Welcome to Ippin-Sakai Kyoto

“ Visited last week for dinner. The chef and both waiters were very nice and made an effort to interact in English! They also explained each dish clearly in English. It was both our birthdays soon and they prepared a birthday dessert course for both of us, with a candle. Great food, great people! Will definitely be back whenever I’m in Kyoto ”

“ Cosy place located in an unassuming building. Simple, good food at very decent price points. The chef didn’t speak much English but tried his best to entertain. During our dinner course, we used a translation app to communicate back and forth, and he even cracked a few jokes in between introduction of the food served. His staff member was unwell and didn’t show up to work and the chef was running a one-man show the entire night. Extremely good service and friendly man despite the hassle of having to entertain 5 different groups of guests simultaneously who ordered different courses! I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here. Would recommend anyone in Kyoto looking for a no-frills Kyoto style kaiseki to come here. ”

“ It took us 3 weeks earlier to get a seat in the tatami room at this restaurant. You can tell that it must be very popular among the local foodies. The atmosphere was surprisingly approachable. Truly friendly staff. We felt no pressure throughout the whole course of the meal. Food was prepared with love and respect to the food itself. Unlike other more expensive/fancy restaurants we attended, the true taste of food here was skilfully highlighted and paid attention to. There was no pretentious plating or showy cooking method. No glamorous decorations and stuff. Simply delicious food. The service was unspokenly well-planned. The staff serving us the cuisine looked young but experienced in food catering and guest hosting. We were weak in Japanese but he introduced us each of the course patiently without making us feel bad for the language barrier. We got the chance to chat a bit with the chef and were very much impressed not only by his art of cooking but also humility and respect for every customer. What a pleasant experience. ”

“ Had one of my best Omakase experience- chef made very delicious food that was flavorful and tried hard to communicate w body language that made experience very fun for the family! Super super underrated place will definitely come back again with family! Do make reservation with Tabelog! ”

“ This is was my first time trying kaiseki experience since I was in Kyoto. Everything was freshly made by the chef. When I went, it seemed to be very busy and fully occupied. The chef has 2 assistants who help serve and help with the cleaning. Best regards to chef for such a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend anyone looking to try kaiseki for the first time! ”

“ This is a 1-man show so expect to wait, seating is available for up to 15 ppl. We had dinner here and it was nearly 3+ hours however the food was well worth the wait. The chef was dedicated in his art and it showed through his food. If you are looking for good quality food, here’s the place to go. Make sure to book in advance as seating is limited ”

“ I recently visited and it was literally the best experience we had in Japan. The space was intimate with only a few seats, but we had one of the best meals we have ever tried. It was a tasting menu of more or less eight courses, and each service was outstanding. The chef, was a true master of their craft. The attention to detail, the balance of flavors, and the presentation of every dish were simply exceptional. This restaurant is a hidden gem and a must-visit for anyone looking for an unforgettable culinary adventure in Japan. Highly recommended! ”

“ Incredible restaurant in Kyoto! Really had an amazing experience. Everything was perfect! The kindness of the chef and employees, the food, the atmosphere and the discovery of Kyoto’s most famous tastes. I do recommend it 100%!! Small place so it’s better to book in advance ”