Food here was good, and well portioned, I've seen multiple reviews complaining about the portions but if you wanted to go out to get full go to a restaurant not a cafe. The only complaint for me was the waffle being overly sweet for me, but with the tart strawberries it balances out just fine so nothing to cry about. The drinks were on point we ordered the matcha latte and the hojicha. Services was great, welcoming, helpful, they answered all the questions I had and the ambiance was very open with plenty of seatings, this place is kept very clean. read more

So glad I finally tried Kiwa! The art of the walls is super cool and the staff is helpful. Mom and I met up for lunch here and split the spicy tuna sandwich, surprisingly delicious and also super filling. We also shared an order of macarons which was fun and a nice little treat. Since it was my first visit, I went for the every day matcha which was great! Definitely worth the money for a matcha which is hard to find. Next time, I'll try a flavored one, maybe the ube! read more

Kiwa - Daily matcha, strawberry oolong and macarons - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I loved everything about this place! You walk in and it feels so open and welcoming with the high ceilings and assortment of tables and chairs. Their specialty drinks were delicious - this is definitely a ceremonial matcha it wasn't too sweet! The cakes/cookies were tasty but the matcha one was the best for me. Highly, highly recommend - I can't wait to come back for tea! read more

Kiwa - Black sesame latte and tea cakes - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I had the pleasure of attending the April KIWA Tea & Food Omakase this past weekend. Omakase a Japanese word meaning "I'll leave is to you" is an experience where the chef chooses what you have versus the customer. Located off Frankfort Avenue KIWA is a clean modern tea house with an interesting menu, stunning aesthetics and local artwork. The space is calming and inviting. We made reservations for the tea event and had two more than expected so the space was tight but not too crowding. We all sat at the counter and was introduced to a four course tea/meal showcasing foods that gave a some insight into Temple Cuisine. Temple cuisine dates back 1,700 years with Korean Buddhists. This cuisine is prepared & consumed by monks. It was an honor to learn about this tradition. Course 1 Mugwort Tea (Ssukcha) Salad w/pine nuts & local fruit Course 2 Chinese Silver Needle White Tea (Jinggu Baihao Yinzhen) Lotus Root La & Tofu Pancake cold App w/ eggplant & cucumber Course 3 Appalachian Mtn Herbal Tea Mt. Idea Wild Herb Rice Bowl Mushroom Miso Soup Course 4 Lotus Tea Trek (Rice Cake) w/mugwort, beans & pumpkin We had a fun time. It's very interesting. Some things I enjoyed, some I did not. However, I will be back to try some menu items. read more

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This cafe is a must visit. The food is always amazing. There has never been an off day. The service is wonderful. This place takes me back to being in Korea. The friendly atmosphere and kind staff are so welcoming. The space is inviting and group friendly. If you have time to sit and want a unique cafe experience, this is the place. ALL of the drinks are exceptional!!! read more

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I couldn't believe that I can find matcha here!!! Though I will say their matcha quality seemed bad or it was not made properly. Typically matcha has a sweetness to it (younger tea leaves) but this one did not have the sweetness rates or smell, bitter after taste. Also their matcha was almost frothless, probably not prepared well which is understandable, when I prepare it I usually mess up too :( It's all in the whisking. Honestly, I don't keep matcha at home so I'll still come here for my matcha fix. I hope it'll continue to improve though! All other tea varieties I'm I've had here has been good and presentation is cute. read more

Kiwa - Ujeon green tea - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I was so glad that I found Kiwa when visiting Louisville. What I loved about Kiwa was the high ceiling, simple decoration and aesthetic/relaxing vibe. I made my own matcha drinks every morning using matcha sourced from Japan, so I do have a high expectation when it comes to matcha. I ordered an iced matcha latte at Kiwa and they definitely nailed it. My partner had the sesame latte and it was really good as well. Kiwa is such a hidden gem in Louisville. I can't wait to go back next time I am in town. Service was fast and friendly. Highly recommend! read more

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Such an adorable spot! The toast set was absolutely delicious. Had a wonderful matcha. The owner is such a kind soul and I really enjoyed talking to her. Lotus approved of her pup cup too. Will be back asap! read more

Kiwa - Pup cup! - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Kiwa had a very cozy vibe! If I was still a student, this definitely would be a place I would go to study. The drinks were good and service was fast and nice! Overall, I hope to come back when I visit Louisville read more

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Kiwa is up there with one of the better and more unique coffee shops in Louisville. The ambience is inviting and eclectic and the drink selection is extremely unique with heavily Asian inspired drinks. The staff was great in helping me select a drink I would like. The most popular black sesame based drink was balanced, unique, and very tasty without tasting too bitter or burnt which is often the main issue with such drinks. I will be back to try the rest of the menu! read more

