Kauai Dining Guide for Vegetarians
This list of dining options on Kauai is to help Hindu pilgrims keep a pure vegetarian diet. Restaurants range from pure vegan and vegetarian where no meat, fish or eggs are ever used in the kitchen at any time, to those that offer excellent vegetarian fare along side a regular "steak and lobster" menu. Others do not cater specifically to vegetarians at all, but serve a wide range of fresh vegy options. Last on the list are "limited vegy options," these restaurants have excellent views and facilities, but be prepared to work with your waiter to design your meal. Listings are sorted by level of offerings and proximity to the temple.
Disclaimer: Not all proprietors communicate changes to us; web addresses, descriptions of cuisine, etc., may change. Try to Google the location to get updated info and please send notification that such-and-such a dining info is invalid, to iraivan@hindu.org
Location -- Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
Papayas Natural Foods and Cafe
Completely Vegetarian
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
Kauai Village Shopping Center
4-831 Kuhio Hwy in Kapaa,
and 5-5161 Kuhio Hwy # F in
Hanalei
Hours: 8am-8pm Monday-Saturday (Cafe closes at 7pm),10am-5pm Sunday (Cafe closes at 4pm)
Phone: 808-823-0190
More info here: http://www.papayasnaturalfoods.com
Description: A Natural foods market with Deli that has a few hot dishes and salad bar for lunch. Outdoor seating.
Rainbow Living Foods
Completely Vegetarian
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
4-1384 Kuhio HWY Unit 103-A
Kapaa, Hawaii 96746
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, closed Sun.
Phone: 808-821-9759
Description: Inspired raw living food. All vegan. Gluten free. Specials include falafels, veggie wraps, pizza, chocolate mousse, energy balls, live pies, raw drinks and more. Restaurant entrance is on Inia Street (around the corner towards the ocean) behind Java Kai.
Caffe Coco
Good Vegetarian Options
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
4-369 Kuhio Hwy
in Wailua (across from Kintaro's Restaurant)
Hours: Tue-Fri 11am-9pm Sat-Sun 5pm-9pm
Phone: 808-822-7990
More info here: Menu: http://www.restauranteur.com/caffecoco/menu.htm
Description: Island Fish, pasta and organic salads
Kauai Pasta (2 locations)
Good Vegetarian Options
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
4-939 Kuhio Hwy # B, Kapaa, HI;
3142 Kuhio Hwy, Lihue, HI
Hours: Kapaa: (dinner only) Tues- Sun 5PM-9PM; Lihue Mon-Sat 11AM to 9PM
Phone: Kapaa: (808) 822-7447;
Lihue, HI - (808) 245-2227
More info here: http://www.kauaipastarestaurants.com/
Description: Voted best italian restaurant on Kauai 2008-2009; Fresh local produce; order your vegetarian meal ala carte.
Pacific Island Bistro
Good Vegetarian Options
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
Kauai Village Shopping Center Kapaa
Hours: Lunch: 10:30am-3pm; Dinner: 4pm - 9:30pm
Phone: 808-822-0092
More info here: http://www.kauaimenu.com/MenuPages/PacificIslandBistro/pacificislandbistro.htm
Description: Chinese. Lunch and Dinner; "Authentic Asian + Pacific Rim Cuisine" Reservations not required but recommended for groups of six of more.
Shivalik Indian Cuisine
Good Vegetarian Options
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
4-771 Kuhio Hwy,
Kapaa, HI 96746
Hours: Lunch: 11:30-3:00 Mon-Fri, 11:30-3:30 Sat-Sun Dinner: 5:00-9:30 Daily
Phone: 808-821-2333
More info here: http://www.shivalikindiancuisine.com
Description: Located next to Foodland supermarket. Offering a daily lunch buffet with a la carte options available. Also offering a mid-week dinner buffet for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Authentic Indian cuisine in an elegant dining atmosphere on the beautiful island of Kauai.
Sukothai
Good Vegetarian Options
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
4-1105 Kuhio Hwy, Suite 4, Kapaa
(Kapaa Shopping Center)
Hours: Open Daily 11am-9pm
Phone: 808-821-1224
More info here: http://www.kauaimenu.com/MenuPages/SukoThai/Sukothai.htm
Description: Thai, hearty tofu and vegetable dishes, and hot! if you ask for it. The staff is Buddhist and occasionally feed the monks at the monastery in honor of their ancestors.
