Kauai’s 5 Finest Restaurants for Intimate Dinners

Kauai has all the ingredients necessary for a romantic dinner – otherworldly sunsets, pristine white beaches, waves splashing over the reefs, tropical breezes sweet with the scent of exotic flowers. Hawaii’s Garden Island is home to a myriad of dreamy restaurants quintessential for hand holding, gazing into your partner’s eyes and enjoying exquisite cuisine by candlelight, moonlight or under a blanket of brilliant stars.

We have highlighted here five of the most ideal restaurants on Kauai to have an intimate tête-à-tête with your loved one.

The Beach House

The Beach House in Koloa was ranked the 6th most romantic restaurant in the US by Travel+Leisure magazine. Not only is the food utterly fantastic, the views from all sides are simply stunning. Co-owner Peter Merriman knows exactly how to construct an upscale beach vibe, while Chef Marshall Blanchard creates seafood-inflected comfort food with the perfect measure of imagination. Fish is sourced directly from Island fisherman, and beef and coffee come from neighboring ranches. Local fruits and vegetables are incorporated into dishes whenever possible. Chef Blanchard delights in finding new and innovative ways to use the resources that surround him from artisan bakers to folk artists.

We recommend: The watermelon salad to start then on to the wasabi-buttered fresh island fish with lilikoi lemongrass beurre blanc, bok choy and lawai oyster mushrooms or the seafood linguine with fresh fish, Kauai shrimp, local grape tomatoes, roasted garlic, sundried tomato white wine butter. For dessert, our choice is the Kauai coffee tiramisu with creamy mascarpone, ladyfingers and cocoa powder. You must try one or two of the signature cocktails like the Monkeypod mai tai made with kula organic silver and dark rums, fresh lime juice, house-made macadamia nut orgeat, orange curacao and honey-lilikoi foam.

Oasis on the Beach

Winner of the People’s Choice and New Discovery Award at the Taste of Hawaii, Oasis on the Beach is in the Waipouli Beach Resort in the heart of Kapaa. The beautiful oceanfront location showcases the best of what Kauai has to offer in cuisine, service, and spectacular views. Oasis uses local sources for almost 90% of its ingredients and works closely with farmers and fishers providing the best and freshest ingredients. When at Oasis you will be dining in an absolutely beautiful oceanfront setting with your table just steps away from the beach. Every seat has an ocean view. If you are lucky enough to dine on a night when the moon is rising you will be amazed at the spectacular panorama of moonlight over the ocean. Chefs at Oasis are always experimenting with new products and new ways of using what the island has to offer. At this restaurant, be prepared to taste something you’ve never had before!

We recommend: For an appetizer, we suggest Oasis poke (a diced, raw fish dish native to Hawaii). For the entrée, consider the Malunggay furikake encrusted fresh catch of the day, Okinawan sweet potato puree, bok choy with truffle soy vinaigrette or the braised, boneless short rib with bacon, truffle fried rice, spicy ginger soy sauce and house made kim chee. For dessert – the Oasis terrine with Kahlua, dark chocolate, and Kauai coffee mousse with an Absinthe-almond biscotti.

Townhouse Lola on Kauai is an exquisite residence, fronting the golf course, in the exclusive Timbers Resort Hokuala on the stunning south shore. If you choose The Garden Island as your mainstay in Hawaii, this beautiful home will provide you with upscale and modern amenities such as an outdoor pool, a lovely terrace on which to enjoy delicious meals and a fire pit to roast marshmallows under a heavenly night sky.

JO2

For the consummate date night, choose JO2. Owner and executive chef, Jean Marie Josselin, offers an abundance of choices for gluten-free, dairy, vegetarian, and vegan dinners. JO2 sources all meat and produce locally, typically grown within 15 minutes of the restaurant. With culinary influences of Josselin’s native France, clean flavors of Japanese cooking, and ingredients inspired by Hawaii’s multiethnic community, JO2’s succulent offerings are both creative and rooted in tradition. In France Josselin learned to develop a close bond with the environment and nature and to celebrate the diversity of the vegetable garden in the food he now creates. Another major influence on his style is Japanese cooking with a deep respect of the seasons, tradition, having perfect harmony and obtaining a sense of balance.

We recommend: The sake-cured steelhead salmon to start, followed by the tempura lobster tail ramen or the seared Hokkaido scallops. For dessert, you cannot miss with dark chocolate molten cake.

Tidepools

The romance of Kauai is front and center at Tidepools. Picture enjoying a delectable meal sitting in a thatch-roofed bungalow above a koi-filled lagoon at the bottom of a waterfall. The restaurant isn’t just a place to dine, it’s an experience. You can take a walk on the spectacular grounds by torchlight before your meal. The contemporary Hawaiian fare is inspired by local ingredients. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable and go out of their way to make your experience extraordinary.

We recommend: For starters, we suggest the crab and ahi dynamite roll. The seared Hawaiian Ahi with sweet onion daikon warm vinaigrette, with truffle pea tendril salad is a favorite entrée or try the macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi. For dessert, we suggest the molten lava cake with homemade tropical ice cream. Try the forbidden rice and tai chi cocktail.

Bar Acuda

Regarded for innovative cuisine, served on small plates ideal for sharing. Bar Acuda is Kauai's favorite north shore urban-chic eatery with flavorful tapas, and exceptional cocktails served in a hip, nocturnal atmosphere. This eatery has a carefully chosen wine list highlighting vintages from western Europe and the western US, and a fantastic social scene is part and parcel of the goings-on. For decades owner and Executive Chef Jim Moffat has nurtured close relationships with local island fishers and organic farmers. Together, they bring the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients to your table. Bar Acuda is cozy and quaint and a classic venue for an intimate date night.

We recommend: Steamed clams white wine, butter, chili lemon crisp and ciabatta bread; Albondigas Hanalei Bison Ranch bison and pork meatballs, Spanish tomato sauce, mozzarella and garlic toast or North Shore Honeycomb with Humboldt Fog goat cheese, crisp Fuji apple and ciabatta bread. Definitely choose the Lilikoi cheesecake with almond, coconut, graham cracker crust, caramelized white chocolate and whipped cream. Try the concrete jungle signature cocktail fashioned from High West double rye whiskey, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, orange bitters, orange twist on the rocks.

When you trust LVH with your travel plans, you can be sure we will get you into the finest dining establishments at the finest tables. We invite you to contact one of our client relations team members who will begin planning your Kauai getaway where you will stay in a luxurious, private home complete with full services and 24/7 support. Your holiday includes a tailored itinerary reflecting your vacation wishes. We fashion your itinerary knowing your time is precious. We work to ensure you enjoy every moment of your time away!