CHIENCHI

Such a lovely dining experience! The restaurant had a cozy atmosphere, the service was amazing, and the food was delicious. I thought it was a great value as well. 100% recommend.

Visited April 2025

One of the best meals I had in Japan. While it is one Michelin star right now, it really should be two or three — better than many other places like Ryugin or even French Laundry. The ingredients are largely local and the style is influenced by Italian and even Indian. It is very creative and beaut...ifully plated without being too abstract. Most importantly every bite was delicious and I would want to actually come back to eat. The standouts were the starter fried lake fish, the prosciutto with dosa, the conger eel and the cacao with almond jelly and pear dessert. The wine pairing was probably the best matched I’ve ever had and it featured some unusual wines like one from Hokkaido and another from Czech Republic. I would definitely go out of my way to eat here again.

Visited November 2024

Second trip to Kyoto. So happy decided to end our 3 week vacation with a meal at Cenci. A Michelin star restaurant and voted Top 50 in Asia. It's a fusion of Italian and Japanese using the ingredients locally and what is available. The chef visited each table and chatted with us for awhile knowi...ng we are in vegas and talked about the recent announcements of the best restaurants in world was held in Vegas. The staff spoke great English. They described each meal. Also waited to serve you meal and reexplain it when I came back from the restroom. Each dish were unique. Flavors were perfect. They took the time to let you finish each course and we weren't rush compare to a two star Michelin restaurant we went the day before. We opted not doing the wine tasting menu. But I opted to get the extra dish they offered- Fava beans, Aonori, Uni, risotto. Glad I did. At the end of the meal you had option of what drink to end your meal. They gave you sample of the beans or tea to smell. Bread service was great with the dipping sauce. They offered other type of bread as well. Place is a little far from city center and took a taxi (go app). The chef again escorted us out after our meal. The tasting menu was perfect. Perfect portion size!! Highly recommend.

Visited June 2024

Just finished a fabulous dinner at this gem of a restaurant in Kyoto. Thoroughly deserves it’s place on the best 50 restaurants in Asia - innovative (leaning more to Japanese then Italian) cuisine that pushes one’s view of what should work, and then rewards you with new taste experiences. Flawless s...ervice in English and Japanese and a good selection on the wine tasting (and expertly curated and explained). Amazing, this should be top of your list of places to eat at in Kyoto. Book early.

Visited May 2024

OMG - The food was amazing! Visited for a birthday and it was our best meal in Japan. The chef, cooks, waitstaff were super attentive and the entire stay was an experience. I always recommend Cenci to friends visiting Kyoto. No doubt you will enjoy it.

Visited March 2023