Location: Hanalei
Top Restaurants in Hanalei
Top 10 restaurants in Hanalei, United States
The beautiful little town of Hanalei could almost have been designed as a holiday island paradise. Its stunning beach, mountain scenery and its mostly fabulous weather conditions mean that you are going to want to spend most of your holiday outdoors. The bay on which Hanalei is located boasts beautiful white sands. Hanalei beach is perfect for lazing around or taking part in traditional beach games, as well as for enjoying a dip in the clean, warm waters. The conditions are often perfect for surfing, with locals and visitors alike keen to engage. When the water in the bay is rough, there remains an area towards the west of the bay which is reasonably sheltered for bathing. The pier at Hanalei is very important to the culture of the town and is used for fishing, as well as social and musical gatherings. The pier was featured in the musical, South Pacific.Hanalei TownThe small town that is Hanalei is famed for its dedication to Kauai’s island history and culture. Its art galleries contain carvings produced by indigent tribes people from local wood, with many souvenirs available for purchase. The Waioli Mission House and Church date back to the early part of the nineteenth century and were established by Christian missionaries to Kauai from the US mainland. Regular music and celebratory events are held, where you will be given the opportunity to taste poi, a locally produced Hawaiian delicacy. The freedom of your holiday rental will also allow you to sample the local island cuisine at the town’s traditional restaurants.
Things to do in Hanalei
1. Pink's Creamery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 523 reviews
Hanalei's Sweet Spot can be found at Pink's Creamery! Over 17 delicious Gourmet Ice Creams to choose from, House-Made Sorbet and Dairy-Free/Vegan ice cream. Our smoothies are made with 1/2 lb. of fruit (locally sourced when in-season/available) and we'll customize yours however you'd like! Our extra thick milkshakes made from any ice cream flavor or combination of flavors...and yes...we have malt! Our Hawaiian Grilled Cheese is what made us famous: Kalua pork, muenster cheese and pineapple served on Hawaiian sweet bread and grilled to a golden perfection! Maui chips and pickles on the side. Each sandwich is made to order and we can make it without the Kalua pork or even without the pineapple to suit individual tastes. Feel free to call us if you want to put in a food order :) Pink's has been under new ownership since May of 2013. We have some exciting future plans so keep checking in! Aloha! Robert and Joleen
Reviewed By Pamiruru - Pamiruru
Sweet sensations! This has often been out go to place after dinner. The ice cream is always so fresh and flavorful. Vanilla mac nut is a great choice. I also want to stop for lunch to try the Hawaiian Grilled Cheese.
2. Kauai ONO 560
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By nippnsc - Chicago
We thoroughly enjoyed dining here. As you can see from the photos, one eats outside,under a large tent, at two long communal tables, nicely set with linen. It is a BYOB place,which reduces the cost. Most people brought bottles of wine, which made it strange that there were no wine glasses. We enjoyed meeting our table partners, and it seemed that was the case with many, as it was loud and convivial. Service was excellent, and there was a bathroom nearby. Ultimately, however, all restaurants need to be judged on their food. This is a fixed price 5-course meal, and the price ($60) is comparable, considering the BYOB policy, to what one would pay in other high quality Kauai restaurants, which are all overpriced. Welcome to Hawaii. The food is all prepared with local fresh ingredients, and though all the courses were good, only one elicited a “wow”reaction. Our biggest complaint is that the portions were uniformly too small.
Overall, this was an enjoyable experience, and we would probably give it another chance when we return next year, but it did not quite live up to the hype and expectations engendered by some of the rave reviews on this site
3. Hanalei Bread
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By Madebes - Naples, Florida
You can tell by the line for coffee that this bakery has the best in Hanalei! Don't let the line scare you - it moves fairly fast. And after all, you are in Hanalei - time to relax.
We were staying in a rental house, so we bought bread here as well and you can also buy the coffee to take home. Excellent green juices.
Favorite was the brekkie sandwich, with a poached egg, cheese and bacon - you can add an extra egg. The bread is like a brioche so nice and light. Baked goods are also excellent - had a delicious croissant.
