The shop combines a café and a coffee bean store, with a Japanese Barista Champion on staff. They use local vegetables for lunch, just like they do with their coffee beans, showing their dedication to quality ingredients. They introduce seasonal menus on Instagram, so it's a good idea to check before going. The coffee that comes with lunch is especially delicious because the barista prepares it.

The specialty coffee here is delicious. They use carefully selected coffee beans that are roasted in-house. While they also offer lunch, the focus is on the coffee. The coffee was exquisite and smooth. I also tried the Sabaran Orange Cafe, which was delicious with sweet cream that wasn't too bitter. It had a soft finish and was very tasty.

After lunch, I took a break at the main store of "Unir" in Nagaokakyo. I had an "Americano" and a "Cappuccino" made by barista champion Yamamoto-san. The "Americano" may seem light in flavor based on its name and color, but it actually has a strong coffee taste. It starts with a hint of acidity and then the coffee flavor and bitterness come through. Quite addictive, I must say.

At Hankyu Department Store in Umeda, you can also enjoy Unir's coffee, but the cafe at the main store in Nagaokakyo is lovely and always bustling. The specialty coffee is delicious, and the cakes and puddings are also tasty. The cute bird-shaped cookies that come with them are too adorable. It's a favorite place of mine.

I am in Nagaokakyo. I had some time before meeting up, so I decided to visit "Unir," a cafe I liked when I visited before. The cafe is known for having a skilled barista with an impressive background. I ordered a cappuccino and the matcha tart recommended by the staff. The drinks and tart were served after a short wait, and they were delicious! The cappuccino was light and tasty, and the matcha tart was amazing. The pastry chef specially ordered a less sweet red bean paste from Nakamura Seian to pair well with the coffee, and it was indeed delicious! Despite the scorching heat, I enjoyed my time here. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

The atmosphere inside the restaurant was sterile, with transparent vinyl curtains hanging down, and I was told not to touch them from the beginning. It didn't feel great to be constantly reminded not to touch them. Instead of hanging up homemade-looking vinyl curtains, they should install proper transparent dividers that can be easily wiped clean. For those who ordered cake and pudding, they were given one set of cutlery with a fork and a spoon. Since the pudding had fruit on top, I thought we needed more forks for the cake. It turns out the fork was for the cake and the spoon was for the pudding. It would have been better if they provided separate cutlery trays for each item. I ordered a café latte, but they didn't provide sugar or a spoon. When I asked why, the response was dismissive. It's not a great feeling to be spoken to in that manner by a young staff member. Despite the fact that we paid at our table, the staff didn't seem very attentive. Perhaps there aren't many other options in that area, but it's still disappointing. Cafés should not only focus on the quality of their coffee but also provide a relaxed atmosphere and enjoyable experience. While I understand things are tough during the pandemic, I hope they can improve their customer service and overall experience.

Mysterious Gourmet Expedition in Kyoto. Today's theme is coffee in Kyoto. After enjoying the hydrangeas at Yōkai-ji and Zenpuku-ji, it's coffee time. I visited Unir main store. As a popular spot on weekends, the parking lot was full and the inside was crowded. We wrote our names on the board and waited for about 15 minutes to be seated. It was hot, so I ordered an iced Americano (550 yen) and a lemon and strawberry tart (660 yen). The lemon and strawberry tart was a refreshing summer cake with a refreshing lemon acidity. The crispy meringue on top was also good. The iced coffee had more acidity than bitterness. It was perfect for a hot day. It was a bit crowded and we had to wait a bit, but the staff's service was pleasant, and I felt that it was a good shop. I understand why it's so popular. It was very delicious.

When entering the shop, the lobby is spacious with a takeout counter, and in the back, there is a cafe entrance with instructions. They checked my temperature and asked me to wear a mask when not eating. They provided a mask bag and informed that they only accept cash payments. The staff seemed detailed and explained the coffee beans, but I'm not familiar with it, so I just ordered a regular one. The pudding was not the melt-in-your-mouth type but not too firm either. The concrete walls were either stylish or sterile, it's hard to tell, but I guess they were aiming for a stylish look. The surprising part was that the payment was made at the table, which I wish they had explained when I entered. I thought I had to pay at the takeout counter. It's not common to pay at the table in a cafe, right? Quite surprising.

