Top 3 Vegan Eats on Kauai

The only downside to vacations is that they’re often not long enough! After spending six months on Kauai as a Canadian snowbird who overstayed her welcome, I learned the ins and outs of dining in this tropical paradise through trial and error. Being vegan is easy once you know where the best stuff is located, but this can be tricky on short trips. So if you’re headed to Kauai, which I’m extremely jealous if you are, here are my fave spots for vegan and vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Coconut Cup Juice Bar 

The best açaí bowls on the island. Frozen blended acai, mixed berries, coconut milk, banana, granola and coconut shavings

Coconut Cup is a little juice bar (4-1516 Kuhio Hwy) along Kapaa’s scenic ocean-view bike path. Organic fruit and veggies are locally sourced and the service is stellar. I would highly suggest stopping here for a breakfast smoothie (the Polihale Punch is my main squeeze: mixed berries, banana, papaya and pineapple juice, add hemp protein for an extra boost), plus they also have tremendous breakfast burritos for our vegetarian friends. Most importantly, they have the best açaí (say it with me now: ah-sigh-ee) bowls on island. WARNING: DO NOT LEAVE KAUAI WITHOUT TRYING AN AÇAI BOWL…they are heavenly. Bonus: If you swing by for lunch try the avocado nori wrap with wasabi veganaise!

El Taco Feliz 

Find El Taco Feliz (“Happy Taco”)
at K-1778, Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa

On the main strip in Kapaa there’s a charming little food truck you might miss if you’re not looking for it. The best thing about Kauai’s laid back atmosphere is that you can show up most places barefoot in your bathing suit and no one bats an eye. On this island you can’t throw a stone without hitting a Mexican restaurant, but my favorite mixed veggie tacos and vegan burritos on the globe are right here at El Taco Feliz. This family-owned business makes their food with love, and it certainly shows. The prices are fair, the portions are generous, the guacamole is made on the spot, and the sign is hilarious. What’s not to love?

Kitchen Table 

(From top left) Smoked tomato jam appetizers, limu tomato salad, baked tofu with mushroom gravy and grilled eggplant/zucchini/ sweet potato mash, cucumber watermelon mojito and vegan coconut pana cotta with pineapple sauce.

When you’re done beach-bumming around on the East side, why not indulge in a classy night out on the North shore? I had the pleasure of visiting Kitchen Table at the lovely Common Ground garden property for both Wednesday night dinner (highly recommended cultural performance and fire show included) and Sunday brunch! The brunch buffet was magical, but the baked tofu with mushroom gravy, grilled veggies and sweet potato mash dinner was literally to die for. Farm to table, homegrown/local ingredients, awe-inspiring scenery and top notch entertainment to boot. As far as fine dining goes, Kitchen Table is where to go for high-quality cuisine, presentation, and taste. Don’t forget to mention your dietary needs when you make reservations.

They don’t call it the garden island for nothing, Kauai’s never ending assortment of exotic fruits and eco conscious restaurants make plant-based diets a cinch. Aloha!