15 Michelin-Guide Kyoto Restaurants with Online Reservation

Discover Kyoto's Cuisine at Highly Rated Restaurants

Kyoto is a hub for elegant and refined dining experiences, so it's no surprise that the Michelin Guide recognizes many restaurants in the city. Kyoto’s commitment to preserving traditional culinary styles while embracing modern influences keeps attracting visitors from all over Japan and around the world.

The following restaurants have been highly rated by the Michelin Guide. Visit one of these locations for a memorable dining experience in Kyoto.

Michelin-Guide Restaurants in Kyoto

Tempura
1. Enyuan Kobayashi
Sushi
2. Sushi Hayashi
3. Sushi Rakumi
4. Sushi Kappo Nakaichi
5. Noguchi Tsunagu
Kaiseki (Japanese course-meal cuisine)
6. Kappo Umetsu
7. Miyawaki
8. Tsujifusa
9. Kodaiji Jugyuan
Yakitori (Grilled Chicken)
10. Torisho Sai
11. Yakitori Kyoto Tachibana
Ramen
12. Kamoryori Tabuchi
Hotpot and Shabushabu
13. Hachikan
14. MASHIRO
Teppanyaki Grill Cuisine
15. Kaname

1. Enyuan Kobayashi: The Pinnacle of Deep-Fried Cuisine

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Hidden inside a traditional Kyoto townhouse, Enyuan Kobayashi offers Michelin-starred kaiseki tempura in an elegant and inviting setting. Each course is thoughtfully crafted with rhythm and purpose, gradually building anticipation and delight from start to finish.

Counter seats allow you to enjoy the aroma and sizzle of tempura up close, while private rooms provide a peaceful retreat. Whether you’re seeking quiet luxury or an immersive culinary experience, this is a meal you’ll never tire of.

2. Sushi Hayashi: Taste Kyoto-style Sushi

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Blending Edomae techniques with Kyoto tradition, Sushi Hayashi presents a refined take on seasonal sushi crafted by owner Yoshio Hayashi, who trained both in Kyoto and abroad.

The menu features local fish sourced from Mie, Wakayama, and Awaji, including unique offerings like steamed Kyoto-style sushi. A rotating selection of sake and wine is thoughtfully paired to complement each course.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Kyoto, this elegant restaurant offers a truly distinctive dining experience.

3. Sushi Rakumi: Creative Sushi Delights

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At Sushi Rakumi, traditional Kyoto flavors blend seamlessly with Edomae techniques in a distinctive o-toriyose (omakase) course that showcases the richness of dashi and the precision of Tokyo-style sushi.

Ingredients are carefully sourced from Kyoto Central Market, as well as Toyosu and Yaizu, ensuring the freshest, seasonal produce.

The curved, counter-shaped seating provides every guest with a front-row view of the artistry in preparation. Before dining, unwind with a drink in the second-floor lounge—a refined prelude to a memorable meal.

4. Sushi Kappo Nakaichi: Relish a Variety of Seafood Dishes

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Located in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, the beloved Sushi Kappo restaurant has been welcoming guests for over 50 years. The second-generation chef, trained at Kanazawa’s renowned ryotei, prepares elegant seasonal kaiseki and chef’s choice nigiri with warm hospitality.

Using fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea and showcasing artful presentation, each dish delights both Kyoto locals and international gourmets. Experience the harmony of Kyoto flavors and the tranquil ambiance in every course.

5. Noguchi Tsunagu: Choose from a Variety of Japanese Cuisine

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Blending tradition with playful creativity, Noguchi Tsunagu offers a “Noguchi-style kappo” experience that reimagines Kyoto cuisine. Its signature dish—a Kyoto-style nikusui with kudzu sauce and Japanese pepper—pays homage to the chef’s Osaka roots while setting a bold tone for the meal.

Guests can personalize their experience with à la carte options ranging from duck ham to curry rice and spring rolls. This inventive restaurant bridges Kyoto’s rich culinary heritage with a forward-looking vision for the future.

6. Kappo Umetsu: Homemade Kyoto Cuisine

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Tucked away in a quiet alley in Gion, Kappo Umetsu offers a tranquil escape paired with genuine, heartfelt hospitality. Seasonal dishes are skillfully prepared over a charcoal hearth and customized to each guest’s preferences, featuring ingredients like hamo and tender beef.

The chef's signature use of homemade plum products—such as plum soy sauce and pickled ume—adds a distinctive touch. With warm service and a serene atmosphere, this hidden gem embodies the refined spirit of Kyoto’s kappo dining tradition.

7. Miyawaki: Seasonal Kaiseki Cuisine

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At Miyawaki, every detail—from the seasonal tableware to the carefully curated sake pairings—reflects the owner’s deep dedication to Japanese cuisine.

Guests can sit at the counter to watch the chef’s artistry unfold or simply relax and enjoy a refined meal in an elegant, thoughtfully designed space. This is a dining experience where flavor, atmosphere, and hospitality come together in perfect harmony.

