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    Ai Love Nalo

    4.5 (583 reviews)

    Ai Love Nalo Photos

    Business Info

    AI LOVE NALO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Ai Love Nalo

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    Business hours as of 08.10.2025
    Jill F.

    @fortunefoodfinds: "PINEAPPLEy it's Friday! An Outta This Swirled (vegan nice cream served with banana, pineapple, papapya, their housemade granola, cacao coco flakes, chocolate "magic shell" sauce, n' mixed nuts) from 'Ai LOVE NALO. Happy to have them back in Waimanalo, where you can find healthy vegan options if you didn't already know!" Staff: friendly Interior: some seating available Exterior: bar seating n' 2 table seating Wait time: 10 mins Parking: small lot in front Overall comments: haven't been here since pre-COVID so when I saw that they were open again I had to stop by. Interior is now maybe half the size. Food items still look great on the menu. Only ordered their outta this swirled this time so will need to come back. Dessert was still yummy just like I remember. Creamy n' plenty of fruit. If no one told you, you wouldn't think it's vegan!

    Sarah R.

    Plant based heaven on the way to the most gorgeous beach on the island! Head to the back of the building and you'll see a QR code on the window to order straight on your phone. There wasn't an option to remove an ingredient on the ordering page, and I did have to remove one from my smoothie that I'm allergic to so I just knocked on the window and a lovely staff member helped me out. I got the "daily dose" aka the cold brew smoothie - it was delicious!! If you're dining in there is a cute back patio next to a garden. There are a few parking spots nearby too.

    You need the Medi Bowl in your life!
    Charlene M.

    Bomb bomb bomb...Great tasting food that make your eyes roll can be healthy! I'm so happy they expanded their seating so that they can take plant-based eating to the masses.

    Buddha bowl, oh wow lau lau, medi bowl
    Catherine P.

    I have seen Ai Love Nalo all of my Instagram feed so I just had to try it. We ventured out to Waimanalo on a Saturday and found the spot pretty easily. Their service window is around the backside of the building. But it's not in the traditional sense that you walk up and order. Everything is done online so you have to scan the QR code to purchase food online and pay for it. They will let you know when it's ready via text or will open the window. Preferably we should've ordered our food beforehand, but I didn't know that this was their ordering process. While we waited for our food, they have a very beautiful back area that includes grass and a covered patio for eating. There are some games for kids to play with and toys. But it was a very peaceful spot that was fun to relax in. I ordered the medi bowl, oh wow laulau, Buddha bowl, and the mini ulu chowder bowl. The Hawaiian food was good and I really like the flavor of the tofu poke. I wish there was some lomi lomi tomato or poi to go with it. The medi bowl had a great mix of toppings, my favorite being the beet hummus and I wish there was more! The Buddha bowl again was lacking in dressing. I see why there is alway extra dressing options with their bowls because I felt that there wasn't enough in each. The ulu chowder had rice in it which wasn't my thing and it made the whole soup taste like barley soup. I wish they had just done a chowder with ulu as a potatoes and every other normal thing since I am not a fan of grains in my chowder. They also have meal plans you can purchase which would be good if you want a plant based diet. I can't wait to come back and try more options!

    Buddha Bowl
    Fed U.

    Stopped by after our Makapu'u hike. We were looking forward to the Lau Lau plate which unfortunately sold out, so we got the Buddha Bowl, Poke Bowl, and Orange Dream Smoothie which reminded me of an Orange Julius. Food was pretty tasty! Another reason to take a drive to the Windward side.

    Andy S.

    Food remains terrific, pick up window gone for a pick up counter inside (use front or back door),now with some indoor (A/C) seating, and a group table out front along with plenty of seating in back. Coming soon is the adjacent wellness center sure to have Zen and to go options--and parking.

    Medi Bowl
    Lauren I.

