Hanalei
Arrive early at this lovely riverside setting at Hanalei's eastern end for lunch or a sunset dinner, with fresh fish served cooked or as sushi, and steak…
Must-see restaurants in Kauaʻi
Hanalei Bay & the North Shore
Kilauea’s busiest weekly market, beside the highway, attracts farmers and foodtrucks from all over the island. Stop and shop for fresh goat’s cheese and…
North Shore General Store & Cafe
Princeville
Congratulations, you may have found the best gas station mini-mart in the US of A, at the entrance to the Princeville Center. As well as serving up bagel…
Lihuʻe
Fish lovers, this is almost a no-brainer. Order chilled deli items, from fresh ahi (yellowfin tuna) poke to green seaweed salad, or try a plate lunch of…
Lihuʻe
Delicious coconut macaroons for less than a dollar are a steal at this Japanese-influenced bakery and patisserie. Also good are the cheesecakes, coconut…
Hanalei
Spreading across a lush roadside field a mile west of central Hanalei against a wonderful mountain backdrop, this small but ample weekly market features…
Poʻipu & the South Shore
As well as serving pastries, coffee, sandwiches and salads, this smart little roadside cafe doubles, irresistibly, as a ‘Jam Tasting Room.’ They buy fruit…
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…
Hanalei
This charming clapboard cottage, marked by a rusted anchor out front, specializes in seafood dishes with world-fusion flavors like wasabi-crusted ahi or…
Kapaʻa
A permanently parked food truck, firing individually sized, thin-crust pizza pies from local ingredients. Keep it simple with an authentic margherita, or…
Poʻipu
All the deliciously sweet treats at this self-styled Shake Shack are made on-site. You can’t go wrong with classic pistachio, but for local flavor, get a…
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…
Princeville
Set on a little-known Princeville backroad, this little farm stand overlooks an amazing Hanalei panorama taking in beach, town, river and valley. It…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
Promising ‘aloha in a bun,’ this much-loved little town-center diner keeps things simple. Everyone’s here for the juicy pulled pork, and you can have it…
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…
Hanalei Bay & the North Shore
The centerpiece of Kilauea’s latest shopping development, this gleaming store is part high-end supermarket, stocking imported groceries from Europe in…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Poʻipu
Serving a mix of fusion-flavored seafood and continental cuisine at the western tip of the Sheraton, the sleek Rum Fire is one of the more elegant…
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…
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…
Poʻipu
At this minimalist modern dining room, looking across the gardens to the ocean from the resort lobby, fusion dishes such as pan-seared opah (moonfish)…
Lihuʻe
Every workaday island town has its locals' favorite plate-lunch kitchen. 'Mini' plates will leave you stuffed with crispy pork katsu (cutlets), Korean…
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…
Poʻipu & the South Shore
This down-home diner at Kalaheo’s central crossroads caters to a largely local clientele. Along with simple but filling breakfasts, it serves Asian and…
Hanalei
Harking back to Hanalei’s hippy heyday and soundtracked by the Grateful Dead, this former schoolroom offers substantial lunchtime sandwiches plus good (if…
Lihuʻe
This versatile spot in Harbor Mall serves take-out New York–style pizza by the slice from 11am to 9pm. From 5pm, authentic Neapolitan pizza is available…
Poʻipu
The South-Shore offshoot of Hanalei’s famous Dolphin has a less scenic location and does little to stand out from the Po‘ipu crowd, but still makes a…
Hanalei
Find this roadside trailer near Hanalei’s eastern end for a taste of poi – the traditional Hawaiian staple, prepared on the family’s nearby taro farm – or…
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…
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…
Lihuʻe
Organic and vegetarian flavors shine at this breezy garden cafe tucked away in a quiet residential street. Chicken or vegetarian wraps are served with…
Hanalei
OK, so the tacos here may not be authentic to Mexico, but they’re authentic to Kaua‘i. Originally a food truck and now housed in an open-fronted pavilion,…
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…
Princeville
You’ll only find Hideaways if you go looking for it, hard; it’s tucked away on the Pali Ke Kua property, 2 miles off the highway. Once here, choose…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
Modeled on similar ‘fish markets’ elsewhere on Kaua‘i, here with more of a fast-food slant, this barnlike roadside building is good for a quick meal…
Hanalei
This side-street ice cream shop scoops tropical flavors like banana-macnut brittle, mango and a surreal haupia (coconut pudding). It also whips up…
