Yamaura Coffee Shop - 山浦珈琲店 焙煎こおば

Hidden Coffee Serving Gem!

A hidden away coffee stop on a main thoroughfare in Niigata city. Walking in, you’re welcomed by the heavenly aroma of coffee wafting through the entire store. Tried an iced cafe latte and was pleased with the strong almost smoky flavor of the coffee, and the perfectly crafted foam on the latte mellowed the flavor well. Also tried a hot caramel latte, and unlike other coffeeshops where they lean into the caramel flavoring so much that it dominates the distinct notes of the coffee, Yamaura’s offering was balanced very well, and the caramel flavor meshed excellently with the coffee so I could enjoy both flavors. The latte itself was artfully done, and the ratio of coffee to foam and milk was spot on. The store is tidy and well kept with an assortment of goods on the shelves, coffee tins for storage, coffee beans, filters, carafes, pitchers, and more on the shelves. There were quiet upbeat jazz and calm classical music playing in the cafe, so it seemed a natural background music to encourage conversation and chatting for customers. The only drawback I can see is the limited amount of seating, only about five seats for the main cafe area. That being said, the staff was welcoming and attentive and were happy to discuss what sets their coffee bean roasts and drinks apart from others, commenting that their espresso blend tends to be much milder than the mainstream cafes, and I agree. If I’m anywhere near the area, I will definitely stop in and try something else on their menu. If you’re a coffee connoisseur or just hoping to enjoy a cup on a break, you’ll find something that suits you.