19 Specially Selected Kyoto Washoku Restaurants: Experience Refined Dining in the Ancient Capital

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Soujiki Nakahigashi is located about a 3-minute walk from the Ginkakuji-michi bus stop in Kyoto. Renowned for its Japanese cuisine that highlights the bounty of nature, this restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience.

Inside, guests can choose from 13 counter seats or traditional tatami seating, with a total capacity of 30 seats.

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This "Hassun" features a beautifully arranged assortment on a flat plate, including canola flower, wasabi, kumquat, field horsetail, and simmered jade beans with wild yam.

The creamy texture of the wild yam and the tender, hearty jade beans are said to impress even regular guests with their exceptional flavor.

Photograph:代々木乃助ククル

The dish shown is "Kamo-wan" (duck soup). The duck meatballs have a wonderfully light, airy texture reminiscent of ganmodoki (stuffed tofu pockets), which is said to be irresistible.

With just the right amount of firmness, the meatballs release a rich duck flavor with every bite, making them exceptionally delicious.

Photograph:むすぬ

Kiyama is located about a 5-minute walk from Marutamachi Station and is renowned as one of Kyoto’s top Japanese restaurants, attracting the attention of discerning gourmets.

The warm, wood-accented interior evokes the spirit of Kyoto, offering an inviting atmosphere. The restaurant features 20 seats, including counter seating.

Photograph:代々木乃助ククル

This dish features soft roe and sea urchin served in a creamy turnip soup with yuzu sauce. The fragrance of yuzu fills your palate, while the rich flavors of roasted soft roe and uni enhance the umami, making this an exceptional and highly acclaimed specialty.

Photograph:代々木乃助ククル

The photo shows the "Hamaguri Wan" (clam soup). This dish features hamaguri clams, kinome (aromatic Japanese herb), sesame tofu, carrot, Japanese radish, and more.

The refreshing aroma of kinome enhances the experience, making this a perfect dish to finish your meal on a light and uplifting note.

Photograph:ＪＢＬさん

Oryori Hayashi is a Kyoto cuisine restaurant located about a 5-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station, easily recognized by the willow tree standing in front of the entrance.

The restaurant offers seven counter seats as well as private rooms for guests.

Photograph:代々木乃助ククル

This elegantly presented kakiage features ingredients such as mitsuba, yuba, shrimp, and sea urchin.

The addition of sea urchin lends a subtle sweetness, making it especially delicious. Its light, crisp texture is also a highlight.

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This dish features fresh green plums, delicately simmered until so tender they can be cut with a spoon. The plums melt in your mouth, offering a silky texture.

Marinated in syrup, the green plums provide a refreshing flavor with just the right balance of sweetness.

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Muromachi Wakuden is a long-established Japanese restaurant founded in 1870, located just a 5-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station.

The restaurant offers a total of 24 seats, including fully private rooms and counter seating. Its exterior and interior evoke the traditional charm of a classic Kyoto machiya townhouse.

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This is the "Charcoal-grilled Suzuki and Asparagus"—a signature dish at Muromachi Wakuden, renowned for its expertly prepared charcoal-grilled and fish dishes. Both the Suzuki (Japanese sea bass) and asparagus are beautifully grilled to perfection, resulting in a delicious and tender finish.

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This is "Bear Meat Shabu-shabu." Even in Kyoto, there are only a handful of restaurants where you can enjoy this rare delicacy.

The meat is said to be free of any gamey flavor and produces a rich, flavorful broth. The fatty portions are also highly praised for their taste.

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Ogata is a renowned Japanese restaurant located about a 6-minute walk from Shijo Station. Known for its exquisite preparation of Kyoto vegetables, this establishment is reservation only.

The restaurant features eight counter seats and private rooms, ensuring a refined and comfortable dining experience.

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A soup with a rich, full-bodied flavor. The natural sweetness of chestnut and chrysanthemum blossom gently fills your mouth with each sip.

Praised for its exquisite taste, this popular dish features the crisp texture of chrysanthemum petals and the subtle sweetness of the ingredients themselves.

Photograph:代々木乃助ククル

Grilled Unagi (eel) prepared with fresh eel sourced from Lake Biwa. This dish is served with a mildly sweet sauce accented with sansho pepper, enhancing the natural flavor of the eel. Expertly crafted to bring out the eel’s umami, it pairs perfectly with sake and other alcoholic beverages.

