Kauai Drive Guide Dining Guide

East Kauai:

Dani's Restaurant (Map 1, C-3) (245-4991). Located at 4201 Rice St. Owned by Tsutao and Harriet Morioka, Dani's specializes in Hawaiian, American and Japanese dishes. The Hawaiian selections include laulau and kalua pig; the American items range from seafood omelets to New York steaks; the Japanese dishes include teriyaki beef. Dani's is open for breakfast Monday through Saturday from 5 to 11 a.m., lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Sundays. Shorts, shirts and footwear are required.

Gaylord's Restaurant (Map 1, A-2) (245-9593), located in the elegant yet casual covered courtyard of a sugar plantation manager's home, is known as Hawaii's most romantic restaurant. With great views across the estate grounds to Mount Waialeale in the distance, guests enjoy Pacific continental cuisine served with gracious Island hospitality. Selections include fresh Island fish, prime rib, venison, pasta and vegetarian dishes, along with homemade desserts, the special pride of the owners. Don't miss the world-famous banana cream pie. Dining options include the buffet breakfast (Monday-Saturday) from 7:45 a.m., Sunday brunch from 9 a.m., lunch (Monday-Saturday) from 11 a.m. and dinner (Monday-Saturday) from 5:30 p.m. Call for reservations or visit www.gaylordskauai.com

Jamba Juice (Map 1, A-3 and E-12) Two locations: Kukui Grove Shopping Center at 3-2600 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue (241-7042), and Kauai Village Shopping Center at 4-831 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa (822-0036). Jamba's philosophy is simple: What you put into your body feeds your spirit and gives you energy to do the things you love. What better way than with fresh fruit-filled smoothies, energizing fresh-squeezed juices, vitamin-packed boosts and delicious baked breads that give you the extra oomph you need to get going. With energy from Jamba, you'll move, jump, ride, run and play—naturally! So get out there, breathe in fresh air and soak in the sunshine.

Mema Thai Chinese Cuisine (Map 1, D-10) (823-0899). Wailua Shopping Plaza, 4-396 Kuhio Highway. Once inside this appealing dining room filled with wonderful aromas, you'll be thrilled with the huge lunch and dinner menu of appetizers, soups, noodle and rice dishes, and reasonably priced, flavorful entrées. Start with a crisp shrimp-roll appetizer and spicy lemongrass soup with shrimp. Coconut milk curries, Panang curry, Mema's beef curry, golden and crispy cashew chicken are highly recommended and can be spiced to your taste or prepared vegetarian style. Lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. daily.

Monico's Taqueria (Map 1, D-10) (822-4300). Kinipopo Shopping Village, 4-356 Kuhio Highway. Voted the best new restaurant on Kauai in 2006, this authentic, family-run restaurant has quickly become a local favorite. Owner-chef Monico uses only the freshest ingredients to create authentic specialties like burrito de pescado fresco, pork en chile verde tradicion and chicken mole enchilada. The diverse menu features mix-and-match tacos, huge burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas, chili rellenos, enchiladas verdes, chicken and steak fajitas and tostados de pollo. Indoor and outdoor tables. Drinks include traditional Mexican sodas. BYOB. Open daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

Luau Kalamaku (Map 1, A-2) (877-622-1780). Kauai's new and only theatrical luau show, where graceful hula dancers, fire-poi-ball twirlers, traditional fire-knife dancers, a lavish buffet of local delicacies and vivid storytelling come together for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hawaii loves its gatherings, or paaina, and, whether or not this is your first luau, the experience will be both unique and memorable. You will be transported to ancient Polynesia during the time of the remarkable migration to the Islands. Offered Tuesdays and Fridays, under a spacious covered luau pavilion. Call for reservations or book online at www.luaukalamaku.com

Norberto's El Café (Map 1, E-13) (822-3362). Located at 4-1373 Kuhio Highway. For almost 30 years, locals and visitors have enjoyed great meals prepared with Island-grown beef. Try the huge tostadas, enchiladas and chili rellenos stuffed with tasty cheeses, chicken chimichangas, taquitos and tasty homemade chips. Vegetarians appreciate this eatery's south-of-the-border dishes, prepared without meat, lard or animal fat, such as Hawaiian taro-leaf enchiladas and enchiladas stuffed with eggplant. Salsas benefit from Island-grown greens. Award-winning desserts, friendly service and reasonable prices. Open Monday through Saturday 5 to 9 p.m. Closed Sundays.

