Guidebook for Kapaa/Kauai

Laurie
Guidebook for Kapaa/Kauai

My Favorite Restaurants

Good italian food. A little pricey and a drive, but good food and nice atmosphere. I recommend the charcuterie starter and chicken and veal dishes. Their bread is yummy too.
23 recommandé par les habitants
La Spezia
5492 Koloa Rd
23 recommandé par les habitants
Good italian food. A little pricey and a drive, but good food and nice atmosphere. I recommend the charcuterie starter and chicken and veal dishes. Their bread is yummy too.
Currently CLOSED due to kitchen fire which caused extensive interior damage. Good Japanese food. Very popular. Must have a reservation or go when they open at 5:30. Closed Sundays. They have hibachi (Benihana style) cooking tables which kids may enjoy. Mid to higher priced entrees but worth it.
40 recommandé par les habitants
Kintaro Japanese Restaurant
4-370 Kuhio Hwy
40 recommandé par les habitants
Currently CLOSED due to kitchen fire which caused extensive interior damage. Good Japanese food. Very popular. Must have a reservation or go when they open at 5:30. Closed Sundays. They have hibachi (Benihana style) cooking tables which kids may enjoy. Mid to higher priced entrees but worth it.
Good food and nice atmosphere. Located in an ocean front resort. Gets crowded so reservations are required. Expensive. They have music in the bar lounge from 6 to 9 each night. Try their food and wine tastings from 5:00 to 5:45 nightly $50 for 5 courses and wines. Check out their website.
91 recommandé par les habitants
Hukilau Lanai
520 Aleka Loop
91 recommandé par les habitants
Good food and nice atmosphere. Located in an ocean front resort. Gets crowded so reservations are required. Expensive. They have music in the bar lounge from 6 to 9 each night. Try their food and wine tastings from 5:00 to 5:45 nightly $50 for 5 courses and wines. Check out their website.
Good Happy Hour from 3 to 7pm. Select pupus are $5. Located on the second floor in the middle of downtown Kapaa. Sit and watch the traffic and people go by. Food is okay and price is moderate.
24 recommandé par les habitants
Olympic Cafe
1354 Kuhio Hwy
24 recommandé par les habitants
Good Happy Hour from 3 to 7pm. Select pupus are $5. Located on the second floor in the middle of downtown Kapaa. Sit and watch the traffic and people go by. Food is okay and price is moderate.
Always popular. Good coffee drinks, bakery items and even lunches. Sit outside and watch the people and cars go by.
96 recommandé par les habitants
Java Kai
4-1384 Kuhio Hwy
96 recommandé par les habitants
Always popular. Good coffee drinks, bakery items and even lunches. Sit outside and watch the people and cars go by.
Great waterfront views with salad bar and good food. I recommend that you go early to get a good table. We like their prime rib and also their ahi tuna. Pricey but good.
28 recommandé par les habitants
Bull Shed Restaurant
4-796 Kuhio Hwy
28 recommandé par les habitants
Great waterfront views with salad bar and good food. I recommend that you go early to get a good table. We like their prime rib and also their ahi tuna. Pricey but good.
Very casual shop with good Pho soup. They do not have a liquor license but MAY allow you to BYOB.
Pho Kapaa
4-831 Kuhio Hwy
Very casual shop with good Pho soup. They do not have a liquor license but MAY allow you to BYOB.
VERY expensive but good for a special occasion.
52 recommandé par les habitants
JO2 Restaurant
4-971 Kuhio Hwy
52 recommandé par les habitants
VERY expensive but good for a special occasion.
Located adjacent to The Pono Kai Resort, the Pono Market serves Hawaiian style food.
27 recommandé par les habitants
Marché Pono
4-1300 Kuhio Hwy
27 recommandé par les habitants
