Cozy little cafe tucked away in the back streets, just 10 minutes from Nara JR station. Serves lunch with salads, fried tofu, and other Japanese dishes. In the afternoon is tea and desserts with vegan gelato available. Open Wed-Thu 11:30am-7:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-9:00pm, Sun 11:30am-7:00pm.
Categories: Vegan, Japanese, Macrobiotic, Organic, Beer/Wine, Take-out
6 Reviews
First Review by Stella774
Contributions +16
yet another vegan omakase style meal - Edit
Small cafe near the JR Nara station. Came for lunch during an event featuring a local tea farmer, sort of a tea pairing for the set meal of the day. Everything was delicious and clearly a labor of love, from the plating to the atmosphere. Highly highly recommend.
Pros: Inexpensive, filling meal
Contributions +127
Best salad dressing I've ever had - Edit
We went after a day looking at temples and deer, and the owner was kind enough to serve us the lunch menu. This started off with a saldad which we had the choice of beetroot or orange dressing. We both went with orange, and it was unbelievably good! Then the rest of the meal had various bits and pieces, including some tofu which had been prepared with a blow-torch (and was also delicious). All the time the music was excellent, and the atmosphere in this cozy place fantastic. The highlight of our trip to Nara.
Pros: Really delicious food, Cozy atmosphere, Great music
Cons: none
Contributions +74
Fantastic! - Edit
I LOVED this place. We arrived at about 5pm after walking around all day and were so hungry, but discovered after sitting down that they were only doing tea and desserts at that time. We would have stayed just for that and gone on somewhere else for more food after, but the owner was so kind and offered to make us up a salad plate each for the 'lunch' price (which was really good value). It included a gorgeous salad, fried delicious tofu and onions/greens, bread rolls and potato with matcha (plus really good tea). Everything was delicious and so much care and artistry had gone into the food preparation - the desserts of matcha ice cream and the sweet bean soup with grilled mochi were also excellent!
The owner is a really nice man who speaks good English - as other reviewers have said, he was lovely to talk to and just generally very kind. We also bought sweets and tea to take home.
(I didn't love my time in Nara - it was extremely busy and hot when we went - but this restaurant was so good it was the highlight of the city for me and I'd go back again in a moment just for this food. Thank you!)
Pros: excellent food, excellent value, such a friendly owner
Cons: I wish they served their bigger meals all day
Contributions +18
Amazing Japanese vegan food - Edit
We visited Onwa today after walking around Nara park. The owner was very friendly and welcoming. I had a lovely homemade black tea and my food was very tasty and fresh. Included rice and tofu with seaweed and more. Finished nicely with gorgeous almond milk matcha tea ice cream. Wonderful find and a wonderful little place. Only a 10 minute walk from Nara station :)
Pros: Friendly, Great food, Close to station
Contributions +18
Excellent Host and Lovely Meal - Edit
We had the lunch menu. The tastes were wonderful and well worth the price. The fried tofu was delicious and it's the first Japanese potato we have had :)
I had a ginger beer made fresh and again it was excellent.
The host was a lovely guy, he explained all the food on the menu and dishes and took the time to talk to us about our visit. His English was really good. Not far from Nara park so I recommend this one if you are visiting the area for lunch or just a spot of tea.
Nice to make a new friend and I hope his business does well.
Pros: Local produce, Fresh ingredients, Price
Cons: Limited seating
Contributions +20
Amazing Food and Lovely Atmosphere - Edit
Service was so great, and the tea and sweets we had were delicious. The whole place had such a wholesome, quaint vibe. We could’ve stayed for hours.
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