Favorite Maui Eats for Vegans and Vegetarians

a’a Roots - Napili

a’a Roots is probably my favorite casual cafe on Maui. It’s the only 100% vegan restaurant on the island ( which is shocking ) but that alone gives me a reason to spend my hard-earned dollars there. Unfortunately, a’a Roots is about an hour away from our home on the windward side, but Carlos and I find ourselves in Napili often during the winter surf season.

I’ve loved everything I’ve ever had a’a Roots. The Soba Noodle Bowl might be my favorite dish, but they make incredible tacos, Indian food, Thai curry, and the best Ceaser salad I’ve ever had.

Alchemy Maui - Lahaina

My husband LOVES the sandwiches at this super casual ( and cute! ) cafe hidden in upper Lahaina. Lucky for me, they have a couple of vegan options too. The Falafel Wrap is delicious and so is the Vegan Power Bowl. Alchemy has several kombuchas on tap and sells delicious sourdough to go!

Broth - Kahului ( located in the health food store, Alive and Well ) 

This is my new favorite go-to spot for lunch in Kahului! So many yummy healthy options to choose from like the Taro Bahn Mi, Spicy Tan Tan Ramen, and Mushroom Lentil Rice Bowl. Broth is a super cute cafe located inside Alive and Well in right off Hana Hwy in downtown Kahului. They have a pretty extensive menu including multiple options for avocado toast, salads, sandwiches, grain bowls, and ramen bowls.

Cafe Des Amis - Paia

Cafe Des Amis is my favorite place on the island to have a late, lazy lunch. They are probably best known for their sweet and savory crepes but we love going for Happy Hour ( daily from 4pm-6pm ) for 1/2 off glasses of wine and margaritas. I usually order the vegan Butternut Squash Wrap ( pictured above ) but sometimes it’s nice to share a mezze platter too.

Cafe Mambo - Paia

We’ve been enjoying Cafe Mambo for years! I ALWAYS get the Tofu Fajitas but they have a large menu that includes everything from healthy salads to burgers. A long-time Northshore favorite in the center on Paia Town.

Choice Health Bar - Paia, Lahaina, and Kaanapali

Choice Health Bar was one of the first places that catered to the raw vegan and vegan crowd on Maui’s Westside. I almost always get their Buddha bowl, but they have delicious Acai bowls, fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, soups, salads, and raw vegan desserts. Lucky me, they have now opened a location on our Northshore.

Earth Aloha Eats Food Truck - Kihei

Earth Aloha Eats is a cute little vegan food truck in South Maui ( Kihei ). So many yummy options but it’s hard to pass on the tacos. The “Fish” Taco is the apparent favorite, but I’m partial to the Thai “Chicken” Tacos with rainbow slaw and peanut sauce. I rarely eat “mock meats” but I’ll make an exception for this. BTW - servings are large, so my husband usually ends up finishing my plate.

Farmacy Health Bar - Wailuku and Pukalani

Farmacy Health Bar is a cute little sit-down or take away cafe in the middle of Wailuku Town as well as Pukalani. I love their Pono Bowl! Always so flavorful and full of healthy greens ( quinoa, amaranth, millet, choice of soup, kale salad, garlic cashew dressing, and tofu. It also comes with feta but I omit that. ). Farmacy also serves fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches, soups, and salads. So nice to have a quick healthy lunch option in Wailuku and Pukalani.

Flatbread Pizza Co - Paia

Flatbread Pizza Co. has become a Northshore must try. We usually end up there for lunch after a beach day at Ho’okipa or Baldwin. I’m obsessed with their House Salad with pineapple vinaigrette. It’s great on its own ( see above ) but you can customize it by adding extra veggies, local cheese or even chicken if that’s your thing. The flatbreads are delicious too ( and large! ). I get the vegan flatbread and add extra toppings like kalamata olives. I have no problem eating an entire 12” flatbread on my own ( LOL ) so my husband has to order a large ( 16” ) for himself. He usually goes for whatever the daily special is. Gluten-Free pizza dough is available as well!

