You’ve decided to travel to the Big Island of Hawaii and wonder whether it’s vegan-friendly? In this post, you’ll find recommendations for the best vegan food spots on the Big Island, broken down into the island’s regions. Being vegan in Hawaii has never been easier with this ultimate vegan guide! Stay tuned for some trendy vegan cafés & hidden local gems.
Heading to a different Hawaiian Island?
Check out Vegan in Oahu or Maui
What to Expect
(as a Vegan on the Big Island)
The Big Island of Hawaii, also just named Hawai’i, is like its name suggests the largest Hawaiian island. Its diverse landscapes make Hawaii a fantastic travel destination for anyone seeking unique beaches, waterfalls, a great coffee culture, and the thrill of seeing (active) volcanoes.
Though the Big Isle isn’t the most popular destination in Hawaii (compared to Oahu & Maui), it still welcomes millions of tourists a year – and of course, vegans. So the important question is: Is the Big Island of Hawaii vegan-friendly & where can you find the best vegan food?
Like other Hawaiian islands, Big Island is vegan-friendly with a handful of fully vegan places & plenty of food spots offering plant-based options. The vegan locations especially are super passionate about the food they make, with an amazing and delicious selection. You can find anything from traditional Hawaiian shacks to modern restaurants on the island. Yet, the absolute best places to be vegan in Big Island Hawaii are Kailua-Kona & Hilo.
Kailua-Kona, aka Kona, is also where Kona Coffee comes from – a big thing for coffee lovers. What makes it so special is that the Kona coffee bean can only be grown in Hawaii. Thus, expect lots of cute & homey cafés with great coffee on the Big Island.
Additionally, since it’s a tropical destination, you can explore many fresh exotic fruits in many locations around the island. This is especially great for those obsessed with Açai bowls like me!
Good to know:
Most places in Hawaii close early and before sunset. Since the Big Island has many lovely cafés that are listed in this guide, be warned that they usually close in the afternoon. So plan to start your days early!
Overall, Big Island Hawaii is great for vegans with all-vegan establishments & plant-based options that can be found nearly anywhere on the island. To discover the Big Island’s best vegan food spots, keep on reading…
Need more advice?
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Best Vegan Food in Big Island Hawaii
Due to the island’s size, it’s important to plan your stay & vegan food spots accordingly. To see most of the Big Island’s beauty, it’s best to split your time between the main areas of Kailua-Kona (westside) & Hilo (eastside). Therefore, this guide is broken down into the island’s different regions. This way you can easily find the best vegan food spots in Big Island Hawaii that are relevant to you!
TIP: The best vegan places on the Big Island are located in Kona or Hilo.
Map of Vegan Places on the Big Island
Kailua-Kona (West)
The best vegan food in Kailua-Kona can be found here…
Herbivores
Starting with an all-vegan must-go in Kona: Herbivores. This shack-styled place offers not only delicious plant-based food on the Big Island but also fun vibes in the outdoor seating area. What makes this place so special is the owner’s dedication to offering a vegan alternative to known fast-food establishments. Aside from their extensive regular menu, they also offer specials like the Crunchwrap, “Big Moke”, cheesecakes & more. You can even find some traditional Hawaiian dishes here (e.g. vegan Loco Moco) or items that use local ingredients like taro or purple sweet potato.
Loco Moco, Crunchwrap, cinnamon roll
Animal Lover’s pizza, Pohaku Bowl, strawberry cheesecake
Journey Cafe
Are you looking for the perfect trendy vegan breakfast spot on the Big Island? Journey Cafe is the address you need to head to as an aesthetic girly/guy. As a fully vegan food spot, the menu has many delicious options, from breakfast with vegan pancakes to a great lunch selection. Aside from tasty food, the café has a really cute boho interior that invites for a longer stay. Also, there is a small sustainable store section inside, where you can browse through jewelry, vegan ingredients, and more. This should be on the top of your list for the best vegan food in Big Island Hawaii!
pancakes, BBQ pocket
garlic knots, Mac N Cheeze, rainbow pita
Sweet Journey Soft Serve
Though technically located inside Journey Cafe, this section of the café is dedicated to super trendy soft serves & ice creams that had to be mentioned separately. The fully vegan ice cream is made from locally grown macadamia nuts and is one of the best in Hawaii! Not only can you take stunning pictures with the colorful soft serves, but they also impress with their flavor. A must-go for vegan dessert lovers!
Unicorn Magic Sundae
hot chocolate lava cake
Swami’s Dosa Grill
Now, if you haven’t heard about Swami’s Dosa Grill yet, let me introduce you. This small food place inside the Kona International Market food court has one of the best selections of vegan Indian food in Hawaii. Though it doesn’t have a fully plant-based menu, the vegan options are clearly labeled, and there are plenty! Also, the owner is very supportive when it comes to veganizing or finding alternatives for non-vegan dishes if certain things are unavailable. It’s definitely worth trying while staying in Kona.
HiCO – Hawaiian Coffee
Next, we have this aesthetic coffee shop. If you love coffee and trendy drinks, this is the spot for you. It’s not a fully vegan location, but the options they do have are worth coming here for. Plus, the interior is a must for taking pictures! This café is an ideal stop for a morning or afternoon coffee break in Kona with pastries like a vegan cinnamon roll.
coffee with Ube
coffee with Ube, chia pudding
Krua Thai Cuisine
In addition to all the cute Hawaiian cafés & different cuisines, Thai food can’t be forgotten. This restaurant offers a huge selection of vegan Thai dishes on the Big Island (alongside other non-vegan food). It’s a great spot for family dinners or friend gatherings with delicious food. They even have vegan mango sticky rice and many more dishes to try.
