Need to fuel up before a long day of exploring the beauty of the Garden Isle? After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Here are our favorite breakfast spots near and around Poipu, Koloa, and Waimea.
But wait, there’s more. We’re here to help demystify some of the unusual words you might see on menus like furikake, laulau and lilikoi — and explain which meat is being served and why. And possibly most importantly of all, provide the fun facts on the origins of local dishes.
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For more suggestions on best restaurants in Kauai, the best things to do in Kauai, and the best places to stay in Kauai, click here.
The Shops at Kukui‘ula, 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka St, Koloa
An offshoot of the popular Kaua‘i Diner in Lihue, this site may have fancier surroundings in the Shops at Kukui‘ula but the island-style menu remains deliciously homespun. Among the worthy ribsticking choices are chicken katsu, oxtail soup and loco moco, but you can also get a classic American cheeseburger or (till 1 p.m. daily) French toast and other breakfast standards.
2-2560 Kaumualii Hwy, Kalaheo
Off the highway in the cooler uplands near Poipu, this busy restaurant has been packing ’em in since 1994 for fresh, filling and not-too-fancy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner brings some pricier chef’s specials, a la strip steak or ribeye, but you can still opt for a gourmet hot sandwich like the Miami-style cubano roasted pork or housemade turkey burger.
2294 Poipu Rd., Koloa
808.742.2113
Little Fish Coffee is serving up flavorful breakfast dishes to keep you swimming all day. The menu is a delightful spread of acai bowls, bagels, sandwiches, smoothies and coffee. The fruits and veggies are locally grown and the coffee is organic and fair-trade. What else do you need before 11am?
2251 Poipu Rd., Koloa
855.231.4535
Kauai native and award-winning chef Noelani Planas leads the kitchen of Red Salt, located inside the Koa Kea Hotel & Resort. If you’re in the mood for a decadent breakfast, look no further than the lobster Benedict. Or try the lemon pineapple souffle pancakes, which are so delicious they were featured on The Food Network.
The line is worth the wait at Anuenue Cafe, serving up tried-and-true breakfast favorites. Husband and wife John and Michelle are a team at this family-run spot: John honed his cooking skills as an O’ahu private chef, while Michelle manages the cafe. The menu features local produce including Kauai Roastery Coffee. Favorites include the Shark Frittata, which includes bacon, Kalua pork, sausage, and cheese, and the Tow-Ins: Hawaiian sweet bread topped with homemade coconut pudding.
1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa
808.240.6456
Waterfalls, gardens, and koi ponds surround this open-air restaurant on the Grand Hyatt Kauai’s lanai, starting your day with a dose of Keoneloa Bay’s natural beauty. At Ilima Terrace, don’t worry about picking just one dish — you can have it all at their renowned all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, featuring fresh fruit, kombucha and juice shots, and classics with a twist like poppyseed pancakes.
Did we miss your favorite restaurant?
Our always-hungry team of foodies have compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
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