Restaurants in Lihue

“Hard to believe you can get such great sushi from a food truck. I’m partial to sashimi and it is always fresh, perfectly cut, and beautifully presented.”

“We had the most wonderful dining experience at this restaurant. The food was outstanding and so was our server Matt. He made several suggestions and all were awesome He gave impeccable service and made our evening very special. Kudos to Matt”

“Our New Go-To on Kauai! We’ve found our gem. After frequenting Kauai for work, Sushi Blue Wave has become our absolute favorite dining destination on the island. The intimate ambiance sets the perfect tone for an exceptional meal, and the service is genuinely attentive without being intrusive. Our server, JP, made excellent recommendations and ensured every detail was just right. Now, onto the food … simply outstanding! The Truffle Edamame was an inspired start, elevated beyond the ordinary. We worked our way through several standout dishes: the Blue Wave Crunch Roll delivered on both texture and flavor, while the Dry-Aged Wasabi Truffle Salmon was a revelation. I agree with another reviewer: it was the best salmon dish I’ve ever eaten. The Lemon Bliss Roll provided a bright, refreshing contrast, and both the scallop sashimi and sea urchin were pristine examples of how fresh, quality ingredients need little embellishment. What impressed us most was the consistency across every dish. The fish was impeccably fresh, and the rice in each roll was perfectly seasoned and proportioned … never overwhelming the delicate flavors of the fish, but providing the ideal foundation. It’s clear the chef understands balance. We are planning to be back this evening and on our next trip to Kauai. And the one after that! Sushi Blue Wave has earned a permanent spot on our dining itinerary.”

“Delicious, well portioned and priced! Cheapest beers and cocktails to go you'll find around! Wish they were opened later but hopefully that will come! Highly recommend!”

“Beyond amazing food and service!”

“Best Luau on the island. Can’t wait to come back.”

“great service..great food and drinks”

“The food is amazing! The staff is wonderful!”

“Awesome service!! And, the food was very delicious!!! Highly recommend!! Thank you☺️”

“friendly service nice atmosphere”

“one of the best meals of my life and I ate here twice!! traveled all over the world so that says alot”

“Friendly service and great food”

“Great food awesome service! Best Poke bowl I've ever eaten.”

“Excellent and authentic Thai Food”

“New owner has turned this spot into the best drinks, menu and service on the Island. Ask Alyssa to mix you Bloody Mary! Awesome!”

“Wife and I stumbled into this spot inside a bar and had no idea what to expect. We make it a point to try burgers everywhere we travel, and we’ve covered just about everything back home, so we know a good one when we see it. Smitty’s delivered.

Burger was cooked right, great flavor, and didn’t fall apart halfway through. The cook, who may have been Smitty himself, was super chill and actually took the time to talk through how he does his burgers without acting bothered.

30 minute drive from our hotel and easily worth it. This one stands out.

Waffle fries were crispy and not greasy!”

“There is no seating. The options are incredibly limited. They didn’t have much stock when I showed up. Having said that, it‘s a great resource. A wrap in the fridge can come in handy if you can’t get to a restaurant before they close.”

“Salad bar and music ambience is amazing and breathtaking.”

“Awesome atmosphere. Great Service and the best we have ever had on any of the cruises”

“Awesome guys and awesome service! The food is winnah”

“You would be hard pressed to find a more scenic location to enjoy a relaxing dinner. It is such a pleasure to have a restaurant of this caliber right on the property when staying at the Marriott Beach Club. We have been thoroughly pleased with each dinner we've enjoyed here. Whether it is the family sitting in one of the private dining areas overlooking the pool (a great place to sit with young children) or 2 adults leisurely sitting at a table near the sushi bar, the ambiance is KAUAI-esque. We enjoyed everything we ordered but always make sure to include Jalapeno Hamachi Sashimi and the Rainbow Poke Nori Crunch.”

“Great experience and views”

“Ahi tacos are amazing and big!”

