Kyoto Best Izakaya & Bars 2024: 5 Restaurants to Visit!

Kyoto, home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites like Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera, is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations. With its geisha, traditional streetscapes, and rich cultural experiences, it attracts visitors year-round.

Known for its culinary excellence, including Kyoto cuisine, the city boasts a wide variety of dining establishments. From long-established restaurants to casual cafes and Japanese-style izakayas, there's something for everyone.

However, Kyoto is notorious for early closing times, making it challenging to find late-night venues. Fortunately, izakayas in bustling areas tend to stay open later. For those looking to enjoy Kyoto's nightlife, head to these lively districts. Don't miss out on Kyoto specialties like "Kyoto vegetables" and "yakitori," which is said to have originated here.

Let's explore some of the most highly-rated izakayas in Kyoto, perfect for experiencing the Kyoto Best Izakaya & Bars 2024 scene.

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Izakayas: Japan's Beloved Drinking Establishments

Izakayas have been a staple of Japanese culture for centuries, offering a unique blend of dining and drinking. Their extensive food menus have made them particularly popular among foreign visitors.

From small appetizers like edamame and sashimi to larger dishes like karaage (fried chicken), izakayas offer a wide range of popular Japanese foods in small portions. Most items are reasonably priced, often under 500 yen. The casual atmosphere allows for easy entry without reservations.

Unique to izakayas are services like "otoshi" (a small dish served upon seating) and all-you-can-drink options. With an average spending of about 3,000 yen per person for a satisfying meal and drinks, I often frequent these places for outings with friends or dates. Some izakayas are open 24 hours, perfect for those nights when the party just keeps going!

Three Beloved Local Izakayas in Historical city, Kyoto

Izakaya Asahi

Asahi, a 50-year-old sushi restaurant, rebranded as "Izakaya Asahi" in 2023. With its stylish ambiance welcoming even solo female diners, it has become a local favorite.

Recommended dishes include sashimi and seafood salads made with fresh fish. The owner personally selects ingredients from the market daily, ensuring exceptional quality. Their fatty mackerel sushi, a carryover from their sushi shop days, has become a popular finale to meals.

Female patrons love the "float" drinks featuring oversized ice cream scoops, which can be added to alcoholic beverages as well.

There's also a time-limited service until 7 PM offering select alcoholic drinks for 418 yen. Don't miss the chance to try Kyoto's "Tamba Wine," which pairs excellently with seafood.

Store Information:
- Address: 1-3-19 Kanashi, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Closed: Sundays
- Phone: 075-954-0433
- Hours: 17:00-22:30
- Official Website

Kirakutei

Kirakutei is a Japanese fusion izakaya featuring fresh seafood from Kyoto Maizuru Port and direct-from-farm vegetables from Kyoto Onohara. The interior evokes a nostalgic Japanese public bath atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed evening.

Besides seafood dishes like sashimi and dried fish, they offer a variety of chicken dishes using Kyoto's local Kyotamba chicken. The menu is diverse, with many items priced under 1,000 yen, making it popular among locals.

The drink selection is equally impressive, featuring beer, sake from various regions, shochu, and wine. Sake enthusiasts should try the Kyo no Jizake Set or the Kubota Premium Set for a tasting experience.

Store Information:
- Address: Crystal Plaza M1F, 215 Okura-cho, Karasuma Takeyacho-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 075-213-1688
- Hours: 11:30-14:30, 17:00-0:00
- Official Website

Shiki no Uta

Shiki no Uta offers Japanese cuisine using fresh fish and seasonal ingredients in private rooms, popular among locals for its relaxed atmosphere. The menu ranges from à la carte to course meals, with the latter providing an authentic Japanese dining experience.

A recommended dish is the Wagyu Jewel Gunkan (sushi rice wrapped in seaweed and topped with luxurious ingredients) featuring sea urchin, salmon roe, and snow crab. Instead of the traditional nori wrap, it's enveloped in wagyu beef, creating a unique blend of premium ingredients rarely found elsewhere.

The drink menu is extensive, including shochu, sake, cocktails, and beer. An all-you-can-drink option with 80 choices is available, allowing you to fully enjoy popular local sake.

Store Information:
- Address: 1F, 736 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 050-5600-1350
- Hours: 16:00-0:00
- Official Website

Born in Kyoto! 4 Izakayas you can enjoy delicious Yakitori

If you are interested in Kyoto's Best Yakitori Restaurants, check the article below! I summarized Kyoto's Best Yakitori Restaurants I recommend and how I felt each Yakitori Restaurants.

