Kauai East Shore - Kapa`a & Wailua

Island of Kauai

Where to Eat

Aloha We Deliver, 808-822-4712, www.alohawedeliver.com. Delivery Monday-Saturday 5-9 pm. This restaurant delivery service is perfect if you
don’t want to cook, yet don’t want to leave your hotel. They will deliver meals from participating restaurants. At press time, they’re working with eight restaurants, including Acropoli, Blossoming Lotus, Norberto’s El Cafe, Pacific Island Bistro andWasabi’s On the Reef. Check ahead as new restaurants are added regularly. They deliver only to the Kapa`a area and charge $5 delivery fee and $3 per additional stop. Under $15-$50.

Beezers Old Fashioned Ice Cream, 808-822-4411. Open daily from 11 am to 10 pm. This old-fashioned soda shop will take you back to the 1950s the moment you walk in the door. It’s designed just like an old soda shop, complete with shiny red stools and memorabilia along the walls. They use Dryer’s Ice Cream to create the best sundaes around. You can get anything from a single scoop of ice cream, malts and shakes, to a huge banana split. It might seem a little pricey, but it’s certainly worth it. They also serve hot dogs, sandwiches and hamburgers. Under $15.

Blossoming Lotus, 4504 Kukui Street Kapa`a, 808-822-7678, www.blossominglotus.com. Serving dinner daily 5- 9:30 pm; Sunday Champagne Brunch 11 am-3 pm. Blossoming Lotus has a well-earned reputation as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the state. Some items are served live, meaning that they aren’t cooked above 116 degrees. It’s world cuisine, so expect to see Thai, Greek and even Mexican items on the menu. The food is phenomenal. It’s definitely worth the trip. Dinner $15-$35, Sunday brunch under $15.

Bubba Burgers, 4-1421 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa`a, 808-823-0069. Open daily 10:30 am-8 pm. Plenty of folks might tell you that this is supposed to be “The Place” to get a burger, but I was pretty disappointed. They’re decent burgers, but not out of this world. All things considered, it’s a quick, easy and inexpensive option when you’re going to or coming from the beach. Under $15.

The Bull Shed Kapa`a, 808-822-3791, 808-822-1655. Open daily at 4:30 for cocktails; dinner is served from 5:30 to 10 pm. Locals and tourists come here for one reason – sizable portions at a reasonable price. The quality is also top-notch. It’s what makes The Bull Shed such an excellent value. On the menu is prime rib, slow-cooked and tender. Be sure to try the baby back ribs, so tender they just fall off of the bone. There are also seafood selections like lobster tail and shrimp. $15-$35.

Caffe Coco, 4-369 Kuhio Highway, Wailua, 808-822-7990. Open Tuesday-Friday from 11 am to 5 pm for lunch; dinner 5-9 pm. Housed in a restored plantation-era cottage, Caffe Coco is a quaint and casual restaurant with a healthy menu selection. You’ll dine in vine-covered gardens and enjoy fresh fish dishes, organic salad, vegan desserts and espresso from the full espresso bar. Vegetarians will appreciate Caffe Coco. Don’t forget to pay a visit to their art gallery. Under $15-$35.

Kountry Kitchen, 1485 Kuhio Highway,Wailua, 808-822-3511. Open daily 6 am-1:30 pm. It’s not much to look at, but the food is surprisingly good. Here you are in control of your own omelet. You can create it from a variety of fillings. If you’re not into eggs, then order Coconut French Toast. It’s fantastic. For lunch, the menu is standard, with sandwiches and burgers. Under $15.

Coconuts Island Style Grill & Bar, 4-919 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa`a, 808-823-8777. Open for dinner Monday- Saturday 4-10 pm. Coconuts is casual and affordable. The menu includes pupus, soups, salads and fabulous entrées, including fish and steak. For dinner, try the Lobster Ravioli. If you have a sweet tooth, you might want to skip dinner and go straight for the Chocolate Volcano Cake or Lilikoi Sorbet. Happy Hour is from 4 until 6 pm Monday-Saturday, with a good selection of beer and wine. $15-$35.

