10 Best Places for Breakfast and Brunch in Kyoto

Japan’s cultural and spiritual heart, Kyoto is a stunningly beautiful city full of temples, shrines, geisha, and historic neighborhoods. It’s also a foodie hotspot renowned for its elegant wagashi and refined kaiseki meals. What's less well-known is that it's also a great place to grab breakfast. It can be a little more difficult to find early morning spots, so to make things easier, we've tracked down the best breakfasts Kyoto has to offer.

There are many fantastic cafes in Kyoto that serve traditional Japanese breakfast and more modern, Western-inspired versions. Vegans and vegetarians will also find plenty of choices available for a plant-based brunch. Whether you're looking for a quick bite before sightseeing or a more leisurely meal, the city has you covered. Our number one tip is to try Kyoto pancakes — they're a real treat you don't want to miss!

Many Kyoto hotels and ryokan offer fantastic breakfasts with selected plans. You can choose from over 400 accommodations in Japan's cultural capital on JAPANiCAN, from traditional inns to trendy hotels with a Japanese flair.

This restaurant’s name translates to "A Happy Pancake," and eating here is guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Shiawase no Pancake uses top-quality manuka honey from New Zealand and butter from Hokkaido to make the most delicious, thick and fluffy pancakes.

You can enjoy these with all sorts of toppings, from chocolate and granola to tiramisu or fresh fruit and cream. There are also specialties that change with the seasons.

To try true Kyoto pancakes, opt for ones made with matcha green tea from the nearby town of Uji. It's the perfect Kyoto brunch!

In this 3-hour Kyoto matcha tour, you’ll learn about the production and preparation of Kyoto matcha, treat yourself to the flavors of matcha ice cream and wagashi, visit the historic Byodoin Temple and sit down to a delicious Japanese lunch.

Afterward, you’ll stroll the charming streets of Uji and browse the local shops for souvenirs.

Vegans and vegetarians looking for breakfast or brunch in Kyoto should definitely give Veg Out a try. This light and airy cafe offers an entirely plant-based menu showcasing organic local vegetables, homemade muffins, and freshly made paninis.

They also have a great coffee selection, including soy lattes and mochas, if you fancy a caffeine boost!

The large windows are conveniently located just across the Kamo River from Shichijo Station and offer fantastic views out over the water. This makes it a lovely spot to while away the morning.

Check out our list of the best vegan restaurants in Kyoto for more vegan-friendly recs.

Many Kyoto coffee shops are modern big-name brands, however, if you want to experience a true, old-school Japanese kissaten, Smart Coffee is perfect. With its dark wooden paneling and soft classical music, the retro vibe is part of what makes it so popular.

The coffee is rich, dark and delicious, while the food menu features fluffy French toast, thick hotcakes and pudding. They also serve a variety of sandwiches on cushion-soft bread, including egg, ham and vegetables.

When you arrive, there may be a line, but it's well worth the wait for one of the best Kyoto breakfast places.

Roji Usagi is located inside a historic machiya townhouse that has been refurbished and oozes character and charm.

Open from 8 am, it offers a traditional Japanese breakfast of grilled fish, a rolled omelet, miso soup, rice and pickles, plus a couple of other small dishes.

Alternatively, you can opt for a Japanese curry breakfast instead! Whichever you choose, you can be sure of a healthy but filling meal to start your day. Plus, you can enjoy eating in a tatami-mat room with views out over the beautiful garden.

For a rather more luxurious breakfast in Kyoto, you can't beat Hyoutei. This Michelin-starred restaurant has a history dating back over 400 years and serves elegant kaiseki cuisine that emphasizes simplicity and flavor.

Available from 8 am to 11 am, their multi-course breakfast contains a signature boiled egg dish, plus aromatic rice porridge made with a gently-flavored broth that changes with the seasons.

With its elegant and traditional decor and stunning garden views, this is guaranteed to be an unforgettable culinary experience and a strong contender for the best breakfast Kyoto has to offer.

This modern and spacious restaurant sits right in the center of Kyoto, giving you place to enjoy breakfast near Nishiki Market.

Kyosaimi Nomura opens bright and early at 7 am, and serves a traditional obanzai-style breakfast at an affordable price.

You can choose either four or six different side dishes from a frequently changing selection of ten healthy, vegetable-based bowls bursting with Kyoto flavors. Both sets also come with free refills of rice, plus miso soup and coffee.

