Middle Eastern
Israeli
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Moved from 13-2 Minami-machi, Higashi Muko in Apr 2014. Same Israeli food menu, in Japanese and English, offering falafel, hummus, and Middle Eastern food. Veg items are marked. Separate smoking/non-smoking areas. Last order 30 minutes before closing. Directions: 80m north of the Eiden line exit of Keihan Demachiyanagi station. Address 京都市, 左京区田中上柳町15-2. Open Mon-Tue 11:30am-9:00pm, Thu-Sun 11:30am-9:00pm.
59 Reviews
First Review by Marenka
azsunshine
Points +55
Lackluster - Edit
I visited this place a year ago and it was good. At best, the food is now just OK. Falafels are tiny and served *cold*. Avocado pita did not have all the items described and the avocado was not proper green. Babaganoush and hummus lack seasoning. I will not be going back.
Read morePros: Upstairs dining area is quite nice
Cons: Poor quality food, Restaurant is cold
Guest
MerikWesterveld
Points +760
Good falafel and cozy space - Edit
The restaurant was very cosy and they knew what vegan was (marked on the menu). The falafel was delicious. Nice place :)
Read morePros: Good food with vegan meals marked, Cozy place
Cons: Little expensive for falafel but not too bad
Guest
SP712
Points +17
Great find and nice good - Edit
Tastiest falafel I’ve had in a long time
Read morePros: Easy to find on the main road , Menu cleared marked with veg options , Extremely tasty and filling
Guest
chu_dailyintake
Points +153
Impressive Pita - Edit
Vegan-friendly Middle-East-like restaurant with impressive pita! Every vegan option is marked clearly on the menu.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Impressive food, Vegan options are clearly marked
Cons: not a vegan restaurant
Guest
mhale
Points +295
Great falafel for Japan - Edit
The owner of this place is from Israel, which is probably why their falafel is actually pretty good (especially for falafel in Japan). The falafel pita sandwiches were tasty, generous with the falafel, and pretty filling -- though if you're super hungry like we were, I recommend getting some fries too.
Read moreNote that you can order the pita in either S, M, or L, and we got M. The only real thing I disliked was that there was some kind of tomato sauce on top of the pita sandwich that tasted super out of place. But it was only on the very top, so it disappeared quickly
The menu displayed outside is not exactly the same as the actual menu inside the restaurant, which was slightly confusing. Also prices aren't super cheap (but not totally horrible).
Pros: Good falafel.
Cons: A little expensive.
Guest
JoBaring
Points +19
Good falafel - Edit
Good falafel and good service. Really nice to eat something fresh, as vegetarian salads aren’t a widely available thing here. Not all that cheap but a tasty meal. We got it take away and ate it next to the river which is just across the road.
Read morePros: Friendly staff, Tasty food
Cons: Pretty expensive
Guest
Suzanna
Points +61
I’ll pass - Edit
Not so great and pretty darn expensive. Honestly there’s a lot better food at a better cost all around Kyoto University.
Read moreGuest
MsTiit
Points +37
A quick snack - Edit
It's really good if you are not so hungry. The portions are on the small side. I had the falafel and I really recommend it, the avocado one is not as good. I would recommend this restaurant for a quick lunch break.
Read morePros: many vegan options, owner is very friendly, english menu
Cons: expensive, small portions
Guest
yanina
Points +80
Nice place - Edit
This spot is nice when you're in Japan for a longer period of time, and you start missing falafel. It's not the best falafel I've ever had, and it's definitely not the cheapest for the amount of food you get, but it's still tasty and good for a quick bite,
Read morePros: nice staff
Cons: smaller portions
Guest
jofly
Points +45
Good Falafel restaurant - Edit
I got the Baba ghanoush lunch set and my friend had the Falafel set. Both where tasty and made with good quality ingredients. A bit expensive for the size...
