CAFFÈRA

If you like to take your time choosing something sweet to go with your coffee, start with tiramisu and a shot of espresso. Diners have described CAFFÈRA’s tiramisu as “smooth and generous”, and some have enjoyed pairing it with coffee.

Coffee options range from straight espresso to cappuccino topped with foamed milk. Espresso comes with a small sweet, and there is a double for those who would like more. For a tasting, consider an espresso flight served as cappuccino or macchiato. The iced options offer different experiences: Caffè Freddo is espresso chilled until crisp and refreshing, while Caffè Freddo Shakerato is shaken with added sweetness. Some diners have enjoyed the contrast between the chocolate served with the Shakerato and the coffee’s bitterness. Visitors have also mentioned the latte art on the cappuccino, including accounts of requesting a particular design—a small touch that adds to the experience of ordering.

For a sweeter drink, choose a caramel or fresh-chocolate cappuccino, or the hot Caffè Latte Verde, made with Uji matcha and espresso. Coffee remains the focus, while the sweetness and presence of milk offer ways to suit your mood.

For a light lunch, try a tartine made with stone-oven-baked wholemeal bread. Gamberetto combines shrimp and avocado with basil, rocket and the café’s original sauce. It is available on its own or as part of a lunch set with soup, salad and a set drink. The roast beef tartine pairs the savoury flavour of lean beef with a fruity sauce; it, too, is available in a set with soup, salad and a drink.

For dessert, there is also a sweet tartine layered with tea-flavoured ganache cream, whipped cream, three kinds of nuts and berry sauce. The matcha Basque cheesecake has a smooth, gently bitter filling, with caramelised walnuts for contrast. Whether you are after a familiar cake such as tiramisu or choosing from the sweets listed on the menu, there is plenty to pair with coffee.

Located on the 11th floor of Kyoto Isetan, the café is handy for a break while shopping or a coffee after a meal. Visitors have mentioned both indoor seating and open seating. It is also presented as suitable for dining solo, making it an option for anything from a quick coffee break to a meal with a tartine.