Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Hawaii (Tried & Rated!)
We spent two incredible months living in Hawaiʻi, hopping between islands with one mission: find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Hawaii. Shrey is vegetarian, so we almost always lean toward plant-based meals when we travel. Unless there’s an absolutely unmissable local spot known for something unique. In which case I try something outside the veggie spectrum. But honestly? In Hawaii, we didn’t feel limited at all.
From trendy vegan sushi bars in Honolulu to cozy garden cafés on Kauaʻi, we discovered a vibrant plant-based food scene thriving in paradise. Along the way, we not only satisfied our cravings but also connected with the aloha spirit in each meal. Here, we share our personal stories and reviews of our favorite vegan and vegetarian restaurants across Oʻahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauaʻi (all tried & rated!)—so fellow foodies know exactly where to go for an amazing meatless meal in the islands.
If you're still deciding which Hawaiian island suits your travel style best, check out our detailed comparison of all four major islands to help you pick the perfect one for your trip.
Ratings of Best Vegan/Vegetarian Spots in Hawaii
| Island | Plant-Based Variety | Top-Rated Restaurant(s) | Budget Friendliness | Vibe Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oʻahu | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High) | Tane Vegan Izakaya (5/5), ‘Ai Love Nalo (4.5/5), Peace Cafe (4/5) | $$ – $$$ | Diverse, urban, creative fusion with lots of options near major attractions |
| Maui | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High) | Moku Roots (5/5), Earth Aloha Eats (4.5/5), Choice Health Bar (4/5) | $$ | Eco-conscious, fresh, with a strong farm-to-table culture |
| Big Island | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High) | Swami’s Dosa Grill (5/5), Sweet Cane Café (4.5/5), Herbivores (4/5) | $ – $$ | Spread out, a few gems worth seeking, great local produce |
| Kauaʻi | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Medium) | Nourish Hanalei (4.5/5), ShakaLafel (4/5) | $ – $$ | Laid-back, fewer but solid spots, best for casual tropical bites |
Oʻahu – The Gathering Place of Flavors 🌊
Oʻahu is often the best Hawaiian island for first-time visitors for good reason. Beyond its famous beaches and landmarks, Honolulu’s dining scene is a vegetarian and vegan paradise with an array of eateries catering to every craving. During our month working and travelling in Oʻahu, we ate everywhere from upscale vegan sushi joints to casual local cafes. Here are our top picks on Oʻahu, each with a warm personal touch and unforgettable dishes.
Read our blog post on why Oʻahu is our top pick for first-time travelers to Hawaii.
Tane Vegan Izakaya
We stepped into Tane Vegan Izakaya on our first night in Honolulu as it was recommended by our friend, a 100% plant-based sushi bar. The dimly lit, modern interior set the stage for one of the most dazzling vegan meals we’ve ever had. We savored specialty rolls like the Kailua Roll, where tomato is ingeniously marinated to mimic tuna – if we hadn’t known, we might have been fooled! Each bite was an explosion of umami and creativity; even a non-vegan friend dining with us was speechless at how flavorful and fresh everything tasted. This is our favourite sushi place in the world so far, so it is a 5/5 and we are already planning a return visit for more sushi magic.
‘Ai Love Nalo
One sunny afternoon, after a surfing lesson at Waimānalo Beach, we made our way to a humble roadside café called ‘Ai Love Nalo. Set in a converted gas station in rural Waimānalo, this vegan eatery felt like a hidden gem only locals know about – complete with picnic tables out back and wild chickens strutting around. As vegetarians, we never imagined we’d get to taste a traditional Hawaiian laulau, but their famed “Oh Wow Laulau” made it possible. Served with flavorful sides like tofu poke and brown rice, it was a soulful, hearty meal that made us literally say “oh wow” after each bite. This fusion of authentic Hawaiian cuisine with vegan creativity earned ‘Ai Love Nalo a solid 4.5/5 on our list.
Peace Café
When we craved a wholesome, home-style meal in Honolulu, Peace Café became our go-to refuge. Tucked away on King Street, this cozy 100% vegan café lives up to its name with a calm, inviting vibe – think laid-back music, friendly staff, and a sense of zen in the decor. We fell in love with their Katsu Curry platter, which features crispy breaded tofu cutlets on a bed of rice smothered in rich, savory Japanese curry. It was the ultimate comfort food after a long morning wandering around bustling Waikīkī. We even saved room for a slice of house-made lilikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake for dessert, which was the perfect sweet finish. The portions and flavors at Peace Café always hit the spot, earning it a strong 4/5 in our book and multiple repeat visits during our Oʻahu stay.
