The 20 Best Restaurants and Cafe with Vegetarian Menu in Kyoto

As you know, there are so many temples and shrines in Japan’s Kyoto which are registered as world heritage places. There are also stunning street scenes – all of these spots and aspects attract many visitors to Kyoto.

The more visitors, the more restaurants and cafés have to cater for vegetarians and vegans, therefore a menu which is easy to understand is very important for those visitors.

We have carefully selected for you places where you can go for vegetarian and vegan foods, so you can decide by reading the article.

Having the food you desire, even during the trip, is so important to enhance your Kyoto experience!

The two reasons why many places serve vegetarian and vegan food in Kyoto?

There might be more places serving vegetarian and vegan foods in Kyoto than you think. Why? There are two reasons, let us explain.

Delicious Kyoto local vegetables

Vegetables specially grown in Kyoto are called “Kyo-yasai”. “Kyo” is from Kyoto and “yasai” means vegetable in Japanese.

So, Kyoto’s vegetables are called Kyo-yasai, and it’s one of Kyoto’s brands.

Let’s see what sort of vegetables that are available: radish, turnip, aubergine, carrot and many more.

Kyoto is also famous for its pickles because of those Kyo-yasai.

People have particular images of Kyo-yasai, which is a tradition for the Japanese royal family to eat – and they have more nutrition than the usual vegetables, hence they are considered a luxury.

Kyoto has its vegetable brand, so many places serve vegetarian and vegan food in Kyoto. Kyo-yasai is fresh and tasty, which is another reason why many places serving vegetarians and vegans are on the increase in Kyoto.

Put simply, the number of tourists who visit Kyoto keeps increasing

Kyoto, as an ancient capital of Japan, has so many aspects that５ both Japanese and foreign tourists expect to see in abundance in Kyoto.

According to the Kyoto Prefecture, the number of tourists staying in Kyoto prefecture has been increasing over the last 5 years, setting a new record every year. For example, 3,527,895 foreign tourists came and stayed in Kyoto in 2017.
 

This has come about due to Kyoto’s efforts to make the environment better and improved the service for shopping for foreign visitors.

Kyoto knows that many tourists are coming to Kyoto who are vegetarian or vegan so that restaurants and cafés with vegetarian and vegan menus have been increasing far beyond people’s expectations.

 

The Map you can find vegetarian and vegan-friendly places

 There is a convenient map called “Vege-map” by NPO VegeProject Japan that you can search for vegetarian and vegan-friendly places all over Japan. 

Veg-map website: https://vegemap.org (Japanese only)
 

So now you know why there are many vegetarian and vegan restaurants and cafés in Kyoto.

One of the most important things to consider on your trip is dining out.

Especially as Kyoto has a beautiful food culture, with beautiful architecture.

It is time for us to introduce “The 10 best cafés” with vegetarian menus in Kyoto!

Don’t worry we will do “The 10 best restaurants” as well.

 

The 20 best Restaurants and Cafes with a vegetarian menu in Kyoto

 It is always nice to pop into a café, especially an independent one, and have a coffee, so let’s start introducing these to you!

Vegans Café and Restaurant

Vegans Café and Restaurant offers a variety of dishes, such as char-grilled BBQ tofu rice bowl, soymilk miso ramen, fried tofu, soy ice cream, organic coffee and much more.

There is also something of a story behind the restaurant.

The owner used to own this barbecue restaurant as a meat one, and it was very successful too. But he changed to be the owner of a Vegan Café and Restaurant when he found a webpage selling pets, but the pets were going to be killed behind the scenes, which touched his sensitivity, and that became the turning point, and so he changed the meat barbecue restaurant and started the Vegans Café and Restaurant with a great passion to serve delicious vegan dishes.

So why don’t you try their vegan ramen or a similar dish that the owner considers and creates?

Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday 11:30-17:00 (L.O. 16:30), Saturday 11:30-21:00 (L.O. 20:30)

Address: 4-88 Nishiuracho Fukakusa, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto

Access: 5 mins walk from Fukakusa station or 15 mins walk from Fushimi Inari shrine.

URL: https://www.veganscafe.com

Veg Out-vegan café

Veg Out-vegan café is located along the Kamogawa river and aims to provide its customers an enjoyable time and an experience of simple pleasures for the mind, body, and spirit.

Veg Out offers a delicious menu such as deep-fried some with sweet chilly soy mayonnaise sauce, tomato coconut curry, soy carbonara and much more – also there are lots of different drinks and sweets available too.

Each lunch order comes with a set drink, just add 200yen.

 

Opening times: Lunch 12:00-15:00, Cafe time 15:00-18:00 (L.O. 17:00), Dinner 18:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:00)

Address: 1F Kamogawa building, 448 Inari-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: App 10mins walk from JR Kyoto station (Exit to Kyoto tower then go north on Karasuma street and turn right on Shichijo street, the yellow building on your left just before the Kamogawa bridge).

URL: http://vegout.jp (some pages are in English)

Mumokuteki café

What a beautiful café! Once you enter, you will find the warm and natural atmosphere concept delightful, created by using wooden furniture and flowers.

Mumokuteki café offers so many different foods and sweets, all of which are so photogenic, and 100% vegan and 100% delicious. The ingredients are so fresh with a unique Japanese twist to make all vegetarian and vegans rejoice.

Opening times: 11:30am to 10:00pm (L.O. 21:00), Wednesday closed

Address: 2F, 261 Shikibe-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: in the Teramachi dori pedestrian arcade, between Rokkaku dori and Takoyakusshi dori.

URL: https://mumokuteki.com

CHOICE

CHOICE’s policy is to stick to the highest standards when sourcing their ingredients – gluten free and delicious plant-based cuisine.

For example; vegan cheese hamburger, vegan cheese taco rice, vegan cheese salad, onion soup, veggie burger patty plate, quiche plate and more; also pancakes, chocolate cake with cashew cream, pumpkin Mont blanc and much more to tempt your palate.

Opening times: Breakfast 9:00-10:30, Lunch 11:00-15:00, Dinner 17:00-21:00

Address: 89-1 Sanjo dori, Ohashi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

Access: a short walk from Keihan Sanjo station

URL: https://hs-choice.com

Veggie Cafe

The owner prepares everything by himself from scratch and all are vegan and organic foods at the Veggie Café, of which the burger with fries is very popular. A limited, yet compact menu, with minimal seating, but boasting quality music – so we are sure you will be happy while eating.

Opening times: 17:30-20:30, Wednesday closed

Address: 537 Nishikiinokuma-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: The nearest station is Shijo-omiya station

URL: https://4jo.or.jp/shop/ベジカフェ/

Cozy Café

You can have a relaxing time at the Cosy Café, with an all-vegan menu, with choices such as a quiche plate followed by vegan muffins, or a pie plus different smoothies or coffee.

It is a little hard to find this cafe, so please be sure to look for the yoga studio on the ground floor.

 

Opening times: 11:30-15:00

Address: 2F Kitahara building, 532 Tenshojimae-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 256 meters from Kyoto-shiyakusyo-mae station

URL: https://fairtradeseminar.wixsite.com/cozy-cafe

Morpho café

Morpho café has a very cute Japanese style exterior which you will find located on a corner, serving comfort foods such as faux-meat sauce pizza, green curry, and also other very healthy options like soy meat burgers and vegan ramen. Also, there’s a variety of cakes available which is nice after long sightseeing walks around Kyoto.

Opening times: Lunch 11:50-14:30 (L.O. 14:00), Dinner 17:00-20:30 (L.O. 20:00), Tuesday closed (sometimes additional closing date please check the website)

Address: 309 Saikachi-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: at the corner of Kamichojyamachi and Horikwa dori

URL: https://www.morphocafe.com

Sunny place

Sunny place is one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Kyoto, having been established in 2001, serving safe, fresh, organic vet rough the wooden door, you will see a nice wooden country style, and you’ll settle in and enjoy a vegan lunch set daily menu or seasonable smoothies with a very home-style spin.

Many people enjoy Sunny place cooking classes as well.

 

Opening times: Monday to Thursday 11:30-15:30 (L.O. 14:30)

Address: 168-2 Tanaka Oicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: go west on Imadegawa from Hyakumanben, turn right at the first traffic light then walk about a block, the café is on your right

URL: https://www.sunnyplacekyoto.com

kouso café 85

Kouso café 85 is a renovated the old Kyoto style building called a “Machiya”, so it has a very evident and very Kyoto-ish atmosphere. Their concept is not only organic but also one of “enzymes” that is extremely good for our health. All of the menus is considered good for our health, such as fermented foods, which are also very tasty.

Opening times: Lunch 11:00-15:00 (L.O. 14:30), Dinner 17:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:00), Monday closed (Next Tuesday is closed when Monday is open as national holiday)

Address: 164-1 Masuya-cho, Kamanza dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 5 mins walk from Maruta-machi station on Kyoto municipal subway

URL: https://www.kousocafe85.com

Organic house Salute

Quiet and small, Organic house Salute, just 5 mins walk from JR Kyoto station, is hidden from the main roads. Very friendly staff focus on seasonal produce and macrobiotic foods.

Traditional Machiya-style building is a must-see, and all the food and sweets are served on beautiful Japanese plates.

 

Opening times: Lunch 11:30-14:30, Cafe time 14:00-16:30 (Sat, Sun and holidays), Dinner 17:00-18:45 (L.O. 18:30), Wednesday and Thursday closed

Address: 600-31 Higashi-shiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 5 mins walk from JR Kyoto station

URL: http://salutekyoto.com/?mode=f12

 

You might now be hungry, so you’d better get a coffee while you continue to read “The 10 best restaurants with a vegetarian menu in Kyoto”.

Shigetsu

Shigetsu is a fantastic place which is located inside the garden of the Tenryu-ji temple, Arashiyama. It serves very beautiful “Shojin Ryori” – Buddhist Zen cuisine – and only uses selected seasonal vegetables served in beautiful bowls and plates while sitting down in a stunning tatami mat room. Such an amazing experience which could be one of the highlights of your trip.

Opening times: 11:00-14:00 (L.O. 13:00)

Address: 68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: in Tenryu-ji temple garden

URL: http://www.tenryuji.com/shigetsu/#_=_

Falafel garden

Falafel Garden is an Israeli café and restaurant that has been operating for 17 years in Kyoto, serving falafel foods which are loved by vegetarians and vegans. It is a quick service and a child-friendly atmosphere. An English menu is available. If you are not up to Japanese foods, why don’t you try falafel?

Opening times: 11:00-21:30

Address: 15-2 Tanaka Kamiyanagicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 80 meters from Keihan Demachiyanagi station on Eiden line

URL: https://www.falafelgarden.com

Yudoufu Sagano

If you like or want to try tofu with a breathtaking traditional Japanese garden view, then you must go to Yudoufu Sagano in Arashiyama, Kyoto.

Yudoufu is a dish where the tofu is cooked in hot water with a dashi and served in a pot. You can imagine how simple it is and how good the taste is as well. You can enjoy the soybean flavor and appreciate the best Japanese vegan cuisine.

Opening times: 11:00-19:00, January 1st & Dec 30 and 31st & the 4th Wednesday and Thursday in July closed

Address: 45 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 20 mins from JR Kyoto station to Sagaarashiyama station on JR Sagano line

URL: http://www.kyoto-sagano.jp

Tousiro Kiyamachi Main Branch

Tousiro Kiyamachi serves especially good Kyoto tofu dishes in a classical wooden house with a big Japanese lantern at the entrance. It is at the waterfront of Kamogawa river, so you feel the real Kyoto nature during the meals which use seasonal ingredients. You could be sitting down on an outside deck in summer if you are lucky.

Opening times: Monday to Saturday: Lunch 11:30-15:00 (L.O. 14:00), Dinner 17:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:00), Sunday and Holiday: Lunch 11:45-15:00 (L.O. 14:00), Dinner 17:00-21:30 (L.O. 20:30), Closed on Dec 31st and January 1st

Address: 517-3 Kamiosakamachi, Sanjo-agaru Kiyamachi street, nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 5 mins walk from subway Kyoto-shiyakushomae station

URL: http://tousuiro.com/en-home

Yoshuji

Yoshuji is located at the entrance of Kurama-dera temple on Kurama mountain, which is very famous for Ushiwakamaru (Yoshitsune Minamoto) and has 1,200 years of history.

The main dishes are tororo soba (buckwheat noodle with grated Nanaimo potato), tofu and other seasonal foods.

Kurama is best known for the temple and hot spring, you can plan more after lunch at Yoshuji.

Opening times: 10:00-18:00, Tuesday closed

Address: 1074-2 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Access:

URL: https://www.yoshuji.com

TowZen

TowZen is a special place to have vegan ramen with soymilk. You choose the type of noodle, the amount of noodle, the type of soup so you can make your original ramen which is fun!

It has a very cozy atmosphere and very polite staff, so you will enjoy their vegan ramen and some of the other dishes, such as aubergine sushi.

Opening times: Lunch 11:30-15:00 (L.O. 14:30), Dinner 18:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:30), Thursday & the end and the beginning of the year & GW & some days in Summer closed please check with the restaurant

Address: 13-4 Shimogamo Higashitakagicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 15 mins walk from Kyoto station to Matsugasaki station on subway Karasuma line then walk for 15 mins.

URL: https://www.mamezen.com

Biotei

Biotei offers macrobiotic meals that are completely vegan. If you want to have a great Japanese vegetarian option in Kyoto, Biotei is a great place to go. Customers are happy to receive a friendly service and some tasty foods – also it is a very charming little place.

Opening times: Lunch 11:30-14:00, Saturday & Sunday & Monday closed, Dinner 17:00-20:30, Sunday & Monday & Thursday closed

Address: Umetadaco, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

URL: http://www.organickyoto.com/biotei/

MIyakoyasai Kamo Shijo Karasuma Main Outlet

MIyakoyasai Kamo Shijo Karasuma not only offers lunch and dinner but breakfast too, which is a very healthy option for everyone as it is a vegetable buffet. The ingredients are picked in the morning by the staff, and then cooked and served in more than 15 different kinds of Japanese foods. There is also a bar where uncooked fresh vegetables are set up for you, and all you can drink costs just 300 yen – the alcohol version costs for just 980 yen. It’s worth a visit.

Opening times: Breakfast 8:00-10:00, Lunch 11:00-15:30, Dinner 17:30-22:00

Address: 276 Ougisakayacho, Ayanokoji-sagaru, Higashinotouindori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 2 mins walk from Shijo station on subway Karasuma line or 3 mins walk from Karasuma station on Hanky Koto line

URL: https://nasukamo.net

Sujata’s Restaurant-Nest

Sujata’s Restaurant-Nest serves Japanese food and some different Indian curry and starts their cooking once an order is made. Also, there is a Gyoza dumpling set and a vegetable ramen set – so very healthy and happily full.

If you don’t want heavy meals, there are samosa and homemade cakes, all offered at a very reasonable price and great quality, so you can save money for something else.

Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 12:00-18:00, Saturday and Sunday 12:00-17:00, Wednesday closed

Address: 96-2 Tanaka monzencho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 2 mins walk from Hyakumanben bus stop No3, 17, 201, 203 or 10 mins walk from Demachiyanagi street on Keihan and Eiden line

URL: https://www.sujata-restaurant.com

Ajiro

Ajiro is just an outstanding restaurant with a vegetarian kaiseki course served in a real Japanese tatami room, and the restaurant is just opposite the Myoshinji temple. The restaurant is small in size but has a passion to serve Japanese multi-course cuisine – you’ll be amazed at how beautiful they are presented. You will find plenty of history and the beauty of Kyoto in one place.

Opening times:

Address: 28-3 Hanazonoteranomaecho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

Access: 5 mins walk from Hanazono station on JR Sagano line

URL: http://www.ajiro-s.co.jp

 

Well, now you know that there are 20 options for you where you can have vegetarian and vegan dishes in Kyoto.

“You are what you eat”, so discover real Kyoto cuisine.

 

Thank you for reading!