From Japanese to Kaiseki to modern cuisine, Nara features 26 award-winning restaurants that make it a hidden culinary gem. The city boasts Michelin stars and World's 50 Best nods across its restaurant scene. Nara is a delightful surprise for curious travelers.
The Best Restaurants in Nara
26 expert-reviewed restaurants, with what makes each one stand out. Track 40+ global award systems in one place, updated continuously.
1.Ajinokaze Nishimura
Ajinokaze Nishimura crafts simple dishes that highlight the tastes of Japanese cuisine. Ajinokaze Nishimura is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 1023-3 Odono, Sakurai, Nara, 633-0062, Japan
2.Ajinotabibito Roman
Ajinotabibito Roman serves a monthly menu that fuses traditional dishes and home cooking. Ajinotabibito Roman is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
2F, VIV Bldg, 2-13 Tsurumai Higashimachi, Nara, Nara, 631-0021, Japan
3.Da terra
Meaning "from the earth" in Italian, Da Terra advocates for cuisine that begins with soil formation, using environmentally conscious farming methods. Here, enjoy creative Italian cuisine harvested fresh from Chef Hirokazu Nakai's crops and showcasing the bounty of the land. Da terra is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
884 Kawahara, Asukamura, Takaichi-gun, Nara, 634-0141, Japan
4.GOKAN UOGIN
GOKAN UOGIN is a kappo restaurant specializing in fish and rice. The kitchen and audience seats are arranged so that guests can enjoy the sounds and steam of cooking. Dishes are served in ceramics crafted by famous potters. GOKAN UOGIN is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Seafood · 6-4-13 Omiyacho, Nara, Nara, 630-8115, Japan
5.Gen
Gen specializes in Soba, grinding buckwheat on stone by hand to draw out the delicate taste. Gen is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Noodles · 23-2 Fukuchiincho, Nara, Nara, 630-8381, Japan
6.Kaiseki Morimoto
Enjoy relaxing kaiseki cuisine at Kaiseki Morimoto. Once inside the restaurant, you will be greeted by a bright and comfortable space where you can enjoy the deliciousness of the season. Kaiseki Morimoto is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
1-4-8 Yagicho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-0078, Japan
7.Koikiryori Aji Manso
Koikiryori Aji Manso specializes in hamo dishes, merging creativity and tradition to result in a memorable dining experience. Koikiryori Aji Manso is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 2F, Suncrane Bldg, 2-26 Tsurumai Higashimachi, Nara, Nara, 631-0021, Japan
8.Kuramoto Ryori Maruto Shoyu
MARUTO is located in the heart of the Nara basin, in Tawaramoto. The restaurant combines locally-produced soy sauce with seasonal vegetables, brewing the whole region’s ingredients together. Kuramoto Ryori Maruto Shoyu is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 170 Iyodo, Tawaramoto, Shiki District, Nara 636-0243, Japan
9.LA TRACE
LA TRACE carefully selects ingredients that can be traced — drawing largely from Nara's rich natural abundance, from farmers who are particular about growing vegetables, tea, fowl, and livestock. Out of gratitude for nature's bounty, each dish is explained and sincerely cooked to result in a memorable dining experience. LA TRACE is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 2-1-5 Omiyacho, Nara, Nara, 630-8115, Japan
10.Lamp Bar
The concept of "LAMP BAR" in Kakuburi-cho, Nara City is "around the world." A long time ago, alcohol was transported across the equator to various countries because of the development of distillation technology, starting with alchemy. Enjoy a casual yet special time in a space where you can feel the history and stories of sake and bars. Lamp Bar is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
26 Tsunofuricho, Nara, 630-8224, Japan
11.Lega'
Lega', meaning "to connect," is an Italian restaurant linking Nara ingredients and Italian cuisine, resulting in dishes that express the changing seasons. Lega' is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Fusion, Italian · 133 Hachigawa, Katsuragi, Nara, 639-2163, Japan
12.Matsuki
