Eat in Northern Higashiyama, Kyoto

Nanzenji Junsei

• ★ 4.3
• Japanese Tofu
• ¥¥¥

Order Yudofu Gozen course with simmered Kyoto vegetables and tempura

A long-running garden-side yudofu room beside Nanzen-ji, set on a 1,200-tsubo strolling-garden plot in Kyoto that changes with every season.

Omen Ginkakuji

• ★ 4.3
• Japanese Udon
• ¥¥

Order Cold sesame Omen with seasonal vegetable plate

A hand-cut udon counter beside Ginkaku-ji, opened in Kyoto in 1967. The Omen bowl pairs wheat noodles with sesame, vegetables and a dipping dashi.

Monk

• ★ 4.6
• Italian
• ¥¥¥¥

Order Chef's omakase course including the night's signature pizza

A wood-fired pizzeria and tasting counter on the Philosopher's Path, run by chef Yoshihiro Imai with a daily-changing 12-course Italian-Japanese menu.

Hyotei

• ★ 4.9
• 3 MICHELIN stars
• Kaiseki
• ¥¥¥¥

An Edo-era teahouse at the gate of Nanzen-ji in Kyoto, restyled as a ryotei in 1837. Located in Northern Higashiyama. Led by chef Yoshihiro Takahashi.

Dot.S

• ★ 4.2
• Café
• ¥

Order Single O Japan pour-over

An espresso bar and Smart Car showroom in Okazaki, Kyoto, beside the National Museum of Modern Art. Single O Japan and And Coffee Roasters on rotation.

Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto

• ★ 4.3
• Café
• ¥

Order New Orleans iced coffee

Blue Bottle's Kyoto cafe, set in a converted machiya beside Nanzen-ji. Single-origin pour-over, Hario filter on the bar and a wagashi-pairing programme.

Aoonigiri

• ★ 4.4
• Street food
• ¥

Try Hand-formed onigiri

A handmade onigiri counter near the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto. 12 daily fillings, sourdough rice with Niigata Koshihikari grains and miso soup on the side.

Omen Ginkakuji Udon

• ★ 4.2
• Japanese
• ¥

Try Sesame Omen udon set

Omen's hand-cut udon under 1,600 yen at the Ginkaku-ji branch in Kyoto. Cold sesame Omen with a seasonal vegetable plate; the easiest northern lunch.

Monk Pizza Counter

• ★ 4.7
• Italian
• ¥¥

Yoshihiro Imai's wood-fired pizza counter on the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto. 12 seats, daily 12-course Italian-Japanese tasting; the chef-pick of town.

Blue Bottle Kyoto Brunch

• ★ 4.3
• Brunch
• ¥¥

Order Pour-over and wagashi-pairing breakfast

Blue Bottle's Kyoto cafe by Nanzen-ji serves morning pour-overs in a converted machiya. Single-origin brews and a wagashi-pairing programme at counter.