Bobby V's Pizzeria
Excellent Salad Bar
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
4-788 Kuhio Highway (Across from MacDonalds)
Kapaa, HI 96746
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-1-pm; Sun 5pm-9pm
Phone: 821-8080
More info here: http://www.bobbyvpizzeria.com/
Description: Great pizza and salad bar. Build your own lacto-vegetarian meal.
Brick Oven Pizza - Wailua
Limited Vegy Selections
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
4-361 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa
Just past Wailua Beach, across from the gas station, at the intersection with the traffic lights
Hours: Tues-Sun 11am-10pm; Mon 4pm-pm
Phone: 808-823-8561
More info here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kauai/D39518.html
Description: This is a recently opened Wailua location of Kalaheo's very popular and original Brick Oven Pizza. They offer a vegetarian pizza, a vegetarian sandwich and salad options. Sandwiches less than $6.70; pizzas $9-$29 Still makes pizza the old fashioned way. Brick Oven is the quintessential mom-and-pop business. The pizza is cooked directly on the brick hearth, brushed with garlic butter, and topped with cheeses and long-simmering sauces. This is the real thing! You have a choice of whole-wheat or white crust, plus many toppings: vegetarian combos, and more. The result: very popular pizza, particularly when topped with fresh garlic. The pizza-bread sandwiches are big at lunch, and the "super pizza" with everything on it -- that's amore.
Mermaid's Cafe
Limited Vegy Selections
Kapaa (Coconut Coast)
4-1384 Kuhio Hwy
Hours: Open daily 7am-9pm
Phone: 808/821-2026
More info here: http://www.mermaidskauai.com/Mermaids_Cafe/Mermaids_Cafe_Kauai.html
Description: A tiny health restaurant, all fresh. Breakfast $4-$9 Lunch/Dinner $9-11; Credit Cards Not Accepted
Location -- North Shore (Princeville - Hanalei etc.)
Banana Joe's
Good Vegetarian Options
North Shore (Princeville - Hanalei etc.)
52719 Kuhio Hwy
Between mile markers 23 and 24 heading north, on the mauka (mountain) side of the street
Hours: 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm Sunday
Phone: 808-828-1092
More info here: http://www.bananajoekauai.com/
Description: Fruit stands have sprouted on this island, and smoothies are gaining ground as the milkshake of the new millennium. New crops of exotic trees imported from Southeast Asia are maturing on Kauai, creating anticipation among residents and fruitful ideas for the smoothie world. "Everyone's waiting for the mangosteens and durians," comments Joe Halasey who, with his wife, Cynthia, runs Banana Joe's , the granddaddy of Kauai's roadside fruit-and-smoothie stands. Banana Joe's has been a Kilauea landmark since it opened in 1986. Sapodilla, star apple (round, purple, and sweet, like a creamy Concord grape), macadamia nuts, Anahola Granola, and homemade breads -- like banana and mango-coconut -- are among Banana Joe's attractions. The Halaseys have expanded their selection of organic vegetables and exude a quiet aloha from their roadside oasis.
Kilauea Bakery and Pau Hana Pizza
Good Vegetarian Options
North Shore (Princeville - Hanalei etc.)
In Kong Lung Center, Kilauea Rd. (off Hwy. 56 on the way to the Kilauea Lighthouse), Kilauea, The North Shore
Hours: Daily 6:30am-9pm
Phone: 808/828-2020
More info here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kauai/D39577.html
Description: Pizzas $11-$26 The much-loved bakery puts out guava sourdough; Hanalei poi sourdough; fresh chive, goat-cheese, and sun-dried-tomato bread; blackberry-white chocolate scones; and other fine baked goods. The breads go well with the soups and hot lunch specials, and the pastries with the new full-service espresso bar, which serves not only the best of the bean, but also blended frozen drinks and such up-to-the-minute voguish things as iced chai and Mexican chocolate smoothies (with cinnamon). We also love the fresh vegetables in olive oil and herbs, baked in a baguette; the olive tapenade; and the classic scampi pizza with tiger prawns, roasted garlic, capers, and cheeses. The Picketts have added a small dining room, and the few outdoor picnic tables under umbrellas are as inviting as ever. The macadamia nut butter cookies and lilikoi-fruit Danishes are sublime.
Postcards Cafe
Good Vegetarian Options
North Shore (Princeville - Hanalei etc.)
