First of all I want to say that I've been a lurker here FOR YEARS and I want to thank everyone for sharing all their wonderful advice and recipes....they've all been fantastic! Now I would like to ask a question about good places to eat and buy food on Kauai. We will be staying in Kapaa for a week over July 4th. We are looking for good restaurants, farmers markets, botanical gardens, etc.....things a foodie would love! We also have a Vegan daughter who will be with us. Any advice would be appreciated....thanks again!
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Hi Everyone,
- Thread starter tinkymom
- Start date
Hi tinkymom- I think I can help
I've lived on Kauai for almost 22 years. There is a Safeway at Kauai Village Shopping Center in Kapaa that is a very good grocery store. If you are looking for strictly organic foods, then Papaya's Natural Foods in the same center is the place you want. Papaya's also has a take out food area that is good- you can get Vegan food there. We have a Costco just on the other side of Lihue (about 10 min from the airport) if you want to save some money and buy big.
Restaurants: True Vegan food at Blossoming Lotus in Kapaa. That is the only place I know of that is true Vegan. Vegetarian food at a lot of places- the best (they also serve seafood) is Postcards in Hanalei (about an hour from Kapaa.) There are several little hole-in-the-wall Thai places in Kapaa, our favorite is The King And I. Other places of note in Kapaa: I really like Kauai Pasta- it is a tiny place, no atmosphere, no reservations, get there early because it is always packed. There is also one in Lihue. Really good food, fresh flavors. Hukilau at the Kauai Coast Resort in Kapaa is spotty but usually pretty good- of course depending on who is cooking. For breakfast, try the tiny Kountry Kitchen on the North end of Kapaa. There are lots of restaurants in the area, most of them pretty sub-foodie level. There is a wonderful tiny saimen shop in Lihue for lunch- called Hamura's Saimen. Probably one of the best places to eat on the island. Also, the Tip Top Cafe in Lihue has a little restaurant that becomes a Japanese restaurant called Katsu in the evenings. The food is not fancy but it is very good and very nicely priced.
For fancy, top of the line restaurants you will be disappointed. We don't really have any. Roy's in Poipu is good, the Beach House also in Poipu is good most of the time and sits right on the ocean, Gaylord's in Puhi has wonderful atmosphere and is good most of the time. Decent restaurants include Kintaro's in Wailua (next to Kapaa toward Lihue), The Hanalei Dolphin in Hanalei. Do go to Postcards in Hanalei if you get a chance- you may have the best food of your trip there.
Farmer's markets: just ask at the front desk when you check in to your hotel and they will tell you farmer's market days in Kapaa. I live on the North Shore and don't go down that far for markets. You will find a lot of wonderful produce- fruits and veggies grown on Kauai at the markets and also in the grocery stores.
Botanical Gardens: The National Tropical Botanical Garden on the South side of the island is spectacular- make an appointment and it will take you about half a day. You cannot just wander around- guides take you everywhere. Also, Aina Kai just outside of Kilauea on the North Shore is supposed to be very wonderful. I haven't been there yet. Again, make an appointment.
Do feel free to PM me if you have more questions- and have a wonderful time on our beautiful Garden Island!
aloha, Cathy
I've lived on Kauai for almost 22 years. There is a Safeway at Kauai Village Shopping Center in Kapaa that is a very good grocery store. If you are looking for strictly organic foods, then Papaya's Natural Foods in the same center is the place you want. Papaya's also has a take out food area that is good- you can get Vegan food there. We have a Costco just on the other side of Lihue (about 10 min from the airport) if you want to save some money and buy big.
Restaurants: True Vegan food at Blossoming Lotus in Kapaa. That is the only place I know of that is true Vegan. Vegetarian food at a lot of places- the best (they also serve seafood) is Postcards in Hanalei (about an hour from Kapaa.) There are several little hole-in-the-wall Thai places in Kapaa, our favorite is The King And I. Other places of note in Kapaa: I really like Kauai Pasta- it is a tiny place, no atmosphere, no reservations, get there early because it is always packed. There is also one in Lihue. Really good food, fresh flavors. Hukilau at the Kauai Coast Resort in Kapaa is spotty but usually pretty good- of course depending on who is cooking. For breakfast, try the tiny Kountry Kitchen on the North end of Kapaa. There are lots of restaurants in the area, most of them pretty sub-foodie level. There is a wonderful tiny saimen shop in Lihue for lunch- called Hamura's Saimen. Probably one of the best places to eat on the island. Also, the Tip Top Cafe in Lihue has a little restaurant that becomes a Japanese restaurant called Katsu in the evenings. The food is not fancy but it is very good and very nicely priced.
For fancy, top of the line restaurants you will be disappointed. We don't really have any. Roy's in Poipu is good, the Beach House also in Poipu is good most of the time and sits right on the ocean, Gaylord's in Puhi has wonderful atmosphere and is good most of the time. Decent restaurants include Kintaro's in Wailua (next to Kapaa toward Lihue), The Hanalei Dolphin in Hanalei. Do go to Postcards in Hanalei if you get a chance- you may have the best food of your trip there.
Farmer's markets: just ask at the front desk when you check in to your hotel and they will tell you farmer's market days in Kapaa. I live on the North Shore and don't go down that far for markets. You will find a lot of wonderful produce- fruits and veggies grown on Kauai at the markets and also in the grocery stores.
Botanical Gardens: The National Tropical Botanical Garden on the South side of the island is spectacular- make an appointment and it will take you about half a day. You cannot just wander around- guides take you everywhere. Also, Aina Kai just outside of Kilauea on the North Shore is supposed to be very wonderful. I haven't been there yet. Again, make an appointment.
Do feel free to PM me if you have more questions- and have a wonderful time on our beautiful Garden Island!
aloha, Cathy
W
whipappeal
Guest
The Botanical Garden is beautiful... I remember a coffee plantation nearby...also fun to explore. smileys/smile.gif