Everyone visiting the Garden Island should try authentic local food in Kauai.
By sampling these delicious, local dishes you get to experience more of the Garden Island’s culture, so some of these restaurants should definitely make your bucket list.
All of the food on the island is the result of a number of countries moving to the island, including influences from Japan, China, the Philippines, Spain, and Germany.
The island’s traditional dishes include tako poke, lomi salmon, haupia, and pot, as well as musubi, sushi, saimin, and teri-burgers. And its sweet offerings are just as fresh, local and interesting, with the famous lilikoi pie, a bit like a lemon meringue pie, being one of them.
The best place to try these tasty dishes is to head to where the locals hang out, such as these cool, popular spots.
From small snack-style food to traditional Hawaiian plates, and larger luau feasts, here’s our guide to eating local authentic food in Kauai:
Pono Market
Known for their Hawaiian lunch boxes, Pono Market serves up a delicious fresh spicy ahi poke and salad, as well as fried chicken and lomi lomi salmon.
Your choice of sides and rice all comes in a box and can be eaten inside or outside the market, or you can take it away.
For those with a sweet tooth, try the market’s kulolo, a solid purple-colored pudding that is delicious and worth a try.
Koloa Fish Market
Get stuck alongside local food lovers and head to Koloa Fish Market.
You can take home fresh seafood to cook on your barbecue later, or you can try a cooked traditional Hawaiian lunch plate filled with some high-quality, fresh seafood. The market doesn’t just sell fish, you can also pick up some kalua pig and lau lau (pork wrapped in a taro leaf).
Surf to Sunset Oceanfront Luau
If it’s your first time in Kauai, then you have to spend at least one night enjoying the traditional Hawaiian celebration, the luau.
Centered around traditional Polynesian food, dance and culture, this celebration is a huge event on Poipu Beach that is both entertaining and full of delicious local food.
Served buffet-style, be sure to sample some kalua pig, poi, pineapple, and poke, just leave some room for dancing.
Lemongrass Grill and Seafood & Sushi Bar
Asian food has made a huge impact on the island, and Thailand is no exception.
This Thai-Hawaiian fusion restaurant uses only local, fresh ingredients to create freshly rolled sushi and sautéed seafood. The restaurant also serves up meats and vegetable dishes for those looking for something more hearty, all in a relaxed, tropical setting.
Kilauea Bakery
To sample some fresh, local Hawaiian sourdough bread had to Kilauea Bakery.
Choose from a wide selection of recognisable baked goods, such as Danish pastries and cakes, but with a tropical flair that includes local ingredients such as macadamia nut, coconut and guava.
It’s also worth checking out the Napali brown dough, another local speciality.
To learn more about where to go for authentic local food in Kauai, visit Hawaii Discount’s travel blog.
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