Kyoto Kaiseki Ryori（会席料理）
Traditional multi-course Japanese meal. There are lots of little dishes served during the meal. These mels are usually quite expensive, but there are a few reasonable places. Prices range from yen 6,000 to 30,000 and more, but when you see the work involved in preparing the dishes, you will understand the reason. Many Kaiseki restaurants serve lunch and this is the best value for the money you spend. Our recommendation is good food, good atmosphere, and good cost performance places.
Harise はり清 $$$
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wURWrtuJyCnRfgrt9
URL: https://harise-kyoto.com/
TEL: 075-561-1017
Close: Tuesday
Reservation: https://pocket-concierge.jp/en/restaurants/244008?date=2024-03-26&partySize=2&serviceType=DINNER
More than 360-year-old traditional Kaiseki restaurant. Their prices are very reasonable and are a very good value for what you get. One of our favorite restaurants in Kyoto.
Miyagawacho Suiren 宮川町水簾 $$$
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ka6RspNWuhJk4Je48
TEL: 075-748-1988
Close: Monday
Reservation: https://restaurant.ikyu.com/113383?ikgo=2
A very reasonable Kaiseki restaurant in Miyagawacho, in the middle of this flower town with Maiko and Geiko. They have private rooms for up to 8 pax.
Gion Kyoryori Hanasaki 祇園京料理花咲 $$
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4hCcNBL1VxneQsLb6
URL: https://www.gion-hanasaki.com/english.html
TEL: 075-533-3050
Open every day
Reservation: https://restaurant.ikyu.com/105510?ikgo=2
A Kyoto Kaiseki restaurant in Gion. The restaurant is well located, in the middle of Gion, in an old traditional Machiya. The place is not big, but cozy and you can enjoy the atmosphere. They provide traditional Kyoto Kaiseki dishes, of good quality.
Hanamikoji Yagenbori 花見小路やげんぼり$$
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YT8s8UAJ4MNznvJW8
URL: https://www.yagenbori.co.jp/shop/yagenbori/
TEL: 075-525-3332
Close: Tuesday
Reservation: https://restaurant.ikyu.com/111393?ikgo=2
Kyoto Kaiseki restaurant next to Hanamikoji, the main street in Gion. Very reasonable prices. You may encounter Maiko or Geiko if you are luckey.
Washoku Casual – Traditional meals
Korin 光琳 $$
This restaurant is located in the heart of Miyagawa-Cho, one of the five Kyoto’s geisha districts. They serve very good and fresh food for a reasonable price. They have Japanese Kaiseki courses, Yen 4,500-6,500 and this is a good value. We go there often but it’s better to reserve specially for the dinner. Highly recommended.
Location on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/LkLjk2EhVvLVtqYo6
TEL: 050-5492-9733, 075-541-8050
Close: Sunday, Monday
Reservation: Call 050-5492-9733
Giro Giro Hitoshina 枝魯枝魯ひとしな $$
“Giro Giro (Guilo Guilo) Hitoshina” is a traditional kaiseki restaurant located by the Takase River. The restaurant offers authentic kaiseki cuisine at a reasonable price. The owner, Edakuni San, strives to make traditional and typically expensive kaiseki cuisine accessible to a broader range of customers by offering it at more affordable prices.
Giro Giro Hitoshina is a renowned restaurant offering a delightful fusion of Kyoto-style cuisine. While preserving the essence of traditional Japanese dishes, their menu presents a new genre of cuisine with innovative content, pricing, and style. The menu changes every month, allowing guests to experience the joy of culinary delights in fresh and exciting ways. They have only one course. Must reserve.
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UeagKg7Uce9ddZdf8
URL: https://jpneazy.com/restaurants/183
TEL: 075-343-7070
Close: open 7 days
Reservation: https://jpneazy.com/restaurants/183
Yasakadori Enraku 八坂通燕楽 $$
Their specialty is “Oden“, Japanese one-pot dishes consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon, or konjac, and processed fishcakes stewed in a light, soy-flavored dashi broth.
