10 Best Breakfast Restaurants in Kyoto for Exquisite Mornings
Kyoto, one of Japan's most representative cities, is a popular tourist destination for foreigners, known for its elegant atmosphere and numerous World Heritage sites. It's also famous as a city of fine cuisine, offering various dining establishments from high-end restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine like kaiseki to casual eateries where you can enjoy everyday home-style dishes called "Obanzai."
In Japan, there's a traditional set meal style called "ichiju-sansai" (one soup, three side dishes) which consists of rice, soup, and three side dishes. Kyoto has many restaurants where you can enjoy this "ichiju-sansai" breakfast. This healthy and quintessentially Japanese breakfast is a must-try when visiting Kyoto.
While enjoying a leisurely breakfast at your hotel is nice, why not wake up early and venture out to experience a breakfast that can only be savored in Kyoto? As we look forward to breakfast in Kyoto 2024, let's explore some of the best morning dining options the city has to offer.
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Takashi Nakadomari
7 Breakfast Restaurants Where You Can Enjoy Traditional "Ichiju-Sansai"
Kishin
source：Asahi digital
"Kishin" is a breakfast-only restaurant located in Gion. You can enjoy a carefully prepared "Japanese breakfast" based on the concept of "mother's home cooking." The menu, which changes with the seasons, consists only of a set including white rice cooked in an earthenware pot, a choice of seasonal soups, side dishes, and pickles.
The main attraction, white rice, can be enjoyed in various ways - freshly cooked, slightly steamed, or as Okoge (crispy rice stuck to the pot). Okoge refers to the rice that sticks to the pot and becomes crispy, offering an addictive texture.
My recommended soup is pork soup made with white miso, a Kyoto specialty. In hot seasons, the cold dashi soup called "hiyajiru" is also popular.
As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, keep in mind that Kishin requires advance reservations. You can choose from time slots at 7:30, 9:00, 11:15, and 12:45. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful "Japanese mother's breakfast" that allows you to savor the umami of each ingredient!
<Store Information> *Reservation required
- Address: 1F Rin Hotel Gion Hana-Touro, 555 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-525-8500
- Business Hours: 7:30am - 2:05pm (L.O. 12:45pm)
- Closed: Wednesday and Thursday
- Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 6 of Keihan Gion-shijo Station
- Official website
Kyo Kaiseki Minokichi
source：Official website
"Kyokaiseki Minokichi," located in the Kyoto New Hankyu Hotel, is a long-established kaiseki restaurant with over 300 years of history. You can enjoy a variety of elegant and delicate dishes that make the most of Kyoto's seasonal ingredients, such as Kyoto vegetables and river fish.
The breakfast menu, available from 7:00am to 10:00 am, is called "Kyo no Chozen" (Kyoto's Morning Meal). In addition to rice and soup, side dishes are served in a bento-style presentation, which is visually appealing and popular among foreign tourists. The menu changes with the seasons, allowing you to enjoy ingredients and flavors unique to Kyoto.
As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, consider Minokichi's convenient location, just a 3-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, making it easy to stop by before sightseeing or travellng. Their take-out "unagi sugata-zushi" (whole eel sushi) is also exquisite. Note that breakfast reservations are not accepted, so if you're interested, try to arrive just after opening time!
<Store Information> *Reservations not accepted
- Address: B1F Kyoto New Hankyu Hotel, Shiokoji-shinmachi-higashiiru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-343-5327
- Business Hours: 7:00am - 10:00am / 11:30am - 3:00pm / 5:00pm - 9:30pm
- Access: Directly in front of the Karasuma Central Exit of JR Kyoto Station / 3-minute walk from Kintetsu Kyoto Line / Kyoto Station
- Official website
Sanga-ono Kyoto-shinmachi-bettei
source：Official website
The breakfast at "Sanga-ono Kyoto-shinmachi-bettei" is notable for its abundance of dishes. You can enjoy breakfast to your liking with a combination of plate service and buffet style.
Upon being seated, you're first served a colorful plate filled with carefully prepared side dishes. It elegantly includes handmade Tsumire (fish balls), grilled seasonal fish, pickles (Japanese preserved vegetables), and "Kasujiru," a soup with a deep richness characteristic of sake lees used in the sake brewing process.
The buffet features about 30 items that change daily. The Kyoto-style oden, simmered slowly in a rich chicken broth, is a must-try dish. Western-style menu items are also available, making it recommended for foreigners who may not be fond of Japanese cuisine. You can still experience Kyoto flavors in Western dishes, such as gratin made with white miso and salads featuring Kyoto vegetables.
As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, note that reservations are not required for breakfast here. Come with plenty of time and an empty stomach to fully enjoy the experience.
