Best places to eat and things to do in Kauai
My Trip to KAUI
Last February of 2019, I traveled to Kaui, with my daughter, Olivia, and fiancé, Molly. We went for 7 days and it was definitely not enough time for everything we had planned to do on this beautiful island. Kaui is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands and is also known as the “Garden Isle” because of the tropical rainforest covering much of its surface.
The freshness of the island is what stood out to me. From food trucks to supermarket poke, to high-end restaurants - everything was so fresh! If you ever visit, Poke is a must and is what I had the most of when I was there. I must have eaten poke 3 times a day, some days I would even make it at our Air Bnb for breakfast in Princeville.
When visiting Kaui there are definitely food spots you MUST hit! When I said I love poke and almost ate it everyday I wasn’t joking. My two favorite poke spots are inside 2 markets called the Pono Market in Kapa’a and the Ishihara Market in Waimea. Pono Market has one of the best Poke you can get on the island and is definitely a locals favorite! It is right next to the beach so it does get packed during peak hours. Next up is the Ishihara Market, it is a bit bigger and has a larger selection when it comes to the seafood. This little market is truly a hidden gem and is a bang for your buck! Prices are reasonable for the amount you get and everyone is super friendly here as well.
Another island favorite is acai bowls. Acai is loaded with antioxidants, lowers cholesterol, and can even boost brain function. Anake’s Juice Bar in Koloa is a must-go if you are anywhere on the island. Located in a small market again, this little shop has amazing Acai Bowls and a large selection of vegan protein options to add to your smoothie bowls. If you are looking for another place to satisfy that sweet tooth, look no further because Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei is the perfect spot for sweet little refreshing snack. The prices are a bit higher compared to others but that is because they use organic and natural flavors instead of corn syrup I have encountered at most shave ice places.
Hawaii has many amazing food trucks and my personal favorite has to be Kikuchi’s. They have the freshest pineapple and tuna I have ever had. Their Seared Ahi Tuna wrap that is made to perfection and I would recommend that to anyone. Bar Acuda is a classy/trendy restaurant in Hanalei perfect for a sit-down meal during dinner and is perfect if you are looking for something a little bit more formal. This restaurant is extremely popular so I would suggest making reservations ahead of time. Bar Acuda is a Tapas style restaurant with great choices of wine/cocktails and food with a wonderful view.
Not only are there tons of places to eat but there are also sites to visit that are my favorite and is a must-do when visiting this island. Swimming with the Seat Turtles at Anini Beach is great for all you animal lovers out there. The Sea Turtles often swim close to the shore which, gives you a chance to get the full experience without going too far into the ocean. However be very careful with the coral if you end up in the water - it is very sharp, which can lead to immediate infection if not cleaned properly! Head to your closest urgent care for proper medical advice. Olivia was badly cut on the top of her food while snorkeling and we learned a lot about that type of injury!
Driving through Waimea Canyon State Park is also something I love doing when im on the island. This has to be the most iconic drive in all of Hawaii and there is a reason why. With drives from the dessert flats to flowing waterfalls, all the way to the edge of the coast, it is something you do not want to miss.
If you are looking for something a bit more relaxing, Hanalei Bay is the destination for you. This is the largest bay on the north shore and consists of nearly 2 miles of beach you can sit back and relax on. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, it will make you never want to leave. Another beach I recommend is Moloa’a Beach which is famous for Gilligan’s Island. Fun fact, the pilot and the first episode were both filmed there! This beach has a few good snorkeling spots with peaceful waves for that quiet oasis you are looking for when on vacation.
Kauai has many cool places you can visit and some things you should look out for are the apps offered! Kauai Driving Tour Road Trips and Beach Guide will make your trip just a little bit easier. Kauai Driving Tour Road Trips comes in handy when you want to visit the many different parts of the island and learn the history of this beautiful island of Hawaii. Kauai Beach Guide gives you up to date conditions of waters from surfing, snorkeling, and just relaxing beaches so you can plan your day accordingly.
Overall If you want a quiet relaxing visit, stay up north in Princeville. But if you are looking to be around more people stay south in Poipu. No trip is complete without a rental car, especially a Jeep in Hawaii. I would definitely choose a Jeep Wrangler 2 door or 4 door depending on your group size. A must in my books!
If you decide to go to Kauai, don’t forget to visit the places mentioned above and let me know how you enjoyed it!