Casual: Maui Tacos

            Located in the newly renovated shopping district of Kailua, Maui Taco’s is a great place to grab a (big) bite to eat before strolling the town. Originally founded in Maui, this casual eatery serves up bulging burritos and fresh Mexican food with tropical names and flavors, which you can adorn yourself with their large selection of homemade salsas. The drill runs almost like a fast food restaurant; stand in a line to order, and collect your food when its ready to eat under the umbrella shaded tables outside. But once you’ve tried their food you’ll be glad you stopped here instead of the many fast food drive-throughs located in town!
 

                Hawaii is a great place to discover Asian cuisine, being so close to the Eastern Countries, and Saeng’s is the place to go for Thai food in Kailua. Located in the middle of town, this nice sit-down restaurant has every Thai specialty you could want. Whether spicy or mild, Saeng’s large menu offers salads, soups, curries, noodle dishes, and a variety of meat entrees. The subtle Thai décor and quiet, relaxing atmosphere makes this a perfect place to have a friendly lunch or a romantic date. The prices are affordable too, and the restaurant offers a set menu for parties of 2 or more if you would like to sample many things. For a flavor of the orient, in the middle of a lazy yet sophisticated beach town, stop by Saeng’s for authentic Thai dining.
 

            Buzz’s has been a Kailua classic for nearly half a century and the atmosphere still reflects the “good old days”. Located just across the street from the beautiful Kailua Beach, its ambience reflects the laid-back atmosphere of the town while still being a nice spot to spend the evening. You can choose to eat outside on the small deck next to a tree growing elegantly through the very restaurant, or inside near the varnished Koa wood bar and surrounded by pictures of beach life. Buzz’s offers burgers and more casual fare for lunch, but come nighttime, the menu reveals surf and turf including crab, fresh fish, and cooked to order steaks. There are other restaurants in Kailua that are more fancy and fine, but nothing can beat the sound of waves crashing on the moonlit shore as you eat beneath the golden glow of Buzz’s.
 

Casual: Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

            Giovanni’s Shrimp Trucks are about as casual as you can get. Not really classified as a restaurant, these roadside establishments attract both tourists and locals from across the island. Driving along Kamehameha highway you will see trucks (a little larger than mail trucks) pulled off to the side of the road, surrounded by picnic tables, a few tents, and hungry patrons. These unique trucks decorated by the signatures of happy customers, hold kitchens inside of them where they serve up the most tasty and fresh shrimp on the island. About 15 minutes down the road are the Kahuku Shrimp Farms where these trucks get their produce from and serve it up in a few simple dishes; scampi, super hot and spicy, and lemon and butter. Simple and humble yes, but extremely satisfying, and once you have tried “the shrimp trucks”, you too may want to leave your mark on the side of the truck.
 

Specialty: Matsumoto’s Shave Ice

            Matsumoto’s is a must if you are in Haleiwa for some surf, sun and sand. This world famous shave ice store is the perfect way to cool off after playing hard. But beware if you think that this is just another mainland snow cone stand. The shave ice in Hawaii is so fine and powdery, the servers have to pack it down in the cone to keep it from blowing away. The combination between this melt in your mouth texture and the over 30 flavors of syrup make this one of the best places to get Hawaiian Shave Ice on the island. There are many different ways to have your treat served as well. Most like it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, some like the “snow cap” (sweetened condensed milk topping), and the locals love pairing sweet Japanese azuki beans with the ice cream in the bottom of the cone. However you order it, shave ice from Matsumoto’s is something you won’t soon forget.
 

            Ola means life, living, healthy or alive in Hawaiian, and that is certainly how this open air restaurant makes you feel. The cuisine features an eclectic blend of Hawaiian fare with flavors from around the world. The excellent produce grown within miles of the resort and fresh catch from our Hawaiian waters make up the heart of the menu. Dramatic ironwood pillars and rafters add to the natural beauty of the decor and you can touch the sand with your toes and breath in the calming scent of the sea as you dine. It is open for lunch and dinner service, but sunset is the best time to come and soak up the surrounding beauty. Popular with visitors and locals alike, Ola offers its own unique perspective on island-style dining.
 

Casual: Kaka’ako Kitchen

            Kaka’ako Kitchen remains a local favorite where semi-gourmet flavors and meals are served up in casual Styrofoam plates and for casual plate lunch prices. Located in the trendy Ward Centers, you order at a counter and get a number to put at the table you sit at for the meal delivery. There are limited indoor seats, but its more fun to sit outside under the veranda and enjoy seeing and being seen. Nothing is really priced over $10, and menu items are well thought out like Tequila chicken and grilled vegetables in a tomato tequila cream sauce over spinach fettuccini or try the new calamari spinach salad with sweet chili dressing. There are always a few daily specials and for dessert they offer baked goods like bread pudding that are home made daily. With all the shopping and entertainment in this complex and the beach just across the street, its nice to have a hassle free place that is delicious but good to go!
 

