Where to Eat in Kyoto, According to a Local, Michelin-Starred Chef
This interview ranks among my top favorites to date.
The Relisher is where the world’s top chefs reveal their favorite restaurants in their hometowns. This week, I met with Jacob Kear, the chef and owner of Michelin-starred LURRA° in Kyoto, Japan.
The Japanese-American chef worked at some of the world’s leading kitchens, including NOMA in Copenhagen—the world’s top-rated restaurant at the time—and several Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo. In 2019, he opened his dream restaurant, LURRA°, and by 2020, Chef Kear earned his first Michelin star.
“Many are surprised to learn that, as an inland city, Kyoto doesn’t have the same abundance of great sushi restaurants as Tokyo or Osaka. Historically, the lack of access to fresh fish led Kyoto to become famous for its preserved foods, like pickles and preserved fish, which remain iconic to this day.
Kyoto is considered the capital of Japanese cuisine, known for kaiseki, a traditional multi-course meal, and kappo, its more casual variation. The city’s many shrines and temples have also inspired shojin ryori, or monk food—a vegan cuisine deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy.”
Below, one of Kyoto’s leading chefs shares his favorite places, including restaurants, quick bites, coffee shops, Kyoto teas, traditional Japanese ceramics, and more. (Note: A Google Map with all locations listed is provided at the end of the interview.)
Must-Visit Restaurants in Kyoto
When people ask for restaurant recommendations in Kyoto, I always suggest the must-visit spots below, which are also my personal favorites.