Inside Kyoto

A Kyoto Travel Guide

Best Resutoran-gai in Kyoto

Resutoran-gai or shokudo-gai are the Japanese equivalent of food courts. They’re a great way to have lots of different food choices. Here’s our list of the best resutoran-gai in Kyoto.

Takashimaya Resutoran-gai in Kyoto
Takashimaya Resutoran-gai in Kyoto – image © InsideKyoto.com

Resutoran-gai or shokudo-gai are like little culinary enclaves or food streets – a cluster or entire row of restaurants conveniently located all together in a particular building or area in town. Sometimes they take the form of whole floors in department stores dedicated to restaurants and cafes; at other times they might be a street in a district of a city lined with bars and pubs. These kinds of places can be found all over the country in major cities.

While resutoran-gai are incredibly convenient for most people, the only downside is that they do tend to induce a certain paralysis of choice, especially if you haven’t decided beforehand exactly which restaurant to eat at! On the other hand, this encourages a certain adventure in trying new places – perhaps even several in a night.

The following is a list of major resutoran-gai inKyoto. They’re convenient for visitors and have a great selection of food at each of them.

  • Takashimaya (Downtown Kyoto; budget to mid-range)
    The elegant seventh floor Takashimiya Resutoran-gai (restaurant floor) is a great place to eat while exploring downtown Kyoto.
  • Daimaru (Downtown Kyoto; budget to mid-range)
    The Daimaru Department Store Resutoran-gai (restaurant floor) is a good collection of Japanese and international restaurants in the heart of downtown Kyoto.
  • Eat Paradise (Kyoto Station Area; budget to mid-range)
    The best collection of restaurants in Kyoto Station, Eat Paradise is our favorite place for a sit-down meal before getting on a train or exploring the area.
  • Cube Food Court (Kyoto Station Area; budget to mid-range)
    The Cube Food Court, a collection of excellent restaurants on the 11th floor of the Kyoto Station Building, is one of the best places to eat in the station.
  • Porta (Kyoto Station Area; budget to mid-range)
    Amongst a vast array of shops and casual restaurants beneath Kyoto Station, Porta is the place to fill-up on the cheap before a long train journey.
  • Kyoto Ramen Koji (Kyoto Station Area; budget)
    Ramen lovers of the world unite! Kyoto Ramen Koji offers has eight regional styles of ramen restaurants under one roof. It’s Kyoto Station’s ramen Mecca.

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