Second floor vegan bistro using vegetables from the local market. Food is presented in a sophisticated style. Has a fixed menu of multi-courses, including choice of main dish and pasta. Seating is limited with one table for four people and six seats at the bar. The owner prepares all the food herself, so when the restaurant is full, you might be waiting for a while between the courses. The owner speaks very little English, but you get an English menu. Last orders 10pm. Located a short walk from the west exit of the train station. Reservation is required at least 2 business days in advance, no walk-ins. Open Mon-Wed 5:00pm-10:00pm, Fri-Sun 5:00pm-10:00pm.
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Last update on 09 Jun 2024 by Chicpigs
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Added by stefano56 on 28 Dec 2016
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17 Reviews
First Review by BigSwerty
Chicpigs
Points +69
A Rare All Vegan High End Culinary Experience in Japan - Edit
One of the best meals I've ever had! Every detail of the meal was exquisite, from the delicate and refined flavors, to the plating presentation, to the lovely pottery tableware, to the intimate atmosphere. The food is made using many ingredients that are local to Kamakura and the beer and wine list featured local breweries and wineries.
Read moreThe restaurant is located down a small back street, on the second floor above a small local bar. It feels like you've found a hidden vegan oasis. Being served by the chef after seeing her lovingly prepare the food in the visible kitchen added to the intimacy of the experience. Just be prepared for a slower paced meal than you may be used to as our meal lasted about 3 hours. However, we greatly enjoyed the slower pace after a long day of exploring the shrines and parks of Kamakura.
The menu seems to change seasonally and is mostly a set menu but you do have two options for the grains and 2 for the main courses. My favorite main was the Roasted Kuruma-Fu (wheat gluten) and Spring Onion with Soy and Sherry Vinegar Sauce, and my favorite grain course was the Mugwort Ravioli with Sake-Kasu Mushroom Filling
with Sage Oil and Creamy Turnip Miso Sauce.
Of particular note were the sauces which had a wonderful depth and complexity of flavor while not overwhelming the other ingredients they were paired with. Truly masterful flavor balance.
Last, the desserts were also a highlight, especially the Blueberry Lavender Sorbet. I recommend the toasted green tea as your tea choice for dessert.
Do not miss this place if you're in the Kamakura area, highly recommend!
Note: Restaurant now accepts credit cards.
Updated from previous review on 2024-06-08
Pros: Excellent food, Beautiful tableware, Refined atmosphere
Cons: Slightly warm inside (it was a hot summer day)
Guest
Tsukimi
Points +4910
First class! 🥇⭐️ - Edit
The course was only 6000 yen and very satisfying. I think it’s very reasonable if compared to other courses I had in Tokyo/Yokohama like Saido.
Read moreEvery dish was unique, beautiful and very delicious! We were the only customers so it was such a nice private atmosphere! Slow chill music and dimmed light, perfect for a date night! Ingredients change with season according to the staff. Definitely want to come again!
Updated from previous review on 2024-02-05
Guest
bettafrg
Points +2548
Fancy restaurant, but overall a bit too expensive - Edit
I went there for a special occasion, the restaurant is fancy and exclusive, the presentation was nice, but in my opinion it was overpriced. The food was ok, but I wouldn’t say it was amazing, and the portions were pretty small. I’m happy I’ve tried it, it was a good experience, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you wish to have a fulfilling dinner.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-03-10
Pros: Fancy, All vegan
Cons: Expensive , Meager portions , Taste was fine but not great
Guest
PeterLiptons
Points +13
Beautiful food! Wonderfully created! - Edit
Our last minute decision to try out Vegetus was rewarded with beautifully crafted food that looks like art and tastes great.
Read moreFortunately it's low season and we didn't need a reservation but if you are planning to make a stop at Kamakura then book into Vegetus.
Pros: Beautiful food, Tasty, Friendly service
Cons: A bit pricey , May need to book, Can be busy
Guest
Nancy Cadet
Points +876
Delicate, delicious and vegan - Edit
Update: Reservations are now necessary. The restaurant website (Japanese only) lists a phone and email contact, so be prepared (we weren’t, in October 2019, and were turned away).
Read moreVegetus serves a 6-course dinner set for $45/4500yen, no credit cards accepted. It is inventive and flavorful, with seasonal local vegetables, grains, tofu, & a choice of teas, served in attractive ceramic ware. The fall menu when we visited in 2017 had spiced and marinated hors d'œuvres (fresh figs, eggplant, braised carrot& apple, etc), a main course (choice of two) & a grain course (choice of pasta or rice) and dessert. In our case, it was carrot cake and caramel tofu ice cream.
The space is small, with 7 counter seats and one table for four. There is a nice selection of Japanese wines and beers. The atmosphere is relaxing and friendly.
Location: in a side street branching off the main shopping artery Onarimachi, at the corner with Ogawaren Patisserie. Vegetus is on the second floor , above Barchie 's Pub and Barbecue. It's only a 5 minute walk from Kamakura Station. Keep an eye out for Barchie’s chalkboard sign at the entrance to the narrow lane, or use your GPS map!
Updated from previous review on 2019-10-30
Pros: Delicious gourmet cuisine, Unusual and inventive , Seasonal
Cons: Reservations required, May be hard to find, Closed Thursday , only open for dinner other days
Guest
marvin.bzq
Points +29
Great discovery in Kamakura / Très belle découverte à Kamakura - Edit
The restaurant is very close to Kamakura station but in a quiet street. The place is very well decorated and intimate, we were the only ones for dinner and the cheffe cooked nearly in front of us for all the dishes.
