TUG Dining Guide - Kauai

All recommendations were submitted in resort reviews and bbs posts. Restaurants without remarks were given as positive recommendations but without specific comments.

Addresses and phone numbers were scrounged off the net wherever we could find them. In many cases, conflicting data was found. Please verify locally before relying on this information.

NORTH KAUAI (Princeville, Haena, Hanalei, Kilauea, Anahola)

Hanalei

Bamboo, Bamboo - 5-5161 Kuhio Hwy, (808) 826-1177

Formerly Cafe Luna

Bubba's Burgers- 5-5183 Kuhio Highway, 826-7839

"A fun and irreverent burger joint"

Farmer's Market - Hanalei

Tuesdays at 2:00 pm. Place to buy local produce.

Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant and Fish Market - 5-5016 Kuhio Hwy, 826-6113

"My favorite on the North Shore." "The teriyaki ahi is fantastic" "THE place to get fresh fish to cook back at the condo" "Their expensive fish & chips turned out to be VERY expensive BATTER & chips!

Hanalei Gourmet - 5-5161 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei 826-2524

"Good sandwiches for lunch"

Hanalei Mixed Plate - 5-5190 Kuhio Hwy # E4, Ching Young shopping center, Hanalei 808-826-7888

"It is very small and you have to sit on bar stools, but watching the passing traffic and having the views of the mountains is great." "It amazes me how simple their setup is, and how great their food is!"

Sushi and Blues - 5-5190 Kuhio Hwy, Ching Young Shopping Center, 808-826-9701

"I have never had such wonderful Sushi and the service was tremendous." "More than just sushi, we had a great dinner!"

Tahiti Nui- Kuhio Hwy, 826-6277

"Good food with local flair"

Tropical Taco - 5-5088 Kuhio Highway Shop A, 808-827-8226

"Local institution taco stand [formerly] operating out of a truck." "Try the fish tacos"

Wishing Well Shave Ice - Kuhio Highway, Hanalei

Located in a trailer on side of road, typically on left as entering Hanalei from the east. ".. best [shave ice] we had on our vacation."

Zelo's Beach House - 5-5156 Kuhio Hwy Bldg G4, 808-826-9701

"We loved it and went back later in the week." "Expect entrees in the low to mid-$20s."

Princeville

Bali Hai - Hanalei Bay Resort, 5380 Honoiki Rd, 826-6522

".. a real eating experience." "Get there to watch the sunset." "[dinner] wildly exceeded our expectations .. shrimp and scallops were simply the best that we have ever eaten, and the view over Hanalei Bay created quite a memory"

1/2006 - We were just there this week. Everything has changed. You can no longer eat lunch in the restaurant area. The menu is greatly truncated to mostly bar type food and you eat in the bar area. The staff are extremely unhappy. They said this change began two months ago. This used to be a lovely place that we looked forward to revisiting.

CJ's - was Chuck's Steak House -> (new management)- 54280 Kuhio Hwy # F, Princeville Shopping Center, 826-6211

"Good food, moderate price" "A refined meal at a reasonable price"

Princeville Hotel - 5520 Ka Haku RD, 808-826-9644

"Take in the breakfast buffet ... pricey but worth it for the food and the view." "Do not miss ... their seafood buffet on Friday [$48]." "Worth stopping at for lunch. [Seafood buffet is] not to be missed ... a real eating experience but not cheap." "Luau at the Princeville Hotel was fantastic..Don't remember the cost, but it seemed reasonable." "Check your resort's activity desk for discounts." "The luau was very intimate, and the food was good... be sure to sit in the right front quadrant facing the stage, [you'll be] furthest from the food, but closest to all the entertainment." "...have Crabcakes for lunch while looking out at Hanalei Bay"

