Pontocho Alley is one of the best areas to eat out in Kyoto. However, you might find some restaurants intimidating in this traditional alley. So we will introduce 10 of the best restaurants where you can enjoy delicious meals and you can feel comfortable at the same time.
What is Pontocho Alley?
Pontocho is located within the Hanamachi district in Kyoto, known for being home to many geiko houses and traditional tea houses. Geiko and Maiko are probably more known together as Geisha, but in the Kyoto dialect, they are called Geiko and Maiko.
Like the Gion district, Pontocho is also famous for its well-preserved traditional architecture and entertainment. The name Pontocho is said to be a portmanteau of the Portuguese word ponte (bridge) and the Japanese word cho (town, block, or street).
Pontocho Alley is one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric dining areas. It is a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of Kamogawa River. The alley is lined with restaurants on both sides offering a wide range of dining options from inexpensive yakitori (chicken skewer) to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, international cuisine, and highly exclusive establishments that require the right connections and a fat wallet. Most of the restaurants along the eastern side of the alley overlook Kamogawa River.
From May to the end of September, most of them have temporary platforms over the flowing water where people can dine out in the open air which is known as kawayuka.
Below, we are sharing our picks of the 10 best restaurants in Pontocho Alley to have the most wonderful food experience.
10 Best Restaurants in Pontocho
1. Kyo no Yakinikudokoro “Hiro” Pontocho
Hiro is a Yakiniku restaurant serving only the best-selected wagyu beef. The restaurant is run by the famous beef shop in Kyoto and has several branches in central Kyoto including in Pontocho Alley. Chefs and waiters can speak English. You can enjoy authentic Japanese beef here.
- Dinner: ¥5,000 ~ ¥8,000 per person
- Open: 5pm – 12am
- Tel: 075-223-1129 (+81-75-223-1129)
- Address: 176, Zaimoku-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto,604-8017
- Website: http://www.yakiniku-hiro.com/english/reservation_pontocho.html
2. Yamatomi
Yamatomi is an authentic Kyoto cuisine restaurant, offering 100 or more kinds of a-la-carte dishes for 500 yen. The ingredients are fresh with many varieties such as seafood, shrimp, beef, vegetables, and sausages. Yamatomi is a restaurant where tourists can also drop in casually. This long-established restaurant has been serving locals and tourists for over 50 years. The specialties of this restaurant are Tetsu-pin-age (spitted cutlet), Yuba (soy milk skin), Tofu, Namafu (Raw wheat gluten), and Oden (Japanese pot).
- Price: ¥2,000 ~ ¥5,000 per person
- Open: 12pm – 2pm & 4pm – 11.30pm
- Tel: 075-221-3268
- Address: 226 Nabeya-cho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto
- Website : http://www.kyoto-yamatomi.com/
3. Kushiemon
Kushiemon is one of the best-located restaurants in the Pontocho area. It’s located on the second floor, so guests can see Kyoto’s main river Kamogawa while having a meal. You can enjoy kushikatu (deep-fried seasonal food) and some side dishes.
- Dinner: ¥3,000 ~ ¥5,000 per person
- Open: Weekdays 3pm – 11pm
Weekends & holidays 12pm – 11pm - Tel: 075-221-6477
- Address: 227 Nabeya-cho, Pontocho-dori Shijo-agaru Higashi-gawa , Kyoto
4. Uryu Pontocho Hana
Uryu Pontocho Hana serves authentic Kyoto cuisine with finely selected ingredients. You can enjoy Hamo (dagger tooth pike conger) and puffer fish here. Hamo is a Kyoto specialty and it’s a typical dish of Kyoto cuisine. Enjoy a kaiseki meal which is a Japanese course dish in the elegant and historic dining space.
- Lunch: ¥2,000 ~ ¥3,000 per person
- Dinner: ¥6,000 ~ ¥12,000 per person
- Open: 11am – 3pm & 4pm – 10pm
- Tel: 075-252-1144
- Address: 141 Wakamatsucho Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Website: http://c-and-d.net/uryu/
5. Ukiya Pontocho
Ukiya Pontocho is second to none for soba noodles which are the famed buckwheat noodles from Japan. Ukiya’s soba is freshly made by hand (teuchi) every morning. The signature dish at the restaurant is Uki Soba, a unique and original Soba dish that is served with whipped raw egg (namatamago) and natto! For another option, try Ukiten Soba, which is served with Tempura (‘ten’ in Ukiten means tempura). There are also Tempura dishes served with a bowl of rice, and Soba noodles with many other toppings! You can enjoy Kyoto’s specialty noodles here!