                Formaggio’s is located in Market City Shopping Center by Ben Franklin and is a small hole in the wall treasure. The restaurant is quaintly decorated with wine decor and rustic orange stucco walls reminiscent of Italy. The low lighting and live music makes this a perfect place to come, eat, chat, and unwind from the day. Because this is a wine bar, they specialize in their array of wines and liquors, but the food here is incredible and delicious for the price. The entrees are smaller portioned, which is good, you can have an entree and still have room for a dessert, and nothing on the menu is priced over $12. The food selection ranges from paninis, soups, and fresh salads, to lighter tapas meals and a great dessert menu. This is definitely the place to go for a light meal, Napa style atmosphere, and delightful wines.
 

            Chef Mavro needs no introduction, ask anyone and they will say it was one of the best meals of their life. One person described this fine dining experience as the one place to go if you only had on night on the island, and the restaurant is listed in Fodor’s as one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. The location may be confusing, it is located in the middle of Honolulu in a one story building on an average street corner. But once you step inside, the frosted windows block out the world and you are transported to a place where eating is the main attraction and the adventure of culinary delights will leave you breathless. The cost of such a journey does not come cheap, more than $65 per person for a simple three-course price fixe menu without wine pairings, up to $150 per person for Chef Mavro’s six-course tasting menu. But it is well worth it. The presentation alone is beautiful art, each course arranged on a different themed plate, accompanied by the waiter passionately giving a precise description of the ingredients and how the food is prepared. Each bite brings out unique pairings and flavor compliments never before conceived with such elegance and attention to detail. You are guaranteed to leave stunned with pleasure and amazement that a meal could ever be that beautiful.
 

Casual: Teddy’s Bigger Burgers

                One of the best island burgers is served up right in Waikiki at Teddy’s. Their location across the street from the zoo and the beach makes it convenient for a beach day lunch. They serve up made to order burgers and sandwiches with crisp ingredients and a variety of toppings such as a selection of different cheeses, bacon, mushrooms, avocados, and even pineapple. They top each with a special sauce assuring that each burger is juicy and full of flavor. They also offer hot fries and thick delicious shakes that make the perfect combo meal for less than $10. Whether you choose to dine inside surrounded by their 50’s style, California burger joint décor, or outdoors at the park or beach, their good pricing and awesome taste makes this a best burger pick!
 

                The Oceanarium in the Pacific Beach Hotel is one of the most unique restaurants on the island, and for that matter, in the country! Where else can you find a three-story, 280,000-gallon salt-water aquarium inside a hotel as part of a restaurant? You can sit right beside the glass and watch as over 70 different species of marine life swim past you while you eat. This restaurant has incredible buffet spreads that satisfy everyone’s tastes for breakfast, lunch, and a special seafood and prime rib dinner buffet. People come to dine on the award winning food, but the real highlight is the tank. Several times a day, a diver goes in and feeds the animals putting on a fascinating display. If you are looking for a special place for a celebration, or just an unforgettable meal, visit the Oceanarium Restaurant.
 

            Bali by the Sea offers one of the finest oceanside dining experiences in the Islands, offering stunning views of the famous Waikiki Beach. Only open for dinner, the dining room is open-air and allows patrons to be caressed by gentle breezes with sounds of the ocean just steps away. You will savor the award-winning Pacific Rim inspired cuisine of Chef Adam Hightower. He uses the freshest island ingredients to create dishes such as sautéed island opakapaka crusted with macadamia nuts with a cilantro and kaffir lime sauce or scallion crusted ahi tempura with fern shoots and hearts of palm salad. The restaurant also highlights its extensive wine menu that creates a perfect compliment to the cuisine. The price is steep with appetizers starting around $10 and the entrees reaching as high as $60, but the view and experience will make it all worth it as you gaze across Waikiki’s beachside lights and share a lilikoi cheesecake with your special someone.
 

Casual: Zippys

            Zippy’s is probably the most well known casual dining chain on Oahu, and this water-front location is the best one of all. You can get your food to go, or sit in the dining room like President Clinton did on one of his visits to the islands. They serve local comfort food like plate lunches with rice and macaroni salad, island fish, home-style favorites, burgers, and their signature chili. The inside dining is definitely a cut above the other Zippy’s locations and the view is of the residential harbor. The prices can get higher than $10, depending on what you order, but it is a place for families and local people to enjoy a good time together.
 