Read morePros: Tasty , Good location
Cons: Small portion
Guest
Adalim420
Points +52
Best falafel in Japan!!! - Edit
The best vegan falafel I’ve tried in Japan 🥙💕
Read morePros: Friendly staff, Delicious vegan meals, Nice music
Guest
ReiAmber
Points +3090
Serves food and drinks made with healthy ingredients - Edit
I felt like I have been lacking vegetables in my diet lately and walked past this place by chance, so I decided to give it a try for lunch. I thought the location by the Kamogawa was convenient.
Read moreI got an iced mint tea, soy latte, small falafel pita sandwich and medium hummus pita sandwich.
The mint leaves in the tea had browned around the edges and had seen better days but the mint flavor was fresh. It seems like perhaps the tea had been infused with the leaves to get the flavor and perhaps that is just what happens.
I liked that neither of the drinks had added sugar and you could add brown sugar crystals yourself if you want to.
The sandwiches had nice fresh vegetables even though we are in the dead of winter and tasty sauces. I thought the bread and falafel could have used a touch more flavor. I felt the small would be a good size for a child and the medium would be better for an adult who is not too hungry.
I felt much healthier when I left...my body actually felt better instantly. I recommend it for anyone who feels lacking in nutrients.
I have to say Kuumba du Falafel in Tokyo makes even better falafel though.
The service was lightning fast- I do not think I waited even 10 seconds for the hummus pita to come out. Even the other staff members were laughing about how fast my waiter could make the food. I do not think I have ever gotten food so fast after ordering.
There are vegan marks on the menu by the desserts and foods that are appropriate for vegans but not on the drinks.
I thought the prices were fair.
Edit- I went back a second time and ordered the medium baba ganoush pita sandwich and it was amazing and full of flavor. I definitely think baba ganoush is the thing to order there.
Updated from previous review on 2018-02-12
Pros: Healthy food and ingredients selected with care, Reasonably priced, Incredibly fast service
Cons: Serves meat, Vegan drinks are not marked on the menu
Guest
aggiem
Points +415
Flavour - Edit
Full of flavour. I had the pita falafel with potato wedges, hummus and, because I asked politely, avocado on the side. I swear, they should put the avo IN the pita! So good. Nice view. Had it been cooler outside, I would have eaten in the small courtyard.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-09-09
Pros: Lots of veggie options., Eat-in and take-away is possible., English menu and somewhat English-speaking staff.
Cons: A little pricey, especially for soy products.
Guest
St3Vino
Points +55
5 stars!! all the way. - Edit
For some reason it won't let me give 5 stars but I'd give 10 if possible! The best falafel I've ever had. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys middle eastern food. Hands down the best I've ever had. My boyfriend is a meat eater and even he thought it was the best he's ever had. He got the chicken kabab and the falafel. Was disappointed he'd eaten the falafel first! Ha! Try it out if you're curious. You won't be disappointed.
Read morePros: vegan, meat options, desert
Guest
YokeMunLim
Points +979
Authentic and delicious falafel near Demachiyanagi Station - Edit
This is my go-to place whenever I have a falafel craving. It is conveniently located at a 3-minute walk away from Demachiyanagi station and they are usually always open, making it a reliable option for vegans and vegetarians looking for food in that area. I've been there way too many times for a quick lunch or dinner because it is so readily available and filling. Large seating space also caters to large crowds. The best vegan option is the falafel pita sandwich that is filled with hearty falafels, lots of veggies and topped with a drizzle of nutty tahini sauce. The pita bread is absolutely fluffy and soft, one of the best I've had. However, the drinks are overpriced (with a huge increase in price for soy alternatives to non vegan drinks) and the dessert menu is lacking in vegan options. although they have begun selling raw vegan cakes from Raw Peace Japan as of last year. Great option if you're near the station and last minute resort if other places are closed.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-07-22
Pros: Really delicious falafel pita sandwich, Extremely close to the station, Always open
Cons: Overpriced drink menu, Limited vegan options for dessert, Smell of cooking meat on the first floor
Guest
makiko64
Points +41
Middle Eastern food - Edit
I wanted to try Middle Eastern food and i liked it at Falafel Garden. I had the Pita set and i think is suitable also for Japanese customer. Not spicy.
