Veg-Friendly Businesses on Kauai - Vegetarian Society of Hawaii

he following restaurants and natural food stores are sorted alphabetically. To be listed, a restaurant must offer 3 or 4 vegetarian dishes or be exceptional at fewer. It is best to call ahead to check the restaurant's hours and to make reservations. Members must show their current VSH membership card to receive special offers and discounts. We are not able to check all listed items personally, and changes may take place without notice. We encourage your comments regarding additions to or deletions from this guide, including changes in discount policies; please send them to DiningGuide@VSH.org.

Restaurants & Natural Foods Stores

Banana Joe's - 828-1092 - 5-2719 Kuhio Highway, Kilauea
Fruitstand and smoothies

Caffe Coco - 822-7990 - 4-369 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa
Many vegan items.

Chutney - 821-2040 - 4-1387 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa (Mauka across from Java Kai & North of the ABC store. Mostly vegan, vegetarian, and some non-vegetarian Indian and Nepalese food. Open for lunch Mon.-Sat. and Sunday Brunch 11:30 - 2:30 pm. Open for dinner Mon.-Sun. 5-9 pm (10 pm Fri. & Sat.).

Hanalei Natural Foods - 826-6990 - Ching Young Village, Hanalei

Healthy Hut Kauai - 828-6626 - 4270 Kilauea Lighthouse Road, Kilauea
We offer fresh local produce, fresh, locally-made baked goods (many of which are vegan and/or gluten-free). We carry a variety of organic foods and snacks including raw and vegan chocolates, and a variety of gluten-free, vegan chips, crackers and cookies. We even have a locally-made vegan coconut milk ice cream! We have a large raw foods section with a tasty assortment of vegan treats and snacks. We also carry a variety of eco-friendly, vegan soaps, lotions and sunscreens. We have a small bulk foods section and supplement section as well. 5% discount for VSH members.

Hoku Whole Foods - 821-1500 - 4585 Lehua St., Kapaa (behind the Dragon Building in Old Town Kapaa) - www.HokuWholeFoods.com
Open 7 days, 10 am - 7 pm.

King & I - 822-1642 - 4-901 Kuhio Hwy., Waipouli Plaza, Kapaa
Thai. "Vegetarian" menu items include fish sauce. Ask for no fish sauce.

Kilauea Bakery & Pau Hana Pizza - 828-2020 - Kong Lung Center, Kilauea Rd. (off Hwy. 56 on the way to the Kilauea Lighthouse

Koloa Natural Foods - 742-8910 - 5356 Koloa Rd. Building #9, Koloa

Mema Thai & Chinese Cuisine Restaurant - 823.0899 - 4-369 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa

Papaya's Natural Foods & Cafe - 823-0191 - 4-831 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa
Located in the Kauai Village Shopping Center (Safeway), This casual market/deli offers shaded tables outside.

Papaya's Natural Foods & Cafe - 826-0089 - 5-5161 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei

Postcards Cafe - 826-1191 - 5-5075 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei

Rainbow Living Foods - 635-2592 - 4-1384 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa
Located right behind Java Kai in Downtown Kapaa. Vegans should ask for no honey or bee pollen. Open Mon.-Sat 9 am - 5 pm, Closed Sundays.

Thai 2 Go - 652-3699 - 4460 Hookui St., Kilauea
Open 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Mon. - Sat.

Toi's Thai Kitchen- 335-3111 - Eleele Shopping Center, Eleele

Tokyo Lobby - 245-8989 - Harbor Mall, 3501 Rice St., Lihue

Vim & Vigor - 245-9053 - 3-3122 Kuhio Hwy #A9, Lihue

GENERAL ADVICE

- Most Thai and Vietnamese restaurants have vegetarian sections on their menus and may offer brown rice. Request no fish sauce. Most Vietnamese restaurants now offer vegan pho (made with vegetable broth) and vegan summer/spring rolls, even if these are not on their menus.

- Most Chinese restaurants will offer up whatever you request. Tell them what vegetables, noodle, or sauce, e.g., bitter melon with look fun noodles and black bean sauce. Request no chicken stock. You may also request reduced soy sauce and oil in the cooking and no MSG. (Your request can be honored because Chinese dishes are generally cooked to order, with the exception of soups, dumplings, egg rolls, and similar preparations.) Few Chinese restaurants offer brown rice.

- Most Italian and many continental restaurants have one or two pasta primavera-style dishes (or can readily prepare one on request). Vegans must be wary of eggs in the noodles and dairy products in the sauce. You may also request reduced oil.

- All Korean take-out places offer vegan vegetable choices. The ?vegetable plate? consists of four vegetable selections and white rice. The ?vegetable plate without rice? allows five choices. Inexpensive.

- Many restaurants have good to excellent salad bars and plain baked potatoes.

- Most restaurants can accommodate vegetarians although the selection may be minimal. Call ahead to ask.

- At build-your-own sandwich shops (Subway, Blimpie, Quiznos), you may choose whole-grain bread and vegetarian/vegan/low-fat contents. Suggestion: you may build an over-spiced sandwich and eat it at home with steamed vegetables.

- Hawaii is rapidly becoming increasingly friendly to vegetarians and vegans. This Guide has trouble keeping up!