Located at the foot of Kiyomizu Hill, a 15-minute drive from Kyoto Station, the luxurious Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu houses the restaurant BENOIT Kyoto, in a building overlooking the streets of Higashiyama and other historic districts. BENOIT is a traditional bistro loved by Parisians for over 100 years. Its name and spirit were handed down to restaurants opened in Tokyo and New York by France’s most celebrated chef, Alain Ducasse. Then, following their success, BENOIT Kyoto was opened in the historic city of Kyoto in March 2020.
Executive chef Kota Tanaka started his career as a chef at Benoit in Aoyama, Tokyo, in 2007. After that, he worked hard at "Beige Alain Ducasse Tokyo" and went to France in 2012. After training at L'Atelier du Joel Robuchon Etoile, he rejoined the Ducasse Paris team in 2020 as assistant chef at MUNI ALAIN DUCASSE in Arashiyama, Kyoto. In November 2021, he was selected as the chef of "BENOIT Kyoto".
The menu of BENOIT Kyoto is built around classic French cuisine, featuring locally grown vegetables and beef, as well as seasonal ingredients from France, including duck and foie gras. These ingredients are artfully crafted into authentic French dishes, such as a pâté en croûte prepared in the traditional labor and time-intensive method where foie gras, duck, and chicken are cooked and chilled for a couple of days. The most popular dish from the dessert menu is savarin, which creates a perfect harmony of syrup-soaked cake, brandy, and whipped cream. These dishes are complemented by a wide selection of wines, with 100 offered by the bottle and six by the glass.
The dining rooms are furnished with antique tables and chairs as well as accent pieces that nod playfully to classic French cuisine. In addition to the indoor dining tables with chairs and banquettes, there are 16 seats for dining on the terrace. The dining experience is elevated by the scenic beauty of Yasaka Tower of Hokanji Temple, a landmark of Higashiyama. Guests are invited to enjoy hearty, classic French dishes with family, friends, or partners in a comfortable setting in the historic city of Kyoto.
------------------------------------------------------------------
* The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English, unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
Access
Approximately 15-minute taxi ride from Kyoto Station (JR Tokaido Main Line (Kyoto Line) (Kyoto - Osaka), JR Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line) (Maibara - Kyoto)
A 20-minute walk from Gion-shijo Station and Kiyomizu-gojo Station (Keihan Main Line)
Approximately 5-minute walk from the Kiyomizu-michi bus stop of the Kyoto City Bus