Kasumi

Tucked away on a side street off the busy Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, Kasumi is a restaurant that serves obanzai (traditional Kyoto cuisine) in a whimsical setting.

What’s Kasumi?

Comparable to a wonderland with its botanical and cat theme, this restaurant looks like a regular café but offers more. Alongside cakes, coffee, sodas, and acai that match its esthetic, the highlight is obanzai — a type of cusine using mostly local Kyoto ingredients.

There’s a good selection of dishes to choose from, including a pork-belly set and a hamburg set. We ordered the Kyoto-style set menu, which came with a variety of dishes (for ¥1,350 — super affordable). Some of the other sets are slightly more expensive.

Not only was everything served on cute plates and colorful, but everything also tasted fresh and very nutritious. The tempura and egg roll were standouts.

We enjoyed slowly eating our meal while admiring the floral displays and many cat statues. Truly a unique dining experience in Kyoto.

Note that the interior decor often changes, so it might look different when you visit.

What to know before you visit Kasumi

Do you need reservations for Kasumi?

You cannot make a reservation, so just walk in.

by Jane Pipkin