Maps/links to come soon (page in progress -sorry!)
Restauarants:
390
Amore
Cafe Sarasa Pausa
Falafel Garden
Isomatsu
Isoya
La Jolla
Lugol
Mimasuya Okudohan
Negiya
Radio Bagel
390
On a recent night bike ride, we made our way back from Doshisha University area, and passed by an Okonomiyaki place called "390." We were intrigued as you can do Take-away (a rarity here) and you can watch the chef cook right at the window.
Hours:11:00am to 13:00pm for lunch and 17:00-21:00 for dinner
Staff: One man operation, and a delivery guy. They were both super friendly
Food: AMAZING! Once you get past the fact that this is a total dive, you will be so happy.
Menu: They serve bento boxes at lunch, as well as yakisoba, okonomiyaki (both styles), and have the option to "make your own" okonomiyaki.
Ambiance: Ultra dive. This place is old and dirty, but totally worth it. You can also do pick up or delivery if you prefer.
Location: Karasuma Dori and Ebisu-Gawa Dori
Amore
Located on Kiamachi, this little Italian place is a yummy break from the traditional Japanese fair in Kyoto. The place is ultra San Francisco feeling, and the summer patio is to die for. They can get super busy, so plan ahead!
Hours: dinner; pretty late as well
Staff: really nice
Food: Italian (pasta, salads, pizza, great desserts)
Menu: English and Japanese; meat and veggie options (non-vegan)
Ambiance: Super cute, Italian feel
website:
Location: On Kiamatchi Dori; halfway between Gojo and Shijo Dori
Cafe Sarasa Pausa
On our first official food roulette outing (where we just walk around the neighborhood and randomly pick a restaurant to try) we came across Cafe Sarasa Pausa. With a relatively English friendly menu, super friendly staff, and cool, low-key vibe we thought we'd give it a shot. Little did we know we would eat the biggest meal of our lives -with no option for take away.
Hours: Lunch and dinner (open 'til 12am at this location)
Staff: friendly, but will not let you do take away or leftovers -you either finish everything or leave it behind, so order wisely
Food: really cheap with gigantic portions (the appetizers are entree size portions); I have literally never seen a plate of food as large as this restaurant
Menu: In English and Japanese; friendly to both meat eaters and vegetarians
Ambiance: All seating is upstairs -with no elevator; low-key Americana (Back to the Future was playing on the tiny tv when we were there); and a weird but really cool, glass house room-thing
Reservation: Definitely not; low-key and plenty of room
Website: http://sarasapa.exblog.jp/
Location: a block of two west of Teramachi mall about two blocks south of Oike Dori
(picture on the left is full-entree size appetizers; right is a huge plate of pasta)
Falafel Garden
As vegetarians anywhere that sells falafel is a must try. With vegan options, and a large menu we were sold the minute we found this place (literally walked upon it on accident). After our hike to Kurama/Kibune, we came here for a late lunch.Hours: 11am through Dinner
Staff: super hippie Japanese guys, very friendly
Food: Awesome
Menu: Mainly vegetarian/vegan, some meat options; (possibly Kosher?); English and Japanese
Ambiance: Hippie
website: http://www.falafelgarden.com/english/shopping.html
Location: 3-6 Shimoyanagi-cho, Tanaka, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8204 (or a two block walk east of demachiyanagi station)
Reservation: definitely not, this place is super low key!
Isomatsu
One of four restaurants owned by the same people/company, Isomatsu is by far a favorite restaurant for us!
