Kyoto's Best 30 Restaurants in Japan 2024

We have prepared 30 of the most popular and recommended restaurants in Kyoto for you. From sushi to ramen, discover the best restaurants Kyoto has to offer.

Disclaimer: Please note that this article is an automatic translation and may contain typos.

1. book

Japanese cuisine, small dishes
570-120 South Gion-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A Japanese restaurant located right next to Gion-Shijo Station, where reservations are extremely difficult. A luxurious restaurant with 8 seats at the L-shaped counter. Simple and delicate dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients have become popular, and it has become so popular that it is almost impossible to make a reservation at first glance.

2. Tominokoji Yamagishi

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
Kyoto prefecture Kyoto city

Provided by Autoreserve

While preserving the tradition of Kyoto cuisine, we offer dishes that allow you to feel the changes of the four seasons based on the spirit of hospitality of tea kaiseki. While using Kyoto ingredients such as Kyoto vegetables and river fish, we hope that you will enjoy the culture of Kyoto's saijiki that visits every month through our cuisine.

3. Iida

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
South side of Aneyokoji Tominokoji Nishiiriru, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A shop located on Aneyakoji Street in Kyoto. Simple and elegant dishes based on cha-kaiseki have won the tastes of many gourmets, and won three stars in the 2018 Michelin Guide. It is a well-known restaurant that is so loved that regular customers who have been coming since its opening can hardly speak.

4. Yamagencha

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
347-96 north side of Gion-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A deeply nourishing dish that fuses Zen cuisine, the heart of the tea ceremony, and a unique world view captures the hearts of guests who visit. A famous Japanese restaurant filled with the joy of enjoying the four seasons. Both the eyes and the palate will be satisfied with the presentation by the owner, who is full of aesthetic sense and playfulness. The interior of the store has a gentle yet neat atmosphere, so it is recommended for high-quality entertainment and business negotiations.

5. wayman

Japanese cuisine, small dishes
291-1 Kikuboko-cho, Niomon-dori Shinyanagibaba Higashi-iriru, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Provided by Autoreserve

This shop is located at the Niomon Gate, close to Sanjo Station. Although it is a small shop with only 6 seats at the counter, it has become a hot topic since its opening. Within a few months of its opening, the restaurant became so difficult to book that it was said that the wait was a year.

6. Meat Master Miyoshi

beef dishes
570-15 South Gion-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A meat restaurant that represents Kyoto, located just off Hanamikoji Street in Gion. This restaurant was opened in 2005, when the genre of meat cooking did not even exist due to the passion of the owner, who wanted to create a meat dish that no one had ever seen before. A wide variety of meat dishes, such as steak, kombu-jime tongue, and shabu-shabu, amaze and fascinate visitors.

7. not exist

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Higashiyama Ward

Provided by Autoreserve

A three-star Michelin restaurant representing Kyoto located in Maruyama Park behind Yasaka Shrine. The owner of the restaurant is Hitoshi Ishihara, who was recognized by Teiichi Yuki, the founder of Kitcho, and became head chef of Kitcho Arashiyama Main Store at the tender age of 38. The menu consists of a three-hour course devised by Mr. Ishihara himself. Cha-kaiseki, with its luxurious and flavorful Mizen-ryu menu, has impressed many gourmets.

8. Kiyama

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
136 Kinuyamachi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Verdor Imperial Palace 1F

Provided by Autoreserve

A kaiseki restaurant that received a Michelin star just one year after its opening. The owner is Mr. Yoshiro Kiyama, who used to be the head chef at Wakuden. At the counter seats, you can watch the "dashi performance" of making dashi, an essential part of Japanese cuisine, by shaving 3 types of dried bonito. The pure water from the well is used for cooking, and you can enjoy the taste of the water to the fullest. Please enjoy the essence of Japanese cuisine.

9. Yamaguchi

Italian
570-185 south side of Gion-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

An Italian restaurant that represents Kyoto in Gion. The cuisine that combines Japanese ingredients and high-end ingredients from around the world allows you to enjoy unique cuisine that is not bound by the genre of Italian. Because it is an introduction system, reservations for first-time customers are not possible unless there is an introducer.

10. rocking chair

bar
434-2 Tachibana-cho, Gokomachi-dori, Bukkoji-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Provided by Autoreserve

A bar run by the owner who won the World Cocktail Championships. The interior of the renovated machiya is not only stylish furniture, but also a luxurious space with a fireplace.

