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Milan · Sushi · a la carte

IYO Experience

JapaneseMichelin StarSushiFusionFine DiningContemporary JapaneseChinatownSempione

The restaurant that changed Italian fine dining, IYO Experience has held its Michelin star continuously since 2015 — the first Japanese restaurant in Italy to earn one. Under Culinary Director Takeshi Iwai, the menu fuses edomae sushi craft with creative Mediterranean influences in a freshly renovated Sempione dining room.

Price
¥¥¥¥
Area
Chinatown / Viale Piero della Francesca
Since
2007
Chef
Takeshi Iwai
Owner
Claudio Liu / IYO s.r.l.
IYO Experience — authentic japanese restaurant in Milan, Chinatown / Viale Piero della Francesca
Plate № 07
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About
Founded in 2007 by Claudio Liu with Japanese head chef Haruo Ichikawa, IYO pioneered serious Japanese cuisine in Italy and earned the country's first Japanese Michelin star in 2015. After a full renovation, the room now features black marble tables, a long open kitchen staffed by sushi chefs, and a contemporary palette that signals a more international ambition. The extensive menu covers sushi in its classic forms — nigiri, sashimi, tempura — as well as creative fusion dishes that blend Japanese technique with European ingredients. Culinary Director Takeshi Iwai, born in Japan and based in Italy for 14 years, oversees both this kitchen and IYO Kaiseki. A wine list of approximately 500 labels, plus curated sake pairings, rounds out one of Milan's most distinctive fine-dining destinations.
Neighborhood & visiting

IYO Experience sits in Chinatown / Viale Piero della Francesca, one of Milan's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused sushi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Italy's first and longest-running Japanese Michelin-starred restaurant, a genuine milestone in the country's gastronomic history.
  • Culinary Director Takeshi Iwai's menus bridge Japan's culinary rigour with European seasonal ingredients for a fusion that is both precise and inventive.
  • The 500-label wine list and sake pairing options make IYO one of the most beverage-forward Japanese restaurants in Italy.

The restaurant underwent a major renovation; the new interior features Patagonian marble tables and a revamped open kitchen. Reservations strongly recommended.

Links
Reserve →Website →Map →Yelp →Tripadvisor →Michelin →

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Frequently asked

About IYO Experience

Is IYO Experience an authentic japanese restaurant in Milan?
Yes — IYO Experience is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in Milan: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
Where is IYO Experience located?
IYO Experience is located at Via Piero della Francesca 74, 20154 Milano MI, Milan, Italy in the Chinatown / Viale Piero della Francesca neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at IYO Experience?
IYO Experience accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
What is the price range at IYO Experience?
IYO Experience sits in the ¥¥¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Milan.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Milan →Sushi in Milan →Authentic sushi worldwide →All cities →