LURRA゜

We booked and paid for the 8.30pm sitting a few weeks ahead. You have to select the drinks pairing and choose on the day whether you want alcoholic or non-alcoholic. We arrived a few minutes early and waited outside until the 5.30pm sitting left (they don’t allow you in until the restaurant is clear...). We sat at a bar overlooking where the chefs cook; they are fascinating to watch. They have seating for 10 guests. The food consisted of 12 courses of complex and exquisitely presented dishes. Each mouthful was an explosion of flavours and it was very hard to pick a favourite; all were exceptionally. Some previous reviews complained about the drinks pairing and although I love wine with my meal, the different drinks supplied were also delicious and very interesting and did complement the food. You do have the option to purchase a glass of wine with the main courses. I think the pairing included 7 drinks 2 or 3 of which were literally a mouthful e.g. the beer. The only slightly negative comment I have is that for me there were too many courses, all courses are more than a mouthful and some were several mouthfuls. If you are a foodie, I can’t recommend this restaurant enough.

October 2025に訪問

We were excited to try Lurra and mostly it did not disappoint. Innovative food, wonderful staff and chef, a great working kitchen in a beautifully redesigned old building. About 10 diners all eat the same menu at the same time. And be warned for shy ones - dessert(x3) on a communal table. H...owever I wrongly assumed the ‘drinks pairing’ was a variety of wine - but never have I had such a mixture of grape and grain at one sitting! Including an out of date English beer. I would have much preferred a nice bottle of / or several different glasses of - wine or grape based drinks. And VERY expensive. So , three warnings…

March 2025に訪問

Surprising to see that Lurra reviews here on TA are quite dated, so here’s my recent experience. Visited Lurra in December so we got the chance to taste their Autumn/Winter menu. Located in a traditional house just off the beaten path of Kyoto, a delicious and innovative Michelin starred tasting men...u is awaiting you at the counter surrounding the kitchen, and don’t be late since all the 10 guests eat together at the same time. As the house is quite old, there’s no gas and most of the food is cooked using the wood fire, which is the main character of Lurra together with the chef, a nice guy who decided to run his own restaurant after working in the kitchen at Noma. I love to eat at the counter because it always amazes me to see the great work that goes into the kitchen, the creative genius that lies behind every dish. Unfortunately, while on one hand the wood-fired oven is super interesting to see, on the other the smoke that invades the room is at times a bit excessive: my eyes starting to burn and my clothes filled with the smell of smoke were the only downsides of the night. I won't tell you much about what we ate also because the dishes are seasonal and I don't want to ruin the surprise. I will tell you though that you can absolutely feel the influence of Noma, combined with local-sourced ingredients. For this reason you might be disappointed if you are looking for a proper Japanese experience, because Lurra is actually an excellent restaurant that, at the end of the story, you could find anywhere in the world (also, no Japanese guests that night, it felt like having dinner in the US lol). Favorite course of the evening? The duck from a local farm, amazing. But also the beetroot that tasted like meat was surprisingly great. Maybe I didn't particularly love the fact that you’re forced to do the wine pairing (already included in the menu, they also have a non-alcoholic option): don’t get me wrong, wines were good - not great - but at least don't leave me with an empty glass while I’m still eating. Is it expensive? Yes. But if you want a different dining experience (and also different from the traditional Japanese cuisine), then book your place in advance and go to Lurra, you won’t be disappointed.

December 2024に訪問

If you are thinking of going- don’t hesitate. Fabulous innovative food, great service, friendly staff. May be considered expensive by some, but definitely worth it: a meal to remember. Small intimate venue- 8 covers in each of the 2 seatings at 5.30 and 8.30pm ( note: if you chose to arrive earl...y, you’ll need to wait outside due to space constraints.) Seated at what is effectively Chef Jacob Kear’s kitchen table, in front of the huge wood fired oven, we watched the food being prepared, the concepts explained- and then taken on a culinary tour of the diversity of produce that Japan has to offer. Imaginative drinks pairing list both alcohol and alcohol- free. Michelin star well deserved.

October 2024に訪問

Hands down on of the best meals of my life. The atmosphere. The texture. The flavour. The passion. Inspiring and delicious. Save up for this one. You won’t be disappointed. Be aware you prepay the full amount as a “deposit”. On the night you pay your full amount so just be sure you are happy to be... without your deposit for a number of days/weeks until it clears. Not sure why this can’t be a prepayment. Anyway..!! Worth every penny.

October 2024に訪問