A Hawaiian laid back vibe complements the taste and decadence of gourmet dining. Open air, and right on the beach, diners hear the waves crashing, and feel the salty air. People propose right out on the patio, overlooking the sea, with the lit up palm trees, and one of their delicious tropical drinks (try the mango mojito) or one of...
Set in the back of a parking lot on Kuhio Highway, this little spot is a unique courtyard dining experience. Order at the counter and then sit outside at sarong-covered plastic tables, with Christmas lights strewn above, and local entertainers playing music, performing hula, or telling jokes. Serving health-conscious Pacific Rim influenced food with elements of Italian, Greek, and Moroccan...
Basically a window in the wall, Da Crack showed up right in the heart of Poipu, and now slings tasty cheap burritos and tacos to the beach crowd. Local surfers line up for breakfast bowls. Only brave burritos if you have a huge appetite. If jalapenos aren’t your thing, let them know when you order.
A little red burger shack on the side of Kuhio Highway is about as good as you’re going to find on Kaua’i. Step into line, order, then sit at one of the few dirty picnic tables, watching local kids chase ducks, chickens, and cats; and before long you know why locals and tourists wait for up to a half hour for...
Feel like you are on vacation at Duke’s Kaua’i, right on the shores of Kalapaki Beach. Split-level dining brings cruise ship passengers and tourists to this energetic restaurant. Upstairs, dinner is served nightly in an open-air atmosphere overlooking the harbor. Servings are huge. Pupus lean towards fried seafood and are great for sharing. Their salad bar is one of the...
Since 1978, Eggbert’s has served up some of the most popular breakfasts in the east shore. With country-style décor, fast, friendly service, open windows with views of the mountains, and pictures of the owners’ family all over the walls, this restaurant offers a slice of down home Kaua’i. The menu (also covered in pictures of their children) is gigantic, meaning...
Gaylord Wilcox built the Kilohana Plantation house in 1935 and now, complete with some of the original furnishing purchased at Gumps of San Francisco, you can pretend you are an honored guest in their mansion. Dining in the 16,000 square-foot house, beneath paintings of the Wilcox family, surrounded by artifacts of 30s-era California design, is a must. Locals come here...
Almost seven decades of an institution here on the island, Hamura Saimin Stand is a must-go experience. The Aikos bought this little shack in the 1950s and turned it into one of the most famous places in all of Hawaii. Year after year it gets voted as one of Kauai’s best restaurants in Honolulu Magazine. That being said, the spot...
Outdoor picnic tables packed with families chowing down on fish scored from the market line the Hanalei River. The Dolphin restaurant is designed like the inside of a ship with wooden walls, funky windows, and lots of artwork. The ambiance, however, comes with a hefty price. Everything here is offered at tourist prices, from the wealth of funky tropical drinks...
Set along the manicured golf course of Kiahuna Plantation, this lively open air restaurant serves hearty portions of eggs Benedict and loco moco in the mornings and traditional American fare for lunch and dinner. Friendly staff, prove that homegrown businesses can thrive on the island. One of the owners is always there, so if you liked your meal, say hi....
This classic Hawaiian treat was introduced by the Japanese. JoJo’s has been slinging these sweet cold concoctions since 1992. Wait in epic lines for thin shaved ice topped with favorite flavors like banana, liliko’i, or bubble gum, atop haupia ice cream. A junior size should satisfy most sweet spots.
Locals line up each night for heaping plates of pasta. And rightly so. The price is right. Food is fresh (they might have the best Kamuela tomatoes on the island). The servers are very accommodating to both children and adults–there are plenty of gluten free options. An array of salads, pupus, and creative specials every night might tempt your palate,...
Chef Tom Pickett trained at the Culinary Institute of America before opening this local favorite almost 30 years ago. Still going strong in Kilauea’s Kong Lung Center, Pickett works magic with sugar and flour, mixing ingredients into decadent treats. Grab coffee and lilikoi muffins in the morning, thick island style pies mid-day, or late afternoon mac nut chocolate chip pie....
Don’t let the name fool you. This is not a mere fish market. These folks serve some of the freshest chow around. Yes, this happens to be one of the best places to purchase fresh-caught local seafood, but you can also sit down at the plastic tables, set in the back of a strip mall, with views of an open...
Locals and tourists alike adore this celebratory Japanese restaurant. Waits are epic, though there is a huge bar with great cocktails to tide you over. The draw is sushi. Their rolls are huge and fresh, with some funky offerings, like the Cajun Roll, Bali Hai Bomb and Kamakazi, which tend to primarily star eel and salmon. If you are celebrating...
This historic outdoor shopping area blends sophistication with simplicity. At the entrance an honor system flower shop and a funny cockatoo greet you. Stroll through the historic photography exhibit. Check out the goodies at Island Soap Works, the carved koa home accents at the Kong Lung Gallery, and the women’s island ware at Banana Patch Studios. Cap the visit off...
One of Kaua’i’s most sought after destinations for an oceanfront sunset cocktail. Lavas serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on the alfresco patio, giving photo snappers stunning views of Poipu Beach framed by twin palms. If you are on a budget, come for pupus and cocktails at sunset. But get here early, as many tourists have the same idea. Typically live...
Peter Merriman is a force in Hawai’i regional cuisine. His new duo of restaurants on Kaua’i, Merriman’s Fish House, and the more casual Gourmet Burgers and Pizzas fills a much needed gap in the cuisine scene in Poipu. Hearty salads, gourmet pizzas topped with organic veggies, and thick burgers populate the menu in the casual downstairs cafe. Vegans and those...
Over a half a century old when demolished by Hurricane ‘Iniki, this Kapa’a mainstay acts as the watch-guard over downtown. An open-air eatery above Kuhio Highway, sip a mai tai, eat nachos, salads, or omelets, and listen to live music while checking out the happenings in town below. The wooden chairs and tables give the restaurant a cozy atmosphere, even...
There’s nothing like some scrumptious coconut mac nut gelato after a day at the beach. This sweet shop provides just the right touch of cool on a hot day. They also serve mac nut butter sugar free gelato, tropical fruit sorbetto, coffee and shakes. Plan to visit around 5pm on Thursdays when the free Tahitian hula performance takes over the...