Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Kauai

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best value restaurants in Kauai? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Naisla Kitchen & Cocktails

4.8

4.8 (232)

$31 to $50

Italian

Kapaa

About the restaurant

A new, upscale dining experience of modern fusion cuisine and craft cocktails, located on Kauai’s east side.

Top review

CurtisVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Sunday was the last night of our trip to Kauai and it was difficult to get Ubers to take us very far from Kapaa for dinner. We read about the interesting Japanese/Italian fusion at Naisla's and decided to give it a try. The outside is a bit unassuming, however, when you walk in it is just a really cool place. We had dinner at the bar and Stephanie was our bartender/server. She was engaging, very well informed about the menu and her service & attitude made the night really nice for us. Their were two appetizer specials - a cucumber salad that had an amazing umami and the wagyu hot rock with salted egg yolk and a wonderful Asian sauce for the dipping - this was nothing short of stellar. My wife had the Miso Carbonara and I had the Fettucine Pomodoro (very 'cheffy' idea to marinate the meatballs in ginger/soy braise) - we both loved our dishes. From all the restaurants we tried while in Kauai, Naisla's is at the top of our list to recommend to friends visiting the island and for a return visit ourselves. Thank you Stephanie and chef for a great evening.

Hualani's

4.8

4.8 (2202)

$50 and over

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Lihue

About the restaurant

Experience one of the best restaurants on Kaua'i and enjoy farm-to-table oceanfront dining from the elegant yet relaxed setting at Hualani's. Here, oceanfront dining is influenced by the seasons. What's fresh at The Farm at Hōkūala inspires the farm-to-table menu, while our bar serves up well-balanced craft cocktails that complement the seasonality of the kitchen. Our culinary experience is inspired by a sense of place and driven by local farmers, as well as fresh-picked ingredients from our on-site organic farm. From the morning harvest and the daily catch, Hualani's shines a hyper-local spotlight on the bounty of the Garden Isle.

Top review

Janet

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing experience, the food is on par with a Michelin 3 Star, the service impeccable and the selection of wines were excellent. The ambiance, let's just say dining overlooking the water with a full moon rising can't be beat!!

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Harris Ranch Filet Mignon

The Plantation House by Gaylords

4.7

4.7 (5373)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Lihue

About the restaurant

Gaylords now rebranded as The Plantation House by Gaylords offers one of Kauai's most beautiful settings for lunch, dinner and happy hour. Located in the historic Kilohana Plantation home, diners are seated around an open-air courtyard with views of the plantation grounds and Mt. Waialeale in the distance. Our kitchen uses only the freshest, seasonal ingredients supporting our local farmers and fishermen. Our 67-acre sustainable farm provides much of the produce and herbs used in our dishes and cocktails. Menu items include starters like fresh Ahi poke, fried brie, fresh seafood, delicious steaks and vegan entrees too. Don't forget about our famous Banana Cream Pie for dessert! Take a walk around the Kilohana grounds, shop in our assorted boutiques, visit the Koloa Rum shop, go on a rum safari adventure or take a ride on the plantation train.

If reservations are not available online, please call us anytime and we will be more than happy to accommodate you

Top review

MarieVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious lunch and beautiful setting, sitting outdoors. Our waiter was attentive and conscious of the pacing of the entrees and desserts since we had to catch a flight. We had the monchong sandwich, crab and coconut curry, the red curry salmon, and the monchong entree. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake and the bread pudding. All were delicious. Bread pudding was light and not heavy.

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4.6

4.6 (102)

$30 and under

Thai

Koloa

About the restaurant

Due to high demand for Teppanyaki table. Please call us to book our Teppanyaki table. At Koloa Thai Bistro, we take pride in offering a unique dining experience that seamlessly blends the vibrant and exotic tastes of modern Thai cuisine with the artistry of Japanese sushi and teppanyaki. Our menu is a celebration of the rich culinary traditions of both cultures, creating a fusion that is both innovative and delightful.

Top review

DianaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Finding the location was the most challenging in this day and age when gps is second nature, it sometimes neglects to say the building is listed on the street but actually set back on the second floor of the building on the street in a shopping complex, but we found it. Allowed time. Food and service were very good. Atmosphere was clean and second story allows for cross breeze cooling since that side of the island is warmest. An enjoyable meal.

HAPA KAUAI Ramen & Whiskey

4.5

4.5 (88)

$30 and under

Japanese

Koloa

About the restaurant

E Komo Mai welcome to Ramen & Whiskey Kauai

Our signature dishes included the award winning G special ramen, Ahi Poke Nachos and Karaage Japanese fried chicken. Ingredients are sourced locally from small growers and farmers including Koloa Farms free range organic brown eggs.

Ramen & Whiskey was founded in Portland Oregon 2013 where its sister restaurant has received numerous accolades and recognition as one of Portland’s top ramen shops.” We are humbled and blessed to share our style ramen and Japanese/Hawaiian inspired cuisine with locals and visitors to the Garden Isle.”