                This pub is truly a place for fun with friends and family! It is the second restaurant opened by one of Hawaii’s only brewing companies and is open for lunch and dinner. Situated on the docks of Koko Marina the inside is decorated with functional brewing equipment, the company’s various beer logos, and koa wood furnishings. The windows are often open for the sea breeze to blow in and the outdoor seating offers views of the lush mountainside and marina. The menu features hand tossed gourmet pizzas, innovative pupus, and sandwiches, salads and desserts made with the freshest local ingredients. The pub has 24 beers on tap from lagers and ales, to the specialty brews such as Barley Wine and Kona Coffee Stout. Don’t let the overload of alcohol defer you from bringing kids, they have a great children’s menu and the staff is always happy to delight the younger bunch.
 

            In 1988, Roy Yamaguchi opened this suburban Honolulu eatery with a menu that combined Asian ingredients and rigorous French technique. His runaway success ignited the Hawaii regional cuisine movement and gave rise to a 30-restaurant empire that stretches from Tokyo to New York. The original Hawaii Kai restaurant has remained Yamaguchi's creative center. It's a little dressier than the other Roy's, with white tablecloths and an ocean view. Classics include macadamia-nut mahi mahi in lobster butter sauce or wood-roasted, Szechwan-spiced baby back ribs. But there's always something new on the menu, surprises like Lanai venison with red currant-Cabernet sauce or the best meatloaf you've ever tasted. An innovative wine list and a proprietary line of sakes round out the offerings and perfectly top a wonderful meal.
 

Casual Dining: Shaka Sandwich and Pizza

Open Daily: 10:30am-10:00pm

Prices: $5-$11 for sandwiches; $13-$26 for pizza

Address: 1295 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei

            Said by many to be the best pizza on the island, Shaka’s serves hot, fresh, made-to-order New York style pizzas. Their quick and friendly service and delicious food have started a fan base for this casual Maui spot. Not only selling pizzas, they also have homemade garlic bread, calzones, salads, meatball sandwiches, and to-die-for Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. They cook up their food using only Maui-fresh ingredients, and they have a variety of pizza toppings including Maui Onions, anchovies, jalapenos, clams, and a variety of veggies. Recommended to try is their white pizza that is made with olive oil, garlic, and cheese sauce instead of the more traditional tomato. If you are really hungry, try the Shaka Supreme with 10 toppings, sure to cure any hungry tummy. If you want to see how Maui does pizzas, make sure to make time in your schedule for Shaka’s.
 

Specialty Dining: The Greek Bistro

Open Nightly: 5:00pm-10:00pm

Prices: Entrees $12-$28

Address: 2511 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei

            Since 1988, The Greek Bistro has been transporting diners to the Mediterranean. Charming in atmosphere, this specialty restaurant has open air dining where you can see the ocean and smell the fragrant, tropical breezes. Offering a full range of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, your best bet is to come with a group and order different things so you can get a sampling of the entire menu. Don’t forget to save room, because after all the succulent lamb and beef dishes, you need to try the homemade, buttery-sweet baklava. A full bar is available and they even have children’s portions. For your delight there is occasional live guitar music and belly dancing. To escape from the ordinary on and yet remain in the romantic Maui atmosphere, have a Greek Bistro dinner.
 

Fine Dining: Longhi’s

Open Daily: 8:00am-10:00pm

Prices:$10 for Breakfast Entrees; $12-$20 for Lunch Entrees; $25-$40 for Dinner Entrees

Reservations Recommended

Address: 3750 Wailea Alanui Rd., Kihei

            Longhi’s has become so popular in Maui that it has two restaurants on the island, and one on Oahu. Known as a place with great food from breakfast through dinner, it can be a little pricey. The menu has gourmet flavors like Grand Marnier French Toast for breakfast, Lobster Cannelloni for lunch, and Prawns Amaretto for dinner. They also have a pupu (appetizer) menu that can pair with a salad to make a small meal. The meals offered here are so loved that Longhi’s has put out a cookbook so you can bring the tastes of Hawaii home with you. On Saturday nights, Longhi’s features live music and dancing so you can work off the richness of the meals.
 

Casual Dining: Maui Onion at the Renaissance Wailea Resort

Open Daily: 11:30am-5:30pm

Prices: Entrees $8-$11

Address: 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea

            On Maui, do as the Mauians do, and eat the famous Maui Onions. The casual poolside restaurant at the Renaissance offers the best Maui onion rings on the island. Sit under the shady arbors and enjoy the tropical seaside breeze. Open for lunch daily, they serve sandwiches, the best burgers, salads, and deliciously refreshing fresh fruit smoothies. They are known, though, for their namesake and the dishes that use Maui onions. What are Maui onions you may ask? They are a sweet onion that taste perfect in golden onion rings dipped in pancake batter and covered in panko (Japanese bread crumbs), which is exactly how the Maui Onion Restaurant cooks them. Take a break and kick back on your Hawaiian vacation with a local treat that’s hard to beat!
 

