50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Hilo

“Wow! Loved this! Beautiful atmosphere, excellent service and really delicious food!“

“Courteous service, clean and inviting decor. Extensive menu.“

“Love all their smoothies !!“

“One of best meals we have ever had! Very creative cuisine, service was perfect, cocktail's amazing!“

“This restaurant has become my favorite spot! I love the attention to detail in every dish. Jamie always brightens up the service with a smile, making me feel special. I have eaten here many times and have always been satisfied. The food is fresh and skillfully prepared. Jamie is quick and friendly, never letting me wait long. It’s truly a wonderful experience!“

“Poke cake Best ever Ever“

“This place is AMAZING WITH AN AMAZING ATMOSPHERE!! A MUST!❤️❤️“

“One minor feedback, shrimp tempura curled up in to a ball inside the batter instead of the usual length of the tempura today, batter is still amazingly crispy. Besides that still the best and tastiest okazuya I’ve ever had. The flavor of the food has been consistent for the 60 years I’ve been eating here. The workers and the customers maintain that unique Hilo friendliness and charm.“

“This place was recommended to us by a good friend so we had to go! Its a tiny almost hidden spot mañned by a very nice couple who make everything and serve it too. We had the cold beef noodle salad (yes!) and different pho. (Phos?!) Very tasty and plentiful! Come hungry! Enjoy your time with these great people too! A very nice dining experience in a tiny minimalist spot with heart!“

“Cute location! Love their dishes! Desserts are also ono! Would eat here as often as I can…“

“SO ONO!!! Everything I've tried so far has been Fantastic 😋“

“Mahalo nui au i nā wāhine o ka Papa'a Palaoa Bakery ma Hilo, Hawai'i. They assisted me in providing a whole lilikoi pie to bring home to San Francisco. They fully wrapped the box in plastic to keep the pie protected, so I could then place it in an insulated bag and surround the box with frozen ice packs. The pie (as well as a cinnamon roll) made it back home just as "hou" (fresh) as when I purchased it, me ka pilikia ole (with no problems), and the pie tastes 'ono loa. I am very grateful for their assistance, and especially their kindness. I highly recommend this bakery to everyone who wants fresh baked goods, but most of all, I am very grateful to the Aloha given by their employees. Mahalo nui loa!!“

“The food was super ono!! I had the chicken cutlet loco moco, and it was A-mazing! My wife had the prime rib loco moco, and that was just as delicious! Our daughter had the lechon plate, and that was tasty and crunchy! Our son had the steak and eggs, and the medium rare filet was very tasty and tender! Everything was awesome. My only low ranking was due to the take out order taking a lot longer than the 20 minutes they told my wife. But, in their defense, it was lunch hour on a Sunday and they were extremely busy. The place is nice. But, the other small concern I had was how warm it was in their diner. Those items were the only thing keeping me from giving them 5 stars overall.“

“Food is always tasty and plentiful. The service is friendly and efficient. They’re a family favorite of ours.“

“Their food is amazing!Great price and great portions! Definitely the best!!!“

“A True Culinary Gem: Sakura Sushi Delivers Excellence in Hilo!
Stepping into Sakura Sushi feels like discovering a hidden treasure on the Big Island. In my eyes, this isn't just a sushi restaurant; it's the sushi restaurant, hands down the best on the island. Every visit is a delight, largely thanks to their truly exceptional team.

From the moment you walk through the door, the staff at Sakura Sushi are nothing short of wonderful. They are incredibly nice, remarkably attentive, and astonishingly fast – whether it's getting your drinks to the table or serving up your delicious food. What truly sets them apart is their ability to make you feel like you're the only guests in the bustling restaurant, even when it's packed to the brim. That level of personal, dedicated service is a rare find and a testament to their commitment to their diners.

Our family has an unwavering list of favorites that we simply can't get enough of. The Philly Roll is, without exaggeration, AMAZING – a perfect blend of creamy and fresh. The Godzilla Roll packs a fantastic punch, and the Super Crispy Gyoza live up to their name with every delightful bite. And then there's the BEEF TATAKI (no apologies for the spelling, it's just that good!) – a dish so sublime, it alone is worth the trip.

While these are our go-to choices, believe me when I say we've explored most of their menu, and you truly cannot go wrong with anything you choose. Every dish is crafted with passion and precision. The chefs, no matter who is behind the counter, are consistently AMAZING and deserve every bit of praise they receive. Their skill, creativity, and dedication shine through in every perfectly prepared piece of sushi and every flavorful plate.

