19 Must-Try Restaurants in Kyoto: Top Picks for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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Choshoku Kishin offers a unique dining experience centered on traditional Japanese breakfast. Conveniently located on the first floor of Hanatouro Hotel Gion, it is just a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station.

Breakfast is available by reservation only. The interior features a modern Japanese design with an atmosphere that reflects the essence of Kyoto, complemented by the inviting aroma of freshly cooked rice.

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Choshoku Kishin serves breakfast in a traditional ichihan-isshiru style, featuring one bowl of rice and one bowl of soup. The meal includes "Kumiage Yuba" (fresh tofu skin) as a side dish, and guests can choose from three types of soup.

One of the options is "Kyoto White Miso Pork Soup." This miso soup is known for its smooth, creamy texture and delicate, refined flavor.

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You can enjoy unlimited servings of rice. At first, freshly cooked rice is served in small portions in a bowl of your choice.

As the rice continues to steam, it gradually becomes softer and sweeter. At the end, you can even savor the crispy layer at the bottom, experiencing how the flavor and texture change over time.

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Shunsai Imari is a cozy Japanese restaurant located a 10-minute walk from Shijo Station, offering Kyoto-style obanzai and traditional dishes.

Housed in a renovated Kyoto machiya townhouse, this hidden retreat features a tranquil, authentic Japanese atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing dining experience.

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The "Kyoto Breakfast" set meal, featuring clay pot rice, is available by reservation only. The rice is freshly cooked in a clay pot to match your arrival time.

They use Koshihikari rice from Kyotanba, known for its rich sweetness and pleasantly chewy texture. Guests can also enjoy complimentary rice refills, making for an even more satisfying experience.

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Seasonal obanzai (Kyoto-style small dishes), Saikyo-yaki (Kyoto-style grilled fish), and dashimaki tamago (Japanese rolled omelet) are served in a set meal, with clay pot rice as the centerpiece.

Many reviews praise the flavorful obanzai and nukazuke pickles, which perfectly complement the rice, making it the highlight of a satisfying breakfast.

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Located a 5-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station, Takezaki is a kappo-style Japanese restaurant nestled within a residential neighborhood. The restaurant offers an intimate and refined atmosphere, with only six counter seats.

In the morning, guests can enjoy a special breakfast course available exclusively by reservation.

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Takezaki values seasonal ingredients and offers an omakase course featuring the best flavors of each season, available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The "Breakfast Course" begins with a small selection of appetizers, followed by a series of dishes such as grilled and fried items, each served one at a time in a course-style presentation.

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On one visit, the meal included a generous assortment of dishes such as sashimi, chawanmushi (savory egg custard), and a flavorful soup. The rice is served in a clay pot, which is a delightful touch.

Cooked to perfection with just the right firmness, each grain stands out beautifully—resulting in fluffy, exceptional rice.

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A Japanese restaurant specializing in healthy Kyoto-style obanzai (traditional home-style dishes). The bright and modern Japanese decor creates a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for breakfast. Open daily from 7:00 AM.

Conveniently located about a 3-minute walk from both Shijo Station and Karasuma Station, and within walking distance of Kyoto Station, it is an ideal spot to enjoy a meal before sightseeing.

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The "Obanzai Set" allows you to choose six small dishes from a showcase featuring a variety of obanzai side dishes.

There are always more than ten different vegetable-based options available, with the selection changing daily. You can choose between white rice and multigrain rice, and refills are offered.

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For an indulgent breakfast, the "Miyabi Gozen" set is highly recommended. It features twelve seasonal obanzai (Kyoto-style home-cooked dishes), beautifully presented in colorful glass bowls.

The meal also includes their signature dish, the creamy Yuba Rice Bowl, making for a healthy and satisfying start to your day.

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Kyosaimi Nomura Nishiki is located in a renovated Kyoto townhouse that is over 80 years old. The restaurant specializes in traditional Kyoto-style home cooking known as obanzai.

Inside, guests can choose between Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, both featuring a charming retro atmosphere. Conveniently situated near Nishiki Market and Shijo Kawaramachi, it is an ideal stop for visitors exploring the area.

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The "Yasaka Set," available for breakfast, features six varieties of traditional Kyoto obanzai served in small bowls. The set includes their signature yuba rice bowl and miso soup.

The obanzai dishes are made with plenty of beans and carrots, offering nostalgic flavors reminiscent of classic home-style Japanese cooking.

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The "Yuba Rice Bowl" is a signature dish here, and the creative "Fluffy Cheese Yuba Rice Bowl," which combines cheese and egg, is also a popular choice. The refined dashi broth and rich egg create a light, airy texture that melts in your mouth.

