Must-see restaurants in Kapaʻa & the Eastside

  • Street Burger

    Wailua

    The coolest spot in Wailua has hammered-aluminum tabletops, a chalkboard craft-beer menu, and an open grill where gourmet burgers are made. And they are…

  • Nom Kauai

    Wailua

    Known for burgers catered to any time of day. Breakfast burgers and egg sandwiches come in a Belgian waffle bun, while traditional burgers are smothered…

  • Pono Market

    Kapaʻa

    Line up for local grinds (food) at this longtime hole-in-the-wall serving generous plate lunches, homemade sushi rolls, spicy ahi poke bowls, savory…

  • Hukilau Lanai

    Wailua

    One of the most consistent restaurants on the island, seafood is king here, with a half-dozen fresh-catch options, paired with locally grown vegetables…

  • Saimin Dojo

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    Saimin (Hawaiian-style noodle soup) is the star here – we can't go past the bowl with kimchee and garlic cilantro shrimp. But the whole menu is brilliant,…

  • Whaler's General Store

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    At first it looks like your basic minimart, but hidden among the cold drinks, snacks, flip-flops and sunblock is a damn good deli with sushi and a range…

  • The Local

    Kapaʻa

    A farm-to-table gastropub with imaginative dishes like beer-battered tuna belly, spicy buttermilk-fried chicken, starfruit Caprese and lamb empanadas. It…

  • Al Pastor

    Kapaʻa

    The most popular food truck of the bunch, this is a real-deal, authentic taco truck with fresh fish tacos and burritos, terrific al pastor (spit-roasted…

  • Paco's

    Kapaʻa

    A family-owned island chain started by a Mexican-American family who serve real-deal street tacos and burritos featuring carne asada, carnitas, chile…

  • Scorpacciata

    Kapaʻa

    A permanently parked food truck, firing individually sized, thin-crust pizza pies from local ingredients. Keep it simple with an authentic margherita, or…

  • Kapaʻa Farmers Market

    Kapaʻa

    One of the island's biggest and best-attended farmers markets, this weekly outdoor gathering is the spot to pick up local produce such as mangoes, star…

  • Bubba's Burgers

    Kapaʻa

    The Kapaʻa edition of the famed Kauaʻi burger depot. This one is set in an attractive barn-like building with a wide porch ideal for people-watching to a…

  • Oasis on the Beach

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    Truly on the beach, like the name says, with unmatched ocean views, a romantic atmosphere and sophisticated cuisine featuring local ingredients. It's…

  • Bull Shed

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    The Eastside local's steak house serves broiled garlic tenderloin, tender center-cut fillets, and a NY steak topped with blue cheese or garlic butter. It…

  • Oyster 369

    Wailua

    Options on Oyster 369's raw bar menu include oysters on the half-shell, poke, ceviche and tuna carpaccio, while shrimp, mussels, calamari and clams are…

  • JO2

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    Flavors are subtle, fresh, and familiar yet inventive at this restaurant helmed by the highly regarded chef Jean Marie Josselin. His focus is all-natural…

  • Tiki Tacos

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    This laid-back place with a reggae soundtrack offers authentic taqueria gravitas right down to the house-made tortillas. Tacos come with chicken, locally…

  • Papaya's Natural Foods

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    Kauaʻi’s biggest health-food store carries local and organic produce, plus other island specialties such as Kilauea honey and goat cheese. Deli fixings…

  • EatHealthy Cafe

    Wailua

    Asian, South American and Middle Eastern flavors infuse healthful vegan and plant-based dishes to delight both mindful eaters and gourmets at this rustic…

  • Kintaro

    Wailua

    Night after night for more than 30 years, this locals' favorite sushi bar has packed ‘em in, thanks to thick slices of sashimi and creative rolls that are…

  • Holo Holo Paniolo Grill

    Kapaʻa

    The grill smolders with tri-tip, chicken, burgers and ribs. This is a great opportunity to try Santa Maria–style BBQ, which hails from Central California…

  • Sukothai

    Kapaʻa

    Relocated to the heart of Kapaʻa, Sukothai is considered Kauaʻi's best Thai restaurant. Look forward to dishes not often seen on American menus, such as…

  • Haole Girl Island Sweets

    Wailua

    Imagine banana bread, quiche with a buttery crust, croissants stuffed with goat cheese, spinach and sun-dried tomato, and the world's most decadent sticky…

  • Mermaids Cafe

    Kapaʻa

    'No shirt, no shoes, no worry' at this walk-up counter that makes humongous burritos and wraps, curry bowls and stir-fry plates. Get the ahi nori wrap…

  • Pho Kapaʻa

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    A strip-mall Vietnamese noodle shop offering their country's most nourishing export: pho (noodle soup with beef broth and rare steak). You can go super…

  • Kenji

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    A new-school Japanese fast-food fusion joint spinning up truffle and teriyaki burgers, fried-chicken sandwiches with Sriracha slaw, and a Japanese burrito…

  • Coconut Marketplace

    Wailua

    Reopened after a renovation in 2019, this mall is developing as a convenient dining hub with good restaurants including Sushi Bushido and Nom Kauai. A…

  • Anahola Farmers Market

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    Not so much a traditional farmers market, but a worthy stop for fantastic handicrafts and drums, sterling-silver jewelry, fresh-cut fruit, cold coconuts…

  • Sushi Bushido

    Wailua

    Relocated to the reopened Coconut Marketplace, this locals' favorite has pop art on the walls and serves imaginative fusion sushi, such as the yellowtail …

  • Kountry Kitchen

    Kapaʻa

    A good old-fashioned Hawaiian diner, with a bamboo motif on the walls, no-nonsense wait staff and big breakfasts. Consider the Polynesian omelette with…

  • Chicken in a Barrel

    Kapaʻa

    A smoky, salty hut a block off the beach, this is the original of its three locations on the island (the others are in Hanalei and Waimea). It is a…

  • Art Cafe Hemingway

    Kapaʻa

    It does creative omelettes and scrambles for breakfast, veggie curries and beef bourguignon at lunch and dinner, and there is always a quiche du jour. But…

  • Tropical Dreams

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    A tiny taste of ice-cream heaven, this Hawaii-born chain rotates through scores of premium flavors crafted almost entirely from Hawaii-harvested…

  • Shrimp Station

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    This offshoot of Waimea's original Shrimp Station serves the same family recipes. With seasonings such as garlic, Cajun and Thai on the shrimp tacos,…

  • Shivalik

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    Kauaʻi's beloved outpost for tandoori cooking and a filling Indian buffet (served every Wednesday and Friday). The tiled interior is dressed up with…

  • Lemongrass Grill

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    This East Shore institution dishes up solid fusion fare, mainly with a Thai and SE Asian spin, such as hoisin charred ribs and fresh fish steamed, seared,…

  • VIP Treats & Sweets

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    Pop into this friendly bakery for malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) fried to order from 7am-2pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, or to pick up interesting…

  • Korean BBQ

    Wailua

    Shakespeare once asked, 'What's in a name?' In this case, everything except the mystery. At least you know what to expect. Platters of thinly sliced beef…

  • Moloaʻa Sunrise Juice Bar

    Kapaʻa & the Eastside

    A roadside shack that sells fresh tropical fruit and tasty smoothies, healthful multigrain-bread sandwiches, fish tacos, garden salads and addictive…

  • Hoku Foods

    Kapaʻa

    This small, back-street, all-natural grocer is ideal for health-conscious types who seek a wide assortment of organic, gluten-free, bulk and raw foods…