Don’t miss their specialty yubadon rice bowl, made with bean curd skin.

In this 3-hour walking tour of Nishiki Market, you’ll be guided around local, family-owned shops and stalls to sample all kinds of seasonal and street food. While you dine on bite-size tastings of tofu, skewered meats and wagashi Japanese sweets.

All the while, your guide will be telling you about each ingredient and its place in the cuisine of Kyoto and guiding you toward your next dining destination.

As the tour runs from 10 am to 1 pm, this could also count as a unique Kyoto breakfast experience!

If you're looking to grab a quick breakfast near Kyoto Station, Shinshindo is a fantastic option.

The JR Kyoto branch is conveniently located just north of the station’s central exit, inside the bus ticket center, making it ideal to pop in before getting the train or sightseeing in the area. It has both food to take away and a small seating area for those who would rather eat in.

There are a wealth of different freshly-made breads and baked goods to choose from, including sandwiches, pastries, scones and sweet treats. Of course, there's coffee too!

Another reliable breakfast spot in Kyoto Station is OGAWA COFFEE, specifically the OGAWA COFFEE Kyoto Station Central Gate Branch, over to the west of  Kyoto Tower. 

Offering their morning menu from 7 am to 11:30 am — a menu that is also available in English — you can choose from three breakfast sets:

1. Toast Morning Set with Ham

2. Toast Morning Set with Smoked Ham

3. Toast Morning Set

Using Japan’s famous shokupan, you can expect this toast to be made with fluffy white bread and smothered in butter.

These sets come with a choice of drink, including their Original Blend coffee (hot or iced),  espresso, black tea, orange juice and more. However, if you’re eyeing up a flavored coffee or a seasonal addition to the menu, you can pay a little extra.

If CAFFE CIAO PRESSO is more your kind of Kyoto breakfast cafe, you’ll have two options right by Kyoto Station: Caffe Ciao Presso Kyoto Station and Kyoto Miyako Michi Branch, over by Kyoto Station's Hachijo Gate.

CAFFE CIAO PRESSO also offers a Morning Menu set from 7 to 11 am. This morning-exclusive menu is most popular for its hot sandwich sets:

1. Ham, Cheese and Egg

2. Matcha T (for tuna!) and Bamboo Charcoal Egg

You can also throw in an Italian Bread Pudding and a slice of toast for an extra cost.

However, it’s the Maiko Cappucinos that draw the crowds, featuring cute maiko (trainee geisha in Kyoto) on top of their whipped foam topping.

Find out more: The Culture of Japanese Geisha

For a more traditional Japanese breakfast near Kyoto Station, Lorimer Kyoto is the place for you. It’s a 10-minute walk from the station and, with its setting inside a refurbished Kyoto home, it naturally retains so much of the charm that people travel to this region for.

Lorimer specializes in a unique breakfast set: Fish Breakfast Sets. It’s everything you might want from a traditional Japanese breakfast, including the usual rice, miso soup and either three or five side dishes, but with a more innovative take on the grilled fish element.

The menu is changing all the time, with fish chosen by season and even by what looked best at the fish market that morning. One example of their tempting fish concoctions is the Kyoto-style miso-grilled sea bream with curry flavors, sure to start your day with a bang.  

For those searching for a vegetarian or vegan breakfast in Kyoto, you can opt for breakfast sets including roast potatoes with dressing and flavored with lemon or steamed and salted sake beets dressed with sesame sauce, to name a few.

So whether you're looking for a traditional Japanese breakfast to start the day or a modern brunch hangout, these eateries are just a selection of the best breakfast Kyoto has in store for visitors.

Each is perfect for fueling up or getting a caffeine boost before a day of sightseeing in this beautiful city.

Need some help planning out your Kyoto itinerary? Explore our popular Kyoto food tours, or go in search of wagyu beef or reserve a Bib Gourmand feast!

It varies by place, but many of Kyoto’s best breakfast places open at around 7 or 8 am, including many on this list. In fact, in a popular place like Kyoto, getting an early start on the day can be a great way to visit some of the best tourist spots without battling the crowds.

A typical Japanese breakfast often consists of plain, steamed rice, grilled fish, miso soup, tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), seaweed, natto (fermented soybeans) and a selection of other small dishes involving tofu, vegetables and salad.

However, it’s also common for people to enjoy something a bit quicker, like cereal or toast.

Find out more: Traditional Japanese Breakfast: What to Expect & Where to Try It