10 Best Restaurants Near Kamogawa

Kamogawa: A Gathering Place Flowing North to South Through Kyoto

Flowing north to south through Kyoto, Kamogawa is a beloved gathering spot for both locals and visitors. Often referred to as Kyoto's iconic river, it embodies the city’s charm, providing a serene setting to immerse yourself in Kyoto’s natural beauty and cultural essence. Its central location makes it easily accessible from major attractions such as Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizu Temple, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.

A walk along the Kamogawa riverside near Gion offers visitors a unique combination of historic architecture and tranquil nature. From May to September, many restaurants set up seasonal "Noryo-yuka" or "Kawa-doko" terraces, where diners can enjoy meals while soaking in the riverside ambiance. For those wanting a closer connection to the river, spots like the Kamogawa Delta and stepping stones offer a peaceful retreat into nature.

Dining Near Kamogawa

Kyoto boasts an impressive array of Michelin-listed restaurants, offering an extraordinary variety of culinary delights, from traditional Japanese kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal) cuisine to innovative French gastronomy.

Flowing 27 kilometers from north to south through Kyoto's eastern heart, Kamogawa weaves through diverse neighborhoods, making it an ideal area to explore a rich selection of dining experiences. Whether you're seeking prestigious two-star establishments or Bib Gourmand favorites, there’s something to suit every taste.

This article highlights fine dining spots along the scenic Kamogawa and nearby streets just a block away. Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s vibrant dining scene with these exceptional options!

10 Best Restaurants Near Kamogawa

1. Miyagawatonemon (宮川豚衛門) / Tonkatsu

Miyagawatonemon is a tonkatsu (breaded deep-fried pork cutlet) restaurant in Kamogawa, opened as a sister store to New Babe, a renowned Osaka eatery celebrated for its wide variety of tonkatsu made from premium pork brands. The secret behind its thick, juicy tonkatsu—crafted with branded pork from regions like Chiba, Tokyo, and Iwate—lies in its low-temperature cooking technique. After frying, the meat is rested for the same amount of time, allowing residual heat to cook it gently to perfection. The restaurant is also known for its impressive selection of 7–8 condiments and sauces. Housed in a beautifully renovated traditional townhouse that once served as a residence, the inviting interior sets the stage for savoring their signature thick, slightly pink tonkatsu in a warm, elegant atmosphere.

2. Reine des prés (レーヌ デ プレ) / Innovative

Reine des prés is an innovative French restaurant that has maintained a Michelin star for an impressive 11 consecutive years, from 2014 to 2024. It was also recognized among the Top 100 restaurants on Japan's prestigious gourmet review site in both 2021 and 2023. As Kyoto’s longest-running Michelin-starred French restaurant, it is dedicated to celebrating the natural flavors of its ingredients. The restaurant employs precise cooking techniques, such as meticulous temperature control, to eliminate unnecessary elements and highlight the purity of each dish. Seasonal ingredients like lily bulbs, maitake mushrooms, and oysters are treated with exceptional care and respect. With close relationships with local farmers, the restaurant ensures its carefully sourced, high-quality ingredients are presented on exquisite artisanal tableware. The sophisticated interior, featuring black granite flooring and tweed-upholstered chairs, reflects the chef's impeccable sense of aesthetics, creating a dining experience that is both refined and immersive.

3. Chef's Table by Katsuhito Inoue / Innovative

Chef's Table by Katsuhito Inoue is an innovative restaurant that underwent a complete revamp in October 2024. Here, guests can enjoy inventive dishes created by a chef who has refined his craft across Europe, including Italy and Spain. By combining Japanese ingredients with Western culinary techniques, the chef brings to life the distinctly Japanese concept of the "72 micro-seasons."

Every detail is carefully considered—from the choice of ingredients and tableware to fostering a meaningful connection with the local community. The beautifully plated dishes, resembling works of art, include sustainably crafted bread made from repurposed vegetable scraps.

With just eight seats around a single communal table, this intimate setting offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the chef's creative vision through a dynamic, live culinary experience.

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4. Kikunoi Roan (菊乃井 露庵) / Japanese

1. Michelin (2010 - 24): Two Stars

Kikunoi Roan is a renowned kaiseki restaurant that has proudly held its two-star Michelin status for an impressive 15 years, from 2010 to 2024. As you step through the entrance, you'll be welcomed by a picturesque Kyoto-style stone pathway.

The restaurant’s menu draws inspiration from Kyoto's seasonal events and landscapes, offering dishes such as hassun (a type of kaiseki appetizer), sashimi, and delicately prepared fish dishes like kelp-cured seafood.

From the spacious counter seating, you can enjoy a front-row view of the chefs’ artistry, as each dish is skillfully prepared and served at the peak of its freshness. On the second floor, there’s even a tearoom. With a menu that changes monthly, Kikunoi Roan invites you to experience the very best of Japan’s seasonal ingredients.

