2023 Readers’ Choices Awards: Kauaʻi

Kaua‘i, the Garden Isle, is among Hawai‘i’s most verdant islands. Packed with thriving botanical gardens and outdoor activities, the island is best known as the home of the majestic Nāpali Coast. And don’t forget about always-sunny Po‘ipū and surf-centric Hanalei. There’s plenty to love here, for both visitors and locals.

Kauaʻi Food & Drink

The Garden Isle is best known for its majestic emerald mountains, secluded sea coves and beautiful beaches. But Kauaʻi also boasts an incredible dining scene. Here, you’ll find clusters of food trucks scattered across the island whipping up top-notch burgers, uber-fresh sushi and plant-based doughnuts. Kauaʻi is also home to a stellar lineup of poke spots, farm-to-table restaurants and beloved bars. These are the eateries, bakeries and saimin stands that our readers voted as the best on the island.

Best Restaurant

1. Beach House Restaurant
2. Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
3. Merriman’s Kauaʻi
4. Bar Acuda
5. Jo2 Restaurant

Best Hotel or Resort Restaurant

1. Lava Lava Beach Club
2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
3. Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
4. Red Salt at Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort at Po‘ipū Beach
5. RumFire Po‘ipū Beach

Best Bar or Lounge

1. Duke’s Kaua‘i
2. Tahiti Nui
3. Tiki ‘Iniki
4. Happy Talk Lounge
5. Trees Lounge

Best Cheap Eats

1. Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs
2. Bubba Burgers
3. Da Crack Mexican Grinds
4. The Shrimp Station
5. Hamura Saimin Stand

Best Bakery

1. Kaua‘i Bakery
2. Hanalei Bread Co.
3. Kīlauea Bakery & Pizza
4. Haole Girl Island Sweets
5. The Right Slice

Best Breakfast or Brunch

1. Lava Lava Beach Club at the Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
2. Kountry Kitchen
3. Kalāheo Café & Coffee Co.
4. Tip Top Cafe
5. Ānuenue Café

Best Burger

1. Bubba Burgers
2. Kenji Burger
3. Kalypso Island Bar & Grill
4. Street Burger
5. Kickshaws

Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant

1. Merriman’s Kauaʻi
2. Kaua‘i ‘Ono
3. Hukilau Lānai
4. Bar Acuda
5. Fish Bar Deli

Best Food Truck

1. Fresh Bite Kaua‘i
2. Porky’s Kaua‘i
3. Al Pastor Tacos
4. Chip Wrecked
5. Kickshaws

Best Noodle, Saimin or Ramen

1. Hamura Saimin Stand
2 . Kaua‘i Ramen
3. Pho Kaua‘i
4. Aloha Ramen
5. Wailua Drive In

Best Pizza

1. Brick Oven Pizza
2. Kīlauea Bakery & Pizzeria
3. Volcano Pizza Kaua‘i
4. Hideaways Pizza Pub
5. Scorpacciata

Best Plate Lunch

1. Kōloa Fish Market
2. Pono Market
3. Hanalei Taro & Juice Co.
4. Mark’s Place
5. Sueoka Store

Best Poke

1. Kōloa Fish Market
2. Hanalei Poke
3. Foodland
4. Ishihara Market
5. Pono Market

Best Happy Hour

1. Lava Lava Beach Club
2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
3. Kalapakī Joe’s
4. Keoki’s Paradise
5. RumFire Kaua‘i

Best Seafood Restaurant

1. The Beach House
2. Merriman’s Kauaʻi
3. Duke’s Kaua‘i
4. The Dolphin Po‘ipū
5. Keoki’s Paradise

Best Steak House

1. The Beach House
2. Bull Shed Restaurant
3. Duke’s Kaua‘i
4. Kalāheo Steak House
5. Wrangler’s Steakhouse

Kauaʻi Hotels & Resorts

With the island’s offering of luxury resorts, romantic retreats and charming inns, Kauaʻi is an idyllic island to escape to. From honeymooners to solo travelers, these are the accommodations our readers voted as the best on Kauaʻi.

