Kyoto’s restaurant scene is wide ranging. From elaborate kaiseki fine dining, to tiny neighborhood ramen and gyoza shops, you’re bound to find places that fit your style or mood. It’s also the place to try the unique Kyoto-style sushi, which is made with cured fish instead of raw, fresh fish.
That said, on this page I show and describe 12 of the best places to eat in the city, categorized by budget. Once read you should have a good idea about where to go to taste some of the city’s most delicious foods.
Budget Restaurants
Dining in Kyoto doesn’t have to break the bank – in this section I list some of the best restaurants that will keep you satisfied on a low budget.
Gyoza Hohei
Located in the geisha district of Gion, Gyoza Hohei is a small restaurant with a straightforward menu. Ground meat dumplings are available in two options: ginger, or leek and garlic, along with several other side dishes.
Due to the restaurant’s popularity, putting your name in for a queue at the door is to be expected. However, the affordable prices and excellent gyoza make up for the wait 🙂
| Price range: | 320 – 420 JPY per meal (~$2.8 – $3.7) |
| Opening hours: | Mon – Sat: 6 pm – 1 am |
| More info: | Gyoza Hohei’s TripAdvisor page |
Okonomiyaki Katsu
Just a short walk away from the Ryoan-ji temple, Okonomiyaki Katsu is a small resto run by a friendly couple. Get a seat at the counter, and watch the chef make your meal in front of you on a huge “teppan” iron griddle!
Their okonomiyaki is a popular dish in Kyoto. The base consists of batter and cabbage, and a wide variety of toppings can be added to your liking.
| Price range: | 450 – 800 JPY per meal (~$4 – $7) |
| Opening hours: | Mon – Tue: 5:30 pm – 9 pm Sat – Tue 11:30 am – 1 pm |
| More info: | Okonomiyaki Katsu’s TripAdvisor page |
Yakitori Daikichi
If you’re looking for a cozy dining place with an authentic Japanese atmosphere, the Horikawa Takatsuji branch of Yakitori Daikichi is the place to go!
The restaurant offers delicious skewers in a wide variety – chicken, chicken skin, pork, and mushroom are just some of the examples. It’s also open till late, which makes it a convenient option for a late-night snack.
| Price range: | 120 – 160 JPY per skewer (~$1 – $1.4) |
| Opening hours: | Mon – Sat: 5 pm – 12 am |
| More info: | Yakitori Daikichi’s TripAdvisor page |
Mid-Range Restaurants
If sticking to a tight budget is not one of your concerns, here are some reasonably affordable restaurants that promise an unforgettable dining experience.
Shishin Samurai Cafe & Bar
Shishin is tucked away in a quiet street in downtown Kyoto, and offers a unique dining experience for those curious about samurai culture.
The restaurant is decked out in replica samurai swords and armor, and you’ll also enjoy a brief history lesson on the samurai by the English-speaking staff, along with your meal. The restaurant also offers generous vegetarian options, for those on vegan and vegetarian diets.
| Price range: | 1000 – 5000 per meal (~$9 – $44) |
| Opening hours: | Tue – Sun: 11 am – 2 pm + 5:30 pm – 11 pm |
| More info: | Shishin Samurai’s TripAdvisor page |
Yamafuku
Located in the charming Pontocho district, Yamafuku is one of the best places to enjoy shabu shabu, or Japanese style hot pot.
Enjoy freshly sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu or even noodles, dipped into aromatic “daishi” fish stock broth. The staff take time to explain every step of the meal, so you won’t feel lost even if it’s your first time having shabu shabu!
| Price range: | 1680 – 5000 JPY per meal (~$15 – $44) |
| Opening hours: | Mon – Sun: 5 pm – 12 am |
| More info: | Yamafuku’s TripAdvisor page |
Steak Otsuka
Japan may be known worldwide for its Wagyu beef, but Steak Otsuka is one of the few places in Kyoto where you can enjoy Murasawa beef, also known as “Legendary Beef”. It’s a rather rare type of Wagyu, as very few of these cows are exported.
Steak Otsuka is a short walk from Arashiyama train station, making it the perfect lunch stop before exploring the Bamboo Forest. Get there before 11am, and do get the Murasawa set for affordable, tender, juicy Wagyu steak that melts in your mouth!
| Price range: | 1300 – 6200 JPY (~$11.5 – $55) |
| Opening hours: | Mon – Wed: 11 am – 2:30 pm Fri – Sat: 11 am – 2:30 pm |
| More info: | Steak Otsuka’s TripAdvisor page |
Fine Dining
If you’re on a top-dollar budget, head over to one of these restaurants where you can enjoy some of the very best Japanese cuisine that Kyoto has to offer.
