Best Izakaya In Kyoto

Izakaya and sake specialists (they’re almost the same thing) are everywhere in Osaka. Spending an evening in an izakaya is one of the best ways to really experience this city — you’ll sample great food, meet the locals, and drink some fabulous sake or beer.

[Akagakiya izakaya in Kyoto. — image © Florentyna Leow]

There are quite literally thousands of izakaya in the city. You’ll find a high concentration of izakaya around every train station in town. They’re particularly abundant near Shin-Osaka Station, JR Osaka Station, Hankyu Umeda Station, Shinsaibashi Station and Tennoji Station. Here’s a list of our favorite izakaya in Osaka.

• Kikkoya (Downtown Kyoto; mid-range)
  Eating out in Kyoto doesn’t have to be fancy, multi-course affairs all the time. We love obanzai places like Kikkoya in downtown Kyoto, which serve up homestyle cooking that’s heavy on the vegetables as well as flavour.
• Suiba Shijo Kawaramachiten (Downtown Kyoto; budget to mid-range)
  For a fun, inexpensive night out with friends, try a standing izakaya like Suiba in Shijo Kawaramachi. Good, cheap food and drink — what more could you ask for from dinner?
• Jojo (Kyoto Station; mid-range)
  A good casual izakaya (Japanese-style dining pub) within walking distance of Kyoto Station, Jojo is one of our favorite restaurants in the Kyoto Station area.
• Renkon-ya (Downtown Kyoto; mid-range)
  Centrally located, friendly, and serves delicious homestyle food — what’s not to like about Renkon-ya? This izakaya in downtown Kyoto near Sanjo Station is a cozy little restaurant that’s popular with the locals.
• Akagakiya (Downtown Kyoto; mid-range)
  If you’re into non-touristy dining, you’re in luck. Ultra-local Akagakiya near Sanjo serves up a slice of old-school Kyoto atmosphere along with its tasty izakaya classics.

Best Kyoto Restaurant Recommendations

• Best Restaurants In Kyoto
• Best Affordable Sushi in Kyoto
• Best Cafes in Kyoto
• Best Child-Friendly Restaurants in Kyoto
• Best Gyoza in Kyoto
• Best Izakaya in Kyoto
• Best Japanese Tea and Sweet Shops in Kyoto
• Best Kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine) in Kyoto
• Best Kissaten in Kyoto
• Best Okonomiyaki in Kyoto
• Best Ramen in Kyoto
• Best Resutoran-gai in Kyoto
• Best Shojin Ryori (Japanese Buddhist vegetarian cuisine)
• Best Shokudo (All Round Restaurants) in Kyoto
• Best Soba and Udon in Kyoto
• Best Sukiyaki in Kyoto
• Best Tempura in Kyoto
• Best Tofu Cuisine in Kyoto
• Best Tonkatsu in Kyoto
• Best Unagi in Kyoto
• Best Vegan and Vegetarian in Kyoto
• Best Yakitori in Kyoto

---