Creamy mango ice cream, granola-topped acai bowls, spicy ahi poke, slow-roasted pork, coconut coffee…even months later, I still haven’t fully recovered from Kauai’s epic food scene.

Every now and then I’ll find myself with a monstrous craving for Chito’s breakfast sandwich or Hanalei Bread Company’s iced coffee, only to be crushed by the realization that they’re a six-hour flight away.

*Sigh*

I’ll be honest, when I first started planning our trip to Kauai, food wasn’t the first thing on my mind. I definitely consider myself a foodie; I’ve tasted a lot of incredibly cuisine around the world, and while I’m no expert, my standards for good food are at least a liiiittle bit high.

And, well…Kauai is an island, which means limited food supply. Plus, I had never actually heard anything about the food there. So, how good could it be?

The answer: so good, in fact, that it demanded an entire blog post dedicated to it. Demanded.

I think my favorite aspect of Kauai’s culinary scene is the food truck presence. I LOVE food trucks (hence why I had one at my wedding)!

Not only are they fun to order from, but in my experience the food is always amazing – soulful, fresh, and authentic…a winning combination. And Kauai has so many to choose from!

In this Kauai Food Guide, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite spots to sample classic Hawaiian cuisine like poke, kalua pork, shave ice, açaí bowls, plate lunches, and more. Happy eating!

1. Kealia Poke (Food Truck)

I’m pretty sure it would be a borderline sin to visit Hawaii and not indulge in poke, one of the most beloved traditional foods. I also happen to be an absolute poke addict (I typically eat it on a weekly basis at home in California) so scoping out the best poke spots on Kauai was my personal mission.

In the end I sampled poke from four locations, but Kealia Poke in Hanalei would definitely be among my top recommendations.

I ordered the Local Girl with avocado (bottom), and Derek ordered the Local Boy (top). Both were absolutely incredible; the quality of the fish here was amaaaazing. Mmm, that texture!

2. Pink’s Creamery

Grilled cheese and ice cream…sounds random at first, but when you think about it, aren’t these two of the most delicious foods on the planet? Yes? Then doesn’t it make sense to be able to enjoy both in one spot?

That’s the philosophy at Pink’s Creamery! Our first visit here was for dinner, to try out their famed pineapple and pork grilled cheese sandwich.

…Oh yeah, you read that correctly.

Tender, smoky kalua pork meets juicy, sweet pineapple and muenster cheese in this gooey grilled sandwich. Served with a heaping side of chips and a pickle.

Yummmm, guys…that’s really all there is to say. YUM.

Of course, we had to make a return trip (okay, maybe two return trips) to sample their incredible ice cream selection. Pink’s Creamery has a fun assortment of tropical Hawaiian flavors, like coconut, macadamia nut, and Hanalei Sunrise (orange & pineapple).

Our flavor of choice? Mango, pictured above. For a fruity ice cream, it was incredibly creamy and smooth; no hint of iciness at all. Just pure, melt-in-your-mouth mango goodness.

I also tried the Kona Mud Pie (coffee ice cream with Oreo crumbles and fudge) and the Chocolate Macadamia Nut, both pictured above in the cup. Both amazing, but the texture and flavor of that mango ice cream was really on another level.

3. Chito’s (Food Truck)

UPDATE 1/8/20 – Good news! Chito’s is BACK under a new name: Saenz Ohana’s Breakfast! Woohoo!

Guys…I’m so sad. Just a few weeks after our trip to Hawaii, I leaned via social media that Chito’s has closed for good!

NOOOOOOO!!

Even though we were only on Kauai for a week, Derek and I ate breakfast at Chito’s THREE times – a testament to just how amazingly scrumptious it was.

A breakdown of the above photo: build-your-own breakfast sandwich, featuring taro bread (!!!!!), kalua pig, bacon, sauteed onions, avocado, cheddar cheese, and a side of garlic aioli. Holyyyy smokes y’all, the flavor developed here was UNREAL.

