5 Best Places to Eat Healthy on Maui for Under $20
These Valley Isle eateries offer budget-friendly vegan fare for health-conscious diners.
On Maui, plant-based eateries offer budget-friendly vegan foods that both expand the palate and excite the taste buds. Here, we’ll embark on a health-conscious culinary journey through several restaurants that serve deliciously nutritious dishes, all priced under $20.
Earth Aloha Eats
A vegan burger from Earth Aloha Eats. // Photo courtesy of Earth Aloha Eats
Savor delectable plant-based comfort food at Earth Aloha Eats in Kahului and Kīhei. The menu includes organic, vegan and gluten-free options as well as your everyday local fare. Explore multicultural flavors with dishes like Thai chicken or Mexican street tacos (both $16.95), a Greek-inspired gyro wrap ($15.95) and an Asian teriyaki bowl ($17.95). Also enjoy classics like burgers ($16.95), sandwiches ($15.95) and loaded fries ($12.95). Make a difference by donating to a pay-it-forward program, which provides Maui fire survivors with a free meal, starting at $15.
520 Keolani Place, Kahului, (808) 633-3884; 1881 S. Kīhei Road, Suite 111, Kīhei, (808) 830-0105, earthalohaeats.com.
Papio’s Place
Plant-based burritos from Papio’s Place. // Photo courtesy of Papio’s Place
This low-waste, plant-based food truck specializes in vibrant Mexican-inspired vegan cuisine. The menu boasts standout pūpū plates, including jalapeño poppers with macadamia nut-based cheese sauce (one for $3 or six for $15) and street corn with “faux-tija” vegan cheese and salsa Tajín ($12). For entrées, don’t miss the customizable asada meal, featuring a choice of marinated jackfruit, mushroom and/or soy strips with all the fixings served as a burrito, tacos, nachos or over fries ($18). Pair your meal with a juice ($6.50), crafted from locally sourced fruits for a refreshing accompaniment.
30 Alahele Place, Kīhei, (808) 758-4054, papiosplace.com.
Rainbow Kitchen + Rebel Tonics
Photo courtesy of Rainbow Kitchen
Nestled on the north shore, this vegan food truck specializes in adaptogen tonics, nondairy ice creams and daily specials featuring fresh organic ingredients. Must-tries include a breakfast burrito with seitan steak and mung bean egg ($18) and the barbecue jackfruit bowl ($17). For tacos, choose from jackfruit, tofu or Okinawan sweet potato and mushrooms ($17). For a sweet treat, dig into mochi waffles topped with macadamia nut whipped cream or mochi fries drizzled with ume-tahini sauce (both $12). And sip on organic coffee (from $5), herbal tonics (from $6) and “dream creams” like the Mint Chip Spaceship with matcha and other superfoods ($13).
2250 Hāna Highway, Haʻikū, (808) 500-2885, @rainbowkitchen_rebeltonics.
Choice Health Bar
A vegan spread from Choice Health Bar. // Photo courtesy of Choice Health Bar
This eco-conscious eatery, a favorite among Maui vegans, implements zero-waste practices and sources fresh produce from local USDA-certified organic farms. After losing its flagship location in Lahaina and temporarily closing its Kāʻanapali kiosk, operations have shifted to Pāʻia. Here, customers can indulge in bestsellers like the POWabunga açaí bowl ($16), wraps with Maui-made split pea tempeh ($15.75), Buddha bowls ($13.75) and a variety of smoothies (from $8). For a quick bite, grab cold-pressed juice ($8.50 each) and a Bomb.Com Bar ($6.50) to go.
11 Baldwin Ave., Pāʻia, (808) 661-7711, choicehealthbar.com.
Niu Life Kitchen
A family-owned gem, this plant-based eatery offers local, organic farm-to-kitchen fare. Its specialty is cultured coconut — a delectable dairy alternative. Most of the menu is freshly prepared every morning, making for wholesome grab-and-go comfort food. Lunch plates include a tempeh katsu sandwich ($16), coconut teriyaki sandwich ($16) and the loaded falafel plate with kalo flatbread ($18). Save room for desserts like vegan cheesecakes with gluten-free sprouted crust ($7), the Hapacake in carrot-pumpkin or coconut-lemon flavors ($8 each) and cream-filled puffs (five for $10).
2050 Main St., Unit FC-2, Wailuku, (808) 242-9424, niulifekitchen.com.