Roan Kikunoi
For those in search of the finest cuisine in Kyoto, Roan Kikunoi is a worthy choice. Like their main branch boasting a 2 Michelin Star ranking, the Kiyamachi branch serves kaiseki style meals with a variety of seafood.
You can feast on dishes like duck liver pate, abalone, sea urchin, tuna, and squid, best enjoyed with some sake. If you’re with a Japanese-speaking friend, get a seat by the counter for a chance to be entertained by the chef!
| Price range: | 4000 – 25K JPY per meal (~$35 – $222) |
| Opening hours: | Sun – Sat: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm + 5 pm – 8:30 pm |
| More info: | Roan Kikunoi’s TripAdvisor page |
Shoraian
Tucked away in a quiet corner by the riverside, Shoraian makes an impression even before you get there, since getting there requires a walk through a beautiful bamboo grove.
They serve kaiseki, or traditional multi-course Japanese meals, with a focus on tofu. The meals are varied, flavorful, and best of all – presented in arrangements so impressive, you’ll almost be sorry to dig in.
| Price range: | 3800 – 10K JPY per meal (~$34 – $89) |
| Opening hours: | Mon – Thu: 11 am – 5 pm Fri – Sun: 11 am – 8 pm |
| More info: | Shoraian’s TripAdvisor page |
Hafuu Honten
With their signature “Original” meal starting at 1000 Yen/~$9.5, dining at Hafuu Honten may not be the cheapest, but you get what you pay for.
Located near the Imperial Palace, Hafuu Honten is known for serving up beef of the highest quality. The English-speaking staff are also friendly and attentive, and are always happy to answer any questions you might have about your meal.
| Price range: | 995 – 10K JPY per meal (~$8.8 – $89) |
| Opening hours: | Thu – Tue: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm + 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm |
| More info: | Hafuu Honten’s TripAdvisor page |
Sushi Places
Visiting Kyoto without trying their signature delicacy of sushi would be a sin! Here, I’ve shortlisted a few restaurants offering sushi at varying price points to suit every budget.
Izuju
Izuju is one of the best places to get traditional Kyoto-style sushi. Cured fish is used, as it was hard to get fresh fish in the landlocked city before refrigeration became common.
Izuju’s “Sabazushi” is a good example, where cured mackerel is wrapped around rice, and held together with a thin seaweed sheet. I recommend the box set, so you’ll be able to taste a wider variety of sushi.
| Price range: | ~800 – 1800 JPY per 1 person meal (~$7.1 – $16) |
| Opening hours: | Thu – Tue: 10:30 am – 7 pm |
| More info: | Izuju’s TripAdvisor page |
Sushi no Musashi
Conveniently located in the transport hub that is JR Kyoto Station, Musashi is a good option for an affordable meal after a whole day of sightseeing.
They serve their sushi on conveyor belts, with accompanying description cards so you’ll know what you’re getting. The wide variety of sushi here also means you’ll find something beyond the usual salmon sushi – give the horse meat or roast beef sushi a try 😉
| Price range: | 147 – 346 JPY per plate of sushi (~$1.3 – $3) |
| Opening hours: | Mon – Sun: 10 am – 10:30 pm |
| More info: | Sushi no Musashi’s TripAdvisor page |
Matsudaya
Located in the beautiful Gion district, dinner at Matsudaya is an intimate affair, as the chef only prepares food for a maximum of four to six people at a time.
They bring in the freshest fish from Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market, and prepare the sushi and sashimi meticulously. Because of this, it can be enjoyed with just the slightest dab of wasabi for seasoning.
| Price range: | 15K – 21K JPY per meal (~$133 – $186) |
| Opening hours: | Tue – Sun: 6 pm – 9:30 pm |
| More info: | Matsudaya’s TripAdvisor page |
Conclusion
From hearty yakitori skewers, to tasty sushi, to delicate kaiseki meals, Kyoto offers a wide range of cuisine that will satisfy even the most discerning foodie. All there is to do is pick a restaurant that fits your budget, head out, and tuck in! 🙂
P.S. If you’re having breakfast, you may also want to check out Kyoto’s Top 12 Things To Do to make an itinerary for the day. Or if you’re having dinner, have a look at The Ultimate Guide To Kyoto’s Nightlife to finish your evening with a fun night out.