Kauai is a lot of things… stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, jungle waterfalls, the whole deal. But I’ll be honest: When I’m on vacation, a lot of my days revolve around food ; ) 

These are some of the places I keep coming back to:

Beach House

If you only have one special dinner on Kauai, this is where you go. The Beach House on the south shore is as close to the water as you can possibly get without eating on the actual beach, and on a clear evening the sunset views are genuinely jaw-dropping. 

Chef Peter Merriman’s farm-to-table approach means the fish you’re eating was likely caught that morning, and the famous monkeypod mai tai with honey-lilikoi foam is…famous for a reason.  

Make reservations in advance for a table, or arrive early for a shot at one of the couches on the lawn that are first come, first serve. 

Java Kai

There are a couple of locations but the one in Koloa is my favorite. It’s a great spot for coffee and breakfast and has that perfectly laid-back Kauai vibe that makes you want to stay a little longer than you planned. 

Great coffee, delicious treats, and heartier breakfast/lunch options.

Break + Feast

This award-winning brunch spot is tucked upstairs in Koloa Village and is one of those places that looks like a hidden gem right up until you try to get a table and realize everyone already knows about it. 

The menu blends Hawaiian, Portuguese, Japanese, Filipino and other influences into dishes like a coconut curry loco moco and lilikoi pancakes that are as creative as anything you’ll find on the island. 

Reservations are strongly recommended. The green chile skillet and banana bread pudding French toast are both worth ordering.

The Haven

The Haven near Hanalei is where you go when you want a really serious cup of coffee on the north shore… consistently called some of the best third-wave coffee on the island. Small, unpretentious, and exactly right for a slow north shore morning before a beach day. Don’t miss it.

Little Fish Coffee

This spot in Poipu feels like neighborhood secret…except it’s not a secret. You’ll know that as soon as you arrive. Unless you get there before it opens, it’s almost always a 30-45 minute wait in line (and then longer if you order food). 

But it’s the only local coffee shop within walking distance to most of the resorts and condos in Poipu, so it’s worth getting up early for or toughing out the line.

Merriman’s

Peter Merriman’s other Kauai spot, perched on the second floor of the Shops at Kukuiula is one of my favorite spots for a nice meal that still feels relaxed. 

The food is excellent, the cocktails are strong (you can get those famous Monkeypod mai tais here), and the setting still feels special. 

Tahiti Nui

Tahiti Nui in Hanalei is a Kauai institution and one of the most fun nights you can have on the north shore. There’s live music most nights, the mai tais are legendary, and the whole place has this wonderfully timeless local bar energy that you just can’t manufacture. 

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You can’t make reservations so get there early, grab a table, and settle in. Order the mai tai and mahi mahi or their pizzas are great as well.

Wishing Well

Wishing Well in Hanalei is a POPULAR spot for coffee so there’s usually a line but they’re efficient and it moves quickly. 

And I love that their glass jars double as a souvenir. 

Holy Grail Donuts

Also in Hanalei, and the name is not an overstatement. Holy Grail makes their donuts fresh to order, fried in coconut oil, and often featuring seasonal. They’re decadent and local and you absolutely need one. Or two. No judgment. 

Tidepools

The signature restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, Tidepools has earned its reputation as Kauai’s nicest restaurant through it’s romantic setting… it’s open-air setting over a series of koi ponds and it’s genuinely magical at night.

It’s a splurge for sure, but worth it for the right occasion.

Welina Terrace

Welina Terrace at the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is the go to spot for cocktails and a sunset view over Hanalei Bay. The food and sushi are great, but honestly even if you just pull up to the bar for drinks right before sunset, it’ll be a moment you remember for a long time. This spot probably has the best view in all of Kauai. Make a reservation for just before sunset and thank yourself later.

Common Ground

This one is in a category all its own and it’s an experience.

Common Ground is an 83-acre regenerative farm in Kilauea on the north shore that offers a farm tour, a four-course prix fixe dinner made almost entirely from ingredients grown on the property, and a lei making workshop. 

The dinner shifts with the season based on what’s coming from the farm.

The lei making portion is makes the evening feel extra special.

The Dolphin

The Dolphin in Hanalei has been a north shore staple for years and the ahi here is EXCEPTIONAL. I love this place. The fish is incredibly fresh, the setting is casual and charming right on the Hanalei River, and the whole vibe feels very authentically Kauai.

 

Red Salt

I don’t normally go out of my way for a hotel restaurant, but I always love Red Salt at the Ko’a Kea Hotel in Poipu.  I think it doesn’t get talked about enough. The lobster burger is genuinely insane… one of those dishes that sounds slightly too indulgent…and it is. But it’s soooo good. 

Great cocktails and a beautiful setting.

Want the full plan, not just this post?

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably actually planning a trip to Maui…not just daydreaming. So here’s the thing: what you just read is a small piece of what I know about this island.

I’ve been visiting Maui for years, and I put everything…the itineraries, the hotel breakdowns, the restaurants actually worth your time, the spots most visitors never find…into one guide. It’s 75+ pages, built around real day-by-day plans (not just a list of “things to do”), plus an interactive map so you’re not toggling between five browser tabs trying to piece your trip together.

It’s the guide I wish I’d had on my first few trips here.

See what’s inside the Maui Guide → HERE