Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Kauai

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Kauai? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Naisla Kitchen & Cocktails

4.8

4.8 (232)

$31 to $50

Italian

Kapaa

About the restaurant

A new, upscale dining experience of modern fusion cuisine and craft cocktails, located on Kauai’s east side.

Top review

CurtisVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Sunday was the last night of our trip to Kauai and it was difficult to get Ubers to take us very far from Kapaa for dinner. We read about the interesting Japanese/Italian fusion at Naisla's and decided to give it a try. The outside is a bit unassuming, however, when you walk in it is just a really cool place. We had dinner at the bar and Stephanie was our bartender/server. She was engaging, very well informed about the menu and her service & attitude made the night really nice for us. Their were two appetizer specials - a cucumber salad that had an amazing umami and the wagyu hot rock with salted egg yolk and a wonderful Asian sauce for the dipping - this was nothing short of stellar. My wife had the Miso Carbonara and I had the Fettucine Pomodoro (very 'cheffy' idea to marinate the meatballs in ginger/soy braise) - we both loved our dishes. From all the restaurants we tried while in Kauai, Naisla's is at the top of our list to recommend to friends visiting the island and for a return visit ourselves. Thank you Stephanie and chef for a great evening.

Japanese Grandma's Cafe

4.7

4.7 (46)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Hanapēpē

About the restaurant

We specialize in healthy, delicious Japanese Food!
Established in 2016.
The restaurant was opened with the philosophy of serving wonderful fresh food just like Japanese Grandma has fed to her family and friends!

Top review

Billie

Dined 7 days ago

Always a pleasure to visit Japanese Grandma's for their delicious, and my favorite, food selections. Service is exceptional; talented entertainment pleasing, appropriate, and enjoyable.

Ilima Terrace - Grand Hyatt Kauai

4.6

4.6 (249)

$50 and over

American

Koloa

About the restaurant

Spectacular ocean and lush garden views welcome you. Indulge, island time is yours. Start your day with a grand Daily Breakfast Buffet, or a la carte Breakfast Menu, or the a la carte Lunch Menu service. Check back often for special themed Wine Pairing Dinners, and exclusive Holiday Buffets in the open-air ambience of Ilima Terrace.

Join us on Thursday, November 28 for a special Thanksgiving Brunch menu curated by Executive Chef Greg Grohowski.

11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Adults $105 | Keiki $52
Reservations recommended, $35.00 cancellation fee for no-shows.

Celebrate "A Taste of France" on Friday, December 13, a Wine Dinner Pairing featuring Duckhorn Vineyards of Napa Valley, curated by Chef RJ Udaundo & Jagger McMillin.

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
$204.00 per person (Inclusive of tax, fees, and gratuity)
$174.00 per person for Kamaaina with Hawaii state ID
Must be 21+ and over
Book on: https://www.hyatt.com/grand-hyatt/en-US/kauai-grand-hyatt-kauai-resort-and-spa/dining

Top review

Mike

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

Outstanding view, food, and wait staff. The meal was excellently prepared and the taste was outstanding. The fish and shrimp were prepared to perfection.

Keoki's Paradise

4.6

4.6 (7334)

$30 and under

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Poipu

About the restaurant

Aloha! Visit keokisparadise.com for our menu, hours of operation, weekly specials or to place a takeout order online!

Enjoy fresh fish, steak, seafood and more! Keoki's is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week while offering brunch on the weekends. Escape to your own unforgettable paradise! Surround yourself with serene waterfall features and panoramic greenery, an experience the entire family will enjoy.

Live entertainment is offered daily. Experience locally sourced ingredients which compliments the refreshing and casual atmosphere. With a strong commitment to the community and genuine service, Keoki’s is truly beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Top review

Carl

Dined 5 days ago

Everything was perfect except the seafood risotto. Pretty much tasteless and there was no salt or pepper at the table to tweak it.

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4.6

4.6 (5681)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Lihue

About the restaurant

We are open for dine-in and takeout every day of the week. We feature live entertainment from 3:30-5:30pm & 6:00-8:00pm daily. Except for Sunday, live music from 9:30-11:30am & 6:00-8:00pm. Please visit our website at dukeskauai.com for current menus or to order takeout online.

With the crystal blue waters of Kalapaki Bay and the Hoary Head Mountains surrounding you, Duke’s Kauai invites you to celebrate life like the legend, Duke Kahanamoku, himself. The unique island-inspired atmosphere connects guests to the garden isle with luscious indoor waterscapes and a breezy Barefoot Bar. The Barefoot Bar is seated on a first come-first serve basis. Savor the fresh tastes of the island with locally sourced, contemporary beachside cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. The aloha spirit and Duke’s legacy live on at Duke’s Kauai.

Top review

Mark

Dined 5 days ago

The Hula Pie is always a big treat for us and the food was as expected… amazing. The best part of Dukes is the staff. They go out of their way to make dining an enjoyable experience.

