Dining


Inexpensive

• Neidi's, Brazilian and Mexican, on this lovely patio, in Hanalei ($9-24)
• Bubba Burgers, take-out or patio, really good, in Kapaa or Hanalei
• Fish Hut at the Marketplace, in Kapaa
• Taste of Paradise (truck) fish or chicken sandwiches, on Haena Beach
• Tropical Taco used to be the snack truck, now in a building

Moderate

• Bamboo, Bamboo, Thai, sharing the patio pictured on top ($14-24)
• Java Kai for coffee or chai, Hanalei (Breakfast $4-8)
• Sushi Blues Grill, sushi and music, Hanalei
• Hanalei Dolphin, eat at a thatch-roofed table by the river (lunch $8-12)
• Zelos, eat on the patio - a real Hanalei favorite! (Lunch $8-15 Dinner $13-28 The Opakapaka is incredible!)
• Hanama'alu Tea House, shoes off, sitting on the floor, in a private room, open to a garden (Dinner $10-25)
• Brennecke's Beach Broiler, open to Poipu Beach (Lunch $10-15 Dinner $20-35)
• Kilauea Bakery and Pau Hana Pizza (Meals $5-15)
• Coconuts, Kapaa ($12-30)

Worth the money

• Gaylords at Kilohana great food, on a patio of this Puhi Plantation House ($10-15 Dinner $20-35)
• Postcards in Hanalei, very original, gourmet, healthy dishes - a personal favorite! ($15-25)
• Duke's at Kauai Lagoons, great beach atmosphere ($15-28)
• Ilima Terrace at the Hyatt, Poipu, ocean-front lagoon (lunch only, $10-20)
• Cafe Hanalei at the Princeville Hotel, best sunset views across Hanalei Bay, across an eternity pool. You won't believe their Friday night seafood buffet! ($30-55) Advance reservations: 826-2760

BBQ at home

Buy fish at the Pono Market in Kapaa or the Hanalei Dolphin Fish Market in Hanalei, where they will give you hints on grilling. Uku grills well. Ono should be slightly undercooked, as it will continue to cook as you serve it. Dip in garlic-lemon butter, then grill three to four minutes each side, then dip it each bite in a garlic-lemon butter. It will live up to its Hawaiian name, Delicious.

Peanut Butter sandwiches never tasted better than with Guava Jam. Toss in a bag of Taro Chips and a few cans of tropical soda (Passion-Guava or Strawberry Guava are my favorites.) and you've got one cheap lunch at any beautiful location! Or have the Princeville Foodland Deli make you a sandwich to go for $3-5. Good picnic spots incude:

• Lydgate (east) or Poipu (south) Beach Parks for shade, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Guava Kai Plantation, under a gazebo, in the mountains near Kilauea.
• Haena Beach for picnic tables, facilities, swimming, views, Tunnels snorkeling, cave exploration, & the best fish sandwiches from the Taste of Paradise truck.

Smoothies

On the main road, near the Kilauea turn off, look for Banana Joe's stand. His smoothies and frosties are a great, healthy treat,and you can pick up fruit or eat delicious Black-bean-Mango or Papaya Salsas.
If you get lucky, he might be there. He once gave me a personal tour of the banana grove!


Shaved Ice

Much softer than the snowcone you think it's like, this melts in your mouth! Try lilikoi (passion fruit) shaved ice, over macadamia nut ice cream, at the walk-up Shave Ice Paradise stand or the Wishing Well truck iin Hanalei.