Pizzeria La Balena — Restaurant in Kyoto

We recently stayed in an AirBnb in the area and dined in here. We sat at bar area and watched the Chef make our pizzas and pasta, which added to the beautiful ambiance. The Chef/server were amazing and made us feel comfortable from the start of service. It was just two men running the entire floor and we couldn't of asked for any better service.

The food was amazing. We started off with some red wine and then we had the Mimosa pizza (made with fresh cream, ham, corn, mozzarella and parmesan cheese). It was a light and flavorful pizza.10/10

We then got the Diavola pizza (made with basil, spicy salami, chili pepper, mozzarella and parmesan cheese). Again, the flavor was unmatched, one of the best pizzas I've ever gotten. 10/10

For the last entree we got a Carbonara pasta and it was the perfect amount of food to split between two people. 10/10

Overall, the chef and server welcomed us (English-speaking tourists) with open arms. I seriously couldn't of asked for anything better.

After the meal we sat in our AirBnb talking about how great of an experience it really was.

Highly recommended if you are in...

My experience at Pizzeria La Balena was pretty frustrating, especially with all the unexpected charges. It’s unfortunate when a place doesn’t communicate clearly about pricing or what’s included, especially when you’re just trying to enjoy a meal. For example, ordering a pizza to go, shouldn’t I expect it to come in a box? Instead it’s going to be another charge of 108 yen per pizza. We ordered 2 pizzas, the margarita and the Napoletana. So an additional charge of 216 yen. I said fine and paid the bill. When the pizza was ready, took a couple napkins and then they wanted to charge that too! I thought that was a bit much and argued that it did not state anywhere that you charge for napkins. Anyways, gave the napkins back and went back to try out these pizzas. Napoletana was overly salty and the Margherita was nothing special and not cheesy at all. Owner had an attitude and did not explained things well. Worse experience I had in Japan. Never going here again. Not sure why it has so many stars in the...

Nestled in the streets of Kyoto, Pizzeria La Balena offers a delightful escape to the sunny climes of Italy. From the moment you step through the door, you’re greeted with a warm, friendly smile that instantly makes you feel at home. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, reminiscent of a true Italian trattoria where you can unwind and savor every moment.

The service is impeccable, with a staff that exudes genuine warmth and hospitality. They go above and beyond to ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of perfect. You can feel the passion they have for both their food and their guests, creating a homely atmosphere where every visitor is treated like family.

It’s an unforgettable journey that brings a slice of Italy to the heart of Kyoto. Grazie mille to the wonderful team for making every visit a...