5 Delicious Restaurants in Gion, a Gourmet's Paradise | Kyoto, Gion Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 26 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Kyoto

5 Delicious Restaurants in Gion, a Gourmet's Paradise | Kyoto, Gion

In Gion, a district with a long history of geisha culture dating back to the Edo period, numerous renowned restaurants have been established, supported by the discerning tastes of the local patrons. Even today, gourmets gather here, and restaurants fiercely compete with each other. Why not visit a restaurant in Gion, one of Kyoto's premier gourmet districts, to enjoy a delicious meal? Indulge in Kyoto's culinary delights and feel like a local connoisseur.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Kyoto.

Meat Dishes [Gion Nikutei Shin]

Experience Omi beef and clay pot rice in a Kyoto townhouse over 100 years old

Located a 4-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, Gion Nikutei Shin is a restaurant where guests can savor carefully selected meat dishes, including Omi beef. The recommended dish is the 'Kagetsu Course,' which allows diners to enjoy the exquisite 'Kiwami Meat Sashimi' made from Omi beef. Enjoy the different flavors of each cut of meat. Equally meticulous is the 'Hachidaime Gihei Ryotei Rice Cooked in a Clay Pot.' The rice, cooked in a Shigaraki ware clay pot, pairs perfectly with the charcoal-grilled Wagyu beef.

Head north from Shijo Street to Kiritoshi. A restaurant, renovated from a townhouse over 100 years old, welcomes guests with a full sense of Japanese charm. The interior is filled with an elegant atmosphere, providing a calm environment where one can forget the hustle and bustle of the city. The counter seats facing the open kitchen allow guests to enjoy conversations with the chef. The completely private Japanese-style rooms are perfect for special meals such as dates.

Gion nikutei SHIN

Open: [Sunday,Saturday,Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm / Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (last order 2:00 pm)[Weekday] Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (last order 9:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
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Yakiniku [Wagyu Ryotei bungo Gion]

Experience All-Serve Yakiniku Without Grilling at a Hidden Gem in Gion

Located a 7-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, [和牛料亭 bungo 祇園] is a restaurant where guests can enjoy the rare 'Oita Wagyu' in a unique 'non-grilled yakiniku' style. The luxurious feeling of being served a course meal made with top-quality wagyu and local ingredients such as Kyoto vegetables is unparalleled. One must-try dish is the 'Hana Niku Shabu White Miso Beef Bouillon,' where the meat, arranged like a flower, is served with bouillon poured over it, similar to shabu-shabu.

The restaurant, located right next to Tatsumi Bridge and Tatsumi Shrine, facing the scenic Shinbashi Street that epitomizes Gion, feels like a hidden gem. In addition to counter seats, there are four completely private rooms (available for a fee) with different atmospheres, allowing guests to enjoy a blissful time filled with a sense of privacy. Visitors to Gion can also experience the traditional tatami room seating, a must-try experience. This luxurious encounter with traditional culture is sure to become an unforgettable memory.

Wagyu Restaurant Bungo Gion

Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm / Reservations only. Reservations are available at 17:00, 18:00, and 19:00. Each one is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Some days may have reservations available for 20:00 (please ask the restaurant for details).
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 16,000 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Exit 8 of Gion-shijo Station on Keihan Railway. It is located along Shimbashi-dori Street.
Address: 56, Motoyoshi-cho, Yamatooji Higashi-iru, Shimbashi-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
More Details Reservation

3. Sushi [Gion Emon]

Enjoy a delightful time with charcoal-grilled fresh fish and Japanese sake

Gion Emon is a restaurant specializing in sushi and seafood dishes, located along Higashioji Street, a 5-minute walk from Higashiyama Station. The owner personally goes to the market to select and purchase the freshest seasonal seafood, which is then served as sushi, tempura, and other dishes. A unique feature of this restaurant is the rare 'charcoal grill,' where diners can grill items like tuna collar and scallops themselves. Enjoy a delightful time while savoring Japanese sake and shochu that complement the flavors of the dishes.

The interior of the restaurant, designed with a warm wooden feel, creates a homey atmosphere. The counter seats in front of the kitchen are special seats where diners can enjoy their meals while watching the chef's skills, offering the true charm of a dining establishment. Further inside, there are tatami rooms overlooking a small garden, allowing guests to enjoy the seasonal beauty of the garden. It is a recommended restaurant for girls' gatherings as it provides a relaxed environment for conversation.

GION-EMON

Open: [Weekday,Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (last order 10:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
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4. Kyoto Cuisine [Ajigokoro Gion Yajima]

Enjoy the seasonal once-in-a-lifetime experience with traditional Kyoto cuisine and fine sake

Located a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, [味ごころ　ぎをん　やじま] is a Kyoto cuisine restaurant nestled quietly in a narrow alley filled with restaurants. Guests can enjoy traditional Kyoto cuisine using seasonal ingredients through an omakase course, as well as 30 to 40 a la carte dishes that offer the unique flavors of each season. Let's savor the seasonal tastes of this once-in-a-lifetime experience along with Japanese sake from all over the country, including rare brands that are at their peak.

East of Hanamikoji Street, there is a restaurant quietly nestled at the end of a narrow alley that one might easily pass by if not careful. The first floor features a counter with seven seats. The four seats at the front allow diners to enjoy their meal while conversing with the owner. The three seats at the back are at a sunken kotatsu-style counter, making them ideal for both business and private occasions. The second floor offers a spacious private room, ensuring a comfortable experience even for those with small children.

Ajigokoro Gion Yazima

Open: [Weekday,Saturday,Day Before Holidays] 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (last order 8:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday,Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
More Details

5. Teppanyaki [Teppanyaki Yoshikawa]

The luxury of savoring carefully selected sirloin in Gion

Located a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, [Teppanyaki Yoshikawa] is a restaurant where guests can enjoy teppanyaki made with black Wagyu beef sourced daily from a long-established butcher shop. The carefully selected black Wagyu sirloin spreads sweetness and umami throughout the mouth. Special hormone dishes such as raw tripe and heart sashimi, as well as seafood dishes like shrimp and scallops, are also recommended. Don't miss the value lunch sets during lunchtime.

From Hanamikoji Street, head east on Tominaga-cho Street to find the restaurant on the first floor of a building that exudes the charm of a traditional townhouse. The interior, with its chic black theme and warm, calming atmosphere, is perfect for an adult date or hospitality. In addition to the spacious counter seats, there are also table seats, making it a restaurant that is easy to visit for families and groups.

This article was written by AI Translation.

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.