Restaurant in Kyoto, Japan
Serious Italian in Kyoto, Counter format.
A 12-seat Italian counter in Nakagyo Ward with a Tabelog score of 4.11 and Bronze awards in 2019, 2025, and 2026. The fish-forward course menu runs JPY 20,000–30,000 per head all-in. Book two to three weeks ahead for weekends. One of Kyoto's most consistently recognised Italian restaurants and a sound choice for a special occasion dinner for two or four.
Twelve seats, a Tabelog score of 4.11, and three Tabelog Bronze wins (2019, 2025, 2026) make RADICE one of the most consistently recognised Italian restaurants in western Japan. At JPY 15,000–20,000 per head listed, with actual spend closer to JPY 20,000–30,000 once wine and the 10% service charge are added, this is a serious commitment. It is worth it if you want Italian cooking with genuine technical focus and a fish-forward menu — but only if you book well ahead and arrive on time, because every table starts simultaneously.
RADICE opened in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, in December 2013 and has held a place on the Tabelog Italian WEST 100 list in 2021, 2023, and 2025 — a run of sustained peer recognition that few Italian restaurants outside Tokyo can match. The format is course-only, running approximately two and a half hours, with eight counter seats and one four-leading. The room is classified as a house restaurant in a quieter residential pocket off Marutamachi, a short walk from Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line. Expect a composed, low-noise atmosphere: this is a counter where you hear the kitchen, not a DJ.
The kitchen's stated focus is fish, which positions RADICE differently from the meat-heavy Italian that dominates many European tasting menus. In a city where Kyoto's own seasonal ingredient calendar , spring bamboo shoots, summer ayu sweetfish, autumn matsutake , runs deep in every serious kitchen, an Italian format that leans into fish-forward cooking gives the chef clear seasonal material to work with. The menu will shift depending on what is available, so what you eat in April will differ substantially from what lands in October. If you have a preferred season for Kyoto visits, that is worth factoring into your booking decision. Autumn and spring are when Kyoto's finest produce peaks, and a fish-led Italian course makes good use of both.
A sommelier is on the floor and wine is the only listed drink category, so come expecting to spend on a pairing or at least a bottle. Credit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, UnionPay); electronic money and QR payments are not. Children under 10 are not admitted. Men should skip sandals; strong perfume is a dress-code request for all guests. No parking on site, but coin parking is nearby.
For context on where RADICE sits in Japan's broader Italian tier: akordu in Nara and HAJIME in Osaka both operate in the Kansai region at higher price points with more international visibility. RADICE is the more accessible booking and the more focused option if fish-led Italian in a quiet counter setting is specifically what you want. For fish-forward fine dining in a different format, Le Bernardin in New York City is the obvious global reference point , RADICE operates at a fraction of that price and without the white-tablecloth formality.
If Italian cuisine is not the priority and you want to explore Kyoto's full dining depth, see our full Kyoto restaurants guide, plus guides to Kyoto hotels, Kyoto bars, Kyoto wineries, and Kyoto experiences.
Online reservations are available via Tabelog. Booking difficulty is rated Easy relative to Kyoto's most competitive kaiseki tables, but that is relative: at 12 seats with a closed-on-Tuesday-Wednesday schedule, popular weekend dinner slots fill faster than weekday evenings. Book at least two to three weeks ahead for Friday–Sunday. If you have a fixed departure time, declare it at booking , the kitchen cannot accommodate last-minute requests on the day. Counter seat assignments are not guaranteed; you may be moved to the table.
For further Kyoto fine dining context, see: Gion Sasaki, Hyotei, Kikunoi Honten, Mizai, and Isshisoden Nakamura. For Italian in other Japanese cities: akordu (Nara), 1000 (Yokohama). For fine dining beyond Japan: Atomix (New York), Harutaka (Tokyo), Goh (Fukuoka), 6 (Okinawa).
Smart casual is the right call. The dress code explicitly asks men not to wear sandals and requests that all guests avoid strong perfume. There is no formal dress requirement, but given the price point and intimate counter format, most guests dress neatly. Treat it like a serious tasting menu dinner rather than a casual neighbourhood restaurant.
