‘Ai Love Nalo

We loved this place. Food was excellent and most importantly, we are super excited to try ALL of the items on the menu!
I wasn’t sure where to start from with the menu… the top or the bottom. So, I went with bottom and got the BBQ Portobello Mushroom Sandwich with tahini dressing on my salad and a side of babaganoush. It was all delicious. Especially the baba. Alessandro got the Tofu Poke Bowl (spicy) and gobbled it all up! The portions were large and the value was quite good.
We sat first at the large table in the center but as the line to order grew longer, we found people would lean on our section of the table and in general, crowd us, so we luckily saw an open table and grabbed it. Parking for us was great because we were able to have our scooters right in the front of the restaurant.
The drinks are not their strong point. The cold brewed coffee was very tasty but perhaps not worth the $ 4. Or should I say, I just think that is a lot to charge for a coffee. The process to make it is not THAT expensive. Ale ordered the mate and was informed that it would take a while for it to be cold since they had to infuse it hot then wait for it to cool. There MUST be a better way. So, they need to work that out, I think.
We loved the food and because of that, don’t care about any of the other flaws too much. We will be back.

Disappointed in myself for taking so long to visit but I’m glad I finally got to stop by this past Sunday. Located next to what used to be Mel’s Market, parking is extremely limited so you may find yourself having to park on a side street. Service was very friendly and the menu offered something for everyone. I ordered the Poi-​fect parfait and my friend had the Budda Bowl. The worker did say that our order would take a while bc the prepping for her salad. We didn’t mind at all but I do wish they made my parfait closer to the time they were done making her food, I got my order probably 20mins prior to hers so the fruits were already warm by the time we walked down to the beach. Wasn’t a big deal and I’d love to come back more frequently since it’s down the street from my house. It is a cozy place so it can packed during lunch. There’s one big community table and maybe 6 tables inside. They do have a outside garden with seats but we didn’t get to walk around. How lucky we are to have them :)

Truly everybody LOVES Nalo, fresh, trendy, best taste and VEGAn, not to mention local. Business keeps booming and you can expect a bit of a line especially during prime rats times.
Menu on line and on the board behind the counter,.
You can’t go wrong with any entrée and we should see Korma joining soon.
Out of this swirl the must finish touch!
Go out of your way, it will be worth it!
Only detract, no way to call and get info or check holiday hors.

Ai Love Nalo has a wide variety of vegan options for breakfast and lunch.
They are dog friendly and there is a lovely garden to sit in behind the restaurant.
I particularly like the smoothies, cold brew coffee, and the buddha bowl.

Delicious!!! So nutritious! Beautiful combinations of food. I got «plate lunch» (I don’t remember names) with kabocha and portabella mushrooms, sesame avocado, Kim Chee (best lunches I’ve ever had!), kale, rice, etc. It was SO tasty! Aunty’s bread topped with coco sauce IS TO DIE FOR… Chai spice and everything nice smoothie is SO YUM TOO!! i wanted to get the lu’au but they were out of it– bet it’s delightful! It’s about time a place like this has come around! So glad it’s located in Nalo! Will DEF be back. Contemplating applying to work there for a bit just to learn how to make that kimchee and bread (which is gluten free btw)

My husband and I had the Buddha and Medi bowls. Both tasted amazing and it was very filling. Definitely will be coming back! Parking can be a bit of a pain because of the limited space, but the food is worth it!

