Vegan in Kona

[Guest guest]

Has anyone visited Kona recently? A friend and I will be going next

month, and we are not hearing good things about the availability of veg

food there. Fortunately, we will be staying in a condo, so we can cook

for ourselves, but we'd like to eat out at least some of the time.

 

Thanks!

Karen

[Guest guest]

I was in Kona last January and I eat mostly vegetarian. There isn't

much there for a vegetarian let alone a vegan. Here are some

vegetarian options, and I've starred the ones where you will

definitely find vegan choices.

 

Island Lava Java – Best place for Kona coffee or yerba mate in the

morning. They also have fresh squeezed orange juice and the best

cinnamon rolls and coconut croissants I've ever tasted (not vegan).

They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and have some vegetarian

options. http://islandlavajavakona.com/index.html

 

Kona Brewing Company – Right in town, fun, popular place. Good beer

and pizza.

http://www.konabrewingco.com/

 

*Bangkok House Thai – They're willing to make most dishes vegetarian

or vegan, for example they'll make Pad Thai without the fish sauce

and egg. I didn't think the food was outstanding, but I appreciated

how friendly and accommodating the staff was.

 

*Kona Natural Foods II – Natural food store in the Keauhou Shopping

Center. The best natural food store I found on the west side of the

island. Local produce, prepared sandwiches, smoothies and other " to

go " foods, bulk bin foods, natural body care products, etc.

 

*Keauhou Farmers' Market – Keauhou Shopping Center parking lot,

Saturdays from 8-12. Small market with lots of unique items such as

uncommon tropical fruits, raw cocoa beans, and organic Kona coffee.

 

Royal Thai Café – Keauhou Shopping Center. Fewer vegetarian choices

than Bangkok House but better quality food.

 

Kenichi Pacific – Keauhou Shopping Center, sophisticated Japanese

restaurant with great quality food, lots of fish but several veggie

options too (such as tempura). A good fine dining option.

http://restauranteur.com/kenichi/menu.htm

 

Aloha Angel Café – Funky place with outdoor seating, veggie options.

Ate there twice and was somewhat disappointed in the food both

times. For example my tostada salad had refried beans on it that

were definitely from a can. I'm still recommending it though, mostly

for atmosphere. http://www.alohatheatre.com/

 

*Nasturtium Cafe - South Kona District. I never got a chance to eat

there because they're open limited hours (check the hours before

going!) but it looks great! http://www.nasturtiumcafe.com/

 

*Evie's Organic Café – South Kona District, nice casual café in the

back of a natural food store offering things such as salads,

smoothies and delicious vegan soups.

 

Keei Café – Captain Cook. Another place I didn't get a chance to try

but it looks like a lovely dinner spot. They use locally grown foods

and I believe they have veggie options, but call first to confirm.

 

The Coffee Shack – Casual lunch spot located in Captain Cook. If

you're going to see the Place of Refuge, this is the best restaurant

to stop for lunch. Delicious carrot cake (not vegan). Outdoor dining

with a spectacular ocean hillside view, some veggie options.

http://www.coffeeshack.com/index.html

 

Hope this helps, have a wonderful trip!

 

Valerie

 

, " Karen " <karen wrote:

>

> Has anyone visited Kona recently? A friend and I will be going

next

> month, and we are not hearing good things about the availability

of veg

> food there. Fortunately, we will be staying in a condo, so we can

cook

> for ourselves, but we'd like to eat out at least some of the time.

>

> Thanks!

> Karen

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for information, both

on the list and to me personally.

 

My trip went well, and we were able to find plenty to eat there.

Great mangoes and pineapple were widely available. We stayed in a

condo, so fixed our own breakfast each day and ate fruit for one of

the other meals several times.

 

The best vegan food was at Evie's Organic Cafe, which, altho not a

veg restaurant, offers a variety of vegan options including soups,

sandwiches, smoothies, salad bar and the " Veggie Extravaganza " with

lemon tahini sauce. We were there 5 days and ate at Evie's 3 times.

Everything we tried was great, and the store sells homemade vegan

baked goods - pastries, cookies, and banana bread. Seating is on the

outdoor veranda. The staff is very friendly, and they really know

which items are vegan.

 

I posted a review of Evie's on VegGuide at www.vegguide.org.

 

We also tried Royal Thai Cafe, which was very good and accomodating

the first time (we had Pad Thai, no fish sauce, no egg, substitute

tofu for the meat), but much less good and accomodating on our second

visit. They have a few veggie items, but not very many.

 

We tried a place called Lulu's the first night because it was located

nearby and the guide book said it had veggie options. Those turned

out to be a rather plain salad and french fries. Also, it's a sports

bar that allowed smoking.

 

Next trip, I'd like to try Nasturtium Cafe and Kenichi Pacific, and

of course, Evie's will be top of the list for a return visit.

 

When I returned home, I read about the exotic animal refuge near

Kona. Wish I'd known about it before. Maybe we could have visited.

 

Thanks again to all who offered advice.

Karen