Eating Vegan on Hawaii Island: Top Plant-Based Dining and Local Markets

The Big Island of Hawaii is a plant-based paradise. Thanks to a year-round growing season, nutrient-dense volcanic soil, and a deep-rooted agricultural culture, eating vegan on Hawaii Island is effortless and delicious. I’ve included some of our favorite locations around the island. Wether you are visiting or living here, there is lots of delicious eats around the Island.

Kailua-Kona & West Coast

The sunny western coast offers everything from relaxed cafes to upscale, oceanfront dining:

• Huggo’s: A historic Kona waterfront establishment offering a dedicated plant-based selection. Enjoy ocean views while dining on options like macadamia-crusted tofu with bamboo rice, sesame-seared tofu over noodles, or local poha berry coconut curry fettuccine.
• Journey Café: A staple for 100% plant-based and gluten-free dining. Known for fresh açaí bowls, artisan sourdough crusts, jackfruit tacos, and super creamy macadamia nut soft-serve gelato.
• Herbivores Vegan Café: A casual spot perfect for hearty comfort foods, offering taro burgers, vegan hot dogs, loaded nachos, and fresh breakfast smoothies.
• Swami’s Dosa Grill: Located in the Kona International Market, serving naturally vegan South Indian dosas (crispy rice-and-lentil crepes) and samosas.
• HiCO Hawaiian Coffee: Great for a local classic with a vegan twist, grab their tofu and pickled-vegetable vegan mousse alongside locally grown coffee.
• The Temple Bar: (Kailua-Kona) Another oceanside craft beef and wine bar with views along Ali’i Drive offers Vegan Flatbread, Mushroom Mole Street Taco and Temple Baba Ganoush.
• Lava Lava Beach Club: (Waikoloa) has beachfront dining directly on Anaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay) with toes-in the sand seating. They offer Veggie Kabobs, Pineapple tofu fried rice, Black been burgers and tropical Salsa & Chips.
• FairWind Big Island Ocean Guides: Also offer Vegan food on their snorkel and Manta Rey tours. Worth taking their tours over other operators.
• Island Naturals Market & Deli: (Kailua-Kona, Pahoa & Hilo) They have food service for take out as well as stocked store full of vegan and other healthy options.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Dining

The resort is exceptionally accommodating to plant-based diners, offering dedicated vegan menus across its signature restaurants:

• ‘ŪLU Ocean Grill: Showcases regional Asian-Hawaiian cuisine with a separate vegan menu featuring items like vegetable maki rolls, sweet & sour Kekela Farm beets, charred avocado salad, and rich mango curry with kabocha squash and local eggplant.
• Miller & Lux: An upscale dining concept featuring a curated vegan menu. Highlights include beet “tartare” tacos with chili crisp and shiso, vegan Caesar salad, Ali’i mushroom polenta, and black truffle French fries.
• Beach Tree: Offers a dedicated vegan lunch and dinner menu right on the sand. Enjoy Italian-inspired and casual staples like fresh tomato bruschetta, vegan rigatoni bolognese, truffle wild mushroom gemelli, heart-of-palm tacos, and Impossible smash burgers with vegan cheddar.

Hilo & Puna (East Side)

The lush windward side is famous for tropical fruit abundance and relaxed farm-to-table dining:

• Sweet Cane Café: An organic farm-to-table eatery in Hilo serving cane juice blends, fruit smoothies, taro burgers, and colorful grain bowls sourced directly from their family farm.
• Vibe Café: A cozy Hilo spot offering creative vegan brunch items, jackfruit carnitas, waffle sandwiches, and locally brewed kombucha on tap.
• The Vegan Shop: A Hilo favorite specializing in Vietnamese and Asian plant-based comfort foods, including rich vegan pho and plant-based noodle dishes.
• The Temple Bar: Downtown Hilo, featuring mole mushroom tacos, vegan flatbread, Temple Baba Ganoush and roasted pumpkin.

Essential Tips for Vegan Travelers

Explore the Farmers Markets

Don’t rely solely on sit-down restaurants. Hilo Farmers Market, Keauhou Farmers Market, and the Waimea Town Market are stocked with tropical fruits like rambutan, longan, and apple bananas, alongside local staples like breadfruit (‘ūlū) and purple sweet potatoes (‘uala).

When ordering local Hawaiian dishes like poke or papaya salad, check for hidden fish sauce, dashi, or mayonnaise. Many poke shops now offer tofu or ‘ūlū (breadfruit) poke prepared in classic soy-sesame marinades.