The 15 BEST Restaurants on Kauai

[@johnmills1261]

I absolutely love your video! I have been to many of the restaurants you shared. I could not agree with you more. Many, many thanks for this presentation. You're the best!

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Thank you John!

[@noellerichardson20]

We loved Bar Acuda!! We saw that you recommended them previously. We raved about it for days!

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Yes, it is my favorite!!! Did you have a favorite dish?

[@Sch2155]

So the economy isn’t as bas after all?

[@alexpearson8481]

This was really well done. Thank you! We are coming next week, visiting from Canada. Honestly this is one of theeeee best restaurant videos we have seen for Kauai. So much to take in so we’ll bookmark your vid for when we are there. Side question if you can...... generally speaking, when do the parking lots for beaches start to fill up in the morning? (Eg. Tunnels beach) Should we be there before 8am or maybe 7am in order to get parking......? Thank a ton!

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Thank you for the questions, and I'm happy to hear you like the restaurant list! The two parking lots that fill up on a regular basis are Haena Beach Park which most people think of as Tunnels beach and Pavilions for Hanalei bay. I think if you're there before 9 am at either you should be fine. At Tunnels there are some other places to park around the area, and at Hanalei there are multiple parking lots.

[@nancycurtis462]

Thank you for the tips. We are wanting to experience a luau meal without the price of an actual luau. Is there a place or food truck you recommend that would have the types of food at a luau close to Lae Nani?

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

You might be able to find one at the Taro Truck in Hanalei. Sometimes you can find people selling kalua pork on the side of the road in Kapaa.

[@adrienneclark1439]

My favorite restaurant is The Beach House.

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Yes, it's a good one.

[@jasonbabila6006]

Tip Top Cafe in Lihue was one of our favorite places so was the Hamura Saimin stand, Hanamaulu Cafe was another favorite place but too bad it no longer exist.

[@KauaiAnne]

Tip Top is fun. You must try the ox tail soup if you haven't. Hamura Saimin sold to a new owner a few years ago. Hanamaulu was a good place too.

[@mattgurin6168]

I don't understand why food reviewers that go to Kauai leave out some of the most important local food places on the island. You would have got a lot of street cred in you would have featured Hamura's

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

I liked Hamura's more with the previous owner. It's still a fun place with good food though.

[@c2f0g1a]

Oh my gosh. How could you not include the Kalaheo Cafe for breakfast?

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

also a good option! Is it your favorite?

[@yoog1]

Koloa Fish Market has the best poke on the island!

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Love Koloa Fish Market!

[@lhouse52]

No Tahiti Nui or Opakapaka Bar and Grill or Happy Talk Lounge and Grill?

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

There are so many good options to choose from. I do love Happy Talk...that is a great option too.

[@annabraun3827]

My son's fiancee works at Fish Bar Deli and they think it is definitely one of the best on Kauai! Fresh food everyday.

[@byz513]

Java Kai in Kilauea was our only 6 am option before Kalalau trail hike last year. Amazing food! If there's something open before that, let me know otherwise we'll be heading back next month and going there before 8am hike. Thanks for the recommendations! We also tried Anuenue, Mark's, Kenji, Puka, Koloa Fish, Dukes, Kalaheo. Can't go wrong,... That's why we're going back! 😂

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Love the Surfer Girl at Java Kai. It is the only thing open at 6:00 unless you count the deli at Foodland which also has some options. Hanalei Bread Company opens at 7:00 and it's also a good option. Lots of good options!

[@catherineb874]

All good recommendations, Anne. Sam’s Ocean View in Kapa’a, Midnight Bear Bakery in Hanapepe, The Bistro in Kilauea, Postcards in Hanalei are all really good, too. Truth is everything is better when you’re on Kauai!

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Everything is better when you're on Kauai. Midnight Bear Bakery...best bakery on Kauai IMO.

[@harleymorgan3237]

Hello Anne. Enjoyed your video. I agree with you on several restaurants. Kauai restaurants and groceries are VERY expensive, and I understand some of the reasons. I just don't understand why fish is SO EXPENSIVE. I LOVE The Dolphin in Hanalei. Not that fond of the other one. My son is a sushi chef in Las Vegas and I've been eating sushi for 50+ years so we know great sushi. We enjoy Hanalei Gourmet but not that fond of Chaz. One of our favorite restaurants is J02. LOVE the quaintness and the food. You mentioned Bubba's. It was the WORST food and service we had on the island and we were there for 2 weeks, each vacation. The Kountry Kitchen is another favorite, as is SushiGirl. I could go on about the island's food as I am a foodie. I was surprised you rated Bar Acuda so high. Happy Travels

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Aloha Harley, love this response! Yes, I LOVE the Dolphin in Hanalei...not the other one. The original chef and founder of J02 has moved to Florida, his sous chef now runs the business. Bubba's generally does have a very long wait. Kountry Kitchen is always fun, and SushiGirl is great! The next time you're back on island you'll have to check out the restaurants in the newly opened 1 Hanalei, I think you'll really like them!

[@cantbeatthebay4765]

Yo, I've been to Bubba's each of my 6 visits, and when I saw it was gone from Hanalei I nearly cried! That place was was TOP TIER and absolutely historic! I cannot believe they moved Bubba's out of Hanalei.. damn near criminal if ya ask me and everyone I've ever taken! (20+ people!)

