Kawaneko Katsu & Coffee

4.9 ( 273 reviews )
Checking... 12:00 AM - 8:00 PM See Hours
£10–20
62 Elm Row, Edinburgh EH7 4AQ, United Kingdom
+44 131 556 7930

Kawaneko Katsu & Coffee is a charming cafe nestled at 62 Elm Row in Edinburgh, where culinary passion meets cozy ambiance. The warm, intimate setting makes it a perfect escape from the city's hustle, showcasing delightful Japanese-inspired dishes alongside a curated selection of drinks. Customers rave about the generous portion sizes; from the crunchy tonkatsu to the flavorful karaage chicken bento, each meal feels both fulfilling and memorable.

Their standout offerings extend beyond the food, with patrons particularly appreciating the smooth matcha lattes and the unique beetroot latte paired with oat milk. The decor, featuring shelves of manga and cat-themed memorabilia, creates a visually delightful experience while you wait for your meal—though be prepared for a brief wait, as this popular spot can get quite busy.

Many reviews emphasize the need for reservations, underscoring the high demand for this culinary gem. With its flavorful dishes, stylish atmosphere, and excellent value, Kawaneko Katsu & Coffee is undoubtedly a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and casual diners alike. Whether you dine in or take out, this cafe promises to leave you satisfied and eager to return.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • No wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Service options
    • Offers delivery
    • On-site services available
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great tea selection
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves coffee
    • Has free water refills
    • Quick bite
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has gender-neutral toilets
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
    • Transgender safe space
  • Planning
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids

Reviews For Kawaneko Katsu & Coffee

zhang tiantian
Jul 12,2025
ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND!!! Everything was super tasty, and the portions were huge—such a good deal! And it came with five chicken nuggets, but I was starving and already had one.
Rachel
Jun 2,2025
This place may be small but the food and drinks from here is incredible. Portion sizes are generous, the pork loin Katsu bento was delicious and it’s maybe my favourite place to get a GOOD matcha latte. Only thing is I’d definitely recommend booking in advance!
张筱翊
May 23,2025
This is my favorite restaurant in Edinburgh, but it’s a really tiny place with only three or four tables for two, so I usually order takeout from them. After finishing my studies, I just cross the road to the restaurant, place my order, and wait outside for about 20 minutes. Boom – the most luxurious Japanese family-style bento is already packed in a paper bag, ready to go!
Vincent Pham
May 19,2025
An intimate and warm place that was the perfect reprieve from a windy and wet Edinburgh day. When I stepped inside, I greatly appreciated how the store maximizes its limited space. Shelves full of manga (featuring modern hits like Spy x Family and classics like Akira), cat memorabilia, and anime figures are laid out one side. It provides a lot of visual stimuli as I waited for the food (about 20 minutes once I put in the order). The tonkatsu was so crunchy and the veggie mix added a refreshing taste and texture. The portions and taste were so good that I still feel full 4.5 hours later. I also got their beetroot latte (which is only served with oat milk) and that was a very unique and delicious flavor. In total I spent 28 USD for this aka 21 pounds. Highly recommend for the excellent taste and value. Side note- I got the chance to learn more about the store’s history. They opened at the end of 2020, before a second wave of COVID hit. So as a new shop they had to open their door to the cold and wait with the heat on so that curious passersby could order takeaway. Kudos for the shop to bear with the initial challenges and really crave out a niche.
B Skylar
May 1,2025
The food here was absolutely delicious, especially their Karaage chicken bento. The place itself is super stylish with a really cool cat style vibe. And the portions are huge. You definitely won't leave hungry. Just a heads-up, it's pretty popular, so you might want to book a table in advance. Totally worth it though!
Sarah Prince
Mar 29,2025
We have been dying to go here and it was better than we could imagine! Wonderful service and the food was some of the best Japanese I have ever had - dont miss the spam katsu Sando or the karaage chicken Bento. We will be regulars!!!
Emily C
Mar 27,2025
Fantastic cosy place in Edinburgh for a Japanese lunch. Their Pork Katsu bento is a total highlight! Such a generous portion and I like how the katsu was drizzled with a little-sour sauce that makes you wanting more. very filling for a lunch. A must-visit place in Edinburgh with nice service and decent prices.
David Hughes
Mar 18,2025
Absolute gem of a Japanese cafe on Leith walk! This place is very very limited in its seating arrangements so it's almost a given to reserve in advance to experience Kawaneko. However, on our first visit we were miraculously seated despite there being reservations and the owner made it clear how long we might have. However, during our visit we saw numerous couples being turned away due to space restrictions which felt like a shame for business but shows the demand Kawaneko has! The space is beautifully kept with a cat theme and shop added to peruse whilst we waited. Once the food arrived, we were treated with an outstanding Pork Katsu and Kaarage. The portions were generous and the taste was absolutely incredible, the value can be tasted each time. Outstanding experience and hope to be back soon if there is any space!

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