Kyoto,
京都
Kyoto is absolutely gorgeous, but it can be a bit of a puzzle when you’re gluten-free — lots of traditional dishes use soy sauce or wheat-based ingredients, and not everyone is familiar with coeliac needs. That said, it’s getting easier every year. More cafés and restaurants are adding gluten-free options thanks to the rise in tourism, and you’ll find plenty of naturally safe treats made with rice flour, matcha, or simple ingredients. With a bit of planning and a few spots saved on your map, eating gluten-free in Kyoto is totally doable — and you definitely won’t miss out on the food scene.
If you’re in Kyoto and craving ramen — but want to skip the gluten, dairy and meat - UNO YUKIKO is a little gem you’ll want to track down. With two locations in Gion and Sanjo (and opening up in kyoto Station in late december 2026!), they serve up ramen made with creamy soy-milk broth, rice-flour noodles and gluten-free soy sauce, so everything is 100% vegan and gluten-free.
Whether you go for a veggie-and-mushroom “hana” bowl, their sesame-toned “gekka,” or the seasonal “yuki zuki” (inspired by a traditional Kyoto winter stew), it feels rich, comforting and full-flavoured - but still light enough that you’ll want to sip every last drop. I also definitely recommend trying their gyoza and vegan sushi!
ALSO! Do not miss the gluten free & vegan cake vending machine outside the Gion restaurant! It serves frozen cakes that you can take with you or get defrosted inside the restaurant. It's super fun!
Area: Gion & Sanjo
Booking required: It's recommended
Other Dietary Requirements: Everything is also vegan
Recommendation: Ramen & Gyoza
Nishiki Market
While a majority of the food at Nishiki Market is not gluten free - a lot of stalls use soy sauce, wheat flour batters or marinades, and cross-contamination is pretty much unavoidable - you can usually find a few naturally gluten-free snacks like fresh fruit sticks, mochi, roasted chestnuts & matcha drinks. It’s more about enjoying the atmosphere, trying a couple of simple safe bites, and soaking up the energy of Kyoto’s kitchen rather than expecting a full meal.
Area: Nakanocho
Booking required: No
Other Dietary Requirements: Vege & Vegan Options
Recommendation: Mochi with Strawberries, or sugared fruit sticks!
A quiet, artsy café tucked near Gion/Shijō, Koma Gallery Café is known for its gluten-free cakes and Japanese sweets - a gentle little escape if you want to treat yourself to dessert in a calm, traditional-feeling setting. It's also on the way up to Kiyomizu-dera temple, if that's on your itinerary. It's tucked away off the main street, so lovely if you are looking to get away from the crowds. I really enjoyed the dorayaki (red-bean pancake) and iced coffee I had here!
Area: Gion
Booking required: No
Other Dietary Requirements: unsure
Recommendation: Drinks & Dorayaki
Choice is a warm and welcoming vegan + gluten-free café near Sanjō/Keihan. Serving veggie burgers, rice-based mains, nut cheeses, smoothies and sweet-treat desserts for lunch, and set pancake/sandwich, salad, soup meals for breakfast. It's a big cafe, plenty of space and english menus are available, it's also one of the few places I found that were actually open for breakfast!
Area: Sanjo
Booking required: No
Other Dietary Requirements: Everything is also vegan
Recommendation: Set menu was delicious, and great value
Located near Ichijōji Station, Mushiyashinai is a cozy bakery/café offering gluten-free, vegan and allergy-friendly cakes, afternoon teas, mochi-style sweets, and occasional lunch sets - a calm little gem if you want a safe dessert break away from the tourist crowds. It is a little way out of the central city, but as Kyoto is extremely busy these day, I highly recommend using this as an excuse to visit the outer suburbs.
Area: Ichijoji
Booking required: No
Other Dietary Requirements: Caters to a wide range of allergens, and is also fully vegan
Recommendation: Afternoon tea, curry rice, cakes, and pizza
Yak &Yeti is a Nepalese restaurant near the famous Nishiki Fish Markets in the Nakagyo Ward of Kyoto. Its a relatively big restaurant (by Japanese standards) with helpful and energetic server that speak English, and understand dietary requirements and happy to chop and change the meals to suit you. We chose the set menu for around 2000 yen each and we definitely weren't able to finish it all. Even if you were, they were happy to offer us free rice refills so we could finish the curries.
Area: Nakanocho
Booking required: It's recommended
Other Dietary Requirements: Vegetarian & Vegan options available
Recommendation: Set meals
This restaurant is a very sweet multi storied place serving vegan food with gluten free options. I had a delicious green curry with corn chips and chocolate torte to finish. Salads and curries and mostly the choice for gluten free folk, but they also specialize in vegan burgers if you are travelling with someone who can have gluten.
Easily located of Shinkyogoku arcade, and next to some fantastic vintage clothing shops, it's definitely a place to pop to if your in the area.
Area: Nakanocho
Booking required: It's recommended
Other Dietary Requirements: Vegetarian & Vegan options available
Recommendation: I haven't been here since 2019, so not sure!
Other restaurants I am yet to try...
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SINLESS CAFÉ / Sinless Lab Food Design – A stylish 100% gluten-free café in central Kyoto serving creative sweets, breads and beautifully plated lunches.
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MOON and BACK Ramen Bar & Brunch Cafe – A cool modern café with gluten-free options, including GF ramen, brunch plates and great coffee.
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KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN – A popular ramen shop with lots of gluten-free ramen options, including GF noodles and broth made safely on request.
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Ikkakuju Karasuma – A cosy spot dedicated gluten free okonomiyaki restaurant, prepared carefully so coeliacs can enjoy Kyoto’s savoury pancakes.
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Kyoto Italian Kappa – A homely Italian restaurant thats 100% gluten free.
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Toshoan – A traditional Japanese sweets shop that specialises in soy-based desserts and fluffy pancakes that's 100% gluten free.
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Cafe & Bar Maru – A relaxed café-bar offering several gluten-free options, great for a casual lunch or dessert stop.
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waco crepes – A cute crepe stand with crepe made from rice flour. Everything is gluten free!
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cafe planet – A small, gluten free & vegan café, perfect for a simple safe meal or snack near Kyoto’s main sightseeing spots.
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Kerala - An Indian restaurant with gluten free options in the city center.
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Breizh Cafe - A creperie that sells gluten free buckwheat crepes
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Premarché Gelateria Kyoto - An Ice cream shop with dairy free/vegan options with 2 branches in Kyoto
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Sugarhill Kyoto - Japanese fusion restaurant with knowledgable staff. Booking recommended.
