Tabelog ratingKorisu (コリス) is a small, old-school kitchen in Kyoto's Higashiyama district that has earned a devoted following for its masterful take on yoshoku, or Japanese-style Western cuisine. Here, classic comfort dishes are elevated with meticulous technique and presented in famously generous portions. The restaurant is consistently praised for its warm, attentive service, creating an intimate dining experience that feels both special and welcoming.
The star of the menu, mentioned in nearly every review, is the macaroni gratin (マカロニグラタン), a rich, bubbling casserole served piping hot. Other iconic dishes include the perfectly constructed clubhouse sandwich (クラブハウスサンド) and the beef-katsu sandwich (ビフカツサンド). Diners also rave about the pork and blue cheese cutlet (豚のブルーチーズカツレツ), the hamburg steak, and the seasonal mixed rice (たきこみごはん). The house-made bread and starter dips are also frequently highlighted as a delicious beginning to the meal.
Criticism of the food is almost non-existent. The main challenge is a practical one: securing a table. The dining room is very small, and reservations are extremely difficult to get. A few diners have also noted that a single item, like a dessert, can sometimes feel unexpectedly pricey, but this is a minor point in otherwise glowing reviews.
Reviewers consistently call Korisu excellent value for the quality and quantity. Lunch typically costs between ¥4,000 and ¥4,999, while dinner is around ¥8,000 to ¥9,999. Recent guests reported paying around ¥2,500 for the macaroni gratin and ¥2,800 for the beef-katsu sandwich. The large, shareable plates make it a particularly cost-effective choice for groups.
- Reservations: Essential and extremely difficult to obtain. Reservations are taken by phone only, starting at 8:00 AM on the last day of the month for the following month.
- Getting There: The restaurant is a 3-minute walk from the Kiyomizu-michi bus stop. It is also about a 10-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station.
- Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Seating: There are only 12 seats in a very small dining room.
- Portions: Portions are large and well-suited for sharing.
- Language: There are no widespread reports of English menus. It is advisable to bring photos of desired dishes if you do not speak Japanese.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Parking: No dedicated parking is available, but there are paid parking lots nearby.
