Kauai, Hawaii:
Gorgeous, Veg-Friendly Paradise
by Paige Newman, Exclusive to VegDining.com
Kauai, the "Garden Island" of Hawaii, is not only rife with natural beauty - from lush rainforests and mountains to amazing beaches - but offers a variety
of options for vegetarian visitors.
I roost on the North Shore, close to the roosters who wake us at dawn, where the Na Pali Coast boasts breathtaking views as well as opportunities
to hike and enjoy the crystal-clear ocean, whether snorkeling or swimming at sunset.
This region has many healthful treats, especially in the small town of Hanalei.
Postcards Café
is a vegan dinner favorite, with delicious pasta, spring rolls, organic green salads, and chocolate pie.
Papaya's Natural Foods and Café
makes fresh soups, smoothies and baked goods.
Tropical Taco
cooks up a fast veggie burrito.
Nearby, in the tiny town of Wainiha, Red Hot Mama's also does burritos, but with tofu!
In Haena, a bit north,
Mediterranean Gourmet
has falafel, hummus and Greek salads.
Kilauea is home to longtime favorites
Banana Joe's
(for fruit smoothies and other tropical goods), and
Kilauea Bakery and Pau Hana Pizza.
Kapaa - the land of lovely Wailua Falls, plus the Wailua River for boating activities - is another herbivore hangout, with the original
Papaya's Natural Foods and Café,
which has deli goods and groceries.
This town is also known for its totally vegan and innovative
Blossoming Lotus,
and across the street,
Lotus Root Juice Bar and Bakery.
Two Thai restaurants cater to vegans:
Mema Thai
and
King and I.
Adventurous types up for more driving can eat a predominantly Italian vegetarian lunch at
Hanapepe Café
in Hanapepe, and then continue west to Waimea Canyon,
the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."
Kauai has something for every traveler. So grab a map and tour this magnificent island…at least once.
Paige Newman chose to be vegetarian at age four, and has been vegan for 15 years.
She has written many vegetarian travel articles, covering a diversity of areas, from San Diego to South America to Italy.
Photos courtesy of Paige Newman.
Travel also to these VegDining destinations ...
Africa:
Adventures in Uganda
Asia:
Andaman Islands (India)
Bali & East Java, Indonesia
Boracay: A Surprise Vegetarian Destination
Central Vietnam: Danang, Hoi An and Hue
Chiang Mai: J is for Vegetarian
Dubai: City of Merchants
Holy Haridwar & Righteous Rishikesh
Kyoto: New Treats in an Ancient City
Laos: Sabai dee!
Luang Prabang: Vegetarian Gem of the Mekong
Palitana, Gujarat: Abode of the Gods
Phuket, Thailand
The Vegetarian Soul of Seoul
Singapore: Vegetarianism in Southeast Asia
Tamil Nadu: Enchanting for Vegetarians
Udaipur: Venice of the East
Australia/New Zealand:
Veggie Sydney
Tasmania: Australia's Apple Isle
Europe:
Amsterdam: Seductively Intoxicating
Barcelona: Europe's Veg Heaven
Berlin: Divided Past, United Present
Vintage France: Bordeaux
Dijon: Doorway To The Arts
Florence: Paradise Found
Land of Contradictions: Veggie Traveling in Iceland
London: Finding a Slice of Vegan London
Lyon: La Vie Végétarienne à Lyon
1847 to 2011 ... Magnificent Manchester
Munich: Eat, Drink and Be Veggie
A Weekend in Paris
Sardinia: The Land of Longevity
Central America:
Costa Rica & Nicaragua
Touring St. Thomas
North America:
Veg*n Out in Berkeley
Goin' Vegan in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Kanab, Utah: Vegetarian Surprises in the Desert
Kauai: Veg-Friendly Paradise
Laurentians: New Heights for Vegetarians!
Los Angeles: A Feast of Global Choices
Montreal: VegMontreal
New York City, The Big Apple
Ottawa: Ottawa's Green Scene
Goin' Vegan in Philadelphia
Quebec City: Storming the Ramparts
Quebec's Eastern Townships
San Diego: Vegetarianism on the West Coast
Rock out in St. John's
San Francisco: Sparkling Jewel in the California Crown
San Jose, CA: Vegetarian Valley of Heart's Delight
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Seeing Seattle
Feasting on the Fjord at Tadoussac, Quebec
Toronto: A Great City for Vegetarians
Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico): Caribbean and Colonial Charm>
South America:
Rio de Janeiro: Carnival Capital