An izakaya is a Japanese style pub which usually serves local food. Such pubs are very affordable and often offer advantageous prices for drink parties, being meant for group meals. Very popular in Japan, they can be found absolutely everywhere, and Kyoto makes no excepetion. Here is a list of Kyoto’s best izakaya!
1. Warawara
Warawara is an izakaya chain very popular in Japan. The menu is very wide and the food is delicious. An average dish is priced between 300 and 500 yen, making this a very affordable place to dine at. Recommended dishes are sliced beef with bean sprouts, gyoza (Chinese meat dumplings), yakitori (chicken skewers) and sashimi salads.
Information
- Address: Karasumadori Shichijosagaru Higashishiokojicho 720, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 600-8216
- Price: from 1500 yen
- Access: a 4 minute walk from Kyoto Station
- Opening hour: 17:00
- Closing hour: 05:00
2. Torikizoku
Torikizoku is an izakaya that serves chicken dishes. Their menu mostly consists of yakitori (skewered chicken). Everything on the menu is usually priced under 300 yen, while a dish consists of two yakitori pieces. The food is extremely delicious: liver yakitori, chicken skin yakitori, all dipped in tasty sauces or condiments. Drinks are also very cheap and go very well along with the skewers.
Information
- Address: 600-8006 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Tachiuri Nakanocho, 104−1 B1F
- Price: from 1000 yen
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station
- Opening hour: 17:00
- Closing hour: 02:00
- Website: https://www.torikizoku.co.jp/
3. Kushi Hachi
Kushi Hachi is an izakaya that concentrates around kushikatsu. Kushikatsu is a type of skewered meat or vegetables that is first covered in breadcrumbs before being deep fried. There are even kushikatsu desserts, like deep fried banana with blueberry sauce. Besides kushikatsu, there are many other foods you can try. The menu at Kushi Hachi is very wide, packed with delicious dishes that that will leave your mouth watering just by seeing the pictures.
Information
- Address: 600-8009 Kyoto Prefecture, Shimogyo Ward
- Price: from 1300 yen
- Access: outside Shijo Karasuma Station
- Opening hour: 17:00
- Closing hour: 12:00
- Website: http://kushihachi.co.jp/
4. Tengu
Tengu is a well-known izakaya with nearly 50 stores in Japan. Each drink and dish is priced between 300 and 600 yen. The menu has a lot of dishes and it might be hard to choose among so many delicious looking items. A recommended food you just have to order is Parma Italian Ham Pizza, which consists of thin bacon over a crunchy pizza base. You should try the diced steak as well. Its price is very low and the meat is very succulent and tasty.
Information
- Address: 600-8005 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Shimogyō-ku, Tachiuri Higashimachi
- Price: from 1500 yen
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Gion Shijo Station
- Opening hour: 15:00
- Closing hour: 12:00
- Website: http://www.teng.co.jp/
5. Shoya
Shoya is your typical Japanese izakaya, offering an authentic menu. You can enjoy curry rice, Salad Udon (udon noodles over vegetables), Katsu Nabe (fried pork cutlet stew), Suki Nabe (vegetable and meat hot pot), Japanese steak, Katsudon (boiled pork cutlet over rice), Tendon (battered and fried seafood and/or vegetables over rice), and various desserts like Chocolate Parfait and Mino Hershey Parfait.
Information
- Address: 600-8211 , Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Shimogyo Shichijodori Karasuma HigashiIri Maoya cho 195
- Price: from 1500 yen
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Kyoto Station
- Opening hour: 23:30
- Closing hour: 14:00
6. Waraiya
Waraiya is an izakaya which specializes in yakitori (skwered chicken). The skewers are cooked over a charcoal grill, which gives them a richer taste. The menu offers a wide selection of dishes and drinks, making Waraiya the perfect place for parties. The izakaya is also family friendly, with many dishes created especially for kids. You can choose to eat at then counter or at a normal table.
Information
- Address: 605-0947 , Kyoto Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Shichijodori Honmachihigashi Nishinomon 555
- Price: from 1500 yen
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Shichijo Station
- Opening hour: 15:00
- Closing hour: 02:00
7. Watami
The founder of Watami was the first entrepreneur who targeted families as izakaya customers. Until then, this kind of pubs were considered a place for colleagues to gather after work. They usually served frozen food to keep prices low, but Watami was the first izakaya that started using fresh ingredients. Today Watami serves drinks and tasty foods such as yakitori, gyoza and sushi.
Information
- Address: 604-8161 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto
- Price: from 1500 yen
- Access: a 2 minute walk from Karasumaoike Station
- Opening hour: 17:00
- Closing hour: 05:00
- Website: http://www.watami.co.jp/
8. Angie
Angie is an izakaya which specializes in seafood. The seafood is also very fresh, guaranteeing an amazing culinary experience. Angie also serves many seasonal specialties. Some recommended dishes are the sea urchin sushi and the charcoal grilled Atka mackerel. Another interesting point about this izakaya is the big common table where strangers can eat together. The perfect place to find new friends!
Information
- Address: 600-8041 , Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture , Shimogyo-ku
- Price: from 2000 yen
- Access: a 10 minute walk from Shijo Station
- Opening hour: 17:00
- Closing hour: 01:00
- Website: http://www.anji-gr.com/
9. Doma Doma
Domadoma is an izakaya that is well known for its unique menu. The chain serves a fusion of Japanese and western foods that result in some really appealing dishes! You have to try Carbonara Kishimen (a combination of Japanese kishimen noodles and Italian carbonara sauce) and Vongole Udon (a combination of clams used in Vongole Italian pasta and Japanese udon noodles).
Information
- Address: 604-8027 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku,
- Price: from 1500 yen
- Access: a 10 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station
- Opening hour: 17:00
- Closing hour: 05:00
10. Shirokiya
Shirokiya is among the leading izakaya chains in Japan. The pub offers a lot of dishes like chicken hot pot, cold tofu, shabu shabu (thinly sliced boiled beef), sashimi, salad with sesame dressing, grilled salted mackere, grilled fresh squid, fatty pork grilled over charcoal, fried chicken wings next to sweet sauce, shrimp tempura and Japanese style omelet with spicy cod roe sauce.
Information
- Address: n Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Shimogyo-ku Kawaramachi 305
- Price: from 1400 yem
- Access: a 5 minute from Gionshijo Station
- Opening hour: 17:00
- Closing hour: 02:00
Have a good trip and travel!
