I was hesitant to visit this place after seeing some reviews about the service, but decided to give it a try as I thought I wouldn't know until I went myself. Overall, I didn't think the service was as bad as feared. However, my image of Inshokudo was a place with a variety of takeout bread lined up, but that was not the case at all. There were no takeout bread options. There were signs outside the shop prohibiting interior photography. Even after being seated, there were noticeable signs prohibiting photography on the walls, so I refrained from taking pictures of the food. Upon entering, I was immediately asked for my order. Feeling pressured, I quickly decided on the most prominent "brunch set" with a choice of black coffee, milk coffee, or orange juice. I chose black coffee. (When served, sugar cubes were placed on the spoon.) Since it seemed like cash only and there was a sign saying "We are short of 1000 yen bills," I handed over a 1000 yen bill for payment. The female staff had a brisk attitude, but the impression was not bad. I was directed to my seat and sat at a long table with a few backless long chairs, sharing the table with others. Water was self-service, and when I went to the back of the shop to fill a paper cup with water, I noticed a PayPay QR code mysteriously posted there. I'm not sure if it can be used for payment. Customers returning their trays were doing so in a self-service manner. There was no explanation about this. There were also some student discount menus, and it seems like the main target audience is Kyoto University students and regular customers. The dishes were served by a man in a subdued voice. The waiting time was short. The brunch set for 1000 yen included an egg sandwich in a roll, a sandwich with ham, cheese, and lettuce, potato salad, lettuce, tomato, and coffee. The bread was delicious, but the coffee was average. Honestly, I think the portion for the price was too high. For the general public, if you want to enjoy a retro atmosphere for morning to brunch or a drink break, it might be good.

I went to a stamp at Shinshindo. The name is the same, but it is a different management. I placed my order as soon as I entered and paid in cash on the spot. I chose lemon squash. It seemed to have a stronger carbonation than lemon flavor. You can also have a meal. Students were spending their time leisurely. Photography is not allowed inside the store.

Jinjindo is a shop I visited. I saw the ice flag swaying in the wind, so I knew they were open. Inside, the atmosphere was calm with an antique feel. I ordered at the entrance and paid. I didn't want to eat too much, so I chose a light option - a Danish set with a drink (coffee), mini salad, and croissant. The coffee came with a cube of sugar, which I gently stirred in for a slightly sweet finish. I like to drink it this way. The interior had antique ceiling lights, creating a somewhat bright atmosphere. The tables were spacious and comfortable. There was a garden at the back with balcony seating and a restroom. I enjoyed the timeless ambiance and would visit again if I have the chance. Thank you for the meal.

Today, I visited a cafe near Kyoto University called Shinshindo in Hyakumanben. The cafe has a retro atmosphere with brick walls and was created by the founder of the popular bakery "Shinshindo" in Kyoto, who was inspired by a cafe in Paris. The entrance is labeled as "Kyoto University Second Library" and is often used by students for self-study. You order and pay at the entrance before finding a seat. They serve light meals like sandwiches and curry. The interior has school-like long desks and even a courtyard. I had an iced coffee for 600 yen, which was nicely chilled and perfect for a hot summer day. I was able to do some desk work in the quiet atmosphere and felt like I had returned to my student days with plenty of time to spare.

The space was spacious! It's cheaper to order curry than a drink, with curry priced at 500 yen! I wasn't very hungry, so I opted for matcha shaved ice for 700 yen! It had a simple taste, was larger than expected, and was delicious till the last bite with plenty of syrup. It's a relaxing place with nice wooden tables and chairs. I don't usually read Tomihiko Morimi, but this was a good restaurant! I was worried because there were many negative reviews, but the old lady waitress was nice!

The building, interior, and fixtures are wonderful, but the service has been terrible since before the pandemic. Since the pandemic started, the operation has become unbearable, and even now that the pandemic is supposedly over, the restaurant is no longer welcoming to regular customers. It seems like the restaurant wants to cater to Kyoto University students and faculty, so they might as well just focus on that. However, I do hope they preserve the building, interior, fixtures, and garden.

When you show your student ID, you can get a discount, up to 100 yen off. However, the "Cafe au Lait" was only 50 yen off (¥500). It is very milky with a gentle sweetness from the milk. The slightly dim warm-colored lighting, a window with a view of a moderately lush courtyard, a long wooden table with a seasoned feel, and the sound of other customers' conversations. All these elements create a comfortable atmosphere inside the cafe. I spent about 3 hours from early afternoon studying English in the corner seat at the back.