Kyoto’s 5 Best Yakitori Restaurants & Favorites of Locals

Kyoto, the birthplace of yakitori, is home to many exceptional yakitori restaurants. From high-end establishments to casual izakayas, there’s something for every palate. Don’t miss the unique “Suzume-gushi” skewers found only in Kyoto.

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Kyoto Kushidokoro Azumaya Honten

At Kyoto Kushidokoro Azumaya Honten, you can enjoy kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) and yakitori, both Kyoto specialties.

Kushikatsu comes with three sauce options: traditional sauce, rich tartar, and matcha salt for a Japanese twist. The yakitori, made with flavorful local chicken, is glazed with a secret additive-free sauce passed down for 20 years. The sweet and savory sauce pairs perfectly with alcohol.

The drink menu boasts over 20 types of sake from Kyoto and other regions. The name "Toya" refers to a park gazebo, reflecting the restaurant's aim to provide a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

Store Information:
- Address: 2F, 186 Zaimoku-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: None
- Phone: 075-212-5668
- Hours: 17:00-25:00 (Sat 16:00-2:00, Sun & Holidays 16:00-0:00)
- Website

Torisei

Torisei is a chicken specialty restaurant proud of its various chicken dishes, including yakitori, karaage, and raw ham, all made with daily-delivered domestic brand chickens. A popular item is the 6-skewer yakitori assortment, featuring various parts of the chicken.

The sauce is simmered with sake, resulting in a mellow sweetness and rich flavor. While sauce is recommended, you can opt for salt-grilled for a simpler taste that highlights the chicken's natural flavors.

The spacious interior, converted from a sake brewery built in the early 20th century, creates an atmospheric dining experience popular among tourists.

A large tank in the center of the first floor contains fresh unpasteurized sake from the adjacent factory. The drink menu features a wide range of sake brands, from those with over 300 years of history to new brews.

Store Information:
- Address: 186 Kamiaburakake-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City
- Closed: Mondays, New Year's holidays
- Phone: 075-622-55333
- Hours: 11:00-22:00
- Website

Tori-ryori Sumiyaki Akari

At Tori-ryori Sumiyaki Akari, you can enjoy yakitori made from Omi chicken and Kyoto duck, carefully grilled over binchotan charcoal (a high-temperature charcoal that crisps the surface of ingredients).

The freshness of the meat is exceptional due to direct purchases from poultry farms, resulting in rich umami and sweetness. In addition to the main yakitori dishes, there are numerous original menu items such as sashimi and smoked dishes. The chefs, who have mastered chicken cuisine, demonstrate their expertise by using male and female chickens differently depending on the dish.

A popular menu item is the special Tsukune (chicken meatball) skewer. The meat has a springy texture as it's minced in-house. When eaten with the creamy egg yolk, it adds depth to the flavor, making it exquisite.

The restaurant features an open kitchen with a spacious atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy their meals while conversing with the chef. The overall dim lighting creates a relaxing ambiance, perfect for spending a peaceful time.

Store Information:
- Address: 2-1 Gyoganji Monzen-cho, Teramachi-dori Marutamachi-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 075-255-1390
- Hours: 17:30-0:00
- Official website

Sumibikushiyaki Torito

Torito specializes in skewer dishes and clay pot dishes using rare, premium cuts of domestic chicken, including local chicken from Miyama, Kyoto.

The restaurant is known for its rare skewers cooked to uncommon degrees of doneness, such as sankaku Nankotsu (triangular breast cartilage with a crunchy texture), furisode (shoulder meat that's springy and juicy), and sori (the base of the thigh meat, rich in flavor). When I tried these rare skewers, I was surprised by how different each part of the chicken could taste.

The yakitori can be enjoyed with various seasonings, from refreshing grated daikon with ponzu sauce to rich tartar sauce, allowing for a diverse and enjoyable dining experience.

A popular menu item is the chicken hotpot set. It includes three types of charcoal-grilled yakitori, a chicken hotpot accented with refreshing yuzu, and other dishes, along with 90 minutes of all-you-can-drink.

