Any recent impressions/opinions on the following for dinner:

A Pacific Cafe
Caffe Coco
Coconuts Seafood Grill

Staying in Kapaa and not looking to drive more than 15 minutes for dinner. Thanks in advance.

If you are looking for Italian, we had a nice dinner at Kauai Pasta in Kapaa. It's a BYOB restaurant, and I believe they charge $5 per table for set up and corkage. Lots of food. We had leftovers for lunch/dinner the following day.

No matter how far you have to drive the Shrimp Station is so worth the trip. Perfect coconut shrimp and the most glorious green papaya sauce to go with it. I'm still trying to get the recipe, or at least the ingredients so I can fake it. It's an outdoor-picnic-bench-place, and I would recommend the Beach House for more (way more)upscale dining. Beautiful wasabi crusted snapper and a beautiful open air dining area. Sorry about the distance difference.

A Pacific Cafe closed about a year ago.

Caffe Coco -- funky little place; be sure to wear mosquito spray

Coconuts -- we used to eat there about once a week, but not so often now due to their on-again/off-again service and food quality.

Kintaro's -- best Japanese food on the island (whether for sushi, teppanyaki, or regular menu)

King & Thai -- best Thai restaurant on the island IMHO

Hukilau Lanai -- good food, nice views. Love their meatloaf and mashed potatoes (go figgah!).

Hula Girl's (Coconut Marketplace) -- char siu BBQ ribs (yum!).

Norberto's El Cafe -- Mexican food like Mamacita (my grandmother) used to cook.

L&L Drive-Inn -- inexpensive steam-table Chinese and Hawaiian lunch/dinner

And I totally second Budman's recommendation of Kaua`i Pasta -- but go early, or you'll have to wait. They open at 5 or 5:30. Not a huge menu, but the portions are enormous and the pasta is fresh and _wonderful_!

Shrimp Station is well worth the trip, but it is not open for dinner. It's a great place for lunch while exploring the Waimea Canyon area.

I sat out in their picnic area, popped a couple of Buds from my cooler, and no one bothered me. Their shrimp in garlic sauce w/rice is also a winner.

Brian, we really enjoyed Olympic Cafe in Kapaa. And, if my memory serves me correctly (doesn't always these days!), they are open for B,L & D.

Also, at Hukilau Lanai, they have a get prix fixe menu with or without wine pairings, but I think you have to be there early.

And, I 3rd the recs on Kauai Pasta. The portions are very large and yummy.1

Lucky you..when do you leave and where in Kapaa are you staying? I've got the joneses for Kauai right now so we are having dinner at Roy's Saturday night. That's the closest I can come for now!

Have vun.

We had a dinner plate at the Lemongrass Grill that had 2 lobster tails, 2 giant shrimp sauteed in garlic, 2 fried prawns, an ahi steak, and 4 giant scallops all for a bargain of $70. There were also sweet and mashed potatoes included, as well as some asparagus and a few other yummy things.

I also agree with auntiemaria that King and I Thai is amazing.

No one mentioned the Bull Shed. Maybe I am in the minority, but I love the teriyaki shrimp there. And of course sitting 5 ft from the ocean is a bonus, get there early for the good seats!