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Wagokoro Izumi is conveniently located just a one-minute walk from Shijo Station. The restaurant is renowned for its Kyoto-style cuisine, expertly prepared by a chef with a background in fine kappo dining.

The tranquil interior features 20 seats, including counter seating, tables, and private rooms.

Photograph:KEN21

This is "Hassun," a classic selection in traditional Japanese cuisine. It features delicacies such as hamo roe dressed with sansho miso, Hanamaki cucumber, tamago castella, kinukatsugi (steamed taro), and roasted Kawachi duck breast.

Each item is carefully prepared to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients, showcasing the chef's thoughtful techniques.

Photograph:KEN21

This is "Salt-Grilled Ayu (Sweetfish)." Each fish is skewered while still alive and carefully grilled over the course of an hour.

The grilling process is done with great care to preserve the natural fat of the ayu, resulting in a crispy skin and tender, succulent flesh—earning high praise for its delicious flavor.

Photograph:みつごとうさん

Shunseki Suzue is a Japanese restaurant located just a 4-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the Kyoto City Subway. Renowned for its dedication to the finest seasonal ingredients, the restaurant offers an exceptional washoku (Japanese cuisine) experience.

With its discreet, intimate atmosphere, Shunseki Suzue features eight counter seats and several private rooms, making it an ideal choice for both personal and special occasions.

Photograph:代々木乃助ククル

The photo features "Wild Noto Torigai (Japanese cockle) and Pike Conger." This dish makes a striking impression with its bold presentation.

Freshly grilled ingredients are simply seasoned with salt and ponzu, allowing you to savor their natural sweetness, umami, and distinctive texture. This popular dish is highly praised for its delicate balance of flavors and mouthfeel.

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This dish features "komochi moroko" from Lake Biwa. The tender moroko is easy to eat and leaves no aftertaste.

It pairs exceptionally well with ponzu sauce, making for a delicious combination. Be sure to enjoy it while it's still fresh.

Photograph:真面目愛妻家

Kodaiji Wakuden is located a five-minute walk from Gion Bus Stop and specializes in Japanese cuisine that highlights the natural flavors of each ingredient.

The restaurant is set in a striking sukiya-style building, offering a refined atmosphere. There are 50 seats available, including private rooms.

Photograph:ぴーたんたん

This is "Grilled Eel with Shiso Leaves." Fresh eel is grilled over charcoal with fragrant Japanese pepper leaves, ginkgo nuts, and other autumn delicacies, creating a beautifully aromatic dish.

The eel is grilled to a tender and fluffy texture, earning high praise for its delicious flavor. This is a dish that delights all the senses.

Photograph:上田嘉紀

This dish features moroko, a freshwater fish caught in Lake Biwa, carefully grilled over charcoal.

Thanks to its freshness, it has almost no fishy odor. The flavor is light and delicate, making it a popular choice to pair with Japanese sake.

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Gion Sasaki is located about a 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station. The restaurant is renowned for its Japanese cuisine, showcasing seasonal ingredients at their finest.

The warm, brown-toned interior offers a total of 31 seats, including counter, table, and traditional tatami seating options.

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This is "Seared Bonito Tataki." Fresh bonito is lightly seared on the surface to bring out a savory aroma and flavor.

The house-made ponzu sauce is delicately balanced, enhancing the natural taste of the bonito without overpowering it. This dish is also a popular choice to enjoy with sake or other alcoholic beverages.

Photograph:SARAH

This is "Hamo Sushi," featuring pike conger eel that is expertly grilled to a tender finish. The harmonious pairing of the eel and sushi rice makes this a standout dish, celebrated for its unique flavor and natural sweetness. Many guests find it so delicious that just one serving isn’t enough.

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Sumibi Kappou Ifuki is located about a 7-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station. The restaurant is renowned for its expertly prepared charcoal-grilled cuisine.

Set in an elegant sukiya-style building, it features a total of 21 seats, including counter seating.

Photograph:KEN21

Dishes featuring soft-shelled turtle are also available here. The piece in the front is grilled with a savory sauce, while the one in the back is simply seasoned with salt.

The meat of the soft-shelled turtle is said to have a firm, chicken-like texture. The more you chew, the richer the flavor becomes.

