Downtown Kyoto
Spread over two floors with an open-air downstairs bar, Bungalow serves a great range of Japanese craft beer along with natural wines in a cool industrial…
Must-see nightlife in Kyoto
Arashiyama & Sagano
Located next to the Atago Torii (a large Shintō shrine gate), this thatched-roof restaurant is about as atmospheric as they get. It serves matcha …
Southern Higashiyama
Even if you're not spending the night at the Hyatt Regency, drop by the cool and cosy underground bar for a tipple or two. Kitted out by renowned design…
Southern Higashiyama
Located in the Furokawa-chō covered shopping arcade close to Higashiyama Station, this tiny casual bar is dedicated to promoting Japanese craft beer…
Downtown Kyoto
Weekenders is a tiny coffee bar tucked away in a traditional-style building at the back of a parking lot in Downtown Kyoto. Sure, it's a strange location…
Arashiyama & Sagano
Peer through the floor-to-ceiling windows that look across the Hozu-gawa and mountain backdrop as you order your coffee at this tiny cafe bringing…
Kyoto
You can't visit the town of Uji without tasting some of its renowned tea and this lovely teahouse right near Byōdō-in is the perfect spot to do so. The…
Downtown Kyoto
Tucked away in the quiet backstreets of Downtown Kyoto, this dimly lit, dark-wood cocktail bar is a good choice for an upscale drink (though at upscale…
Downtown Kyoto
Sama Sama is an Indonesian-owned bar that feels like a very comfortable cave somewhere near the Mediterranean. Grab a seat at the counter or make yourself…
Downtown Kyoto
Speakeasy-style cocktail bars have been popping up in Kyoto of late, and this one hits the mark with its 'secret entrance' (look for the subtle bee sign),…
Imperial Palace & Around
If you're looking for great coffee while sightseeing near Imperial Palace Park, head to this lovely cafe with its coloured stained-glass windows, inviting…
Downtown Kyoto
The sign inside says 'Kyoto Loves Gin' and if you do too, you won't want to miss this quirky little bar. Owner Tomo infuses gin with interesting…
Downtown Kyoto
This is a slick Ponto-chō bar that welcomes foreigners and draws a fair smattering of Kyoto’s beautiful people, and wannabe beautiful people. In summer…
Southern Higashiyama
This stylish, minimalist Gion bar in an old geisha house is a great place for a quiet civilised drink. There's no menu, so just prop up at the bar and let…
Downtown Kyoto
Named for Yoramu, the Israeli sake expert who runs Sake Bar Yoramu, this bar is highly recommended for anyone after an education in sake. It’s very small…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
A Melbourne-inspired cafe, tiny Vermillion takes its name from the colour of the torii of the nearby Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine. It does standout coffee…
Kyoto
Located just across from the Keihan Uji station, this is Japan’s oldest surviving tea shop and the building dates back to 1672. It's a convenient spot by…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
You’ll find its beer in many of Kyoto’s bars but it's worth a trip out to its tasting room to sample it in a friendly local setting in South Kyoto. Check…
Downtown Kyoto
This intimate whiskey bar is a good place to go for a quiet drink when downtown. It can only seat a handful of guests around the small wooden counter. The…
Downtown Kyoto
This chain is a Kyoto institution and has branches across the city. Though slightly expensive, the old-Japan atmosphere makes it worth a try, especially…
Southern Higashiyama
This branch of % Arabica sits in the shadow of nearby Yasaka Pagoda on an atmospheric stone paved street. Grab a takeaway single-origin brew and continue…
Downtown Kyoto
Looking out on scenic Kiyamachi-dōri, Taigu (formerly Tadg's Gastro Pub) is a good spot for an evening drink. Choose from an extensive selection of craft…
Downtown Kyoto
On a pretty stretch of canal on scenic Kiyamachi-dōri, Kiln's big windows frame the view and make it the perfect spot to stare lazily while waiting for…
Downtown Kyoto
The modern tearoom here is a great place for a break in a quiet spot in Downtown Kyoto. You can enjoy a nice cup of matcha served with a delicious Kyoto…
Downtown Kyoto
Overlooking one of the prettiest stretches of Kiyamachi-dōri, this upscale modern Japanese bar has a great selection of single malts and some of the best…
Downtown Kyoto
A casual tearoom attached to the Ippōdō Tea store, Kaboku serves a range of teas and provides a great break while exploring the shops in the area. Try the…
Downtown Kyoto
World is Kyoto’s largest club and it naturally hosts some of the biggest events. It has two floors, a dance floor and lockers where you can leave your…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
Stop by this standing bar in the Kyoto Tower Sando food basement for creative gin cocktails. It's run by the owner of Nokishita 711 and offers interesting…
Downtown Kyoto
This izakaya-cum-bar on Kiyamachi-dōri is a great choice for a drink in Kyoto and attracts a mix of locals and foreigners. It offers cheap bar snacks (…
Northern Higashiyama
Metro is part disco, part live house and it even hosts the occasional art exhibition. It attracts an eclectic mix of creative types and has a different…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
Finally there's good coffee to be found near Kyoto Station! This minimalist cafe has a menu of monthly rotating coffee from speciality roasters in Japan,…
Northern Higashiyama
Paying homage to hard-boiled detective movies, lively Bar Tantei (detective) is popular with Kyoto University students and is a great place for a drink in…
Downtown Kyoto
If you're in need of a coffee break while boutique shopping downtown, stop in at this small cafe that does excellent single-origin brew from locally…
Northern Higashiyama
Near the Kyoto Handicraft Center, this is a good spot to listen to some jazz tunes over a light meal or a drink. It serves a variety of spaghetti dishes …
Northern Higashiyama
Located just across the street from the Westin Miyako Kyoto, this wonderful bar attracts a regular crowd of Kyoto expats, local Japanese and guests from…
Southern Higashiyama
The Pig is a British-style pub with darts, pint glasses and fish and chips. It's got a relaxed layout and homey interior. The two main drawcards are…
Downtown Kyoto
This is the only Korean teahouse we’ve ever seen in Japan. It’s a good place to go when you need a change from the creeping monoculture of coffee chain…
Downtown Kyoto
This is a raucous student izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery) with a log-cabin interior located in the Kiyamachi area. There’s a big menu to choose from and…
Downtown Kyoto
If you prefer your clubs on the smaller scale, Butterfly's a good choice. It's on the quiet side during the week but on weekends it gets jumping with a…
Downtown Kyoto
This fruit-juice specialist in Nishiki Market whips up all the usual favourites plus some exotics, such as dragonfruit juice. Look for the fruit on…
