Monk is an incredible restaurant, one of the top dining experiences of my life. It truly is special from the moment you step foot inside. Before arriving, leave yourself extra time to stroll the cherry blossom-lined Philosopher’s Path. Upon arrival, you receive a warm welcome from Chef Yoshihiro Imai and his partner Ena - a team of 2 who literally do it all. The tasting menu is laser focused on seasonal ingredients that are all locally sourced. Each dish builds upon the next, as Chef Yoshi demonstrates a masterclass in wood fire cooking. Each dish is exquisite in its simplicity. He allows the ingredients to standout on their own. I actually got a little emotional eating such beautiful dishes. It’s not easy to get a reservation, but if you snag one, you will be rewarded with the meal of a lifetime. It is worth the effort. 10 out of 10 and will absolutely do it again. I will cross the Pacific to dine there again. Thank you, Yoshihiro and Ena for an experience we won’t forget.

+3

To say this meal was special would be an understatement. I was finally able to secure a reservation after 3 trips to Kyoto and it was worth waking up in the middle of the night to book. The love and care that goes into every ingredient, preparation and presentation is very impressive. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. Their house fermented drinks are incredible with the plum wine being my favorite. There was a carrot dish that was truly life changing. Thank you so much for a special 40th birthday dinner

+3

Monk is a vibe. It provides an incredibly relaxing ambience, with its soft, dim lighting and gentle music setting the scene for an intimate dinner. We were fortunate to have front-row seats at the counter which provides a close look at the meal preparations. Our meal was a delicious tour of local produce sourced from Kyoto, not only from local farmers but also from the restaurant's own garden. The experience is a tasting menu with seasonal ingredients. At the end of the meal, you pick two toppings for each side of a shared pizza. The pizza is a bit bigger than a personal pizza, but by that point you've had so much to eat like soup, flatbread, roasted veggies, sashimi, and a primary protein that you're already pretty satiated at this point. The taste and texture of the homemade pizza dough is exceptional. We selected the in-season shitake mushrooms and Margherita pizza. One tip I have for drinks is to not miss out on the homemade sodas and kombucha. They were unique and refreshing, and the kombucha in particular was complex, smooth, and delicous. Overall, Monk provides an elevated and intimate dining experience that serves as a celebration of the ingredients Kyoto has to offer - whether it be the local farmers' vegetables, the chef's garden selections, or the seasonal proteins. But beyond the food, the carefully cultivated experience and warm and inviting chef and team make this an absolutely five-star experience. This was our last meal in Kyoto, and it served as a lovely send-off. If you're fortunate enough to have a reservation here while in Kyoto, you are in for a a great night that will be one of the highlights of your stay.

+3

My partner saw this place on Netflix and had to go! We couldn’t get in last time we went to Japan but we got lucky this time. It is pricey but it’s a treat yourself moment. The ingredients were great and fresh and he explains the dishes and where he gets the ingredients. They were all very friendly and the service was great. We got to sit at the counter and watch them preparing everything. We also told them we had a train to catch and they were very helpful and served us our dessert promptly which we really appreciated!

+3

Seems that the rule in Japan has been the more locals the better the food and experience. Monk was entirely foreign tourists except for the Chef. The room it's self is cozy, I highly recommend going in winter or during a cooler month as the room got very warm and the meal lasted for 2 hours and 30 minutes, at least an hour too long. As for the food, it was good but we actually had better pizza in Gion area at Pizza Strada Kyoto for a fraction of the price of Monk. Not not glad we went, but would not go back. Too many other options in Kyoto.