Mountain views, oceanside dining, romantic ambiances, lively music, hole-in-the-wall local finds with authentic fare and plentiful tropical fruits, fish and drinks create an itinerary filled with feasting as a top activity. Hanalei and Princeville have their share of activities to work up an appetite.
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Neide’s Salsa & Samba
A cozy, casual Brazilian and Mexican spot, Neide’s is where you go for a ton of chips and salsa, panqueca (thin pancake), muqueqa, fresh salads and other items. It’s a good balance of crepe-like shells or burritos stuffed with vegetables, fish and/or black beans. Neide’s is a little place with lots of flavor and affordable in comparison to island dining prices. Kids and families are welcome, dine inside or out (mountain views) and take-out is available. Save room for dessert; the flan is homemade, made daily.
Java Kai
Everyone enjoys an island breakfast with staple morning items served with a twist. The shark bite is a quad espresso, half and half, raspberry syrup and whipped cream. The waffles and wraps are indulgent. The aloha bar is a good drool item that you’ll inevitably get with breakfast or to go. It’s covered with coconut and along with the caffeine, should pump you up enough to surf the day away or enjoy a lengthy hike.
Bubba Burgers
Historic Hanalei claims a great burger joint and they proudly proclaim that the meat is local, grass-fed. They offer all the sides and eats you’d expect at a place that serves burgers—fries, onion rings, chili fries, shakes, corn dogs and hot dogs. A bit of trivia, Colbie Callait worked at the Hanalei location in the summers. Casual atmosphere and plenty of stools provide a front-row seat to watch the action and to interact with staff.
Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant
A fish market, sushi lounge and restaurant is a seafood lover’s paradise found at Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant. An elegant though not at all stuffy covered lanai, a grassy lawn area with seating and indoor seating all give you a collection of atmoshperes from which to choose depending on your mood. Hearty meals include homemade dressings and bread, vegetables, baked potato, rice and more to accompany an entrée. Vegans need not shy away from dining here because this place caters to all with plenty of fish (fried, steamed, baked in wine or marinated in homemade teriyaki), meat and vegetables. The sexy sushi lounge has a good selection of sushi, sake and nightly specials.
Also, please consider our Hanalei luxury rentals.
Bar Acuda
A departure from the laid-back, Bar Acuda’s Balinese atmosphere is a sultry blend of island and Asian flair. The food is as alluring as the ambiance. The romantic sharing of tapas at this lovely North Shore eatery includes some innovative plates, ranging from medjool dates to local salads and enough fish, meat and vegetables to more than satisfy any palate. Bar Acuda is one of many island restaurants committed to the farm to fork experience, as much as possible. Don’t leave the experience unfinished—make sure you try at least one dessert, perhaps one with pineapples or coconuts.
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