Location: Hanalei
Top Restaurants in Hanalei
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Best American food near Hanalei, Hawaii, United States
Find out what American restaurants to try in Hanalei. The beautiful little town of Hanalei could almost have been designed as a holiday island paradise. Its stunning beach, mountain scenery and its mostly fabulous weather conditions mean that you are going to want to spend most of your holiday outdoors. The bay on which Hanalei is located boasts beautiful white sands. Hanalei beach is perfect for lazing around or taking part in traditional beach games, as well as for enjoying a dip in the clean, warm waters. The conditions are often perfect for surfing, with locals and visitors alike keen to engage. When the water in the bay is rough, there remains an area towards the west of the bay which is reasonably sheltered for bathing. The pier at Hanalei is very important to the culture of the town and is used for fishing, as well as social and musical gatherings. The pier was featured in the musical, South Pacific.Hanalei TownThe small town that is Hanalei is famed for its dedication to Kauai’s island history and culture. Its art galleries contain carvings produced by indigent tribes people from local wood, with many souvenirs available for purchase. The Waioli Mission House and Church date back to the early part of the nineteenth century and were established by Christian missionaries to Kauai from the US mainland. Regular music and celebratory events are held, where you will be given the opportunity to taste poi, a locally produced Hawaiian delicacy. The freedom of your holiday rental will also allow you to sample the local island cuisine at the town’s traditional restaurants.
Things to do in Hanalei
10. Happy Talk Lounge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 638 reviews
Reviewed By TonyFi18
The Happy Talk has no rivals. A Stunning view, great food, best drinks and service on the island. Live music is OUTSTANDING. A great menu, several large screens for sports lovers, it truly is heaven. You must go now.Sit with Vincent, a fantastic professional that cares to make your experience top shelf
9. Princeville Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 885 reviews
Take in one of the most superior sunset views in all of Hawai'i while enjoying a cocktail or an innovative small plate selection handcrafted by our Culinary Chefs.
Reviewed By 01dFo1ks
We used to come here often for the entertainment and pupus. Now the entertainment is monotonous and lacking. For some reason, the great group that performed on Friday nights is no more. That was a wonderful 20 year tradition.
8. Village Snack and Bake Shop
Overall Ratings
4 based on 167 reviews
Enjoy hearty breakfasts, quick snacks, local style boxed picnic lunches, and hearty portions of daily lunch specials at this unique restaurant and bakery where you'll find everything from island style favorite plate meals to juicy hamburgers and homemade
Reviewed By BigZee07
Ate here for lunch and got the chili pepper chicken and it was amazing. They also have tasty desserts like brownies and pies and even breads for breakfast. Great family run place.
7. Postcards Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 776 reviews
Reviewed By sealbeachtraveler
The wine special was an excellent Sirah. Lots of delicious sounding appetizers. We chose the polenta, a portabella mushroom and their special bread. Portions were hearty for an appetizer. The bread was hearty and full of flavor that made you want another bite. My portabella mushroom with nuts, seeds, corn, zucchini, carrots, pipits, cheese and an orange colored pureed sauce that was so wonderful. The Polenta was so good that my squeeze "forgot" to share a taste with me. Serving sizes of the two appetizers and the bread filled us up. Joclyn our waitress was attentive but not pushy.
6. Hanalei Dolphin
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3039 reviews
Reviewed By Laura07040
The Dolphin was always our fav north shore restaurant and after seeing recent reviews, we were nervous about returning after the re-build/re-opening. But the atmosphere was the same, food tasted as remembered - only thing that struck me is that I asked for a Blue Hawaii and was told they didn't have a blender anymore - the owner never replaced it. Really??? Yes, they said that Pina Coladas & the like were now served on the rocks. Okkkkkk..... (Seems really cheap to me but whatever...)So the bill comes and we notice a "health sc". Asked the waiter & were told it was to help the OWNER pay for health insurance for his employees. What??? My husband is a state worker and has to pay for our insurance but now (as tourists) we're expected to pay for HIS servers' insurance as well??? We dined at 10 other restaurants on the island and this is the only time we saw this on the bill. We were appalled (and not fer nuttin', but the owner owns several restaurants on the island and is a very wealthy man. My husband & I are middle class travelers who "live large" once a year.)So, instead of dining at the Dolphin every other evening (as usual) for the length of our trip, we found other lovely places to dine where we didn't feel fleeced! (FYI, Postcards is a charming restaurant down the block & the food/service is outstanding.)
5. The Hanalei Gourmet
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1125 reviews
Reviewed By cbpilot
We spent a week in Princeville, and ate here 3 times during our stay. The food is great, and they even have a vegan burger that tastes just as good as the real thing.
4. Tahiti Nui Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1778 reviews
Reviewed By TruthNoBS
I love the North Shore but have always struggled with the restaurant choices, and while I have been to Tahiti Nui in the past for Happy Hour never ate there, except for a pizza years ago for a late lunch. This past trip we decided to try it for dinner and WOW was it good. We arrived early and sat at the bar for a couple of drinks first, and received great friendly service and some of the best Mai Tai's on this trip. Afterwards we were seated on the deck for dinner.We started with the Ono Roll - which actually was the one item that I was not crazy about and the Ahi Carpaccio that was very good. We both had the fresh fish which was Ahi tuna that evening, I had the washabi sauce while my wife had the lemon sauce. Tuna was good quality and a good sized portion. We enjoyed our dinner so much that we returned for lunch the next day.
3. Kalypso Island Bar and Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2616 reviews
Reviewed By Gary-Patti D
We had good service and a friendly staff. This restaurant seems to always have a lot of attendance - which generally means it's good! We had our Fish Tacos "blackened" which was a little spicy for our taste, but that's a personal choice. All in all, we'd recommend it as a place to check out the menu and if there are things you like on it, definitely try this place.
2. Hanalei Bay Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 126 reviews
Since 2016 Hanalei Bay Pizzeria has brought the north shore of Kauai great pizzas with creative and fresh ingredients, generous portions, and friendly service with Aloha! We are largely a carryout restaurant with limited seating inside the shop and picnic
Reviewed By Hello_Bamboo
I honestly don't understand. These people seem proud of their place, they only do pizza, they show off their dough, tossing and turning it... but apparently they have no pride in their product, and are content to serve a mediocre product, with a crust that tastes like cardboard.Good pizza needs a good crust and this starts with good dough. Dough is simple- just flour, water, salt yeast. I am sure they use the right ingredients- but every decent pizza maker knows that what makes a really great dough is T I M E...All it takes to transform this mediocre dough into perfect dough is 24 hrs of waiting. It's the same amount of work. Just make the dough a day in advance instead of 2 hours in advance. That's it.Why don't they do it? I honestly cannot understand. Ignorance? laziness? All they need to dough is get a book on pizza making or do some googling, and they can finally be proud of their pizza.
Hawaii, United States Food Guide: 4 Asian food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Hanalei
1. Bar Acuda
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1810 reviews
Reviewed By vacreeper
Great meal but we found this place difficult to actually get a reservation. Don't know why they don't use Opentable. You have to actually get someone on the phone which is difficult. Regardless, the food, service and ambience are great. Recommend if you actually get a reservation.
