The Vegan City Guide: Kauai, Hawaii
I am so excited to be writing this vegan city guide to Kauai! It has always been my favorite island of Hawaii and I finally got a chance to go and explore with Steve. My biggest goal for this guide was to find great options for all sides of the island and for all occasions. Not only were we on a mission to find the best açaí bowl, but we were also super determined to find the most eco conscious and vegan friendly hotel on the island and I think we succeeded on both of those fronts.
The biggest goal with all of my guides is to show you what’s worth it so that you can not only have an incredible vacation but so we can also support the best vegan local businesses where ever we travel. Also, by supporting restaurants that have plant based options, even if they’re not all vegan, we’re showing them that there is a need for plant based food which will allow for more and better options in the future. This is why there isn’t just strictly vegan places on this guide because we want to support all restaurants, hotels and cafes that are making an effort to be apart of the change we want to see.
Not only that, but I really feel that places that are accommodating to vegans will also be much more accommodating to people with food allergies. Food allergies can make traveling really frustrating so I hope this guide can help you on your quest for better and healthier food options no matter how you identify.
A lot of places in Kauai don’t have up to date websites with hours, menus and in a lot of cases don’t have a website at all. With that said, use this guide to fill in the blanks! Another thing to note is that most of the island runs on its own schedule so call ahead before you go to make sure places are open. We didn’t get to hit a few spots on our list like Holey Grail Donuts and Potions because of this island time mentality.
Obviously we couldn’t get to everything so if you visit Kauai and want to share something we missed, send us an email at Steve@chefbai.kitchen with photos and a review and we’ll add it to the guide! For those wondering, I grouped up the entire island for this vegan city guide because I was only there for a short time and not able to stay long enough in each town to make individual guides. Maybe someday though! 😊
Be sure to save/ bookmark this guide for when you plan to visit and send to a friend!
With all of my city food guides, this of course is just my experience. Use it for reference and let me know what you found on your journey over at @chef_bai on IG or Tiktok.
Legend For Symbols:
(V) = Vegan Restaurant
(VO) = Vegan Options Available By Request
(VEG) = Vegetarian Restaurant
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Things to remember before you go:
- The entire island has super unpredictable weather so I wouldn’t rely too much on the 10-day forecast. Expect rain, expect sun and be *very* willing to go with the flow. A lot of restaurants are closed Sunday & Monday so plan to call ahead!
- You will absolutely need to rent a car. You can see the entire island (takes a little over an hour to drive from the north to the south shore) in a day and you’ll absolutely want to have the freedom to do so. We used the app “Turo” to book our car and it was the most seamless experience. We rented a soft top jeep pick up truck which came with a Yeti cooler. Nothing like driving across the island with the top down and music blaring in a car that can handle anything. Look for “Alii Rental Car LLC” on the app - they’re a great company that saved us a ton of money and time dealing with a typical rental car situation.
- Bring a large water canteen to refill. When the sun is out, it’s hot and we probably refilled ours 100 times over 5 days.
- I would spend time staying on the south side and the north side of the island. Split it up if you can! The north side is GORGEOUS and is a great place to learn how to surf. Hanalei bay (on the north side) is the cutest town and it’s equipped with jungle, beaches, waterfalls and great vibes to match. It’s definitely the rainy side of the island so pack a little windbreaker / rain coat and maybe a small umbrella. The south side is sunny and has incredible beaches as well. Its also equipped with some of the best hiking (Waimea Canyon + Na Pali Coast) so bring your hiking shoes to explore if the weather cooperates.
- Book your stay as far in advance as you can. Since the island is small, it fills up fast so book hotels before flights! There aren’t a lot of Airbnb or VRBO options either so give yourself time to plan it out. We gave ourselves only a month and we made it work, but if you want more options, you gotta book ahead.
- There are chickens, little chicks and roosters everywhere. They are a very special part of the island so don’t feed them, don’t pick up the little chicks and for gods sake be careful while driving!
- Kauai is a sacred and incredibly special place. Visit with respect for the island and the native culture. Tip well, be curtious and don’t drive like you’re in the city. It’s island time baby, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Oh, and plan for rush hour. 😜
Most Vegan and Eco Friendly Hotel:
The Grand Hyatt (VO)
1571 Poipu Road, Koloa, HI 96756
Oooffff! Kicking off the guide with the major highlight. We had to highlight this hotel on the guide because The Grand Hyatt Kauai is one of the most special and incredible hotels on Kauai. They are eco certified and this eco conscious thinking goes down to the smallest of details. To the compostable poolside cups + takeaway silverware, to the reusable water bottles in the rooms, to the vegan options at the restaurants, they really are doing their part. The hospitality was some of the best we’ve ever had and the hotel itself was absolutely stunning. The entire property sits on over 50 beach side acres with almost half of that as the pool complete with a salt water swimming lagoon, hot tubs, water slides and poolside bars. 10/10 would recommend this hotel. It’s worth every penny.