Photograph:KEN21

A beautifully presented "mizugashi" (fresh fruit presented as a Jpanese-style dessert). This dish features Le Lectier pear, Champagne, and honey jelly, dressed with a sauce of lily bulb and strawberry.

The aroma is exceptional and said to be truly addictive. It's a dessert that delights both the eyes and the palate.

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Gion Nishikawa is conveniently located just steps from the Higashiyama Yasui bus stop in Kyoto. The restaurant is renowned for its Japanese cuisine, crafted with locally sourced ingredients unique to Kyoto.

Inside, guests will find a spacious and tranquil setting. Gion Nishikawa offers a total of 35 seats, including counter seating, table seating, and private rooms.

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Presented on a wooden plate inspired by the harvest moon, this dish features sweet potato greens topped with salmon roe and Malabar spinach with sesame marinade.

Not only is it delicious, but the meticulous presentation makes it a feast for the eyes as well.

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This dish features deep-fried sweet potato shaped like ginkgo nuts, ebi-imo taro, and ginkgo leaves. The pleasantly starchy texture has made it popular among diners.

The perfect touch of salt creates an addictive flavor, making it an ideal pairing with Japanese sake.

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Gion Suetomo is an acclaimed Japanese restaurant located an 8-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station via Yasaka Street. The chef, who trained at renowned Kyoto ryotei (traditional fine dining establishments), is known for his exceptional skills and artistry.

The intimate setting offers eight seats, including a counter and private rooms.

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The "Taiza Crab" is a signature dish featuring a shell filled with rich kani miso (crab tomalley), carefully grilled over binchotan charcoal. The chef prepares it right before your eyes on the veranda, adding to the experience.

Enjoying the kani miso together with the sweet crab meat is said to deliver an extraordinary taste. This delicacy also pairs perfectly with sake or other alcoholic beverages.

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A classic of Japanese cuisine, Hassun. This beautifully arranged platter features a terrine of firefly squid, deep-fried yuba (tofu skin), carrot jelly, simmered bamboo shoot tips with baby sardines, and more.

Each item is carefully prepared to highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients, making this a highly acclaimed and delicious selection.

Photograph:カフェモカ男

Kyoto Kiccho Arashiyama Honten is located about a 13-minute walk from Arashiyama Station. Renowned as one of Kyoto’s most prestigious Japanese restaurants, it enjoys widespread popularity.

The restaurant features a traditional Kyoto-style exterior that creates an elegant atmosphere. There are seven private rooms, with a total of 56 seats available.

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This is the Hassun course. It features a beautifully arranged selection that includes steamed abalone with vinegar, shrimp with karasumi, water shield, grilled kinmedai skewer, thick omelet, deep-fried kisu with freshly made yuba, and beef tongue.

Not only is each item delicious, but the presentation is also a feast for the eyes. It pairs exceptionally well with Japanese sake.

Photograph:bottan

The photo features "Salt-grilled Ayu from Kiyotaki." This dish showcases fresh ayu (sweetfish) expertly grilled so that the skin is crisp while the inside remains tender and juicy.

The perfect balance between the crispy exterior and the soft flesh is said to be exceptional—a true testament to the chef's skill.

Photograph:カフェモカ男

Tempura Matsu is a Japanese restaurant located a 7-minute walk from Matsuo Taisha Station and about a 6-minute drive from Arashiyama Station. Renowned for more than just tempura, the restaurant offers a wide variety of Japanese cuisine.

There are a total of 30 seats, including 9 counter seats, 4 tables, and 3 private rooms.

Photograph:大哉心乎

This dish features tempura made with ayu (sweetfish), carefully separated into fillet and bone before being fried to perfection. The fillet is served with a savory sauce made from uruka—salted roe from last year's ayu—blended into a rich, flavorful glaze. The bones are deep-fried until crisp, offering a texture similar to crunchy senbei crackers.

Photograph:大哉心乎

This dish features a clam soup made with a blend of miso. The clams are topped with a touch of Western mustard, adding a sharp accent to the overall flavor.

The soup is also praised for its fluffy taro stems and winter melon, which absorb the savory dashi broth beautifully.

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Oryori Mitsuyasu is a reservation-only Japanese restaurant located about a 6-minute drive from Nijo Station. With many repeat guests, it is a popular destination for authentic Japanese cuisine.

