01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
At ryu no hige, the meal unfolds like a story that takes you around Kyoto, with each dish marking the next stop. In one visitor’s account, the experience began with opening a trunk-shaped case placed on the table. Inside were glasses, cutlery and a menu designed to look like a travel journal. Other diners have noted that the story changes with the seasons, giving the courses a sense of anticipation as each dish leads to the next.
Some dishes are inspired by Kyoto landmarks: visitors have described plates depicting the snow-covered Togetsukyo Bridge and red torii gates. The presentation is part of the appeal, but diners have also appreciated hearing an explanation of each dish as they ate. The meal can feel like a story of a journey around Kyoto, making it a fitting choice for an anniversary or lunch with someone you have not seen in a while, when the food itself can give conversation a starting point.
The menu also lists kamameshi, rice cooked in an iron pot, with combinations including chicken with kinpira burdock and shrimp with ratatouille. Salmon with salmon roe and crab with crab miso are listed at an additional charge, while nameko mushrooms with root vegetables have a separate price. One diner praised the kamameshi served towards the end of a course, a satisfying finish that offers a different pleasure from the meal’s storytelling touches.
Lunch is served from 12 to 15:30, and dinner from 18 to 21:30. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reservations are recommended.