Located adjacent to The Pono Kai Resort, the Pono Market serves Hawaiian style food.
Loved by the locals for their saimin and lillikoi chiffon pie. A must try if you are in Lihue around lunch or dinner time. VERY casual.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Hamura Saimin
2956 Kress St
16 recommandé par les habitants
Loved by the locals for their saimin and lillikoi chiffon pie. A must try if you are in Lihue around lunch or dinner time. VERY casual.
Also loved by the locals. VERY casual local foods including ox tail soup, loco moco, and banana macadamia nut pancakes. Located in Lihue.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Tip Top Motel
3173 Akahi St
8 recommandé par les habitants
Also loved by the locals. VERY casual local foods including ox tail soup, loco moco, and banana macadamia nut pancakes. Located in Lihue.
Order fish tacos inside and sit at outdoor tables. No beer or wine sold there but you can bring your own. Very fresh and good.
63 recommandé par les habitants
Kilauea Fish Market
4270 Kilauea Rd
63 recommandé par les habitants
Order fish tacos inside and sit at outdoor tables. No beer or wine sold there but you can bring your own. Very fresh and good.
Currently closed due to COVID! Nice atmosphere and reasonable prices. Located on the water by Kalipaki Bay with indoor and outdoor seating. We like their rueben sandwiches with fries which costs about $15. There are many tvs if you are interested in football or other sports.
JJ's Broiler
3416 Rice St
Currently closed due to COVID! Nice atmosphere and reasonable prices. Located on the water by Kalipaki Bay with indoor and outdoor seating. We like their rueben sandwiches with fries which costs about $15. There are many tvs if you are interested in football or other sports.
Good Happy Hour menu and drink specials. Lunches are also good with a great beach front location. We particularly like their fish tacos served at lunch and their daily grilled cheese special is worth a try.
97 recommandé par les habitants
Lava Lava Beach Club
420 Papaloa Rd
97 recommandé par les habitants
Good Happy Hour menu and drink specials. Lunches are also good with a great beach front location. We particularly like their fish tacos served at lunch and their daily grilled cheese special is worth a try.
Bar atmosphere with good bar food and reasonable prices. located in Lihue. Good for sports watching and some evening music.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Rob's Good Times Grill
4303 Rice St
8 recommandé par les habitants
Bar atmosphere with good bar food and reasonable prices. located in Lihue. Good for sports watching and some evening music.
For a special occasion drive to Poipu at sunset and have a drink on the lawn. The food and drinks are expensive there but it is worth having one and watching the sunset. Bring your camera and hopefully get some beautiful sunset pictures.
80 recommandé par les habitants
Beach House Restaurant
5022 Lawai Rd
80 recommandé par les habitants
For a special occasion drive to Poipu at sunset and have a drink on the lawn. The food and drinks are expensive there but it is worth having one and watching the sunset. Bring your camera and hopefully get some beautiful sunset pictures.
Located at Timbers Resort alongside the Hokuala Golf Course in Lihue this restaurant has gorgeous ocean views. It is expensive so go for happy hour which is 3 to 5pm daily.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Hualani's Restaurant
3770 Ala Oli St
6 recommandé par les habitants
Located at Timbers Resort alongside the Hokuala Golf Course in Lihue this restaurant has gorgeous ocean views. It is expensive so go for happy hour which is 3 to 5pm daily.

