The best way to refuel after a beach yoga class? Check out our roundup of our favorite plant based eateries around Oahu by neighborhood.
TOWN/HONOLULU
Juicy Brew
Location (two locations): 3392 Waialae Ave
1401 S. Beretania St.
Juicy Brew is primarily a grab and go vegan restaurant specializing in vegan fast food. Juicy Brews goal is to provide filling, nutritious, and delicious plant based foods to all people . Juicy Brew strives to use local ingredients as much as possible and values strong connections between farmers and their customers. If you’re looking for local produce creatively crafted that will leave you feeling full, stop by Juicy Brew. If you only have one chance to eat there we recommend their brunches which changes weekly and is a community favorite. Check out their instagram for more details.
Vegan Hills
Location: 3585 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
If you’re looking for a chic slightly more upscale fully vegan restaurant Vegan Hills is right for you. Vegan Hills is great for a sit-down brunch or lunch. Here you will find a selection of sandwiches, bowls, smoothies, and inventive appetizers that fill you up without leaving you feeling overly stuffed. Vegan Hills is the place to go if you want a lighter meal that still leaves you feeling satisfied.
Tane Vegan Japanese Izakaya
Location: 2065 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA
Tane is a fully vegan izakaya (an informal Japanese pub that serves small dishes similar to tapas). Tane is only open for dinner and though we wish it was open throughout the entire day it is certainly somewhere you will want to come back to over and over again. Tane’s atmosphere is sophisticated and chic with its dark interior, dim lighting, and elegant design. The large array of fully plant based starters, salads, ramen, nimono (braised small plates), agemono (tempura and fried small plates), yakimono (grilled small plates), nigiri (sushi with raw “fish”), classic rolls (Tane’s take on traditional hosomaki and uramaki), their specialty rolls (uramaki style rolls), and if you have room their daily desserts will definitely leave you feeling satisfied. It’s amazing to us that a place like Tane exists, a restaurant that tastefully creates not only vegan sushi but a variety of other classic Japanese treats as well.
Ethiopian Love
Location: 1112 Smith St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
Ethiopian Love says they are the best Ethopian restaurant on the island and while they are the only Ethopian restaurant on the island they are certainly amazing. Ethiopian Love offers delicious vegan options with large family portions. We recommend getting the Ethiopian Love Veggie Sampler so you can get a taste of what this delicious restaurant has to offer. Each dish comes on a soury, spongey, scrumptious bread called Injera. Ethiopian food is eaten with your hands but breaking off some injera and scoping bite size portions of the dishes. Get ready to love miser wot, kik alicha wot, atakilt wot, shiro, azifa, romi, and lemlem. You will want to keep coming back and back for many dinners.
Himilayan Kitchen
Location: 1137 11th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA
If you’re looking for delicious Indian and Nepali cuisine look no further than Himilayan Kitchen. With it’s beautifully decorated spacious indoor and outdoor seating you will not only enjoy your meal but the atmosphere as well. This affordable restaurant fills you up and leaves you with leftovers. Each dish is delectable and flavorful. Start out with you meal with samosas and then peruse the menu with their large variety of curries. Most of the dishes under their vegetarian delight section can be made vegan upon request. Oh, and don’t forget to order some naan as well!
To Thai For
Location: 3571 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA
Thai food is always a good choice for those of us looking for plant based options. To Thai For is an excellent selection if you’re in the mood for light curries, noodles, or rice dishes. This restaurant offers affordable and delectable food that’s perfect for those seeking genuine taste for true Thai food. Rainy days, “chilly” Hawaiian evenings, or if you’re feeling under the weather this is a great option for you. To Thai For even offers a convenient scale system for its spiciness allowing you to enjoy Thai’s food rich spices at your own pace. We recommend experimenting with higher spice levels if you are interested in exploring the richer flavors of Thai cuisine.
Peace Cafe
Location: 2239 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA
Peace Cafe is a fully vegan restaurant perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They promote a plant based lifestyle and the benefits it has for the mind, body, soul, and environment. Peace Cafe uses fresh ingredients that are healthy and tasty. Peace Cafe use eco products for all of their to go boxes, cups, and cutlery in their homey and comfortable restaurant. Come and enjoy delicious smoothies, teas, bowls, sandwiches, and perhaps even some mochi or ice cream while listening to relaxing music. We recommend the Tempeh Katsu which takes a plant based spin on a local favorite. Whatever you choose, you definitely will want to come back for more.
