Sweet Treats:
- Ono Ono Shave Ice
- Located in Kapaa right of the main road, they feature lots of different flavors from traditional to more unique flavors like Pickle Juice! If you haven’t had Shave Ice, it is very different from Snow Cones, similar concept but the ice is softer and instantly melts in your mouth as opposed to the crunchy snow-cone like ice. I recommend getting it with Ice Cream – the ice cream will be at the center and covered in Shave Ice. You can also add extras like Sour Spray or Condensed Milk. Just know servings are large and you may want to share!
- Lappert’s Ice Cream
- The best and only Ice Cream you need to worry about in Hawaii. There are some traditional flavors but the majority have a Hawaiian influence. My favorite is Macadamia Nut ice cream, I definitely recommend it because I have yet to find it anywhere other than Hawaii… so I go on a bit of a Mac Nut Ice Cream binge in Hawaii.
Quick Eats:
- Kilauea Fish Market
- Its a simple concept, you go into the fish market, order your food, and there is a large patio where you can snag a table. The fish market has a limited menu but I recommend the fish tacos or burritos. It is great for an easy stop during a busy day! Or after a long hike or day at the beach! I am not a huge fish person, but quite possibly the best fish I have ever had! If fish is not your thing they also offer chicken plates!
- 4270 Kilauea Rd, Kilauea, HI 96754
- Its a simple concept, you go into the fish market, order your food, and there is a large patio where you can snag a table. The fish market has a limited menu but I recommend the fish tacos or burritos. It is great for an easy stop during a busy day! Or after a long hike or day at the beach! I am not a huge fish person, but quite possibly the best fish I have ever had! If fish is not your thing they also offer chicken plates!
- Hanalei Dolphin Fish Market
- This is a great stop if you want to pick up some freshly caught fish and whip up your own dinner or lunch back at your hotel or condo. The selections are based on whatever they catch that day. They also have a small selection of sushi and different types of Tuna Poke. Let me tell you – this is the best Poke I have ever had, the tuna just melts in your mouth. My favorite fish is Opah and I can almost always find it at this market. We usually grab some and bring it back to grill for dinner.
- Hanalei Dolphin Center 5-5016 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 96714
- This is a great stop if you want to pick up some freshly caught fish and whip up your own dinner or lunch back at your hotel or condo. The selections are based on whatever they catch that day. They also have a small selection of sushi and different types of Tuna Poke. Let me tell you – this is the best Poke I have ever had, the tuna just melts in your mouth. My favorite fish is Opah and I can almost always find it at this market. We usually grab some and bring it back to grill for dinner.
- Porky’s Food Truck
- It quickly became one of my favorite food trucks, while the menu is simple the flavors are bold. The Pineapple Sausage topped with Kalua pork, pineapple and bbq sauce is the perfect marriage of sweet and savory, while the grilled cheese is gooey and the pork is tender and delicious! They are ranked one of the 10 Best Places in America to get a grilled cheese. They have 3 locations – the one in Kapaa is a great stop if you are driving between the south and north side of the island, or there is one right by Waimea Canyon which is convenient if you are doing the drive up the canyon, or one in Hapapepe.
Favorite Restaurants:
- Bar Acuda
- A tapas themed restaurant with the best combinations of flavors. Many of them featuring more unique options, like Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese with Honey Comb and Apples or Grilled Lamb Lollipops. Keep in mind I am not a huge lamb person, but these were to die for. Bar Acuda also has fantastic cocktails and is a fun environment for a group of people. Make sure to make a reservation!
- 5-5161 Kuhio Highway Hanalei, HI 96714
- A tapas themed restaurant with the best combinations of flavors. Many of them featuring more unique options, like Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese with Honey Comb and Apples or Grilled Lamb Lollipops. Keep in mind I am not a huge lamb person, but these were to die for. Bar Acuda also has fantastic cocktails and is a fun environment for a group of people. Make sure to make a reservation!
- The Dolphin
- Some of the best sushi I have ever had. Maybe its because of the environment or that the fish is caught that day and fresh off the boat. My favorite rolls are; The Traditional California roll, its made with real crab as opposed to imitation. I am also a fan of the U-Megan-Me-Crazy Roll it has spicy shrimp, tuna, avocado and asparagus. The restaurant also offers a variety of fish and you can choose how you want it cooked. Sits alongside the Hanalei river.
- Hanalei Dolphin Center 5-5016 Kuhio Highway Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 96714
- Some of the best sushi I have ever had. Maybe its because of the environment or that the fish is caught that day and fresh off the boat. My favorite rolls are; The Traditional California roll, its made with real crab as opposed to imitation. I am also a fan of the U-Megan-Me-Crazy Roll it has spicy shrimp, tuna, avocado and asparagus. The restaurant also offers a variety of fish and you can choose how you want it cooked. Sits alongside the Hanalei river.
