Sabo Kinkaku-an — Restaurant in Kyoto

Sabo Kinkaku-an is a charming tea house and restaurant located near the iconic Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto, Japan. It offers a delightful experience for visitors seeking a traditional Japanese culinary experience in a serene setting. Here's what makes Sabo Kinkaku-an special: Traditional Ambiance: The tea house is housed in a beautiful, 100-year-old Kyoto-style machiya (traditional wooden townhouse), exuding a sense of history and authenticity. The interior features tatami mats, wooden beams, and traditional Japanese décor, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. Focus on Tea: Sabo Kinkaku-an is known for its high-quality Japanese tea, carefully selected and prepared. Guests can enjoy a variety of teas, including matcha, green tea, and other regional specialties, often accompanied by traditional sweets. Seasonal Cuisine: The restaurant offers a menu of seasonal dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. From light meals to elaborate kaiseki (multi-course) dinners, the cuisine is a celebration of Japanese flavors and culinary traditions. Beautiful Views: Sabo Kinkaku-an is surrounded by lush greenery, offering picturesque views of the surrounding gardens and the nearby Kinkaku-ji. The serene setting enhances the dining experience, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Kyoto. Cultural Experience: Dining at Sabo Kinkaku-an is more than just a meal; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and traditions. The combination of the traditional architecture, tea ceremony, and seasonal cuisine provides a memorable and enriching experience. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to enjoy a cup of tea, a delicious meal, or a cultural experience, Sabo Kinkaku-an is a wonderful choice near the...

My family and I visited Sabo Kinkaku-an on August 13th, 2024. We were looking for restaurants around the Kinkaku-ji area and came across this place. The moment we entered we were greeted by a really nice lady (I sadly didn’t get to ask her name). She brought us to a private room for the four of us, and despite the language barrier she was always incredibly nice and willing to help. When the dishes came she explained what each part of the trays was meant to be eaten like, since we weren’t familiar with most of the plates. Apart from the food, the place itself was stunning. Really calm atmosphere, with a beautiful traditional decoration. When we were about to leave, and we were putting our shoes back on, the lady surprised my sister and I with these really cute paper cranes. After that, she waved all of us off and even waited till we turned the corner to make sure we went the right way!!! The experience was absolutely perfect, both the food and service being a 10/10. We’ll definitely keep the memory and the beautiful paper cranes in our minds and homes back in Spain. If I ever come back to Kyoto, I will definitely come back and visit Sabo...

Hidden gem!! As many others, we accidentally stumbled into this restaurant after viewing the golden temple and feel so incredibly lucky to have had the pleasure of enjoying the best meal we’ve had in Japan thus far. The shabu shabu soba set was so incredible—highly recommended. The meat was tender and juicy, the soba was perfect, the broth was delightful, and the dipping ponzu was top notch! The ponzu was so good that when we asked the amazing waitstaff about it, they drew us the cutest little map with directions of how to get to the grocery store that sells it because it’s typically not found in larger retailers. We followed the map and found our new favorite ponzu that we will take back to the states!

Bottom line: if you want a delicious traditional Japanese meal with extremely kind waitstaff and a homey experience,...