LURRA°

Everything about my experience at Lurra was amazing. Food was creative and Michelin star worthy. Service was top notch. The take-home treats were also delightful. My only complaint was how monotonous the dessert courses were. We had 3 desserts and while creative, they were all similar in taste, sweet and creamy. Nothing really stood out. I wish there was a refreshing/tart palate cleanser before the dessert courses.

My most unforgettable dining experience in Kyoto was undoubtedly at Lurra. From the moment I stepped in, the exceptional service was apparent, setting the tone for what would be a truly extraordinary 12-course journey. The kitchen operates on a purely wood-fired technique—no gas, just fire, adding an element of raw authenticity to every dish. Every ingredient is locally sourced, a testament to the highest quality and freshness. This dinner wasn’t just about food. Indeed, it wasnt the best food I have ever had. Its all about the experience. The tableware, carefully selected to match each course, further heightened the sense of artistry and intention in every detail. The flavors, vibrant and bold, introduced me to new sensations that delighted my palate, and to top it all off, I was sent home with a bag of gifts. P/S: highly recommend non-alcoholic pairing.

This is a late review, but I’ve been reflecting on my visit last summer and felt compelled to share my experience. After much deliberation, I finally chose a Michelin-starred restaurant in Japan, and it did not disappoint. Tucked away in a quiet, unsuspecting area of Kyoto, the restaurant offers an intimate atmosphere that immediately makes you feel special. The attention to detail and the use of fresh, local ingredients were evident in every dish, creating an unforgettable culinary journey. A small yet notable touch was the chef’s tattoo, a subtle flex that added a personal, well-deserved flair to the experience. It was a truly remarkable meal that I will always remember.

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 menu 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. 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.

The design of the place, isolated location, setting has a charm the food was a solid 6.5 / 10 one dish that came at the very end which was the sweet potato ice cream is something that I’d remember but unfortunately I didn’t take a picture of. Over priced for sure! And as some comments said I felt rushed during the dining experience. And I left wondering if this would be a “Nordic Japanese experience” I would describe it as American in Japan experience.

Wonderful experience. Lurra deserves another star, at the very least! Their jerusalem artichoke curd and caviar starter reminded me of Per Se’s "oysters and pearls" but beats them by a mile, IMHO. Don’t have second thoughts about trying innovative/international cuisine in Kyoto. Though Kyoto is known for kaiseki, it would be a shame to miss out on Chef Jacob’s creative and natural cuisine. They do source their ingredients locally, so you get to enjoy the terroir. I also need to mention that I had the non-alcoholic drink pairing, and it is just as lovingly crafted and carefully curated as the alcohol pairing. Don’t miss this place! Thank you to the team of Lurra for an unforgettable meal in Kyoto. Update: This restaurant has seen been featured in Netflix's "Somebody Feed Phil" -- and I'm not at all surprised why Lurra was chosen to be featured. Book this restaurant now and have an amazing dining experience in beautiful Kyoto.

This was The restaurant itself is designed to give the feeling of being invited home to good friends. We were all placed around the kitchen, where the food was cooked in a large wood-burning oven. We got a close look at the preparation of the food while chef and owner, Jacob Kear, guided us through the dishes and the story behind each individual ingredient, preferably sourced locally. His team complemented with good knowledge and efficiency. 12 dishes, all unique in their own way and beautifully prepared. I went for the non-alcoholic "wine" package and it was an experience of new flavors and combinations chosen specifically for this menu. If you are a solo-traveller, as I was this time, then they take this into consideration. I was seated between a lovely couple from Boston on one side and a beautiful couple from Singapore/Japan on the other side, and the conversation flowed as if we had known each other for a long time. Many thanks to Jacob and the Lurra team for a dining experience filled with beautifully prepared ingredients with layers of flavor, and an ambience of hygge.

This was amongst the best meals of my life. I say this having eaten at the French Laundry, Per Se, and Atelier Crenn. It was probably the hands-down best dining experience as you are essentially sitting in the kitchen. And you get to converse with the head chef, Jacob, a very warm individual. It would be worth coming to Kyoto to only eat here.