Veg Out Cafe in Kyoto overlooks the Kamagawa river and as the name suggests provides customers with a place to relax.

The design of the cafe is welcoming and inclusive. It feels as though you are expected to stay for more then just a meal and unwind from your day. The space exudes an earthy and grounded feeling, thanks to the decor and staff. I sat for an hour eating lunch and watching a local man fish with a net.

 

Lunch and Dinner menus change daily which is something that suits me. It means that you can return and have something completely different if desired.

There were three options for lunch on the day I visited between ¥1000 - 1600 depending on the size ordered. I chose the Buddha Bowl which consisted of homemade falafel -- crispy on the outside and soft on the inside -- surrounded by fresh seasonal greens. A “special sauce” was drizzled on top which was creamy with a citrus twist. Everything was served on a bed of brown rice which was a nice change to the white rice normally served in Japan. A soup of the day is free as a starter, and on this occasion it was leek and coriander, simple yet delicious. The other options for the day were an Obanzai Vegetable Plate with vegetables steamed, fried, pickled and stewed or the Open Sandwich with vegan taco meat and guacamole.

 

I added a Vitamin tea with cranberries, goji berries and mint for an extra ¥200. If you are after a beer to really help you unwind this can be included for another ¥400.

It is worth pointing out that Veg Out Cafe is attached to a Yoga studio called TAMISA to assist people to unwind further. A sister cafe and studio are located further north near the Nishiki Markets with a similar emphasis on products and produce that do not harm the environment or animals.

 

On their website, Veg out Cafe openly expresses their “kansha” or gratitude and that each and every dish is prepared with all of their hearts. It is a nice sentiment from such a busy place in Japan and I did leave feeling like I had Veged Out in the most productive of ways.


By Jemma King