Chihana was founded in 1946 by Motoo Nagata in the Gion district, where it has since become a top destination for Japanese foodies. This small restaurant is hidden in a street of one of Kyoto’s busy districts. It is currently managed by Mr. Motoo’s son – Nagata Katsuyoshi.

| famous restaurants in kyoto

Chihana Restaurant opened in 1946 in the Gion district and has since become a top destination for Japanese foodies. Founded by Motoo Nagata and currently managed by his son Katsuyoshi Nagata, this small restaurant is hidden in a side street of one of Kyoto’s busiest districts. Chihana specializes in “kaiseki” or Japanese haute* cuisine.

| famous restaurants in kyoto
| famous restaurants in kyoto

Chihana specializes in kaiseki, which is Japanese haute cuisine. With a menu that showcases the chefs’ creativity, each taste will be better than the last. Guests can book a mat or sit at the bar and enjoy the chef’s cuisine. Chihana prides itself on using only the finest ingredients and utensils to prepare delicious and appealing dishes.

| famous restaurants in kyoto

With a menu that showcases the chef’s creativity, each dish served tastes better than the last. You can sit on a traditional Japanese dining cushion or you can also sit at the counter to admire the chef’s cooking skills. Chihana Restaurant prides itself on using only the best ingredients and utensils to prepare delicious and attractive dishes. Meals are served to guests on a wooden counter (intentionally left unfinished for aesthetic appeal), offering a fusion of traditional cuisine and beauty.

| famous restaurants in kyoto
| famous restaurants in kyoto

*Haute cuisine is a term that comes from France and also refers to a high-end culinary school here. Accordingly, dishes considered Haute cuisine must meet the criteria of sophisticated ingredients, elaborate processing, delicate seasoning and are often served in luxury meals or restaurants.

Make a reservation at Chihana – a 3-star Michelin star restaurant is hard, so you can book in advance via Klook.

  • Address: 227-3 Nishinocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0088, Japan
  • Hours: 12–2 PM, 6–10 PM/Tuesday: Closed

Sfera Bar Satonaka

One of the trendiest cocktail bars in Kyoto, Sfera Bar Satonaka offers a cocktail menu, courtesy of bartender and owner Michito Satonaka. The interior is synchronized with dark wood combined with black lacquer, and the long bar running along the center of the restaurant creates a highlight for the whole space.

| famous restaurants in kyoto

Thanks to the expertise and professionalism of staff and owner Michito Satonaka, Sfera Bar Satonaka offers an incredible bartending experience in Kyoto, Japan. The bar was built to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sfera building and with its wonderful architecture, the bar was featured in Wallpaper magazine.

| famous restaurants in kyoto

In the menu, Sfera Bar Satonaka serves carefully selected Japanese whiskeys, along with more than 15 different cocktails and champagne. The skillful blend from Michito Satonaka will bring a unique flavor experience, perfect to enjoy after you finish dinner.

Here there is perfect service, delicious drink menu, with a variety of choices. The décor is elegant and modern, with black lacquered walls being the focal point of the room. Sfera Bar Satonaka is the best place to enjoy a cocktail in Kyoto.

  • Address: Benzaitencho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyōto, 605-0086, Japan
  • Hours: 7 PM–4 AM/Sunday: Closed

Hatakaku

| famous restaurants in kyoto

Located just a short walk from the Imperial Palace, Hatakaku is the “source” of popular dishes in Japan. Botan nabe is a traditional wild boar dish. Today, this dish is very popular throughout Japan. The restaurant not only offers delicious food but also gives diners the opportunity to sit and eat around a traditional Japanese fireplace. For those visiting Kyoto, Hatakaku is a definite stop.

| famous restaurants in kyoto
  • Address: Japan, 〒602-0012 Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, 室町東入内構町430
  • Hours: 12–2 PM, 5–8 PM/Monday: Closed

Nishiki Warai

Nishiki Market is one of the best places to try food in Kyoto. This street is covered with more than 100 food stalls and restaurants. However, one of the best eateries among these many options is Nishiki Warai. This modest restaurant is known for its okonomiyaki, a delicious, traditional Japanese pancake. This is the perfect place for those new to trying this dish because, unlike many okonomiyaki restaurants where diners have to cook and enjoy it themselves, this restaurant prepares the okonomiyaki for you to simply eat.

| famous restaurants in kyoto

Nishiki Market is a kitchen of Kyoto with more than 100 different large and small food stalls. This is a great place to enjoy many delicious Kyoto dishes. Nishiki Warai Restaurant serves the best Okonomiyaki in Kyoto. Okonomiyaki is a traditional, delicious Japanese pancake. Besides traditional banh xeo, the restaurant also serves excellent yaki soba.

