Sue878

We will be staying in a condo in the Poipu area during the 1st week in November and would like to some good restaurant recommendations (in Poipu and/or in the South area). Also do you know of a good restaurant with an ocean view?

sf7307

We were there last week, and thought Josselin's was good enough to eat at twice. Once sat at the bar and once at a table. Great Modern decor and very interesting shared-plates menu. We also ate at Casa di Amici, which was more traditional in decor and ambiance, but had very good food - in particular my DH enjoyed his green chile risotto and we really liked the striped marlin (which we shared). At Josselin's, we thought the Thai soup was fantastic and the tuna appetizer was great.

As for ocean view, keep in mind it gets dark pretty early now, so unless you go for lunch,you won't have much of a view!

mclaurie

It's been a while, but the Beach House had great views and ok food. http://www.the-beach-house.com/

Sue878

Thanks for the suggestions. Any more recommendations? Doesn't have to be in just Poipu area but in south area.

Also, if we went early for dinner, is there a restaurant we could see the sunset?

sf7307

The Beach House mclaurie referred to is where everyone recommends you go for the sunset.

As for other parts of the south coast, there isn't that much other than the Poipu area -- and certainly nothing upscale if that's what you're looking for. Some people like Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo -- I thought it was downright awful. Kalaheo Coffee was fine for breakfast and lunch.

jamie99

Not too many places with ocean view other than Beach House and maybe the restaurant at the Sheraton (not sure if it has reopened yet). You could try Duke's at the Marriott for either lunch or dinner (upstairs is only open at dinner but the downstairs Barefoot Bar is open for more casual fare at lunch and dinner), beautiful view of Kalapaki Bay. Just be aware that Beach House at sunset turns into a real zoo.

Nice place to go for drinks and see a hula show is the Terrace at the Grand Hyatt. Liked to do that with early dinner afterward at Tidepools (never been to Dondero's but it looked nice) and after dinner drink at Stevenson Library there.

Casa di Amici was my favorite on Poipu for food, no view though.

Kalaheo Coffee has good breakfasts and lunch.

Haven't been there yet but Keoki's in Poipu has an early bird special dinner.

Sue878

Thanks everyone, we are looking for anything good, not necessary unscale or view, so we will try all your recommendations. Just wanted a list before we leave so we kinda know what to look for when we get there.

Kalaheo Coffee sounds good for breakfast and/or lunch.

Sue878

Meant "upscale" didn't check before clicking.

sf7307

Keoki's has two parts - the "white tablecloth" side and a more casual side. Different menus. I've only eaten on the casual side, and although the food is just okay, the ambiance is great. It's in the little center across the road from Kiahuna.

wtm003

I've been to Keoki's 3 or 4 times but I never realized there was a more upscale side. I agree with the food comment but I still love going there.

sf7307

ATM, I haven't been to Keoki's since 2007 - it's possible they no longer have "two sides".

Sue878

I guess we'll have to check out both "sides".

sf7307

Sue, the reason we never went to the fancier side at Keoki's is the same reason we (until the trip this month) only ate "casual" there --- there just wasn't any food worth spending a lot of money on (especially when you come from San Francisco, and can eat great in so many restaurants). This time, however, we were impressed with some of the new choices. In addition to Josselin's, there's what looks like a nice Mexican restaurant in the same center (Merriman's is also in that center) -- I overheard some people talking about it at the hotel and they all concurred it is very good. It's called Tortilla Republic.

Shar

I love Brenecke right at Poipu Beach Park. Great for burgers, pasta, salads, fish. Very casual. we have never been disappointed. Poipu also now has a Bubba's really good burgers. Last visit we ate at the Red Salt restaurant in the Koa Kea hotel. expensive but good food but no view. Plantation house is lovely but no view. Beach House is good for cocktails only as the food is very ho hum. Use to be good but not so for a long time. There are several restaurants at the Hyatt tht are good too....

nanabee

http://www.yelp.com/biz/hamuras-saimin-lihue

I haven't been to Hamuras Saimin in Lihue (a short drive north of Poipu) for many years. But it was a real island experience. People seemed to fly in from all over the world just to get the saimin and many took buckets of the stuff (frozen) home with them.

sf7307

We had lunch at Hamura Saimin this last trip. It was a fun experience, but I would say the food is good, but far from great.

lunabug

For not upscale try PUKA DOG
They have a whole different take on hot dogs.

edjim

We like Tomkats in nearby Koloa. It's certainly not upscale, but the food is often good and the atmosphere is laid-back Kauai. Lava's at the Sheraton is more like an open bar on the beach, but the food is OK and you can see most of the sunset. And you can't beat the happy hour prices.