Honorable mentions
- Istanbul Hawaii – While not a complete vegan/vegetarian restaurant, but they do have a plant based menu. We found mouth-watering options here to be bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
- Barefoot Beach Cafe – A perfect breakfast in the quintessential Hawaiian setting. Go for the healthy food, stay for the gorgeous views.
Maui – A Plant-Based Paradise 🌴
Maui wowed us not just with its beaches and waterfalls, but also with its farm-to-table food scene that’s a dream for vegetarian and vegan travelers. We split our time between the lush north shore and sunny west side, tracking down smoothie bowls before morning hikes and indulging in gourmet vegan dinners as the sun set over the Pacific. Here are our personal favorites from the Valley Isle, each one tried, tasted, and lovingly rated.
Moku Roots
Over on West Maui, Moku Roots in Lahaina instantly won our hearts with its funky zero-waste philosophy and farm-fresh menu. We dug into their legendary Taro Burger, a patty made from locally grown taro and beans, piled high with upcountry greens, tomatoes, and a luscious homemade aioli, all on a freshly baked taro bun. Every bite tasted like Maui itself – fresh, earthy, and vibrant. We also loved the crunchy breadfruit fries served in a compostable banana-leaf cone (so cool!). Most ingredients are sourced from Maui’s own farms where we genuinely felt the farm-to-table aloha, . We rated Moku Roots a 5/5 and we even came back a second time to try their dessert special: a rich chocolate ʻulu (breadfruit) brownie. Trust us, this place is a must-visit for any vegan foodie on Maui.
Choice Health Bar
For a quick and healthy pick-me-up in between Maui adventures, Choice Health Bar was our breakfast hero more than once. We visited their colorful Lahaina café early one morning and felt like we’d entered smoothie bowl heaven. We ordered the Island Açaí Bowl, which came out as a beautiful purple swirl topped with fresh Maui banana, pineapple, berries, house-made granola, and a drizzle of local honey. Enjoying this cool, refreshing bowl on the patio in the warm Maui sunshine was pure bliss. It gave us the perfect energy boost before we embarked on the Road to Hāna drive later that day. We also loved their cold-pressed juices (the beet-orange-ginger juice was a favorite kick of wellness). Choice Health Bar is more of a casual café than a sit-down restaurant, but for what it offers – delicious plant-based bowls, smoothies, and juices to-go – it earned a solid 4/5 from us.
Earth Aloha Eats
After days of beach picnics and veggie wraps, one evening we craved something hearty and indulgent. Enter Earth Aloha Eats in Kihei, a vegan food truck turned brick-and-mortar that serves up island-style comfort food without the meat. For dinner, we indulged in their Big Island-inspired BBQ “Kalua Pork” Plate – it featured smoky shredded jackfruit in tangy BBQ sauce, served with rice, mac salad (made with vegan mayo), and pineapple coleslaw. Oh, and the side of sweet potato fries sprinkled with furikake? Let’s just say there were no leftovers… 😄 Sitting on the picnic tables outside, watching a gorgeous Maui sunset after demolishing our meals, we felt utterly satisfied. Earth Aloha Eats nailed the crave-able comfort classics, and we happily give it 4.5/5. It’s the perfect spot when you want a break from salads and just need a good vegan burger or plate lunch with a local twist.
Big Island – Hidden Vegan Gems ⛰️
The Big Island of Hawaiʻi (the island of Hawaiʻi itself) may not have as many vegetarian eateries as Oʻahu or Maui, but it still surprised us with some fantastic finds spread across its vast terrain. (And if you’re asking Is Big Island Worth Visiting? for plant-based travelers, our answer is absolutely yes once you discover spots like these!) From Kona to Hilo, here are the Big Island restaurants that made our taste buds happy.
If you're wondering whether the Big Island lives up to the hype, we covered everything from what to see to where to stay in our ultimate Big Island travel guide.