Best Luxury Resort

1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
2. The Cliffs at Princeville
3. Hotel Hanalei Bay
4. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
5. Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club
6. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū
7. Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach
8. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
9. Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas
10. Hanalei Bay Resort

Best Value Hotel or Resort

1. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
2. Waimea Plantation Cottages
3. Marriott’s Kaua‘i Beach Club
4. Hanalei Bay Resort
5. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
6. Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa
7. Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort
8. Hilton Garden Inn Kaua‘i Wailua Bay
9. Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kaua‘i by Outrigger
10. The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Līhu‘e

Best Boutique Hotel

1. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
2. Waimea Plantation Cottages
3. Hanalei Bay Resort
4. Marriott’s Kaua‘i Beach Club
5. Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach
6. Timbers Kaua‘i Resort
7. Hanalei Colony Resort
8. The ISO Hotel Kaua‘i
9. The Cliffs at Princeville
10. The Lodge at Kukui‘ula

Best Hotel or Resort for Romance

1. The Cliffs at Princeville
2. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
3. Waimea Plantation Cottages
4. Hanalei Bay Resort
5. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
6. Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach
7. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
8. Marriott’s Kaua‘i Beach Club
9. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
10. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel

Best Hotel Resort or Spa

1. The Spa at Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach
2. Anara Spa at Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
3. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort and Spa
4. Bamford Wellness at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
5. Alexander Spa & Salon at The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Līhu‘e

Best Hotel or Resort for Families

1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
2. Waimea Plantation Cottages
3. Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club
4. Hanalei Bay Resort
5. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
6. Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kaua‘i by Outrigger
7. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
8. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
9. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
10. Aston Islander on the Beach

Best Vacation Timeshare

1. The Cliffs at Princeville
2. Marriott’s Kaua‘i Beach Club
3. The Point at Po‘ipū (Diamond Resort)
4. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
5. Hanalei Bay Resort

Best Bed & Breakfast or Inn

1. Hale Kua Kaua‘i Bed & Breakfast
2. Hanalei Surfboard House
3. Hale Ho‘o Maha Bed & Breakfast
4. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
5. Tutu Hale

Kauaʻi Outdoor Aventures

Kauaʻi has long lured outdoor enthusiasts, where the adventurous can explore the island’s verdant valleys and colorful coral reefs—all in the same day. Hikers can trek for miles through Kōkēʻē State Park or along the Nāpali Coast and then swim with vibrant schools of fish or catch waves at Hanalei Bay.

Best Beach

1. Hanalei Bay
2. Po‘ipū Beach
3. ‘Anini Beach
4. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach)
5. Kē‘ē Beach

Best Botanical Garden

1. Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens & Sculpture Park
2. Allerton Garden
3. Princeville Botanical Gardens
4. Smith’s Tropical Paradise
5. Limahuli Garden & Preserve

Best Campground

1. Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park
2. Kōke‘e State Park
3. ‘Anini Beach
4. Polihale State Park
5. Kumu Camp

Best Hiking Trail

1. Waimea Canyon Trail to Waipo‘o Falls
2. Kuilau Ridge Trail
3. Nounou Trail (aka Sleeping Giant)
4. Māhā‘ulepū Heritage Trail
5. Wai Koa Loop Trail (aka Stone Dam)

Best Surf Spot

1. Hanalei Bay
2. Kalapakī Beach
3. Anahola Bay
4. Kāhili Beach (aka Rock Quarry Beach)
5. Kiahuna Beach

Best Snorkeling Spot

1. Po‘ipū Beach
2. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach)
3. ‘Anini Beach
4. Kē‘ē Beach
5. Lāwa‘i Beach

Kauaʻi Services

Planning a wedding? Find out which venue our readers love the most. Want to learn to surf? Check out our list of our readers’ favorite surf instructors. What’s the best rental service on Kauaʻi? Our readers voted on that, too.

Best Surf Instruction Co.

