leaving Saturday for Kauai
 

Hi
We are leaving on Saturday, for a week in Kauai.I just bought the blue bible and wondered if anyone had a good advice on restaurants,things not to miss! We are staying at the Sheraton. Thanks so much

My usual list for restaurants is:Brennecke's, Dolphin, Hannalei Gourmet, Beamreach, Zelo's and I've heard the Hyatt has a great fine dining place. Don't miss Bubba's - its just a drive in for burgers but lots of fun, go to eggberts for breakfast. See the canyon, take a helicopter ride, hike the napali trail, take a zodiac to snorkel and see the cliffs on the north shore, hike the lighthouse area. Go to the sheraton/westin property at Princeville and have a drink on the terrace for the sunset views - incomparable.

Across the street from the Sheraton is a little mall with Roy's and Keoki's Paradise restaurants. Both good. Try the Hula Pie at Keoki's. On your way to Poipu, stop in Koloa town and get Lappert's ice cream. Coconuts in Kapaa is yummy to. Will you be going north at all?

Without knowing what your preferences are it is hard to recommend what not to miss. I wouldn't miss Ke'e Beach, snorkeling at Tunnels, hiking Waimea Canyon. I would recommend a helicopter tour, although I was pretty scared. Great way to see the falls and Na Pali coast.

cmeyer54

Beamreach closed in early 2003 -- new restaurant now (Sabellas).

I don't have anything constructive (except maybe to recommend Beach House for dinner and Duke's for drinks). I just wanted to add that I admire your restraint, srewolf, in waiting this long to start planning.

Thanks so much for the input. We originally were headed to Grand Cayman. But hurricane Ivan changed that.We are into beaches, snorkeling and driving around in the jeep looking for fun places to see. I don't want to have an agenda...as my husband needs the rest and relaxation.

The Sheraton is on a really good beach. Also I recommend a drive to Polihale Beach (polly holly) especially to watch the sunset. It's on the west side, and the last 5 miles of the road to it are dirt, but since you're renting a jeep, its no trouble. Our rental Chevy made it there just fine. Have a great time.

Everyone knows that there are no good restaurants on Kauai and it rains all the time anway! :-" :^o

Hahahaha...anway, type in Kauai+restaurants in the "text search" and you'll get a whole lotta good suggestions.

"Kauai no ka oi"...in spite of all the rain, no nightlife, expensive...blah blah blah....

My favorite restaurant is LaPlayita Azul....oh so wonderful...
Do hula pie at Duke's..
Lucky you....we are 205 days away.((r))((r))((r))

Iceeu2,
We are right behind you, 217 days away.

In Hanalei across from the Ching Young (i think) shopping center is Paradise Shaved Ice. It is addicting. And the town of Hanalei will amke you wish you could stay there. It is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places I have ever been to. Hanalei Gourmet is there too and it has good food to. We got a lunch boxed and took it to Tunnels, good snorkeling and good food. Tunnels is a great beach but get there earlier it had very little parking.

Have fun!!!
We went 2 months ago and took a helicopter ride the one with no doors and it was awesome-scary but awesome! Coconuts in Ka'paa had great food.

Camp HOuse Grill on the way to Hanapepe. Funky atmosphere, good food, reasonable prices. They have a newer one in the Safeway Shopping Center in Kapaa area but it doesn't have that same atmosphere since the original is an actual old "Camp House". ALso Gaylords for a nice romantic dinner. This is not Gaylords the Indian Restuarant but a former plantation house. You eat on the veranda and can only imagine how it was when the plantation is active. Good food too.

Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo, great place for pizza. Some feel it is expensive, but I think it is some of the best pizza I've eaten, so I go and love every minute of it. Actually, their side salads are really inexpensive and have loads of fresh veggies. One of those and a medium pizza will easily fill 2 people. Really a great place. Gets raves from most visitors.

If you want to use guidebooks, please don't rely exclusively on the "Blue Bible" books. IMHO, some of their restaurant recommendations woefully inaccurate. There are other great guidebooks out there (which you can buy on island).
Since you will be staying in Poipu area, I highly recommend a visit to the grounds of the Hyatt, about a ten minute drive from your digs at the Sheraton. Hyatt has a wonderful setting for drinks and hula show, with the open air lobby framing the dancer, and the gorgeous grounds and ocean as background. Call them to check, but I think the show is Friday and Saturday only. Also, there is a great bar there, has live music, called Stevenson's Library.
For excellent sandwiches/lunches there is a place next to the Macy's at Kukui Grove. It's delicious and inexpensive, but can't recall the name ( that is one review in the "BB" with which i do concur!!)
Ke'e Beach is sometimes crowded, but oh!! the snorkeling!!! Worth the ride to the end of the road (opposite end from where you are staying).
ENJOY!!!

There's an adorable little lighthouse on the north side of Kaui...it closes early so try not to miss it. I think it's also a bird sanctuary or something like that. It's very picturesque. Not very big but on a lovely, well-cared-for bit of land. don't miss the north side of Kaui, it's the green sight. Lush and beautiful.

Kilauea Lighthouse, just outside the old plantation town of Kilauea:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/kilauea.htm

And this is the last weekend for guided hikes up Crater Hill -- great views of the bird sanctuary, the collapsed ancient volcano crater, and the small island offshore.