Top 5 Restaurants in Poipu Kaua'i

This post is a a wee bit different than my usual healthy recipe posts. I am sharing about my favorite place on earth, the island of Kaua’i in Hawaii! I will touch on our family’s favorite things to see, do, and eat while visiting and staying in Poipu Beach, including Our Top 5 Hawaiian Island Eats in Poipu Kaua’i. I hope one day you will visit this heavenly island and experience some of the magic and sweetness. ✨ Add this one to your bucket list!!

Family portrait Poipu beach — This trip we did a family photo shoot near the Hyatt on Poipu (granny’s bday wish!). This shot looks a little like a cheesy vacation brochure but I like it anyhow 😉

We call ourselves the Super 7. I’ll just say it. I love my in-laws. As long as I can get through the obligatory Costco stop!… Bob’s folks have a deep-rooted love of Costco…the rest of the time is fantastic with these people. We all enjoy a good meal, beautiful scenery, and quality time together.

grandparents, grandma, grandpa, grand kids Family portrait Poipu beach — Grandparents are the best!

Having extended family with us, specifically cool aunt Cici, deep Papa Gus, and funny MJ, definitely helps divert any teenager angst – that’s a huge plus these days!

Of all the islands, Kaua’i is our family’s favorite ?. I think we just might live there one day. Kaua’i is a quieter island overall. It can also be overcast and rainy (especially north shore Princeville area). Others may choose Maui or the Big Island to vacation for the more predictable sunny weather and livelier attractions.

welcome sign, sign, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii airport — Welcome sign at the little airport in Lihue

For us, Kaua’i is the perfectly quaint and sweet. The locals are kind and laid back. Our older daughter, Leyla (we could easily have named her ‘lei-la’ she loves everything Hawaiian so much!) said it best the first day on this trip when she exclaimed, ‘what’s not to love?!

rainbows, rainbow, double rainbow, rain, sun — Where there is sunshine and rain there are rainbows!!

I don’t think I have seen a more beautiful place on this earth.

Kauai, Hawaii, Waimea Canyon, Waimea — Heavenly views from Waimea Canyon

Things we love to do in Kaua’i:

swim with sea turtles and the brightest tropical fish in every color, shape and pattern
wake up to the crow of roosters,, and follow hens and their little chicks
run to the horse stables, pet the roaming horses, and play with kittens
admire the snoozing monk seals on the beach and try to get ourselves just as relaxed

Horse ranch Poipu Beach — CJM horseback riding stables

cool off in short rain bursts and look for rainbows and double rainbows

rainbow, rainbows, Kauai, Hawaii — Kauai Rainbows – you can usually even find a double rainbow if you look closely

watch fantastic, coral colored streaky cloud sunsets

eat the fresh, sweet, aromatic pineapples, my favorite grown right here – Sugarloaf White Pineapples!

Pineapple, sugarloaf white pineapple, Kauai pineapple — The Sugarloaf White Pineapple is a delicacy grown on this island in Kauai – sweeter, less acidic and aromatic with almost a floral taste ???incredible! Be sure to try this variety if you find yourself in Kaua’i ?

drive over to Waimea Canyon State Park for views that take you straight to heaven

canyon, waimea, Kauai, landscape, Hawaii — Waimea Canyon has been called ‘the Grand Canyon of the Pacific which is very fitting. The views take your breath away.

Finally, here is a list of the restaurants we frequent on our extended family trips to Poipu beach in Kaua’i including the order that we normally hit them!

Our Top 5 Hawaiian Island Eats in Poipu Kauai (plus one!):

1. Gaylord’s – this is a great first stop and/or last stop. It’s close to Lihue airport and gives a good taste of the island. It was built in 1935 and has rich history. You get a tropical feel sitting in the pretty courtyard and can window shop from local artists.

Gaylord's, plantation, Kauai, restaurant, Hawaiian food — Entrance to Gaylord’s

It’s a 16,000 square foot home converted into little shops and a restaurant.

There are gorgeous trees on the grounds as well as their iconic cute donkeys that our girls love to pet. I suggest taking a little walk to wander around the 67 acres of land with huge trees.

plantation, restaurant, Hawaii, Kauai — Grounds at Gaylord’s

We have been there a few times and have yet to do any rum tasting or go for a train ride. Lots to do at this spot. Stop in for an early lunch on your first day, you won’t regret it!

2. Plantation Gardens – this is our favorite place to dress up and go out to eat during our visits. What sets this place apart is the setting and the food. Also a plantation with interesting history, there are beautiful gardens flowing with orchids and tropical plants. The food is amazing, we usually order fresh fish. They have fun cocktails and the service is also very good. People get married here – it is just lovely.

3. Da Crack – our girls favorite lunch spot when we’re on the island. It’s a casual food “truck” (literally a hole in the wall), stand in line kind of place. You are bound to see locals and surfers which is always a good sign. The food is fresh, healthy, and customizable. They have burrito bowls which we love, and good fish and shrimp.

4. Savage Shrimp – Ava’s favorite, get your fried coconut shrimp on. It’s located at a nearby quaint mall, Shops by Kukui’ula. We dream of this coconut shrimp for weeks before and after, you can’t get enough. Worth the red lights! This is a casual lunch spot in a mall setting with very limited seating. We’ve never had to wait long but be prepared to split up if you have a large group or order to go and eat on the beach!

5. The Beach House – beautiful sunset photo dinner spot. Great for special occasions, stellar service and good food. It’s in a nice location where you can keep driving a bit to see the ‘spouting horn’ and take more sunset pictures at the end of the road. We like going here on the last night of our trip.

Plus One: Hyatt – This time we also hit Hyatt’s buffet on Father’s day, sort of as a back up plan due to the need to stay close to the condo to watch Euro Cup. The food was decent, the peanut butter was incredible!! They served a coconut peanut butter that I have since become addicted to. I brought home two jars and I’m ready to order some more!

Photos from Father’s Day brunch at the Hyatt, photo shoot in Hyatt grounds, and hike beyond the Hyatt:

where my new obsession with coconut peanut butter was born!

The best part of the Hyatt is a trail that goes just beyond it and has nice views of the cliffs and ocean. It does get more challenging the further you hike but is easy to turn around at any point and head back towards the buffet 😉

Final Notes:

Our favorite spot on earth may not be yours. I am hoping that if you do find yourself on the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i that you will try some of our suggestions and live the magic. My biggest smiles are saved for Kauai. We are doing our best to keep the Aloha lifestyle alive through this summer. How about you?? What’s your favorite place on earth???