Recommended Vegan Restaurants in Kyoto (2025 Updated)
Your complete guide to Kyoto's best plant-based dining
Kyoto is one of Japan's most vegan-friendly destinations, offering everything from creative plant-based kaiseki to casual ramen and café dishes. Whether you're exploring the temples of Higashiyama or heading to Arashiyama's bamboo forest, this 2025 updated guide highlights the Vegan Restaurants worth adding to your Kyoto itinerary.
Below is the curated list based on taste, accessibility, English-friendly service, and traveler reviews.
6: Tu Casa
8: Ramen Towzen
10: Veg Out
11: Vegan Cooking Experience in Arashiyama
Mumokuteki Cafe is a must-visit vegan spot located conveniently near Nishiki Market and Teramachi-Dori. This charming cafe, located on the second level above their lovely shop (selling clothing and goods), offers set meals that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Their signature 'gozen' meals are beautifully presented, featuring a main dish with various sides, soup, and rice. The popular '3-kind gozen' is highly recommended, allowing you to sample three delicious vegan meats: tofu hamburger steak, miso cutlet, and soy karaage! They also offer a bamboo basket steamed vegetable gozen.
Save room for dessert! From parfaits and cheesecake to soft serve shakes, their options are fantastic. The tasty, espresso-soaked Tiramisu (though non-traditional) is a delightful indulgence.
Location: Downtown Kyoto
Vegan Ramen UZU offers an immersive experience unlike any other in Kyoto. Upon entry, soothing music and a calming drop of essential oil on your wrist set the stage for your meal.
The space is intimate, featuring about 14 seats around one large table, dramatically enhanced by a striking teamLab digital wall art installation. This truly merges art and cuisine.
The food is amazing. I chose the 'Green MISO' Ramen, which was a masterpiece. The seemingly simple dish boasted a superbly rich and memorable broth, brewed with green tea, kelp, and shiitake. Paired with perfectly cooked noodles from Hokkaido and Miyazaki, this ramen was an absolute highlight of my Japan trip!
Location:Central Kyoto
Located right in Kyoto's central shopping district of Kawaramachi, Ain Soph Journey offers a consistently excellent vegan meal. This is the only branch outside of Tokyo from the popular vegan chain, housed beautifully in a renovated two-level Japanese house for a cozy, traditional flair.
While the menu is slightly simplified from previous years (some past favorites are missed!), the current selections remain fantastic. You'll find hearty options like vegan burgers, flavorful curry rice, and various plates.
Don't miss the famous Original Heavenly Pancake! This dessert features two pieces of unbelievably fluffy pancakes, served with whipped cream, ice cream, and fresh fruit—a perfect indulgent treat. This spot is a reliable go-to for delicious plant-based comfort food.
Location: Downtown Kyoto
North of downtown Kyoto, Itadakizen Kyoto is a small, atmospheric restaurant housed in a beautiful traditional Japanese house. This entirely vegan spot offers a delicious menu blending Japanese and Korean influences.
You'll find fusion dishes like soy milk broth enmen noodles alongside classics such as Bibimbap and Kimbap. The Bibimbap is served beautifully in a hot stone pot with generous toppings. The Kimbap is particularly well-made and flavorful!
As food is prepared fresh in this intimate setting, waiting times can be long during peak hours. We highly recommend booking your table on their website, especially if you plan to visit for dinner.
Location: Kamigyo Ward
For vegans who adore sesame, Gomacro is a true culinary gem. This cozy, relaxing café celebrates everything sesame, offering a delicious and mostly plant-based menu (note: honey is used only in the eggplant for bibimbap).
Dishes like Tantan Ramen and Curry Rice are designed to let the deep, nutty flavors of sesame shine. A must-try is the White Curry Rice Set, featuring a rich, fragrant curry with a generous sauce, served alongside a hearty salad.
Even your drinks and dessert celebrate this star ingredient! Indulge in Soy Milk Black Sesame Pudding, Sesame Ice Cream Affogato, or a warming Sesame Chai. Gomacro is a perfect, aromatic spot for a satisfying vegan meal.
