Savor Kyoto: 18 Diverse Restaurants Recommended by Michelin’s Official Partner

Kyoto: A Gastronomic Destination as Great as Tokyo and Osaka in Japan

Kyo-ryori: the uniquely developed cuisine of Kyoto

The ancient city of Kyoto offers a unique and rich cultural heritage, with many historical temples, shrines, and other buildings. Kyo-ryori, the cuisine of Kyoto, is no exception. Kyoto cuisine encompasses various styles, including banquet cuisine for nobles, plant-based cuisine for monks in training, ceremonial dishes, and kaiseki cuisine for tea parties.

What stands out most in Kyoto cuisine is its reflection of the beautiful four seasons. In spring, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, bamboo shoots take center stage. Summer brings pike congers, followed by matsutake mushrooms in autumn, and puffer fish and crab in winter. These signature ingredients highlight the beauty of each season. Additionally, Kyoto’s local vegetables and flavors centered around rich soup stock offer a culinary experience distinct from that of Tokyo.

Fine dining in Kyoto

In 2024, the Michelin Guide recognized over 200 eateries in Kyoto, including more than 100 offering Japanese cuisine. Besides Japanese cuisine, sushi, Italian, and French cuisines are also well received, making Kyoto one of the biggest culinary destinations in Japan.

In this article, the editorial team from OMAKASE—the only online culinary service provider in Japan officially recognized by the Michelin Guide—will guide you through the best restaurants in Kyoto across various genres:

1. Kaiseki & Japanese Cuisine
2. Sushi
3. Tempura
4. Yakiniku
5. Yakitori
6. Italian
7. French
8. Soba

Each restaurant featured here offers a unique culinary experience of Kyoto with the highest quality dishes, making dining a highlight of your trip.

Japanese cuisine

Here are some of the high-end Japanese cuisine restaurants in Kyoto, among the over 100 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide.

Miyawaki

Selected Restaurant

Michelin Guide, 2024

Newly opened in 2022, Miyawaki quickly earned recognition from the Michelin Guide for its exquisite dishes that pair perfectly with alcoholic beverages. Chef Miyawaki, who honed his skills at renowned Michelin-starred restaurants such as the two-starred Kappo Chihiro, cherishes tradition by offering dishes like white fish with salted kelp. His omakase course is designed to leave customers feeling satisfied with its generous portions. The natural interior and plates crafted by modern artists also reflect his warm hospitality and unique style.

Ogawa

One Star

Michelin Guide, 2024

At Ogawa, the omakase course features an ever-evolving selection of seasonal ingredients, sourced primarily from Kyoto and regions across Japan. This culinary journey combines strong traditions in craftsmanship, flavor, aroma, and beautiful presentation with innovative ideas to create extraordinary Japanese cuisine. Kyoto's unique culinary heritage shines through at Ogawa, where diners can savor the best of the region paired with local sake.

Set in an elegant, adult-oriented ambience, you can immerse yourself in the exceptional meal, sake, and attentive hospitality that makes time stand still. This experience is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Japan.

Kikunoi Honten

1. Michelin (2024)：★★★

The elegantly beautiful Japanese cuisine served at Kikunoi Honten, along with its impeccable ambience and hospitality, provides a memorable experience that refines your senses. As the head of this Japanese cuisine restaurant with a history spanning over 100 years, Chef Yoshihiro Murata played a key role in the registration of washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity with UNESCO in 2013. Chef Murata's efforts have helped spread Japanese culture worldwide, highlighting the great emphasis washoku places on umami, a distinct taste that enhances the flavor of each dish.

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Sushi

Kyoto offers traditional styles of sushi such as saba-zushi (mackerel sushi) and hako-zushi (box sushi), which are made by pressing ingredients atop rice in a box. Many fine dining sushi establishments in Kyoto serve Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi, the most common style in Japan, while numerous other sushi restaurants specialize in traditional Kyoto-style sushi.

