Vegan-friendly
Japanese
Take-out
Fusion
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Restaurant in a garden setting. Serves healthy dishes with a focus on fresh vegetables. Last orders 4pm. NOTE: Operates on a seasonal basis. Formerly fully vegan but added meat to the menu February 2022. Open Mon 11:00am-5:00pm, Wed-Sun 11:00am-5:00pm.
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Last update on 06 Feb 2022 by kristienna
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Added by gwenyvr on 23 Jun 2017
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8 Reviews
First Review by gwenyvr
cyle
Points +463
Reportedly fully vegan but check - Edit
I went yesterday on the last day of the season with two Japanese friends who verified with staff multiple times that everything on the menu was vegan. I had a gratin burger with soup and the hot lavender drink (which is sweet by the way), and it was delicious. We also had black sesame pudding for dessert and pound cake. The desserts were wonderful-- not heavily sweetened, just perfect. The only problem was that it was freezing outside and they don't have any heaters set up, only some blankets, so if it's a cold day I wouldn't recommend it. I saw that some users reported that it was not vegan in the past, so they should check next season.
Read moreGuest
Ruzha
Points +3646
Not What We Expected - Edit
We went to RK Garden back in the winter. Quite disappointed to find out that their winter season location is not fully vegan like their summer one. It is the only location that operates at that time, and while quite cozy with a nice cottage feel, we walked in and the first thing we saw was a customer biting into a chicken leg. For a moment I was really confused and wondered whether we were in the right place. We took a look at the menu, and there were vegan options, so we decided to stay.
Read moreThe meal was really delicious. We had both the vegan set options, lemongrass laksa noodles and lasagna, with tea, coffee, and caramelized sweet potato for dessert. The food was great, but the staff was quite rude. Even though there was a sign for vegan donuts, when we asked if we can get some to go, they snapped at us and told us they didn't sell vegan donuts. Even earlier, when we were ordering, they seemed impatient and a bit arrogant.
Guest
kristienna
Points +618
Mixed Feelings - Edit
It’s the beginning of February, so we ate at RK’s alternate indoor location. The atmosphere was that of a fairytale cottage, the food was exquisite, and there were several cute dogs to play with. However, the restaurant is no longer fully vegan. In fact, it isn’t even vegetarian. Of the five main dishes on their menu, only one was labeled vegan. Now, it was a phenomenal dish—lemongrass laksa noodles with fresh vegetables and a side salad—but I walked in expecting vegan paradise and was instead seated next to someone eating steak, leaving me with mixed feelings.
Read morePros: Healthy, tasty, fresh vegan option., Magical atmosphere., Cute doggies!
Cons: Not fully vegan., Only one labeled option.
Guest
curiosity3
Points +103
Gem in Karuizawa - Edit
This is far and away my favorite 100% vegan place anywhere. During the warm season it's set in a sort of semi-open air space with tons of greenery inside and out, soft music playing in the background, and people and their dogs relaxing. It's the sort of place you want to take your newspaper to on a Sunday morning, take it slow, maybe even drift off into a nap. The food is some of the best I've ever had anywhere. Non-vegans love it just as much as vegans. It's a damn shame that this place doesn't stay open for dinner. Staff are super-friendly and they love dogs. Speaking of which, dogs are not only allowed inside, they're also allowed to sit on the sofas. Regardless of how large they are. So if you don't like it, go lock yourself in a cage!!!😁
Read moreNote that during the cold season the place moves to an indoor location near the Tsuruya supermarket in Nakakaruizawa. They also take a month off between the two seasons, on each end, so better check their website.
As of summer 2021, they've lost their convenient parking lot out back. Need to use the public parking lot 200 meters down the road (past and behind the gas station to the west).
Updated from previous review on 2021-12-27
Pros: Outstanding food at a very fair price, Dogs welcome, Beautiful, relaxing setup
Cons: Can be a little chilly on certain days, Not open for dinner :-(, Parking a little far
Guest
Ewelina_In_Tokyo
Points +605
Amazing - Edit
Opening hours update - as per business' website:
Read moreMorning Time 9:00~11:00
Lunch Time 11:00~16:00 (LO)
HOLIDAY Tuesday
If you arrive by car follow a sign to a car park on the left of the entrance - access might be a little difficult at times due to traffic.
A QR code to a current menu in English can be found at the end of the Japanese menu on site - or here: https://www.rustic-kitchen.net/rk-garden-menu
A lovely restaurant joined with a garden center. Delicious vegan food - we've had a quiche, Thai noodles, carrot cake and a brownie. The surroundings, atmosphere and the food compensate for the noise from the street.
Guest
JesseD
Points +832
A Magical Experience - Edit
This café is incredible. As the name here suggests (though it seems to go by Rustic Kitchen elsewhere) it feels like you're dining in an enchanting garden. The food is fresh, healthy and delicious, even by Japanese standards. It reminds me a little of Stardust in Kyoto in the whole dining experience.
Read moreThough the trains don't run so often from Karuizawa, and it's a bit of a walk (use Google Maps, and be careful along the stream and main road) so it might be better to take a taxi from Shinano-Oiwake Station.
Going here is truly a must while in Karuizawa. (So is the Healthy Penguin in Matsumoto.)
Pros: enchanting dining atmosphere in a garden. , fresh and healthy food, all vegan.
Cons: a little difficult to get to (but worth it)
Guest
BlankSpace
Points +930
Fabulous - Edit
RK Garden relocates to a "winter store" during the cold months and it was like entering a fairytale home.
Read moreThe decor is superb and carefully crafted. The food is equally artistic. We had vegan lasagna and grilled veggies pickled in miso dressing.
Desert was beautiful too and I most enjoyed the donuts and sweet-potato-creme-brulee-type-creation.
Highly highly recommended. Call ahead because there are only 12 seats in the winter store. We felt lucky to find this place.
Pros: The ambiance and enchanting design , The beautiful food, The cosy atmosphere
Guest
gwenyvr
Points +202
Tasty and healthy - Edit
We were looking for a vegetarian place and this was perfect. One of the nicest restaurant settings, full of plants and vintage style furniture. The food was fresh and tasty with a focus on fresh veg. I had the lasagna and my friend had the sandwich. Both were good. We went by car, not sure if this place is easy to access by public transit.
Read morePros: beautiful garden setting, nice presentation
Cons: hard to get to
Guest
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