Specialty Dining: Jawz Fish Tacos

Open Daily: 11:00am-9:00pm

Prices: $7-$10

Address: 1279 South Kihei Rd., Wailea

            Jawz is the place to go for beach eats that satisfy. Now in two locations, and a roadside stand, the booming increase in patrons has been a tribute to the good food and prices. For under $10 you can get heaps of food including salads, burritos, cool smoothies, and of course fish (but also shrimp, steak, and chicken) tacos. Their fresh fish tacos come in mahimahi, ono, and other daily specials and you can adorn your Mexican inspired delight with a condiment bar with five different levels of spicy salsa. What makes this a specialty dining? The convenience of a quick lunch while blending the cultures and flavors of both Hawaii and Mexico.
 

Fine Dining: Capische

Open Nightly: From 5:30p

Reservations Recommended

Prices: Entrees $20-over $30

Address: 555 Kaukahi Rd., Lahaina

            To find a place hidden from the rest of the world yet still full of magic and romance, where Northern Italy meets Southern France, journey to the top of Wailea to Capische. This is an intimate restaurant with gourmet tastes and an extensive wine list to compliment any special night out. While live piano music floats in the air take in the stunning views of Maui’s south shore and breathtaking sunsets every night. Noted by awards from magazines like Wine Spectator for years, Chef Brian Etheredge creates unique offerings such as Mushroom Truffle Risotto, Herb Crusted Daily Catch, and Capische Cioppino with a myriad of seafood. Capische also has a lush martini lounge on weekends where you can sit back and enjoy a drink while listening to a pianist tinkle the ivories. Find out why the locals want to keep this place a secret; it’s that special.
 

Casual Dining: Cheeseburger in Paradise

Open Daily: 8am-10pm

Prices: Burgers $7-$10

Address: 811 Front St., Lahaina

            If you are wandering the boutique lined streets of Lahaina and hear a crowd of laughing, feasting people coming from a restaurant, then you have found Cheeseburger in Paradise. This chain restaurant is dotted all over the Hawaiian Islands, but probably the best and most well known venue is the one in Lahaina. A wildly popular restaurant, Cheeseburger’s serves up island style burgers your way, with aloha. They have a large menu of burgers from garden to chicken or classic, piled high with your choice of condiments from cheddar and jack cheeses, chiles, mushrooms, or bacon, all on their fresh sesame buns made daily. Not only is the food great but people pack into the two-story building because of the lower prices and beautiful ocean view. So when you get a hankering for a juicy island burger, head to Cheeseburger in Paradise to top off the perfect Maui vacation!
 

Open Nightly: Apr 1^st-Sep 30^th at 5:45p, Oct 1^st-Mar 31^st 5:15p

Reservations Necessary

Prices: Adults $92.71, Children (12 and under) $61.46

Address: 1251 Front St., Lahaina

            You have to come to a Luau once while visiting the islands, so why not go to the Old Lahaina Luau? It has been a Lahaina establishment since 1986, and is well known for their menu, shows, and Hawaiian hospitality. This is a perfect place to go to get an introduction to Hawaiian food because if you are not taken by the poi, chicken long rice, or raw fish salad, there are plenty of other dishes to choose from like the guava glazed chicken, baked mahi mahi, and the crab salad. In addition to an all-you-can eat tropical buffet, they have an open bar which means you don’t have to pay extra for all those Mai Tai’s and Pina Colada cocktails. And not only is there food, there is a great show with live music and dance, and you get a crash course into the Hawaiian culture by trying different arts and crafts from long ago. This is all situated on the shores of Lahaina with a golden sunset sinking beneath the waves, setting the atmosphere for an exciting evening.
 

Open Nightly: From 6pm

Reservations Recommended

Prices: Entrees $27-$40

Address: 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina

            The chic atmosphere and brilliant menu all have contributed to David Paul’s being named the “Best Maui Restaurant” 13 years in a row, by the Honolulu Magazine Reader’s Poll. Seen from outside as the old Lahaina Inn, the feel of the relaxed, simpler times are reflected in the 18-century design of the building. But indoors, David Paul’s is the perfect picture of a 21^st century bistro with colorful artwork and gracious wait-staff. The food is Pacific fusion cuisine, taking much from the ocean, and pairing it with delicious steaks and other more familiar ingredients. Some of the dishes served are seared Ahi and Foie Gras, Kona Coffee Roasted Rack of Lamb, and their famous Tequila Shrimp and Firecracker Rice. Each plate is aesthetically pleasing and a feast for the eyes, as fresh food colors are arranged beautifully. For dessert, try the triple berry pie and a glass of sparkling dessert wine. Only open for dinner, this restaurant is the place to go if you are spending an evening in Lahaina.

