Hawaii, Kauai Island: Naturally Lush with Dairy-Free Food & Drinks

Last Update in September 2023! We’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores on the Hawaiian island of Kauai that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.

We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure.

Photo from Nourish Hanalei in Princeville

Dairy-Free Kauai: Recommended Restaurants & Shops

Every town and market on this sparsely populated island has local farm fresh foods and seafood. Consequently, there are many naturally dairy-free dishes. Below are the top recommended spots, to date. We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.

⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)

Hanalei

• Akamai Juice Company ⭐️ – This is a purely local, organic, and dairy-free juice shop with many creamy, house-made blends.
• Da Fazenda – Enjoy a taste of Brazil in Hawaii! According to the restaurant, most of their lunch menu is dairy-free (just a few items contain milk in some form). They also have many gluten-free dishes, and a few vegan options.
• Federico’s Fresh Mex Cuisine – This Mexican restaurant has a vegan menu with burritos, tacos, tostadas, and enchiladas. Many other menu items are dairy-free or can be custom ordered without dairy.
• Fresh Bite – This fixed food truck serves midday eats made with healthy, local Kauai ingredients. They serve several vegan salads with the option to add on organic chicken or local grass-fed steak. They also serve sandwiches on locally baked vegan poi buns, have both classic and purple sweet potato fries, and make a vegan coconut milk poi.
• Hanalei Taro & Juice Co – This weekend food truck serves “farm fresh taro products from our six generation family farm.” They high calcium, dairy-free taro smoothies, and have some other great dairy-free products.
• Holey Grail Donuts ⭐️ – This food truck sells taro donuts that are fried in coconut oil. All varieties are dairy-free, and most are vegan (one variety contains honey).
• Postcards Cafe ⭐️ – This is a farm- and ocean-to-table restaurant that labels their menu for dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan guests. Most of their pupus, salads, and entrees on their petite menu are dairy-free.

Kapa’a

• Bobby V’s Pizzeria – This Italian restaurant has gone above and beyond, creating some specialty vegan entrees like spinach lasagna and penne primavera.
• Fish Bar Deli – Formerly known as “The Local,” this restaurant has reopened with the same owner, but new concept. It’s now a sandwich shop, full bar, and fish market. They are offering several dairy-free items, according to the owner. Some include the fish and chips, tuna tartar, fries with house aiolis, deviled eggs, house taro falafel (vegan), some farm-to-table salads, house pickled items, specialty sandwiches (all three of their breads are dairy-free, and they are offering vegan cheese), and some deli case items.
• IMUA Coffee Roasters ⭐️ – One of the owners commented to let us know about their dairy-free coffee shop! “Our coffee shop is completely dairy-free. All our alternative milks are organic, all our coffee is organically grown and fair trade and made with filtered water, all our baked goods are organic – literally everything we buy we get organic.” They also roast their own coffee, which you can find at many other local shops. For food, they offer some vegan baked goods, coconut yogurt, chia pudding, and other light, locally made eats.
• Java Kai – They have a big menu of mostly dairy-free smoothies, serve iced coffee, and offer some vegan cookies for a special treat. Their breakfast and lunch menus are heavier in dairy, but do include some dairy-free or custom order options.
• Kauai Juice Co – At last check, their entire menu was dairy-free, including hand-pressed juices and nut milks, cold brew coffee drinks, kombucha, elixirs, and bone broth. They also have healthy grab & go vegan eats.
• Matcha-Ya – This is a Japanese green tea bar that has a surprising amount of dairy-free options. They reportedly offer vegan matcha soft serve and use soymilk (almond milk is available) in most of their matcha drinks.
• Oasis on the Beach ⭐️ – This picturesque restaurant has allergen menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have many dairy-free pupus, entrees, and even some desserts for dinner, but also have a good smattering of locally-inspired choices for breakfast and lunch. Gluten-free options are also clearly outlined.
• Papaya’s Natural Foods & Cafe – This family-owned and operated store is great for finding local foods and products. They also make many dairy-free grab-and-go items in their daily kitchen, including sashimi, salads, wraps, and vegan soups.
• Russell’s by Eat Healthy Kauai ⭐️ – They serve fully vegan menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at this casual eatery. They blend smoothies and bowls, flip pancakes and scrambles in the morning, and have pupus, burgers, and other entrees in the midday and evening, on select days of the week.
• Scorpacciata Neapolitan Pizza – This food truck doesn’t offer dairy-free cheese, but they have a vegan pizza on the menu that’s cheese-less and filled with bold flavors. You can optionally add meat or order another cheese-less pizza.
• Small Town Coffee Co – They have house-made coconut and macadamia nut milks (additional dairy-free milks are available for coffee, too). They also have freshly baked vegan pastries available and local Kauai bagels with hummus as a spread option.
• Tropical Dreams – This local spot offers a nice rotating menu of fruity, dairy-free sorbets. But the best part, is they have a single serve vending machine of flavors out front, so you can pick some up, even if they aren’t open!
• Wailua Shave Ice – They are known for offering great dairy-free and vegan shave ice options and also serve acai bowls.

