Café-restaurant and tourism hotspot located on Dotonbori's shop street a block from the canal. Dishes include takoyaki, yakisoba, deep-fried skewers ("kushikatsu"), vegan cutlet rice bowls ("katsudon"), fried gyoza dumplings and more. Cold Shio Ramen is available from June 2025. Open Mon-Sun 11:30am-10:30pm. Public holidays have Sat-Sun hours.
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1F Nakaza Blvd, 1 Chome-7-21 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Japan, 542-0071
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 14 Jul 2025 by VictoriaGarafola
Update business info -
Added by pivotbase on 31 May 2024
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Featured Review
tknasir
Points +20
Great Osakan Cuisine - Edit
Really great Osakan cuisine! One of the troubles of being vegan in Japan is the lack of options and as lovely as some of the other vegan restaurants we tried were, they had lots of burgers and not as much “traditional” cuisine. Having just had a tour guide tell us about all this traditional Osakan food that we couldn’t eat, we found out that pretty much all of it was served here! Can’t speak highly enough of it, so nice to not have to miss out on any of the culinary culture just because we’re vegan! Also has really friendly staff who speak great English and an easy to use online order/menu system in English!
Read morePros: Traditional food, Friendly staff, Central location
VeganRia🫶🌱🩷
I went to Pivot with my family and... OM-SQUEE IT WAS SO GOODDDDDDDDD, we all shared a chicken cutlet, vegan gyoza, curry rice, french fries, standard takoyaki, maipo eggplant, and salted bread. The chicken cutlet was so good that we ordered 2 more servings. Next the vegan gyoza, it was perfect if you tried the soy sauce and red chili oil on top. Then we tried the curry rice and it was SOOOOO delicious 😋. The French fries were crispy on the outside and soft like a pillow on the inside. Next the takoyaki which I ordered, it was so good it was hard to believe it was vegan. All the workers were so kind🩷
Read moreGuest
276 Reviews
First Review by feebz1986
flat1984
Points +13
Große und gute vegetarische Auswahl - Edit
Es gibt viele japanische Speisen in vegetarischer und veganer Variante, sonst schwer zu finden. Gyosa, Ramen, Salate, Tempura und vieles mehr.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-07-29
Guest
andyjng
Points +5708
Best Lunch Spot in Osaka - Edit
Pivot was a life saver while I was in Osaka for a few days. My friends and I would wind up in Dotonbori for lunch everyday and we came here not once, not twice, but three different times because it was so good.
Read moreThe staff would greet us warmly each time and checked to make sure we knew this was a vegan restaurant. Sad that they have to do this each time but I guess it helps erase any upsets from people who don't realize they're dining plant-based.
They offered a variety of lunch specials that are very Japanese and Osaka friendly, such as takoyaki, curry sets, noodles, and more. Each time we came here, we always ordered their Katsu Curry Set (¥1800) which included a salad with every order. The curry was fire and the katsu pieces really tasted like their counterparts. We always left feeling extremely satisfied and ready to take on the rest of the day.
The takoyaki here wasn't anything exceptional so I'd probably skip that unless you really wanted to try their veganized version.
Fortunately, the restaurant never got too busy while we were there except on the weekend. I'll definitely be making a stop back here again if I'm in need of a good vegan lunch deal in the heart of Dotonbori.
Guest
mxijyx
Points +362
cool to have the option - Edit
I mean it’s really nice to have an inexpensive vegan bar like this but i must admit the takoyaki were not anything I could recommend. Appreciate the idea and cute flag though!
