Updated August 2026
Kauai is a special place for me.
I‘ve been a few times. The first was our honeymoon — my husband and I spent most of it holed up in our hotel room, fighting for our lives with the stomach flu. Very memorable, just not for the reasons you’d hope.
Years later, my 14-year-old daughter and I took a mother-daughter trip while my husband stayed home with Sabrina.
The following year, the three of us went back together. Three of us in person. A fourth in spirit.
If you want the full story of that last trip, I wrote about it here →.
We found some gems that we kept on returning to – a food truck, shave ice spots worth arguing about, a peaceful breakfast spot, and a boat tour that was simultaneously the most beautiful and most nauseating experience of my life.
Here’s what we ate, what we did, and what’s worth your time.
‘Anakē’s Juice Bar
If you’re craving acai: On our last trip, ‘Anakē’s Juice Bar became our go-to — an easy walk from where we stayed, and exactly what we wanted most mornings when the craving hit. I got the Funky Monkey. Every. Single. Time. Warning, it is tucked in the back of a grocery store, not the easiest to find, but worth it.
Kauai Diner
Before you do anything else in Kauai, find your breakfast spot and make it a ritual. For us, that was Kauai Diner.
We discovered it early in the trip and kept coming back. The upstairs seating overlooks a garden of flowers. The chirping birds is a lovely reminder you’re on an island. My daughter, in true adventurous spirit, spotted traditional rice on the breakfast menu and ordered it immediately. She loved it.
Go early. Sit upstairs. Order the rice.
The Musubi Truck
We must have visited this place 4 times or so during the 5 days we were there.
Musubi for my daughter, poke for me.
She was obsessed. I loved that the poke was smaller in size and very affordable.
📍 Locations: Kapaa, Koloa, and Kalapaki/Lihue | themusubishop.com
Want a guided food experience instead? Browse food tours in Kauai on Viator →
The Shave Ice Situation
Kauai takes shave ice seriously. We taste-tested three spots on an earlier trip — RipTides at Lawai Beach, JoJo’s, and Uncle’s, which won at the time. Uncle’s has since closed. These days, it’s Rainbow Shave Ice – genuinely fresh, natural ingredients, and a homemade coconut topping that is delicious.
For the full original ranking, read our dedicated post:
We Tried 3 Shave Ice Spots in Kauai — Here’s the Honest Ranking →
Koloa Zipline — And the Best Granola Bar You’ll Ever Eat
Koloa Zipline is Kauai’s longest zipline course — 8 lines, 3.5 hours, incredible views over the south shore. Small groups of 12, fantastic guides, and genuinely thrilling even if you’re not usually a zipline person.
Midway through they hand you a locally made Anahola Granola bar. It sounds like a small detail. It is not. We spent the rest of the trip looking for more.
Book in advance — groups fill up fast. Book Koloa Zipline on Viator →
Na Pali Coast Snorkel Tour on the Lucky Lady
The Na Pali Coast is one of the most breathtaking things I have ever seen. Towering sea cliffs, impossibly green valleys dropping into the ocean, water so clear it doesn’t look real.
I was also seasick for the entire tour. The ENTIRE tour. The team onboard was fantastic. I could tell they’re ready for us lightweights!
Bring Dramamine. Take it before you board. Sit toward the back. And then go — because this is the kind of experience you talk about for years.
Book the Na Pali Coast Snorkel Tour
Smith’s Family Garden Luau
We went to Smith’s Family Garden Luau on the east side — one of the oldest and most well-known luaus on the island, running since 1946. Beautiful open-air setting, traditional Hawaiian entertainment, and fire knife dancing that’s worth the entire evening.
Honest take: We didn’t go for dinner. We ate dinner somewhere else beforehand and went for the show. It’s the only luau on Kauai that will let you do that.
Browse Kauai Luaus on Viator →
Poipu Food Truck Park
Poipu Food Truck Park is located across from Old Town Koloa and is home to some of the best food trucks on Kauai. It’s perfect for those looking for a wide variety of options and is a great way for everyone to get what they want in the same place. The park has outdoor dining and picnic tables to enjoy meals, and a full plate platter costs around $10 on average, depending on which option your choose. Some of the most popular trucks in the park are Kauai Poke Co and Kickshaws.
If you’re visiting Kaui, chances are that you’re planning a stop in Oahu. It’s the easiest island to get to, and although it it much more built up and tourist, there are plenty of great eating options there.