Benoit Kyoto

Visited in October 2025. Japan 🇯🇵 Kyoto. Nestled in a serene and beautifully landscaped area, Benoit Kyoto is a stunning French restaurant offering spacious interiors and panoramic views — including a breathtaking sight of a nearby pagoda. The elegant greenery surrounding the property adds to the tranquil, refined atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch or romantic dinner. FOOD: Benoit Kyoto serves refined French cuisine with a concise yet well-balanced menu of appetizers, mains, and desserts. We visited for lunch and chose the set course, which included one appetizer, a main dish, a dessert, and a hot beverage. For starters, the escargots in garlic butter were outstanding — tender, juicy, and masterfully prepared, bursting with flavor. We also tried the seasonal foie gras, a delicate, rich duck liver pâté with a subtle sweetness that paired beautifully with freshly baked bread and fruit confiture. For the main course, the Wagyu tenderloin with roasted potatoes was extraordinary. The beef was incredibly tender and succulent, melting in the mouth without being overly fatty. The lean cut was perfectly balanced, with the light marbling enhancing rather than overwhelming the flavor. The potatoes were expertly roasted to a crisp golden perfection. The fish of the day was equally impressive — moist, delicately seared, and complemented by a perfectly matched sauce. Every dessert we tried was equally delightful, a testament to the chef’s skill and attention to detail. SERVICE: The service was impeccable — attentive, polished, and genuinely caring. Our glasses were refilled promptly, and every interaction felt graceful and professional, much like in the finest French establishments. VERDICT: Benoit Kyoto is a hidden gem in the heart of the city — a place where French technique meets the elegance of Japanese ingredients. We were able to dine without a reservation, and every dish was thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully executed. This was one of the most memorable meals of our trip, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a refined yet warm dining experience in Kyoto.

Benoit at The Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu is one of those rare gems where everything comes together perfectly like the venue, the food, the service, and even the view. The restaurant is set within the beautiful Seiryu hotel grounds, and from the dining room you get a breathtaking direct view of the Yasaka Pagoda, which makes the atmosphere feel both serene and unforgettable. The vibe is refined yet relaxed, and the staff were so attentive and welcoming, with fluent English that made the whole experience seamless. I went for their set menu (JPY 9,300) which included two starters, a main, a dessert, and a hot drink. The starters were beautifully presented and full of flavor: the Burgundy snails with herb butter were rich and indulgent, while the cuttlefish with fennel semolina, bulgur, and an iodized jus was delicate and refreshing with just the right balance. For the main, the confit duck thigh from Miyagi served with turnip and duck sauce was cooked to absolute perfection — crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside. To finish, the profiteroles with diplomat cream, vanilla ice cream, and warm chocolate sauce were heavenly, the perfect sweet ending to an already memorable meal. Benoit delivers not just exceptional French cuisine, but also an overall experience that stays with you long after you’ve left. A must-visit in Kyoto if you’re looking for refined dining with an unforgettable view.

This is one of the restaurant I like to share in my Kyoto trip last summer. I strongly recommend people visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple stop by have a peaceful meal, where modern deco meets historic zen architecture. The servers are very well trained and polite, they know when to pick up plates and bring out the next dish, so that we can have a relaxing lunch, enjoying the view and food. They arranged the best view table for our family. All dishes are nicely presented and taste very good. One of the best memories in Kyoto.

Great place for a French cuisine fine dinning. Cost is in between 9000 to 14000 Yen depends 3 to 5 course you choose. Manager Sato is excellent with fluent English.

Visited to treat my mom for Mother’s Day. I chose afternoon tea this time and every pastry and cake was so detailed and delicious. This was one of the best afternoon tea I’ve had. I would love to come back for lunch and dinner. Would’ve been nice if it was more clear to see the scenery outside because it was covered with the trees and stuff.

Overall great dinner experience at Benoit Kyoto! The location of the restaursnt is very nice as well with great views. We had a very lovely server who tried very hard to speak English with us. Each dish was great, my favorite was the dessert I had. It was the chocolate creme brulee. With dessert, they brought out freshly baked madelines as well.

Hostess:5/5 Server: 2/5 Food:3/5 price:5/5 Atmosphere:5/5 cutlery：5/5 (some of Christofle) Super excited to dine there, we bit late but our hostess is super nice to care of us. Unfortunately, one of a server is not a great service. No hospitality. No explanation. But we had a 20-off-service lunch, then no complaints. The desert is amazing, but the first and second(main)… disappointment of Alain ducas….

Beyond description. Must visit. I went there in a rainy day and so serene and calm. Shrimp with Bisque sauce was my favorite. The rich, creamy, and flavorful sauce gets its depth of flavor.