Duane’s Ono Char Burger Roadside Stand, Anahola, 808-822-9181. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. This little shack in Anahola is the best stop for cheap burgers and they’ve been doing it for years. Come to think of it, Duane’s has the best burgers on the island. It may not look like much from the outside, but the burgers rock! Definitely try the Teri Burger. They also serve Boca burgers, chicken and milkshakes. If you go at lunch, you might have to wait a while, but it’s worth it. Under $15.

Eggbert’s Coconut Marketplace, 808-822-3787. Eggbert’s is primarily a breakfast restaurant and is known for its convenient location in Coconut Marketplace. It’s something of a tourist trap. The service and food are mediocre. They do serve lunch and dinner. There are a number of other places in the area to go for a better meal. Under $15-$35.

Hukilau Lana`i, Kaua`i Coast Resort at the Beachboy, Kapa`a, 808-822-0600. Open for Happy Hour from 3 pm daily; dinner Tuesday-Sunday 5-9 pm. Hukilau Lounge is a refined dining experience in a casual atmosphere. If you get there between 5 and 6 in the evening, they serve an incredible six-course food and wine tasting menu that has an emphasis on local ingredients. Each course is paired with a different wine. For instance, you can have sweet potato ravioli paired with a gewürztraminer. It makes for a gastronomical adventure. The food and wine pairing is only $40 per person, which is very reasonable. If you’re the designated driver, the six course meal is only $28. They also have fresh fish specials and steaks. $35-$50.

Java Kai, 4-1384 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa`a, 808-823-6887, www.javakai.com. Open 6 am-5 pm Monday through Saturday; 7 am-1 pm on Sundays. Java Kai is a charming café. It’s quick and easy in the morning if you’re anxious to get to the beach, or you can sit on the lana`i and enjoy your coffee while reading the newspaper. It’s a fun place to people-watch as well. There’s a wide selection of coffee drinks, and baked goods. Their specialty is the Aloha Bar, which is a delectable treat made with toasted coconut, macadamia nuts and chocolate chips on a shortbread cookie crust. It’s very, very tasty. They serve waffles and breakfast items as well. Under $15.

Kaua`i Hula Girl Bar & Grill, Coconut Marketplace, 808-822-4422, features everything from Hawaiian-style creations to steak and seafood. The food is hit and miss. Sometimes it’s excellent; other times, it’s just OK. The service is consistently indifferent and slow. They do have live entertainment every evening.

Kaua`i Pasta, 4-939B Kuhio Highway, Kapa`a, 808-822-7447. Open for dinner from 5 to 9 pm. This is a great little Italian place if you’re looking for, well, pasta. They actually have a pretty extensive menu, with items such as salads, panini, lasagna, Italian herb grilled shrimp, and chicken parmesan. Try not to fill up on garlic bread, because it is addicting. For dessert, you must try the tiramisu cheesecake. The restaurant does get crowded for dinner; if you’re the impatient type, you can order a take-out pasta dinner for four (includes salad and garlic bread for $29.95). $15-$35.

Lemon Grass Seafood & Sushi Bar, 4-885 Kuhio Highway, 808-821-2888, 826-9561. Dinner served from 5 to 10 pm daily. Reservationsrecommended. Delectable cuisine, mingling the flavors of Thailand and Hawai`i, awaits at this charming spot, sheltered in an old homestead. Fresh ingredients figure prominently, and fish and seafood are especially appealing, whether in sushi rolls, in sautés, or simply cooked to perfection. If you’re in the mood for meat, you’ll find that pork, chicken, and lamb are also skillfully prepared. Great place for sushi. Try the KalauaWon Ton for an appetizer. $35-$50.

La Playita Azul, Kaua`i Village, Kapa`a, 808-821- 2323. Open daily for lunch 11 am-2pm; dinner 5-9 pm. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant on the island. It doesn’t look like much, and it’s very easy to pass by if you’re walking around Kaua`i Village. The food is awesome. It comes in huge portions and is delicious. If you’re really hungry, try the seafood burrito,
enough to feed an army. The service was excellent – very attentive. Ask for crayons so you can write on the walls. The only downside is that the place is so small, it can be difficult to get a table. $15-$35.

