Suiyō — Restaurant in Nara

Suiyō – A Culinary Love Letter to Nara

Dining at Suiyō, the signature restaurant of Shisui, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nara, was nothing short of an eye-opening experience. More than just a meal, it was a deep dive into Nara’s rich culinary heritage, where every dish told a story of the region’s history, traditions, and local ingredients.

The dinner set menu was simply outstanding, crafted with an emphasis on locally sourced and inspired flavors. Rather than just showcasing Japanese cuisine, Suiyō presented a Nara-forward experience, weaving centuries-old culinary traditions into a contemporary fine dining format. I walked away knowing more about Nara’s culture and history than I did from visiting museums—it was truly a feast for both the palate and the mind.

Each course was a masterpiece of seasonality and craftsmanship. From the cherry blossom-scented tea porridge to the kelp-cured Yamato beef, the meal was a seamless blend of flavors and textures, deeply rooted in Nara’s culinary landscape. I was particularly fascinated by dishes like Asuka-nabe, a historic Nara specialty reimagined in French style, and the wild vegetable parmentier infused with champagne—a perfect harmony of innovation and tradition.

The progression of flavors was exceptional, with fresh, local ingredients taking center stage—whether it was the delicate marinated sea bream, the comforting lotus root and soy pulp croquette, or the indulgent foie gras with bamboo shoots. Even the dessert, a silky milk kuzu mochi, carried a sense of place, infused with local brown sugar for a deep, earthy sweetness.

Beyond the food, the ambiance of Suiyō was refined yet inviting, with an intimate setting that allowed for full appreciation of the meal. The service was impeccable—warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about sharing Nara’s culinary story.

This was not just dinner—it was a journey through Nara’s soul, told through flavors, textures, and traditions. If you’re staying at Shisui or even just visiting Nara, Suiyō is an absolute must-visit for anyone who appreciates fine dining with a deep cultural connection.

🌸 A meal to remember, and a story worth...

Looks very fine dining. And beyond is amazing behind the scene. Staff were very kind polite and have the mindset of service the way Japanese are famous for.

Front of his staff seemed disenchanted And not very interested in her job.

Personally food is very disappointing, especially given the quality that is in general achievable through kaiseki or omakase .

The course set was Mediocre . Definitely, the arrangement and presentation of food was nice with a lot of effort put into it.

Problem was taste wise it wasn’t that amazing…....

I have been to Shousou, which is 8 people seating sushi bar, hiding secretly inside the Suiyo Restaurant, Shisui, a luxury collection hotel. Nothing but to say perfect. My family enjoyed astonishing experience. English speaking(a little bit Korean) staff, Japan/French trained master sushi chef, Nara oriented sake list, fresh/tasty/beautiful dishes salted with a sense of contemporary touching. In the rainy day, we were happy to be there with no other...