50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Hilo

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

“We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary and the dining experience was outstanding! The food was flavorful, delicious and looked like a piece of art. The live music added to the fine dining experience. To top off the evening the desserts were rich and yummy-but the "Wow" factor was the coffee we ordered served in a french press coffee maker! We will be back and bring our friends and family!“

“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!“

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

“Poke cake Best ever Ever“

“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…“

“Saw a review of this place on YouTube and thought it would be worth checking out and I was blown away with the quality of the food. The fish was some of the best mahi I have ever had and the spam masubi tasted fresh as if it were just pressed. The chicken was crispy and had an excellent flavor.

The staff here were filled with aloha and I felt very welcomed despite it clearly being my first time visiting.“

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

“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!“

“Amazing staff and DELICIOUS food! Best Hawaiian food in Hilo. We called at 6pm on a weeknight to see if they would be able to put together a large pickup order for our group of 13. They were so accommodating and helpful with food recommendations, pricing, and getting us handled so quickly! Our family style servings of Kalbi, Korean chicken, and macaroni salad were so tasty and affordable and ready in less than 20 minutes. 10/10 recommend!“

“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!!“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“ピーナッツバター入りのアサイボウルが美味しい“

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

“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.“

“Food was amazing. Even after I was stuffed I still kept eating! I ordered a Chicken Katsu and it was the best Katsu I've ever had. Better than all those other fancy restaurants! Small restaurant but it deserves way more. Such a hidden gem.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Friendly customer service.“

“Brown rice sushi Intricate sauces Fresh“

“Good food.. perfect noodle soup..“

“This place is a little hole in the wall but it's amazing! We had the pork musubi and the spam supreme both were killer. To top it off, the Kimchi was probably the best we've ever had! The chef came out to ask how the food was and said the Kimchi is his personal recipe.

It was not busy when we went, but it should be! It's definitely worth a stop when you're in Hilo.“

“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*“

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

“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!“

“Me and my wife ate here a few days ago. She ordered and then I said I will have the same. There was a mistake and I was given saimin. The way the mistake was handled was very professional and friendly I was impressed. I give my thanks to the crew. The only complaint I can give is make sure you have cash as that is all they will take“

“Cool 😎 🍺 Cold Girl 👧 Gold“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“First time eating here with my boyfriend and we loved everything about it. Service 10 stars for both waiters. Food 10 stars cook to perfection. He ordered a mixed plate with meat jun and the spicy pork I ordered the Saba Mackerel and it was delicious. All the sides were so yummy that we needed to order seconds. I definitely will recommend to everyone.“

“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.“

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

“I AbSoLuTeLy LOVE Kum Yo's Okazuya! I can say how delectable each and every dish they serve is, because I have eaten them all!When you enter you can select items from their buffet line to create your own local style plate lunch.The mandoo are scrumptious, especially when dipping them into Kum Yo's homemade dipping sauce.Each day of the week she has set entrees in which you have multiple choices of freshly prepared veggies, cold tofu to limu.Fresh, hot onoliscious entrees and massive portions, yet very reasonably priced.Take out or dine in.Kum Yo's is my favorite Okazuya in Hilo!Love you folks and tell David I miss seeing him!Sorry there is no food left to photograph! I ate it before taking pics! My bad!“

“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 👍🏻“

“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.“

“Ponds has been my favorite place to eat for the last 20 years. Hands down best waiters, food and ambience. If you are a local or a tourist, it doesn't matter,this is a must go to place if you're in Hilo.“

“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.“

“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“

“This place is amazing! The buns are fresh and handmade, the burgers are made from extremely good meat, and the on tap beer selection is vast. If it's a nice day, don't miss out on the outside seating. The place has a lot of character but everything is well cleaned and maintained.“

“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 “