The 7 Best Cafes in Kanazawa Japan: My Top Coffee Shops in 2026

If you’ve followed my blog for a bit, you probably know that I am a massive coffee lover. Finding the best caffeine fix in a new city is basically always my mission! So, needless to say, I made it my goal to hunt down some amazing cafes while I was in Kanazawa.

Kanazawa is such a cute, authentic Japanese city. It’s way less touristy and much calmer than the chaos of Kyoto or Tokyo, which I totally loved. The town is filled with old geisha and samurai districts, cobblestone alleys, and traditional wooden houses, and hidden right in between them, I managed to find some incredible coffee shops.

I spent a few days in Kanazawa myself and I made an effort to try as many as possible. I usually visit at least one new cafe a day, often two, because, well, I need my daily caffeine fix to function, okay?

Now that I’ve done the legwork, I’ve decided to put together this little guide on the best cafes in Kanazawa Japan so you can find the top spots right away.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Kanazawa Japan

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The 7 Best Cafes in Kanazawa Japan: My Top Coffee Shops in 2026

What Are The Best Cafes in Kanazawa? I’ve Got The Answers

I am someone who definitely has a bit of a higher bar when it comes to my coffee, I just love a good latte, a flat white, or even a solid drip coffee. I’m not a huge matcha fan, unfortunately, so with the cafes I’ve put on this list, I made sure they all serve a great cup of coffee but also have a cool, chill vibe.

I think my favorite thing about the cafes in Kanazawa was how cute and relaxed all of them were. They all had loads of character and felt like the kind of places you just want to hang out in. I have to say, my absolute favorite cafe in Kanazawa was Moron Coffee (funny name, I know!).

I kind of stumbled across it while I was exploring the Nagamachi Samurai District. That area has some really beautiful cobblestone alleyways and old buildings with a little river running through the middle, and right there it was: Moron Coffee. They had amazing coffee, great seating, and an amazing breakfast to boot.

Another favorite of mine that I found was Petra Coffee, which is right inside the Omicho Market. It’s only a small coffee shop, but their coffee was totally on point. After eating my way through the market, it was the perfect way to end the morning.

1. Moron Cafe (This is My Personal Favorite Cafe in Kanazawa)

Opening Hours: 9am-6pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

My absolute favorite cafe in Kanazawa is, for sure, Moron Coffee. By the way, this list isn’t a ranking at all, but since this was my favorite, I had to put it first!

First off, I love the location. It’s right in the Nagamachi Samurai District, so it’s surrounded by all those traditional Japanese homes, which is just super cool. I randomly popped in there after a day of exploring and had an amazing latte. I also tried their French toast with bacon, and it was delicious.

The whole vibe actually reminded me a lot of the cafes I know from Melbourne, Australia, which is a huge compliment! It just had a great atmosphere overall.

The cafe also has a little boutique shop upstairs with some pretty cool (and pretty expensive) clothes. I didn’t end up buying anything, but nonetheless, this was my favorite spot for breakfast and a coffee in town.

2. Cubbyhole // One of the best Kanazawa Cafes

Opening Hours: 7am-2pm (Check Instagram for Opening Times)
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

I’d have to say that Cubbyhole is probably one of the coolest little cafes I found in Kanazawa. In general, the whole coffee scene here really impressed me, but this spot had such a cool vibe. It’s fairly small and definitely felt “traditionally Japanese” in terms of the clean design, which I absolutely loved.

I grabbed a latte here, and since I actually went for breakfast, I tried their breakfast wraps and a cinnamon roll, both were incredible. One thing I’ve noticed traveling around is that while Japan has loads of coffee shops, it’s actually quite hard to find places that serve a proper breakfast. Most spots just have a basic pastry, so I’m always happy when I find a cafe that actually gives you a real bite to eat.

I definitely recommend Cubbyhole, especially if you want to fuel up before a big day of walking. I visited this spot right before heading to Kanazawa Castle and the Oyama Shrine, as it’s located right next to both of them. It was the perfect pit stop before I started exploring for the day.

3. Petra Bake & Coffee (Best Coffee Shop in Kanazawa)

Opening Hours: 8am-4pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

As far as regular, small coffee shops go, I have to say Petra Bake & Coffee was my favorite in Kanazawa. It’s located right inside Omicho Market, so it was my perfect post-food-coma coffee.

I honestly ate my way through that entire market, I had sushi, sashimi, croquettes, takoyaki, you name it. And yes, this was at like 9:00 AM, but trust me, that’s when everything is at its freshest!

Anyway, after I’d filled my belly, I desperately needed a caffeine hit, and Petra was perfect for that. I’d actually say it’s one of the best coffees I had in the whole city; it honestly just hit the spot at the time.

4. Townsfolk Coffee

Opening Hours: 8:30am-6pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Have I mentioned how much I love a good, cozy cafe? Well, this is exactly that. Townsfolk Coffee was located super close to the hotel I stayed at, so the very first thing I did after checking in was hunt down a coffee fix. Gotta do what you gotta do, right? The easiest (and best) choice was definitely here.

The cafe has a very clean design, but it’s still cozy, which I really appreciate. Sometimes coffee shops in Asia can be a bit too minimalist and clinical for my liking, but this one felt right.

I had a drip coffee and a croissant, and both were as good as it gets. If I remember right, it was actually raining that day, and it turned out to be the perfect little hiding spot to wait out the weather.

5. Sway Coffee Roaster

Opening Hours: 9am-5pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

Sway Coffee Roaster is another cool coffee spot right next to Kanazawa Castle. There are actually loads of great coffee shops around the castle park, which I definitely took advantage of. I ended up sitting by the castle walls with a coffee in hand more than once.

Sway is a bit more on the minimalist side, which isn’t always my favorite vibe, but their coffee was great and the cheesecake was even better. I’m a sucker for a cake and coffee break in the afternoon, and Sway was the perfect spot for it.

6. Curio Espresso (This is Where I Loved to Come for Breakfast)

Opening Hours: 8am-1pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

I have to be real with you guys: I love Japanese food. I could eat ramen, sushi, and curry all day long. But the one thing I just can’t get behind is a Japanese breakfast, I just don’t like it, sorry!

This is why finding a good cafe in the morning is so high on my priority list and Curio Espresso is easily the best place for a Western-style breakfast in Kanazawa.

We shared berry waffles, a breakfast sandwich, and a muffin, and everything was delicious. It was exactly the kind of start to the day I was looking for.

7. Nonstop Coffee Stand

Opening Hours: 8am-4:30pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Last on the list is Nonstop Coffee Stand. I actually didn’t get a chance to go here myself, but it was recommended to me by a friend whose taste I really trust.

It’s a super cute little shop in the Higashi Chaya District, so it’s the perfect place to grab a coffee before you go off exploring the geisha districts. If you check it out, let me know if the coffee is as good as I’ve heard!

FAQs About The Best Kanazawa Cafes

Where has the best coffee in Kanazawa?

Ugh, that’s actually a really hard one because I had so many amazing cups while I was there. But if I absolutely had to pick my favorite cup of coffee in Kanazawa, it would probably be Petra Bake & Coffee. It’s this tiny little shop right in the Omicho Market, and the quality is just fantastic.

What is the best cafe in Kanazawa?

There are actually two that I’m obsessed with for different reasons. Moron Coffee is my favorite for a great latte and a pastry after exploring the samurai district, the vibe there is just super chill. But if you’re looking for a proper Western-style breakfast, Curio Espresso is my number one.

Where to go in Kanazawa for breakfast?

Curio Espresso is for sure the best spot in Kanazawa for a Western breakfast. I only went once, but I had some amazing waffles with berries and a great English muffin sandwich.

Is Kanazawa worth visiting?

Without a doubt. I personally loved Kanazawa! I really enjoyed exploring a city that feels less touristy and more authentic than places like Kyoto. It’s way calmer, less touristy, and gave me a totally different perspective on Japan. Plus, the coffee is better. (There, I said it!)

Final Thoughts On The Best Coffee Shops in Kanazawa

To wrap this up, I’ll be quick, but I honestly fell in love with Japan’s coffee culture. I lived in Australia for three years, and I’ll die on the hill that they have the best coffee in the world, so I was actually surprised that Japan can genuinely compete.

I was especially impressed with Kanazawa. For such a small, traditional city, it has some of my absolute favorite coffee shops I’ve found in all of Japan.

Again, Moron Coffee is probably the standout for me, and I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you want that perfect mix of history and caffeine.