Iwasaki

Family-run restaurants have a special kind of warmth in their hospitality that just can’t be found elsewhere. This warmth is in abundance at Iwasaki, a top traditional kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto. Here, the chef, Yoshinori Iwasaki, works behind the counter to create outstanding food while his wife and daughter take care of the guests. Together they have defended their restaurant’s Michelin star every year since 2012. There’s another family connection involved in achieving this level of excellence: Iwasaki-san’s father is a rice farmer in Tamba, to the northwest of Kyoto, and provides the best of his crop to his son’s business. This rice is served in an earthenware pot at the end of the meal, combined with seasonal ingredients which depend on the time of year, as in all the dishes. Other highlights include prawns with chestnut and rapeseed, and conger eel with ginger. Each piece of their set-course meal is presented beautifully. There are only 11 seats total, split between the counter and a private room, so make sure to book early if you’re traveling with a large group.