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

@@cantbeatthebay4765 Bubba's is really fun. Yes, they lost their lease in Hanalei, but there's still a Bubba's in Kapaa and Koloa.

[@cantbeatthebay4765]

@@kauaiwithanne3134 Thanks! Definitely gonna stop over in Kapaa before heading to Hanalei 🌞

[@sln3257]

Love the fish sandwich at Hanalei bay gourmet!

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Yes, that is definitely a favorite too.

[@Sch2155]

So the economy isn’t all that bad if you can vacation or live here.

[@Angelaaa1015]

My family took us to Jimmy’s in Kapaa and I was very impressed. The view of the water was also amazing. I love all the fish in Hawaii and fresh fruit.

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Jimmy's is fun and in a great location!

[@Danielanable]

Great, great suggestions! So many of our favorites! Have you heard anything about how Kintaro is since they reopened after the fire? We’ve had some great meals there over the years.

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Yes, I was just there about two weeks ago. It seems a lot larger inside. Same great food!

[@cdub4693]

Beach House beautiful views. Not worth the price. Food just ok.

[@als.2983]

Thanks for the list. Quick question: You just get off the plane, grab your rental car and want to eat before shopping at Costco. Where do you go for your first meal in Kauai? (Mark's Place is closed on Sunday when we land).

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

I'd either do Tiki Tacos in Kapaa, or Anattas Thai food truck in Lihue.

[@pickles9440]

There’s now a java Kai in Koloa too. ❤ with the cutest little boutique next door, sister/sister. 💕

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Java Kai is so fun!

[@staceyebert1431]

Hi Anne! My husband and I just recently ate at Tidepools in the Hyatt in Poipu. It was fabulous 😊. There are so many great places to eat on the island. I can hardly wait until we are able to return so we can try some more from your list.

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Yes! Tidepools is another great option!

[@juliebbb6031]

Is Hanamura,s still open? It was in Lihue inside the industrial buildings area. Best saimin ever. I also loved the restaurant/bookstore in Hanapepe but I expect that was closed long ago.

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

I do love Hanamuras and it is still open, but it has different owners.

[@mabo2778]

Sold! You had both me and my husband salivating🤤

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

There are some great options here!

[@drewg2030]

For lunch and snacks I always and I mean always go to pono market they have everything including the best Musubi 🤤 also Ono char burgers was the first place I ate at in Kauai and I’m glad they reopened

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Yes, I'm so happy Ono Char Burgers reopened! I love them!

[@JenniferTena]

Went last year for my honeymoon and my husband loved Java Kai. We are going again this November and he is so excited for Java Kai haha. I will use this list for our eating spots!

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

My typical order at Java Kai is the Surfer Girl...it's delish!

[@melmel4943]

did you pay $45 for parking at 1 kitchen? I was told I have to pay $100 for breakfast, lunch or dinner at the hotel for free parking. $100 for breakfast is ridiculous for 2 adults and a child

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

I've always had my parking validated when I've eaten there. I've heard different experiences from different people. I think they're still trying to figure it out.

[@melmel4943]

@@kauaiwithanne3134 would I be able to check out the beach that's in front of this hotel?

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

@@melmel4943 Yes, all beaches are public. There is a long set of stairs on the left of the entrance that is the path down to the beach.

[@teresarr07]

That sounds about right...expect sit down meals to be on average 20-40 per person. We often paid 100-140 for 4 people on maui and we did not go to any fancy places. We got groceries, poke, and cooked at the condo for some meals.

[@TWilson-m4r]

Why no Oasis?!?!

[@Marotini1307]

For me the Tahiti Nui restaurant in hanalei is the best and the MAITAI is a bomb

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Everyone LOVES Tahiti Nui! Definitely a favorite.

[@miesenplace]

JO2

[@jeffreyjones1721]

Have to say great video. Agree most. Haven't been to all, but Kalaheo Coffee Co for breakfast should probably be number 1. Rated a top 10 breakfast in all of USA multiple times. 1 of top 2 breakfast I've had and best for the price. Olympic Cafés breakfast burrito is hard to top too.

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Great feedback, and Kalaheo Coffee Co is great.

[@davidl1179]

Just got back from the island & here's some more for your list; Puka Dog (A Must!), Porky's (Oder the #1), Island Taco (Kahlua pork taco's), Kenji Burger, Paco's Tacos, Holoholo Grill (Banana nut pancakes), Kalapaki Joe's (Best Happy Hour on the island!), Smiley's Local Grinds (Plate Lunch) and the North Shore General Store/ 76 Gas Station (Chili Chicken plate lunch). Aloha!

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

All fun places! I love the breakfast sandwiches at North Shore General Store, Porky's, Paco's Tacos, and Island Tacos too.

[@elmogeoghegan5871]

Great Video Japaneses Grandma amazing food and love the little town and surroundings...... Right Slice will bring me back to the island for years to come !! We also loved little fish ......

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

I love Japanese Grandma and the Right Slice!

[@yonemitsu1]

Kalaheo cafe😊

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Yes, another great spot!

[@stetson999]

Exactly what I was looking for. Not enough content out there on Kauai restaurants.

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

Mahalo

[@grantmt]

Your videos are the best! Nice job

[@kauaiwithanne3134]

aww...thank you!