October 2022: Please note Le Bellecour is now La Part Dieu.
A fine date spot and a great place for a break from Japanese food, Le Bellecour is a brilliant French restaurant in the Northern Higashiyama district. It’s my favorite French restaurant in Kyoto.
Enter Le Bellecour and you’ve essentially entered France (although, for non-Francophones, the main difference is you don’t have to sweat your inability to speak French). Waiters speak Japanese, French and a bit of English and the menu is in French and English.
This place strikes a pleasant medium somewhere between casual bistro and a more proper dining room. Lunchtime courses are reasonably good value and but dinners will push this into the expensive category, especially if you get a nice bottle of wine. Just about everything on the menu is good here, and the master is expert with fish and lamb and the cheese cart always has some interesting and rare choices.
Name in Japanese:
ベルクール
English address:
59 Tanaka-Satonomae-cho, Sakyo-ku
Japanese address:
左京区田中里ノ前町59
Opening hours:
11:30am-2:30pm
5:30pm-9:30pm
Closed Monday
Price: Expensive
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
3min walk from Mototanaka Station, Eizan line
15min walk from Demachiyanagi Station, Eizan line & Keihan line
Telephone: 711-7643
Website:
Official Website (Japanese)
Customer Reviews:
Read customer reviews of Le Bellecour on TripAdvisor
Where Is This Place Located?
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Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto) or Tokyo's Narita Airport. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a Japan Rail Pass – here's my explanation of why it's worth it
- A prepaid Icoca card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
