Where to Find the Best Breakfast Near and Around Poipu, Koloa, and Waimea

Picture of Clean Plate Club

Clean Plate Club

The job of delivering the best possible content for our restaurant recommendations can not be left to one person. Click here to meet the team behind the Clean Plate Club.

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 â€” 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

If you’re happy with your meal, tag us @LocalGetaways on Instagram to share the love.

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.

An up close shot of plates with sunny side up eggs on top of meat and some other meat chopped up with rice on the side.
Photo courtesy of Kauai Diner.

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.

A plate with beans, sunny side up eggs, salsa, green onions and a white sauce drizzled on top.
Photo courtesy of Kalaheo Cafe on Facebook.

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.

Three mason jars filled with different smoothies are lined up on a speckled countertop, making for the best breakfast. The smoothies, from left to right, are green, purple, and orange. Each jar is topped with a slice of pineapple and has a straw—just like you'd find on Kauai's South Shore.
Photo: @littlefishcoffee

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? 

Two people toast with champagne flutes filled with a light orange drink while sitting at a table. On the table, there is a plate of pastries. One person has a patterned shirt, and the other has painted nails. The atmosphere appears celebratory and casual, perfect for enjoying the best breakfast on Kauai's South Shore.
Photo: @koakearesort

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. 

A close-up of an open sandwich, perfect for the best breakfast on Kauai's South Shore, featuring a thick slice of grilled meat, fresh tomato slices, and thinly sliced cucumber and onion atop a slice of toasted bread. The sandwich is topped with a drizzle of sauce.
Photo: @anuenuecafe

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. 

A well-lit buffet with a variety of dishes on display, including fruits, desserts, and condiments. The room has wooden floors and warm lighting. A wall features wooden carvings, tropical decor, and overhead lights, creating an inviting atmosphere. Enjoy the best breakfast Kauai South Shore offers here!
Photo: Grand Hyatt Kauai

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.

For more Local-inspired Hawaii travel tips? Subscribe to our Aloha Friday Newsletter?

Follow us on Instagram @localgetaways!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore Marin Open Studios With our Interactive Tour Map!

Close the CTA
Local Getaways App MOS
Scroll to Top