Thanksgiving in Princeville

Question

I've been to Kauai before on a too short trip where we stayed on the south side and visited Waimea Canyon. This time we're coming for Thanksgiving week and have a VRBO in the Princeville area so we'll have access to a kitchen.

For Thanksgiving Day, though I'm not sure whether there are restaurants that will be serving a Thanksgiving meal or whether our money is better spent getting some semi-prepared food from Foodland if they have some offerings? I would prefer not to have to drive to Poipu just to eat and want to stay if possible on the North side unless there is something really spectacular we're missing out on.

Any thoughts on places to dine or the quality of Foodland offerings? We are flying in earlier in the week so if there are better grocery options after we land in Lihue we could possibly pick it up and then wait a few days to prepare it, though I don't know what type of cookware will be available in the VRBO, so lean more on semi-prepared dishes versus getting a lot of ingredients and making dishes from scratch.

Thank you in advance

Answer

It sounds like you're in for a wonderful Thanksgiving week in Princeville! Staying on the North Shore of Kauai offers a quieter, more relaxed vibe, so you're on the right track if you'd prefer not to drive far for a Thanksgiving meal.

Restaurants serving Thanksgiving meals:

While there are some excellent dining options in the Princeville and Hanalei area, Thanksgiving meals on the North Shore can be a bit limited compared to the South Shore, where restaurants may cater more to traditional Thanksgiving diners. However, there are still a few places you might want to consider:

The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas - They usually offer a Thanksgiving buffet, which might be a great option if you don't want to cook but prefer a festive meal. It’s close to where you’re staying and offers a beautiful setting with ocean views.
Bar Acuda - A wonderful farm-to-table restaurant in Hanalei, they often have a special holiday menu. It's a bit more intimate and less of a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but the food is excellent and local, making it a unique experience.
The Hanalei Dolphin - While not necessarily focused on Thanksgiving, it has a great seafood menu and might offer some Thanksgiving-inspired specials if you want to enjoy a seafood alternative to the classic feast.

Since you prefer to stay on the North Shore, these spots might give you a relaxed but flavorful Thanksgiving experience. However, if you're not committed to having a full Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant and would rather stay in, it may be worth exploring the options at the local grocery stores.

Foodland offerings:

Foodland in Princeville (and other local stores like Big Save in Hanalei) generally offer a variety of pre-cooked or semi-prepared meals, especially around the holidays. Their deli section often has options like:

Pre-cooked rotisserie chickens
Fully cooked turkey or ham
Side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy
Pre-made pies and desserts

If you’re looking to avoid the hassle of cooking a full meal from scratch, Foodland’s options should be sufficient. You can pick up a combination of prepared dishes and then just focus on reheating or adding a couple of your own touches. They even offer complete Thanksgiving meal bundles, which could be a great way to enjoy the holiday without the effort of full-on cooking. Since you mentioned having access to a kitchen, this could be a good balance of convenience and quality.

Other grocery options:

If you're open to picking up groceries after you land in Lihue, Safeway and Costco are also nearby and offer larger selections of pre-prepared meals, including Thanksgiving options. Costco in particular can be a great place for larger gatherings and might have turkey and sides ready to go, especially if you want leftovers.

Things to consider:

If you’re unsure about the cookware available at your VRBO, it’s a good idea to contact the host before your trip and confirm. That way, you can know if you’ll have what you need to cook from scratch or if you'll need to rely more on semi-prepared meals.
If you’re leaning toward making things easier on yourself, picking up a semi-prepared Thanksgiving bundle from Foodland or Safeway could allow you to enjoy a traditional meal with minimal work. You can always add a personal touch by preparing a simple dish or two yourself.

In summary, you have several good options for Thanksgiving on Kauai’s North Shore. Depending on your preference for dining out or staying in, you can find something convenient without having to venture to Poipu. Enjoy your time in Princeville and happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving in Princeville

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