Gion Mametora

Bean size, or bite size sushi, either way to describe the meal, they are nicely presented and very delicious. Good service, well managed for our allergies, very appreciated it. However, for the desert and slow cook items, maybe to make them bean size as well? Haha. Anyway, it is definitely recommended as one of the must try Kyoto experiences.

Tucked away along the quiet cobblestone lanes of Gion, I found a place where time seems to pause — Mame-tora. The moment I stepped inside the old Kyoto townhouse, I was wrapped in the warmth of wood, silence, and subtle elegance. I came for the famed 'mame-sushi' — tiny, jewel-like bites crafted with such care, each one a fleeting expression of season and place. As I opened the wooden box, it felt like lifting the lid on a poem. Shrimp, eel, tamago, and delicate vegetables sat like art on rice, too beautiful to eat — and yet, each bite melted into memories I didn’t know I had. The small dishes that followed — seasonal broths, grilled delicacies, pickled wonders — weren’t just food. They were quiet conversations between the chef and the season. In the heart of Kyoto, where tradition hums softly in the air, Mame-tora offers more than a meal. It’s a moment — gentle, fleeting, unforgettable.

Amazing kaiseki dinner in a private little room. The food is fenomenal and the service is great! Expect to be there about 2h, the pace of the courses are on point. I can’t recommend it more.

Great place in terms of authenticity. The staff was great, kind and efficient. When it comes to the food the place was perhaps excessively elaborated for my personal taste. That said, I am sure that many other souls will be mesmerised by this restaurant

At first I interested with the idea of theit signature mametora sushi which is assorted sushi that cut and made into bite size for Maiko to eat easily and also serving to eat directly without soy sauce. We went there for lunch and choose the larger set. The appitizers come in vary and well prepares, beautiful and proper food presentation. Next come the soup, fried Ayu fish and then sushi, and warabi mochi as dessert. Calm and cosy restaurant with full of Japanese touch. Good service and impressive enough to try. Easy access as the restaurant locate in Gion opposite to Forever Museum of Contemporary Art. To make a reservation here, I fpund no english site but you may let your hotel assists you for making reservation. However, I called the restaurant myself at lunch time on the same day before visiting there, so even there is no available seat in any online site but it maybe available anyway because the restaurant quiet big enough and can prepared more seats. English menu available and staff can communicate a bit. Nice experience

Very nice diner in this traditional Japanese restaurant . A place I strongly recommended in Kyoto. Price affordable 80 $.

Spectacularly beautiful sushi and some really special, unique-to-Kyoto fare. We won't forget this meal!

Food is okay, soup is delicious. Traditional Japanese atmosphere, small rooms are available for groups, but get prepared to be seated on tatami

Food: traditional Japanese sushi Service: I had a fantastic time even I was alone. English speaking waiter. Ambiance: like someone's home. Premium location right across the dance show hall.

I am so glad I got the chance to eat here! First off, do make reservations. The restaurant is small and fills up fast. They have two seating times, one at 11:30am and one at 1:30pm. They are also open fir dinner, but you will have to pay more at that time. So, definitely come for lunch. The restaurant is quaint on the inside. The tables are low and you sit on cushions on the floor. But, if you think your legs might fall asleep from sitting on them, you do have the option to dangle them into the drop down space underneath the table. We ordered the six course menu. The first course was a set of three small bites presented beautifully in cut glass bowls - yomogi tofu, green beans in sesame sauce, and a seaweed dish. The piece of tofu was light and refreshing. The seaweed is filled with the taste of the ocean and goes smoothly down your throat. The next dish was a piece of tofu topped with sea bream. Then bamboo shoots and herbs, tempura style. The ingredients are minimal and simple, but paired and prepared in such a way that the true, natural flavor shines through. Finally, the piece de resistance- the mamezushi. 15 pieces are artfully presented in a wooden box and resembles a jewel box. Each piece pops with the color of the single ingredient that is the main star of each bite. There was sea bream, saba mackerel, salmon, egg, eggplant, myoga (ginger), more ginger to cleanse your pallet, daikon, scallop, freshwater eel, shrimp, inari sushi, and a konbu jelly. Each one is seasoned to such perfection that no soy sauce is necessary and would actually ruin the delicate nature of the sushi. I couldn't decide which piece I liked best, they were all fantastic! This is a restaurant where the chefs know their stuff. You'll come out of there full and blissfully satisfied with the experience.