Kyoto Restaurants

Great experience. The food was awsome. The atmosphere was perfect.

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!

An amazing omakase dinner in Kyoto. An intimate six person counter experience watching the chef create magic. Every thing we tasted was out of this world. The presentation was exceptional. It was a treat to watch the knife work and plating over the two and a half hours we were there. Highly recommend!

Great and value for money, special restaurant at wonderful place INE.

Wij hebben hier een fantastisch diner gegeten. De typisch traditionele Japanse gerechten worden met zeer veel zorg voor jou ogen bereid. Veel uitleg bij wat je eet. De smaken zijn allemaal in harmonie. Alles was lekker en verser dan vers

The best meal we had in Japan. Incredibly well thought-out and perfectly prepared dishes that were balanced and delicious from start to finish. The staff were so accommodating and kind, using google translate to pass on their knowledge and interact with us. A traditional dining experience that I will never forget.

Very nice dinner experience. If you would like to try a japanese Micheline star restaurant in Gion, Kyoto. All ingredients are fresh and excellent service.

The food was sublime. Extremely friendly and caring service from our server. Private and Quiet atmosphere allowing us to immerse ourselves in the traditional Gion setting. Definitely worth another visit.

This was my first kaiseki experience, and it did not disappoint. I had a lunch reservation at the counter, which allowed me to observe the chefs assemble each dish with care and precision. Every course was beautifully presented and genuinely delicious. Some of the flavor combinations were unlike anything I had tasted before, making the meal feel special. The portion size for lunch was also surprisingly generous, and I left completely satisfied. The space itself is cozy and intimate, with a traditional feel. There are only 6 counter seats, and you remove your shoes at the entrance, which immediately sets the tone for an authentic and immersive experience. One thing worth noting for non-Japanese speakers: the service is conducted entirely in Japanese. It was not a barrier to enjoying the meal, but it was a shame not being able to ask questions about each dish or fully follow the conversations. Overall, Oryori Hayashi is a must-visit for anyone curious about kaiseki. I would love to return if given the chance — highly recommended!