Dine with a View: Discovering Kyoto's Most Scenic Restaurant
Today, I want to share a restaurant with the best view of Kyoto.
Restaurant Hiramatsu Kodaiji (レストランひらまつ高台寺), is a renowned Michelin one star dining establishment in Kyoto, known for its exceptional culinary experience and breathtaking views.
Location:
The restaurant is situated near the historic Kodaiji Temple in the Higashiyama district, one of Kyoto's most picturesque areas. This location provides diners with stunning views of the surrounding temples, traditional architecture, and beautiful gardens.
Menu:
Restaurant Hiramatsu Kodaiji offers a French-Japanese fusion menu, blending the techniques and flavors of French cuisine with the finest Japanese ingredients. The dishes are crafted with seasonal and locally sourced produce, ensuring freshness and quality.
Courses:
The restaurant typically offers a set course menu, which includes multiple courses such as appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. These courses are thoughtfully curated to provide a harmonious and balanced meal.
Booking:
Due to its popularity and the intimate setting, it’s recommended to make reservations well in advance. This ensures you get a spot and can fully enjoy the dining experience without any rush.
It was our first visit to the restaurant, so we decided to play it safe. However, the food and service exceeded our expectations, with incredible attention to detail.
We booked the most affordable lunch course, available only on weekdays, for just ￥6,050 per person (including tax). Despite the reasonable price, the course included an amuse-bouche, fish, meat, dessert, and coffee.
The interior of the restaurant was simple yet sophisticated, and I loved the wood details on the ceiling.
They provided a printed menu for the four-course lunch.
The amuse-bouche and the strawberry cocktail were delightful.
The cocktail was well-balanced and very refreshing.
The first course was a "Snow Crab and Sea Urchin Salad". The ginger jelly complemented the seafood beautifully, making it a delicate and exquisite dish.
The second course was a fish dish —Spanish mackerel with mandarin orange mousse.
Before the third course, I wanted to share the stunning view of the restaurant overlooking the city of Kyoto.
Imagining it during sunset and in the evening, I could tell it would be truly breathtaking.
The Meat course was a 'Braised Chicken in Red Wine,' and it became my favourite dish of the meal.
The chicken was incredibly soft and tender, bursting with flavor. I savored every bite."
Since we visited the restaurant during strawberry season, the dessert featured a Strawberry Eclair with Himalayan Yogurt Sorbet.
At the end, I opted for a herbal tea, which arrived accompanied by petite desserts such as macarons, cheesecakes, and Wasanbon Sable.
The presentation was adorable, evoking the sense that spring was just around the corner (especially since we visited the restaurant in February 2024).
The overall experience was truly stunning, and the service was top-notch.
We were particularly impressed by the professional attitude of the servers.
I would absolutely love to return when I'm back in Kyoto next year!