Andy's, a Hawaiian's Guide to North Shore Kauai
Food scene
Here's our favorite places to eat.
Right in the Princeville is a grocery store called Foodland in the Princeville shopping center. You can get your groceries here. They close early (6AM-9PM), so no midnight runs to the store.
129 locals recommend
Foodland
5-4280 Kuhio HwyRight in the Princeville is a grocery store called Foodland in the Princeville shopping center. You can get your groceries here. They close early (6AM-9PM), so no midnight runs to the store.
The best Indian food.....must try the fish curry. There are also other food trucks next to this one if you want more options.
11 locals recommend
Cafe Turmeric
5-5100 Kuhio HwyThe best Indian food.....must try the fish curry. There are also other food trucks next to this one if you want more options.
Costco run! Stop here when you land at airport if you arrive before 8:30 PM weekdays and 6 PM weekends to stock up. It's 5 min from airport. In the back of the store near the cold food section they have a wall of local food. Try lomi lomi salmon, Hanalei Poi (you may not like it, but at least try Hawaiian poi with rice and fish). They also make fresh sushi and have tons of local snacks/candy. If you want to bring gifts home, they have lots of gift box treats.
107 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
4300 Nuhou StCostco run! Stop here when you land at airport if you arrive before 8:30 PM weekdays and 6 PM weekends to stock up. It's 5 min from airport. In the back of the store near the cold food section they have a wall of local food. Try lomi lomi salmon, Hanalei Poi (you may not like it, but at least try Hawaiian poi with rice and fish). They also make fresh sushi and have tons of local snacks/candy. If you want to bring gifts home, they have lots of gift box treats.
Bar Acuda
5-5161 Kuhio HwyNice place for drinks and tapas.
This is on the way to the drive to the end of the North shore. Great food right on the beach. Spend the day on the beaches and enjoy the beautiful drive. Then come here for dinner. They have seafood, burgers and good drinks.
14 locals recommend
Opakapaka Grill and Bar
5-7132 Kuhio HwyThis is on the way to the drive to the end of the North shore. Great food right on the beach. Spend the day on the beaches and enjoy the beautiful drive. Then come here for dinner. They have seafood, burgers and good drinks.
If you arrive in early, or head to Lihue for the day, stop by here and get great fish and local food. Amazing fish plates, poke bowls, and all kinds of salads. A must visit if you stop in town.
14 locals recommend
Fish Express
3-3343 Kuhio HwyIf you arrive in early, or head to Lihue for the day, stop by here and get great fish and local food. Amazing fish plates, poke bowls, and all kinds of salads. A must visit if you stop in town.
Great food - Hawaii plate lunch style. Something for everyone. They also have a shave ice out front. Grab your food and eat outside or on the lawn on the picnic tables.
63 locals recommend
Kilauea Fish Market
4270 Kilauea RdGreat food - Hawaii plate lunch style. Something for everyone. They also have a shave ice out front. Grab your food and eat outside or on the lawn on the picnic tables.
This is a grocery store and cafe. A little more high-end/$$ compared to Foodland. They have more organic options. They have great coffee and food options too (at the cafe).
63 locals recommend
Kilauea Fish Market
4270 Kilauea RdThis is a grocery store and cafe. A little more high-end/$$ compared to Foodland. They have more organic options. They have great coffee and food options too (at the cafe).
This is a fish market you can buy fresh fish to BBQ. They also have sushi rolls and other food items. This place is $$$, but extremely fresh.
6 locals recommend
Fish Market Dolphin
5-5016 Kuhio HwyThis is a fish market you can buy fresh fish to BBQ. They also have sushi rolls and other food items. This place is $$$, but extremely fresh.
Wishing Well Shave Ice
5-5080 Kuhio HwyHere you can get amazing shave ice, coffee and smoothies.
Sightseeing
Nearby is an amazing look-out and swimming hole. There is no life guard so please respect the ocean. If waves are big, please don't swim in the water. This is a summer time spot for swimming due to the fact waves are small on the North Shore in summer.
14 locals recommend
Queens Bath
Nearby is an amazing look-out and swimming hole. There is no life guard so please respect the ocean. If waves are big, please don't swim in the water. This is a summer time spot for swimming due to the fact waves are small on the North Shore in summer.
