Best Restaurants in Kyoto: Top 13 Must-Try Spots in 2024

Without a doubt, Kyoto is home to some of the best dining experiences you can find in Japan if you're looking to try traditional Japanese food. From Michelin-recognized establishments to legacy restaurants managed by third- or fourth-generation owners, there is no shortage of options when it comes to where to eat in Kyoto.

What's more, the Michelin Guide 2024 for Kyoto and Osaka recently brought some new additions for travelers to add to their Osaka and Kyoto itineraries. Keep reading for a list of the best restaurants in Kyoto, including but not limited to award-winning fare.

Chef Alex Moko transformed a traditional Japanese townhouse into a Michelin-starred French restaurant in record time. He lends his name to MOKO, your latest must-go restaurant near Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

You’ll find dishes inspired by ingredients from across the nation, including white asparagus from Hokkaido, smoked Biwa trout and red sea bream from Nagasaki, and duck from Ibaraki. His signature dish, however, is said to be his uniquely French-inspired chawanmushi.

Nijo Minami is the legacy of Chef Minami Kengo, who trained for 25 years under master chefs like Matsui Shinshichi and Kato Hiroyuki — considered to be two of the greatest chefs in modern Japanese cuisine — before opening his own Michelin-recognized restaurant. Here, you’ll have a chance to try rare seasonal dishes like whole female red crab from northern Hyogo Prefecture and thin-sliced pike conger and whale boiled in white miso, all while enjoying the serene Kyoto atmosphere.

Seiwasou in Kyoto offers an exquisite kaiseki dining experience set in a sukiya-zukuri-style building reminiscent of historical Japan. Established in 1957, the restaurant emphasizes local Kyoto ingredients, with dishes such as Shokado bento and carefully crafted dashi.

Guests can enjoy the serene tsubo-niwa garden views from private rooms. Chef Tetsuo Takenaka’s seasonal tempura and premium courses highlight the rich culinary tradition of Kyoto. Ready to savor a true taste of Kyoto?

Dining at Tokuha Motonari is a sight to behold, as Chef Matsumoto Shinya performs irori-style grilling in miniature. Watch as he skewers fish, mushrooms, tofu and other local ingredients and grills them carefully in an eye-catching, sand-filled brazier filled with bincho-tan charcoal. Crispy, smoky, and worthy of a Michelin star, this is one Kyoto restaurant you won’t forget any time soon.

Funaokayama Shimizu is a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto renowned for its exceptional rice, cooked using pure Kyoto groundwater. Chef Shimizu personally selects the rice and prepares seasonal dishes with precision, ensuring each course complements the flavors of the rice. The restaurant's serene atmosphere enhances the dining experience, inviting guests to savor every bite.

Tozentei, a Michelin-starred, family-run kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto, brings fiction to life with its exquisite Kyoto cuisine. Inspired by Professor Aoki Masaru’s stories, Chef Watanabe Toshiro crafts traditional dishes like the signature steamed horsehead tilefish in pickled plum and powdered kelp broth. Nestled near Kinkaku-ji Temple, Tozentei offers a serene dining experience filled with the finest seasonal ingredients and warm hospitality.

Noguchi Tsunagu, the sister restaurant of the renowned Kyotenjin Noguchi, offers innovative kaiseki cuisine in Kyoto's historic Higashiyama district. Chef Noguchi blends traditional and contemporary elements, using premium ingredients like Japanese black beef and local dishes and specialties. The intimate setting and artful presentation create an unforgettable dining experience, earning Noguchi Tsunagu a Michelin Star in 2021.

Nikukappo Futago, located in The Junei Hotel Kyoto, offers an elegant dining experience centered around luxurious wagyu beef dishes. Opened in 2020, the restaurant combines a serene ambiance with seasonal, moon-themed menus that reflect Kyoto’s appreciation for transient beauty. Chef's selective wagyu dishes and expertly paired sake create a memorable kappo experience that embodies both sophistication and relaxation.

Sushi Rakumi, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kyoto, showcases Edomae-style sushi with a focus on premium ingredients. The small appetizers set the stage for an array of expertly crafted nigiri, including three distinct cuts of maguro tuna atop red vinegar rice.

The restaurant’s intimate setting and cherry blossom views enhance the dining experience. Chef's skillful presentation highlights the natural beauty of each fish, creating a visual and culinary delight.

Tenjaku isn’t just a restaurant to owner-chef Nishioka Ryo, it’s home. From the age of three, he watched his grandfather impress the people of Kyoto with delicious kaiseki and tempura dishes, inspiring him to take over the restaurant after training in the Michelin-starred kitchens of Otago and Kodaiji Wakuden.

Even though you’ll never quite know what delicacies await with the omakase nature, you can be sure they’ll follow a tried-and-tested path of hassun — assorted Kyoto-style delicacies — for starters, followed by soup, sashimi, and tempura that’ll have you wondering why they didn’t get a Michelin Star sooner.

Under the expertise of Chef Koshimo Hiroyuki, it was only a matter of time before Mashiro in Kyoto received a Michelin Star, the third of three restaurants graced by Koshimo to be awarded such a title.

Although he trained in French cuisine, Koshimo aspires to a genre-less cuisine, embracing techniques from multiple schools to create the most innovative dishes with one goal: “I just want my guests to return to their everyday lives refreshed and full of energy.”

Godan Miyazawa in Kyoto offers an innovative omakase dining experience infused with the elegance of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Chef Masato Miyazawa’s menu, which changes daily and monthly, highlights seasonal ingredients and inventive techniques. The restaurant's focus on detail, from beautiful plating to the preparation of three different bowls of rice, provides a cultural and educational culinary journey.

Ogawa, a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto, offers an intimate dining experience that preserves the traditions of Japanese cuisine while introducing subtle contemporary twists. Chef Ogawa's dedication to seasonal ingredients is evident in his meticulously crafted dishes that feature ingredients from around Japan and the world. The serene ambiance, coupled with attentive service, transforms dining into an unforgettable experience.

It'll come as no surprise that the best restaurants in Kyoto are also some of the most coveted. It's highly recommended that you make reservations well in advance. Luckily, byFood has many of the city's most sought-after dining experiences.

Make a reservation at restaurants in Kyoto.

People in Kyoto usually eat dinner at around 6 or 7 pm, with many places taking last orders at around 9 pm. Of course, this varies significantly by restaurant, and you can find Kyoto restaurants that close earlier or later.

No need to tip in Japan! Keep your spare change for the gacha machines because not only are tips not expected in Japan, but they'll likely be returned to you. In fact, some people may even take offense at receiving a tip, implying that their service could be improved upon.

Gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした) means, "Thank you for the food or drink." It can be used as an expression of gratitude, or even as a way of asking for the bill.

For more useful Japanese phrases, take a peek at our Japanese phrases for dining out.