I have been going to Kyoto quite frequently even after leaving Kyoto. This time, I went to the New Year's Afternoon Tea at Kyoto Monterey Hotel with a friend! It is located a little up from Karasuma Station and the location is good and easy to find! However, when I was in Kyoto, I didn't know that there was Afternoon Tea here, so did they start recently? Or did they quietly have it without any promotion? In the past year, the overall price of Afternoon Tea has increased by over a thousand yen in many hotels, making Hotel Afternoon Tea = 5000 yen to 6000 yen range the norm, so this 4500 yen feels very reasonable. Three years ago, this was still considered expensive... I made a reservation for 12 o'clock and visited the cafe here. The cafe is themed after a traditional British mansion study with lovely antique furniture. It's a wonderful space! Despite being close to Karasuma Station, it felt like a hidden gem and we were able to relax. The New Year's Afternoon Tea includes: - Matcha Roll, Caramel Mousse, and Heart Macaron - Chocolate Mousse and Coconut Tuile - Sake Brulee, White Miso Panna Cotta with Black Honey - Strawberry Choux, Three Japanese Sweets, and Mandarin Compote - Chiffon Cake, Orangeette, Ohagi, Matcha Brownie, Chestnut and Black Bean Maritozzo, Seasonal Fruits - Today's Sandwiches: Shrimp and Cauliflower Quiche, Salmon and Thousand Leaves, Matsukaze-style Baked Pate There are dishes inspired by the New Year, where you can taste both Japanese and Western flavors at the same time. The drink is free-flowing with Ronnefeldt black tea and coffee available. The seating is for 2 hours, but you can order tea until the last minute. It's rare to see the Afternoon Tea stand packed so tightly with so many varieties and quantities! But with this many options and a good amount of food, I felt satisfied with the 4500 yen Afternoon Tea! I was full and satisfied while eating. Personally, I was happy to see only celery on the bottom plate and a luxurious beef cutlet sandwich on croissant. This time, the scones were replaced with chiffon cake, which was fluffy and delicious. There were many varieties like manju and warabimochi, making this Afternoon Tea different from usual. Personally, I wasn't expecting much from the trendy Maritozzo, but it was incredibly delicious and to my liking. It was filled with plenty of chestnuts and black beans in a red bean cream, and the bread was brioches, which was delicious! I had a relaxing time with my friend at this hidden cafe, enjoying delicious drinks and food. It was very soothing. Now, they seem to have a much-awaited Strawberry Afternoon Tea.

This is the restaurant I chose to have afternoon tea. The theme of the afternoon tea changes depending on the season, and this time it was "fresh green". The cute sweets lined up on the tea stand had a green theme with pistachio and matcha flavors. It was the first time for me to have a tea stand prepared for each person, so I felt a bit luxurious. The drink was all-you-can-drink, and although the tea is served in a teapot, there is about enough for three cups in a cup, so you can't drink as many varieties as you might think (laughs). The meal was also very satisfying and I left feeling full!

I visited "LIBRARY" at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto in Montreux. The afternoon tea was strawberry-themed, with a plate of fritters, quiche, pie, and bagna cauda. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Met up with a friend for a casual drink♪ We decided to meet up suddenly. I thought about having tea, but I had already had too much coffee, so I chose this place where you can have tea or alcohol. My friend had coffee and cake! I went for a great deal where you can choose two drinks with a snack included for only 1500 yen. The atmosphere was nice and stylish, and the cost performance was excellent! I will definitely use this place again. Thank you for the meal ❤️

The atmosphere is nice and you can enjoy a relaxing tea surrounded by lovely interior, but the cakes look good but taste average. The price is high like a hotel, but I didn't think it was too expensive.

Whenever I go back to Kyoto, I always feel like going to a stylish standing bar called Suiba for a drink, followed by a visit to the sake museum on Sanjo Street. After enjoying a short cocktail and a Scotch highball, I couldn't resist the urge to have a beer, so I ended up at this library. It's actually a cafe in a hotel. I had dessert with my companion here. We were the last customers, so we couldn't stay long, but the high ceiling and pleasant atmosphere made it a nice place to be.

Ending the day in a library at night... in the heart of Kyoto, I spent such a luxurious time. I had breakfast at Sanjo Shopping Street, quenched my thirst with sake at Kizakura Shoten, enjoyed freshly made soba and conger eel tempura at Kyono Shiki, traveled back in time to the Showa era at Fransoa Coffee Shop, and reminisced about my childhood at Suiba. I pondered about the country of China across the sea at the art museum. This was just a day's worth of events. Kyoto is such a deep place. And now, heading towards the end. The night library is quite something. The interior is elegant and luxurious, yet orderly. The Earl Grey tea and grapefruit tart I chose from the cake selection on a tray, brought to me only when I have the leisure to enjoy it. The grapefruit tart with a hint of indulgence paired perfectly with the fragrant Earl Grey tea. In the miraculously cool August night in Kyoto, I wrapped myself in a sleeveless pale blue dress with a dark red stole. Sipping on my second cup of Earl Grey, I traced the events of the day like unraveling a story.