This is my favorite vegan restaurant on the island to date, hands down! This is the only restaurant where I peruse the menu and have difficulty deciding because I want to try everything on the menu… every single menu item from the smoothies to the main dishes!
I’ve been here twice so far and absolutely loved what I’ve tried. I had the Oh Wow Laulau plate on my first visit. It has ulu and kalo inside and is extremely flavorful and filling. I also tried the Daily Dose smoothie which satisfied my coffee craving for the day. Portions are generous and priced right, so if it’s your first time visiting here, I’d recommend ordering a bunch of menu items and sharing them amongst friends so everyone gets to try a little bit of everything!
Second visit I had the Buddha Bowl w/​half-​half millet and brown rice. This was equally delicious. I also had an Iced Ginger Olena Lemongrass Tea which I loved. You really can’t go wrong with anything here.
There is a beautiful vegetable and herb garden in the back that you can walk around in and there are tables to eat at. You can eat indoors as well with the sun naturally lighting the restaurant’s beautiful wooden interior. The entire dining experience from the flavors to the ambiance to the staff is excellent.
I just wish it wasn’t so far away, but that’s part of its appeal as well. So plan a beach day in Waimanalo and treat yourself to fresh, locally sourced, tasty, gourmet local flavors. ‘Ai Love Nalo is located next to Waimanalo Co-​op and McDonalds – just a little past Sherwoods.

Sooooo amazing! I like this place better than its predecessor! Amazingly delicious, healthy, fresh and filling! My brother and I came for lunch and split the slaw and beet hummus sides. I followed it up with the Medi Bowl — delicious and filling and a great way to try a little of everything. My brother had the burger special. Our order got messed up and thus took way longer to come out than normal. The lady we placed an order with at the counter couldn’t have been more sweet and apologetic. We weren’t in a rush so no big deal. And the food was amazing when it came. But she topped her sweetness with a complimentary Outta This Swirled Soft Serve dessert made from banana and topped with loads of amazingness. It was unreal but totally pushed us over the edge of fullness! Don’t order unless you have someone to help you with it (or its your meal)!
Can’t wait to return! Tip: The baba ganoush is quite smokey (too much for my taste.)

We stopped here for a late lunch since we live nearby, and were pleasantly surprised! It’s a vegan menu, but meat-​eaters don’t let this stop you from enjoying super fresh, local, filling and tasty items. You don’t get a hippy-​dippy vegan vibe– it’s more like a showcase of our state’s best produce thoughtfully plated with aloha. The view of the Ko’olau Mountains from the window was great. My Buddha Bowl had a mix of sautéed and raw veggies, avocado, rice, millet, and a delicious sauce. I love that take out containers and utensils are compostable and there was not a plastic single use water bottle in sight! We look forward to returning soon. Wish they were open earlier and later… Hopefully they will expand their hours for us locals wanting to grab a healthful dinner on the way home from work.

super good! I forgot what this sorbet thing is called but it was recommended to us. They make their own granola and it’s all fruit besides that! There was papaya, banana & pineapple on the bottom. The coconut flakes were the bomb
I had the medi bowl, which was basically a salad with falafel with poi inside () & hummus. My mom had the roasted veggie plate. The drinks were a watermelon splash & their green drink. So fresh and so good! And it was a little hot the day that we went so we didn’t want to stay inside. We went to eat in their garden, one of the workers brought out the table and benches for us and set us up under neath the shade. Great people and great food!

Words cannot describe how much I love this place, the lovely owners, and their crew! (Especially Sumo their Frenchie!)
This place is truly a gem in waimanalo. I am currently working in waimanalo and always struggled during lunch time if I didn’t bring my own food to work, there just isn’t any healthy places to eat, let alone any pure vegan options.
You’ll most likely be greeted by the owners behind the counter, and if it’s not a busy day, you can always strike up a conversation and they will gladly express their gratitude, missions, and story. (They are an awesome couple btw! Rooted in love and wanting to share they indispensable knowledge to our community)
Some items can be a bit pricy for the quantity, such as the side dishes or desserts. I remember getting the poi’fect (which was delicious btw!) but I wished it had more poi!
The hot dishes are all amazing as well, I can definitely recommend the tofu poke bowl (which is a surprise to the taste buds) the laulau and luau!
Did I mention they also offer yoga behind the store front, which also has a sustainable little garden?! It’s very picturesque and made with love.
From seed to plate and to my happy tummy, you can’t knock it till you try it. It’s more than just food, it’s a life style!
Thank you ai love nalo for all that you do!