Kilauea

• Healthy Hut Market & Cafe – This is a full-service natural food store with good local produce and products, and many special diet brands. Their cafe is a juice and coffee bar, which also serves a range of smoothies. They offer hemp, almond, and coconut milks for dairy-free needs.
• Java Kai – They have a big menu of mostly dairy-free smoothies, serve iced coffee, and offer some vegan cookies for a special treat. Their breakfast and lunch menus are heavier in dairy, but do include some dairy-free or custom order options.
• Kauai Juice Co – At last check, their entire menu was dairy-free, including hand-pressed juices and nut milks, cold brew coffee drinks, kombucha, elixirs, and bone broth. They also have healthy grab & go vegan eats.
• Kilauea Bakery & Pizza – You can order a dairy-free pizza topped with Homemade Vegan Ulu (breadfruit) “Mozzarella.” They also have some dairy-free breads and they bake decadent vegan layer cakes.
• Kilauea Fish Market – This is a popular spot for poke, but they also have many dairy-free Hawaiian plates, salads, ahi burritos, and custom order grill options. They have a few vegan items, which are labeled.
• SushiGirl Kauai – If you need dairy-free and gluten-free, this is your spot for fresh fish. They use gluten-free shoyu, so most guests can enjoy all of their maki rolls, sushi burritos, poke, and other dishes.
• Trilogy Coffee & Tea Bar – For coffee and tea, they offer Oatly oat milk and macadamia milk as options, and they blend several lattes with dairy-free coconut milk powder. But the desserts are what sets this coffeehouse apart. They offer vegan raw cheezekakes, kream pies, and more. They also have some dairy-free, gluten-free baked goodies, healthy energy balls, wholesome vegan cookies, and some other nutritious bites.

Koloa

• Anakes Juice Bar – The soft serve is dairy-free and made with coconut milk at this creative juice and smoothie bar. They also offer grab & go items like pre-made oatmeal jars, chia pudding, salads, and raw desserts.
• Bangkok Happy Bowl Thai Bistro and Sushi Bar – Thank you to Janine for letting us know this restaurant “has been great with our milk allergy both for takeout and dine in.”
• Brennecke’s Beach Broiler – This is a popular spot for pupus and casual entrees on the beach. They have several dairy-free seafood options and a couple vegan entrees on the menu.
• Dark Horse Coffee Roasters – This California roastery now has a location on Hawaii. There menu includes vegan donuts and options for dairy-free lattes.
• Hapa Kauai – Like a lot of ramen bars, they do use dairy in some of their menu options, but they offer vegan ramen and can accommodate dairy-free requests on other ramen, poke bowls, and appetizers. They are also known for their cocktails and whiskey bar.
• Kauai Juice Co – At last check, their entire menu was dairy-free, including hand-pressed juices and nut milks, cold brew coffee drinks, kombucha, elixirs, and bone broth. They also have healthy grab & go vegan eats.
• Kukui’ula Fish Hut – Dairy-free and gluten-free foodies will find lots of fresh fish options, including poke, sushi, and Hawaiian plates at this quick-serve stand.
• Leahi Health – This is a plant-based cafe that blends dairy-free smoothies and serves vegan tacos and bowls during the midday.
• Little Fish Coffee – Pay attention as they do use dairy in some of their blends, but this shop does offer dary-free acai bowls, several smoothies, and bagels and bagel sandwiches with dairy-free topping options.
• Merriman’s Poipu Pop Up Grill – Thanks to Diana for recommending this dinner restaurant, which specializes in fresh cuisine with local fish, beef, and produce. “They were great at accommodating allergies. They have gluten free labeled right on there menu, but I called ahead to mention I was dairy free and garlic free as well and they handled everything wonderfully! The waiter worked with me to be able to have something safe for me to eat and that I would enjoy. We loved it so much we even came back!”
• Papalani Gelato – Their gelato contains dairy, but they have a rotating array of dairy-free sorbetto, with flavors like POG, lilikoi, papaya, creamy coconut, dark chocolate, and more. They can also make dairy-free smoothies, vegan sorbetto pies, and sorbetto bars.
• Puka Dog – Their Hawaiian style dogs are polish sausages or veggie dogs (vegan) that are fully enclosed in a bun. Their signature bun bread is made without any milk or eggs. In fact, their whole menu is dairy-free, except for their secret sauce. Fortunately, they offer several house-made relishes and mustards instead.
• Roy’s Eating House – Their elevated Hawaiian menu includes some dairy-free pupus and entrees, and the staff is trained to be detailed with special diet needs.
• Waikomo Shave Ice – Their shave ice syrups are house-made with organic sugar and natural fruit purees. They also have a house-made, dairy-free coconut cream sauce. Hold the honey for vegan orders.

