Established in 1932 (Showa 7), Smart Coffee is a coffee shop with almost 90 years of history. They offer self-roasted coffee, and for many Kyoto locals, their first cup of coffee was enjoyed here. The antique charm of this old coffee shop is truly a sight to behold, with a large PROBAT coffee roaster near the entrance, stacks of coffee tins piled high, and beautiful chandeliers and tables and chairs. Smart Coffee is located in the Teramachi-dori Shopping Arcade, which is home to about sixty small shops and three temples. I find coffee shops located near shopping areas particularly touching; they always seem to appear just when your feet are about to give out, offering a much-needed coffee rescue. As for one of their famous items, the pancake... (whispers) personally, I found it a bit dry and hard... but when you're traveling and enjoying the atmosphere of an old establishment, you become more forgiving, so it's perfectly fine.