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5. Honke Tankuma Honten (本家たん熊 本店) / Japanese

1. Michelin (2010 - 13): Two Stars
2. Michelin (2014 - 24): One Star

Honke Tankuma Honten is a traditional Japanese restaurant with a riverside dining experience. It earned two Michelin stars for four years starting in 2010 and maintained one Michelin star for 11 consecutive years from 2014 to 2024. Established in 1928, the restaurant has been operated by four generations of the same family, offering exquisitely crafted Kyoto cuisine. One enduring tradition over its nearly 100-year history is "Monmona cuisine," a technique handed down from the first generation. This approach, meaning "enjoying ingredients as they are," focuses on maximizing the natural flavors of each ingredient.

The restaurant is particularly renowned for its "Marunabe," a soft-shelled turtle dish that remains a favorite among diners. The current owner, the fourth generation and great-grandchild of the founder, is also a sommelier. They expertly pair Japanese sake and wine with the dishes, allowing guests to enjoy the unique and harmonious combination of traditional Japanese cuisine and fine wine.

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6. Ryoriya Otaya (りょうりや 御旅屋) / Japanese

1. Michelin (2022 - 23): Bib Gourmand
2. Michelin (2024): Selected

Ryoriya Otaya is a Japanese restaurant that received Michelin Bib Gourmand honors in 2022 and 2023 and was recognized as Michelin Selected in 2024.

With over 30 years of culinary expertise, the owner prepares dishes that showcase the finest seasonal ingredients. Guests at the counter seats can enjoy lively conversations with the owner while watching their masterful techniques, while those seated at the tables near the windows can take in stunning views of Kyoto's changing seasons.

The seasonal course menu, blending traditional Japanese cuisine with the owner’s personal touch, offers specialties like sashimi and tempura (lightly battered and deep-fried seafood and vegetables). In spring, diners can also enjoy breathtaking views of illuminated cherry blossoms through the windows.

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7. Oryori Menami (御料理 めなみ) / Obanzai

Oryori Menami is an obanzai (traditional style of home-cooked cuisine from Kyoto) restaurant that has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand for five consecutive years, from 2020 to 2024. With over 80 years of history, the restaurant is now run by the third-generation owner, the grandson of the founder, who skillfully carries on his grandmother’s legacy.

In Kyoto, obanzai refers to a variety of home-style side dishes. One of the highlights here is the Obanzai Assortment, a beautifully presented selection of daily specials showcasing a range of Kyoto flavors. It’s the perfect way to sample a variety of traditional local delicacies. Other must-try dishes include sashimi made from the premium guji (tilefish), and Nama-Yuba Spring Rolls (fresh tofu skin spring rolls), both of which are particularly popular.

Don’t miss the carefully chosen dishware, a signature feature reflecting the second-generation owner’s attention to detail.

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8. Sumiyakisosaitoriya Hitomi (炭焼創彩鳥家 人見) / Yakitori

1. Michelin (2022 - 24): Bib Gourmand

Sumiyakisosaitoriya Hitomi is a renowned yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant that has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years, from 2022 to 2024. Here, you can enjoy expertly grilled yakitori made with Kyoto's local and premium poultry. The friendly owner grills each skewer over charcoal, ensuring juicy, flavorful results.

If you're lucky enough to sit at the counter, you’ll be treated to the irresistible aroma of charcoal and yakitori, while also getting a close-up view of the owner's skilled grilling technique. In addition to the yakitori, they also offer hearty dishes like “soboro don” (a rice bowl topped with seasoned ground chicken meat) and “yakitori don” (a rice bowl with grilled chicken).

Reservations have become increasingly difficult to secure, so it's best to book early if you want to guarantee a spot.

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9. Tempura Mizuki (天麩羅 水暉) / Tempura

1. Michelin (2018 - 23): One Star
2. Michelin (2024): Selected

Tempura Mizuki, which earned a Michelin star for six consecutive years from 2018 to 2023 and was named a Michelin Selected restaurant in 2024, offers an authentic tempura experience. With only eight seats at the elegant counter, guests can fully immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and aromas of tempura being fried right before them. A vegetarian menu is also available, ensuring a luxurious experience for all. In addition to Tempura Mizuki, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto also features other dining options, including Kaiseki Mizuki and Teppanyaki Mizuki, providing a range of culinary experiences to explore.

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10. Pontocho Masuda (先斗町 ますだ) / Obanzai

1. Michelin (2016 - 23): Bib Gourmand
2. Michelin (2024): Selected

Pontocho Masuda is a well-established obanzai restaurant that earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand award for eight consecutive years (2016–2023) and, in 2024, received the prestigious Michelin Selected distinction. Established in 1952, the restaurant boasts nearly 70 years of history and is now operated by the fourth-generation owner, who trained at a renowned ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant).

The menu features a variety of flavorful obanzai dishes, seamlessly blending the comforting appeal of home-cooked meals, such as shime saba sushi (vinegar-cured mackerel sushi) and Kyo-mizuna ohitashi (simmered and lightly seasoned mizuna leaves), with the refined elegance of traditional ryotei cuisine.

The restaurant offers a single sake, sourced from a historic Hiroshima brewery with which it has maintained a relationship for over 70 years, dating back to the first generation. This sake has a smooth, mellow flavor and is best enjoyed as atsukan (warm sake).

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