Restaurants in Kansai
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Nailey's Café
This hip little cafe serves espresso, light lunches and dinners. The menu here is Europe-influenced and includes such things as pizza, pasta and salads. This is a good spot for an evening drink.
reviewed
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Amazon
This typical Japanese coffee shop, near Sanjūsangen-dō, turns out some surprisingly good sandwiches and coffee; it’s one of the few decent options in this area.
reviewed
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Krungtep
Dōtombori's most popular Thai place serves fairly authentic versions of the standard favourites like green curry and fried noodles. Look for the small English sign – it's on the B1 floor.
reviewed
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Lugol
For a quick cuppa or a snack in groovy surroundings, this cosy coffee shop on the west side of Downtown Kyoto is a very nice choice. We go there for decorating ideas as much as for the drinks.
reviewed
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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
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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
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Me-n-Me
They make their own noodles at this homey little noodle joint a few minutes' walk from the castle. It's not fancy, but if you want an honest, tasty bowl of udon to power you through the day, this is the spot. There's usually an English sign on the street.
reviewed
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Upwards
This fashionable eatery in Kitano serves pasta, sandwiches and salads in an airy, open space. It’s another good spot for a drink in the evening. There’s an English sign.
reviewed
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Wakkoqu
A more elegant spot to try Kōbe beef, on the 3rd floor of the Oriental Avenue shopping centre (アベニュー) at the base of the Crowne Plaza Kōbe hotel, just outside the elevator bank on the south side. The name 'Wakkoqu' is written in English on the menu displayed outside (and the menu is partially translated into English).
reviewed
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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
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Ganko Umeda Honten
Big is the operative word at this giant but approachable dining hall alongside Hankyū Umeda Station that serves a wide variety of Japanese dishes starting with sushi (if you want just sushi, you can sit at the counter and order à la carte). Look for the picture of the guy with the headband; it's just south of the DD House complex.
reviewed
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Tonkatsu Ganko
This tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded pork cutlet) specialist in the Higashi-muki arcade is around the corner from Kintetsu Nara and has an English menu.
reviewed
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Nonohana Ohka
- Nara, Japan
- Restaurants › Cafe
With indoor and outdoor garden seating, this cafe is one of our favourite places for a pick-me-up when in Naramachi. The cakes are usually very good here and they go down a treat with the excellent tea. Look for the glass front and the sign reading 'cafe'.
reviewed
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Zuboraya
The place to go when you’ve worked up the nerve to try fugu (Japanese pufferfish). Look for the giant fugu hanging out the front.
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Sona Rupa
We like this small Indian restaurant for its crispy nan bread, tasty curries and tranquil atmosphere. It's on the 3rd floor, with a sign on street level.
reviewed
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Ganko Zushi
Part of Kansai’s most popular sushi chain, this is a good place for ample sushi sets and a variety of other Japanese favourites.
reviewed
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Imai Honten
One of the area's oldest and most revered udon specialists and our favourite place on the strip. Try the tendon (tempura over rice; ¥1575). An oasis of calm amid the chaos (the no-mobile-phone policy ensures quiet), it's sandwiched between two pachinko parlours. There's no English sign, but the traditional front stands out among the glitter.
reviewed
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Ayura Café
- Nara, Japan
- Restaurants › Café
We highly recommend this tiny café for its wonderful (mostly veggie) set lunch or a quick cuppa.
reviewed
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Kyōshō-An
An upstairs tea shop where you can enjoy green tea and a whole range of Japanese sweets.
reviewed
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Isaribi
Isaribi, another robotayaki place, is a second choice after Hatago.
reviewed
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Warai
This Nishiki-dōri restaurant is a great place to try okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) in casual surroundings. It can get a little smoky, but it's a fun spot to eat. It's got sets from as little as ¥650 at lunch. It's about 20m west of the west end of Nishiki Market; look for the English sign in the window.
reviewed
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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
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Shibazaki
For excellent soba noodles and well-presented tempura sets (among other things) in the area of Kiyomizu- dera, try this comfortable and spacious restaurant. After your meal, head upstairs to check out the sublime collection of Japanese lacquerware – it's the best we've seen anywhere. Look for the low stone wall and the noren curtains hanging in the entryway.
reviewed
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Rāmen Kairikiya
Not far from the Sanjō-Kawaramachi intersection, this popular rāmen specialist welcomes foreigners with friendly staff. It's got several types of rāmen to choose from and tasty sets that include things like fried rice, fried chicken or gyōza, all for about ¥800. It's pretty easy to spot: look for the red and white sign and the words 'There is an English menu.'
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Ootoya
Ootoya is a clean, modern Japanese restaurant that serves a range of standard Japanese dishes at bargain-basement prices. It's popular with Kyoto students and young office workers. The large picture menu makes ordering a breeze. Look for the English sign just west of Ganko Sushi.
reviewed