The menu is fish-forward by design, which suits pescatarians well. For other restrictions, contact the restaurant directly at +81-50-1720-7379 or via the reservation system before booking. At 12 seats with a single simultaneous service, the kitchen has limited flexibility for last-minute changes , declare any requirements at the time of reservation, not on the day.
Yes, with a caveat on group size. At JPY 20,000–30,000 per head all-in, the price signals occasion dining, and three Tabelog Bronze wins provide the credibility to back it up. For two people, the counter works well. For four, request the table when booking. For larger groups, private hire (up to 20 people) is available , that is worth exploring if you want exclusivity, though you should confirm details and pricing directly with the venue.
RADICE is course-only, so ordering is not a decision you make at the table. The kitchen's stated emphasis is on fish, so expect that to be the backbone of the menu. The course runs approximately two and a half hours. Wine is the primary drink option and a sommelier is on the floor , a pairing or a well-chosen bottle is a reasonable expectation at this price point.
Lunch is only available Friday through Sunday and on public holidays (12:00–15:00); dinner runs Monday and Thursday plus the same weekend days (18:30–22:00). The price range is the same for both services, so the choice comes down to your schedule. Dinner is the more widely available slot across the week. If you are visiting on a weekend and prefer a daytime meal, lunch works , just note that all seatings start simultaneously, so punctuality is required regardless of service.
Two to three weeks minimum for weekend slots; one to two weeks is usually sufficient for a weekday dinner (Monday or Thursday). RADICE holds a Tabelog 4.11 score and three Bronze Awards, which drives demand, but with only 12 seats across a limited weekly schedule, availability can tighten quickly. Book online via Tabelog. If you have a fixed departure time on the night, note it at booking.
The dining room seats 12 maximum in normal service: 8 at the counter and 4 at a single table. For groups of exactly four, request the table when booking. For larger groups, private hire is available for up to 20 people , contact the restaurant to discuss terms. Note that the venue does not have private dining rooms within the main space, so full private use means booking out the entire restaurant.
Three things matter: it is reservation-only with no walk-ins, all seatings start simultaneously so late arrival is a real problem, and the course runs about two and a half hours. Budget JPY 20,000–30,000 per person once wine and the 10% service charge are included. The kitchen focuses on fish-led Italian cooking, which is a deliberate choice , if you are expecting a meat-heavy Italian tasting menu, this is not the right fit. Come on a Friday or weekend if you want the option of lunch; otherwise, Monday and Thursday evenings are the only weekday slots.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADICE | {"Year":"2026","Award Source":"Tabelog","Award Type":"The Tabelog Award","Award Group":"bronze","Award Group Rank":"351","Restaurant Name":"RADICE","Score":"4.11","Budget":"Dinner: JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999; Lunch: JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999","Budget Dinner":"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999","Budget Lunch":"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999","Price":"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999 JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999","Average Price":"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999 JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999","Average Price (Based on reviews)":"JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 View spending breakdown","Featured Item":"N/A","Full Address (with ZIP)":"京都府京都市中京区鏡屋町50, 6040002, Japan","Address":"京都府京都市中京区鏡屋町50","Postal Code":"6040002","City":"Kagamiyacho Nakagyo-ku Kyoto Kyoto","State":"Kyoto","Country":"Japan","Phone":"+815017207379","Phone Raw":"+81-50-1720-7379","Website":"","Description":"Check out RADICE/ラディーチェ (Marutamachi/Italian) on Tabelog! \"Authentic Italian Cuisine by a Chef Dedicated to Mastering Italian Cooking\" [No Smoking / Online reservations] Discover Japanese restaurants featuring detailed information such as menus and maps, along with user-posted reviews, ratings, and