The smokiness of the pork; the salty, fatty flavor of the bacon; the subtle sweetness of the taro bread and onions; the creaminess of the avocado; the cheeeeese  Heaven on a freaking platter.

This sandwich was so amazing I ate this exact same combination twice, but I also tried the eggs Benedict with kalua pig…which, no surprise, was also completely fabulous.

I hesitated including Chito’s on this list since, well, it’s not in business anymore. But word on the street is that the owners may be planning to reopen (possibly under a new location and/or name?) so until then, I’ll be crossing my fingers that it’s true!

Kauai without Chito’s is a sad thing indeed.

4. Trucking Delicious (Food Truck)

Located in the same food truck lot as Chito’s, Trucking Delicious was another excellent find. I was eager to try my first Hawaiian plate lunch (entree + white rice + macaroni salad), and rumor had it that nowhere does it better than Trucking Delicious.

Although my plate lunch expertise remains quite limited, I can confirm that this meal was damn good. I ordered the coconut shrimp, and my only regret was that I wasn’t hungry enough to finish every last bite!

Succulent shrimp encrusted with crispy, perfectly sweet coconut flakes…mmmmm. Derek opted for the salmon stuffed with crab and shrimp, and we both ordered a dragon fruit limeade to drink.

The perfect tropical meal after hiking along the Na Pali coast!

5. Wishing Well Shave Ice (Food Truck)

After indulging in a few too many (…or not enough?) greasy breakfasts at Chito’s, both Derek and I were eventually ready for something a bit lighter and fresher to start our day.

We found the perfect thing at Wishing Well Shave Ice, located in downtown Hanalei just a block or so down the street from the food truck lot.

We both ordered the “Good Times” Acai Bowl, which can honestly best be described as “heaven.”

No joke, I can’t even allow myself to look at this photo for too long, or else I can feel the cravings start to come on strong.

Acai topped with granola, banana, peanut butter, macadamia nuts, chia seeds, coconut flakes, and honey. Ohhhh my goodness guys, this was tropical paradise in a bowl.

6. Chicken in a Barrel

If you happen to find yourself craving hearty BBQ that’s good enough to rival what you’ll find in Texas and the Deep South, look no further than Chicken in a Barrel (and I say that as someone who has lived in both locations).

Although the name suggests that that main delicacy here is, well, chicken, I followed my taste buds and went with the pulled pork plate. For my two sides, I chose the chili (mmm) and the Hawaiian coleslaw (it has pineapple in it!).

7. Hanalei Bread Company

Over the course of our week on Kauai’s North Shore, Hanalei Bread Company became a staple. We stopped by almost every morning for one of their iced coffees and lattes, especially the coconut flavored one. So smooth, creamy and perfectly tropical.

Pro Tip: Take your coffee to-go and enjoy it in the sitting area just outside Ama Restaurant. It’s much more scenic!

We also had breakfast at Hanalei Bread Company on two occasions, but while their brekkie sandwich was definitely a winner, the two other entrees we tried – the breakfast burrito and the breakfast skillet – were decidedly not.

Honestly, I recommend coming to Hanalei Bread Company for the two things they’re known for: their coffee and their baked goods. Find your breakfast elsewhere; though, I suppose with Chito’s being shut down that makes things more difficult

8. Ama Restaurant

I didn’t snap a photo unfortunately, but trust me when I say that the ramen at Ama in Hanalei is gooood.

I actually went with the pork belly mazamen, a variation of ramen with no broth. It was super tasty! I didn’t sample the actual ramen myself, but from what I’ve read online it doesn’t have the best reviews; maybe mazamen is the way to go here?

And weirdly, Ama’s donuts get rave reviews. Go figure!

Non-North Shore Recommendations

Because Derek and I were based in Hanalei throughout our weeklong stay, the majority of the restaurants and food trucks we tried were located in that area. That said, I do have a handful of food recommendations on Kauai’s East and South Shores.

