Hi,I’m Keiko from Osaka!
Gion isn’t the only place in Kyoto where you will find geisha, but there are many high-end entertainment places and restaurants.
I have introduced Top 5 Michelin restaurants in my blog below before, and three of them are located in Gion district.
Local tells Top 5 best Michelin restaurants in Kyoto!Enjoy once in a lifetime dining!
If you want to have the best dining experience in Gion,Gion Sasaki,Gion Maruyama,Ifuki would be the perfect restaurants for you.
However, there are many excellent restaurants in Gion even if they are not inserted in a Michelin Guide Book.
I’m happy to share with you Top 5 best restaurants in Gion in Kyoto!
Top 5 best restaurants in Gion,Kyoto!The Ultimate Dining Experience
1.Gion Rakumi/祇園楽味
Gion Rakumi is a Kappo restaurant which is located 5 minutes walk from Keihan Gionshijo station.It is a sister restaurant of Gion Sasaki.
The chef of Rakumi, Mr.Kida used to work at Gion Sasaki for 12 years.
Gion Sasaki offers Course dishes whereas Gion Rakumi offers any dishes whatever you want.
You can choose the ingredients from their large variety of meat, seafood and vegetable selections,and they cook your favorite dishes using them in front of your eyes.
I ordered gyoza(dumplings)using Wagyu beef, and it was pretty good!
I highly recommend you to visit Gion Rakumi if you want to have your original nice dishes.
Address: 570-206 Gion Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location:5 minutes from Keihan Gionshijo station
Phone: 075-531-3733
Open: 17:30～23:00(L.O.23:00)
Closed: Monday
Price: 20,000～30,000yen
Others:Reservation is a must
Map
2.Gion Sakagawa/阪川
Gion Sakagawa is a Izakaya restaurant which was awarded Michelin one star in 2011.They serve not only course dishes but also a la carte dishes using seasonable ingredients such as bamboo shoots and soft-shelled turtle.
They offer a wide variety of dishes including grilled beef,white-fleshed fish and soft-shelled turtle hot pot depending on the purchase of stock on the day.
Ask the chef if he can cook your favorite dishes.He would cook for you if ingredients are available.
Each dish presented beautifully one by one and tastes excellent!
Their dishes goes well with Japanese sake very well.
Address: 570-199,Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location:3 minutes from Keihan Gionshijo station
Phone: 075-532-2801
Open: 17：00～21：00
Closed: Sunday
Price: 15,000～20,000yen
Others:Reservation is a must
Map
3.Kyoraku niku ryori Isshin/京洛肉料理 いっしん
Isshin is a beef Kaiseki restaurant which was awarded two Michelin star in Gion, Kyoto.They serves traditional Japanese beef dishes made with Omi beef,one of the brand beef in Japan.
They offer only one Omakase course menu consisting of 11 dishes including beef sushi,stew and sirloin steak at 12,900 yen.
The roast beef and sirloin steak are extremely tender which melt in your mouth.
The chef prepare the food at the counter in front of your eyes.
It’s the must-visit restaurant if you’re a meat lover!
Address: 51 Motoyoshicho, Shinbashi-dori, Gion,Nawatedori Shinbashi Higashi Iru,Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location:3 minutes from Keihan Gionshijo station
Phone:075-531-5311
Open: 18:00～22:30
Closed:Monday
Price: 10,000～13,000yen
Others:Reservation is a must
Map
4.Gion Karyo/祇園迦陵
Gion Karyo is a kaiseki restaurant which is located in the heart of Gion district.Each course consists of 10 course dishes including pike conger sushi between 10,000 and 13,000 yen.
The foods are delicate refined, yet satisfying.
Each dish is beautifully presented one by one,all of them tastes delicious and beautiful to the eye.
TripAdvisor reviews in English are not good, I don’t know why it’s not good evaluation.
The reasonable lunch menu is available at 5,000 yen.
Address: 570-235,Giommachi,Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location:5 minutes from Keihan Gionshijo station
Phone: 075-532-0025
Open:11:30～15:30（L.E.14:00),18:00～22:30（L.E. 20:00)
Closed:Wednesday
Price: 10,000～15,000yen
Others:Better to reserve a table in advance
Map
5.Tsuneo/ワインとワショク ツネオ
Tsuneo is a kappo restaurant which is located close to Kodaiji-temple.The chef was trained as an Italian chef at IL GHIOTTONE,one of the most famous Italian restaurants in Kyoto, but he cooks Japanese foods.
He goes to the market every morning to serve the finest and freshest ingredients for the customers.
They offer a wide variety of including raw sea urchin,sushi,tempura and pasta.
The wine list is incredible,they offer more than 150 selections of wines.
His dishes go very well with these awesome wines.
It’s a hidden restaurant which serve the best creative dishes in Gion district.
Address: 433 Kamientencho,Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location:15 minutes from Keihan Gionshijo station
Phone:075-746-4977
Open: 18:00～5:00(The following day)
Closed: Irregular holiday
Price: 8,000～10,000yen
Map
I hope you’ll have an ultimate dining experience in Gion,Kyoto!
For your information
If you’re looking for unique activities and experiences in Kyoto,you can find them here:
There are also a variety of unique food tours in Kyoto.
If you are a foodie looking for a nice hang-out plan out in the city with the locals, these tours will truly delight you!
Kyoto Night Foodie Tour:
If you want to explore the back-streets of Gion and Ponto-cho, Try Kyoto Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip.
They will help you navigate through hidden izakaya bars in the backstreets that hard to find and enjoy various types of Kyoto local food and drinks!
Kyoto Bar Hopping Night Tour:
There are also a variety of unique food tours in Kyoto.
If you are a foodie looking for a nice hang-out plan out in the city with the locals, these tours will truly delight you!
Kyoto Night Foodie Tour:
If you want to explore the back-streets of Gion and Ponto-cho, Try Kyoto Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip.
They will help you navigate through hidden izakaya bars in the backstreets that hard to find and enjoy various types of Kyoto local food and drinks!
Kyoto Bar Hopping Night Tour:
Click here for related information:
Local tells Top 5 best Kaiseki in Kyoto!Enjoy Japan’s traditional meal!