Read morePros: Not spicy, Good portion
Guest
JohnnieMeijer
Points +39
Big and tasty filled pitas! - Edit
Went here after reading the reviews here with my girlfriend. We chose the double pita, which didn't seem that big on the photos, so we also ordered some fried potatoes on the side. We are so full! The pitas were delicious, both the falafel and the avocado with lovely cheese. And bigger than expected.
Read moreWe may come back for lunch and order only pita then. I also want to try the Baba Ganoush and Humus pitas!
Pros: Lots of vegetarian choices. Mostly vegan btw. Mayb, Vegan cake choices. Didn't try it, but they go, Very reasonably priced. And the staff is good enou
Cons: None that I know of.
Guest
char_lou
Points +34
falafel! - Edit
Nice falafel with salad & hummous in delicious pitta bread. Good place to pop for lunch whilst exploring.
Read moreGuest
Sukedc
Points +56
Excellent Falafel - Edit
We really enjoyed the food here, and even were happy that they offer take out as well. The Falafel was some of the best we've ever had, and everything was fresh and delicious. Friendly and quick service. There is a backyard garden too.
Read morePros: Delcious Food, Take Out
Guest
EmmaCebuliak
Points +1860
Yummy Vegan Falafel - Edit
I went here for a take-out falafel to eat later. The interior is pleasant and I would definitely go back again to eat-in for a casual meal. I got the falafel pita with extra baba ganoush, and it was really good - even a few hours later. The pita was soft, it had a nice balance of veggies, and there was lots of flavour!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-04-12
Pros: Yummy , Lots of vegan options, Casual but pleasant atmosphere
Cons: Not fully vegan
Guest
Vedika
Points +39
Not to be missed! - Edit
the vegan falafels are out of this world, some of the best I've had! They also have vegetarian options and meat options as well. check this place out!
Read moreGuest
Karan_S
Points +46
very tasty! - Edit
takeout falafel from here was best I've ever had. really liked the ethos of the owner and staff judging by the posters on the wall calling for peace, no to gmo foods and other vital causes
Read moreGuest
happycyclist
Points +443
one of our faves - Edit
Always consistent with taste and freshness. We eat here a lot because it's reasonably priced, lovely cozy seating, friendly service, and the only falafel spot we know of in Kyoto. Portions are a bit small so we tend to add some side dishes like extra hummus, fries and baklava. Lots of veggie options.
Read morePros: taste, quality, cozy
Cons: small-ish portions, a bit far from everything
Guest
Den28
Points +331
Absolutely delicious - Edit
You can sit by the window and watch the sakura on the oposite street. Has a separate Vegan Menu. Take-out available. Not your typical veg options, so it's an interesting and delicious experience.
Read morePros: Clear and separate veg menú, Friendly staff, Cozy
Cons: Serves Meat
Guest
elfmaiden713
Points +166
Yummy - Edit
This place was pretty funny: a Middle Eastern restaurant, playing Hindi chant and what I can only describe as "cosmic accordion" music, staffed and frequented almost entirely by Japanese people... It cracked me up. That being said, I had a very good meal here for a reasonable amount of money. I especially liked how you could order the pita sandwiches in different sizes, depending on how hungry you are. Definitely worth a visit if you're up in Demachiyanagi.
Read morePros: Vegan options clearly marked, Filling, Dish names translated into English
Guest
Jellie
Points +29
Good falafel! - Edit
One of few vege friendly places open on a Sunday. Went recently and enjoyed falafels, pita and baba ghanoush. Pricing quite reasonable compared to other "western" options. Comfortable environment including reclining tables as an option. Recommended! Bigger portions than many restaurants in Japan, but smaller than western servings.
Read moreGuest
Philoslothical
Points +44
Good Food, Hard Location, Many Options - Edit
Compared to Australia the serving size is a bit on the small side, still very filling. The falafel option was very good with a nice sauce. Minimal English spoken by some of the Japanese staff, menu in English. I got along fine knowing zero Japanese.
Read morePros: Filling, Tastes Good
Cons: Not Absolutely Easy To Find
Guest
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