Northern Higashiyama
This is part of the new wave of yakitori (skewers of chicken, and other meats or vegetables) restaurants in Kyoto that are updating the old standards in…
Must-see restaurants in Kyoto
Southern Higashiyama
Across from Minami-za theatre, this noodle specialist is an unassuming and casual spot for a filling lunch or dinner while exploring Gion. Choose from a…
Kyoto
A great spot to lunch on yakitori (chicken grilled on skewers) washed down with sake when visiting the sake breweries in Fushimi. It's run by the owner of…
Northern Higashiyama
Behind the blank white facade of Prinz, you’ll find an inviting modern cafe-restaurant, gallery and garden – a chic island of coolness in an otherwise…
Downtown Kyoto
Not far from the Sanjō and Kawaramachi intersection, this popular ramen specialist welcomes foreigners with an English menu and friendly staff. It's got…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
Who needs meat and dairy when food can taste this good without it? This light-filled cafe is a haven for vegans and vegetarians with a range of meals from…
Downtown Kyoto
Nishiki Warai is a great place to try okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) in casual surroundings. Non-smokers might find it a bit smoky at times, but it’s a…
Northern Higashiyama
This place, popular with Kyoto University students, dishes up creative variations on chicken, fish and meat. The menu is in Japanese only and if you’re at…
Karafuneya Coffee Sanjō Honten
Downtown Kyoto
This coffee and dessert cafe is smack in the middle of Kyoto's main shopping district. In a country famous for its plastic food models, Karafuneya takes…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
Head to the basement floor of the Kyoto Tower building for a range of food stalls to feast on. There's everything from a Mexican taco stand and ramen to…
Arashiyama & Sagano
For a tasty bowl of soba noodles and a million-dollar view over the Arashiyama mountains and the Togetsu-kyō bridge, head to this extremely popular eatery…
Downtown Kyoto
This elegant restaurant on a scenic stretch of Kiyamachi-dōri is an excellent place to try kaiseki. The modest but fully satisfying food is beautifully…
Southern Higashiyama
Squeeze in at the counter for front-row seats to watch the chefs do their thing at this lively izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery). Seafood is big on the menu,…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
If you love ramen, do not miss this collection of nine ramen restaurants on the 10th floor of the Kyoto Station building (on the west end, take the…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
This is a great collection of restaurants located on the 10th floor of the Kyoto Station building; otherwise it can be accessed by the JR Isetan…
Downtown Kyoto
With its relaxed bohemian feel and Pan-Asian menu, Mew'z cafe-restaurant is a great place to break up bouts of shopping on Teramachi-dōri. Drop in for a…
Downtown Kyoto
Located beneath a gallery, this cool subterranean cafe offers a range of snacks, meals and drinks, including craft beer, coffee and cocktails, in a…
Downtown Kyoto
A short walk from Nijō-jō, this homey cafe is a great spot to lunch on mainly vegan and vegetarian homemade food, from veggie burgers with salad to vegan…
Southern Higashiyama
This casual Japanese-style tearoom on Nene-no-Michi in the heart of the Southern Higashiyama sightseeing district is well placed for a break while doing…
Imperial Palace & Around
A short walk from the northeast gate of Imperial Palace Park, this burger cafe is a great spot for a break while sightseeing. Prop up at the counter or…
Imperial Palace & Around
This is one of Kyoto’s most interesting cafes – it’s built inside an old sentō (public bathhouse) and the original tiles have been preserved. Light meals…
Northern Higashiyama
Overlooking the Shirakawa Canal, just across the street from the National Museum of Modern Art, this tiny French-style cafe is a lovely spot to take a…
Downtown Kyoto
Mishima-tei, around since 1873, is a good place to sample sukiyaki (thin slices of beef cooked in sake, soy and vinegar broth, and dipped in raw egg) as…
Southern Higashiyama
At Kasagi-ya, on Sannen-zaka near Kiyomizu-dera, you can enjoy a nice cup of matcha and a variety of sweets. This old wooden shop has atmosphere to boot…
Northern Higashiyama
Karako is a favourite ramen restaurant in Kyoto. While there's not much atmosphere, the ramen is excellent – the soup is thick and rich and the chashū …
Downtown Kyoto
This is one of the easiest places for non-Japanese to enter on Ponto-chō, a street where many of the other restaurants turn down even unfamiliar Japanese…
Imperial Palace & Around
Located in a converted machiya, Manzara represents a pleasing fusion of traditional and modern Japanese culture. The fare is creative modern Japanese and…
Downtown Kyoto
This convenient downtown branch of the original favourite Papa Jon's serves its excellent New York cheesecake, as well as breakfast sets, quiche, soup and…
Downtown Kyoto
This is an upmarket branch of the Ganko chain that serves sushi and simple kaiseki sets. There’s a picture menu and you can stroll in the stunning garden…
Northwest Kyoto
Locals line up for the tofu lunch sets at this famous restaurant across from Kitano Tenman-gū. Set meals usually include tofu, rice and miso soup. The…
Northern Higashiyama
Filling noodle and rice dishes are served at this pleasant shop with an English menu – the nabeyaki udon (pot-baked udon in broth) is a great choice. This…
Northern Higashiyama
If you're in need of a break from Japanese food, head to this casual spot near Demachiyanagi Station for excellent and filling felafel pita sandwiches or…
Downtown Kyoto
Drop in for one of its filling sandwiches and an Ethiopian coffee or stop by to knock back craft beer at this cool basement bar-cafe with a laid-back…
Downtown Kyoto
Ootoya is a clean, modern Japanese restaurant chain that serves a range of standard dishes and set meals at good-value prices. It’s popular with Kyoto…
Arashiyama & Sagano
This friendly little teahouse is perfectly located along the Arashiyama tourist trail. In addition to hot and cold tea and coffee, it serves uji kintoki …
Imperial Palace & Around
Join the queue of locals here for some of the city's tastiest sweets, with the mame-mochi (glutinous rice sweet with black beans) being the standout star…
Arashiyama & Sagano
This excellent restaurant on the north side of JR Saga-Arashiyama Station specialises in fermented Japanese foods, most of it vegetarian. The daily set,…
Arashiyama & Sagano
This cute light-filled cafe is a convenient stop close to Hankyū Arashiyama Station and a short walk from the Togetsu-kyō bridge. It offers a range of…
Northwest Kyoto
This is a great choice for a spot of lunch when visiting Kinkaku-ji and the temples in the area. The setting is traditional and relaxed and it serves…
Arashiyama & Sagano
On the banks of the Hozu-gawa sits this lovely semi-outdoor restaurant. The food is only pretty good, but the location is impossible to beat. Dishes…
