A Peaceful Cafe by the River in Kyoto

We had just got off a 9-hour journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, a not-so-restful night on the sleeper bus. We naively thought that getting the sleeper bus would mean we would be well-rested for the whole day of exploring Kyoto the next day.

We were saving money by getting accommodation and transport in one, but not so ideal when you don’t get any sleep. Unfortunately for us, we were in Kyoto really early. The only reason I say unfortunately is that we were very sleep-deprived and feeling SO hungry.

Our Airbnb check-in wasn’t until 5 pm, and nowhere we could go was open. It was 6:20 am, after all. In any other scenario, arriving early before the city wakes up to explore is a dream! We had a look at the weather before coming and knew that we would only have until midday before the rain hit us. (We came prepared with our rain macs!)

So we tried our very best to get all the energy we had left in our bodies and put our very heavy feet, one in front of the other and to explore Kyoto before the city woke up. We had originally planned a whole day of activities for us to explore Kyoto, but that definitely was not going to happen today. We were very tired and had a long day trying to keep ourselves awake!

We snacked on party rings for a little bit of fuel, but our energy levels were running low. In the end, we were just too tired and decided to just sit and relax by the river near the cafe before it opened. This may have resulted in me having a quick cat nap…

Table of Contents

At a glance

V/VO: Vegan
Payment: Cards and cash accepted. Payment at the end.
Reservation required?: No
How to order: The Server will take your order at the table.

Veg Out – The Cafe

Veg Out is a vegan cafe in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, just an 11-minute walk from Kyoto Station. Whether you’re arriving by train, Shinkansen, or overnight bus, chances are this will be your first stop in the city—making Veg Out the perfect place to refuel.

The cafe has a peaceful, grounding atmosphere, making it a perfect spot to unwind. Committed to using organic and locally sourced ingredients, Veg Out offers a menu filled with nourishing options, including curry, Buddha bowls, salads, taco rice, and their signature Veg Out plates. They also serve a delightful selection of cakes, cookies, pancakes, smoothies, coffee, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The menu varies depending on the time of day, and I’ve heard that their baked goods and desserts tend to sell out quickly. If you’re craving something sweet, it might be worth visiting earlier to avoid missing out!

view from veg out cafe Kyoto — Such a lovely view, Even on a gloomy day

As you go in, you are greeted by a large window, showing a gorgeous view of the Kamo River. On a nice day, the windows are opened up so you can listen to the sounds of the river and the world go by. It’s furnished with wooden furniture, adding to the calm and organic feel of the place.

As we arrived just after the cafe opened its doors, we were lucky enough to get a seat by the large windows, where we could fully enjoy the view and take in the calm atmosphere.

What’s close to Veg Out?

Food at Veg Out

When trying a new place with Jonny, I always think trying two different items on the menu is more exciting. It means that we can try a variety of food and get a better sense of the place.

However, we’re so similar that we often end up wanting the same item on the menu. This was one of those times! We were too tired and hungry not to get the thing we both wanted. We both got a TLC (tempeh, lettuce and tomato) sandwich and a warm matcha latte.

TLC Sandwich (tempeh, lettuce and tomato)

Back in England, I was never much of a fan of tempeh, but that day, nothing else on the menu caught my eye—and I was craving bread, having gone so long without it.

To my surprise, the tempeh was absolutely delicious! It made me realise that I must have just never had it prepared the right way before. I’m so glad I gave it another try.

It had a slightly smoky flavor and a texture unlike any tempeh I’d had before. The toasted sourdough was beautifully crusty, with a slight tang and a satisfyingly chewy bite. It paired perfectly with crisp lettuce and juicy slices of tomato.

The side salad was just as fresh, filled with crunchy greens, tomatoes, radishes, a light sprinkle of quinoa, and a delicate dressing to tie it all together.

Everything was great—except for one thing: the portion size.

We definitely didn’t leave hungry, but Jonny and I both agreed the sandwich was tiny. Jonny practically finished his in four bites!

Matcha Latte

I really needed caffeine and thought I would be getting a coffee, but when I saw that they had a matcha latte using oat milk on the menu, how could I refuse? It was warm, frothy, creamy and sweet (I added sugar; I needed it!) The matcha latte was exactly what I needed.

It felt so lovely being able to enjoy our food and drink while looking out to the beautiful river. It’s definitely somewhere you feel a sense of calm, the cafe had such a nice atmosphere to it.

How to get to Veg Out

Address:
〒600-8133 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Inarichō, 448 Bldg.1F

Open time:
Closed on Mondays
Breakfast: 9:00 – 10:30 (L.O.)
Lunch: 11:00 – 15:00
Cafe: 15:00 – 18:00 (L.O. 17:30)

(Open time info from their Instagram @vegout_kyoto, the website says 11 am – 6 pm but we were able to get breakfast at 9 am when we went in November 2022)

Contact:
075-748-1124

Veg out was very idyllic, the interior had an organic beauty to it, and the added bonus of the glorious view out of the big windows. It’s a perfect place to go if you’re close to Kyoto Train Station, as it’s only 11 minutes away by foot. If you need a quick break from busy Japan, this is a great spot to have something to eat and wind down while you take in the beauty.

If you decide to go, let me know what you think!

If you’d like to try some traditional Japanese food, Gion Tanto has amazing vegan okonomiyaki in Kyoto!