Dainoji

A new addition to my favorite restaurants in Japan, Dainoji is an okonomiyaki restaurant located near Kinkaku-ji on the north end of Kyoto.

This is a do-it-yourself okonomiyaki location. The grill is in front of you, and you are provided with all the ingredients to build your own okonomiyaki! However, don’t fret, the staff in the restaurant are super friendly and helpful if you don’t know how to get started.

The menu is extensive, with different add-ins to make your perfect okonomiyaki. Our group of four each had a different variety, and considered it one of our absolute favorite meals of the trip. They were the perfect size to eat on your own; no need to share. Prices range from about ¥750 to ¥1100, depending on the ingredients, and you can add additional toppings for ¥100 to ¥200.

This restaurant is tiny, and it gets busy. Plan to arrive early for lunch so you can secure a seat. After we left, several parties were waiting to get in.

metal bowl filled with ingredients; raw egg, thick sliced bacon, green onions, rice puffs, rice cakes, and cabbage

White place with a quarter slice of an okonomiyaki with sauce and Japanese mayo on top

4 Okonomiyaki on a small griddle, each are topped with okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, and bonito flakes.

Shibata – Premium Wagyu Beef

We originally stumbled upon Shibata on a whim when trying to figure out dinner while in Kyoto in 2019. It ended up becoming a restaurant we constantly talked about after that Japan trip, and when we were in Kyoto again in 2025, we knew we had to go back.

Shibata is a small restaurant on the 3rd floor of a building overlooking the Kamo River in Central Kyoto. They serve sukiyaki and shabu-shabu, and the standout meal we’ve ordered on both visits is the premium wagyu tasting course.

This tasting course includes multiple rounds of A-5 wagyu, two appetizers, vegetables, udon jjigae, and a small dessert. The wagyu courses pair with garlic and grated radish, a divine combination you’ll rave about long after your visit. Because the tasting menu offers so much food, you will leave feeling absolutely stuffed. The owner is also happy to explain any of the dishes and what is the best way to enjoy them!

The owner runs this small restaurant themselves; you should make a reservation in advance to ensure you get a seat. You can email the restaurant directly to reserve your spot. The owner speaks perfect English, so you won’t need to worry about a language barrier. The price of the tasting course is ¥9,980 per person, for a minimum of two people.

Japanese charcoal grill with a small metal bowl of oil and garlic in the center. Placed around the grill are vegetables and slices of wagyu beef

two slate plates with multiple thin slices of wagyu beef, and a green Japanese maple leaf as garnish

jjigae udon soup. An orange broth soup in a silver metal bowl with udon noodles inside.

Gion Tsujiri

Gion Tsujiri is one of the more well-known matcha tea stores in Kyoto; they have a couple of locations you can visit. However, I’m not sending you here to buy the tea specifically. Though if you love matcha tea, it’s a convenient, easy place to grab a variety of types if you aren’t already visiting somewhere like Uji.

The reason to visit Gion Tsujiri if you are a foodie is for the matcha soft serve. It comes in a cone or cup, and it’s to die for. It is incredibly creamy and has a strong matcha flavor; I’ve been dreaming about having more ever since. After having multiple matcha soft serves in Japan and outside of Japan, I can say this is hands down the best one I’ve had.

If you aren’t up for ice cream, they do have matcha and matcha lattes on their menu, available hot, cold, or as a float.