This is my first visit. I came to the restaurant for a late breakfast today. - Shop Atmosphere: Located on the north side of Imadegawa Street, a 4-minute walk from the Hyakumanben city bus stop. The building is designed to resemble a Parisian cafe, with brick walls, street lamps, colorful tiles, giving off a French vibe. Arrived around 11 am. It had been open for an hour already, and the croissants and strawberry sandwiches I wanted were already sold out. After some hesitation, I ordered the curry bread set that I had decided on earlier and paid. I sat at the table I was shown and waited. Inside the shop, there is a showcase with salads, posters of books by Tomihiko Morimi, a bookshelf, giving off a friendly and down-to-earth "local cafe" impression. Towards the back of the shop is a courtyard with terrace seating and restrooms. It's a shame that photography inside the shop is prohibited as the atmosphere is stylish. The customers were more diverse than I expected, with students, middle-aged and older people, etc. - Menu: They offer morning sets like the Kusunoki set and curry bread set, as well as a variety of drink options, all reasonably priced. There is also a student discount available exclusively for students in Kyoto. - Curry Bread Set (1000 yen): The set includes curry poured on a plate, 2 pieces of bread, a mini salad, orange juice, and coffee. They ask in advance if you want milk in your coffee (I opted for no milk this time). The curry has a homely taste with a slight acidity. The ingredients include onions, meat, with mild spices. Even those who are not fans of spicy food should find it easy to eat. The bread consists of a roll and a round type, served with butter. Both were slightly sweet and delicious. The salad is a potato salad with cucumbers and lettuce. The potatoes were soft and tasty. The coffee had a mild bitterness and a slightly strong acidity. However, it had a unique fragrant smell, and I finished it quickly. The orange juice was sweet, sour, and refreshing, very delicious. I was very satisfied as I had been wanting to visit for a while. Next time, I want to visit at an earlier time.

Whenever I come here, it feels like time goes back. I'm not sure how many places I've been visiting since high school, but this is one of them. I sit at a table towards the back, facing the window. As I mentioned before, it creates a world like a shadow play. I might have been captivated by the sight of the girl I used to come here with, but at the same time, I feel somewhat intoxicated by my own memories. I was still 17, 18 years old, and she was there. Visiting this place again after a long time and spending time there makes my heart full. Back then, ... Everyone must have such feelings. It's quiet, warm, and even if objectively it may seem distorted, subjectively I feel a sense of happiness. Each person's inner feelings are within themselves. If there is "value" in the concept of "time," then I am undoubtedly gaining that here at this restaurant. I continue to gaze at the girl sitting by the window. "Café" (450 yen) + "Egg Sandwich" (800 yen) - as shown in the photo. (By: Kyonatsu Shuusora, 2023.1.2) (165 reviews/3.48)

I went to this restaurant because my child was hungry. When I looked at the ingredients, I was surprised to see things like shortening and lots of additives. It's a shame. I don't think I'll go back again. The taste was just okay, as long as it fills your stomach. Thank you for the meal.

We chose this café to meet up with colleagues for a brief meeting as we had work nearby. The retro exterior caught my eye and I had been curious about it for a while. It seems like you order and pay at the entrance here. Shortly after we sat down, a staff member came to our table and mentioned that this is a place where students come to study, so we should keep our conversation to a minimum. It felt like we weren't really welcome and the atmosphere was not very relaxing, so we couldn't have our meeting and left the café soon after having our coffee. On the other hand, as I passed by the café again after work, I saw a group of 7-8 people chatting inside. Perhaps they were from a university seminar... their conversation seemed lively. The iced coffee was 550 yen. Thank you for the meal.

There are many options for student discounts on the menu. Payment is required in advance. Due to the impact of the coronavirus, seating is designated as "over there" or "over here". Many customers, who are Kyoto University students, read books in the dimly lit interior. Taking photos inside the restaurant is prohibited. The sugar cubes are placed on a spoon, which tickled me a bit. In the fourth picture, the sign "Second Library of Kyoto University" tells a lot about the place.

During my first visit, I saw a rerun on TV introducing a long-established café in Kyoto (broadcasted on BS). I arrived at 9:35 AM and parked in the nearby area. The café is called "Former Shinshindo Kitashirakawa Store" and was completed in 1930. It was designed by Hitoshi Tsuzuki in a Romanesque style. The café has 8 tables inside and a few more outside in the courtyard. The interior features a long table and chairs made of oak by Tatsuaki Kuroda, a Living National Treasure. I ordered the homemade curry bread set for 1,000 yen, which included curry, 2 pieces of bread, potato salad, orange juice, and a drink. The food was average, but the peaceful atmosphere made the dining experience special. After taking some digestive medicine, I headed to a hidden Spanish restaurant.

