The 30 Best Matcha Restaurants in Kyoto 2023

Kyoto is reminiscent of Japan’s long history since the Edo period, with plenty of well-preserved remnants everywhere.

But why do so many visitors flock to the city? It is not only due to those sightseeing sites, but numerous signature delicacies in Kyoto, namely Matcha sweets. Have no idea where to try?

Let’s take a look at the best Matcha desserts in Kyoto.

The 30 Best Matcha Restaurants in Kyoto 2023

1. Itoukyuuemon Honten

Speaking of matcha, everyone will think of “Itoukyuuemon” in Kyoto, the most authentic matcha cafe established in 1832. Don’t miss the “yokubari matcha parfait,” with the ingredients of ujikintori matcha dumplings, ice cream, bracken-starch dumplings, etc. The homemade “Matcha bavarian pudding” is also the shop’s specialty.

2. Nakamuratoukichi Byoudouinten

Highly recommend the “Ujinofukiyose” with Uji ice cream, cake, etc. Or try the traditional matcha warabi (bracken-starch dumplings). Enjoy these delicacies with the unique ambiance of a conventional Japanese cafe established in 1854, or have a seat on its open terrace.

3. Saryoutsujiri

Don’t be surprised to see the queue always outside the shop. Not only tourists but local Japanese people are looking forward to savoring the shop’s famous “matcha parfait” menu. Nothing can replace such an incredibly delicious sweet. Whether you like matcha, you will be seduced by the tasty dessert.

4. Saryousuisen

Highly recommend the shop’s matcha latte. The rich matcha taste goes well with the milk. Moreover, you can request a marvelous latte art on your beverage when the shop is not busy. It looks too adorable, and you don’t even want to start a sip.

5. Giwon Komori

You might have seen numerous typical parfaits. But the parfait of “Giwon Komori” is just one-of-a-kind. It includes many tasty bracken-starch dumplings, matcha jelly, chestnut, and bean jams, topped with matcha, vanilla ice cream, and soybean powder. It is just an authentic Japanese parfait that you should not miss.

6. Ikusu Cafe

The traditional cafe provides an exciting yet delicious menu, “grilled dumplings” of two flavors, “yomogi” and “Shiro.” The grilling way under a tiny charcoal stove is so fun, while you can enjoy the freshly grilled sweet dumplings with a hot and moist finish. Order the set of grilled dumplings and matcha green tea, which perfectly combines Japanese sweets.

7. Jyubyuanseru

Don’t miss the exclusive menu, sweets fondue. Dip the fruit and Japanese sweets with matcha milk chocolate sauce. The sweetness of matcha chocolate sauce and the sourness of fruit go in harmony. Everyone will love it.

8. Wabaru Oku

The shop’s parfait is unique, filled with creamy matcha mousse, panna cotta, homemade pancake, and topped with red bean and matcha ice cream, bracken-starch dumpling, and honey rusk—an excellent choice for you to savor as an afternoon dessert in your Kyoto journey.

9. Yojiya Cafe

Even if you can find Yojiya cafe in Haneda Airport or other places, the authentic shop in Kyoto should not be missed. Thanks to the cafe’s traditional Japanese ambiance, you can enjoy a cup of special matcha latte and the view of a beautiful and serene Japanese garden.

10. Honke Nishio Yatsuhashi

Everyone knows the brand “Yatsuhashi” renowned for its excellent traditional sweets. However, you can now enjoy its exclusive Matcha parfait in the shop that you cannot try in other places. Topped with various candies, it is incredibly delicious because it is the original taste made by the long-established shop. Perhaps no one can resist the temptation of such a colorful and seducing dessert.

11. Maccha House

Many people adore tiramisu. But the matcha dessert in this shop makes tiramisu much more tempting. The matcha powder on top is in fresh and slightly bitter flavor, which balances the sweetness of the tiramisu. Plus, it is served in a dainty wooden box, an exclusive dessert design.

12. Kyosendo

Matcha parfait is the distinctive menu of the shop. You would be impressed by how rich the matcha ice cream tastes that you cannot find anywhere else! Plus, the unique matcha senbei (sweet cracker) gives you extra enjoyment while garnishing the parfait perfectly.

13. Kototama

An ordinary parfait is set with its particular ingredients. Somehow it cannot please everyone. In “Kototama,” the professional shiratama (sweet rice dumplings) shop, you can order a customized parfait, the one-of-a-kind matcha dessert. Ingredient choices range from various sweets to fruits.

14. Gion Kinana

You would never realize matcha ice cream is an excellent companion with berry unless you try the matcha parfait of “Gion Kinana.” The slightly sour flavor of the berry makes the matcha sweets more tasty and unique.

15. Fukujuen

In hot summer, nothing is better than enjoying a matcha dessert filled with plenty of ice cream, shaved ice, and sweet red beans. Once you start, you can’t stop yourself from having more and more!