Drinks & Nightlife

There are very few places that you can go out and listen to music and dance on the island. Though I don't go there, I have friends that love it.
33 recommandé par les habitants
Trees Lounge
440 Aleka Pl
33 recommandé par les habitants
There are very few places that you can go out and listen to music and dance on the island. Though I don't go there, I have friends that love it.
Fun bar featured in the movie "The Descendants". Hawaiian music nightly. Owned and operated by the same family since 1963. Make a day of it and check out Princeville and Hanalei while you are there. I liked the pizza.
175 recommandé par les habitants
Tahiti Nui Restaurant
5122 Kuhio Hwy
175 recommandé par les habitants
Fun bar featured in the movie "The Descendants". Hawaiian music nightly. Owned and operated by the same family since 1963. Make a day of it and check out Princeville and Hanalei while you are there. I liked the pizza.

Sightseeing

Beautiful vistas. Good hiking and picture taking.
105 recommandé par les habitants
Waimea Canyon Lookout
105 recommandé par les habitants
Beautiful vistas. Good hiking and picture taking.
Why not?
115 recommandé par les habitants
Spouting Horn
115 recommandé par les habitants
Why not?
Spectacular sights, beautiful, tranquil and educational. Walking tours are available with prior reservations. There is also a very nice gift shop there.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Monastère hindou de Kauai - Quartier général de Saiva Siddhanta
107 Kaholalele Rd
17 recommandé par les habitants
Spectacular sights, beautiful, tranquil and educational. Walking tours are available with prior reservations. There is also a very nice gift shop there.
Capt. Andy's provides boat tours. We have taken the NaPali Coast tours which included snorkeling and lunch. It was a wonderful way to see the NaPali Coast with MANY photo opportunities. Capt. Andy's offers other tours including sunset tours so go to their website to find the tour that best fits your needs or desires.
29 recommandé par les habitants
Capt Andy's
4353 Waialo Rd
29 recommandé par les habitants
Capt. Andy's provides boat tours. We have taken the NaPali Coast tours which included snorkeling and lunch. It was a wonderful way to see the NaPali Coast with MANY photo opportunities. Capt. Andy's offers other tours including sunset tours so go to their website to find the tour that best fits your needs or desires.

Parks & Nature

Good swimming, snorkeling, and people watching.
118 recommandé par les habitants
Poipu Beach
118 recommandé par les habitants
Good swimming, snorkeling, and people watching.
Gorgeous views plus a lot of educational information.
169 recommandé par les habitants
Kīlauea Lighthouse
3580 Kilauea Rd
169 recommandé par les habitants
Gorgeous views plus a lot of educational information.
Wonderful tours of gorgeous gardens. See the trees used in filming Jurasic Park.
39 recommandé par les habitants
Jardin botanique tropical national
4425 Lawai Rd
39 recommandé par les habitants
Wonderful tours of gorgeous gardens. See the trees used in filming Jurasic Park.
Local plants featured in this beautiful miniature golf course. Great for families or anyone wanting to do something a little different.
77 recommandé par les habitants
Kauai Mini Golf & Botanical Gardens
5-2723 Kuhio Highway
77 recommandé par les habitants
Local plants featured in this beautiful miniature golf course. Great for families or anyone wanting to do something a little different.
Wonderful ocean front bike path that meanders approximately 4.5 miles. I love to ride my bike to the north end of the path and then walk down into an open field, sit on a rock and watch the ocean surf and enjoy the gentle trade winds. From December thru March you may see some of the whales that migrate to Hawaii to have their calves. Unbelievable sight is all that I can say.
Kauai Multiuse Path(Ke Ala Hele Makalae)
Kauai Multiuse Path(Ke Ala Hele Makalae)
Wonderful ocean front bike path that meanders approximately 4.5 miles. I love to ride my bike to the north end of the path and then walk down into an open field, sit on a rock and watch the ocean surf and enjoy the gentle trade winds. From December thru March you may see some of the whales that migrate to Hawaii to have their calves. Unbelievable sight is all that I can say.
Near Kapaa and very popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
41 recommandé par les habitants
Sleeping Giant Trail Head
Haleilio Road
41 recommandé par les habitants
Near Kapaa and very popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
Fun ride and educational talks. Check ahead for reservations.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Chemin de fer de la Plantation de Kauai
3-2087 Kaumualii Hwy
7 recommandé par les habitants
Fun ride and educational talks. Check ahead for reservations.

Shopping

Lots of unusual things from around the world.
Kiko
4-1316 HI-56
Lots of unusual things from around the world.
We love Costco. Prices are competitive with mainland stores. Most items are sold in large quantities though making the store less attractive to many visitors.
107 recommandé par les habitants
Costco Wholesale
4300 Nuhou St
107 recommandé par les habitants
We love Costco. Prices are competitive with mainland stores. Most items are sold in large quantities though making the store less attractive to many visitors.
I just love the bright tropical prints of the clothes at Tropical Tantrum. The fabric and clothing are designed by a local woman and fabricated in Bali. Great place to by a fun tropical dress, shirt or whatever..
Tropical Tantrum
4-1296 Kuhio Hwy
I just love the bright tropical prints of the clothes at Tropical Tantrum. The fabric and clothing are designed by a local woman and fabricated in Bali. Great place to by a fun tropical dress, shirt or whatever..
Cute local mall with small shops. Otherwise known as the Creative Community Marketplace of the Southside of Kauai. Filled with local creatives, makers and entrepreneurs, fresh baked goods and the kindest coffee truck around! Shops open 10 am to 4pm daily. Check it out.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Warehouse 3540
3540 Koloa Rd
9 recommandé par les habitants
Cute local mall with small shops. Otherwise known as the Creative Community Marketplace of the Southside of Kauai. Filled with local creatives, makers and entrepreneurs, fresh baked goods and the kindest coffee truck around! Shops open 10 am to 4pm daily. Check it out.