Swami’s Dosa Grill
While exploring the Big Island’s surprisingly vibrant food scene, we stumbled upon a place that felt like a warm hug from home – Swami’s Dosa Grill in Kailua-Kona. The menu is fully vegetarian, with plenty of vegan options too—but let’s be real, the dosas are the stars here. Our favourite dish was Mysore Masala Dosa, it was crispy, spicy, tangy, and comforting all at once. This family-run spot is a total gem for anyone craving authentic South Indian flavors (especially if you’re missing mom’s cooking like we were!). It’s one of those bites that instantly makes you smile. We’d go back in a heartbeat so no surprise we rated it 5/5. If you’re on the west side of the Big Island, this spot is so worth it.
Herbivores Vegan Cafe
In sunny Kailua-Kona, we discovered Herbivores Vegan Cafe, a little hole-in-the-wall that even has a drive-thru window – yes, a vegan drive-thru in the land of loco moco and grilled fish! After a morning spent snorkeling with manta rays, we pulled up to Herbivores hungry and curious. The menu was a comfort-food paradise with a plant-based twist. We couldn’t resist ordering the Jackfruit “Kalua Pork” Tacos, and they were incredible. Picture this: smoky shredded jackfruit that tastes just like tender kalua pork, piled into soft tortillas with pineapple salsa, crunchy cabbage, and a creamy spicy aioli. Herbivores is a no-frills kind of place (basically a kitchen and a couple of picnic tables), but the flavors are on point. For its tasty grub and sheer novelty factor, we give this spot a happy 4/5.
Sweet Cane Café
On the Hilo side of the island, Sweet Cane Café became our go-to haven for fresh, healthy eats. This charming café is family-run and sources many ingredients straight from their organic farm in nearby Onomea, which made the farm-to-fork nerd in me very excited. Their menu is loaded with smoothies, juices, and plant-based lunch plates highlighting Hawaiian produce.
We opted for the Smoky Taro Burger, and wow – it might have been the most unique burger of our trip. The patty, made from a mix of taro and ʻulu (breadfruit) grown locally, had a wonderful hearty texture and a hint of smokiness. It came on a whole-grain bun slathered with “taro-naise” (a house-made taro leaf vegan mayo) and topped with fresh greens and tomato. One bite and we both did a little happy dance. To wash it down, we ordered a cold sugarcane juice with a squeeze of lime and ginger. We sipped our drinks on Sweet Cane’s outdoor patio, surrounded by tropical plants, feeling rejuvenated and satisfied. The combination of nourishing food, local flavors, and super friendly vibes earned Sweet Cane Café 4.5/5 from us.
Honorable mention
- Ka Lae Garden Thai food – If you are doing a road trip around the south bend of the island, make sure to try the pineapple fried rice at this joint! They picked fresh ingredients like onions, garlic, carrots, and Thai chilies – straight from their own garden to make our fried rice from scratch.
Kauaʻi – Garden Island Goodness 🌺
Kauaʻi, the Garden Isle, stole our hearts with its wild beauty and laid-back atmosphere. While this island has fewer restaurants overall, we still found some wonderful vegetarian and vegan spots that made our taste buds sing. During our two-week stay, we hunted down fresh tropical smoothies in Hanalei, farmer’s market snacks in Kapaʻa, and even a gourmet vegan dinner in a secret garden. Here are the Kauaʻi eateries we tried and loved, proving that even on this small island, you can find delicious plant-based meals.
Nourish Hanalei
Tucked away on a scenic hillside overlooking Hanalei Bay, Nourish Hanalei felt like a peaceful little oasis in the heart of Kauaʻi. We stopped by one sunny afternoon after a morning of hiking, drawn in by the promise of locally sourced, plant-based bowls and smoothies. The setting alone is worth the visit, open-air seating with sweeping views of lush mountains and taro fields, and a calm, breezy vibe that makes you want to stay awhile.
We ordered the “Taro Taco Bowl,” a colorful, nourishing mix of local greens, roasted veggies, pickled onions, crispy taro fritters, and a creamy house-made dressing that pulled everything together. We also tried one of their tropical smoothies, which was a perfect, not-too-sweet blend of banana, pineapple, and coconut water. It is a must-stop if you’re craving something healthy, and soul-satisfying so we gave it a solid 4.5/5.