Read moreGuest
Chiara Cassandra
Points +307
Typical local food in a vegan key - Edit
I liked to have the opportunity to try food from Osaka! Ramen was by favorite
Read moreGuest
HanneMR
Points +54
A must try!! - Edit
We loved this place! We traveled to Japan for the first time, and wanted to taste as much of the Japanese cuisine as possible, but without meat (vegetarians). At this place they had a rich menu with many types of veganized Japanese dishes - from various ramen soups (cold and hot) to yaki soba, gyoza, curry, ton katsu, takoyaki and more, as well as ice cream and various desserts. Alcohol service and good virgin drinks. Nice host. The place is located in the middle of the most exciting part of Dotonbori! It is open both day and night. We ate here three times in four days - a perfect "go to" restaurant as we found it a bit difficult to find restaurants that satisfied everyone's needs. Here even the one meat eater in the traveling companion was very happy with the food! After a week in Tokyo and a week in Kyoto, he said that the curry and tonkatsu here were some of the best he had eaten on the trip!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-07-12
Pros: A variety of Japanese food on the menue, Staff is very pleasant, Location
Guest
vegantripjapan
Points +51
A Rare Chance to Enjoy Osaka’s Soul Food—Vegan Style - Edit
At PIVOT BASE in Osaka, you can enjoy a fully plant-based take on Japanese classics—from local favorites like takoyaki and kushikatsu to nationally beloved dishes such as ramen and tonkatsu. Their extensive selection of desserts and drinks also showcases the variety and richness of vegan cuisine.
Read moreWhile this spot is listed as “all vegan” on HappyCow, there have been reports that some food or drink items may contain non-vegan ingredients. If you’re concerned, it’s a good idea to confirm details with the staff on site before ordering.
Pros: Vegan versions of takoyaki, kushikatsu, ramen, and, Great variety of vegan sweets and drinks, Casual and accessible atmosphere
Cons: Some reported inconsistencies in vegan labeling, Need to confirm ingredients with staff on-site
Guest
theVeganLauriane
Points +148
Best try of Osakan type cuisine - Edit
Just a few minutes from the famous Glyco Sign, came twice today and I had all the osakan specialities I had longed to try!
Read moreEverything was utterly delicious and the staff was nice !
They don’t take cash FYI.
Had a wonderful time 😁
My special favorite : the Red bean Dorayaki with vanilla in it !! Just pure pleasure for my palate 😋
Updated from previous review on 2025-07-21
Guest
ameliaclayton95
Points +16
Delicious ramen - Edit
Great mix of vegan food! Ramen is particularly good, and extremely friendly service. The location is right in the heart of Dotonburi so highly recommend
Read moreGuest
kickitoldskool
Points +116
Banging - Edit
A GREAT vegan restaurant. Lots of choice and very tasty dishes.
Read moreI had the ramen and it was really nice. I tired the Takoyaki and while it was nice it wasn’t for me.
Veggie gyozas were delicious and my friends had a great curry and yakisoba.
Service was good, but be warned there is no toilet in the restaurant.
Updated from previous review on 2025-07-17
Pros: Great choices , Tasty food, Good ramen
Cons: No toilet
Guest
dwells
Points +2618
Would’ve been good had I not been badly burnt by underdone takoyaki - Edit
Popped by here a week or so ago and had the large order of takoyaki. The ones that were fully cooked were pretty dang good and I enjoyed them. However, a few of them were clearly underdone with the batter still molten, and they must have been served immediately after leaving the fryer without being given any time to rest and cool.
Read moreAs a result, I bit into one and the gooey inside stuck to the roof of my mouth and burnt it badly enough to cause the skin to delaminate and my mouth to be sore for several days. Ouch.
Guest
Laurenish
Points +13
Pivot Base - Edit
Great and friendly service, some of the best we've had on our trip. Order on phone and pay by card only. Nice range of food, what we ordered was nice. No meat on the menu at all.
Read moreGuest
TheRealVegan
Points +54
Heerlijk - Edit
Vriendelijk personeel en echt heerlijke gyoza. De ramen was ook lekker.
Read morePros: Goede service, Lekker eten
Guest
sunnygaur7
Points +15
Glad I got to try Takoyaki and Kushikatsu as a Vegetarian - Edit
Every thing we ordered was delicious and properly vegan.
Read moreWe got the Takoyaki, which we loved. My wife eats meat and she really loved it too. The Kushikatsu was very very good.
Guest
taschaontour
Points +85
Very good food! - Edit
I had a small dish (rice balls and miso soup) and it was absolutely delicious!
