19 Best Omakase Restaurants in Kyoto: Chef's Selection

Did you know that Kyoto has its own unique sushi culture? Necessity bred creative solutions and inventive dishes as a way for Kyoto nobility to enjoy the fresh fish that came from port cities like Osaka and Edo (Tokyo).

We've curated a list of some of the places to go for the best omakase in Kyoto — and yes, we recommend omakase sushi specifically.

Looking for affordable gourmet options in the ancient capital? Check out our list of Bib Gourmand restaurants in Kyoto.

Let's start with a quick language lesson. "Makaseru" is a verb written with the kanji meaning "in charge of" or "guide.” Add that honorific "O" to give some credit to the chef's expertise, too. The result is a useful noun that boils down to "You know what you're doing here, so please serve me the best stuff in the house!"

Omakase dining relies on the expertise of a restaurant's staff and the trust of its guests. Expect a similar experience to prix fixe or blue plate specials. Omakase menus may come as a single plate or a tasting course, so they have a broader definition than traditional kaiseki experiences.

Leave dinner up to the chef, and know that whatever they put in front of you will be fantastic… even if you don't know anything else. As a note, omakase may be up to the chef, but it's customary for staff to ask guests if they have any food allergies or things they can't eat (as in rare foods like shirako fish's milt or common allergens like crab and shellfish).

If you choose omakase, though, you can feel safe that the chef has your best interests in mind, and most restaurants are happy to accommodate.

Read our beginner's guide to omakase sushi to learn more.

Kyoto sushi, or Kyozushi, comes in all sorts of tantalizing forms. One great example is temarizushi, also called mamezushi: Instagrammable bite-sized balls of rice and fish, perfect for popping into a geiko's mouth without ruining her makeup!

Saba mackerel sushi is a Kyoto meibutsu (regional cuisine) that's so popular that you can even find it in revolving chain sushi restaurants (kaitenzushi). Pressed into shape and smartly tangy, the best sushi chefs are particular about the cured mackerel's seasoning and texture.

Join Chef Uchida in Kyoto for an immersive sushi-making class. With over 40 years of experience, he shares not only techniques but also the rich history of sushi, offering insights even many Japanese people don’t know.

Held in his kitchen near Gion, the class begins with a historical overview before hands-on learning. You'll prepare 14 sushi pieces, including eight nigiri and six with Kyoto pickled vegetables. Using top-quality ingredients, each session is unique, reflecting the ever-evolving nature of sushi.

Find out more: Different Types of Sushi

In no particular order, here is our selection of some of the best omakase Kyoto can offer:

A Michelin-starred meal at Sushi Gion Matsuda promises you'll get what you pay for and more. The six-seater restaurant offers an unforgettable evening of fresh nigiri sushi, formed by the hands of expert sushi chef Matsuda Kazunori.

The Edomae style of sushi served here features fish that has been aged, steamed, cured and seared to express the perfect taste and texture of every cut.

Chef Matsuda, who studied in New York and draws inspiration from across the globe, is eager to offer guests an intimate dining experience and international hospitality. Conventional ingredients combined with novel flavors and preparation techniques elevate dining at this classic Kyoto omakase venue.

2023 marked a significant year for the Benkei Company, known for its successful sushi restaurants in Tokyo and Niigata. Originating from Sado Island, famous for its gold mines and exceptional seafood, the company expanded to Kyoto’s Gion district with OBENKEI Kyoto Gion. 

The restaurant serves fresh Sado Island seafood, including sushi with locally caught fish and Koshihikari rice, all prepared with precision by expert chefs. OBENKEI offers both omakase and a la carte dining, with dishes like abalone and snow crab to start, followed by delicate nigiri sushi.

With a serene atmosphere and windows overlooking the Shirakawa River, this restaurant is perfect for celebrations and intimate meals — best paired with good company, expertise omakase sushi and their curated selection of wines.

Murata Tsutomo, founder of KYO SUSHI OOKINI, has been elevating sushi since 2000. Blending nutrition with flavor, his carefully crafted omakase sushi menus are designed to balance both health and taste.

