Blog Posts
Best Unagi In Kyoto
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
If you're familiar with sushi, you might have encountered unagi on the menu. That's the word for freshwater eel in Japan, and it's a real delicacy. In fact, there are entire restaurants dedicated to s
Read MoreBest Vegan Vegetarian In Kyoto
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Japan is not an easy place for vegans and vegetarians. Most dishes usually contain dashi -- a skipjack bonito broth -- while vegan and vegetarian eating, whether it's a lifestyle choice or religious a
Read MoreBest Yakitori In Kyoto
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Kyoto has dozens of fantastic yakitori restaurants. Here is our pick of Kyoto yakitori restaurants that are affordable, friendly, and delicious.  is a good collection of Japanese and international restaurants in the heart of downtown Kyoto. If you find yourself in need of a meal whi
Read MoreDaitokuji Ikkyu
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
For great shojin ryori, look no further than Daitokuji Ikkyu. This Zen temple vegetarian restaurant is the oldest existing one of its kind in Kyoto -- it's over 500 years old! Compared to other citie
Read MoreDonguri Kyoto Ekimae
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
If you're craving a hearty meal, hit up Donguri Kyoto Ekimae in front of Kyoto Station. This restaurant has been serving okonomiyaki to the hungry masses since 1977, with a special emphasis on using l
Read MoreFalafel Garden Restaurant Northern Higashiyama
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
A great vegetarian restaurant in northern Kyoto, Falafel Garden specializes in the eponymous falafel, but there's plenty more on the menu to keep things interesting. With a hippy vibe and a friendly
Read MoreFujii Daimaru Department Store
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Fujii-Daimaru is a small department store in downtown Kyoto with a strong focus on youth fashion. The basement food floor (known as Tavelt) is quite good here. Overshadowed by the larger stores nearb
Read MoreGanko Sanjo Honten Restaurant Kyoto
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
A vast downtown sushi specialist, Ganko Sushi is one of the most approachable and reasonably priced sushi places in Kyoto. There's nothing subtle about Ganko Sushi: The windows are crammed with gaudy
Read MoreGion Owatari
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
2-star kaiseki restaurant Gion Owatari is a favourite with Japanese gourmands, and no wonder -- the cooking here is at once soulful and impeccable. Kaiseki can be an intimidating affair -- a parade o
Read MoreGion Uokeya U
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Forget eel rice bowls -- have you ever had an eel rice bucket? At 1-starred Gion Uokeya U, their signature dish is a wooden bucket filled with rice and eels. What an experience! ![Gion Uokeya U](http
Read MoreGluten Free Kyoto
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
If you're gluten intolerant, you can still eat very well in Kyoto. It just takes a little caution and effort. Here is our complete guide to gluten-free Kyoto. ![Sushi bowl](https://photos.smugmug.com
Read MoreGoya Restaurant Northern Higashiyama
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
A great place to eat near Ginkaku-ji Temple, Goya is an Okinawan-themed restaurant with excellent food, cool music and comfortable seating. Goya i
Read MoreGuilo Guilo Hitoshina
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Located in a renovated warehouse south of Gion-Shijo Station, Guilo Guilo Hitoshina offers a delicious, modern take on kaiseki cuisine at ridiculously affordable prices. Kaiseki -- traditional multi-
Read MoreGyoza Hohei
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Located smack in the middle of the geisha district of Gion, Gyoza Hohei serves fabulously garlicky dumplings to fuel you up after a long day of sightseeing. As a bonus, you might even see a local maik
Read MoreHinode Udon Northern Higashiyama
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Hinode Udon is a fine lunch restaurant near Nanzen-ji Temple and the Path of Philosophy. As the name suggests, udon noodles are the specialty of the house. My father used to say that you can judge th
Read MoreHiranoya Restaurant Arashiyama
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
They simply do not make restaurants more attractive than this old teahouse near Atago Torii in Arashiyama. It's a teahouse that doubles as a proper restaurant. With an atmospheric thatched roof, this
Read MoreHirobun Kibune
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Hirobun is one of the more laid-back riverside restaurants in the quaint village of Kibune. ![Cool dining in Kibune image copyright Jeffrey Friedl](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Kyoto-Photo-Of-The
Read MoreHonke Owariya Restaurant Kyoto
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Located in an atmospheric old wooden building, Honke Owariya is arguably the best soba restaurant in all of Kyoto. ![Restaurant Honke Owariya Downtown Kyoto](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto-Restaura
Read MoreHonke Owariya
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
This revered old soba restaurant is a good place to try Japan's own noodle dish in atmospheric old Kyoto surroundings. ![machan & densans sobaya](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9XWppTc/0/0050f97
Read MoreHyotei Restaurant Northern Higashiyama
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
One of Kyoto's Michelin three-star restaurants, Hyotei is one of the most attractive restaurants in Kyoto. It's a kaiseki restaurant that makes few concessions to foreign palates. Located in an incre
Read MoreInoda Coffee Honten
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
I love this old coffee shop in Kyoto mostly because it's not a chain. Well, it is a chain, but it's not one that's morphed over the whole world. It's a good chance to see what Japanese coffee shops we
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