Ito

Japanese fish with cheese!? You’ll face this and a few other major surprises on the menu at Ito, a 2021 Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant near the iconic Kyoto Tower. The chef trained in French cuisine, so you can expect some unconventional techniques and ingredients to add a burst of novelty to this traditional Japanese meal: like foie gras incorporated into dishes, or cream used to thicken and enrich sauces. The light wood and white plaster interior reflects the modern sensibilities of the menu, while a range of premium sake is on hand to complement each of the dishes. Japanese food has always taken inspiration from foreign cuisines — from the originally Chinese tofu and soba to the European-influenced katsu and tempura — so Ito can count itself among a long tradition of Japanese restaurants which combines local tastes with international ideas in a delicious fashion.