Where to eat Japanese food in Kyoto: The Best Restaurants and Bars

June 26, 2020 Kiesha Cripe

Reviews on Japanese food in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Kyoto is Japan's most traditional city. The lush and verdant cityscape encompasses sprawling rock gardens, vast palaces, and tall temples. The streets are alive with businessmen hurrying past Geiko and Makio in their full kimono, both on their way to work along cherry-tree lined walks. A historic hub that celebrates Japanese culture, from kabuki to textile weaving, Kyoto can also be surprisingly modern. It is one of Japan's largest, busiest, and most visited cities, with packed shopping mega-centers and high-rise offices. Suffused with shrines, outdoor markets, and nature walks, the small but bountiful location is also home to some of Japan's most contemporary architectural marvels, hippest cafes and eateries, and modish local brands and shops. It makes Kyoto a playful and sublime city, studded with as many bars and hole-in-the-wall fried food shops along the Kamogawa river as it is suffused with ancient ryokan and delicate wagashi shops. Kyoto is in the cross-hairs of Japan's most artful past and its energetic present.
Things to do in Kyoto

10. Restaurant Matsukiya, Kyoto Shijo

28 Tachiurihigashicho Shijodori Fuyachonishi-iru, Shimogyo-ku 2F Sakizo Plaza Bldg., Nakagyo, Kyoto 600-8005 Kyoto Prefecture Japanese, Steakhouse Lunch, Dinner, Drinks Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +81 75-252-0329 http://reserve.resebook.jp/resty/webrsv/reserve_vacants/vacant/s014067001/4643/0718?fixshop=1&lang=en
Food
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5 based on 475 reviews

Restaurant Matsukiya, Kyoto Shijo

At Matsukiya , we pride ourselves on providing carefully selected high quality beef , Specialising in Omi -beef. Our chefs are highly skills and trained in preparing delicious weals including steak , Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu in our unique style. With exce

Reviewed By Amakir

What a nice evening! Beautiful and sensitive food. Served with elegance.A bit expensive but not so much comparing to the atmosphere and quality.Beef and fish are delicious. Soup is delicate. A lot of menu. Choose your own one.Wine is excellent. I've tasted an Italian and a French cepage produced in America. Glasses are quite cheap. Pamper yourself and book a table!

9. Yasakadori Enraku

594 Komatsucho Yasakadori, Higashiyama, Kyoto 605-0811 Kyoto Prefecture Japanese, Asian, Kappo Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +81 75-533-6646 http://www.zuzu.jp/yasaka/
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5 based on 387 reviews

Yasakadori Enraku

Reviewed By SamA1650

The staff was patient, respectful, helpful, upbeat, and very kind. An extremely sedulous staff. The performance was unforgettable by the Maiko. They way she performed, interacted, and her presence was mesmerizing. I was impressed by her character, demeanor, grace, and flare. It was a very special evening and I highly recommend this restaurant as well as the experience to meet with a Maiko. The food was delicious as well and the service was top notch.

8. Premium Pound Gion

570-15 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama, Kyoto 605-0074 Kyoto Prefecture Steakhouse, Japanese, Grill Lunch, Dinner, Drinks Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Full Bar +81 75-748-1029 http://ts-pound.com/gion/
Food
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5 based on 166 reviews

Premium Pound Gion

Exquisite steak can be tasted in 5 minutes on foot from Gion Shijo Station. We buy one Kobe beef and offer it by aging (dry aging). It is very time-consuming and time-consuming to make Kobe beef mature and it will be rare value meat. Please enjoy rare mea

Reviewed By alanbU8448IA

The food and atmosphere are amazing. I went with a Japanese friend who speaks a little English, and I don't speak much Japanese. Fortunately our waiter had excellent English, and was kind enough to translate all of his conversation for me. It really helped me to enjoy the memorable meal. Also, we went on a Saturday afternoon around 1, and had the place to ourselves. Just us, the waiter and the chef. Great Japan experience.

7. Saishuan Shiraki

Funayacho Takeyamachi 420-3, Nakagyo, Kyoto 604-0985 Kyoto Prefecture Japanese, Asian Dinner Reservations, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +81 75-213-5546 http://www.facebook.com/Saishuan-Shiraki-%E8%8F%9C%E9%85%92%E5%BA%B5%E3%81%97%E3%82%89%E6%9C%A8-641467839236021/
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5 based on 204 reviews

Saishuan Shiraki

Japanese Home-made Style Cuisine Family cuisine at the lounge bar Owner speaks English and sometimes plays samisen English OK! Vegitarian-Friendly Vegan-Friendly We accept credit cards

Reviewed By KimH309

Saishuan Shiraki is an amazing restaurant of the beaten track serving delicious local cuisine in an intimate setting. Heights of the meal included whole Pacific Saury (Saama) and a plentiful supply of sake. The restaurants only has eight seats arranged in a counter around the cooking area so you can see your meal being prepared. Take the advise of the amazing staff on what to order and you will not go wrongKimH309-sama.Thank you for coming and giving us such an excellent review! We were very happy to hear you liked SANMA! It's really common seasonal fish in Japan!! I think you can eat it another place,too. Please enjoy Japanese taste!!!Best regards. Miho&Patrick.

