10 Affordable but Delicious Restaurants in Kyoto

1. Nishijin Inokuma Cafe  [Nishijin] (Home style Cooking）

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This cafe opened in 2012 after the couple operated a Japanese cuisine restaurant for 15 years. You can eat a hearty set meal at 900 yen for lunch and dinner. The kobachi (small bowl) differs everyday but the dashimaki tamago (broth-flavored rolled omelet) is a dish you must try. The cafe's mascot dog, Jump-kun is also very popular.

HP: inokumacafe.com/sp/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 95-1 Oinokumacho Omiya Nishiiru Teranouchi Dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture (Google Map)

2. Masugataya [Kamigamo]（Saba sushi・Udon）

Saba sushi (mackerel sushi) is a popular local specialty of Kyoto but may be a little costly. At this cafeteria, there is a set of udon and two pieces of saba sushi offered at 1000 yen so you can enjoy this dish for a reasonable value. This restaurant is often filled with local customers. They also offer a variety of noodle soup and rice bowl dishes.

HP: tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260302/26002790/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 179 Nishincho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture (Google Map)

3. Saikatei [Kyoto Station Area]（Chinese）

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This restaurant offers creative dishes with Chinese cuisine as its base. During lunch, set meals start from 630 yen. For dinner, the abundant a la carte menu with sashimi is offered starting at about 800 yen and you can eat fill your stomach with about 2,500 yen. It is located in front of Kyoto Station making it convenient to access.

HP: www.saika-tei.com/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Kyoto Tower Bldg Kitashinkan 1F & 3F, 721 Higashi-shiokojicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture (Google Map)

4. The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo KYOTO [Kyoto Station]（Italian）

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Authentic Neapolitan style pizza cooked in the stone oven can be enjoyed at this fancy Italian restaurant. During lunch hours, you can enjoy a meal with appetizers, a salad buffet, your choice of one main dish including pizza and pasta choices, dessert, and coffee for a good deal at 2,000 yen. You can also enjoy a fabulous view of the city from the 10th floor of Kyoto station so this restaurant is highly recommended.

HP: www.kitchensalvatore.jp/en/kyoto/index.html

Address: JR Kyoto Isetan 10F, 657 Shiokoji-cho Karasuma, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture (Google Map)

5. Thai Curry Restaurant Siam  [Enmachi] （Thai Curry）

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Officially approved by the Thailand government, this restaurant specializes in authentic Thai curry. Fresh herbs and spices from Thailand are used to prepare the curry paste. Great importance is placed on freshness so it is prepared every week. Curry starts from 950 yen and side dishes from 200 yen. It is recommended to go here early as there are times when there are lines.  

HP: www.siam-thaicurry.com/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Hayashi Bldg. 1 F, 6 Nishinokyo Nishi-kagakicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi (Google Map)

6. Imai Shokudo [Kitayama] （Home style Cuisine・Saba-ni）

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Full of local color, this restaurant has many fans of its saba nitsuke (simmered mackerel). Mackerel that has been cooked for 3 days in a large pot is so soft that even the bone can be eaten. The set comes with rice and miso soup for 700 yen. It is a standard Japanese home dish but this saba nitsuke is something you cannot taste anywhere else.

HP: tabelog.com/kyoto/A2605/A260503/26001221/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2 Kamigamomisonoguchi-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture (Google Map)

7. Sukemasa [Higashiyama] （Gyoza）

Using Kyoto ingredients, you can enjoy light but flavorful gyoza at this restaurant. A set meal offering two servings of gyoza (12 pieces), rice, miso soup, and pickles is at a reasonable price of 750 yen. The size of the hearty gyoza is big but even women can easily gobble them up.

HP: mrmd.co.jp/sukemasa/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 434-6 Minami Saikashi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture (Google Map)

8. Tomi Sushi [Kawaramachi Station] （Sushi）

Today, delicious sushi can be easily eaten at sushi-go-rounds but this restaurant offers sushi that does not go around made by sushi chefs. One piece of sushi starts from 30 yen, which is very reasonable. The recommended choice is the Omakase Nigiri (leave the sushi toppings up to the chef) offered for 2,000 yen. Of course, the ingredients are stocked daily and the rice is specially chosen so there is a guarantee in taste.

HP: tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26003602/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 578-5 4 jyo agaru, Urateramachi Dori, Nagakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture (Google Map)

9. Yakiniku 1000 yen All-You-Can-Eat 298 (Nikuya)　Ajibiru Kawaharamachi  [Kawaramachi] （Yakiniku）

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You can eat yakiniku as much as you like at a whopping price of 1,000 yen! The standard meats including chicken and beef, salad, rice, curry, and many more are available. This restaurant is very popular among hungry young people. You can enjoy the same price during dinner time so reservations are recommended. The night view of Kyoto's midland from the 8th floor also contributes to this restaurant's popularity.

HP: www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001102377/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Kyoto Ajibiru Kawaramachi 8F, 238 Yamazaki-cho, 3 jyo sagaru 2, Kawaramachi dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture  (Google Map)

10. Saffron Saffron [4 Jyo] （Western）

This casual restaurant offers handmade dishes. Lunch meals start from 840 yen and dinner has courses starting from 2,200 yen so they offer prices that are easy to go often. The recommended dish is the juicy hamburger patty. They also offer a wide variety of wine so this is the perfect place to go when you want to spend an easy day.

HP: tabelog.com/kyoto/A2602/A260201/26009105/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 605 Takahashi-cho, Higashinotoin dori, Bukkoji Tonan-kado, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture (Google Map)