The best restaurants in Kyoto in 2026 are Kikunoi Honten and Hyotei for kaiseki, Okutan in Nanzen-ji for yudofu (simmered tofu), Omen for udon near Ginkaku-ji and Honke Owariya, a soba shop founded in 1465. Gogyo's burnt-miso ramen, Inoda Coffee's old-style breakfast and Ippodo's tea room round out a list built around Kyoto's food traditions.
Kyoto is the home of kaiseki and of shojin ryori (temple vegetarian food), tofu and fine tea. Many of the most famous restaurants need bookings weeks ahead; casual places like Omen and Owariya take walk-ins. See also our Kyoto temples and shrines.
Kyoto's most famous kaiseki house.
Kikunoi Honten, run by chef Yoshihiro Murata, serves seasonal kaiseki in a traditional house near Maruyama Park.
It holds top Michelin ratings.
Good to know: Book weeks ahead; lunch is more affordable.
459 Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0825
A centuries-old kaiseki house famous for its egg.
Hyotei began as a teahouse for pilgrims to Nanzen-ji about 400 years ago and serves kaiseki in garden tea rooms. Its soft-boiled Hyotei egg is famous.
A separate annex serves a simpler breakfast.
Good to know: Try the morning porridge breakfast in summer.
35 Nanzenji Kusakawacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto 606-8437
Yudofu (simmered tofu) in a temple garden.
Okutan has served yudofu, tofu simmered in kelp broth, near Nanzen-ji for centuries, in tatami rooms around a garden.
It is a calm, vegetarian-friendly meal.
Good to know: Combine with a visit to Nanzen-ji.
86-30 Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto 606-8435
Udon dipped in broth with seasonal vegetables.
Omen serves thick udon to dip in hot broth with a plate of seasonal vegetables and sesame, near the Philosopher's Path.
It is casual and well loved.
Good to know: Go for lunch after Ginkaku-ji.
74 Jodoji Ishibashicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto 606-8406
A soba shop founded in 1465.
Honke Owariya began as a confectioner in 1465 and serves soba in a traditional house; the stacked hourai soba is the signature.
Its soba-flour sweets are sold at the front.
Good to know: Order the hourai soba.
322 Kurumayacho, Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-0841
Burnt-miso ramen in a converted townhouse.
Gogyo is known for kogashi (burnt) miso ramen, a smoky, dark bowl, served in a converted machiya.
It is open late.
Good to know: Order the burnt miso ramen.
452 Jumonjicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8113
A classic Kyoto coffee house since 1940.
Inoda Coffee's main shop serves old-style coffee and a classic Kyoto breakfast in a traditional building.
It is a local institution.
Good to know: Order the Kyoto breakfast set.
140 Doyucho, Sakaimachi-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8118
A tea merchant since 1717, with a tea room.
Ippodo has sold tea in Kyoto since 1717; its main store has a tea room where staff help you brew matcha and gyokuro.
It is the best place to buy tea in Kyoto.
Good to know: Sit in the Kaboku tea room to taste.
52 Tokiwagicho, Teramachi-dori Nijo, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-0915
Kyoto's kitchen: a covered food market.
Nishiki Market is a narrow covered market of around 100 stalls selling pickles, tofu, sweets, seafood and snacks.
It is a great grazing lunch.
Good to know: Many stalls ask you not to eat while walking; eat at the stall.
Nishikikoji-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8055
Kaiseki, tofu (yudofu), yuba (tofu skin), matcha sweets, pickles and obanzai home cooking.
Kikunoi Honten and Hyotei are the most famous, both with multiple Michelin stars.
Okutan near Nanzen-ji has served yudofu for centuries.
Yes for kaiseki. Casual noodle shops and cafés are mostly walk-in.
Nishiki Market's stalls, Omen, Honke Owariya and ramen shops like Gogyo.