The 10 unmissable restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka area, January 2020 Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 16 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Osaka Kyoto

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka area, January 2020

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 restaurants found in and around Osaka and Kyoto.

1. Originator of Teppanyaki Steak Misono Osaka store

Originator of Teppanyaki Steak Misono Osaka store cuisine

You can enjoy a careful selection of fine ingredients grilled on the iron griddle at [Originator of Teppanyaki Steak Misono Osaka store]. Starting with A4-grade Kobe beef and carefully-selected A5 Kuroge Wagyu (a kind of high-quality beef), the restaurant offers seafood such as live lobster and abalone as well. A griddle (teppan) is set up at every table, and the chef prepares the food in front of the guests' eyes, creating a sense of closeness and familiarity. There is a wide variety of dishes among their course menus, so you can pick and choose according to your tastes and cravings. The restaurant space includes both modern tables and private rooms with horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu tables), so you'll find a perfect space whether you're on a date, a business meeting, or family gathering. It's worth keeping this restaurant in the back of your mind for whenever such an occasion should arise!

Originator of Teppanyaki Steak Misono Osaka store

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 18,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Exit 11-43 of Kitashinchi Station on the JR Tozai Line; 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Higashi-umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line
Address: 3F, Star Bldg., 1-11-19, Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
More Details Reservation

2. Yakiniku Okawa

This restaurant is very conveniently located as it takes 1-minute walk from Okubo station of Kintetsu Line. They serve mainly A4 and A5 grades of carefully selected Omi beef. Enjoy the flavor of the meat itself, and the sweetness of fatty parts! The restaurant offers a simple and clean space where you can relax. Thisis a great place for various occasions, from small groups to large groups. The recommended dish is [Special beeftongue with salt]. They offer domestic Omi beef carefully raised by producers at affordable prices!

Yakiniku Okawa

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday] 6:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Okubo station of Kintetsu Kyoto Line
Address: 6, Chayaura, Hironocho, Uji-shi, Kyoto (Map)
More Details Reservation

3. Kyoto vegetable French kaiseki cuisine Gion Shigenaga

Kyoto vegetable French kaiseki cuisine Gion Shigenaga cuisine

You can enjoy dishes prepared by Mr. Shigenaga, the former owner of [Kyoto vegetables French cuisine Relche] in Ogura, Uji-shi, which was loved by many guests. He focuses on Kyoto vegetables and Japanese ingredients, and fantastically expresses the flavor of French cuisine which can only be tasted in Kyoto. You will be amazed by the French kaiseki cuisine in which the most delicious moments of seasonal ingredients are captured in each dish. The counter seats, with a view of beautiful bonsai tree like a picture, is premium space. Private rooms are also available where you can spend luxury relaxing time with your family or close friends. Casually visit this cozy restaurant to enjoy a la carte french menus.

Kyoto vegetable French kaiseki cuisine Gion Shigenaga

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. for dinner 1:30 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. for dinner 8:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Gion-shijo station of Keihan Main Line
Address: 2F, Gion Shinsei Bldg., 398-3, Hashimoto-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto (Map)
More Details Reservation

4. Chikuyotei Minami-mido Location

Founded at the end of the Edo Period, this restaurant continues to preserve its traditional flavors. Chefs serve superb dishes created with skills honed in their particular craft, whether it be Japanese or eel-based cuisine. The popular [Grilled Eel Bowl] is made with fluffy grilled eel and served with a simple sauce. You may find yourself sighing in appreciation as you taste the soft textured, perfectly fatty eel, and the sauce-flavored rice. A range of a la carte dishes and course menus created to harness the season's seafood and vegetables are also available. The menu and serving dishes change each month to reflect the season. Meat dishes such as wagyu beef steaks are also offered. The Japanese styled interior has an airy, spacious feel thanks to its wall of windows that overlooks Midosuji Street. There are private rooms too. This is an ideal venue to enjoy delicious cuisine in all occasions, from a simple lunch to business events and parties.

Chikuyotei Minami-mido Location

Open: Lunch: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Exit 13 of metro station. Enter the hotel lobby on the south side of the building and proceed to the second floor
Address: 2F, Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu, 4-1-15, Kyutaro-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
More Details Reservation

5. Miwaya Minamimorimachi branch

[Miwaya] is an izakaya restaurant specializing in high-quality kuroge wagyu beef, including Hida Beef. A Gifu specialty [Gyumabushi (grilled beef on rice)] has been served since the establishment in 1963. The beef is char-grilled several times with sweet and apicy sauce, so it goes well with rice. You can enjoy [Gyumabushi] in 3 different ways : taste it as it is, then with seasonings, finally with broth poured over it. There are counter seats and private rooms in the restaurant. It can be accommodated to various occasions from drinking after work to business dinner. The jazz BGM may make you forget how long you are staying. A perfect place to spend a quality time.

