GORA BREWERY&GRILL — Restaurant in Hakone

GORA BREWERY & GRILL is a refined yet welcoming spot tucked into the hills of Hakone, and it’s a must-visit if you’re craving elevated Japanese-Western fusion with a side of craft beer. We arrived at 6 PM and, despite the place being packed, the staff graciously seated us with the caveat that we’d need to finish within an hour. That worked perfectly—we were starving and ready to dive in.

We ordered a flight of their house-brewed beers, each one distinct and delicious. The garlic-forward pale ale and the smooth amber stood out, but the whole flight was a treat. For food, we stuck to shareable plates—appetizers and small dishes that were beautifully presented and devoured in minutes. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and clearly crafted with care.

The bar seating is a highlight. You can watch the chefs prepare meals right in front of you, framed by a serene backdrop of a lush green garden and a minimalist rock garden. It’s a visual feast that pairs perfectly with the culinary one. The bathroom is tiny but spotlessly clean and charming—just another detail that shows how much thought went into the space.

Prices are on the higher side, but the quality and atmosphere justify the splurge. The restaurant is part of the Itoh Dining group, and the executive chef behind it—Chef Itoh—has earned acclaim for his creative approach to Japanese cuisine. His influence is evident in the menu’s balance of tradition and innovation.

If you’re in Gora and looking for a polished dining experience with great beer and a beautiful setting, GORA BREWERY & GRILL is a standout. Just be sure to book ahead—they fill up fast, and for...

Our family made a special trip to Gora Brewery & Grill in Hakone to celebrate my daughter’s graduation — a moment that should have been memorable for the right reasons. Instead, it was defined by a level of arrogance and disregard that I would never expect from any hospitality business, let alone one tied to the Nobu Restaurant Group.

We arrived at 7:30 PM, well within the posted business hours of 8:30 PM. The manager — who first denied being the manager and then refused to give his name — informed us with condescension that last call had been made and they were no longer accepting guests. It was 7:35 PM. The doors were open, the lights were on, and yet they had no intention of serving anyone further.

When I pointed out that guests rely on posted hours when making plans — especially in a remote area like Hakone with limited dining options — I was met with smug indifference. The manager made it clear that honoring hours listed publicly was not his concern.

This experience was not only disappointing — it was insulting. If this is how Nobu-trained staff conduct themselves, then the brand’s reputation is being squandered here. A restaurant that turns away families celebrating meaningful milestones because it’s a slow night is not just poorly run, it’s fundamentally inhospitable.

Either honor your hours or have the integrity to update them. But don’t pretend to represent a world-class standard while behaving like you’re doing guests a favor by...

I’m not usually a person to write a review but tonight threw me off in multiple ways at this restaurant. Considering this is a very nice restaurant with a known reputation and ties to Nobu I expected good service and great food. The service was not good at all, you order on your phone with a QR code, it felt sort of like McDonald’s in a way. When the online menu lacked explanation the servers weren’t friendly answering questions. Another thing that was odd was them coming to our table 5 mins before closing (which was at 8:30pm) telling us “it was time to pay” in an extremely rude manner. Granted we are from out of the country and this is not something we are used to in America. It made us feel unwelcome and uncomfortable considering that 8:30 is not a late time to close a restaurant on a Saturday evening. After they told us to pay we did so immediately and as my dad used the restroom multiple of the staff stood there staring at us as though we were causing an inconvenience. This was very odd especially since the restaurant wasn’t even closed yet and they did this instead of making an effort to close. This caused us to feel extremely uncomfortable and like we weren’t supposed to be there. Overall the food was tasty although pricy, the service was not good, and we left feeling confused. At the end of the day everyone is human, I just thought it was important to inform others so that you are aware of what your...