Oryori Hayashi

Near the old imperial palace in Kyoto you'll find an old willow tree with a paper lantern hanging from its bough. Enter the garden of the small detached house opposite, and walk through the landscape of black rocks and bamboo. Here you’ll feel a serene atmosphere descend — the same as in the nearby Zen temples. Now, you find yourself at the front door of Oryori Hayashi, one of the finest kaiseki (traditional Japanese banquet cuisine) restaurants in Japan. While other restaurants of this historic dining style seek to push it into new modern territories, Oryori Hayashi defers to the wisdom of tradition, meaning it is among the most authentic of its kind. The owner — who became head chef at the famous restaurant Uzuki at the astounding age of 25 — is a student of old Japanese culture in myriad forms, and brings the spirit of simplicity and clarity from the traditional arts to his menu. Seasonal ingredients are expertly assembled into small plates each brimming with history and heritage as much as flavor. An extremely distinguished array of alcohols are on offer too, with only the finest brewed and aged varieties selected by the connoisseur chef. Michelin Stars: 2020 - 1 Michelin star 2021 - none