the ocean and sunset to enjoy along with your meal. Sample menu items: crab cake with mango lychee relish and Hawaiian chili pepper buttermilk brined chicken.
MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea; (808) 882-7222
Manta Restaurant ($$$$)
Upscale dining for breakfast and dinner with great views overlooking the ocean. Enjoy a moment by the fire pit overlooking Kaunao’a Bay or try your luck at seeing some manta rays! Reservations required for dinner. Sample menu items: Kunoa filet mignon and Kona grilled kampachi.
Copper Bar ($$)
A more casual spot than Manta open for tapas and entrees. Mixologists craft drinks like their award-winning Strawberry Basil Mule (house made ginger beer, garden strawberries, and basil).
Clambake ($$$$)
Arguably the best place to go on the Big Island for an unlimited seafood buffet: Keahole Maine lobster, sashimi, crab claws, oysters, mussels and clams. Open only on Saturdays and seasonally, so call ahead to make your reservation. Enjoy all you can eat seafood with live Hawaiian music.
Whether they are the restaurant staff at the front of the house greeting you with aloha, like this greeter at the Grand Wailea’s Grand Dining Room, or cooking in the back, when you support union restaurants, you support hardworking members like these!
HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa; (808) 886-1234
KPC Kamuela Provision Company ($$$)
Rated high online for the sunset views and great service, this upscale seafood and steak restaurant also offers Kamaaina discounts! Dinner only. Popular menu items: short ribs and mahi mahi.
Nui ($$$)
Nui offers authentic Italian food prepared by a chef from Sicily with chef experience in Florence, Venice and Rome. Pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven that was made special for this new restaurant to the property. Open for dinner only. Sample menu items: linguini scampi and spicy sausage pizza. Popular with locals and tourists alike!
Big Island Breakfast ($$-$$$)
Local favorites like malasadas and loco moco and American breakfast classics like French toast at this extensive buffet that overlooks the lagoon. Ala carte items also available. Open daily from 7 am to 10:30 am.
Kona Tap Room ($$)
Casual spot for drinks and pupus in the lobby of the hotel with a great selection of local beer choices from Kona Brewing Company. Lunch and dinner menu created specifically for drinks such as lemongrass luau blonde ale. Nightly entertainment from 8 to 11 pm.
GRAND HYATT KAUAI 1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa (808) 742-1234
Tidepools ($$$)
Very picturesque spot for dinner - eat under thatched roof bungalows that are surrounded by waterfalls and a koi pond; it is easy to see why this restaurant was awarded one of the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in the US in 2018 by Business Insider. Sample menu items: macadamia crusted mahimahi among other steak and seafood options.
Donderos ($$$)
Long touted as the best place to go for Italian food on Kauai, check out Donderos for a classy night out or any special occasion. People rave about the romantic ambience and rich but not overpowering flavors. Open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner.
Stevenson’s Sushi & Spirits ($$$)
Come here to enjoy fresh sashimi (sustainable options only) and traditional Japanese drinks . Ample bar seating and outside seating with beautiful views. Many of the greens in the sushi are grown on the property’s hydroponic farm.
Seaview Terrace ($$)
Live entertainment every night at this casual picturesque spot for classic American breakfast and dinner. Entertainment starts nightly at 5:00 pm. Extensive kids menu.
Ilima Terrace ($$-$$$)
Recipient of tripadvisor.com’s Certificate of Excellence for consistently receiving good reviews online, this is a nice relaxed spot for breakfast and lunch. Open daily from 10 am to 2 pm
PRINCEVILLE RESORT 5520 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville (808) 826-9644
Makana Terrace ($$$-$$$$)
You can see the entire Hanalei Bay from here, so you know the morning views and sunsets will be gorgeous for breakfast and dinner. Indulge in dinner items such as tamarind glazed mahi mahi with coconut rice and Kauai crab cakes. Popular spot for anniversaries and other special occasions.
Festive Feasts at Princeville Makana Terrace ($$$-$$$$)
Luxuriously curated buffet menus at Makana Terrace for holidays such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Their carving station has prime rib, togarashi-crusted ham, suckling pig, and rack of lamb. Other offerings include lobster bisque and oysters.
Nalu Kai ($$)
The property’s beach/pool side casual spot for lunch with beautiful views of Hanalei Bay. Bar open from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm; Lunch from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.
THE POINT AT POIPU 1613 Pe’e Rd, Koloa (808) 742-1888
Honu Cove Bar & Grill ($$)
Breakfast from 8 am to 11 am and lunch from 11 am to 8 pm. Menu items such as turkey bacon avocado salad and kalua pig nachos.