Kyoto Saeki

1. Japanese Sushi West Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2021,22 (on famous Japanese gourmet website)

Sushi Saeki specializes in Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi and is located in Ginza, Tokyo: a highly competitive area for sushi restaurants. The Tokyo venue has been listed in T Tokyo's Top 100 Sushi Restaurants for two consecutive years since 2021. With a reputation as the number one Edomae sushi chef in Kansai at his former restaurant in Osaka, Hiroshi Saeki ensures that the Kyoto branch of Sushi Saeki offers authentic sushi crafted with skills he has mastered and passed down.

Mixed with homemade red vinegar, the perfectly balanced, mild acidity of the shari (sushi rice) enhances the taste of fish. The hospitality of the top chef, Taniguchi, is also highly praised; he personally shows the fish to customers before filleting them. Boasting exceptional pairings of sake and appetizers, this luxurious restaurant provides an unforgettable dining experience, complemented by a stunning view of a Kyoto garden.

Sushi Hayashi

One Star

Michelin Guide, 2024

Sushi Hayashi makes the most of its Kyoto location by offering traditional local sushi such as saba-zushi (pickled mackerel on sushi rice) and steamed sushi. This Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi restaurant combines the best of both worlds. Ingredients sourced from western Japan bring distinct regional toppings for a unique culinary experience.

Owner-chef Hayashi refined his craft at a hotel in Switzerland and Sushi Wakon, a one-Michelin-starred restaurant within the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto. With his rich background in hospitality, Chef Hayashi expertly pairs his exquisite sushi with a curated selection of beverages, including rare Swiss wine. Immerse yourself in the exceptional hospitality of Sushi Hayashi, a hidden gem nestled in the serene heart of Kyoto.

Sushi Matsumoto

1. Michelin (2019,20,23)：★
2. Japanese Sushi West Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2022 (on famous Japanese gourmet website)

Sushi Matsumoto has earned one Michelin star three times and has establishments in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and Fukuoka. The Kyoto branch also offers an immersive experience in traditional Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi. They only offer omakase courses, where the chef curates the dishes to ensure a delightful combination of appetizers with playful touches and traditional Edomae sushi.

The carefully-designed omakase course begins with freshwater clam soup, followed by appetizers with playful touches such as deep-fried nebuto (a type of cardinal fish), chawanmushi (smooth steamed egg custard with soup stock in a cup) topped with pickled plum, and two types of sea urchin. In the latter half of the course, traditional Edomae sushi is served, rounding out the elegant course.

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Tempura

Tempura Matsu

1. Japan Restaurant Award,Bronze (2021,22)
2. Japanese Tempura Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2022,23 (on famous Japanese gourmet website)

With a history spanning over 35 years, Tempura Matsu offers not only tempura dishes but also kaiseki cuisine to cater to its patrons. The course features sashimi, fried dishes, hot pot, and rice dishes, along with its exquisite tempura. Each course beautifully reflects the four seasons, a hallmark of Kyoto cuisine. Gaining popularity among locals, this kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto has been selected as one of the Top 100 Restaurants on Japan’s biggest restaurant review website. Tempura Matsu welcomes you with a serene ambience, decorated with plates and handicrafts created by renowned artisans.

Tempura Kawatatsu

This hidden gem by the Katsura River serves light, crispy seasonal tempura, with each piece fried in healthy rice oil by the chef at the counter. Once selected as a Bib Gourmand, Tempura Kawatatsu features courses crafted with fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from across Japan, including vegetables, fish, and shrimp, all accompanied by two types of sashimi. With course prices starting as low as 7,000 JPY, Tempura Kawatatsu is highly cost-effective. Situated in the middle of a residential area, the restaurant offers a dining experience in a hideaway slightly removed from the busy city.