9. Ishihara Market (Waimea)

We actually enjoyed our first meal on Kauai here, and it was the perfect introduction to the island’s laid back food scene. We ordered the spicy ahi poke (pictured below), which was amazing.

Oh, and don’t be surprised when you roll up and find that it’s literally just a supermarket; grabbing a to-go container of poke from the seafood counter in the grocery store appears to be very common on Kauai. And with good reason – the fish is fresh and delicious!

We also enjoyed the spicy ahi poke from Pono Market in Kapaa, on the East Shore, as well as the sesame ahi poke from Kilauea Fish Market (technically on the North Shore, but not quite noteworthy enough to be included above).

10. Wailua Shave Ice

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Hawaiian vacation without shave ice! To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan on shave ice (I’ll take ice cream any day) but the menu at Wailua Shave Ice was good enough to make me take notice.

I ordered Da Mango: shave ice with mango juice, and topped with fresh fruit. Icy and sweet, perfect for a sunny day on Kauai!

Read Next: Aloha, Paradise: Our Stay at Hanalei Bay Resort

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The post Kauai Food Guide: Where to Eat Around Hanalei & The North Shore appeared first on The Wandering Blonde.

I hear the gentle sound of light morning rain, birds chirping, and roosters crowing before I’m even fully awake. I open my eyes to find that the room is still dark, but when I pull myself out of bed and open the sliding glass door to my lanai I see that the sun has just barely started to rise above the horizon.

A pinkish golden glow has been cast across the landscape, mingling with the mist and fog that shrouds the mountains and cliffs in the distance. The air is cool and damp, rushing in from the ocean just over the hills.

As I stand there, I watch the vibrant landscape come to life before my eyes: the sun illuminates the lush green valleys and hills, the morning mist fades away, and I catch a glimmer of the ocean sparkling in the distance.

Good morning Kauai. 

When I booked our room at Hanalei Bay Resort, this was exactly the experience I had in mind. I wanted to wake up every morning right in the heart of the island’s most beautiful scenery, needing only to step outside onto my lanai to be wrapped up in it.

Unlike the majority of travelers that I know, I don’t feel particularly committed to any one style of accomodation. I’ve slept in un-air conditioned hostel bunk beds, five-star hotels, hammocks on the beach, and family-owned bed and breakfasts…hell, even a refurbished cement tube on one occasion.

So it’s safe to say that in general, I’m not picky…except when it comes to a few non-negotiables. No matter where I am in the world, I always want my accomodation to:

• Have character, charm, and unique qualities…no bland cookie-cutter rooms for me please!
• Offer good value relative to the price.
• Be centrally located, at least in terms of the area I plan to explore.
• If possible, have an amazing view!

When I was planning our weeklong visit to Kauai, I had a surprisingly difficult time finding a place to stay that ticked all of these boxes. There were gorgeous hotels and Airbnbs that offered amazing views and amenities, but seemed waaaay too expensive overall.

I also found more affordable options that were severely lacking in character. We’re talking outdated condo units with the same cheesy tropical print bedding and linoleum flooring that has probably been there since the 70s. Bleh.

I searched high and low for the right spot (after all, Derek and I were celebrating our one-year anniversary so I wanted this to be special!) and when I finally came across Hanalei Bay Resort on the North Shore, it was like a breath of fresh, tropical, plumeria-scented air. Ahhhh.

Hanalei Bay Resort

Located in scenic Princeville, Hanalei Bay Resort is a 3-star hotel that sits on 22 beautifully lush acres. The accomodation options range from cozy studios to 2-bedroom suites, all with their own private lanais (the Hawaiian term for a porch or veranda).

You can also rent independently owned units, which is what Derek and I opted to do. I loved that all the rooms were uniquely decorated and updated by their respective owners, so no two rooms look alike.

