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These Michelin-starred Kyoto restaurants offer refined kaiseki (course meal cuisine) and kappo-style cuisine, which is a bit more casual while still exceptional. Our selection includes restaurants in Gion and central Kyoto, near Nijo Castle and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.
To ensure a memorable Kyoto trip, savoring refined Japanese cuisine is essential. We've curated a selection of 10 highly-rated, award-winning restaurants with online English reservations, ensuring international guests feel welcome while experiencing Kyoto's best.
Our choices span both kappo-style and kaiseki cuisine. Kappo, a more casual and affordable option, offers a "homemade" feel. Kaiseki, the pinnacle of Japanese course dining, provides a luxurious experience ideal for special occasions or an unforgettable immersion in Japanese culinary art.
1. Noguchi Tsunagu: Kappo Cuisine in Gion
2. Tsujifusa: Kappo near Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
3. Miyawaki: Kappo Cuisine near Nijo Castle
4. Kappo Umetsu (Gion)
5. Kodaiji Jugyuan: Kaiseki Cuisine in Gion, Ninenzaka
6. Gion Manma: Expertly Grilled Cuisine in Gion
7. Gokomachi Tagawa: Kaiseki near Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
8. Wagokoro Izumi: Kyoto Cuisine in Karasuma
9. Kanamean Nishitomiya: Kaiseki near Nishiki Market
10. Gion Fukushi: Kyoto Cuisine in Gion
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For devotees of Japanese cuisine, Noguchi Tsunagu offers a compelling experience. This sister restaurant to the acclaimed Kyotenjin Noguchi upholds its culinary philosophy while carving a unique identity with a captivating focus on ingredients from the Goto Islands, the head chef's hometown.
Their signature Nikusui epitomizes exquisite flavor. This meticulously crafted masterpiece features A5-grade sirloin, simmered to perfection—a seamless blend of tradition and regional bounty that has already captivated a discerning clientele.
Noguchi Tsunagu is located in Gion, just 4 minutes on foot from Gion Shijo Station.
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Awarded its first Michelin Guide one-star rating in 2025, Tsujifusa is a highly acclaimed restaurant led by a chef extensively trained in Japanese cuisine in Nagoya and Kyoto. The culinary philosophy here emphasizes bringing out the natural flavors of ingredients, striving for a gentle, comforting deliciousness.
The experience is further enhanced by the chef’s wife, who holds a sommelier certification. Be sure to explore the curated selection of Japanese sake and wines she personally recommends.
Tsujifusa is located near Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, just 6 minutes on foot from Marutamachi Station.
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Miyawaki masterfully blends classic Kyoto cuisine with creative new dishes, offering guests a harmonious experience of tradition and innovation.
Chef Miyawaki, a passionate sake enthusiast, has personally curated an extensive selection of sake from across Japan, making the restaurant a favored destination for sake connoisseurs.
The restaurant's design creates a modern Japanese ambiance, combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with Scandinavian chairs. This unique setting provides the perfect backdrop for guests to fully savor authentic Kyoto flavors.
Miyawaki is located near Nijo Castle, just a 3-minute walk from Nijojo Station.
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Kappo Umetsu is a true hidden gem located in a back alley of Gion, just 4 minutes on foot from Gion Shijo Station.
What sets it apart is the genuine warmth of the owner and hostess, creating a relaxed atmosphere that beautifully contrasts with the often-stiff ambiance of many high-end Japanese restaurants. This welcoming environment makes it especially satisfying for both first-time visitors and international travelers.
Inside, a distinctive brick-built kiln is used to prepare meticulously crafted dishes. These creations are designed to highlight the natural umami of seasonal fish and vegetables, ensuring a delightful culinary experience.
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Step into Kodaiji Jugyuan to fully immerse yourself in traditional Japanese ryotei culture. Housed within a historic building over 100 years old, this restaurant offers a truly unique and special experience: enjoy Michelin two-star Japanese cuisine while gazing upon a beautiful garden.