Yakiniku

Yakiniku Yazawa Kyoto

1. Japanese Yakiniku West Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2021 - 23 (on famous Japanese gourmet website)

Any yakiniku gourmand would know the Japanese kuroge wagyu wholesaler, Yazawa Meat. This renowned distributor operates a yakiniku restaurant, Japanese BBQ Yazawa, just a few minutes walk from Tokyo Station, offering the highest-quality kuroge wagyu beef, exceptional yukhoe (raw meat), and sirloin, along with unforgettable rare cuts such as tri-tip (a part of the thigh meat). Yakiniku Yazawa Tokyo also sources the best quality eggs, making the egg yolk on top of the yukhoe remarkable. Additionally, the sauce, made with a mixture of yam, soup stock, and the carefully selected egg yolk, perfectly accompanies the meat and later serves as the ideal sauce with umami from the meat to pour over the rice. Your meal will be complete with homemade Japanese pudding made with those high-quality eggs. 

Despite being a fine-dining restaurant, you have the option of ordering à la carte instead of the full course. In an ambience reminiscent of an Italian bar, wine complements your outstanding dining experience at Yakiniku Yazawa Tokyo.

Rikichan Gionten

1. Japanese Yakiniku West Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2023 (on famous Japanese gourmet website)

For savoring top-quality yakiniku in Gion, there's no better destination than Rikichan, where tender female black beef loin is prepared to delight the most discerning palates. Awarded a spot among Japan's Best 100 Yakiniku Restaurants, Rikichan offers a distinctive experience. Witness the charcoal-grilling process right before your eyes, and enjoy the meat cooked so tender that it can be cut with a fork into succulent bites. The course consisting of grilled loin, chateaubriand steak, and specialty tongue is accompanied by deliciously prepared kimchi and fresh vegetables, creating a truly memorable yakiniku feast.

Italian

Dodici

Aiming to offer the best Italian cuisine in Kyoto with overwhelmingly warm hospitality in a luxurious atmosphere, the head chef at Dodici creates dishes that delight all five senses. With over 30 years of experience in Italian cuisine, the chef skillfully uses the finest ingredients, including pesticide-free vegetables, duck and venison, and top-brand wagyu (Japanese beef), to enhance the rich, original flavors of each ingredient. The name Dodici means "twelve" in Italian, reflecting the monthly menu changes—12 times a year—to celebrate the beautiful four seasons in Kyoto. The chef, who is also a certified sommelier in Japan and Italy, recommends the perfect drink to pair with the courses from a selection of over 500 bottles of wine. Having earned one Michelin star, Dodici is made more accessible by the availability of English-speaking staff.

cenci

1. Michelin (2022 - 24)：★
2. Japan Restaurant Award,Bronze (2020 - 21)
3. Japanese Italian West Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2021,23 (on famous Japanese gourmet website)

At Cenci, the focus is on using freshly hand-picked ingredients and creating dishes that reflect the passion of their producers, offering a remarkable dining experience. Recognized by the Michelin Guide and 50 Best Discovery in Asia, Cenci has gained popularity among overseas guests for its seamless blend of Italian cuisine and Japanese precision. Chef Sakamoto, a native of Kyoto, uses local vegetables such as kujo green onions and Shogoin daikon radish, along with other ingredients from across Japan, to craft dishes that enhance their natural flavors. Cenci offers a unique, top-notch Italian culinary experience in a restaurant renovated from a century-old traditional house, decorated with handmade brick walls and an interior designed by a skilled woodworker.

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French

Nakatsuka

1. Michelin (2022 - 24)：★
2. Japanese French West Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2023 (on famous Japanese gourmet website)

Centered around the main theme of bringing out the best aroma, Nakatsuka offers innovative French cuisine where herbs and citrus are skillfully used to satisfy your palate. Chef Nakatsuka, who honed his skills at the two-starred Narisawa and other renowned Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, meticulously crafts French dishes with detailed Japanese twists. Awarded one Michelin star, Nakatsuka focuses on sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients, changing the menu every one or two months to ensure the best use of seasonal produce. The aesthetics of the dishes delight both the eyes and the palate, with an aroma that fills not only your mouth but also your heart.

