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Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Kauai

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Hualani's restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2202)

$50 and over

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Lihue

About the restaurant

Experience one of the best restaurants on Kaua'i and enjoy farm-to-table oceanfront dining from the elegant yet relaxed setting at Hualani's. Here, oceanfront dining is influenced by the seasons. What's fresh at The Farm at Hōkūala inspires the farm-to-table menu, while our bar serves up well-balanced craft cocktails that complement the seasonality of the kitchen. Our culinary experience is inspired by a sense of place and driven by local farmers, as well as fresh-picked ingredients from our on-site organic farm. From the morning harvest and the daily catch, Hualani's shines a hyper-local spotlight on the bounty of the Garden Isle.

Top review

J

Janet

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing experience, the food is on par with a Michelin 3 Star, the service impeccable and the selection of wines were excellent. The ambiance, let's just say dining overlooking the water with a full moon rising can't be beat!!

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A photo of Lobster Tempura of a restaurant

Lobster Tempura

A photo of Misoyaki Seabass of a restaurant

Misoyaki Seabass

A photo of Harris Ranch Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Harris Ranch Filet Mignon

A photo of Naisla Kitchen & Cocktails restaurant

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

C

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.

A photo of Merriman's Kauai restaurant

Merriman's Kauai

4.7

4.7 (5213)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Koloa

About the restaurant

Chef-Owner Peter Merriman has brought his unique style of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine served in a casual yet elegant setting of Old Hawaii Plantation. A pioneer in the "Farm to Table" concept, Peter serves only the freshest products, at least 90% of which are locally grown or caught, using only sustainable methods. His international menu items are prepared in a manner that highlights the natural flavors of these fresh, local foods. Located in Poipu, we feature both mauka (mountain) and makai (ocean) views as well as sunset veiws over the Kukui'ula resort. The aloha-friendly staff, with a food and beverage knowledge second to none, will ensure that you have an extraordinary dining experience.

Top review

S

Savanna

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience! Best dinner in Kauai for us, enjoyed it over the Beach House! Excellent service, great cocktails, and delicious classics with outside the box flair. Definitely will go back!

A photo of Oasis on the Beach restaurant

Oasis on the Beach

4.7

4.7 (2868)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Kapaa

About the restaurant

Oasis is a beautiful oceanfront location that showcases the best of what Kauai has to offer in cuisine, service and ocean views.

We strongly believe that residents and guests of Hawaii want to experience Hawaii. We use local sources for almost 80% of our ingredients, and work closely with Kauai"s farmers and fishermen to provide you with the best and freshest possible ingredients.

We work to highlight the quality and freshness of our ingredients in a style that captures the diversity of local cultures and influences without burying the delicious flavors that our local ingredients offer.

Top review

L

LauraVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Henry was our fabulous server! He was friendly and knowledgeable, making our experience a very memorable one. The fish/meal was cooked perfectly and delicious! Highly recommend Oasis.

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A photo of Apple Banana Spring Roll of a restaurant

Apple Banana Spring Roll

A photo of Pork Wontons of a restaurant

A photo of The Wedge Salad of a restaurant

The Wedge Salad

A photo of Keoki's Paradise restaurant

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

C

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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A photo of Original Hula Pie of a restaurant

Original Hula Pie

A photo of Fish Tacos of a restaurant

A photo of Fish & Chips of a restaurant

A photo of Duke's Kauai restaurant

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

M

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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A photo of Twisted Hula Pie of a restaurant

Twisted Hula Pie

A photo of Crispy Coconut Shrimp of a restaurant

Crispy Coconut Shrimp

A photo of Tristan Lobster Tail of a restaurant

Tristan Lobster Tail

A photo of Stevenson’s Library restaurant

Stevenson’s Library

4.6

4.6 (1820)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Poipu

About the restaurant

This luxury nightspot offers a truly unique and welcoming atmosphere with a 27-ft koa wood bar, outdoor lanai and intimate lounge seating. The bar features beautifully carved koa in traditional sugarcane and pineapple motifs.

Chef Jin and his team create delectable sushi creations nightly. Relax, enjoy the views and sip on a tropical, martini, beer or sake. Stevenson's also boasts an extensive selection of Whiskeys, Cognac, Port and Wine.

Stevenson's is the place for sushi & spirits.

To Go orders: Offered between 5-6PM only due to high demand
High-Top seating: This is a tall table located in the bar area. This is a request and is not guaranteed.
Regular seating: A regular dining table located in the restaurant.
Lanai Seating: Balcony seating is limited. We do our best to accommodate requests, however it is not guaranteed. Mahalo for your understanding.

Top review

M

Mona

Dined 3 days ago

Always wonderful local service! Poke, sashimi, sushi pizza and lobster dynamite is always outstanding! Our 4 sushi rolls were fresh and delicious! Side Uni on rice and our dessert was amazing! Our fav place to go for dinner on the south side!!

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A photo of Sushi Pizza of a restaurant

A photo of Stevenson's Lobster Dynamite of a restaurant

Stevenson's Lobster Dynamite

A photo of Beach House Restaurant- Kauai restaurant

Beach House Restaurant- Kauai

4.6

4.6 (12814)

$50 and over

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Poipu

About the restaurant

Our stunning ocean-front location with spectacular sunsets makes the Beach House an iconic destination on Kauai's south shore that has won the Hale 'Aina Award for "Best Restaurant - Kauai" for 20+ years.

Our philosophy at the Beach House is simple - take aloha, blend it with fresh and high-quality ingredients, and add an ocean view to deliver a handcrafted, Hawaiian experience. Executive Chef Marshall Blanchard makes the most of local ingredients by sourcing our fish directly from island fisherman and our beef from neighboring ranches. We incorporate fresh and local produce throughout our menu, highlighting Hawai'i farms and the resources that surround Kauai.

Reservations are highly recommended for a dining room table in our open-air restaurant. We also offer lounge seating on our lawn, where the full menu and full service are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please check in with the bar host for lawn seating.

Top review

P

PamelaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service from our server who knew from memory the gluten free selections. Our steak and Ahi were both prepared perfectly. Ambience as always, breathtaking. Everyone, from the valet, to the welcoming committee at the desk, to the expediters really take a moment to make a connection however brief. Amazing in this age where it seems people are losing the ability to communicate. But the coup de gras? Gluten-free Mochi cake! Thanking the team for a gluten free dessert that is unique and memorable.

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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant

A photo of Keiki Fish of a restaurant

A photo of Lobster Bisque of a restaurant

A photo of HAPA KAUAI Ramen & Whiskey restaurant

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

S

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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A photo of Pork Belly of a restaurant

A photo of Sushi Bushido restaurant

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

P

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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