Kyoto is a foodie haven, with so many options! From kaiseki to Uji matcha desserts, the city offers some amazing culinary delights. I’ve listed my favourites below. For a list of my must-see places in Kyoto, check out my travel guide.
Liberté Pâtisserie Boulangerie
For a quick breakfast, head to Liberté Pâtisserie Boulangerie for a wide selection of freshly baked pastries and cakes with super cute French interiors. Hailing from Paris, you know the pastries are going to be good.
Must order: Praline croissant and Pain aux raisin
Ujicha Gion Tsujiri
The creamiest matcha ice cream, need I say more! The ground floor of Ujicha Gion Tsujiri is a sweet shop with takeaway soft-serve and the best matcha chocolate mochi I’ve ever had. Upstairs you’ll find 2 floors of the teahouse with a range of matcha desserts, drinks and even matcha soba and udon. A must try!
Nishiki Market
This popular Japanese street food market lined with over 100 stalls is a firm favourite for travellers and locals and has everything from uni to my favourite strawberry mochi. I had at least one a day!
YUGEN
There is just so much matcha to be consumed in Kyoto! My favourite for a matcha latte is YUGEN, a small teahouse serving authentic Japanese teas.
Tempura at Kyoboshi
My favourite meal in Kyoto hands down! From the impossibly light, crispy batter to the snow-like homemade salt, everything was delicious! The 9 seater restaurant sits on a quiet street in the heart of Gion. Serving up to 20 dishes, all tempura from start to finish.
The secret to the batter has been kept for over three generations. Chef Toshinori Sakakibara’s craftsmanship has won him a Michelin star for 9 consecutive years. Needless to say, if you’re going to have one meal in Kyoto, this should be it!
Sushi Saeki
Sushi Saeki is for the adventurous eater with a bigger budget. The setting of the restaurant is absolutely stunning, overlooking a beautiful zen garden with an omakase menu.
La Bombance
La Bombance makes use of locally sourced ingredients to create a seasonal menu that changes monthly. A beautifully presented reinterpretation of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Wabiya Korekido
This yakitori spot with counter seats around an open kitchen puts you where the action is. They offer a set and a la carte menu. Their chicken soup is so good! Made from sea kelp broth, scallops and chicken from their own farm. Ordered two of their creme brulee like grilled dessert.
Must order: Chicken skin chip, duck meatball, chicken soup
Seto 瀬戸
Around 30 minutes drive north of Kyoto city, Seto sits in a farmhouse run by a grandma and grandson duo. Serving fresh vegetables and chicken from their own farm, the chicken is cooked over a charcoal grill at your table followed by a sukiyaki course.
Kew
This tiny cafe with seats only 6 offering a set menu of desserts and tea, from doughnuts, cheesecake to brownies. Sadly, we got there just before closing and weren’t able to try the set menu as it was completely full but got the made to order madeleines to go and they were amazing! I read that Kew has a very long queue (no pun intended haha), so get there early.