For us, Hanalei Bay Resort was the perfect combination of resort-meets-independent-rental. We loved having access to the hotel’s amazing pool (more on that later, but spoiler: there’s a waterfall), restaurant, and beach area, but it was also nice that the whole experience didn’t feel too cookie-cutter.

Our Room

Narrowing down our search to Hanalei Bay Resort was just step one; next, we had to sort through the multitude of units that were available to rent. Every room we viewed online seemed to boast amazing views from the lanai, no matter where on the property they were located.

Honestly, this made choosing the best unit really difficult! Whether you’re facing the lagoon-style pool, the North Shore’s famed cliffs, or simply the swaying palm trees that grace the entire resort, you’re sure to have a gorgeous view to enjoy.

In the end, we found the perfect room for us: Hanalei Bay Resort 8234, which we rented through Kauai Pacific Real Estate. We paid $185 per night, which honestly was a steal. The room was private, quiet and secluded right on the edge of the property, with gorgeous views of the lush, rocky cliffs and a sliver of ocean too.

We arrived late at night, so it was pitch black when we checked into our room. Aside from the scarce photos we had seen online, we had no idea what view we would be waking up to.

Between the jet lag and the crowing roosters, we were up before the sun. Watching the landscape beneath our lanai come to life as the morning light filled the sky was absolutely breathtaking, even with the misty clouds and rain.

Over the course of the week, we ended up spending a lot of our time relaxing on the lanai, watching the waterfalls cascade down the cliffs in the distance and the fog gather and rise above the mountain peaks.

We saw so many birds during our time spent out there, too; roosters, baby chicks, nenes, red crested cardinals, and elepaio. During rainstorms, we would watch the mother geese and chickens leading their babies to dry shelter beneath our lanai or the nearby bushes.

The Property

But while our room was absolutely lovely and comfortable, what really sold me on Hanalei Bay Resort was their absolutely stunning property. It’s everything you would expect from a tropical Hawaiian resort: sprawling, green and lush, dotted with palm trees and vibrant blooms. And from every direction, you can see Kauai’s iconic cliffs in the distance.

But guys, the true jewel of Hanalei Bay Resort is their dreamy pool area.

*Swoooooon*

Surrounded by lush tropical foliage, their free-form lagoon-style pool features a rock waterfall, a jacuzzi tucked away in a grotto, and a swim-up bar.

…Yes, a swim-up bar!!

I’d be lying if I said that Derek and I didn’t spend a solid bit of time here, sipping mudslides, Mai Tais, and other frosty, tropical concoctions. In fact, I think we made time to squeeze in a drink or two at this spot every single day!

But really, can you blame us when THIS was our daily view?

Hanalei Bay Resort is also neighbors with the St. Regis Princeville, one of Kauai’s priciest and most luxurious hotels. If you’re not keen to drop minimum $500-600 per night for your room, you can still enjoy the hotel’s bar, restaurant, and amazing views by stopping in for dinner and drinks.

On one of our last nights in Kauai, we got dressed up and splurged for cocktails, appetizers, and an incredible sashimi platter at the St. Regis Bar. The sunset was mostly obscured by the clouds, but we were still able to witness the hotel’s legendary nightly champagne sabering ritual. Drinks all around!

These two neighboring hotels share a small private beach, which was nice for sunbathing, relaxing, and strolling by the water. Not to mention checking out the dramatic views of the coastline across the bay!

Fun fact: if you’re a fan of the movie The Descendants (starring George Clooney and Shailene Woodley) you can catch a glimpse of a few filming locations at the St. Regis and in the surrounding Princeville area.

One of those locations happens to be the beach shared by Hanalei Bay Resort and the St. Regis, pictured below!

Around Hanalei & Greater Kauai

Of course, there’s plenty to see and do outside of Hanalei Bay Resort, too. Derek and I are the types of travelers who really prefer to be out and about, but even if you’re after a more relaxing trip I encourage you to pull yourself away from the property (it can be hard, I know!) and go do some exploring.