11. Gion Owatari

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
570-265 south side of Gion-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

Masato Owatari, who trained at many famous restaurants in Osaka, opened Gion Owatari on his own in 2009. Acquiring one Michelin star in 2012 and two stars in 2018, Mr. Owatari's cuisine and hospitality are praised by gourmets all over the country. It is one of the pleasures of being able to enjoy Japanese cuisine in a space unique to Kyoto, which is housed in an old private house in Gion.

12. Takeyamachi Mita

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Nakagyo Ward, Teramachi-dori Takeya-cho Shimoru, west side, 667-1 Kuoninmae-cho

Provided by Autoreserve

Even in Kyoto, where there are many difficult-to-reserve restaurants, this restaurant is famous for not being able to make reservations. Inside the store, there is only a 6-seat counter that is extremely simple with no waste. Just like the interior, the food is a Kappo restaurant that strips away unnecessary things and draws out the maximum potential of the ingredients. A restaurant you want to visit once in your life if you have the chance.

13. Suzue

Japanese cuisine, small dishes
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Sakyo Ward, Okazaki Shrine Road Niomon Shirakawa South Entrance

Provided by Autoreserve

“Shunseki Suzue” is located near Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto and is famous for its high-class Japanese cuisine that uses super-luxury ingredients. You can enjoy the full course of kaiseki, which is prepared by the owner, Mr. Shihito Suzue.

14. Kuishimbo Yamanaka

steak
26-26 Goryoumizouracho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

Kuishimbo Yamanaka is a long-established steakhouse in Kyoto that has been in business for over 40 years. You can enjoy meat dishes using pure-bred Tajima Omi beef, which is not available in the market because it has won the trust of the producer.

15. Ogata

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
726 Shinkamanza-cho, Ayanokoji Nishinotoin Higashiiri, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

At "Ogata," you can enjoy exquisite kaiseki cuisine created by the owner, Toshiro Ogata, who was the executive chef at the prestigious "Wakuden." The bold and delicate use of carefully selected seasonal ingredients can only be served by the owner, and is called the skill of a craftsman. A famous restaurant loved by many gourmets.

16. Kaikado Cafe

Cafe
352 Sumiyoshicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A quirky and stylish cafe that was renovated from a tram depot in Kyoto. The taste is also delicious, so I definitely want to visit once.

17. beak modern

Yakitori
Maison Maxim 1F, 153-8 Nagaharacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A popular yakitori restaurant near Shijo Karasuma. The owner has a background of training at the famous yakitori restaurants "Torito" and "Kusagi Nakahigashi". The specialty appetizer is an elaborate dish with a strong dashi stock. For yakitori, they use hine chicken, Kyoto red chicken, and young chicken. It is a difficult-to-reserve restaurant with a high level of satisfaction in terms of both service and taste.

18. Yazawa Yazawa Kyoto

Grilled meat
243 Shinmei-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Miyakoji Building 1F

Provided by Autoreserve

You can enjoy a variety of yakiniku and rare cuts using Kuroge Wagyu beef in an elegant black-based Japanese-modern restaurant with private rooms. The meat is grilled one by one by the staff, so you can enjoy the exquisite doneness of each dish.

19. brother

Izakaya
Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo Ward Kawaramachi Street Shijo Agaru Yoneyamacho 388 2F

Provided by Autoreserve

An izakaya where you can eat high-quality Kyoto vegetables. About 1 minute on foot from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station. At our restaurant, which is based on the concept of "let's eat seasonal Kyoto vegetables," you can enjoy safe and secure seasonal vegetables in various ways, such as "boiling," "cooking," and "boiling." In particular, the "boiled vegetables" are popular because the soup stock is good. It is a difficult-to-reserve restaurant where you can enjoy delicious vegetables in a calm atmosphere.

20. divine horse

Izakaya
Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Kamigyo Ward

Provided by Autoreserve

Established in 1934, this is a well-known izakaya with a stately atmosphere. The menu changes every day, with the emphasis on ``enjoying customers with the freshest and delicious foods of the day and season.'' The dishes are made with carefully selected Kyoto vegetables, fresh fish, and seasonal ingredients. They have a wide selection of drinks, and the original hot sake "Jinba" made by blending 6 types of sake is especially recommended.

