Finding vegetarian or vegan food in Japan can feel like a challenge at first. Many traditional dishes use fish or meat-based broths. But don’t worry, it is absolutely possible to find vegetarian (or even vegan!!) restaurants in Kyoto. It just takes a bit of curiosity, flexibility, and knowing where to go.
Vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Kyoto: visit these ones!
Nishiki Market
One of the places I explored in Kyoto was Nishiki Market. This narrow street is packed with food stalls, making it a great starting point if you’re looking for a variety of food. What makes it convenient is that everyone can find something they like. While others might go for fish or meat snacks, I found vegetarian-friendly bites, like soy milk croquettes and even soy milk donuts. It’s the kind of place where you try small things as you go.
SOUP CURRY OHMIYA
Not far from the market, there is the restaurant Soup Curry Ohmiya. Here you can try a different take on Japanese curry. Instead of the usual thick sauce, it’s served as a curry soup. The vegetarian version is filled with colorful vegetables. Dip your rice into the soup, and enjoy all the flavors!
Gion Soy Milk Ramen
No trip to Japan feels complete without ramen. That’s why I was happy to find Gion Soy Milk Ramen, a restaurant for vegan ramen in Kyoto. Ramen is typically made with pork or fish broth, but here everything is completely plant-based. The soy milk broth is rich and creamy, and the portions are good. They also serve vegan gyoza, though the ramen alone was already filling enough for me.
Gion Kyomen
While wandering through the historic streets of Gion, I ended up at Gion Kyomen with another traveler I met on the trip. This restaurant isn’t fully vegetarian, but it offers several options, mainly soba and udon dishes. I chose noodles with egg and tofu. Sitting on the floor at a low table added to the experience. It all felt very traditional. In Japan, you sometimes have to be a bit flexible with ingredients like broth, but that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the meal. I can understand that some vegetarians wouldn’t feel comfortable that, so this place might not be for you. I was personally fine with making an exception this time.
RUTUBO
One evening, I wanted something a bit more relaxed and ended up at RUTUBO, an izakaya in the Gion district of Kyoto.The atmosphere was very warm, with soft lighting and a mix of bar seating and tables. The dishes are small, which makes it perfect for sharing. They offer vegetarian-friendly options with a creative twist. Some even have a subtle smoked flavor, which made them stand out. Good place, and good vibes.
Sugarhill
For a cozy dinner, Sugarhill turned out to be a great choice and it was close to the hostel I was staying in. The vegetarian options are limited, but what they do offer is well prepared. I went for a rice dish with egg, paired with a glass of plum wine. My favourite. It’s not the most traditional spot in Kyoto, but the menu still has a clear Japanese influence. Combined with the friendly service, it’s was a great place for a dinner in the city.
Pizzeria da Ciro
Whoops, eating Italian food in Japan? After a few weeks of traveling I was craving something different from Japanese cuisine. That’s when I ended up at Pizzeria da Ciro, with an Italian. Not complaining. It might seem unexpected to eat pizza in Kyoto, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. And sometimes, it makes the live of a vegetarian a bit easier as well 😉 The pizzas here were genuinely good. And that wasn’t just my opinion, also of my Italian lunch companion.
Clamp Coffee Sarasa
Want to hide between plants during a quiet morning? Visit Clamp Coffee Sarasa, a small café filled near Nijō Castle. There was a bit of a wait, but it was worth it. I ordered French toast, a brownie, and a soy milk coffee. Everything leaned toward the sweeter side. But that’s just how I like my brunch.
Kyoto (and Japan in general) turned out to be much more vegetarian-friendly than I expected. While it sometimes requires a bit of planning and preparing, you’ll find that there are many options across the city. From traditional noodle dishes to creative izakaya plates and even the occasional pizza, eating vegetarian in Kyoto is very much possible.
Where would you go for vegetarian (or vegan) restaurants in Kyoto?
somewhere in notes 
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