11 Top Tempura Restaurants in Kyoto

What is Tempura?

Tempura is a classic Japanese dish where vegetables or seafood are dipped in a light batter made from flour and water, and then deep-fried. It's a beloved and widely recognized dish in Japan. The batter locks in the ingredients' flavors, allowing you to enjoy the taste of perfectly cooked food. Tempura is often eaten casually at home or in affordable tempura restaurants, making it a staple of Japanese cuisine. A popular variation is Tendon, which consists of tempura served over a bowl of rice—a common lunch choice for many Japanese people.

However, making tempura is a refined art. At high-end tempura restaurants, meticulous attention is paid to every detail, from selecting the finest ingredients and adjusting the flour’s temperature for the batter to choosing the right oil and maintaining the ideal deep-frying temperature. For an exceptional experience, sampling the refined techniques of a top-tier tempura restaurant is highly recommended.

Is Kyoto famous for Tempura?

With over 1,200 years of history, Kyoto is one of Japan's oldest cities and, in many ways, the birthplace and heart of Japanese culture. As a result, the city is home to numerous renowned and delicious Japanese restaurants. Naturally, tempura—one of Japan's signature dishes—is highly regarded here, with many specialized restaurants dedicated to it. A key difference between tempura in Tokyo and Kyoto is the frying oil used. In Tokyo, rich sesame oil is commonly used, while in Kyoto, a lighter rapeseed oil is preferred. Another distinction is the use of local vegetables, which have been uniquely cultivated in the region for centuries, giving Kyoto’s tempura a special touch compared to Tokyo’s.

11 Top Tempura Restaurants in Kyoto

1. Tempura Matsu (天ぷら 松)

This long-established restaurant, with over 50 years of history, has been recognized as one of Japan's top 100 tempura specialty restaurants on a major gourmet review site. The restaurant exclusively serves an omakase (chef’s choice) course, featuring tempura as part of a traditional Japanese multi-course meal. Although it is uncommon for a tempura-focused restaurant to offer such a course, the owner explains that this approach has evolved to cater to the refined tastes of Kyoto's local gourmands.

2. Enyuan Kobayashi (圓融菴 小林)

This tempura specialty restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star for two consecutive years in the Kyoto-Osaka Michelin Guide. In 2021, Chef Noriyuki Kobayashi, the founding manager of Ten You—a tempura restaurant established by the renowned Kyoto luxury inn Tawaraya—became independent and earned his star in the 2023 Michelin Kyoto Guide. The restaurant offers an omakase course that combines tempura with traditional Kyoto-style dishes. Its tempura kaiseki course, which focuses on premium ingredients and refined cooking techniques, allows guests to fully experience the seasonal flavors of Kyoto.

3. Tempura Kawatatsu (天ぷら 川辰)

Tempura Kawatatsu, awarded the Bib Gourmand in the Kyoto-Osaka Michelin Guide and recognized as one of the top 100 tempura spots by a major Japanese gourmet review site, is celebrated for its relaxed ambiance and authentic tempura. The tempura, deep-fried in rice oil, boasts a light and refreshing flavor, making it easy to enjoy in generous portions. The restaurant takes great care with its seasonings, including soy sauce and salt, and uses carefully selected seasonal ingredients. Although only course menus are offered, the tempura courses feature seasonal ingredients and distinctive Kyoto-style tempura, providing a memorable dining experience.

4. Tempura KYORINSEN (天婦羅処 京林泉)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2022, 23)

The Michelin one-star Japanese restaurant Kyo Yamato has opened this tempura-focused eatery. It has been ranked among the top 100 tempura restaurants on a leading Japanese gourmet review site. Although it's located within a hotel, the tranquil ambiance of the restaurant enhances the experience of dining in Kyoto. The tempura is made from carefully selected ingredients, including seasonal local vegetables, and is deep-fried in a blend of two oils to create a distinctive Kyoto-style tempura that's both light and flavorful. One standout seasonal dish is the sweet potato tempura, which uses a method that enhances the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes before deep-frying them to lock in the flavor. I tried it myself, and it was exceptionally delicious.

5. Gion Fuji (ぎをん 藤)

Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2023)

Gion Fuji is run by Kenji Fujimoto, the former head chef of Tempura Mizuki, which held a Michelin star for six consecutive years. The restaurant has swiftly gained popularity and is now listed among the top 100 tempura restaurants on a major Japanese gourmet review site. The tempura, made with safflower oil, provides a light and refreshing flavor without the heaviness of traditional oils. While the restaurant offers a range of beverages that pair well with tempura, wine lovers should consider consulting the sommelier to find a perfectly matched wine.

6. Tempura Mizuki (天麩羅 水暉)

1. Michelin (2018 - 23): One Star

Tempura Mizuki has been awarded a Michelin one-star rating for six consecutive years since 2018. Chef Taisuke Kojima began his training at a renowned restaurant in Kyoto and honed his skills at Tempura Kondo, a Michelin two-star restaurant in Tokyo. The tempura, deep-fried in safflower oil, offers a light and delightful texture. The chef is very accommodating, even providing visual explanations of the tempura ingredients for guests who may not be familiar with them. Since the restaurant is located within a hotel, it's important to specify when making a reservation that you are seeking a tempura specialty restaurant.

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8. Tenjaku (天若)

1. Michelin (2024): One Star

Tenjaku is a renowned tempura restaurant where the second-generation chef, Ryo Nishioka, has carried on his grandfather’s legacy and earned a Michelin one-star rating. The restaurant offers a course that blends traditional Kyoto cuisine with exquisite tempura. A standout feature of Kyoto's culinary tradition is "hassun," a presentation of various small dishes arranged on a single plate. Each dish is not only delicious but also artistically presented. The tempura is crafted from ingredients carefully sourced from across Japan, alongside local Kyoto produce. Additionally, the chef’s expertise in Chinese tea enhances the dining experience with thoughtfully selected teas served before and after the meal.

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9. Tempura Endo (天ぷら圓堂)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2022, 23)

This restaurant, boasting over 140 years of history, has earned a spot among the Top 100 Tempura Restaurants on a major Japanese gourmet review site. Housed in a grand Japanese-style inn, it does not offer accommodation. Diners can choose from a tempura-focused omakase course, a kaiseki course featuring Kyoto-style cuisine, or select their ingredients for customized tempura. It’s especially popular among food enthusiasts. Upholding tradition, the restaurant serves exceptional tempura and seasonal dishes, all cooked in the highest quality cottonseed oil. With both counter seating and numerous private rooms, it caters to solo diners as well as groups.Several branches in Kyoto.

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10. Tempura Yoshikawa

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2022, 23)

Yoshikawa began as a traditional Japanese inn in 1952 and is now a tempura restaurant that also offers lodging. It's been ranked among the Top 100 Tempura Specialty Restaurants on a major Japanese food review site. You can dine here even if you’re not staying overnight. The restaurant features a tatami room where you can enjoy your meal while overlooking a Japanese garden, as well as counter seating. The tatami room offers a kaiseki course that combines Kyoto-style cuisine with tempura, while the counter serves a tempura course. Both dining options are available in various price ranges. Overnight guests can choose between enjoying the kaiseki course in their room or the tempura course at the counter. It's a good idea to inquire about these options when making your reservation.

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11. Tendon Makino (天丼まきの)

Tendon Makino, a popular spot known for its reasonably priced tendon, often attracts long lines. With high ratings on a major Japanese gourmet review site and a walk-in-only policy, it's common to see a queue outside. The tempura is so large it spills over the bowl, generously coated in tempura sauce, offering a delicious taste of classic, everyday Japanese cuisine.