You can get just about any type of food on Kauai, but if you want an authentic dining experience go with a restaurant that serves island inspired fare. One of the top places to get delicious food made from locally sourced ingredients is Hukilau Lanai, which also serves up live entertainment each night and has a wine list full of unique culinary offerings.
Hukilau Lanai’s atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, and the gorgeous scenery surrounding it makes dining al fresco a real treat. Inside, you’ll find a selection of nice decor as well as a stage that hosts music acts daily. Ambiance aside, the star of Hukilau Lanai is its menu which largely consists of dishes prepared with ingredients produced or sourced near Kauai. The vegetables, honey, cheese and dairy, vanilla, teas, mushrooms, pork, beef, seafood, fish, and even the chocolate that the restaurant uses come from area vendors, which makes this an excellent restaurant to visit, ,especially if you like to dine local.
With fresh ingredients, the expert chefs at Hukilau Lanai create stunning entrees such as ahi poke nachos, macadamia nut chicken, and Kauai clams in garlicky broth with white wine and tomato. Hukilau Lanai’s food and wine tasting menu is a special offering that includes five courses and wine for an excellent price. The tasting menu is available gluten free as are many of the restaurant’s other dishes.
If you enjoy specialty wines, you won’t want to miss the selection at Hukilau Lanai. Along with standard white, red, and sparkling varieties, you’ll find spirits unique to the island such as Hawaiian rum, honey wine from Nani Moon Mead, craft beers from Kauai breweries, and Oklehao. The latter is also known as Hawaiian moonshine and contains sugarcane, Hawaiian made vodka, and ti root.
Be sure to save room for dessert! The coconut lilikoi tart and macadamia nut tart are scrumptious, while the warm chocolate cake is a spectacular treat. Other fine after dinner options include the restaurants’ artisan cheese board, house made sorbet, creme brulee, and Kauai roasted coffee.
Aside from the wonderful food, what makes visiting Hukilau Lanai so memorable is the excellent customer service and hospitality. The restaurant is popular and tends to get busy, so making a reservation is wise on the weekends if you want to be guaranteed a table. For a dining experience that you won’t soon forget, head to Hukilau Lanai the next time you’re on Kauai.