Eating Up Kauai: The Best Food Trucks, Local Food & More

THE GOODS

Wishing Well Shave Ice and Coffee Shop epitomizes the laid-back hippie surfer vibe of Hanalei. “Slow yourself down” their logo proclaims in swirling letters across the mason jars used to serve smoothies. Kick back, relax, and watch the chickens cross the road (or at least the yard). Also, those mason jars make a great souvenir. You can return them to Wishing Well to get your $1 deposit back, or bring them home to relive the island memories.

The coffee shop opens early, and is a great place to stop before hitting the beach or Limahuli Garden on the North Shore. Although pricey, the smoothies and bowls are undeniably delicious. Coffee’s good, too.

The shave ice truck opens later, and I highly recommend paying more for the organic house-made syrups. At the risk of sounding like a shave ice snob, I’m just not into the old school sugary syrups that have long been the norm. Fortunately, there are a number of places around Kauai serving homemade syrups these days. Wishing Well was one of the first (I believe), and the organic flavors are excellent. Get one of the fancy versions with macnut ice cream to share.

THE GOODS

Holey Grail is unique. These are no ordinary donuts, but instead are made from Hawaiian grown taro. If you were taken aback by the high price, this is the reason, as growing and preparing taro is a laborious process. Although it was one of the staple foods of the original Hawaiians, its prominence dwindled with the rise of sugarcane following the colonization of Hawaii by the U.S. Today, farms and other groups in Kauai are working to bring taro back.

The taro used by Holey Grail for their donuts gives them a distinct flavor. Personally, I enjoyed it, especially with some of the more fanciful toppings, such as yuzu. My older son was also a fan, but the rest of the family, not so much. Perhaps it’s an acquired taste for some. I recommend buying one or two to try before splurging on a big box. They aren’t as sweet as many donuts, which is something I appreciated. The cold brew coffee is also fantastic.

Holey Grail offers the chance to try something different and new, which I recommend for any adventurous palates. Order online ahead of time to ensure you get the best flavors before they sell out.

THE GOODS

Choices, choices, choices! The food trucks of Hanalei offer a wide range of options, with something to please everyone. Actually, my parents and brother and sister-in-law chose to eat inside at Tropical Taco next door, which just goes to show that even if some members of your party prefer a sit down restaurant meal, you can do that here, too.

Our family of four decided to give Da Fazenda, a Brazilian food truck, a try. They offer hearty dishes with rice and beans, seafood, chicken, and more, and left us fully satisfied. Their mango lemonade was a hit with the kids.

Another popular choice is Fresh Bite, offering veggie-forwards sandwiches and salads made with local ingredients. I didn’t get the chance to try it, but it sure looked delicious. Basically, you can’t go wrong, just go with your gut!

THE GOODS

If you’re looking to try local food while on Kauai, a trip to the farmers market is a must. This is the place to find all the locally grown tropical fruit that you won’t find at Safeway — fresh coconuts, guavas, rambutans, and a whole host of other delights, many of which I found totally unfamiliar. We gathered a small collection to take back to our rental house for a taste test.

The highlight on our visit was definitely the sugarloaf pineapple frosties. These small pineapples have a sweet, white flesh that makes the perfect frozen soft-serve treat. We also sipped coconut water from a young green coconut. Once we finished, the vendor cracked the coconut in half, allowing us to scoop the soft, gelatinous meat from its interior.

Be sure to check out the flavorful jams on offer, including soursop and guava. Small jars of local jam are a great souvenir to bring back to the mainland. Aside from all the garden goodies, the Midnight Bear Bakery has one of the most popular booths at the market. Their main location is on the opposite side of the island in Hanapepe, so this is a good chance to pick up some bread or pastries if you’re staying on the north end.

THE GOODS

The Ahi Lele Fire Show is a little different from your typical made-for-tourists luau. Yes, it’s still definitely for tourists, but it doesn’t include all the trappings that many associate with a luau, such as a whole roast pig. The vibe is casual and focused on sharing the Hawaiian and greater Polynesian culture. Some of the buffet dishes offer a twist on traditional Hawaiian dishes, such as lomi lomi salmon, and the focus is on incorporating locally grown ingredients as much as possible. Believe it or not, the kale salad was the biggest hit with our family!

The quality of the food is a step up from many luaus, and the fire show itself is spectacular, featuring fire dances from across Polynesia. Our whole family highly recommends it. During dinner, we were serenaded with lovely Hawaiian guitar music, singing, and traditional hula.

There are a couple of things to be aware of if you go. First, be sure to book your reservations in advance. Second, the food line can be long and slow, so aim to arrive early. By the time we got our food, most of the seats were taken, so we ended up on the stage at the back, which fortunately still provided a good view. I recommend claiming your seats (bring jackets to lay across your chairs) before lining up for food, as seats are not assigned.

Seconds are allowed once everyone has been through the buffet line, so eat up! One downside is that dessert and drinks are not included, but you can purchase both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages from the bar, as well as a delicious lilikoi cheesecake.