Set in a charming building in a historic neighborhood, the restaurant also offers private rooms for a more intimate dining experience.

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This is a vegetable hassun platter. Beautifully arranged with Kamo eggplant, Inca no Mezame potatoes, fresh spring onions, and more.

A classic selection in Japanese cuisine, each item is carefully prepared to bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables.

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This dish, "Kumoko to Kujo Negi no Konabe," features tender cod milt seared to perfection and paired with vibrant Kujo green onions. The small hot pot is kept warm with heated charcoal, ensuring every bite stays hot and delicious until the last spoonful.

Photograph:ゆめゆめ

Kyotenjin Noguchi is located a 10-minute walk from Kitano-Hakubaicho Station and is renowned for its beautifully presented and delicious Kyoto cuisine.

The impressive building the restaurant is housed in looks just like a traditional machiya townhouse. Inside, there are eight counter seats and one private table room available.

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This dish features Kuroge Wagyu strip loin prepared shabu-shabu style—a luxurious way to enjoy premium beef in generous portions. The subtle bitterness of sansho pepper and mountain vegetables perfectly balances the rich flavor of the meat, enhancing its natural umami.

Photograph:みつごとうさん

This dish features fugu (pufferfish) fillet and skin generously topped with a rich soft roe sauce. The sauce is uniquely prepared with sweet vinegar, creating a perfect balance of the creamy soft roe and a refreshing tang.

Photograph:きゅいそん

Kyo Kaiseki Kichisen is located about a 10-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station. The restaurant specializes in seasonal kaiseki cuisine, featuring dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients of each season.

The interior offers a tranquil and refined atmosphere, with both counter seating and private rooms available.

Photograph:サプレマシー

This is "Stone-grilled Trout." A layer of pineapple is placed on a hot stone, with the trout set on top.

The pineapple not only adds a touch of sweetness but also helps tenderize the fish, resulting in a uniquely soft texture. This visually striking dish is both innovative and delicious.

Photograph:サプレマシー

This is the "Hassaku Jelly." First, enjoy a spoonful of the jelly on its own, then pour the prepared syrup over it for a different flavor experience.

After eating half, squeeze the top of the Hassaku fruit over the jelly before finishing. This exquisite dessert allows you to enjoy a variety of flavors in one serving.

Photograph:ガレットブルトンヌ

Higashiyama Yoshihisa is located just a one-minute walk from the Umamachi City Bus Stop. This standalone restaurant is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood.

The restaurant offers a total of 14 seats, with 8 at the counter and 6 at tables. Parking is also available on site.

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A dish featuring Kaga lotus root stuffed with spicy cod roe (mentaiko) and deep-fried to perfection. Inspired by the shape of a maple leaf, it is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious.

Served with ginkgo leaves and ginkgo nuts, this dish is highly praised for capturing the essence of the season.

Photograph:bottan

This is "Katsuo no Tataki"—seared bonito prepared over straw fire. The dish is artfully presented, making for a visually striking plate.

The thickly sliced bonito is renowned for its rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor. It is served with a variety of accompaniments, including bonito liver shiokara, a mayonnaise made with egg yolk and yuzu, and more.

Photograph:マダム・チェチーリア

Located in Hanaseharachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Miyamaso is renowned for its traditional Japanese cuisine specializing in "tsumikusa ryori"—dishes featuring wild mountain herbs.

Established in 1895, this historic restaurant is celebrated for its refined washoku, thoughtfully prepared to highlight the natural flavors of each ingredient.

The restaurant offers a total of 60 seats and provides convenient on-site parking.

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A classic of Japanese cuisine, "Hassun" is served here. Enjoy a beautifully arranged selection including boiled miyama irakusa greens, egg yolk, udo shoots, young sweetfish paired with wood sorrel, and river shrimp.

The young sweetfish offers a unique flavor profile, with the bitterness and tartness of wood sorrel adding an intriguing twist.

Photograph:ゴマピイ

This is "osuimono," a clear soup featuring fresh ginger, tofu, and grilled eel, topped with udo, Manganji peppers, pumpkin, and myoga ginger.

Renowned for its exceptionally flavorful dashi broth, this dish is also celebrated for its beautiful presentation.