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Mediterranean Gourmet
Specializes in Middle-Eastern classics, eg falafel, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), gyros, kebabs, fish specialties and baklava. The husband-and-wife chefs got their start selling hummus, tabouli and other tasty offerings under the Mediterranean Gourmet label at health-food stores and farmers markets.
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Mema
Not the best, not the worst, Mema serves savory dishes that can be tailored to your meat-philic or meat-phobic preference: you choose either tofu, chicken, pork, beef, fish or shrimp. The stir-fried eggplant with basil and red chili with coconut milk are favorites.
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Mermaids Café
Plate lunches for the hippie-granola set? You bet. And we guarantee you'll be tempted to try everything on the menu, from the classic seared 'ahi and nori wrap to overflowing plates of coconut curry topping veggies, tofu or chicken.
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Mi Casita
The colorful mural and lively piped-in music add just the right atmosphere for the filling Mexican fare served at this cozy family-run restaurant. Standouts include the seafood lover's fajitas, with sautéed ono and tiger shrimp, and fresh fish tacos.
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Moloa'a Sunrise Fruit Stand
For a quick bite, the Moloa'a Sunrise Fruit Stand ofers juices & smoothies from US$3 , healthful sandwiches on multigrain bread around US$7 , taro burgers and brown-rice vegetarian sushi. Located past the 16-mile marker.
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Monico's Taqueria
Hawaii is no hotbed of Mexican food so the piquantly authentic dishes made by a local girl and her Mexican husband are special indeed. Fish burritos and tacos feature the day's catch, while fresh guacamole and homemade red or green sauces awaken your tastebuds.
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Naniwa
If you're stuck in Po'ipu with sushi cravings, your only option is Naniwa, which serves flawlessly fresh, impeccably presented, expensive Japanese cuisine. Two-piece nigiri average around US$11 and maki rolls start around US$12 , but the combinations are creative.
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Neide's Salsa Samba
Unique flavors and a quiet veranda are the main attractions at this little owner-run restaurant serving Mexican and Brazilian fare - from familiar huevos rancheros and burritos to traditional Brazilian offerings, such as panqueca (a veggie or chicken crepe stuffed with pumpkin).
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Obsessions Café
If you miss Mom's home cooking, find comfort here. The food is hearty and all homemade, from cheese-filled omelets to freshly baked pastries. Sandwiches and wraps are particularly satisfying.
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Omoide Bakery & Wong's Chinese Restaurant
Established in 1956, this slightly divey Chinese diner also specializes in pies - liliko'i chiffon pie, a Kaua'i obsession. The Hong Kong and Cantonese menu features the usual laundry list of chicken, beef, pork and seafood dishes.
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Ono Family Restaurant
Kaua'i's old-time diners take their omelets and pancakes seriously - and you can taste the results at Ono's, a fixture in Kapa'a. Choose from 18 types of omelet or opt for the incomparable tropical pancakes (from US$7 with bananas, macadamia nuts and coconut.
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Pacific Pizza & Deli
Traditional or wacky, it's all here, from Mexican (ground beef and refried beans) to Filipino (Langanisa sausage and grilled eggplant) to lomilomi salmon. The calzones, offered in each pizza-combo flavor, are ideal for single diners.
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Papaya's Natural Foods
Find your typical unwashed, pierced and dreadlocked clientele here, at Kaua'i's biggest and best health-food store. Dishes from US$5 , salad per lb around US$7 . Stock up on bulk items, vitamins and supplements, organic produce (pricey), bottled water and deli fixings.
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Pho Kauai
Fill up on steaming bowls of well-made pho (Vietnamese noodle soup). Bowls under US$10 . Choose meat or veg toppings, such as curry chicken, grilled shrimp, snow peas or eggplant. No credit cards.
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Pizzetta (Kapa'a)
Rather a tourist trap but their crust is decent and, on the Eastside, your only other option is Pizza Hut. Try the Milano (fire-roasted veg and feta) or shrimp puttanesca (shrimp, capers, kalamata olives, roma tomatoes and spicy sauce). Daily happy hour is to . Try the house Rooster Brew, made by local microbrewery Keoki Brewing Company.
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Pizzetta (Koloa)
The setting is touristy (and most patrons are tourists), but the Italian fare is tasty and reasonable. Pizzas feature gourmet toppings such as fire-roasted veg and feta, with or without grilled chicken. On the run, try pizza by the slice (from to ).
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Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar
If you are sick of the beach-sunset hype, enjoy dinner in a lovely garden setting instead. The menu is mercifully concise and features locally grown ingredients, kiawe (mesquite) grilling (for a rich, smoky flavor) and lots of seafood, eg island-style bouillabaisse (seafood stew in curry-coconut broth.
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Polynesia Café
Its slogan proclaims, it's 'gourmet food on paper plates.' And the food does take the plate lunch to another level. Favorites include the mac-nut or pecan-pesto 'ahi plates. Vegetarians can opt for flavorful tofu plates. In the dessert showcase, massive pieces of cake and brownies are irresistible.
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Polynesia Café (Kuhio Hwy)
It might resemble a typical touristy joint, but this is a step above. Its signature 'ahi (or tofu) plates are yummy and filling, and the breads and sauces are freshly house-made. The Asian-Hawaiian-Mexican menu might seem a random hodgepodge but, hey, they make it work.
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Pomodoro
The casual, neighborly Pomodoro, run by a longtime Kaua'i couple, features traditional Italian food, a rarity on Kaua'i. Try the hearty minestrone soup with fresh veggies and homemade pastas. Service is prompt and friendly.
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Pono Market
At this hole-in-the-wall corner store, try the ono grinds from the take-out deli counter: generous plate lunches, fresh sushi rolls and Hawaiian food, eg kalua pig (pig cooked in an underground pit) with poi.
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Postcards Café
Outside, Postcards looks like a plain old wooden building. Inside, the rustic dining room simultaneously feels special and homey. The creative, healthful, pesci-vegetarian cuisine is well worth the price. Signature items include polenta-crusted taro fritters and the seafood rockets (shrimp, fish and coconut, rolled and fried).
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Puka Dog
Homemade hot dogs go gourmet, with toasty buns, a choice of Polish sausage or veggie dog, mild to hot sauce and tropical fruit relish (from mango to pineapple). Wash it down with freshly squeezed lemonade.
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Red Hot Mama's
The last eatery before the end of the road, this little counter serves up generous burritos, tacos (around US$4 each) and fresh Caesar or tuna salads. Note the collection of hot sauces displayed outside (with the warning not to disturb any!).
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Roy's Po'ipu Bar & Grill
Roy's, poster child of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, is suited to risk-averse foodies. Signature dishes such as pesto-steamed whitefish with cilantro-ginger-peanut oil and grilled shrimp with smoked tomato beurre blanc (classic French butter sauce) nicely blend local ingredients with gourmet preparations. Brace for long waits and loud crowds.
