Kyoto Kaiseki Restaurants(137)
COURSE MENUTozentei
The Watanabe family brings fictional kaiseki cuisine to life at their Michelin-starred Kyoto restaurant, located conveniently near the Kinkaku-ji Temple and Arashiyama bamboo grove.
COURSE MENUFunaokayama Shimizu
These Michelin-starred kaiseki course menus feature the best ingredients from Japan, but the rice is the real star. Made with Kyoto groundwater from Daitokuji Temple, it is fluffy, fragrant and cooked to perfection in an earthenware pot.
COURSE MENUSeiwasou
The beautiful Edo period architecture of Seiwasou draws many guests to its gardens, and the traditional Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine keeps them at the table.
SEAT RESERVATIONOgawa (Nakagyo)
The flavors of tradition are still prominent in the dishes of this Japanese restaurant that is always seeking to evolve.
SEAT RESERVATIONGodan Miyazawa
Learn a thing or two about Japanese history during an innovative omakase course dinner.
COURSE MENUNikukappo Futago
This restaurant in The Junei Hotel Kyoto serves high-quality wagyu beef in a dizzying number of different ways, from stewed to grilled to even raw, each one more delicious than the last.
COURSE MENUGanko Takasegawa Nijoen
Admire the Keicho-era grounds and intricate architecture of this historic Kyoto residence, before tucking into wagyu sukiyaki or kaiseki with seasonal ingredients.
SEAT RESERVATIONNoguchi Tsunagu
Notorious for being nearly impossible to book, the former two-Michelin-starred Kyotenjin Noguchi has since opened a sister store in Noguchi Tsunagu, offering the same critically-acclaimed cuisine and stellar quality.
SEAT RESERVATIONMikuri
Perfect for wine lovers, Mikuri adds a western twist to omakase courses by harmoniously combining carefully crafted course dinners with wine.
SEAT RESERVATIONNishijin Fujiyoshi
Despite being a bit further out from center city, this Japanese restaurant run by a husband and wife team needs no introduction as they serve dishes inspired by their views of the world.
COURSE MENUGion Fukushi
Subtraction and simplicity – the husband-wife team behind this pristine Michelin-starred restaurant delivers regionally focused kaiseki in the purest imagination in Kyoto’s storied geisha district.
COURSE MENUMinokichi Shijo Kawaramachi
Kaiseki in its birthplace, a meal at one of the oldest establishments to serve it — the 300-year-old Minokichi brand returns to Kyoto, now serving ultra-seasonal kaiseki in Kawaramachi to showcase the city's culinary splendor.
SEAT RESERVATIONGion Nishikawa
Gion elegance in every moment, this kaiseki restaurant holds a well-deserved place in the top-tier of Kyoto’s food scene.
SEAT RESERVATIONMuromachi Wakuden
Witness your meal take shape during each step of the way at this performative kaiseki powerhouse.
COURSE MENUMinokichi Karasuma Shijo
An institution with over 300 years of history behind it, Minokichi’s Karasuma Shijo branch holds the same reputation for luxurious Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine as the original, with decadent dishes like softshell turtle hotpot and grilled Kobe beef.
SEAT RESERVATIONKamigamo Akiyama
A visit to Kyoto is never truly complete without a trip to this restaurant, which encapsulates the city’s very essence.
SEAT RESERVATIONNijo Minami
After training for 25 years in the kitchen of the famed Gion Kawakami, Chef Minami Kengo swiftly earns his own Michelin star through course menus characterized by customizability and hospitality.
SEAT RESERVATIONMaeda
Experience the elegance of royal dining at this 3-star Gion institution.
SEAT RESERVATIONGion Nishi
Gion Nishi offers classic kaiseki dining with a beautiful collection of ceramic dishware.
SEAT RESERVATIONSakuragawa
Get into the kaiseki and kappo cuisine at this refined yet traditional Kyoto-style restaurant located in the downtown area of the city.
SEAT RESERVATIONShunseki Suzue
Relax and dine in the sophisticated ambiance of one of Kyoto's most expensive restaurants.
COURSE MENUGanko Kyoto Station
Transport yourself into the past at this Kyoto Station fixture, which has an eye-catching facade straight out of the Edo period. Popular with commuters looking for a quick bite, it’s also known to be excellent for sukiyaki or kaiseki courses.
COURSE MENUGanko Kameoka Rakurakusou
Indulge in a succulent sukiyaki or kaiseki course meal beneath the rafters of one of Japan’s Tangible Cultural Properties.
COURSE MENUGion Kurashita
At his Gion restaurant, Chef Kurashita Satoru expertly prepares traditional Kyoto kaiseki, displaying mastery over all ingredients, from king crab and wagyu beef to even the humble tofu.
SEAT RESERVATIONTan
Taking its name from the Tango Peninsula in Kyoto, Tan’s close relationship with local producers upholds their mutual philosophy of sustainability.
COURSE MENUGanko Sanjo Honten
While its convenient riverside location, affordable prices and impeccable cuisine draw hundreds of customers a day, many also come to marvel at the traditional Japanese interiors of this Sanjo establishment.
SEAT RESERVATIONKyo-Suiran
Embark on a culinary journey that intertwines cultural heritage, creative cuisine, and the beauty of nature in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Traditional Kyoto cuisine and French gastronomy combine for an unforgettable dining experience.
SEAT RESERVATIONRokujo Kawarain San
Storytelling, tradition, and artistry underpin meals at Rokujo Kawarain San, a top-tier kaiseki venue with reasonable prices and seasonal menus.
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Reserve Kaiseki Restaurants in Kyoto
In Japan’s capital city of art and culture, traditional kaiseki cuisine is said to have been born in Kyoto. Exquisite kaiseki eaten at one of the best kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto is an amazing experience for those who want to soak up Japanese food and culture as they leisurely dine. Made from multiple courses, a kaiseki meal is made up of different components, where each dish reflects a different style of traditional Japanese cooking. For example, a kaiseki meal will have a steamed dish, as well as a deep-fried dish and a raw dish of fresh local vegetables or sushi, to add contrast. The list goes on. One of the things that make kaiseki in Kyoto special is that they use locally-produced vegetables and produce, known as "Kyoto yasai" or "Kyo-yasai."
With creativity and the value of craftsmanship running at the city’s core, dining at an authentic kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto is an unforgettable culinary experience for locals and visitors alike. A meal that is compiled of dishes made with skill, quality ingredients, and diverse cooking methods; enjoy the artistry of each dish, presented perfectly, using ingredients and aesthetics from seasonal harvests. The tranquil atmosphere of kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto is enhanced by impeccable hospitality from staff and qualified chefs. Kaiseki at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kyoto, however, is something else on a whole other level.
Depending on what kind of Kyoto dining experience you would like, you can enjoy kaiseki in the downtown area, overlooking the city’s streaming rivers, or at a humble, traditional Japanese restaurant. Immersive and atmospheric, at intimate restaurants trained professional chefs prepare different elements in front of you as you dine. Enjoy a combination of art, local seasonal harvest, and quality food culminating in delicious dishes; make a reservation at a special Kyoto kaiseki restaurant on byFood, before your trip to Kyoto.