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Restaurants in Kyoto

From Buddhist shojin ryori (vegetarian cooking) to refined Michelin-starred restaurants (the city boasts nearly over 100 of them), Kyoto showcases the amazing sophistication and scope of Japanese cuisine. Its offerings amount to a true nirvana for food lovers, many of whom come to sample the city’s elaborate kaseiki banquets - a centuries-old custom defined by an array of seasonally inspired small dishes made with care and often costly ingredients. Kyoto is not all haute cuisine though, and travellers on a tight budget will find scores of tiny hole-in-the-wall soba (noodle) shops, lively food courts and bento box lunch offers set at affordable prices.

The restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:

Expensive (over ¥10,000)

Moderate (¥5,000 to ¥10,000)

Cheap (up to ¥5,000)

These prices are based on the cost of a meal for one person, excluding drinks.

Expensive

Gion Karyo

Cuisine: Japanese

Taking a more contemporary approach to kaiseki cuisine, Gion Karyo is situated in a stunning old Gion building with sleek interiors. The menu changes daily, but its ten-course dinner tasting option is highly recommended. English menus make ordering a breeze, although be quick with reservations to ensure you get to try all the amazing food on offer.

Address: Higashiyama-ku, 570-23 Gion-machi Minami-gawa, Kyoto, 605 0074
Telephone: +81 75 532 0025
Website: http://www.karyo-kyoto.jp/gion

Hyotei

Cuisine: Japanese

This legendary restaurant near Nanzenji Temple is one of Kyoto’s Michelin three-star restaurants and serves the finest kaiseki (multi-course dinner) imaginable. Over four centuries old, Hyotei was originally a teahouse serving pilgrims on their way to prayer before becoming a restaurant and its kaiseki remains instilled with ceremonial aesthetics. The rustic setting, gracious staff and sense of timelessness conspire to create a truly extraordinary dining experience.

Address: Sakyo-ku, 35 Nanzenji Kusagawa-cho, Kyoto, 606 8437
Telephone: +81 75 771 4116
Website: http://www.hyotei.co.jp/en

Kappo Sakamoto

Cuisine: Japanese

This tiny one-Michelin-starred kappo (meaning to cut and cook) is hidden away down a nondescript street in the Gion district overlooking the Shirakawa River. The family-owned outfit is helmed by chef Ryuta Sakamoto, who prepares exquisite dishes with seasonal ingredients for a handful of well-heeled guests. Seating is at the wooden counter or at the two lower tables.

Address: Higashiyama-ku, EF Building 1F Gion Sueyoshi-cho, Kyoto, 605 0085
Telephone: +81 75 551 2136
Website: http://www.gion-sakamoto.com

Moderate

Kushikura

Cuisine: Japanese

Kushikura specialises in top-quality yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and other skewered dishes using seasonal ingredients and local vegetables. Set in a beautifully restored machiya, a Kyoto-style townhouse, the best seat is at the restaurant counter, where you can watch meals being grilled to perfection over smouldering charcoal. The service is always friendly and efficient.

Address: Nakagyō-ku, 584 Hiiragi-cho, Kyoto, 604 0826
Telephone: +81 75 213 2211
Website: http://www.kushikura.jp

Manzara Tei Pontocho

Cuisine: Japanese

This elegant izakaya (Japanese-style pub) occupies a townhouse along the Pontocho alleyway and offers casual table seating downstairs and a traditional dining room upstairs. The menu features fresh seafood, sushi and other local delicacies such as tofu and yuba (tofu skin) complimented by locally brewed beer, sake and shochu - a potent Japanese spirit.

Address: Nakagyo-ku, 198 Shimokorikicho, Kyoto, 604 8016
Telephone: +81 75 212 0028
Website: http://www.manzara.co.jp/pont

Tempura Yoshikawa

Cuisine: Japanese

Tranquil Tempura Yoshikawa is located in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) near the Imperial Palace and boasts a mouth-watering tempura counter where guests can watch chefs expertly prepare dishes from scratch. Its tatami-strewn dining room serves eight-course kaiseki banquets at Western-style seating overlooking an ornate Japanese garden.