Princeville Hotel

Sunday mornings' Champagne Buffet from 10 am - 2 pm at the Hanalei Cafe in the Princeville Hotel is a MUST! It is costly, but well worth it. You can actually stay there for 4+ hours. If you get there early, eat out on the lanai overlooking Hanalei Bay to the makai side and of course, the mountains to the mauka side. Don't be overwhelmed by the desserts first. The actual food is FABULOUS! There are hot/cold entrees; made to order omelets; salads; seafood including crab, shrimp, and sushi; main courses of prime rib, chicken, fish, more seafood, and MORE!!! Make sure you leave room to make your own sundaes - with freshly made Lilikoi sherbet! and of course tons of whipped cream and hot fudge with mac nuts, sauces, cherries, and more; or the chocolate mac nut pie. UNBELIEVABLE. We go every year. If you stay in Princeville - take the walk 1 mile to the hotel - it will help "work off the calories". For those of you who enjoy cultural activities - after feasting on the buffet - go into the adjacent Ballroom and enjoy the largest collection of Antique Hawaiian quilts encased behind the plexiglas on the walls. Aloha. A hui hou!

Winds of Beamreach - 5300 Ka Haku Road (Pali Ke Kua resort), 808-826-6143

"Adequate meal, but nothing special." "My seared Pork tenderloin was only OK, but my wife's Uku (grey snapper) was one of the best fish preps I have ever tasted. Dessert was pretty good too."

Kilauea

Casa DiAmica - 2484 Keneke, 826-1555

[Reportedly closed and moved to Poipu area]
"Very good Italian"

Kilauea Bakery and Pau Hana Pizza - Kong Lung Center, Kilauea Lighthouse RD, 808-828-2020

"Bread sticks, pastry and pizza ... are great"

Anahola

Duane's Ono-Char Burger - 4-4350 Kuhio Highway, 808/822-9181

"Burgers and Marionberry shakes (fairly sweet, but delicious). A little burger joint on your way to/from the North Shore ... this is actually good food."

CENTRAL KAUAI (Kapaa,Wailua, Lihue)

Kapaa/Wailua

Aloha Diner - 971 Kuhio Hwy # F, 808-822-385

"Great place for authentic Hawaiian food. Small cafeteria, casual dining , friendly owners, low prices and good food."

Bubba's Burgers - 4-421 Kuhio Hwy, 808-823-0069

"A fun and irreverent burger joint" "Good food and very reasonable"

Bull Shed - 4-796 Kuhio Hwy, 808-822-1655

"One of the few restaurants on the ocean. Turn in just across from McDonalds." "I especially like their scallops."

Bull Shed - 796 Kuhio Hwy, (808)822-1655

"Reasonable.. arrive around 5:30 [for a] table by the window - located right on the water... Worth the drive from Princeville... You may need to take part of your meal home in a doggie bag!"

Coconut Beach Hotel - Kapaa

"VERY disappointed with this luau. Food was awful, they crammed people at long tables with no space to move around. The entertainment was average."

Coconuts - 4-919 Kuhio Highway, 823-8777

"Just a block or so north of the green Kapaa Village Shopping Center (whaling wall) .. fabulous dinner there, very reasonable prices. Highly recommended" "..fantastic. ... Best fish I've had in a while, and the creme brulee is heavenly"

Cold Stone Creamery - Kapa'a Safeway Shopping Center and Kukui Grove Shopping Center

When you're out for a BIG treat...make your own ice cream desserts at Cold Stone Creamery...certainly a decadent indulgence!

Dragon Inn - Kapaa

"Stay away... It was awful."

Eggberts In the Coconut Marketplace

Breakfasts are GREAT here...they have outdoor seating if you'd like. Eggs, eggs, eggs, and more. At the South end of the marketplace.

Hanama'ulu Restaurant and Tea House Hanama'ulu (between Wailua and Lihu'e)

Lovely atmosphere in authentic Japanese Gardens. Some private rooms. The food is quite good..not very "saucy", but very tasty. Chinese and Japanese foods. Park in the shopping center adjacent to the restaurant, and walk through the gardens.

Hukilau Lanai - behind the Coconut Marketplace in the Kauai Coast Resort, 808 822 0600

"..owned by the same couple who own Gaylord's at Kilohana Plantation but their prices are more reasonable and ... the service was better"

The King and I Thai Cuisine - 4-901 Kuhio Highway

For those of you who love Thai food...you MUST try this little hole in the wall. Tiny, about 11 tables...everything is fresh. They do such a great job in seasoning their foods. Very informal; very local; very inexpensive; VERY GOOD.

