[Gohan-ya Murakami], which recently opened in Gion (Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), is a restaurant that serves approachable Japanese cuisine, with a focus on obanzai. The owner, Mr. Murakami, is a chef who trained for over 20 years at a renowned restaurant in Gion, and he says, “I want this place to feel like a second home.”

From the small-plate set meal featuring nine varieties of obanzai to à la carte dishes and local Kyoto sake, the restaurant enjoys widespread popularity among both tourists and locals alike. It’s a heartwarming spot where you can experience the “essence of Kyoto” in your everyday life.

Editor’s Note: The warm personalities of the couple shine through in this cozy, relaxing space that feels just like eating a meal at home. Every dish is carefully prepared, and you can sense the thoughtfulness in each one. Since you can enjoy obanzai at a reasonable price in Gion, I felt that friends visiting from out of town would surely enjoy it. (Editor: I)

[watoto], a family-run café and bar (located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), relocated here from Fukui Prefecture. In this Japanese-style space that blends modernity with warmth, guests can enjoy lunch featuring medicinal and fermented dishes prepared by the mother, Yumiko, along with a variety of coffees and drinks brewed by her son, Masato.

At its core is the desire to “create a place where everyone feels welcome.” With a diverse selection of alcoholic beverages from around the world, the venue’s appeal lies in the fact that both drinkers and non-drinkers can relax and enjoy themselves however they like, depending on their mood.

Editor's Note: The menu features seasonal ingredients and is thoughtfully balanced to provide a satisfying dining experience with every dish. We love the course-style service, which takes you from savory dishes to desserts and after-dinner drinks. Since guests can savor these meticulously prepared dishes in a calm, warm atmosphere with wooden interiors, the restaurant has already become a popular spot. (Editor: M)

Fukuoka’s popular restaurant [Uto Sakana Itookashi] has opened a new location in Kyoto as [Kyoto Itookashi] (Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture). Here, you can enjoy classic breakfast staples—such as extra-thick silver salmon and rice cooked in a custom-made earthenware pot—in a way that’s unique to this restaurant.

Fans have been flocking here not only from the local area but from all over Japan, and the place has been attracting attention ever since it opened. Once you’ve satisfied both your stomach and your soul at this new breakfast spot, you’re sure to have a fulfilling day.

Editor's Note: Take a bite of the extra-thick, fragrantly grilled silver salmon paired with fluffy rice cooked in a traditional earthenware pot, and your day will get off to a happy start. The owner’s cheerful personality and attentive service will also lift your spirits. (Editor: I)

At [OHARU] (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), you can enjoy dishes made with seafood from Ise-Shima, where owner Mr. Yoshida was born and raised. The first floor is a dining area that also sells bread from the renowned [Yoshida Bread Workshop] in Matsugasaki. The second floor features a sit-down area where you can relax and enjoy bread and drinks.

Having worked in Italian cuisine for many years, Mr. Yoshida’s dishes highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients and are full of vitality. His love for his hometown and his desire for others to enjoy its delicious seafood are reflected in the extensive menu.

Editor's Note: As you'd expect from a shop owner who loves local seafood, everything here is absolutely delicious. It's rare to find a place that offers everything from light meals like sandwiches—which you can enjoy casually, just like at a café—to platters packed with an abundance of seafood. Another great perk is being able to have a drink first thing in the morning in this open, airy space. (Editor: M)

[charlie] (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) opened as a sister restaurant to the popular café [MARTIN] in Kojinguchi. The restaurant’s concept is based on fulfilling the wishes of Charlie—the youngest son of the Martin family, to whom the owner, Ms. Tsuneoka’s older sister, married—who loves to eat.

The restaurant is a cozy space that makes you feel as if you’ve come to visit a friend’s house. Driven by our desire for you to enjoy whatever you like, whenever you like, we offer a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes and drinks.

Editor’s Note: The moment you step inside, you’ll be swept up by the atmosphere of a restaurant that feels just like a cozy home abroad. While the design is inspired by a foreign home, it preserves the traditional townhouse architecture and carefully maintains its Japanese charm, creating a soothing space. The dishes are inspired by meals actually served at the Martin family’s dinner table, so each one is so charming that you’ll want to bring your friends along. (Editor: M)