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sREFWMvXsBpaKe1v9
URL: https://www.zuzu.jp/yasaka/
TEL: 075-533-6646
Close: Sunday
Reservation: https://restaurant.ikyu.com/113434?ikgo=2
Shunko Hinaka 旬肴ひなか $$
This restaurant is located in Pontocho, one of five flower towns (geisha district) in Kyoto. It’s a very cozy place and the friendly chef will welcome you. Good food and good value.
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/W4aYjvF1x8r3nbJy8
URL: https://hitosara.com/0004031482/?cid=gm_hp
TEL: 050-5384-8923
Close: Monday
Reservation: https://restaurant.ikyu.com/108280?ikgo=2
Obanzai
A traditional style of home-cooked cuisine from Kyoto, characterized by simple, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients.
Gion Kirara 祇をんきらら $$
They have good Obanzai menus (yen 2,500~) for lunchtime, that are delicious with lots of fresh vegetables. Located on Hanamikoji Street in the center of Gion, this restaurant offers excellent prices for the area.
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AHYNKkmpdUDGei7p9
URL: http://www.gion-kirara.jp/
TEL: 075-531-3636
Close: 7 days
Reservation: https://restaurant.ikyu.com/105925
Kyoya Kiyomizu Gion Shinbashi 京家きよみず祇をん新橋 $$
This Obanzai and Oden restaurant is located just north of Gion in a machiya that is over 150 years old. Nice atmosphere and kids are welcome.
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DfARb7ksjC2y1ZNc7
URL: https://www.kyoya-kiyomizu.com/gionshinbashi_menu.html
TEL: 050-5594-0317, 075-205-0055
Close: Sunday
Reservation: https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26028988/?cid=google_yoyaku
Okonomiyaki
A savory Japanese pancake that is popular across Japan. The Okonomiyaki restaurants also prepare “yakisoba” and other types of ingredients such as shrimp, vegetables, etc. fried on a teppanyaki or hot steel plate.
Gion Tanto 祇園たんと $
Restaurant located in Gion, by the Shirakawa River. You can enjoy the beautiful view of cherry blossoms from there. They don’t take any reservations so you’ve got to make a line and wait. But it’s worth waiting.
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KdYXPhcAXSmxqHW68
URL: http://www.gion-tanto.com/
TEL: 075-525-6100
Close: Wednesday
Reservation: No reservation
Okonomiyaki Kiraku お好み焼き きらく $
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/r6Xx6jKA2Ceb5DYbA
URL: https://kirakukiyomizu.gorp.jp/
TEL: 075-541-1690
Close: Monday
Reservation: https://r.gnavi.co.jp/plan/nug11h220000/plan-reserve/plan/plan_list/?sc_cid=gorp_header_reserve#wrapper
Izakaya
Izakaya are Japanese-style pubs where people gather to enjoy drinks and share a variety of small dishes. They offer a relaxed and lively atmosphere, perfect for socializing. Common izakaya foods include yakitori (grilled skewers), sashimi, tempura, edamame, and karaage (fried chicken), paired with drinks like beer, sake, shochu, or highballs. Prices are usually very reasonable.
Kyo Izakaya Sherry 京居酒屋シェリー $$
Located on Gojo Street, 2 min. from Kiyomizu Gojo station. Nice atmosphere and the “nomihodai” option (“All you can drink”) on their menu is definitely a plus – yen 1,800 for 90 min.
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/F63wS9GQV5efAqs26
TEL: 050-5487-5542
Close: Saturday
Reservation: https://r.gnavi.co.jp/plan/g2ddhtfu0000/plan-reserve/plan/plan_list/?sc_cid=gorp_header_reserve#wrapper
Izakaya Kaisen 居酒屋海鮮 $$
An Izakaya serving very fresh and good quality fish. Their Sashimi on a boat is the best value.
They also have the “nomihodai” option (“All you can drink”). For all the fish lovers.
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HDtKTZ7YH3e6cJa86
URL: http://izakaya-kaisen.net/
TEL: 075-213-1323
Close: Wednesday
Reservation: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001028912/course/20241206_hpds/