The restaurant’s prime location near Kyoto’s Central Wholesale Market ensures access to the freshest seafood and organic vegetables. Murata is committed to sourcing only wild-caught seafood and pesticide-free, organic ingredients, using 100% seawater salt and miso from Gifu.

With over 45 years of experience in kyo-ryori (Kyoto cuisine) and nihon-ryori (Japanese cuisine), Murata’s seasonal menu is a testament to his culinary expertise. In addition to dishes like striped horse mackerel and conger eel, guests can request customized sushi, with vegetarian and plant-based options available.

Happy to try anything? Sit back and let the omakase sushi experience come to you.

Sushi Tamahime KYOTO embodies elegance and tradition as the latest branch of Kanazawa Maimon Sushi in Kyoto. Located on the 11th floor of Kyoto Station Building, its refreshed Japanese-inspired interior features natural woodwork in Kanazawa’s miyabi-iro hue. As if that weren't enough, a long wooden counter offers stunning city views.

While Kyoto is famed for kaiseki, Sushi Tamahime specializes in exquisite Edomae sushi. The menu highlights pristine seafood from the Hokuriku region, such as nodoguro (blackthroat sea perch), sea snails and sweet white shrimp. Master chefs honor Edomae techniques while adding subtle refinements — like layering seaweed in fatty tuna nigiri for deeper umami.

Signature dishes include simmered eel with sansho pepper and Akashi sea bream with dashi-infused soy sauce. A curated Ishikawa sake selection enhances the experience further.

Located near Nijo Castle in Nakagyo Ward, Temarizushi to Nihoncha Souden offers a tranquil, upscale dining experience filled with the soothing aroma of brewing tea. On weekends, lines form as guests seek the refined beauty of chakaiseki, with washi paper-framed light fixtures casting a warm, inviting glow.

The restaurant blends traditional Kyoto elegance with modern flavors, highlighted by its signature temarizushi. These delicate, spherical sushi creations are made with health-conscious ingredients like fiber-rich vegetables and low-salt seasonal fish.

Adorned with salmon, roe, white fish, tuna and uni sea urchin, they resemble edible works of art. Souden is also dedicated to exceptional tea, offering premium blends like Karincha, Sencha and Gyokuro from Rishouen in Uji.

Brewed with care in an iron kettle, the teas offer a rich range of flavors and guests can explore creative tea cocktails and alcoholic blends like sencha gin and roasted green tea bourbon.

In Wazuka-cho, the heart of Kyoto's tea region, visitors can experience hands-on tea picking in the lush fields that produce nearly 40% of Uji matcha. Guided by a passionate local, participants will pick fresh tea leaves and learn about the process from soil to teapot. 

The experience includes a cup of matcha tea and traditional chadango dumplings. If you want to experience more of Kyoto, add on a cooking class to make kakinohazushi and kuzumochi using the freshly picked tea leaves.

Sushi Kawano, located near the Kamo River in Kyoto, offers an intimate Edomae sushi experience with just nine counter-seats. Known for its exquisite umami flavors achieved through careful aging, the restaurant also serves various simmered and grilled Japanese dishes. 

The chic, serene atmosphere is enhanced by the owner’s exquisite tableware selection. Guests can enjoy high-end sushi at affordable prices during lunch, complemented by a curated selection of sake.

Sushi Kawano's omakase course is currently priced at ¥22,000, making it a mid-range option for a special outing.

Neta is the word used to talk about "toppings" on sushi, donburi and the like. AWOMB's "neta" omakase ingredients and fun experience make its ¥3,000-range menu well worth a taste. Plus, it’s the best sushi around the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Traditional sushi toppings that showcase the season and Kyoto flavor are chosen by AWOMB's chefs and laid out for you to enjoy by making your own temarisushi. The flavors are left up to the venue, but you'll get to decide how to mix and match them on your own.

For guests who are wary that an omakase meal might mean swallowing a mystery bite at the mercy of your chef, this provides a solution. It’s the best of both worlds: Your serving of toppings, seasonings and pickles comes with rice to roll into your own sushi, plus a side of miso soup.