THE GOODS

Java Kai is a popular bakery and coffee ship in the bustling heart of Kapa’a. When I say “bustling”, know that what I really mean is to expect a line. Yes, it’s a hip little coffee shop that knows how to post a pretty Instagram pic, but the drinks are delicious and unique. Try the Little Monkey smoothie for a great way to start the day.

We didn’t try the breakfast offerings on our visit, but they sure looked delicious. I took a lilikoi bar to go, which was good, but a little sweet for my taste. Breakfast is served until 2pm, so go ahead and sleep in — you’re on vacation!

THE GOODS

Talk about ono! The Musubi Truck was one of our favorite stops on Kauai. If you’re not familiar with musubi, it’s essentially a Hawaiian take on sushi. The classic Spam musubi features Spam, rice, and seaweed. Since Hawaii is the largest consumer of Spam in the U.S., you’ll find it used in a number of local dishes.

At The Musubi Truck, you can try an “OG Spam musubi” for $3. Or you can get fancy and try one of their many fanciful creations, such as “da bomb”, which features kalbi marinated Wailua beef. There’s even a vegan option available.

We loved everything we tried here, including the fabulous truffle tater tots. It’s not exactly health food, but you can balance it out with some fresh fruit from the farmers market. The Musubi Truck also supports the organization Feed Our Keiki, working to support Kauai’s families and children in need.

THE GOODS

Pono Market is a Kauai classic. Food is sold to go, so pick your plate lunch faves and head to the beach for a real Hawaiian picnic. For the best selection, arrive before noon or even earlier, as the most popular options often sell out. My older son loved their fried chicken, which was tender and not too crunchy (in a good way), while I scratched my itch for seafood with a bowl of spicy poke.

This is also a good place to pick up some local snacks, such as candies flavored with dried lemon peel or li hing mui. We picked up a package of kulolo, a dense but delectable slab of sweetened taro and coconut. For a true taste of Kauai, Pono Market is hard to beat.

THE GOODS

Wailua Shave Ice offers the fluffiest, most melt-in-your-mouth shave ice on the island. If you love coconut, don’t miss the ethereal haupia foam. The fruit toppings are great, but if you’re craving something a bit more decadent, give the chocolate a try. The almond joy, flavored with coconut milk and topped with almonds and chocolate sauce, is another winner. For fantastic shave ice on Kauai, Wailua Shave Ice is hard (but maybe not impossible…) to beat.

THE GOODS

You may be thinking, “Wait, 7-Eleven? How is that local?” But that’s only if you’ve never been to 7-Eleven in Hawaii, where it’s the place to stock up on Hawaiian-style snacks and takeaway meals. Head to 7-Eleven for Spam musubi, manapua, and bento, plus Slurpees with flavors like lilikoi (passion fruit) and gummy candies flavored with li-hing mui (a salty/sour dried plum powder), all at a reasonable price.

7-Eleven is a great place to grab lunch supplies before a hike, or to try an unfamiliar snack. Who knows, you may find a new favorite (but good luck finding it back on the mainland). With only three locations on Kauai, it’s worth planning a stop when driving from Lihue toward Hanapepe or Waimea. Keep in mind that some items may be restocked later in the morning, so if you go early the full selection may not yet be available.

THE GOODS

Kenji Burgur serves locally raised grass-fed beef burgers with a creative mix of Asian fusion toppings. Burgers not your style? Perhaps a rice bowl, sushi burrito, or salad is more to your liking. Just keep in mind that the sushi burritos are really sushi served burrito-style in a seaweed wrapper (my mom mistakenly expected a flour tortilla).

The food is flavorful, inventive, and freshly made. There are several solid options for vegetarians and pescatarians, as well as a couple of basics for the less adventurous. But while you’re here, why not try something new? The furikake fries, topped with ponzu aioli and a generous sprinkling of furikake (a Japanese sesame/seaweed seasoning), are a treat.

With four locations around Kauai, Kenji Burger is a great place to indulge after a hike.

THE GOODS

If you’re craving pizza on Kauai, Scorpacciata is a good choice. Personally, I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here (who comes to Kauai for the pizza?), but it’s conveniently close to the airport, making it a good option for a meal before you return your rental car. Coincidentally, this is exactly what we did.

We ordered a couple of pizzas, which were served fresh and hot from the wood-fired oven to our outdoor table. It took a little time to receive the food, but a toy store next door kept the kids well occupied while we waited. With the airport only a short drive away, it was a pleasant way to end to our trip. Especially with Skinny Mike’s Ice Cream located conveniently next door…

THE GOODS

When you think of frozen treats in Hawaii, shave ice is the first thing to come to mind. But what if you’re craving ice cream? Skinny Mike’s to the rescue! Skinny Mike’s offers a good selection of fruit sorbets as well as ice cream, and yes, you can get shave ice here, too. We didn’t try the shave ice, but instead shaved a massive bowl of ice cream in honor of my sister-in-law’s birthday.

