Deer-Side Wining & Dining: 15 Michelin Guide 2024 Restaurants in Nara

While we were distracted by the Michelin Guide 2024 for Kyoto and Osaka, featuring some of the best Michelin-recognized restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka, something happened. The latest Michelin Guide 2024 for Nara was released, giving you more than a few reasons to visit this historic, deity and deer-filled region of Japan.

So, next time you’re wondering about the best things to do in Nara, remember to add a few of these Michelin restaurants to your to-do list!

With its calming interiors — a haven of warm woods and cozy lights — you may be surprised to discover that the expert kitchen of the two-Michelin-starred Oryori Hanagaki is anything but.

According to chef Furuta Toshihiko, every day is a battle against (and with) Mother Nature and the ever-changing bounty of high-quality ingredients she provides; after all, even a Michelin-recognized chef can only take inferior ingredients so far. 

It is for this reason that the restaurant has no fixed menu, opting to offer five tiers of omakase chef’s choice menus — with the whims of the day’s finest ingredients found at the local markets deciding the dishes that will be served.

As you might also expect from a restaurant with two Michelin Stars, Oryori Hanagaki is extremely exclusive. They only serve one party per service at a time for lunch and dinner, so get your table booked before others have the same idea...

When you step into the world of kaiseki multi-course cuisine in Japan, you’re almost always guaranteed a memorable experience. Tsukumo, however, awarded two Michelin Stars in the 2024 Michelin Guide, isn’t afraid to raise the bar for kaiseki restaurants everywhere.

With the name of the restaurant meaning “99,” referring to the concept of “incompleteness,” Tsukumo is always searching for the magic, missing ingredient. Although, with their minimalist, yet warm and rustic, interior making you feel instantly at home, and their Michelin-recognized dishes resembling the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine, it seems they’ve found it.

By using traditional cooking techniques to bring out the best possible flavors from every single ingredient and presenting each dish as a piece of culinary art, you’ll be met with dishes almost too beautiful to eat.

If you see a herd of deer congregating near the edge of Nara Park, they may just be hoping to reserve a table at Akordu, bringing Michelin-starred Spanish cuisine to this scenic spot.

Alongside elevated versions of beloved Spanish dishes like tapas and paella, Akordu isn’t afraid to experiment with Spanish takes on Japanese ingredients — like luxurious cuts of Yamato beef. And for that extra taste of Spain, expect every course menu to be served with a side of bread dipped in olive oil.

La Trace means “footsteps” in French, which makes sense, since you can probably follow the crowd of Japan’s foodies making their way here for Michelin-starred French cuisine. Although, this name actually comes from chef Sato Ryo’s philosophy of tracing back the origins of his ingredients, even making personal trips to meet producers, see their processes and hear their stories.

No stranger to the Michelin Guide, having also been recognized in 2022 and 2023, prepare to be delighted by picture-perfect platings that place simplicity and exquisite ingredients in the spotlight. 

For example, try the Bakuku pork, sauteed, baked and rested multiple times until the fat completely renders off for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cut of meat. Alternatively, experience the shining beacon of seasonal vegetables with a whole carrot stuffed with Camembert cheese. 

Coming from the French word for “content,” Le Content promises satisfying French fare that embodies all the best things about the modern bistro. A chic, curved ceiling with alabaster plaster finish, gentle lighting and a Scandinavian leaning to their minimalist furnishings. 

Officially recognized in the Michelin Guide 2024 with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, meaning they serve up unforgettable dishes without the price tag, you’ll feel suitably spoiled without regretting it when you next check your bank balance.

Indulge in marinated Spanish mackerel and clam and squid tartare with dill sour cream; appreciate the flavors of pork pate de campagne; and don’t miss out on their Nara beef steak, delicately paired with a sage-scented jus sauce. 

Since you came all the way here, it’d be embarrassing if you didn’t save room for Le Content’s tarte tatin with caramel gelato — showing the sweet and simple pleasures of classic French cuisine.

Pizzeria Trattoria Magazzino is proof that while all pizzas are at least “good,” not all pizzas achieve greatness. Resting in the shade of Mt. Nijo in Nara Prefecture, this restaurant is where people go for a taste of authentic Naples-style pizza, courtesy of owner-chef Hironori Noda. 

