Vegan
Japanese
Macrobiotic
Organic
Western
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Little cafe tucked away in the back streets serving lunch and dinner. Offers salads, fried soy meat bowl, a vegan plate that changes according to the season, burgers, and other Japanese dishes. In the afternoon there's high tea with cakes. Sake, beer and wine available. Chef owned, English is spoken. Lunchtime can be very busy, so reservations are advised. Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-5:00pm, Sat 11:00am-8:00pm, Sun 11:00am-5:00pm.
180 Reviews
First Review by Stella774
Midorichan89
Points +70
Amazing food, friendly owner - Edit
Cozy restaurant with amazing food, and helpful and friendly owner. All the food is vegan, and made from scratch, with lots of local vegetables. The tea is local, and some of the drinks, like the kombucha and plum wine, are homemade. Perfect way to end a day of feeding and awing at deers!
Read moreGuest
eriknerison
Points +50
Tiny but Mighty Vegan Spot in Nara (Close to Train Station) - Edit
The entire menu is 100% vegan, almost all organic, and the restaurant is owned and operated by the chef (who is a very nice man from Nara). The menu has 4 or 5 main dishes and about as many side dishes including fries, pickles, and buns with vegan butter, everything is clearly marked vegan and many items are also gluten free. Quaint ambiance and great food- try the Onwa burger with crushed tomato and the ice cream!
Read moreGuest
jrghof
Points +128
Must-visit in Nara - Edit
I had the best matcha gelato and matcha tart in Onwa! I enjoyed all 8 vegetable dishes in my Vegan delight meal that day, which was colorful, delicious and filling. My wife also enjoyed her vegan burger and fries. A must-visit after all the walking and deer-feeding in Nara! The owners were really nice and made an effort to get to know their guests. I would love to come back to Nara because of deer-feeding and Onwa!
Read moreGuest
Mei-be
Points +86
A hidden gem - Edit
I visited with my family in February 2019 and we arrived on a day they were closed for a private class (vegan chocolate making!). The owner kindly let us in, then called her partner to cook on his day off! It was one of those singular experiences and the best vegan karaage I have ever had, bar none. I became obsessed and am still trying to recreate the amazing flavor. Thank you so much to Onwa for making my kids’ day in Nara mean more than just petting deer.
Read morePros: Delicious karaage, Kind and accommodating staff, Family friendly
Guest
Kosherinveggieout
Points +39
Hard to beat - Edit
This place was a wonderful surprise in Nara, located near the train station. We loved every aspect of the place. Yoseke (I think that's how you spell it), who made everything, was very friendly and speaks English because he lived in New York City a number of years. And he aims to please. The food was delicious and nutritious. The atmosphere was fun. Place is also very clean.
Read morePros: Every dish was a winner, Clean and quiet, Yoseke is a pleasure to talk to
Cons: 4% charge on credit card
Guest
elishafrst
Points +30
Lovely cafe - Edit
Found this beautiful cafe whilst in Nara. Only a 10 minute walk from the station. Excellent way to start off a busy day. Lovely interior and friendly, English speaking owners.
Read morePros: All vegan food, locally sourced, cooked fresh.
Guest
12dam
Points +72
100% recommend - Edit
Great and affordable place. We had the burger menu, it was devine! This is the best vegan place I’ve tried in Japan so far. Also the owner is very sweet and welcoming and I got some cooking-tips on the way out. The café it self is light and beautiful.
Read moreGuest
J8373
Points +34
Delicious Vegan Food Near Nara Station - Edit
This is a wonderful little place a short walk away from Nara station. The fried soy (karaage) bowl was absolutely delicious and the vegetables served were extremely fresh. The owner prepares everything himself and it feels like he puts a lot of love into his dishes. The decor is lovely, the music is fantastic and the owner is really friendly and speaks English well. Very highly recommended!
Read moreGuest
SimoneSif
Points +984
mostly bad - Edit
waited for almost an hour. the vegan plate was good. owner then came upstairs with three muffins and apologized for the waiting time and asked which muffin i would like. i thought it was meant as an apology for the waiting time, but no, i had to pay for it. the muffin was extremely dry as well. decided to buy a scoop of matcha gelato to go. the taste was nice, but sadly the ice cream was icy and has crystallized badly.
Read moreGuest
solanya
Points +283
Cozy, tasty vegan café - Edit
Very cozy café that serves excellent vegan food. The owner is very nice and speaks English well. English menu also available. Great, authentic experience. Dankeschön!
Read morePros: Hidden treasure, Great desserts, Nice atmosphere
Guest
youmeus
Points +45
One of the best vegan restaurants in Japan - Edit
Before I visit, I was wondering how come almost every commend said it’s the best meal in Japan. After I visited, I would say.....it is the best meal we’ve had in Kansiai area!!!
Read moreThe owner is nice, and friendly. The environment is awesome and the food is terrific!!!! Though it may take a while for the meal.
Must try it if you are in Nara area, the place won’t disappoint you!!!!
Pros: All vegan
Cons: None.
Guest
MoChengFei
Points +172
Great place - Edit
Tasty food (burger!! 😋), cosy place, helpful and kind staff.
Read moreGuest
MylesCampbell
Points +33
Fantastico - Edit
Excellent meals and well presented. Meals feel like they're made with love. Very nice
Read moreCons: Only a small selection of meals
Guest
BenoitGran
Points +599
Delicious vegan food - Edit
Great experience: nice cook, healthy and tasty food, beautifully presented, for a fair price.
