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Kyoto is a city full of incredible food experiences, whether you’re diving into the bustling dining spots or stumbling upon a hidden local gem. Based on my own culinary adventures, I’ve discovered five must-visit restaurants and cafes that offer the best of both worlds. From savoring a steaming bowl of ramen to enjoying a cozy café’s cheese toast, these are the places you won’t want to miss if you’re looking to eat and drink your way through Kyoto like a local, this Kyoto Grub and Sip Guide is perfect for you!
Check out my Latina’s Guide to the 5 Best Cities in Japan for a complete look at my trip!
Kyoto Grub and Sip Guide Table Of Contents
Book Your Kyoto Girl Getaway
 Flight |  Stay |  Do |  Drive |
| Skyscanner | Booking | Viator | QEEQ |
Get ready to dive into Japanese culture as you savor delicious food and enjoy drinks at some of Asia’s top bars—this Kyoto Grub and Sip Guide has everything you need.
Kyoto was just one of the many highlights of our 2-week Girls’ Getaway visiting Japan and South Korea.
Download my full itinerary for your own adventure!
Kyoto Grub and Sip Guide – Top 5 Spots
Indulge in Kyoto’s culinary delights with these must-visit cafes and restaurants. From the best ramen to a charming spot for cheese toast, these are the places you don’t want to miss.
Keyaki Cafe けやき:
| Keyaki Cafe けやき is the best meal you’ll have in Japan. This restaurant is owned by the nicest old couple. Their food is incredible, the curry rice and muffins are a must and prices are very reasonable. We chose to eat lunch here as they are closed for dinner and grabbed coffee and toast from Wife & Husband which is around the corner. |
Wife & Husband:
| Wife & Husband, is perfect for yummy coffee and honey cheese toast. They also offer picnic options so that you can enjoy a lovely picnic in the green fields nearby. We combined our visit to Keyaki Cafe and visited Wife & Husband for a post lunch coffee and treat. |
Wajoryomen Sugari:
| Wajoryomen Sugari is described as the tastiest ramen in Kyoto by a friend and this place didn’t disappoint. Only a limited amount of seats but totally worth the wait. |
Creek Cross:
| Creek Cross is considered the best spot for omurice by hotel concierges including locals, especially if the touristy Kichi Kichi Omurice is booked when you are visiting. It’s cash only as an FYI, simple and tasty. |
Bee’s Knees:
| This speakeasy cocktail bar; Bee’s Knees: may look like a book store outside but it’s been awarded with being one of the 50 top bars in Asia. No reservations are available as they can only accommodate about 20 guests at a time but you may add yourself to the waitlist on the day of your visit and should have no issues getting in. The staff was wonderful. We returned twice to grab drinks and felt like locals as we made friends with the manager and bartenders. |
Kyoto Grub & Sip Tours
For a truly immersive food experience in Kyoto, consider joining a traditional tea ceremony while dressed in a kimono, offering a unique glimpse into Japan’s tea culture. Dive into the city’s vibrant nightlife with a Kawaramachi bar crawl, where you can explore a mix of lively izakayas and chic cocktail bars. Additionally, participating in a Japanese cooking class provides hands-on experience with Kyoto’s culinary techniques and recipes, allowing you to bring a taste of Kyoto back home.
Each of these experiences offers a deeper connection to the city’s rich gastronomic heritage.
| Kimono Tea Ceremony |
| Kyoto Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi |
| Nishiki Market Brunch Food Tour |
| Private Udon Cooking Class |
| Japanese Sweets Making |
Useful Kyoto Grub & Sip Google Map
You can certainly benefit from saving this Tourist Japan Google map for your Kyoto Grub and Sip Guide trip. It will be useful for both Kyoto and other cities in Japan like Osaka and Tokyo. It includes sights, restaurants and cocktail bars.
To help you plan even more your once in a lifetime visit to Kyoto, check out these additional articles on my Girl Takes Mundo blog:
- Book these must-do in Kyoto experiences – Kyoto’s Top 4 Itinerary for First-Timers
- Read the full travel guide – Kyoto Girls’ Getaway: 3-Day Culture Fun Itinerary
Ready to explore Japan? Securing your JR Pass for smooth, unlimited train travel.
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Explore my Travel Guides Section for more destinations in Asia like Seoul and Vietnam.
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