Went there on a Saturday afternoon. Had the premium green tea (P3). It was 10 USD. Definitely not a generic green tea. The flavor was present. Great place to go and sit with a cup of tea to get work done or to just be. It comes with a small dish of pretzels and small cookies. I also had the miso cheese bread which was very unique. Although not to my taste, it was delicious. read more

Kiwa - Green tea (P3) - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Perfect vibe for any mood ! Matcha and Hojicha is amazing . The salad is always fresh and balanced. read more

Kiwa - Pictures Hojicha (hot) and Cherish Matcha - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

There are six other cafes within a mile or so of Clifton -- and Kiwa stands out. I got to pop in this new Korean cafe this morning, and it's clear this is such a delightful addition to the neighborhood. The interior is very bright and minimal, but its simplicity leads to an overall calm, relaxing vibe. I also loved the music. At least one of the songs was an orchestral arrangement from one of my favorite Miyazaki movies, "Howl's Moving Castle." There's plenty of seating, for solo folks and groups. I ordered at the counter. For my first visit, I wanted a coffee drink, though Kiwa had an extensive tea selection too. I got one of their signature drinks, a pear vanilla latte, which was recommended by the lady at the counter. I've never had a pear latte before. The pear was subtle, and I enjoyed the experience of trying something new. I also got the chocolate scone. And this was a scone! So big! It was decadent, reminding me more of a chocolate chip cookie than a scone. It also came with a strawberry and jam on the side -- such wonderful touches. My order was prepared fast and started my day on a high note. Such a great addition to Frankfort Avenue! read more

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I've been here 3 times already! Once during their soft opening and twice after their grand opening. All the drinks are unique. While it takes a while for them to prepare it, it's worth it. It's clear that they care about their craft! You can get drinks to go, but drinking it there allows you to see the creativity with each drink. It's a Korean-owned cafe. Something we don't have in Louisville other than JW. They have a few food options on the menu, including the bulgogi and eggplant panini which I tried for breakfast one day. It was savory but almost salty. The pickled veg that came with it helped to tone it down though. For drinks, I've tried the signature Kiwa latte which has black sesame. It's light and not super sweet. I've also tried the pear latte. It's my favorite so far! And I've tried the Biscoff latte. Wow! So good. My friends also had the cold brew and the Mt Seorak tea. They liked everything! I think they make a lot of their syrups and whip cream in house. Nothing is heavy (granted I'm choosing alt milk over dairy milk) and the espresso is light. I've gotten to meet the owner as well. She's nice, along with all the staff! I hope they stick around a while. It's a pretty popular cafe so far, but I haven't had trouble finding a seat. But I've definitely been there while all the tables and seats were taken. Some people linger because the atmosphere is calm and it's a relaxing place to hang out for a while. There are 2 gender neutral bathrooms. Very clean! Parking is parallel. I haven't had problems finding parking so far! read more

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Popped in for the Korean brunch and can't wait to return! Drinks: a highlight! I enjoyed the signature latte which has a delightfully, almost savory sesame cream. The husband had a teapot with little sugar flowers as sweeteners. Our friend had the Biscoff cookie latte and it was a bit sweet for me, but she loved it! Food: I cannot wait to return and try their pastries and ice creams. We were unfortunately there on a Sunday after a very busy Saturday. As they utilize local bread from Blue Dog, they were unable to make extra bulgogi paninis so I wasn't able to try the item I was most looking forward to. A friend had the shrimp panini and said it was delicious! They were out of waffles (my backup choice) so we needed up splitting a jumukbop - a rice ball with small amounts of beef, nuts, beans - it was accompanied by soup and banchan. Atmosphere: it was bustling and luckily we found a place to sit for four (it's open seating). It's full of bright, modern surfaces and felt cozy despite the cold weather! Service: everyone was very kind, apologetic about some of the menu items that were not available. Answered questions about the menu with ease. They offered us a complimentary latte when an extra was made for another customer. read more

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A cozy and welcoming atmosphere to ignite your inspiration. A space of supporting Korean artists and their work (available for purchase). As an herbalist and tea connoisseur, it's tough to find unique tea in Louisville. Kiwa's diverse tea menu brings rooty and earthy flavors to our city. Not to mention, they can whip up a tea latte like it's nobody's business! No one in the city made me like a latte until Kiwa! And it's because it's not all milk with a dash of coffee/tea. Instead, it's an herbaceous drink with notes of milk and sprinkled herbs enhancing the tea. I've enjoyed working in this space and noticed it's packed with others doing the same. The staff is friendly and continues to check on you. The food is delicious. I finally found my Louisville tea spot (jumps with joy)! read more