photos!","Categories":"Italian","Awards & Recognitions":"The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2021 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2021 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze 受賞店 2025年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze 受賞店 2019年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 イタリアン 百名店 2025 選出店 食べログ イタリアン WEST 百名店 2025 選出店 イタリアン 百名店 2023 選出店 食べログ イタリアン WEST 百名店 2023 選出店 イタリアン 百名店 2021 選出店 食べログ イタリアン WEST 百名店 2021 選出店","Reservation availability":"Reservation only - Please note that while your reservation may indicate a counter seat, you may be guided to a table seat instead. - Since we will start at the same time, please ensure that you arrive on time. - The course will take approximately two and a half hours. If you have a specific time for leaving, please inform us in advance, as we may not be able to accommodate requests on the day.","Business hours":"Mon, Thu 18:30 - 22:00 Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday 12:00 - 15:00 18:30 - 22:00 Tue, Wed Closed ■Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays Lunch and dinner service start simultaneously.","Payment methods":"Credit card accepted （VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners, UnionPay） Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted","Private rooms":"Unavailable","Non-smoking/smoking":"Non smoking Smoking space available on the balcony","Number of seats":"12 seats （ 8 seats at the counter, 1 seat for 4 at a table）","Private use":"Available For up to 20 people","Parking":"Unavailable Coin parking available nearby","Space/facilities":"Counter seating","Drink":"Wine","Food":"Particular about fish","Service":"Sommelier available","Family friendly":"Children under 10 years old are not allowed","Service charge & fee":"Service charge 10% Original text サービス料10% This section has been automatically translated. Please check with the restaurant for accurate information.","Dress code":"Please refrain from wearing strong perfumes. We kindly ask that men do not wear sandals when visiting our restaurant.","Maximum party size":"N/A","Location":"Hideout, A house restaurant","Occasion":"Friends This occasion is recommended by many people.","Remarks":"N/A","The opening day":"2013.12.21","Receipt (Qualified simple invoice)":"N/A","Latitude":"35.01497683705734","Longitude":"135.75829187930248","Primary Image URL":"","Image URL Count":"20","Image URLs":"","Restaurant ID":"26023199","Source URL":"","Raw Details JSON":"{\"Restaurant name\":\"RADICE\",\"Awards & Recognitions\":\"The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2023 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2021 Selected for Tabelog Italian WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2021 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze 受賞店 2025年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze 受賞店 2019年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 イタリアン 百名店 2025 選出店 食べログ イタリアン WEST 百名店 2025 選出店 イタリアン 百名店 2023 選出店 食べログ イタリアン WEST 百名店 2023 選出店 イタリアン 百名店 2021 選出店 食べログ イタリアン WEST 百名店 2021 選出店\",\"Categories\":\"Italian\",\"Phone number (for reservation and inquiry)\":\"050-1720-7379\",\"Reservation availability\":\"Reservation only - Please note that while your reservation may indicate a counter seat, you may be guided to a table seat instead. - Since we will start at the same time, please ensure that you arrive on time. - The course will take approximately two and a half hours. If you have a specific time for leaving, please inform us in advance, as we may not be able to accommodate requests on the day.\",\"Address\":\"京都府京都市中京区鏡屋町50 Show larger map Find nearby restaurants Transportation Approximately 5 minutes walk from Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line 208 meters from Marutamachi.\",\"Business hours\":\"Mon, Thu 18:30 - 22:00 Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday 12:00 - 15:00 18:30 - 22:00 Tue, Wed Closed ■Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays Lunch and dinner service start simultaneously.\",\"Average price\":\"JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999 JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999\",\"Average price （Based on reviews）\":\"JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 View spending breakdown\",\"Payment methods\":\"Credit card accepted （VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners, UnionPay） Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted\",\"Service charge & fee\":\"Service charge 10% Original text サービス料10% This section has been automatically translated. Please check with the restaurant for accurate information.