The Isoya Group operates 11 restaurants in Kyoto City. With the motto of "Farm to Table, directly from the field to your table," the group delivers vegetables harvested from their own farms directly to their restaurants every morning, where they cook and serve them fresh.

Among these, the delicatessen "Vegi Iso Terrace" is popular for its open terrace where you can enjoy your meal, even though it is located in the city.

"Farm to Table" started with my mother's vegetable cooking

We want people to enjoy the natural flavor and appeal of vegetables. "The philosophy at the core of the Isoya Group was born from the experiences of our founder," says Isoya Group manager Ryota Oku.

Isozumi Shinya, the representative of the Isoya Group, comes from a farming family, and after training at an izakaya in Kyoto, he opened the group's first store, "Isozumi," in Kawaramachi.

Shortly after the restaurant first opened, Isozumi's mother would send in vegetable dishes to the staff who worked until the early hours of the morning every day. Of course, the vegetables were from her own garden. Isozumi would casually serve these dishes to customers.

Her mother's vegetable dishes were a big hit with customers. Isozumi says that this incident made him realize the appeal of vegetables. From the second store onwards, she began to develop restaurants with various concepts, with fresh and delicious Kyoto vegetables as the core. She also operated her own farm and began growing vegetables.

"Harvest in sizes that suit the menu" - something we can do because we have our own farm

"The benefit of having our own farm isn't just that we can provide fresh vegetables," says Sumiyama Yuta, manager of Veggie Iso Terrace.

The production team and store staff communicate closely with each other, and they even have the vegetables harvested while they are still small to suit the menu items they want to offer.

"For example, baby mizuna. The sprouts are soft, and if you wash them thoroughly, you can eat the roots as well. And yet they are highly nutritious, just like a full-grown bunch. We provide products of a standard that you can't buy at greengrocers or supermarkets, while explaining the backstory leading up to harvesting."

Sometimes, due to bad weather or disease, the vegetables do not grow as planned. The production team and store staff work together to flexibly respond to these situations, for example by arranging menu items with alternative vegetables.

Not all of the staff at our own farm are originally knowledgeable about agriculture. "We have people with a variety of backgrounds, including former apparel and restaurant staff. What we have in common is our love of vegetables. With the cooperation of neighboring farmers, we strive to produce delicious vegetables."

Cafe, lunch, barbecue. Vegetable dishes you can enjoy all day long

"Vegi Iso Terrace" is a delicatessen where you can choose and order prepared dishes made with colorful vegetables from the display case. It is located on the 8th floor of the Daimaru Kyoto store, which is bustling with tourists and shoppers.

It is the only restaurant in the Isoya Group that is open for lunch and cafe time, so it is perfect for travelers and families with children. It is loved by a wide range of customers. "The opening hours are easy to incorporate into travel plans, so we hope you will come and relax after your trip," says Sumiyama.

For cafe time, we recommend cold deli items that can be eaten like sweets, such as orange and smoked salmon salad and tomatoes pickled in white wine.

The biggest attraction of "Vegiiso Terrace" is the open rooftop terrace. If you make a reservation, you can enjoy outdoor drinking and barbecues all year round. Fresh Kyoto vegetables are served with simple seasonings. Many people are surprised and ask themselves, "We didn't know vegetables could be this delicious!"

"Many of our staff have overcome their dislike of vegetables. We grow them with great care in our own farm. I think that learning about the process leading up to harvesting gives them an attachment to them and makes them like them. We are of course confident in the taste, but we would like to continue providing this kind of added value," says the wife.

Sumiyama said, "One of the attractions of our restaurant is that you can enjoy a barbecue using fresh vegetables in an easily accessible urban area. Our staff will also teach you how to grill each vegetable deliciously."

Delicious Kyoto vegetable dishes connect customers with the fields

The Isoya Group's wish is to bring a smile to our customers' faces through delicious Kyoto vegetables.

"When people hear "Kyoto vegetables," many of them think of brand-name vegetables such as Kujo green onions, Manganji chili peppers, and Kamo eggplants. However, Kyoto has many other delicious vegetables. I wanted to create an opportunity to enjoy seasonal vegetables."

In our busy daily lives, it can be difficult to eat lots of fresh vegetables. At "Vegi Iso Terrace," you can easily and deliciously enjoy Kyoto vegetables. Enjoying vegetable dishes in an open atmosphere will nourish your mind and body.

Each store in the Isoya Group offers vegetarian dishes with a different concept. As they are all within walking distance, it might be fun to try different vegetarian dishes at different stores.

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Delicatessen・BBQ VEGGIE ISO TERRACE

電話：075-211-5000

Address: 79, Tachiuri Nishicho, Shijo-dori Takakura Nishiiru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Access: 1 minute walk from Karasuma Station. Daimaru Kyoto 8th floor.

HP: https://isozumi.jp/veggieiso/index.html

SNS: https://www.instagram.com/iso_terrace/?igshid=MTk0NTkyODZkYg%3D%3D

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.