The ice cream is made in Hawaii, and the flavors are delicious. It’s a great dessert option after a meal at Scorpacciata. Similar to Scorpacciata, I wouldn’t drive all the way here just for the ice cream, but it’s a good option if you’re in the area.

THE GOODS

The Koloa food trucks are situated in a peaceful, jungle-like setting in Koloa. Yes, the food is good, but that banyan tree that towers over the seating area is absolutely incredible. You’ll have to see it for yourself, as photos simply don’t do it justice. It’s a treat to be able to enjoy your food in such a shady, peaceful setting.

Moving on to the food, Koloa is where you’ll find some of Kauai’s best known food trucks, including Kickshaws and Taco Libre. Those are the two we tried, and both were excellent. Kickshaws serves decadent sandwiches, and Taco Libre offers tasty versions of taco truck standards.

Keep in mind that different trucks will be open on different days, so check the schedule for the individual trucks ahead of time if you hope to visit a specific one.

THE GOODS

OK, this is it: the best shave on Kauai! At least, in my humble opinion. Alas, we didn’t visit The Fresh Shave until our last full day on the island, so I only went once. The Fresh Shave serves a small menu of their own unique flavor combinations, all of which sell for $9. This may sound expensive, but the freshly made syrups and toppings are well worth it. As usual with shave ice, servings are generous, so it’s easy to share (or is it?).

With its proximity to the Koloa food trucks, The Fresh Shave is the perfect place to pop in for dessert. It would also be an ideal spot to grab a treat after snorkeling in nearby Poipu. In any case, The Fresh Shave deserves a stop on any trip to Kauai.

THE GOODS

Kiawe Roots serves top notch food in a small casual restaurant that somehow seems to fly below the tourist radar. But do not be fooled by its highway location by 7-Eleven. You don’t come to Kiawe Roots for the view, you come for the food.

First of all, I have to talk about the potato chips. How can potato chips taste this good, so perfectly seasoned and satisfyingly crisp? Seriously, order the potato chips. The rest of the meal did not disappoint, with succulent smoked meats, brightly flavored salads, and well-matched sides.

The restaurant is small and the decor is simple, with a low-key elegance. It’s not a fancy place to dine, but the food and service made it special. With its focus on elevating local dishes, Kiawe Roots showcases the best of Kauai cuisine with truly delicious results.

THE GOODS

If you enjoy open air markets and art events, don’t miss Hanapepe Art Night in this charming village on the south end of Kauai. We enjoyed wandering through many of the shops and galleries on our visit, but since this is a food post, that’s where I’ll focus. So many choices! In addition to the many food stands and trucks, local restaurants, such as Japanese Grandma’s, will also be open for business. We had some tough decisions to make.

Ultimately, we had two very big hits and one minor miss. The hits were Little Fatties for tacos (which I highlight below) and Pineapple in Paradise for pineapple whip (aka Dole Whip). Little Fatties has some of the best tacos I’ve ever tasted, and Pineapple in Paradise truly lived up to the name. I’ve had Dole Whip at Disney Springs in Florida and Disneyland in California, but this pineapple truck had them both beat. It was our favorite island treat on Kauai! For fans of a little sour to balance the sweetness, getting it topped with li hing mui is a must. Check their website to find the truck at other locations around Kauai.

The miss was a plate lunch with ribs. Unfortunately, the meat was too fatty and chewy for Michael’s liking. I think I can safely say this was the exception and not the norm. While walking around, we spotted a number of other appealing treats, as well as stands selling fresh fruit.

For a fun night out, made even better with good food, the Hanapepe Art Night is a hit for all ages.

THE GOODS

We ran across the Little Fatties food cart at Hanapepe Art Night. My son wanted the chicken tacos, and although I initially balked at the price, we decided to buy two to try. Once we tasted them, I knew I had to get some tacos of my own — they were amazing! By now, a line was forming, so it was a bit of a wait, but man, those fish tacos I ordered were worth it. Both the chicken and fish were tender and perfectly seasoned, and the unique toppings perfectly complimented each. Puffy corn tortillas sealed the deal.

Ultimately, if you don’t mind paying $6.95 for one taco (knowing that you will probably need two or three tacos to make a meal), we highly recommend Little Fatties. Hanapepe Art Night appears to be a reliable place to find them, but you may also luck out and have the chance to try them elsewhere around the island.

THE GOODS

Aloha Sweet Delites bakes up fresh donuts and other baked goods daily, including one of Hawaii’s best known sweets, malasadas. These simple Portuguese donuts are made from an egg-enriched dough and dusted with sugar. Best eaten fresh, it’s worth seeking out a bakery that fries batches throughout the day. At Aloha Sweet Delites, not only will you find freshly fried malasadas, you’ll also get the extra treat of watching them be made.

There are many other fun goodies to try, including fruit-flavored tapioca, tropical pies, and a whole host of baked goods. We took a variety box of donuts to go, and enjoyed trying some of the unique fillings, such as sweetened black bean. If you’re heading to Waimea Canyon or Koke’e State Park, treat yourself and stop by Aloha Sweet Delites on the way.