la bûche

We’ve been fortunate to dine at some of the world’s best restaurants, and this is among the top dining experiences we’ve ever had. A husband and wife running this Michelin starred place in a remote feeling area not far outside of Kyoto. Absolutely worth the trip! Incredibly intimate. Menu changes daily, based on foraged and all local ingredients. Everything from the food to presentation to atmosphere and service was pure magic!

TERRIBLE RESTAURANT. Avoid esp if you’re a tourist like us. Since there were road constructions along the way which we couldn't have known not living here, we got lost trying to drive to the restaurant. There’s no direct way to contact them if you don't speak Japanese so we contacted the hotel to let them know we will be late. The reservation policy during booking was "If we cannot contact you within 30 minutes of your reservation time, we will have to cancel your reservation, so please be sure to contact us in advance." But since the hotel contacted them we didn't think there's going to be a problem. On arrival, the staff insisted that we won’t be served the initial courses because we were late and missed them. They insisted that "Lunch 11:45-12:00 (all dishes start at 12:00)” in their policy already explained this. Despite their super long booking policy, longer than some of the best restaurants in the world that we've been to including Noma, this is not very clear. The chef and staff spent ages arguing with us when they could have just quickly served the courses we “missed” - and turns out they could, because when we insisted they brought out the dishes which were ready made from the fridge anyway. I understand it was our fault we were late (and the staff kept telling us it was all our fault, great holiday getting repeatedly shamed by these guys) but given how it was not explicitly mentioned they will cut courses out if you arrive late, plus the fact that it took the chef minutes to take things out of a fridge and pouring dressing on a salad (very haphazardly too), it’s very unaccommodating and silly that it took them more effort by insisting to follow their “rules” (which once again not very clear). End of the day, you go to a nice restaurant to have a good time and by being rigid and mean to your guests when they just sat down is probably not the way to go. The food was not bad overall, but you can tell the chef was grumpy - he glared at us then ignored us the whole time. He bid the local Japanese couple goodbye when they left but totally ghosted us when it was our turn. So petty and unprofessional. The restaurant is near the Sanzen-in temple with plenty of tourists walking by but it was just us and another local couple here for lunch. Perhaps these tourists knew better than us to avoid this spot.

Starting with the location, located outside of Kyoto. Taking you into the mountain. Each plates are well created with local ingredients from the area and chef’s backyard. Highly recommended. Do love wine selections.

Nestled in the charming village of Ohara, just north of Kyoto, "la bûche" offers a dining experience that transcends expectations. This extraordinary restaurant, run by a perfectly synchronized husband-and-wife team, sets the gold standard for hospitality. Their warmth, attention to detail, and genuine care for their guests create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and exceptional. The cuisine is a masterful blend of French finesse and Japanese precision, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients. The chef, deeply connected to his hometown, infuses every dish with a profound sense of place. Each bite tells a story of dedication, skill, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Many dishes are prepared over an open fireplace, adding a unique depth of flavor and a primal authenticity to the dining experience. What sets "la bûche" apart is its meticulous attention to detail. From the thoughtfully curated menu progression to the harmonious pairing of beverages, every aspect is perfectly calibrated. Even the tableware complements the dining experience, showcasing the care and thought behind every element. The bread, juices, and even spirits are lovingly handcrafted in-house, a testament to the hours of labor and artistry that go into creating this small universe of flavors. We are no strangers to enjoying venison, as wild game season is a cherished tradition back home. Yet, we had never experienced Deer of this extraordinary quality—it was tender, flavorful, and truly unforgettable. And who would have thought that Badger could be so delicate and delicious? While we’ve dined at many outstanding restaurants during our travels, "la bûche" stands out for its ability to elevate humble, local ingredients into a symphony of flavors. In our culture, we have a saying: "to eat like a god in France." After our visit, we are certain of one thing: if God were to vacation in Japan, he would come to "La Bûche" for dinner. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was an unforgettable experience that will linger in our hearts and taste buds for years to come.

Definitely the best meal we had in all of Japan and one of the best meals I’ve ever had. The local ingredients paired with the French style cuisine were just sublime. On top of that, the atmosphere and service were personalized and impeccable. The wife told us she picked the watercress and other vegetables THAT morning by the river. The husband wife duo was not only warm and inviting during our meal but called us a taxi back to Kyoto when our previous ride canceled. They also provided tea and bread while we waited in their restaurant (the chef even invited us to explore the wine cellar which we declined). Sincerely, cannot recommend this location enough. It is 1000% worth the drive up from Kyoto. Only recommendation is make sure you book a taxi in advance back from the restaurant if you are staying in Kyoto. Once our previous ride cancelled we could not get an uber later at night in Ohara.

This was such a great experience and totally worth the drive out - plus it's in walking distance to several temples and shrines you can combine a visit with. The restaurant is run by a husband and wife team. The food is prepared freshly in front of your eyes and often featuring the open fire grill. The chef trained in France and uses French techniques with local ingredients. The food was such a feast and we got to know about herbs and plants we'd never heard of before. The local venison was cooked to perfection. Portion size was really good, too. We did a wine pairing and the wines worked well with the food and took us on a trip around the world. The owners are very friendly and service was super attentive. Highly recommend going here when you are in Kyoto and can spare the time to travel out a bit

This restaurant is the best one during my trip to Japan. The chef and his wife are passionate, warm and friendly. They speak decent English and even a little bit Chinese. The environment of the restaurant is elegant. Every cuisine is very delicious and cooked with carefully picked local vegetables, fish and meat. The taste is fresh and harmonious. The drinks also complement the food perfectly. I was somehow touched by the chef's pursuit of maximizing the deliciousness of the ingredients. Thank you for the wonderful dining experience!

While planning my trip to visit Sanzen-In Temple, I was looking for a memorable dining experience and I found La Buche. I made a lunch reservation and I’m so glad I did. It is a lovely husband and wife team. They were so kind and nice to chat with. I love the use of local ingredients. Everything was so fresh and beautifully presented. I enjoyed sitting at the counter to watch the chef prepare each dish. If you want a memorable dining experience while in Ohara, make a reservation here. Next time I am in Kyoto, I will travel to Ohara just to dine here.