Korean Bar-B-Cue - 4-356 Kuhio Hwy Bldg E, Kinipopo Shopping Center, Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa

"Regular size plates w/ 2 scoops rice, 4 vegetables including mac salad for $6-7. Minis $4.35-5.25. They will also make the combo any way you want even if not listed specifically... Their hot kim chee isn't as hot as most. Don't bother to order their mild version. It's not hot at all and I'm a wimp!

Kountry Kitchen - 1485 Kuhio Hwy, 808-822-3511

"great BIG breakfasts and serve late"

Lemongrass Grill - 4-871 Kuhio Highway, 808-822-2288

Seafood and Sushi Bar
".. cute place .. for great sushi or other FRESH fish"

Mema Thai Cuisine Wailua

Good Thai food in very nice surroundings. More expensive that The King and I, but good food.

Norberto's El Cafe - 4-1373 Kuhio Hwy, 808-822-3362

"It's incredible! ... the Tampico Relleno there is the best that I've had. ... Their salsa is perfect......It's more like a soup and everything in it contributes to the final all-together taste!"

Ono Family Restaurant - 4-1292 Kuhio Hwy, 808-823-8784

"A great local restaurant ... The prices are modest and food great. Try the Hawaiian breakfast of pineapple pancakes -- delicious." "Order the Hawaiian Breakfast. Food is quite reasonable and very tasty." "A modest and small local eatery immediately north of [Pono Kai]. Try the rich homemade coconut pie. Two might want to share one piece." "Well prepared meals and great prices. Try the Hawaiian style rice with breakfast.

A Pacific Cafe - 4-831 Kuhio Hwy # 220, 808-822-0013

Pacific Cafe "temporarily" closed in early 2005, still closed in 2006

"Incredible." "The best place to eat in Hawaii (or anywhere on the Pacific Rim)."
1/2006 update: Pacific Cafe was closed in 2005 and is still closed in January 2006. Too bad. It was a great place. We really enjoyed it.

Pancho and Lefty's - 4-1354 Kuhio Highway, 823-9244

Upstairs in the Hee Fat building, across from ABC Store.
"Seafood fajitas were outstanding, enchiladas dishes were very good .. clean.. service excellent. Hilo Hattie's has a 2 for 1 coupon if you ask for it."

Popos Cookies - 971 East Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, 808-822-6911

"great cookies ... only open until 3:00"

Restaurant Kintaro Japanese Steak House - 4-370 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, 808-822-3341

"Soft Shell Crab roll! Reservations recommended, don't miss if you love sushi."

Wailua Family Restaurant

Very local. Don't be deceived by the tacky outside Christmas lights left on year round. This place definitely deserves a visit or two. First of all, they are VERY inexpensive! They have a huge salad bar and an amazing number of combination type dinners. The breakfasts are EXCELLENT! Try this place and you won't be disappointed.

Lihue

Barbeque Inn - 2982 Kress Street, 808.245.2921

"Moderate prices, good service, huge portions and well prepared. Great homemade dessert pies." "Family run, great menu, large portions and great pie. Price $7-12 for full dinners." "For casual dining and great food"

Cafe Portofino (Italian) - 3501 Rice St # 208, 245-2121

Now in the Marriott. "It's not cheap but we had our two best meals at this restaurant."

Gaylord's - Kilohana Plantation, 3-2087 Kaumualii, (808) 245-9593

"We like the tables closest to the expansive lawn" "I wasn't that impressed with the food but the grounds were nice... It did take the Entertainment Card for 2 for 1 meals." "...mediocre..." "[Lobster] wasn't worth the $200 for 4 people!" "Food [is] excellent and the service is also very good .. not unusual for us to eat there three or four times in a two week stay .. dessert as good as any four star restaurant."