Vegetables are harvested from their own local garden, tended daily by the owner’s mother, and Italian cheeses are flown in weekly for that perfect, pizza-ready cheese. As you can tell already, Noda isn’t one for cutting corners, and even the pizza sauce is seasoned with authentic Sicilian sea salt — before being gently delivered to their wood-fired kiln, using aged broad-leaved tree wood to achieve the perfect char.

It’s starting to make sense that Pizzeria Trattoria Magazzino caught the Michelin Guide’s attention, isn’t it?

Masala an Takumi had humble beginnings as a 160-year-old rice farmhouse before being transformed by chef Sakanaka Takumi into the Michelin Bib Gourmand Indian restaurant it’s become.

Before even sitting down, you’re sure to be swept off your feet by the traditional Japanese architecture on display, embracing the farmhouse’s original earthen walls, exposed wooden beams and sliding door partitions.

Sakanaka’s culinary expertise is more international, however, blending Japanese ingredients and techniques with that of kitchens more likely found in France and India. 

His Miwa somen ‘pasta’ with mushrooms and spices is a Nara specialty, while the lamb vindaloo — a spicy Goan-style curry served with whole wheat naan and pickled Awaji onions — and the cauliflower mousse with paneer and prosciutto are more reminiscent of what you might expect to find in an elevated Indian restaurant. 

While Mr Sakanaka helms the kitchen, the front of house is all Mrs Sakanaka, charming diners with hospitality and anecdotes with a smile. 

Nara Nikon, a two-star Michelin restaurant, is helmed by the young chef Shimizu Shojiro, who opened his concept restaurants at 32 years old. Despite his age, his culinary approach draws deeply from centuries-old techniques.

Located close to Nara Park, Nara Nikon demonstrates that there is still space to play in the world of traditional Japanese cuisine. Shimizu’s dishes meet every hallmark of kaiseki. 

Fresh seafood is stocked during daily trips to the fish market. The fragrance of locally produced rice cooked in a kettle, the old-fashioned way, wafts through the air and the faint sound of Tosa binchotan charcoal crackles in the background. 

Shimizu’s passion for preserving Japanese culinary traditions is the experience he aims to share with every guest.

Though nominally an omakase restaurant, Michelin-selected Oryori Honjo thoughtfully adapts to guests' preferences and tastes. The venue opened in late 2023, managed by a chef whose dedication lies in preserving Nara’s rich food heritage. 

Having trained in Tokyo and mastered the art of kappo dining in Kyoto, the chef brings this expertise to his kaiseki menu, showcasing local Nara beef, foraged wild vegetables from nearby mountains and regional specialties like narazuke and kudzu. 

The daytime course offers delicate, well-balanced flavors, featuring takiawase (simmered assortments), hyper-seasonal appetizers and pickles, while the evening transforms into a more opulent affair with fresh sashimi, yakimono (grilled dishes) and fried delicacies.

Guilty-pleasure Cantonese cooking and dim sum — but make it healthy and sustainable. This is what foodies can expect if they manage to get a reservation at Chugokusai Naramachi Kuko, a couple-run Chinese eatery in Nara. 

The restaurant is recognized with both a Bib Gourmand and a Green Star in 2024, the latter for its exceptional commitment to sustainability.

Each morning, owner-chef Miyamoto Kazuyuki harvests yamato yasai — Nara’s prized greens — and Chinese root vegetables from the restaurant’s garden, nestled in the mountains near Naramachi. The day’s fresh produce is transformed into creative, flavor-packed Cantonese and Sichuan dishes. 

Miyamoto’s culinary craft centers on fermented seasonings and bold Sichuan sauces (72 seasonings are stocked in his kitchen), yet his philosophy is rooted in creating balanced, nourishing meals. For example, a healthy soup sets the stage for an exquisite lineup of dim sum.

Nara is not known for its sushi, given its distance from the sea and limited fish supply. But this limitation is exactly how and why the Michelin-starred Sushi Kawashima can take creative liberties with its sushi offerings. 

While the nigiri is somewhat Edomae style, the restaurant pays particular attention to a sub-type of sushi called kakinoha-zushi — pressed, rectangular sushi made of salted fish and vinegared rice wrapped in kakinoha (persimmon leaf). 

Their sushi rice is a blend of Sasanishiki and Akitakomachi rice with red vinegar, plus an additional sake lees vinegar for an out-of-the-box acidity. The menu also features a wide lineup of dishes that showcase techniques in aging and preservation. 

