Hyotei

Many of the kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto go to great efforts to engage with the historic culture of the city, but none have the same bona fide historic credentials of Hyotei. This restaurant, situated on the gourds of Nanzenji Temple, is now under the stewardship of a 14th generation owner! The line of inheritance for Hyotei stretches back four and a half centuries to when it operated as the temple’s teahouse. The roof still remains in the same thatched style as in those days, which is where the restaurant got its name. Likewise, the antique tea ceremony paraphernalia inside wasn’t bought from a market, it's been there all along! Their dishes have an equal sense of heritage, with dishes such as the specialty Hyotei Tamago which has been on the menu since Kyoto was the capital of Japan. The quail rice porridge served in winter, has also been around longer than anyone can remember — a great dish to warm your bones in the colder months. If you have a special occasion coming up and you’re looking to impress, consider booking out the 28 capacity private room that Hyotei has available. With three Michelin stars and centuries of heritage under its belt, this is surely the most authentic kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto.