Vegan
Japanese
Makes Shojin cuisine, a Japanese vegetarian kaiseki, which originates in the zen monks' diet. Traditional Japanese decor interior. Reservations may be required (call ahead). Located on the 2nd floor, no elevator. Previously at 9th St. Reported closed September 2022.
46 Reviews
First Review by Jackie1965
cronch
Points +166
Really great food, but seasonal - Edit
I really love Kajitsu, its expensive but offers interesting and flavorful dishes that are hard to find even in Japan. I will say that menus obviously depend on the month and what is fresh and in season. When I went during the summer I definitely did not enjoy the menu as much as I did this winter (simply due to my vegetable preferences). If this is something you can also relate to, simply check the menu before you go and see if it is something you are interested in. On the point of price, this is a Michelin star restaurant. It comes with the territory, so you just have to accept that. There are plenty of less pricey places to eat Japanese food in NYC but they are not nearly at this high level of quality or originality.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-07-18
Guest
ShixX
Points +174
Phenomenal experience! - Edit
As 1 of only 3 vegan 1-michelin-star restaurants worldwide, Kajitsu was quite overwhelming! The atmosphere was very special!
Read moreThe food was phenomenal. So many different flavours and unexpected ingredients!
If you want to go there, you need to hurry because they will be closing in September. :(
Guest
randomletters
Points +85
Great shojin ryori!! - Edit
Delicious Japanese Buddhist food showcasing innovative use of seasonal and local ingredients. Flavors are on the delicate side however had some punchy courses (red miso soup). Had many fun textures, too! This was my first time eating a meal at this price point and I thought it was worth it.
Read morePros: awesome service and atmosphere
Guest
TorsiDawn
Points +1236
Absolutely worth it, an indescribable experience - Edit
This was the best dining experience I’ve ever had, and I dine a LOT. Kajitsu is special. A date night here is a must. There are 10 courses, all of them unique special and so intentionally made. The service was incredible. The atmosphere was gorgeous the restaurant itself (top floor) was incredible. Every dish is a completely new experience, like nothing you’ve ever tasted. It was special, unique, and worth the high price . Wonderful date night
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-06-19
Pros: Service exceptional , Unique flavors
Guest
MathildeB
Points +361
Not worth the hype - Edit
Very expansive for food that was not to die for. Everything was ok, but nothing was amazing. The service was very great however!!
Read moreGuest
villarreallevi
Points +962
Worth the high price - Edit
I’m not typically a fan of fine dining, but the experience at Kajitsu was amazing!! The staff was incredible and the food was amazing and left me very satisfied. Me and my non-veg friends absolutely loved the entire experience. I would definitely put this on your bucket list to try before it closes permanently in August!!!
Read moreGuest
SeeShaw
Points +153
Fantastic - Edit
Best dining experience I have ever had. Delicious food. Very unique flavors. Yes a bit pricey but worth every penny IMO.
Read morePros: Delicious, Great service
Guest
·X·
Points +28381
Kajitsu - Edit
Lovely Japanese restaurant with a rotating vegan menu. A bit mushroom heavy for me, but that’s to be expected for the Japanese diet. Definitely a place I would check out again. See photo of October’s menu as an example.
Read moreAlso, downstairs is a store offering high-quality ceremonial matcha.
Guest
root_awakening
Points +228
Beautiful, elaborate, delicious - Edit
Very memorable meal full of deliciously elaborate courses. So good. Highly recommend.
Read moreGuest
pauldyson
Points +186
Very high end Vegan Japanese - Edit
Stunning 9 course vegan tasting menu paired with Sake!
Read moreGuest
MattB66
Points +150
One of the most amazing meal experiences ever - Edit
An experience to relish. Over 3 hours we were treated to culinary delights of un-expected sensations and amazing combinations.
Read moreYou will read how expensive it is, and I would agree the dollar signs do mount up. But go in with an open mind, and experience food you have not tried before, tastes and stimulation you get only here, and an extended “event” to remember.
My favorites were the mushroom soup and then the figs.
Enjoy.
Pros: Culinary event, Excellent service, Food you will not get elsewhere
Cons: Expensive
Guest
perenialist
Points +178
A special experience - Edit
This is a special occasion type of spot all the way. Loved the peaceful vibe and focus on high quality and tranquility. Unfortunately some of the other patrons at a separate table were a bit tone def to the vibe (talking loudly), but our servers were all excellent and we will definitely be back.
Read moreGuest
AnimaLoverLF
Points +345
Overall not very good - Edit
Very overpriced, and the food was not very good. Very surprised it is rated so well.
Read moreGuest
VeganOnVacation
Points +275
I really wanted to like this place but ... - Edit
Japanese vegan temple food is about as good of a description as I could imagine. But ultimately the food is just not very good.
