...I'm keeping in mind that some people might be new to Kyoto, so I've included some of the more well-known establishments.

AJANTA - south on Teramachi, past Shijo, it'll be on the left - a nice little Indian place with excellent lunch specials that include unlimited naan!

ASK A GIRAFFE - located on the first floor of the Shin Puh Kan shopping center on Karasuma & Oike - posh cafe with wonderful decor and all sorts of yumminess. snacks to entrees to desserts: price is a liiiittle higher than some of the other places on this list but it's totally worth it. also, it's a good idea to ask about portions, just so you're not unpleasantly surprised by a tiny meal. Also, the Banana Milkshake is soooo damn good.

BEEHIVE - South on Gokomachi, just north of Shijo - Ice cream! Yeah Hagen Daz and 31 are all right, but sometimes you just need a little more OOMPH with your sugary delights. For those of you craving the mix-and-match fun of Marble Slab, Coldstone, or Maggie Moo's, here's where it's at. Those who have no idea what I'm talking about are in for a real treat. I recommend the Crunchy Cheesecake!

BOOGALOO CAFE - southern portion of the Teramachi arcade between Shijo and Sanjo, there's a sign on the ground level leading up to some stairs on the west side. Locations are on both the 2nd and 3rd floor, with slightly different menus - posh cafe that serves excellent pastas, salads, and pizzas. often booked out for parties so have a Plan B.

CAFE.DEVICE - Northern part of Gokomachi, south of Sanjo. Also accessible from the Spinns store in the northern part of the Teramachi arcade - Cafe-style tabehodai! 1000 yen gets you an hour of all-you-can-eat, which includes drinks and desserts.

CAFE KAHALA - on the east side of Teramachi arcade, just north of Shijo, upstairs next to Andrew's Egg Tarts - a quiet, kitschy cafe that specializes in Hawaiian food. Excellent milkshakes!

DEMODE QUEEN - Located somewhere behind OPA (on Kawaramachi) and United Colors of Benetton (on Shijo) - American food--served Japanese style! Pizza, pasta, salads, burgers! And of course--AMERICAN sized sundaes for desserts.

HIMALAYA - North on Kawaramachi, between Sanjo and Oike. Turn in at the Softbank shop and take the elevator up to the 6F (I think) - A MAGICAL Nepalese place that has the BEST DAMN NAAN around (that would be the Cheese Naan). And I have never ever had to wait to be seats. A must for anyone who likes eating.

MERRY ISLAND - North of Oike on Kiyamachi, on the east side of the street - Gourmet-style Thai-fusion foods. Great for dates, but make a reservation on the weekends!

NOODLE FACTORY - West on Sanjo, at the corner of Sanjo and....whatever street comes after Gokomachi (starts with an F?) - It's delicious delicious pasta in a great setting with reasonable prices. Certain days they'll have complimentary wine with the meals! Often booked out for parties so have a Plan B.

PAPA JON'S - Northern part of the Shinkyogoku arcade, just south of the mini-plaza. On the west side. - It's NOT pizza! Instead, you'll just have to settle for the BEST CHEESECAKE IN JAPAN. Cakes change regularly so take a gander at the display case inside before sitting down. They have regular food here too but I've never tried it because mmmmcheesecakesodamngoodwdajkka

VERY BERRY CAFE - Located on Gokomachi...somewhere between Shijo and Sanjo. 2nd location on Nijo and Kawaramachi - a Hawaiian style cafe done up in a surfer-motif. they've got sandwiches, bowls, salads, etc. oh, and some huuuuuge sundaes for dessert! Try the Snicker's Shake or (if you can handle it) the Pancake Sundae with bananas and maple syrup).

YAK & YETI'S - North of Shijo in the Teramachi arcade, underneath Boogaloo Cafe - Cozy Nepalese place with excellent lunch specials! Especially convenient when Boogaloo is booked up!

2007-09-13 15:31:04

Any family resutoran is good for me

2007-09-13 15:34:50

Poshlust likes milkshakes, ice cream and designer designers. Hot, Cold, he does it all.

I will fill out and file in my recommedes (that is french, fyi) on the morrow.. Booyah.

LiK

2007-09-13 23:29:11

Kai is a place on Shijo (north side) a bit east of Karasuma on the basement floor. It has a cool interior with fishtanks built into the walls, private rooms, comfortable chairs and couches, etc. The food is good and reasonable, with a 2 hr tabehoudai for ￥2500 and nomihoudai for　￥1000. Definitely a good place for a date.

2007-09-14 09:02:53

Wayan`s- Above Himalaya on Kawaramachi West-Side, North of Shijo (8th floor). This chill Balinese place derives its name from the delightful smiling Wayan, the owner and often bartender. Try the Satay and Chop Chai, as well as delicious Curries. The price will not make you wince at al, but the spice might.

 Tom`s- Up a bit from Kitaoji, one street over from Kawabata (north-south street, narrow one-way Oharamichi). One stop-light up, then turn right, then take the next real street to the left, it is on the left. Irish Owner Tom is one of the most likeable people in Kyoto, and this place is a great way to meet ex-pats who have been here a while. Also, it has the best Fajitas in Kyoto by FAR. Huevos Rancheros with Beef is also wondrous. Closed Mondays, and Tuesdays until 5pm.

SpeakEasy- American Food near SHuugakuiin on the Eizan line, or go south on HIgashioji from Kitayama. Some of the best Hamburgers in Kyoto, and all the coffee you can drink until noon. Also all-day breakfast. Mm. Eggs. Cheap and good, but the mexican food sucketh (go to toms, one street west and 5 minute walk South).

More when time permits.

2007-10-03 12:44:22

Tom's has changed his times.

He is now closed Sundays and Mondays, but not Tuesdays.

I also recommend the Taco rice and his amazing chocolate cookies, which are baked fresh on the premises, but not every day.  

2007-10-03 14:53:58

Don't you people eat Japanese food!?? ;)

 Caravan / Kyaraban is probably the finest Teishoku place. Okazaki / Yoshida Higashi Doori, two blocks north of Marutamachi. They have an Engrisshu menu. That street is full of little teishoku places. Maru Ni is just around the corner, to the east of Caravan.

 Hi Lite would be a close second. On Imadegawa, one blockish east of Higashiyama, north side. They have Plate au Katsu that will freak your mind, and bloat your gut.

 Both are reasonably priced (under 1000 w/o making sacrifices).

Oh, and a funky cafe with free internet (1 drink mandatory) is at the far eastern reach of the KyoDai campus, north side of Imadegawa, just before the Sunkus (??). It is just west of the T intersection there. They have great teishoku, and Sooper Dooper Yummy Tonkatsu, etc. Nice guys that run it, and watch for the stunning Painted Lady and her cute son (GF of the owner???). Seriously, this chick has so many tattoos it'd be hideous if she weren't so pretty.

 Also, for cheap eats: the Kyoto University Cafeterias (they would never ask if you're supposed to be there; just walk like a German Engineering student); the one in the north or Nogaku-bu is better, smaller, and quieter.

Anybody else ever scam into other Uni cafeterias, like Doshisha or Ritsumeikan?

2008-04-20 18:06:19