cité

On a short walk from Keihan Line – Shichijo Station (exit 3) is a lovely new cafe and apparel shop called “cité” ( instagram.com/cite_kyoto ) , that opened in October 2023. The young owners, a Japanese man and a Taiwanese woman, crossed paths in Paris while pursuing their passions – him studying clothing design and her mastering the flute. Both had part-time jobs, with him working at a Japanese store and her employed at a Taiwanese shop right next door. Their chance meeting laid the groundwork for their collaboration and the journey that led them to establish this wonderful café together.

The cafe’s name “Cité” comes from the French word for city and draws its inspiration from the historical heart of Paris, the Île de la Cité, which is one of the two remaining natural islands in the Seine River within the city. This island served as a nucleus for the city’s ancient roots, dating back to early Celtic settlements and was a crucial starting point, acting as a natural stronghold and eventually evolving into the vibrant city we know today. The wall inside the café prominently features a beautiful antique map of Paris from 1958, elegantly displayed within a custom-made wooden frame crafted by artisans at Noteworks ( instagram.com/noteworks ) .

The second origin of the name comes from the building’s former occupant, a photo studio named “Miyako,” which also translates to “city” or “cite”. Remnants of its studio can still be spotted at the cafe, such as the lightbox on the wall, now repurposed for displaying the cafe menu. Before the photostudio the building housed a kimono shop of which you can also still find different remnants, including an artistic inner courtyard with large rock formations and a antique oil pump.

The menu of cite has Taiwanese influences and consists of various coffees including: espresso, americano, piccolo, latte (600 yen), brown sugar latte and even an iced pinapple coffee. There is also Taiwanese tea available “green tea (Biluochun)” or “Oolong Tea (Dongfang Meiren)” as well as rooibos tea. Besides coffee and tea there is also pineapple juice or beer. For sweets Cite offers delicious Taiwanese cakes (pine apple flavor, etc) and croissants.

Cite is an absolute delightful cafe with friendly owners, delicious coffee and sweets and a cozy warm interior. It is a must-visit if you are in the area.