Omakase at Gion Sushi Tadayasu goes beyond mere sushi. At this elegant eatery in the heart of Kyoto’s Gion district, you can enjoy omakase dining that changes seasonally.

Refined menus in the ¥15,000 range are inspired by light, blooming sakura in spring and rich, warming ingredients in winter. Thanks to its reasonable pricing and sense of seasonality, Tadayasu is a delight for repeat visitors year-round.

An interior inspired by the natural changes of Kyoto’s historical district reflects everything that brings millions of tourists to the city annually: Fragrant wood, refreshing bamboo, and traditional accents.

Chef Tadayasu Morita, who has been working on mastering his art since childhood, has a taste for nihonshu, too — one he is eager to share. In addition to a rotating sushi menu, sake pairings change according to the time of year and food service.

This is the best omakase Kyoto sushi spot for Japanese sake fans — sit back and enjoy fantastic Edomae sushi with perfectly paired Japanese sake!

Find out more: Japanese Winter Foods & Fruits

Thirteen quiet counter seats, where the focus is clearly on the food, make up Hiyoko's intimate interior. There's nothing fussy but quality at this family-run sushi establishment. A favorite hidden gem, lunch at Hiyoko Sushi is in the region of just ¥2,000.

Their 10-piece omakase set is the perfect way to enjoy some of Kyoto's best, classic sushi the way locals do. At under a dollar per piece, prices are on par with national chains but feature far fresher, more impressive local ingredients. This intimate spot is definitely one of the best bang-for-your-buck omakase sushi lunches in Kyoto.

Sushi Miki is special among Kyoto omakase restaurants for several reasons — starting with the price point. A 10-piece omakase nigiri set comes at just over ¥2,000. Masterfully, hand-prepared sushi for under $20 easily makes this menu one of the best in Kyoto.

The second drawcard of Miki is its walk-in availability. While some omakase restaurants expect a telephone-only reservation or require members-only style introductions, the chefs at Miki are happy to serve you as long as tables are available.

Take a counter seat if there's space, so you can watch the chefs prepare your course by hand and enjoy some language exchange!

Need to practice your Japanese? Must-Know Japanese Restaurant Phrases

Want to eat at the restaurant Steve Jobs hailed as serving up the best sushi he's ever eaten? Sushi Iwa's omakase service ranges from ¥8,000 to ¥30,000, but is worth every yen. The restaurant is focused on omakase sushi, but you can order individual items too if you have something in mind you want to try (like Kyoto's famous saba sushi).

Leave it up to the experts for a dining story you won't soon forget.

Kyoto Saeki, formerly Nanzenji Saeki, is perhaps the only sushi restaurant that can be called a literal temple of sushi. Previously located on the grounds of Kyoto’s Nanzenji Temple, it built a reputation as an exclusive dining spot after moving from Osaka’s Kitashinchi. It later relocated near Marutamachi Station and Nijo Castle.

Despite leaving the temple, it remains breathtaking, featuring a serene garden reflecting traditional aesthetics. The menu follows suit, emphasizing natural flavors with dishes like sea urchin over rice and anago eel with dashi sauce.

With spacious seating and elegant lacquerware, Kyoto Saeki offers a refined dining experience for omakase sushi in Kyoto.

Hidden near Nishiki Market, Izugen has quietly occupied a traditional Japanese townhouse for over a century. Third-generation owner Ishida Yasuyuki stays behind the scenes, crafting Kyo-sushi, the predecessor of modern nigiri.

He expertly cooks rice with kelp and bonito stock, showcasing deep respect for dashi and his specialty — mackerel sushi — balances rich fish with delicate vinegar.

Seasonal specialties include fukumaki in spring, hamo sugatazushi in summer, and warm chirashi in winter. The rustic space hums with longtime patrons enjoying sushi without soy sauce or wasabi.

A Michelin Bib Gourmand sushi restaurant since 2024, you might be surprised to hear that Ishida still personally delivers sushi by bike to loyal customers. If that's not a promise of warm hospitality and service, nothing is.