16. Saryouhousen

Warabi (bracken-starch dumplings) can represent one of the most traditional Japanese sweets. As a visitor to Kyoto, you must not miss the warabi. Head to “Saryouhousen” and order a set of warabi and cold matcha tea to give yourself quality time in Kyoto.

17. Tsuen

It is said that the shop was once visited by significant figures in Japanese history, Tokugawa Shogunate and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a few centuries ago. How amazing the shop is still well-preserved! Have a seat in the shop and savor the famed Ujikintoki matcha ice cream of Kyoto.

18. Chez Hagata

Are you looking for some matcha sweets that you can carry home? Then, the matcha cake from “Chez Hagata” would be a perfect option. The ingredients, matcha, eggs, butter, white chocolate, sugar, and flour, are all exclusively selected. What’s more, you can order it by mail delivery.

19. Saganoyu

The shop is formerly an old public bath place. Order a traditional matcha dessert and enjoy the unique ambiance and decoration there. Presented in a small dainty bamboo container, the confection is filled with delicious matcha ice cream, red beans, and sweet dumplings.

20. Tsukigase

Visit the traditional Japanese tea house established in 1926. Plenty of excellent matcha dessert menus are available, such as “anmitsu,” a typical local sweet made of red beans, cubes of agar gelatin, topped with molasses and bean jam. Are you looking for a simple Kyoto dessert? Then, anmitsu is the one for you.

21. Hannarikafue Iwai

The shop’s signature menu is matcha warabi mochi parfait. It is a simple parfait consisting of matcha ice cream and jelly, bracken-starch dumplings, and sweet white dumplings. Everything has high quality to savor Japanese sweets’ rich and genuine taste truly.

22. Mitsuboshien Kanbayashisannyuu-honten

We cannot return to the past, but from the shop established in the Tensho era (1573-1591), we can try its traditional matcha warabi mocha (bracken starch dumpling) preserved since the age. The old recipe makes it, and thus the taste is authentic!

23. Fleur

To savor the shop’s special matcha pancake, you need patience because the meringue is all freshly made upon your order. But 20-30 minutes of waiting are worth it because the pancake tastes incredibly delicious with a soft texture. Enjoy it with the exclusive matcha sauce.

24. Gion Koishi

The shop “Gion Koishi” provides a luxury matcha parfait that includes matcha ice cream, sweet red beans, and chestnut cream. However, it is not as sweet as other normal parfaits, an excellent choice for those concerned about diet issues.

25. Sabou Isehan

If you visit Kyoto in summer, don’t miss the special Kyoto dessert, “anmitsukoori.” It is matcha-shaved ice, topped with cubes of agar gelatin, jelly, shiratama (sweet dumpling), sweet red bean and soybean flavored ice cream, and so on. A perfect choice for you to chill out in hot summer!

26. Kyouhayashiya

The cheesecake recipe was originally from other western countries. But Japanese people are so clever as to add some matcha into it and have created an excellent distinctive dessert in Kyoto. Visit “Kyouhayashiya” and try matcha cheesecake, which tastes so creamy and rich with a great texture.

27. Wacafe Ranhotei

Perhaps a matcha cake is so typical. But have you heard of matcha cake made of tofu? Come to the shop and try such a unique flavor. While cake ingredients are generally quite heavy, the matcha tofu cake is fresh and healthy yet rich and tasty. A must-try dessert in Kyoto!

28. Saryou Hassui

You won’t be able to find the exclusive “hisui mochi” (jade dumpling) in other places except by visiting this restaurant. The matcha sweet has a lovely color that is reminiscent of jade. Of course, the texture and flavor are just perfect. Enjoy the dessert with the magnificent natural view of the surrounding area.

29. Kezurihiya Kyoto Gion

The shop’s matcha dessert probably sounds the same as other shops’. It is extraordinary. Thanks to the shop’s excellent latte art, the dessert is topped with adorable patterns. What surprises customers is the tasty shaved ice, which is so soft and creamy. An ideal choice for summer! Don’t forget to order the dessert as a set with matcha tea or roasted green tea.

30. Sanoa

Go to the shop and try the exclusive matcha parfait “Noukou matcha noyokubaridukusiwafue,” filled with matcha ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake, and garnished with whipped cream and matcha waffle cracker. How gorgeous it looks! You will never get bored with the yummy matcha flavor, which is slightly bitter yet rich and sweet.

If you are one of those who love Japanese sweets, then don’t miss the suggested fabulous Matcha candy on your next trip to Kyoto. After all, to understand the culture and characteristics of a country, besides visiting the renowned sightseeing spots, savoring the signature local delicacy is effortless and direct. So enjoy your gourmet journey for the excellent matcha desserts in Kyoto.