    Ai Love Nalo is my favorite vegan restaurant on the island! The owner, Malia, is so passionate about bringing healthy food to the community & educating people on the importance of a healthy diet. Their friendly service & beautiful garden ambiance makes coming to eat here a real treat :) Medi Bowl: 9/10, according to their website it's their #1 best seller & I can see why! It's loaded with kalo-falafel, baba ganoush, beet hummus, & millet tabbouleh & served over greens with a balsamic vinegar dressing. The flavors go really well together, -1 only because I wish there was a bit more falafel!! Oh Wow Laulau: 11/10, my FAVORITE dish here!! I can't believe they found a way to make laulau taste so amazingly good. Local veggies are wrapped in taro leaves & soaked in a creamy coconut sauce, served with a side of tofu poke, rice, & salad. As others have mentioned, the tofu poke is probably the closest one could get to eating actual poke - the sauce is so flavorful & perfectly complements the laulau! They often sell out before the end of the day. Da Scrambler Plate & Wrap: 10/10 for the plate, 8/10 for the wrap. I always get both with spicy da scrambler sauce to add a kick! Both are so good, but the wrap is a bit messy to eat because it's packed so full. Orange Creamsicle & Cupid's Dream: Both 10/10, so flavorful & filling! The Orange Creamsicle tastes very similar to the Orange Dream Machine smoothie at Jamba & brings me back to my childhood! The Cupid's Dream is strawberry goodness in a cup, not to mention so aesthetically pleasing :)

    Buddha bowl - awesome.
    Andrea A.

    Plant based is a bit of a tough sell for my family but I was pleasantly surprised to watch two kids fight over beet hummus and falafels. I found their food really satisfying - fresh, flavorful, local, and you don't leave feeling gross. We got the medi bowl (fave), Buddah bowl (really close second), and bbq Porto sandwhich (really delicious but just not as wow as the bowls). If you're going to share order more of the falafels - they were great. I thought the servings and prices were reasonable (burger was a touch small). The drinks looked delicious but were pricey relative to the mains IMO so we didn't try on this go. I suspect we will next time...

    Carlyn H.

    Great customer service and delicious Buddha bowl: will come again! Loved sitting in the back patio area.

    Scramble wrap, no rice
    Callie D.

    I have been wanting to try this place for forever and am so thrilled I finally got to! I am sometimes in Waimanalo for work, but often that's on a Monday or Tuesday- the days they are closed. (they ARE now open on Wednesdays so someone should update their hours on here!). I was also nervous because of reviews saying how long they had to wait for their food so I didn't want to risk going on a lunch break and not having enough time to eat. Figured out that I could put in my order online as I was getting ready to leave work and then would only have a little wait after I got there, which was a totally reasonable compromise! As to the wait though - it is worth it for food this good. If you want fast food there's a McDonald's next door but then you are eating that and not this! And this is not the kind of stuff I can make myself at home, so extra worth it. I will say - I am not a vegan, but I am lactose intolerant, so I really appreciate being able to grab food where I do not have to question what is in it! And this food is DELICIOUS. The first time I went I got a Scrambler Wrap (with no rice) and a side order of the regular Tofu Poke. The regular Tofu poke tasted good, but it was a little more oily than I would prefer, and it definitely tastes like tofu, not fish. The Scrambler Wrap though... you guys I have not stopped thinking about that wrap since I ate it. The tofu perfectly took the place of scrambled eggs, and there were so many amazing veggies and flavors mixed in that I have actually craved it ever since. The wrap was nicely thin and stretchy, holding everything together without overpowering the stars of the show with a mouthful of flavorless carb. When (not if) I order it again I might try it as the plate and compare, but honestly as someone who, again, is not a vegan, this was amazing and I recommend it to anyone who just wants to try vegan food and see what they think. The second time I went was today (and realized I hadn't left a review before- oops!) and I was thrilled that they weren't sold out of their Laulau yet (they had been the first time) so as much as I was ono for the Scrambler I decided to get the Laulau as I had also seen good reviews for it. I loved that it came with a side of tofu poke (I opted for the spicy this time), and a side salad with choice of dressing (the scrambler came with a side salad too). The Laulau was delicious and I can see why people love it, but to be perfectly honest for me the scrambler is where it's at in terms of flavor explosion. If you prefer your food to be less flavor explosion you will enjoy this quite nicely! The Spicy Tofu Poke I definitely preferred to the regular. It was not too spicy, but had a ton more flavor. Since there was nothing on the scoop of brown rice that also came with I mixed it in with the poke which helped with the oiliness. It's really tasty! But still tastes like tofu not fish. Since I'm not a vegan I will still be preferring my ahi, but if you don't do fish you will probably enjoy this quite a bit! The side salad was the perfect portion, and I did enjoy their creamy sesame avocado dressing (lightly dressed, you can order extra dressing if you like). They do have 2 2-tops and 2 4-top tables for inside seating, or lots of seating outside in the back. Food comes in takeout containers so easy to take it with you or keep your leftovers without creating extra work of washing dishes or extra waste of disposable plates. The whole vibe is fresh and light. I am very excited to have this kind of restaurant available on the windward side - maybe if you guys expand the next one could be Ai Love Kaneohe?

