La Patisserie KATSURA (Osaka, JAPAN) ★★★★☆

La Patisserie KATSURA is a modern French patisserie tucked away in the residential Tenma (天滿) district.

The charming dessert spot offers a nice mix of classic French pastries such as mille-feuilles, Paris-Brest, and Mont Blanc, alongside seasonal delights (like white peach tarts) and contemporary creations.

In addition to their French pastries, there are also an array of smaller baked treats, including canelés, financiers and cookies. 

Deeper into the shop was a small cozy dining counter providing a perfect setting for a quick indulgence. I was feeling a little adventurous this afternoon, so I decided to try one of their newer creations. 

Charonne (580 yen) – Feather-light vanilla mousse with an intensely rich caramel cream, all sitting on a caramel almond cookie base.

While the combination of textures was pretty delectable, I found the caramel flavors a bit too rich for the delicate vanilla to handle. A touch more complexity, perhaps a hint of smoked vanilla or a sprinkle of sea salt, could elevate the dessert further and help the flavors shine.

Despite my extensive travels in Osaka, this was one of my few times exploring outside the bustling Shinsaibashi and Umeda areas. Perhaps, I should do this more often!

Food Rating: 6.6/10

Price: ￥￥￥

Address: 2-1-8 Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0043, Japan

Closest Metro Station: Temmabashi 

Tel: +81 (0)6 6484-9934

Website: https://lapatisseriekatsura.jp/

Opening Hours: 11:00am - 7:00pm (Tue - Sun)