<Store Information> *Reservations not accepted
- Address: 361 Rokkaku-cho, Rokkaku-sagaru, Shinmachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-257-1131
- Business Hours: 6:30am - 11:00am (L.O. 10:00am)
- Access: 7-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line
- Official website
Kyosai-aji Nomura
source：Official website
"Kyosai-aji Nomura" offers a menu centered around vegetables. The "Asamiyabi Gozen" (Morning Elegant Set), available only from 8:00am to 11:00 am, is a set consisting of 12 types of obanzai (Kyoto-style side dishes), rice, and miso soup, perfect for breakfast.
The colorful Obanzai served in cool glass dishes is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. When I visit, I always find myself unsure of which dish to start with. You can choose between white rice and nutritious mixed grain rice.
The restaurant's signature menu item, the yuba-don (yuba rice bowl) and Obanzai set called "Miyabi Gozen," is also recommended. "Yuba" is the thin film that forms on the surface when boiling soy milk. This high-protein soy product is also a popular Kyoto specialty.
As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, keep in mind that while the restaurant can be used without a reservation, it's recommended to make one in advance due to its popularity.
<Store Information> *Reservations accepted
- Address: 513 Masuya-cho, Nishikikoji-sagaru, Fuyacho-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-252-0831
- Business Hours: 8:00am - 3:00pm (L.O. 2:30pm)
- Closed: None
- Access: 1-minute walk from Exit 11 of Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line
- Official website
Roji Usagi
source：Official website
"Roji Usagi," a traditional Japanese house-style café in the geisha district, offers healthy Kyoto-style breakfasts. Breakfast is served from 8:00am to 10:30am.
There are six menu options, including sets that allow you to enjoy Kyoto home-style flavors like grilled fish and dashimaki-Tamago (rolled omelette), and toast sets that come with two types of homemade jam. The curry with plenty of vegetables is popular among foreigners.
My recommendation is the "Soy Milk Yuba Porridge Set." Yuba is a Japanese delicacy concentrated with the richness and sweetness of soy milk. This Kyoto-style dish features creamy porridge made with local tofu shop's soy milk, topped with plenty of fresh yuba.
While you can use the restaurant without a reservation, it's better to book in advance for the busy breakfast time. After 2:00pm, during café time, you can also enjoy original drinks made with amazake (sweet fermented rice drink) and Japanese-style desserts, making it recommended for post-lunch visits as well.
As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, consider adding Roji Usagi to your itinerary for a taste of healthy, traditional Kyoto cuisine.
<Store Information> *Reservations accepted
- Address: 176 Shimoyanagi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-551-0463
- Business Hours: 8:00am - 11:00am (L.O. 10:30am) / 12:00pm - 5:00pm (L.O. 4:30pm)
- Closed: Irregular
- Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line / 8-minute walk from Exit 1 of Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Main Line
- Official website
Hyotei
source：Official website
"Hyotei," a Michelin 3-star restaurant, is a long-established ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) that has been in business for over 400 years within the precincts of Nanzenji Temple. It's a popular restaurant where you can enjoy seasonal dishes centered around traditional kaiseki cuisine.
There's a main shop that retains the atmosphere from the time of its founding with a tea room, and an annex where you can dine at table seats. In the main shop, there are rooms where you eat while sitting in seiza (formal sitting position), so if you're not comfortable with seiza, it's best to inform them in advance.
Hyotei is famous for its boiled egg called "Hyotei Tamago." It started when they boiled eggs from chickens kept in the garden during the Edo period and served them to customers.
Another signature dish is "Asagayu" (morning porridge). After Hyotei Tamago and seasonal appetizers are served, the main dish of porridge appears. The porridge, which allows you to taste the true flavor of rice, is exquisite when eaten with the thick dashi poured over it. It can be ordered only at the annex from March to November, but in July and August, it's also available at the main shop.
As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, note that reservations are essential for Hyotei.
<Store Information> *Reservation required
- Address: 35 Kusagawa-cho, Nanzenji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-771-4116
- Business Hours: Main shop 12:00pm - 9:30pm / Annex 8:00am - 11:00am, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
- Closed: Main shop - Wednesday / Annex - Thursday
- Access: 6-minute walk from Keage Station on the Subway Tozai Line
- Official website
Yayoi
source：Official website
"Yayoi" is a shop specializing in Kyoto-style tsukudani (food simmered in soy sauce) that values the deliciousness of its ingredients. Their signature product "Ojako" is a type of tsukudani made by slowly simmering chirimen-jako (dried young sardines) and sansho (Japanese pepper) in soy sauce. Its sweet and savory flavor goes well with white rice and is perfect as a souvenir from Japan.
"Yayoi no Cafe," which operates only on weekends, offers a limited menu of 10 "Ochazuke Sets" per day as of July 2024. It's a satisfying set that includes rice cooked in an earthen pot, miso soup, Obanzai, an assortment of Yayoi's special tsukudani, and dessert.