    Buddha bowl with dressing on the side

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    1 year ago

    Me and my sister had the spicy tofu poke salad sooo good wil be back here again food is fresh and healthy

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    Page 1 of 15

    Ai Love Nalo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ai Love Nalo

    Has the Waimanalo location closed?

    They’ve reopened on October 12, 2024… woohoo!!!

    They seemed closed? From their website:…

    Closed

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Kalapawai Cafe & Deli - Waimanalo

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    Kalapawai Waimanalo is by far the best location ever PERIOD ‼…read moreI just can't say enough about the staff. I love the vibe it's so down to earth so cruise. I just love that It's right there in the heart of Waimanalo and I just love the staff. Did I say I love the staff⁉ they hook me up all the time with my fav au jus (they no lol) seriously get yo okolé down here I promise promise you you won't be disappointed. I love you guys. Thank you so much.

    As someone who was a loyal customer of the Waimānalo Kalapawai Market for many years, this review…read moreis difficult for me to write. When this location first opened, it felt like a true community gathering place. The staff were welcoming, cheerful, and knew many of their regular customers by name. I looked forward to coming in, and as a local artist, I was grateful to have my artwork displayed there during Christine's time as manager. Unfortunately, my experience changed dramatically after the management changed. As a longtime customer, I personally noticed a decline in consistency and quality after the management changed. Drinks and food no longer met the standard I had come to expect, while prices increased. Over time, I felt increasingly singled out and treated differently. Communication became tense and disrespectful, and I no longer felt welcome. My final experience was especially disappointing. I purchased a coffee that contained a significant amount of coffee grounds. I politely requested a refund, which was provided, and with the cashier's permission, I poured the coffee into the sink because I did not want both the coffee and the refund. The following day, I returned as a paying customer and was told that I was no longer welcome and would be refused service. I was also told that I had "injured the staff," yet when I respectfully asked what that meant, no one would explain it to me. To this day, I still do not know what I was accused of doing. Because I genuinely cared about this business, I wrote a respectful letter to ownership asking for clarification and review. Weeks have now passed, and I have not received any acknowledgment or response. This review is not written out of anger but out of disappointment. I believe customers deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and clear communication, especially when serious accusations are made or a decision is made to refuse service. I sincerely hope ownership reviews how situations like this are handled so that no other longtime customer experiences the same confusion and hurt that I did. Living in Hawaiʻi, the Aloha spirit is more than a greeting--it reflects kindness, respect, and hospitality. Sadly, over the years after the management change, I felt that this spirit was no longer reflected in my experiences there. My hope is that Kalapawai Market Waimanalo will continue to be a place where every customer and community member feels welcomed and respected. Farewell. I leave with many good memories of what this place once was, and I hope one day others will experience that same welcoming spirit again.

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    Māla Market

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    4.7(474 reviews)
    4.0 miHawaii Kai
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    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    Here's a balanced review that gets your point across while acknowledging the positives:…read more This sandwich shop definitely seems to be one of the local favorites, so I had to give it a try. The sandwiches are good and the ingredients taste fresh, but I was surprised by the price. At around $16 per sandwich, I expected something a little more substantial. The sandwiches have a lot of toppings and presentation, but they also have quite a bit of "fluff," and the bread is sliced very thin, making the overall sandwich feel smaller than expected. The side options are limited to either a salad or potato chips. I chose the chips, and I have to admit they were really good. Overall, the food tastes good, but I don't think it matches the price point. For what you get, I'd say these sandwiches feel more like a $10 value than a $16 one. I'd come back if I was craving one, but I'd love to see either larger portions or a lower price to better reflect the value.