MOTOÏ

1. Michelin (2013 - 23)：★
2. Michelin (2024)：Selected Restaurant

With a unique background, Chef Motoi Maeda creates French cuisine infused with Chinese and Japanese styles and techniques. He began his culinary career at a Chinese restaurant in a luxury hotel in Kyoto and later moved on to French restaurants such as the three-starred Hajime. At Motoi, the narrative woven through the course meal is of utmost importance, inspired by the traditions of Chinese cuisine. Selecting the highest quality ingredients is a crucial part of this story, with the chef sometimes personally hunting in the mountains and handpicking watercress from nearby rivers. Listed in the Michelin Guide for over ten years, Motoi has gained popularity among locals and tourists alike. Situated in a century-old Kyoto house, Motoi offers an ambiance of traditional rustic beauty and style to ensure guests receive the best service.

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Yakitori

Yakitori Kyoto Tachibana

Selected Restaurant

Michelin Guide, 2024

1. Japanese Yakitori West Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2022 (on famous Japanese gourmet website)

Yakitori Kyoto Tachibana is one of the few restaurants that offer yakitori dishes made with the famous Takasaka chicken, available exclusively through advanced booking. Raised in an environment with clean air and clear water, Takasaka chicken is known for its thick, juicy, and flavorful meat. By offering these rare, top-notch yakitori meals, Yakitori Kyoto Tachibana has earned a spot in the Michelin Guide and a place among the Best 100 Restaurants on Japan's biggest restaurant review website. The highest quality chicken, paired with carefully selected Kyoto vegetables, allows patrons to directly taste the rich flavors of the ingredients in each exquisite dish.

Soba

Juu-go

1. Bib Gourmand (2019 - 24)

With the aim of offering an authentic soba experience, the owner-chef at Juu-go creates soba noodles from scratch, farming his own buckwheat in a field located north of Kyoto. In an effort to produce zero food waste, the chef utilizes food scraps as fertilizers for his field, an endeavor that earned Juu-go the Michelin Green Star for Gastronomy and Sustainability. Situated along the scenic Philosopher's Path near the famous Ginkakuji Temple, the restaurant is an ideal stop for overseas visitors. With international recognition, Juu-go offers pure, authentic soba noodles with a rich texture and aroma, allowing diners to savor the true essence of this traditional Japanese dish.

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Vegan-friendly restaurants

Shojin cuisine, originally offered to Buddhist monks in training, does not use any animal products, making it suitable for vegan diets. Kyoto is renowned for its many shojin restaurants that cater to vegans, offering authentic and flavorful plant-based dishes rooted in this traditional Japanese culinary style.

Shigetsu

One Star , Green Star

Michelin Guide, 2024

Embark on an enchanting culinary journey at Shigetsu, a shojin cuisine restaurant nestled within Tenryuji Temple, a renowned World Heritage site and part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Rooted in the tradition of serving Buddhist monks, shojin cuisine embodies harmony with nature, offering a uniquely healthy dining experience. Focusing on plant-based ingredients such as vegetables, mountain greens, wild herbs, and seaweed, Shigetsu crafts exquisite dishes that resonate with the flavors of the season.

Shigetsu’s shojin cuisine is a stunning fusion of aesthetics and flavor, transforming the traditional perception of temple cuisine into a captivating culinary experience. Delight in the vibrant flavors of fresh, seasonal ingredients meticulously prepared to perfection. Awarded the prestigious Bib Gourmand recognition, Shigetsu offers an exceptional opportunity to indulge in shojin cuisine at a reasonable price, with meals priced at less than JPY 10,000.

■ Vegan menu availability

・The restaurant is able to accommodate your requests.

・They have a vegan menu.