The 10 unmissable restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka area, August 2019 Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: May 09 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Osaka Kyoto Kobe Japanese Cuisine

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka area, August 2019

Planning a trip to Kyoto and Osaka area and looking for something specific to eat? There are plenty of restaurants to suit every tastes. Discover the best places to eat here, from traditional meal and quintessentially comfort food to western-style dishes and varied ethnic cuisine.

See full listings of Japanese Cuisine restaurants found in and around Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.

1. Thai Viet Kitchen Lemongrass

The bright dining is filled with an exotic atmosphere. This reproduced Thai bistro, in the corner of the town of Kyoto, mainly offers Thai and Vietnamese street foods filled with the atmospheres of these countries. They offer a wide variety of regular menus such as [Vietnamese Fresh Spring Roll], [Gaprao Rice], [Tom Yam Kung (hot and sour prawn soup)], [Pad Thai], and original menus that are not originally Thai food, such as [Croquettes]. Have a fun moment with a girl's party, with the [Tower Beer] which is a hot topic, and more. The Thai ingredients are fresh and safe, as the parent company specializing in Thai cuisine always stocks fresh ingredients. In a sophisticated resort-like space, thoroughly enjoy the savory dishes.

Thai Viet Kitchen Lemongrass

Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from [Kyoto Station] on JR/Subway Lines
Address: B1F, Kyoto Tower Bldg., 721-1 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto (Map)
More Details Reservation

2. Yamato Shunsai Mikasa

[Yamato Shunsai Mikasa] has two faces for lunch and dinner; they serve Japanese set meals during lunchtime, and creative Japanese cuisine as a-la-carte dishes and courses during dinnertime. Dinnertime is especially recommended, as you can experience the exquisite [Yamato Beef] and [Yamato Pork] only during dinner. The proud [Braised Yamato Pork] is carefully prepared and braised to realize its deep taste and tender texture. From the first bite, its sweet savory taste will spread in your mouth. Their wide variety of alcohol includes local sake (Japanese alcohol) from Nara, wine, and seasonal alcohols. Fully enjoy the cuisine and alcohol in a relaxing space, ideal for dates and when visiting Nara for sight-seeing.

Yamato Shunsai Mikasa

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from exit No.1 of [Kintestsu Nara Station]. Go east along National Route 369, then on the basement first floor of Nara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bldg. on the left side
Address: B1F, Nara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bldg., 36-2 Noborioji-cho, Nara city, Nara

3. Yakiniku Fumiya

[Yakiniku Fumiya] has a reputation of serving delicious Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) prepared with domestic ingredients. The meat supply limited to female cattle using the exclusive network, mainly Yamato-gyu, have a superb flavor. The melt-in-your-mouth texture is a product of female beef which has a low melting point. You can see why these delights were listed in the Michelin guide Nara 2017. The hard-to-get cuts such as [Beef tongue] and [Outside skirt] which can only be attainable in small quantities from a whole beef are recommended. Lean and chewy yet juicy [Loin] is also another popular cut, especially among female or senior customers, as this is the cut where you can enjoy texture as well as meaty flavor. You can enjoy a comfortable dining experience with the modern decor at tables with spacious seating. How about visiting for your anniversary dates, business meetings, or girls gatherings?

Yakiniku Fumiya

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday] 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm) / [Sunday National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O.8:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from [Shin-omiya station] of Kintetsu Lines
Address: 6-6-6 Omiya-cho, Nara city, Nara

4. 54TH STATION GRILL

Enjoy Modern Grill, combining Localproductions, at [54TH STATION GRILL] where you can relish the time-traveling inthe Retro-modern interior creating a great contrast with the authentic Kyotostyle exterior blending in the city. The number [54] was named as to become thenext destination from [Sanjo Ohashi], which is the 53rd Station, the last stop,of the Tokaido (a coastal route leads from Tokyo to Kyoto). At this restaurant,people can enjoy Grilled cuisine on a la carte dishes, and Authentic French Cuisineon Course menu, and there is a variety in the selection such as Vegetarian menuas well as healthy grilled dish especially for the woman. The restaurantfacilitates a spacious private room as well as main dining space that it issuitable for many occasions and welcomes various guests, anyone from who arestaying at the hotel, locals, to the sightseers.

54TH STATION GRILL

Open: Lunch: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner: 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from Exit 9 of [Sanjo Station]. A minute walk from Exit 2 of [Sanjo Keihan Station]. Next to Sanjo-ohashi Post Office
Address: 1F MGallery Kyoto, 84 Ohashicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto

5. 1867

Enjoy at [1867], where it becomes a stylish lounge during the day and a trendy bar to enjoy Mixology cocktails at night. You will find yourself relaxing in surrounded with the luxurious living room like interior with the style of Taisho Roman, created upon reflecting the big theme of the hotel, [Time Traveling]. During the lounge time (daytime operation), [Afternoon Tea Set], seasonal sweets come in three-tire Afternoon Tea stand, is very popular. During the bar time, have a great time with original cocktails created by a bartender who has won prizes in many competitions. Great for the romantic moment to spend time with your loved one.

