3 Best Restaurants in The North Shore, Kauai

Hip and pricey, this tapas bar is a top place in Hanalei in terms of flavor and creativity, with food that's often organic and consistently remarkable. The dining room is super-casual but chic, with a welcoming bar and a nice porch for outdoor dining. Owner-chefs Hanna and Kenny Uddifa's brief menu changes regularly, but favorites include honeycomb with goat cheese and apple or Hawaiian fish (type depends on the local catch) with leek couscous, sunchokes, white wine beurre blanc, and sunflower sprouts. The adjacent sister restaurant, Ama, serves ramen and other Asian-style dishes in an upscale outdoor setting.

A sleek upscale restaurant with sweeping views over Hanalei Bay, Welina serves multicultural dishes with a modern Japanese flair, made with sustainably sourced ingredients derived mostly from Kauai, other Hawaiian islands, and the resort’s organic rooftop garden. The menu focuses on small shareable plates (sushi and sashimi); savor your meal indoors or out on the terrace, where you can also enjoy fantastic sunsets and craft cocktails.

The signature restaurant at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay serves fresh local-focused fare in an open airy space overlooking the sea. Local farms, purveyors, and the resort’s organic rooftop garden supply most of the ingredients here; the seasonal dinner menu has several options that showcase local greens, plus house-made pastas, grilled local fish, and sides like shoestring za’atar fries.