6 Best Restaurants in The East Side, Kauai

Relying heavily on super-fresh island fish and local meats and produce, this restaurant offers creatively prepared food that is a great choice for value and consistent quality in a relaxed refined setting. The nightly fish specials—served grilled, steamed, or sautéed with succulent sauces—shine here. Other sound choices are the savory meat loaf, prime rib, or the chicken and mushrooms; the ahi poke nachos and sweet-potato ravioli are not to be missed. The coconut cheesecake and warm chocolate cake are dessert highlights. The spacious dining room looks out to the ocean, and it's lovely to eat at the outdoor tables when the weather is nice.

The A-frame structure makes this popular restaurant look distinctly rustic from the outside, but inside, light colors and a full wall of glass highlight an ocean view that is one of the best on Kauai. The food is simple and the menu rarely changes, but they know how to do surf and turf well, including prime rib and Australian rack of lamb. You can try one of several combination platters or order fresh island fish and thick steaks individually. Longtime visitors and locals love this place, which hasn't changed much since it opened in 1973. Arrive early for the best seats.

The views of Kalapaki Bay and the Haupu Mountain Range are impressive at this mostly authentic northern Italian restaurant, which offers a range of pasta, meat, chicken, and fresh fish selections, as well as vegetarian entrées, a kids' menu, and pizza. Linger over coffee and ice cream–filled profiteroles or traditional tiramisu; if you visit on a Tuesday night, there will be live music. Competent service and a soothing dignified ambience complete the dining experience.

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.

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.

Located in what was once Kauai's most expensive plantation estate, Gaylords pays tribute to the elegant dining rooms of 1930s high society: candlelit tables sit on a cobblestone courtyard that surrounds a fountain and overlooks a wide lawn. The menu is eclectic, offering Portuguese fish stew, shrimp pasta, scallops, steak, sake short ribs, chicken, and a few vegan and vegetarian options. Be sure to start with the fresh ahi poke stack. The banana cream pie with a coconut crust is a tasty twist on an old favorite. Lunch offers some hearty salads, soups, hot and cold sandwiches, and burgers.