Originating in Nagaokakyo City, this coffee specialty shop has expanded to various locations including Kyoto and Osaka. The main store was relocated to its current location on the north side of Nagaokakyo City about 5-6 years ago. Although a bit far from the train station, they have ample parking available. I remember this place used to be a bookstore. Unir is known for their skilled baristas who have won awards in competitions, serving a new type of coffee known as the Third Wave, similar to Blue Bottle Coffee. They use lightly roasted beans with a strong acidity, allowing the flavor of the coffee beans to shine through, giving it a "tea-like" taste. Black coffee is the popular choice here, and they won't offer sugar or cream unless requested. I have a sweet tooth, so I ordered the coffee pudding and cappuccino. The coffee-flavored pudding had a strong presence despite its small size. The cappuccino had a balance of sweetness from the foamed milk with occasional hints of acidity, showcasing the unique taste of the shop. I quickly finished my meal and went to pay at the counter. A staff member brought a paper with the total amount to my table for payment. As I opened my wallet to pay, the staff member disappeared. Where did they go? Oh, they are working on something at the counter. If they were urgently needed by another customer, that would be understandable, but at least wait while I have my wallet open. A unique style of customer service indeed.

I headed to Kyoto from GW, but Route 171 was extremely congested. I gave up around Oyamazaki and decided to stop by at Sanck for some bread since I was in a hurry. I also extended my trip a bit to visit Uniru from Komyoji. It was my third attempt and luckily we were able to get in before they opened. I thought they were serving breakfast, but they weren't. For the menu, I went with something rare for me, a double espresso. I thought it would be bitter, but it turned out to be very acidic! It had a completely different taste from the espressos I've had before. My wife had a cappuccino, which looked very nice. Since I was a bit peckish, I had an anko scone. It was my first time trying a scone with sweet bean paste inside, and it had a gentle and delicious taste. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Having lunch with my husband on a weekday. We finished our errands in Takatsuki and took a drive to Nagaokakyo. Finally visited "Unir" which I've been wanting to try for a long time. Luckily, we didn't need a reservation and could just wait for a table. This week's lunch set had cherry salmon meuniere as the main dish. My husband saw the photo and ordered extra rice. The Kameoka-grown Hinohikari rice was shiny and chewy, very delicious! I was happy that the main dish was fish. The seasonal vegetables in the soup and sauce allowed for personal adjustments. The recipe handouts for home cooking were also appreciated. Everything was delicious! While waiting to be seated, my husband spotted the strawberry shortcake from "Shibuya Nouen" in the showcase. We had dessert after the meal. I chose the coffee pudding. Not too sweet, with a proper coffee taste. The texture was not too smooth, reminiscent of the past. Plenty of caramel, cream that matched my taste, and mouthfeel. Along with a smooth cappuccino. Blissful~ They were very conscious about infection prevention, starting from temperature checks upon entry, a list of precautions, distribution of plastic bags for masks, and reminders for customers talking without masks, showing great attention to detail and consideration.

I finished work at 1 pm on Sunday and came here for lunch. It was full, so I waited for about 5 minutes. The lunch was very well-balanced, and I could have had seconds of the baguette. The macchiato was unexpectedly rich in milk, and I didn't need sugar. The restaurant was spacious and had a child-friendly atmosphere, allowing me to relax in a happy space.

On January 16, 2022, I had a large espresso mixed with tonic water, which cost 1,300 yen and seemed to be the most recommended item. It had a caramel-like light brown color and a crisp acidity, different from the standard black bitter coffee. I found it slightly lacking in cost performance, but the Mont Blanc dessert was unique and visually appealing. I was able to use the restroom! Payment is cash only at the table (unfortunately).

I wanted to visit this restaurant. They only offer one lunch option, and the menu changes about every two weeks. When I went, they were serving pasta with shirako (milt of fish). The salad dressing was made with coffee, and they even provide a recipe for it, although some of the ingredients may be hard to find at home. The taste was really delicious. The coffee served after lunch was so sweet that they recommend drinking it without sugar at first. It was so good that I would like to try their cakes next time.

I arrived around 2:30 PM and the parking lot was full, as well as the inside of the restaurant. I had to wait for about 15-30 minutes to get in. I ordered a cappuccino and a chocolate cake. When I took a sip, I was pleasantly surprised that the coffee didn't have the usual bitterness or unpleasant taste, and I could drink it easily. The chocolate cake was not too sweet and delicious. I would recommend this place to those who are not fans of coffee but want to give it a try.

This is the Unir main store in Imazato, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture. Although I haven't uploaded it to my blog yet, Unir's main store and three branches are my favorite specialty coffee roasters that I have visited many times. When you enter the store, the back is the roasting workshop, with coffee beans, cakes, and baked goods on the left side. Unfortunately, most of the cakes were sold out as I visited near closing time. On the left side, there is a shelf with coffee items, and at the back of the right shelf is the restaurant floor. Before the pandemic, there were many coffee beans lined up for tasting at the L-shaped counter just inside the entrance, where you could choose beans, but now only packaged products are displayed. It's a very lovely interior. "Unir" means "to connect" or "to unite" in Spanish. The head barista and overall manager of all stores, Chieko Yamamoto, won the Japan Barista Championship in 2018 and has received many other awards. Unfortunately, she won't be at the main store during my stay this time. The café menu does not have cake sets, only individual orders. The Specialty Coffee Roll Cake has espresso-infused sponge with a generous amount of cream that adds a refreshing acidity, and a ganache with espresso in the center. The coffee flavor and aroma spread gently, the sponge is moist and delicious. The Piyorantan Piyomochi Florentine uses a Piyomochi nest for the Florentine. The Florentine is filled with almond crunchiness and orange flavor and aroma, which pairs well with Unir's specialty coffee. The Cappuccino is a specialty coffee that combines espresso with steamed milk. It is very delicious, as recommended by the barista. The LOVERAMICS Tulip Cup Set in teal color is used for the Cappuccino, which is a cup certified by the WCS Latte Art World Championship. The Unir Original Tumbler is perfect for carrying coffee. The Geisha Costa Rica from the Las Margaritas farm is a top-tier Geisha variety natural process lot. Unir roasts it to a medium level. It has fresh white peach and jasmine tea flavors, as well as muscat and tropical fruit flavors as it cools, with a clear, smooth mouthfeel and a long sweet aftertaste. It is a unique and distinctive coffee with fruity and floral aromas. During the pandemic, two branches opened, and I visited one of them, but I would like to visit the other one if I have the chance to go to Kyoto again.

On the first day of the 4-day weekend, I visited Nagaokakyo but the highway was heavily congested, turning a 1-hour journey into a 2-hour one. I couldn't have lunch before my meeting, and by the time the meeting ended, it was already past 3 pm and most places had stopped serving lunch. In a pinch, I remembered a cafe I had been wanting to try called "Unir" and luckily they agreed to serve me their lunch set even though it was past their usual time. The lunch set included pasta with anchovy, cherry tomatoes, okra, and green beans in oil sauce, chilled carrot soup, cucumber pickles, baguette, and a hot cafe latte for dessert. I'm not a fan of anchovies but had to make do. My companion enjoyed the meal, especially the cherry tomatoes and okra. The chilled soup was refreshing and perfect for the season. The pickles helped cleanse the palate after the anchovy flavor. Unfortunately, they were out of pudding for dessert so I had a slice of roll cake instead. It's no wonder this cafe is so highly regarded - the food was delicious and the staff were very friendly. Thank you for the meal!

Neil-san, who is famous for their coffee, tends to sell out of lunch items before 2:00 PM on weekdays. I ordered the cheese toast and an iced Americano. The cheese was plentiful and the bread was delicious. It had a slightly salty taste due to the seaweed salt sprinkled on top, making it a unique cheese toast. The Americano had a tangy and rich flavor. The interior of the shop is stylish and relaxing.

The staff were very kind and there was a limited edition of 10 cups available. Although lunch was sold out, they still kindly checked for us. The interior of the restaurant is spacious and quiet, with wide spacing. We enjoyed a delicious coffee in a relaxed atmosphere. It was delicious.

Blog post: https://ameblo.jp/syenron1/entry-12675462329.html I had to work in Kyoto early in the morning! For lunch, I had soba at "Soba no Mi Yoshimura". After lunch, since it was raining and there is a state of emergency, I had no plans to go anywhere! I took the highway on the way there, but on the way back, I took the local roads slowly. I remembered a cafe I wanted to visit and stopped by. It's called Unir (Main Store), as featured on TV last year (Matsumoto Family's Holiday). They have Japan's top barista. Upon entering, they require masks, temperature checks, a 2-hour limit, and no loud voices, among other COVID-19 measures. The exterior and interior of the shop are simple and spacious. I sat at a large table where there were beautiful flowers and acrylic partitions for COVID-19 prevention. The rules are strictly followed, such as putting masks in the provided case when placing them on the table. The menu also includes pasta sets (until 14:30), so you can come for lunch as well. I ordered two cups of espresso with tonic water, a refreshing drink. The espresso tonic combines espresso and steamed milk in a 150cc cup, allowing you to fully enjoy the coffee flavor. The hazelnut-flavored layered cake with milk chocolate cream and crispy meringue topping was delicious. It happened to be my wife's birthday, so we enjoyed delicious cake and drinks. It was lucky that we got to try the cappuccino made by Japan Barista Champion Chie Yamamoto, who was working at the main store that day. When I first visited the store, I thought it wasn't as big as I had seen on TV, but it was the right choice to come to the main store. They also sell coffee cups and beans, and the display case was filled with delicious-looking cakes. I would like to visit this store again on my way back from Kyoto.