01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Over the counter, hot water is poured from a kettle with careful attention to temperature, extracting each hand-drip coffee cup by cup. Located in Nishijozenjicho, just a short walk from Kamishichiken and Kitano Tenmangu, Kyoto Codou welcomes guests into a tranquil kissaten centered on in-house roasting. Many drop by right as the doors open at 9:00 for morning sets, making it a peaceful stop to start the day in the crisp morning air.
The coffee lineup covers broad ground, ranging through light, medium, medium-dark, and dark roasts alongside single-origin lots from regions such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, and El Salvador. Choosing a bean suits whatever mood strikes, whether that means a light-roast Rwanda for light, fruity acidity or an Ethiopian bean for a floral fragrance and lingering sweetness. Those who prefer bold depth can opt for the Codou Blend Strong, while a milder blend and iced coffee offer cleaner finishes, rounded out by refreshing twists like sparkling iced coffee.
The food menu is anchored by freshly pressed, golden toasted sandwiches. A wide variety of fillings includes egg and bacon, tuna and potato, minced soy curry, and an-butter (sweet red bean paste with butter), all generously packed between crisp bread slices. Simple buttered toast is also on hand, alongside classic Japanese café staples like omurice and Italian spaghetti that make satisfying lunchtime fare when hunger calls.
For a sweet finish, the café offers desserts tailored to coffee, including a mascarpone pudding, rich chocolate brownies, light chiffon cake, and bittersweet coffee jelly. Guests can sit at the ground-floor counter watching each pour take shape, or head up to the second floor to unwind quietly on sofa seating or by the windows with views of the street outside. Drip coffee bags are available to take home, making it easy to drop in during a walk around the neighborhood and linger over a well-chosen cup.
