Hi, we're renting a condo in the Poipu Kai resort, Kauai and would like to know if anyone has some recommendations for restaurants to eat in? Also are there any shops nearby to Poipu Kai that we could buy groceries, wine, beer etc. Thanx

Aloooohaaa,
you're just short drive to the Hyatt for their restaurants.
Roy's, Keoki's, Beach House also shorts drives.

In Poipu we like having breakfast at Joe's on the Green at Kiahuna Golf Course. The club house at the Poipu Bay Golf Course has a good breakfast too but a bit more expensive....good views too.

Cheap eats at the Poipu Center where Roy's and Keoki's are located, Puka Dogs and Tropical Burgers.

Grocery stores are slim pickens in Poipu area. Some smaller ones in Koloa but a bit expensive.

You should make plans to do a big grocery shopping when you first arrive either in Lihue at Walmart or drive up to Kapaa to hit Safeway/Foodland.
250 mo' days!
Kal

Koloa has an excellent grocery store -- the recently expanded and remodeled Big Save -- which now includes a bakery, deli, and fresh-daily sushi bar.

You'll be able to find everything you need there, at reasonable-for-Kaua`i prices. 8-)

Excellent. 'bout time they get a bigger store in that area.
Is that good pizza place still a few doors down?
I don't know why we seldom stop in Koloa town.

Thanx for information on the shopping!Wil probably do that the day after we arrive. What about recommendations for restaurants though? The travel guides always give their views, but what about you lovely people out there who have already been to Poipu and surrounds?

Thanks for the tips on the groceries!! 179 days & counting for our first trip-5 nights Maui then 5 on Kauai!! Can't wait.

rapunzel, :-?
AuntieM and others can correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Roy's, Keoki's (HULA PIE!), Beach House, Joe's, Hyatt's Tidepools, Trop Burger etc all restaurants? All are pretty good, too.

tommyd,
got me by 70 days, you dawg.

Here are my recommendations for eating in Poipu area.
Moderate price:
1. Brennecke's on Poipu Beach- great for lunch burgers etc.. Nice view. Dinner can be a bit expoensive.
2. Joe's On The Green- Kiahuna Golf Course. Great for breakfast. Open 2-3 nights a week for dinner. Also good.
3. Keoki's in Poipu Shopping Center- Great for dinner. I like the bar menu as well as full service dining. Good drinks in bar, often has local musicians playing on weekend evenings.
4. Tropical Burgers- In same shopping center as Keoki's. Good breakfasts and also good for lunch or dinner. Reasonably priced, nothing fancy.

High Priced:
1. Roy's- In Poipu Shopping Center too. Fine dining and great food, creatively prepared. Only down side is that it is in a shopping center.
3. Beach House- On road to Spouting Horn. Probably the best location island-wide. Dine at sunset and you will have an ocean front view without copmpare. I have always had great service and fine food here. It can be expensive but well worth it for the view and ambiance. Beats Roy's view a hundredfold.
3. Plantation House Restaurant- Located at Kiahuna Plantation. Lovely old building with plantaion feel. Dine on the veranda overlooking the gardens. Food has always been very good here. I like the ambiance very much.
4. Casa D-Amici- Located in Poipu just up the road from Brennecke's in a condo/housing area. A bit hard to find but locals can give you directions. Delicious food prepared in a creative Mediterrean/Italian style.

Hope this helps some. Have a great trip. Just got back in late Feb and can't wait till next Feb.

Best shopping for food in area is at Big Save in Koloa about 10 minutes fro poipu. They ahve aSubway inside and fresh sushi bar. You can get most anything you need, including wine and alcohol.

Message for Brenda:
Thanx alot Brenda! You've really given me a good idea now of what restaurants offer what food and at what cost. Just wanted some local knowledge on where to eat rather than "The Hyatt" been there done that - on the whole just high priced hotel food. One place we did visit on our last stay at the Westin Kauai in 1991 (pre hurricane!!) was Gaylords - wonderful. Can't wait to go back there. Never been down to Poipu though. If you ever want help on visit to England just ask!
Aloha. Rapunzel

rapunzel,
Glad I could help. Just my opinions, as you know. Also might mention that there are a few good choices in Koloa and in Kalaheo, just let me know if you want some info on these 2 areas. Koloa is just 10 minutes from Poipu, Kalaheo about 20 minutes away. Hope you have a great trip.

A condo of course gives the choice of cooking your own .. or to put it another way, not having to go to a restaurant every time you're hungry. IMHO if you live in/near a major metropolitan area on the mainland you'll have access to dining that's likely cheaper (maybe better) than the equivalent in Hawaii. Simple logistical costs if nothing else.
So we splurge maybe once for dinner, often buy lunch running around but otherwise eat in the condo. Makes it affordable so we can go again
Having said that, look forward to your trip report as we'll be there in October
Have a reat vacation.

rapunzel,
I may take you up on the England offer one of these days. Haven't been, but would love to go.

KAL-I've got you beat by 70 days huh? It can't get here soon enough for me!! From Grand Rapids, MI leaving 10/19. Neither of us have ever been there.It's a surprise trip for our 25th anniv. Wife doesn't know anything yet, hoping to keep it that way until it's time to go!! Been planning since last May, slowing paying off "secret" credit card! We're also staying at Poipu Kai, so any reviews would be great!!!

TomKats (Koloa) is neat just for the experience - seems a little more local. Another very good place in Koloa is Da'li Deli. A surprisingly good pizza place (excellent actually) is Brick Oven pizza in Kalaheo right on the highway. There's also a diner along the highway between Koloa and Hanapepe - just can't remember where - great pie and good food. Roy's is good, but boy is it pricey. I would avoid Duke's and Brenneke's.