Yamaoka Pizza

The journey to the Michelin-featured pizzeria involves navigating a long, hilly road and reservations made weeks before, but the reward is well worth it — simply because Yamaoka Pizza embodies rustic charm through and through. The restaurant is nestled on the picturesque slopes of Mt. Ikoma which straddles the border between Osaka and Nara Prefecture. The eatery doubles as a nice-weather destination; seatings face the large windows that offer sweeping views of the lush countryside and the distant city. The chef, trained in Italy, uses spring water from Ikoma and reduced salt content for the pizza dough. The result is a base that is fluffier than the traditional thin-crust pies. Classic Naples-style pizza like marinara and margherita or honey-drizzled quattro formaggi might initially hint at an ordinary joint, but the chef excels in his original take: vegetables are sourced locally and the pie is garnished with a final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Yamaoka Pizza is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant for 2024.