Kyoto, Japan

Nakazen, in Kyoto — the city where kaiseki cuisine was born — has crowned its quality with a Michelin star. With a six-seat counter and a single table for four, capacity is just ten, and the chef alone puts on a two-hour feast for his guests.

If you go, try to sit at the counter. Unusually for Japan, the chef speaks good English and you can have an enjoyable conversation here.

The menu is decided by the chef's choice and what's in season. Nakazen promises a high-level dining experience. When we couldn't finish the rice that traditionally comes at the end of a very generous menu, they wrapped it up for us to take away.