On Kuhio Hwy. (At the entrance to Hanalei town)
Hours: Daily 6pm-9pm
Phone: 808-826-1191
Reservations recommended for dinner
More info here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kauai/D39568.html
Description: Main courses 13$-26$ The charming plantation-style building that used to be the Hanalei Museum is now Hanalei's gourmet central. Postcards is known for its use of healthful ingredients, island-fresh and creatively prepared and presented (like fresh fish, grilled or blackened, with macadamia-nut butter, honey Dijon, or peppered-pineapple sage), and for its imaginative use of local ingredients (as in taro fritters served with papaya salsa). Other choices include Thai summer rolls, sautˇed prawns, nori rolls (filled with rice, vegetables, and tempeh), and ever-popular seafood specials. In the front yard, an immense, mossy, hollowed-out stone serves as a free-standing lily pond and roadside landmark. Great menu, presentation, and ambience -- a winner.
Location -- South Shore (Lihue - Poipu)
Gingbua Thai Restaurant
Good Vegetarian Options
South Shore (Lihue - Poipu)
3501 Rice St Ste 207 (upstairs Harbor Mall)
Lihue, HI 96766
Hours: Lunch and Dinner, 7 days a week call for hours
Phone: (808) 245-9350
Description: Fabulous Thai curries
Josselin's Tapas Bar and Grill
Good Vegetarian Options
South Shore (Lihue - Poipu)
KukuiÕula Village Mall
2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka St.
Poipu, Kauai, HI 96756
Hours: Dinner nightly starting at 5pm
Phone: 808-742-7117
More info here: http://josselins.com/
Description: Asian fusion with Hawaiian influence. Tapas refers to a succession of small plates shared by everyone at the table.
Location -- West Side
Hanapepe Cafe
Good Vegetarian Options
West Side
3830 Hanapepe Rd, Hanapepe
Hours: Lunch Mon-Thursday, Dinner Friday night only
Phone: 808-335-5011
More info here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kauai/D39527.html
Description: Light-filled old plantation-era building in "downtown" Hanapepe. Tasty, healthful lunches and dinners, friendly service and live music on weekends. Vegan-Friendly, Lacto, Italian, Has one fish dish, otherwise all vegie.
Happy Mangos Healthy Hale
Good Vegetarian Options
West Side
By the bridge in Waimea across from Lucy Wright beach park
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am to 5pm Sat 7am to 3pm
Phone: 808-338-0055
Description: A health food store / cafe serving organic, vegetarian, vegan and natural breakfasts, lunches, smoothies and deserts. Good place to pick up a picnic lunch for west-side beaches or Kokee park.
Toi's Thai Kitchen
Good Vegetarian Options
West Side
Eleele
More info here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kauai/D39529.html
Description: Thai food. Some vegetarian and curry items.
Brick Oven Pizza - Kalaheo
Limited Vegy Selections
West Side
2-2555 Kaumualii Hwy. (Hwy. 50)
Kalaheo (inland from Poipu)
Hours: Tues-Sun 11am-10pm
Phone: 808-332-8561
More info here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kauai/D39518.html
Description: They offer a vegetarian pizza, a vegetarian sandwich and salad options. Sandwiches less than $6.70; pizzas $9-$29 Still makes pizza the old fashioned way. Brick Oven is the quintessential mom-and-pop business. The pizza is cooked directly on the brick hearth, brushed with garlic butter, and topped with cheeses and long-simmering sauces. This is the real thing! You have a choice of whole-wheat or white crust, plus many toppings: vegetarian combos, and more. The result: very popular pizza, particularly when topped with fresh garlic. The pizza-bread sandwiches are big at lunch, and the "super pizza" with everything on it -- that's amore.
Kalaheo Cafe and Coffee Co.
Limited Vegy Selections
West Side
2-2560 Kaumualii Hwy.
Kalaheo (across from Brick Oven Pizza)
Hours: 6:30 - 2:30 Monday through Saturday and 6:30 - 2:00 on Sundays. Dinners are Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00 PM
Phone: Phone: (808) 332-5858
Fax: (808) 332-5868
Toll Free: (800) 255-0137
More info here: http://www.kalaheo.com
Description: Coffee, tea, baked goods, sandwiches, soup, salad, grilled vegies etc. The place to buy gourmet coffee from across the islands.