Eat in Northern Higashiyama, Kyoto

Nanzenji Junsei ★ 4.3

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.

Signature: Yudofu, Yuba, Tofu kaiseki

Order: Yudofu Gozen course with simmered Kyoto vegetables and tempura

Tip: Book the garden-side tatami pavilion; walk-ins are turned away in foliage season.

Omen Ginkakuji ★ 4.3

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.

Signature: Omen udon, Sesame udon

Order: Cold sesame Omen with seasonal vegetable plate

Tip: Cash and card both accepted. Closes 21:00; arrive before the 19:00 dinner rush.

Monk ★ 4.6

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.

Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Vegetable courses

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

Tip: One seating, 12 seats; reserve 60 days ahead on the website.

Hyotei 3 ★ ★ 4.9

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.

Signature: Morning gruel, Hyotei tamago, Hassun

Dot.S ★ 4.2

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.

Signature drink: Single O Japan pour-over

Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto ★ 4.3

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.

Signature drink: New Orleans iced coffee

Aoonigiri ★ 4.4

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.

Try: Hand-formed onigiri

Omen Ginkakuji Udon ★ 4.2

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.

Try: Sesame Omen udon set

Monk Pizza Counter ★ 4.7

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.

Why locals love it: Yoshihiro Imai's 12-seat wood-fired counter on the Philosopher's Path that books out 60 days in advance.

Tip: Reservations open online 60 days ahead, on the 1st of each month at 09:00 JST.

Aoonigiri ★ 4.4

A handmade onigiri counter near the Philosopher's Path in north Kyoto. 12 daily fillings, Niigata Koshihikari grains and a side of dashi-poached miso soup.

Why locals love it: A handmade rice-ball counter near the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto with 12 daily fillings and a cult Niigata-grain rice base.

Tip: Closed Mondays. Counter eats six, queue forms by 11:30 most days.

Blue Bottle Kyoto Brunch ★ 4.3

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.

Order: Pour-over and wagashi-pairing breakfast