Wonderful vegan restaurant run by a talented Russian chef and her friendly and helpful husband. Would recommend to any vegan or vegetarian in Kyoto. Make the trip out please. Super fresh food. Prepared from local farms Tourists and foreigners will love this place. Locals will become regulars. English, mandarin, Japanese language friendly.

This place is a hidden gem in Kyoto! Had the vegetable dumplings (pictured) which were super delicious! The staff were friendly and hospitable, able to chat and talk with them and other customers as the food was being prepared. It is small, cozy and comfortable. It has been the nicest vegan food I've had in Japan so far! Would recommend!

It's probably the best food I've ever eaten in my entire life, no exaggerating. I took my wife to a valentines dinner that cost $200, and this is comparable. I could eat this food every single day. It's incredible. Simple flavors are used masterfully. World class presentation. The owner is so nice! I feel like I made a friend. He showed us pictures of his new wife from Russia and told us about his children. Lovely space in an interesting location. Music was pleasant. I don't think a better restaurant experience is possible!

Although I am not a vegan, I do often eat vegan and vegetarian foods because of my great love for a good salad. We came for lunch and we’re definitely pumped for the delicious, local salad. The teas we tried were also tasty. If you’re looking for something a little healthier than the norm, stop by!

Friendly staff and patrons. Small Cozy place, tucked away in a narrow alley. Easy to miss! Good, healthy food. We visited once for an early lunch and waited quite some time for the food, as the salad that comes with it was freshly and not overly hasty prepared. I would come again though, as vegan food in Japan isn’t that common.

Great vegan dinner! As we entered the place, we were greeted by the lovely owner who explained us about the menu and who didn't mind having a casual chat with us. We choose the daily salad with different protein options - both of them were really yummi. The portions were just the right size.

My boyfriend I today came by this restaurant and I’m so glad that we did! It was late in the day and they were completely sold out and let us dine in anyway and made us feel so welcome. They were so friendly and kind, we will always remember! The food that was made was beautifully dished out and the taste was even better. I would come back here everyday if I could. The food was amazing vegan or not. Nothing can beat the taste! Thank you so much for accommodating us and we can’t wait to be back!

One of the best vegan food joints in Kyoto. Must try while you are here. I tried the dumpling plate and green tea here. The presentation of the dish was excellent and the veggies all fresh. I was surprised with the quality offered. These have to be one of the best vegan dumplings I have eaten so far in japan. The owner Tomo san is inviting and spoke good English as well. His Sous- chef is a jolly and lovely person and I certainly enjoyed the conversations with them. It’s not only the meal that’s good but the overall dining experience that they try to provide. It’s rather unusual in japan , to have good food and good conversations at the same place😅. The only things to improve I would say is making the approach road better or more visible. I found myself entering into wrong lanes while following google maps. It’s a narrow lane with a small board indicating the restaurant. The board can certainly made bigger and flashier and should make it easier to find this wonderful joint. Thank you once again.

I had to wait precisely 1 hour 7 mins to be served. The food was nutritious but lacked zest. I can’t also justify the waiting time with the price and what was served. It’s a good thing that one learns to be patient when ordering food in Japan (especially if one is vegetarian).

The owner and his staff were super nice and welcoming. They spoke perfectly English (and of course Japanese). My visit was not only good for its great vegan food but also for the nice talk we had. I would definetly recommend to come here even if you are not vegan/vegetarian.

Very nice meal and friendly owner. Fresh and tasty ingredients in a small, relax setting. Recommended in Kyoto!

A great vegan restaurant just off the main street near Yasaka Shrine. Very calm which was just what we needed, and the staff were lovely. They do one dish a day which was very tasty, and probably the healthiest meal we've had in Japan so far. Highly recommended for anyone - not just vegans.

There is only 1 menu as it is daily special. I was lucky the food served that day did not contain any alliums. So those who can’t take onion and garlic, please check with them beforehand. Food was definitely delicious and it was my first time eating Ukrainian food. Definitely must visit if you’re vegan especially this shop is located at Gion area. Very sweet and lovely owner. My husband and I definitely enjoyed our meal!

Great food and we were really lucky to find this vegan place in kyoto. Tea is also nice. The place is thoughtful towards environment as well. My only concern was that it wasn't very baby friendly, though the staff was very nice and accommodated us to the best they could.

Amazing place to have lunch and enjoy a conversation with the japanese owner! We were craving some Vegetables and found this (hidden) place and wow! Delicious food with good prices! Thanks!

Absolutely worth finding this place. Up a lane between building, small but amazing. Two staff were brilliant, chatty, and spoke great English (and Japanese). Food was 10/10. Had the fried soy with salad - exceptional. Highly recommend.

Wonderful food! Dumplings were just the best, burger and fried soy meat plates were fantastic. Friendly staff and owner, we had a great chat and enjoyed the food! Thank you!

Absolutely delicious food! A lot of fresh veggies and salad. Everyone was so friendly. Even tough they were almost sold out, they let us in and served us a wonderful meal. Would definitely recommend. The restaurant is new and apparently just openend in September 2022.

Friendly small family run business. Very welcoming. Food was fresh and yummy with a selection of looseleaf tea. If you are looking for a crisp salad, vegan dumplings, miso soup and tasty rice. This is the spot for you! Would certainly go back again!

The lovely couple running this place really create a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. Their set menus are very tasty and the tea is excellent. We really enjoyed eating here twice while in Kyoto.

Delicious, fresh veggies and salad with rice. I really appreciated the simple, clean food, atmosphere and that they spoke a little English. Location is excellent, thank you for the amazing meal!

Probably the best vegan restaurant in Kyoto. Husband-wife owners, fun and welcoming. I’m not sure how the get the vegetables so fresh but the food quality is amazing. English is good here. It’s in a tiny alleyway that’s easy to miss, but absolutely worth it.

Can’t recommend this place highly enough to vegetarians/vegans! Vegan food is hard to come by in Japan but this place would be amazing even in western countries. Not only is the food delicious but the owner was very friendly and spoke decent English. Make sure you stop by during your time in Kyoto even if you’re not vegan/vegetarian I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

We really enjoyed our time here, the food was delicious! We were told that the menu changes based on local ingredients, we got tofu Bolognese and veggie dumplings, both great. We appreciated they also have glutenfree options and the tentative atmosphere and great overall service 😊

The best vegan / vegetarian meal I have had in Japan and I’ve been here for over a month. The vegan meat replacements are delicious and the vegetables are locally sourced. The hospitality was also excellent, the owner was very friendly and welcoming. Thank you!

Small bar restaurant. Hard to find since it’s in a very small alleyway but definitely work checking out even if you aren’t vegan. The food is delicious, the prices are good and the owners are excellent company. They both speak multiples languages and love to learn about your country. I stayed to chat for over an hour with a delicious cup of tea after my lunch. Very warm and friendly people.

We SO enjoyed eating at Zirael. The food was tasty, excellent, fulfilling and the owner and team delightful. They will accommodate any food allergies; gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. We had already researched and planned to make a trek to eat here as we were staying in another area of beautiful Kyoto. And then the Hop on Hop off bus stop we got off was right there! Serendipitous and Magical! Definitely go if you are vegan, vegetarian, even my father who eats meat said it was delicious - best we found on our Japan travels. ⛩️👘🫶

Best vegan resto serving veg dumplings in Kyoto. The chef and hosts are very welcoming and friendly. Warm and cozy.

My wife and I ate here when we were traveling this summer. The owner was one of the nicest individuals we met during our trip and talked to use for the duration of our dining. The food was superb, easily some of the best we had in our trip. We made a lot of fantastic memories during our 19 day trip in Japan but the meal here stands out as a highlight for us both. We hope to visit again soon when we return in a few years.

It was amazing! Food and people were great! The foods all vegan- vegetarian and they love speaking. They also helped us lot about the popular places to visit we absolutely loved it!

This place is fantastic for vegan and vegetarian food, which isn't always easy to find in Japan. Everything is so fresh and delicious, and prepared while you wait. The restaurant is small, but we had no problems getting in. And the restaurant staff chatted with us and the other diners all evening. This is a great place. We visited with two kids too, and they went out of their way to make sure they were happy. I absolutely recommend this place to vegans and vegetarians for a delicious meal.

It’s not easy to find vegetarian, much less, vegan food in Japan. This restaurant is a bit like that: not easy to find, but worth the work. Hidden in an alley behind a wedding hall (look for small sign in tiny alley, as pictured below), Chef Toni’s restaurant offers delicious vegan dishes. On the plus side, the gyoza were absolutely oishii! The fried soy (think excellent karaage chicken, but vegan) was also umai. All dishes were served with a lovely salad and yummy rice. Unfortunately, they were out of tea, smoothies, and desserts when we were there, so we didn’t get to try them. But what we had was yummy, and Tomo-san is a great chef.

Though small and unassuming from the outside, this restaurant provided us with our top vegan dining experience in Japan. The owner, Tomo, and his staff create a lively atmosphere in a small space that can only seat a handful of guests. If you're looking to have a pleasant chat with the owner and restaurant staff while you eat amazingly tasty and healthy vegan food, then this is the place for you. You even get to watch them prepare the food right in front of you. The prices are fair, and we didn't have to wait long for our food, despite the restaurant being nearly full. Thank you for the wonderful experience, Tomo-san!

Very nice vegan place run by very nice people cooking really tasty and healthy food. I loved how the salad was dressed with amazing olive oil and the gyozas were spectacular!! Very very tasty!

Zirael: Vegetarian delight in Kyoto! Incredible food, clean & cozy, the owner is charming (bonus: handsome!). Great find for veggies! Multilingual owner creates a fun, international vibe. Met a traveler from Beijing & a magician from Tokyo! ✨ Sadly leaving Kyoto so I cannot go more times, but will definitely return next trip! Highly recommend!

Food is nice👍 Ordered fried soy meat plate, it is free from onion and garlic!🤩(there is other option too) Had a decaf soy bean coffee too, great smell☕ Staff is friendly, perfect service🤗

We ended up trying almost everything on the menu and it was sensational. The best salad I’ve ever had in my life - and I’m not usually a fan of salad. The dumplings are to die for. Definitely worth making a stop if you’re in the area. The staff are very friendly and make you feel at home. It’s a cozy restaurant with only enough seating for 8 people.

We were a group of 8 friends willing to try some healthy local food. We came here and filled up the tiny restaurant. The food was amazing! Tasty and fresh. We tried the special curry of the day and the dumplings, together with all the colorful and tasty veggies and salad. We also tried the vegan matcha cake, which was such a good surprise! Definitely recommended and I would eat this food everyday. The staff is also super friendly and kind and they gave us a lot of tips on things we could do during our stay.