Cover Head to a bustling food market in Kyoto (Photo: Sascha Sturm/Unsplash)
Head to a bustling food market in Kyoto (Photo: Sascha Sturm/Unsplash)
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From traditional fare to contemporary variations, eat your way through the former capital of Japan and discover a wonderfully diverse food scene
Travellers, initially drawn to Kyoto for its breathtaking landscapes and historical temples, often find themselves pleasantly surprised by the city's culinary diversity. Here, ancient traditions merge with modern variations, resulting in a unique food scene.
From a bustling food market and traditional eateries to dessert cafes and creative cocktail bars, Kyoto has something to satisfy all palates. Read on to immerse yourself in Kyoto's rich culinary narrative, and discover the city one bite, and one sip, at a time.
See also: A food lover’s guide to Sapporo, Japan
Check out a bustling marketplace in downtown Kyoto
No culinary exploration of Kyoto would be complete without venturing into the vibrant aisles of Nishiki Market which dates back to the early 14th century. The bustling market stretches over five blocks and is home to over one hundred stalls that offer an array of local delights. Be sure to sample the fresh sashimi, pickled vegetables, and grilled seafood. There are also Kyoto specialities like yuba (tofu skin), tsukemono (Japanese pickles) and much more to try.
Nishiki Market, Nishikikoji-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Discover the only men you need in your life—ramen
When you think of Kyoto, ramen might not be the first dish that springs to mind but a visit to Ginjo Ramen Kubota will swiftly change that. Their signature bowl of ramen, brimming with fragrant broth, comes with locally sourced meat and vegetables. Be sure to try the tsukemen too, which is served with noodles separate from the soup so you can dip and enjoy a contrasting texture experience.
Ginjo Ramen Kubota, 563-2, Nishimatsuyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Explore the quintessence of Kyoto's gastronomy
Within the serene backdrop of Kyoto's temple district, Kyoyamato is a family-run ryotei that is steeped in tradition and offers a profound experience in Japanese dining. Established in 1877, the restaurant was the place where samurai met secretly in the last days of the shogunate. Housed in wooden houses adorned by a beautiful private garden, Kyoyamato weaves the story of Kyoto through its cuisine and each dish makes the most of the seasons. From simmered bamboo shoots in spring, grilled sweetfish in summer, matsutake sukiyaki in autumn, and snow crab in winter, dining at Kyoyamato is an astonishing experience that will you'll remember for a very long time.
Kyoyamato, 359 Masuyacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
The sweet escape you’ve been looking for
Cafe & Sweets Ki No Ne offers desserts that are a treat for the eyes and the mouth. The signature matcha cake is a sweet, yet balanced, tribute to Kyoto's beloved green tea tradition but for a more refreshing experience, their shaved ice desserts, heaped generously with cream and a selection of seasonal fruits are the way to go.
Cafe & Sweets Ki No Ne, 4/F, Kuramoto Building, 384 Higashigawa Komeyacho, Shijo Agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Meat your new obsession
Feast on Oagari's grilled Wagyu donburi, which is overflowing with meat that is as tender as it is flavourful. You can pick and choose the other elements of the bowl, be it fresh seafood or runny egg yolk, and there is plenty to try. After, when you've finished about half of the donburi, you can also transform the bowl into chazuke (cooked rice with a hot tea broth).
Oagari, 2/F, Hiro Building, 537-2 Gion Machi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Where simplicity meets culinary depth
Just a stone's throw from the famed Tetsugaku No Michi, or Philosopher's Walk, Monk is a 14-seat, omakase-style restaurant that delivers a distinctive blend of Italian and Japanese cuisines. Chef Yoshihiro Imai's approach to food is a tribute to the ethos of Kyoto: simple, harmonious, yet deep. Here, farm-to-table ingredients meet wood-fired cooking, resulting in dishes such as the signature sourdough pizza topped with local, seasonal ingredients that echo the charm of the city.
Monk, 147 Jodoji Shimominamidacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Where to get your buzz
Amidst the historic charm of Kyoto, prohibition-themed speakeasy Bee's Knees stands as a beacon of innovative mixology and the city's vibrant nightlife. Pass the door with a sign for “The Book Store” and discover a cocktail bar that combines Kyoto's age-old elegance with a contemporary zest, creating a spirited environment that's undeniably magnetic. Master mixologists, Toru Ariyoshi and Tatsunari Namatame shake up creative takes on 1920s classics including the bar's namesake, but always with a delightful twist.
Bee's Knees, 364 Kamiyacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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A storyteller by day and a first-class food devourer by night, Fontaine is the Regional Dining Editor at Tatler Asia, overseeing dining content across all regions and shaping the brand’s editorial voice on food, chefs and culinary culture.
She is also Content Lead for Tatler Best and Co-jury Head for Tatler Best Hong Kong and Macau, guiding the awards’ editorial direction and evaluation process. With over a decade in the lifestyle and media industry spanning London and Hong Kong, she brings a cross-regional perspective to the table.
Follow her on Instagram at @fontimes.