Read morePros: Delicious, Healthy, Fair price
Guest
矢橋まこ
Points +17
Amazing Big burgers - Edit
I’m always checking about eating American food in other countries but these burgers were so nice, one of the best vegan burgers fries I’ve had anywhere. The place is cozy and cool and the food tastes very fresh. The buns are big and patty is taste like meat. The lettuce and tomato are fresh. I would highly recommend.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-12-22
Pros: excellent food, frendly staff
Cons: none
Guest
AmeliaWood
Points +20
AMAZING - Edit
This place is the cutest! The guy who runs it is so lovely and puts his heart and soul into the food. My boyfriend and I had the vegan bowl and the kaarage bowl - both were delicious! Hands down the best soy meat I’ve had in Japan. The owner does all the cooking and service and it’s literally like being at a friends house - every dish receives some loving. Definitely worth a visit! If I had more time in Nara would eat here everyday!
Read morePros: Atmosphere really cute and pleasant, The owner is a amazing and super lovely, Food absolutely amazing!
Cons: Absolutely nothing!
Guest
kaimele
Points +16
quality food - Edit
this little restaurant is so special. menu is limited but food superb and served w such care. the chef/owner is a true artist!
Read moreGuest
mrtn
Points +40
Lovely. - Edit
Cosy little cafe tucked away in a backstreet in Nara not too far away from JR Nara station. Super-friendly owner. Not many options but he runs this on his own. And the food was nice.
Read moreGuest
amymorgana
Points +11
Like being at someone's home - Edit
This is not the place to go for fast service but we felt like we were at a friend's for dinner and had some of the best food we had on our entire trip to Japan!
Read morePros: Fabtastic food , Friendly atmosphere, Good levek of English
Cons: A little slow
Guest
trisarahtops18
Points +101
Beautiful food, exceptional service - Edit
This was one of the best meals of our entire trip to Japan! We both had the lunch plate, which was served with two onigiri, and it was so beautifully presented that I almost didn't want to eat it! Everything was delicious, and the owners even treated us to some vegetable tempura afterwards. We had a great chat with them about British music and their experience of setting up the cafe, and they made us feel so welcome and at home. We took away some of their matcha and tea ice-creams, which were delicious. I highly recommend this place to anyone who visits Nara- it's very close to the JR station, and well worth sacrificing a bit of time with the deer to enjoy excellent vegan food in a great atmosphere.
Read morePros: Great food, Kind staff, Convenient location
Guest
KasiaStankiewicz
Points +22
Incredible! - Edit
Onwa is a really lovely and cozy cafe with a wonderful food. Each dish is composed very carefully with amazing care. The owner is welcoming and warm. I couldn't recommend it more!
Read morePros: Friendly staff , Excellent food, Good atmosphere
Cons: A little bit pricy
Guest
VeraVerra
Points +13
Nice food, vibes and owner - Edit
We had a lovely lunch at Onwa. It’s a bit on the outskirts of touristic spots but worth the walk if you want to enjoy a healthy, fresh vegan meal in a nice atmosphere with good music. The owner is super sweet too. Oh and try the Hojicha (roasted tea) ice cream, it’s incredibly good !
Read moreGuest
laurachiara
Points +733
Amazing little place - Edit
The food is amazing quality. The owner did everything by himself so the service was a bit slow but absolutely worth the while! Kara age (japanese fried chicken) was unbelievable. The koicha ice cream is something I have never tasted before. It is super bitter even for a matcha lover! The owner speaks some english and there is an english menu. The place is a little bit difficult to spot because it has a very narrow entrance. Inside is super cozy but with very little room. It is a very well cared for little cafe with a lot of heart! 💚
Read morePros: Food’s quality, Super friendly service, A lot of heart
Cons: Small
Guest
Solmaz
Points +20
A cute place - Edit
A very cute place. The food made with local products is really great. The owner was really kind to us :)
Read moreGuest
BeatrizCalderon
Points +20
A must - Edit
This is a place worth finding in Nara. Fabulous star plate: "Vegan delight", absolute feast of flavours! The owner was great and his music too. Cosy, friendly, inexpensive and tiny. We were treated to taste a delighful plum wine home-made by the owners partner. A highly recommendable experience ♡
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-08-13
Pros: Food, Price, Friendliness
Guest
Stravaigfaodail
Points +69
Such a happy experience - Edit
THE EXPERIENCE: Came into Nara today to visit the wild roaming deer and thought I'd give this restaurant off the beaten path a try... what a gem! They had just opened for the day when I arrived so I had the whole place to myself and got to speak with the owner (speaks English well) about music, food, and drink, just casual conversation and I got a tour of the place. The upstairs has two private rooms great for entertaining large parties with sliding door balcony access. The owner and his sister work together and they are so friendly and generous. THE FOOD: ordered a fried soy meat veggie rice bowl that was so delectable! Made fresh on the spot and very filling. Then I finished the meal with a matcha vegan gelato that was the perfect answer for these hot summer days. Can't remember the last time I had vegan ice cream~ so good. Entire meal cost under 1500¥ so very affordable. Highly recommended, looking forward to my next visit!
Read morePros: Very tasty food including 4 gelato flavors, Great atmosphere, music, and friendly staff , Unique selection of sake and other alcohols
Guest
vegantron
Points +78
Best vegan cafe in Nara - Edit
Really love this cosy and lovely local cafe that serves vegan fare from the heart. Everything is made from scratch from the owner. Please support this place even though it is a tad “out of the way”. Close to JR Nara station, worth the visit for all vegans!
Read morePros: Great salads and Japanese style dishes, Excellent tea selection, Yummy sweets
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.