Oki Diner (Map 1, B-3) (245-5899). Located at 4479 Rice St. For breakfast, try Oki's famous pancakes, including banana, pineapple and macadamia nut, along with scrambled eggs and an assortment of breakfast meats. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, you'll find a large selection of local foods to choose from. Fine-dining entrées are served from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 a.m. to midnight; Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Pizzetta in Old Koloa Town (Map 1, E-13) (742-8881) These are not your ordinary pizzas. At Pizzetta all pizzas and pasta are made from scratch, using only the freshest and finest ingredients available. Selections include gourmet pizza, pasta, calzones, salads, desserts, a keiki menu and signature cocktails. Enjoy sports television with your favorite game. Open daily for lunch, dinner and happy hour. Giant pizza slices available until 6 p.m. That's amore!

Wailua Marina Restaurant (Map 1, B-9) (822-4311). Located at Wailua State Park. Dine at the only riverfront restaurant on the beautiful Wailua River. Enjoy one of the chef's specialties: Island ahi stuffed with crab, U.S. choice Spencer teriyaki steak, super-thick, stuffed pork chops, steak, lobster and crab. The restaurant is noted for its generous portions and fresh salad bar, which accompanies all dinners. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Call for reservations.

North Kauai

Lappert's Hawaii-Premium Ice Cream & Coffee (Map 2, C-7); (Map 3, Kola Detail Inset, B-4) (742-1272); (Map 4, C-10) (335-6121). Lappert's Hawaii uses only the finest ingredients in all of its ice creams, coffees and pastries. Its dedicated ohana (family) continues to hand-make its rich ice cream and creamy smooth sorbet in small batches in sleepy Hanapepe town on the west side of Kauai. Its premium coffees are carefully roasted daily, and are best enjoyed with Lappert's fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, cookies, cappuccino brownies and an array of other goodies at any of its gourmet locations island-wide. Coconut Marketplace, Kapaa: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Princeville Center: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Old Koloa Town: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Hanapepe: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Postcards Café (Map 2, D-5) (826-1191) Hanalei. Voted best restaurant on the North Shore. Although many call Postcards Café's seafood “the best on Kauai,” the restaurant's delectable gourmet vegetarian cuisine is also earning rave reviews. Showcasing locally grown, organic produce and the freshest, finest ingredients, specialties include Thai coconut curry, the Francesca (an Italian pasta), taro fritters with tropical salsa, grilled or blackened fresh fish, with peppered pineapple sage or honey dijon sauce, and organic juices and coffee. The reconstructed 1860s plantation cottage, at the entrance to Hanalei, has a charming vintage atmosphere. Dinner from 6 every evening. Call for reservations.

South Kauai

Brennecke's Beach Broiler (Map 3, Poipu Detail Inset, D-6) (742-7588). Located across from Poipu Beach Park. Enjoy great shoreline views and a casual dining atmosphere. Entrées include pasta primavera, kiawe-broiled seafood, steaks, burgers, chicken and a wide selection of other dishes prepared by one of Kauai's finest chefs. The restaurant is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; dinner 4 to 10 p.m. and that Poipu tradition, happy hour, is daily 3 to 5 p.m. The Beachside Deli is open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering shave ice, ice-cold refreshments, specialty salads, Island pupu, sushi and made-to-order sandwiches. Visit its Web site at www.brenneckes.com

Pizzetta in Kapaa Town (Map 3, Koloa Detail, B-4) (823-8882). These are not your ordinary pizzas. At Pizzetta all pizzas and pasta are made from scratch, using only the freshest and finest ingredients available. Selections include gourmet pizza, pasta, calzones, salads, desserts, a keiki menu and signature cocktails. Enjoy sports television with your favorite game. Open daily for lunch, dinner and happy hour. Giant pizza slices available until 6 p.m. That's amore!

West Kauai

Pomodoro-Ristorante Italiano (Map 4, Kalaheo Detail Inset, A-11) (332-5945). Located in the Rainbow Plaza on Kaumualii Highway in Kalaheo. Savor authentic traditional Old World cuisine prepared individually by chefs Tony and Rosario, from Salerno, Italy. Dine on exceptional Italian meals at moderate prices in a relaxed atmosphere of casual elegance. Specialties include chicken saltimbocca, southern-style lasagna and veal scallopine. Enjoy the spirit and warmth of Italy. Open nightly from 5:30 to 9:30. Closed on Sundays. Visa and MasterCard accepted.

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