The delicate flavor of Rishiri kombu kelp, a traditional ingredient in Kyoto cuisine, is fully showcased in every bite.

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A specialty rice porridge restaurant operated by the historic "Oryori Menami" in Kiyamachi. Conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, it opens as early as 7 a.m.

The restaurant spans two floors and offers a stylish, comfortable setting with plenty of spacious table seating.

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There are three classic types of rice porridge, along with four seasonal specials. You can also freely select and combine different obanzai (Kyoto-style side dishes).

The signature dish is the "Chinese Chicken Porridge," featuring a carefully prepared chicken broth. The rice is slowly simmered, resulting in a smooth and comforting flavor that's especially enjoyable in the morning.

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Many guests recommend starting your morning with the simple "Japanese-style rice porridge with five grains."

The gentle dashi broth enhances the natural sweetness of the rice, creating a comforting dish that warms you from the inside out. You can enjoy it slowly, changing up the flavors with umeboshi (pickled plum), shiso, and assorted pickles.

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"Lorimer Kyoto" is a much-talked-about restaurant that brings the Japanese set meal (teishoku) experience back from New York. Here, you can enjoy set meals featuring fish as the main dish, served in the traditional ichiju-sansai (one soup, three sides) style.

The restaurant is popular among locals, and the counter seats—where guests can interact directly with the owner—are especially sought after.

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A traditional Japanese breakfast featuring "ichiju-sansai"—one soup and three side dishes. For the main dish, guests can choose from two daily selections of fish, such as salt-grilled or Yūan-yaki (marinated and grilled).

Served with vegetable side dishes, a Japanese omelet, miso soup, and rice, this set meal offers a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition, making it an ideal way to start the day.

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The rice served here is made with Omi rice, known for its subtle sweetness.

You can also customize your meal with options like grilled fish rice balls or sweet corn rice. It's a delight to choose your favorite combination based on your morning appetite.

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Kamado Takitate Gohan Doi Gion is a Japanese restaurant specializing in freshly cooked rice prepared in a traditional kamado oven. Conveniently located near the West Gate of Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks, it offers a truly authentic dining experience.

Guests can enjoy set lunch meals (gozen) featuring a buffet of assorted Japanese pickles.

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The Gozen meals feature main dishes such as tempura, beef sukiyaki, and Saikyo-yaki (Kyoto-style grilled fish).

One highlight is the "Salmon Saikyo-zuke Gozen," which features salmon marinated in Saikyo miso and grilled to perfection. The fish is tender and moist, with a rich, flavorful fat content, beautifully balanced by the delicate miso seasoning.

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When you order a Gozen set meal, you can enjoy their famous "Pickles Buffet." Around ten varieties are offered, including Kyoto-style obanzai, seasonal vegetable pickles, and fresh salads.

Rice and miso soup are also available for unlimited refills, ensuring a satisfying and filling meal.

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Gohan Ya Isshin Kyoto offers authentic Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients, all at a reasonable price. The dining space, designed with abundant Yamazugi wood, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Kyoto.

Conveniently located in the city center, it is about an 8-minute walk from both Karasuma Oike Station and Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station.

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The lunch set meal includes two small side dishes, pickles, and miso soup. Guests can enjoy unlimited servings of white rice. The restaurant sources fresh, high-quality rice from various regions each year, especially during the new harvest season.

One of the highlights is the "Freshly Rolled Dashi-maki Tamago Set Meal," featuring a fluffy Japanese omelet made with Kyoto-style dashi broth for a delicate, savory flavor.

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The house specialty is "Sea Bream Chazuke." Steamed rice, cooked in a traditional hagama pot, is served in an ohitsu wooden container. To start, it's recommended to enjoy the marinated sea bream—soaked in a rich bonito dashi—separately from the rice to appreciate each flavor.

To finish, pour hot dashi broth over the rice and sea bream, add a touch of wasabi, and savor the delicate aroma and smooth texture as the flavors come together in this classic chazuke style.

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Located near the eastern end of Taishogun Shopping Street, this Western-style eatery occupies the second floor of an apartment building and has a discreet exterior, giving it a hidden, off-the-beaten-path feel.

The restaurant is especially popular among locals for its set lunch meals, which feature generous servings of fresh vegetables.

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There are three different lunch sets that change weekly, each served with rice, miso soup, and salad. The main plate often features Western-style dishes such as kara-age (Japanese fried chicken) and Hamburg steak.

The salad is a colorful mix of various vegetables, allowing you to enjoy both the appearance and texture of each ingredient.

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The "C Set" for the week features a Hamburger steak with demi-glace sauce, fried shrimp with tartar sauce, and battered white fish—all served together on one plate, making it the perfect meal to enjoy with rice.