1867

Open: Lunch: 11:30 am - 5:00 pm (L.O. 4:00 pm) / Dinner: 5:00 pm - 00:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Exit 9 of [Sanjo Station]. 1-minute walk from Exit 2 of [Sanjo Keihan Station]. Next to Sanjo-ohashi Post Office.
Address: 1F MGallery Hotel Kyoto, 84 Ohashicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto

6. Kyoto cuisine Shunmi Shunsai Taichi

Kyoto cuisine Shunmi Shunsai Taichi cuisine

Conveniently located a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Karasuma station or Kyoto municipal subway Shijo station. Its setting has a great Kyoto atmosphere. You can enjoy your meal overlooking the lit-up miniature garden. Also popular is the tempura counter where you can enjoy seasonal tempura with all five senses as the chef cooks in front of your eyes. They have both small and large private rooms for up to 30 people on the 2nd floor. They cater for a wide range of occasions such as memorials, pre-wedding get-togethers, business meetings, and parties. Relax in a comfortable and traditional Kyoto house setting with atmosphere.

Kyoto cuisine Shunmi Shunsai Taichi

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - (Last entry 1:00 pm, L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - (Last entry 8:00 pm, L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: Near Naginatahoko, when heading south on Yanaginobanba dori, turn west into Ayanokoji dori, you will see our lantern
Address: 43 Shioya-cho, Ayanokoji-dori-Yanaginobanba-higashi-iru, Simogyo-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto

7. Kobe Yakiniku Juju Irodori

[Kobe Yakiniku Juju Irodori] reopened in March 2019. The restaurant offers an unusual style of cooking using an open hearth. They purchase high-class black Wagyu beef, such as [Kobegyu] and [Sagagyu]. They also have high-class ingredients other than meat. They have some luxurious dishes such [special Uni-kura] dished up with sea urchins, salmon roe and caviar. They are proud of their seven different kinds of house-made sauces, with different sauces provided for each cut of meat. You can unwind with delicious drinks, including Champagne, wine, and sake prepared with attention to pairing with our meals. They have private rooms divided by curtains, providing you with a venue for various occasions such as family dining, dating, and business meetings.

Kobe Yakiniku Juju Irodori

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday, Day before National holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 4:00 am / [Sunday National holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 0:00 am
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from East exit of Hankyu-kobe Line/JR Line, 5-minute walk from municipal subway exit No.1
Address: 2F, New Copain Bldg,. 1-1-8 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe city, Hyogo

8. Sanpomen Izumi branch

Opened in April 2019, [Sanpo Ramen Izumi branch] is a highly-anticipated new restaurant. Soft and chewy noodles made with domestically produced whole-wheat flour and the special soup made with selected pork and chicken bones, potherbs and seafood hold together very well. It has an addictive combination of deep aromatic flavor and mellow and refreshing flavor. This clean restaurant is very spacious, and their high-back chairs help to create a private space of the customers. They also have an elevated area where you can take off your shoes and relax while eating. This is also a comfortable place for solo diners to drop in as there is a counter-table facing window, which you can relax with no need to mind about other people. Dropping in for dating is also good as well as casually dropping in after work.

Sanpomen Izumi branch

Open: [Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 900 JPY
Access: From JR [Shinodayama station], head west towards Route 26, turn right at the first traffic light and go straight for 100m
Address: 279-1 Ikegami-cho, Izumi city, Osaka

9. Yakushido Aun

If you feel like having a relaxing time away from the hustle bustle of daily life, Japanese cuisine [Yakushiji Aun] at Kitashinchi is the place. The sophisticated modern decor gives a relaxing atmosphere, it is as if you are visiting your friend's house, and you can enjoy lavish dishes and sake and wine. They offer course meals only, in which the main dishes are seafood from Akashi and branded beefs such as Sagagyu , Kagoshimagyu, and the restaurant opens by reservation only. It is a charming Japanese cuisine restaurant where they are happy to response to the requests of repeated customers such as "I would like to eat the same dish you served me the other day". Although it is located 5-minute walk from Kitashinchi station right in downtown, they charmingly stand like a hideaway completely separate from the hustle bustle of town. They have private rooms available, suitable for special occasions' dinner such as business meetings, anniversary dating.

Yakushido Aun

Open: [Weekdays Saturday] 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Sunday, National holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Lines [Kitashinchi station], it is about 185m
Address: 1F, Yakushido Bldg., 1-3-19 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka city, Osaka (Map)
More Details

10. Aun

[Aun] is the place where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine prepared with abundant seasonal ingredients in a luxurious modern setting. Although it is located 3-minute walk distance from Shinsaibashi station right in the middle of town, they charmingly stand there like a hideaway separate from the hustle and bustle. The dishes created with fresh fish are mouth-watering. These fish are carefully selected by the chef, who visits a specialist who sells products directly shipped from food producers. They offer a la carte as well as course menus which is available from 1 person. They have a counter table on the comfortable floor with a warm atmosphere. They have an exclusive private room for up to 4 people, which is popular for business meetings, anniversary dates, and so on. If you wish to use a private room, it is advisable to make a reservation well ahead of time.

Aun

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday National holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 9,000 JPY
Access: 10-minute walk from Shinsaibashi station and [Nagahoribashi station] of Osaka metro lines
Address: 1-15-22 Higashi-shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka city, Osaka

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.