Lizard Lounge Bar&Grill,Waipouli Town Center, Kapa`a, 808-821-2205. Open daily from 10:30 am to 1:30 am. This is a typical bar with a typical bar menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads and steaks. The kitchen stays open until 1 am. They have 30 beers with a passable selection of imports and microbrews. It’s a nice atmosphere to come and hang out, play pool or darts. Under $15-$35.

Mema Thai & Chinese Cuisine, Wailua Shopping Plaza, Wailua, 808-823-0899. Open Monday-Friday for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm; dinner is served daily from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. Mema Thai serves good Thai food at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is somewhat romantic, yet casual. The waitstaff wears bright and beautiful traditional Thai clothing. The menu is extensive, with a large variety of curries. There are a number of options for vegetarians as well. The restaurant is BYOB. You can stop at Safeway or Foodland to pick up a bottle of wine. $15-$35.

Mermaids Café, 1384 Kuhio Highway, Kapa`a, 808-821-2026. Open daily 11 am-9 pm. Located right in Kapa`a Town, Mermaids Café offers healthy options with a nice spicy kick to them. They use local ingredients to create an imaginative menu. If there’s anything you must try on the menu, it has to be the ahi nori wrap. This starts with a spinach tortilla and nori (sushi wrap made from seaweed), then adds rice, seared ahi and wasabi sauce. It’s large enough for two people to share and worth the trip to Kapa`a. Under $15.

Norberto’s El Café, 4-1373 Kuhio Highway, Kapa`a, 808-822-3362. Open Monday-Saturday 5-9 pm. This local favorite has been serving up delicious Mexican food with a local flair for more than 25 years. The portions are huge and the food is excellent. They have unique plates such as Hawaiian Taro Enchiladas And Rellenos Tampico. They also make a mean margarita. $15-$35.

Pizzetta, 1387 Kuhio Highway, Kapa`a, 808-823-8882, www.pizzettarestaurant.com. This is the second Pizzetta on the island (the first is in Koloa) and it’s just as good. The menu is pretty much the same; the pizza and service are also excellent. The meatball sub is awesome. The large doors in front open to the street, so it has an open atmosphere.Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 pm, something to consider when you’re sitting in traffic in Kapa`a. You can’t beat the specials on mai-tais and beers. The only downside is that, just like the Pizzetta in Koloa, it can get pretty crowded at dinner. If that’s the case, they can deliver on the east side fromWailua to Anahola. $15- $35.

Olympic Café, 4-1354 Kuhio Highway, 808-822-5825. Open daily 7 am-9 pm. If you like to people-watch, this is the place to go. Olympic Cafe is right in the middle of Kapa`a Town upstairs in the old green Hee Fat Marketplace building. If you can, grab a spot that overlooks Kuhio Highway. You’ll get to see all sorts of characters wander through town. Of course, the food is another reason to come here. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. You could also stop by for a cocktail or coffee. Menu items include omelets, egg scrambles, vegetarian dishes, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, fish and much more. $15-$35.

Ono Family Restaurant, 4-1292 Kuhio Highway, Kapa`a, 808-822-1710. This tiny family restaurant certainly is ono (delicious). It’s frequented by locals and tourists alike. This is a fantastic choice for breakfast. Whether you get a loco moco, pancakes or omelets, you’re in for a treat. Everything is good. However, the service is inconsistent. At least the food isn’t. They serve lunch, which is an inexpensive option. Under $15.

Pacific Island Bistro, Kaua`i Village Shopping Center, Kapa`a, 808-822-0092, www.kauaibistro.com. Open daily for lunch 10:30 am-3 pm; dinner 5-9:30 pm. Reservations recommended. This small establishment gives you the feeling of island-style dining. The lunch menu is pretty basic, with sandwiches and burgers, with a couple of twists thrown in such as curry meatballs and Huli Huli chicken. The dinner menu features a delectable selection of seafood, steaks, chicken and duck. The service is excellent and the food superb. $15-$35.