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Popular dish

Twisted Hula Pie

Popular dish

Crispy Coconut Shrimp

Popular dish

Tristan Lobster Tail

Eating House 1849 - Kauai

4.6

4.6 (3124)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Koloa

About the restaurant

Acclaimed Chef and James Beard Award winner
Roy Yamaguchi opens The Eating House 1849
at The Shops at Kukui'ula. Named after one of the first restaurants constructed in Hawai'i, by a Portuguese businessman named Peter Fernandez, Eating House pays homage to the popular casual eateries of the mid 19th century that incorporated a medley of flavors from the Island's growing and diverse communities.

Please call the restaurant to make reservations for parties of 5 or more. For parties of 10 or more we require credit card information to hold the reservation, and follow a 48 hour cancellation/no show policy; any cancellations withing 48 hours of your reservation date, or not showing up to a reservation will result in a charge of $20 per person.

Top review

mari

Dined 5 days ago

The food was delicious and the wait staff attentive. It was a very enjoyable birthday dinner.

Koloa Thai Bistro

4.6

4.6 (102)

$30 and under

Thai

Koloa

About the restaurant

Due to high demand for Teppanyaki table. Please call us to book our Teppanyaki table. At Koloa Thai Bistro, we take pride in offering a unique dining experience that seamlessly blends the vibrant and exotic tastes of modern Thai cuisine with the artistry of Japanese sushi and teppanyaki. Our menu is a celebration of the rich culinary traditions of both cultures, creating a fusion that is both innovative and delightful.

Top review

DianaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Finding the location was the most challenging in this day and age when gps is second nature, it sometimes neglects to say the building is listed on the street but actually set back on the second floor of the building on the street in a shopping complex, but we found it. Allowed time. Food and service were very good. Atmosphere was clean and second story allows for cross breeze cooling since that side of the island is warmest. An enjoyable meal.

HAPA KAUAI Ramen & Whiskey

4.5

4.5 (88)

$30 and under

Japanese

Koloa

About the restaurant

E Komo Mai welcome to Ramen & Whiskey Kauai

Our signature dishes included the award winning G special ramen, Ahi Poke Nachos and Karaage Japanese fried chicken. Ingredients are sourced locally from small growers and farmers including Koloa Farms free range organic brown eggs.

Ramen & Whiskey was founded in Portland Oregon 2013 where its sister restaurant has received numerous accolades and recognition as one of Portland’s top ramen shops.” We are humbled and blessed to share our style ramen and Japanese/Hawaiian inspired cuisine with locals and visitors to the Garden Isle.”

Please join us for signature cocktails whiskey sake ramen and much more.

Private Dining Events

Celebrate your special occasion with us in our air conditioned private VIP dining room. We have seating up to 25 persons; please contact us at haparamenkauai@gmail.com for more information.

Aloha

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

We’ve dined here twice in the last week and plan to work our way through the menu before we head home. It’s that good. The first night we went for happy hour…enjoyed the edamame , ahi poke with wonton chips, the pork belly banh mi & chicken karaage…all delicious!!! We returned and had the curry ramen…also excellent! Service by Anne and Nigel was attentive, friendly and helpful. Highly recommend 👍🏻

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Popular dish

Pork Belly

Cafe Portofino

4.3

4.3 (2213)

$31 to $50

Italian

Lihue

About the restaurant

Authentic Northern Italian fare, also specializing in seafood and steaks. Cafe Portofino is a beautiful upscale restaurant overlooking the ocean located at the Royal Sonesta Resort. Please come and enjoy our award wining cuisine and breathtaking views. Official parking for the restaurant is available at the Royal Sonesta Resort.

Please note, all seating is first come, first served- no special seating requests can be honored. For parties over 6, online reservations are not accepted, please call the main number.

If you have children in your party, please leave a note on your reservation or message the restaurant so that we can better accommodate your seating. Grazie.

Top review

AllenVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Always a great place to eat when you're at the resort the first day.

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4.3

4.3 (672)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Kapaa

About the restaurant

Sushi Bushido offers traditional, contemporary, new wave, and local style sushi. We are known for our fresh fish selection and our innovative and unique sushi rolls. The Golden Roll, Lava Roll, and Butter Me Up are some of the favorites. A full kitchen menu is also offered with an extensive sake menu. Our atmosphere is known to be personable and upbeat. Come see our sushi chefs in action.

Top review

Pam

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

We arrived earlier than our reservation & they seated us immediately- I had read reviews & ordered accordingly- We began with the Golden Sliders and Lollipop rolls…both wonderful. My “Boss Steak” was prefect- melt in your mouth med-rare NY steak ( had sauces on the side ) & my husbands “Butter Me Up Roll” was received very well- They are leaving this Mall at end of December 24’- Hope they reopen on Kauai by time we return ❤️

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