Best Places to Eat in Kyoto

Best Dishes to Try in Kyoto

If you are searching for the best food options in Kyoto, here are seven must-try spots with descriptions, ingredients, dietary choices, and price ranges:

• Takoyaki (Fried Octopus Ball)

  Takoyaki is a bite-size ball of deliciousness sold in the streets of Kyoto. The golden-coloured balls are wheat-based batter filled with seafood like octopus and shrimp. It is seasoned deliciously with pickled ginger and green onions.

  • Type: Non-vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: INR 200 - 350

• Yakitori (Chicken Skewer)

  Yakitori is a skewer of scallion and chicken grilled with soy sauce or salt. You can be adventurous with this dish as it is served with different chicken parts like the thigh, wings, liver, or even chicken meatballs. Pair it with a cold drink for the best experience.

  • Type: Non-vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: INR 50 - 120

• Ningyo-yaki (Baked Doll Cake)

  Not only does this dish look ridiculously cute, but it also tastes fantastic. It is a pancake-like dish moulded to a cute shape like a fish. The pancake has different fillings, such as red bean paste(anko), chocolate, or custard.

  • Type: Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: INR 280 - 300

• Okonomiyaki (Savory Pancake)

  This mouth-watering dish is sometimes called a Japanese pizza. The pancake batter is commonly prepared with egg, meat, vegetables, and cheese. Then, it is topped off with special sauce, mayonnaise, seaweed flake, and ginger pickle. You will get different toppings or ingredients based on where you eat.

  • Type: Non-vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: Starting from INR 384 per piece

• Yakisoba (Stir Fried Noodles)

  Street food in Kyoto includes delicious stir-fried noodles. Yakisoba is a wheat noodle fried with vegetables, pork, and a tangy sauce. The steaming noodles are served with toppings like mayo, ginger, and flakes.

  • Type: Non-vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: INR 193 - 386

• Matcha Mochi

  The stretchy and chewy rice cake is the perfect sweet and creamy dessert. The mochi is made from glutinous rice, sweetened with coconut milk, and dusted in matcha for that unique green colour.

  • Type: Vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: Starting from INR 600

• Daigaku Imo (Candied Sweet Potato)

  This sweet potato dish is for you if you are a sweet lover. Cubes of sweet potatoes are deep-fried until crispy, then glazed with honey or caramelised sugar. It is then sprinkled with sesame seeds for that delicious nutty taste.

  • Type: Vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: Starting from INR 200

*Disclaimer: All costs are approximate and subject to change at the time of travel.

Japan Food Guide: Best Restaurants and Street Food Stalls in Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the liveliest cities in Japan and offers foods from different cuisines in the world. If you search “Indian food near me” or “Chinese food near me” on your phone, you will find plenty of options during your stay. Many restaurants and stalls with local specialities and global cuisine can be easily found. Here is a list of some of the best places to eat in Kyoto:

• Honke Owariya Honten

  This is one of Kyoto's oldest restaurants, which specialises in traditional food. Visit the Honke Owariya Honten main branch to enjoy its long history and signature soba noodles dish. Stop by to taste the noodle dishes with the restaurant for centuries.

  • Location: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto prefecture 604-0841
  • Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

• Kikunoi

  If you want the best fine dining experience, go to Kikunoi. You will be served twelve courses per meal. The menu changes with the season as they use seasonal food as their main ingredients.

  • Location: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 153-0043
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 Am - 10:00 PM

• Tousuiro

  If you wish to enjoy a unique cuisine style called Kaiseki, Tousuiro is the spot. The restaurant is known for its variety of seasonal tofu dishes and seafood that are plated and assorted so beautifully. You will be offered a menu of five stunning meal sets from which you can choose.

  • Location: Sanjo Agaru Kiyamachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto prefecture 604-8001
  • Opening hours:11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Nishiki Market

  For street food lovers, Nishiki Market is one of the best places to visit. You can try different kinds of street food from hundreds of stalls lined up in the market. Some must-try dishes include Tako Tamago (Octopus Egg) and Dashimake Tamago (Japanese rolled egg).

  • Location: Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan
  • Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

• Izuju

  Known for its mackerel sushi, Izuju is a sushi restaurant that can give you a unique experience. The restaurant is famously known as the only place in Kyoto that still uses traditional Japanese furnaces (Okudo-san), offering their food a distinctive flavour.

  • Location: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto prefecture 605-0073
  • Opening Hours: 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Vegetarian Restaurants in Kyoto

Kyoto is known for its mouth-watering seafood and meat dishes, but it also offers diverse vegetarian cuisine. If you search for “pure veg restaurants near me,” the results will mostly show the places listed below. However, when you visit any restaurant, you must check with them regarding their preparations to ensure the dishes meet your dietary needs.

• Shigetsu

  Shigetsu is a Michelin-starred restaurant located inside the Tenryuji Temple. You can enjoy the view of the temple and its garden as you take your food. You will be served all vegetarian meals, with each dish designed to connect you with nature.

