Kyoto Restaurants: 15 Excellent Dining Facilities with English Booking

Known for its wonderful fresh produce and a culture dedicated to highlighting the beauty of seasonal ingredients, Kyoto is a foodie’s paradise. With so many fantastic eateries to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start.

These 15 restaurants in Kyoto hand-picked by MATCHA's editors should satisfy any cravings you might have for cuisine in Kyoto, and they are also conveniently easy to book.

Top Kyoto Restaurants

Kaiseki Cuisine
1. Minokichi Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto Karasuma Shijo
2. Kyo Kaiseki KINMATA
3. Gion Maruyama and Kenninji Gion Maruyama: Michelin Starred Kaiseki in Kyoto Gion
4. Gion Nanba in Kyoto Gion: Michelin one Starred Kaiseki
Kyoryori - Kyoto Style Cuisine
5. Manjiro - Kyoryori
6. KAJI Michelin Plate Recommendation Restaurant in Kyoto
Restaurants With Vegetarian Options
7. SHIGETSU: Shojin Vegetarian Cuisine
8. Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine
9. Kameya Honke: Traditional Tofu and Yuba Kaiseki
10. Yudoufu Sagano: Japanese Wasyoku Meal in Kyoto
Yakiniku
11. Kyo Kurozakura
Tempura
12. Ten You Michelin 1-Starred Tempura
13. Tempura Endo Yasaka Tempura in Gion Kyoto
Japanese Favorites
14. Temari Sushi and Japanese Tea SOUDEN
15. Doikatsuman - Eel Dishes in Kyoto

1. Minokichi Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto Karasuma Shijo

Photo courtesy of Klook

Sample three centuries of traditional Kyoto kaiseki cuisine at this restaurant, just a 3-minute hop from a central station in the city.

While kaiseki cuisine in other parts of Japan often features ocean-caught fish, Minokichi attracts visitors by showcasing freshly caught freshwater varieties from Lake Biwa and the Kamo River.

The storied history of Minokichi is reflected in their cooking techniques and their dedication to the highest standards of service, making for an unforgettable dining experience.

↑ Return to the top of article.

2. Kyo Kaiseki KINMATA

Photo courtesy of Klook

A distinctly Kyoto dining experience, complete with all the refinement visitors have come to expect, awaits you at this kaiseki restaurant.

Situated within a traditional craftsman’s cottage, KINMATA offers a variety of kaiseki courses for those looking to sample the very best of Kyoto cuisine.

With halal options also available, KINMATA ensures that the whimsy and beauty of kaiseki cuisine are accessible to all.

As you enjoy dishes made with ingredients sourced from the nearby Nishiki markets, you’ll be immersed in a charming, old-style atmosphere.

↑ Return to the top of article.

3. Gion Maruyama and Kenninji Gion Maruyama: Michelin Starred Kaiseki in Kyoto Gion

Photo courtesy of Klook

An experience of the refinement and elegance that defines kaiseki cuisine awaits diners who visit Gion Maruyama in the historical heart of Kyoto.

Situated inside a refurbished Kyoto tea house, visitors can enjoy a range of mouthwatering dishes featuring seasonal bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and a variety of freshwater fish.

The restaurant is filled with treasures reflecting its storied history, and guests should take the time to savor the sights while enjoying their delicious food.

By utilizing the very best Kyoto has to offer and paying homage to the ceremony and beauty of the city’s cultural traditions, a visit to Gion Maruyama will surely remain in your memory long after the meal is finished.

↑ Return to the top of article.

4. Gion Nanba in Kyoto Gion - Michelin One Starred Kaiseki

Photo courtesy of Klook

An experience for the eyes and the palate awaits you at Gion Nanba, where each dish is as beautiful as it is delicious.

The restaurant transports visitors away from the bustling streets of the historic entertainment quarter and creates a quiet, tranquil atmosphere— the perfect escape.

