If you only have one day in Kamakura, follow our Kamakura food guide.

From cafés tucked behind temples to family-run lunch spots to tea shops nestled next to the iconic Enoden train, read on for my local  recommendations perfect for a food crawl of sweet and savory treats through Japan's former coastal capital.

The Ultimate Kamakura Food Guide: Eight Must-Try Restaurants

Taiwanese Breakfast at Taiwan Kitchen Jojomaru

Kamakura wakes up early, and Taiwan Kitchen Jojomaru is the place to start your day right. Open from 7:30 a.m. (Wed–Sun), it serves authentic, balanced, and filling Taiwanese breakfast.

Try the chicken congee (rice porridge) set, served with chimaki (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves) and a side of crispy fried breadsticks called youtiao. It’s hearty, healthy, and full of flavor. They also have vegetarian and vegan sets, making it a great inclusive option for travelers.

Warabi Mochi and Iced Coffee at Toshimaya Kariyo Hato Kōji

Just off Komachi Dori, Toshimaya Kariyo Hato Kōji is one of Kamakura’s most delicious cafés. Their specialty? Warm warabi mochi - a soft, jelly-like dessert made from bracken starch, topped with kuromitsu (black sugar syrup) and kinako roasted soybean powder.

The contrast of the warm, freshly made warabi mochi with their signature extra-chilled coffee is the perfect pairing. This coffee is presented in a wooden bowl surrounded by ice cubes to keep it as cold as possible. On top of that, the ice cubes in the coffee glass itself are made out of frozen coffee, keeping every sip strong and smooth.

Each drink even comes with a small towel souvenir printed with the shop’s dove logo. It's a charming touch you an only get in-store. Toshimaya Kariyo Hato Kōji  is a must stop shop to recharge mid-sightseeing.

Focaccia Prosciutto Sandwiches at Antico Rondino Prosciutteria

A short walk from Hase Station, Antico Rondino Prosciutteria blends Italy and Japan in the most Kamakura way possible.

Their focaccia sandwiches are made fresh to order with high-quality, house-cured meats and local ingredients. I usually go for the prosciutto sandwich, stacked tall with creamy stracciatella cheese, crisp arugula, and roasted red peppers on soft homemade focaccia.

Antico Rondino is located inside a traditional wooden Japanese-style home overlooking a small private garden, creating a calm mix of old and new. After eating, explore the nearby Great Buddha of Kamakura (鎌倉大仏, Kamakura Daibutsu) or continue towards Yuigahama beach for a post-lunch stroll.

Kurumikko Parfait and Toast at Kamakura Beniya Komachi Yokomichi

If Kamakura had a signature sweet, Kurumikko would be it. These ultra buttery shortbread sweets filled with caramel and walnuts from Kamakura Beniya are so popular they often sell out within an hour of opening each morning.

Luckily, the new Kamakura Beniya café lets you enjoy café-exclusive versions of this iconic treat all day. The space is bright and modern, divided between a souvenir shop and a spacious eat-in area.

Unlike the crowded atmosphere of their smaller shops, the café is the perfect shop to sit back and relax for as long as you would like - a rarity for some of the busier areas of Kamakura. Here are my must try sweets:

Kurumikko Parfait

Layers of chocolate mousse, cookie crumble, salted caramel ice cream, walnuts, and a squirrel-shaped butter sable cookie on top. I recommend to pair this rich and sweet parfait with a black coffee or americano.

Kurumikko-in-Toast

A thick cube of warm milk bread stuffed with walnuts and Kurumikko cookie pieces, topped with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel. Comforting, nutty, and not overly sweet.

If you can’t get the original Kurumikko cookie souvenirs, this is the next best, if not better, option.

Hato Sablé: Kamakura’s Most Famous Cookie

Another iconic Kamakura food-souvenir is Hato Sablé butter cookies. You’ll see these dove-shaped cookies everywhere in Kamakura. They are a true local icon made by Toshimaya, the same family behind Toshimaya Kariyo Hato Kōji café above.

“Hato” means dove in Japanese, and these simple butter cookies have been a beloved souvenir of Kamakura since the Meiji era (early 1900s).

Crunchy, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet, they make the perfect train snack or edible gift to bring back home. Even locals still buy them for nostalgia’s sake and because they are undeniably tasty.

Lemon Cake and Lemon Meringue Pie at Pompon Cakes

Right beside the Enoden tracks, Pompon Cakes is a must for dessert lovers. The shop specializes in lemon cakes and lemon pastries, with a modern, minimalist design and a small gallery space featuring local artists.

Their lemon meringue pie balances both tart and creamy, with the lemon custard topped with silky, rich whipped cream.

The signature lemon cakes are soft, citrusy, and subtly sweet, a refreshing change from heavier desserts. They are also wrapped in the cutest lemon shaped packaging. Definitely make a stop here to take a few back home for a sweet, lesser-known Kamakura souvenir.

Great Buddha Shaped Cakes from Tomoya

Without a doubt, the most famous tourist attraction in Kamakura is the Kamakura Daibutsu, or Great Buddha of Kamakura. The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze statue of the Amida Buddha, located in Kamakura's Kotokuin Temple. It's the second tallest Buddha statue in Japan, at 11.4 meters tall. If it's your first time visiting Kamakura, it's a must-see sight.

Why not commemorate your visit to the Great Buddha with a Great Buddha shaped sweet treat? Specifically, the Great Buddha-shaped cakes from Tomoya.

The cake is fluffy, and mildly sweet and you can choose from a variety of fillings, from traditional red bean paste to more modern custard, and even seasonal flavors like Japanese sweet potato, My favorite filling has to be the rather modern, blueberry and cream cheese.

Crispy Tonkatsu at Kamakura Katsutei Aratama

Just a few minutes from Kamakura Station, Kamakura Katsutei Aratama is a cozy, family-run spot that serves the best tonkatsu (breaded and fried pork cutlets) in Kamakura.

Choose your favorite cut—lean or fatty pork loin—and watch as it’s fried to golden perfection. Every set includes freshly steamed rice, red miso soup with shijimi clams, and endless refills of finely shredded cabbage. They also offer fried shrimp, oyster, and even katsudon (egg-topped pork cutlet) sets.

Conclusion

Kamakura’s food scene blends traditional charm with modern creativity. You’ll find everything from traditional sweets and cozy cafés to unexpected Italian and Taiwanese spots tucked in quiet lanes and quaint alleyways.

Kamakura is the perfect day trip from Tokyo, where you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere filled with delicious meals along the way.

Ready to explore Kamakura?

Then book a curated journey not only through historic Kamakura, but so much more. Our 6-day Tokyo &  Beyond itinerary includes a full day exploring Kamakura’s hidden cafés, seaside snacks, and rich history, plus stops in Tokyo, Yokohama and Mt.Fuji.

Learn more, here.