Sanbongi Shoten

This traditional Japanese pub is warm with the glow of charcoal and fire, and draws the crowd with the smell of roasted meat. Part izakaya, part grill bar, Sanbongi Shoten is located in a renovated 100-year-old townhouse in Kyoto with a lattice-pattern logo marking the restaurant and distinct flavor of the past. The menu focuses on game meat, such as venison and wild boar, roasted over a charcoal grill. This rustic cooking technique reflects the open hearth centers of old Japanese homes, where family members and guests would gather to cook and share meals before the modern conveniences of electric stoves. Guests sit around the single 10-seater table or park themselves around the counter to see the chef mastering the flame up close. There’s a sense of community as guests enjoy the spread of meat. Grilled proteins take time to arrive, so head to the cellar next to the communal table to choose your own organic wine or sip your warmed sake slowly. Michelin Guide accolades Bib Gourmand - 2024