Kyoto’s kitchen, Nishiki market | famous restaurants in kyoto
  • Address: Japan, 〒604-8142 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nishiuoyacho, 597
  • Hours: 11:30 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM/Saturday, Sunday: 11:30 AM–10 PM

Kagizen Yoshifusa Honten

Kagizen is one of the oldest and most famous sweet shops in Kyoto. Inside this traditional tearoom, the walls are decorated with old pastry molds, and diners are given free hoji-cha (Japanese green tea) and rakugan (a snack made from powdered sugar and rice flour for a snack while you order and wait for your main dish). The shop is famous for kuzukiri, noodles made from arrowroot powder, eaten cold when eating, you dip the noodles in cool sweet black sugar water and enjoy.

Although located between Gion’s international chain of restaurants and coffee shops, Kagizen will bring you a very unique traditional Japanese tea house experience. The shop stands out for its exquisite wagashi, which is the name for traditional Japanese sweets often served with tea, and its mochi and rice cakes are also delicious. The tea is prepared according to a traditional recipe, with a unique, fragrant flavor. For tourists coming to Kyoto, the Japanese tea ceremony experience at Kagizen is definitely not to be missed.

  • Address: 264 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan
  • Hours: 9:30 AM–6 PM/Monday: Closed

Sumibi Torito

Sumibi Torito brings yakitori to a new level, yakitori is a skewered meat dish, mainly from Japanese chicken and pork. All ingredients are carefully selected, then marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal fire so that the juices and flavor of the meat remain intact when cooked.

Yakitori is one of Japan’s traditional dishes. This is a type of chicken skewer, served a lot at restaurants. With a rich, eye-catching presentation style, Sumibi Torito brings a different experience, making this traditional dish incredibly delicious. All types of meat are meticulously selected, the restaurant owner directly visits the farms to choose the best chickens.

Mainly yakitori is suitable for eating and drinking, like in Vietnam, all parts from the skin, neck, wings, liver, chicken heart, everything can be eaten. It may be difficult for foreigners to eat, but once you eat it, you will see how delicious it is. Sumibi Torito is almost always crowded, especially young people who eat a lot, drink a lot and chat a lot. You should remember to try this dish when you come to Kyoto.

  • Address: Japan, 〒604-8144 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, 烏丸東入ル元法然寺町６８３
  • Hours: 5:30 PM–12 AM

Ippudo Nishikikouji

Ramen, a typical Japanese noodle dish, is served with fish or meat broth and a variety of vegetables and toppings. According to reviews from Japanese chefs, Ippudo Nishikikouji restaurant is considered one of the best ramen restaurants in Kyoto. From a modest restaurant in Fukuoka, the quality and simplicity of its ramen noodles helped Ippudo Nishikikouji quickly grow, opening more branches to New York, Hong Kong, Sydney and Taiwan.

Ramen is a traditional Japanese dish, served with fish or meat broth, accompanied by vegetable toppings. Ippudo Nishikikouji is considered one of the best Ramen restaurants in Kyoto. Despite a humble beginning in Fukuoka, the excellent quality and simplicity of its dishes quickly helped the restaurant branch out across Japan and internationally. The shop has branches in New York, Hong Kong, Sydney and Taiwan.

“Karaka Men” is a special bowl of noodles among them, served with a special blend of spicy spices and toppings of chashu pork (a type of Japanese char siu meat), kikurage mushrooms (wooden ear mushrooms). white ears), cabbage, onions, minced pork and green onions. You should try this dish!

