Where to Eat on Kauai: 11 Spots I’d Go Back For
Is it possible to eat your way around an entire island in one week? I gave it a VERY honest effort.
For those of you who asked what I ate on Kauai, here’s the full list. Food trucks, beach bars, one life-changing croissant, and a few things I’d skip. I’ve included prices and tips so you can walk in like you’ve been there before!
The Must-Eats
Kauai Poke Sushi, Kapaa
If you only get poke once on Kauai, get it here. This was my favorite poke of the whole trip, and that’s coming from someone who ordered poke basically every day. Around $22 a bowl, and every single piece of fish was perfect. Beyond the fish, the bowl is really well balanced: the right ratio of fish to rice, toppings, and sauce, so no bite is boring. I was skeptical about the corn and it completely won me over.
It’s in the little food truck lot on Kuhio Hwy, where you can sit and look at the ocean while you eat. Which doesn’t hurt.
Silver Cloud Eatery, Kilauea
The kalua pork mole burrito is one of the best things I ate on Kauai. The mole has 22 ingredients and you can taste the effort. Inside it’s perfectly layered egg, potato, and kalua pork, then the whole thing gets smothered in mole. It’s also HUGE.
It’s a little tucked away. You walk through the mini golf reception area to find it, and it’s in an Airstream (no, you’re not lost). I believe the mole burrito is weekends only, maybe just Saturdays, so plan around it. Bonus: the Saturday farmers market is right there, so you can make a morning of it.
Wailua Bakeshop, Wailua
My only regret is finding this place in our last couple days. The malasadas have the PERFECT texture, and the fillings are incredible. Guava was my favorite, a little tart but creamy. The POG filling is so rich I could eat it with a spoon.
And then the ham and cheese croissant.. holy cow. Flaky and buttery enough to rival the ones I had in France. My hot take: a ham and cheese croissant should be about the croissant, with the ham as an accent. It’s not a ham sandwich. They nailed that ratio and I’m still thinking about it. A must.
Plate Lunch and Food Trucks
K&K Island Eats, Kapaa
Get the combo shrimp plate. It’s $30, but it was SO good. The coconut shrimp was my favorite, and the garlic shrimp brings plenty of garlic (the only acceptable amount). Like most things in Hawaii, the posted hours are more of a suggestion, so build in a little flexibility. Worth it.
The Musubi Truck, Kapaa
The deep-fried spam musubi ($8) is the move. REALLY good, and hefty, not a dainty snack. I also tried the ahi and salmon poke bowl ($23). The fish was good, but it was pretty minimal (fish, rice, sauce, onions), and I wish it had seaweed or a few more toppings.
Puka Dog, Poipu
LOVE. The bun has a hole baked into it, so the hot dog is fully enclosed and the sauce stays put (your shirt says thank you). I got the mango relish and the Hawaiian passion fruit mustard, and that mustard is SO good.
Tip: the line is long from about 11 to 2 and way shorter after that. It makes a great sunset snack.
Sit-Down and Drinks
Brennecke’s Beach Broiler, Poipu
Right on the water across from Poipu Beach. Ask for a table on the lanai or a window seat. We liked it so much we went twice, since it’s perfect for popping in for a drink or a snack between beach sessions. Our server Saber and bartender Kai were both fantastic.
The crab cakes are substantial for $22, and the mango sauce with the coconut shrimp is really good. Then there’s the lava flow: excellent, and during happy hour (3 to 5, I believe) you can get a whole PITCHER for $25. Dangerous information. Use it wisely.
Lava Lava Beach Club, Kapaa
One of our favorites on the island. Live music, tables right in the sand, and great drinks. The limeade, the ube limeade, and the mai tai were all very good. The poke nachos ($28) are amazing, but I think they’re only served after 3pm, so time your visit. Easy place to lose an entire afternoon, in the best way.
Sensei Sushi Bar & Grill, Kapaa
The bento box to go ($23) with miso butterfish, chicken katsu, and sushi is a solid value. The katsu is the star: crispy, juicy, exactly what you want. The butterfish was the one miss for me. I like mine with a richer, more caramelized miso glaze, and this was milder. I’d still go back for the katsu.
Positive Coffee
A cute coffee truck with fresh-baked biscuits. I tried the 3C (cacao cold brew, coconut milk, and vanilla) and the local mocha, and both were good. But get a biscuit with the mango butter. The biscuit is good, the mango butter is the reason to order it. I’d put that stuff on everything.
Holoholo Bike Rentals, Kapaa
Between meals, rent e-bikes and ride the east side coastal path. It’s $55 for 2 hours, which was enough to go both directions and make a few stops. Call ahead to reserve a time and the bikes are ready when you show up. One of the best ways to see the coast, and you’ll have room for more poke after.
Have you been to Kauai? Tell me what I missed so I have an excuse to go back (:
