Top 10 Must-Try Local Restaurants in Kyoto, Japan
Figuring out where to eat in Kyoto offers a glimpse into the immense cultural heritage of Japan’s former capital. With close attention paid to giving you the finest ingredients and service, the best restaurants in Kyoto offer everything from high-end kaiseki cuisine to ramen, tempura and trendy cocktail bars. Read on for 10 of the best Kyoto restaurants, from the geisha district of Gion to the home of the Imperial Palace, Kamigyo.
1. Sou
Restaurant, Japanese
2. Chihana
Bar, Restaurant, Japanese
3. Hafuu
Bar, Restaurant, Japanese
5. Hatakaku
Restaurant, Japanese
6. Nishiki Warai
Market, Restaurant, Japanese
7. Kagizen
Bakery, Cafe, Tea Room, Japanese
Although found among the international chain restaurants and coffee shops of Gion, Kagizen offers a traditional Japanese tearoom experience. It stands out especially for its delicate wagashi, the traditional Japanese sweets usually served with tea, and its incredible mochi, rice cakes filled with red or white bean paste. The tea, prepared according to traditional recipes, is uniquely flavourful and thick. This delightful tearoom is a favourite among Kyoto-ites for the delicious pastries and tea as well as for the tranquil atmosphere that offers repose from Gion’s bustling activity. For a true Japanese tea experience, Kagizen is definitely not to be missed.
8. Ain Soph Journey, Kyoto
Restaurant, Vegan
For a vegan restaurant in Kyoto, look no further than Ain Soph Journey. Opened in 2018, it has long-standing sister stores around Japan, and serves vegan food that is accessible to even the most sceptical meat-lovers. Featuring mouthwatering vegan-beef and -chicken burgers, fluffy pancakes topped with fresh fruit, and fusion food like taco rice, there’s sure to be something for everyone. The old-fashioned space can cater to large groups and even wedding parties.
9. Yoshikawa Tempura
Restaurant, Diner, Japanese
10. Sumibi Torito
Restaurant, Japanese
Yakitori is one of the many staple dishes of traditional Japanese cuisine. Due to the simplicity of this dish, which is basically a type of skewered chicken, the restaurants that serve it are, more often than not, very basic (and very smoky). With its stylish decor, Sumibi Torito offers a different type of experience, transforming this traditional dish into an haute-cuisine delicacy. The selection of the meats is meticulous, as the owner of the restaurant makes weekly visits to a poultry farm in the nearby mountainous area in order to choose the very best chicken. But the secret to the delicious yakitori lies in the cooking method. The restaurant has a beautiful grill and each dish is cooked on a charcoal fire to seal in the juices and preserve the flavour.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.