apelila - Delightful Vegan Cafe in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto

About 'apelila

Welcome to apelila, a delightful vegan café nestled in the serene Sakyo Ward of Kyoto. Located at 36-3 Takanotadeharacho, this charming little spot is a haven for those in search of healthy, plant-based options. Whether you're embarking on a scenic walk along the nearby river or simply pursuing a quiet corner to unwind, apelila offers the perfect retreat.

Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, with a cozy interior that radiates a sense of comfort. The ambiance is accented by the inviting aroma of freshly baked goods, creating a sensory experience that immediately captivates your senses. Perfect for a quick lunch or an afternoon break, this café embraces a philosophy of serving wholesome, flavorful food that delights both the eyes and the palate.

One of the highlights of apelila is its diverse menu, which boasts a tantalizing range of vegan options that truly impress. Customers rave about the chickpea-based burger, a delightful addition that impresses with its vivid flavors and satisfying texture. The homemade soy yogurt is another must-try — described as “super creamy and fantastic,” it elevates breakfast or snack time to something truly special. From savory breads to luscious desserters, there’s something here for everyone.

In the words of satisfied patrons: Marcel Takagi appreciates the café's delicious vegan lunch options alongside their oozing desserts and baked goods, while Thomas Toumbakis highlights it as a fantastic pit stop along the river. If you’re in search of the best vegan bakery in Kyoto, as noted by虎虎（巧虎島）, you’ll find that many recommend dining in to truly savor the experience.

Your visit would be incomplete without indulging in the delightful potato and rosemary bread or the decadent matcha cake, both fan favorites that epitomize the care and love infused into every recipe. Stef emphasizes this sentiment perfectly, stating the owner’s hospitable nature adds to the overall charm, making it a cozy “hidden gem” in the city.

With its commitment to quality and flavor, it’s no surprise that Neil Ta, a repeat customer, couldn’t resist returning multiple times within just ten days. He passionately shares his appreciation for their chewy, fluffy bread loaves that leave an indelible mark on your taste buds. Indeed, the bread here is not just mere sustenance; it’s a memorable experience.

Before you head out, remember that hours can vary, so it’s wise to check their schedule on Instagram to ensure you don’t miss out on this culinary haven. With every visit to apelila, you’re not just grabbing a meal; you’re partaking in an enriching experience that celebrates health, quality, and flavor.

Features

Accessibility

No wheelchair-accessible car park

Service options

Has outdoor seating

Offers kerbside pickup

Serves dine-in

No delivery

Highlights

Serves great coffee

Serves great dessert

Popular for

Popular for lunch

Good for solo dining

Offerings

Serves alcohol

Serves coffee

Serves organic dishes

Quick bite

Serves vegan dishes

Serves vegetarian dishes

Serves wine

Dining options

Serves breakfast

Serves brunch

Serves lunch

Serves dessert

Has seating

Amenities

Has toilet

Atmosphere

Casual

Cosy

Trendy

Crowd

Popular with tourists

Photo Gallery

Location & Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

Guest Reviews

112 Reviews

Marcel Takagi

06 Oct 2025

Very delicious vegan lunch options, desserts and baked goods. Recently added a chickpea based burger to the menu and it’s super delicious. The homemade soy yoghurt is super creamy and tastes fantastic! Sometimes closed, recommend to check opening days on Instagram.

Thomas Toumbakis

02 Oct 2025

Great little vegan café. The also offer a couple of lunch options. Fantastic place to take a break during a walk along the river.

虎虎（巧虎島）

01 Oct 2025

Best vegan bakery in Kyoto! You can even dine in for breads and sweets!

Stef

15 Sep 2025

Gorgeous hidden gem with the most beautiful, high quality baked savoury and sweet items. Heaps of vegan options. The owner is hospitable and friendly and there is a lot of love that goes into each item. Best bakery I experienced in Kyoto. Highly recommend the potato and rosemary bread, matcha cake and waffle set.

Neil Ta

11 Sep 2025

A 9 years old Vegan Bakery/Cafe with super yummy bake goods. Their bread base is chewy, fluffy, and sour dough like texture which was a PLUS earning it the 5th ⭐. We came back 3x within 10 days and their Bread Loaves are EXCELLENT. EVERYTHING here is

veGieSeitan

14 Aug 2025

If you love bread, this cute, local bakery is a mandatory stop in your Kyoto trip. Everything is delicious. The non vegans in my group loved all the bread we got, especially the sweet ones. However, the savory breads are not to be missed either. I highly recommend the potato bread and tomato vegetable bread. If you want to eat at the shop, they will heat up the breads for you but they also have a lunch menu if you want more than just bread. The fact that everything in the shop is vegan makes things easier (although the large variety also makes it hard to choose). Since I don't have to spend so much time reading the ingredients list I can spend more time eating the breads and going back in for more when I realize I should have gotten seconds. I come here every time I am in Kyoto, for my stay so that I can have something for breakfast, and I always buy extra to take home when I leave. Is it a little pricier than other bakeries? Yes. But the quality is top notch and if you're a vegan, you can finally partake in Japan's amazing bread culture.

Nick Buhagiar

01 Aug 2025

Fantastic vegan bakery, highly recommended! Visited here after struggling to find vegan bread and bakes during a trip to Japan. They had a wide range of delicious bakes and the service was very friendly!

Julie Taeko

01 Jul 2025

An absolutely delicious bakery that offers you so many delicious varieties of bread for the lunch special of ¥100 yen with healthy soup, and a small salad. If you pay ¥300 yen more, you can add a drink as well. And for ¥500 yen more, you can add a small dessert. They also serve kakigori shaved ice dessert and have a morning meal for ¥700 plus tax. It’s slightly pricey but quite delicious. Both of us got another piece of bread to go!