Kauai restaurant recommendations
 

There were a couple of really good threads on this topic in the last few months but now I cannot find them. <BR>Need recommendations for the best "splurge" dinners, for good everyday dinner places, preferably inexpensive, for good local places. We will have one child with us (9 year old) who is not a very adventurous eater. The adults in the group like ethnic foods and are willing to try anything new.<BR><BR>If anyone can find and bring up the old threads on Kauai places to eat it would also be greatly appreciated.

Iza Roy's is a must but the atmosphere is lacking. I have never been disatisfied with a Roy's anywhere. Beach House is good for view but many say the food is not great. I do think we have higher standards if you are close to NYC. I fine I am rarely wowed by restaurants dining on Kauai. Oahu is entirely different ball of wax but Kauai is just so so. <BR><BR>Lza what you will be wowed by is the tuna on Kauai. ...Red and thick beautiful quality. Same goes for fresh produce, lomi salmon, not so fresh lau lau chicken you can buy frozen in the grocery. Taro wrapped around pork or chicken then small piece of fish, fat and then tea leaf. Yum you have to try this along with poi, coconut pudding, fresh papaya, mango, apple bananas.<BR><BR>I love steamed taro made from fresh leaves but you have to cook for about 1- 2 hours or it omits this extreemly acidic liquid that can make you sick.<BR><BR>Are you doing Smith's Tropical Lau?

or is that lua

Cafe Portofino in Lihue in Excellent!! It is Italian - has an indoor dining room or outside deck overlooking the Lihue bay. The BEST Italian food we have ever had and great atmosphere! We went on our Honeymoon in May 2001 and have told friends to go since and all have enjoyed it!

Sarah, thanks for the tips.<BR>We are debating wether to do the Smith's Luau - I just checked their website this morning and it looks so touristy and rather tacky! I guess we'll wait until we get there and then decide.<BR>Only 11 days left! I really can't wait.

A local favorite is Hamura Saimin in Lihue. It's an old-fashioned noodle shop with stools around a counter. The noodles are so good that locals order them to take back with them to other islands.

Aloha all,<BR>Another vote for Hamura's! The saimin special and a couple of sides of teriyaki sticks can make your day.<BR><BR>As for others, Ono Burger outside of Anahola near King Kong...great burgers.<BR>I keep forgetting about El Norberto's Cafe ("The El") in Kapaa across from Beazer's. Taro enchiladas.<BR>Wake Up Cafe in Hanalei.<BR>The Burger Hut down in between Dukes, JJs and Cafe Portofino. <BR><BR>We still think about the lobster raviolis at Coconuts in Kapaa. Major yum!<BR>Lemon Grass has a good diverse menu, too. Sushi rivals Kintaros. <BR>Wailua Family restaurant is an old Sizzler and they put of good family fare.<BR>Tim's Aussie BBQ shares a pkg lot w/ Wailua. Excellent Q! The So'Western mac and cheese...hoooo boy...I better get on my bike to start training for it right now!<BR><BR>Bull Shed was still serving good beef and you're right on the ocean.<BR>Then there's the west side and "The Brick!"<BR>160 mo' days.<BR>Kal

yeah I am going back and forth on that one too. You have to know it will be commercial but if you explain that to your child and go for the hoot of it no harm. I feel that I have to take my niece to Kauai Museum first show her something of Hawaiian culture. Be very clear to her that this is a commercial experience and also reflective of other polynesian cultures. But that is just me wanting to pound in the perfect experience. Teacher in me just comes out.<BR><BR> You are leaving on 17th? There is an aloha festival event in Wailua on the 17th, should have some authentic pagentry. Don't know if there will be a small parade with it but when they do have this you will see horse with giant leis around there necks carrying women in long dresses with capes. Check out GoHawaii.com. Are you doing any of the free guided tours at Kokee? The waimea canyon trail is one of the better hikes in the park according to Ultimate guide. This is on the 11th. You want to put in for the guided hikes at Kilauea lighthouse before you leave, summer being such a busy time. The lighthouse is beautiful but we felt that we missed out last summer when we did not book in advance for the tours, only way to access refuge larger grounds.<BR><BR>Last, might want to take your 9 year old to Lilo and stitch it is suppose to take place on Kauai. I have not seen so I can't comment on quality. On review said keep your eyes peeled for Hanalei Bay Resort Lobby and shave ice.<BR><BR>

Kal I hate putting this out there but who has the most American mainland menus? I have picky eaters with me also.

Postcards in Hanalei is great. It would fit in the splurge category.

http://www.kauaimenu.com if you want details on food and prices<BR><BR>Keoki's paradise might be fun for your child

I don't see Zelo's in Hanalei or Roy's in Poipu so that menu.com is limitted.

Anybody know if Princeville still has a great seafood buffet on Friday's. Or is it not worth the 50 dollar pop?