  • Location: Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, 616-8385 Japan
  • Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Ain Soph. Journey

  Ain Soph. Journey is a famous vegan fusion restaurant, known for its fluffy matcha pancake. Try out exciting dishes such as coconut cheese and vegan palak paneer.

  • Location: Nakagyo Ward, Nakanochō, 604-8042 Kyoto, Japan
  • Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Kichi Kichi Omurice

  Kichi Kichi is an Omurice (egg and rice topped with sauce) restaurant serving vegetarian Omurice. The chef of this restaurant is the world-renowned Motokichi Yukimura, who adds to the restaurant's popularity.

  • Location: Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8017, Japan
  • Opening hours: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• Kerala Indian Restaurant

  If you are looking for an Indian restaurant near me, this place is a great option. This Indian restaurant is known for its versatile menu, among which paneer bhurji is a customer favourite. You can also request them to make any dish on their menu with 100% plant-based ingredients.

  • Location: Shimomaruyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan, 604-8006
  • Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

• Falafel Garden

  As the name suggests, Falafel Garden serves delicious falafel in many combinations. This Israeli kitchen in Kyoto is loved by vegetarians from around the world.

  • Location: Sakyo-ku, Tanaka Kamiyanagicho 15-2
  • Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Best Vegan Cafes/Restaurants in Kyoto

The search results for the “best restaurants near me” as a vegan will delight you. Traditional Japanese dishes use plant-based products as their main ingredients, and many restaurants in Kyoto serve these dishes. Here is a list of places to guide you through your search for “vegan places to eat around me.”

• Zireal Vegan Restaurant

  The restaurant is an excellent fit if you are searching for “healthy food near me” options. Zireal serves a 100% plant-based menu, making it a hot spot for vegans. Their menu changes every day as their dish focuses on seasonal Kyoto vegetables. They commonly serve remarkable dishes: dumplings, soy bolognese pasta, and soy meat plates.

  • Location: Higashiyama Gionmachi Kitagawa, Japan, 605-0073
  • Opening hours: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM

• Veg Out

  The Veg Out cafe overlooks the Kamo River, offering a beautiful view to its customers. It serves a 100% plant-based menu that is delicious and fulfilling. You can try well-known dishes such as the Buddha Bowl, Matcha Soy Tiramisu, and Tacco Rice Bowl.

  • Location: Shomogyo-ku Kamogawa Bldg.1F, Kyoto 600-8133 Kyoto Prefecture
  • Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

• Itadakizen

  This restaurant will update traditional Japanese food to fit vegetarian diets. Itadakizen is a vegan restaurant offering classic dishes like grilled onigiri, vegan sushi, tofu steak, and various noodles.

  • Location: Kamigyō-ku, Nibanchō 199-1, Kyoto, Japan, 602-8344
  • Opening hours: 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM

• Kousagisha Cafe

  This modern and minimalistic cafe is located just above the Kousagisha Gallery and has a noteworthy contemporary vegan menu. The cafe offers curries, soup, side dishes, and even desserts. They also provide many sampler plates in a variety of colours.

  • Location: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 606-8416, Japan
  • Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM

• ORTO

  Known for its delicious mushroom dishes, ORTO is a restaurant that serves 100% plant-based dishes. Their vegan set course meal is both tasty and unique, with its range of specialities like shitake mushroom bread, maitake mushroom pasta, and butternut squash risotto.

  • Location: 337-2 Sanjocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
  • Opening hours: 6:30 AM - 11:00 PM

FAQs

• Q1. Can I find Indian food in Kyoto?

  Ans. Yes, you can quickly get Indian food as there are many Indian restaurants in Kyoto. A simple online search for “Indian food near me” will show you the best places to get both non-vegetarian and vegetarian Indian cuisine.

• Q2. What seasonal foods should you try in Kyoto?

  Ans. One delicious seasonal food is an autumn special called Kuri (chestnut). You can eat Kuri either steamed or roasted. You can also get dishes made out of Kuri, like rice dishes and delicious nutty desserts.

• Q3. What are some must-try dishes in Kyoto?

  Ans. Some must-try dishes are Ramen (noodles), Tofu, Sushi, Soba (Buckwheat noodles), Unagi (Freshwater eel), and Matcha Green Tea Desserts. These distinctive dishes are on the must-try list of many travellers.

• Q4. What are the best places to eat in Kyoto Station?

  Ans. One of the best restaurants near Kyoto Station is Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu, which serves the best beef Gyukatsu with delicious side dishes.

• Q5. What is Kyoto’s food speciality?

  Ans. Kyoto’s historic temples and traditional culture emphasise simplicity and health, making vegetarian cuisine like Shojin Ryori popular, and yuba is a traditional, nutrient-dense local speciality.

• Q6. What do people say after eating in Japan?

  Ans. After a meal, saying "Gochisosama deshita" translates to "Thank you for the meal" or "It was a feast." It is customary to express gratitude in Japan.