I just got back from Kauai, the garden island. My previous trip to Hawaii was to the big island and before that was a trip when I was very young to Oahu. I didn’t know what to expect from Kauai other than that it was very beautiful (what many people said).
Now that I’ve been to Kauai, I totally understand why it’s called the garden island. It’s so green! Everywhere!
Places to See
Botanical Garden, Allerton Gardens
Wear bug spray, lots of standing water and mosquitoes… The only place on the island I was bitten. We were only able to go on the sunset/dinner tour. Last normal tour is at 3:30pm. The dinner tour is definitely a unique experience because you can eat at the Allerton House, which is beach-side. The food is decent, we were served chicken, rice, and a cabbage salad. It is a bit pricey for what it is, $95/person for the sunset tour w/dinner.
Look at all these bamboo lined up!
Jurassic Park Trees
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canton was described to me as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. Go visit it! It’s stunning. See a viewpoint or a place to stop on the road, just stop there. More than likely it’s an amazing view that’s different than the previous one and you don’t want to miss it!
Places to Eat
Food-wise I was thinking that I was going to way a ton of poke like I did on the Big Island, but we didn’t find really unique poke like with taro and avocado. What we did discover though was amazing cooked fish, in tacos and burger form.
My favorite meal was from Kauai Island Brewery & Grill. I liked it so much I went back on another day. I’m sad to say I didn’t take any pictures the second day. I was just so hungry! Here’s a pic of the fish sandwich from the first day, blackened striped marlin with wasabi aoili. I’m making wasabi aoili when I get back home!
The picture missing, but totally worth getting is the Ahi Poke. TOP NOTCH!
Kauai Island Brewery & Grill
4350 Waialo Rd, Eleele, HI 96705
Other Notable Meals
Sleeping Giant Grill
440 Aleka Pl, Kapaa, HI 96746
Shrimp at Sleeping Giant Grill, Kapaa Kauai
Tidepools at The Grand Hyatt (an absolutely gorgeous hotel!)
1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
Fresh fish seared with scallops topped with lobster sauce
TAHITIAN CEVICHE + ono | shrimp | scallop | coconut | cilantro | fresh citrus
Hukilau Lanai
520 Aleka Loop, Kapaa, HI 96746
Snacks
Of course there’s the ABC Stores that are everywhere. If you aren’t familiar with these, do so. Most of them are really convenient markets with tasty treats, like spam masubi and fairly priced water. The location near us was labeled as Island Country Markets, but from the receipts it was clearly an ABC Store.
If you’re near the area the the Coconut Marketplace I’d check out the Farmer’s Market. It’s small, but you can score some nice fruit and amazing breads, the mango bread is my fav from Lokelani’s Banana Bread and Treats.
Tuesday and Thursdays 9-1pm
4-484 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI 96746
Lokelani’s Banana Bread and Treats
I’m so in love with Kauai, I want to go back! I highly recommend a trip out there. From all my eats, I say go for the fish! All the other dishes and seafood are good, but the fish dishes is where it’s at on this island.
Mahalo Kauai, until we meet and eat again!
-Kristina