Princeville & North Shore Restaurants
Neide’s Salsa and Samba in Hanalei
Bar Acuda is one of Kauai’s best restaurants. Influenced by the food he had while traveling in France, Italy, and Portugal, Chef Jim Moffat has created a menu of small plates featuring Bacalao salt cod from Portugal, house-cured chorizo, and a salad with medjool dates, celery and parmesan. Reservations are recommended and Bar Acuda is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. It’s the Hanalei restaurant for special occasions.
Mediterranean Gourmet in the Hanalei Colony Resort serves Middle Eastern cuisine with ocean views. If you’re craving hummus, babaganush, tabouleh, kebabs, or stuffed grape leaves, this is the place. It’s open for lunch or dinner every day but Sunday.
In the annex of the Hanalei Center, Neide’s Salsa and Samba combines Mexican and Brazilian items on their menu. Chips, salsa, and cold Mexican beer set the tone, followed by the expected burritos, enchiladas, and tacos. But it’s the delicious clay-pot, coconut milk stews called muquecas that really steal the show.
Hanalei Dolphin has a few tables outside next to the Hanalei River. What better place to enjoy some ceviche for lunch or to wait for a table at dinner. With an adjoining fish market, the Dolphin’s seafood is as fresh as it gets. Try a fish sandwich, a fish salad, or a shrimp burger. It’s less expensive than some of the other Hanalei restaurants.
Don’t leave Hanalei without stopping at Wishing Well Shave Ice. Unlike Jo Jo’s in Waimea, service here is reasonably brisk, the selection is good, and the final product – especially if you order yours with ice cream — is amazingly good.
The best burgers, fries, onion rings and shakes in Kauai come from Duane’s Ono Char Burger in Anahola. If you blink, you’ll miss the little, red shack on the side of Route 56. And don’t stop if you’re in a hurry – it can take as long as 45 minutes to get served.
Since the Princeville Resort closed in September 2008, there haven’t been many Princeville restaurants to choose from. But the new St. Regis Princeville has five restaurants to choose from. Expect beautiful views and big checks.
