Goodman Roaster Kyoto

Opened in late 2019 by Atsuomi Itō, Goodman Roaster is the Kyoto outpost of a Taiwanese roaster — and the only place in Japan pouring lightly roasted Alishan coffee from Taiwan's mountains. It's a story Itō chased for years: a delicate, floral, almost tea-like cup that few outside Taiwan had taken seriously. The space, a few minutes from Shijō-Karasuma, is thoroughly modern third-wave, built around a Diedrich roaster and a striking centrifugal cold-brew machine, with a leather couch, big windows and room to linger. Single origins lead the menu, pour-over is the house recommendation for the "purest" cup, and the kitchen leans into the Taiwanese connection with pineapple cakes and a much-loved light-roast coffee soft serve. One of Kyoto's most-reviewed specialty cafés for good reason. Come for the Alishan you can't get anywhere else.