My Mom (in her 80’s, and never been to Japan) and I will have a few days in Kyoto.
Have a lot of bigger group dinners in Tokyo lined up by a tour we will be on (Secreto, Ginza Oishi, Sharikimon Onozawa, Sushi Ishiyama, Mizuki, Ebisu Yoroniku) so thinking more casual (mostly) in Kyoto. Would love suggestions for these (or other categories folk have loved). Not interested in waiting on lines (she’s spry but still she’s not doing that).
TIA - Bob
Kaiseki
Izakaya
Teppanaki (read about this one..Gion Nikutei Shin)
Some categories not on your list but our favs in Kyoto
Tempura Kyoboshi (booked on tableall)
Monk for Pizza (their sister izakaya Badu was great too), had to jump on rezzies right when they opened but we had a really lovely night here.
Cenci was my favorite meal of all (italian/japanese)
Tonkatsu here
We weren’t as big on sushi in Kyoto but had a lovely meal at Matsumoto and a good lunch at Saeki.
we hated Velrosier which was highly recommended by a bunch of folks.
My usual rec for Kaiseki is lunch at Hassun. It’s been a few years for me but I think attran posted a more recent meal about it. Looks like it clocks in at 13K JPY which is under $100/person and was tasty and approachable when I went (and key I think when trying kaiseki in Kyoto). Was also an easy reservation back when I did it.
Seconded to Shoraian. Beautiful space and riverside dining. It’s been a long time since I went so don’t know if the food has held up but looks like its still phone call only reservation (though back then they apparently could speak English). I will note it isn’t the most accessible restaurant and a bit hidden away so something to consider if going with elderly family members.
For other tofu specialized restaurants, my other ideas were always Yudofu Sagano and Tosuiro. But I haven’t been to either, just had them on my list.
I also enjoyed a multi course Japanese breakfast with fish, that was an option at my hotel.
I really enjoyed my meal at a Katsu restaurant inside a Japanese department store, if you want something polished but not too expensive. Most upscale department stores seemed to have a selection of nice restaurants as well as a nice food hall where it’s possible to buy pastries, snacks, rice crackers, cookies, etc.
We hired a guide to take us around, and ended up having ramen at a place called Engine Ramen in a market building. Our guide liked these Melonpan buns.
