Situated on Nijo/Yanagiyabamba, “Cafe Bibliotic Hello” is a converted old machiya, one of the traditional old wooden townhouses of Kyoto. Bring a book with you or just grab one of the many off the walls. Here you can enjoy coffees, teas, cakes, pastries or grab some dinner if you are really hungry. They do some pretty awesome sandwiches but one night I treated myself to the day’s special. It was pleasing both to the eye and tongue.
I also recommend the “Old Fashioned” a kind of fruit crumble with ice-cream.
The atmosphere here is super relaxed, and unlike Starbucks you aren’t expected to leave or order more as soon as your coffee is finished. Here are some pictures.
Sitting here, surrounded by lights and books and old wood is a balm to the soul.
To find it just head west on Nijo from Teramachi and look out for the ridiculously oversized palm leaves. Here’s a MAP
Cafe Bibliotic Hello! on Instagram.
Open every day: 11:30 ~ 23:00
Tel: 075-231-8625
This article was first posted in July 2007, then updated and reposted in July 2023. Some items on the menu may well have changed in the interim!
Text and images by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
I’m here now and loving it. Free wifi, mellow and super friendly. Plus books on the wall (shame I can’t understand any though 😉