ShakaLafel Food Truck
For a quick bite on the go in Kauaʻi, the ShakaLafel food truck in downtown Kapaʻa was an awesome find. We actually stumbled upon ShakaLafel, lured by the scent of spices and garlic wafting through the warm evening air. The vibe was festive – music playing, people milling about with food in hand – and we joined the fun by ordering a falafel pita wrap. Within a few minutes, we were handed a bulging pita bread filled with crispy hot falafel balls, organic greens, pickled veggies, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce and chili harissa. It was so good – the falafel was perfectly crunchy outside and soft inside, obviously made fresh to order. We rate it 4/5 – definitely grab their falafel or sabich (roasted eggplant sandwich) if you catch this truck during your Kauaʻi adventures.
Vegan/Vegetarians traveling and working from Hawaii
Eating plant-based in Hawaii is easier than it might seem! Here are a few tips we learned during our two-month adventure:
Research and Map Out Spots
Before you arrive or move to the next island, do a quick search for vegan/vegetarian restaurants (HappyCow is a great resource) and note their locations and hours. We made a short list for each island, which helped us plan meals during day trips.
Visit Farmers’ Markets
Hawaii’s farmers’ markets are a plant-based traveler’s best friend. You can pick up local fruits (mangoes, pineapples, papayas, apple bananas), fresh coconuts, avocado, and prepared vegan goodies like taro burgers, coconut curries, or banana bread. These markets are also a fun cultural experience and let you taste the freshest local produce.
Stay at Places With Kitchens
If possible, consider booking accommodation with a small kitchen or at least a fridge. We often made breakfast with farmers’ market fruit and overnight oats, or packed sandwiches for hikes. Having the option to cook gives you flexibility, especially on islands where restaurants are spread out. Grocery stores in Hawaii carry lots of vegan staples (tofu, non-dairy milk, etc.), and there are local health food stores too.
Try Local Veggie Dishes
Seek out Hawaiian or Asian dishes that are naturally plant-based. For example, poi (mashed taro) is a traditional Hawaiian staple that’s vegan. Order vegetable stir-fry or tofu poke at poke bowl shops (many offer tofu or veg as a base). You can try out ramen with veggies, many Japanese restaurants also offer veggie sushi rolls and tempura. Don’t be shy to ask – chefs can often adapt a dish.
Pack Snacks for Adventures
If you’re headed out on a long hike, boat tour, or road trip (like the Road to Hāna), bring along some snacks or a packed lunch, since dining options can be limited in remote areas. We kept trail mix, granola bars, or dried fruit in our bag so we were never stuck hungry.
Embrace Açaí Bowls and Smoothies
When in doubt, there’s usually a juice bar or cafe nearby where you can grab an açaí bowl, smoothie, or avocado toast. These make excellent plant-based breakfasts or lunches and are ubiquitous in tourist areas. They kept us fueled and happy many a time!
By planning a little and being open to trying new things, we found it very enjoyable to eat plant-based in Hawaii. In fact, the journey of finding vegetarian meals became part of the fun of travel for us – leading us to meet friendly locals and discover places we might have missed otherwise.
Final Thoughts
Leaving Hawaii, we felt incredibly grateful for the experiences we had – not only the breathtaking beaches and adventures, but also the meals that nourished us along the way. Our journey to find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Hawaii turned into so much more than a foodie quest. We learned that the spirit of aloha is alive and well in the islands’ plant-based community, where chefs pour their creativity into making sure everyone can enjoy the flavors of Hawaii, no matter their diet.
From savoring a tomato-based “tuna” roll in a chic Honolulu eatery to chomping on a taro burger under the stars in Kauaʻi, each meal told a story of culture, innovation, and love for the land. These two months taught us that traveling as vegetarians doesn’t mean missing out – in fact, it often led us to hidden gems and heartwarming connections we might have overlooked otherwise. We hope our tried-and-rated list inspires you to seek out these wonderful vegan and vegetarian restaurants on your next Hawaiian vacation. Trust us, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a delicious plant-based feast with a Pacific breeze on your face and a Hawaiian sunset as your backdrop. 🌅
Whether you’re a lifelong herbivore or just curious, Hawaii’s food scene has something to make your taste buds happy. So go ahead – explore, eat adventurously, and enjoy every moment of your island food journey. Aloha and happy eating! 🤙🥥
