Living foods grocery store poipu

A little known secret is that many local products that are used in Kauai’s restaurants can also be found in the grocery stores as well.  Between small mom and pop stores and health food markets offering the latest gourmet, gluten free and organic products, the sunny south shore has you covered.

Big Save Koloa

Big Save Koloa is the largest grocery store in Poipu, located in Koloa Town, and offers everything from your run of the mill cereals for breakfast to freshly prepared Hawaiian poke varieties, a local delicacy of salted and seasoned raw fish.  You can stock up on provisions for the week, purchase some fresh baked goodies in the bakery, and even skip going out for a night with some hot food items from their deli.

Sueoka Store

Located in the heart of Koloa Town, Sueoka Store’s architecture will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the sugar plantation era.  Typically not as busy as Big Save Koloa, Sueoka’s shelves are well-stocked with Japanese specialty items, quality meats from nearby ranches and freshly bakes pies from nearby bakeries (if available, try the chocolate haupia pie for an delicious treat). Locals know to get there early in the morning for their spam musubi’s (white rice and spam wrapped in seaweed) with fried chicken and pastries delivered from Thrifty Mart Bakery on the west side.  If you miss the hot food items, which tend to sell out quickly, the Sueoka Snack Shop outside of the entrance is a popular stop for its plate lunches and hamburgers.

Living Foods Market

Living Foods Market at Kukui‘ula Shopping Center makes finding gluten free, organic or the latest seasonal delicacies convenient for the health minded visitor.  This market offers over 3,000 gourmet items, including local and exotic cheeses, excellent wine choices and the largest selection of organic produce on the island.  The Living Foods Café also has healthy food on the go, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a wide selection of paninis, pizza, crepes, smoothies and salad bar.

Kukuiula Market

Just before Poipu, along Poipu road, is a small store called Kukui‘ula Market.  Don’t let the size of the store fool you, Kukui‘ula Market has a great variety of health foods and regular grocery items, along with specialty eateries inside, including Makai Sushi, a sushi bar with incredible hand rolls and poke bowls, and Anake’s Juice Bar for fresh pressed juices, cold smoothies and acai fruit bowls.

Whalers General Store

The perfect store for when you realize that you forgot to get something.  Whalers General Store is a convenience store and souvenir store all in one.  Whaler’s General Store is located in Poipu Shopping Village, next to Starbucks Coffee.

 

Now that you know where to shop, you will be ready to make use of your vacation rental’s gourmet kitchen or enjoy a warm Hawaiian evening on the grill.  Sometimes there is nothing like a home cooked meal, especially when made in paradise.