our own food tour

Question

Hello!

My son is turning 18 while we are in Kauai in June. We have been to Kauai many times and it is our happy place! We are staying in Hanalei. I've booked food tours in other destinations, but I'm not set on doing that in Kauai. I think I'd rather do our own "food tour" to celebrate his birthday.

I'm looking for suggestions for places to go for a quick bakery item, appetizer, split entree, dessert, etc. I think we'll go out from mid morning to mid afternoon and try a variety of food/beverages. Any suggestions of favorite foods in Kauai would be appreciated. I think we'll stick to anywhere from Lihue to the north shore. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Melissa

Answer

Happy early birthday to your son! Kauai is a wonderful place to create your own food tour, especially from Lihue to the North Shore. You can enjoy a mix of bakeries, local eats, and dessert spots to make the day special. Here’s a suggested itinerary and some options to mix and match based on your tastes:

Start mid-morning with something sweet or breakfast-like:

Hanalei Bread Company: Fresh pastries, muffins, and breakfast sandwiches. Perfect for a quick bite and coffee.
JoJo’s Shave Ice: If you want a tropical twist, try their flavorful shave ice with natural syrups.
Little Fish Coffee: Great for coffee, smoothies, and light pastries on the go.

Late morning/early lunch, focus on local or shareable items:

Kalypso Island Bar & Grill (Hanalei): Offers small plates, fresh seafood, and great tropical drinks. You can split a few appetizers and entrees.
Hanalei Taro & Juice Company: Try traditional Hawaiian dishes like taro burgers or poke bowls.
Waipa Fish Market: Casual spot for fresh fish tacos and poke plates.

Early afternoon, indulge in dessert or unique treats:

Wishing Well Shave Ice (Hanalei): Another iconic spot for shave ice with tropical flavors, perfect for a sweet break.
Aunt Sandy’s Banana Bread: Famous throughout Kauai, soft and moist with that classic island flavor.
Pat’s Bakery (Kilauea or Hanalei): Great for cookies, cupcakes, or traditional Hawaiian sweet breads.

Additional tips to make it fun and flexible:

Mix savory and sweet—plan to alternate between small bites and desserts to pace your tour.
Consider stopping at scenic lookouts or beaches between food stops to enjoy the views and digest a bit.
Bring a small cooler if you want to take some items to-go for later enjoyment or for a picnic-style break at the beach.

With this approach, you can cover multiple locations without feeling rushed, and everyone gets to try a variety of iconic Kauai flavors. The key is to start light, pace the portions, and enjoy the journey along the north shore!

our own food tour

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