Best of Kyoto

Best View

La Table de Thierry

A superb location in which to enjoy the eastern hills, the Kamo-gawa (Kamo River) and the Ponto-cho geisha district while nibbling on Kyoto-style French cuisine.

Best Bistro-Brasserie

Brasserie Cafe ONZE

A popular and hip hangout right in the middle of town, popular with the late 20s and 30s crowd. Usually packed on weekends so go early or after 10:30. Great for an after meal drink and people watching.

Best British Food

The Green

Wholesome Kyoto-style bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, soups and desserts east of the Imperial Palace gardens.

Best Chinese (Cantonese)

Old Hong Kong

A refreshing change from the normal mainland-style Chinese food in Japan, Old Hong Kong serves exactly that – good Hong Kong cuisine. Their all-you-can-eat dim sum is the best in Kyoto, although not at Chinatown prices.

Best Coffee

Cafe Kamogawa

An unpretentious café and gallery that roasts its own beans. Spacious enough to relax yet cosy enough to feel local.

Best Gyoza (Fried Dumplings)

Anzukko 杏っ子

Easily the best gyoza in Kyoto. With an elegant interior and wine list, you’ve never eaten gyoza in a setting like this.

Best Design

A Womb

Contemporary interpretations of traditional Japanese cuisine (sushi, kaiseki, donburi rice bowls) in an ultra-modern interior. Definitely one of Kyoto’s coolest restaurants.

Best First Date

Merry Island Café

Most enjoyable in summer with its windows open to Kiyamachi street, this stylish restaurant serving Asian fusion food has a Bali resort feel. Don’t forget to try the back patio seating. Perfect to calm the nerves on a special first lunch or dinner.

Best Irish Pub

Irish Pub Field

Field is notable for being the first Irish pub established in Kyoto, and every Tuesday and Saturday features an open Irish music session. Enjoy home-style Irish food and Guiness from the barrel.

Best Italian (East Kyoto)

Bosom

Run by the cheerful Yamamotos, Bosom features a great wine list and food to match. We recommend the chicken pâté.

Best Italian (West Kyoto)

Colori Caffe

Extensive pasta menu, delicious salads and good coffee in a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere. Chef Yossy’s Buttanseca is the best in Kyoto.

Best Jazz Bar

Hello Dolly

Located on Ponto-cho street, this old-school Jazz bar is a blast from the past. Live music usually on weekends.

Best Machiya Izakaya

Manzara-tei Nishiki まんざら亭錦

Although it’s hard to choose just one Manzara-tei (see Machiya page), the Nishiki branch is conveniently located and offers the best all-round machiya dining experience, without the wallet pinch.

Best Mexican

El Latino

Most likely the only place in Kyoto where you can find an assortment of Mexican beers, this laid back eatery serves up genuine Mexican fare. Massive tequila cocktails, too.

Best Museum Cafe

Cafe Cube

Located in the Hosomi Museum, Café Cube faces out onto an open courtyard. Elegantly designed and featuring a hanging washi (Japanese paper) work by artist Horiki Eriko.

Best Place to Go for a Quick Drink

La Gallega

Galician Spanish tapas and standing bar in the Kyouen restaurant complex near Sanjo Station. Overlooks a Zen-style rock garden. 315 yen beers!

Best Ramen (Tonkotsu Pork base)

Takaraya 宝屋

With six branches in Kyoto, Takaraya’s most central location is at the north entrance of famous Ponto-cho street. Pork-based soup with thin noodles, all in a cosy renovated machiya.

Best Tempura

Yoshikawa 吉川

Top-quality tempura that is fresh, light and delicately fried to perfection in a stately old ryokan.

Best Soba

Urume うるめ

Machiya restaurant serving delicious handmade buckwheat noodles served with dipping sauce or tempura.

Best Thai Curry

Siam Thai Curry

Bestowed with a Thai government approved ‘Thai Select’ award, this is one of the best Thai restaurants in Japan. The menu – mostly curries – is not extensive but the quality is guaranteed.

Best Themed Bar

Bar Tantei

Owned by film director Hayashi Kaizo, famous for his detective movies (‘tantei’ means detective in Japanese), this bar is straight out of a movie set. There's even a hidden movie theatre at the back.

Best Tofu Cuisine

Tofu Cafe Fujino

Stylish and modern café of a famous Kyoto tofu maker. Excellent lunch sets and afternoon tea selections.

Best Kara-age (Fried Chicken Pieces)

Fukei 風景

Fukei’s crispy and succulent kara-age stands out from the crowd. Generous portions and ice-cold beer. Owner Matsuda-san is your man for all things Beatles.

Best Udon

Omen おめん

Delicious thick wheat noodles served with the superb combination of fresh ginger, roasted sesame seeds and daikon pickles.

Best Unique Interior

Sarasa Nishijinさらさ西陣

Spacious restaurant/café serving Yoshoku (western-style food) in a converted sento (bathhouse).

Best Vegetarian

Hale

Organic and vegan café in a machiya just off Nishiki-dori food market – known as the ‘kitchen of Kyoto’.

Best Vietnamese

Tiem An Huong Viet

Huong Viet’s cool green walls and red lanterns create just the right ambience in which to enjoy a variety of pho noodle soups, Banh Xeo crepes and other staples of Vietnamese cuisine.

Best Club to Dance the Night Away

World

Get groovy at the coolest and most cavernous nightclub in Kyoto with local and international DJs. Check the website for music genre before you go.

Best Whiskey Bar

K6

On weekends after 10pm it’s usually hard to find a seat in this sophisticated yet relaxed bar that features a separate room for its whiskey collection.

Best Yakitori

sumiyaki Akari

Top quality yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) in an elegant setting minutes from the Old Imperial Palace. Menu is also geared towards their extensive wine list.

Best French Afternoon Tea

Mariage Freres

Tea time at Mariage Freres is an elegant affair - white linen, delicious tarts and gateaux, attentive waiters and hundreds of types of tea. The tea menu is actually a book, you can choose from black, green white, flavoured and spiced teas.

Best Chou Cream

Petit Briller

The most angelic chou cream in Kyoto - a light and fluffy combination of whipped cream and custard in a chou pastry puff . Very reasonably priced too - just ¥104 each. Petit Briller's Okome Roll Cake, made with rice flour and decorated with toffee is also a delight.

Best Wine Bar

SAYURA Vins Fins

Quite possibly the most elegant wine bar you'll ever encounter in Japan, Sayura is located right in the heart of the Gion Geisha district.

EDK Restaurant Map

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