Essentials

Good grocery store with large selection of products.
119 recommandé par les habitants
Safeway
4-831 Kuhio Hwy
119 recommandé par les habitants
Good grocery store with large selection of products.
Great place to pick up a few small items in a hurry. They carry souvenirs, sodas, beer, wine, liquor, sunscreen, cigarettes, some food items as well as most drug store type items.
10 recommandé par les habitants
ABC Store
4-484 Kuhio Hwy
10 recommandé par les habitants
Great place to pick up a few small items in a hurry. They carry souvenirs, sodas, beer, wine, liquor, sunscreen, cigarettes, some food items as well as most drug store type items.
Good prices. Everyone knows Walmart
21 recommandé par les habitants
Walmart
3-3300 Kuhio Hwy
21 recommandé par les habitants
Good prices. Everyone knows Walmart

Entertainment & Activities

Things to do around town
You MUST go to a luau while you are in Hawaii. Smith Family Garden Luau is located on the Wailua River nearby Kapaa. Take a ride in the cart and get an over view of local flora and fauna. See how a whole pig is roasted. Feast on a hawaiian style buffet and enjoy a multi-cultural show after dinner.
61 recommandé par les habitants
Smith Family Garden Luau
3-5971 Kuhio Hwy
61 recommandé par les habitants
You MUST go to a luau while you are in Hawaii. Smith Family Garden Luau is located on the Wailua River nearby Kapaa. Take a ride in the cart and get an over view of local flora and fauna. See how a whole pig is roasted. Feast on a hawaiian style buffet and enjoy a multi-cultural show after dinner.
Fun escape and puzzle rooms. Currently features "Curse of the Tiki Lounge". A great family activity especially for rainy days.
Kauai Escape Room
4353 Rice St
Fun escape and puzzle rooms. Currently features "Curse of the Tiki Lounge". A great family activity especially for rainy days.
Kipu Ranch offers 4x4 Off Road Tours. Though I have not done this yet, it looks like lots of fun and a good way to see parts of the island that you otherwise would not see. They offer Ranch tours, waterfall jungle tours and picnic tours. The ranch covers 3,000 acres and is a working cattle ranch. Call the ranch for more information.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Kipu Ranch Adventures
235 Kipu Rd
10 recommandé par les habitants
Kipu Ranch offers 4x4 Off Road Tours. Though I have not done this yet, it looks like lots of fun and a good way to see parts of the island that you otherwise would not see. They offer Ranch tours, waterfall jungle tours and picnic tours. The ranch covers 3,000 acres and is a working cattle ranch. Call the ranch for more information.
Go online and book a tour of the Koloa Rum property. You will pay a fee but it will include Koloa Rum tastings and drinks made with Koloa Rum plus an entertaining tour of the property.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Kōloa Rum™ Company Store
3-2087 Kaumualii Hwy
7 recommandé par les habitants
Go online and book a tour of the Koloa Rum property. You will pay a fee but it will include Koloa Rum tastings and drinks made with Koloa Rum plus an entertaining tour of the property.
Visit the Kauai Coffee Company, do a self guided walking tour of the grounds to see how they grow and make their coffee. Then enjoy samples of various flavors of their delicious coffee. Their store sells the coffee as well as t-shirts, jams and just about anything that you can imagine made with coffee or Hawaiian themed. Good place to buy souvenirs.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Kauai Coffee Company
870 Halewili Rd
34 recommandé par les habitants
Visit the Kauai Coffee Company, do a self guided walking tour of the grounds to see how they grow and make their coffee. Then enjoy samples of various flavors of their delicious coffee. Their store sells the coffee as well as t-shirts, jams and just about anything that you can imagine made with coffee or Hawaiian themed. Good place to buy souvenirs.