Oceanfront Dining on Kauaʻi
When you think of your favorite restaurants, what comes to mind? What elements go into the making of a memorable dining experience? Do you think of the food in general, a specific dish, a creative drink menu, a curated wine list, the ambiance, or service?
Perhaps it’s a particular person you shared a meal with or the feeling you get when you step out of the craziness of the everyday grind and into your favorite restaurant to treat yourself to a well-deserved dinner.
With plenty of excellent dining establishments out there, one element that makes a restaurant truly unique (and often unforgettable) is its location. And when I say location on Kauaʻi, I mean oceanfront. I’m talking unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, soft salty breezes, mind-blowing sunset views, and bragging rights to boot.
Here are our top five oceanfront dining experiences on Kauaʻi that are sure to zip their way up your favorite restaurant list (reservations recommended):
- Oasis on the Beach
If you are looking for a restaurant that checks off all the boxes and then some, look no further. This is oceanfront dining at its best, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better dining view, menu, bar, service, or culinary experience anywhere on the island. With a ridiculously delicious menu, a unique, open-air-layout where you can dine under the stars, and upfront and personal east-side oceanfront views, Oasis on the Beach is la crème da la crème.
Oasis is committed to supporting local farmers, fishers, and ranchers, showcasing fresh, Kauai-inspired dishes and flavors. In fact, roughly 70% of their menu is locally sourced. From their locally fresh, house-made cocktails (Mai Tai lovers, this is hands-down the best one out there) to their salads and straight-from-the-fishing-boat-to-you main entrees, right on down to their delectable Kauaʻi-centered desserts, Oasis is all about keeping it local and fresh. This is one farm-to-table restaurant you will write home about and return to again and again.
- Sheraton Kauaʻi Resort
RumFire Poʻipū Beach and Lava’s on Poʻipū Beach are located beachfront in the Sheraton Resort. Take a beach break and hit Lava’s for lunch, where beach attire is welcome and ocean views abound. Or make a reservation for dinner at RumFire, where every seat has an ocean view, and you can watch the sunset colors paint their way through the southwestern sky.
And don’t forget, we’ve partnered with the Sheraton Kauaʻi Resort to offer Holo Holo guests a complimentary dessert to say MAHALO for booking with us! Make sure to redeem a citrus cake from RumFire or a carrot cake from Lava’s after your charter.
- Duke’s Kauaʻi
This is one stop where you’ll want to grab a chair and stay awhile. Relax oceanfront at Kalapaki Beach at the iconic Duke’s Kauaʻi, named after surf legend Duke Kahanamoku. With the stunning Nāwiliwili Bay and Hāʻupu Ridge (Hoary Head Mountains) in the background, this oceanfront restaurant delivers some seriously stellar views.
Check out their lunch vibe and casual Barefoot Bar, or make a reservation for Hawaiian-style fresh fish and steak in their Dining Room. Make sure to try the famous Hula Pie. You can thank me later.
- Tidepools
Located in the Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi Resort & Spa, this open-air seafood and steak restaurant sits above a koi-filled lagoon and delivers sweeping ocean views. Nestled near a cascading waterfall, with the sounds of flowing water and intimate, thatched-roof bungalows, this south-side restaurant takes romance to the next level.
Featuring local ingredients with a modern twist on traditional Hawaiian cuisine, this is sure to be a dining experience to remember. Insider tip: the Lounge opens at 4:30 P.M. with a superb cocktail list and heavy, appetizing pūpū (appetizers).
- The Beach House
This list would not be complete without The Beach House, the epic south shore sunset spot where crowds gather nightly to watch the bright sun sink under the blues of the Pacific. Snag a table, and you’ll be treated to a front-row seat of unforgettable, eye-candy ocean views and an incredibly tasty menu featuring local ingredients and handcrafted food and drink.
The Beach House strives to deliver Hawaiian hospitality, mouthwatering Pacific Rim dishes, and a top-notch dining experience. With an oceanfront backdrop that belongs in a movie, you’ll have to pinch yourself during dinner to make sure it’s not a dream.
Magic happens when food, drink, ambiance, and service come together and create an unforgettable culinary masterpiece. Add an oceanfront location to the list, with the rolling waves of the dreamy Pacific Ocean at your fingertips, and you have a dining experience worth writing a blog about.
Happy oceanfront dining, friends!