kauai.md

Kauai Juice Co. (Kapaa) kauaijuiceco.com Awesome ladies, awesome kombucha on tap, awesome juices and mylks (almond usually), and nice design. It's behind Java Kai, so not right on the main street. Went there a ton. Rainbow Living Foods (Kapaa) http://www.yelp.com/biz/rainbow-living-foods-kapaa

If you dig fresh, and yes, raw, foods, this place is the jam. Super good. Art Cafe Hemingway (Kapaa) http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-café-hemingway-kapaa-2

Excellent breakfast in a beautiful chill setting. Gluten-free options. Java Kai (Kapaa) http://www.yelp.com/biz/java-kai-kapaa

Best coffee on the island, lots of solid lunch-type eats — salads, paninis, sandwiches, great smoothies/shakes and coffee of course. Pono Fish Market (Kapaa) http://www.yelp.com/biz/pono-market-kapaa

Best poke on the island I think. Big selection, straight up deli, eat outside or take it to go. Many a sunset was watched from the beach while eating poke from a styrofoam cup. Korean BBQ Restaurant (Kapaa-ish) http://www.yelp.com/biz/korean-bbq-kapaa

Who knew that a good Korean restaurant existed on Kauai. Solid, and real good. The homemade kim chi is awesome. Kalalea Juice Hale (Anahola, almost to Kapaa) http://www.yelp.com/biz/kalalea-juice-hale-anahola-3

One of our faves, the acai bowls are amazing. You can sub out granola for other things like fresh coconut meat. The King Kong Bowl is highly recommended. Make subs if you need to (we did). Chicken in a Barrel BBQ (Kapaa and Hanalei) http://www.chickeninabarrel.com Solid BBQ and SMOKED CHICKEN. Cheap, big portions and tasty. Legit for the island. Hanalei Taro Company (Hanalei, lunch only) http://www.yelp.com/biz/hanalei-taro-and-juice-company-lunch-wagons-hanalei

GET THE KALUA PIG AND THE LAU-LAU HERE. Best Kalua pig on the island. Pono has a pretty good version too, but this one is the jam. And the Lau-Lau is the best here. Just get it. Bar Acuda (Hanalei) http://restaurantbaracuda.com/

Owned and operated by the former opening chef of Slow Club — closest thing to SF style dining on Kauai, best bang for the buck for a nicer night out, good vibes in Hanalei. Hanalei Coffee Roasters (Hanalei) http://www.yelp.com/biz/hanalei-coffee-roasters-hanalei

Also a part of the Bar Acuda/Hanalei Gourmet complex, this is an awesome place to start the day, unwind in the afternoon or chill. Tahiti Nui (Hanalei) http://www.yelp.com/biz/tahiti-nui-hanalei

Famous for being in the movie, The Descendents (awesome film), they serve up Mai Tais and have awesome island pizza too. Hanalei Gourmet (Hanalei) http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hanalei-gourmet-hanalei

Nice, casual spot in Hanalei next to Bar Acuda. Good, family vibes, solid, honest food. St. Regis Bar (Princeville) http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-st-regis-bar-princeville

Go at sunset. Sit at the bar, order some food — get all the benefits of the St. Regis without having to stay there. Gorgeous views of the Hanalei Bay. Kilauea Bakery & Pau Hana Pizza (Kilauea) http://www.yelp.com/biz/kilauea-bakery-and-pau-hana-pizza-kilauea

This spot makes an awesome pizza — not fancy Napoletana style, but a real solid pizza. Their bakery and smoothies are also very popular. Good spot to hit up if you’re going to check out Kilauea Lighthouse or the Sunset Spot in Kilauea (recommended). Gluten Free options. The Koloa Fish Market (Koloa) http://www.yelp.com/biz/koloa-fish-market-koloa

If you’re headed northwest to Koloa town, or Poipu Beach for the day — stop in here in old Koloa Town for awesome poke and the infamous haupia pie. Cortado Coffee Bar (Koloa/Poipu) http://www.yelp.com/biz/cortado-coffee-bar-koloa

Super legit coffee made by one guy. The special drinks are awesome — coffee ice cubes! Nothing but Shave Ice List (in ranked order): Hee Fat General Store (Kapaa) http://www.yelp.com/biz/hee-fat-general-store-kapaa

Best one! Get the Lava Flow or Tigers Blood with the Mac Nut ice cream in it OR the real fruit topping ones. Quality of the shave ice is so good here. Shave Ice Tege-Tege (Kilauea) http://www.yelp.com/biz/shave-ice-tege-tege-kilauea

Wehaven't been because we don't want to wait 45 minutes when Hee Fat is so good, but if you have the time... Kauai’s Best Shave Ice (Princeville, in the shopping center strip) http://www.yelp.com/biz/kauais-best-shave-ice-princeville

Second favorite. Good ice, good natural flavors. To Do: Queen's Bath, Princeville http://chriskeeney.com/blog/2009/09/kauai-ohana

Napali Coast Hiking the Kalalau Trail: http://kalalautrail.com/information/

Or, if you’re feeling daring, the 17-mile kayak trip: http://www.napalikayak.com/

Wailua Falls http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/regions-neighborhoods/lihue/wailua-falls

Sprouting Horn (South Shore) http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/regions-neighborhoods/south-shore/spouting-horn

ATV Tour! http://www.kiputours.com/

This one is amazing. Takes you on the ranch around places where they shot Jurassic Park and Tropic Thunder and Indiana Jones (you get to do the rope swing from Raiders). Waimea Canyon Hike or Drive The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. No joke, it’s gorgeous. MUST. Do the Kukui Trail for a short hike.

Beaches (ranked):

• Hanalei Bay, Hanalei
• Super awesome sunsets and gorgeous vistas
• Hideaways, Princeville
• Just outside the door of the St. Regis. Go past the entrance, look for the tiny visitors parking lot to the left, and the tennis courts, and between that lot and the courts is a little pathway that takes you out to the ocean side, where you'll start a descent down some rusty and rickety stairs onto dirt and onto the beach. Awesome.
• Anini Beach, Princeville
• Super chill, super local, super great for family.
• Tunnels Beach
• Secret Beach
• Ke’e Beach
• Right at the end of the northern side of the island. The start of the Kalalau Trail.
• Poipu Beach Park, Koloa http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/regions-neighborhoods/south-shore/poipu-beach-park

Other spots to check out:

See Naz's Exposure post for places that have resonated deeply: https://naz.exposure.so/jurassica