Enjoy afternoon tea in the works of master architects！ A café specializing in Mexican cuisine.

Text & Photos /Kavanagh

Renowned architect Tadao Ando has many architectural works in Kyoto, such as the "Kyoto Prefectural Garden of Fine Arts" next to the Kyoto Botanical Garden in Kitayama, and the "Moriyama Art Museum." Today’s featured spot, “Cafe dining avocado Mexican,” is located in another one of Ando’s creations — the “TIME'S” shopping complex. For those who have visited Kyoto, as you walk over Sanjo Bridge and look down at the Kamogawa River, you're sure to be captivated by this beautiful building. The first-floor shop of "TIME'S" mall, almost level with the surface of the Kamogawa River, is the café we’re introducing today — “Cafe dining avocado Mexican.”

Cafe dining avocado Mexican is a café that primarily serves Mexican cuisine and also has locations in Shinjuku and Shimokitazawa.

The day of my first visit to Cafe dining avocado Mexican was a bleak winter afternoon, with all the cherry blossom leaves on the trees along the Kamogawa River having already fallen... Had I visited during the spring cherry blossom season, I would have been treated to a stunning view of cherry blossoms along the river.

The atmosphere inside Cafe dining avocado Mexican is lively and bright, with a color scheme based around red and complemented by other vibrant hues, giving the space an energetic and youthful vibe.

On my first visit, I brought a book and wanted to spend a relaxing afternoon with a cup of coffee, so I only ordered a latte, which cost about 600–700 yen.

The cup the latte came in was absolutely beautiful！ It even made the latte taste that much better. While sipping my coffee there, I noticed other customers enjoying their lunch specials, and the dishes looked so good that I started thinking about coming back again.

A few days later, I returned to Cafe dining avocado Mexican with a friend. As the evening lights came on, TIME'S mall and the Kamogawa River took on a different atmosphere.

In the evening, candles were lit inside the café, adding a touch more mystery compared to the daytime.

Dinner has a rather unique rule — aside from ordering a main dish, you must also order a drink. So, we ordered a glass of mulled wine and a glass of orange juice.

タコス (2 pieces), or Mexican tacos, feature tortillas made from corn or wheat flour. The main fillings include soft-boiled egg, meat sauce, and a variety of vegetables and fruits. Most uniquely, they also include avocado, a fruit not commonly seen in such dishes. I found the taste of the tacos quite unique. While not spectacularly delicious, the reasonable price and generous ingredients make them worth a try.

“Moore no More,” 1600 yen.

“More” is a famous Mexican dish recognized as part of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.” It is a sauce simmered with various spices and vegetables, featuring a chocolate-like flavor. However, I was actually quite disappointed with this dish. For some reason, the chicken had a strong fishy taste, and I couldn’t really discern the flavors of the More sauce either. Perhaps it’s just not to my liking?

Overall review: Dinner requires ordering a drink, which adds up — each person ended up spending close to 2000 yen. Honestly, it’s not somewhere I’d rush back to. Also, the lighting wasn’t great, making photos a bit difficult. But if you’re looking for a casual meal, it’s still an okay option.

Cafe dining avocado Mexican
Business Hours:
Lunch: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
CAFÉ: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Closed: Irregular holidays
Access: Get off at Kyoto City Bus stop “Sanjo-Kawabata,” a 3-minute walk.

Kavanagh @ Kyoto — Free to linger.

Deliciousness all day long
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