Pad Thai, golden triangle, crispy Thai spring rolls & soup
Bikini Bottoms Coffee
Bikini Bottoms Coffee is a café offering multiple vegan items in a cute atmosphere. It’s located in the center of Kona, making it ideal for a refresher after a hot day. They have anything from pastries to açai bowls or coffee variations here.
Açai bowl, frozen coffee shake
chocolate croissant, fruit turnover
Bubba & Finn’s
Speaking of refreshing food, you can also find soft-serve ice cream at Bubba & Finn’s. They offer a few vegan Dole Whip flavors that are particularly fun to try in the “float” variant. The location inside the Kona Inn Shopping Village is perfect for a quick snack between shopping or walking around the area.
Dole Whip float & in cone
Hawi, Waimea, Honoka’a (North)
Read about vegan spots on the north side of Big Island here…
The Cardinal Herbs, Teas and Spices
First off in the north, we have this cute café and herb shop. This is the only fully vegan place on this side of Big Island Hawaii. The Cardinal has beautifully decorated pastries on the menu and other delicious snacks to get with coffee or tea. Besides, if you want to bring home some organic spices & co. as a souvenir, this is the spot to buy them.
Waimea Coffee Company or Hawi Coffee Company
One of the most popular café chains in the north of Big Island Hawaii is Waimea Coffee Company. Their now three locations offer a cozy atmosphere for breakfast hangouts and lunch snacks. Aside from the famous Kona coffee here, the menu has some mouth-watering vegan options for savory & sweet moods alike.
We only visited the location in Hawi and were impressed with the flavors of the plant-based foods!
Ulu Burger, The Magic bagel, iced matcha, coffee
Ulu Burger, The Magic bagel, iced matcha, coffee
Waipi’o Fruit Shack
Probably more like a snack, but totally worth mentioning in this guide: The Waipi’o Fruit Shack is such a trendy location with unmatched Hawaiian vibes. If visiting Waipi’o Valley Lookout is on your Big Island bucket list, then this is a must-go. Located on the side of the road, this land is filled with tropical plants, cute pathways & colorful signs, seating areas, and mini-games. It’s like its own little oasis in Hawaii. On top of that, there are so many cute animals here as well, like ducks & dogs.
Hilo & Pāhoa (East)
Find where to eat vegan in Hilo here…
The Vegan Shop
Back to savory food, we have this fully vegan restaurant in Hilo, Big Island. And if you’re a sucker for Vietnamese food, this will be your favorite! The selection of Asian dishes runs very authentic to the real deal and comes with amazing vegan meat/fish. It also has a little grocery store section inside for special Asian ingredients. The Vegan Shop is definitely one of the best places to get vegan food in Hilo.
Rice Vermicelli, lunch plate
HĀ Cafe (formerly Liquid Life)
Back to cafés and breakfast spots, there is HĀ Cafe. It offers super delicious fresh smoothies paired with other café foods. The outdoor seating is a lovely hangout spot on a sunny day in Hilo. So, if you find yourself craving a smoothie bowl, breakfast burrito, or a special Lilikoi Cheesecake, consider this the best place in Hilo for vegan food.
breakfast burrito & panini
breakfast burrito & panini
Kula Shave Ice
Would this Big Island Hawaii vegan guide be complete without listing a shaved ice spot? Probably not! The best location to get vegan shave ice on the Big Island is Kula Shave Ice. They offer so many different flavors with add-ons and fillings, plus the popular “snow cap” in vegan. Though it’s not a fully vegan spot, everything is labeled and easy to find. A must-try while on the island!
Nicoco Hawaiian Gelato
Another dessert place if you’re looking for more traditional ice cream is Nicoco. The fully vegan selection of ice creams is a dream come true, particularly with the trendiness of the place. The offered flavors are inspired by local fruits and ingredients, so get ready to try ice cream flavors like lychee, butterfly pea, lilikoi, & more.
Sweet Cane Café
Following, another lovely vegetarian breakfast spot in Hilo. Sweet Cane Café is known for its brunch selection of pancakes and sandwiches that can be requested to be made vegan. Also, they have a little bakery section with many labeled vegan sweets like cookies.
sandwiches & pancakes
sandwiches & pancakes
The Booch Bar
If you’re out in Hilo late and are looking for a bar-styled spot with vegan options, the Booch Bar is for you. Here, you can enjoy Mexican food like tacos or other comfort food. The place also offers an extensive breakfast menu with vegan French toast or smoothie bowls if you’re in Hilo during the morning.
vegan tostada, vegan tacos, Conscious Culture Burger
Bananarama Bakery
Still looking for a vegan bakery in Hawaii? Bananarama is a small shop offering a wide variety of delicious baked goods like cakes and cinnamon rolls in Pāhoa. Besides yummy sweets, you can also find bread loaves and other savory options that are worth trying here.
I’m Happy Dough
Last but not least, let’s finish with donuts. Located a little farther away from Hilo in the charming town of Pāhoa, you can find this all-vegan gem. The endless selection of vegan donuts makes being vegan in Big Island Hawaii a breeze. And even though Pāhoa is a little out of the way for most tourists, planning a day trip here won’t leave you disappointed. In fact, you’ll leave with a box of donuts!
That concludes the best vegan food spots on the Big Island of Hawaii!
With all the mentioned food spots, you should now be ready to explore the Big Island of Hawaii as a vegan. Don’t forget to save this guide for later so you can easily find the Big Island’s best vegan food, regardless of where you are.
Please also share your suggestions for vegan food spots in the comments! 🙂
Need more vegan guides? Check out these:
Vegan Food Guide to Bangkok || Vegan Food Guide to Rhodes
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