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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.
203 Reviews
First Review by Stella774
Lelu
Points +1152
Sweet Cafe - Edit
The cafe is very close to the nara-station which is why we visited it.
Read moreWe were received super friendly.
The selection of cakes was large but the menu less which was fine.
I dont understand the comments why it did not taste, taste it was very good only the portions are very small.
Priced it has also been okay.
Guest
MarcelaP.
Points +904
Pricey - Edit
Food is beautifully served but the taste is just ok. This was probably the most expensive meal I have had in Japan.
Read moreBe careful with some tricks here: they make you order at least one meal per person in the group and if you want to order a dessert you need to order along with a tea set which bumps up the price.
Cons: Pricey
KaFraMi
Hello! The rule is “one order per person”. Not necessarily the meal…
Read moreGuest
tesssss
Points +6379
great karaage - Edit
i arrived shortly after they opened and was able to get a seat next to the kitchen. the upstairs seating area is reserved for bigger groups.
Read morei got a karaage bowl and a dessert set. the elements of the bowl were tasty, but it could have used some more seasoning or dressing. if i went back again i would just get a large order of the fried chicken cause it was bomb. it didn’t take much waiting for the food to come out.
the cheesecake was very good and the matcha was just okay. maybe it was my fault for getting iced. i wish they had coffee too.
the other desserts looked good, albeit pricey. if you are eating in, you have to get a drink and dessert together.
Guest
Antsoldier
Points +93
Great food - Edit
We ordered the 'vegan delight' and had some cake with tea/matcha afterwards. The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly.
Read moreHowever the matcha was too strong for our taste.
Updated from previous review on 2024-03-28
Pros: Food, Staff, Mostly locally sourced
Cons: Expensive
Guest
swaninspired
Points +466
Lovely lunch café - Edit
We sat in the Asian seating area upstairs where you take off your shoes and eat sitting on a cushion on the floor. The food was delicious and dished in a very aesthetically pleasant way. We had the "vegan delight plate", the taco plate and a banana chocolate cake / red bean soup with mochi as desserts. Quite a feast and well worth it.
Read moreGuest
gruszka_yogi
Points +360
Amazing food and matcha, floor seating upstairs super cosy - Edit
We loved this place! First meal in Nara which we were super hungry for. We arrived just after getting to Nara station and it was only a 10 minute walk away. Beautiful seating upstairs with traditional floor seats and mats. We loved it. The food was amazing. We had a vegan delight and karaage which we both mecha oishi! Would highly recommend, especially if looking for something close to the station. Amazing matcha as well.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-03-23
Pros: Options, Floor seating , Matcha
Guest
Ashhhhhh
Points +13
Delicious food - Edit
We dined in and all the food was delicious. We also had tea. Also delicious.
Read moreGuest
ladie_jadie
Points +204
Delicious! - Edit
Incredible food! So glad we visited here, only wish the cafe opened earlier.
Read moreGuest
LawdKarli
Points +123
Absolutely delicious food! - Edit
Absolutely delicious vegan/vegetarian food! Can't recommend this place enough. The girl serving was friendly, polite and explained everything in english very well.
Read moreBit of an interesting entrance. Not sure if there was another way in to the restaurant 😂
Would definitely come again! One of the best vegan/vegetarian foods we've had in the whole of Japan!
We ordered the organic ginger ale, Mikan juice, vegan delight and the shojin karaage bowl. All were delicious and beautifully presented!
Pros: Food, Atmosphere , Service
Cons: Not open past 5pm. Last orders around 4.30
Guest
KateGM
Points +676
- Edit
This was a perfect lunch space after a day of wandering around at Nara. Delicious, friendly staff and a great glass of their home made umeshu. We over ate because it was just all so good.
Read moreGuest
SophiaMT
Points +318
A Must Try - Edit
Beautiful little cafe a 20 minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara station. Onwa is tucked away behind a 7/11 in a residential area and the entry is a small step at the end of the fence. The lunch options were beautiful - I tried the karaage bowl which was fresh, filling, and SO tasty. The matcha latte was perfect for a cold day and also delicious. I sat upstairs with the low tables and floor seating and the staff are so lovely. I am so glad to have made the journey - it's a must try!
Read moreGuest
CristyPC
Points +296
Delicious macrobiotic food - Edit
We had a late lunch here and it was delicious. Great variety. Beautifully presented and super fresh tasty vegan GF food. It’s a lovely calm place to sit too.
Read moreWe also bought some vegan cheesecake for later and it was incredible!
Pros: Delicious fresh food , Incredible vegan cheesecake , GF
Guest
ToxicDose
Points +72
Hidden gem - Edit
Wouldn't have expected such a lovely Restaurant in that area. Place with good food, Tea and cake, everything is vegan. Owner is very charming too.
