2024 Readers’ Choices Awards: Kauaʻi
Known as the Garden Isle, Kaua‘i is the oldest and most verdant of the islands, with lush valleys, gorgeous beaches and the stunning Nāpali Coast.

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Aerial Of Na Pali Coast, Kauai Island, Hawaii

Kaua‘i Food and Drink 

Shave Ice Hawaii Local Food Woman Eating Hawaiian Shaved Ice Cream Treat In Honolulu Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, Usa
Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images.

Best Restaurant 

  1. The Beach House
  2. Merriman’s Kaua‘i
  3. Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  4. Bar Acuda
  5. Jo2 Restaurant

Best Hotel or Resort Restaurant 

  1. Lava Lava Beach Club
  2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  3. Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  4. Red Salt at Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort at Po‘ipū Beach
  5. RumFire Po‘ipū Beach

Best Bar or Lounge 

  1. Lava Lava Beach Club
  2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  3. Happy Talk Lounge
  4. Kalapaki joes
  5. Stevenson Library

Best Cheap Eats 

  1. Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs
  2. Bubba Burgers
  3. The Shrimp Station
  4. Chicken in a Barrel
  5. Da Crack Mexican Grinds

Best Bakery 

  1. Kaua‘i Bakery
  2. Hanalei Bread Co.
  3. Kīlauea Bakery & Pizza
  4. The Right Slice
  5. Haole Girl Island Sweets

Best Breakfast 

  1. Lava Lava Beach Club at the Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
  2. Kalāheo Café & Coffee Co.
  3. Kountry Kitchen
  4. Tip Top Cafe
  5. Ānuenue Café

Best Burger 

  1. Bubba Burgers
  2. Kenji Burger
  3. Kalypso Island Bar & Grill
  4. Street Burger
  5. Kickshaws

Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant 

  1. Merriman’s Kaua‘i
  2. Hukilau Lānai
  3. Kaua‘i ‘Ono
  4. Bar Acuda
  5. Fish Bar Deli

Best Food Truck 

  1. Porky’s Kaua‘i
  2. Fresh Bite Kaua‘i
  3. Al Pastor Tacos
  4. Kickshaws
  5. Chip Wrecked

Best Noodle, Saimin or Ramen 

  1. Kaua‘i Ramen
  2. Pho Kaua‘i
  3. Wailua Drive In
  4. Aloha Ramen
  5. AMA

Best Pizza 

  1. Brick Oven Pizza
  2. Kilauea Bakery & Pizzeria
  3. Volcano Pizza Kaua‘i
  4. Hideaways Pizza Pub
  5. Scorpacciata

Best Plate Lunch 

  1. Kōloa Fish Market
  2. Pono Market
  3. Mark’s Place
  4. Hanalei Taro & Juice Co.
  5. Sueoka Store

Best Poke 

  1. Foodland
  2. Kōloa Fish Market
  3. Hanalei Poke
  4. Pono Market
  5. Ishihara Market

Best Happy Hour 

  1. Lava Lava Beach Club
  2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  3. Kalapaki Joe’s
  4. Keoki’s Paradise
  5. RumFire Kaua‘i

Best Seafood Restaurant 

  1. Merriman’s Kaua‘i
  2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  3. The Beach House
  4. The Dolphin Po‘ipū
  5. Keoki’s Paradise

Best Shave Ice Stand or Store  

  1. JoJo’s Shave Ice
  2. Wailua Shave Ice
  3. Uncle’s Shave Ice
  4. The Fresh Shave
  5. Wishing Well Shave Ice

Best Steak House 

  1. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  2. Bull Shed Restaurant
  3. The Beach House
  4. Kalaheo Steak House
  5. Wrangler’s Steakhouse

 

Kaua‘i Hotels and Resorts 

20230525 Kauaihotels 2 Koloa Landings 350000 Gallon Main Pool With View Of The Ocean 4
Photo: Courtesy of the Kōloa Landing Resort.

