Where to Eat in Kapaa
Breakfast, lunch, dinner or a sweet “pick me up”, you’ll find many fine Kapaa Restaurants and eateries within walking distance from the Lae Nani Condo property. Below is a list of favorites!
Mónico’s Taqueria:
Less than a block to the south of Lae Nani Condos, in the Kinipopo Shopping Village is Monico’s Taqueria, a local favorite for Mexican food. Enjoy indoor as well as courtyard dining. Monico’s has won many awards including, Best New Restaurant 2004, Best Mexican Restaurant 2005, Los Angeles Times’ Best Mexican Restaurant in Hawaii 2008 in “Good Dinners for Under $20” . Monico’s is a bustling “mom and pop” establishment, serving fresh Mexican food with local fish selections daily and a full bar. Expect a wait if arriving after 6:00pm. A favorite with locals and visitors alike. Take out available. First come first served. Click here to visit Monico’s online.
Restaurant Kintaro:
Kauai’s favorite favorite Japanese Restaurant. Kintaro has a large bar and lounge, a sushi bar, dining style seating, multiple teppan -yaki grills and a private tatami room for small parties. Not the cheapest sushi on the island but definitely the best! Reservations are accepted for parties of 6 or more, small groups are seated first come, first serve. Doors open at 5:30 and there is almost always a line! Turn left leaving Lae Nani Condos, then turn right on Lanikai Street and walk toward the highway, the restaurant will be on your left fronting the main highway. More Information and directions.
Eggbert’s Café:
Very affordable for traditional breakfast plus some fancy coffee drinks. Good place to enjoy fresh island papaya from Moloa’a and their eggs benedict have been a long-standing local favorite! Turn right when leaving Lae Nani Condos and walk to the Coconut Marketplace, on the other side of Kauai Sands. Eggbert’s is on the closest corner near the parking lot. Click here for more information and directions.
Tutu’s Soup Hale:
Located in Kinipopo Shopping Village, Tutu’s Soup Hale serves breakfast, coffee and lunch. Great homemade soups plus salads made from local organic greens and great sandwiches. Mostly vegetarian. Their baked potato soup is awesome! Turn left leaving Lae Nani Condos and walk less than a block to the South, when you come to Kinipopo Shopping Village, you’ll find Tutu’s Soup Hale right off the parking lot, on the right. Click here for more information on Tutu’s Soup Hale.
Hukilau Lanai:
Award winning East side restaurant with an ocean view. Great wine selection, savory Kauai fresh cuisine, delicious pupus (appetizers). Located in a nice time share resort just a short stroll North from Lae Nani Condos. The easiest way to get there is to walk past the Lae Nani pool toward the ocean, look for the pathway through the rocks to the left, go through a little loose sand to the paved sidewalk. Follow the paved sidewalk about ¼ mile and it is the last little resort on the mountain side. Walk in past the pool and the Hukilau Lanai is just off the lobby. Reservations are recommended. Click here for more information and to view a menu.
Korean Bar-B-Que:
Good, basic Korean-style cooking with a pretty good menu selection. Try bar-b-que chicken if you’re not familiar with Korean cuisine. Very affordable. Lots of locals do carry-out on their way home. Korean Bar-B-Que Menu.
Mema’s Thai Cuisine:
Great Thai cuisine with full menu. Bring your own beer or wine and they will serve it for you. With four or more you can get several dishes to share. Great Thai favorites like Pad Thai, Green Papaya Salad, Curries and Lemongrass and Coconut Milk based soups. Moderately priced. Located across the street from Kinipopo Shopping Village, but walk down to the Shell Station cross walk for safer access to the opposite side of the street. Click here for more information on Mema Thai Cuisine in Kapaa. Click here for a Mema’s Menu.
Passion Bakery Cafe:
Passion Bakery Café is a wholesale and retail bakery located in the Kinipopo Shopping Village. Sample fresh homemade cookies, pastries or a Croiscone (it’s a cross between a croissant and a scone). The coffee and tea bar rivals the European coffee shops with only the finest Italian espresso coffee served. Also offering sheet pan gourmet pizza and pizza by the slice. The pizzas are made from scratch using only the finest ingredients. Or try a Turkey, Ham or Beef sandwich, snack boxes to go, homemade cookies and artisan breads.
Caffe Coco
Just a coconut roll mauka off Kuhio Hwy in Wailua, behind the lime green store front, Caffe Coco sits hidden among the vines in an artfully restored plantation era cottage. Caffe Coco’s well-seasoned chefs dance the globe of tastes, transforming Kauai’s abundance into delicious dishes. Outdoor dining with local entertainment most evenings. Specializing in fresh island fish, organic salads, sumptuous desserts, exceptional coffees and featuring a full espresso bar, served in informal vine-covered gardens. From Lae Nani Condos Caffe Coco is across the main highway from Kinipopo Shopping Village, but we recommend going to the cross walk near the Shell Station to cross and double back to Caffe Coco for safer access. Click here for more information about Caffe Coco.
Brick Oven Pizza
Located across the main highway from the Kinipopo Shopping Village, less than a block away from the Lae Nani Condos is Brick Oven Pizza, a local favorite for pizza and beer! On Thursdays there is a pizza buffet featuring a variety of pizzas, as well as salad, pasta and chicken wings. No reservations needed.
Trees Lounge
Trees offers Jamaican, New Orleans and Hawaiian culinary delights served pupu style or sharable. Trees Lounge, new to the Kauai dining scene provides locals and visitors an exceptional dining experience in a lounge atmosphere. Indulge in one of our inventive cocktails or a nice glass of wine while enjoying authentic flavors and sounds from Jamaica, New Orleans and Hawaii. The Trees experience combines a swank lounge feel, while enjoying live entertainment. Join your friends at Kauai’s newest hot spot!” For more information about Trees Lounge click here.
The Bull Shed
A local favorite since 1973. A great place for oceanfront dining serving steaks, chicken, ribs and seafood. You can walk to the Bull Shed from Lae Nani, just take the coastal path that begins on the ocean side of the Lae Nani property and go North for about a 20 minute walk. For more information about the Bull Shed, Kauai, click here.
More Kapaa Restaurants & Eateries
The following establishments are just a short drive into Kapaa town (going North) from the Lae Nani Condos.
Starbuck’s – Gotta have your latte? Located in Kauai Village Shopping Center.
Verd`e – Great Mexican Food in Kapaa Shopping Center
Mermaid’s – Hole in the wall take out joint, great healthy wraps, salads and stir frys!
Java Kai – Locally owned Coffee and pastry shop on the main highway in Kapaa Town
Kauai Pasta – Everybody’s favorite! Great pasta, salads and pizzas. Dine in, take out or enjoy the cocktail Lounge.
Sukothai – Thai Cuisine in the Kapaa Shopping Center
Papaya’s Salad Bar – Great for a healthy lunch located in the rear corner of Kauai Village Shopping Center.
Pono Market – In Kapaa Town great local food for take out including shoyu chicken, sushi, lau lau and more.