The dish comes with a generous helping of seasonal vegetables, offering vibrant colors and a satisfying portion size.

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A five-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station, Rokkaku Kitchen 109 is a retro-style restaurant set in a preserved Kyoto machiya townhouse. Enjoy a set lunch featuring obanzai—traditional Kyoto home-style dishes.

At the back of the restaurant, you'll find a charming courtyard, offering a tranquil atmosphere where you can relax and take in the traditional ambiance.

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The "Kigawari Set Meal" is a daily lunch special featuring a variety of main dishes such as grilled fish or Nanban-zuke fish, a fried fish dish served chilled with a vinegar sauce.

On one occasion, the Chicken Tatsuta (a light fried chicken) was made with healthy-feeling chicken breast and had a refreshing, tangy flavor. The meal also comes with a salad and side dishes, and you can have one free refill of rice.

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There are two types of monthly lunch specials: the Western-style "Haikara Rokkaku Lunch" and the Japanese-style "Hokkori Rokkaku Lunch."

On one particular day, the Western-style lunch featured a one-plate meal with items such as fried shrimp and Hamburg steak. It offers the classic taste of Japanese-style Western cuisine, and pairs perfectly with rice.

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Just a 2-minute walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Station, this restaurant is located along the Katsura River. From the window seats, guests can enjoy beautiful views of the gently flowing Katsura River and the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, offering a true taste of Kyoto's changing seasons.

The menu features Gozen meals prepared with an abundance of seasonal ingredients.

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The "Kyoto Donburi Five-Variety Tasting Set" offers a selection of five different rice bowls, each featuring seasonal ingredients. Guests can enjoy a variety of flavors, including meat, fish, tempura, and chirashi, all served in small portions.

Depending on the season, the set may also include hot pot or shabu-shabu dishes. The beautifully presented meal is another highlight.

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One autumn, the menu featured a variety of seasonal flavors. The takikomi gohan (seasoned rice) was infused with the savory taste of dashi and included tender kakuni (braised Japanese pork belly) made from Japanese pork.

The dish was generously topped with mushrooms and autumn vegetables, creating a refined umami flavor that paired perfectly with the melt-in-your-mouth pork belly.

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Negiya Heikichi Takasegawa offers lunch Gozen meals featuring a variety of dishes centered around green onions. One of its unique highlights is the unlimited topping of green onions with every order.

Located along Kiyamachi Street by the Takase River, this restaurant is an ideal stop during sightseeing. The charming interior preserves the authentic atmosphere of a traditional machiya townhouse, providing a truly memorable dining experience.

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The restaurant is renowned for its gozen meals featuring tororo (grated yam) over rice. Their tororo is a special blend of yamaimo, tsukuneimo, and yamatoimo, resulting in a pleasantly salty flavor and a rich, sticky texture that pairs perfectly with rice.

Enjoy uniquely Kyoto-style variations such as the "Yuba Tororo Gozen" and the "Sea Bream with Sesame and Tororo Gozen."

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The lunch-only "Hamidashi Tendon" rice bowl is a feast for the eyes, featuring a towering anago (conger eel) along with generous portions of shrimp and Kyoto vegetables, all served as tempura.

The sweet, richly flavored sauce is a highlight, with many diners commenting that it makes the rice irresistible.

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A five-minute walk from Shijo Station, Gohan Dokoro Yaosada is a Japanese restaurant nestled in a charming, traditional neighborhood. Housed in a beautifully renovated old townhouse, the restaurant offers an authentic Japanese ambiance.

The second floor features tatami-style seating, making it an excellent choice for groups as well.

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You can enjoy traditional Kyoto cuisine here, known for its delicate flavors and expertly crafted dashi broth.

The "Daily Set Meal" offers a well-balanced selection of dishes that change each day. With a variety of flavorful side dishes that pair perfectly with rice, guests will appreciate the option for large portions or extra servings.

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Chirashi Sushi is a colorful dish topped with seafood such as shrimp and anago eel, along with lotus root and nama-fu (wheat gluten cake).

During the winter months, it is served as steamed sushi, with warm, fluffy rice covered in assorted toppings. The sweet and tangy pickled ginger adds a perfect accent to the hearty rice, making this dish highly praised for its delicious flavor.

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A cozy Japanese dining spot located just a 5-minute walk from Higashiyama Station, nestled by the Shirakawa Bridge on Sanjo-dori. This restaurant is a sister establishment of Wakuden, a renowned Japanese restaurant founded in 1870.

The inviting atmosphere feels just like home, offering seasonal dishes and delicious rice bowl lunches made with carefully selected ingredients.

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Original rice bowls made with carefully selected rice and vegetables grown using natural farming methods. The rice is cultivated, harvested, and milled entirely in-house, ensuring the highest quality from soil preparation to the final product.

