Ideas for Kauai

Heading to Hawaii for the first time ever in late November and wanted to pick y’all’s brain about some places to go (mainly food).

I would really like some ideas on a nice romantic restaurant somewhere on the south side of the island.

 

Proposal...

 

Annuenue Cafe is a good spot for breakfast. La Spezia for more romantic Italian dinner.

 

no…

just wanna treat my girl to a nice romantic dinner before she flys out two days before me

 

Tiki Tacos and Wailua Shave Ice in Kapa’a. Not the places where you want to propose, but they should be on your list.

 

haha not proposing but thank you

 

Olympic cafe in Kapaa is a must for the first time there. They have a balcony style seating that overlooks the street. Real cool. If you want a swanky restaurant, Dukes in Lihue is top notch. I had the seared ahi and it was very tender. And don’t forget to do a luau. Smith family (I think) outta Kapaa has a cool one with tram rides to see the cool animals. Oh, and Bubbas burgers in Kapaa is a great burger joint

As far as places to go, my very favorite beach in all the world is Polihale State park on the North end of the island. Pro tip- you gotta traverse bumpy, rutty cane field trails to get there so a small suv or jeep is a great rental for the island. The waves are tame so a few beers and a booger board and your in while the wife reads under the umbrella on the beach

East side is Princeville and follow that north to the caves if you like that stuff.

NW is the Wymea falls and you gotta do a kayak trip up to fern grotto for lunch.

South end in Lihue is good snorkeling and all the beaches are golden brown.

There’s a coffee plantation on the island too so be sure to visit there.

Take a catamaran tour of the Nepali coast. Cruising with spinner dolphins and seeing breathtaking views of the island. At the boatyard you can grab some red dirt shirts at their warehouse. Don’t buy them in town or you’ll spend more.

There’s a farmers market in Kapaa and it’s a must do. You can see the sleeping giant from there.

Take a trip to the top of the island which if I remember correctly, it’s the wettest spot in the US. By the time we got to the top, it was down pouring and some gulleywashers going on. Pretty intense.

If you can book a fishing trip, it’s awesome. We fished with the humpbacks breaching just off the stern.

Kauai is a come as you are island and last I looked has a 3 story monitorium. No high rise resorts. You can cruise around in cutoffs or board shorts and nobody cares. It’s the more “tropical island” feel of the Hawaiian islands and we have been there twice. We went for our honeymoon and loved it so much went back 15 years later. Oh, and there’s chickens. Lots of them.
When you get there, be sure to visit the Olympic cafe for a wind down supper and some drinks overlooking the town. And stop at Snorkel Bob’s for snorkel gear, boogie boards, a beach umbrella, and some folding chairs. You can rent them for like 50 bucks the whole trip. And don’t get too much sand in your rental or they’ll charge you an arm and a leg for cleaning it.

I’m sure there’s more I missed, but yea. Love the place. Don’t forget Polihale state park. Best beach I’ve ever been to.

 

Oh and Blue Ocean Adventure Tours did a sweet zodiac boat ride of the Napali coast! We were a youngish fun crew onboard the boat and had a decent size swell, so the Capt. "Flyin Hawaiian" had us launching airborne off some rather large waves which was pretty rad! They also cruise into the caves and let you out to swim/snorkel and whatnot. Saw some dolphins.

 

I already have a luau booked…

I looked into the Napoli coast thing but I’m going in late November and all the boat companies that I saw are done doing tours by then…

I also have a charter fishing trip booked also as well as plan on playing some golf and a hike in Waimea canyon

 

The Junior College has a culinary school which serves excellent food. Other than that, take an umbrella!

 

Sorry for bothering you

 

you’re not bothering me at all.

 

Luau's are generally overrated...Take a Helicopter flight instead with your $$$. Find out where the locals go to eat and go there.

 

I took that helicopter trip, it was freaking amazing!

 

See if "Mitch's Seafood" is still open. It's where the locals go, it doesn't look impressive but it's excellent. Not a fancy sit down place. Had picnic tables set outside last time we were there.
Served in a styrofoam take out container. Restaurant is in an industrial area, don't let that discourage you. All fresh fish. Close to the Junior College where they serve lunch cheap from the Culinary School

 

Take an umbrella, last time we were on Kauai it rained for 10 days.

On my 3rd cup of coffee, just remembered "Da Crack" take out restaurant on the Poipu Beach side. Hole in the wall but darn good.

 

I was gonna do the helicopter thing but the girl gets motion sick

 

planned on going here one day as it’s only about 9 mins from where I’m staying

 

Yeah, Da Crack is good as are the poke bowls inside that little store that’s right there.