Being the most remote and underdeveloped of the Hawaiian islands, I wasn’t sure how vegan eating would go here. There was a huge emphasis on local items like fish, fruit and pork (SPAM, why do you exist), and it was semi lacking in places to eat overall, not just in terms of places for me.
Almost everywhere at LEAST had an option though. Lots of places specialize in tarot burgers, some type of smoothie bowl or a veggie burrito. Kauai was effing EXPENSIVE. As in, a take-out stir fry dish, curry or burrito was bordering $17 or $18. And lots of overpriced smoothies, coffee and avocado toast. I ate less on this 10 day venture than I do on most trips, which was usually just a simple breakfast, some granola throughout the day and then a big, early dinner. But the places that were super vegan-friendly, were AMAZING. Like, some of the most creative and delicious places I’ve been!
Where have you ate some stellar vegan food in Hawaii?
I could talk about Eat Healthy forever, and ate here, not once, not twice, but THREE times, and it was mostly because my omnivorous friends loved it so much. It’s an adorable, beautifully decorated outdoor space, that’s oozing with island charm, friendly staff and a super relaxed vibe. It’s also BYOB, which was a HUGE selling point. My food tastings here ranged from macadamia nut banana pancakes, to acai bowls, to tempeh BLTs, to tofu curries and legit every appetizer they have on their happy hour menu. We all shared everything and everyone was completely blown away by everything. They’ve got interesting dishes like carrot “pigs in a blanket”, purple potato samoas, potstickers, peanut tofu sandwiches and gorgeously-adorned spring rolls. I GLADLY would have ate here every day, and I’m actually surprised that I didn’t. You cannot miss this place!
The Coconut Cup Juice Bar & Cafe
This place is somewhat of a hidden gem and I never would have noticed it or found it on Google! Lucky fr me, it was right next to my hostel and it’s full of unique juices, smoothies, waffles and toast variations. Very no frills, just a few outdoor picnic tables, though it is within quick walking distance to the beach. I got a green smoothie variations with coconut crisp roll ups and it was one of the creamiest and most flavorful smoothie bowls I’ve ever enjoyed. It’s also one of the few places I found that had a lot of green options, like kale, spinach and spirulina, which is hard to find most places on the islands. It’s %100 worth the $13 price tag 🙂
For sure, the best-priced spot I found in Kauai! High quality pastries, granola, coffee and other treats, for only a few bucks, made this our go-to spot every morning. It’s a cute little food truck with wonderful staff, and EVERYTHING is delicious. You would never know most of their breads and muffins are gluten-free and vegan. They’ve got an amazing turmeric latte, a plethora of great plant-based milks, and I started every day off perfectly here 🙂
I have very mixed feeling about Java Kai. It’s definitely the most popular spot in Kapaa, and was slammed every day. It’s a gorgeous spot, with awesome outdoor seating, and it’s a wonderful place to work or read. Everyone raved about their food, but I found it really overpriced for the most part, and overall, fairly lackluster. They don’t have much for vegan options outside of a really bland $9 avocado toast, some unflavorful smoothies and super dry vegan muffins. I will admit their non-vegan food looked dope, and their coffee is pretty great. It’s a fun spot to hang out if you can get a seat, but not the greatest place if you’re starving!
Though the cost of groceries here is INSANELY high, they do have an incredible selection, in addition to their almost entirely vegan deli and hot food bar menu. They’ve got delish options like sweet potato burritos, Reubens with vegan cheese and plant-based tacos. And turmeric biscuits! I stopped here after traveling all day and almost wept over the deliciousness of this biscuit! Their burritos are also super fresh, yummy and loaded with local veggies. If this wasn’t such a far walk from my hostel, I probably would have visited a lot more!
If you’re looking for the most elaborate, over-the-top-smoothie bowl, this place is it! They are massive in both volume and flavor, and I devoured every bite of this. All of their options seemingly have dozens of superfood ingredients and toppings and I was overwhelmed with all the exciting choices. They’ve also got pre-made raw vegan bites, puddings, snacks and wraps to go. This version was The Hulk which was the greenest variation on the menu and I was super happy with it 🙂
This place is a little on the fancier side, but I loved the location and the space and it’s outdoor seating, in stunning Hanalei. Their menu is eclectic and interesting and they only specialize in pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan eats. I opted for their homemade bread and macadamia nut spread which was borderline life-changing. I also enjoyed their hemp-crusted polenta which was warming and satisfying after a long day of stand-up paddle boarding. Their options are really innovative and their menu is constantly changing based on seasonal, local availability.
Some of the highest quality, best tasting vegan ice cream ever! Super rich, coconutty and creamy, they have lots of customizable vegan and super food options, including decadent sundaes. It’s a really fun spot with great views too, and they’ve got additional smoothie and smoothie bowls, too.
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