40 Best Restaurants in Kauai, Hawaii

Traditional methods for sushi, tempura, bento, and bowls meet fresh local ingredients to create delicious food in this modern outdoor café at the center of old Hanapepe. One of the few sit-down dining options in the area, Grandma's also brings in chefs for tasting menus. Enjoy sake or cold beer or slurp ramen in the riverbank garden, then browse the attached boutique, Blu Umi.

Talk about "farm to table"––Kokee Lodge grows much of its own produce, and the tables are handmade from local lumber. Local beef is used for loco mocos (white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and fried egg) and burgers, which can be served on fresh greens with house-made dressings; a veggie strata or a kalua pork plate, with Kokee plum barbecue sauce, is a perfect hot lunch on chilly days. Hikers have every excuse to carb load with locally famous corn bread or to refuel with pie by the fire. There's a full bar, espresso counter, and live music, too. Peruse the gift shop for "Hunt Pig" T-shirts, postcards, and mountain memorabilia.  Ask about the occasional chef's dinners.

Casual and fun, with a busy mai tai bar and windows overlooking the beach, Brennecke's specializes in big portions in a wide range of offerings including rib-eye steak, burgers, fish tacos, pasta, and shrimp. You can create your own combination meal if you can't pick only one. This place is especially good for happy hour, as the drink and pupu (appetizer) menus and daily promotions bring down the prices. There's a beach deli downstairs.

Fresh, fast, and affordable, Da Crack is everything you could ask for when refueling between outdoor activities. Fill your burrito, bowl, or taco with locally caught fish, traditional beans, house-made salsa, and local avocado guacamole—or many other choices made from scratch—then head back out to eat and explore more of the island.

Large helpings of simple but satisfying, hearty fare are the focus at this no-frills spot in the slightly run-down Rice Shopping Center. Breakfast standards like stuffed French toast, shrimp or standard eggs Benedict, blueberry pancakes, waffles, and eggs dominate the menu and are served until closing. You'll also find many Island favorites, including saimin noodles, tripe stew, oxtail soup, and hefty plate lunches featuring kalbi (Korean barbecue beef), roast pork, and chili and rice. A small selection of sandwiches and burgers rounds out the offerings.

Surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku (1890–1968) is immortalized at this casual bi-level restaurant and bar on Kalapaki Beach, where surfboards, photos, and other memorabilia marking Duke's long tenure as a waterman adorn the walls. Downstairs, you'll find simple, less-expensive fare, from sashimi and nachos to coconut shrimp to hamburgers, served 11 am to 9 pm; upstairs, at dinner, fresh fish prepared in a variety of styles is the best choice, though the pricey-but-hearty prime rib is a favorite among locals. For dessert, try the pono pie made with locally-grown ulu, or breadfruit. At the Barefoot Bar, a happy-hour drink and appetizer is a less-expensive way to enjoy the moonrises and ocean views—though it can get pretty crowded and noisy.

Folks just love this cash-only, old plantation-style diner, though the very simple food doesn't quite live up to the buzz. Locals and tourists still stream in and out all day long: the famous saimin noodle soup is the big draw, and each day the Hiraoka family dishes up about 1,000 bowls of the steaming broth and house-made noodles topped with a variety of garnishes. The landmark eatery is also famous for its lilikoi (passion fruit) chiffon pie. Parking is often a challenge.  This is one of the few Lihue restaurants open late—10 pm on weeknights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Hanalei's restored old schoolhouse holds an airy restaurant offering dolphin-safe tuna, low-sodium meats, fresh-baked breads, and house-made desserts, as well as a casual atmosphere where both families and the sports-watching crowd can feel equally comfortable. Lunch and dinner menus feature sandwiches, burgers, hearty salads, a variety of pupus (appetizers), and nightly specials of fresh local fish. They also will prepare a picnic and give it to you in an insulated backpack. A full bar and frequent live entertainment keep things hopping even after the kitchen closes. Monday and Thursday evenings fill up for fish taco night, which begins at 6:30.

Hualani's is bright, airy, and expansive with an unobstructed view of the ocean, delivering diners a casual yet upscale experience built on the farm-to-table concept. The food is simply and deftly prepared in an Asian-fusion style: the pan-seared opah (moonfish) is delicate, while the seared ahi is crusted in sesame seeds. Those seeking local flavors will want to try the lychee-smoked sticky ribs, arare-crusted opah, kalbi lamb chops, or Moloaa honeycomb with Kilauea goat cheese. Lunch is the best value, with fish tacos, salads, fresh fish, burgers, and smaller portions of some dinner choices, all served alongside that amazing view. The fish and beef are locally sourced, while many of the vegetables are harvested from an on-site farm. Daily happy hour offers a nice selection of appetizers. Valet parking only.

After testing out his cooking skills on family and friends for many years, Xavier Machado got serious about pizza: he studied online videos, got a proper oven, graduated high school, and opened up a kitchen window in blink-and-you'll-miss-it Kaumakani, where he rolls pies four days a week. The made-to-order, one-size pizzas and giant calzones have been earning praise from expat Brooklynites.

A sibling of popular Java Kai in Kapaa, this Kilauea coffee joint serves breakfast and lunch until 2 pm. Order online ahead of time, otherwise risk a lengthy wait.

Folks love this roadside café—especially at breakfast and lunch, though it's good for dinner, too—for its casual neighborhood feel and lengthy menu with omelets, sandwiches, burgers, and plenty more. Lots of Kauai products are used here, including Anahola Granola, fruit for smoothies, fresh-caught fish, and coffee, which you can also buy by the pound. Takeout is an option. This is a solid choice, with vegetarian and gluten-free options, in an area with limited restaurants.

At the far eastern end of Poipu, the Kauai Poke Co. serves up fresh fish and greens, hearty local-style plates, and burgers along with a stunning view of Mt. Haupu. It's a good place to enjoy lunch or a cold one on the patio after golfing at the Poipu Bay course or hiking the Mahaulepu bluffs. Catering orders are welcomed and the spacious dining hall would be a good choice for receptions and reunions.

The humble hamburger gets an Asian twist at Kenji's, a small casual eatery with four outposts throughout the island that uses primarily grass-fed Kauai beef. Choose the teriyaki, veggie, truffle, or hapa burger, each topped with goodies like caramelized onions, Japanese mushrooms, and tomato jam; local favorites include loco moco (a popular local rice, beef, gravy, and eggs concoction), poke, and chicken katsu (fried cutlet) bowls. Don't miss the sushi burritos, which are actually hearty nori wraps stuffed with softshell crab, lobster, ahi, and other seafood selections. The thin crispy french fries get a lift when sprinkled with furikake, a Japanese seaweed seasoning. There is indoor and outdoor seating.

Built to resemble a dockside boathouse, this active semi-outdoor place fills up quickly for dinner thanks to a busy lounge and frequent live music. The day's fresh catch is available in various styles and sauces, and other favorites include coconut shrimp, seafood risotto, and roasted pork ribs that are cooked in a traditional Hawaiian imu (an underground oven). The bar area serves casual fare and a dozen mostly local draft beers. Hula pie, with chocolate cookie crust and macadamia nut ice cream, is meant to share. This is a good choice for a family celebration.

Open from 6:30 am, the bakery serves coffee drinks, delicious fresh pastries, bagels, and breads in the morning, but late risers should beware: breads and pastries sell out quickly. Pizza (including a gluten-free dough option), soup, and salads can be ordered for lunch or dinner. Service is leisurely. There's free Wi-Fi and a cute courtyard with covered tables.

Order freshly prepared Hawaiian and American meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—snacks, beer, and wine at the counter at this casual contemporary restaurant, coffee bar, and beer and wine bar in an upscale grocery store. The extensive and eclectic menus include something for everyone, from loco moco (white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and fried egg), plate lunches, and fresh-catch fish-and-chips to pizzas, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. The café closes at 4 pm, so pick up to-go dinners beforehand.

Having outgrown its tiny shop by the post office, Koloa Fish Market now offers tasty take-out poke, plate lunches, fresh fish, and party platters at a location along the road to Poipu.

If you like a super hearty breakfast, try this family-friendly restaurant, a Kapaa mainstay since 1975. With its familiar food, cozy atmosphere, and friendly service, it's a great spot for omelets, banana pancakes, waffles, and eggs Benedict in two sizes. Lunch selections include sandwiches, burgers, and loco moco. It's very busy at breakfast, so expect a wait. 

The meals at Kukui's feature Hawaiian, Asian, and contemporary American influences, and the open-air setting with a view of the ocean makes it a pleasant place to dine. It's spacious, making it well suited to families and those who want a relaxed setting. The short dinner menu includes rack of lamb, kalbi rib-eye steak, salads, flatbreads, burgers, fresh fish, pasta, and a few vegetarian options. Prime rib is served on Friday and Saturday nights.

A perfect beach day starts with coffee and an acai bowl or bagel sandwich from Little Fish, a popular snack shack along the main road in Poipu. Spreads are house-made, bakery treats are mom's recipes, and the flavor-packed smoothies will have you back tomorrow for another. Ingredients are locally grown and organic whenever possible. Order online for pickup or watch the world go by from a picnic table.

A range of light fare is served from brunchtime through evening on the covered lanai attached to Living Foods general store at The Shops at Kukuiula. Locally sourced starters, sandwiches, fish preparations, entrée salads, and desserts can be ordered via the café's website, which speeds up table service. Grown-ups will find wines by the glass, draft beers, and clever cocktails, while the keiki will find tried-and-true favorite foods. The coffee counter and bakery opens early; takeout is available.

Located right on the main drag of Kapaa, this café has an exterior that's a bit grimy and noisy, but it's worth a stop to order takeout and walk to the beach instead. The poke salad bowl and ahi nori wrap made of seared tuna, rice, and cucumber with wasabi cream sauce are the best picks here. Other choices include hearty fresh salads, sandwiches, tropical tacos, stir-fry noodles, and satay made from either tofu or chicken.

Organic non-GMO flour is transformed into breads and pastries available at the bakery or at farmers' markets and health-food stores around the island. Hot panini, tartines (open-faced sandwiches), pizza, and deli favorites use island-grown produce and make for a satisfying quick breakfast or lunch, for here or to go. Don't forget dessert.

Don't let the name fool you; they don't open at sunrise (more like 7:30 am, so come here after you watch the sunrise elsewhere). And it's not just a fruit stand: fill up on bagels, pancakes, smoothies, and coffee drinks in the morning; homemade salads, burritos, panini, and sandwiches for lunch; and tropical-style fresh juices, such as pineapple, carrot, watermelon, and guava, anytime.

Monico’s Taqueria is a favorite among locals and visitors, due to its hearty portions and delicious authentic cuisine, including nachos, tortas, flautas, and fajitas. The bright airy dining room is cheerful, and the outdoor patio offers a view of coconut palms waving in the breeze.

The signature restaurant of the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas has casual open-air seating that perfectly complements an island-style menu sure to please a wide range of diners. Grilled rib eye is served with bacon-and-sour cream mashed potatoes, while the chicken—smoked kalua style—is accompanied by Molokai sweet potatoes. Lunch options include a plate lunch. The food is well executed and service is friendly. 

Named after a seasonal local fish, Opakapaka is the only oceanside restaurant on Kauai's North Shore and is a great place to stop for a meal or a quick bite on the way to or from Haena State Park and Kee Beach. The longtime community gathering hub serves local fish and seafood, burgers, steaks (try the rib eye), and pasta; add shrimp to your salads and fried rice sides.

Simple food and hearty portions are the draw at this casual family-owned restaurant offering ranch-style cuisine. Choose from steak or fish sandwiches, taco or chicken salads, burgers, grilled fish, and plates piled high with chicken, steak, or ribs, along with house-made chili and salad. Though they specialize in BBQ meats, vegetarians will find some options. The rustic decor is cozy and casual, with plastic chairs and ranch memorabilia. Nightly live music adds to the fun.