Best Luxury Resort 

  1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  2. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
  3. Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club
  4. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū
  5. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort

Best Value Resort or Hotel 

  1. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  2. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
  3. Marriott’s Kaua‘i Beach Club
  4. Hanalei Bay Resort
  5. Castle Kaha Lani Resort
  6. The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort
  7. Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa
  8. The Cliffs at Princeville
  9. Aston Islander on the Beach
  10. Hanalei Colony Resort

Best Boutique Hotel 

  1. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
  2. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  3. Hanalei Bay Resort
  4. Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach
  5. The ISO by Castle Resorts

Best Hotel or Resort for Romance 

  1. The Cliffs at Princeville
  2. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  3. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  4. Hanalei Bay Resort
  5. Koloa Landing Resort at Poi‘pū

Best Hotel or Resort Spa 

  1. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort and Spa
  2. Anara Spa at Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  3. The Spa at Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach
  4. Bamford Wellness Spa Kaua’i, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
  5. Alexander Day Spa & Salon at The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Līhu‘e

Best Hotel or Resort for Families 

  1. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  2. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  3. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū
  4. Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kaua‘i by Outrigger
  5. Castle Kiahuna Plantation & Beach Bungalows
  6. Kaua‘i Shores
  7. The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort
  8. The Cliffs at Princeville
  9. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
  10. Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa

Best Vacation Timeshare 

  1. The Cliffs at Princeville
  2. Marriott’s Kaua‘i Beach Club
  3. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
  4. The Point at Po‘ipū (Diamond Resort)
  5. Hanalei Bay Resort

Best Bed & Breakfast or Inn 

  1. The Plantation Inn
  2. Hanalei Surfboard House
  3. Hale Kua Kaua‘i Bed & Breakfast
  4. Hale Tūtū
  5. Hale Ho‘o Maha Bed & Breakfast

 

Kaua‘i Outdoor Adventures 

Hanalei Bay Kauai Hawaii
Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images.

Best Beach 

  1. Po‘ipū Beach
  2. Hanalei Bay
  3. ‘Anini Beach
  4. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach)
  5. Kē‘ē Beach

Best Botanical Garden 

  1. Princeville Botanical Gardens
  2. Allerton Garden
  3. Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens & Sculpture Park
  4. Limahuli Garden & Preserve
  5. Smith’s Tropical Paradise

Best Campground 

  1. Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park
  2. Kōke‘e State Park
  3. Polihale State Park
  4. ‘Anini Beach

Best Surf Spot 

  1. Hanalei Bay
  2. Kalapakī Beach
  3. Kāhili Beach (aka Rock Quarry Beach)
  4. Kiahuna Beach
  5. Anahola Bay

Best Snorkeling Spot  

  1. Po‘ipū Beach
  2. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach)
  3. ‘Anini Beach
  4. Kē‘ē Beach
  5. Lāwa‘i Beach

Best Hiking Trail 

  1. Waimea Canyon Trail to Waipo‘o Falls
  2. Nounou Trail (aka Sleeping Giant)
  3. Kuilau Ridge Trail
  4. Māhā‘ulepū Heritage Trail
  5. Wai Koa Loop Trail (aka Stone Dam)

 

Kaua‘i Services 

 

Hawaii Beach Wedding Ceremony Setup
Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images.

Best Surf Instruction Co.  

  1. Hanalei Surf School
  2. Kaua‘i Surf School
  3. Titus Kinimaka’s Hawaiian School of Surfing
  4. Hawaiian Style Surfing
  5. Kelley’s Surf School

Best Snorkeling/Scuba Instruction  

  1. Snorkel Bob’s Kaua‘i
  2. Dive Kaua‘i
  3. Boss Frog’s Kaua‘i
  4. Nukumoi Surf Co.
  5. Fathom Five Divers

Best Beach Gear or Water Gear Rentals  

  1. Snorkel Bob’s Kaua‘i
  2. Boss Frog’s Kaua‘i
  3. Kapa’s Beach Shop
  4. Kaua‘i Bound
  5. Nukumoi Surf Shop

Best Surf Shop 

  1. Hanalei Surf Co.
  2. Po‘ipū Surf
  3. Tamba Surf Co.
  4. Nukumoi surf shop
  5. Billabong Hanalei

Best Transportation Service  

  1. Alamo Rent-a-Car
  2. Thrifty Car Rental
  3. The Kaua‘i Bus
  4. Roberts Hawai‘i
  5. Sue’s Northside Taxi & Tours

Best Resort for a Wedding  

  1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  2. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  3. Hanalei Bay Resort
  4. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
  5. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū

Best Wedding Venue (not a Beach or Resort) 

  1. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  2. The Beach House
  3. McBryde & Allerton Gardens
  4. Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens
  5. Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church

 

Kaua‘i Shopping 

01 2204 Chingyoungvillagefront Swp
Photo: James Nakamura.