‘Ai’m LOVIN ‘Ai Love Nalo! They’re new, so they’re still working out the kinks, but this place is SO CUTE!!! I wanted to hit the beach on the east side, and I’d read about this place in Midweek, so I knew I had to stop by.
Location: Where Sweet Home Waimanalo was (loved that place too), but they’ve really made the space their own. Right south of the McDonald’s.
Philosophy: Locally grown, fresh, healthy, vegan food! Responsibly sourced, and they encourage bringing your own bowls and containers (takeout containers are 50 cents). All the takeout utensils and containers are compostable, which ‘AI LOVE! Aloha ‘aina!
Food: They have a small menu, with a few plate lunches (vegan lau lau, roasted veggie plate, vegan luau, mediterannean plate), some sandwiches (portabello mushroom, roasted veg), a couple bowls (poke bowl, Buddha bowl), and some dessert items (vegan soft serve, chia seed pudding, bread pudding, etc). Their plate lunches come with millet (new ideas! never heard of it!), poi, or brown rice. Meals are around $ 8 – 11. I had their outta this world soft serve, which is made from frozen bananas instead of cream and sugar! She explained that it was kind of like an acai bowl. It definitely has the consistency of soft serve, and it’s tangy since the bananas weren’t quite ripe when they made it. Sort of like the tart froyo flavors. It also came with cacao coconut bits (yum!), honey, homemade granola, papaya, and banana! It was a good size for $ 7! And I love that even if it melts, it still holds, unlike traditional ice cream which ends up being like soup if you’re a slow eater like mahself.
Atmosphere: SUPER CUTE. Reclaimed wood, communal high top that seats about 10 people, and a bunch of tables that seat four.
Service: So friendly, definitely a family run restaurant, with the owner and her mother working that day. This is the kind of place where you bus your own tables, so they have a little station where you put your dishes (also where you get utensils and water).
All in all, I’m hopeful for them. I don’t know where Sweet Home Waimanalo went, but this is a happy new addition. :) Support local!

As a vegan, it is pretty difficult to find a place where both you and your non-​vegan boyfriend can enjoy. And we found the perfect balance at Ai Nalo. We absolutely love the food and the owner is just amazing. She’s very friendly and always ready to answer any questions you may have about the menu. The layout of the place is wonderful. They have a little backyard where you can enjoy your meal and meet their little pup who likes to roam around and socialize (my favorite!) The other thing I commend them on is being as eco-​friendly as possible, from what I noticed anyways. I’ve only ever dined in and the only throw away item you can expect is the napkins.
Location: It’s located right next to McDonald’s in Waimānalo. There’s not a lot of parking, but just enough to do the trick.
On to the food. I am slowly making my way through their menu and so far I’ve tried the BBQ portobello burger, oh wow laulau and the lūau. And I haven’t been disappointed. The food is amazing and tastes just like the lūau and laulau my tūtū them used to make, minus the meat. I love Hawaiian food and you can imagine how difficult it is to find Hawaiian food to eat outside of poi and pai ai. So this gem of a restaurant just makes my day.
Overall, it’s just great food made by great people and I hope they stick around for a long long time :)

Vegan eatery nestled in the heart of Waimanalo. With plenty of fresh produce available to them they have created a awesome place in a town cultured with no modern eateries. This place built at was once «sweet home waimanalo» and an historic gas station. The owners have really set the bar of great food in an island with limited vegan options.
That being said there are many fresh meals to choose from with great flavors regardless if you are vegan or not. They are extremely creative in providing a great healthy option for you. They even offer soft serve made by fresh fruit which was so good, even the presentation was really appealing. The smoothies are delicious too. However I did not like the bread pudding, although it was sweet it tasted horrible. It’s made from bread fruit, but the texture was more of a dense wet muffin.
This place is not perfect. The service could get quicker, but is acceptable since they just opened. They did say we could view the gardens behind the restaurant to kill time. Parking needs to be labeled better. It can get crowded even dangerous since parking aren’t marked very well and it’s set near the highway. Keep in mind that seating is Open Air so it can get fairly warm.
Overall great place despite imperfections. I am sure they will improve as months go by.

