Kyoto Restaurants(845)

Gourmet dish with seafood and vegetables in a rustic bowl
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KYOTO

Kyo-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.

Lunch: $36.10-72.19
Dinner: $108.29-144.39
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Elegant Japanese dish with sake bottle on wooden table
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KYOTO

Bar Agiyao

Sip French white wines and savor seafood at Bar Agiyao in Kyoto, a small izakaya with a big heart for Kyoto's food culture. Anticipate sophisticated ambience, 18 wine varieties, and a menu blending French and Spanish cuisine.

Lunch: $36.10-108.29
Dinner: $36.10-108.29
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Close-up of a gourmet rice dish garnished with crispy toppings
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KYOTO

Rokujo Kawarain San

Storytelling, tradition, and artistry underpin meals at Rokujo Kawarain San, a top-tier kaiseki venue with reasonable prices and seasonal menus.

Lunch: $72.19-108.29
Dinner: $108.29-180.48
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Elegant restaurant dish with diverse ingredients and artistic presentation
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KYOTO

Jikishinbou Saiki

At this kappo restaurant near Yasaka Shrine and the iconic Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, elegance and traditional Japanese aesthetics meet to create dishes guaranteed to awaken all five senses.

Lunch: $72.19-108.29
Dinner: $108.29-180.48
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KYOTO

Tendan Saiin

For a taste of Kyoto-style yakiniku, Tendan has been serving perfectly grilled cuts of meat in Kyoto’s characteristic dashi-like sauce for almost 60 years. The Saiin branch’s location makes it popular with sightseers en route to northern Kyoto.

Dinner: $144.39-216.58
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Gourmet steak on straw with side dishes at a fine dining restaurant
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KYOTO

ROKU KYOTO TENJIN Chef’s Table

This intimate dining experience led by executive chef Akira Taniguchi features 13 counter seats surrounding an open kitchen, which acts as a stage for the chef’s culinary performance. Taste heirloom Kyoto vegetables, prepared with French techniques.

Dinner: $281.55-288.77
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Elegant Japanese dining room with traditional tatami, wooden table, and shoji windows
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KYOTO

Ganko 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.

Lunch: $86.63-144.39
Dinner: $86.63-144.39
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Elegant restaurant interior with wooden accents and warm lighting
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KYOTO

Ganko 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.

Lunch: $86.63-144.39
Dinner: $86.63-144.39
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Photo of faq question markFrequently Asked Questions

How can I reserve restaurants in Kyoto?

Most restaurants in Kyoto accept phone reservations, but language barriers can make it challenging. If booking directly through a restaurant's website isn’t an option, using an online reservation service is the best alternative. Platforms like byFood make it easy to book, with options to filter restaurants by cuisine and area. Simply enter your details, and byFood will handle the reservation. You'll receive a confirmation email if it’s successful, or a notification if it fails.

Is a reservation required at all Kyoto restaurants?

Not all Kyoto restaurants require reservations, but it's often essential. Casual spots and most izakaya welcome walk-ins, while popular or fine dining places, like kaiseki or kappo restaurants, usually need advance booking. Michelin-starred restaurants in Kyoto definitely require reservations, sometimes several months in advance.

What is the average cost of a meal at restaurants in Kyoto?

In Kyoto, a casual lunch typically costs between ¥1,500 to ¥2,500, making it easy to enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank. For dinner, prices range from ¥5,000 to ¥15,000, depending on the restaurant and dining experience. Whether you choose a cozy local eatery or a refined dining spot, Kyoto offers a range of options to suit every budget.

Reserve Restaurants in Kyoto

Unprecedented in quality, every Kyoto restaurant incorporates the best of local produce and seasonal offerings into fresh, immersive Japanese food menus. Culinary creativity runs through the city like its waters. In fact, you can dine in the open air over Kyoto’s rivers in summer or lose yourself for a night dining in the converted wooden machiya buildings of downtown Pontocho. Somewhere tucked away in the grid of Kyoto’s backstreets, family-run restaurants greet strangers and regulars alike, offering unique dining experiences. Side street shop fronts steam with ramen broth and specialty tofu dishes. High-caliber kaiseki dining experiences await in Kyoto’s many Michelin-starred restaurants, serving experiential feasts celebrating ingredients of the season. Even Kyoto's most well-known geisha district, Gion, is home to restaurants with some of the best fares in town.

Holding tradition and craftsmanship at the city’s core, restaurants in Kyoto always offer an unforgettable atmosphere and high-quality Japanese cuisine to match, whether that's seasonal produce or beautifully marbled wagyu beef. Marvel at the exquisite textures and stunning aesthetics evident in even the finest culinary details. Kyoto restaurants arrange their food on their plates just so; beautifully and crafted with skill like edible art. Discover some of the best food in Kyoto when exploring this cultural hub, bursting with its own regional food. Feast upon local cuisine known as Kyo-ryori, made from the freshest seasonal produce, or taste vegetarian Buddhist cuisine when you sit down to an authentic shojin ryori meal.

Fine Kyoto cuisine can be found at its beautiful restaurants, and there are wonderful culinary surprises in every bite. Exploring Kyoto’s backstreets and buzzing markets mean that you might stumble upon the city’s best restaurants.

Don’t miss a thing; see more of the city’s best restaurants during a Kyoto food tour, or settle in for a memorable dining experience in Kyoto by booking ahead of time on byFood.