Hanalei Bay Resort is just a short drive from downtown Hanalei, a charming little town with a handful of cute shops and incredible places to grab a bite to eat. It also puts you in prime location for sightseeing along the dramatic Na Pali coast, whether you choose to hike the Kalalau Trail or go sailing instead.

And while the North Shore is definitely the region of the island that captured my heart the most, don’t forget that there’s a whole lotta land to be explored elsewhere on Kauai, too.

Read Next: Enchanted By Kauai: Hawaii’s Garden Island

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The post Aloha, Paradise: Our Stay at Hanalei Bay Resort appeared first on The Wandering Blonde.

There’s just something about lush, overgrown landscapes and lost in time, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them towns that make me weak in the knees.

I fell hard and fast for Isla de Ometepe in Nicaragua, and again for Palomino in Colombia, Ston in Croatia, and Tepoztlan in Mexico. All of these teeny towns were surrounded by such incredible natural beauty, and just far enough off the well-trodden path to instantly capture my heart.

What can I say? I’ve always been drawn to wild, untamed natural landscapes; sleepy, rural towns and villages; and microcosmic cultures that make you feel as if you’ve wandered into a new and untouched little world.

Perhaps that’s why I immediately felt so connected to the Hawaiian island of Kauai, which has been oh-so appropriately nicknamed “The Garden Island.”

With nearly 97% of its land remaining undeveloped, Kauai is Hawaii as you imagined it 50 years ago. It’s retro, rustic and romantic all at once; nothing but dense jungle, rugged peaks, secret surf spots, and oldschool towns with tight-knit communities.

Derek and I spent six nights on the island, and even though we got unlucky with Kauai’s infamous rains, our time there couldn’t have been any more enchanting. From the moment our plane touched down in Lihue’s little airport, I knew that we had arrived somewhere special.

…The Garden Island already had me under its spell.

We decided to base ourselves on Kauai’s North Shore, near the charming little historic town of Hanalei. Even in the early stages of planning our trip, this remote side of the island seemed to promise everything that I hoped to discover in Kauai…and from day one, I knew that it would deliver.

Why Visit Kauai

I imagine Kauai represents something different for every person, but for me, it’s a little like this:

Kauai is waking up before the sun to the sound of roosters crowing and red-crested cardinals singing in the trees. It’s sitting on a lanai, watching from a distance as multiple waterfalls cascade down the face of a mist-shrouded cliff.

Kauai is hopping in a bright red Jeep and swerving down winding coastal roads, snaking across one-lane bridges in search of new undiscovered spots. It’s chatting with the guy who works behind the counter at the ice cream shack, listening to his tale of how he visited the island on a whim and simply never left.

Kauai is trudging down muddy trails, the salty sea breeze whipping across your face and the thick foliage shielding you from the tropical sun. It’s staring out towards the ocean, hypnotized by the waves, as you sip mai tais and watch the sun sink below the horizon.

Kauai is overflowing acai bowls, fresh ahi poke caught earlier that same day, and Hawaiian plate lunches from a food truck. It’s coconut coffee, mango ice cream, and dragon fruit limeade.

Kauai is tiny frozen-in-time towns, quaint historic churches, roadside fruit stands, and kitschy tiki lounges. It’s tropical downpours, taro fields, secret waterfalls, empty beaches, and scenic overlooks.

Kauai is bare feet, a fresh face and windblown hair, with nowhere to be and no schedule to keep. It’s island time, falling asleep when the stars come out and waking up to the light patter of early morning rain.

Simply put, Kauai is the remote, end-of-the-earth paradise I’ve always dreamed of.

Of course, the truly wonderful thing about Kauai is that anyone can carve out their own little version of paradise simply by choosing the right region to base themselves on the island. Because although Kauai is a small island, each side offers visitors a completely different type of experience.

