Kyoto

<p>If Kyoto is crowded with tourists, this is a great 'hidden' place to escape to.</p>

If Kyoto is crowded with tourists, this is a great 'hidden' place to escape to. (Photo: Sandra Isaka)

Kyoto

Kyoto's Cafe Opal

A unique dining spot near Gion

Sandra Isaka Oct 22, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>If Kyoto is crowded with tourists, this is a great 'hidden' place to escape to.</p>

<p>The narrow alley that leads to the cafe.  The cafe is open from 12:00 to 21:00 (last order).</p>

<p>It is very easy to miss the entrance to the cafe.  Keep an eye out for the small English signs.</p>

<p>The cafe is closed on Tuesdays, unless it falls on a holiday.  It is also closed on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.</p>

<p>I ordered a very reasonable 'set' dinner - it came with this appetizer plate and a salad (not pictured).</p>

<p>The cafe's phone number is <a href="tel:075-525-7117">075-525-7117</a>.  The website is in Japanese, but if you go to the menu page, there is a link to an English menu.   cafeopal.com</p>

<p>The 'set' included a choice of main dish.  This one was delicious!  Bread was also included.</p>

<p>Many people come just to sit, read, listen to the music, and drink a tasty cup of coffee.</p>

<p>The 'set' ended with a plate containing a variety of desserts and fruit.  Cafe Opal's desserts are all handmade.</p>

<p>When the weather is nice, there is a fun, cozy outdoor space to hang out in.</p>

Between two famous Maiko/Geiko districts (Gion & Miyagawacho), down a long, narrow alley, is the Cafe Opal. The lovely couple who run the cafe have renovated an 80 year old traditional Japanese home in a very unique manner. They are friendly, speak some English, and play great music. And, their food is very tasty and reasonable. Although I recommend the cafe to everyone, as a single traveler, this is a good place to go to feel comfortable eating by yourself. Stop in for lunch, dinner, dessert, a beer, or just a cup of coffee.

Sandra Isaka

Sandra Isaka @sandra.isaka

As an intercultural consultant & Japan travel specialist with 20 years in Japan, I love sharing my favorite places with others.