    Every once in a while I feel like a sandwich. My preferred choices are places in Kaimuki where I…read morecan get mine on a sturdy sandwich bread - something like a yeasty focaccia that won't fall apart. But Mala Market can do a good job with their Dave's Killer Bread. The sliced meat sandwiches are the best here. I personally stick with roast beef. Everything is layered tight with cheese, lettuce, sliced tomato and cucumber, chopped purple cabbage, julienned carrot, and grassy sprouts. The 21 grain bread and all the veggies are great complex carbs that will leave you satisfied for a long time. Sandwiches come with Kettle ruffled potato chips, or a salad with good dressing - a pink goddess or green cilantro. The wrap is proper for holding on to your sandwich and the take out box is good for traveling. I am less sold on tuna, chicken, or shrimp salad. I know the shrimp salad liquid will seep into your sandwich bread and quickly make it soggy - and I find soggy bread ruins a sandwich for me. For add on options there is double meat, or avocado mash. Skip adding the avocado. And don't pay extra for the pickle. The ladies are very quick at putting together the sandwiches and not waiting long is a plus. If you want to eat it outside there are decent tables, plus additional shaded seating near the marina. The sandwiches at Mala Market are not my favorite. But they are freshly prepared, well constructed, and a good balance of protein and complex carbs. A solid choice in the area if you want to take something to the beach.

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    Italian Sandwich with salad (cilantro dressing)

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    Timmy T's Sandwich Shop - Beach food and snack, best sandwich to bring from Timmy T's

    Timmy T's Sandwich Shop

    4.1(598 reviews)
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    So glad I was finally able to try this spot. Parking isn't great but it was raining so not many…read morepeople around. Cute shop with tables and chairs outside, as well as inside. The ladies at the counter asked if we'd been in before and quickly gave us a rundown noting the most popular sandwiches. My husband and I both ordered different sandwiches, chips and a drink. Spent about $36 but definitely worth it. Sandwiches were good size, fresh and so yummy. I had almost half left and my daughter absolutely destroyed it when she got home. lol! We'll definitely all go back next time. They also have a loyalty program so sign up to get free sandwiches! My one wish is for them to sell their day old bread for .50c like Jimmy Johns!! Hint, hint!

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    Māla Market

    4.5(115 reviews)
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    All tables reserved for table service ONLY after 5PM

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    4.3 miHawaii Kai
    $$

    I am not a breakfast person and Moena Cafe might have just converted me into one!…read more After a sunrise hike nearby we were looking for a good spot where we could find something delicious for the whole family (including our picky eater). After doing some research on Yelp we decided to check out Moena Cafe. The restaurant is pretty small so I would recommend getting here early. We didn't have to wait for a table but probably 30min after we arrived they had a 40-minute wait (lucky, I know). I decided to go with the avocado toast and cold brew, and my husband had an order of pancakes with blueberries. First of all, the cold brew was probably the best cold brew I've ever had! I wouldn't say I am a coffee snob by any means, but I could definitely taste the difference in their coffee. The avocado toast was absolutely delicious and came in pretty huge portions! It was two pieces of toast with two eggs in a bed of arugula and a very generous amount of avocado. It was cooked to perfection and exactly what I needed after our hike. The pancakes are HUGE so I would recommend only ordering one. My husband was about to get two, but the waiter kindly suggested ordering only one, and she was right. Absolutely loved this place and can't wait to come back!

    we usually love moena. we were asked to depart perhaps 7 minutes after we finished eating. how…read moresad. we appreciate needing to accommodate other guests. perhaps an announcement at the beginning of service would lessen the sting of a 45 minute experience, with visiting 'ohana. the service, overall was delightful. the food seemed more pre-prepped and homogenized than i had noticed before. not sure we will return.

    Photos
    Moena Café - Interior.

    Interior.

    Moena Café - Prime rib Loco moco

    Prime rib Loco moco

    Moena Café - Macadamia Nut Latte

    See all

    Macadamia Nut Latte

    Ai Love Nalo - salad - Updated September 2026

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