Jean-Marie's Pacific Bakery and Grill - Lihue

"Casual, great breakfast and lunch. Same chef who runs the Beach House and A Pacific Cafe"

J.J.'s Broiler - 3416 Rice St, 808-246-4422

"Overlooking Kalapaki Bay and the Marriott... really good bar fare... view is wonderful""Not the best food, but good variety and reasonable prices."

Kalapaki Beach Hut - 3474 Rice St, 246-6330

Just off Marriott property, between Dukes and JJ's. "If you want a quick, cheap meal." "..does not look like much but has a great breakfast egg sandwich and a even greater hamburger."

Marriott Resort and Beach Club - 3610 Rice St, 808-245-5050

The Marriott complex has several restaurants onsite. "The hotel restaurants are terrific." "They are all very nice but a little pricey"

Aupaka Terrace

"All-you-can-eat pupus on ThuFriSat 5-9pm with piano/singer for $10"

Barefoot Bar at Duke's

"Great pupus, ribs, small meals, and Hula Pie!"

Duke's Canoe Club 246-9599

"Can be rather expensive ... try the Barefoot Bar instead." "A little less expensive [than the more formal Kukui's], more casual, and a great menu" "Terrific salad bar" "Fresh fish was superb"

Kalapaki Grill

"Great for those not wishing to move off their chaise lounges."

Tip Top Cafe - 3173 Akahi Street, 808-245-2333

"fabulous macadamia nut/pineapple pancakes"

Paradise Seafood and Grill 3-1878 Kaumuali'i Highway Lihu'e, directly across from The Community College

Very local. Outside and inside dining. Benches and tables outside...very low keyed and casual. The VERY BEST fish and chips (Ono) freshly caught you have ever tasted. Eat outdoors for more "flavor".

Whaler's Brew Pub - 3132 Ninini Point Street, Lihue 245.2000

"Up by the golf course" "Very good place to eat" "for Sunday brunch"

SOUTH KAUAI (Koloa, Poipu, Hanapepe)

Poipu

Beach House - 5022 Lawai Road, Poipu, across from Lawai Beach 742-1424

"Insist on a window to watch the sunset/ whales spouting" "The food is wonderful - always good, and the sunsets are gorgeous. If the surf's up, many top surfers hang out right off Lawai Beach, right next to the restaurant." "$35-50 pp, excellent appetizers, and the best sunset on the south shore." "Recently received Zagatt's highest recommendation ... had lovely romantic dinners there ... only high class restaurant right on the shore."

Brenneke's Beach Broiler- 2100 Hoone Rd, Poipu Beach 742-7588

"They rebuilt after the hurricane and have better ocean views than before. It is a little noisy but very popular, and the food is what you would expect at an upscale sports bar.

Pattaya Asian Cafe - Poipu Shopping Village (808) 742-8818

"Has excellent Thai cuisine (and I'm picky about my Thai food!)"

Koloa

House of Seafood - 1941 Poipu RD, 808-742-6433

Keoki's Paradise- Kiahuna Plantation, Koloa, (808)742-7534

"Recommended for lunch and/or dinner. You will receive a great meal and the price is reasonable, make sure you check out the hula pie!" "The Hawaiian Swordfish is the best and was prepared well. The service was great and the cost was about $90 for two (including app,drinks, dessert and tip)" "Good value and reasonable for what you got ... great fish, wonderful service and a "romantic ambience

Koloa Broiler - Koloa

[Out of business, per Ultimate Kauai Guidebook website.]

Plantation Gardens Restaurant (Italian) - Kiahuna Plantation, Koloa

2253 Poipu Road, (808) 742-2216
[Formerly Piatti's]
"very romantic with excellent seafood"
Wonderful old plantation type building and ambience. Tables on the wrap-around Lanai overlooking the tropical garden. Fusion seafood, plus good pizza appetizers and meat dishes. About $50 pp.

