Benoit Kyoto — Restaurant in Kyoto

Visited in October 2025. Japan 🇯🇵 Kyoto.

Nestled in a serene and beautifully landscaped area, Benoit Kyoto is a stunning French restaurant offering spacious interiors and panoramic views — including a breathtaking sight of a nearby pagoda. The elegant greenery surrounding the property adds to the tranquil, refined atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch or romantic dinner.

FOOD:

Benoit Kyoto serves refined French cuisine with a concise yet well-balanced menu of appetizers, mains, and desserts. We visited for lunch and chose the set course, which included one appetizer, a main dish, a dessert, and a hot beverage.

For starters, the escargots in garlic butter were outstanding — tender, juicy, and masterfully prepared, bursting with flavor. We also tried the seasonal foie gras, a delicate, rich duck liver pâté with a subtle sweetness that paired beautifully with freshly baked bread and fruit confiture.

For the main course, the Wagyu tenderloin with roasted potatoes was extraordinary. The beef was incredibly tender and succulent, melting in the mouth without being overly fatty. The lean cut was perfectly balanced, with the light marbling enhancing rather than overwhelming the flavor. The potatoes were expertly roasted to a crisp golden perfection. The fish of the day was equally impressive — moist, delicately seared, and complemented by a perfectly matched sauce. Every dessert we tried was equally delightful, a testament to the chef’s skill and attention to detail.

SERVICE:

The service was impeccable — attentive, polished, and genuinely caring. Our glasses were refilled promptly, and every interaction felt graceful and professional, much like in the finest French establishments.

VERDICT:

Benoit Kyoto is a hidden gem in the heart of the city — a place where French technique meets the elegance of Japanese ingredients. We were able to dine without a reservation, and every dish was thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully executed. This was one of the most memorable meals of our trip, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a refined yet warm dining...

2009 Pessac-Léognan Château de Fieuzal

A perfect day for a terrace It's a perfect place to drink while looking out on the lawn. It was a great wine! Great!!!!

1. Seasonal Vegetables

Vegetable bouillon fire-roasted Vegetables, mainly root vegetables, are served with Sherry vinegar Two types of vinegar, balsamic and The sauce is made with plenty of butter. The sauce is more of a "buttery" sauce than a "vinegar" sauce. The sweetness of the vegetables and the buttery flavor The dish was well above the rest.

(2) Green pea soup

The muddy-colored broth is called a verroute in French. French green peas, liquefied in chicken bouillon, are served in a broth made of Style poured over Italian green peas, peas, and snap peas. The sweet taste of the green peas is combined with a sweet and sour taste of the peas. The refreshing acidity of the fresh cheese is in perfect harmony.

Sauteed pork loin

The sauce is mustard mixed with pickles. It has a rich and sour taste.

(4) Duck in pie

The pie crust is filled with duck as well as Foie gras, pork as a binding agent, and Four spices are included. The sauce is made by adding red wine to the duck juices. Accompaniments are sauteed turnips Shogoin radish marinated with lemon.

(5) Apple

In a porcelain crockpot, the familiar crockpot The apples are rolled out in a ball shape. Calvados, and the crumble. The image of a lid with thinly sliced fresh apples. The firm tartness of the red fruit is The vanilla ice cream softens the...

Benoit at The Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu is one of those rare gems where everything comes together perfectly like the venue, the food, the service, and even the view. The restaurant is set within the beautiful Seiryu hotel grounds, and from the dining room you get a breathtaking direct view of the Yasaka Pagoda, which makes the

atmosphere feel both serene and unforgettable. The vibe is refined yet relaxed, and the staff were so attentive and welcoming, with fluent English that made the whole experience seamless. I went for their set menu (JPY 9,300) which included two starters, a main, a dessert, and a hot drink.

The starters were beautifully presented and full of flavor: the Burgundy snails with herb butter were rich and indulgent, while the cuttlefish with fennel semolina, bulgur, and an iodized jus was delicate and refreshing with just the right balance.

For the main, the confit duck thigh from Miyagi served with turnip and duck sauce was cooked to absolute perfection — crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside.

To finish, the profiteroles with diplomat cream, vanilla ice cream, and warm chocolate sauce were heavenly, the perfect sweet ending to an already memorable meal.

Benoit delivers not just exceptional French cuisine, but also an overall experience that stays with you long after you’ve left. A must-visit in Kyoto if you’re looking for refined dining with an...