Polihale state park. Must see!
pack for a beach day. Bring cooler food and drinks umbrella beach chairs. Don't forget sunscreen. The waves can be big here so please be careful. Always keep on eye on everyone if they go in the water. The current can be very strong. Hawaiin waters are powerful and must be respected. Theres a car parking lot just don't leave valuables in car. There's no cell signal there. They have a public bathroom.
46 locals recommend
Polihale State Park
Lower Saki Mana RoadPolihale state park. Must see!
pack for a beach day. Bring cooler food and drinks umbrella beach chairs. Don't forget sunscreen. The waves can be big here so please be careful. Always keep on eye on everyone if they go in the water. The current can be very strong. Hawaiin waters are powerful and must be respected. Theres a car parking lot just don't leave valuables in car. There's no cell signal there. They have a public bathroom.
Beautiful and magical gardens of Limahuli. Enjoy a beautiful walk around rare native Hawaiian plants and feel the mana.
For visitors driving to the Garden, reservation is needed due to the limited parking space. Make your reservation here: https://ntbg.org/gardens/limahuli/
No reservation is required for visitors arriving by shuttle. (see their website for details)
21 locals recommend
Limahuli Garden & Preserve, National Tropical Botanical Garden
5-8291 Kuhio HwyBeautiful and magical gardens of Limahuli. Enjoy a beautiful walk around rare native Hawaiian plants and feel the mana.
For visitors driving to the Garden, reservation is needed due to the limited parking space. Make your reservation here: https://ntbg.org/gardens/limahuli/
No reservation is required for visitors arriving by shuttle. (see their website for details)
Hanalei Bay is a surfers paradise. Perfect beach for the family for a day and picnic at the beach.
172 locals recommend
Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay is a surfers paradise. Perfect beach for the family for a day and picnic at the beach.
Must visit! one of the most beautiful beaches you ever seen. walking to the beach is a bit of a steep hike (but not a long one) so be prepared. Always bring water. You can have a beach day here or just go check it out. Don't leave valuables in your car.
40 locals recommend
Kauapea Beach
Must visit! one of the most beautiful beaches you ever seen. walking to the beach is a bit of a steep hike (but not a long one) so be prepared. Always bring water. You can have a beach day here or just go check it out. Don't leave valuables in your car.
Super chill beach spot for a sunset picnic or day visit. Just drive right up in your car. There is a long stretch of beach where you will see locals who enjoy their daily swim. Grab dinner to go and you'll have the best ocean view dinner!
8 locals recommend
Anini Beach Park Campground
3727 Anini RoadSuper chill beach spot for a sunset picnic or day visit. Just drive right up in your car. There is a long stretch of beach where you will see locals who enjoy their daily swim. Grab dinner to go and you'll have the best ocean view dinner!
Wailua River, Wailua, HI 96746, USA
great place for the family to adventure and kayak
City advice
Customs and culture
Live Aloha and Respect the Aina (land)
Kauai is one of the most undeveloped places in Hawaii, where the land looks much like it did when the early Hawaiian lived off the land. It's a small island so you will find local people take pride and show respect for the land. You'll be welcomed when you show the same respect as if its your home. The Aloha spirit is alive and people are friendly and open if you need directions or some help along the way.
What to pack
If you plan to hike, bring shoes that will be ok in mud.
The North Shore has spotty rain, and so trails could be muddy. Recommend you bring shoes that you won't mind to get muddy.
Ways to save
Lots of free and/or fun local activities
Free SATURDAY HULA SHOWS at the Princeville Center open-air food court - 1:30 PM
Free Hawaiian Music at Princeville Center Food Court from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM.
Princeville Night Market - This free and family friendly market is on the second Sunday of every month from 4-8pm at the Princeville Shopping Center.
Farmers Markets - There are many! Princeville and Hanalei on Saturdays. Just google for schedules or you will see road signs when they are open.
Getting around
Friendly warning: Traffic in Kapaa (heading back to airport)
From the airport to Princeville, you drive through a small local town called Kapaa. Due to road work on the single lane highway, there is often traffic bottlenecks which can add 15-20 minutes to the normal drive length. Plan your trip back to the airport with a 15-20 drive buffer that you will get caught in this traffic. Once you get past the bottleneck points, it goes quickly.