  • Address: Higashinotoin dori, Bantōyachō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 604-8143, Japan
  • Opening hours: every day from 11am – 2am
  • Hotline: +81752138800

Gion Karyo

Gion Karyo introduces the culinary style “kaiseki”, a traditional Japanese dinner. Located in an old house in Kyoto, the restaurant’s atmosphere is authentic and traditional, without feeling too formal. Seating is arranged along the counter, where diners can watch chefs prepare their meals, or at traditional Japanese sunken floor tables for larger groups. True to kaiseki dining style, each dish is beautifully presented, sophisticated and full of rich, delicate flavors.

  • Address: Gion Karyo, Gion, Kyoto, Japan
  • Hotline: +81 75 532 0025
  • Hours: 11:30 AM–1 PM, 6–7:30 PM/Wednesday: Closed

Honke Owariya

Honke Owariya is one of the best places in Kyoto to try soba (buckwheat noodles). Popular with locals for over 500 years, this restaurant is also known to have served the Japanese royal family and monks from Kyoto’s temples. Located in a lovely old wooden house, seating is mainly on tatami mats around low tables.

  • Address: Japan, 〒604-0841 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Niomontsukinukecho, 322
  • Hours: 11 AM–3 PM/Tuesday: Closed

Kikunoi

Kikunoi is the pinnacle of traditional Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is owned by Yoshihiro Murata, a famous Japanese chef known for his many television shows and books. Achieving three Michelin stars in 2014, Kikunoi restaurant serves a menu of exquisite dishes inspired by seasonal vegetables, fruits, etc. The dishes are always full of creativity, surprising diners even for connoisseurs of Japanese cuisine. Located on a hillside overlooking Kyoto, the fresh air, private dining rooms, and top seating offer views of the garden for a comfortable meal.

  • Address: Yasaka Dori, Shimokawarachō, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto, Kyoto, 605-0825, Japan
  • Opening hours: every day from 11am – 1pm and 5pm – 8pm
  • Hotline: +81755610015

Lajolla

Lajolla offers a taste of California-style Mexican cuisine in the heart of Kyoto. Named after the city of La Jolla, California, located close to the Mexican border, the menu features a variety of salads, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and grilled chicken or shrimp dishes. There is also a special menu that the chef changes daily to create surprises for diners. This small, beautiful Lajolla restaurant has an address that is quite difficult to find, so pay close attention to the signs. The restaurant has a cactus and a Budweiser beer symbol outside that is easy to spot.

  • Address: Lajolla, 154-2 Nagahamacho, Nakagyo District, Kyoto, Japan
  • Hotline: +81757082006
  • Hours: 12–2 PM, 6–10 PM/Monday: Closed

Omen

A favorite of Kyoto’s foreign tourist community, Omen is known for its excellent udon noodles and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s most popular dish is udon noodles served with hot or cold broth, plus a bowl of vegetables topped with roasted sesame seeds. Seating is arranged along the counter, traditional Japanese carpet seating, and table seating on the second floor of the restaurant.

With reasonable prices and a menu written in English, it is very convenient for both locals and foreign tourists to order. Omen Restaurant now has additional branches both in downtown Kyoto and in New York, but its original location is near Ginkakuji, one of the most popular and busiest street spots in Kyoto.

  • Address: Jōdoji Ishibashichō, Sakyō-ku Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8406, Japan
  • Opening hours: every day from 11 am to 8:30 pm (Closed on Thursday)

Hatakaku

Located just a short walk from the Imperial Palace, Japanese eatery Hatakaku is the creation of one of the staple dishes of rural Japan. Botan nabe is a dish with the main ingredient from traditional wild boar meat. Although it is now very popular throughout Japan, it was created more than 100 years ago by the former owner of Hatakaku.

This restaurant not only serves the original Botan nabe recipe, but you can also experience the dish while sitting around a traditional Japanese fireplace. Large, thin slices of wild boar are arranged in a flower shape, both for aesthetic appeal and making you want to eat them quickly. For visitors visiting Kyoto during the winter, Hatakaku restaurant is a mandatory stop.