“We are Marriott Owners and stayed on property to enjoy the Royal Sonesta amenities. Kukui's bar opened up after their beautiful remodel.while we were there. I shared my thoughts with Anthony, who was the manager on site. Christmas Day was crazy busy and the staff kicked butt and did a fantastic job. Boy, were they hustling and still kept their composure and professionalism! The menu has been refreshed and had many great healthy options. The prices are standard for this type of higher end property. The breakfast menu offered many options and all that we tasted were beautifully plated and very delicious! Yes, there were hiccups, which is expected, but the staff did the best they could. I'm not going to mention what needed to be improved on yet. As good as everything was, we know it will keep on improving as everyone settles in. Congratulations to Royal Sonesta and your entire team. Review in 12/26/24 Lucy & John Proud Marriott Owners”

“Banging Bloody Mary’s, super friendly and helpful staff and amazing house burger. Don’t let previous bad reviews put you off, this place is awesome. Plus there’s PowerPoints to charge and bag hooks plus cool decor. Also the bar girl caught a bird and freed it outside again”

“Our bartender, Amanda, was top notch! We ate there a couple times and thought the food was great too.”

“We eat here every time we’re on the island and they never disappoint! Homemade pasta…yum!”

“We came to Kauai for a day trip - as we made our way back towards the airport- we were very hungry. Btw, late afternoon not a good time to find local restaurant. Came here & WOW - fast friendly service & surprisingly good food! Our server, Meara - was such a pleasure!”

“Stopped by Rainbeau Jo's in Lihue and it was the perfect start to our Kauai morning — bright, cheerful, and full of island vibes.
The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, with that happy food-truck energy that instantly puts you in a good mood.
The Jimmy Pesto bagel with housemade pesto cream cheese was fresh and so flavorful.
The Brahvocado — smashed avocado, local tomato, sprouts, and cracked pepper on a toasty croissant — was a vegetarian standout.
We also loved the chocolate croissant and cinnamon roll from their Orly's Patisserie partnership — flaky and delicious.
The Kauai Sunrise smoothie tasted like the island in a cup, and the coffee was excellent.
Service was warm and full of aloha; Beau and Jo clearly love what they do, and it shows in every detail.
Great food quality, fair prices, and such a joyful little spot — five stars, highly recommended!”

“Our family very recently vacationed in Kauai to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary. I had reached out to Ko Bakery several weeks before our trip to have a cake made to surprise my parents. We chose the Haupia with Lime buttercream and also got a dozen cupcakes (yellow cake with chocolate buttercream) for the kiddos. The cake and cupcakes were AMAZING!!!! Their customer service is incredible (especially since we were communicating through email) and pick up was a breeze. I highly recommend Ko Bakery!!!”

“Shaka Burgers makes me smile! They’re so good! Best burgers on Kauai! And their shaka fries are incredible! All served with a smile out of their red food truck across from the Costco gas station.”

“The food was really fresh and tasty. Great customer service. Extensive vegetarian options. We had the garden burger which was fresh and tasty. And also the veggie BLT which was surprising good. A tad smoky but it blends with the aioli. I rarely give 5 star reviews but this place deserves it for the customer service.”

“Excellent food friendly service Wishing Kyle. his Ohana ,employees Merri Hurisumasu Be Safe hungry soing their MOW!!!!”

“Wow the bagels were amazing! My husband and I both got the brekkie special sandwich and it was delicious. We also got an iced coffee and smoothie. The coffee is excellent here. We arrived around 9am and there was 2 people in front of us, food came out pretty quick. Will definitely be coming back again.”

“AMAZING! The best waffle I have ever had!”

“Kawaii Kokoro Patisserie is absolutely amazing! Everything is delicious, but the cheesecakes—especially the Japanese cheesecake—are a standout. It’s so light and perfectly balanced, not too sweet. The profiteroles are incredible, and it’s impossible to pick a favorite flavor. Some of my other favorites include the lilikoi mousse cups, crème brûlée (both vanilla and Kona coffee—so good!), arare cookies, manju, and my newest obsession, the panna cotta! They also offer scones and a variety of cookies, all made with high-quality ingredients. We ordered ahead, and everything was beautifully packaged and ready when we arrived. The service was fantastic, and the owners and staff are genuinely kind and welcoming. If you’re looking for delicious, high-quality pastries and desserts, this place is a must-visit!”

“I recommend the fried chicken with the Garlic sauce!Not too salty and not super deep fried! Was super good! And they stay up later then most shops in Lihue! 🤙🏻 5 star for me 💙🌺”

“Best taro malasadas!! Chai and lattes are SO good!!”

“The ginger snaps are amazing! Everything is amazing! We loved the cheesecakes as well.”

