Food/Drink

 Tonkatsu Ichiban - Kyoto Station area - Tonkatsu ¥

Tonkatsu Ichiban. Best comfort food. Cheap and quick, but still the highest quality. Close to Kyoto station (and the railway museum!).

Men-ya Inoichi - Downtown Kyoto - Ramen ¥¥

Men-ya Inoichi has some of the best ramen in the city. Apparently everyone else agrees because there is always a line. Worth the wait, but go off peak-hours if you can. Very close to Bar Rocking Chair which is a wonderful cocktail bar.

Toriyasa - Downtown Kyoto - Chicken ¥¥¥¥


Taroya - Central Kyoto - Obanzai ¥¥

Taroya is one of my fav izakayas! Very local place, good variety of dishes, good prices, nice atmosphere, not overly crowded.

Nishiki Market - Downtown Kyoto - Market ¥

Nishiki Market is amazing to browse all the fresh fish and veggies, as well as pick up traditional snacks and shop along the way.

Inoda Coffee - Downtown / Kyoto Station area - Coffee ¥¥

Inoda Coffee is a Kyoto staple. They've got cafes around the city and all their merch has a nice vintage vibe.

Pontocho Alley - Downtown Kyoto - Bars ¥ - ¥¥¥

There're endless beautiful bars along Pontocho Alley along the Kamo River. I've been to Bar Rinto on the southern end and Bar Cask towards the northern end, but pop into any place that catches your eye! Just a block west is the Takase River, which is a big nightlife scene.

Bar Rocking Chair - Downtown Kyoto - Cocktail bar ¥¥