Goichi Pizza — Restaurant in Kyoto

A Truly Unforgettable Experience in Kyoto

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If you're in Kyoto and craving authentic Italian pizza, look no further than Pizza Goichi. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with warm hospitality that made us feel comfortable.

The pizza is simply incredible—authentic, flavorful, and made with care by an Italian chef who truly knows his craft. The crust was perfectly thin and crispy, while the toppings were fresh and balanced. Each bite was a perfect blend of rich sauce, quality cheese, and delicious toppings. It's hands-down some of the best pizza we've had outside of Italy!

The waitress who took care of us was an absolute delight. She was attentive, friendly, and made sure every detail was perfect. From suggesting the perfect wine pairing to checking on us throughout the meal, her service elevated our dining experience. It's rare to come across such genuine hospitality, and she made our evening feel extra special.

But the best part came after we finished our meal. As we stepped out into the rainy night, we were surprised when the owner of the restaurant came running after us—he had noticed the rain and wanted to gift us umbrellas so we wouldn't get soaked. That thoughtful gesture was above and beyond anything we could have expected, and it truly made the experience unforgettable.

Overall, our visit was a highlight of our trip to Kyoto. The combination of delicious food, amazing service, and heartfelt kindness from the owner made it a night we’ll always remember. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for top-notch Italian pizza and an exceptional dining experience in Kyoto!

A special thanks to the entire team for making our evening...

Goichi Pizza is my favorite restaurant in Japan. While there are other restaurants in Kyoto that satisfy particular cravings (Ippudo Nishikikouji has the greatest ramen in the world, for example), Goichi Pizza is by far the most inviting.

The first thing you will notice after stepping through the door is an ambience that is fairly unique in Japan. The restaurant is small-yet-cozy; well-decorated with mild lighting. Classic blues music plays at just the right volume and there is a small bar located to the side of the tables.

The staff is very attentive and friendly. The waiter we had spoke very good English and came by frequently to see if we needed anything. I realize that it is customary in Japan for the customer to flag down a server, and while I do not have a problem with that at all, Goichi Pizza's staff goes above and beyond. During all of our visits (this was our second trip to Kyoto), the owner dropped by our table to chat, and even gave us recommendations for places to visit.

The food itself is fantastic. We always make it a point to order the spicy "Diavola" pizza, but the pizzas are small enough that we usually get a second, and they have all been delicious. The pasta is good as well - especially the pasta carbonara, which rivals any I have tasted in the United States. There is also a large selection of drinks to order.

If you are a foreigner experiencing Kyoto for the first time, I cannot recommend Goichi Pizza highly enough. You will have a relaxing experience with amazing people and great food. It provides a truly great fusion of Eastern and...

Goichi used to be one of my favorite pizza places but sadly the standard has fallen greatly this time around. The pizza used to be so perfectly cooked that you’d feel like you were eating somewhere in Italy.

It also didn’t use to be this crowded—it’s now packed even just after opening, and the owner seems to have hired way too many part timers and can no longer maintain the quality. The one dish that was as good as before was the green salad. Well, the pizza was severely undercooked this time. You can’t tell from my photo, but the dough was undercooked and the bottom of the pizza was damp and soft. Tried scratching it with my finger and it was just a soft piece of bread on the underside. Sigh. Definitely rushed out before it was ready.

My other favorite is the orecchiette with sausage and the sauce was as good as ever, but the handmade pasta was definitely thicker and less refined than before. Many pieces of orecchiette that didn’t even resemble orecchiette but large thick lumps. They were either too thick or the water was too hot because they weren’t so much their chewy bouncy selves but a bit too soft on the outside and a bit undercooked on the inside.

Anyway, it’s great that goichi is seeing so much success, but I was really disappointed by the quality this time around. It used to be an unquestionable 5 star for us but it’s now a 3. Alright but not some...