Casual Dining: Joe’s on the Green

Open Daily: 7am-8:30pm

Prices: Breakfast and Lunch $5-$10; Wed. and Thurs. $7-$18

Address: 2545 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, Poipu

            Set on the Kiahuna Golf Course, this local favorite is open all day, 24/7, 365 days a year. These hours make it extremely accessible and even though it’s a perfect place to stop before or after your round of Kauai golf, many people come to the greens just for Joe’s. While you dine al fresco overlooking the golf course you can be free to enjoy every aspect of your Kauai vacation, instead of worrying about the bill. No only is the food affordable, but it has everything you could possibly want on a menu. For breakfast some of the favorites include the Banana-Macadamia Nut Pancakes, Biscuits and Gravy, and a health-conscious Tofu Veggie Scramble. Before 9am they offer a five dollar early bird special with a bottomless cup of coffee that is hard to beat. For lunch they offer sandwiches, build-your-own-salads, and delicious desserts. The recently added dinner times for Wednesdays and Thursdays feature live Hawaiian music to serenade your dinner.
 

Specialty Dining: Puka Dog

Open Daily: 11am-6pm

Prices: Hot-dogs $6.25

Address: 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, Poipu

            What is a Puka Dog, you may ask? It is a revolutionary Kauai hot dog that is changing the way people see, and taste, hot dogs forever. A “puka” in Hawaiian means hole, and a puka dog is a hot dog slid inside a bun sized loaf of bread that has had a puka punched in it and is garnished with a variety of special sauces, relishes, and condiments. At this unique location at the Poipu Shopping Village, you can order your puka dog how you like it and then dine inside their tourist friendly inside, or outside in the sunshine. Their interesting menu offers many choices from what type of dog you want (veggie or polish), to the degree of hotness you want your garlic lemon secret sauce. Other than the traditional ketchup and mustard, they have a variety of fresh fruit relishes like banana, exotic starfruit, pineapple, guava, coconut, and mango. Fruit relish on a hot dog? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! This place was featured on The Travel Channel, and many so-called purists have been converted to this sweet and savory island treat!
 

Fine Dining: Tidepools at the Hyatt Regency Kauai

Open Nightly: 6pm-10pm

Reservations Recommended

Prices: $35-$50 for Entrees

Address: 1571 Poipu Road, Poipu

            Imagine yourself in a tropical hide-away destination, surrounded by the beauty of Hawaii with Koi fish swimming in a pond that weaves its way around little huts above the water where you dine; you have just pictured yourself at the Tidepools Restaurant. Among the beautiful surroundings of waterfalls and serene foliage you can dine on superb selections from their gourmet menu and be waited on by the courteous and friendly staff. Many find it delightful to first watch the hula show in the lobby (check hotel for details), and then come to dinner, but be sure to make reservations and ask to be seated in the private over-water huts. Though the pricing is expensive, it is perfect for that romantic Hawaiian dinner for two, and you wont regret your decision. Waiters can help navigate their extensive wine list and aid in pairing them with the best meals. Some dishes that showcase their culinary excellency are the Maui Onion Soup, Seared Opah (moon-fish) with Blue Crab and Avocado, Pineapple and Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken Breast, and their dessert Trilogy of Crème Brulee in Pineapple with Tahitian Vanilla, Kona Coffee, and lilikoi. This award-winning restaurant is a delight, and never has outdoor dining been this lush.
 

Casual Dining: Caffe Coco

Open Daily: 11am-9pm (closed Mondays)

Prices: $8-$21

Address: 4-369 Kuhio Highway, Kapa’a

            Caffe Coco has been described as a food tour of Kauai’s fresh abundance. Situated off the Kuhio Highway and across the road from Kintaro Restaurant (below), it may be hard to find at first, but once you’re there you’ll be glad you made the effort. It is part vegetarian, part seafood, and part Pacific Rim, with very casual seating indoors and outdoors under a canopy and surrounded by a garden setting. In the evenings there is live entertainment varying nightly between Hawaiian music, hula dancers, and jazz. They don’t serve alcohol, but you can BYO wine/beer. What they do serve is wholesome, nutritious food like organic salads, the light Ahi Nori Wrap, Moraccan Spiced Seared Ahi, and Pasta Bella with Gorgonzola Sauce. They do however have an Espresso Bar that would go perfectly with the Black Mocha Cake a la mode dessert. For a good deal, flavorful, imaginative food, and a charming relaxed environment that’s off the beaten path, visit Caffe Coco.
 

