Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is renowned for its historic temples, beautiful gardens, and traditional tea houses. But there’s another aspect of this ancient city that captivates travelers: its culinary delights. From traditional dishes to modern fusions, Kyoto offers a gastronomic journey that tantalizes the taste buds. Here’s a curated list of the top 10 must-try delicacies in Kyoto for every foodie visiting the city.
1.Kaiseki
A traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, Kaiseki is an art form that balances taste, texture, appearance, and colors of food. It’s a culinary experience that mirrors Kyoto’s dedication to tradition and elegance.
A. Kikunoi Honten
- Restaurant Name: Kikunoi Honten
- Address: 459 Shimokawara-cho, Yasakatoriimae-sagaru, Shimokawara-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0825, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 20,000 – 40,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Hours might vary, please check the official website for precise details)
- Official Website: Kikunoi Honten Website
B. Ryozanpaku


- Restaurant Name: Ryozanpaku
- Address: 5-2 Yoshidaizumidonocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8301, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 15,000 – 35,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Closed on Sundays, hours might vary)
- Official Website: Ryozanpaku Website
C. Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama
- Restaurant Name: Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama
- Address: 58 Susukinobabacho, Sagatenryuji, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 20,000 – 50,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Hours might vary)
- Official Website: Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama Website
2.Matcha Sweets
Kyoto is famous for its high-quality matcha (green tea). You can find matcha-flavored ice creams, cakes, and even parfaits in the tea houses and cafes scattered across the city.
A. Itohkyuemon Uji Honten
- Restaurant Name: Itohkyuemon Uji Honten
- Address: 19-3 Todou-uchiyama, Uji, Kyoto 611-0013, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 1,000 – 2,500 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (hours might vary)
- Official Website: Itohkyuemon Uji Honten Website
B. Tsujirihei Honten
- Restaurant Name: Tsujirihei Honten
- Address: Japan, 〒611-0021 Kyoto, Uji, Wakamori−41
- Estimated Expense: 1,000 – 3,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (hours might vary)
- Official Website: Tsujirihei Honten Website
C. Nakamura Tokichi Honten
- Restaurant Name: Nakamura Tokichi Honten
- Address: Japan, 〒611-0021 Kyoto, Uji, Ichiban−10−番地 10番地
- Estimated Expense: 1,000 – 3,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (hours might vary)
- Official Website: Nakamura Tokichi Honten Website
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3.Saba-zushi
Unlike the typical sushi we’re familiar with, saba-zushi is a mackerel sushi where the fish is pressed atop the rice and then wrapped in seaweed. A distinct Kyoto delicacy!
A. Izuju Sushi
- Restaurant Name: Izuju Sushi
- Address: 292 Gionmachi Kita-gawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 2,000 – 4,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays; hours might vary)
- Official Website: Gion-izuju.com
B. Izuu
- Restaurant Name: Izuu
- Address: 367 Kiyomoto-cho, Yasakashinchi, Higasiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0084
- Estimated Expense: 2,500 – 2,500 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 11:00 – 23:00 (Last Order 22:30) 〈Only takeout orders of Saba Sugata Zushi (mackerel sushi) are available until 15:00〉Tuesday (except public holidays)
- Official Website: https://www.izuu.jp/english/
4.Yudofu
Tofu in Kyoto is nothing short of exceptional. Yudofu, or tofu hot pot, is a warm and comforting dish made by simmering tofu in a savory broth.
A. Tousuiro Kiyamachi
- Restaurant Name: Tousuiro Kiyamachi
- Address: Japan, 〒604-8001 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Kamiosakacho, 517-3
- Estimated Expense: 3,000 – 8,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (hours might vary)
- Official Website: Tousuiro Website
B. NANZENJI JUNSEI
- Restaurant Name: NANZENJI JUNSEI
- Address: 60 Nanzenjikusagawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8437
- Estimated Expense: 3,090 – 6,170 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 11:00 – 21:30 (Last Order 20:00)
- Official Website: Junsei Website
C. Okutan Kiyomizu
- Restaurant Name: Okutan Kiyomizu
- Address: 3-340 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 3,000 – 7,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays; hours might vary)
5.Kyoto Vegetables (Kyo-yasai)
Grown in the unique climate and soil of Kyoto, Kyo-yasai are traditional vegetables with distinctive flavors. Dishes made from these are a must-try for vegetarians visiting the city.
