LURRA°

Wow- this was a remarkable experience. The most creative meal we’ve ever had. It was art. It was also so incredibly entertaining to watch the chefs at work, to watch h their dynamic and the expertise in action. Just wow. Also I don’t eat pork and they made a substitution for me for one of the courses which was so personalized and amazing. Worth every penny! Go!

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.

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.

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.

We been there on middle of Feb … and wanna write this about this badly experience ! The food was bland and lacked flavor, and the service was poor. The dishes took an excessive amount of time to prepare, seemingly more for presentation than taste. The atmosphere was chaotic—staff on one side were speaking English, while others were loudly speaking Japanese, making the narrow counter area unbearably noisy. The wine pairing was confusing, with no detailed explanation of what we were drinking. To make things worse, the dessert was served at a shared table with strangers, leaving no sense of privacy. The overall vibe was strange, and the restroom location was bizarre—opening the door revealed a pile of firewood. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone seeking great food, unless you’re only there to post on Instagram.

Our evening at Lurra in Kyoto will live in our minds in infamy. Jacob Kear and his staff have crafted a cozy little restaurant that serves waves of incredible food and wine, along with the background of each hand crafter delicacy. Watching them in action, sitting in their kitchen, was a dream come true. This was an experience of a lifetime! See it: @LaDolceVida_Maui

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.