1. Hanalei Surf School
2. Kaua‘i Surf School
3. Titus Kinimaka’s Hawaiian School of Surfing
4. Hawaiian Style Surfing
5. Kelley’s Surf School

Best Snorkeling/Scuba Instruction

1. Snorkel Bob’s Kaua‘i
2. Dive Kaua‘i
3. Boss Frog’s Kaua‘i
4. Fathom Five Divers
5. Nukumoi Surf Co.

Best Beach Gear or Water Gear Rentals

1. Snorkel Bob’s Kaua‘i
2. Kapa‘a’s Beach Shop
3. Boss Frog’s Kaua‘i
4. Nukumoi Surf Co.
5. Kaua‘i Bound

Best Transportation Service

1. Alamo Rent-a-Car
2. Thrifty Car Rental
3. The Kaua‘i Bus
4. Roberts Hawai‘i
5. Sue’s Northside Taxi & Tours

Best Resort for a Wedding

1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
2. Princeville Resort Kaua‘i
3. Hanalei Bay Resort
4. The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Līhu‘e
5. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort

Best Wedding Venue (Not a Beach or Resort)

1. Waimea Plantation Cottages
2. Beach House Restaurant
3. Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens
4. McBryde & Allerton Gardens
5. Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church

Kauaʻi Shopping

From browsing through mom-and-pop shops at the family-run Ching Young Village Shopping Center to hitting the farmer’s market at the Poʻipū Shopping Village, Kauaʻi has plenty of place to score fun souvenirs, cute clothing and more.

Best Shopping Center or Mall

1. Coconut Marketplace
2. Po‘ipū Shopping Village
3. The Shops at Kukui‘ula
4. Kukui Grove Center
5. Ching Young Center

Best Clothing/Fashion Boutique or Store

1. Crazy Shirts
2. Hula Girl
3. Blue Ginger
4. Mahina
5. Tropical Tantrum

Best Store for Gifts

1. Sand People
2. Jungle Girl Island Imports
3. Banana Patch Studio
4. Bamboo Works
5. Tropic Isle Music and Gifts

Best Store for Souvenirs

1. Kaua‘i Coffee Co.
2. The Kaua‘i Store
3. Hilo Hattie
4. Kaua‘i Made
5. The Koa Store

Best General Store

1. ABC Stores
2. Foodland
3. Whalers General Store
4. Sueoka Store
5. Hee Fat General Store

Best Art Gallery

1. Island Art Gallery
2. Halele‘a Gallery
3. Kela’s Glass Gallery
4. Aloha Art Gallery
5. Tabora Gallery

Kauaʻi Activities

Adventure awaits on Kauaʻi. From exploring the fabled Nāpali Coast by sea to soaring over a tropical rainforest on a zipline, travelers will find epic activities across the island.

Best Dinner Cruise or Sunset Sail

1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
2. Nāpali Coast Hanalei Tours
3. Blue Dolphin Charters
4. Kaua‘i Sea Tours
5. Holo Holo Charters

Best Extreme Tour

1. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
2. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
3. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
4. Holo Holo Charters
5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Best Farm Tour

1. Kaua‘i Coffee Co.
2. Kaua‘i Sugarloaf Pineapple Farm
3. Lydgate Farms
4. Garden Island Chocolate
5. Hawaiian Organic Noni

Best Guided Tour

1. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
2. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
3. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
4. Allerton Garden
5. Lydgate Farms

Best Helicopter Tour

1. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
2. Jack Harter Helicopters
3. Safari Helicopters
4. Island Helicopters
5. Sunshine Helicopters

Best Nāpali Tour Co.

1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
2. Blue Dolphin Charters
3. Kaua‘i Sea Tours
4. Holo Holo Charters
5. Island Helicopters

Best Fishing Charter

1. ‘Ohana Fishing Charters
2. Captain Don’s Kaua‘i Sport Fishing
3. Hawaiian Style Fishing
4. Bonefish Kaua‘i
5. Breakaway Fishing Charters

Best Zipline

1. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
2. Kōloa Zipline
3. Shaka Zipline Kaua‘i
4. Outfitters Kaua‘i
5. Skyline Hawai‘i

Best Golf Course

1. Princeville Makai Golf Club
2. Po‘ipū Bay Golf Course
3. The Ocean Course at Hokuala
4. Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course
5. Puakea Golf Club

Best Live Show

1. Tahiti Nui Live Music
2. South Pacific Dinner Theatre
3. McMaster Slack Key Concert
4. Larry Rivera
5. Ahi Lele Fire Show

Best Lū‘au

1. Smith’s Family Garden Lū‘au
2. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Lū‘au
3. Lū‘au Kalamakū
4. Ali‘i Lū‘au at Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
5. Tahiti Nui Lū‘au

Best Museum

1. Kaua‘i Museum
2. Grove Farm Sugar Plantation Museum
3. Kōke‘e Natural History Museum