The newly Michelin-selected La Pie marks chef Hisaoka Kanpei’s celebrated return to his hometown of Nara after successful stints in Kyoto and training in Paris. The restaurant’s name, “La Pie,” means “the magpie,” which is a symbol of happiness and also a fitting tribute to its location in Kasagi-cho, known as “Magpie Town.”

La Pie seeks to connect the local community with French cuisine, reinterpreting Parisian dining through a Nara lens. The menu might begin with appetizers showcasing local vegetables and house-made champagne bread, followed by hearty dishes like grilled venison, guinea fowl thigh or the signature red snapper bouillabaisse. 

Many of the ingredients are the result of collaborations with Nara-based producers in Tenri and Gose, a tribute to chef Hisaoka’s deep connection to his birthplace.

Michelin-approved Toi Inshokuten is tucked away in the tranquil Hanashibacho area, run by a passionate husband-and-wife team who fell in love with Indian cuisine. The owner had first rented a room in Ayameike to launch his venture, eventually opening the brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2021. 

The name “Toi” is an acronym for “Trip to the Imagination,” and dining here feels like a journey through India’s diverse regional cuisines. The ever-changing curry selections offer surprises, such as spicy chicken Madurai curry from South India, pork vindaloo simmered in dry vinegar, sweet potato curry stewed in bonito leaf paste and squid curry.

The standout choice is the curry-tasting set, served on a traditional thali platter, with rice at the center surrounded by an artistic arrangement of curries and side dishes. Subtle nods to Indian culture are woven throughout, including a stairway adorned with Hindi script, making the experience both immersive and authentic.

Perched on a hilltop in Sakurai, Japan’s ancient capital, this auberge, managed by the prestigious Hiramatsu Hotels group, received its first Michelin star in 2023. With gentle breezes flowing from the sacred Mt. Miwa, the restaurant reimagines French cuisine using the best of local ingredients.

The prix fixe menu serves as a tribute to Japan’s rich history, showcasing Nara’s finest land-harvested and sea-caught treasures. The ethos is clear: local ingredients for local consumption; Yamato-raised beef and chicken, wild deer and boar from Gojo, and premium fish from the harbors of Akashi and Wakayama.

The wine list, expertly curated by the restaurant’s sommelier, features exquisite French selections, sourced directly from the producer. 

The Michelin-starred Okada sits by the banks of Sarusawa Pond, offering gentle Japanese cuisine in an ambiance as tranquil as the body of water it overlooks.

The kappo-style restaurant crafts a monthly changing menu, with the seasonal hassun platter setting the tone and evoking a deep sense of Nara-bound nostalgia. Starters might include silky sesame tofu topped with Hokkaido sea urchin and Shiso flowers or a delicate clear soup with root vegetables and chawanmushi filled with cod milt.

Despite earning his first Michelin star in 2022 and maintaining it for three consecutive years, the chef humbly credits his success to his mentor, loyal staff and trusted suppliers, never claiming the spotlight for himself.

If you want to work your way through Japan’s Michelin-starred restaurants, you should read our blogs on Michelin Star restaurants in Osaka and Michelin Star restaurants in Kyoto. Oh, don’t forget Tokyo’s Michelin Star spots either!

The Michelin Guide is a prestigious restaurant and hotel rating system created by the French tire company Michelin. 

A restaurant can receive a maximum of three Michelin stars. Each star signifies a higher level of culinary mastery and overall dining experience.

Restaurants are recommended to the Michelin Guide each year. These restaurants are then visited by official Michelin inspectors, who assess whether a restaurant is worthy of a place in that year’s Michelin Guide.

Potential Michelin awards include:

One star: “A very good restaurant in this category.”

Two stars: “Excellent cooking that’s worth a detour.”

Three stars: “Exceptional cuisine that’s worth a special journey.”

Bib Gourmand: A restaurant that’s been recognized for high-quality ingredients and standards, yet still retains affordable prices.

Michelin Green star: A restaurant that has been recognized for its eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

Absolutely! Nara offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling cities of Kyoto and Osaka, with its rich history, cultural sites and friendly deer. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in the Kansai region of Japan.

In Nara, you can visit historical sites such as Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park and Horyu-ji Temple. You can also feed the deer in Nara Park or explore the charming streets of Naramachi.