“We walked in and were greeted instantly. We ordered and waited less than five minutes for food and drinks. The eggy was good and our coffee was delicious. Definitely recommend.”

“The best coffee spot on the island! All made to order- we got pour overs brewed from freshly roasted beans. The baked goods were heavenly, Kouign Amann (croissant meets macadamia nut and honey) is a MUST!! Next fav choice personally was the cinnamon scone. Opens relatively early for your early adventures when most “breakfast” options are closed”

“BEST COFFEE I’ve ever had!!! I got the Nene and it was just DELICIOUS!! My mom got the elepiao and she was speechless!! She said the coconut was soooo good!! I would fly back to Kauai just for this! (And ofc the nature)”

“Best food and huge portions”

“Loved it!”

“Make sure to come visit this place if you love filipino food it is the best”

“The food was exceptionally delicious and the choices were varied. There were six different preparations of poke. I chose spicy ahi and green onion ahi. Stellar range of flavors. The staff were friendly and very willing to explain the differences in preparation. Highly recommended!”

“Best Loco Moco, we stop here every time we visit the island.”

“Delicious food! I had the Kauiian and my wife had the Nola. Both were so good! Such a beautiful place to sit and look over the greenery. Great stop on your way to or from Wailua Falls.”

“Super cute place! Lovely items inside for purchase as well. The croissants were delicious and so was the coffee. Definitely recommend to go as they also have cute, covered outdoor seating”

“Amazing food. Priced affordable for a big group. HUGE portions.”

“The lilikoi malasada……. Oh my goodness. SO GOOD! We also really liked the plain sugar one. We stopped at this super cute bakery right before we headed to the airport, and we are so glad we did! Highly recommend.”

“Wired Monkey smoothie was great. Glad they are still in business.”

“Friendly,good customer service 101% stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“Im so grateful for Aloha Aina Juice Cafe! I enjoy an acai bowl daily from you guys and it's always amazing! Thank you for the delicious, nutritious foods and the positive vibes every day. 🙏🏼☀️🌺”

“great Ono kauai food highly recommend i love the poncho moco.yummy 😋 🤙 go check Liza guys out .you won't be disappointed”

“A local friend suggested this place for lunch and man was it a great decision! Employees were kind and helpful on picking sides. One of the best meals i had while visiting”

“Skinny Mike's ice cream took my taste buds to a different dimension. Awesome place for amazing ice cream!”

“Sunrise Coffee is a great spot to start your day! I throughly enjoyed the matcha latte, açaí bowl, and donuts. I highly recommend checking them out.”

“Amazing food Great drinks”

“We absolutely loved this course!”

“My friend and I had just spent time with our families on the Kauai Plantation Railway and we decided to head over to the lounge for an adult beverage. We both had Mai Tais and they were really very good. Our bartender was great and took good care of us. The lounge was cool because it feels like you stepped back in time. Once our families caught up to us we moved to the outside patio which has a little more of a modern feel which opened up to an open grassy area where the kids ran around and played. The Mai Tais were so good that we came back two days later for round 2. If you want a great Mai Tai and a nice spot to chill and relax, this is your spot.”

“Lovely local place. Troy was very welcoming. They were celebrating the 7th year of opening and laid on a free buffet for everyone”

“12/2025
I happened upon this quaint, friendly and fast place by accident. Located next to Inkspot, people drive by for a really quick and onolicious pickup. They offer 3 simple bentos that offer a quick but wide variety of food. Drop by to get your quick fix to start your day. They open at 6am. D, one of the owners was really informative and helpful. And the food offerings is what attracts your eye at their prices. Not overly huge but very reasonable and economical portions in these trying times. A nice niche option just minutes from anywhere in town and the airport. Onolicious! 😉🤙✌️”

“I tried the Filipino cuisine for the first time. They had the shop setup next to Walmart. Tried their chicken and pork skewers. They were juicy and meat was soft, fresh.

We turned to the place 2 more times while on the island. I also tried their pork belly combo which was yummy as hell. It a must try place of you are food enthusiast :)”

“all year round fresh local fish”

“The atmosphere was extraordinary. This is a mom and pop restaurant, all family works here. So my water abd coffee were always filled. Plates and tables constantly cleaned. The family worked together as one. I was in awe. The macaroni salad was the best I tasted on four islands. I got the waffles with blueberry inside. Seriously wonderful taste with fresh rip berries. My son enjoyed the blueberry pancakes. The portions are large. Enjoy.”