This is the BEST vegan food I’ve ever eaten on Oahu! I’ve been looking for a restaurant like this when I visit Oahu.
I love their friendly aloha customer service, and omg their food is fresh, beautifully presented, and delicious. And they serve food fast, amazing, even when they’re busy.
The only drawback is their tiny crowded parking lot. Maybe I can convince them to open one of these restaurants in Maui!
I took my family with me to eat there, and everyone enjoyed their meals –including the non-​vegans.
They have plenty of seating and the atmosphere is serene and relaxed.

I saw an article about this place in Midweek this morning. I’m thinking to myself, why wasn’t I informed of a vegan restaurant opening in Waimanalo? Who’s in charge here? So I looked it up on Unilocal and this place seems to be the real deal. There are some positive reviews too, if you leave out the overly enthusiastic reviews written by friends. The photos of the food are amazing! Well that does it, we’re going for lunch, that is all there is to it.
Location: Right in the heart of Waimanalo near the McDonalds. It’s in a remodeled ancient gas station building with parking in the front and on the side. There isn’t a proper sign out front but there is a huge sign about farm fresh foods. That is the place.
Venue: Nice enough interior that is a bit rustic. Nice tables and counter seating for individuals. Order and pay at the counter. Take your number to the holder on the table and they will bring the food to you. Water for no charge in regular size cups. iPad based ordering system, that takes credit cards, you select a gratuity if you wish, sign with your finger and select a form of receipt.
Service: Very friendly and informative staff. Food came out quickly.
Food: Menu is online (
) and written on a chalk board on the wall. After consulting with the staff we decided on the Oh Wow Lau Lau plate, Medi bowl and a piña colada smoothie. All vegan, no meat, milk or eggs. The lau lau was steamed with luau leaves, sweet potatoes, ulu (bread fruit) and carrot. It came with choice of poi, tabouleh or brown rice. It also came with a salad and sample of tofu poke. This was all good and filling but the lau lau was a bit dry for me. I’d get it again though. My wife thought it wasn’t bad considering she is not sympathetic to vegan food. She preferred it to some other vegan dishes she has been exposed to recently. She was trying hard to find something complimentary to say. She also gave 5 stars on presentation. LOL
We also ordered the Medi (Mediterranean) bowl. It came with beet humus, tabouleh, Kalo falafel, smokey baba ganoush and lots and lots of greens. This was an excellent dish. See the photos. The servings were huge.
The smoothie had no dairy but does contain banana and coconut milk. It had a very subtle piña colada flavor along with a distinct banana flavor. This was fine with me as the ingredients were nutritious and there was no dairy. And I liked it.
Vegan: This is very nutritious and healthful food. Fresh greens, fruits and vegetables. Minimal fat and sugar. And no salt added that I could detect. This is a different style than Loving Hut or Simple Joy. Probably closer to Peace Café Style than the other vegan restaurants. Greens and Vines could learn something from these guys IMHO.
I’m going with 4.25 Stars after weighting all the factors (quality, nutrition, value and flavor) and comparing to the other current Vegan Restaurant options. I’m going back that’s for sure. But unless you are a motivated vegan, like me, think this through before you jump right in. Look at the photos though. This is good food!

THANK YOU ‘AI LOVE NALO!!!
I couldn’t wait to write a review. I’m sitting in my car outside writing after a wonderful experience. I felt so bad being «that customer» walking in 10 minutes before closing, absolutely famished not having eaten all day. My original plan was to stop here on my way to get my car maintenance done but I missed it and decided that since tops I would be gone an hour I’d wait until I was on my way home. Fast forward to almost 4 hours later with that foggy, low blood pressure feeling and thinking I could drop dead from hunger.
I walked in and smiling, happy people greeted me and helped me navigate the menu and when I decided that I couldn’t make any decisions let them choose for me. Laulau with spicy poke and lehua poi? Okay!
You do not have to be vegan to enjoy this food. It’s so fresh and delicious and I couldn’t be more excited to have a vegan place so close to home! Also, what a generous portion! So excited to have leftovers later tonight or tomorrow. They nailed the poke. I won’t miss ahi anymore with this option. The lehua poi was so smooth and I could eat that for breakfast for sure. The salad and the tahini dressing were fresh with a little kick. The laulau, it doesn’t have meat? Didn’t even notice. It’s actually even better than the meat version to be honest.
I ended up ordering the poke bowl to go for my lunch tomorrow at work along with the trio of truffles for tonight. I’m eating one of the truffles as I write this in the parking lot and they’re great, especially if you have a sweet tooth like me.
The mission is also fantastic-​good and good for you, healthy food for the people using local produce. LOVE IT!
So again, thanks to the great staff at ‘Ai Love Nalo for taking care of a weary traveler at closing time. I really appreciate your kindness and great customer service!