- The Bistro
- This is a cute restaurant with a variety of foods. First get yourself a drink, they are festive and delicious! Come hungry because they have great appetizers, entrees and to “die-for” desserts. The bistro also features live music which gives a fun ambiance to your dining experience. I had the Fresh Beet salad, which was refreshing and not too filling. Then I had the Mac-nut Pesto Penne, as I said before I am not big on fish so I needed a little break, plus I am a sucker for anything with Macadamia Nuts. It was amazing, from now on I will always use Macadamia Nuts in my pesto. If you want a fish option the blackened or grilled fish are great, it just depends on what the fish of the day is! As for dessert we enjoyed an amazing Pineapple Cobbler, it wasn’t too sweet and you can’t go wrong with Hawaii Pineapples! My mom is now on a mission to try and recreate this dish… she still dreams about it!
- 2484 Keneke St, Kilauea, HI 96754
- This is a cute restaurant with a variety of foods. First get yourself a drink, they are festive and delicious! Come hungry because they have great appetizers, entrees and to “die-for” desserts. The bistro also features live music which gives a fun ambiance to your dining experience. I had the Fresh Beet salad, which was refreshing and not too filling. Then I had the Mac-nut Pesto Penne, as I said before I am not big on fish so I needed a little break, plus I am a sucker for anything with Macadamia Nuts. It was amazing, from now on I will always use Macadamia Nuts in my pesto. If you want a fish option the blackened or grilled fish are great, it just depends on what the fish of the day is! As for dessert we enjoyed an amazing Pineapple Cobbler, it wasn’t too sweet and you can’t go wrong with Hawaii Pineapples! My mom is now on a mission to try and recreate this dish… she still dreams about it!
- Kauai Ono
- This is a great “Pop-Up” farm to table restaurant. Right now they have a tent set up in Princeville with a food truck type kitchen. Its a set-menu that features local farm, fish & forage to table ingredients. The dishes that the Chef comes up with are creative with unique combinations. The set price five course menu is constantly changing so it is always different each time you go. It is BYOB so make sure to bring your own wine and beer, they have a cooler to keep drinks cold, and bottle openers and glasses. Make sure to get a reservation well in advance as they only do the Pop-Up a couple nights a week, and it is 1 dinner service a night! This is a very unique experience, and I highly recommend. We always return every time we come to Hawaii.
- kauaiono.com
- This is a great “Pop-Up” farm to table restaurant. Right now they have a tent set up in Princeville with a food truck type kitchen. Its a set-menu that features local farm, fish & forage to table ingredients. The dishes that the Chef comes up with are creative with unique combinations. The set price five course menu is constantly changing so it is always different each time you go. It is BYOB so make sure to bring your own wine and beer, they have a cooler to keep drinks cold, and bottle openers and glasses. Make sure to get a reservation well in advance as they only do the Pop-Up a couple nights a week, and it is 1 dinner service a night! This is a very unique experience, and I highly recommend. We always return every time we come to Hawaii.
- The Beach House
- Okay, this is not located on the Northside, but I definitely recommend it. It offers an array of Pacific-Rim dishes with an incredible view of the ocean. If you can come in time to watch the sunset, it is one of the best sunset views on the island! I had the Fresh Fish & Coconut Stew, which featured various fish in a coconut curry type broth. I have never eaten anything like this before, but it was really delicious. There was a little bit of a spicy hint, so if you don’t like spicy food maybe stay away from it but you really cannot go wrong. Great cocktails as well. During dinner we watched surfers catching the last waves of the day, whales spouting a bit further out and an unforgettable Hawaiian sunset, so be prepared to take tons of pictures at sunset!
- 5022 Lawai Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
- Okay, this is not located on the Northside, but I definitely recommend it. It offers an array of Pacific-Rim dishes with an incredible view of the ocean. If you can come in time to watch the sunset, it is one of the best sunset views on the island! I had the Fresh Fish & Coconut Stew, which featured various fish in a coconut curry type broth. I have never eaten anything like this before, but it was really delicious. There was a little bit of a spicy hint, so if you don’t like spicy food maybe stay away from it but you really cannot go wrong. Great cocktails as well. During dinner we watched surfers catching the last waves of the day, whales spouting a bit further out and an unforgettable Hawaiian sunset, so be prepared to take tons of pictures at sunset!
- The St. Regis Princeville
- The St. Regis offers great places to eat… but at a price. If you are looking for a stunning sunset I highly recommend the St. Regis. My parents have eaten at the Kauai Grill and say it is phenomenal. I have had drinks at the bar and the drinks did not disappoint… unfortunately it was pouring rain when we went but the view was still spectacular, despite the rain and grey skies. When my parents went not only did they see one of the best sunsets ever, but they could also see dolphins swimming from their table (WHAT A DREAM). It will be an expensive dinner but well worth it, for the food and the experience.
- 5520 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville, HI 96722
- The St. Regis offers great places to eat… but at a price. If you are looking for a stunning sunset I highly recommend the St. Regis. My parents have eaten at the Kauai Grill and say it is phenomenal. I have had drinks at the bar and the drinks did not disappoint… unfortunately it was pouring rain when we went but the view was still spectacular, despite the rain and grey skies. When my parents went not only did they see one of the best sunsets ever, but they could also see dolphins swimming from their table (WHAT A DREAM). It will be an expensive dinner but well worth it, for the food and the experience.
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- Kauai Ono
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- Kauai Ono
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- Ono Ono Shave Ice
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- Porky’s Food Truck