When you consider all the fantastic Kauai dining choices available for lunch, there’s no better location to choose from than at the beach. Whether it’s enjoying a picnic under a palm tree like in the picture above, or dining at many of our Kauai top restaurants, you can’t go wrong with an oceanfront view served up on the side.
Our concierge has put together a list of some of our favorite oceanfront lunch options in this post for our Kauai vacation rental guests. Many of the restaurant links go directly to lunch menus for easy reference. If we missed one of your favorite oceanfront lunch choices, we invite you to leave a comment with your personal recommendation.
South Shore oceanfront dining begins at The Beach House. You’ll pass through the famous Tree Tunnel on your way here and it’s only a short drive along the coast from our Poipu vacation rentals. The Beach House recently unveiled it’s new lunch menu with reasonably priced choices. Try their fresh island catch or one of their salads (a personal favorite). The view is spectacular next to one of the best snorkeling spots at Lawai Beach. This 2012 Hale Aina Gold Winner was named the best Kauai restaurant. It’s not to be missed.
Koa Kea Hotel at Poipu Beach offers a casual lunch at the pool bar overlooking the ocean. We’ve reviewed its popular restaurant before, Red Salt, which is a favorite place for an evening meal. This Hale Aina winner is also a great location for lunch and watching a game. My favorite is their grilled ham and cheese panini served with Red Salt chips. Excellent with an ice cold beer.
For an economical oceanfront lunch, consider a picnic at the beach. Our Kauai Shopping guide has a list of area grocery stores. Or stop at popular Brennecke’s Beach Broiler for takeout. Probably one of the best BLT’s you’ll have. Grab your sandwich and drink and walk across to a picnic table under a palm tree at Poipu Beach for the best oceanfront lunch.
North Shore has one oceanfront restaurant, The Mediterranean Gourmet. It’s just beyond our Hanalei vacation rentals on the way to Tunnels Beach. Also recognized by the Hale Aina awards, it sits oceanfront and remains an island favorite. On your Kauai vacation you can enjoy their Greek standouts like Tabouleh Salad with Hummus and Falafel Wraps.
Two North Shore beaches top our list for picnic locations. They are are Pine Trees at Hanalei Bay and the far end of spectacular Anini Beach. Pine Trees is located near the second lifeguard station at the opposite end from the pier. You can pick lunch items up at Hanalei Market and enjoy them next to one of the top beaches in America.
Our guest concierge can make lunch arrangements for you at any of the restaurants on this list. One final note, the Hale Aina awards we mentioned are given annually by Honolulu Magazine to the top restaurants in Hawaii. Now it’s your turn. We invite you to share your favorite oceanfront locations for lunch.
Shaylee Packer says
My husband and I will be making a trip to Hawaii later this year, and we are hoping to have some meals on the beach. You mention there is a location that is great for picnics. DO they supply you with everything that you will need? Or do you supply your own items? I will have to look these places up, and see which is closest to where we are going to be staying.
JP says
Aloha Shaylee, I do not know of any place that supplies “everything” you need, but places like Mark’s Place in Puhi, Living Foods in Kukuiula, or Koloa Fish Market can make a perfect meal for you and the towels, chairs, coolers from one of you properties can round it out to make it a perfect lunch. Enjoy!