I’m over the moon happy that Ai Love Nalo exists and is on the Windward side. I found out about it over the weekend and had my first meal there on Monday — the Medi Bowl with falafel, beet kissed hummus, and so much more, ohh YUM so delicious. I also got the iced ginger lemongrass tea and for afters, the chocolate truffles. Everything sooo ono.
I went back again yesterday. This time I got Oh Wow Lau Lau. Loved that, too. Now can’t wait to try the Buddha Bowl.
One reviewer (Tenaya C.) complained there was slow service, it was hot, etc. Keep in mind her review was on August 30^th and they had only just opened (to date, they still haven’t had their grand opening.) It takes a tremendous amount of work to open a new restaurant and there are logistics to work out. Don’t let her complaints deter you from trying out this beautiful place.
A plant-​based restaurant on the Windward side!!! WooHoo!!!
Update: Oct 21, 2015 …
In the last 3 weeks I’ve been to Ai Love Nalo FIVE times! So far I’ve tried a different dish each time. Everything is great but my two favorites (and I can’t pick one over the other) are the Buddha Bowl and the Medi Bowl. Oh my… Oh my my. I finally got to meet the chefs so I’m posting a photo here. Meet (L-​R) Mike, Katie, and Ava. Oh you guys, YOU are my heroes!!!

Upon entering Ai Love Nalo you feel welcome, thanks to a great team of amazing people who aim to give you a delicious culinary experience. They succeed! Owned by a very charismatic local Native Hawaiian woman, Malia Smith, she and her coworkers all share the vision that healthy eating enhances your well-​being. Ai Love Nalo gives you that. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with plants on and among gorgeous, unique natural wood tables made by a local Waimanalo artist.
If you decide to sit out back in Ai Love Nalo’s very inviting Garden Oasis, you may have the pleasure of meeting Ai Love Nalo’s amazing Chefs Katie and Mike, some days Alex, Kelly and /​or Ava. Their food will please your tastebuds and make you smile with satisfaction. You’re probably eating freshly picked organic greens that just this morning were growing right next to you, and now are prepared for you with a tasty dressing.
Every dish I’ve had at Ai Love Nalo was excellent. They make eating healthy a savory pleasure! The two varieties of ice teas are incredibly refreshing. I want one right now! The locally made kombucha, very nice. The Smoothies, yes please!
I’m so happy to have this organic plant-​based, local eatery on our island. Worth the adventure to Waimanalo, and if you live nearby, you’re lucky.
And then there’s the Out-​of-​This-​World Acai Fruit Bowl. A delightfully just-​right desert.. .

I can’t believe Waimanalo has a vegan restaurant! Or should I say plant based? Either way, it’s definitely a sign that times have changed. I am very excited to have a food option that is not fast food or plate lunches. They currently work with a farm in Nalo to promote farm to table cuisine. The staff is very friendly and they have completely revamped to make the store their own.
I decided to ease my meat loving mother in slowly by going by for some freshly made smoothies. We ordered the Daily Dose which has coffee added and the Piña Colada for my mother. Both were very good and I can’t wait to try their other flavors!
Lunch isn’t served until 10:30am so I will have to visit another day to give the food a try. Looking forward to trying the rest of the menu! Welcome to the neighborhood!