Specialty Dining: Restaurant Kintaro

Open Daily: Mon.-Sat. 5:30pm-9:30pm

Reservations Recommended

Prices: Average $20-$35 per person

Address: 4-370 Kuhio Highway, Kapa’a

            Restaurant Kintaro is a place bustling with excitement, great food, and tableside entertainment. Kintaro is Kauai’s best Japanese food from sizzling teppanyaki (think Benihana), fresh island sushi, and appetizers like tempura. Whether you choose to sit at a table or the more traditional tatami seating, the service and serene Asian décor will nicely compliment your meal. Order creative sushi dishes or watch a talented chef chop and flip your made to order dinner ingredients. This restaurant is a local favorite so you may have to wait to get in if it’s a busy night and you don’t have reservations, but it’s well worth it. It is a family owned establishment that has been passed down over two generations so don’t be surprised if your table’s chef is the owner himself. You can be sure that the quality of dinner will be at the highest no matter when you chose to go.
 

Fine Dining: A Pacific Café

Open Nightly: 5:30p-9:30p

Reservations Required

Prices: $25-$40 for Entrees

Address: 4-831 Kuhio Highway, Kapa’a

            Highlighted in Sunset magazine, this restaurant’s recommendation and quality in food overcomes its location. You can find this gem at a strip mall inside a Safeway grocery store, but don’t be daunted. Though the décor can be described as casual when compared with the fineness of the food, and the dining crowd can get a bit noisy, you came to eat and eat you will! The artistry in each dish created by Chef and Owner Jean Marie Josselin is delightful and the cultural diversity of the islands is reflected in his fusion dishes. All of the dishes are colorfully presented and some of the specialties are Poached Scallop Ravioli, Potato Crusted Onaga Fish with White Truffle Potatoes and a Cabernet Thyme Sauce, and Wok Charred Mahi Mahi with Garlic Sesame Crust and Lime Ginger Sauce. Don’t forget the raved about desserts such as the Hot Chocolate Tart or the Toasted Hawaiian Cake made of white chocolate cake, Haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding), macadamia nut mousse, topped with caramel and Tahitian vanilla crème anglaise.
 

Casual Dining: Hanalei Mixed Plate

Open Daily: 10:30am-9pm

Prices: $6-$11

Address: 5-5190 Kuhio Highway, Princeville

            When in Hawaii, eat like the Hawaiians. And what do the local people eat? Plate Lunch! Apparent in almost every casual local dining spot is the most popular way locals grab a bite to eat. Plate lunches, sometimes called lunch plates on the mainland, it’s a simple entrée (most often some sort of meat), scoop of white rice, and macaroni salad (or sometimes green salad for the health conscious). Hanalei Mixed Plate serves up cheap, casual plates like shoyu (soy sauce) ginger chicken or kalua (smoked underground) pork. They also offer sandwiches (teriyaki chicken, sautéed mahimahi), burgers (beef, Kauai buffalo, veggie), hotdogs, and salads. Eat at the few tables available, take your lunch to go, or walk a couple blocks to the beach and enjoy a picnic lunch with a view.
 

Specialty Dining: Lappert’s Ice Cream

Open Daily: 10am-9pm

Prices: $4-$10

Address: Princeville Shopping Center, Kuhio Highway, Princeville

            You may find Lappert’s Ice Cream in a few shops on the mainland, but to really enjoy it, you have to come to where it all started, Kauai. Lappert’s is one of the few local specialty ice cream makers of the islands, and is arguably the best in Kauai and maybe even the best in the state. Walter Lappert is to Kauai and ice cream as Colonel Sanders is to Kentucky and chicken. With super premium ice cream made from 5 percent higher butter fat than most ice creams (so its creamier) and original flavors, its easy to see why tourists and locals alike flock to these ice cream stores. Some of the best flavors include Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut, Guava Sorbet, and the one and only Kauai Pie that includes Kona Coffee ice cream, toasted coconut, chocolate fudge, and toasted macadamia nuts. Lappert’s also sells gourmet coffee blends made from fresh roasts of Kona and Kauai coffee, so you can understand why their coffee ice cream is so good. The price may be higher than your average store bought ice cream, but you’re on your Hawaiian Vacation so indulge! You’ll be glad you didn’t pass up this sweet treat.
 