Down to Earth
Location: Multiple Locations around the Island
Down to Earth opened in 1977 and provides local residents and tourists alike with fresh local organic and natural products that support folks to pursue a healthy lifestyle while also doing their part in preserving our environment. If you’re looking for a one stop shop to get your groceries, a quick bite to eat, vitamins, toiletries, home goods, and even cooking classes this is the place for you. With five locations across Oʻahu (Honolulu, Kailua, Kakaʻako, Kapolei, Pearlridge) and even one location on Maui in Kahului Down to Earth is easy to access and gives you a wide variety of options. It’s nice to have a local health food store that supplies locals and visitors with options that can promote healthy living while engaging our community here in Hawaiʻi.
ʻUmeke Market
Location: 1001 Bishop St #110, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
ʻUmeke Market is a local co-op that provides you with not only 100% plant based meals from talented chefs in their hot food section, but also produce and other groceries as well. ʻUmeke Market was on the brink of shutting down but with the help of the community this place is still open and ready to support local organic farmers, talented plant based chefs, hard working staff, and dedicated co-op members. This is a place that the community hopes to have open for many many years. Come and support local farmers, eat delicious plant based meals, perhaps do some grocery shopping, refill your soaps, or gather more granola from their bulk items. After you’re done shopping or grabbing a bite to eat enjoy their outdoor patio before going on with your day.
Loving Hut
Location (Two Locations): 1614 S. King St.
1118 Fort Street Mall
Loving Hut is a plant based chain restaurant that has multiple locations not just on the island but around the world. From Milpitas to San Francisco, and Formosa (Taiwan) to Au Lac (Vietnam) Loving Hut makes it easy to find delicious vegan cuisine on the go. Loving Hut is committed not only to providing vegan food to all people but they strive to bring harmony to the world through plant based meals using natural and healthy ingredients. Loving Hut believes in respecting people and the planet through excellent service and meals that leave you feeling happy and full.
WAIKIKI / KAPAHULU
Sunrise Shack
Location (Two locations): 59-158 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Three brothers and their good friend started the Sunrise Shack on the North Shore and they now have a second location in Waikiki. The Sunrise Shack started as a way for the brothers to earn some money selling fruit at the end of their driveway. Over the years their passion grew they made it their goal to start a business that promotes healthy eating for all. The Sunrise Shack specializes in smoothie bowls, healthy bits (such as avocado toast), fresh cold pressed juices, kombucha, and their organic bulletproof coffee that uses a vegan coconut creamer and MCT oil. Stop by when you need something refreshing after soaking up the sun!
Banan
Five locations:
Diamond Head Food Truck
University Store
Kahala Cube
Waikiki Beach Shack
Kailua Town Center
If you’re looking for delicious plant based desserts that leave you feeling satisfied and soul happy look no further then Banan. Their mission is to Make the Earth happy, make people happy, and serve righteous food. Banan aims to connect people to their food and they do that through a farm to table method. Banan makes their delicious vegan soft serve out of local bananas and then sends back the food waste (banana peels galore) back to farmers in order to stop food waste. Not only does Banan get their bananas from local farmers they also get their papayas, pinalepes, ‘olena, honey, liliko’i, guava jam, mac nuts, macnella, and dark chocolate as well. If you want a delicious ice cream treat (if you’re adventurous try the papaya boat or pineapple boat) that’s good for you and the planet, stop by Banan.
What it Dough
Location: Behind the Banán truck @ 3212 Monsarrat Ave Honolulu, HI 96815
What it Dough is Honolulu’s first Artisan vegan pizza kitchen specializing in wood fire cooking techniques. Open Friday through Sunday from 4-8:30 pm make sure you check them out. With cute outdoor seating you can enjoy this delicious savory pie while gazing at majestic Diamond head. Relax and enjoy this pizza lovely crafted and cooked to perfection in a mobile wood fire oven. With six appetizing selections the hardest thing to do will be to choose which one you want to try.
