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Emily Jablon: Daraius and I went to Maui, Hawaii in March 2013. We loved Hawaii so much that we decided to return, but this time to Kauai. Kauai is more laid back and less built-up than Maui.
We went to Kauai over Valentine’s Day week, which made for a very romantic getaway. Using our miles and points made it even better!
Winter Getaway to Kauai – Trip Report Index:
- Part 1 – Using Miles and Points to Get to Kauai
- Part 2 – Only $10 for 2 One-Way United Flights From Austin to Kauai
- Part 3 – Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
- Part 4 – Grand Hyatt Garden Suite for 87% Off
- Part 5 – 3 Free Nights & a Partial Ocean View Upgrade at the Grand Hyatt Kauai
- Part 6 – Activities in Kauai
- Part 7 – Adopting a Little Girl
- Part 8 – The Many Pools of the Grand Hyatt Kauai and more…
- Part 9 – Southside Eats
- Part 10 – More South Kauai Eats!
- Part 11 – Shave Ice Bigger Than Your Face and More Yummy Meals!
- Part 12 – Flight From Kauai to Austin
- Part 13 – Conclusion and Blog Giveaway
Eating In and Around the Grand Hyatt, Kauai
We listed the restaurants by location:
South Kauai Restaurants (Near the Grand Hyatt, Kauai)
- Grand Club Breakfast Lounge
- Ilima Terrace, the casual dining restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Kauai
- Puka Dogs
- Kalapaki Beach Hut
- Josselin’s Tapas
- Savage Shrimp
- Living Foods Market
- Brick Oven Pizza
- Craving Thai
- Sueoka’s Snack Shop
- Koloa Mill
- Papalani Gelato
East Kauai Restaurants
West Kauai Restaurants
North Kauai Restaurants
This post is the continuation of South Kauai restaurants.
Brick Oven Pizza
For dinner, Daraius and I went to Brick Oven Pizza, which is on the south side. We choose Brick Oven Pizza because of the great view in our Lonely Planet Kauai book.
This is a full service restaurant and bar. They have a large menu with more than just pizza.
According to Chowhound, their pizzas were supposed to be some of the best on the island.
I ordered the buffet, which came with salad, soup, buffalo and BBQ chicken wings, spaghetti, another pasta, and garlic bread.
The buffet also included 4 to 5 types of fresh pizzas and dessert pizza.
I had a Blue Moon to drink. Usually, I don’t drink beer, but it was refreshing after a hot day on the beach.
Daraius got the Hawaiian BBQ chicken pizza and a Coke.
I thought his pizza was too bland. But I loved my wings, spaghetti, and pizzas. Each pizza was served fresh. And the servers did a great job restocking the buffet. The buffet cost $15.
I liked that I could try a variety of foods. This was my 2nd favorite meal in Kauai!
Sueoka’s Snack Shop
Daraius wanted Hawaiian food from Sueoka’s Snack Market.
The most expensive dish was $6.50, making it one of the cheapest places to eat in Kauai.
They also had other cheap snacks.
Daraius got spareribs and chicken.
There are no seats at Sueoka’s Snack Shop (take away only), so he joined me at Craving Thai, where I wanted to eat.
Craving Thai
In the mood for some light, healthy food, I decided to try the Craving Thai food truck.
It’s located next to Chalupa’s Mexican food truck.
Here’s Chapula’s menu.
And here’s Craving Thai’s menu.
I ordered the crispy spring rolls.
Koloa Mills
After eating at Sueoka’s Snack Shop and Craving Thai, Daraius and I went to Koloa Mills for ice cream and shaved ice.
They had a lot of shaved ice flavors, but everything was artificially flavored.
Daraius decided to try a grape shaved ice. Koloa Mills also had a large selection of ice cream, which is what I got.
We used a coupon we had found in a free magazine we saw laying outside of shops and restaurants.
Every little bit helps!
Papalani Gelato
Papalani Gelato is located next to Puka Dogs, ~ 1 mile from the hotel. I stopped here after having lunch at Puka Dogs.
There is a big selection of gelato and sorbetto.
They also have chocolates.
There was a freezer of ice cream frozen treats.
I LOVE ice cream sandwiches, so my decision was made. The salted caramel ice cream, chocolate chip cookie sandwich was delicious!
Prices can be expensive here. At other ice cream and shaved ice shops, we order the kid or smallest size and share to save money.
Bottom Line
Because we stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, we spent a lot of time eating in South Kauai.
My 2nd favorite meal in Kauai was at Brick Oven Pizza.
You can find cheap eats at Sueoka’s Snack Shop and Craving Thai.
I was pleasantly surprised by my food truck experience. Where have you eaten at food trucks?
Ditto on the Shrimp Station in Waimea. Ask for a to-go container because the picnic table area outside is always full of flies. They are very careful not to let the flies into the kitchen, though. My favorite dish is the sweet chili garlic shrimp. Try the sauce on the rice – delicious! This is a great stop on the way back to the grand hyatt from a short day of hiking in waimea canyon. I think it closes around 5pm, so plan accordingly.
@Kelly – Will give it a try the next time!
I also really liked Shrimp Station, especially the coconut shrimp. They have 2 locations, one in Waimea and a newer one in Kapaa.
@ Kelly- Thanks for the tip!
@BB- The local food was very good and part of what makes Hawaii unique!
You mentioned the “LocoMoco” yesterday and I saw it on one of the menu pics today. Mmmmmm!!! …and all the various “Plate Lunch’s” listed too!!
As someone formally stationed in Hawaii in the military, your postings brought back some fond memories of the “local” food served there!!!
Thanks!!! One more reason to go back! I miss “sticky rice” and my favorite, the “LocoMoco”!
I haven’t tried the food trucks yet! But thank you for the great information for our next trip!
There is a great restaurant that wasn’t mentioned here that is not far from the airport…..Marks. It is in an industrial area not far from Costco! Incredible plate lunches. We found this place a few visits ago! If we happen to arrive around lunch time we head straight here and have lunch before we head north or south to our hotel! Sometimes we eat here twice or more during a visit.
Only a few picnic tables to eat at, and I believe they are closed on Sunday. But if you research them on the internet you will find great reviews across the board. It is a “hidden gem”!!