21. Emboka Kyoto

pizza
Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo Ward Nishinotoin Rokkakugeru Ikesu-cho 406

Provided by Autoreserve

The head office is in Karuizawa, and it has branches in Tokyo and Kyoto, mainly Italian pizza. It is popular for enjoying the Japanese atmosphere of Kyoto as it was renovated from a building that was originally a dyeing shop. It features a variety of Italian-based dishes using Kyoto vegetables and a wide variety of wines. In addition to pizza, the vegetable dishes are also popular for their excellent quality, and we would like you to enjoy an adult time with oven-baked pizza and a wide variety of wines.

22. Kamekoya

Kyoto cuisine
Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo Ward

Provided by Autoreserve

A restaurant with a 100-year-old history where you can enjoy Kyoto cuisine on a higher level. The dishes are made with Kyoto water and seasonal ingredients, giving you an elegant taste that lets you feel the four seasons. From the yuba dishes, tofu dishes, and shabu-shabu hot pot using Kyobancha, you can feel the authentic taste of Kyoto that you can only taste here. We want you to enjoy exquisite cuisine while feeling the gentle flow of time and the atmosphere of Kyoto.

23. Yuuki Gion

Izakaya
111-1 Tominagacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A lively public pub in the center of Gion, Kyoto. This store is directly managed by Okamura Honke in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, a 150-year-old sake brewery, and you can drink delicious sake at a low price. There is a wide variety of Japanese sake, and you can enjoy dishes that go well with sake at a reasonable price. The fish menu is extensive, fresh and delicious.

24. Atje Kiyamachi Dumpling Store

Grilled meat
Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Shimogyo Ward Kawaramachi Kiyamachi Danguri down east side

Provided by Autoreserve

An original hormone-based yakiniku that develops mainly in Kansai. Based on the concept of "offal shop where you can casually stop by", the highest quality offal starting with salted salt is offered in the best condition with carefully selected pedigree beef through the "deposit beef system", which is rare in Japan.

25. Teahouse Hosen

sweet shop
25 Shimogamo Nishitakagicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A sweet shop where you can enjoy bracken rice cakes made from bracken flour in a magnificent garden with a Kyoto-like atmosphere.

26. grill french

Western food
377 Shimokojocho, Oikegamiru, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Provided by Autoreserve

A popular restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Western cuisine that is carefully prepared using carefully selected ingredients. There are many familiar menus such as hamburger steak, curry, and beef stew, so you can visit casually. We also recommend the famous homemade pudding. We want you to enjoy a wonderful time in our spacious shop.

27. Blanc Pierre

French
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Nakagyo Ward, Miyukicho, Ebisugawa River, Matsumotocho 577

Provided by Autoreserve

A restaurant where you can enjoy good French cuisine in an open space. Based on the concept of "easily enjoying French cuisine", the restaurant is fully equipped with table and counter seats with a view of the garden. The dishes are made with Kyoto vegetables and seasonal ingredients, and offer dishes that make the most of the quality of the ingredients. For lunch, in addition to the 3,500 yen and 2,600 yen courses, a reservation-required 5,700 yen course is available. This is a popular restaurant that requires reservations.

28. Miyuki Town Tagawa

Kaiseki / Kaiseki cuisine
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Nakagyo Ward, Ebisugawa-dori Goyukicho Nishiiri Matsumotocho 575-1

Provided by Autoreserve

This shop is located near Kyoto City Hall. The owner, Kisho Tagawa, worked as an engineer before becoming a chef at the age of 25. He trained at famous restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto before going independent. The dishes prepared by the owner are all heartwarming dishes made with seasonal ingredients.

29. Akagakiya

Izakaya
9 Magobashi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Provided by Autoreserve

A popular izakaya that has been featured on TV and has lines even on weekdays. With a history of more than 80 years, there is a courtyard when you go behind the counter seats and table seats after passing through the goodwill. At the back of the courtyard, there is a private room with a circular space where you can feel the atmosphere and history of Kyoto. Only honorable sake is carefully selected, and it goes well with dishes that make the most of the taste of the ingredients.

30. edaru edaru hitoshina

Japanese cuisine, small dishes
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Shimogyo Ward, Nishikiyamachi Street

Provided by Autoreserve

The course menu changes every month, and they are particular about never serving a dish once served. You can also enjoy the appearance of the chef cooking and the tasteful tableware with your eyes. A popular store that has been featured in various media and is supported not only by Japanese people but also by foreigners.

Make Your Reservation with Autoreserve

Find a restaurant that piques your interest and make a reservation with Autoreserve. Autoreserve makes it easy for you to book a table at your favorite restaurant without calling. increase. https://autoreserve.com/?locale=en