Roy's Poipu Bar and Grille, 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr, Koloa 808-742-5000

"[Roy's] was a dream." "...exceptional. .." "The best meal we had on both Kauai and Maui." "$35-50 pp"

Tomkat's Grille - 5404 Koloa Road, Koloa, 808-742-8887

"casual, reasonable dining"

Tidepools - Hyatt Regency, 1571 Poipu Road, Koloa, 808-742-1234

"for romantic atmosphere" ".. a fine meal in a dreamlike setting. They serve a GREAT mai tai."

Kalaheo

Brick Oven - 2-2555 Kaumualii Hwy, Kalaheo 332-8561

"Best pizza [in the Poipu area]"

Camp House Grill - 2-2431 Kaumualii Hwy, 808-332-9755

"The food is great and the decor ain't!!"

Kalaheo Coffee House - Kalaheo

"Great for sandwiches but VERY tiny"

Hanapepe

Green Garden Restaurant - Hanapepe

"Nice stop on the way to or from Waimea Canyon" "Tallest lilikoi pie" "..great, especially the lilicoi pie... very reasonable"

Hanapepe Cafe' and Expresso - 3830 Hanapepe Road, Hanapepe, 808-335-5011.

"A vegetarian restaurant where the chef really knows how to use interesting spices and ingredients."

Westside

Koke'e State Park Kekaha

Drive up to Koke'e. The restaurant is on your left...adjacent to the museum...in a lovely meadow. Wonderful breakfasts and lunches...when you drive all the way up to view Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Beach Lookout from the end of the road, stop and have a snack. Nice break.

Waimea Brewing Company 9400 Kaumuali'i Highway Makai side adjacent to Waimea Plantation Cottages

FABULOUS lunches and dinners. Outside dining, as well as inside next to their bar/brewery. The local beer is great...different tastes for different times. You can order 5, 2 oz samples. GREAT, HUGE salads. They have the best (not hottest), most flavorful hot sauce for their wings...a must try. Thursday nights they have local groups come in to perform...great local entertainment. Enjoy.

BUDGET STRETCHERS - Our resident penny-pincher Suzy Marsden's picks for inexpensive meals!

Garden Island BarBQue - Rice Street, Lihue (next to Oroweat Outlet) 245-8868

"$5.25-7 for plate lunch type dinners. Chinese entrees, rice, etc."

Hamura's Saimin Stand - 2956 Kress Street, Lihue, (808) 245-3271

"the saimin is delicious!"

"Under $5. The best saimin. Also barBQue sticks of chix or beef, fried noodles, manapua (not on weekends), lilikoi pie, shave ice."

Joni Hana - Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Lihue 245-5213

"plate lunch and best kakimochi cookies" "Doesn't open early in the morning anymore. Spam and chicken musubi, cone sushi, maki rolls, arare cookies, mochi, hot line items."

Kauai Bakery and Cinnamon - Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Lihue 246-4765

"get some malasadas. Not hot like at Leonard's but still good. The apple turnover was just ok.

Kauai Kitchens
- Rice St Shopping Center (by the bowling alley), Lihue 245-4513
- 5516 Koloa Road, Koloa 245-4513

"The loco moco is under $4, maybe it was even $2.95. Only one egg, whole plate of rice, hamburger patty, and lots of brown gravy. They even have cappuchino! And then you can pick up stuff for lunch for taking on hikes. They put out Spam musubi, sushi rolls, bentos, etc. around 8am. Hot line entrees for lunch also."

Kim Chee #9 - Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Lihue (808) 246-0106

"Forget the Korean Barbeque that I previously recommended up in Kapaa. This one is so much better. Most of the specials also come with soup. $6.50-14.50 and smaller portions $5.75-6.25. The best deal is the Kim Chee Restaurant Special (kalbi, bulgogi, chicken, meat jun, and fried Man Doo) - enough to feed at least two or three if you had extra rice, $14."

Ma's Family Restaurant - Lihue 245-3142

"for breakfast"

Okazu Hale - Rice Street, Lihue

"Very small but offers Japanese entrees"

Oki Diner and Bakery - Lihue, next to McDonald's 245-5899

"Inexpensive, open 24 hours"

Po's Kitchen - Lihue 246-8617

"box lunches $4-7, open from 6am-2pm"

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