\",\"Number of seats\":\"12 seats （ 8 seats at the counter, 1 seat for 4 at a table）\",\"Private rooms\":\"Unavailable\",\"Private use\":\"Available For up to 20 people\",\"Non-smoking/smoking\":\"Non smoking Smoking space available on the balcony\",\"Parking\":\"Unavailable Coin parking available nearby\",\"Space/facilities\":\"Counter seating\",\"Drink\":\"Wine\",\"Food\":\"Particular about fish\",\"Occasion\":\"Friends This occasion is recommended by many people.\",\"Location\":\"Hideout, A house restaurant\",\"Service\":\"Sommelier available\",\"Family friendly\":\"Children under 10 years old are not allowed\",\"Dress code\":\"Please refrain from wearing strong perfumes. We kindly ask that men do not wear sandals when visiting our restaurant.\",\"Website\":\"",\"The opening day\":\"2013.12.21\"}","Matched Location ID":"be8fa780-df36-4bdc-9bec-4028a7b408ee","Match Status":"matched","Match Method":"award_page_url_exact","Match Confidence":"high","Matched On URL":"","Matched DB Name":"RADICE","Matched DB Address":"50, 鏡屋cho, 中京 Ward, 府Kyoto City, Kyoto","Needs Review":"no","Review Reason":"","Fallback Score":"","Fallback Name Sim":"","Fallback Addr Sim":"","Fallback Loc Sim":"","Fallback City Sim":"","Fallback Country Sim":"","Fallback Phone Match":"","Fallback Domain Match":"","Fallback Explanation":""}; Tabelog Bronze Award 2025 Score: 4 Cuisine: Italian / Kyoto Phone: 050-1720-7379 Hours: Mon, Thu 18:30 - 22:00 Address: 50, 鏡屋cho, 中京 Ward, 府Kyoto City, Kyoto Tabelog: | Easy | — | ||
| Gion Sasaki | Kaiseki, Japanese | ¥¥¥¥ | Michelin 3 Star | Unknown | — |
| cenci | Italian | ¥¥¥ | Michelin 1 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Ifuki | Kaiseki | ¥¥¥¥ | Michelin 2 Star | Unknown | — |
| Kyokaiseki Kichisen | Japanese | ¥¥¥¥ | Michelin 2 Star | Unknown | — |
| Kyo Seika | Chinese | ¥¥¥ | Michelin 1 Star | Unknown | — |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
No formal dress code is stated, but the venue specifically asks that men do not wear sandals and that all guests avoid strong perfumes. Given the 12-seat counter format and Tabelog Bronze status, smart-casual at minimum is appropriate. Think neat trousers and closed shoes rather than a suit.
The venue data does not specify a dietary restriction policy, so contact them directly before booking — reservations are online via Tabelog or by phone at 050-1720-7379. Note that the kitchen has a stated focus on fish, so pescatarians are likely well served, but confirming any serious allergy in advance is essential given the fixed-course format.
Yes, with caveats. The counter format and simultaneous-start service create a shared-event atmosphere that suits anniversaries or milestone dinners for two. Private rooms are unavailable, but the venue can be booked for exclusive use for up to 20 people, which changes the calculus for group celebrations. At JPY 15,000–20,000+ per head with a sommelier on hand, the price point supports the occasion.
RADICE runs a set course — there is no à la carte menu to choose from. The kitchen has a documented focus on fish, so expect seafood to feature prominently. Budget for JPY 20,000–30,000 per head once wine and the 10% service charge are factored in, based on reviewer-reported spend.
Both services run the same price range (JPY 15,000–20,000+) and both start simultaneously, so this is less about value and more about preference. Lunch runs Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays only; dinner runs Monday, Thursday, and the same weekend days. If your trip falls midweek, dinner on Monday or Thursday is your only option.
Book at least three to four weeks out, and further in advance if you need a specific weekend lunch slot — those fill fastest given the limited Friday-to-Sunday availability. The venue is reservation-only with no walk-in option. Use the Tabelog online system or call 050-1720-7379 directly.
The dining room seats 12 in total — 8 at the counter and a single table of 4 — so large groups cannot be split across the room without taking the whole space. Private use is available for up to 20 people, which is the practical route for parties larger than four. check the venue's official channels to arrange exclusive hire.
Mon, Thu 18:30 - 22:00
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
