ristorante DONO （リストランテ ドーノ）

Nestled in the Okazaki area of Kyoto, ristorante DONO is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that redefines the concept of Italian cuisine. Chef Toshifumi Nakahigashi, a devoted lover of nature, begins each day by tending to his fields and harvesting ingredients with his own hands—translating the beauty of the landscape directly onto each plate.

The name “DONO,” meaning “a gift” or “sharing” in Italian, reflects Chef Nakahigashi’s desire to share the blessings of nature with his guests. Every morning, he visits his roughly 300-tsubo (about 1,000 square meters) farm, where a wide variety of vegetables are cultivated by the dedicated staff, to harvest the day’s ingredients. Seasonal vegetables, wild herbs, mountain greens, mushrooms, and game meat－ these are transformed through his refined sensibility into imaginative, artful Italian dishes found nowhere else.

The restaurant’s interior, featuring 450-year-old bricks and Juraku clay walls, harmoniously blends the spirit of Siena, Italy—where the chef trained—with the essence of his hometown, Kyoto. Guests can enjoy their meal at chestnut wood tables while gazing out at the torii gate of Heian Shrine. A private room for up to six guests is also available, making it ideal for special occasions.

At the age of 18, Chef Nakahigashi moved alone to Italy, where he honed his craft in several renowned restaurants. After returning to Japan, he served as head chef and launching chef at various establishments before opening his own restaurant in 2016. In 2024, he founded DONO in Kyoto’s Okazaki district, where he continues to present richly colorful and innovative Italian cuisine.

Each dish served at DONO reflects a deep respect for nature and the passion of a chef who quite literally cultivates his cuisine from the ground up. We invite you to experience a truly unforgettable dining journey—one that is uniquely Chef Nakahigashi’s.

• Price Range:

  Lunch: USD 45.7 - USD 112.48
  Dinner: USD 101.94 - USD 175.75

• Dietary restrictions / Allergies:

  If you have any specific food allergies or ingredients you cannot consume, please inform us in advance. Unfortunately, we cannot accept reservations if there are ingredients that you cannot eat within a wide range.

• Arrival time:

  Please arrive 5 minutes before your reserved time to ensure a timely start of your meal. If you do not contact us and exceed your reservation time, it will be automatically canceled.

• Dress Code:

  Dress code is smart casual (Please refrain from wearing T-shirts, shorts, and sandals when you visit.)

• Others:

  We kindly ask for your consideration regarding excessive perfume or fabric softener fragrances.

  There is a 10,000 JPY charge for using the private room.(Tax included)