Read moreEverything was very tasty and the service was amazing.
We will be back soon for more to taste in this lovely restaurant.
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Restaurant très proche de la gare de Kamakura mais situé dans une rue calme. La salle est très bien décorée, chic, et avec une atmosphère très privée. Nous étiez les seuls dans le restaurant et la cheffe a cuisiné quasiment devant nous pour chaque plat.
Tout était très bon et le service fantastique.
Nous y retournerons pour découvrir de nouveaux plats.
Pros: Tasty, Great presentation and service, Nice atmosphere
Cons: Cheffe does not speak good english (but no problem
Guest
jamesdeanmcdonald
Points +216
A One-of-a-kind Experience - Edit
This was my first time eating at a restaurant with a set menu—set menus always felt like something that meat-heavy fine-dining restaurants had. Vegetus gave me a glimpse into what this world of dining could be like for a vegan diet.
Read moreSome might say that 4,500 yen (around $40 US) is too expensive. For this type of experience—one in which a skilled chef serves a variety of meals—this price felt fine. I would have paid even more. (Drinks are not included in the cost of the set menu.)
We were the only couple in attendance for dinner. It was a rainy weeknight. I would have enjoyed having more patrons there, to get their reactions to the lovely food.
You can, I believe, buy items a la carte, though this seemed more expensive and contrary to the magic of the set-meal style.
I have posted pictures of the menu as it was in early July of 2019.
If you are vegan and in Kamakura, you should go to this restaurant.
Updated from previous review on 2019-07-09
Pros: Easy to find. Near main train station., Intimate. Well-decorated. Soft French music., Menu available in English.
Cons: The Gazpacho tasted like kale juice—too vegetal., The drinks (I got a ginger ale) are expensive., The cheap-looking tiles on the walls.
Guest
JeromeRhassanHill
Points +151
Amazing FOOD! - Edit
The chef is amazing, defiantly coming back.
Read morePros: Full coarse meals, Romantic
Cons: Small but cozy and romantic
Guest
sarahrreed
Points +55
My favorite dinner in Japan - Edit
Vegetus was amazing; fine dining vegan food in a classy, peaceful, unhurried environment. My husband and I were the only diners in the restaurant and the owner (who is also the host and chef) was the only other person present. We did not have a reservation but got in as we went on a Monday night, otherwise I'd recommend a reservation. This place is small and the owner turned away the next party who came by, presumably because she couldn't handle that many guests (their conversation was in Japanese). The owner did not speak much English, but she had an English menu so we knew exactly what we were eating and had no trouble ordering. You can choose from the full menu or a la carte. We opted for the full menu and each had two glasses of Japanese wine. The food was delicious and beautiful and the wines were unique and well paired. We were pleasantly full by the end of the meal. Expect to linger over your food as there is only one person working to prep everything. We never felt like we were waiting, the meal was well paced. This was our most expensive dinner in Japan and it was well worth it. Finding "fancy" vegan food is rare!
Read morePros: Amazing food, Classy environment, Fine dining
Guest
SarahHiggins
Points +24
Amazing - Edit
The food was so good. It was like art on a plate. The chef was running the restaurant and it was a personal and wonderful experience. Loved it, highly recommend
Read morePros: - good food -clean -fine dining on a budget
Cons: -down an alley on top level so can be hard to find
Guest
mamabean69
Points +419
exquisite food - Edit
This was by far the most expensive meal we've had on both our trips to Japan but it was worth the experience. Six small courses of deliciousness, but by the end was the perfect amount. Please note that it is upstairs. The first time we went we walked away cos we thought it was downstairs, which was closed.
Read morePros: Amazing food. Beautiful crockery. Very relaxing
Cons: Expensive. Took 2 hours to get through our 6 cour
Guest
ReiAmber
Points +3090
Food too heavy and rich for my personal tastes. - Edit
I went for a special occasion. The owner was working hard to prepare the food, but it didn't agree with me. I ended up with a stomachache. I might just not be used to full course menus...
Read morePros: Prepared with care
Cons: Food too heavy and rich for my tastes
Guest
BeagleLondon
Points +285
The Most Creative Vegan Food Ever! - Edit
We LOVED this place! The food was very creative, a beautiful fusion of Japanese and French cuisine. The dishes we tried were all like works of art. There was also a set course which is amazing value - Vegetus really could/should be Michelin stared!
Read moreGuest
DrJennyP
Points +18
Awesome - Edit
Really great place for vegans or not! Amazing food and great atmosphere. Very clean, updated, modern. Loved it!
Read moreGuest
AlbertHering
Points +56
Amazing upscale vegan dining. - Edit
Small, modern, sleek, clean, beautiful interior. The food is well thought out, creative, delicious and worth the extra cash. Great place for a romantic date night. Set menu with lots of variety. Treat yo-self!
Read morePros: classy, 100% vegan
Cons: pricey
Guest
RainbowZebra
Points +26
Wonderful experience. - Edit
Cute little restaurant. The food was exquisite and was an overall great experience. A little pricey but well worth it.
Read morePros: Food was devine.
Guest
BigSwerty
Points +70
Top notch vegan meal - Edit
6 course fixed menu, delicious sophisticated food, with a strong local influence. Also a fine selection of local wines.
Read moreGuest
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