Address: Nakagyo-ku, Tominokoji, Oike-sagaru, Kyoto, 604 8093
Telephone: +81 75 221 5544
Website: http://www.kyoto-yoshikawa.co.jp

Cheap

Asuka

Cuisine: Japanese

This homely little restaurant found near the Heian Shrine serves teishoku (set meals) for under 1,000 yen, making it a must for big appetites and small budgets. Bustling Japanese mama-sans (women managers) cook and serve the set menus that include one rice, fish or meat dish, four side plates, and a miso soup for good measure. English-language menus and a foreigner-friendly vibe add to the appeal.

Address: Sanjō-dōri, Higashiyama-ku, 144 Nishi-machi, Kyoto, 605 0037
Telephone: +81 75 751 1941
Website: http://www.asuka-kyoto.net

Omen

Cuisine: Japanese

Many agree that Omen makes Kyoto’s best udon (thick wheat) noodles, renowned for being served in a tasty broth and topped with lashings of fresh ginger, roasted sesame seeds and pickled daikon radish. The menu also boasts excellent side dishes such as tempura vegetables, tofu and grilled hamo (conger eel). There are three locations in Kyoto, but the best is near Ginkakuji Temple.

Address: Sakyo-ku, 74 Ishibashi-cho, Jodo-ji, Kyoto, 606 8406
Telephone: +81 75 771 8994
Website: http://www.omen.co.jp

Ramen Sen no Kaze Kyoto

Cuisine: Japanese

Japan’s ultimate comfort food comes in the form of ramen - a slurping noodle broth usually served with meat or fish and various toppings. It’s worth waiting in the out-the-door queue at Ramen Sen no Kaze for one of their hearty bowl-loads, well-matched by a side of gyoza dumplings. The menu also offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan ramen variations.

Address: Nakagyo-ku, 580 Nakanocho, Kyoto, 604 8042
Telephone: +81 75 255 01 81
Website: http://www.ramensennokazekyoto.com
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Hiiragiya Ryokan

The Hiiragiya is one of the most exclusive ryokans in Kyoto. Since the mid-19th century it has hosted the rich and famous in its exquisitely decorated rooms. There are two wings – the oldest is full of traditional aesthetic charm and the more modern (completed in 2006) is a compliment of modern Japanese design. The service is impeccable and truly an experience in itself.

Shunkoin Temple Guest House

For a sacred night's sleep, Shunkion is located within the Myoshin-ji temple complex in the northwest of the city. Its eight simple and serene rooms are decked out with tatami mats and offer shared kitchen facilities; some have en suite bathrooms. The real draw is that guests can enjoy morning meditation classes and strolls in the temple by night. There's also free bicycle rental on offer.

Hotel Mume Kyoto

Set in a sleek four-story building in Gion, this warm and welcoming boutique stay has seven rooms decorated around the nature-inspired concept of 'ka-cho-fu-getsu' (flower, butterfly, wind, moon). In Flower, guests gaze up at cherry blossom karakami ceiling panels, Butterfly is defined by sumptuous red antique furniture, Wind is bright and breezy and Moon plays on a lunar theme with monochrome tiling.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

A well-designed hotel for both business and leisure, Hotel Granvia Kyoto is conveniently located in the JR Kyoto Station building. The hotel is spread across 15 floors with 545 tastefully decorated rooms, an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness room as well as 12 different restaurants and bars. Local artwork is on display in the lobby and guest rooms.

Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa

Snap up an early-bird discount for a great value stay at this large modern hotel found within walking distance of an array of historic landmarks restaurants and nightlife spots. Its 355 well-equipped rooms appeal to both business and leisure guests with high-speed Wi-Fi tea stations and comfortable beds. The restaurant has buffet-style lunch and dinner and a Western and Japanese breakfast spread.

Capsule Ryokan Kyoto

A seven-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, these ryokan-style capsules offer traditional tatami beds inside compact rooms to create something both unique and quintessentially Japanese. Space is cleverly used in the private rooms, which have air-conditioning, televisions and en-suite shower facilities, while free Wi-Fi and refreshments are available in a communal lounge area.