I visited the cafe Shinshindo Kyoto Daigaku Kitamon-mae, which is often featured in guidebooks. I can't believe the rating on Tabelog is 3.4 or higher (laughs). It's been a while since I've been so disappointed and surprised after eating at a place. First, when I entered and checked the menu, I noticed that the morning set for local students is 500 yen, while other morning sets are 1000 yen. The prices are quite high compared to other cafes. I ordered the brunch set, my wife and son ordered the special potato salad set, and my daughter ordered the kusunoki set. There was a sign on the wall inside the shop that said "No photography allowed, do not take pictures or measurements." I thought, hmm? But maybe the sound of the shutter bothers the students, I thought. When the morning sets arrived, I was surprised! The portions were small! And for 1000 yen!? The sandwich was small, the roll bread was tiny. The coffee and orange juice were only about 1/3 to 1/2 cup. I thought, is this why photography is prohibited? (laughs). And then, the toast from the morning set took quite a long time to be served, and by the time it arrived, it was already hard. Seriously? The potato salad was accompanied by a few slices of cucumber and a small amount of shredded cabbage... (laughs) Is this worth the money they charge? The bread... to be honest, it wasn't delicious. The butter roll for the egg sandwich was quite sweet, with a lot of sugar. The combination of sweet roll bread and egg... this doesn't work. The pandeseguro had no flavor, it was dry. Shinshindo is an established shop, but it clearly demonstrates that "established does not equal excellent." By the way, I commented on Cafe Verdi's post that there may be an issue with the bread selection, but it turns out that the bread at Verdi was the same as the one at Shinshindo (laughs). Even if the morning set is 500 yen for local students, chain stores like Komeda Coffee or Doutor are better options. This place is for those who want to experience a retro atmosphere. I was so surprised after a long time. I will never come back here again (laughs). Thank you for the meal.

It's not just retro for the sake of it, but a truly authentic retro vibe. It's more like a nostalgic old-style coffee shop than a modern café. The coffee was average, but the natural and unchanged atmosphere somehow made it a very relaxing place. It's a place where you can truly unwind. It's a very important kind of place. Thank you for the meal.

"Shinshindo Kyodai Kitamon-mae" in Kyoto's Hyakumanben area is a popular spot for cafe lovers, with its French Parisian atmosphere and brick building. Established in 1930 by a founder who studied bread-making in Paris, this longstanding cafe offers a variety of menu items such as morning sets, sandwiches, and curry. Located near Kyoto University, the cafe offers discounts to students. I stopped by before work to try their classic pancakes and coffee set. The pancakes were thin with a crispy surface, served with maple syrup and butter. The cafe is a favorite among students for its affordable prices and cozy atmosphere, where you can study, read, or enjoy a meal at your own pace. Note that photography inside the cafe is prohibited, except for food photos.

Established in 1930, this café located in front of the north gate of Kyoto University has maintained its original appearance since its founding. It is said to be the oldest café in Kyoto. The café is popular among students studying nearby, so there is no background music. The founder was inspired by a café he visited while studying in Paris, in a student district called Quartier Latin. He wanted to create a space where people could gather in large numbers for discussions or study sessions. Inside the café, there are tables and benches made of Japanese oak, crafted by the renowned Kyoto-born Living National Treasure, Tatsuki Kuroda. When I visited with two friends, we chose to sit on the terrace as we felt a bit hesitant to chat in the quiet indoor space. I ordered the Pancake Set for 750 yen (student discount available for 600 yen) along with a black coffee. The pancakes had a classic style with a crispy outer layer, which I enjoyed with margarine and syrup. The taste brought back nostalgic memories. The café offers discounts for students on many items, making it a student-friendly place to dine.

I was rejected because I'm not from the capital area. It was tough. So, I decided to get takeout instead. I had the Mix Sandwich for 600 yen. It comes with 4 pieces each of egg sandwich and ham cucumber sandwich. The egg sandwich was delicious! There is a large park nearby which was convenient. I forgot to take a picture of the contents...

Located near Kyoto University, this café is student-friendly with seats reserved for Kyoto University students. Customers are allowed to stay for long periods of time for reading or studying. The café offers a simple-tasting café au lait and self-service water in paper cups. Payment is made upfront upon entering, and there is a terrace seating area for four people facing a courtyard. This café was featured in the novel "Night is Short, Walk on Girl" by Tomihiko Morimi as a meeting spot for a date.

This is a long-established café in front of the north gate of Kyoto University. The founder, Seiki Tsuzuki, is also the founder of the long-established bakery "Shinshindo" in Kyoto. He was the first Japanese student to study in Paris in 1924, where he learned how to make bread. After returning to Japan, he opened this café in 1930. The café seems to have been inspired by the academic atmosphere Seiki saw at Café de la Rotonde in Paris, where students freely discussed. The exterior and interior are French-style, which was quite unique in Kyoto at that time. The tables in the café resemble old libraries, designed by the Living National Treasure Tatsuaki Kuroda, and have been passed down since the founding. Even today, Kyoto University students can be seen studying, reading, and discussing inside. It's amazing that the scenery Seiki envisioned at the founding is still being continued nearly 100 years later. The café is also a favorite of the Kyoto University alum Tomihiko Morimi, who featured it in the final scene of his famous work "The Night is Short, Walk on Girl." I visited around 12 pm on a weekday and was able to enter without waiting in line. I ordered the Curry Bread Set (¥850), which includes coffee and salad for ¥800, a surprisingly great deal. The "Curry Bread" is not the typical curry-filled bread, but curry with bread on the side, allowing you to dip the bread in the curry while reading a book. The bread, likely from "Shinshindo," was delicious, with a noticeable sweetness from the milk. The curry, with a strong onion flavor, tasted like homemade curry. It was not exceptionally delicious, but the ambiance, reflecting the café's nearly 100-year history, was enjoyable. Thank you for the meal!