Papaya’s Natural Foods, Kaua`i Village, Kapa`a, 808-823-0190, www.papayasnaturalfoods.com. Open Monday- Saturday 9 am-8 pm; Café closes at 7 pm. For vegetarians, there’s Papaya’s, which is a health food store and a vegetarian café. The store offers organic produce, beer, wine and bulk foods and health and beauty products. The café serves breakfast,
lunch and dinner. You can also get smoothies there as well. The food is good and priced right. There’s also a Papaya’s in Hanalei. Under $15.

Scotty’s Beachside BBQ, 808-823-8480,www.scottysbbq.com. Monday through Saturday 11 am to 9 pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sunday brunch 10 am-3 pm. Sunday BBQ buffet 3-8 pm. There’s a reason why this is considered the best barbecue place on the island by locals and tourists alike. They have a terrific pulled pork sandwich. For a real diet killer, try
the fried cheesecake. They consistently serve the best barbe-cue around and the service is good. If you’re not in the mood for barbecue, they also serve burgers and salads. $15-$35.

Sukhothai Restaurant, Kapa`a Shopping Center, Kapa`a, 808-821-1224. Open for lunch 10:30 am-3 pm and dinner 5-9 pm. Sukhothai serves Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese dishes. The menu is so extensive it can be intimidating. You can choose from curries, soups, saimin or noodles. There are also plenty of options for vegetarians. $15-$35.

Tropical Burgers & More, Coconut Marketplace, 808-823-8808. The worst dining experience I’ve ever had on Kaua`i. Bad food, even worse service. Don’t waste your time or money.

Wahoo’s Seafood Grill & Bar, 4-733 Kuhio Highway, Kapa`a, 808-822-7833. Wahoo’s has a reputation as one of the top seafood restaurants in the area. The food tends to be cooked just right and the presentation is impressive. The interior of the restaurant gives the impression that you’re in a five-star restaurant. Despite this, you still feel like you’re in a casual environment. The menu has a variety of fresh local fish along with steak and chicken. The wine list is just as good as the food. It is a little pricey, but worth it. $35-$50.

Waipouli Restaurant, Waipouli Town Center, Kapa`a, 808-822-9311. Open for breakfast and lunch 7 am-2 pm Tuesday-Sunday; dinner is served Wednesday-Saturday 5- 8:30 pm. This simple local-style restaurant isn’t much from the outside or inside, but the food is good and really cheap. Come on, where can you get a burger for under $4? Breakfast consists of typical options (eggs, pancakes, etc.) and it can be hard to get a seat. For lunch, you can get sandwiches, burgers, plate lunches and saimin. Under $15.

Wailua Family Restaurant, Kuhio Highway, Wailua, 808-822-3325. Open Sunday-Thursday 6:30 am-9:30 pm; Friday and Saturday 6:30 am-10 pm. I like to considerWailua Family Restaurant to be a local version of Sizzler. That’s not a bad thing. You can try the all you can eat buffet for as little as $12. You can’t beat that. The food is good, considering it’s done buffet-style. You have a wide array of choices at breakfast, lunch and dinner. For lunch, help yourself to eggs, fresh fruit and Portuguese sausage. Lunchtime is perfect for local flavors such as laulau. Under $15-$35.East

Wailua Marina Restaurant, Wailua State Park, Wailua, 808-822-4311. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:30 am-2 pm and 5-8:30 pm.Wailua Marina Reataurant provides stunning views of theWailua River and Sleeping Giant. They have indoor and outdoor seating available, but outdoor seating affords the best views. The food is hearty for the most part, although there is a salad bar and sandwiches on the menu for light eaters. The portions are generous and the food is good. A wonderful dish to try is the island ahi stuffed with crab. You can also feast on steak or pork chops. Lunch $15-$35, dinner $35-$50.

Wasabi’s Sushi Restaurant, 4-1388 Kuhio Highway, Kapa`a, 808-822-2700. Open daily 11 am-10 pm.Wasabi’s is known for its innovative take on sushi. They do serve the standard tempura and Philly rolls, but they also have rolls that you just won’t find anywhere else. My favorite was the Oxymoron Roll (OK, mostly because of the name), which is tempura shrimp, avocado, cucumber and tobiko. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively. Be sure to check out the Happy Hour sushi specials from 3 to 6 pm. $15-$35.

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