18 Best Restaurants in Kauai, Hawaii

Talk about "farm to table"––Kokee Lodge grows much of its own produce, and the tables are handmade from local lumber. Local beef is used for loco mocos (white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and fried egg) and burgers, which can be served on fresh greens with house-made dressings; a veggie strata or a kalua pork plate, with Kokee plum barbecue sauce, is a perfect hot lunch on chilly days. Hikers have every excuse to carb load with locally famous corn bread or to refuel with pie by the fire. There's a full bar, espresso counter, and live music, too. Peruse the gift shop for "Hunt Pig" T-shirts, postcards, and mountain memorabilia.  Ask about the occasional chef's dinners.

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.

Large helpings of simple but satisfying, hearty fare are the focus at this no-frills spot in the slightly run-down Rice Shopping Center. Breakfast standards like stuffed French toast, shrimp or standard eggs Benedict, blueberry pancakes, waffles, and eggs dominate the menu and are served until closing. You'll also find many Island favorites, including saimin noodles, tripe stew, oxtail soup, and hefty plate lunches featuring kalbi (Korean barbecue beef), roast pork, and chili and rice. A small selection of sandwiches and burgers rounds out the offerings.

Hualani's is bright, airy, and expansive with an unobstructed view of the ocean, delivering diners a casual yet upscale experience built on the farm-to-table concept. The food is simply and deftly prepared in an Asian-fusion style: the pan-seared opah (moonfish) is delicate, while the seared ahi is crusted in sesame seeds. Those seeking local flavors will want to try the lychee-smoked sticky ribs, arare-crusted opah, kalbi lamb chops, or Moloaa honeycomb with Kilauea goat cheese. Lunch is the best value, with fish tacos, salads, fresh fish, burgers, and smaller portions of some dinner choices, all served alongside that amazing view. The fish and beef are locally sourced, while many of the vegetables are harvested from an on-site farm. Daily happy hour offers a nice selection of appetizers. Valet parking only.

A sibling of popular Java Kai in Kapaa, this Kilauea coffee joint serves breakfast and lunch until 2 pm. Order online ahead of time, otherwise risk a lengthy wait.

Folks love this roadside café—especially at breakfast and lunch, though it's good for dinner, too—for its casual neighborhood feel and lengthy menu with omelets, sandwiches, burgers, and plenty more. Lots of Kauai products are used here, including Anahola Granola, fruit for smoothies, fresh-caught fish, and coffee, which you can also buy by the pound. Takeout is an option. This is a solid choice, with vegetarian and gluten-free options, in an area with limited restaurants.

Open from 6:30 am, the bakery serves coffee drinks, delicious fresh pastries, bagels, and breads in the morning, but late risers should beware: breads and pastries sell out quickly. Pizza (including a gluten-free dough option), soup, and salads can be ordered for lunch or dinner. Service is leisurely. There's free Wi-Fi and a cute courtyard with covered tables.

Order freshly prepared Hawaiian and American meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—snacks, beer, and wine at the counter at this casual contemporary restaurant, coffee bar, and beer and wine bar in an upscale grocery store. The extensive and eclectic menus include something for everyone, from loco moco (white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and fried egg), plate lunches, and fresh-catch fish-and-chips to pizzas, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. The café closes at 4 pm, so pick up to-go dinners beforehand.

If you like a super hearty breakfast, try this family-friendly restaurant, a Kapaa mainstay since 1975. With its familiar food, cozy atmosphere, and friendly service, it's a great spot for omelets, banana pancakes, waffles, and eggs Benedict in two sizes. Lunch selections include sandwiches, burgers, and loco moco. It's very busy at breakfast, so expect a wait. 

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.

A perfect beach day starts with coffee and an acai bowl or bagel sandwich from Little Fish, a popular snack shack along the main road in Poipu. Spreads are house-made, bakery treats are mom's recipes, and the flavor-packed smoothies will have you back tomorrow for another. Ingredients are locally grown and organic whenever possible. Order online for pickup or watch the world go by from a picnic table.

A range of light fare is served from brunchtime through evening on the covered lanai attached to Living Foods general store at The Shops at Kukuiula. Locally sourced starters, sandwiches, fish preparations, entrée salads, and desserts can be ordered via the café's website, which speeds up table service. Grown-ups will find wines by the glass, draft beers, and clever cocktails, while the keiki will find tried-and-true favorite foods. The coffee counter and bakery opens early; takeout is available.

Organic non-GMO flour is transformed into breads and pastries available at the bakery or at farmers' markets and health-food stores around the island. Hot panini, tartines (open-faced sandwiches), pizza, and deli favorites use island-grown produce and make for a satisfying quick breakfast or lunch, for here or to go. Don't forget dessert.

Don't let the name fool you; they don't open at sunrise (more like 7:30 am, so come here after you watch the sunrise elsewhere). And it's not just a fruit stand: fill up on bagels, pancakes, smoothies, and coffee drinks in the morning; homemade salads, burritos, panini, and sandwiches for lunch; and tropical-style fresh juices, such as pineapple, carrot, watermelon, and guava, anytime.

Smart sophisticated decor, attentive and skilled service, and an exceptional menu that highlights Hawaiian seafood make Red Salt a great choice for leisurely fine dining. A daily breakfast is also served, featuring lobster Benedict and lemon-pineapple soufflé pancakes. The sushi lounge and pool bar offer more of the kitchen's great food at lower prices. The seared ahi with furikake (a Japanese seasoning) is accompanied by coconut-lemongrass black rice, while the Australian lamb chops are dredged in Parmesan and herbs. Dessert options include Hawaiian bread pudding drenched in rum caramel, a passion fruit crème brûlée, and five dessert martinis.

A restored plantation cottage surrounded by tropical foliage is the casual setting for this island café, whose name and plant-based menu reflect the owner's love for his late dog. Choose from tofu scrambles, salads, chickpea-curry wraps, tempeh sandwiches, banana pancakes, hummus wraps, and Beyond Beef burgers. A selection of pupu (appetizers) is available after 11 am. Outdoor seating in the vine-covered garden is pleasant during nice weather, and acoustic music is offered most evenings.

This Asian restaurant, known as SEA Kauai, is a welcome and affordable addition to the Lihue dining scene, offering super fresh sushi as well as Thai cuisine. Try the popular sushi boats or the sweet-spicy pineapple curry. The setting is simple and clean, with indoor and open-air seating, and the service is friendly and efficient.

A tiny café with a huge local following, Trilogy serves artisanal coffee, tea, chai, and various specialty drinks, plus an array of sweet and savory treats, from avocado toast with macadamia pesto and za'atar seasoning to cakes and cookies.