Journey Cafe Big Island — Restaurant in Hawaii

Delicious local, organic, plant-based place for all. Really high-quality food. Our favorite was the Pizza al Taglio. That was a really unique, filling, tasty dish that would be my first choice to eat here again. The jacked up Doria was good and interesting. The ube pancake was really tasty. The mauna kea lava pasta had a nice bake on top, though was not super filling. The drinks and salad were nice. The best part was probably the tomato bisque with the buttered garlic bread on the side. I didn't know we could order the soup separately, but looking on the online menu, you can!

We had a mixed bag with service. We came our first day in Kona and the gentleman working there was fantastic. The second day, I don't know if there were too many customers or something else happening. The older blonde lady working there told us to come up to her to order, so we had no table service and we had to tip before eating. Then, despite obviously sharing a meal, she only gave us one utensil for the soup. When my partner started getting frustrated at waiting so long, she checked with the kitchen and saw our order was missed due to there being multiple similar orders. She was disciplining the chef (who seemed new) pretty audibly and explained the situation to us but did not really apologize. She sent a younger blonde server who we had not met yet to apologize to us and offer a free drink or ice cream. The server also saw we were sharing and offered us an extra utensil for the meal. On our third visit, the same younger blonde lady was there and seemed to be working with even fewer staff during a pre-Thanksgiving rush yet gave us fantastic service on a pick-up order. She saved the day for the restaurant and is why I am writing this positive review.

We're really happy to see a high-quality vegan restaurant right in the heart of Kona. We hope to see improvements in the service. And if you have made it this far, definitely try Journey's attached ice cream place. It's...

I am a local and I have been coming to Journey Cafe pretty regularly for the last 5 years. Today I am sad to report that this is no longer a healthy spot to stop. The only protein they offer is highly processed chicken substitute. I came here specifically for the in house falafel which was a whole food made in house, but they no longer offered a single healthy item. We resorted to the acai bowl because we are body building, watching our macros, and can't even tell you what fake chicken is made of... I wouldn't put non whole foods vegan proteins in my body- we couldnt eat anything else. The acai bowl took 20 minutes because they mixed up our order and they delivered me felt alot like Acai Roots from the ice cream box at Costco. I don't want that... I want home made whole foods. You folks can't consider yourself a blue zone shop anymore your health food is not healthy anymore. Please consider going back to making your whole foods healthy menu items again. Im so disappointed.

Response Edit: I want to say as a healthcare professional that healthy food is truly non processed whole foods with balanced macros. I am disappointed that there is no other option but a processed unnatural protein source- a derivative of soy or extracted gluten is not healthier than a bean, nut, or seed. Also, gluten is not a problem so much as highly processed wheat flour is. Fresh ground wheat berries are not nearly as monstrous as fortified white wheat flour used in most processed foods. I am happy to see you're working with local farmers. I also work on a Hilo side farm. However, providing no whole food protein is a problem I really hope you...

I stumbled upon this vegan cafe and ended up coming back not once, not twice, but three times during my one-week stay! Every dish here is crafted to perfection, with flavors so balanced and fresh that you’ll be thinking about them long after you leave.

The highlight for me was the marinated watermelon, it’s hard to believe a fruit could capture the taste of the sea so perfectly! The soy “chicken” is another standout, with a texture and flavor that could fool any meat lover. The bowls are a true work of art, each one packed with vibrant ingredients that not only look beautiful but taste incredible.

And let’s talk about the extras: their homemade guava juice, hibiscus tea, and lavender juice are not only delicious but also come with free refills. Pair that with their creamy, dreamy vegan ice cream, and you’ve got the ultimate treat.

On top of the food, the atmosphere is just as inviting: the decor is adorable, creating a cozy and stylish vibe, and the staff is genuinely some of the kindest I’ve met. They make you feel like a welcomed guest, not just a customer.

✨ In and all, this place is perfect. If you’re vegan (or even if you’re not), do yourself a favor and check it out. You’ll leave with a happy belly and an even...