Sarah,<BR>Would I be a smart@#$ if I said Pizza Hut, Burger King and McD's? <BR><BR>I think most of the local menus offer a burger, pasta or chicken dish for kids.<BR><BR>There are a few places in the Coconut Marketplace, too. Aloha Pizza and Eggbert's. Harley's Chick/Ribs-when he's open and not surfin'-riding his Harley. I heard Buzz's closed down.<BR><BR>Kal

No Kal I am equally frustrated and have made similar comments. My sister said to me last year on day 4 of a two week stay I don't want another dish with any soy sauce or ginger in it. So we cooked. Good for me because I am never pampered in this way but also kind of boring as my sister also thinks cilantro is a weird spice. She is ok with dill though yeah! I have to laugh. I do love my country folk sister. I guess it is more important to me to show her a good time.<BR><BR><BR>Have you been to Keiki's Paradise Kal?

Keoki's Paradise?<BR>If so, yes. We like it. Been there 4-5 times over the years. <BR>HULA PIE !!!!!<BR><BR>Nice bar if you just want pupus and "beverages". Nice setting, too.<BR><BR>I believe it's owned by the same co. that owns Dukes at the Marriott.<BR>Kal<BR><BR>ps...Cilantro-sorry but yuck! Tastes like rust! :-D

What is hula pie yes it is Keoki's. I think it owns dukes in Waikiki also.

Hula Pie is heaven!<BR>Hard to describe but it's a BIG hunk of ice cream "cake" with hard chocolate outside, vanilla bean ice cream and other ingredients, nuts, choc syrup, coconut, etc all over.<BR><BR>It can be safely split amongst 3-4 people. Unless you're my bro-in-law!<BR>Kinda like a Baskin-Robins ice cream cake...only bigger.<BR>Kal<BR>

Sarah, we saw Lilo & Stich last week - it was really fun. It does take place in Kauai which we didn't know or expect going in, so it was really exciting once we realized it. The drawings actually looked quite authentic, with small details that made you think that the animators must have gone there to get that kind of detail (there were one lane bridges and shave ice!). Of course I did not recognize any of the places it being our first time to Hawaii but I figured out that it took place in Hanalei. <BR>We are ariving on the 3rd and leaving on the 17th in the evening so we may be able to catch some of the Aloha Festival. But I don't think we'll do the hike in Kokee on the 11th since we'll be on the North Shore by then (I was planning to do all of the "west shore stuff" during our first week from Poipu so as to avoid too much driving).<BR>Kal, keep the restaurant recommendations coming, you are such a great source of information with local flavor!

so you think we could pick one up and drive to Hanalei with it over some dry ice or is that pushing it. We are only three and one of us is 9 two more of us are meek eating woman :) :)

oh really lza sure that one lane bridge leads into Hanalei. Now I have to see that before we leave.

Sarah, Lilo & Stich also had the Kilauea lighthouse - which I recognized right away from the many pictures I saw. The movie itself probably was not in the same league with Lion King but pretty good nevertheless. It may actually be fun to see it in Kauai on rainy day, I am sure your niece would enjoy it too if she has not seen it yet.

I am just wonder if it will still be on the island in mid August. Can't get more details on the internet, Thanks

For good but expensive restaurants at which we ate in late May/early June:<BR>A Pacific Cafe, Kapa'a (in a tacky shopping center, but the decor inside is fine)<BR>Beach House, Poipu (great view, but it got buggy the night we were there in early June)<BR>Casa Di Amici, Poipu (in a residential area, so there aren't ocean views, but the decor is attractive, and it offers a break from Hawaiian)<BR>For good, more moderately-priced dinner:<BR>Keoki's Paradise, Poipu (has American as well as Hawaiian-style entrees and nice atmosphere)<BR>Avoid:<BR>House of Seafood (over-cooked fish in sauces that sound good but don't work, and little atmosphere to boot)<BR><BR>Also do your own research at the websites for Gayot, Fodor's, Frommer, and Zagat. Also check out books like Ultimate Kauai, the Unofficial Guide to Hawaii, and Hawaii for Dummies.<BR>

I am surprised noone has mentioned Brick Oven Pizza in Kaleheo. A local restaurant that has been around for years and has the reputation for the best pizza on the island. I would go so far as to say it is some of the best pizza I have ever eaten , hands down. Do NOT miss this place if you love pizza!!!!!!! Yummy.

I believe Kal was referring to Brick Oven Pizza when he said "The Brick". Great pizza!

A 2nd vote for Postcards in Hanalei. So good we ate there twice in 5 nights last October. They mainly have seafood and veggie dishes so maybe it won't work that well for picky eaters but for the rest of us...

Hula,<BR>Yep..."Dah Brick".<BR>(It will be Gino's East in 24 days!)<BR><BR>I wondering about a prior Kauai post where someone mentioned sushi in the Princeville Hotel?<BR><BR>Kalaheo Steakhouse was another good after golf stop on the way back.<BR><BR>And, I can't wait for the Kalua Pork "Nui Nachos" at The Waimea Brew Co!<BR>Kal

My husband & I were in Kauai last March & stayed at the Princeville (what an amazing place). They do have a sushi bar. My recommendations for a picky eater would be Gaylords Plantation & Dukes (in the Mariott). We had great dinners at both places. We also ate at a Mexican place in Hanalei, which was very resonable. Don't forget about Bubba Burgers!

Maybe it's just me, but I thought Duane's Ono Burger was just an ordinary fried piece of unseasoned meat with the regular fixins. Am I missing something??? Nothing unique there!<BR><BR>I won't waste my money there again.