If you are in for meatless or wheatless eating in Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii offers varied choices for you. The city is indeed welcoming for the vegans and all those who believe gluten-free, healthy dining. Forget the delicacies such as wheat noodles dotted with char siu, breaded chicken katsu and breaded mahi mahi!
Here are some strictly vegetarian/vegan restaurants exclusively for you in Honolulu. You’ll simply love visiting some of these best restaurants in the city such as Greens & Vines, Town, Alan Wong’s, Nobu Waikiki, Roy’s Waikiki, Simple Joy, Loving Hut, Opal Thai Food, Peace Café, Prima and Vintage Cave Honolulu. Let us take a virtual tour of some of these vegetarian eateries and see what all they have to offer to their visitors.
Greens & Vines
Green & Vines is located at 909 Kapiolani Blvd in Honolulu, Oahu. The restaurant is mostly visited by vegetarian, vegans and raw-food acolytes. The restaurant was founded by Sylvia and Pete Thompson, vendors at the farmers’ markets who converted their prepared-foods Licious Dishes company into the now-famous Green & Vines restaurant. Apart from the vegetarians and vegans, the restaurant is also a major attraction for meat eaters as well with its “living” lasagna and macadamia nut spread. The “living” lasagna is prepared with layers of tomatoes, spinach, mac nut “ricotta”, sundried tomato marinara, basil pesto and zucchini. This dense-block of nutrients is wheat-free and delicious. The all-veggie patty Syl’s Garden Burger, sandwiched between onion “bread” with cashew “mayo” and date “mustard” is simply fantastic. The Green & Vines also hosts special wine seminars featuring raw tapas.
Town
Town is situated at 435 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu. The veggie plate at the restaurant is quite popular, even though it’s not listed on the menu. Chef Ed Kenney says that the veggie plate comprises of whatever is available on that particular day. The plate may include polenta, bok choy or roasted mushrooms and five to six other items. The visitors are not required to order for the veggie plate in advance. The menu changes here daily and any particular vegetarian option is not available. The gnocchi and risotto dishes offered at the restaurant are often vegetarian. The gluten-free diners are also welcome at the Town.
Alan Wong’s
Alan Wong’s: restaurant is situated at 1857 S. King St., Honolulu, Oahu. Chef Mavro is another restaurant which is located along side Alan Wong’s. The two restaurants have been offering seasonal and tasty vegetarian menus. Alan Wong’s welcomes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free menu requests. The restaurant requires a 48 to 72 hours notice for preparing the dishes, which includes kai bi-style grilled eggplant or ginger-crusted tofu. The spring vegetarian menu served at Chef Mavro restaurant is quite delicious. Here the vegan dish prepared with asparagus can be offered in four different ways.
Nobu Waikiki
Nobu Waikiki is situated at Waikiki Parc Hotel, 2233 Helumoa Road. The restaurant is quite popular for its delectable gluten-free menu. You will simply enjoy the sashimi selections along with wheat-free shoyu. This raw-food dish comprises of the hearts of palm pepperoncini. The kitchen at the restaurant uses a special machine to finely cut the hearts of palm so that they look like angel hair spaghetti. It is served with doses of chives, dry miso, salt, chili flakes, garlic and olive oil, along with a little toupee of toganashi. The Nobu Waikiki is visited in large numbers for this exclusive raw-food dish.
Roy’s Waikiki
Roy’s Waikiki is situated at Embassy Suites, 226 Lewers St. The restaurant’s famous Executive Chef Jason Peel is adorned and greatly loved for his four-course vegan dinner. Just sample the vegan dishes created by Peel. You will simply love them and want to have more and more. The spicy chickpea “tuna” roll, grilled mushroom bao with pickled hearts of palm and spiced, seared tofu are to be relished at the restaurant. The fresh strawberry shortcake with coconut-soy gelato and whipped coconut cream is offered as a delectable dessert.
Simple Joy
Simple Joy is situated at 1145 S. King St., Honolulu, Oahu. This is the perfect restaurant to head for if you are a mock-meat eater. You can order the favorite burger called “chickun” at this eclectic, all-vegan restaurant. The burger comes with faux shrimp tempura and a slew of pasta dishes.
Loving Hut
Loving Hut is found in two locations. The first location is at 1102 Pensacola St., while the second one is present at 1614 S. King St. in Honolulu. The Loving Hut restaurant at both the places boast of “homemade vegan food”. The veggie take here is worth trying out, whether you are ordering chicken katsu or sweet and sour pork.
Opal Thai Food
The Opal Thai Food restaurant is situated at 66-460 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa. The restaurant is owned by a person named Sanith “Opel” Sirichandhra, who also doubles as the chef. He is himself a vegetarian and makes best effort to fulfill the demand of his vegetarian and vegan customers. Delicacies such as the sauteed eggplant topped with crispy fried basil chips, fried, firm tofu with garlic sauce or vegan drunken noodles are worth trying out.
PASSPORT & VISA PROCESSING