Kyoto Restaurants

Café Bibliotec Hello!

#181 of 340 things to do in Kyoto

#1626 of 6835 restaurants in Asia

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: atmosphere, food, Solo Travellers, service

  • Address
    • Nijō-dōri-Yanaginobanba higashi iru Nakagyō-ku
  • Transport
    • 10min walk from Karasuma-Oike Station, Karasuma subway line
  • Phone
    • 075 231 8625
  • Price
    • dishes from ¥700
  • Hours
    • noon-11pm, closed irregularly

Correct these details

Lonely Planet review for Café Bibliotec Hello!

As the name suggests, books line the walls of this cool café located in a converted machiya. You can get the usual range of coffee and tea drinks here, as well as light café lunches. It’s popular with young ladies who work nearby and it’s a great place to relax with a book or magazine. Look for the plants out the front.

 

Traveller reviews for Café Bibliotec Hello! (2)

  • Avatar
    To write a review sign in, register or   Connect_light_large_long
    Recommend
     
    Add your experience “ ”
    Say more…
  • Avatar

    Boring, non-Japanese place.

    gregoms does not recommend this,

    This place looks great from the outside, but once inside, it is kind of boring, especially if you are looking for a Kyoto/Japanese experience. I wouldn't go back there.

    report
  • Avatar

    Unwind in a 100 Year Old Machiya

    tanuki101 recommends this,

    After a day of seeing more temples than the Buddha probably ever did, it feels good to find a place to unwind, have a simple meal and re-energize over a latte. Located in one of Kyoto's Machiya – the traditional wooden townhouses that one finds along narrow backstreets – Café Bibliotec Hello! is an expression of the subtle balance of old and new that Kyoto is famous for. The atmosphere is a mixture of stylish retro café and warm old wooden Machiya, complete with fireplace. The café is lined with bookshelves, hence the name, and guests are welcome to read whatever they like. There are tables for two, a large shared table near the door, sofas for lounging and, for the romantic willing to brave the wooden staircase, there are even tables in the loft overlooking the main floor. I highly recommend the sofas for the weary traveler or for anyone looking for a bit of downtime with a book.

    As far as food is concerned, you can’t go wrong with the smoked chicken & herb salad sandwich or a Brownie Rich and a coffee. And on your way out, why not pop in the semi-attached bakery next door and pick up some delicious pastries for the road.

    Apparently many of these Machiya have been lost to modernization, but thankfully they are starting to make a comeback as creative architects convert the remaining ones into designer clothing shops, ryokan and fashionable restaurants like Café Bibliotec Hello!

    Good for: atmosphere, food, Solo Travellers, service

    report