Kauai restaurant Vegan Guide
Eat Healthy RusselL’s (V)
4-369 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
Best Brunch***
What we loved: Literally everything! This 100% vegan restaurant was a major highlight for us. The food was 100% made in house and made with love. Their attention to detail was apparent in everything we ordered and the staff was super happy to be there and hyped about the food as well. We probably got recommended this restaurant 100 times and I can see why. I wish we could have gone back but they’re closed Sun-Mon so keep that in mind!
Tips when ordering: They don’t allow substitutions but are incredibly gluten-free friendly. They also close at 2:15pm so plan this into your morning! Come hungry because you should try absolutely everything you can! The tea’s are SO delicious and a must.
What we ordered:
Purple Potato Samosas
Open face no tuna melt
Half kale salad
Iced hibiscus green tea
Iced Thai tea with coconut milk
Wishing Well Coffee & tea (VO)
5-5080 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714
What we loved: This little coffee shop is definitely a gem in Hanalei. They’re open later in the afternoon after most of the other food trucks and coffee shops close so its the perfect place to get an after surf açaí bowl and a coffee. They make in house chai and simple syrup. They also have outdoor seating so you can relax in the sun while you enjoy your coffee or smoothie.
Tips when ordering: They include a mason jar in the price of their drinks so you can take it home with you! Definitely an unforgettable touch. Definitely add the ginger syrup to the chai as it gives it a much needed spice and sweetness. Dairy-free milk is extra and by request so don’t forget! There is no inside seating so this spot is best when its sunny so you can enjoy the outdoor seating - with all the chickens!
What we ordered:
Iced chai with ginger syrup
Iced matcha
Signature açaí bowl
Southeast Asia Kauai (VO)
3501 Rice St #2012, Lihue, HI 96766
Best Takeout***
What we loved: Our first night we were in the mood for takeout so we could eat by the fire pit at the first hotel we stayed at (not the Hyatt and not worth mentioning). We found this spot on google and were so glad we gave it a shot. Food was good, fast and the pad thai had a lot of tofu. I also loved the avocado roll + avocado curry. Anything avocado in Hawaii is always a win.
Tips when ordering: Ask for no egg on the pad thai with extra veggies. They’re pretty true to their hot scale so if you can’t take the heat, ask for it mild and you’ll be fine. Make sure you let them know you’re vegan!
What we ordered:
Pad Thai
Fresh Rolls
Avocado Roll
Avocado curry
Stevenson Library (VO)
1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
Best Cocktails***
What we loved: This spot is inside The Grand Hyatt and is the perfect place for a swanky cocktail and app. Even the mock-tails here were great!
Tips when ordering: This is def the place for an app and doesn’t really have enough options for dinner as a vegan which is why we loved it for a pre-dinner stop! Be sure to call ahead and make a reservation because it fills up !
What we ordered:
Shishito peppers
Green salad
Edamame
Daikon roll
Special Chef inspired roll
Forbidden fruit mocktail
sunburst mocktail
Leahi Health (V)
3450 Poipu Rd Ste. 15-01, Koloa, HI 96756
Best Lunch***
What we loved: Ok, this place was amazing. It’s a little window walk up with a few picnic tables to dine. They were the perfect breakfast + lunch spot with something for everyone. They had smoothies, matchas, bowls, tacos - the works! Plus, the owner was back there making all the food and you could tell she was so passionate about it and was cooking with SO MUCH LOVE! This is the perfect place to stop on the way to Waimea canyon!
Tips when ordering: The tacos are not automatically gluten free and I would request GF tortillas if you are GF. Also, since the seating is outside be ready to run to the car to eat if it starts raining!
What we ordered:
Pink panther smoothie
Breakfast tacos
Beet poke bowl
Iced matcha latte
Namaste Indian Food Truck (VO)
4-1638 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
What we loved: This was one of the only places open past 7pm in Kapaa. It pretty much saved us because we were not prepared for how early places closed. They have a TON of vegan options and the food was incredibly authentic.
Tips when ordering: There is one guy who does it all (at least when we went) so food takes quite awhile. Also, I hate to say it but I feel like since it’s a food truck I do feel like the meat dishes were cooked on the same pans as the vegan. Not usually something I would be ok with but again, it was open until 9pm and we were starving!
What we ordered:
Chickpea Spinach Curry
Lentil Curry
Roti x 2
TidePools Kauai (VO)
1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
Best Dinner***
What we loved: Whewwww! What didn’t we love?! Everything about this place is so special. Its located by the pool at The Grand Hyatt in Poipu. Its surrounded by water and tiki torches and the second you walk in, the vibes are immaculate. Not only was it the best service we’ve had in years, but the food was equally as incredible. The management and the chef obviously are very aware that veganism and dietary restrictions are not something to just put on the back burner. The vegan options were incredible with so much flavor and the chef even brought out something special for us - a hummus made with macadamia nuts!