  • Address: 430 室町東入内構町, Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 602-0012, Japan
  • Opening hours: every day from 12 noon to 9:30 pm (Closed Monday)

Hyotei

Hyotei is a prestigious three-Michelin-starred restaurant, located on the grounds of the 17th-century Nanzenji temple, where it serves guests on their pilgrimage to the temple. This is a family restaurant and is run by generations of the family. Up to now, 14 generations have maintained and developed the successful Hyotei it is today. The restaurant serves dishes in the “kaiseki” culinary style (kaiseki emphasizes balance in taste, texture, appearance and color of the dish). Hyotei Restaurant only uses locally available ingredients and hardly adds any seasoning so that diners can see all the delicate flavors themselves.

  • Address: 35 Kusakawacho, Nanzenji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
  • Opening hours: every day from 11am – 11pm
  • Hotline: +81757714116

Tousuiro

Tousuiro, a restaurant specializing in tofu, is also extremely famous in Kyoto. You may be wondering how a restaurant can maintain a menu with tofu as the main ingredient, so Tousuiro will answer all that curiosity. Dishes range from deep-fried tofu to miso tofu soup. Through many years of operation, Tousuiro’s talented chefs discover and develop different tofu recipes, using many additional ingredients but never losing the main flavor of the tofu.

  • Address: Kamiōsakachō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 604-8001, Japan
  • Hours: 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM

Gozanbo

If you want something a little more flavorful, try Gozanbo, a teppanyaki restaurant located on the 15th floor of the Granvia Hotel in downtown Kyoto. Gozanbo specializes in wagyu, premium Japanese beef. Watch skilled chefs grill fresh beef steaks in front of you in teppanyaki style, and also take in views of downtown Kyoto, which is especially dazzling at night when Kyoto Tower is lit up.

  • Address: Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokojicho, 901, Kyoto Station Building, 15F
  • Hours: 11:30 AM–3:30 PM, 5:30–10 PM

Ajiro

Another one of the restaurants honored with a Michelin star is Ajiro, famous for its Shojin vegetarian cuisine (shojin is based on the belief in Buddhism and is often the daily food of monks). Founder Ajiro studied this cooking method in the kitchen of a Buddhist temple before founding the restaurant, so the menu items are “standard”.

To highlight the traditional style, the restaurant’s interior is decorated with seats on cushions and low tables similar to old Japanese dining tables.

  • Address: 28-3 Teranomaemachi, Hanazono, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
  • Opening hours: every day from 11 am – 9 pm
  • Hotline: +81754630221

Den Shichi Sushi Saiin

Sushi is definitely the most iconic dish when you travel to Japan, and in Kyoto, Den Shichi Sushi Saiin stands out. Den Shichi Sushi is decorated in a traditional sushi bar style, where chefs make sushi on a table that extends into the middle of the restaurant. Sushi and sashimi here have very reasonable prices, especially the quality and freshness are not inferior to any other restaurant. In fact, this place is mainly frequented by local people. Just look at the lines of people waiting in line for several hours on weekends in front of the restaurant to know that the food here is worth the money.

  • Address: 4-1 Saiintatsumicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 615-0014, Japan
  • Opening hours: every day from 11.30 am – 2 pm; 5pm – 10.30pm
  • Hotline: +81753230700

Kyoto city is one of the most beautiful and famous tourist destinations in Japan. Maybe you don’t know that Japanese culinary culture comes from Kyoto. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to come to this city, you should not miss the extremely delicious specialties that imbue the traditional values of Kyoto. Above we have summarized the must-try restaurants when coming to Kyoto that are highly appreciated by tourists. You can refer to it to get ready to pack your backpack and explore this beautiful land.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Kyoto you can refer to

Arashiyama Bamboo momiji bridge
Arashiyama Bamboo momiji bridge. Credit: Kyoto travel blog.

Are you finding more top things to do in Kyoto: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out at here. And read more: Kyoto blog (Kyoto travel blog) — The fullest Kyoto travel guide blog for a budget trip to Kyoto, Japan for the first-timers. And Kyoto 3 day itinerary — How to visit Kyoto in 3 days & what to do in Kyoto in 3 days perfectly?

Related articles

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR