Kauai Hawaii: Eats and Treats
Kauai isn’t just for beaches and hikes- it has a unique local food scene too. We have been coming to the island with our kids multiple times a year for six years now, and have gotten to explore a ton of fun places to fill our bellies, try new treats, and taste all the flavors of the island. This guide will help you explore our favorite island through food!
Staple stops:
These are places we hit everytime, that the whole family loves, and that fill our bellies and hearts.
Kenji Burger is one of favorite places to stop with the kids, especially after we have landed and are all hangry. They have burgers, sushi, chicken katsu, basically something delicious and asian inspired comfort food for everyone. Stop here and get something good in you to help with the jet lag.
Best smoothie bowls on island. Need I say more? I run a juice and smoothie business, so I know a good smoothie when I have one. Kalalea Juice Hale captured our hearts from first bite. They have smoothies and smoothie bowls, coffee, juices, and fresh cocos. Its a must stop on your way up to the North Shore.
Looking for sushi? Look no further than Sushi Girl. Some of the freshest, tastiest sushi on the island comes out of this tiny shop in Kilauea. They use fresh local ingredients as much as possible, and their flavor combos are fantastic. Make sure to try a sushi burrito, they are famous for them!
There are many great places to eat in Hanalei, but one of our faves that makes everyone happy (which is a win with picky kids), is Hanalei gourmet. Both food and drinks are delicious. Try the fish tacos, the waldorf salad, and the fresh quava limeade. Kids will love the corn dogs!
Kauai Juice Co is consistently the best fresh pressed juice we have ever had, not just in Kauai, but period. I should know, as I own my own juicery and I once juice fasted for a whole month. It stands out for its quality (organic and local produce), taste (so many amazing flavors), and its ethical business practices. If you want something both healthy and tasty, stop by for some fresh island flavors that will make you feel good too! They have locations around the island, but we frequent Kilauea the most.
If you need an easy meal for the family, Pacos tacos is tasty and quick. Good tacos, sides and other options. Not the best mexican ever, but its good, the sauce is great, and it keeps us coming back.
Wishing Well is known as a shave ice place, but they also have a coffee house that offers great smoothies, and whet I keep coming back for, açai bowls. Their toppings are where they stand out, but you can’t go wrong with any of their smoothies or açai. Plus the kids will love the shave ice and ice cream, and be sure to check out the ‘slow yourself down’ brand apparel store by the same owners while you are there!
One of the last places to grab a meal before the end of the road on the north shore, happens to be our favorite place to get fish tacos. They have had some ups and downs over the years and changed owners a few times, but lately seem a little more consistent and the fish tacos are always a safe bet. They also have a great ocean front location, and are a great place to grab a hearty meal when you are way out on the north shore.
Fancier vibes:
There are not a ton of fancy options on Kauai, but there are some good ones. Here are some of our faves and some others that come highly recommended.
Hukilau Lanai is fancy, but you can also take your kids if you need to and still have a great time. It has beautiful expansive lanai (porch) seating (hence the name!), and is set on beautiful tropical grounds. They always have fresh fish, and other tropical twists on traditional offerings.
Palate Wine Bar and Restaurant is a small but lovely little restaurant nestled in Kilauea. Known for quality cheese boards, craft pizza, and great wine, its a good place for a date night in Kilauea.
For seafood on the south side of the island and an upscale experience, I would recommend Tidepools. The ambience is great, with table sitting above the pools of fish and looking out over the Grand Hyatt’s tropical manicured grounds. We first ate there ten years ago on our honeymoon, and it has consistently stayed top rated with quality food.
For fine dining right on the beach, the Beach House Restaurant Kauai comes top rated. Chosen by many as a wedding venue, the views are as good as the food and drink! A top recommendation for a night out on the south shore.
For a great quality high end meal with the whole family, head for Merrimans Kauai. With options to please everyone without sacrificing quality, this is the place to go for a great night out with the kids.
Trucks and Treats:
Here are some of our favorite low key eats spots like food trucks, treat shops and more around the island.
Moving all the way over westside to Waimea, the Coconut Corner is a great stop for juice, fresh island fruit, smoothies and small plates after a long day visiting Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park.
For baked goods on the south west side, be sure to check out Aloha Sweet Delights. Baked goods, donuts and hot food with special island flavors. A great treat spot.
For shave ice south shore, you have to hit the Fresh Shave. Amazing and unique flavor combos, and a playful vibe, this is one of the best shave ice shops on island.
For a great coffee or matcha on the south side, along with typical coffee shop eats and a avacado toast to die for, check out Kind Koffee Co in Warehouse 3540. You can do some shopping while you are there!
Hā coffee in Lihue doesn’t disappoint, with sandwiches, açai bowls, bagels and great craft coffee. A wonderful stop.
Aloha Roastery is another fun little coffee and treats shop in Lihue. I recommend their chocolate croissant and chai latte.
Wailua Shave Ice is another great shave ice stop. They use fruit based syrups and novel flavor combos and toppings. One of my favorites on the island.
Leongs Meat House is hands down the best place on the island for poke bowls and traditional plate lunches. They also sell is Kauai raised grass fed meat for you to take home and cook for yourself. Seriously a gem on Kauai.
I debated over whether to include this, but it is my husband’s favorite. Chicken in a barrel is a bbq restaurant focused on, you guessed it, chicken. Very apt for an island with chickens running everywhere, it does have greaf options for bbq lovers and meat lovers in general, with options for more than just chicken, and is a filling quick stop. Family friendly as well with outdoor seating, I recommend stopping at some point on your trip.
Holey Grail donuts lives up to its name- these are my favorite donuts of all time, and I feel like I found the holy grail when eating them. They are made using Taro and other island fresh ingredients, and fried in coconut oil, so not only do they taste better, they are better for you. They have off the wall amazing flavors such as miso, lemon thyme, and cardamom rose. They are a must hit do not miss stop on Kauai, and one of my favorite places ever. They have two locations on Kauai, in Kapaa and Hanalei.
Another coffee, smoothie and breakfast stop on the north shore is Hanalei bread company. Great eats and drinks, as well as offerings like sourdough breads and other pastries. Get there early, they get crowded, and while they do offer lunch items, they close pretty early, by 1pm most days.
I will end this near the end of the road, way out in Wainiha. I couldn’t leave out the best places for quick eats and treats past Hanalei. The Swell offers shave ice, sandwiches, ice cream and smoothies, and is a great place to fill up the family with good things after a day snorkeling at Tunnels beach. You can also check out the Wainiha Country Market that it is attached to for grocery staples and local made food goods. Both are some of my favorite places to stop on island, and staffed by some of the kindest people.
Hope this guide helps you find some delicious food on Kauai!
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