Tips when ordering: They are very inclusive and are happy to accommodate and make sure you are happy so don’t hesitate to ask! Take your time here as it’s one of those dinners to remember.
What we ordered:
Tai chi
Shipwreck surfer
Garlic pomme frites
Chilled soba
Forbidden rice with fried tofu
Mango sorbet
Ilima terrace restaurant (VO)
1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
What we loved: Since we were staying at the The Grand Hyatt, heading down for breakfast was so easy and so convenient. They open at 6am so its perfect for an early morning of adventuring. The restaurant is right next to their swans that live on property. It has an open concept to the outdoors but is protected so its the best place to eat and watch the rain!
Tips when ordering: They had a huge buffet but the vegan gold is on a special secret menu that you have to ask for. They have something for everyone and are super happy to accommodate food allergies.
What we ordered:
Chia pudding
Tofu scramble
Coconut latte
Fresh squeezed melon juice
Monico’s taqueria (VO)
4-733 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
What we loved: We absolutely loved the bartender here. She was so nice to point us to the vegan menu items and made a mean margarita. There aren’t a lot of places for good tequila cockatils on Hawaii so we were super hyped to find this place!
Tips when ordering: Ask for vegetarian beans and rice as they have both! And make sure you let them know you’re vegan as they will give you extra guac and no cheese.
What we ordered:
Chimichanga
Durado tacos
Dairy free piña coladas
Margarita with li hung mui
G’s Juice Bar (VO)
9681 Kaumualii Hwy, Waimea, HI 96796
What we loved: We stopped by this spot on our way back from our boat tour of the Nepali coast. We we’re sunburnt, exhausted and needed an açaí bowl + an iced coffee. G’s Juice Bar had a super cool vegan vibe and there were so many açaí bowls to choose from. I absolutely loved the kauai bowl. We ate it in the back of our pickup truck soaking in the island. Perfect vibes!
Tips when ordering: They automatically use almond milk in the iced coffee so for my dairy-free friends out there - no worries necessary!
What we ordered:
Kauai bowl with almond butter
Rambla bowl with macadamia nuts
Vanilla iced coffee with oat milk
Trilogy Coffee & Tea (VO)
4270 Kilauea Rd J, Kilauea, HI 96754
Best Matcha***
What we loved: If I lived in Kauai I would easily spend all of my money here. This little coffee shop is located in the back of the shopping center so if you can’t find it at first, keep walking! It’s small and cozy with a lot of attention to detail like the Weck storage jars, the printed napkins on brand, the solid music choices, and the products on display from other merchants such as coffee mugs, chocolates, teas, ceramics, etc. Most of the products are hand made, locally, so you know you’re supporting the communities directly. Their dairy free cream cheeze was made in house, and had a spicy hint to it which I absolutely loved. It was good that I had to order an extra one! To top things off, this place had some of the best matcha latte’s I’ve had in a long time. I served mine on ice and snacked on my bagel with extra, extra cream cheese while cuddled up with Steve watching the pouring rain. Vibes were 100%.
Tips when ordering: They use fresh island coconut milk for an extra uncharge, trust me, it’s 100% worth it! Some of the pastries are vegan and/or gluten free, so definitely ask your barista for their favorites selections.
What we ordered:
Everything bagel with garlic herb kream cheese
Trilogy iced chai
Mintcha chip iced latte with fresh island coconut milk
Nourish Hanalei (VO)
5225 Hanalei Plantation Rd, Princeville, HI 96722
Best Acai bowl***
What we loved: Heading north, on the way to Hanalei bay, just off the beaten path, is this small and cute orange hut called, Nourish Hanalei. Overlooking the bay and fields below, it’s a great place to grab a snack + a gorgeous view. The staff was super friendly and everyone working looked genuinely happy and enjoying their job. The açaí bowl was THE best one on the island and some of the best ever! Covered with local fruit like papaya, starfruit, fresh coconut threads, and homemade granola, it gave me all the feels. It really reminded me why I love traveling…fresh local food, adventures and views, and diving into a new culture.
Tips when ordering: They are super vegan friendly and everything is clearly labeled which isn’t always the case around the island. Ask the staff their favorites, and you’ll find yourself in good hands, just remember to specify vegan options. While you’re there, watch the weather cuz it’s really beautiful to sit at the outdoor picnic tables, but the rain can sneak in fast and hard. We started our lunch outside in the sun enjoying the views, and finished in the car in a torrential down pour. We were soaking wet, but we enjoyed every moment of it.
What we ordered:
Hanalei wrap
Classic Açaí Bowl
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