The culinary offerings, rooted in traditional Kyoto-style dishes, also showcase creativity by actively incorporating ingredients from Western cuisine. The presentation is visually vibrant and beautiful, appealing to and stimulating all five senses.
The restaurant is located near Kodaiji Temple, on the famous Ninenzaka Slope in Gion.
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Gion Manma is an intimate, 8-seat counter-style Japanese restaurant. Its chef, who refined his skills at a renowned ryotei in Gifu, brings his expertise to this cozy setting.
A prominent irori (sunken hearth) takes center stage, where popular dishes like grilled seasonal vegetables, fresh fish, and game are expertly cooked with creative techniques right before your eyes.
The restaurant's name, "Manma," derives from "arino mama," meaning "as it is." This reflects their philosophy: to serve seasonal delicacies in their most natural and delicious state through simple, straightforward dishes.
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The chef at Gokomachi Tagawa brings a unique background to the culinary world, transitioning from an engineer to a highly acclaimed professional chef.
The restaurant's pride lies in its dishes, which maximize ingredient potential using a traditional "ro" (hearth) for meticulous grilling of seasonal ingredients.
You can savor freshly sourced seafood directly from ama divers in Mie Prefecture, the chef's hometown, alongside carefully selected ingredients like A5-rank black-haired Wagyu beef, all prepared with great care.
The restaurant is located near Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and Kyoto City Hall.
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Nestled in Kyoto’s lively Karasuma district, just a short walk from Shijo Station, Wagokoro Izumi offers a tranquil Kyoto machiya ambiance. Here, Chef Masaki Izumi masterfully blends tradition with culinary innovation.
The cuisine focuses on delicate, seasonal flavors, crafted without unnecessary embellishments. Chef Izumi is dedicated to sourcing the finest ingredients, personally visiting producers and even inspecting rare dried bonito production.
Signature delights include the fluffy “Tamago Castella,” a highlight on the hassun tray, and his specially prepared Grilled Sweetfish, renowned for its crispy exterior and tender flesh.
To complement your meal, the restaurant boasts an extensive selection of sake, including unique original brews made in collaboration with Kyoto breweries.
With its nostalgic machiya house, seasonal tableware, and heartfelt cuisine, Wagokoro Izumi promises a memorable dining experience perfect for sharing with loved ones.
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Kanamean Nishitomiya offers elegant kaiseki cuisine within a traditional ryokan setting. The chef's creative flair shines through unique pairings, such as tuna with caviar or truffles with soba noodles, unveiling new possibilities for each ingredient.
As the only Relais & Châteaux affiliated establishment in Kyoto, its menu is meticulously crafted by a host and hostess who draw upon their international experience to create a truly refined dining experience.
The restaurant is located in central Kyoto, near the famous Nishiki Market, 10 minutes on foot from Shijo Station or Karasuma Station.
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Gion Fukushi presents Japanese cuisine rooted in the concept of "Go-mi, Go-shoku, Go-ho," embodying the essence of Japanese culinary art.
- Go-shoku (Five Colors): Dishes burst with vibrant presentation, showcasing white, black, yellow, red, and blue.
- Go-mi (Five Tastes): Experience a harmonious balance of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and spicy flavors.
- Go-ho (Five Cooking Methods): Enjoy dishes prepared using the traditional Japanese techniques of baking, boiling, frying, steaming, and pickling.
Here, you can savor seasonal dishes that evolve while deeply respecting traditional techniques. Gion Fukushi truly embraces the spirit of learning from the past to continuously pursue deliciousness.
Located near Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, a traditional dance and geisha performance venue, this tranquil restaurant offers a serene atmosphere. The interior features 7 counter seats and 6 table seats, all arranged in a traditional tearoom style for a peaceful dining experience.
We hope that our selection helps you decide where to dine in Kyoto. For recommendations regarding specific types of cuisine, please refer to the articles linked below.
Main image courtesy of OMAKASE JapanEatinerary
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.