
Eel dishes can be enjoyed in a variety of situations, including anniversaries, entertaining, and casual occasions. There are many people who have been touched by its depth and want to taste it even more. Therefore, we would like to introduce the popular ranking of eel restaurants across the country by Tabiiro readers.
Updated every Monday: Calculated based on number of views over 30 days
1
先斗町 いづもや
Kyoto
Kyoto
先斗町 いづもや
This long-established Japanese restaurant is located in an alley in Pontocho, Kyoto. Its tasteful appearance blends in with the historic streetscape, further enhancing the atmosphere of its customers. Taking advantage of its location along the Kamo-gawa River, the restaurant offers a riverside terrace from May to September, allowing customers to enjoy their meal while feeling the cool breeze. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including eel dishes, which have been on offer since the restaurant's founding, as well as Kyoto kaiseki and sukiyaki. The restaurant is renowned for its delicate flavors that make the most of the ingredients' natural taste. In addition to tatami rooms, the restaurant also has private rooms with table seating, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions, including entertaining, business meetings, and family meals. It is also close to Shijo Kawaramachi and Gion, making it an easy place to stop by in between sightseeing.
2
本格炭火焼うなぎ えん 京都三条店
Kyoto
Kyoto
本格炭火焼うなぎ えん 京都三条店
Located just a 1-minute walk from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, this authentic charcoal-grilled eel restaurant offers a truly memorable dining experience. Fresh eel is prepared each morning and grilled slowly over binchotan charcoal using a traditional method—high heat from a distance—to achieve a unique texture: crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Paired with the restaurant’s secret sauce, it delivers a flavor that stands out. The eel is served over “Mizukagami rice,” a premium variety of Omi rice selected for its soft texture and subtle sweetness, perfectly complementing the dish.Menu highlights include “Sumibiyaki Shirakaba Jyu” (white-grilled eel over rice), “Sumibiyaki Unagi Nishiki Jyu” (charcoal-grilled eel with savory rolled omelet), and “Omi Beef Jyu” (rice bowl topped with premium Omi beef)—a great option for guests who prefer beef, making it easy to dine together with varying tastes. Reservations are recommended during peak hours.
3
嵐山 うな秀
Kyoto
Kyoto
嵐山 うな秀
This eel specialty restaurant is located just a 1-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, making it a convenient stop during your visit to Arashiyama. Housed in a traditional Kyoto machiya townhouse that honors its historic charm, the restaurant offers a tranquil atmosphere—perfect for both sightseeing breaks and special occasions. The dishes feature carefully selected, high-quality Japanese eel, expertly grilled by skilled chefs using Kansai-style techniques. The result is crispy skin, thick, tender flesh, and the irresistible aroma of charcoal grilling that enhances every bite. The rice is a premium Koshihikari variety specially prepared by Hachidaime Gihey, a well-known rice purveyor in Kyoto. The menu includes classics like Shirayaki (grilled without sauce), Kabayaki (grilled with sauce), Unaju (eel over rice), and Hitsumabushi, as well as a unique "Unagyuju"—a savory combination of Japanese eel and domestic beef. It’s a must-visit for eel lovers.
4
京うな和本店 清水はなれ
Kyoto
Kyoto
京うな和本店 清水はなれ
Located approximately a 17-minute walk from Keihan Electric Railway Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, "Kyounawa Honten - Shimizu Hanare" is a restaurant specializing in eel dishes that are full of Kyoto atmosphere. High-quality eels are carefully selected and procured from all over the country, including from Mikawa Isshiki in Aichi Prefecture. They are carefully grilled by craftsmen and served with a deep-flavored sauce made using traditional methods to enhance the flavor. Their signature dish, Hitsumabushi, is a recommended delicacy. The restaurant's plain wood interior is a Japanese space that exudes the atmosphere of Kyoto, and there are tables where you can relax and unwind. It is close to Kyoto's famous sites and is easy to drop by, so why not enjoy some luxurious eel dishes in between sightseeing?
1
Saitama
Ryotei Tamaya
2
Kyoto
Pontocho Idumoya
3
Shizuoka
Shimizuya
4
Aichi
Unagi no Shimomura Okazaki
5
Shizuoka
Hirota Unagi near Gotemba Station
6
Shizuoka
Hamanako Unagi, Motoshiro-tei
7
Kyoto
Honkaku Sumibiyaki Unagi En Kyoto Sanjo
8
Kyoto
Arashiyama Unashu
9
Tokyo
Japanese Cuisine Shin, Nihonbashi
10
Kyoto
Kyo Unawa Flagship Restaurant Kiyomizu Hanare
11
Osaka
Guenpin Hozenji Main Restaurant
12
Kagawa
Uo Natsu
13
Gifu
Sumibiyaki Unagi Uotora
14
Okayama
Japanese Cuisine Kibi-zen
15
Gifu
Namazuya Marunouchi
16
Aichi
Sumibiyaki Unagi no Unaki Nagoya Flagship Restaurant
17
Tokyo
Guenpin Asakusa
18
Aichi
Isshiki, Toyota
19
Hiroshima
Honjin Iroha Bettei
20
Gunma
Ryotei Chojinso
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