Paddy

If you love sweets like I do, a must-visit confectionary in Kyoto is ‘Paddy’ instagram.com/paddy_kyoto that sits on a short walk from San-In Line – Nijo Station or Tozai Line – Nijojo-Mae Station, to the North of Nijo Castle in a quiet neighborhood tucked away at the end of a narrow alley. Paddy opened its doors in April of 2024 and is run by a friendly young woman who named the cafe after one of the kanji characters in her name, which means “rice paddy.” Paddy is both a confectionary and a cafe where customers can either take out or enjoy sweets with coffee inside.

The shop is located at the end of a narrow alley on the left and can be easily identified by its chalk-white exterior. As you approach, the aroma of freshly baked sweets will greet you. Large glass sliding doors offer a clear view of the interior, and upon entering, you’ll immediately see the delicious sweets neatly presented in the glass case. The shop offers a wide variety of treats, including canelés, florentines, financiers, scones, madeleines, and many other cookies and sweets. On the counter, there’s a small tin with slightly imperfect baked goods sold at a discount to help reduce food waste.

The shop has been renovated but still retains elements of the previous building, such as the wood framework and the sand walls at the back. Don’t miss the charming details, like the cookie cutter shapes embedded in the concrete floor. The shop features a seating area in the back with retro furniture, including three tables and chairs, creating a cozy atmosphere. The drink menu offers coffee (americano, cafe latte (600 yen), ice coffee), juice (orange, apple, spice lemon), various teas and even alcohol.

Paddy is a lovely little confectionary cafe run by a friendly lady that offers a large variety of delicious freshly baked sweets as well as seating inside for a nice coffee break, heavily recommended.