Location: Nakagyo Ward
6: Tu Casa
Tu Casa is a truly charming find, blending a delightful Korean vegan cafe with a strong commitment to sustainability through its on-site zero-waste store.
Here, you can savor classic and delicious plant-based Korean dishes like Bibimbap, Gimbap, and a hearty BBQ Bowl with grilled soy meat. Don't leave without trying their excellent baked goods; the lemon cake is a favorite!
Run by lovely owners, the atmosphere is cute, calm, and friendly. It's a wonderful spot to enjoy guilt-free dining. Since seating is limited, we recommend arriving early to secure your spot!
Location: Higashiyama
Near Kyoto's Gion district, ZIRAEL is a must-visit for vegetable lovers. This restaurant excels at transforming carefully selected Japanese produce, especially freshly harvested Kyoto Vegetables, into a stunning variety of cuisines—often all on one plate! Gluten-free options are also available.
The food here is truly exceptional, boasting perfect seasoning that will genuinely blow your mind. You must try the signature Kyoto Vegetable Plate (京野菜プレート). This daily changing platter can feature vibrant salads, soy meat, dumplings, soup, and dessert.
If you see the owner, be sure to strike up a conversation! He is incredibly friendly, hospitable, and speaks Japanese, English, and Chinese, offering great local tips. Enjoy the unforgettable fusion of flavor and hospitality at ZIRAEL.
Location: Higashiyama
8: Ramen Towzen
Tucked away in Kyoto, Towzen is a hidden gem every vegan foodie should discover. You'll approach the restaurant via a tranquil garden path, stepping into a wonderfully homey space featuring traditional tatami floor seating—remember to remove your shoes!
Towzen offers a concise menu of classic Japanese dishes, all completely plant-based: think ramen, sushi, and soy meat rice bowls. Their ramen is highly customizable by flavor, spice level, and size.
The Towzen Set (¥2,000) is a must-try, including rich, creamy Tantan Ramen and an unexpected, yet perfectly textured, soy milk pudding. While the food is incredibly photogenic, please note their strict "no photos" policy for the interior. Capture the beauty of your meal, but respect the cozy, private atmosphere.
Location: Near Shimogamo Shrine
In Kyoto, a unique dessert spot is crafting some of the most stunning and photogenic vegan treats you'll ever see. Their signature creation is a Flower Bouquet Gelato.
The beautiful "bouquet" is meticulously piped from sweet bean paste, the key ingredient in traditional Japanese wagashi. This is truly edible art! Beneath the vibrant, flower-shaped paste, you'll find their creamy, plant-based gelato.
The shop offers a fascinating rotation of vegan flavors, from classics like Matcha and Strawberry to the surprisingly inventive, such as Cactus or Salted Truffle & Cacao. This is a must-try for a gorgeous, guilt-free indulgence in Kyoto.
Location: Downtown Kyoto
10: Veg Out
Seeking a serene escape in the city? Veg Out offers a unique dining spot with an absolutely stunning river view. This charming cafe specializes in classic Japanese-style vegan fare, including comforting lunch plates, hearty curry rice, and refreshing buddha bowls.
The philosophy here is beautifully simple: fresh, local vegetables take center stage. The preparation is intentionally light, letting the natural, honest flavors of the produce shine through. While this focus on simplicity means the tastes are clean and wholesome, some diners might find them subtly mild.
However, a visit to Veg Out is about more than just the food. It's a peaceful experience—a moment to unwind, savor the view, and appreciate the honest goodness of local ingredients. Come for the food, but stay for the unforgettable, tranquil setting.
Location:Shichijo
11: Vegan Cooking Experience in Arashiyama (Highly Recommended)
If you want to learn how to cook vegan Japanese food during your trip, join our 100% plant-based, dashi-free Vegan Ramen & Gyoza Class in a cozy Japanese home near the Bamboo Forest.
Perfect for travelers who want a cultural—and delicious—experience.
👉 Book Here: Kyoto Green Cuisine