- Lunch & dinner: ¥1,000 ~ ¥2,000 per person
- Open: 11.30am – 4pm & 5pm – 8.30pm, closed on Mondays
- Tel: 075-221-2978
- Address: Ponto-cho Sanjo sagaru ishiyamachi 125, nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Website: http://www.ukiya.co.jp/shop/ponto/
6. Pontocho Robin
Robin is a Japanese restaurant serving a la carte dishes and multi-course meals. The chefs use seasonal ingredients, and diners enjoy painstakingly prepared cuisine and Kyoto-brewed sake. Highly recommended dishes are the multi-course meals filled with delicious and alluring Japanese cuisine including sashimi and grilled fish using fresh seafood, and assortments of beautifully colorful small dishes. A la carte items include meat dishes prepared with Japanese beef. This restaurant provides an atmosphere worthy of the city of Kyoto, with genuine Japanese cuisine. Diners in search of such a traditional place should check out Pontocho Robin.
- Lunch: ¥3,000 ~ ¥4,000 per person
- Dinner: ¥15,000 ~ ¥20,000 per person
- Open: 11.30am – 2pm, 4.30pm – 11pm
- Tel: 075-222-8200
- Address: 137-4, Wakamatsucho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
- Signature meals: Grilled Japanese Beef with Salt / ￥3,600 (+tax)
- Website: http://www.robin-kyoto.com/
7. Gyukatsu Kyoto-Katsugyu
Kyoto Katsugyu is a franchised restaurant specializing in Gyukatsu dishes (beef cutlet) and has several branches across Japan. The shop uses carefully selected beef including Wagyu Beef, which is breaded and then deep-fried to be crispy outside and juicy inside. You can also pick a part of beef from rib, sirloin, fillet, and tongue. Gyukatsu dishes are served with a bowl of rice, miso soup, and condiments.
- Price: ¥1,000 ~ ¥2,000 per person
- Open: 11am – 10pm
- Tel: 075-251-7888
- Address: 188 Zaimokucho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto
- Website: http://katsugyu-kyoto.com/
8. Nagame Pontocho Hana
At Hana, you can enjoy an authentic Kyoto-style kaiseki meal with a pleasant view of Kamogawa River. The chef presents his reliable cooking skills as well as his originality in dishes filled with the best ingredients of the season. You can choose from both a casual lunch set and a full dinner course. They also offer a large selection of Sake which you should also check out. On the list, there are various kinds of locally brewed sake from Kyoto, mainly from Fushimi, which is Kyoto’s most well-known sake production area. A combination of Nagamegawa’s dishes and a glass of sake will make your dining even more memorable.
- Lunch: ¥3,000 ~ ¥4,000 per person
- Dinner: ¥5,000 ~ ¥8,000 per person
- Open: 11.30am – 2pm & 5pm – 9pm
- Tel: 075-255-5544
- Address: 232-8 Nabeya-cho, Pontocho-dori Shijo-agaru Higashi-gawa (8th building), Kyoto
- Website :http://c-and-d.net/nagame/
9. Yuzugen Pontocho
Yuzu is a Japanese citrus that is commonly used for Japanese dishes and is beloved by Japanese people. If you are curious about how Yuzu could be incorporated into a cuisine, Yuzugen doesn’t disappoint you! Yuzugen is a restaurant specializing in Yuzu and serves various types of dishes using Yuzu such as hot pot dishes, Gyoza, Ramen, etc. Yuzu Ramen is the most recommended menu there!
- Price: ¥2,000 ~ ¥5,000 per person
- Opening hours: Weekdays & holidays 5pm – 11pm
- Weekends 11.30am – 3pm
- Tel: 075-254-0806
- Address: 212 Nabeyacho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto
10. Yasube pontocho (Okonomiyaki)
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word okonomi, meaning “how you like” or “what you like”, and yaki meaning “grill” (cf. yakitori and yakisoba). Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with the Kansai or Hiroshima areas of Japan, but in Yasube Pontocho, you can enjoy it in Kyoto style. We recommend it here when you get hungry after drinking!
- Price: ¥1,500 ~ ¥3,000 per person
- Opening hours: Weekdays 4.30pm – 11.30pm
Weekends & holidays 3pm – 11.30pm - Tel: 075-221-2613
- Address: 142 Umenokicho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto
Recommended Tours in Kyoto
If you wish to have an authentic food/drink experience in Kyoto, we highly recommend you join our food tour which is becoming extremely popular among tourists today!
You can walk with a local English-speaking guide and they will show you some hidden spots where only locals would go. The knowledgeable guide will tell you some histories behind Kyoto and it will help you understand the city more and enjoy some delicious foods and drinks!
On Kyoto Food and Drink Tour @Nishiki Street & Gion, you will explore Nishiki Market, Pontocho Alley, and the Gion district with a knowledgeable guide! You can find hidden gems that only locals know.
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