Find out more: Bib Gourmand Restaurants in Kyoto

Founded in 1781, Izuu rose to fame during Kyoto’s saba (blue mackerel) sushi craze. With limited access to fresh fish, Kyoto relied on mackerel from Wakasa, preserved with vinegar and lightly fermented. Combined with rice and kombu, saba sushi was born.

Originally catering to geisha gatherings, founder Izumiya Uhe designed the business around gift-giving, adding in-store dining for guests to enjoy while awaiting their takeout.

Now led by its eighth-generation owner, Izuu’s signature saba sugata sushi features a whole fillet shaped like a crouching rabbit. Aged to enhance flavor, it embodies Kyoto’s tradition of fermentation and time-honored craftsmanship.

When it comes to the best omakase sushi in Kyoto, you know you're in for a treat at Izuu, with Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition in 2019 and 2024.

As the second branch of Hyogo’s famed Tempura & Wine Ashiya Iwai, Sushi Tempura Gion Iwai brings a unique dining experience to Kyoto, combining the restaurant’s signature tempura and wine with expertly crafted Edomae sushi.

Under the skilled guidance of its head chef, Iwai’s course menus surprise guests with a harmonious blend of crisp tempura, delicate omakase sushi and carefully paired wine or sake.

Every detail is meticulously refined, from three types of salt for tempura to sushi rice seasoned with red or white vinegar. Locally sourced Kyoto vegetables further enhance the flavors, ensuring a truly memorable meal.

Sushi Rakumi in Kyoto offers a refined Edomae sushi experience, earning its Michelin star with an impressive selection of appetizers and expertly prepared nigiri. Guests are treated to three cuts of premium tuna, each served on red vinegar rice.

The serene second-floor setting provides views of cherry blossom trees, enhancing the dining experience. With only two dinner services per day, reservations are essential to enjoy dishes like grilled saltwater eel and melt-in-your-mouth fatty tuna.

Note: This restaurant is currently unavailable for reservation.

Boasting a Michelin star and a sushi-only omakase set as well as full-course Japanese dining, Sushi Matsumoto has earned its rightful place in our list of Kyoto’s best sushi omakase.

Like all omakase specialty restaurants, they specialize in providing traditional tastes that highlight the best of the season. Matsumoto’s Edomae-style sushi is light and easy to eat, the perfect gourmet option for seasoned sushi lovers looking to add a Michelin star to their belts.

Note: This restaurant is currently unavailable for reservation.

Sushi Gen is another spot loved by both tourists and locals for its reasonably priced, delicious omakase sushi. Gen's special nigiri set, priced at just under ¥4,000, changes regularly. Only the most delicious, in-season fish is offered at Gen, so even repeat guests can enjoy new offerings every time.

Gen's specialty is its budget-friendly omakase course for groups and parties. Many family trips suffer from problems of scale when it comes time to sitting down to a traditional Japanese meal. The intimacy of high-quality dining means tight seating and high prices. Gen solves this with omakase dining tailored to a party's size and budget.

If you visit Kyoto with a group, be sure to make a reservation at Sushi Gen for a full sushi experience designed just for you.

Note: This restaurant is currently unavailable for reservation.

Another great place to try mamezushi or temarizushi is Gion Ichiho. This shop's budget omakase course runs around ¥3,000 yen and includes an array of Kyoto specialties, not just sushi.

Their Instagrammable, budget-friendly menu makes this place one of the most popular sushi restaurants in the Gion district.

Sightseers flock to Gion to glimpse geiko and maiko (more often known as geisha outside of Kyoto), so what better neighborhood to try the sushi specially made for them?

Note: This restaurant is currently unavailable for reservation.

Craving more time in Kyoto? Discover what to eat and explore our full list of Kyoto restaurants. Traveling around? Explore the best omakase sushi in Tokyo. We have a list of the best Osaka omakase sushi, too.

Or, for more sushi excellence, check out our recommendations for more of the best sushi restaurants in Kyoto, affordable omakase sushi in Tokyo and the best omakase sushi in Japan.

Editor's note: This article was first written by Sydney Seekford and was updated by the byFood team in 2025.