Special Restaurants in Kyoto Worth Making an Effort to Visit

Restaurants in Kyoto for Enjoying a Luxurious Meal

Kyoto has numerous wonderful restaurants where tradition and innovation blend together. We've picked out restaurants that are recommended for special days or when you want to indulge a little.

Enjoy various genres of cuisine in Kyoto, from Kyoto-style cuisine to French and creative sushi.

Japanese Cuisine

• Kikunoi Honten https://kikunoi.jp/en/ 5-minute walk from "Higashiyama Yasui" bus stop via city bus routes 100, 206, and 110 from Kyoto Station.

  
  

  Closed: Wednesdays (open on holidays)

  Price range: ¥25,000-¥40,000 per person

  English: English menu available, some staff speak English

  Dietary restrictions: Advance notice required for vegetarian options, pescatarian accommodations possible with prior arrangement

  
  

  A prestigious traditional ryotei representing Kyoto. Offers authentic kaiseki cuisine featuring seasonal ingredients. You can enjoy your meal while viewing a beautiful garden.

• Hyotei

  http://hyotei.co.jp/en/

  8-minute walk from "Keage Station" on the Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station.

  
  

  Closed: Mondays (if a holiday, then the following day)

  Price range: ¥20,000-¥30,000 per person

  English: English website and menu available, limited English-speaking staff

  Dietary restrictions: Limited vegetarian options available with advance notice

  
  

  A ryotei with over 400 years of history. A place to experience the essence of traditional Kyoto cuisine, characterized by an elegant atmosphere and delicate flavors.

  
  

• Gion Nishikawa

  https://gion-nishikawa.co.jp/

  5-minute walk from "Gion" bus stop via city bus route 206 from Kyoto Station.

  
  

  Closed: Sundays

  Price range: ¥30,000-¥40,000 per person

  English: Limited English menu, minimal English-speaking staff

  Dietary restrictions: Primarily seafood-based, limited accommodation for dietary restrictions

  
  

  A Michelin-starred high-end sushi restaurant. The sushi, prepared with Kyoto's distinctive ingredients and techniques, is exquisite.

French & Italian

• Moritaya Pontocho Branch https://moritaya-kyoto.co.jp/restaurant/kiyamachi/ 8-minute walk from "Shijo Station" on the Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station. Closed: Irregular holidays Price range: ¥10,000-¥20,000 per person English: English menu available, some staff speak basic English Dietary restrictions: Limited vegetarian options, primarily beef-focused menu A long-established meat restaurant in Kyoto. Enjoy French-style cuisine and sukiyaki made with the finest Kyoto beef.
  

• cenci https://cenci-kyoto.com/ 10-minute walk from "Shijo Kawaramachi" bus stop via city bus route 205 from Kyoto Station. Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays Price range: ¥8,000-¥15,000 per person English: English menu available, English-speaking staff Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian options available, can accommodate some dietary restrictions with advance notice An up-and-coming Italian restaurant in Kyoto. Enjoy creative Italian cuisine utilizing seasonal Kyoto vegetables and carefully selected natural wines.
  

• LUDENS https://ludens-kyoto.net/# 5-minute walk from "Kawaramachi Imadegawa" bus stop via city bus route 5 from Kyoto Station. Closed: Wednesdays Price range: ¥12,000-¥18,000 per person English: English menu available, staff can communicate in basic English Dietary restrictions: Can accommodate vegetarian and some other dietary restrictions with advance notice Contemporary French cuisine served in a sophisticated space. Savor artistic dishes created with local ingredients and innovative cooking methods. A restaurant that heals both mind and body with drinks using medicinal herbs.
  

• RESTAURANT MOTOI https://motoi-kyoto.com/ 10-minute walk from "Marutamachi Station" on the Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station. Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays Price range: ¥15,000-¥25,000 per person English: Limited English menu, some staff speak basic English Dietary restrictions: Limited accommodation for dietary restrictions, advance notice required A hidden gem restaurant located in a quiet area of Kyoto. The chef's unique creative French cuisine and attentive service are its attractions.

