10 Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Kyoto That Offer English Support

10 Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Kyoto That Offer English Support

1. Noguchi Tsunagu (のぐち継) / Japanese / 祇園・四条河原町

Awarded one Michelin star from 2021 to 2025, Noguchi Tsunagu is a kappo (a multi-course meal )-style Japanese restaurant that caters to international guests with an English-language menu. Chef Daisuke Yoshida carries on the legacy of Kyotenjin Noguchi, the two-star restaurant where he previously honed his craft.

Known for its elegant kappo cuisine, Noguchi Tsunagu blends traditional Japanese techniques with subtle influences from Western and Chinese cooking. A standout dish is the Nikusui—tender A5-grade sirloin served in a rich, velvety Kyoto-style broth. The depth of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture highlight the chef’s delicate touch. Diners typically enjoy a seasonal short course, with the option to add à la carte dishes for a personalized experience.

The restaurant also boasts a well-curated sake selection, offering around 20 varieties that change with the seasons.

Upstairs, a private room with its restroom and horigotatsu (sunken seating) comfortably seats up to eight guests, making it an excellent choice for group dinners or special occasions.

2. Sushi Rakumi (鮨 楽味) / Sushi / 東山・清水寺エリア

Holding a Michelin star from 2020 to 2025, Sushi Rakumi is a welcoming destination for English-speaking diners. Chef Kazuya Nomura honed his skills at acclaimed restaurants such as Gion Sasaki and Sushi Yoshitake, blending the finesse of Kyoto’s culinary traditions with the precision of Edomae-style sushi.

A standout on the menu is the Steamed Abalone, prepared with a distinctive technique developed at Gion Sasaki. The abalone is steamed for six hours, then served risotto-style atop red vinegar-seasoned rice and finished with a rich abalone liver sauce. Chef Nomura is deeply committed to enhancing the pure flavors of each ingredient, carefully selecting between red or white vinegar-seasoned rice to complement each topping.

The counter seating encircles the chef’s workspace, offering every guest an immersive, front-row view of the craftsmanship behind each dish. Before the meal begins, guests can unwind in the spacious second-floor lounge with a pre-dinner drink in hand.

3. Kodaiji Jugyuan (高台寺 十牛庵) / Japanese / 東山・清水寺エリア

Elevated to two Michelin stars in 2025 after holding one star from 2019 to 2024, Kodaiji Jukyuan is a refined Japanese restaurant that warmly welcomes international guests with English menus and English-speaking staff.

The restaurant offers authentic Kyoto cuisine rooted in Japan’s four seasons. Each dish is crafted using the finest seasonal ingredients, prepared with simplicity and precision to bring out the natural essence of each component—never overworked or overshadowed.

Guests can choose from five omakase (chef’s choice) course options, along with two special menus designed for celebratory occasions. The restaurant also features an extensive wine list, with pairing options available to elevate the dining experience.

Set within expansive grounds, Kodaiji Jukyuan is housed in a traditional sukiya-style structure built by master artisans. From the first floor, guests can admire a beautifully landscaped seasonal garden, while the second floor offers panoramic views of Kyoto’s historic cityscape.

4. Vena (ヴェーナ) / Italian / 烏丸・御池

Awarded one Michelin star from 2020 to 2025, Vena welcomes international guests with English-speaking staff and impeccable hospitality. Chef Daiki Hayakawa spent 14 years mastering his craft at the renowned Italian restaurant Il Ghiottone before founding Vena alongside sommelier Yoji Ikemoto. The restaurant offers a single omakase-style tasting menu centered on the philosophy of “seasonal ingredients, carefully selected” and “aged Italian wines.”

Dishes are rich in flavor and artfully composed using peak-season ingredients sourced from across Japan, each thoughtfully paired with bold, expressive wines. The wine cellar boasts around 1,000 bottles, curated by the sommelier, including rare vintages dating back to the 1960s.

The interior exudes understated elegance, blending Nordic antiques with a tranquil, ryokan-inspired ambiance. On the second floor, two private dining rooms—each accommodating up to eight guests—offer a serene setting for intimate

5. Koke (コケ) / Innovative / 祇園・四条河原町

Awarded one Michelin star for 2024-2025, Koke is an innovative restaurant rooted in Spanish cuisine. The restaurant offers an English-language menu for international guests. Chef Yusaku Nakamura trained at Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo and Kobe and further refined his skills in Southeast Asia, where he learned the art of wood-fired cooking.

The concept of Koke centers around "water" and "fire." Water sourced from the courtyard well and wood and charcoal from the fireplace are integral to every dish. With a deep understanding of the nuances of fire, Chef Nakamura tailors the cooking technique to highlight the unique qualities of each ingredient.

The wine list is thoughtfully curated, with options for courses featuring wine pairings of 6 to 9 selections. Nestled in a quiet alley, the restaurant has a magical atmosphere, and guests can enjoy a breathtaking view of the beautiful courtyard from their tables.