The signature "Ojako" and various types of tsukudani are delicious whether eaten directly on rice or as ochazuke (rice with tea poured over it). You can fully enjoy the deliciousness of white rice.
When visiting, it's recommended to make a reservation in advance. While you can eat without a reservation if they haven't reached their limit, be aware that some days may be fully booked with reservations.
As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, consider adding Yayoi to your weekend itinerary for a taste of traditional Kyoto flavors.
<Store Information> *Reservations accepted
- Address: 481 Kiyoi-cho, Shimogawara, Gion, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-531-8317
- Open: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only
- Business Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm (L.O. 2:00pm)
- Access: 13-minute walk from Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line
- Official website
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3 Long-established Cafés in Kyoto Where You Can Enjoy Breakfast
Kyoto, with its abundance of restaurants, also boasts many nostalgic, long-established cafés. "Kissaten" refers to Japanese traditional cafés with a retro atmosphere. You can feel the essence of old Japan in their interiors and menus, offering a different charm from trendy modern "cafes."
These long-established cafés also have extensive meal menus, and you'll often see locals leisurely enjoying breakfast.
Here, we introduce cafés with delicious breakfasts that we recommend to foreign tourists. As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, consider these authentic experiences.
Ogawa Coffee
source：Official website
"Ogawa Coffee," a long-established shop that has been in Kyoto for over 70 years, also has branches in Tokyo and America. With pride as Kyoto coffee artisans, they pursue flavors that resonate worldwide.
The breakfast menu, available from 7:00 am at the Kyoto main store, is popular. There are various menu items using carefully baked bread from their Sakai Nishiki store in the city.
My recommendation for your breakfast at Kyoto 2024 is the "Kyoto Pork Boneless Ham Special Brunch Set." The juicy ham from Kyoto's brand pork "Kyoto Pork" offers a taste that lets you savor the umami of the meat. It's a voluminous plate with thick-cut toast made from Kyoto-grown wheat, scrambled eggs, salad, and fruit yogurt. As options, I also recommend adding whipped cream using Kyoto-grown Tamba Dainagon azuki beans or homemade soup.
<Store Information> *Reservations accepted
- Address: 75 Kita-shouzakai-cho, Nishi-Kyogoku, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-313-7334
- Business Hours: 7:00am - 7:00pm (L.O. 6:30pm), morning menu until 11:00 am
- Access: 11-minute walk from Nishi-Kyogoku Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
- Official website
If you are interested in Ogawa Coffee, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
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Maeda Coffee
source：Official website
"Maeda Coffee Muromachi Main Store" opened in 1981, renovating a building that used to be a kimono shop. The interior, with 100 seats, retains the atmosphere of a traditional café, allowing you to enjoy coffee in a relaxed space.
The charm of Maeda Coffee lies in its extensive menu. Not only do they offer a wide range of drink options including their specialty coffee, but they also have a rich selection of meal and dessert menus.
There are many morning menu items available for order from 7:00am to 11:00 am, ranging from light meals to hearty options, allowing you to choose based on your level of hunger. The voluminous sandwich filled with plenty of roast beef from Kyoto's long-established beef shop "Moritaya" is popular among foreigners.
For those who want a substantial breakfast at Kyoto 2024, I recommend the morning curry set that comes with a salad.
<Store Information> *Reservations not accepted
- Address: 236 Hashibenkei-cho, Karasumaru-nishi-hairu, Takoyakushi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-255-2588
- Business Hours: 7:00am - 6:00pm (L.O. 5:30pm)
- Closed: None
- Access: 5-minute walk from Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line / 5-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line
- Official website
If you are interested in Maeda Coffee, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
sena kanda
dews cafe kyoto
source：Tabelog
"dews cafe kyoto," located just off a busy main street, is a hidden gem café where you can leisurely enjoy breakfast. In the spacious interior with a warm wooden feel, you can enjoy the morning menu from 8:00am to 11:00 am.
The popular morning plate is a set that includes a freshly baked omelet, seasonal grilled vegetables, salad, homemade roast ham, fruits, bread, seasonal soup, and a drink. The omelet is a nutritious dish using eggs from chickens fed with Uji tea produced in Uji, Kyoto. The colorful plate, served like a hotel breakfast, will be your energy source for a vibrant day.
As you plan your breakfast at Kyoto 2024, consider dews cafe kyoto. It's also recommended as a starting point for sightseeing, with Heian Shrine just a 5-minute walk away. Their takeout baked goods and seasonal cakes are also a perfect match with coffee!
<Store Information> *Reservations not accepted
- Address: Kyoto Grand Heights 1F, 47-5 Shogoin-entomi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Phone: 075-752-0224
- Business Hours: 8:00am - 6:00pm
- Closed: Wednesday
- Access: 10-minute walk from Jingu-Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Oto Line
- Official Instagram
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