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Recommendations for Kauai restaurants?

N

nanc65093

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We are traveling to Westin Princeville in a couple of weeks and I'm looking for recommendations. I've been away from the board for a while having changed jobs and lost my dad this year. DH and I are bringing along my mother and sister on this trip. I know a lot of things have opened and closed and that the Princeville Hotel is closed for renovation/change to a St. Regis. I know I can count on my TUGGER friends for great suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Nancy:)
 
Beach House in Poipu

My best choice for dinner would be the Beach House Restaurant in Poipu -- a rather long drive but worth every mile, IMO, especially if you are there a week or more. My review of the Beach House.

If you consider this one, make a reservation NOW for best chance to get a dinner table with great view of the sunset. Not all tables come with a view...
 
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I second the recommendations for both restaurants above. During our week on Kauai in November we ate breakfast at Kountry Kitchen a couple of times, and we had a spectacular Thanksgiving sunset dinner at The Beach House. Both were exactly what we wanted. We're definitely looking forward to eating at both places the next time we're on the island.

Can also recommend the outdoor Olympic Cafe (?) in Kapaa. It's upstairs, outdoors, with an interesting view of the main shopping area. Great for a casual lunch. Really good sandwiches, and ice cold beer. Nice break on a hot day.

Lemongrass Grill in Kapaa looked better than it really was. It wasn't all that much, and the prices were higher than they should have been. Average quality food, mediocre service. Not likely to eat there again, if only because there are better choices on the island. My spouse liked the meal, but since I'm the one doing the driving... ;)

Dave
 
Saffron in Princeville is ok, but not great. Postcard Grill in Hanalei is very good as is Dolphin across the street. We've eaten at all three this week, and the only one that has gone downhill since May is Saffron. We're heading home to the ice and snow tomorrow, so will miss the fresh fish. Not many Ono or Mongchung swimming in the Boise River.
Guy
 
We enjoyed a meal that rivalled the Beach House at the Mediterranean Gourmet, located at the Hanalei Colony Resort. Get there early enough to enjoy the sunset before ordering your meal.

I don't know if it is still happening but when we were there Wednesday night was 1/2 price wine night. They also had live music, two excellent guitarists.
 
I still like Duke's, Brick Oven Pizza, Hanalei Dolphin, and Scotty's BBQ as my top 4 (not in that order) for Kauai.
 
No Brainer

flyerbobcat said:
My best choice for dinner would be the Beach House Restaurant in Poipu -- a rather long drive but worth every mile, IMO, especially if you are there a week or more. My review of the Beach House.

If you consider this one, make a reservation NOW for best chance to get a dinner table with great view of the sunset. Not all tables come with a view...
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I am not usually a fan of fancy restaurants, but The Beach House is a no brainer. Be there for the sunset. You can't beat it!:banana:
 
mmm, sounds like the Beach House would be the perfect place to celebrate some birthdays the evening we send my sister and mom home. We can have a great meal and put them on the plane! I knew you guys would come through for us. The last time (and our first visit to Kauai) was the beginning of the devastating flood and just prior to the dam break in 2006. We didn't stray too far from our condo that trip.

Thank you all,

Nancy
 
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We liked the Beach House, too, though their special dessert (which needs to be ordered when you order dinner) wasn't that great. We enjoyed Duke's and Keoki's Paradise. Try the Hula Pie. We stayed in Poipu area so we just went north to sightsee so I can't advise on restaurants there.
 
The Beach House is a given. Not cheap but worth every penny. As noted make reservations now for good sunset seating.

We also really like lunch at Brennecke's Beach Broiler . It has a nice view of Poipu Beach and the really good fish and chips. Note: I thought they were overpriced for dinner, which had a different menu, but continue to go for lunch for the fish and chips and my husband and son like the burgers.

We always stop on the way from the airport to Hanalei Bay at Duane's Ono Charburgers near Anahola beach. It is a little stand on the side of the road at the end of a small strip mall. It has concrete tables, you will be bitten by mosquitoes and chickens and cats will be at your feet (Kauai ambiance.) But the payoff is really tasty burgers. We always go at least twice on every trip.
 
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I would also recommend Scotty's BBQ in Kapaa. Excellent view of the ocean and a lift if anyone has a problem walking up stairs.
 
I forgot to mention Brennecke's Beach Broiler. Excellent lunch fare, at "reasonable-ish" prices. Definitely a place we'll eat next time, too.

Dave
 
nanc65093 said:
mmm, sounds like the Beach House would be the perfect place to celebrate some birthdays the evening we send my sister and mom home. We can have a great meal and put them on the plane! I knew you guys would come through for us. The last time (and our first visit to Kauai) was the beginning of the devastating flood and just prior to the dam break in 2006. We didn't stray too far from our condo that trip.

Thank you all,

Nancy
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The Beach House is probably an hours drive from Princeville, and then you will have to back-track about 20 min. to the airport. Since you are going to take them to the airport after dinner, I'd probably go to Dukes which is right on the beach in the Marriott resort and only about 5 min. from the airport. I wouldn't go to the Beach House when I had a schedule to keep. Actually, I probably wouldn't go to the Beach House from Princeville at all - I wouldn't enjoy that long drive back after dinner.
 
Kauai Restaurants

Take a look at "Kauai Kid" post around the 20th of December. There were some good thread on where to eat and grocery shop.