Kiwa - Take home the Yuzu - thank me later! - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I don't even know how to describe how good everything was! To start, my matcha was maybe the best matcha I've ever had. Gorgeous presentation, perfect balance of sweetness and earthiness. The waffles were perfect, crunchy on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside, and they came with fresh fruit, two jams, and syrup. The ambiance is so calming and there's plenty more seating than meets the eye from the front of the building. 10/10 will definitely be back and bringing friends!! read more

Kiwa - Waffles - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Simply delightful! Such kind owners and a delicious Pear Latte. It was not too sweet and a perfect blend between a fruit and coffee. They also have Korean food but I was just there for a coffee date with someone so I didn't try any. I'll definitely be back though! read more

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Kiwa is my new favorite place! I can't wait to go back. Amazing addition to Crescent Hill. The ambiance is minimalist but cozy. Tables are big enough to catch up on a bit of work or chat with friends while enjoying an adorable seasonal drink. Kiwa's menu rotates seasonally and they have special brunches every weekend. Kiwa offers Korean tea (boasting a fantastic range of teas from Jeju island). They also serve hot and cold espresso latte drinks. We had the Cookie Latte which was velvety and lived up to its name! We had the bulgogi tacos and the half size passion fruit Korean waffle. Everything was so delicious and well balanced. Not too sweet but let the fruit shine! Also, how can you not love fruit cut into flower shapes? Best waffle I've had in Louisville! The service is incredibly kind and helpful. The whole place has a great vibe. Thank you guys we will be back! read more

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Workers are so nice and the matcha is really good! Best matcha I've had in louisville. The atmosphere is so wonderful. very calming and nice inside. read more

Kiwa - Spicy shrimp and cheese sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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You can always count on the food here to be delicious and generously portioned. As a huge matcha lover, I had the hardest time finding quality matcha in Louisville. Once I discovered Kiwa, I knew I'd be a returning customer. The service is just as amazing. The staff is always kind and helpful. Special shoutout to the owner, she's incredibly sweet and makes the experience even better. The space itself is super aesthetic, with chic decor and beautiful art pieces throughout. Elegant vibes all around! I'm always bringing new friends here!! read more

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I can't get enough of Cafe Kiwa. I'm here like every weekend lol' the food is good and so many different flavored drinks to try! read more

Kiwa - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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First time here. Welcoming place, everyone is friendly the decor is fresh and clean with flowers at most tables. The Tea is very good. We're here on a Sunday and it's fairly busy but there's plenty of seating and it's fairly quiet like a typical Asian tea house. We both got the weekend brunch specials of Jumak Bap. Very tasty and comes with a sampling of Kimchi's that most won't recognize but add great flavors, and a cup of Miso Soup and dumplings on the side. An enjoyable light lunch! read more

Kiwa - Fragrant Flowers on the table - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Such an awesome new addition to the asian F&B scene in louisville. First impression walking in .. clean calm and minimalist. Everyone kind whispers their conversations and relaxing at their seats enjoying a nice pot of Korean tea or coffee concoction. I was here with the full intention of checking out the asian latte and brunch options. I went with the asian pear vanilla latte and the bulgolgi rice ball brunch set. Service was prompt even with the decent crowd and one barista. It felt taking a trip to a Korean cafe in Asia where the atmosphere is just so elegant. Definitely coming back again to try the panini next time. Welcome to the corridor on Frankfort Ave that is going to explode into little K-pop alley ;-) read more

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Great atmosphere, relaxing and quiet. Great spot to share a pot of tea and talk. We shared a small pot of traditional Korean tea-it was served with poppyseed shortbread cookies and lemon blueberry cake. Our server refilled our pot many times. Highly recommend checking Cafe Kiwa out! read more

What a wonderful place! I met here for a meeting and was so impressed! It was so sleek, simple, and super clean. I felt comfortable and instantly in a good mood! I didn't get to try the whole menu, but they had so many options-- from coffee, to other drinks, and even small bites. I got the hot biscoff latte and it was phenomenal! Quick service and friendly staff, too. I will absolutely be back to try the food and other drink options, and recommend as a great work or one on one meeting space! read more

KIWA is the newest cafe in Louisville, KY serving Korean delicacies from coffee to brunch options. Louisville was desperately needing an intimate coffee house space like this. The food is not only gorgeous and thoughtfully prepared but incredibly delicious with rich flavors. I highly recommend trying the sesame cream (served on signature latte). KIWA also offers serene and clean space for chatting, reading, or catching up on work. The staff is also genuine and pleasant, making it very obvious that they want your visit to be perfect. You won't be disappointed with your time there. read more

