La Locanda ラ・ロカンダ — Restaurant in Kyoto

La Locanda at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto – A Perfect Spring Dining Experience

I had the pleasure of enjoying the Spring 2025 set menu lunch at La Locanda, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The restaurant’s beautiful ambiance, overlooking a serene Japanese garden, made for a perfect setting to indulge in an exquisite Italian meal with a Kyoto touch.

The service was impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff ensuring every detail was perfect. Every dish showcased the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from all over Japan, expertly crafted into a harmonious menu.

The meal began with a delicate fresh fish tartar, brightened with citrus and creamy baccalà. The homemade gnocchi was rich yet balanced, featuring tender cabbage, potatoes, and lardo. The sautéed fish with spinach and smoked milk was a standout, with a beautifully crisp exterior and silky textures. The charcoal-grilled Tokachi herb beef was cooked to perfection, complemented by a sweet carrot tart and crisp apple.

For dessert, the Pierre Hermé Paris tiramisu was an elegant twist on a classic, with layers of biscuit, chocolate sablé, coffee jelly, and airy mascarpone cream. The meal ended on a high note with coffee and petit fours, the perfect finale to a refined dining experience.

During my stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, I also had the chance to experience their exceptional breakfast at La Locanda. The hotel takes pride in sourcing local and sustainable ingredients, offering both an American breakfast and a traditional Japanese breakfast. The free-range eggs from WABISUKE poultry farm, Kobe’s Yuge Farm milk and yogurt, and Kyoto’s exclusive gluten-free amazake granola all reflected their dedication to quality and sustainability. Every element was thoughtfully curated to highlight the best of Japanese produce, making it one of the most memorable hotel breakfasts I’ve had.

La Locanda is a must-visit in Kyoto for those seeking top-tier Italian cuisine with Japanese influences, a stunning atmosphere, and world-class hospitality. I can’t...

Perfect seating overlooking the Japanese garden. The Oro course was very nice, especially the fish main dish. The cooking, sauce, and garnish all came together beautifully. The only thing that made the course less than perfect was the tea served afterward — it was diluted and not hot enough. Something may have gone wrong during brewing. Service was nice. Special thanks to Danielo(?) — he was very friendly. All the Japanese staff, especially the female staff, were also kind, though they didn’t introduce themselves, so I don’t know their names. The male staff were quite stiff when...

I would gave minus 100 stars if I could. MOST MEDIOCRE FOOD I ate in Japan. I showed to the host a picture of a simple spaghetti with sauce I wanted from their website, he repeated the dish and ingredients and then brought me something else: a dish that a could cook at home better! He didn’t even apologize. My partner’s “fresh shrimp” pasta was soooo oddly chewy. SUPER OVERPRICED FOOD...