Store Information:
- Address: Karasuma Nishiki Building 1F, 683 Motohonenjicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 075-211-3750
- Hours: 17:30-23:00
- Official website

Late-Night Izakayas in Kyoto

Ponshya Santoku Rokumi Shijo Karasuma Branch

Ponshya Santoku Rokumi Shijo Karasuma Branch operates late into the night, from 18:00 to 1:00 on weekdays and 17:00 to 1:00 (23:00 on Sundays) on weekends and holidays. It's perfect for a second round after visiting other izakayas. All seats are standing-only, mainly at the counter, making it convenient for a quick drink.

The interior, a renovated traditional Japanese house, combines the atmosphere of old Japan with modern stylishness, creating an elegant space. A popular menu item is the chicken Paitan oden (hot pot with rich chicken bone broth). The rich broth extracted from chicken bones is its signature feature.

The sake selection, sourced from all over Japan, is constantly changing, with about 30 varieties always available. The wide range of appetizers, such as assorted sashimi and potato salad, pairs well with the sake. It's a paradise for sake lovers.

Store Information:
- Address: 188-5 Ayazaimokucho, Ayanokoji-dori Yanaginobamba Nishi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 050-5600-5649
- Hours: 18:00-1:00 (Sat 17:00-1:00, Sun 16:00-23:00)
- website

Gono Go Kawaramachi Sanjo Branch

Gono Go Kawaramachi Sanjo Branch has long operating hours from 11:00 to 5:00 the next morning, making it suitable for various occasions such as lunch, dinner, or as a second stop. As there are few restaurants in Kyoto open until early morning, this is recommended for those who want to enjoy drinks late into the night.

A popular menu item is the "Toroton," a dish of pork trotters slow-cooked for a long time, known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture. Rich in collagen, it's popular among women interested in beauty.

For lunch, you can enjoy a typical Japanese set meal with rice, miso soup, side dishes, and a main dish such as grilled fish or sashimi.

With its reasonable and delicious food and drinks, the restaurant is always bustling with customers regardless of weekdays or weekends. The lively interior and service create a comfortable atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a course meal until morning.

Store Information:
- Address: Tsuruno-i Building 1F, 86 Nakajima-cho, Sanjo-dori Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 050-5600-6647
- Hours: 11:00-5:00
- website

Vegetarian-Friendly Izakayas Featuring Kyoto Vegetables

Yakiyasai Isoya

At Yakiyasai Isoya, you can enjoy plenty of seasonal Kyoto vegetables delivered daily from the owner's family farm and contracted farms. With the motto "Let us grill seasonal Kyoto vegetables for you," freshly harvested vegetables are beautifully displayed on the counter like decor, ready to take center stage.

Freshly harvested vegetables in the morning are full of flavor even when simply grilled, making a significant impact as the main dish. When paired with complimentary seasonings, the range of flavors becomes limitless.

The menu changes daily depending on the vegetable supply, offering new dishes to discover with each visit. In summer, the shop opens up the vinyl curtains facing the street, creating a terrace-like open atmosphere.

Enjoy healthy vegetable dishes alongside renowned sake from Kyoto and nearby areas.

Store Information:
- Address: Radice Matsuya Building 1F, 421-5 Shimomaruya-cho, Kiyamachi-dori Oike-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 075-212-5039
- Hours: 17:00-0:00
- Official website

Niyasai Onikai (Simmered Vegetables Onikai)

Niyasai Onikai prides itself on dishes that incorporate an abundance of safe, high-quality Kyoto vegetables carefully cultivated by contracted farms in Kyoto. With the motto "Let's eat delicious seasonal Kyoto vegetables," you can watch vegetables being simmered or boiled in large pots in the open kitchen.

In addition to counter seats where you can enjoy watching the cooking process, there are also private rooms for a relaxed dining experience. The popular course meal includes a generous set of salad sticks, simmered vegetables, and seasoned rice. When I tried the 10-dish course, I felt satisfied without guilt because vegetables were the main focus, making it a healthy meal despite its volume.

There are also all-you-can-drink sets available, allowing you to enjoy alcohol without worry. With its abundant vegetable menu, it's highly recommended for vegetarians.

Store Information:
- Address: 2F, Kawaramachi-dori Shijo-agaru Yoneya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 075-223-5052
- Hours: 17:00-23:00
- Official website

If you are interested in Kyoto's Best Dinner Restaurants, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Kyoto's Best Dinner Restaurants as much as possible.

[2024] The Best Dinner Restaurants in Kyoto

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