Read moreGuest
Jirong
Points +33
素食章魚燒和素食拉麵 - Edit
素食拉麵好吃且湯頭很濃郁😋
Read more第一次吃到素食章魚燒覺得很特別，比起軟軟的口感，好像更期待裡面的麵糊酥脆一點！
Guest
Kattepatat
Points +128
Nice takoyaki - Edit
Very nice to have a vegan restaurant at the Dotonbori! Takoyaki tasted good and it's fun to try such a traditional dish. Not my favorite food, but apparently it tastes very similar to the non-vegan version :)
Read moreGuest
KatarzynaMatlas
Points +17
Very nice!! - Edit
Amazing food for a remarkably good price considering it being in a middle of turistic spot. The portions are not big, so you should consider ordering more and sharing with your travelling partner(s). The restaurant also anticipates that and gives two sets of utensils (with bowls and plates!) with every meal.
Read moreReally worth as it is delicious.
Updated from previous review on 2025-07-09
Guest
marinaLuisa
Points +24
Bom - Edit
Mais opções no menu e aceitar dinheiro
Read morePros: Atendimento ótimo , Boa localização
Cons: Só aceita cartão , Menu com poucas opções
Guest
dara.emily
Points +199
Yummy! - Edit
My non-vegan boyfriend and I enjoyed the vegan takoyaki while we were walking around the idea. It was very cool to be able to try a typically non-vegan food that is so popular in Japan. I wish we could’ve tried more options! It was very good.
Read moreGuest
Alodia
Points +139
Vegano en pleno corazón de la ciudad - Edit
Sitio con estetica cuidada. Bastante amplio. La verdad es que el relleno de los tacoyakis era casi inexistente. Tenían bien de salsa eso sí. Las gyozas sin más, he probado mucho mejores. Los camareros simpatiquísimos, como casi todos en Japón.
Read moreGuest
YongetjePeng
Points +19
Delicious dinner at a nice price! - Edit
We ordered the gyoza, mapo aubergine, 6-piece takoyaki and fried vegetables. It was all very delicious, and the staff was also very friendly and interested in us!
Read moreI highly recommend the mapo aubergine!
They also offer free tap water that does not taste like chlorine!
In total, I spent around ¥3000 yen for the food and the beer.
Updated from previous review on 2025-07-05
Pros: No waiting time, Free tap water, Delicious dishes
Cons: Music was a little bit loud
Guest
schnezzle
Points +30
Vegan oasis in the heart of Osaka - Edit
Such a variety of food to try! I was so excited to get to try a vegan takoyaki and I was not disappointed.
Read moreFood came piping hot and fresh. We cleaned our plates.
Our server was exceptionally lovely! She was very attentive.
Guest
AndyBonissoni
Points +106
Nel cuore di Dotonbori - Edit
Nel cuore di Dotonbori si trova questo spettacolare posto. Ho mangiato i takoyaki versione vegana e c'è da dire che l'hanno azzeccato. Sono veramente buonissimi.
Read morePros: La cordialità dello staff, Il cibo
Guest
julz99
Points +18
Delicious food and lovely staff - Edit
I got the Takoyaki set with soup and salad - it was amazing!!!! I want to come back tomorrow before I leave Japan.
Read moreThe staff here were so lovely, welcoming and kind.
10/10 , I can’t fault Pivot Cafe!
Pros: Food, Staff , Welcoming atmosphere
Guest
Carina_kr
Points +278
Gute Auswahl - Edit
Sehr schöne Auswahl an 100% veganen Speisen. Leider war einiges schon vergriffen als wir kamen. Der Service war wahnsinnig freundlich und schnell… mein Favorit war der Nachtisch
Read morePros: Sehr schnell , Gute Auswahl, Freundlich
Guest
Kayy_B
Points +1128
Amazing Takoyaki and Ramen! - Edit
Updated review: June 2025
Read moreTheir vegan ramen is spot on! Their takoyaki did not taste the same as how we had it last year. We tried the original and the truffle one. The truffle was a little too salty and could use some more crispness to it. Their gyozas were great as usual as well as their beverages.
Loved the food and the amazing and friendly staff! So delicious!
Updated from previous review on 2024-06-19
Guest
veganfloss
Points +277
Yakisoba & beer for £8.50! - Edit
Yakisoba & beer for £8.50!
Read moreHot ramen had sold out.
Nice staff, large space.
Pros: Yakisoba, Staff, Large space
Guest
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