One recommended dish is the "Anago Tempura and Mountain Vegetable Ankake Don." The tender rice is perfectly complemented by a gentle, flavorful dashi-based sauce, making for a harmonious and satisfying meal.

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The most popular rice bowl is the "Tan's Beef Bowl with Plenty of Sansho Pepper." The simmered egg is served on the side, allowing you to enjoy a change of flavor. The set also includes a hearty miso soup with plenty of vegetables and a seasonal Japanese side dish.

The beef shigure features a comforting Kyoto-style dashi broth, delicately enhanced by the spicy kick of sansho pepper for a refined and delicious taste.

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Gion Nanba is an intimate kappo-style restaurant with just 20 seats, quietly nestled on Hanamikoji Street in Gion, Kyoto.

The counter seats offer a special experience, allowing guests to watch the chefs at work up close. The sunken kotatsu seating is a unique feature, ensuring a relaxing and comfortable dining experience.

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A variety of lunch courses are available, ranging from eight to eleven dishes. Each course features an abundance of seasonal ingredients, offering a sensory experience that delights not only the palate but also the senses of aroma and visual presentation.

The traditional menu includes dishes such as appetizers, hassun (seasonal platter), simmered specialties, and rice, following the classic structure of Japanese cuisine.

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Toward the end of the course, rice, red miso soup, and pickles are served. The rice is carefully cooked in a clay pot, resulting in a glossy and fluffy texture.

On this occasion, the rice was takikomi gohan steamed together with sea bream and pickled plum. The refined Kyoto-style dashi broth imparted a delicate aroma, while the subtle saltiness of the plum brought the dish together beautifully.

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A specialty restaurant where you can savor Japanese eel grilled over charcoal and rice cooked in an earthen pot. Okuniya Manbei is operated by the long-established river fish shop Okuniya, located in Kyoto’s historic Nishiki Market, known as "Kyoto’s Kitchen."

The interior exudes an elegant, traditional Japanese atmosphere, complemented by the enticing aroma of freshly grilled eel.

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For lunch, only the "Charcoal-grilled Unagi and Kamado-cooked Rice" set is available. The grilled eel (kabayaki) and freshly cooked rice are served separately, allowing you to serve yourself and enjoy them at your own pace.

Any remaining rice can be transformed into ochazuke with roasted hojicha tea. The rich, slightly bitter tea enhances the sweetness of the eel sauce and rice, creating an exceptional final dish.

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The eel here is prepared in the Kanto style, where it is steamed before being grilled. This extra step creates a perfect balance: the skin turns crisp while the flesh remains tender and fluffy.

Coated in a rich, sweet sauce, the fatty eel pairs exceptionally well with steamed white rice.

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Just a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station, Ouchi Gohan Nakashima Ya is a Japanese izakaya where you can enjoy comforting home-style dishes, including Kyoto-style obanzai with a focus on fresh vegetables.

The restaurant features counter seating, perfect for chatting with regulars, as well as traditional tatami seating on the second floor. With its warm, welcoming atmosphere, this neighborhood favorite is a popular gathering spot for locals.

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The "Freshly Shaved Katsuobushi Egg Rice" features aromatic katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) shaved to order. The dish uses premium katsuobushi from Uneno, a renowned Kyoto dashi specialty shop.

This simple yet quintessentially Kyoto dish puts the spotlight on the delicate flavor of katsuobushi.

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The homemade obanzai dishes are a popular choice among most guests. You can select from a three-item, five-item, or full assortment platter.

Dishes include potato salad, canola flower with mustard dressing, simmered vegetables, kinpira, and other seasonal vegetable sides. Each is carefully prepared and pairs perfectly with drinks.

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Gohan Ya is a set meal restaurant located in the southwest area of Karasuma Oike. In the evenings, it transforms into an izakaya, serving a variety of small plates and rice dishes.

Guests are invited to relax by removing their shoes, making it a perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Private tatami rooms are also available for a more intimate dining experience.

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As the name "Gohan Ya" suggests, this restaurant takes great pride in its rice.

Each serving is presented in a traditional bamboo steamer, with every grain perfectly cooked and fluffy. The menu features a wide variety of rice dishes, including Jako Sansho Gohan (rice with baby sardines and Japanese pepper) and Takana Salmon Gohan (rice with pickled mustard greens and salmon), among many others.

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The menu also features a variety of dishes perfect for pairing with drinks, including sashimi and oden.

Seafood is a highlight here, offered in many styles such as grilled, simmered, or tempura. The restaurant also boasts a selection of Japanese sake from Kyoto and Shiga, making it an excellent place to enjoy a meal with regional sake.