🌴 Kauai Guide 🌴

Aloha, I am Tatiana!

Kauai has been my home for the past 4 years and this island continues to inspire me every single day. Here, I’ve gathered my favorite places to eat, explore, and experience, the spots I personally love and recommend when friends visit.

Think of this as your personal guide to the heart of Kauai,  from vibrant food and soulful experiences to secret beaches and local treasures.

Enjoy every moment, and may this sacred island bless you the way it has blessed me.

Mahalo ke Akua 🌺

🌴 Kauai Guide 🌴

1. Kīlauea Farmers Market (Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm). This farmer's market is a favorite conscious community happening. Get your produce and meet new friends! Come early to get the best produce. Try Midnight Bear Bread and Lilikoi Mangoo Juice. 
2. Lihue Farmers Market (Saturday 9:30 am - 1:00 pm). Best selection of local fruits and veggies on the island. 
3. Waipa Farmers Market (Tuesday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm). Small north shore farmers market.  

Farmers Markets

1. Papaya's (Kapaa). This is a local Whole Foods. Best selection of healthy foods + cooked food options. Prices may shock you.  
2. Hoku Foods (Kapaa). Another healthy store, fewer options than Papaya, but still awesome. 
3. Vim & Vigor (Lihue). Small store with healthy grocery options. 
4. Healthy Hut (Kilauea). Healthy store on the north shore, they have amazing homemade healthy cooked food. Try their soft serve ice cream. 
5. Hanalei Market (Hanalei). Healthy store, many grab and go healthy food options + cooked food. 

Healthy Stores

1. Rainbeau Jo’s (Lihue). Amazing vibe! The owner is truly passionate about serving people the best coffee, a great start to the day guaranteed. 
2. Java Kai (Kapaa).  Popular coffee spot, healthy food options. Try macadamia nut latte. 
3. Trilogy (Kīlauea). Small coffee shop with outdoor seating. Lovely place to enjoy your morning coffee.
4. Neighbors Cafe (Princeville). Best views in town, can easily run into a celebrity here! I recently ran into Pierce Brosnan there! Be aware of parking fees.

Coffee

1. Greenery Cafe  (Lihue). Small, family-owned. Best healthy option in the area.
2. Aloha Aina (Lihue). Amazing smoothies, juices and bowls. 
3. Waimea Juice & Co (Waimea).  Healthy juice place on the west side, great place to stop if you are going to Waimea Canyon.

Other

1. Leahi Health (Koloa). Healthy, colorful bowls, tacos, yummy!
2. Living foods (Poipu). Supermarket on the south side with healthy food options.
3. 'Anakē's Juice Bar (Poipu). Amazing açaí bowls - try their Dragon Fruit bowl. 


South Side

1. Nourish Hanalei (Hanalei). Delicious healthy bowls + best view of Hanalei Bay. Worth it!
2. Neighbours Cafe (Princeville). Located in One Hotel, the best view on the island! Great place to go if you need to be inspired or work on your computer. (Be aware of parking fees $20 per hour, after 3 hours $ a 60 flat rate). 
3. Kauai Juice (Kilauea). Amazing salads and bowls, better options than in Kapaa, if you go to Kauai juice for food, go to this location!)
4. Holy Grail Donuts (Hanalei). A world-famous vegan donuts! North Shore location.
5. Aloha Juice Bar (Hanalei).  Fresh juices and smoothies from local fruits.

North Shore

1. Vegetate (Kapaa). Simply delicious. A new place has recently opened! Outdoor sitting.
2. Shakalafel (Kapaa). Delicious falafel. My favorite is falafel in a sandwich. 
3. Holy Grail Donuts (Kapaa). World-famous vegan donuts!!! Try Lilikoi donut!
4. Kauai Juice (Kapaa). Amazing juices! Grab and go healthy foods.
5. Collab Cafe (Kapaa). Vibrant breakfast spot with yummy food and a community feel.  
6. Kalalea Juice Hale (Anahola). Best açai bowls + smoothies! Must try! 
7. Mandala Living Foods (Anahola). Amazing raw food. Each dish is a masterpiece. 

East Side

Note: Always check hours of operation before going. Go early, many spots sell out by mid-day.

