If you had to pick your top 3 restaurants on Maui and Kauai, which would they be and why? We will be spenging 6 nights on Maui and 5 on Kauai.

Kauai (all in or near Poipu, others might suggest north shore restaurants)- 1. The Beach House, fab food, great views. 2. Tidepools at the Hyatt, good food, nice atmosphere. 3. Roys - Very Good Food, no view and loud.

So it depends on if you are looking for the good food part or you want the full package of good food and great views.

I recently ate at the "Humu" at the Grand Wailea. Beautiful layout in a thatched building over fish pond, etc. My wifes scallops (appetizer)were gritty/sandy tasting, so we told the waiter and he brought more out. Two of the four he brought back were also equally gritty. My wife ordered the fish of the day, and it was not fresh. It did not break apart easily and there was a big dark spot in it that tasted fishy. I ordered the mixed grill plate that was really good. The fish on it was better than my wifes. I cant remember what appetizer I had, but I dont remember being displeased with it. They ended up comping the scallops and a dessert. If I had it to do over, I might try Nicks or Mamas instead.

My wife and I were on Kauai for our honeymoon in August 2002. Our 2 top picks would be:

1. The Beach House (Poipu) - the service and dishes were fabulous. Be sure to reserve early if you want to see the sunset along the ocean.

2. Tidepools or Dondero's (Hyatt) - these restaurants have wonderful but very expensive dishes. Dondero's is very formal and serves Tuscan/Northern Italian dishes as opposed to Pacific Fusion Seafood.

I can't give you 3 from Maui, because I only remember one, it's called I'Os and it was awesome!!

Kauai-- Cafe Hanalei-- at sunset. (Also heard wonderful things about the Beach House.)

Maui-- Nick's Fishmarket in Wailea and Gerard's in Lahaina. Both have amazing food, impeccable service, and lovely ambiance. Have also heard wonderful thing about Chez Paul.

Do NOT eat at Humu... We had a terrible experience there this past summer. Our waitress was so bad, we started thinking she was deaf, and we felt bad for complaining about her behind her back. Then she came over and slammed down the bill and said "Anything else?" Upon realizing she was not, in fact, deaf, and simply didn't bring us anything we asked for all night, we were pretty annoyed. The food was mediocre and overpriced.

Best meal this past summer at the Pacific Cafe, would also consider Roy's the best. Breakfast Hanalei Bay resort for the view. I like the buffet breakfast at the Hyatt Regency. Company liked the Hyatt pool meals for best casual dining on our trip.

Would not recommend many on North Shore restaurants. There is no competition and so there can be problems. At Zelos our table of three received menus this past summer with food on every page of a four page menu book. Who know's how clean they are judging from this. The chef also did not know what seared meant giving first fully cooked ahi followed by raw Ahi the second time. I always thought seared ahi was a Hawaiian rooted specialty.

The kids meals we had at two different meals were horrible. Also a complaint about the Dolphin coming into town. We only stopped in for lunch but we were served undercooked breaded fish fillets (extreemly doey).

A nice surprise we had this summer was PoPo's cookies in Kapaa. Y-U-M-M-Y! Also the chocolate covered macadamian nut balls with gieradeli chocolate.

Would like to tell you to boy cut Lappert's ice cream as they are $3.50 a cone BUT THAT WOULD BE EATING SUICIDE!!

You really want to have a taste of Lampert's ice cream while you are on the island. 18% butterfat and well worth it!!!

Agreed as to Zelos! UGH! SO ridiculously overpriced, with mediocre food and surly service.

But we ate at Cafe Hanalei on the north shore and LOVED it. It is in the Princeville, and has lovely views at Sunset. Exceedingly romantic (on the bay with a waterfall in the background), with good food and service.

At all restaurants, ask for the outdoor seating. It's always best.

Isn't it amazing how people can write something down in your native language yet you still can't understand them? As the famous line goes "we have a failure to communicate" Sarah, what are you talking about?

Is there a Roys Restaurant on both Maui and Kauai? If so are they the same, is 1 better than the other?

My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Kauai last year. You have to have dinner at one of the restaurants at the Princeville Resort (call for reservations first). It's on the North shore of the island and has the best sunset views!! Beach house was ok in comparison.

The Roy's in Kauai is in a small shopping area. There is no view and the tables are close together. The food is very good.

Maui: There is a Roys in Kihei and 2 in Kahana. One called Nicolina's and one called Roy's Kahana Grill.

mjnap one thing Maui has more of than Kauai is commercial enterprises. I would certainly go to Roy's on Kauai and then look into another options on Maui. Roy Yamagucci is not the executive chef in any of his restaurants worldwide he does have excellent aspiring chefs that offer a menu of their signature dishes along with Roy's.

People rave and rave on here about Nick's fish Market.

Oh yes and Cafe Hanalei or any of the restaurants in the Princeville Sheraton will offer wonderful meals

On Maui, we have had wonderful meals at Mama's Fish House in Paia (lovely location, especially at sunset)and Jameson's Bar & Grill, both in Kihei and Kapalua (beautifully located right on the golf course). We also liked Hula Grill in Whaler's Village (fabulous desserts) for more casual dining and great sunset views and Buzz's Wharf at Maalea Harbor.

#1Roy's Kahana, Khei, and Popiu,the food and service #2 Nick's Fishmarket and Cafe Caico, the food and service #3 Beach House in Kauai, the food and the view #4 Tidepools at the Hyatt in Kauai.the food and the atmosphere and service. For an awesome view in Kauai, check out the Princeville Resort. We stayed at the Hyatt because we had kids, but the Princeville was far more scenic. The view still is in my head- complete paradise!!! I would love to stay there, but it is too quiet and peaceful for kids. I didn't eat their Sunday Brunch but I would for the atmosphere.

Roy's on Kauai. Make sure you request the chocolate souflet(sp) for dessert.
The food is fantastic, no view, but you won't miss it, the food is that good. We have eaten at Roy's many times, only once was the food and service sub par.
We went back and told the maitre de about our previous experience and he made sure we had a great meal.
Beach house is excellent as well. Be sure to get a good seat at sunset. The Princeville Hotel for sunday brunch is out of this world. Picnics in Hanalei is very good.
On Maui, The Hula Grill was very good.

Good Luck!

Oh, I fly over to Kauai just to eat at the Dali Deli- casual, but good. Then don't forget about Gaylords.

Maui- I like breakfast at the Grand Wailea. And the casual Cheeseburgers in Paradise.

There are a lot of good hole in the wall places. I can't remember the names.

Long thread so I don't know if I missed these restaurants on Kauai...might not be "top 3" but...to add to the Beach House, Roy's, A Pac Cafe...

Coconuts. I can taste the lobster ravioli appetizers already.
Kintaro's for sushi and other Japaese cuisine...like sake!
And while the service has been very hit and miss, Lemon Grass. Good sushi and fish dishes.
Kal

On Kauai:
1. Beach House- can't beat the location, best on the island.
2. Roy's- Lousy location, good food.
3 A Pacific Cafe- lousy location, good food.
4. Plantation House- Good food, plantation like atmosphere. South shore near Sheraton. Sit on the veranda.
5. Hyatt- go for Sunday brunch. Great food, champagne, watch the swans while you eat. Lovely.