Whether you’re in search of dreamy Jurassic Park-esque landscapes or sunny sandy beaches, you can find it on Kauai. There are four main regions on the island, and they each offer their own little type of magic. Here’s what you need to know:

Which Area to Stay on Kauai:

• North Shore:
  • Your quintessential jungle paradise: lush valleys, dense foliage, and rugged mountains streaked with countless waterfalls
  • Moody, unpredictable weather; it’s often rainy and overcast here
  • Home to the timeless town of Hanalei and the resort community of Princeville
  • Closest region to the dramatic Na Pali Coast
• East Shore: 
  • The main hub; as centrally located as you can get, with the downside being that it’s the most heavily trafficked area of the island
  • Nicknamed “the Coconut Coast” for its palm-fringed beaches
  • Includes the towns of Kapaa, Wailua, and Lihue, all popular among visitors for their many restaurants and shops
  • Good jumping off point for kayaking, tubing, and other outdoor activities
• South Shore:
  • The best spot on Kauai for a classic beach getaway
  • Weather here tends to be warm, sunny, and pleasant
  • Pristine beaches, plentiful resorts and condos, and a variety of sights and activities (like snorkeling) make it the most popular region for visitors
  • Home to the charming plantation-era town of Koloa and the sunny resort town of Poipu
• West Shore:
  • Arid, rugged, and remote are the best ways to describe this unique area of Kauai
  • Nearly always sunny, dry, and warm
  • Sparsely populated overall, but home to the quaint historic towns of Waimea and Hanapepe (which was supposedly the inspiration for the town in Lilo & Stitch)
  • Known for the awe-inspiring Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”

Although it’s a relatively small place, circumnavigating the entire island by car – from one far end to the other – can take up to 2.5 or 3 hours one-way. Which means that while it’s certainly doable to see it all via day trips, you’ll still want to choose your home base wisely, since you’ll likely be spending the bulk of your time there.

Hanalei and the North Shore ended up being the perfect spot for me and Derek, with the only downside being the overcast, rainy weather. One a future trip I’d be open to giving the South Shore a try, although I think the North Shore will always hold the biggest piece of my heart.

What to Do on Kauai:

It’s no exaggeration when I say that there are endless adventures to be had on Kauai.

Below, I’ve highlighted 30 things to do on Kauai, from hikes to beaches to cultural attractions. We spent five full days and six nights on the island, and didn’t come anywhere close to crossing everything off this list!

• Must-Do’s
  • Waimea Canyon
  • Na Pali Coast (by helicopter, by boat, or by foot via the Kalalau Trail)
• Nature & Outdoors
  • Wailua Falls
  • Opaekaa Falls
  • Limahuli Garden & Preserve
  • Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens
  • Spouting Horn
  • Queen’s Bath
• Hiking
  • Maha’ulepu Coastal Trail
  • Sleeping Giant
  • Kuilau Ridge Trail
  • Waialeale Back Wall Trail
  • Pihea Trail
•  Beaches
  • Hanalei Bay
  • Secret Beach
  • Tunnels Beach
  • Poipu Beach
  • Haena Beach
  • Shipwreck Beach
  • Kalapaki Beach
•  Activites
  • ATV Tour at Kipu Ranch
  • River Tubing at Lihue Plantation
  • Kayak the Wailua River
  • Snorkeling
• History & Culture
  • Waioli Huiia Church
  • Kilauea Lighthouse
  • Rum Tasting at Koloa Rum Company
  • Plantation Tour at Kauai Coffee Company
  • Kilohana Estate
  • Kauai Museum

For me, Kauai was one of those destinations – like so many others – that truly made it hard to say goodbye. The landscapes, towns, and culture were so unlike anywhere else I’ve ever traveled, yet felt so instantly welcoming, comforting, and familiar at the same time.

And like all of those remote, off-the-beaten-path wonderlands that have come before it, Kauai is one of those destinations where I can safely and happily promise that I’ll return to someday. Until then, please don’t change one bit Kauai; you’re perfect just the way you are.

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