Washoku (Traditional Japanese) Restaurants

This was an amazing dining experience. We had our own room surrounded by beautiful gardens and two women who attended to all our needs. Each dish was exquisitely presented and delicious and the service was warm and informative. It is a once in a lifetime dining experience but be prepared for the price. We were a family of four and it cost about $175 AUD a head.

Such an amazing experience. The projection is awesome, staff is very kind and patient but OMG the food. Soooo great.

It was clear the chef was totally used to running the whole place by himself. I loved how the seasonality showed in everything from the plates to his fun explanations of the food. With a quiet vibe and a lovely view outside, it was just a great place to sit back and enjoy good conversation with the chef and my companion. We chose the Seasonal Kaiseki Course, and the chef's culinary techniques were truly impressive. A standout for us was the hot dishes course—the crispy deep-fried sweetfish (Ayu) was cooked so perfectly that you could eat it whole, and the Yamashina eggplant dengaku with rich sweet miso was pure comfort. The attention to detail was everywhere. The sashimi featured flounder wrapped with edible chrysanthemum petals (Hirame Kikkamaki), which was as gorgeous as it was delicious. For the vinegared dish, the sweet horsehair crab served with refreshing Tosa vinegar, raw water eggplant, and cucumber provided a wonderful contrast in textures. The meal finished with an aromatic sea bream cooked rice, red miso soup, and a lovely dessert of Shine Muscat, Yokan, and Matcha. Experiencing such authentic Kyoto seasonality and refined cooking techniques made this special evening truly unforgettable. Highly recommended!

Such a great location for a date night in Kyoto. The atmosphere was quiet and cozy, and the chef was super friendly. They’re also very English-friendly, so we had no trouble at all. We got to enjoy some amazing Kyoto cuisine in such a relaxed setting. We had the seasonal Kaiseki course (¥22,000), and every single dish was beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared. From the refreshing starter of NAGAIMO noodles with sea cucumber gut to the exquisite appetizers presented on bamboo, you can really taste the freshness of seasonal Japanese ingredients. The highlight for us was the pike conger (Hamo) dishes—both the clear soup with delicate broth and the green-onion wrapped Hamo were exceptional. The sashimi featured medium fatty tuna and Sawara, perfectly fresh and buttery. We were also super impressed by the horsehair crab with Tosa vinegar and the savory sea bream cooked rice to finish the meal. The Shine Muscat and matcha dessert rounded off a truly memorable dining experience. Highly recommended if you want to experience authentic, high-end Kaiseki in Kyoto!

First time trying a full-course kaiseki dinner, and wow, it was totally worth it! I was skeptical about kaiseki at first, but my worry was proved completely unfounded. Every dish was delicious and beautifully presented. We dined throughout the course without any worry, since the chef took really great care of us during the meal. Out of all the dishes, my favorites were the Hamo Clear Soup and the Sea Bream Takikomi Gohan. They were so delicious that I decided to get another serving of the rice (gohan). The chef and staff were friendly, accommodating, the service was also impeccable, moreover the 5th-floor view of the Kamo River was beautiful. Definitely recommended even for first-timer! 😁

The kaiseki course experience was a wholesome one. From how the ingredients were selected, prepared, and then presented to us, everything was totally beautiful and captured the essence of Japanese cuisine. The meals themselves were all of high quality and taste. Everything was so fresh and how they were cooked really highlighted the taste of the ingredients, not heavily seasoned and kept the balance of the flavor. Watching the cooking process live really elevated the meal experience. Tucked away inside a building in the Pontocho alley, it was a perfect meal to have during your stay in Kyoto. A night you won’t be able to forget!

Such a unique dining experience at Saime! 🌿✨ Saime serves cuisine inspired by the Jomon period, an ancient era of Japan, with ingredients slowly cooked and roasted in earthenware. As a vegetarian, I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed the meal. Even something as simple as roasted pumpkin and bell peppers tasted incredibly flavourful. And their miso paste… SO good! 😂 I basically ended up slathering it onto everything. My absolute favourite part was the warabi mochi at the end, paired with their basil herbal tea — such a beautiful and comforting way to finish the meal. What also stood out to me was how naturally vegetarian-friendly the cuisine is. With the Jain festival period going on right now, I immediately thought about how wonderful this place could be for people following Jain dietary preferences as well. Finding Japanese food that can be adapted to be Jain-friendly is incredibly rare, so this felt really special.

I really enjoyed dinner at Saime Restaurant. Not only was the food amazing, but the whole atmosphere was wonderful. It’s a small venue with only eight seats, and it feels like something between a restaurant and a museum. The earthenware plates make you experience the flavors differently, and trying the vegetables separately before the main dish opens up a whole new layer of tastes. I really enjoy how simplicity is mixed with sophistication in this place, and I would love to recommend it not only to vegetarians, but to anyone who wants to enjoy healthy cuisine.

Welcome to dining. That is: Welcome to Saime. Vegan, slow-food apostles, and allergy sufferers alike, your sanctuary is here! I highly recommend Saime to any and all who are looking for a dining experience that harkens back to a simpler age. Being Jomon-era inspired, the earthenware slow-cooked vegetables can either speak for themselves, or be enjoyed with salt or miso. We tried the vegan set, which was prepared without the use of any oils, but they also have sets that include fish and meat, as well. The vegetables themselves are primarily grown and picked by the staff, and the tea and dessert were also made by hand from scratch. It will be readily apparent to any discerning visitor that there is intentionality packed into each dish, from the taste, to the presentation, to the environment. Please do yourself a favor, and book an evening at Saime.

We very much enjoyed our experience at SAIME! The host is very kind and walks you through each course’s featured ingredient and the cooking process. Each dish is crafted with the utmost care and time! While the dishes are simple, they pack a powerful flavor profile that harmoniously fits the miso and salt given to you as condiments. This experience is not only allergy and vegan friendly, but it’s also a journey into the seasonal flavors of Japan. You’ll find yourself in awe of how good veggies can taste and have your curiosity peaked on how to inspire deeper, richer tastes from local ingredients. Eating from earthenware pots with minimal utensils will leave you feeling more connected with your food. I highly recommend this restaurant for those with food restrictions or those who want to rekindle their relationship with food.

The omakase experience at Sushi Mitsuyoshi was exceptional. The servers were amazing, keeping us engaged and entertained throughout the meal, and the food was of the highest quality. I would definitely recommend Sushi Mitsuyoshi to anyone looking to experience omakase in Tokyo.

This place has history and it captivates you. The food is tasty and very different from the veg food we are used to. The house owners keep you engaged and genuinely want you to have a happy experience . So overall a great place, great service and a highly recommended experience