Please join us for signature cocktails whiskey sake ramen and much more.

Private Dining Events

Celebrate your special occasion with us in our air conditioned private VIP dining room. We have seating up to 25 persons; please contact us at haparamenkauai@gmail.com for more information.

Aloha

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

We’ve dined here twice in the last week and plan to work our way through the menu before we head home. It’s that good. The first night we went for happy hour…enjoyed the edamame , ahi poke with wonton chips, the pork belly banh mi & chicken karaage…all delicious!!! We returned and had the curry ramen…also excellent! Service by Anne and Nigel was attentive, friendly and helpful. Highly recommend 👍🏻

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Popular dish

Pork Belly

Sushi Bushido

4.3

4.3 (672)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Kapaa

About the restaurant

Sushi Bushido offers traditional, contemporary, new wave, and local style sushi. We are known for our fresh fish selection and our innovative and unique sushi rolls. The Golden Roll, Lava Roll, and Butter Me Up are some of the favorites. A full kitchen menu is also offered with an extensive sake menu. Our atmosphere is known to be personable and upbeat. Come see our sushi chefs in action.

Top review

Pam

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

We arrived earlier than our reservation & they seated us immediately- I had read reviews & ordered accordingly- We began with the Golden Sliders and Lollipop rolls…both wonderful. My “Boss Steak” was prefect- melt in your mouth med-rare NY steak ( had sauces on the side ) & my husbands “Butter Me Up Roll” was received very well- They are leaving this Mall at end of December 24’- Hope they reopen on Kauai by time we return ❤️

Living Foods

4.5

4.5 (446)

$30 and under

American

Koloa

About the restaurant

Living Foods aims to bring the Kauai community healthy food choices, upscale groceries, and a fun, casual café and restaurant environment for Kama’aina & Tourists alike to gather. At Living Foods, Ohana means bringing guests together around high-quality and socially conscious products and ingredients on a daily basis.

Living Foods features a fully-stocked grocery with ready-made to-go items as well as more permanent fixtures for weekly grocery needs. Living Foods café features coffee and fresh baked goods, and is open daily. The all-day restaurant at Living Foods will feature breakfast, lunch, and dinner, highlighting menu items such as Fried Rice, Bibimbap, Aguachile, and Smash Burger and is open from 7am to 10pm.

Whether just enjoying Kauai for a week or more permanently, Living Foods is a community where guests can reliably source quality products to feed themselves and their families. At Living Foods, we are always celebrating the craft of Aloha.

Top review

Alice

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Very low key. I enjoyed my salad very much! The Taro burger was delicious!

Japanese Grandma's Cafe

4.7

4.7 (46)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Hanapēpē

About the restaurant

We specialize in healthy, delicious Japanese Food!
Established in 2016.
The restaurant was opened with the philosophy of serving wonderful fresh food just like Japanese Grandma has fed to her family and friends!

Top review

BridgetVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

I am a repeat customer. Nearly every visitor who comes to see me I take there. I had 'girls weekend' last weekend and we all came to enjoy art walk and dinner. This visit was our son who's in college came to visit and my husband joined. Neither of them like any type of fish but found plenty to eat and enjoyed it all. It's becoming a favorite among our guests. Thank you!!

Merriman's Kauai

4.7

4.7 (5213)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Koloa

About the restaurant

Chef-Owner Peter Merriman has brought his unique style of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine served in a casual yet elegant setting of Old Hawaii Plantation. A pioneer in the "Farm to Table" concept, Peter serves only the freshest products, at least 90% of which are locally grown or caught, using only sustainable methods. His international menu items are prepared in a manner that highlights the natural flavors of these fresh, local foods. Located in Poipu, we feature both mauka (mountain) and makai (ocean) views as well as sunset veiws over the Kukui'ula resort. The aloha-friendly staff, with a food and beverage knowledge second to none, will ensure that you have an extraordinary dining experience.

Top review

Savanna

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience! Best dinner in Kauai for us, enjoyed it over the Beach House! Excellent service, great cocktails, and delicious classics with outside the box flair. Definitely will go back!

Oasis on the Beach

4.7

4.7 (2868)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Kapaa

About the restaurant

Oasis is a beautiful oceanfront location that showcases the best of what Kauai has to offer in cuisine, service and ocean views.

We strongly believe that residents and guests of Hawaii want to experience Hawaii. We use local sources for almost 80% of our ingredients, and work closely with Kauai"s farmers and fishermen to provide you with the best and freshest possible ingredients.

We work to highlight the quality and freshness of our ingredients in a style that captures the diversity of local cultures and influences without burying the delicious flavors that our local ingredients offer.

Top review

Mala

Dined 2 days ago

What an amazing experience!! Great view and great staff. Our server was phenomenal!! Food was so good!! The servers and check in staff all A++ Love this place !

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Popular dish

Apple Banana Spring Roll

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