Choose your crust, topping and cheese. It’s time for the Parrish Kauai pizza challenge. We sent our team around the island to report on the best they could find. Now we’re asking all of our Kauai vacation rental guests to join our challenge. On your next trip to the Garden Island, sample from our list of favorites and let us know the best Kauai pizza you taste.
Have you noticed that pizza is simple on the surface but more complex when you dig into its components? It’s soft, gooey and also crisp and crunchy. Some like it in a woodfired oven with burnt edges while others look for the freshest ingredients on top. For me it’s all about the sauce, a killer crust and mouth watering taste.
According to Italian historians, pizza was said to be very patriotic because it resembled their flag with colors of green (basil), white (mozzarella), and red (tomatoes). In this country the first exposure to pizza was in New York City when Lombardi’s opened in 1905. Now over a hundred years later, you’ll be sampling this popular food at the westernmost locations in the USA when you visit us on your Kauai vacation.
Did you know: Americans will eat an average 23 pounds of pizza, per person, per year? That’s about 46 slices yearly consumed at one of 61,269 pizza parlors.
The good news is, no matter where your Kauai vacation home or Kauai resort is located, there is a pizza place nearby to help you maintain your yearly intake. You can also work off any of those extra calories at our famous Kauai beaches.
For our list we focused on businesses headquartered here on Kauai. If we missed one of your local favorites, let us know and we’ll include with your recommendations.
North Shore Kauai Pizza
Kilauea Bakery and Pau Hana Pizza – Gluten free options available and homemade cakes and pastries to tempt you. Available by the slice and tasty. Their menu includes specialty pizzas like Billie Holliday with smoked Ono to Island Stylin’ with fresh pineapple. You’ll also find free Wi-Fi outside and used books for sale. Fresh coffee and nice atmosphere tucked in the back of the Kong Lung Center. (2484 Keneke St, Kilauea, 808-828-2020).
Tiki Man Pizza in Hanalei – Head to iconic Tahiti Nui featured in the movie, The Descendants. In back you’ll find Tiki Man where the Huli Chicken and Kalua Pork pizza rules. Thin crust is their specialty. You can dine on the lanai and listen to live music. (5-5134, Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, no phone).
Hanalei Pizza. A nice stop after a day of snorkeling at Tunnels Beach. The dough is always fresh. I’m partial to the Hamakua oyster mushroom pizza. There’s a ukulele to play while you wait. Located in the Ching Young Village. (5-5190 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, 808-826-1300).
North Shore Grindz – Located at Princeville Shopping Center inside the Chevron station. You can fill your tank and stomach too. Stop by on Monday and a large cheese pizza will set you back only ten bucks.
South Shore Kauai Pizza
Pizzetta in Koloa – Excellent thin crust with popular selection of flavors. Cozy atmosphere in old Koloa town. They also offer pizza by the slice with garden salad. Check out their Happy Hour specials for additional savings. Don’t leave without trying their gelato. (5408 Koloa Road, Koloa, 808-742-8881).
Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo – A local tradition since 1977. Their garlic buttered thin crust is memorable. Real mozzarella cheese too. Now with locations in Kapaa and on Oahu. (2-2555 Kaumualii Hwy, Kalaheo, 808-332-8561).
East Shore
Bobby V’s in Kapaa. Located close to the coastal Kauai Path, this makes a great stop between North and South Shores. Homemade dough and sauces. They also offer a breakfast buffet worth checking out for less than eight bucks. (4-788 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, 808-821-8080).
Now it’s your turn. Tell us your favorite place for Kauai pizza and the reasons why. Let the taste testing begin!