RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BEST FOOD & DRINK ON THE GARDEN ISLE
When you’re on an island as remote as Hawaii, you’re definitely going to find a lot of fresh fish and local ingredients in the cuisine- it’s the island way! But discerning the best places to go for Hawaiian favorites is tougher than it seems…
Whenever I travel somewhere new, I do a TON of research – not only on the must see views, activities, landmarks, etc., but also on the food scene. I’m not interested in Michelin ranking, but rather focus on ambiance, food quality, and overall vibe.
You may be asking yourself, why should I take recommendations from some random girl with a blog? Well, in addition to the hours of research I conduct before every trip, I also crowdsource recommendations from my own friends & family, my Instagram travel community, and locals I’ve met on along the way! I won’t recommend anything that I haven’t first enjoyed myself.
I still have so much to explore on the island, but here is my quick guide to the best eats on Kauai that I’ve encountered so far. I’ll be back on Kauai for two weeks later this year, so keep checking back for more updates!
TAHITI NUI | Northside • Hanalei | Hawaiian
Tahiti Nui is the perfect spot to grab a mai tai and some delicious seafood after a day of hiking in Haena State Park. The place has a relaxed, local atmosphere with live music every night! There’s a lot of places in Hawaii that claim they have the best mai tai, but Tahiti Nui’s version is my favorite and it was even featured as one of the best drinks in the world in the Wall St Journal!
If you’re a movie buff like me, you’ll enjoy the fact that George Clooney does a scene here in “The Descendants.”
♥︎ Mai Tai & Fresh Seafood
KEOKI’S PARADISE | Southside • Poipu | Hawaiian
Hands down, Keoki’s Paradise is my favorite restaurant on Kauai! It’s lush atmosphere decorated with tiki torches makes you feel like you’re dining in a hidden jungle oasis. Nothing gets better than enjoying live music while sipping on a fresh piña colada straight from a pineapple (it was so good that I shamelessly took my pineapple home afterwards to eat). The vibes are high and the food is delicious, so don’t miss out! I truly enjoyed every second of my meal here!
♥︎ Panko & Mac Nut Crusted Fresh Fish & Poipu Piña Colada
BEACH HOUSE | Southside • Poipu | Pacific Rim
An upscale, beachfront restaurant and home to one of the most beautiful sunset spots on the island, it’s no wonder that the Beach House has been named Honolulu Magazine’s Best Kauai Restaurant! Beach House is perfect for a romantic date night or a blissful evening with friends. No matter what time your reservation is, make sure you’re here for golden hour…it’s a spectacular experience that I’ll never forget!
♥︎ Seared Ahi Steak
BRENNECKE’S BEACH BROILER | Southside • Poipu | Seafood
Brennecke’s Beach Broiler is a fantastic choice no matter the company. A relaxed, open-air restaurant right on Brennecke’s beach where the green sea turtles come to rest…you can’t beat the ocean views at this spot! Brennecke’s has a casual atmosphere with delicious food and live music!
♥︎ Surf & Turf
COCONUT CORNER | Southside • Waimea | Thai
Coconut Corner is the perfect spot to grab a yummy snack and a refreshing drink after a long day of hiking in Waimea Canyon. Located right off HI-50, this fruit stand/farmer’s market offers the freshest smoothies and coconut water! I haven’t tried the food here but it looks so satisfying!
♥︎ Pineapple & Coconut Smoothie
I can’t wait to explore more of Kauai so keep checking back for more updates! I’d love to hear about your favorite restaurants (and mai tais) on Kauai – add them to the comments below!
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