Vegan
American
Organic

Address 錦猪熊町537京都市中京区錦. Makes chilli bean soup, different types of pita, fries, and a range of drinks. All vegan food. NOTE: Reported to have irregular hours, check ahead. Reported closed April 2022.


58 Reviews

First Review by Mazapster

Intrepid67

Points +32

Vegan
28 Nov 2017

Great burgers

Dropped in here for some dinner a few nights back and had the burgers with chips. Super delicious! Cute, small little cafe that is welcoming and clean. Will return next time I’m in Kyoto.

EmmaIn86

Points +75

Vegan
26 Nov 2017

Great food, nice atmosphere

I came here for dinner and had a deluxe burger with fries which was amazing. The portions were about average size but they were plenty big enough for me and I had barely eaten all day. I topped it off with a cinnamon roll for desert just to see me through until the next day which was also delicious. I also had a bite of my husband's pancakes which were also really nice. The decor of the place is great and very clean. I would highly recommend visiting here.

VeganMonk

Points +995

Vegan
06 Nov 2017

Small portions. You need ~3000¥ to be full.

This restaurant is not a '$'-restaurant, it is definitely not inexpensive. Of course the single meal price is cheap, but the portions are small child portions. The food tastes good, but there's nothing special to it. They have the smallest french fries portions I've ever ordered.

The prices have increased a little bit so I uploaded new menu pictures. I'll also request to change it to a '$$'-restaurant.

ShaharOfir

Points +30

Vegan
25 Sep 2017

Great place to eat vegan food

Excellent food, portions are medium sized. Food is excellent and service is excellent also. Highly recommend

FoodIsNeverWaste

Points +330

Vegan
15 Sep 2017

Cozy and organic

I had the "deluxe burger". The patty was no 'boring tofu' or something like that - it was really unique and delicious.
The place is small but cozy. Regarding the organic mission, the prices are reasonable, but I would not call them 'inexpensive'.

Pros: Nice selection, Friendly staff

mpchironi

Points +102

Vegan
25 Aug 2017

Truly a gem

If you are in Kyoto, please come to this place. The owner runs a one-man operation with a great vibe and efficiency. Pita bread was freshly made. We ordered the Spanish omelette and the taco. It was awesome! We also got a cinnamon roll and it was so good we ordered one to go for our breakfast the next day. The restaurant seats 8 people in total, so keep that in mind.

Pros: Freshly made food, Vibe, Price

Cons: None!

HaileyPoLa

Points +1118

Vegan
02 Aug 2017

Loved their falafel

I had a falafel pita bread and half of a pancake with maple syrup. The food portions are pretty small but it's delicious! The falafel was curry-flavored, which I had never seen before. Their soy mayo is also very nice.

Pros: nice vibe, delicious food, English-speaking

14 May 2017

good fresh tasty food

Fresh made food for a grate vegan dinner

ibuljat

Points +62

Vegan
23 Feb 2017

One man show!

This little cafe in Nijo was an absolute delight to visit! It's run by a man on his own, who speaks English extremely well and is so kind! I had the lasagna which the owner warned me would take a while to make, but I happily waited as I was in no rush and was so extremely pleased! Most delicious lasagna I've had since going vegan!! The cafe had a lovely, cozy vibe and had some awesome tunes playing as well!

Pros: Amazing food, Easy to find

symbiosis

Points +460

Vegan
27 Dec 2016

Super cool place

I was surprised by how cool this place was. The food was "fast food" yet still carefully prepared. The man was friendly, spoke english well. Prices were reasonable. I had the falafel. I was quite hungry and still adjusting to smaller japanese portions, but it's worth a visit. Owner listens to cool music.

Pros: simple food, cheap, location

Veganaut

Points +41

Vegan
25 Nov 2016

Hidden Gem

We were excited to visit this small vegan oasis tucked in to the back streets of Kyoto. They were open when they said they would be, the owner was kind and courteous and spoke excellent english. We got take out, i had the burger and my girlfriend the tacos. It sounds strange but soooo nice to have fresh cooked western food in Japan! You can only eat so much Shojin Ryori. Prices are very reasonable too. A must visit for any vegan in Kyoto.