Today, I spent some time at the cafe on the 1st floor of Hotel Monterey. I had some time before my departure, so I decided to stop by for a little while. The interior of the cafe is very beautiful, with a luxurious feel to it. I ordered just a beer in the morning. It was a relaxing moment in a comfortable space! Thank you Cafe The Library for a wonderful experience!

Montre Kyoto is a coffee shop and bar located on the 1st floor. The interior is designed to resemble a library, with a British-style, elegant decor. The atmosphere is casual, with most customers dressed in casual attire. I visited during happy hour from 5pm to 7pm, where you can enjoy 2 drinks and snacks for 1,030 yen. I ordered a Campari soda and a Mimosa, but found them to be average. The Mimosa was a bit too sweet for my liking. The bar is welcoming and perfect for solo female customers or beginners to bars.

I had lunch at Hotel Monterey on the 2nd floor. The course includes coffee and cake at the 1st floor lounge. The coffee is all-you-can-drink! Just like the lunch reservation, the seat was also reserved for us. I thought the order was already decided, but it turns out you can choose your drink and cake flavor from the menu, or even opt for traditional Japanese sweets. I chose blueberry tart for the cake and enjoyed freshly brewed coffee. The tart was generously topped with blueberries. After finishing the tart and my cup of coffee, I asked for a refill and they kindly brought it with a smile. I was satisfied with two cups, but it seems the coffee is truly all-you-can-drink!

I attended a party at this hotel and decided to stop by for the after-party. After the party ended, I spent some time in the restroom trying to decide where to go next. I decided to go to Iemoto Salon for a parfait before heading home. As I was making my way to the entrance hall, the chairman of the association suddenly grabbed my arm from behind. If it had been a lovely woman doing that, I would have willingly followed her... grumbling to myself, I reluctantly entered the restaurant. Since I had just used the hotel for the party, they offered me a two-hour all-you-can-drink deal for ¥2,000, which turned out to be a smart choice and I had a good time. The restaurant is conveniently located and was packed with customers, creating a lively atmosphere. The service was polite and attentive, probably because it's located in a hotel. I ended up here by chance, but I'm glad I did.

This is a cafe inside Hotel Monterey Kyoto. The interior is inspired by Edinburgh, allowing you to relax and spend time leisurely. The black tea I had here was delicious. I tried the Royal Milk Tea made with Irish Malt tea leaves. It had a hint of vanilla flavor and I became a fan after just one sip. However, it is quite expensive. It costs 900 yen for a pot, which can serve two cups. You can also add a cake for an additional 200 yen, but the cake is not very tasty. If the price was a bit more reasonable, I would consider coming here more often. Perhaps the high price is why there are fewer people, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

The calm atmosphere of the restaurant includes glass display shelves for books and a fireplace. There are table seats and a few sofa seats as well. The tea served is from Ronnefeldt, known for its strong flavor rather than its elegance. The tea is served warm with milk, so those who prefer cold milk should be aware. The tea itself is brewed properly and served in a pot. The cake was not very tasty, so it might be better to just enjoy the tea in the peaceful ambiance for a break or reading. They also offer a drink set with cocktails or beer for 1000 yen including the charge, which seemed like a good deal.

I entered the store alone. The black-based interior creates a very calm atmosphere. The interior design is high-quality. I ordered a set of cheesecake and coffee for 1200 yen. The coffee was free to refill. The coffee cups used were Noritake. The coffee was quite tasty when freshly brewed. The cheesecake was rich and delicious. The coffee was okay, but ordering a specific brand might make it even better. They also offer a set where you can taste two different types of coffee. They seem to have a strong commitment to quality. Being located inside Hotel Monterey, the facilities like the restroom are kept very clean. I'm not sure how busy it gets on holidays, but it's a great place for quiet conversations. For more information about the company, you can visit their website here: http://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/portal/profile.html. You can also find the cafe's website here: http://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/cgi-bin/portal/cms/restspasearch.cgi

In the hotel lobby, there are two Renoir paintings displayed in glass cases. As you move towards the back, you will find "Cafe The Library". This cozy space feels like a study or hobby room, with comfortable chairs where you can watch the hustle and bustle of Karasuma Street outside. I highly recommend the cake set here (drink and cake for ¥1200). My partner had hot coffee and opera cake, while I had iced coffee and tiramisu. The interior of the cafe is decorated with the owner's various hobbies, including elegant tableware and furnishings. My favorite is the small antique bar corner next to the checkout counter. This hotel offers more than just accommodation, so even just coming for tea is a great idea!

I think this café is quite a hidden gem. The coffee brewed with a siphon and served with small cookies is not exactly delicious, but it meets expectations. However, the cakes are not good. They are a decent size but the taste is lacking. The café has a cozy corner feel and the atmosphere is like a European hotel library, which I personally quite like. It's not crowded or noisy. The highlight here is the ambiance. However, the bar at night is a bit disappointing with a limited selection of drinks. Last order is at 10:30, which is not ideal for a hotel bar. The service is polite but lacks attention to detail. Overall, I recommend using this place more as a café than a bar.