Very Berry Café (Cafe)

It’s 30 degrees and 120% humidity. After all those hours in an office, you decided that you had to make the most of the weather. But after sitting in Gosho and poaching yourself in your own sweat, you’re not quite sure you made the right decision.

Have no fear. A short walk southwards down Kawaramachi Dori will take you to the cool Very Berry Café (Kawaramachi/Nijo). The café gets little direct sunlight, which means it’s cool.  But it’s also cool. There are low-slung leather sofas, eclectic tables interspersed with American paraphernalia – from Star Wars to rows of Mr Potato Heads, and from Popeye to Hawaiian themed goods, including what looks like a surfboard shrine. Which makes paying 900+ yen for an ice-cream sundae seem like a great idea.

Fortunately, their sundaes are really tasty. And you’re not going to deny yourself one on a day like that. 

P. Amoroso

Banda no Hana (Cafe)

Spam. Rice. Match made in heaven. Go to Banda no Handa (Kitashirawaka/Kuramaguchi) for supersize spam onigiri. Perfect way to finish your meal! 

Akatsuki Ramen (Ramen)

Akatsuki ramen (Kitashirakawa/Mikage)... kara-age set was a bit too much to eat. Definitely can't do the rice + ramen combo. But great ramen!

Tsubame Hall (Bar)

Tsubame Hall (Hyakumanben) - Open late and full of people who drink and smoke. This egg was really really good.

Senryu (Chinese)

Senryu (Horikawa/Nakadachiuri). Chinese food in Kyoto can be pretty bad, but this isn't. No fuss -- and cheap.

ETW (Cafe / Gallery)

A question I often hear is, "Where is a good club in Kyoto?" While the Japanese government seems to be hellbent on closing down all kinds of night life with their recent law that prevents dancing after 1am (no joke), the clubs have been closing down one by one in Kyoto. One that remains is Metro, located inside Keihan Marutamachi station. So you've just spent a long night dancing to obscure UK music, breathing in second hand smoke, and you just want a place to chill out and have a drink. Easy. Just go to the second floor, where ETW is (pronounced E-TOW-WA). 

 Atmosphere is very chill out and decor is impeccable. Drinks of all varieties are available, as well as food. Beer on tap is Suntory Malts, a nice choice. Try the sauteed enoki mushrooms on bagette. Very nice. Main dishes to satisfy any appetite can also be ordered. 

 Most of the art in the cafe is by manager Ryo-chan, a talent illustrator/artist. They also sell select goods by other artists. Open late, ETW is a perfect place to hang out after the after-after party or before dinner. 

 Manager Ryo-chan

What is wine without water?

Taste of Thai (Thai food)

South of Kawaramachi-Gojo is not normally where you would expect to go for dinner, but Ban Thai was a pleasant surprise. Perfect for lunch, sets go for 850 yen. The pho noodles pictured below was pretty authentic, even with real BBQ pork (yes). The menu is extensive, and I'll definitely be back for the soft shell crab dishes. Soft shell crab in Kyoto! Imagine that. The restaurant is spacious and has a distinctive Bangkok feel. All the staff are Thai as well. While Thai restaurants in Kyoto have tended to be a bit formal with proper cutlery, a boom in casual "food stall" type restaurants is taking place. Asian food as it should be - good and cheap!