Fine Dining: La Cascata at the Princeville Resort

Open Nightly: 6pm-10pm

Reservations Recommended

Prices: $35-$50 for Entrees

Address: 5520 Ka Haku Road, Princeville

            Even if you are not staying in the Princeville Hotel, this restaurant is worth a drive around the island. Located in the island’s most elegant hotel, La Cascata (meaning “the cascade”) boasts one of the best sunset spots on the island. When you arrive, the beautiful interior with marble floors, iron gates, and pillars mirrors the breathtaking views of the outside. From the restaurant you can see the namesake cascading waterfalls coming down the lush mountainside, the pristine Bali Hai beach, and a breathtaking sunset. The caliber of food matches the surroundings, and when coupled with some selections off of their broad wine list, you are presented with a flawless meal. Specializing in Italian cuisine and fresh seafood, they offer a wide range of other flavors as well. Some of the high points in the menu include a Seared Foie Gras with Pickled Mango Salad, Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Caramelized Fennel Cake, and Crispy Skin Onaga Fish with Wild Mushroom Ragout. La Cascata has a special price fixe menu also and it includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert, for $65. Make sure to make reservations for sunset near a window, and you will be blessed by being bathed in the golden light of the Kauai sun.
 

Casual Dining: Hilo Bay Café

Open Daily: 11am-9pm Monday-Saturday

Prices: $8-$20

Address: 315 Maka’ala Street, Hilo

            The Hilo Bay Café has been recognized as an exceptional local bistro that serves light, semi-gourmet fare to a casual crowd. Don’t be taken aback by its location in a strip mall with a view of Walmart and a parking lot for inside you will be transported by the low lighting, chic but sparse décor, and soft jazz music. Once you’re seated, you will find something for everyone on the trendy yet affordable menu. There are vegan-friendly dishes, low-carb options, and even gourmet plates like foie gras. There is a full bar and there are wine suggestions for each menu item, just ask the warm and friendly staff. Some of the menu items include a Blackened Ahi appetizer, Warm Bacon Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese and Apples, Blue Bay Burger with Gorgonzola Cheese and Garlic Fries, and Macadamia Nut Praline Seared Scallops. The best part about this little jewel of a restaurant is the price. It’s rare to fine such expertise in a meal that comes without the astronomical price tag.
 

Specialty Dining: Café Pesto

Open Daily: 11am-9pm (10pm Fri. & Sat.)

Prices: Lunch $9-$18; Dinner $10-$28

Address: 308 Kamehameha Highway, Hilo

            This restaurant is a great place to go if you have a large party that can’t decide what they want. The extensive menu includes appetizers, salads, pastas, seafood, and calzones, but their specialty is pizza. In a dining room with black and white checkered floors you can choose to sit at the counter or a table, and look out over the view of the harbor. The classically prepared yet creatively presented gourmet, hand tossed pizza menu includes a Pizza Luau (Kalua pork, pineapple, and sweet local onions), a Wild Mushroom Gorgonzola Pizza, and even a Greek Pizza with Calmata olive pesto, sweet peppers and spinach, and Bulgarian Feta cheese. You can also create your own pizzas with a seemingly endless list of toppings. Known also for their Mai Tai’s and Lilikoi Magraritas, Café Pesto is a place where you can enjoy good times with good company.
 

Fine Dining: Restaurant Kaikodo

Open Daily: Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11am-2pm; Dinner 5:30pm-9pm (9:30pm Fri. & Sat.)

Reservations Recommended

Prices: $9-$14 for Lunch Entrees; $17-$34 for Dinner Entrees

Address: 60 Keawe Street, Hilo

            Kaikodo was brought to life by a couple who has a passion for Asian arts and antiquities, and the décor and feel of the restaurant reflects this passion with elegance and beauty. The restaurant is located in a historic building and the inside is rich with Chinese and Japanese flavor from the main dining to the lounge, and even the private dining room which once served as a Chinese wedding bed-chamber. The menu features Asian flavors with entrees like the Wasabi and Panko Crusted Salmon and the Sesame Crusted Ahi, but also have familiar favorites such as Crispy Duck Confit with Green Apple Trilogy and a savory Madeira-Braised Colorado Lamb Shank. The bar and wine selection is remarkable with a long wine list and a cellar of limited availability bottles. At night, the lounge transforms into a dance floor and the restaurant is host to Club Kaikodo where vibrant music, inventive cocktails, and a lively crowd make this the hot spot of Hilo’s night life.
 

Casual Dining: Tako Taco Taqueria

Open: Sun.-Fri. 11am-8pm

Prices: Everything under $9

Address: 65-1271 Kawaihae Rd., Waimea

            This small eatery is well loved for their tasty and healthy Mexican food. Though it’s a tight squeeze with only eight chairs at the counter inside, many eat outside on the patio, and even more drive away with their quick and cheap lunch. The menu has burritos, tacos, and salads all made with locally grown produce and meat. They also have vegetarian selections and a fresh fish burrito is a steal at $8.50, and includes beans, rice, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, slaw, and salsa. The fresh and tropical pineapple tomatillo sauce is a perfect condiment and the have great island limeade and margaritas to drink. On most nights there is live music to entertain you while you eat and when you make a stop here, you’ll know why it’s a local favorite.
 