Pros: All vegan, English menu, English speaking staff, w

Cons: None!

Vedika

Points +39

Vegetarian
23 Sep 2016

yummy simple vegan food

this is a one man shop with a few but filling items on the menu. The owner is very nice as well!

Pros: all vegan!

vbree

Points +106

Vegan
01 Sep 2016

Lovingly made but not for those in a rush!

We visited on a rainy Monday night and were the only two in here - and were advised chef only had one pita left but couldn't do two lasagnes because they take so long.. So a pita and a lasagne it was. Tasty food and made with incredible care and love, it took about half an hour just with the two of us so I imagine if it was busy you'd be waiting a while as it's just the one chef that doubles as a server.

Would rate higher if we were allowed more choice and the servings were a big bigger!

Pros: tasty and fresh ingredients, food made with lots of care

Cons: small serving size, longer wait

Cally5765

Points +76

Vegetarian
12 Feb 2016

Good food

I had the deluxe hamburger - which was pretty delicious! The guy in the shop was friendly, had an English menu. They have falafel, and a few others things in pita (including the hamburger), lasagne, soup and fries. No alcohol.

Easy to find, location on map is correct.

sathya1709

Points +73

Vegetarian
08 Feb 2016

Quaint place if you want a simple meal

I have visited a few times. The owner runs the cafe for a hobby. Has different types of home made pita with different vegan and organic fillings. And maybe a couple of smaller items like buckwheat pancake, cinnamon rolls, bean soup, fries.

The portion sizes are small. But good quality and delicious. I guess the price is also because organic ingredients are expensive.

The owner is a nice Japanese fluent in english. We have had some good long conversations. No special decoration but some western music playing in the background. More like a no-frills place. The owner makes them alone and hence would take time if there are many people at the same time.

At 700 Yen for a simple pita e.g Falafel, I would maybe recommend this place for dinner compared to lunch as generally you would get good vegan/vegetarian japanese meals at around 900 yen. But dinner is normally expensive in Kyoto costing close to double the lunch price.

Pros: Good quality tasty food, Ease of access

Cons: Small portions, Bit expensive for the portion size, Basic decor

Pascal_HK

Points +313

Vegetarian
05 Nov 2015

tailor made pita yet a bit small in size

The food is excellent, probably among the best pita I've eaten. It includes the bred, the different vegetables and the sauce, all tasty and vegan. You will definitely love it. We also tried the soup which was also very good. 5 stars for the taste experience.

But the sizes of the portions are too small. Besides as the chef is alone in the kitchen busy taking great care making his tailor made pita, you may have to wait 15mn to get your burger, falafel or fried veg (all under the same pita format), although 5mn will be sufficient to eat it. I would also have expected that the pita comes with French fries, which is the the case, so you'll have to order separately. Minus 1.5 for the portion size

The room/decoration is unimpressive, bringing nothing to the experience. Minus 0.5.

All in all I would give a 3 to 3.5 for this place which is still a good place if your appetite is moderate.

Pros: taste

Cons: portion size, room atmosphere

KayleighDixon

Points +81

Vegan
01 Nov 2015

great little place in cute Kyoto streets

We walked 3km to this place after trying all the vegan places closer to our hotel. We thought it was great. Falafels were really fresh and a nice change to the Japanese food we have been getting all week. We were the only ones there. The owner is super nice and speaks perfect English. Highly recommend

Pros: clean, quiet, fresh food

Cons: none

MyVeganJoy

Points +583

Vegan
06 Sep 2015

Regretted going there.

I suppose you could go there if you are completely desperate, but I would never go back. Portions are ridiculous, seems the cook was very stingy on both portions and prices. Food was mediocre and half-baked cinnamon roll was disgusting because it was still half raw :-(.... Also charged us money for electricity - cause we plugged in the phone while waiting - but no warning was given to us... Dry and uninspired energy, no real/nice plating... For the same money you can get a feast in so many other places. Go to those other places... Skip this one :(

Cons: tiny portions, not tasty, pastry was undercooked :(

jeedeecee

Points +119

Vegan
29 Aug 2015

A man of many talents

Veggie Cafe is run by a single man, Ken Ishi. After spending many years working in the fashion industry in the US, he decided to settle down in Kyoto. Instead of retiring he opened the Veggie Cafe to keep himself busy pursuing his passion for macrobiotic cuisine.

