A Week in Kaua'i: The Best Eats

Lihue

Hamura Saimin is always the first stop when I land in Kaua'i. Only 5 minutes from the airport, it's exactly what you need to realize you are on Kauai. It's a mom-and-pop noodle shop specializing in saimin, and that is exactly how it looks and feels inside. Seating is shared at long counters and your options are various types of saimin, beef and chicken teriyaki sticks and the famous lilikoi (passionfruit) chiffon pie. Everyone has their own order — mine is a special saimin, a chicken stick (if I'm extra hungry) and a slice of pie. Always a slice of pie. Cash only.

Mark’s Place is another acceptable first meal stop upon landing in Lihue. If there were ever a plate lunch-off, Mark’s Place would be a worthy contender to take the championship. Keep an eye out for their specials and be prepared to be greeted by heaps and heaps of deliciousness. Mark’s Place is a simple operation — order inside and either take your food to-go or enjoy it on one of the park benches out front. They accept credit cards, but you’ll pay less if you have cash.

Kapa’a

JO2 Natural Cuisine is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to in my life. Its humble strip mall location doesn’t make it look like much on the outside, but don’t judge a book by its cover. The restaurant features a menu that changes daily to reflect fresh seasonal ingredients, and the food is a blend of Asian flavors and dishes with French techniques. The result is phenomenal and in typical Hawai'i fashion, the food is on point and the ambiance is not overly stuffy or formal. As someone who doesn’t drink, I appreciated JO2’s mocktail game as well. Reservations are a must.

Kilauea

Kilauea Fish Market is a place I went to five years ago during my bachelorette party, and it has lived rent-free in my mind ever since. As the name suggests, they specialize in fresh fish and they are prepared to serve you many kinds, in many ways. Everything is good here, but if it’s your first time, don’t mess around — get the ahi wrap. Enjoy this masterpiece on a picnic table out front in the company of feral chickens. If you’re staying at a place with a kitchen, consider getting a pound (or more!) of poke to-go and enjoying it for your next meal.

Kilauea Bakery and Pizzeria is a darling of Kaua'i. Everything is made in-house and you can taste the love. For the best selection (stromboli and cinnabun are the most coveted items) you’ll want to get there early because they will sell out and they will not feel bad for you. Don’t be shy about trying it all - there’s no way to be disappointed here. Even the split pea soup slaps.

Princeville

Foodland poke is a must when in Hawai'i and Kaua'i’s only Foodland is in Princeville. An economical and delicious choice, Foodland poke is best enjoyed on a lanai at sunset. Don’t forget to ask for chopsticks.

Protip: Create a Maika’i membership beforehand so you can earn points at Foodland for poke and any other supplies you might pick up. The points add up to some fun rewards.

Lappert’s is my absolute favorite ice cream, and Kaua'i is where it all began. Lucky for north shore visitors, there’s a location in the Princeville Shopping Center. It’s a small space, so don’t expect to hang out there but if your ice cream doesn’t disappear within a few moments, you’re doing it wrong.

Protip: Start a punch card and carry it with you dutifully for the rest of your trip (because let’s get real, you’ll be back) and any time you visit the state of Hawaii. On Kauai alone, there are locations in Poipu and Hanapepe (the original!)

Koloa/Poipu

Aneke’s Juice Bar is how I started pretty much every day when I moved down to the south shore. The word “acai bowl” is synonymous with Aneke’s and it is the place to go if you’re craving something fresh, cold and healthy. They offer a variety of bowls and smoothies that you can customize — I tried a different one every day and was never disappointed. One thing to note is that not all the bowls include acai, so you’ll need to specifically ask to add it in any cases. It’s located inside the Kukuiula Store, along with a number of other food and drink vendors.

Merriman’s Kaui might be the most beautiful of the Merriman’s restaurants, and if you know me, you know I love any Merriman’s venture. This location is in The Shops at Kukuiula, set in an Old Hawai'i Plantation style house with a sweeping view of the ocean. Farm-to-table, seasonal, fresh ingredients, friendly service and the most gorgeous sunsets you’ll ever see Merriman’s is always a perfect meal. When in doubt, get the ahi, the Pu’uwai Garden salad (salads are rarely ever exciting, but this one is), and the chocolate purse. But you could also close your eyes and choose at random and still not go wrong. Reservations required.