Specialty Dining: Edelweiss

Open: Tues.-Sat. 11:30am-1:15pm and 5-8:30pm

Reservations Recommended for Dinner

Prices: Lunch $8-$12; Dinner $20-$35

Address: 64-2199 Kawaihae Rd., Waimea

            Walking in the door you are transported halfway around the world to an authentic gasthaus in Germany. Rustic redwood furnishings, Swiss and German memorabilia, and a cultural menu create a fun and different place for family dining. The menu is good but you should go for one of the daily specials, and waiters will recite the up to 20 specials without stopping to breathe. They have all the traditional brats and schnitzels, a juicy rack of lamb, and their Chicken Cordon Bleu is made for two. Included in your dinner price are soup, salad, and a beverage, and be sure to loosen your belt because the portions served up are very generous. To wash down and complete the ideal German meal, get one of their special German beers. It’s hard to believe this specialty restaurant exists in Hawaii, but it does and you can almost hear the yodelers singing from the top of Mauna Kea.
 

Open: Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-1:30pm; All Week 5:30-9pm

Reservations Necessary

Prices: Lunch $10-$15; Dinner Entrees $22-$45

Address: 65-1227 ‘Opelo Rd., Waimea

            This restaurant is one of the most popular places to dine on the Big Island, and for good reason. As the signature restaurant of award winning Hawaii-Regional cuisine chef Peter Merriman, it was one of the first restaurants to offer this blend in flavors at this caliber. People come here for the Wok Charred Ahi, Kalua Pig Qusadillas, Sesame Crusted Fresh Catch with Spicy Lilikoi Sauce, or the lamb dish from the nearby Kahua Ranch. There are 22 bottles poured by the glass and the waiters are knowledgeable and amiable. For foodies there is a special farmer’s market tour that allows you four hours to browse and explore local produce and ranch stands and then climaxes with a glorious five-course dinner made from the fresh produce collected during the excursion. A dinner at Merriman’s could be the icing on the cake of your dream Big Island getaway.
 

Casual Dining: Aki’s Cafe

Open Daily: 8am-8:30pm

Prices: Breakfast $4-$9; Lunch/Dinner $4-$14

Address: 75-5699 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona

            You would think that this place is a Japanese café because of the name and the authentic Japanese dishes like ramen, but it is so much more. Aki’s inhabits a quaint little spot right on the beach at Kailua Bay. Locals and tourists alike flock here for the wide range of food for the right price. For breakfast, be sure to try the macadamia nut topped pancakes with a cup of Kona coffee. The lunch and dinner menus are the same with the same price and offer anything from chicken katsu, hamburgers, fresh fish sandwiches, and many noodle dishes (American and Asian). When you need something to eat at any time of the day, search out this neighborhood spot and it won’t lead you astray.
 

Specialty Dining: Kona Beach Restaurant

Open: Breakfast 6am-10am; Fri-Sat. 5:30pm-9pm; Sunday Brunch 9am-1pm

Prices: Average $35

Address: 75-5660 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona

            Located in the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, this restaurant specializes in buffets. With a great view of the ocean to accompany your dining, depending on when you choose to come you might have a very different meal. Though the Kona Beach Restaurant has a slightly pricey ala carte menu, most come for the all you can eat buffets which include a daily breakfast buffet, a Monday night Hawaiian buffet, a prime rib and seafood buffet, and other possible specialty spreads on the weekends. At the seafood buffet you can choose from an expanse of crab legs, fresh fish prepared different ways, oysters, and sashimi. For casual dining that allows you to taste many of the island flavors, catch one of the scrumptious buffets presented at the Kona Beach Restaurant.
 

Fine Dining: La Bourgogne

Open: Tues.-Sat. 6pm-10pm

Reservations Necessary

Prices: Entrees $25-$35

Address: 77-6400 Nalani St., Kailua-Kona

            This is a cozy and graceful husband-and-wife owned restaurant that leaves you with nothing to do but smile. The cuisine is straight from France, beautiful and unbeatable in taste, presentation, and originality. With only ten tables, reservations fill up fast so be sure to make them early. Most often the husband and wife themselves wait on you being personable and treating you like friends. The elegant appetizer menu includes Baked Brie in Puff Pastry, Sweetbreads, and Fresh Maine Lobster Salad on a bed of Greens with Mangos and a Passion Fruit Vinaigrette. Some of the exceptional entrees are Osso Bucco Veal, New Zealand Mussels Steamed in Apple Cider with Cognac, and beautifully textured Roast Duck Breast with Raspberries and Pine Nuts The selections chosen from the wine list pair excellently with the meals and enhance the true flavors of the food. Don’t forget a sinfully delightful dessert of Flourless Chocolate Cake or Grand Marnier Soufflé. A romantic evening awaits you and so does one of the best meals in Hawaii.