TAKAYAMA KYOTO

Amazing food & presentation, nice chef and staff. It’s a lot of food, so make sure to be hungry when you go. Great for a date night!

Visited July 2024

How does this place only have one Michelin star?! This is an incredible restaurant that should be on every foodie’s list when visiting Kyoto! Chef Takayama is the ultimate host when you arrive at his immaculate table. We treated our college aged kids to this special meal and I was a little worried s...ome of the courses might be too adventurous for their palates but this was an experience that they will always remember, hands down our favorite meal in Japan and perhaps in our lives so far! Every dish is prepared with the love, care and the finest ingredients! And there are almost too many dishes to count, so arrive hungry because you will want to eat every morsel. And if dessert is your favorite course (like myself), prepared to be blown away! Not only was the food creative and unexpected at times, each dish is a work of art. I have dined at several Michelin starred restaurants worldwide and this is one of the most memorable experiences I have had. Chef Takamaya and his lovely staff were so engaging that everyone at the table felt like we were at one big dinner party even though we were all strangers. I consider my self lucky to have scored a reservation here, it is quite a hidden gem!

Visited May 2024

the only other Michelin starred restaurant (Astrance in Paris) that I'd ever eaten was previously the best meal that I'd eaten. that meal had 4 - 5 courses/plates which were delightfully presented and tasted wonderful. Takayama had similar presentations and unique taste but did it over more than... 25 separate plates.... not counting the dessert plate at the end with 10 separate bites. each plate may have been only 1-2 bites but we were more than full by the end of dinner--we actually took home a few bites from the finale dessert plate. the first dish was perhaps the most memorable because it was presented on a "blank slate", was a cube of white chocolate, presented on a bed of flowers. the Cube had a QR code imprinted on it and we were instructed to take a picture of the dish, open the QR code and the dinner menu appeared. we then were instructed to eat the cube "in one bite" to find that the cube contained sweet pineapple juice. Another dish was a slice of tomato that was the most "tomato-ey" tomato I've ever tasted. as if they distilled that flavor of a whole tomato into one slice. and the dishes kept coming, one after another. Chef Takayama was engaging and clearly knew the origin of every bit of food. He accommodated each guest's food allergy easily, on the fly. The room is like a classroom theatre, with only 10 seats. the kitchen with refrigerator, torch, grill visible is visible with a large plating table in front. there was no waiting, wondering when we would get the next plate; we were either enjoying food or watching it being prepared in front of us. caviar, sea urchin, Wagyu, sashimi, truffle, foie gras was just a taste of what we had. It was the best meal that I've ever had.

Visited March 2024

We are much taken by the vivacious team led by Chef Takayama. They are like magicians determined to give you a WOW after another in serving a stream of yum dishes in a stylish minimalist setting. Creative fusion of Japanese - Italian cuisine curated with passion and thoughtful combo of ingredients.... We love it and would recommend to friends.

Visited March 2024

The restaurant located in a commercial building sharing floor with other distinguished establishments. Beyond the mysterious entrance, you will find refined white hall with open kitchen and theater style sitting, the creative experience has already started and you have barely walked through the door.... The meal consisted a mind blowing 43 individual preparations in total, with attention to details beyond belief. Take the best of Italian cuisine, fusion with the best what Japan can offer and then the magic happens. Chef Takayama is an absolute master of all what matters in high cuisine: finesse and variety of textures, harmonious yet explosive tastes, seasonal ingredients cooked to perfection, and visual art of presentation. His creations have the power beyond the tangible – a true instigator of emotions, tears of pleasure, goosebumps elevating this restaurant to the world elite only few can pretend to be part of. Everything, yes everything with no exceptions was absolutely stunning – making it very hard to pick any top dishes. Three dishes with sea urchin were true “heaven on earth”, the work with tomato is remarkable, the risotto, the Sakeya beef … I would need to cite the whole menu. Phenomenal wine pairing with a classy selection combining the word elite (Brunello, Chablis, Champagne) with equally stunning minor league (Primitivo & Sylvaner) bottles. So many restaurants get this wrong by simple greed, but nothing like that here. Taking the wine pairing will elevate the experience to an even higher level Special mention to Chef Takayama and his team, who are absolute professionals yet approachable, friendly – the art to make you feel at home. I consider myself lucky to have sampled a number of Michelin restaurants, and I wholeheartedly can say that the level here is definitely not one but rather an easy two on his way to get the third one. Absolute must visit for any foodies who are looking for a once in a lifetime experience - the return again and again ….

Visited July 2023