Gion Shimbashi Nakatani

The food was OK without being exceptional. The main issue was the owner/ host who was drunk, loud and inappropriately tactile with guests. The place is small - 8 people at the counter - so there is really no where to hide. We and the other 2 couples nearest to us felt very uncomfortable. We coul...d not wait for the meal to end so we could walk away! Reading the previous reviews highlights this is not a one off issue - another reviewer from a couple of weeks back highlights the same issue. We really would not recommend this place to anyone - not unless you want to risk ruining one of your precious evenings in Kyoto.

Visited May 2026

This restaurant serves delicious food. A multi course dinner centered around fresh fiah courses. When I told the chef my partner did not like raw fish or meat, he made a point of lightly cooking his dishes while leaving my sashimi as is. Both of us enjoyed the meal so much!

Visited April 2026

My experience at Gion Shinbashi Nakatani was less than pleasant. Me and my husband looked forward to dine at the restaurant based on positive reviews. Upon entering restaurant, the chef appeared reserved, not very welcoming. He looked like he was intoxicated. The first few dishes were average, and b...land. All of a sudden chef got upset and started throwing things around. We immediately got up and left. The other chef apologized for his behavior.

Visited April 2026

Traditional Kyoto kaiseki with 8 counter seats and several floor seating tables. The seafood was very fresh and varied. Had smoked squid, fresh mackerel sushi, tuna seabream and snapper sashimi, wagyu beef, local vegetables, rice pot with whitefish and more. Fun counter speaking with the chefs and w...atching them prepare. Note most of the dishes are raw. Located down a side alley near the Tatsumi in Gion Kyoto.

Visited March 2026

The restaurant is located down a small alleyway. There were some bar seats on the left and two traditional sunken tables of 4 requiring you to take off your shoes, on the right. The owner speaks good English, so we had no problems communicating. He offered us good quality wine, which comes in half b...ottles. We had the set lunch menu, booked and paid in advance. When we arrived there was one Japanese person already there, but otherwise we were the only clients, but that was great. The food comes out beautifully presented in several courses, and it’s delicious. The final course of home made macha ice cream was the perfect end. I would definitely recommend this as a lunch menu if you are travelling to the Gion area, famous for the Geisha. We went on to visit the Geisha museum from there and saw a Maiko (trainee Geisha) dance.

Visited September 2025