coffee and tonic, and matcha drinks.
Shijo-Karasuma is the head shop. The Kyoto group also has Okaffe Roasting Park for beans and Okaffe bar & dolce, an Italian-style bar.
House roasting
Okaffe is a better choice for espresso and food than for a wide single-origin filter selection. Weekenders, Kurasu, Style and IOLITE offer other options for filter coffee.
Okaffe serves its house blend, espresso and milk drinks with latte art, as well as matcha and retail beans. The café combines specialty coffee with a traditional kissaten feel.
Food
Food is a substantial part of the Okaffe visit. The cafe menu includes breakfast, lunch, sweets, Kyoto pork loco moco, chicken salad, Kyoto pork hamburger, homemade creme caramel, coffee jelly, and black bean jam pancake. Other familiar choices include Napolitan, egg sandwiches, pudding, and morning sets.
Breakfast is served in the morning, followed by lunch and sweets. Okaffe is a useful central Kyoto stop for coffee with food; visitors seeking an extensive single-origin filter menu may prefer another café.
Service & Room
The compact cafe sits back from the street. Okada is known for an entertaining service style, and the counter can be lively.
Okaffe is about four minutes from Shijo Station and three from Karasuma Station, within reach of Nishiki Market. The café opens daily from 09:00 to 20:00.
Why Filter Notes shortlisted Okaffe Kyoto
Visit Okaffe for espresso, matcha or a meal in a lively central cafe. Seating can fill quickly.
Okaffe serves espresso drinks, meals and pudding in a café reached through an alley. Seating can fill quickly.