Best Art Gallery 

  1. Kela’s Glass Gallery
  2. Halele‘a Gallery
  3. Island Art Gallery
  4. Aloha Art Gallery
  5. Tabora Gallery

Best Shopping Center or Mall  

  1. Coconut Marketplace
  2. Po‘ipū Shopping Village
  3. The Shops at Kukui‘ula
  4. Kukui Grove Center
  5. Ching Young Village Shopping Center

Best Clothing/Fashion Boutique or Store  

  1. Crazy Shirts
  2. Hula Girl
  3. Blue Ginger
  4. Mahina
  5. Tropical Tantrum

Best Store for Gifts   

  1. Sand People
  2. Banana Patch Studio
  3. Jungle Girl Island Imports
  4. Tropic Isle Music and Gifts
  5. Bamboo Works

Best Store for Souvenirs 

  1. Kaua‘i Coffee Co.
  2. Hilo Hattie
  3. The Kaua‘i Store
  4. Kaua‘i Made
  5. The Koa Store

Best General Store 

  1. ABC Stores
  2. Foodland
  3. Whalers General Store
  4. Sueoka Store
  5. Hee Fat General Store

 

Kaua‘i Activities 

Napalicoastgetty
Photo: Getty Images.

Best Dinner Cruise or Sunset Sail 

  1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
  2. Nāpali Coast Hanalei Tours
  3. Holo Holo Charters
  4. Blue Dolphin Charters
  5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Best Extreme Tour  

  1. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
  2. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
  3. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
  4. Kaua‘i Sea Tours
  5. Island Helicopters

Best Farm Tour 

  1. Kaua‘i Coffee Co.
  2. Lydgate Farms
  3. Princeville Botanical Gardens
  4. Garden Island Chocolate
  5. Kaua‘i Sugarloaf Pineapple Farm

Best Guided Tour 

  1. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
  2. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
  3. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
  4. Allerton Garden
  5. Lydgate Farms

Best Helicopter Tour 

  1. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
  2. Island Helicopters
  3. Jack Harter Helicopters
  4. Safari Helicopters
  5. Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours

Best Golf Course 

  1. Princeville Makai Golf Club
  2. Po‘ipū Bay Golf Course
  3. Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course
  4. The Ocean Course at Hokuala
  5. Puakea Golf Club

Best Live Show (not a Lū‘au) 

  1. Smith‘s Family Garden
  2. Tahiti Nui Live Music
  3. McMaster Slack Key Concert
  4. Ahi Lele Fire Show
  5. South Pacific Dinner Theatre

Best Lū‘au 

  1. Smith’s Family Garden Lū‘au
  2. Lū‘au Kalamakū
  3. Tahiti Nui Lū‘au
  4. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Lū‘au
  5. Ali‘i Lū‘au at Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort

Best Museum 

  1. Kaua‘i Museum
  2. Kilohana Plantation
  3. Kōke‘e Natural History Museum
  4. Grove Farm Sugar Plantation Museum

Best Nāpali Tour Co. 

  1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
  2. Blue Dolphin Charters
  3. Holo Holo Charters
  4. Island Helicopters
  5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Best Fishing Charter  

  1. Captain Don’s Kaua‘i Sport Fishing
  2. ‘Ohana Fishing Charters
  3. Hawaiian Style Fishing
  4. Breakaway
  5. Rob Arita Bonefish Guide

Best Zipline 

  1. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
  2. Kōloa Zipline
  3. Outfitters Kaua‘i
  4. Skyline Hawai‘i
  5. Shaka Zipline

Readers' Choice 2024, Uncategorized

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