Kiwa - KIWA Signature Latte (left); Mt. Seorak Tea (right) - Cafes Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Lovely modern minimalist space with incredible loose tea options from Korea and Japan. The owner takes great care in providing information and service. We loved the cookie plate and tea service. The entire experience is curated down to the cups and trays that the tea and snacks are served on. Can't wait to try the lunch options. The afternoons I've spent there feel like reading and remembering a beautiful poem. read more

I'll Be Back. I very much enjoy finding local dining to praise on Yelp. Kiwa is now in my bookmarks. If you visit Kiwa only for the beverage, you're missing the serenity of enjoying the fresh brunch specials. Check these photos. It is the season for peaches. Eat Fresh, Feel Better. read more

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A pricey but wonderful menu with great match options! This spot is unlike any other in Louisville. Check it out!

I came for the liege waffle a few months ago and it was so good I came back to try something new. This place does not disappoint. The burrata caprese panini is as good as it looks with pesto and a basalmic vinaigrette. And the teas are wonderful! read more

The pear latte is incredible and the inside is really nice and clean. Have to parallel park to get there but worth it!

The bulge was good id get it again. The shrimp sandwich was ok probably would not order again. Not a fan of the buratta. Americano was not good. I'd definitely come back to try other items. Very friendly staff and nice atmosphere read more

Kiwa is a gem. Having traveled in Seoul where cafe culture is so popular, I am so excited to have a place in Louisville that takes such pride in their food and the art of preparing everything! The atmosphere is cool and the service is friendly. I have been in twice now and everything has been delicious. They are still getting their timing down as they are so new but I appreciate the care in which they prepared everything and the wait is well worth it! The panini and waffle were both amazing and the waffle was just like in Seoul! The Kiwa latte with black sesame whipped cream is just heaven and I could make it my daily indulgence. i cannot wait to work my way through the whole menu! read more

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Food was decent, the jumuk bap didn't blow me away but I'm willing to come back and give the paninis a try. However, i found it strange it had been advertised to me as a brunch spot but the brunch menu was limited. The tea list was extensive, i got a specialty tea that was delicious albeit a little sweet for my personal taste. The plating and visual aspect of the food and drinks were a highlight, clearly care in the aesthetics. The interior layout was sparse and definitely lacked seating. It's counter order (no table service), but they deliver your order by number and bussed tables. The customers were a mix of stopping in for a to-go order, sitting for a meal, and camping out tables with laptops. The service was negligible and with a little bit of attitude. Overall I'd give it another shot with a different order, they're going for a Korean Cafe appeal that I have no personal experience with but definitely pleased a certain type of guest. I'd describe it as a modern styled cafe that feels like it got dropped off in Louisville from the Bay Area. read more

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God send that this place came from Korea to humble Kentucky! This cafe has blessed our state with its glory. The matcha is amazing and the seasonal menu is adorable. Definitely a staple, and coming back whenever in the area. Not to miss! read more

This place was lovely. The tea and food was delicious. I am looking forward to visiting again!

Beautiful space, beautiful and kind owner. Love the artistry and joy in presenting a simple modern aesthetic. Some critique, I think the paninis we had still need some development. The flavor was lacking a bit and could have used a bigger kick for being a Gochugang Shrimp panini I felt like I was stretched to taste much gochugang but it was creamy and delicious still with a perfectly crisp exterior. I think thats how we felt about most of what we had, drink and food, it just needed some dialing in and flavors kicked up. But it is still def a must try! And as it is new I know it's constantly changing and improving. I'm really rooting for this place and hope people continue to experience what they have to offer! read more

Super nice atmosphere, very welcoming & clean. Nice soft music. Super nice workers and answered any questions we had. Explained things well. Food & drinks are super good!!! It was a little on the expensive side, but super worth it & I'd definitely come again. The drinks were great & I loved both of the food items we got. If you're into food and drinks like this, and want to try a new place, definitely come here. Lots of unique and interesting flavors. read more

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Visiting this place is like visiting one of the famous cafes in Korea. The food and drinks are at a quality that is rarely seen in Lou. They offer a wide variety of menu including desserts, brunch with vegetarian options. Their food and drinks are so unique and well presented each time--totally instagrammable. I've tried their signature black sesame latte and einspanner and they were amazing with just the right amount of sweetness. Financiers are so flavorful and cute as well. I can't wait to try more of their menu. Definitely recommend this place! read more

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