Where to Eat in Kyoto Guide & Map of the Best Restaurants

Kyoto, just a three-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo, feels like a world apart. As Japan’s cultural capital, it boasts a unique charm with its picturesque streets and distinctive architectural style. Traditional wooden houses line the charming streets, while temples, colorful shrines, imperial palaces, and zen gardens dot the landscape. Unlike bustling Tokyo, Kyoto exudes a calm and tranquil energy, inviting visitors to slow down and savor the moment. Whether indulging in a tea ceremony or strolling along the Philosopher’s Path, there’s a sense of patience and precision that defines the city.

Nature abounds in Kyoto, not only during cherry blossom season but year-round, with each season offering its own unique beauty. Moreover, Kyoto is a culinary haven, renowned as the birthplace of kaiseki cuisine. In this foodie map, we have gathered all our Kyoto favorites. You’ll find everything from kakigori shops to specialty coffee cafés to world-class cocktail bars. Navigate the map easily either by scrolling through the list on the right or by clicking the points on the map. Places are listed in a geographical order.

One of our favorite meals in Kyoto was at Karasemitei, where we savored exceptional tonkatsu – breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets. This is, without a doubt, the best tonkatsu we've ever had. We tried both the Hayashi fatty aged pork loin and the aged pork rib (with double the fat). Both cuts were incredibly juicy and bursting with flavor, striking the perfect balance between succulence and richness. What truly set Karasemitei apart was the impeccable breading – flawlessly crispy yet delicately clinging to the meat. This is a must-visit spot! Note: Karasemitei offers online reservations.

Tonkatsu Shimizu is a hidden bar with a real locals-only vibe. We pulled open the sliding door to reveal walls graffitied with the scribblings of previous patrons and a small, L-shaped counter. It was packed with regulars when we arrived, but we got lucky and managed to snag two stools. Shimizu serves simple drinks – beers, sake, and highballs on tap – but what we really came for was the tonkatsu sando. Unlike your typical thin cutlet, the pork in this sandwich is colossal, a baseball-sized meatball. Talk about a protein-packed punch! Adding to the ambiance, Shimizu played an eclectic mix of music, including some of our favorite tunes and even the U.S. national anthem, which made us feel right at home. Note: Tonkatsu Shimizu is cash only. There’s a 500 yen cover charge per person; the sandwich is 1700 yen and the drinks are priced at around 1000 yen.

Café Momoharu is an excellent breakfast spot in Kyoto. This cozy, second-floor café exudes a tranquil and charming ambiance. They roast their own coffee in-house each morning – we opted for a bright and acidic Ethiopian coffee and were thoroughly impressed. However, the real star of the show is their fluffy egg sando. Warm, incredibly soft scrambled eggs are gently nestled between slices of pillowy bread, complemented by a thin layer of ketchup-based sauce. Another standout item is their fluffy French toast, served with maple syrup.

Tarel is a trendy specialty coffee shop and natural wine bar located inside a shipping container. It’s mostly a standing bar, with a few benches outside. We kicked things off with coffee but swiftly transitioned to wine. From pour-overs to espresso-based beverages, they've got your coffee fix covered, alongside a selection of wines available by the glass or bottle. They also offer a small food menu. Check their Instagram for updated opening hours, as they tend to fluctuate.

We’re always on the hunt for kakigori (shaved ice) when in Japan, and it’s safe to say that we’ve officially peaked! We summitted a snow-capped mountain of ice, at Tea and Sake Tasuki Shinpuhkan, a sleek dessert shop at the Ace Hotel in Kyoto. The flavor we can’t stop thinking about is the Strawberry Daifuku, their interpretation of the famous Japanese mochi dessert. The kakigori is carefully constructed with freshly shaved snow layered between sweet creams, house-made fruit syrups, chewy mochi pieces, and crunchy cookie crumbs. As we dug into this dessert, our spoons caused avalanches of toppings to cascade down the side with each scoop. The fluffy ice dissolved on our tongues like snowflakes, leaving us craving more with each bite. Without a doubt, this is the best kakigori we’ve ever had.