8. Tsujifusa: Refined Kaiseki Courses

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Tsujifusa offers a refined Kyoto dining experience led by Chef Yoshikatsu Tsuji, whose career includes acclaimed kitchens such as Oryori Hayashi and Aji Fukushima. Opened in 2024, the restaurant features seasonal dishes with delicate flavors, beautifully presented in a traditional style.

A certified sommelier and sake expert thoughtfully pairs each course with the perfect drink, elevating every bite. Step into a tranquil setting where Kyoto’s quiet elegance and heartfelt hospitality are felt in every detail.

9. Kodaiji Jugyuan: The Ultimate Ryotei Culinary Experience in Gion

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Situated in the historic district around Kodaiji Temple in Gion, Kodaiji Jugyuan offers a refined ryotei experience in a beautifully preserved sukiya-style building dating back to 1908. Surrounded by a garden designed by Jihei Ogawa VII, the restaurant invites guests to enjoy Kyoto’s seasonal beauty through every window.

As the first ryotei by Hiramatsu, it seamlessly blends traditional elegance with elevated hospitality. Experience a moment of timeless tranquility while overlooking the ever-changing landscape of Kyoto.

10. Torisho Sai: Grilled Chicken Dishes for Every Taste

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Opened in October 2024 near Nijo Castle, Toshiro Sai is a yakitori restaurant from the acclaimed Ichimatsu group, renowned for bringing award-winning precision to every skewer. Featuring premium Hinai-Jidori chicken grilled over charcoal, the menu balances rich flavor with seasonal elegance.

In addition to the yakitori, thoughtfully prepared side dishes and fresh vegetables complete the dining experience. It’s a must-visit for those seeking elevated charcoal-grilled cuisine in Kyoto.

11. Yakitori Kyoto Tachibana: Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Delights

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At Yakitori Kyoto Tachibana, each skewer is a testament to craftsmanship, featuring rare Takasaka chicken and Kyoto’s finest seasonal vegetables. Grilled over Ise Binchotan charcoal, the flavors are deep, refined, and true to their natural essence.

In this tranquil setting away from the city’s hustle, guests are invited to enjoy a quietly luxurious dining experience. Every element reflects a dedication to purity, balance, and the art of yakitori.

12. MASHIRO: Artful Japanese Cuisine

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At MASHIRO, each day begins with reverence for nature’s gifts—seasonal ingredients from land and sea, handled with deep care and creativity.

The restaurant’s name evokes a blank canvas, where culinary techniques such as fermenting, aging, and simmering serve as strokes in an ever-evolving masterpiece.

Every dish is crafted to spark joy, seamlessly blending tradition and innovation. Step into a serene world where flavor and emotion intertwine.

13. Kamoryori Tabuchi: Refined Duck Cuisine

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Just steps from Nijo Castle, this century-old Kyoto townhouse offers a refined culinary experience centered on the prized Kawachi Duck. Kamayori Tabuchi provides a fine dining ramen experience that is truly unmatched.

Sourced fresh each morning and so pure it can be enjoyed raw, this Osaka-bred duck is transformed into inventive dishes by Michelin-recognized chefs. Bold yet elegant, the cuisine celebrates the full flavor of the duck in every bite.

Perfect for special occasions, this hidden gem invites you to enjoy Kyoto hospitality at its finest.

14. Hachikan: Exquisite Kaiseki Cuisine

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Nestled in the tranquil village of Ohara in northern Kyoto, Hachikan offers a serene escape with exquisite seasonal hotpot-style cuisine.

Housed in a beautifully renovated 250-year-old thatched-roof farmhouse, the private villa invites guests to unwind by the hearth and soak in a nostalgic, rural atmosphere.

Dishes are thoughtfully prepared with local Ohara ingredients and premium selections from across Japan. It’s an unforgettable retreat where tradition, nature, and culinary artistry come together in perfect harmony.

15. Kaname: Grilled Cuisine and Kaiseki

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Produced by the historic Kyoto inn Kanamean Nishitomiya, Kaname is a kappo-style restaurant that seamlessly blends traditional kaiseki with teppan-yaki and charcoal-grilled dishes, featuring both Japanese and Western seasonal ingredients.

The intimate six-seat chef’s table provides front-row views of the culinary artistry, set within a refined tea house-style space imbued with Kyoto’s cultural elegance.

Every detail reflects the inn’s longstanding spirit of hospitality and aesthetic sensibility. Here, guests can enjoy a modern dining experience rooted in tradition and warmth.

Enjoy Japanese Cuisine in Kyoto

Kyoto’s food culture exudes elegance, meticulous attention to detail, and a hospitality that’s unmatched anywhere else in Japan. With a wide variety of culinary styles to explore, there’s sure to be something to tantalize your taste buds.

While the Michelin Guide often considers three-star restaurants worth planning a trip around, we assure you that many of the establishments showcased here are equally exceptional—stars or not!

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