I would confidently put Sakura Sushi's best against any other sushi establishment around the Big Island, and they would win hands down. Hilo is incredibly fortunate to have such a magnificent culinary gem. We absolutely adore this place!“

“ピーナッツバター入りのアサイボウルが美味しい“

“we were at another Hilo restaurant for half an hour before we decided to leave because no one took our order. We had 45 minutes before we had to be at our Doctorsh office so stopped at Kens. fast service, good food,no mistakes. Carlene was our waitress and she was the bomb. I left a big tip but also wanted to leave a good review. Kens Rocks!“

“Drinks and everything we got were soo delicious!! Husband got the chinese fish which is the snapper as of right now and I got the pan seared duck. Also got the soup of the day which is the potato soup and got a sushi roll. Will definitely be back here if we ever come back to The Big Island!“

“Great selection of fresh fruit, juices and muffins.“

“This is the best sushi I have ever had in my life. The staff was so nice. they recommended me squid to try which i never had before, but it was awesome. Atmosphere is so nice because you get to go out and joy the fresh air. If you are in Hilo, I recommend stopping here.“

“They were extra accommodating to my weird dietary restrictions. The food was great! The presentations with plates and bowels they had the food in was very nice too. Will definitely come back.“

“Brown rice sushi Intricate sauces Fresh“

“Good food.. perfect noodle soup..“

“Customer Service was amazing. Food was delicious. First time there and I absolutely loved it!“

“I love the bento at H and K. I feel it is one of the best bento available. The staff are always friendly and helpful.

I have ordered up to 75 for a function I was holding. They were ready when I got there and everyone loved them. I didn't have to deal with buying plates or utensils, I knew there would be enough for the latecomers without worrying about portion control. H and K are my go to for catering and I have never been disappointed.

Plus my kids love it. *Mic drop*“

“First timer here and the service was great!! The front worker she’s very nice! The food came out quick.
I had the Loco plate, fries and a drink. I was told they have the best fries and they absolutely do! Also if you plan on going, they only accept cash, which thankfully I did have on me. ☺️“

“One of the best places in Hilo to dine. Loved coming here in my childhood and I intend to keep going.“

“Had lunch here 2/3 days that we were in Hilo, everything was amazing. The Misoyaki Butterfish Salad was fresh and extremely flavorful without being heavy, and the fish melts like butter in your mouth. We also had a cold water scallop special, an eggplant /marinara/pesto/ricotta appetizer (forgot what it's called, oops!) and crab cakes. Everything was great, honestly one of the best places I've eaten at on the entire island. I like to sit at the bar, as I'm a former long time bartender. Sascha is one of the best around, cocktails were, again, among the best that I found on the island, including Kona. Service was top notch, no matter how busy he got, and he took extra time to modify one of the house cocktails so that an elderly gal with sensitive teeth sitting nearby could enjoy it. I would honestly make the drive from Waikoloa just for this, but Hilo has plenty of outdoor activities to offer as well.“

“Cool 😎 🍺 Cold Girl 👧 Gold“

“Went here for a family dinner it was amazing! Service and food were amazing. My partner had the pad tai and had the black bean noodles ! We also got the crispy chicken with sweet sauce! Very tasty.They were so delicious and the portion sizes were huge. Plenty of food to take home! Very nice people there as well!“

“Tiny shop, big taste, HUGE serving size! I stopped by while on walkabout, ordered chicken katsu... expecting a basic plate lunch.

I was SURPRISED. The serving size was huge, with a salad and ?garlic? rice. Saffron? So much food. Either share a plate, expect take home, or ask for a small serving.

Service was very aloha friendly. Very little seating, expect to do takeout for a park, hotel, etc, or if you are lucky, a seat.

It looked popular with both locals and tourists.

Very tasty!“

“We have been enjoying food from Aloydee’s Thai Food for many many years. This is one of our favorite take out lunch spots. At times we would eat here multiple times a week. It’s right next door to the Hilo Farmer’s Market. One of the most underrated, off the beaten path lunch spots.

We usually take out, but there are also limited shared seating in a common area used by other little food spots in the area.

She has an amazing menu and everything always tastes so ‘ono (delicious). She has all kinds of noodles, curries, fried rice, papaya salad, summer rolls, Thai tea and veggie dishes. I’ve never had anything on her menu that I didn’t like. My young children also love her food and will even request to eat there.

Some of our favorites:
Pad Thai
Yellow Curry
Green Curry
Curry Noodles
Drunken Noodles

Lots of people LOVE her summer rolls and green papaya salad. You can get the spice level as you prefer.

You can call in your order ahead of time and have it ready for pick up, but only if you are certain you will pick up as she is a small business that could not eat the costs of no shows for food already cooked as she prepares everything fresh.

Wait time is usually around 15-20 minutes, sometimes little bit longer if it’s rush hour, but always worth it.

Vegetarian options: Green Papaya Salad, summer rolls, and you could probably make other dishes vegetarian if you just make the request.“

“I loved the Pho Tai I ordered. I added extra tai and made it spicy. I skipped bean sprouts but if you choose it comes with them also. Good spice to it, but not overpowering.