American coffee chain Blue Bottle has a handful of locations in Kyoto. While we usually gravitate towards smaller, independent cafés, we were pleasantly surprised by the consistently high quality of Blue Bottle's offerings in Japan. It's a great choice for a caffeine fix when you're in need. We were particularly impressed by their seasonal spring latte – a velvety smooth espresso drink infused with delicate floral notes from their house-made rose syrup.

Would you believe that some of the best coffee in Kyoto can be found in a parking lot? We first tried Weekenders' coffee at Noma's Kyoto pop-up and loved it so much that we decided to visit their shop ourselves. Nestled discreetly in a corner of a car park, this tiny shop is a true hidden gem, with a zen garden-like ambiance that offers a contrast to its unassuming surroundings. The skilled baristas expertly brewed a couple of pour-overs for us; our favorite was the washed Kenyan, with floral and fruity notes. Though seating is limited to one outdoor bench, it provides a tranquil oasis amidst lush greenery. Weekenders is a sanctuary for coffee aficionados, offering a serene escape from the urban bustle.

Okuniya Manbei Unagi is a small, family-run restaurant with only 12 seats. Specializing in unagi (eel), there’s only one thing on the menu here: unadon, an eel rice bowl. Okuniya Manbei Unagi sources high-quality eel and meticulously prepares it in the traditional Japanese style, achieving a perfect balance of crispy edges and tender flesh. Served atop steamed rice and accompanied by pickles, soup, and tea, each bite of their unadon unveils a rich, caramelized flavor, complemented by the sweet soy-based glaze. Note: Okuniya Manbei Unagi is cash only, and the lunch set costs 7,000 yen per person. Call to book – they offer reservations over the phone.

Yakiniku Yamachan is hailed as one of Kyoto's top yakiniku spots, offering a wagyu-centric tasting menu. Chef Shion Yamagishi honed his skills at his father's Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant, Tominokoji Yamagishi. The culinary journey kicks off with wagyu sashimi, followed by a wagyu shabu shabu with sancho pepper. A highlight dish is the "uniku dog" – grilled sirloin, velvety Hokkaido uni, and fluffy rice wrapped in toasted seaweed. The menu includes four different cuts of wagyu beef (tongue, shoulder, leg) which are grilled right in front of you. The leg was our favorite – it was exceptionally marbled and melted in our mouths. The meal ends with a choice between cold noodles or curry rice to finish. Though Yamachan is pricy, the high-quality wagyu makes a meal here worthwhile. Note: Call to book – they offer reservations over the phone.

Look for the sign outside the unassuming building in Gion, and climb three flights of stairs to discover one of the coolest cocktail bars we've ever visited. Passionate owner Hiroaki Oda makes liqueurs with herbs and citrus fruits from his own garden. There's no menu at Bar Ixey; simply describe your preferences, and Oda will craft a bespoke cocktail to match. We asked for cocktails that were sour and fresh, and Oda consistently delivered drinks perfectly tailored to our palates. We were blown away by the best gin and tonic we've ever tasted, infused with house-made Japanese bergamot liqueur. It was like drinking a bottle of perfume – in the best way! The twist on a daiquiri with shochu and sakura syrup was an aromatic delight, reminiscent of cherry blossoms in full bloom. After just one visit, Bar Ixey instantly became one of our favorite bars in the world.

Wabiya Korekido specializes in chicken dishes, offering yakitori (grilled skewers) for dinner and stone-grilled oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) for lunch. The oyakodon features charcoal-grilled chicken leg pieces atop a bed of fluffy, steamed rice and sweet onions in a hot stone bowl. Two eggs and a dashi-based broth are poured over the rice, creating a creamy texture as they blend together. A third egg is delicately placed on top, allowing the residual heat from the stone bowl to gently cook it, resulting in a smooth, silky layer enveloping the chicken. Throughout the meal, the stone bowl maintains the warmth of the dish, while the rice becomes crispier over time. It's recommended to start from the center of the bowl and save the crispy rice for last. To enhance the flavors, an array of seasonings are provided, ranging from yuzu to sancho pepper to seaweed. Note: Wabiya Korekido offers online reservations.

