Best Restaurants in Poipu

It’s been said that you can never have too many options. Although usually true, it can be a difficult decision to decide where to eat while on vacation. Fortunately, we’ve narrowed down for you a list of the best restaurants in Poipu:

Best Sunset View

Poipu sunsets are striking to witness, with hues of pink and orange that streak the sky. The Beach House Restaurant is beyond a doubt the best place to enjoy an early evening cocktail or dinner while you watch the sun descend for the day. A grassy lawn in front of the restaurant provides the opportunity to pose with your loved ones and make sure you get that perfect social media shot. The Beach House Restaurant not only boasts amazing sunset views but also has won the prestigious Hale Aina Award for 16 years in a row for its Pacific Rim cuisine with ingredients sourced from local fishermen, ranchers, and farms. Open for lunch and dinner, reservations are highly recommended for dinner, especially for the coveted sunset hour.

Best Local Fish Varieties

Chef-Owner Peter Merriman proudly boasts that only the freshest products are used on his “farm-to-table” concept menu, where at least 90% of his ingredients are local-grown or caught using only sustainable methods. At Merriman’s Fish House at Kukui‘ula Shopping Village, the extensive seafood menu includes a daily locally caught fish with description of where the fish was sourced. Can’t decide on which fish to try? You can also choose between two fish entrees to create your own dinner.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurant

Keoki’s Paradise is a lush oasis of floral and tropical plants, fishponds, cascading man-made waterfalls, and a wooden footbridge to connect the bar area to the main dining room. Ambiance is everything at this popular restaurant, however a wide selection of local-caught island fish prepared a variety of ways and steakhouse worthy entrees, as well as many keiki (child) menu items such as the grilled fresh fish or teriyaki jidori chicken breast will make both the grownups and children happy. Make sure to save room for dessert. It’s recommended to share one of their monstrously huge homemade ice cream hula pies, such as the Kimo’s original hula pie, chocolate hula pie with salted caramel, mint chip hula pie, or the Chef’s monthly specialty featured hula pie.

Best Sports Bar

Kalapaki Joe’s combines American cuisine, daily drink specials and televised sports for the ultimate sports bar experience in Poipu. Large-screen televisions are located throughout the bar and restaurant. There’s no reason to miss that upcoming pay-per-view event just because you are on vacation. In fact, cheering for your favorite team could be even more fun when on Kauai. Friendly locals and visitors in the know often go to Kalapaki Joes for happy hour cocktails and a good old “talk story” session around the bar.

Tastiest Cocktails

A perfectly made mai tai and view of the sparkling Pacific Ocean at Brennecke’s Beach Broiler makes it the perfect choice for enjoying cocktails in Poipu. Their signature cocktail list features a number of fun, tropical and refreshing drinks to quench your thirst after a day exploring the island. Try the Mango Madness, a blend of pina colada and Maui mango puree with Kaua‘i distilled Kōloa Dark Rum or partake in their “World Famous” Brennecke’s Mai Tai that has been experienced by nearly 1,000,000 customers to date. Brennecke’s takes serving the best cocktails on the south side seriously and has two happy hours daily, from 3-5 pm and 8:30-closing. Their Kaua‘i style pupu’s (appetizers) are great to share or they offer a full lunch and dinner menu as well.

Best Gourmet Restaurants in Poipu

Eating House 1849, located in the Kukui‘ula Shopping Village, is the new kid on the block when it comes to Poipu dining. However, Chef Roy Yamaguchi has been around for a while as one of the original Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine founders. He knows his stuff! The menu combines simple ingredients prepared in ways that are bursting with flavor, such as the Kamemeshi (hot pot rice bowl) with butterfish, the 1849 Spicy Ramen Bowl and Plantation Paella. Be prepared to go to heaven and back after indulging in their signature chocolate soufflé with Lappert’s vanilla ice cream.

Best Breakfast Spot

The search for the best breakfast will take you out of Poipu to the nearby town of Koloa, which is only one mile away. La Spezia Restaurant and Wine Bar’s breakfast menu is savory and decadent, while it’s décor has a delicate shabby chic vibe with tables made of old wine boxes and crystal chandeliers. Start the day is with their Brie French Toast, which features Hawaiian sweet bread stuffed with brie, bacon and raspberry jam or the caprese fritatta. Sunday Brunch is highly celebrated at La Spezia with a build your own bloody mary bar.

If there’s one thing all of these restaurants have in common, it’s that they are all located on the most beautiful island on earth…Kauai. So always remember to eat, drink and live aloha!