Frida’s Beach House- Lahaina

Frida’s Beach House has one of the best views in Lahaina. They make really good margaritas and have a great house salsa so we love to spend a late afternoon lunch here. Especially after a long day of surf in Lahaina.

Frida’s doesn’t have a ton of vegan options so I usually order the Veggie Taco ( pictured above with sweet potato, squash, corn, and zucchini ) or the Kale and Squash taco. I just omit the crema and cheese and ask for guacamole on the side. Don’t forget to ask for their mango and habanero salsa! It’s delicious!

Honu Seafood and Pizza - Lahaina

We love sitting at the large wrap-around bar at Honus. Especially during lunch ( because it gets really busy there at night! )

I almost always ask to customize a pizza as I posted above. But Honus offers a yummy Butternut Squash and Coconut soup with an aged balsamic drizzle ( vegan ) and a crave-worthy kale salad with sweet lemon dressing, dates, pomegranate, and walnuts ( I just omit the pecorino cheese to make it vegan ).

Mala Ocean Tavern - Lahaina

Mala Ocean Tavern has been my favorite restaurant on West Maui for over 10 years. Located right on the ocean, Mala has incredible views, incredible food and, an exceptional wine list. We like sitting at the bar, especially during lunch because dinner at Mala can be really busy ( because everybody loves Mala! )

My favorites have changed over the years ( since going from vegetarian to strict vegan ) but I love their Gado Gado Salad, My Big Fat Greek Salad ( just omit the feta ), my custom wrap pictured above, or their Avocado Toast. Sometimes I just order the hummus plate ( omit the feta ) with extra pita and a side of marinated olives. This, with a glass ( or 2 ) of rose and I’m good. LOL!

BTW - If you eat fish, get the Seared Ahi Bruschetta. Mala is famous for this dish!

Maui Kombucha - Haiku

Maui Kombucha is my go-to for booch on Maui. They have several kombuchas on tap at their Haiku cafe along with a bunch of raw vegan menu items like raw bagels, summer rolls, and big salads. Don’t forget to check out the take-away fridge for a delicious selection of raw vegan desserts too! So good!

Moku Roots - Lahaina

Moku Roots is a farm to table, a zero-waste cafe in the middle of Lahaina. How cool is that?!! I’m in love with Moku’s falafel wrap and burritos. Sooooo crave-worthy. My husband loves the burgers and is partial to the burritos as well. Always consider whatever the daily specials are. These always seem to be delicious! 

Also, Moku Roots just won the 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards for Top New Restaurant in Hawaii so definitely check them out!

Nuka - Haiku

Sorry for the lack of photos but due to low lighting at Nuka, I’ve never been able to get a good shot of my food. Nuka is my favorite restaurant on Maui. Carlos and I even went there on our wedding night after we eloped at sunset. Nuka is frequented mainly by Maui locals ( because it’s far from the tourist hubs of Ka’anapali and Wailea/Kihei ) but it’s still packed every night. 

I always get the Nuka Bowl. This is definitely my version of comfort food and I try and replicate it at home pretty often. The Nuka Bowl contains rice, blackened tofu, bean sprouts, cucumber, shaved grilled cabbage, carrots, avocado, peanuts and a sesame lime dressing ( a vegan option is available because the original contains fish sauce. You just need to ask. ) 

Nuka also has a sushi bar, many salad options, noodle bowls, and all sorts of delicious small plates. Remember to try the french fries!

Sansei - Kapalua, and Kihei

Sansei is a VERY popular sushi bar ( and they serve so many other menu items as well ) in Kapalua and Kihei. Again, it’s hard for me to get a food shot because of low lighting so, sorry!! I tend to get 2 or 3 of their veggie sushi options. I love the Grilled Veggie Roll, The Paia Roll, The Kampyo Roll, and their Avocado/Cucumber Roll. I also love their cucumber Namasu salad and miso soup. I always leave Sansei super stuffed. LOL.