After a night out drinking in Gion, we indulged in a late-night dumpling feast. Ebisugawa Gyoza Nakajima offers an array of gyoza varieties, each filled with a mix of ground pork, cabbage, garlic, and ginger. Our favorite was the pan-fried gyoza, followed closely by the deep-fried variety. The dumplings are served in a hip, diner-like space with a counter and punk music blasting.

Men-ya Inoichi, a popular ramen shop established in 2013, operates on a unique ticket system rather than traditional walk-ins. Arrive half an hour before each service, join the line, and secure a ticket indicating your return time that day. This efficient process typically takes around 10 minutes. What sets this place apart is its contemporary ramen style – offering options like clam, pork, or wagyu ramen, with a choice between white or black (light or dark soy broth). We sampled both the wagyu and pork ramen, and found them equally delicious, with high-quality meat and rich broths. Don't miss the grilled wagyu beef on rice – this is a must-order. Another favorite dish was the shumai steamed pork dumplings, bursting with juicy, flavorful meat and caramelized onions.

Nestled within the serene courtyard of a Buddhist temple lies D&Department Shokudo. This unique establishment houses a gallery and gift shop showcasing artisan Japanese products in one building, and a cafeteria offering a variety of culinary delights (udon noodles, rice bowls, and desserts) in another. The interior design is beautiful, adorned with tatami mats and wooden windows offering views of the temple. While the coffee here is only okay, the soft serve ice cream is ridiculously good. It’s sweet and creamy, with a pure milk flavor. We ordered seconds!

Nowhereman is a charming little confectionery shop that prides itself on offering "poetry and pastry." Their specialty is their signature butter sand ("sandwich"), which is exclusively available on Sundays with ever-changing flavors. During our visit, we had the pleasure of trying the milk tea buttercream sandwich filled with milk chocolate ganache – a delightful blend of flavors that was impeccably balanced and absolutely delicious. We also couldn't resist indulging in their financier, which was an incredibly moist and buttery treat.

We stumbled upon this modern izakaya and were drawn in by the hip vibe and delicious aromas, so we had our hotel call to make us a booking. Grab a seat at the counter and get front-row seats to the grill action. We enjoyed the potato salad, a bucket of fried chicken karaage, and the star of the show: tonpeiyaki. This signature dish is a sight to behold – they pour egg onto the teppan grill, place a pork rib skewer on top, wrap it all up in a fluffy egg omelette, and drizzle on the sauces. This was our favorite dish here, and so much fun to watch them make. Wash it down with a slushie sour with fresh fruit – we tried one with strawberry and shochu, which was very refreshing.

While wandering the streets of Kyoto, we stumbled into a hole-in-the-wall soba shop: suba. At this "tachigui" (standing soba bar), the clientele is far from typical, filled with more hipsters in bucket hats than businessmen in suits. Simply place your order at the walk-up counter and enjoy your noodles while standing. We opted for the house specialty: thin soba noodles served with meat and an onsen egg, all swimming in a rich, dashi-based broth. It was a truly comforting and satisfying dish.

Our favorite specialty coffee shop in Kyoto is Walden Woods. This airy, two-story space features a minimalist, all-white design. Upstairs, the loft has a cozy treehouse vibe, featuring bench seating encircling a tree. Here, we savored our favorite pour-overs of the trip and indulged in delightful sweet treats. Don't miss the vanilla canelés and the espresso-flavored soft serve!

Honke Daiichi-Asahi, Kyoto's most famous ramen shop, has been serving up delicious bowls of noodles since 1947. Despite the perpetual line stretching out the door, the ramen here is well worth the wait. Their signature dish is the Kyoto-style shoyu ramen, featuring a clear and savory soy-based broth, accompanied by grilled char siu pork, green onions, and noodles. Simmered for hours, the broth has a rich and complex flavor profile that's a perfect companion for the noodles. If you're feeling hungry, opt for the special noodle which is a larger portion. Note: Honke Daiichi-Asahi is cash only.