Kaiseki restaurants in Asia
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Hiranoya
Located next to the Atago Torii (Shintō shrine gate), this thatched-roof restaurant is about as atmospheric as they get. While you can sample full-course kaiseki meals here from ¥15,000 (by telephone reservation in Japanese only), we prefer to soak up the atmosphere over a simple cup of matcha for a relatively modest ¥840 (it comes with a traditional sweet). It’s the perfect way to cool off after a long slog around the temples of Arashiyama and Sagano. Just ask for ‘ o-cha ’ and you’re away.
reviewed
-
B
Ikumatsu
Ikumatsu is one of Kyoto’s classical old ryōri ryokan (cuisine ryokan). In front of the ryokan is a more modern brick building in which the brilliant food is served to nonstaying guests. The ¥1030 katsura kogoro (lunch set) here is phenomenal value. Dinner sets start at ¥1900. The dining room décor is neither here nor there, but the food is top shelf. Problem is, with only a few tables, the place is often full. Look for the brick façade.
reviewed
-
C
Hyōtei
The Hyōtei is considered to be one of Kyoto’s oldest and most picturesque traditional restaurants. In the main building you can sample exquisite kaiseki courses in private tea rooms. Set meals are available from ¥4500. It’s very close to the Kyoto International Community House and Nanzen-ji. You can’t miss the traditional building.
reviewed
-
D
Yuba Yūzen
This yuba speciality house serves it sashimi-style, with tofu and soy milk, and with the addition of a variety of seasonal side dishes. There's no English menu, but there are only two choices for sets: ¥2700 if you're hungry and ¥3200 if you're really hungry. Look for the two-storey tan building across from the first left turn after Shin-kyō.
reviewed
-
E
Minokō
This classic Gion restaurant serves a lunch bentō for ¥4500 and kaiseki dinners starting at ¥13,000. The décor is classic old Kyoto, the service is excellent and the food is of high quality. There is no English sign; it’s across from a parking lot – look for the metal lantern out the front.
reviewed
-
F
Grotto
This stylish little place along Imadegawa-dōri serves a tasty dinner set menu that will take you through the major tastes in Japanese gastronomy. The fare is simple counter kaiseki or kappō (a series of little dishes). It's a great way to spend two or three hours with someone special. Reservations are recommended. The master speaks English.
reviewed
-
G
Gyōshintei
Splurge here on deluxe spreads of shōjin ryōri, featuring local bean curd and vegetables served half a dozen delectable ways. The elegant tatami dining room overlooks a carefully tended garden. It's directly north of the Shin-kyō bridge (about 250m) and there's a three-peaked emblem on the door curtain.
reviewed
-
H
Ponto-Chō Uan
Ponto-chō Uan (formerly Uzuki) is an elegant kaiseki restaurant with a great platform for riverside dining in the summer. We recommend that you have a Japanese speaker call to reserve and choose your meal. Look for the rabbit on the sign.
reviewed
-
I
Fukutei
This stylish, approachable restaurant is a great lunch choice if you want something a little civilised. The fare here is casual kaiseki: a little sashimi, some tempura and the usual nibbles on the side. At lunch try the excellent omakese-zen (tasting set; ¥1500). There's a small English sign.
reviewed
-
Nakayoshi
One of the more reasonably priced restaurants in the area, Nakayoshi serves a lunch bentō for ¥3500. It has dining platforms over the river and the food is well prepared.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Beniya
This elegant riverside restaurant serves kaiseki sets for ¥6000, ¥8000 or ¥10,000, depending on size. There is a wooden sign with white lettering out the front.
reviewed
-
Tochigiku
Try this lovely riverside restaurant for chicken and beef sukiyaki, wild boar stew and kaiseki sets. There is a small English sign. Last orders are at 7.30pm.
reviewed
-
J
Hamakatsu
Come here if you would like to experience shippoku ryōri and still afford your airfare home. Course menus are filling and varied (the Otakusa Shippoku is served on a dramatic round tray). In addition, there is a choice of either Japanese- or Western-style seating.
reviewed
-
Tagoto Honten
Across the street from Takashimaya department store, this long-standing Kyoto restaurant serves approachable kaiseki fare in a variety of rooms, both private and common. The kiku set (¥1600) includes some sashimi, a bit of tempura and a variety of other nibblies. Kaiseki dinner courses start at ¥6300 and you must reserve in advance. This is a good spot for those who want a civilised meal downtown in relaxing surroundings. At present, there's no English sign: look for pictures of the food and the stone and wooden front; the entrance is down the narrow alley.
reviewed
-
Museum Restaurant Issen
The artfully displayed kaiseki dinners at this Benesse House basement restaurant are almost too pretty to eat. Courses feature seafood, but there is a veg-dominated option (request a couple of days ahead), and the menu changes with the seasons. Breakfast and lunch are also served. Reservations are recommended.
reviewed
-
Ryōtei Kagetsu
A sky-high shippoku restaurant dating to 1642 when it was a high-class brothel. If you have Japanese skills or a chaperone, dining companions and a love of food, you might not flinch at the price.
reviewed
-
K
Hotaruya
To splurge on Kaga ryōri and step back in time, visit this shop in Higashi Chaya-gai; it's on the corner in a little square. You'll be rewarded with wood-beam and tatami room surroundings, and understated, standard-setting course meals. For lunch, try the hanamachi kaiseki set, ¥6300.
reviewed