Miwaya Minamimorimachi branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am- 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 900 JPY
Access: B1F of the South Forest Building, right outside of the exit 2 (the South-West side) of Minamimori-machi Station
Address: B1F, South Forest Bldg., 1-4-19, Minamimori-machi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
More Details Reservation

6. THE VILLAGE OSAKA

[THE VILLAGE OSAKA] has been attracting attention since it appeared in [Ura-Fukushima] in the autumn of 2019. This [village-like] restaurant quietly stands, like an oasis, in a back alley with lots of greenery, where they offer extraordinary relaxing moments to their guests. Their teppanyaki courses with a new sense are recommended especially for the adults with rich food experience. Exquisite Japanese black beef, high-end seafood, salad with seasonal Senshu Vegetables, and surprising soups are loved by gourmets. The pickles, rice, and red miso soup, served at the end of course, will sooth you. A wide variety of wines are available, including an overwhelmingly full-lineup of [KENZO ESTATE]. Together with their splendid hospitality offered by the staff from high-class hotels, this restaurant create a wonderful stage of food for various occasions.

THE VILLAGE OSAKA

Open: [Saturday, Sunday] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 16,000 JPY / [Lunch] 7,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Exits 2 and 3 of [Shin-Fukushima Station] on JR Tozai Line / 3-minute walk from [Fukushima Station] on Hanshin Main Line
Address: 1-5-12, Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
More Details Reservation

7. Omotenashi Komatsu

[Omotenashi Komatsu] mainly serves course meals. Their menu varies everyday, using the ingredients directly sent from the production sites. Their proud recommended dishes will never tire even the repeaters. The chef, Mr. Akio Komatsu, has actively worked all over Japan as well as overseas. The exquisite [Sushi], created by this chef's skillful techniques, is especially recommended. The inside of the restaurant is reminiscent of an old Japanese house, with 8 counter seats, 2 tables, and 1 private room. At their main counter seats, you can have sophisticated moments while enjoying conversations with the chef. This restaurant is suited for special occasions, such as dates, entertaining your clients, and auspicious family events. Please have an unforgettable moment.

Omotenashi Komatsu

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm / Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit No. 15 of [Karasuma Station] / 7-minute walk from Exit No.3 of [Shijo Station]
Address: 199-4, Ayazaimoku-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto (Map)
More Details Reservation

8. Toriya Shirahadori

[Toriya Shirahadori] is a 5-minute walk from Honmachi Station and Higobashi Station on Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line. You will see their pure-white tapestry with the restaurant's name on it. Inside the door is a clean-designed space that creates a sophisticated atmosphere. Their main ingredient is [Amakusa Daio], the largest jidori-chicken in Japan which is bred over long periods in the great nature of Aso. The rooster of this jidori-chicken features large-sized thigh, tender and juicy texture, and rich savory taste. They have 10 counter seats facing the kitchen, where you can relax and enjoy their homey service, while casually enjoying conversations with the chef. The corner of the restaurant is a Japanese room with horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu tables), suited for banquets, entertaining your clients, and family use. Have the upgraded moment with their elaborated jidori-chicken cuisine, together with alcohol.

Toriya Shirahadori

Open: 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (L.O. 1:00 am)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Honmachi Station and Higobashi Station on Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line
Address: 101, Heights Okura Utsubo Koen, 1-13-17, Kyomachibori, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Map)
More Details Reservation

9. Gion Kotani

[Gion Kotani] is a Japanese restaurant located in Gion, a renowned entertainment quarter. They stock ingredients from all over Japan, regardless of the production site, to keep offering the best tastes of the season. Their exquisite dishes, created through the intuition and rich experience of the owner, bring out the original savory tastes of the ingredients to their maximum. As the seasons are expressed by the colors of the leaves in mountains, this restaurant truly express the seasons by their dishes within the tableware. Their drink menu is also carefully-selected to add elegance to the dishes, as well as to go well with each dish and the seasons. In their private rooms, you can enjoy meals while feeling the sense of the seasons in Kyoto. At the counter made from a single piece wood, you can enjoy the live atmosphere. In each seat, the owner gives attentive service so that you can fully enjoy the moment with someone important.

Gion Kotani

Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 13,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from [Gion-shijo Station] on Keihan Main Line. Go east along the Shijo-dori street, then go north at the second block and turn left at the end of the street
Address: 3F, Miyuki Bldg., 80-11, Yamato-oji Shijo-agaru Sueyoshi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

10. Bishukakou Shuchinikurin

The dashi soup stock takes 12 hours to make, and the seasonal flavors are directly shipped from Miyagi. The owner, trained at kappo style Japanese cuisine restaurants, brings out the flavor of selected ingredients and creates gentle flavored dishes. Their popular dishes are countless. Out of all, the [Shuchinikurin set] in which you can sample the number of these selected dishes is especially recommended. Serving dishes at affordable prices is also a policy of the owner. Over 100 kind of sake, includes branded or hard-to-find ones, brewed at sake breweries in 47 prefectures is available with the meal. You can feel the warm hospitality in this Japanese style decor. A solid timber counter table made from a cedar treeis in the the store together with dishes and sake cups. Come and enjoy a fulfilling time at [Bishukako Shuchinikurin] for all generations in a quiet residential area .

Bishukakou Shuchinikurin

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch11:00 am - 2:30 pm / [Tuesday - Saturday] Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm [Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 15-minute walk from Yamada station of Hankyu Senri Line or Osaka monorail Line
Address: 2-25-50, Yamada-higashi, Suita, Osaka (Map)
More Details Reservation

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.