6. Nakatsuka (ナカツカ) / Innovative / 祇園・四条河原町

Nakatsuka awarded one Michelin star from 2022 to 2024, is a French restaurant focused on the concept of "aroma." The restaurant offers English-speaking staff to ensure a comfortable experience for international guests. Chef Takayuki Nakatsuka honed his skills at Michelin-starred restaurants both in Japan and abroad before opening his restaurant in 2017.

The restaurant places a strong emphasis on the freshness and seasonality of its ingredients, sourcing directly from markets and producers. To showcase the unique flavors and aromas of each season, the menu is updated every 1.5 to 2 months. The wine list features approximately 50 carefully selected bottles, chosen to complement the delicate flavors of the dishes without overpowering them.

The interior, with its warm wooden accents, creates a calm and inviting atmosphere. The open kitchen offers guests a chance to fully enjoy the cooking process and the enticing aromas that fill the air.

7. Yusokuryouri Mankamero (有職料理 萬亀楼) / Japanese / 京都御苑・下鴨エリア

Yusokuryouri Mankamero, awarded two Michelin stars from 2021 to 2025, is a historic ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) with over 300 years of tradition. The restaurant offers an English-language menu and has English-speaking staff to ensure a comfortable experience for international guests.

Yusoku-ryori is a style of cuisine once served to the imperial court, aristocrats, and high-ranking officials of the shogunate. Mankamero is one of the few restaurants to have officially preserved this ancient culinary tradition. While staying true to its time-honored techniques and flavors, the restaurant also embraces modern ingredients and elements from other culinary traditions, adding a contemporary twist to its dishes. The drink menu is extensive, featuring a selection of sake, wine, and champagne, all carefully chosen by the proprietress.

The tatami rooms are beautifully decorated with seasonal flowers and traditional hanging scrolls, creating a peaceful and elegant atmosphere. Guests can enjoy stunning views of a meticulously landscaped Japanese garden from the windows. Additionally, all rooms are equipped with chairs, allowing those who are uncomfortable with sitting on tatami mats to relax and enjoy their meal in comfort.

8. Funaokayama Shimizu (船岡山 清水) / Japanese / 北大路・金閣寺エリア

Tucked away in the residential area of Shinno in Kyoto, Funaokayama Shimizu is a hidden gem serving exquisite Japanese cuisine. The restaurant was awarded one Michelin star from 2021 to 2024 and was named a Michelin Selected Restaurant for 2025. It also accommodates English-speaking guests.

The restaurant chose this location for its access to the pure, high-quality water from Daitokuji Temple, located to the north. Chef Yuki Shimizu, who trained at prestigious establishments like Kyo Yamato and Wakuden, places great importance not only on the ingredients but also on the water used in his cooking.

One of the signature dishes is the "Donabe Gohan" (Clay Pot Rice), made with premium rice from across Japan and cooked with the finest water. The cuisine focuses on simplicity, highlighting the natural flavors of each ingredient at their peak.

The interior is a refined blend of modern and traditional Japanese design. From the whitewood counter seating, guests can enjoy a front-row view of the chef’s meticulous techniques in action.

9. Kanamean Nishitomiya (要庵 西富家) / Japanese / 祇園・四条河原町

Kanamean Nishitomiya, a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn), has held one Michelin star from 2019 to 2025. With over 150 years of history, this long-established inn offers refined kaisekii (traditional Japanese multi-course meal) cuisine and features English-speaking staff, ensuring a warm welcome for international guests.

A distinctive feature of the dining experience is that guests are first invited into the kitchen, where the chef presents the day’s menu. This thoughtful gesture, inspired by the owners’ experiences overseas, adds a personal and engaging touch. While rooted in the traditions of tea ceremony-style kaiseki, the cuisine also incorporates select Western ingredients, offering a fresh, modern take on Kyoto dining.

The wine cellar houses approximately 1,000 bottles, many aged for one to five years. Guests can consult with the in-house sommelier to select the ideal pairing for their meal. Dining takes place in private rooms adorned with traditional Japanese aesthetics, creating a tranquil and intimate atmosphere for a truly memorable culinary experience.

10. Ryosho (凌霄) / Japanese / 東山・清水寺エリア

Ryosho, awarded two Michelin stars from 2023 to 2025, is a Japanese restaurant that welcomes international guests with English-language menus.

Chef Makoto Fujiwara, who trained for many years at prestigious restaurants such as Gion Maruyama, is committed to delivering each dish at its freshest—prepared and served right before the guest. He selects only the finest ingredients available each day and places equal importance on presentation, using a thoughtfully curated mix of antique, contemporary, and Western tableware.

The beverage program is equally refined, featuring an extensive selection of wines and rare, handpicked sake from across Japan. Guests can also enjoy pairing courses that match a variety of wines and sake with each dish.

With an elegant interior that blends natural wood elements and a harmonious mix of Japanese and Western aesthetics, Ryosho offers a serene yet sophisticated dining experience. A fully private room on the second floor accommodates up to eight guests, perfect for intimate gatherings or special occasions.