Famous Kyoto Cuisine Restaurants

• Soujiki Nakahigashi https://soujiki-nakahigashi.jp/ 5-minute walk from "Okazaki Park Museum/Heian Shrine" bus stop via city bus route 5 from Kyoto Station. Closed: Wednesdays Price range: ¥20,000-¥30,000 per person English: Limited English support, reservation in Japanese recommended Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian-friendly as it specializes in Buddhist vegetarian cuisine A renowned restaurant that brings the tradition of shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) to modern times. Known for delicate dishes that maximize the natural flavors of vegetables.
  

• Mankamerou https://mankamerou.com/ 10-minute walk from "Kiyamichi-dori" bus stop via city bus route 206 from Kyoto Station. Closed: Wednesdays (may have irregular closings) Price range: ¥15,000-¥25,000 per person English: Limited English menu, minimal English-speaking staff Dietary restrictions: Limited accommodation for dietary restrictions, advance notice essential A long-established Kyoto ryotei. Offers traditional Kyoto cuisine using seasonal ingredients, where you can enjoy your meal in an elegant, atmospheric setting.
  

• Kinobu http://www.kinobu.co.jp/en/ 5-minute walk from "Marutamachi Station" on the Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station. Closed: Wednesdays Price range: ¥15,000-¥25,000 per person English: English website available, limited English-speaking staff Dietary restrictions: Can accommodate some dietary preferences with advance notice A distinguished restaurant conveying the essence of Kyoto cuisine. Famous for its dishes that blend tradition with innovation and hospitality that values seasonality.
  

• Tankuma Kitamise https://www.tankumakita.jp/en/ 3-minute walk from "Karasuma Oike Station" on the Kyoto Municipal Subway from Kyoto Station. Closed: Wednesdays Price range: ¥20,000-¥30,000 per person English: English website and some English support available Dietary restrictions: Limited accommodation for special diets, advance consultation required A venerable ryotei representing Kyoto. Serves traditional Kyoto kaiseki with a modern sensibility, with each meticulously prepared dish showcasing careful craftsmanship.
  

• Gion Sasaki https://gionsasaki.com/ 3-minute walk from "Gion" bus stop via city bus routes 100 and 206 from Kyoto Station. Closed: Wednesdays Price range: ¥25,000-¥35,000 per person English: Limited English support, reservation assistance may be needed Dietary restrictions: Limited accommodation, primarily focused on traditional Japanese cuisine Creative Japanese cuisine that fuses Kyoto traditions with modern techniques. The appeal lies in its seasonal dishes and sophisticated atmosphere.

Popular Creative Sushi Restaurants

• AWOMB Karasuma Honten https://awomb.com/en/ 3-minute walk from "Karasuma Oike Station" via Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station. Closed: Mondays Price range: ¥5,000-¥8,000 per person English: English website and menu available, English-speaking staff Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian options available, can accommodate various dietary needs Their creative "hand-weaving sushi," where you can wrap your favorite ingredients in hand rolls, is extremely popular. Colorful and cute, it's frequently featured on Instagram.
  

• Gion Mametora https://kiwa-group.co.jp/mametora_gion/ 5-minute walk from "Gion" bus stop via city bus route 206 from Kyoto Station. Closed: Wednesdays Price range: ¥15,000-¥25,000 per person English: Limited English menu, some staff have basic English skills Dietary restrictions: Primarily seafood-based, limited accommodation for dietary restrictions A high-end sushi restaurant nestled in a quiet alley in Gion. The Edomae sushi, created with carefully selected seasonal seafood and skilled craftsmanship, is exquisite. You can also enjoy conversation with the sushi chef in a relaxed atmosphere.
  

• Sushi Senta https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26013453/ 10-minute walk from "Shijo Station" on the Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station. Closed: Sundays and 3rd Monday of the month Price range: ¥12,000-¥20,000 per person English: Very limited English support, reservation in Japanese recommended Dietary restrictions: Traditional sushi restaurant with limited dietary accommodations A popular sushi restaurant located in central Kyoto. Enjoy Edomae sushi made with Kyoto's unique ingredients and fresh seafood sourced from across Japan. Known for its attentive service offered in an intimate setting with limited seating.

Reservation Tips

These restaurants are very popular, so we recommend making reservations one month in advance. Early reservations are especially essential during the spring cherry blossom season and autumn foliage season. Many restaurants can accommodate English, but making reservations in Japanese tends to go more smoothly.