Matsuki is located in idyllic Nara-machi town. Enjoy a relaxing time with local sake and seasonal cuisine using Yamato vegetables and seasonal ingredients in a quaint space renovated from a classic Japanese-style private residence. Matsuki is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Traditional · 16-1 Higashijodocho, Nara, Nara, 630-8344, Japan
13.NARA NIKON
NARA NIKON is a Japanese restaurant showcasing one-of-a-kind dishes inspired by the chef's experience in Kyoto. NARA NIKON is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 3 Nabeyacho, Nara, Nara, 630-8264, Japan
14.Naramachi Kuko
Chugokusai Naramachi Kuko merges sustainably sourced, local Nara ingredients with Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine to result in a distinctly unique menu offering. Naramachi Kuko is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Chinese · 42 Narukawacho, Nara, Nara, 630-8335, Japan
15.Okada
Okada serves guests at a hinoki counter, showcasing the richness of Nara food through kaiseki. Okada is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Kaiseki · 26-2 Imamikadocho, Nara, Nara, 630-8374, Japan
16.Oryori Hanagaki
Oryori Hanagaki is hidden in a detached house, taking only one party for lunch and dinner so the chef can focus on them exclusively. Oryori Hanagaki is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Kaiseki · 2-13-2 Gakuen Minami, Nara, Nara, 631-0034, Japan
17.Oryori Hirooka
Oryori Hirooka showcases the bounty of the region. Oryori Hirooka is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 1-7-1 Hommachi, Gojo, Nara, 637-0041, Japan
18.Sanjuhachi
Sanjuhachi uses biology-based cyclical farming to cultivate fresh produce for sustainable Japanese cuisine. Sanjuhachi is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Italian · 12-11 Katashiochō, Yamatotakada, Nara 635-0085, Japan
19.Sushi Kawashima
Sushi Kawashima treats diners to a memorable dining experience. Sushi Kawashima is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 291-1 Ishikawacho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-0045, Japan
20.SÉN
SÉN offers a prix fixe dining experience, highlighting local products from the Kumano River valley. As a tribute to the region's forestry heritage, the dishes are cooked over firewood. SÉN is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Kaiseki · 638-0301, Japan
21.The Sailing Bar
Formerly a members-only bar, The Sailing Bar now attracts an enthusiastic crowd every night of the week with its dim lighting and cocktail offerings. The Sailing Bar is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Izakaya · 564-3 SHR Building 5F, Kibi, Nara, 633-0065 Japan
22.Tsukumo
Tsukumo is a Japanese restaurant in the ancient city of Nara, where ancient times flow calmly. A deep and mysterious wind blows in this land where the Yamato Plain spreads and holds the oldest city in Japan. Here, savor new tastes that combine local ingredients with contemporary techniques. Tsukumo is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 968 Kideracho, Nara, Nara, 630-8306, Japan
23.VILLA COMMUNICO
VILLA COMMUNICO is a 5-room gastronomic auberge with exquisite wood-fired cuisine in Nara. Enjoy primitive wood-fired gastronomy at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. VILLA COMMUNICO is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 486-5 Zōshichō, Nara, 630-8211, Japan
24.Wa Yamamura
Wa Yamamura is a kaiseki restaurant situated in a quiet part of Nara. Wa Yamamura is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Kaiseki · 2-11-15 Shibatsujicho, Nara, Nara, 630-8114, Japan
25.akordu
Meaning 'memories' in the Basque language, akordu stirs the imagination with innovative dishes crafted from local ingredients that change with the seasons. akordu is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese, Innovative · 70-1-3-1 Suimoncho, Nara, Nara, 630-8208, Japan
26.à plus
à plus specializes in locally grown and raised ingredients, reflecting the terroir of Nara. à plus is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Japanese · 1137 Nishikubohommachi, Gose, Nara, 639-2228, Japan