6. Gyotako Kyoto

545-3 Nakanocho, Nakagyo, Kyoto 604-8042 Kyoto Prefecture Japanese, Chinese, Seafood, Pub, Street Food Lunch, Dinner, Drinks Takeout, Seating, Serves Alcohol +81 50-5269-8511 http://gyotako-kyoto.com/
Gyotako Kyoto

Gyoza and Takoyaki specialty store opens! 【2 minutes on foot from Kawaramachi Station】 First landing in Kyoto!100% ground beef! Gyoza with Kobe beef! “Gyodako” is a restaurant where you can eat fluffy takoyaki and large size gyoza. We prepare beer and hig

Reviewed By jemiwei

A casual spot in Kyoto if you don’t mind standing and getting a simple meal Beef Gyoza is a nice change from normal pork gyoza!

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5. Teppan Tavern Gion Tenamonya

537-2 Minamigawa Giommachi Hiro Bldg. B1F, Higashiyama, Kyoto 605-0074 Kyoto Prefecture Steakhouse, Japanese, Grill Dinner, Drinks Reservations, Non-smoking restaurants, Seating, Television, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Cash Only, Table Service [email protected] +81 75-551-5272 http://nana-7-nana.wixsite.com/giontenamonya
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5 based on 596 reviews

Teppan Tavern Gion Tenamonya

【"We're the Mom & Pop's TEPPANYAKI IZAKAYA since 1998. We have many guests & repeaters from Japan & overseas during 21 years. Personal restaurant that's why we always welcome everyone as our friends. We serve the Best Rank A5 WAGYU BEEF steak at a bargain

Reviewed By Lindy W

We had a great meal here during the typhoon Hagibis. We had one of the set meals for two and it came with delicious vegetables, scallops, wagyu beef and gyoza. Everything was delicious and the beef was amazing! The owners were so friendly and accommodating. We will come back here next time we are in Kyoto.

10 Things to Do in Kyoto That You Shouldn't Miss

4. Sushi Naritaya

3-25 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku West Park, Arashiyama Square, Kyoto 616-8385 Kyoto Prefecture Japanese, Seafood, Sushi, Asian Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Non-smoking restaurants, Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service +81 90-8579-8383
Food
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5 based on 385 reviews

Sushi Naritaya

Reviewed By Joanie7475

Had the most amazing sushi here and the chef is so sweet, takes pride in his food. He is always looking to see if we enjoyed the food and has a beaming smile when he sees enjoy the food. Sushi will never taste the same!

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3. Kobe Beef Steak Moriya Gion

7-1 Yamatocho, Yamato Ojitori 4-jo Kudaru, Higashiyama-ku Gion Moriya Bldg., Kyoto 605-0802 Kyoto Prefecture Steakhouse, Japanese, Asian Lunch, Dinner Non-smoking restaurants, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Wine and Beer [email protected] +81 75-532-4129 https://www.mouriya.co.jp/gion
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5 based on 359 reviews

Kobe Beef Steak Moriya Gion

Over 130 years of experience of serving Kobe beef. Enjoy the taste and know the real “reason” of why Mouriya is chosen out of many restaurants specialized in Kobe beef.

Reviewed By Luca S

We had lunch on our honeymoon there, and everything was downright perfect.The staff is welcoming and professional.We had the lunch menu of Mouriya sirloin.After a delicious pumpkin soup and a salad, the sirloins were cut and cooked right in front of us.It was delicious, one of the best meat we ever had.Thank you very much to chief Tsuyoshi Kawai for his skillful cooking and his professionalism.

Most Popular Pizza food in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

2. Tonshabu Hide, Kyoto Shijo Karasuma

226 Takazaimokucho Takakuradori Shijo Sagaru Maeda Bldg.2F, Shimogyo, Kyoto 600-8082 Kyoto Prefecture Asian, Japanese Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Seating, Table Service, Accepts Credit Cards +81 75-708-8366 http://shabushabu-hide.com/
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5 based on 453 reviews

Tonshabu Hide, Kyoto Shijo Karasuma

Reviewed By Evgueni I

Visited with the family. the place is very hectic - they barely make time to explain how it works, and only after a reminder. the interior is very very basic, it is quiet crowded and noisy. To balance it, thd ingredients are fresh and very good quality. Overall good impression, but surprised they are so high in the ranking.ご来店ありがとうございます。これかも、もっともっといいお店にしていきます。また日本に来た際は是非お立ち寄り下さい。満足して頂きたいので、頑張ります。

Top 10 Steakhouse food in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

1. Okonomiyaki Katsu

1-4 Ryoanji Saigucho, Ukyo, Kyoto 616-8011 Kyoto Prefecture Japanese, Asian Lunch, Dinner Seating, Television, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Non-smoking restaurants, Cash Only, Table Service +81 75-464-8981 http://okonomiyakikatsu.wixsite.com/katsu
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5 based on 431 reviews

Okonomiyaki Katsu

This restaurant has max 12 seats only. It is very very small restaurant. So big group cannot not be accepted.

Reviewed By Vickibye

Fantastic food and lovely owners who both speak English. Very welcoming and stayed opened for us even though they were meant to close. Very traditional inside with seating on the floor and cushions to sit on. We had combination okonomiyaki and the yaki soba. Both were super yummy. Would highly recommend coming here.

Best Italian food near Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

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