Read moreGuest
KayokoHashimoto
Points +396
The best vegan restaurant in Japan - Edit
Accept credit card, gluten free and vegan. Cakes look so lovely and delicious (Tried cheeseecake and delicious) English friendly environment #Veganuary
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-02-01
Pros: Cake, Matcha , Veggie plate
Guest
FaithUgates
Points +472
Cozy place and yummy foods - Edit
It was a satisfying lunch in my opinion. I had the vegan delight, it consists of a little bit of everything. I like the variety of it. They have enough selection of foods especially desserts. If I can fit all the cakes in my tummy, I would haha! With the help of the lady taking orders (I forgot her name), I finally chose their classic chocolate cake and paired it with a matcha latte. The cake was rich and very filling. Their location is near the train station (a little bit of a walk though) The place is cozy, really cute. #Veganuary #Veganuary
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-01-30
Pros: wide selection of desserts, all vegan
Guest
Francifra
Points +686
Amazing vegan stop in Nara - Edit
I had vegan Karage. The taste and texture were amazing. They also have a wide choice of desserts. Unfortunately, it is impossible to have one without buying a set. Anyway, it's definitely worth a stop when in Nara.
Read moreGuest
miltoky
Points +700
Amazing - Edit
The owner/staff member was really welcoming, super helpful and very friendly, and spoke very good English, so it was easy to order. I had the Vegan Delight, which was an assortment of different foods, which were all explained to me, a macha latte, and a chocolate and banana cake. It was all delicious. The atmosphere was great, too. A must visit!
Read morePros: Friendly staff, Delicious food, Great atmosphere
Guest
Heike.St
Points +2279
Very tasty cakes! - Edit
Restaurant entrance is just besides a fence, not accessible when handicapped or with stroller. 5-10 minuted walk from train station.
Read moreSeating on down- and upstairs. Upstairs on the floor at low tables with some pillows.
We got a sample platter which was very tasty. But not really enough food to share. The cakes were all the bomb! Very tasty, but small slices.
Matcha latte also very good.
Pros: Cakes
Guest
Vu21
Points +92
Superb food! - Edit
Must go if in Nara, amazing food and welcoming staff. I really recommend the karage and the taco (tried both of these in the platter). The plum wine is also excellent.
Read moreGuest
natcat
Points +76
So good!!! - Edit
Amazing food 😋 makes the very best matcha latte 🎉
Read moreGuest
Hodzic_fam
Points +1852
Great Food and Vibes - Edit
Great high quality food and delightful and very welcoming staff. Highly recommended.
Read morePros: Food quality , Creativity , Atmosphere
Cons: Expensive
Guest
MinaNoir
Points +170
Fantastic food and dessert! - Edit
Everything about Onwa is in all honesty fantastic!
Read moreIs a lovely building, friendly staff and amazing food!!!
Everything we tried (savoury and sweet) tasted so, so good and was prepared with lots of care and dedication.
Japan opening hours are in general difficult to combine with full days out sightseeing but we ate here whenever we got the chance!
Pros: Lovely atmosphere, Friendly staff, Food is amazing
Cons: Opening hours, Sold out fast
Guest
StephBee
Points +126
Absolutely Delicious - Edit
I had the Shojin Karaage Bowl (large) followed by the Tarte Chocolat and everything was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed a much desired Japanese eating experience. I am glad I visited Nara mostly because I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Onwa ありがとうございます
Read moreGuest
Tainto
Points +15
Great taste! - Edit
Nice atmosphere, great food! We had the Karage Bowl - nice texture and flavor 10/10
Read moreGuest
SumnerNichols
Points +123
Great Little Nook with Friendly Service and Amazing Food - Edit
This place is only a five to ten minute walk from the station. It is there, don't worry! Just past another restaurant as you head south. Sneak in past the fence and be prepared to be greeted with smiling faces. A large variety of bakery sweets. Figs, chestnut, chocolate, banana, Japanese pear, etc. Can't remember them all. The fig (which was made fresh that day) was especially delicious and the chocolate was on par with the best of the vegan chocolate cakes I've had in Japan or the US.
Read moreI got the tacos and the rice bowl with the "fried chicken." This place didn't overly salt the crispy gluten chunks (I've noticed this trend at other places). Awesome presentation, delicious masa tacos, and all the traditional Japanese pickles. It was my birthday (thus the chocolate and fig cake indulgence) and they gave me a little candle, took my picture, and played a fun upbeat birthday song. Super English friendly, this was a truly wonderful experience! After you see all of Nara and climb the hill (I would get to Nara by 6:30 or 7 if you are coming from Osaka), don't even think about eating a different meal before getting to Onwa on the way back to the station (okay, not quite on the way back, but only a ten minute detour)!
Guest
griff-the-man
Points +50
A hidden gem (pinnacle of artisan vegan food) - Edit
This cafe is everything you can ever ask out of artisan vegan dining. It combines novel recipes (everything made from scratch) with international and local cultural staples (like basque cheesecake) to create a menu that is neither too large to maintain consistency or too small to feel restricted. The place is clean and artsy. The food is incredible and uses quality ingredients. The fried food is not too greasy, the desserts are flavorful without being overly sweet. Matcha was fantastic and the atmosphere was hipster and cozy. Passing this spot up would be a missed opportunity to say the least.
Read morePros: Desserts made from scratch , Matcha, Turnip cakes
Guest
YosukeSuetake
Points +96
from onwa stff 💕 - Edit
We will be closed today, 8/15 due to a typhoon.
Read moreWe will be open from Wednesday, August 16th.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Updated from previous review on 2023-08-13
Guest
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