Best of Kyoto
The best new restaurants in Kyoto
Start with Tsujiri in Gion for matcha soft serve and wafers downstairs, Kichi Kichi Omurice in Nakagyo Ward and SoNoMa. Here are all 12, with why each one is worth it.
- TsujiriGion
Get: Matcha soft serve and wafers downstairs; parfaits in the Saryo tea room upstairs
Matcha soft serve and wafers downstairs; parfaits in the Saryo tea room upstairs.
Kichi Kichi OmuriceNakagyo WardGet: Chef Motokichi Yukimura's showy omurice, with egg tosses and fire, in an online-reservation-only restaurant
Chef Motokichi Yukimura's showy omurice, with egg tosses and fire, in an online-reservation-only restaurant.
- Nishiki Market StallsNishiki Market, central Kyoto
Tako tamago: a candied baby octopus with a quail egg tucked in its head, on a stick.
- Zako-ya Main Store
Renovated restaurant relaunch reported September 2026.
Save the places you want and Chef remembers them for your trip: what to order, how to book, on a map with everything else you love in Kyoto. Free.
Save the whole listAsk Chef for morePlan my Kyoto food tripThe best new restaurants in Kyoto: questions people ask
Where is the best new restaurants in Kyoto?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Tsujiri (Gion), Kichi Kichi Omurice (Nakagyo Ward) and SoNoMa. All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Tsujiri, get matcha soft serve and wafers downstairs; parfaits in the Saryo tea room upstairs. At Kichi Kichi Omurice, get chef Motokichi Yukimura's showy omurice, with egg tosses and fire, in an online-reservation-only restaurant.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Kyoto: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Kyoto
New restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.