7 Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Kyoto with Private Dining Rooms

1. Noguchi Tsunagu (のぐち継) / Japanese / Gion，Sizyogawara

Received a Michelin star every year from 2021 to 2025, Noguchi Tsunagu is an elegant Japanese restaurant tucked away on the charming stone-paved streets of Kyoto’s Gion district. In addition to its eight counter seats, the restaurant features a fully private horigotatsu-style room (sunken floor seating) for up to eight guests, complete with a dedicated entrance and restroom—perfect for enjoying a meal and conversation in total comfort and privacy.

The chef refined his craft at a long-established Kyoto restaurant and offers delicate kaiseki cuisine prepared with the finest seasonal ingredients from Kyoto. The calm ambiance and thoughtful hospitality are especially well received by international guests, making it a favorite among visitors from abroad.

2. Kodaiji Jugyuan (高台寺 十牛庵) / Japanese / Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera

Kodaiji Jugyuan, awarded two Michelin stars in 2025, is a refined Japanese restaurant tucked away in Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district. Set in a sukiya-style building from the Meiji era, the restaurant also boasts a seasonal garden crafted by the famed landscape designer Ueji (the 7th-generation Jihei Ogawa), offering a serene backdrop that changes with the seasons.

The interior features eight private dining rooms, accommodating groups from 2 to 12 guests—ideal for intimate meals or special gatherings. The menu showcases Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine, artfully blending traditional techniques with modern creativity and seasonal celebrations. English menus and English-speaking staff are available, ensuring a welcoming experience for international guests.

3. Tempura Matsu (天ぷら 松) / Tempura / Sagano, Arashiyama

Tempura Matsu, featured in the Michelin Guide 2024, is a renowned tempura (lightly battered and deep-fried seafood and vegetables) restaurant with over 50 years of history, quietly tucked away in a peaceful residential neighborhood of Arashiyama, Kyoto. The restaurant offers 30 seats, including three private rooms that accommodate up to eight guests each, set in a serene, traditional Japanese atmosphere with seasonal décor and a touch of riverside charm.

The omakase(chef’s choice)-style menu showcases the best of the season, blending classic tempura with creative dishes inspired by French cuisine. Popular with international visitors, Tempura Matsu is highly praised for its elegant setting and relaxed, refined dining experience.

4. Enyuan Kobayashi (圓融菴 小林) / Tempura / Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera

Enyuan Kobayashi, which received a Michelin star from 2023 to 2025, is a celebrated tempura kaiseki restaurant tucked away in a tranquil corner of Kyoto’s Gion district. The intimate space features an 8-seat counter, where guests can experience the chef’s skills up close, along with a fully private room for up to four guests—perfect for special occasions or business gatherings.

The omakase course showcases seasonal ingredients, blending traditional Kyoto culinary techniques with the art of tempura. A highlight of the meal is the restaurant’s signature dish, Tenbara—a satisfying finale of tempura served over rice. For international visitors, English menus are available, and staff can assist with basic English communication.

5. Vena (ヴェーナ) / Italian / Karasuma, Oike

Vena awarded a Michelin star from 2020 to 2025 is an acclaimed Italian restaurant located in Kyoto’s Karasuma district. The name “Vena,” meaning “water vein” in Italian, was inspired by both Chef Daiki Hayakawa and Sommelier Yoji Ikemoto—Kyoto natives whose names are linked to water.

The interior features Scandinavian vintage furnishings, with counter seating on the first floor and fully private rooms for two or more guests on the second—creating an elegant yet relaxed dining atmosphere. The restaurant serves only an omakase course, highlighting seasonal ingredients through a diverse array of Italian dishes, including handmade pasta and charcoal-grilled specialties.

Vena also houses a curated collection of around 1,200 Italian wines, including rare vintages from the 1960s, with expert pairings recommended by the in-house sommelier. Popular with international guests, the restaurant is known for its warm hospitality and attention to the needs of visitors from abroad.

6. Kyoyamato (京大和) / Japanese / Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera

Kyoyamato, awarded two Michelin stars in 2025, is a storied ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) nestled in Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district. Since its founding in 1877, it has remained dedicated to serving authentic Kyo-kaiseki cuisine. The property features elegant sukiya-style architecture, tea rooms, and meticulously landscaped gardens that showcase the beauty of each season.

Inside, several fully private rooms are available for parties of two or more, offering an ideal setting for intimate gatherings or special occasions. The menu centers on a seasonal omakase course, celebrated for its refined flavors and artful presentation.

For international guests, staff are equipped to assist with basic English, ensuring a warm and seamless dining experience for visitors from abroad.

7. Yusokuryouri Mankamero (有職料理 萬亀楼) / Japanese / Kyoto Gyoen, Shimogamo

Yusokuryouri Mankamero, awarded two Michelin stars in 2025, is a distinguished ryotei located in Kyoto’s Kamigyo. Founded in 1722, it is one of the city's oldest and most storied restaurants, preserving the tradition of yusoku ryori—an elegant form of court cuisine once served at imperial ceremonies and seasonal rituals—while offering refined Kyoto-style dishes with a contemporary sensibility.

The restaurant offers seven fully private rooms, accommodating groups from two to forty guests. Each room is tastefully decorated with seasonal flowers and hanging scrolls, providing a refined setting for formal gatherings, celebrations, and memorial occasions.

The cuisine focuses on seasonal kaiseki courses, embodying centuries of tradition and sophistication. Many dishes are prepared following the revered Ikama-ryu shikibocho style—a ceremonial culinary practice that blends artistry with ritual. For international visitors, English menus are available, and staff can assist with basic English, ensuring a welcoming and seamless dining experience.

How to Choose a Private Room on Omakase JapanEatinerary

When searching for available reservation dates, please select the following options first:

1. Date
2. Number of Guests
3. Time
4. Course

If a private room is available for the selected date, you can choose "Private Room" under "Seat Type."

*Please note that the availability of private rooms is subject to booking status.