Don't miss the Hanalai Dolphin.:clap:

Having a good old Minnesota Winter!!!!:eek:

Cheers,

Paul
 
There is a new Brick Oven Pizza now in Kaapa.

The only restaurant in Princeville worth stopping at is the little one at inside the Gas Station--Mexican food best. CJ's Steakhouse has waterfront prices with premium outdoor seating available that has has great views of the Ace Hardware Store outdoor storage section.

Beach House in my opinion is too long a drive just to have a meal there. 90 minutes if traffic through Kaapa is bad. If you are in the vicinity that's a different story. Breneke's and Keoki's are also good down on the South Shore.

Lighthouse Bistro in Kilauea had excellent food with mediocre service but close to Princeville.

Also the Golf Course restaurant in Princeville was open two nights a week--don't remember which ones. Pretty good food with a nice view of the sunset.

Best food and service in our two weeks there this last Dec were at the Med. Gourmet. Live entertainment most nights. $75 for two with drinks and worth every penny. :cheer:

Don't forget to try tropical smoothie just past the Dolphin Restaurant for a great takeaway. Plate lunches for 3 of us $21!!:D Owned by the family that has farmed the Taro Farm just as you come into Hanalei. Great folks.

The best food we had on the entire trip I cooked myself. Go the the fish market at the back of the Dolphin Restaurant and see if they have Opah (easy way to remember is Oprah Winfrey Fish). Incredibly and the most tasty fish ever.

Sterling
 
Kapaa:
-Hukilau Lanai has a nice wine tasting 6 course (small plates) menu for $40 or $26 sans wine.

-Kauai Pasta

-Blossoming Lotus for the most excellent vegetarian food (though they were supposed to close on Dec 31)

Further west:

Duke's in Kalapaki

Kalaheo Cafe - excellent and very fresh food

Barbeque Inn in Lihue (local food if you're into that)

Tip Top Cafe - hole in the wall with the most excellent mac nut pancakes

The only north shore places I can think of are places we eat at post-surfing, so pretty casual - Red Hot Mama's for burritos and Bubba's
 
Thank you all!!

Tuggers are awesome. I don't know if we'll be able to cover all those places in two weeks but we sure can try. It's five degrees at my house today, Paul is right, we are having an old fashioned Minnesota winter...looking forward to a brief respite from it.

Sterling, did you grill the Opah fish?

Thanks again,:whoopie:

Nancy
 
:hi: I stopped in to see what I could find out about Kauai from all the experts. We'll be there for the first time in a couple of days and I'm getting excited about new places, restaurants and opah too.

Now to find the maps and see where all these restaurants are in relation to Kapaa. Good to know that the drives can take so long.

Thanks
 
iamjam said:
:hi: I stopped in to see what I could find out about Kauai from all the experts. We'll be there for the first time in a couple of days and I'm getting excited about new places, restaurants and opah too.

Now to find the maps and see where all these restaurants are in relation to Kapaa. Good to know that the drives can take so long.

Thanks
Click to expand...


It's not so much the distance as it is the traffic. There is essentially only one road leading up or down the island. Inbound or outbound traffic to/from Lihue (depending on which way rush hour is heading) can really slow things down. After rush hour is over and the traffic clears, it's easy to drive wherever you want to go.

Have fun. Kauai is beautful, even in traffic. ;)

Dave
 
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iamjam said:
:hi: I stopped in to see what I could find out about Kauai from all the experts. We'll be there for the first time in a couple of days and I'm getting excited about new places, restaurants and opah too.

Now to find the maps and see where all these restaurants are in relation to Kapaa. Good to know that the drives can take so long.

Thanks
Click to expand...

There is are lot of choices in the Kapa'a/Lihue area. I personally wouldn't drive to Princeville or Poi'pu for dinner from Kapa'a. But lunch, definitely - great way to make a whole day of an excursion.
 
DeniseM said:
There is are lot of choices in the Kapa'a/Lihue area. I personally wouldn't drive to Princeville or Poi'pu for dinner from Kapa'a. But lunch, definitely - great way to make a whole day of an excursion.
Click to expand...

Denise,
Although I look to you as an expert in the Kauai arena (and I know these are only your personal opinions) but nixing a drive from Kapaa to Poipu for dinner I don't quite understand.
Would I drive it every evening? Heck no, but where are you gonna get a sunset view or sunset dinner in Kapaa? It's only about a 20 mile drive....

I'm thinking -- based on a previous comment of yours -- that you are not a fan of driving in the dark (i.e. with no Kauai scenery) for these types of distances.

Just my opinion (of course) and I still will rely on your Kauai opinions & experiences, as always. :)
 
More ideas

Actually, I liked Lemongrass in Kapaa (someone earlier had a bad experioence). Also liked Coconuts in Kapaa. I also liked the Dolphin in Hanalei. Avoid Hanalei Gourmet! It may have improved, but we had a terrible meal there.

Enjoy Kauai!

Barb
 
No one has yet mentioned Tidepools, which is located at the Hyatt resort in Poipu. It's a beautiful restaurant in a wonderful setting and the food is excellent. It doesn't have the spectacular view of the sunset like The Beach House has because it's oriented with a view of the ocean to the south, not the west. But it is a truly unique and wonderful dining experience.
 
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