Boasting a menu that features luxurious ingredients such as conger eel and sea urchin, each dish is presented as a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

With beautifully presented dishes that showcase the best of Kyoto's produce and ingredients from around Japan, the experience at Gion Nanba is one not to be missed.

↑ Return to the top of article.

5. Manjiro - Kyoryori

Photo courtesy of Klook

The bounties of Kyoto’s fresh produce are on full display in the dishes served at this restaurant, conveniently located near many of the city’s best sights.

At Manjiro, each dish features the finest Kyoto ingredients, such as tofu skin, seasonal vegetables, and pike conger eel. Guests are treated to an array of courses that highlight the beauty of the seasons in both taste and presentation.

With a range of dishes that showcase Kyoto ingredients prepared using techniques honed over centuries, Manjiro offers an unforgettable dining experience, all while being close to several popular temples and shrines in the area.

↑ Return to the top of article.

6. KAJI: Michelin Plate Recommendation Restaurant in Kyoto

Photo courtesy of Klook

While kaiseki is often regarded as high-end cuisine, there are still places in Kyoto where visitors can sample it at an affordable price.

Offering private rooms that create a cozy setting for diners, KAJI serves an array of vegetable, seafood, and meat dishes that highlight the best of the Kyoto area.

With engaging staff who speak English and guide visitors through the variety of courses, the restaurant provides an accessible way to enjoy kaiseki cuisine.

Kaji’s attention to detail and its affordable kaiseki courses make it easier for visitors to appreciate a cuisine that can often feel hard to approach in Japan.

↑ Return to the top of article.

7. SHIGETSU: Shojin Vegetarian Cuisine

Photo courtesy of Klook

Fresh produce often takes center stage in many dishes in Kyoto, and an all-vegetarian meal may be one of the best ways to experience the culinary depth of these ingredients.

Owned and operated by the Tenryuji Temple, SHIGETSU specializes in the Shojin Ryori style of cooking, which is considered the pinnacle of Zen Buddhist cuisine.

You can enjoy exquisite plant-based dishes while surrounded by the beautifully sculpted gardens of this renowned World Heritage temple.

For visitors looking to savor this unique cuisine, the elevated cooking of Buddhist monks is a must-try experience.

↑ Return to the top of article.

8. Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine

Photo courtesy of Klook

What could be better than enjoying delightful Kyoto-style tofu while gazing out at the immaculate gardens of this restaurant?

Once a residence for scholars who studied medicine, Nanzenji Junsei provides a calming and historic atmosphere for visitors to experience an icon of Kyoto cuisine: boiled tofu.

Lovingly prepared in front of diners, the delicate tofu is served with a flavorful sauce, highlighting one of many specialties in a tasting course rich with fresh, seasonal ingredients from Kyoto.

Junsei, a restaurant renowned for its exquisite boiled tofu dishes, offers a wonderful dining experience set in an ambiance that takes you on a journey through Kyoto’s history.

↑ Return to the top of article.

9. Kameya Honke: Traditional Tofu and Yuba Kaiseki

Photo courtesy of Klook

You’ll never look at tofu the same way again after sampling the myriad of dishes Kameya Honke has to offer.

Founded in 1913, the restaurant specializes in a tofu skin hotpot, where the delicate texture of the tofu skin is dipped into a flavorful broth of dashi and white miso.

Accompanying this is a selection of tofu dishes paired with fresh produce from the Kyoto area.

The care with which the tofu and yuba are prepared will surely inspire you to explore more tofu dishes in the future!

↑ Return to the top of article.

10. Yudoufu Sagano: Japanese Cuisine in Kyoto

Photo courtesy of Klook

Enjoy the warming comforts of a traditional tofu hotpot while surrounded by the lush greenery of Kyoto’s iconic Arashiyama area!

Specializing in perfectly cut morsels of tofu boiled in a light broth, Yudoufu Sagano offers visitors an approachable way to experience one of Kyoto’s most cherished cuisines.