It was Wednesday when I stopped by for lunch. I was the only person present and ordered the hamburger and the falafel. Both came inside pita bread, a refreshing alternative to the hamburger buns. The taste was exquisite. The falafel were soft and crispy and the burger had a delicious miso paste all over it. I highly recommend this place for its food and the super nice owner Ken, who speaks excellent English.

Pros: Excellent food, Super nice owner, Owner speaks English

Cons: Outdated interior design.

Updapunx

Points +28

Vegan
17 Aug 2015

Nice atmosphere, friendly, great handmade food

First place in Kyoto I decided to eat at. Finding it was very easy and only a 5 minute walk, I was hurrying as 9pm was what happy cow said and like most places in Japan last order is 30 mins before closing.

I arrived to an easy to read sign stating 'veggie bar' but I noticed the closing time was now 8:30, I was there at 8;25.

The owner was still inside so I knocked on the door he opened the door and ask if it was only one, which it was.
Thankfully he said okay and took me in. I was beyond grateful, I'm travelling with an Omni and he was doing his own thing for dinner.

I ate the Hamburger pita and the red potatoe fries.

Amazing to say the least.
Everything is handmade by the owner and operator who is a lovely man.

I ate here twice more and found on the other times he showed me what the hamburger was made of (a vegetable called burdock is the secret)
Tofu Mayo and fresh lettuce and tomatoe.

Recommend to anyone staying on/near Shijo dori!

Pros: Super fresh handmade food, Ownerr speaks great English , Nice atmosphere

upbirdman

Points +134

Vegan
01 May 2015

good place

One man operation. Mostly western food. We had a very tasty meal. Nothing fancy.

Pros: good value

Cons: small, western only menu

fabienpenso

Points +177

Vegetarian
31 Jan 2015

great place

A one man operated cafe, speaks very well English and does that as a hobby. Can't imagine a better reason to run a place to feed people.

I loved the whole experience. The food is as fresh as it can be. I've taken the bus to get there but would certainly repeat.

K.rocky

Points +13

Vegetarian
22 Jan 2015

Awsome place!

Food was delicious. The owner of the place is a lovely man, speaks great english, before he start cooking showed me the veggie he is going to use, as I have never seen anyone that use it in the kitchen in my country.
Place is quiet, clean, with nice music (not too loud!), great place to chill out and eat fresh food.

Pros: delicious, nice atmosphere, fresh

hrettig

Points +115

Vegan
26 Dec 2014

A Treat

Agree with other reviewers that Veggie Cafe deserves more attention. Appears to be a one-man operation, so small space and with a small menu. The food is excellent--very fresh ingredients, very well prepared. I also liked the decor--it was not fancy and simple, but very clean, quiet, and calm, with lovely classical music (Western) playing in the background. Great to come and relax, or to have a pleasant meal and conversation.

Pros: Great food, fresh ingredients, Nice decor, Friendly, English-speaking owner/chef

Wawbanks

Points +58

Vegan
23 Oct 2014

incredible vegan food

The owner speaks good English, is super friendly and takes your order all while cooking. The food is easily the best vegan meal I have ever eaten in a restaurant. Only wish the portion of fries was bigger. Not too hard to find and would definitely go back.

Psychonaut

Points +172

Vegan
12 Oct 2014

A Must-Go if you are in Kyoto!

A small restaurant with a great owner. We visited quite some vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Kyoto and they were all great. This is the only one we came back to on another day.

Sadly it does not get the attention it should. We were the only customers here both times.

The food is great. The portions are quite small as usual for Japan. The owner is a lovely man who does all on its own. The food is fast-food style but fresh.

Pros: Great Food, Lovely Owner, Easy To Find

Lisaeshanghai

Points +11

Mostly Veg
06 Oct 2014

Excellent!

Prior reviews were exactly right. Our cab driver had a little bit of a hard time finding the place but it was worth the trip. Food was fantastic and fresh. Happy we found it.
Updated from previous review on Monday October 06, 2014




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