Dishes You Must Try in Hawaii Food across the Islands you and your friends need to get your hands on.

Our top picks for less expensive restaurants on Kauai

There are many different types of restaurants in Hawaii. We have searched through all the restaurants and listed all the local ones. We have excluded national chains, as our goal is to get you to experience a more Hawaiian experience, as well as support more local Hawaii restaurants. If you would like to eat at a national chain, there are many around. Our recommendation is to venture out to these local restaurants to more fully experience your Hawaiian vacation. Below is a list of less expensive restaurants on Kauai. If you know of a restaurant in Kauai that should be on this list, please let us know why you feel that way. If you think a restaurant on this list doesn't deserve to be on here, let us know that as well.
Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Company
Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Company
  • Wake up to the aroma of Hawaiian coffee and savory breakfast at Kalaheo. Bakers here are up early to create freshly baked bread for guests. They can then complement the soft buns with their choice of omelets or eat a sandwich for an already complete meal. The dishes, which are low-key, use only local ingredients.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open I Wednesday - Saturday 7:00am-8:00pm
    Sunday I Breakfast all day! 7:00am ’til close!

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TIME OPEN 7:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  15.00
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Da Crack
Da Crack
  • Can Mexican food get any healthier? Yes, with Da Crack Mexican Grinds! All dishes use only the freshest locally sourced ingredients. To top it off, there's no MSG, trans fat, and fatty oils. The casual dining place offers tacos, sides, and burritos one can eat inside, outdoor benches, or right at the beach.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open Daily I Monday-Saturday 11:00am-8:00pm
    Sundays 11:00am-3:00pm

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TIME OPEN 11:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  13.00
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Kauai Coffee Company
Kauai Coffee Company
  • Finally, you can taste Hawaii in your cup. Kauai Coffee serves roasted coffee beans harvested from the mountains of the islands. Rich and aromatic, your coffee is sure to energize you first thing in the morning. Don't forget to take home a pack, so you can relive the experience every day.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open Daily I Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
    Sunday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
    Holiday Hours
    Thanksgiving I Closed
    Christmas Eve I 10:00am-3:00pm
    Christmas Day I Closed
    New Year’s Eve I 10:00am-3:00pm
    New Year’s Day I 10:00am-4:00pm

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TIME OPEN 9:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  5.00
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The Fish Express
The Fish Express
  • There's a good reason the Fish Express consistently receives a 4.5 review rating on TripAdvisor: you cannot say no to some of the freshest seafood meals you'll ever get to experience on the island. The dishes, which also feature some Hawaiian touch, use newly caught seafood, particularly fish. Don't miss trying their poke bowl and macadamia-nut-crusted ono.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open Daily I Monday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
    Sundays 10:00am-2:30pm

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TIME OPEN 10:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  12.00
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Tiki Taco’s
Tiki Taco’s
  • Who says you need to eat Mexican food only on lunch and dinner? You can start early in the morning, thanks to Tiki Tacos. The unassuming restaurant that serves authentic Mexican with an aloha flair offers morning enchiladas, breakfast tacos, and organic eggs to along with your steaming cup of Hawaiian coffee.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open Daily I 10:00am - 8:00pm

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TIME OPEN 10:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  6.00
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Pono Market
Pono Market
  • Are you craving for poke bowls in the morning? Pono Market is the place to be since it opens at 6:00 a.m. Here, you can choose among a variety of pokes to go or a plate of sushi. The store also offers other Asian flavors, like Korea's kim chee, and hearty meals like the fried chicken bowl and Hawaiian plate.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open I Monday-Friday 6:00am-2:00pm
    Closed I Saturdays & Sundays 

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TIME OPEN 6:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  10.00
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Pat’s Taqueria
Pat’s Taqueria
  • Pat’s Taqueria gets down to its roots with its simple menu of some of the well-loved Mexican dishes at a price you can definitely afford. The restaurant, which opened in 2006, is famous for its classic tacos, which can include kalua pork, fish, or carnita asada. For a plant-based meal, you can pair the wrap with bean and rice.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open Noon I Monday-Saturday 3:00pm-9:00pm
    Closed I Sundays

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TIME OPEN 3:00 PM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  5.00
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Kilauea Fish Market
Kilauea Fish Market
  • Once you’ve tried Hawaii’s poke bowl, you may feel you’re not getting enough. For those with poke high, you can visit Kilauea Fish Market. Here, bowls can include not just one but up to three choices of the freshest raw fish varieties. You can then complement that with greens sourced from Kailani farms.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open I Monday-Saturday 11:00am-8:00pm
    Closed I Sundays

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TIME OPEN 11:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  15.00
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Al Pastor Tacos
Al Pastor Tacos
  • When you're in Hawaii, don't miss the island's take on Mexico's famous tacos al pastor. One of its expert shops is only a quick stop, but you'll be rewarded by tacos with juicy thinly sliced spit-fired meat topped with their homemade sauce. The fish tacos, for those who want a healthier option, is worth having too.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open I Tuesday-Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm
    Closed I Monday 

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TIME OPEN 11:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  10.00
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Koloa Fish Market
Koloa Fish Market
  • When you’re in Poipu, don’t miss the Koloa Fish Market, which serves delish poke bowls you can build your own. Get up to three choices, including wasabi and Korean. The seafood haven also offers large platters because great food is best shared with friends and family.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open I Monday-Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
    Cosed I Sundays 

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TIME OPEN 10:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  10.00
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Hanalei Taro & Juice Co.
Hanalei Taro & Juice Co.
  • Hanalei's Taro is a culmination of many decades of loving and cultivating the land until the family can offer the island a delectable taro they can be proud of. Now the farm has opened a food truck, where you can buy taro-based products like veggie burgers, smoothies, hummus, and mochi cake.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open I Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays 10am-4pm
     

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TIME OPEN 10:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  7.00
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Mark’s Place
Mark’s Place
  • On the road but need a quick tummy refill? Head to Mark's Place. Located in Kauai, the takeout restaurant offers generous portions of ono local food that includes bentos, platters, wraps, and sandwiches. For savory bites, get a pre-packaged omiyage.

    Restaurant Hours
    Open I Monday-Friday 11:00am-4:00pm
    Closed I Saturdays & Sundays & Some Holidays 

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TIME OPEN 11:00 AM AVERAGE MEAL PRICE  15.00
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