A. Sojiki Nakahigashi
- Restaurant Name: Sojiki Nakahigashi
- Address: 32-3 Jodoji Ishibashicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8406, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 8,000 – 20,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Closed on Tuesdays; hours might vary)
- Official Website: Sojiki Nakahigashi Website
B. Shigetsu
- Restaurant Name: Shigetsu
- Address: 63 Arashiyama Susukinobaba-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8385, Japan (Located inside Tenryu-ji Temple)
- Estimated Expense: 3,300 – 7,000 JPY per person for their vegan set meals
- Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Last order at 1:30 PM; Closed on Tuesdays; hours might vary)
- Official Website: Shigetsu Website
6.Warabi Mochi
A jelly-like confection made from bracken starch, warabi mochi is a refreshing treat, often dusted with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and drizzled with kuromitsu (black sugar syrup).
A.Sawawa
- Restaurant Name: Sawawa
- Address: 456番地 Jumonjicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8121, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 500 – 1,500 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed on Wednesdays; hours might vary)
- Official Website: Sawawa Website
7.Tsukemono
These pickled vegetables, known for their vibrant colors and unique taste, accompany many Kyoto meals. They’re not just side dishes but an integral part of Kyoto’s culinary heritage.
A. Kyo-Tsukemono Otokomae
- Restaurant Name: Kyo-Tsukemono Otokomae
- Address: Japan, 〒604-8182 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Osakazaimokucho, 699 フォルム洛中庵 101
- Estimated Expense: 500 – 2,500 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 09:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Official Website: https://www.kyo-tsukemono.jp/
B. Kyo-Tsukemono Daiyasu
- Restaurant Name: Kyo-Tsukemono Daiyasu
- Address: 252 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 1,000 – 3,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday – Sunday)
- Official Website: Daiyasu
8.Obanzai
A traditional home-style cooking of Kyoto, obanzai ryori consists of simple, seasonal dishes that showcase the flavors of each ingredient.
A. Miyakoyasai Kamo Karasuma
- Restaurant Name: Kyo-Tsukemono Daiyasu
- Address: Ogisakayacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8095, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 1,000 – 2,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours:
Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (Last orders at 9:15)
Lunch: 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Last orders at 3:30 p.m.)
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Last orders at 9:30 p.m.)
*Small pot buffet, coffee and beer served until 9:00 p.m. - Official Website: https://nasukamo.net/
9.Yatsuhashi
A signature confection of Kyoto, yatsuhashi is a thin, triangle-shaped sweet made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Often filled with sweet red bean paste, they come in both baked and raw varieties. Don’t forget to try both!
A. Honke Nishio Yatsuhashi
- Store Name: Honke Nishio Yatsuhashi
- Address: 541-3 Nakanocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8042, Japan
- Estimated Expense: 800 – 2,000 JPY for a pack of Yatsuhashi sweets
- Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Open daily, but please confirm in advance as timings might vary)
- Official Website: https://www.8284.co.jp/shop/kiyomizuzaka.html
B. Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten
- Store Name: Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten
- Address: Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 七条下る東塩小路町721-1
- Estimated Expense: 500 – 2,000 JPY for a pack of Yatsuhashi sweets
- Operating Hours: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Open daily, but please confirm in advance as timings might vary)
- Official Website: Shogoin Yatsuhashi
10.Soba Noodles

Since ancient times, soba noodles have been a common dish in temples, shrines, and among the royals and high officials in Kyoto. The city’s soft groundwater, slightly lesser in minerals compared to the Kanto region, is ideal for preparing kombu broth, giving Kyoto’s soba noodles a distinct flavor. Don’t miss out on trying Herring Soba, a traditional dish made by simmering dried herring in a rich sauce before adding it to warm soba noodles.
A. Honke Owariya
- Store Name: Honke Owariya
- Address: Japan, 〒604-0841 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Niomontsukinukecho, 322
- Estimated Expense: 1,000 – 3,000 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays, please confirm in advance as timings might vary)
- Official Website: Honke Owariya
B. Matsuba
- Store Name: Matsuba
- Address: Japan, 〒605-0075 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 四条大橋東入ル川端町192
- Estimated Expense: 1,500 – 3,500 JPY per person
- Operating Hours: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays, please confirm in advance as timings might vary)
- Official Website: Matsuba (Website is in Japanese)
When in Kyoto, ensure you indulge in these ten culinary delights. Each dish tells a story, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich history and culture. Let your taste buds travel through time and savor the essence of Kyoto.
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