Read morePros: Vegan , Great concept , Ambiance
Cons: Expensive , Bland food , Disappointing
Guest
ctkate
Points +28
Expensive - Edit
Spent $700 on food only to find half of the food inedible. Too many flavors and textures or extremely basic. One course was simply a boiled tomato with ice! Not worth the price tag
Read moreCons: Expensive, Poor quality food
Guest
gabandtonic
Points +3092
Peacefully blown away - Edit
The food, the ambiance and the staff made this an amazing meal. Also the sake pairings were great. Would absolutely go again
Read moreGuest
renatapereyra
Points +221
go omakase or go home - Edit
Yes, this place’s prices run steep but the biggest mistake you can do here is skimp. RSVP an unforgettable night amongst your table by ordering the omakase, a seasonal multi-course (10!) vegan option with premium sake pairings for and a brief explanation behind each individual meal. Any questions can be answered regarding cuisine and culture but, yes, the dining is vegan. If you sit at the bar, then you can watch the chef in action. My table, however, was situated in a separate room and well spaced from other tables to ensure intimacy. There’s even baskets underneath the table to stash your belongings and focus on the multi-sensory experience ahead of you. Following dessert, the chef was kind enough to serve us free champagne with a fruit platter to celebrate my birthday. We love Kajitsu!
Read morePros: terrific and knowledgeable service, super zen
Guest
JJones315
Points +2345
Zen dining experience - Edit
OK, so I finally plucked up the courage to dig deep into my wallet and have dinner here. I am happy to report that it was well worth it, though I will not be here monthly. I had the smaller of the 2 menus without any extras and with a generous tip it was $120.
Read moreThe vibe is tea house zen with muted, sparse decor in the traditional Japanese asthetic. The music is faint. (If only not for the business party in the room talking loudly it would have been an almost spiritual atmosphere. Sigh.)
The food was subtle, creative and excellently prepared. It was like courses of edible art work that just kept coming...until dessert and matca appeared. Heavenly. [Caveat: I eat a whole food plant based diet with no added oil. If you are used to a lot of salt and fat in your food, you may find it bland. Still, give it a try just to experience the textures and colors. ]
Note: this is not a place for a quick bite. I had the smaller menu and was there for 2 hours. Go when you have the time to enjoy it.
Pros: 100% vegan, Healthy cuisine, Professional service
Cons: Expensive, A time committment
Guest
alexsevigny
Points +92
Plant-based Japanese paradise - Edit
This was quite possibly the best dining experience I have had in New York City. Beautiful, reverential atmosphere. Superb, cheerful, informative wait staff. The tasting menu was... incredible. Plant-based paradise.
Read morePros: Superb service, Incredible flavours highlighting plants, Wonderful reverential atmosphere
Cons: None
Guest
PabloofGramercy
Points +269
Vegan Japanese Haute-Cuisine - Edit
If you like old-fashioned, refined Japanese food, this is the spot!
Read morePros: Beautiful, traditional setting; formal, elegant, Fresh ingredients
Cons: Food is somewhat “dated,” even for Japanese food, Dishes are not that varied and are quite small, Too expensive for what you get
Guest
slo0go
Points +2476
A special treat - Edit
My husband and I have been coming here for years for special occasions (even when they were located in the East Village). There is a set menu with several courses that changes monthly I believe. The presentation and service is impeccable. It’s definitely an experience!!! Try pairing with sake or ordering tea (Ippudo brand, of course). If you like the tea, they sell it downstairs as well.
Read morePros: Delicious, Impeccable service
Cons: Expensive (but worth it for special occasions)
Guest
VeganBubble
Points +239
$325 for a dinner for two is too much - Edit
You only have a choice of two tasting menus. We went for the cheaper of the two, a bargain at $95 a head. Being our anniversary, we had a cocktail, and then each had 2 beers during the course of the meal. The bill at the end was $277, or around $325 with tip. While the food *was* good and we left full, it's just not worth the price.
Read moreFlavors bend towards sublety. We felt a little like we were on an episode of Portlandia.
Pros: Very exotic ingredient/combos, Very attentive staff
Cons: Just too expensive, No decor, feels bare, No music, we listened to traffic and other tables
Guest
perkonius
Points +351
If you can afford it, go - Edit
The food and the service is incredible and like nothing else you've experienced (unless you've done this in Japan)! Not cheap, but worth it.
Read moreThe sake pairing is a lot - we have gotten by sharing one sake pairing for two diners.
Pros: Delicious, A very special occasion
Cons: Pricey, Need reservations far in advace
Guest
Zhenli
Points +87
ultimate dining experience - Edit
My best vegan dining so far. Meticulously selected ingredients, well balanced nuances. Seasonality, novelty. Served and cooked peacefully.
Read morePros: in house made soba, yuba, nama fu. fantastic tees
Cons: none
Guest
EmilyKing
Points +60
excellent dining experience - Edit
Food is all excellent but at least as is important to the experience is the attention to presentation and service. A wonderful evening!
Read moreGuest
eatx
Points +52
no value for money - Edit
Very cheap interior and food quality is not great. A mediocre place which charges heftily.
Read morePros: Location, Japanese
Cons: Expensive, Not great
Guest
ML2000
Points +68
Vegans can have fancy Japanese dinners, too! - Edit
my husband and I are very pleased with both the food and the entire experience. the ingredients, quality, taste, and presentation of every single course was wonderful. we opted for the seasonal bamboo special menu, and loved absolutely every single course. my husband also ordered the full sake pairing and enjoyed it. their rouge beer is awesome! we had dined downstairs previously, but we were much more limited down there as there are not a lot of vegan options, but really loved last night's meal. definitely plan to return. one or the loveliest meals we've had, and we dine out often.
Read moreGuest
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