Located in Arashiyama, the architecture of the restaurant reflects a refined style found in many of Kyoto's historical buildings, creating an atmosphere that complements their delicate and finely crafted dishes.

After a day spent exploring the iconic bamboo forest and the many temples, savoring the comforting cuisine at this restaurant is a delightful culinary experience to add to your itinerary!

↑ Return to the top of article.

11. Kyo Kurozakura

Photo courtesy of Klook

Eat to your heart's content and sample gourmet Japanese beef alongside free-flowing soft drinks, all part of the packages offered by this yakiniku restaurant.

Boasting a variety of seating options to accommodate solo travelers and groups alike, Kyo Kurozakura provides an upscale atmosphere for enjoying gourmet Japanese beef.

Perfect for visitors looking to indulge in the finest cuts, you’ll savor perfectly grilled morsels that melt in your mouth.

Utilizing only the choicest cuts of beef from expert breeders in Kagoshima, Kyo Kurozakura promises to satisfy all your cravings for top-grade Japanese beef!

↑ Return to the top of article.

12. Ten You: Michelin 1-Starred Tempura

Photo courtesy of Klook

Emphasizing the subtle beauty of its ingredients, tempura preserves the original qualities of the food while adding a delicate crispy texture.

Making excellent use of Kyoto’s renowned vegetables, Ten You treats visitors to a selection of dishes that showcase the best in taste and texture, without the oiliness often found in some tempura restaurants.

With diners enjoying a front-row seat to witness how tempura enhances each ingredient's merits, the dining experience at Ten You is sure to be one you can't afford to miss.

↑ Return to the top of article.

13. Tempura Endo Yasaka: Tempura in Gion Kyoto

Photo courtesy of Klook

Tempura Endo Yasaka, located in the heart of Gion, Kyoto's historic district, offers an unforgettable way to experience this iconic Japanese cuisine.

Served in beautiful tatami rooms overlooking a perfectly manicured garden, Endo combines the best of Kyoto’s produce with a cozy and traditional atmosphere.

As you savor the final morsels of delicate tempura, don't forget to take in the stunning view of the Higashiyama district, including the famous pagoda of Kenninji, which is visible from the restaurant’s entrance!

↑ Return to the top of article.

14. Temari Sushi and Japanese Tea SOUDEN

Photo courtesy of Klook

At SOUDEN, picture-perfect morsels of sushi that are as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as they are delightful to the taste buds await —perfectly paired with Kyoto specialty drinks!

Temari sushi, a truly photogenic style, features almost perfectly spherical bites made with the freshest fish and seasoned rice.

Each piece is carefully paired with a monthly selection of expertly brewed and curated teas, enhancing the vibrant flavors of the ingredients in every bite.

With a variety of other delectable drinks, including tea sodas and alcoholic options, you’ll be spoiled for choice as you indulge in this beautiful food experience in Kyoto.

↑ Return to the top of article.

15. Doikatsuman: Eel Dishes in Kyoto

Photo courtesy of Klook

Considered a luxurious staple in many parts of Japan, this restaurant offers visitors the chance to savor the mouthwatering taste of Japanese eel.

Specializing in unaju, a rice dish topped with charcoal grilled unagi eel, Doikatsuman highlights the plump, fluffy, and flavorful qualities of this ingredient.

You can also enjoy their eel hitsumabushi style, allowing visitors to experience the eel lightly grilled, then served with condiments, and finally topped with dashi soup stock or delicate green tea.

There’s something truly special about charcoal-roasted eel with a sweet and savory sauce, and Doikatsuman provides a convenient way to enjoy this iconic dish.

Enjoy Local Cuisine in Kyoto

Kyoto takes pride in its cultural and culinary heritage, which dates back centuries. Over the years, many of these techniques have been updated and refined to the point of mastery.

Whether you’re looking to sample the seasons through a kaiseki course or eager to try tantalizing tempura, you’re bound to find something exceptional in this city. There has never been a better or more convenient time to make a reservation.