Hours: Dinner only
Staff: super friendly; minimal English, but willing to work with vegetarians and non-Japanese
Food: delicious
Menu: meat and vegetable, but lots vegetarian options & could be vegan; Japanese only and handwritten
Ambiance: Kyoto swanky, low key, could be really romantic or a good group location
Reservation: Always a good idea
website: http://isozumi.jp/
Isoya
Another hot spot of the mighty-four, Isoya is the Marsha of the bunch. Almost impossible to get into, you MUST have a reservation. If you are gaikokojin/gaijin (non-Japanese), just avoid it all together. They are not friendly toward English speakers (we sat and watched them refuse people left and right on multiple occasions who couldn't speak Japanese)Hours: Dinner only
Staff: eh, not great
Food: great (mainly veggie, but meat available & again could be vegan)
Menu: Japanese only, handwritten so it can be a challenge to translate
Ambiance: fun, bar-type scene; really small but a lot of fun if you can get in
Reservation: Super freaking hard to get in here, definitely make a reservation
website: http://isozumi.jp/
La Jolla
We love La Jolla, partly because it's really close to where we used to live in California, and also because the food is amazing! The owner lived in La Jolla surfing for several years and moved back to Kyoto to open a mexican-style restaurant.Hours: Dinner only, open until 11pm
Staff: Awesome! Super friendly & speak English
Food: AWESOME
Menu: Mexican; Lots of daily specials; written in English and Japanese
Ambiance: eclectic mix of Mexican and Californian decorations; restaurant is super small, but not overly cluttered
Reservation: not needed, but they are tiny so you may have to come back
website: http://www.lajollagrill.jp/
Lugol
If you are looking for non-Japanese low-key dining, Lugol may be the place for you. Easy to find just off of Oike, and with a Fresco grocery as a landmark, Lugol is a great little Italian Tapas bar. We tried this place on a whim, and have been back a few times, due to it's convenience and ability to eat a little or big meal.
Hours: lunch and dinner (11:30am-11:30pm)
Staff: Friendly, definitely the "simasen!" type, so plan to wave and get what you need
Food: good, nothing drop on the floor amazing, but not bad either
Menu: English/Japanese blend, Meat and Vegetrian options. Unlike to be especially friendly to vegans, but not to say you will starve (salad is an option on the menu, and it was tasy)
Ambiance: 1960's lounge; Definitely funky, but in a relaxed and sort of quirky way.
Reservation: not needed most of the time. We do hear that their special 2nd and 4th Friday of the month "all you can drink" wine nights and 15th of the month discount by the bottle night can fill up, so these may be nights to make a reservation.
website: http://www.lugol-cafe.com/
Mimasuya Okudohan
During another night of food roulette, we happened upon Mimasuya. Although the outside menu was only in Japanese, a friendly guy (looking like he may have walked out of the 1950s with his greased hair) came out and offered us an English menu. although much smaller than the Japanese menu, we thought what the heck they serve things we can eat.
Hours: Dinner (unsure on lunch)
Staff: Really friendly and helpful
Food: good
Menu: English available, although much smaller (standard in most English friendly spots). Meat and Veggie options; Vegetarian friendly Shabu Shabu available as well.
Ambiance: casual Japanese tatami (plan to take your shoes off); great bar where you can watch them cook; upstairs for smoking, downstairs for non-smokers
Reservation: not needed on weeknights, we can't speak to the weekend so it may be a good idea to call and try (google translate "I would like to make a reservation for tonight")
website/location: https://foursquare.com/v/mimasuya-okudohan/519de664498e0bb2b91d3d05
Salmon and Avacado (with cheese, and mixed veggies)
Negiya
Negiya means leek in Japanese, and this restaurant goes hardcore on leeks and onions. The meal is a little different style. After being seated, you will order drinks and the waiter/waitress will bring over a large basket of fresh produce from which you can pick what you would like grilled (this is not an option to our knowledge). You can then order off the menu.
Hours: Dinner only
Staff: Really friendly, but do the annoying-loud "thanks for coming" thing
Food: good
Menu: Meat and Veggie options; Vegan -definitely, just order carefully; Japanese and English menu
Ambiance: Very different; downstairs is one huge table that everyone sits around awkwardly (upstairs is TBD for us)
Reservation: not needed, generally a quieter spot
website: http://www.kiwa-group.co.jp/shop/1338727126
Radio Bagel
Still our favorite place in Kyoto, Radio Bagel is SO yummy. If you are a bagel fan, this is a must visit. Located in north Kyoto it can be a bit of a pain to get to walking or by bike, but well worth the trek (and the subway will get you there really fast). The owner's wife Eri, is so wonderful! Fresh baked throughout the day.
Hours: 7am through 5pm
Staff: Awesome! Eri is English/Japanese friendly and the rest of the staff will try and speak a blend of both.
Food: Awesome bagels (vegan) and cream cheese (all kinds!); A few meat based bagel sandwiches as well
Menu: English and Japanese; They just added a couple muffin options as well
Ambiance: cutesey boulangerie feel; low-key and great for any morning
Reservation: Nope! You can call ahead and order bagels as well
Location: Northern Kyoto; use their website or google map it, there is not a great landmark.
website:http://www.radiobagel.com/
Bagel Hearts!
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