Best latte on the island in my opinion. Stopped back for lunch on our last day. The Turkey BLT was superb! Served on toasted sour dough bread - it was huge! You could actually share this for two. Lots of choices - including pizza. There are not a lot of restaurants open for lunch in Hanalei (mostly dinner) - so this was a great find. The kitchen will be closed at 3:00 pm starting 03/18.
4. Hanalei Taro & Juice Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Alyssa M
We came at the recommendation of tour guides who told us that if we wanted to try Kauai cuisine, we HAD to try some lau lau and taro. I had the chicken lau lau and my husband had the pork, and both were absolutely delicious. Great place to get a quick, but authentic and delicious meal.
5. Jo Jo's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
Reviewed By Brenda L - Bakersfield, California
Jo Jo's was so good we visited in two times in one day!! they have so many favors to choose from and if you have trouble deciding the employees are helpful with info and samples. I loved the Macadam nut ice-cream and the creamy topping....they are just so good you will not want to share but so big you just might have to. Definitely our favorite.
6. Wishing Well Shave Ice
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
The best shave ice in Hanalei .
Reviewed By D2135 - Calgary, Canada
Came here for shave ice and a breakfast Açai bowl :) Both were amazing and in my opinion the best on Kauai! The shave ice was huge and full of flavour without being overtly sweet and the macadamia nut ice-cream underneath was sublime! I had the “Hanalei Signature” Açai Bowl for breakfast and it hit the spot with Granola, bananas etc so good! My fave place on Kauai for either shave ice or Açai bowls!
7. Sushi Girl Kauai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
Sushigirl Kauai is temporarily closed for February. Reopening in March in a new mobile location. See you soon!
Reviewed By James C - Great Falls
Drove here as this little spot was highly recommended. No disappoinrment here. Very fresh and flavorful. Had mine on rice with avocado, $15. Very fresh. Absolutely no fishiness, testimony to fresh. Pleasant little wide spot in the road. Will be back for sushiin a few days.
8. Bar Acuda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By John H - Westmount, Canada
This is a casual, energetic place. Our service was very good, friendly, and helpful about portion sizes and number of tapas to order (2 to 2.5 per person unless really hungry). The list of food options was long and varied. The wine list was great (server brought samples to taste before opening our chosen bottle! He also had some knowledgeable suggestions). The quality of the food was very good. The value was fair. Convenient parking lot on the side, and a fun antique store in the same building complex. I would give it 5 stars (but clearly there are really excellent options to reserve the 5th star)
9. Shave Ice Paradise
Overall Ratings
4 based on 252 reviews
Shave Ice Paradise offers authentic, soft & fluffy Hawaiian Shave Ice as well as ice cream & milkshakes to our wonderful customers! Many flavor options available! Ask about our special combinations which are shave ice over a scoop of ice cream and add a sno-cap on top to make it even more heavenly! Located in the heart of Historic Hanalei Town right next door to Bubba's Burgers. Stop by for a refreshing, delicious shave ice today! Open Every Day! Hours: 10:30am - 5:30pm Monday thru Saturday, 11:30am - 5:30pm on Sunday.
Reviewed By sabers86 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
We usually find some ice cream after our meal but decided to try the fruity type of shaved ice. It tasted real good in soothing your palate on that very warm day. They had several flavors including over 10 that were sugar free.
10. Harvest Market Hanalei
Overall Ratings
4 based on 65 reviews
Harvest Market Hanalei Cafe is famous for our fresh soups, hot entrees & grains, baked goods (most are gluten free), coffee & tea. Fresh fruit, granola-acai bowls & tropical smoothies are here with optional nutritional supplements. Our fully stocked salad bar features daily cold entrees. Carry out sandwiches, wraps, dips & spreads round out the offerings. Find us inside Harvest Market Natural Foods.
Reviewed By IdahoJames - Sandpoint, Idaho
My wife and I are vegetarians, and we make a point of shopping at Harvest Market before we go to the Foodland in Princeville. Harvest Market carries the "weirdo vegetarian food" (e.g. tempeh) that we like to buy, and we augment with staple items from the regular grocery store. HM usually offers excellent produce options, which is handy when you can't get to one of the local farmers markets.
