Culture

2024.12.22

Kyoto’s ‘wine bars’ should not be underestimated. Here are three highly recommended places where you can enjoy delicious natural wine and food! [Kyoto ‘Latest’ Great Places to Eat]

In Kyoto, the kind of places that are comfortable for adults are those that aren’t too flashy nor too casual, and of course, have exceptional taste! These are the ‘places you want to become a regular at’ from the very start! The locals experience the changing seasons and savor the essence of Kyoto through the shops they've chosen. If the owner gets to know your preferences, it becomes easier for them to recommend something special. Exchanging heartfelt interactions is, above all, the greatest luxury, and seems to be the shortest path to experiencing the best food. With new spots continuously opening, Kyoto is becoming known as a ‘wine town’ with a fresh charm. Natural wines, which you can enjoy without pretension, are abundant by the glass, and there are plenty of convenient places that serve Kyoto-style deliciousness.

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From bistro-style to Asian dishes and small plates, there’s something for every taste, paired perfectly with ‘Train Train (トレイントレイン)’

Left: The menu by Executive Chef Shinohara Kentaro (篠原健太郎) at ‘Train Train’ is diverse. Pictured are small plates (3 pieces for ¥1,500, 5 pieces for ¥2,200), the popular ‘Magret Duck Roast’ in the middle, priced at ¥3,000, and ‘Watermelon and Scallops in Lemon Butter’ at ¥1,400 in the lower left. Right: Mr. Hama (濱), who opened the restaurant after working at the Italian restaurant ‘La Mascherina’ in Kyoto.

The owner, Hama Kazuya, encourages guests to use his restaurant like an izakaya. It is a popular spot that opened just two years ago.

The menu features a wide variety of dishes that pair perfectly with wine, ranging from small plates like shiri-shiri carrots (にんじんしりしり, stirfryed shredded carrots with egg) to authentic bistro dishes, ethnic cuisine, and even fried rice. They keep the number of year-round items limited, with a focus on seasonal dishes featuring fresh, seasonal vegetables, which is a delightful touch.

The wine selection is sure to capture the hearts of wine enthusiasts, focusing mainly on natural wines from France. They offer around 10 varieties of red and white wines by the glass, starting at 900 yen, and bottles from the 4,000 yen range.

It’s conveniently located within walking distance from Kawaramachi. The calm space, renovated from the first floor of a traditional Kyoto machiya inn, allows you to enjoy seasonal flavours while casually sipping plenty of wine.

Left: The blackboard menu is packed with both classic and seasonal dishes. The lunch, perfect for daytime drinking, is also quite popular.
Right: ●Recommend! The recommendation is a fragrant, rich white wine: Domaine de Malavieille Les Petits Dragons 2019 – bottle for 6,800 yen, glass for 1,200 yen.

The main seating area consists of table seats, with 5 counter seats that are perfect for solo diners.

Train Train DATA

Address: 327 Ebiya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 070-8940-6970
Hours: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 11:30 PM (Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Closed: Monday　
Instagram：@train_train_kyoto

‘Chrome-natural-winelife (クロームナチュラルワインライフ)’ is a place where you can enjoy a wide variety of natural wines paired with flavourful dishes infused with spices

In the foreground is a dish of ‘Potato Salad with Garam Masala, Murakami jiyu (村上重) ‘s Shibazuke (しば漬け) Pickles, and Karasumi (からすみ)’ priced at 600 yen. The spices and wine aromas beautifully complement each other, creating a harmonious pairing of flavours.

The sommelier Sekiya Hidenuki, captivated by natural wines, opened the establishment.

The wines, which Sekiya has been searching for over the past 10 years, primarily come from small-scale producers, with a collection of about 6,000 bottles. Wine connoisseurs are thrilled by the selection of ‘fascinating natural wines’ on offer. The glass wines, both red and white, are reasonably priced, with around 25 varieties starting from 1,000 yen.

The food menu features light dishes that pair perfectly with wine, such as ‘Addictive Marinated Mushrooms with Japanese Pepper and Akegarashi (A type of fermented seasoning made from soybeans and rice bran).’ The restaurant stays open until late, making it a great spot for a second round after your first stop.

Left: The glass-walled wine cellar inside the restaurant is truly impressive!
Right: ●Recommend! A must-try is the ‘fountain of umami (うまみ),’ an Alsace Pinot. ‘Christophe Lindenlaub Originele El Rouge 2021’ Bottle 15,000 yen, Glass 2,200 yen.

Right: The owner, Sekiya, and staff member Shinkado Chinami (新門千波). The restaurant is located in the trendy Gosho Minami (御所南) area.

Chrome-natural-winelife DATA

Address: 201-3 Ooi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 1F Shinmachi Royal Heights
Phone: 090-8537-2104
Hours: 18:00–25:00 (Last entry at 24:00)
Closed: Monday, irregular holidays
Official website：http://chrome-natural-winelife.com/

Enjoy popular croquettes and salads alongside wine relaxed, and carefree at ‘Nishitomiya’

You can enjoy a variety of dishes such as the popular blue cheese croquettes starting at ¥200, the colourful ‘Nicoise Salad’ for ¥950, and other favourites like quiche and focaccia.

At lunch, for a light drink before dinner, or during dinner itself, this popular spot in Kyoto offers delicious croquettes and a variety of wines from France and other regions around the world, making it an ideal place for enjoying a tasty snack paired with your favourite wine.

The freshly fried, flavourful croquettes at this spot come in four varieties, including a plain version and one with Nara pickles and lemon peel. Additionally, the blackboard menu features recommended items like creatively paired salads and seafood dishes.

In the back of this casual and comfortable space is a large glass-walled wine cellar, filled with selections personally chosen by the owner, Nishitomi Manabu. The wine list offers around seven red and white wines by the glass, starting at 800 yen.

Left: Behind the owner, Nishitomi Manabu, you can see the wine cellar. Right:●Recommend! the recommended wine is the Beaujolais, a refreshing, light red: *Romuald Valoquet Le Cru 2021*. The bottle is priced at 6,000 yen, and the glass at 1,100 yen.

The popular restaurant, previously located at Kawaramachi Gojo (河原町五条), relocated to Higashiyama (東山) three years ago. Despite being situated on the first floor of a residential building, the space is surprisingly spacious.

Nishitomiya DATA

Address: 126 Nishimachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Phone: 070-8513-0452
Opening Hours: Lunch: 12:00–15:00 (last order at 14:00), Dinner: 18:00–24:00 (last food order at 22:00, last drink order at 23:00)
Closed: Mondays and irregular holidays　
Instagram：＠nishitomiya

Photo by Ito Makoto Composition by Kawamura Yufuko

This article is a reprint from the magazine ‘Wagaku (和樂; October-November 2023 issue)’ (prices, ages, and years reflect the situation as of September 2024).
*All listed prices include tax, and prices and opening hours may be subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.

This article is translated from https://intojapanwaraku.com/travel/254336/

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Kyoto’s ‘wine bars’ should not be underestimated. Here are three highly recommended places where you can enjoy delicious natural wine and food! [Kyoto ‘Latest’ Great Places to Eat]