Kyoto Sushi Restaurant in Herzliya Closes After 29 Years Due to Building Renovation Plans

Kyoto, a renowned sushi restaurant in Herzliya, is closing after 29 years of operation, including the last 27 years in the Herzliya Pituah industrial area. The closure is due to the building owners' decision to repurpose part of the restaurant's space to construct a lobby entrance for the office building. The restaurant's owners chose not to renew their lease following this plan, which would have required halting operations during construction and rebuilding the restaurant afterward.

Shimon Babu, one of the owners, told ynet that the closure is a forced decision made with respect and without any debts or conflicts. He expressed gratitude to the diverse clientele over the years, from prime ministers to presidents, and confirmed ongoing negotiations for a new location. Kyoto will officially close on June 27 but remains open until then.

Kyoto originally opened in 1997 on Montefiore Street in Tel Aviv, joining a burgeoning culinary scene that included other Japanese-influenced restaurants like Mika. After two years, it relocated to Herzliya Pituah, where it became a popular spot for celebrities, politicians, and diners alike. The restaurant also operates a kosher branch in the G complex in Rishon Lezion.

In parallel with the closure, Shimon Babu plans to open a new venue in a trendy Tel Aviv corner at the intersection of Nachalat Binyamin and Montefiore. The restaurant's management confirmed that recent negotiations with the property owners ended after the decision to build the lobby, which would significantly reduce Kyoto's space and disrupt its current operation model, leading to the decision not to renew the lease.