Kyoto’s 3 best izakayas of all time

As a local/native in Kyoto, I’ve been in search of the best izakaya (居酒屋: Japanese tavern) for as long as I’ve lived. I’ve asked food connoisseurs (or other locals), read printed magazines (printed magazines are still huge in Japan), and walked from place to place (to not miss my Uber to an izakaya). I’ve worked enough to know what’s best (or better, at least).

Here are the three izakayas that are most frequently mentioned as “the best izakaya in Kyoto”.

Akagakiya (赤垣屋)

Akagakiya is considered not only the best izakaya in Kyoto but also one of the most famous izakayas in Japan. The quality of the food is supreme. When I dined, each item tasted like the best epitome of its kind. Even deep-fried flounder bones I ordered on a whim were sensational enough to be my favorite food. The crowd seemed posh-y (but still down to earth) compared to other ordinary izakayas probably because Akagakiya is the type of izakaya that offers the menu without price. But it wasn’t extortionate. 5000 yen ($38) per head would mark the best and most authentic Japanese dining experience with enough drinks and meals for one person.

Deep-fried flounder bones, oden, yakitori, shishito peppers.

Akagakiya’s menu.

9/10

〒606-8385 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Magohashicho, 9

Tatsumi (たつみ)

Tatsumi is a classic Japanese tavern for everybody which is the true form of izakaya. Located smack in the middle of Downtown Kyoto, Tatsumi never looks to lose a line of customers waiting outside. Ordering food at Tatsumi can be tricky: availability of items depends on luck and the mood of the place where my native Japanese seemed to have no power to make a difference. That’s how I got my potato salad which is called “speed menu” in Japanese (Speed menu means an appetizer dish that arrives at the table in no time). Food was respectfully average and thus authentic. Eating at Tatsumi should be a real downtown izakaya experience for anybody.

Potato salad, daggertooth pike conger salad with ponzu, yakitori, deep-fried corns.

Tatsumi’s menu.

7/10

〒604-8042 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakanocho, 572 しのぶ会館 1F

Shinme (神馬)

Unlike Akagakiya and Tatsumi in busy Downtown Kyoto, Shinme is located in the quaint Kamigyo Ward which is famous for Kyoto’s oldest geisha district. This retro Shinme has a healthy local izakaya vibe where local university students work hard to take orders from hungry locals and domestic/international travelers. Seafood is the prime here. Prices look high-end-ish but are reasonable for the quality. I found it worth paying double per item compared to other ordinary izakayas especially when I had a chance to savor the realest whale bacon here.