Top Restaurants in Kauai
Where to Eat in Kauai: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Relaxing and pristine Kauai (the Garden Island) is the least commercially developed of the Hawaiian islands. Waterfalls, scenic drives and more than 60 beaches dot the landscape. Some beaches have great snorkeling, others offer child-friendly tidal pools and some are perfect for all kinds of water sports. Dry-land activities include hiking the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali coastline, taking a day trip to Waimea Canyon and experiencing life on a sugar plantation at Grove Farm Homestead Museum.
Things to do in Kauai
1. Porky's Kauai
Overall Ratings
5 based on 469 reviews
An Hawaiian twist on an old american favorite... <br><br>***Friday Night you will find me in Hanapepe at the Art Walk from 5:30-9. Not in Waimea***
Reviewed By dshabby - British Columbia
Food truck located in Waimea.........Happy and eager to please caterers. Easy to find, lots of parking, and covered table to enjoy your meal. Very popular food truck and quite busy around the meal times. When we were there, they are closed Monday and Tuesday......but just check somewhere on the internet in the future as those days may change.
3 things on the menu to chose from. Sausage dog, hot dog and grill cheese, each slathered in a pulled pork topping with your choice of mild or hot and spicy BBQ sauce. We sampled all three and they were all awesome. I liked the sausage dog the best but they are all very well done.
2. Anake's Juice Bar
Overall Ratings
5 based on 157 reviews
Aloha! We serve freshly made Juices, Acai bowls, smoothies, wraps, sandwiches and parfaits. Located in Kukuiula store next to Da Crack, Outfitters and Seasport Divers. Just look for the yellow submarine. Mahalo!!
Reviewed By comingtoyourcity - Kirkland, Washington
Yes the sticky buns and shave ice around the island are wonderful. But sometimes you need a healthy alternative. The juice, smoothies and acai bowls at Anake's are wonderful! The pictures other people have posted don't lie. It's hard to choose which one to pick and no matter what you pick, you won't be sorry. Must try!! It's about $8-9 per person.
3. Makai Sushi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 404 reviews
Reviewed By Chapsbaby - Atlanta, GA
After reading all the great reviews decided to walk over from Koala Landing Resort. As many reviewers indicated, it's in a small, local grocery store that we thought was cool - but others might be freaked out. Makai Sushi is basically a walk up stand and it's made in front of you. Two people were behind the counter - a gal who was quite pleasant and a guy making the bowls. Perhaps my expectations from all the reviews were too high as my husband and I both thought the prices were high and the food average. $ 16 dollars for a Gorilla bowl at a walk up stand in a grocery store. Glad we tried Makai Sushi but don't plan on going again during our next visit to Kauai - will try Da Crack which is right next door. Do regret not trying the Poke bowls from the grocery store, Ishihara, in Waimea - heard their food is great at good prices - also on the hit list next trip.
4. JO2 Natural Cuisine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 705 reviews
Reviewed By CalifTravelerOne - San Jose, CA
OK. Maybe keep your socks on but be prepared to be amazed at the range and quality of what they serve here. They offer an Asian fusion using local ingredients. (And some not local.)
From a recent menu: Duck and lobster lumpia, Poached scallop ravioli, and Polenta crusted diver scallops with Vietnamese passion fruit.
We took advantage of the early dinner with wine pairing. The wine pairing was only $10 and perfectly complemented the courses.
Don't try to show up without a reservation.
This is another restaurant we visit every time we come to Kauai.
5. Hukilau Lanai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Mirmi2204 - Montreal, Canada
Food, service, the view , everything was wonderful : our family had as appetizers the Adam's poke nachos and calamari and as entrées filet mignon, pasta of the day, Nairagi(marlin) and the prime ribs just delicious. We enjoyed very much our last dinner in Kauai. One note : since we were sitting outside , there were mosquitos , so we mentionned to our server and she brought us some insect repellents.
6. Ishihara Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
Reviewed By asiana747 - Toronto, Canada
We stopped by this wonderful supermarket to stock up on some various poke before our drive to Waimea Canyon. Huge selection of Poke and Tako. Some really good deals on Japanese bento lunch box as well. I only wish there was another location of this great joint in Kapaa where we stayed for our week long vacation in Kauai! Service is excellent too.
7. 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
8. Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 983 reviews
Reviewed By VacaRick73 - Honolulu, Hawaii
I simply love this place! Yes it can be busy! So don’t complain! Owners Kris and John are always there and are hands on working owners. The food is ALWAYS super delicious. Try the Longboard Sandwich and of course there famous knuckle pastry. Won’t tell you what it is, you can go find out for yourself. A must for breakfast, lunch or dinner(Mon-Tue
Closed for dinner) way Better and cheaper than all the hotels!!
9. Koloa Fish Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 818 reviews
Reviewed By Anne32825 - Orange, California
Right in the heart of Koloa town, down near the BigSave. The place is crowded with people buying mostly poke which my husband said was about the best he has ever had. We also bought yellowtail to grill at the condo - it was terrific and extremely fresh. The place is busy - go early for best selection. Cash only.
10. Sam's Ocean View
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 381 reviews
We make EVERYDAY GOOD FOOD here at S.O.V. We make most everything in house, including all our desserts, dressing and sauces. We use Imported Chocolate that will take your breathe away. We Hand-Cut our fries from fresh Russet Potatoes everyday. Our Fish is delivered fresh daily and we NEVER, EVER use frozen fish. Aloha to our local fishermen. We have the Best Fish and Chips on Kauai Island. Our bread is baked locally and in house. Our greens are Organic and we cater to GLUTEN FREE ALLERGIES. Our Meat is Kauai Grass Fed and will melt in your mouth. Our Ice Cream is Lappets of Hawaii, the Best on the Island. Our cocktails carefully crafted and make with imported purees and fresh squeezed juices.
Reviewed By digitaleye3 - Santa Barbara
Great, little find, kinda hidden but sporting a great ocean view. It's a bit of an odd space but in a totally cool way. Wedged between a private residence and a small hostel, the restaurant is actually upstairs. And though it's easy to spot from the beach side it's a bit tougher to see from the street. Parking is pretty tight but there is some in front as well as directly underneath the place. Overall it's a bit small but doesn't feel small due to the giant glass roll up windows and very clever bi-level seating. Food was very good all around, waygu sliders being a fav, but, as usual on this island, the fish selection was amazing. Interesting SB connection as well. The GM of Sams is Jill, formerly of Fresco fame :-). Small world it is. Didn't try the actual bar but they sported a short but solid list of tap beers, mostly local-ish with good variety. Service was friendly and great all around. I'd recommend a reservation if at all possible, though if you have to wait they have a comfy little space right next to the bar where you can order food and drinks while you do so. Closed Tuesdays.
