Fodor's Expert Review Taian-en

Within the Nanzen-ji temple complex is a restaurant designed by Ogawa Jihei 11th, a renowned Showa designer whose predecessor Ogawa Jihei 7th conceived the garden at Heian Jingu. A gnarled red pine stands as the centerpiece of the restaurant's garden. Multicourse kaiseki meals (¥10,000) are available in this beautiful setting. Bento box lunches (¥3,500) and boiled tofu (¥1,800) are served in a tatami room. On the second floor is Ankoan, a Japanese-style café that serves coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. Desserts cost ¥800.