“We stopped here for lunch right after arriving on Kauaʻi from our flight, since it’s conveniently located close to Līhuʻe Airport. It was the perfect first meal on the island. The service was very fast and friendly, and we loved the cozy, local atmosphere.

The saimin was fantastic, and the BBQ skewers were incredible — definitely some of the highlights of our meal. We also really liked the unique setup of the restaurant, with the tables connected in a zig-zag style, creating a fun and welcoming shared dining space. It felt very cute and authentic.

Just a note: it’s cash only, so make sure to come prepared. Definitely a great place to stop for a quick and delicious meal after arriving in Kauaʻi!”

“One of the only restaurants(if not THE only restaurant) that is a must eat during return visits to Hawaii. Really wish there were locations in our area.”

“I love coming to Garden Isle, your food is made to order hot & fresh. You either walk in or do a phone order. If you’re feeding a lot of people it’s best to do a phone order . All in all, the whole crew is amazing! I recommend Garden Isle BBQ & Chinese anytime .”

“They definitely give large portions. I ordered the Teriyaki Meatl loaf with steam rice, mac salad and shrimp. Plus we had Dinuguan with steam rice, Mac salad and shrimp. So Ono. Kudos to the staff and management. Please give them a merit raise and 15 minute extra break. I will definitely tell my family and friends.”

“Mannnnn it’s good. Simple, affordable and tasty. Take advantage of the combos they have to get an extra snack. Not a bad item on the menu. Love their bubble waffles too.”

“The staff was pleasant and engaging. Wait was minimal and the coffee and food was hot and fresh. The staff was also kind enough to remind me that we are unable to drink the coffee while perusing the store.”

“One of capitalism’s great achievements. A $1.50 beef frank in the middle of the ocean and a soda to add insult to… this punch taste gooooooood 😋”

“This is definitely a must go to when in kauai. I just love the simple quick and efficient service and the quality of food they serve.”

“delicious, excellent, exceptional quality food every single time 🤙🏽 they are simply the best!{try the egg fu yung, tell auntie i sent you 😉} portions are always on point too. mahalo mahalo mahalo, ho’s chinese kitchen!”

“Excellent sandwiches, about a 20 minute wait after ordering. Lots of choices here everything looked good. Mostly local customers here. This is a good place to get food for a flight home, as it's pretty close to the airport.”

“I popped in here for a quick snack and it was exactly what I needed. The food was served hot and tasted just like the classic menu items I usually crave when I am on the go. The staff was fast and friendly, and it is a super easy place to grab a cheap, filling meal when you do not have a lot of time to sit down.”

“no matter what Jamba Juice I go to, Islands or the Mainland I always customize My order.... this Team has accommodated Me, on every visit.... Thanx for taking care of this Haole` Jamba-Lihue Rocks !!! 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙”

“Great little bakery! We particularly enjoyed the fresh brewed coffee, breakfast burritos and the baked pork manapua. This is a perfect place to fuel up before a day of adventures on Kauai!”

“Didn’t get photos of the inside, but like most franchises it looks similar. This location feels cleaner than others I’ve been to, and the staff were very friendly. With prices so high these days, it’s great to have a place like Subway where you can load up on fresh veggies and ingredients. Tasty, affordable, and perfect for a quick meal — definitely recommend.”

“Love the Pineapple store! We had the kalua pork and pineapple pizza and had their dole whip in a pineapple! We also picked up some cut up sugarloaf to take home. Mahalo to the cute ohana for their kindness and welcoming smiles!”

“Best local place that's in the corner of industrial bldg. and the food is really good. I suggest all visitors and locals if you haven't gone there "GO" but bring cash to pay you won't be disappointed if seeking flavorful foods. Oh the sweets get some they are so delicious too :)”

“I got the chow mein and orange chicken. The chow mein noodles were not as thick as I was hoping for them to be but they were still good. The orange chicken was also good but it was a little underwhelming. The food wasn’t very hot either. However, the service is great! The staff is very friendly and helpful. There is in indoor booth seating and there is also free parking as well.”

“I stopped by here for a quick bite when I was on the road and it did the trick perfectly. The order was accurate, the fries were nice and hot, and the dining area was kept pretty clean during my visit. It is a solid choice when you need something fast and consistent that you know you can rely on.”