Lawai

• Kiawe Roots – They’re known for their smoked meats, but have a fairly big menu of elevated Hawaiian fare. It’s a great spot for dairy-free bowls and plates.

Lihue

• Aloha ‘Aina Juice Cafe – You can order dairy-free smoothies, acai or pitaya bowls, and pick up some vegan wraps while browsing the shelves. It’s inside a health food store.
• Duke’s – If you’re last minute, their Barefoot Bar side doesn’t require reservations, and is really just an extension of their main restaurant seating. They are legendary for their salad bar (dining side only) and their conscientious treatment of food allergic guests. Many of their delicious meals are naturally dairy-free and they are happy to accommodate.
• Greenery Cafe – Their healthy, organic lunch menu has many dairy-free options, and is also labeled with vegan choices. They focus on soul food, with a Hawaiian spin, and also serve dairy-free smoothies, juices and blended iced coffee.
• Verde – This healthy local restaurant serves New Mexican cuisine. They make their own tortillas in a range of flavors, like ulu (breadfruit), uala (purple sweet potato) haupia, ginger spice beet, and more. They also use local grass-fed beef, antibiotic-free chicken and pork, and are happy to cater to dairy-free and gluten-free guests.

Princeville

• Federico’s Fresh Mex Cuisine – This Mexican restaurant has a vegan menu with burritos, tacos, tostadas, and enchiladas. Many other menu items are dairy-free or can be custom ordered without dairy.
• Nourish Hanalei ⭐️ – This dairy-free stand serves vegan bowls and wraps with cashew-based sauces (chicken can be added for non-vegan orders). They also blend dairy-free acai bowls, offer house-made popsicles, and make cold brew with macadamia milk.
• The Spot – This is the spot for warm dairy-free and vegan breakfasts (avocado toast, grain bowls, and custom order breakfast sandwiches), and cool smoothies and soft serves. All of their smoothies are made with dairy-free coconut cream, and you can build your own soft serve bowl with a base of coconut cream or banana. They offer tons of toppings and blend-ins, with many superfood ingredients.

Waimea

• Island Taco – They hand-craft their tortillas and use local flavors and ingredients to fill them. They have dairy-free and vegan taco and burrito options.
• Sweet Marie’s Hawaii – This is a wholesale gluten-free and allergy-friendly bakery, but they do sell goodies at the local farmer’s market and also cater weddings and craft custom wedding cakes.

Photo from Oasis on the Beach in Kapaa

Restaurant & Grocery Chains found throughout Kauai, Hawaii

Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.

• Pineapple in Paradise – This isn’t actually a chain, but a roving van that parks at various places on the island (schedule on their website). They serve pineapple Dole Whip, floats, and slushes.

Photo from Holey Grail Donuts in Hanalei

Local Dairy-Free Food & Drink Producers in Kauai, Hawaii

These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are on Kauai. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!

• Nourish Hanalei – Look for their local dried fruits and Pure Mana chocolate spread, which is made simply with local cacao, macadamia nuts, and honey.

Photo from Trilogy Coffee & Tea Bar in Kilauea

This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations

We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.

Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!

This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only

Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.

There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.

For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!