The Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Kyoto

Hyotei in Kyoto has been around for centuries, run by the 15th generation of its founding family. It's tied to tea ceremony traditions yet brings in new ideas, creating a calm and welcoming place to experience Kyoto’s kaiseki cuisine.

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Kyoko Nakayama

Food & travel journalist

An authentic kaiseki restaurant run by the 15th generation of the family Hyotei is the authentic kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto which has 450 years of history and is loved by the tea ceremony masters. Not only traditional, 15th generation Chef Yoshihiro Takahashi is using unique umami, such as tomato soy sauce for their year-round signature dish 'sea bream sashimi' together with traditional 'tosazu' (citrus soy sauce) made with his father (and also 14th generation), Chef Eiichi's recipe.

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Tucked away in a quiet courtyard in Kyoto, Oryori Mashita is an old-school kaiseki restaurant known for its subtle flavors and seasonal focus. Everything is prepared with traditional care, letting the natural tastes shine through. Its calm setting adds to the understated charm of enjoying a true Kyoto dining experience.

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Diogo Lopes

Food writer

Tucked away in an inner courtyard in Kyoto, this old school kaiseki place is as subtle as the flavors it brings to the table. Elegant, traditional and ultra seasonal are key features of the food that is served here.

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Kiyama is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kyoto that sits above a well connected to the same stream used by the Imperial Palace. Their focus on naturally soft water and attention to traditional details creates a calm and inviting kaiseki experience.

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Mimi Lan

Chef/ Consultant/ Foodie

Chef Yoshiro received his Michelin Star the first year he opened his Restautant Kiyama. It was amazing watching the chef making dashi from scratch right in front of us, using dried fish to hand shave into bonito and boiled water from his own well underneath the restaurant. It was a great dining experience.

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Cenci is an Italian-inspired restaurant in Kyoto that highlights local ingredients in its cooking. The open kitchen adds a lively feel to the dining room, and the service is known to be warm and friendly. Diners can expect a balanced approach to flavor and a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.

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Tom Jenkins

Food Writer

Well executed Italian-inspired cuisine by chef Ken Sakamoto making use of local products across a nicely paced tasting menu. Dishes are light, well-balanced and full of flavour, with a buzzy open kitchen overlooking the dining room. Service is warm and friendly.

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LURRA° is a restaurant in a renovated townhouse in Kyoto’s Higashiyama area, where cooking with firewood and locally sourced ingredients take center stage. Led by chef Jacob Kear, who forages fresh produce daily, the small team creates a relaxed dining experience that highlights the natural flavors of the region.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast

Lurra, located within a beautifully renovated townhouse in Higashiyama, is a fusion restaurant that embraces the trendy art of cooking with firewood. With its bold flavors, inviting ambiance, and excellent service, it stands out as one of the top restaurants of its kind I've visited in recent years. American-born, Japanese chef Jacob Kear, personally forages ingredients from the mountains surrounding Kyoto daily. These, alongside locally grown vegetables from Ōhara, form the core of his creations, with proteins serving as supporting elements. Among the highlights was the seasonal dish of wood-roasted local vegetables. The beautiful plate presented an intriguing medley of surprises, textures, and flavors.

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Noguchi Tsunagu is a relaxed counter restaurant in Kyoto that combines traditional Japanese cooking with a few creative twists. You can sample a short tasting menu and add extra dishes if you like, along with a notable selection of sake. The open counter and friendly staff create an inviting atmosphere where you can see each dish come together up close.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Counter-restaurant that combines classical Japanese cuisine with some creative touches. Our first meal in Kyoto was here, and we went with three more people, after Alex, once again, organized a fantastic meal for the five of us. First of all, as you might know, there isn’t a better way for us to experience a restaurant than a counter, and this one was beautiful. The general atmosphere was very enjoyable, and the team behind the counter was very friendly. What we probably loved most about this place is the format of the menu, being a short tasting menu and then be able to add many a la carte dishes and one of the best selections of sakes we’ve had this trip. Some of the dishes we had were: * Wagyu, daikon, sansho & spinach. * Saba temaki. * Baby maguro, herring roe, ankimo * Pacific spiny lobster & botarga. * Chicken karaage * Crab shumai, shiso flower * Fugu Shirako. * Whale bacon, duck, horse tongue & kuchiko (ovaries of sea cucumber). * Ebi imo (potato) * Donburi of ikura & uni. We got to try many dishes and ingredients that were very new to us such as the fugu shirako, whale “bacon” or the horse tongue, and we really liked all of them. For some reason what stood out the most for us was the Ebi Imo potato, also a new thing for us and mindblowingly good in texture and flavor. And as mentioned before, the selection of sake was also fantastic and perfect to pair with the food.

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Hassun in Kyoto is praised for its pristine, delicious flavors, crafted by a master craftsman and his team. The inviting setting and attention to detail make it a welcoming place for anyone looking to enjoy thoughtfully prepared cuisine.

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Jenifer Kuah

Restaurateur

Pristine and delicious flavours by a master craftsman and his team. Thoroughly delicious!

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enyuan kobayashi is a small, husband-and-wife-run Michelin-starred restaurant in Kyoto. Its intimate counter lets you see the care that goes into each meal, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The personal attention makes every visit feel special without being overly formal.

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Hani AlMalki

Writer @BedouinFoodie

This husband and wife run place is extremely charming and very good. The tempura is flawless. It’s a small counter with 8 seats. You can see and taste the love in the food. It’s a Michelin starred tempura restaurant. You get 3 appetizer non tempura dishes as well as a dessert. I’m sure the tempura is seasonal but we had a tomato tempura that was exquisite!

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