The Thai tea was one of the best I've had. Strong flavor.“

“Delicious pho with large portions. The spring rolls with peanut sauce are great; just ask to have them made with tofu. Servers are vegan-aware and can show you how menu items can be made vegan, if you ask. EDIT: fried tofu is not vegan at this point, due to the batter! double check with your server when ordering Updated from previous review on 2022-10-14“

“Korean comfort food. 🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️🍲🍜🔥 lots of food, good variety of banchan side dishes included, nice people and open late compared to many other places in Hilo. Dine in or take out, I'm Always happy to get some dinner here when I'm in Hilo. Thank you 😊(photo is spicy cold buckwheat noodles with toppings, and fish Jun with 4 choices banchan side dishes and rice)“

“The staff smiles is enough for me! Throw in the great food and you have a winner here!“

“This place is fast and the service and taste are consistently good. Some of my favorites are the fried tofu curry, spicy ramen, teriyaki chicken, mushroom skewers, miso eggplant, and potstickers. They make a pretty brownie sundae for dessert. There is an ice cream place next door that is open during the day too. They are open on Mondays which is notable in Hilo. We like to make reservations here for family parties, but there are usually tables available for walk-ins. You can definitely eat here during your lunch hour. This place is very clean and quiet with pleasant instrumental music.“

“This place is amazing. The food is authentic and made fast. The staff is warm and welcoming. I have dined in before, but this time I was there for my take out order and I was offered a seat and water while I waited. The restaurant is clean, quiet, and comfortable. Highly recommended.“

“We are traveling here to visit from FLORIDA. We ordered spicy Thai basil and mixed vegetables with cashew nut. They are so good. They are real authentic Thai food. Reasonable price and friendly service. Highly recommended 👍🏻“

“I went one afternoon with my family. This is a great little spot to check out! Really enjoyed the food! The Pad Thai was a wonderful balance of tomato-y and peanut-y. The service was good, if a little slow. It's a neat spot right across the street from the “

“Great people! And amazing poke n sides!! Mouthwatering 🤤“

“It's a "hole in the wall" / nothing fancy place for sure, but been coming here for 9yrs...always the same tasty and flavorful quality food. "Pong", the owner, always remembers what I like and gets it's served fast and hot“

“Big fan of Hā Cafe in Hilo because of their serious attention to ensuring food is vegan, and for me, egg-free, as I also have a severe egg allergy. From all of their desserts being entirely vegan and gluten-free (20-30 different bakery items each day), to their smoothies and juices being 90% vegan, with the exception of honey in some premade juice or dairy that can be substituted in smoothies, and a separate vegan menu for sandwiches and toasts, they are doing very well! They know each and every item in their foods and menu and are hyper aware of cross contamination. Plus everything is delicious and served with aloha. Can’t go wrong here.“

“7/27/25

Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
86 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

I have been here many times and I am convinced this is the best Thai in Hilo. It's on a small alley way with limited street parking so a walk may be involved. It's a small cozy table and chair setup with really gracious and helpful people. Our service was great.

We ordered the Massaman and Salmon curries at the Thai spice level. My Massaman curry was exceptional with good coconut flavor, thick slices of seared beef, sweet potato, Kabocha pumpkin, carrot, broccoli, cabbage, onion and peanuts. It's really authentic with the twist of featuring local ingredients. Wifey's Salmon curry had large slices of braised salmon. The spice level was hot but we both liked it.

The ingredients, flavors, quantities, preparation and quality of the dishes are great. Have and will repeat. They are closed on Mondays.“

“What a gem! As a local who dines out frequently, it is challenging to find variety amongst the heavily Asian influenced restaurants. We initially tried Kaumana Kitchen for this reason and were blown away. We have since eaten there three times and have to pace ourselves as not to burn out. The food is flavorful, well prepared, and served hot. Their Naan is top notch. The prices are reasonable, the service is friendly and efficient and there is plenty of seating.“

“I found my favorite restaurant in Hilo on the Big Island.I recommend the ribs & spice chicken combo. Of the 4 side dishes, I don't recommend the japchae because it's too spicy.Noodles are also good when you're craving hot soup.You can order without tip and eat in the common area or To Go.“

“Delicious 😋 & generous portions of entre, salad & rice served. Friendly, patient, & helpful waitress. Short wait time for food & waitress checks, & replenishs water without requesting.
Prices above average, would recommend to family & friends.“

“We decided to go here as one of the only Saimin places near Hilo. We were not disappointed. We were greeted with a kind woman who spent time taking our order and explaining things to us. After ordering, we spent some time talking with her, to which she discovered we had driven 2 hours to visit her restaurant. She happily provided us with sushi and dessert in addition to our meals, and some delicious elderberry tea. The food was delicious!! We recommend the garlic Saimin and Mochi cake!

Things to note:
- You cannot eat in, only carryout.
- Note the hours before going.
- Paying for the local cuisine, not the design of the place...“

“Friday afternoon , chocolate shake and cheese burger - great meal - lost perscription eye glasses at your picnic table at 3;30 PM . if found call at 808-885-7508 . thanks in advance Mike H.“