Amore Kiyamachi

A popular but often overlooked Italian restaurant in Central Kyoto is the cozy ‘ Amore Kiyamachi’ , located along the Kamo River on a short walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kawaramachi Station. Amore Kiyamachi sits in a large kyomachiya that opened it’s doors in April of 2009 and has been in business for over 14 years.

The restaurant has a retro exterior that mixes a traditional Japanese style with a vintage British style exterior with paneled windows set in a dark blue frame and retro lettering on the windows as well as the lovely vintage sign on the upper floor.

Restaurant Amore has a spacious interior with over 100 seats that are spread over 4 spaces and two floors both at the front (entrance side) and back with a view over the Kamo river. A visit during spring season is especially recommended since both sides of the restaurant offer a view over the cherry blossom trees. Between May and September Amore will also set up terrace seats (納涼床 – Noryo-doko – A raised platform on the bank of a river for enjoying the summer with a cool breeze) on the Kamo river side. Each of the seating space offers a different atmosphere.

The room near the entrance is the largest space with 16 tables, all with a view over the kitchen the street in front of the restaurant and is the darker more cozy room of the lot. The room directly in the back has white vertical slats covered walls that give the room a lighter atmosphere. Up the stairs is the 2nd floor seating space which has a Japanese style interior with fusama and a tokonoma.

Amore Kiyamachi specializes in Southern Italian cuisine, with a menu that prominently features Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a large kiln. In addition to pizza, the menu offers a diverse selection of dishes including pasta, meat entrees, cold and warm appetizers, antipasti, and desserts.

The restaurant is easily accessible for people in wheelchairs.

Amore Kiyamachi is a lovely restaurant that serves great food and makes a great spot for a lunch or dinner date.