Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki

I can’t remember exactly how I first heard about this place, but I knew there was a popular pizzeria called Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. One afternoon when I happened to have some business in Higashiyama, I suddenly remembered the place and decided to stop by. It’s one of Kyoto’s top-tier pizzerias, having won Tabelog’s “Top 100 Pizzerias” award multiple times and even earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand. With a track record like that, you can head there with confidence, knowing you’re guaranteed to enjoy delicious pizza…

Relocated to a prime location in Okazaki in March 2023… Here’s a look at the newly renovated Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki

Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki was founded in July 2007 and is one of the longest-running pizzerias in Kyoto. Originally located along Nio-mon Street near Higashioji Street, the restaurant relocated slightly eastward in March 2023 and has reopened in a prime location with a view of the great torii gate of Heian Shrine. Located in the heart of the Okazaki area—a hub frequented by both Kyoto residents and tourists—it feels like the restaurant would naturally draw a large crowd just by being there. In fact, it often fills up during peak hours, so if possible, it’s best to make a reservation in advance via the restaurant’s website before visiting.

I visited the restaurant for a late lunch on a weekday, and luckily, there happened to be one open seat at the counter. I took advantage of my “solo diner privilege” and was able to get seated immediately. The interior has a Western-style café vibe with lots of light-colored wood, and the large windows create a sense of openness that connects the space to the outdoors. There are a total of 28 seats, including four at the counter. At the time, the customers were about half tourists (mostly foreigners) and half locals… However, regardless of whether they were Japanese or foreign, a significant number of people had a bottle of wine by their side while they ate. Since the restaurant is located right next to one of Kyoto’s most famous shrines, I got the impression that many of the people there looked quite happy.

Hearty portions, yet light on the stomach and healthy… How did Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki’s Pizza Marinara actually turn out?

So, let me introduce the Marinara (price: 1,430 yen, tax included) that I ordered at Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki that day. It’s said to be the original pizza loved by Neapolitan sailors, and I love its simple charm—sometimes I just get an uncontrollable craving for it…

About 10 minutes after ordering, the pizza was brought to my table. Since there’s no cheese, the whole pizza is bright red from the tomatoes. A Marinara is basically just tomatoes, garlic, and oregano—that’s it! It’s a simple dish that feels like eating tomatoes with wheat. However, Da Yuki’s Margherita has a little basil sprinkled on top, making it look just a tiny bit more vibrant than a typical Marinara.

Well then, let’s dig in… My first impression upon taking a bite was, “The crust is so fragrant.” It’s a thin crust, as you’d expect from a Neapolitan pizza, but perhaps because it’s baked a bit longer than at other pizzerias, it was golden brown with an even char on the bottom. So, in addition to the fresh acidity of the tomatoes, the fragrant aroma of the charred crust gently wafts up to the nose. On the other hand, even though a fair amount of garlic and oregano should have been sprinkled on top, perhaps because the aroma of the charred crust overpowered them, I didn’t really notice those flavors.

Also, I watched the process of making this pizza from across the counter, and (probably) no olive oil was drizzled on it. Maybe because of that, there wasn’t that sizzling sensation where juice drips down from the pizza’s edges. The tomatoes are as rich as they look, with a distinct sweetness alongside the acidity, but they’re a bit dry by default, so I recommend drizzling plenty of the provided olive oil over them before eating. It’s nice that there are likely several variations based on the amount of chili pepper, allowing you to adjust the spiciness to your liking. Because the toppings are simple, it’s a bit hard to feel completely full, but even after finishing such a large pizza, it doesn’t weigh heavily on the stomach, and the low calorie count makes it a healthy choice. Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki’s pizzas are generally on the pricier side, but this Marinara is one of the more affordable options on the menu. So, if you’re on a tight budget or trying the place for the first time, I think starting with this Marinara is a great idea.

Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yukiのその他のメニュー例（値段は税込）

• Arugula Pizza: 2,800 yen
• Margherita D.O.C.: 2,750 yen
• Seasonal Pizza: 2,640 yen
• Bismarck: 2,550 yen
• Calzone: 2,420 yen
• Funghi: 2,350 yen
• Siciliana: 2,350 yen

In addition to pizza, a la carte options are also available… Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki is a 5-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line.

At Pizzeria Napoletana Da Yuki, you’ll find a wide variety of a la carte dishes in addition to pizza. With everything from appetizers to main courses and desserts, you can enjoy Italian cuisine tailored to your preferences. It would be a great idea to visit during dinner time and savor the dishes at a leisurely pace, almost like a mini-course. At night, the large torii gate of Heian Jingu Shrine right in front of the restaurant is illuminated, so your dinner might turn out to be even more memorable than you imagined.

Here are the details of the restaurant…