Best Wagyu Beef Restaurants in Kyoto
What is Wagyu beef? There may be some people who are not familiar with this word. The word simply refers to Japanese cow or beef. Those best quality Wagyu cattle are carefully raised by licensed owners and shipped to high-class restaurants. What is more special about Wagyu beef is that the quality of their fat which gives the meat to be full of moist with smooth texture. Although Wagyu is not as well-known as the other Japanese cuisines such as sushi or tempura, we strongly recommend you to put Wagyu on your must eat list in Japan.
The famous tourist city in western Japan, Kyoto has several great restaurants where you can taste a wide variety of premium Wagyu beef. Here I introduce 7 best restaurants in Kyoto where serve top rated Wagyu beef.
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1. Wagyu Beef Yutaka
Every slice of meat here in Yutaka is unique. Yutaka believes that all cut of the meat is different even if they are from the same kind of cattle. When purchasing cattle from all over Japan, Yukata makes decision based on the weather conditions of the year and the other regional features to ensure that they are buying the best Wagyu of the day. Plus, Yutaka also consider how those cattle were grown and their quality of fat to determine how much time should it be grilled and then carefully adjust the whole cooking process which could make a big difference on the taste. This special Wagyu which you can only enjoy at Yukata will make your trip unforgettable.
Access: 5 min walk from Gion-Shijo station
Business Hours: 11:30AM–1:30PM 5:30–9PM (Mon-Sun)
Price Range: 3,000–4,000yen (lunch), 30,000~(dinner)
2. Tendan Gion Honten
Tendan Gion Honten has been serving Kyoto-style yakiniku for nearly 60 years, offering a unique twist on Japan’s beloved grilling tradition. Located near Gion-shijo Station, this restaurant is renowned for its thinner, dashi-like dipping sauce, setting it apart from the usual thick, sweet sauces used in most yakiniku.
Tendan specializes in sirloin and ribeye roll cuts, both known for their rich marbling and deep umami flavors. The restaurant also offers raw beef yukhoe-style and standout side dishes like jjigae soup with Kyoto white miso and handmade cold noodles. With its long history, Tendan remains a favorite for both locals and visitors.
<<Make a reservation at Tendan Gion Honten>>
Access: 1 minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Main Line)
Business Hours: 17:00~23:00 (weekdays) / 11:30~23:00 (weekends, holidays)
Price Range: 5,000 ~ 8,000 Yen
3. Miyoshi
Ultimate Wagyu beef that melt at the moment you put them in your mouth. Chef Ito at Miyoshi is more of a craftsman rather than just a chef. He has thorough experience in Japanese Kaiseki’s cuisine, and the taste of the dishes he serves will let you live the special moment of your trip
In the restaurant, modern Japanese lighting created by traditional Washi paper makes calm atmosphere. You can enjoy not only the gorgeous calming interior of the restaurant but also the chef’s vivid knife skills on the ingredients. In each process of cooking, chef Ito sharpens his knife and creates unparalleled luxurious beef dishes.
<<Make a reservation at Niku no Takumi Miyoshi>>
Access: 5 min walk from Gion-Shijo station
Business Hours: 6–11PM (Mon-Sat)
Closed: Sunday
Price Range: 30,000~ (dinner)
4. Izutsuya Sanjo
Izutsuya’s cattle and their wagyu dishes have won numerous awards every year at the Wagyu beef contest sponsored by Kyoto City, they received the “Best beef Award”, and also they were given an award of “Best Governor Prize at the Kyoto Prefectural Association contest. They are especially famouse for their lean beef that has the finest fat quality.
Izutsuya’s own Wagyu brand Tamba Wagyu cattle are brought up at their own ranch. They also procure seasonal vegetable and fresh seafood from the mountain Satoyama of Kyotanba. The company also hires the professional Wagyu chefs to make sure of the best quality of Tamba Kuroge Wagyu beef cattle are being sent to the restaurant. The 2-story restaurant was renovated from a traditional Japanese teahouse and serves wagyu beef with yakiniku on the 1st floor and teppanyaki on the 2nd floor.
<<Make a reservation at Izutsuya Kyoto>>
Access: 3 min walk from Karasuma-Oike station
Business Hours: Lunch 11:30〜15:00/Dinner 17:00〜22:00
Closed: Monday and Wednesday (2nd floor)
Price Range: 5,000–6,000 (dinner)
5. Yakiniku Yazawa
At this Wagyu restaurant Yazawa, they only serve the highest A5 ranked Kuroge Wagyu beef. Japanese BBQ YAZAWA (Yakiniku Yazawa) has numerous branch restaurants all over the world including Tokyo and is loved by celebrities. Yazawa’s philosophy of spreading the “Kuroge Wagyu” the representative ingredients of Japan and the leading Japanese food culture of “Yakiniku”to the world never stop attracting beef gourmet
“Yakiniku Yazawa” only uses top-quality Kuroge Wagyu amongst Japan and uses carefully selected ingredients based to their own standards. Different parts of Wagyu Beef are selected by eyes of skilled artisans regardless of the producing areas. They are always confident in serving the best fresh and delicious Wagyu cuisines
Access: 3 min walk from Shijo station
Business Hours: 5PM–12AM (Mon-Sun)
Price Range: 10,000–15,000
Official Website: http://www.yazawameat.com/index_k.html
6. Nikukappo Futago
Nikukappo Futago is a wagyu beef restaurant opened in 2022 as a new addition to the luxury hotel The Junei Hotel in Kyoto. The interior of the restaurant, which is based on Japanese modern style, is divided into semi-private and private rooms. In a special private space that connects the ordinary with the extraordinary, they provide a full-course meal made with the finest wagyu beef and seasonal ingredients. With the concept of “Iki”, which can be translated into four different words, live, breath, chic and spirit, Futago is committed to deliver the finest dining experience with high quality food, service and decor.
<<Make a reservation at Nikukappo Futago>>
Access: 6 min walk from Shichijo station
Business Hours: 17:00 ~ 22:00
Price Range: 15,000–20,000 (dinner)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/11Z5wuQFnV7fumnT7
7. MISONO
Misono (みその) is a long-established restaurant opened as the first teppanyaki restaurant in Kobe City in 1945. Misono has a branch in Kyoto since 1982, which has been a popular place to dine among both Japanese and foreign visitors.
Misono’s passion for Kobe Beef is incomparably strong that they even set the strict standard of their own to rank Beef Wagyu such as; being a pure Kuroge Wagyu (Japanese black cattle), having passed 24 months or longer after the birth, and having not given a chemical feed or growth hormone. Misono considers these conditions as essential factors for raising Kobe Wagyu cattle. Misono also offers wine, sake, beer and shochu that best fit each of their dishes. Personally, I recommend you to try the sake called Hukujyu(福寿), a 300-year-old, fruity and refreshing sake that is also rooted in Kobe City.
<<Make a reservation at Steak Misono Kyoto>>
Access: 5 mins walk from Kawaramachi Station
Business Hours: Lunch 11:30 – 15:00/Dinner 17:30 – 22:00
Closed: Tuesday
Price Range: 3,000-5,000 yen (lunch), 10,000 -15,000 yen (dinner)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/KymTzc9HP9s1GC3n6
▽For those who are planning to visit other areas in Japan, here are more lists of the best Wagyu Beef restaurants around the country!▽
For more information about travelling in Kyoto, here are some more articles for you to check out!
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