KCC Farmers Market
Location: 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA (Kapiʻolani Community College)
KCC Farmers Market is an incredibly popular local farmers market that draws many tourists and locals alike. We recommend that you visit this farmers market before the rush, which really amps up at 10:00 am. Open Tuesday from 4-7pm and Saturday from 7:30 to 11:00am this farmers market has a variety of booths. If you’re looking for local produce, local organic produce, honey, fresh cut flowers, popsicles, fresh coconut water, delicious local dishes, live music, baked goods, and much more then stop by. Located on KCC’s beautiful campus at the bottom of Diamond head the farmers market is perfect for a snack before exploring or perhaps even a cool down after hiking Diamond head or looking at the desert botanical garden on campus. This is the perfect place to start your weekend.
EAST SIDE / KAILUA
Beet Box
Location (Two locations): 46 Hoʻolai Street, Ste A Kailua, Hawaii 96734
66-437 Kamehameha Hwy #104, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
Beet Box located in Kailua and Haleiwa is a strictly vegetarian restaurant with many vegan and gluten free options. Open 7am-4pm this is the perfect place to grab any meal. Both locations are near the beach making it great to fill up or refill after spending some time in the sun and sea. Each location is spacious and beautiful decorated making it perfect for a nice sit down meal or a relaxing and energizing place to catch up on some work or relax and read a book. Take some you time at the Beet Box while devouring smoothies, fresh juice, coffee, sandwiches, breakfast served all day, acai bowls, salads, and desserts with local fresh ingredients delivered four times a week. This will be your go to spot before and after enjoying and honoring Hawaiʻi’s beautiful aina.
The Lovin’ Oven
Location: 418 Kuulei Rd, Kailua, HI 96734
Located in Kailua the Lovin’ Oven is a fully plant based pizza joint specializing in making delicious Italian pizzas using all original recipes. Who would have thought pizza could get any better? Well here at the Lovin’ Oven they take pizza up a notch. Not only is the pizza tasty, but it’s also good for animals, good for the environment, and good for your health. Open Wed-Sun from 2:30PM-8:30PM you can now get that quick easy meal that’s also conscious about the benefits of plant based cooking. Ther 7 unique pizzas can be mixed and matched for delicious combinations. Oh, and don’t forget to throw in a salad as well to make your meal just a little more scrumptious.
Morning Brew
Location (two locations): 600 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734
685 Auahi St #113, Honolulu, HI 96813
Morning Brew is a fantastic coffee shop that will fulfill your need for a morning pick me up or a refreshing cup of joe halfway through the day. Morning Brew specialized in serving you the freshest organic coffee in a lively friendly cafe that’s great for breakfast or lunch. If you need space to catch up on some work or enjoy plant based breakfast or lunch options all while sipping on a latte made with local beans this is the place for you. We suggest vegan rice bowl or the fresh hummus bagel, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything Morning Brew has to offer.
WAIMANALO
ʻAi Love Nalo
ʻAi Love Nalo is located in beautiful Waimanalo right next to the Waimanalo Market Co-Op. From their backyard seating that feels more like a mini garden you can gaze at the breathtaking Koolaus while enjoying vegan spins on Hawaiian classics. Classics such as poke and lau lau. Whatever you end up getting whether it be the medi bowl, BBQ Porto Sandwich, Da Scrambler, or the Coco-Bancon super salad be sure to leave room for their delicious desserts such as Gramma Nani’s Bread or cocoa truffles. You won’t want to leave the garden backyard teaming with local fruit trees such as Noni or papaya!
Waimanalo Market Co-Op
The Waimanalo Market Co-Op located right next to ‘Ai Love Nalo strives to eat local, live pono, and celebrate community. The Waimanalo Market Co-Op has produce that is either organic or grown using sustainable agriculture. However this Market offers even more. With a rotation of local food vendors in the back you can always find new food to snack on while your there. The Market also offers a variety of locally made gifts that are perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just to treat yourself. From jewelry to lotions to jams to handmade clothes you will want to stop by the Market often to see what exciting new things they have to offer. It’s important to support the local community and this is one of the best places to do it on the island.
Written By Zoë Malia Ozoa Loos
Zoë Malia Ozoa Loos is a recent graduate from Saint Mary’s College of California receiving both her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Ethnic Studies in 2017, and her Master’s Degree in Creative NonFiction Writing in 2019. Zoë has strong ties to Hawaiʻi moving there in 2002 to be closer to her maternal family. Writing for Zoë is her way of helping to join people together and people and their natural environment together. Language is a tool that can bridge gaps and improve understanding. Zoë hops to use writing as her way of giving back to the community and working towards a better more connective future.