Vegan & Healthy Eats

1. 1 Kitchen & Welina Terrance (Princeville), located in One Hotel. For fancy fine dining. They grow food right there, offering an amazing experience and stunning views for sunset. (Be aware of parking fees).
2. Beach House (Poipu). Fancy fine dining,  great place for dinner, and to watch the sunset.
3. Aina Kauai (Kapaa). Exquisite 7-course dinner. $124 per person. Must make a reservation.
4. Duke's (Lihue). Beachfront eatery & bar named for a surfing legend with global cuisine.
5. Hualani's (Lihue). Delicious food with the ocean view. Great for sunset. 

Fancy Fine dining

1. Hamura Saimin (Lihue). Authentic Hawaiian noodle shop. Cash only!
2. The Right Slice (Kalaheo). Quiches, pies, and deliciousness.
3. Da Crack (Poipu). Huge yummy wraps and burritos.

South Side

1. Kīlauea Bakery (Kilauea). Soups, salads, pizza, and desserts! Try their vegan lilikoi cake.
2. Sushi Girl (Kilauea). Small sushi truck with healthy sushi options.
3. Fish Market (Kilauea). Wraps made with fresh fish caught by local fishermen.
4. Dolphin Market & Restaurant (Hanalei). This is where you try poke bowls, the best of the best! The restaurant is walk-in only, and it's worth the wait. 
5. Ama (Hanalei). Beautiful setting with healthy food options.
6. Turmeric Cafe (Hanalei). Delicious indian food. Vegan options.

North Shore

1.  Kintaro (Kapaa). Japanese hibachi. Try the green tea cake.
2. Lava Lava Beach Club (Kapaa). Beachfront ambience, live music, games for kids. Great vibe for lunch right on the beach.
3. Sensei Sushi (Kapaa). Tasty sushi + super affordable.
4. FishBar Deli (Kapaa). Great place to try local seafood. They don’t use seed oils.
5. Tiki Tacos (Kapaa). Best tacos on the island!
6. Mermaids Café (Kapaa). Healthy wraps with local fish.
7. Bobby V’s (Kapaa). Best Italian restaurant on the island.
8. Namaste food truck (Kapaa). Best option for indian food.
9. Sleeping Giant Grill (Kapaa). Tasty grilled food, good pricing. 

East Side

Local Restaurants
 (Healthy-ish but Awesome)


1. Kalalau Trail. The entire 11-mile hike only with preparation and prior research. Need to get permits. If the entire hike is too ambitious, you can do a hike to the Hanakapiai Falls. A day permit is required to go on this hike. This is once in a lifetime experience. Magical and physically demanding! 
2. Sleeping Giant Hike. 2-3 hour easy hike, breathtaking views, worth it! Best for sunrise or sunset. 
3. Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail. Beautiful hike along the coast, 2 hours on average, will see lots of turtles swimming. At the end of the trail, there is a beach, bring your bathing suit!
4. Stone Dam hike. Beautiful Lemurian feel. Nature, waterfalls. Easy! Can do it even with kids. 
5. Ho'opi'i Falls. The easiest access waterfall that you can swim in! Park at Kapahi Park, walk for 7-10 minutes. Locals are not happy with people parking by the entrance. Enter the trail, and once you see the river, follow it, and you will find them.
6. Cold Pond in Haena. At the end of the north shore by Haena State Park on the left. Great way to cleanse and cool down during the hot day.
7. Makaleha. Beautiful sacred waters, you can swim and purify here, as well as harvest spring water. Easy hike, 10 minutes. to spring water. The entire trail is beautiful, but recommended to go with the guide; it's easy to get lost.
8.  Kapa‘a Bike Path for morning run, bike ride, or walk right along the ocean for miles! 
9. Waimea Canyon, Kalalau Lookout. Breathaking views, multiple hikes, ask rangers for recommendations.  Go on a clear day; it's not fun when it's cloudy. 

Nature & Adventure

1. Fire & Ice Spa (Kilauea).  Hot tub, sauna, cold plunge, pool. Amazing place to relax and unwind!
2. Ecstatic Dance (Kilauea). Every Sunday at 12 pm. At 11 am, they have workshops! This is the place where the community dances every week.
3. Shake Rising Class, women only (Princeville).  Amazing embodiment practice, led by the creator of the Shake Rising movement, Sara. You'll feel reborn after this class.
4. Kauai Yoga on the Beach (2 locations Kapaa, Lihue) Amazing way to start your day with yoga on the beach. Sound healing is offered at the end of the class. 
5. Goat Yoga (Anahola) Cutness overload, goat yoga run by local Hawaiian women. Amazing experience!

Wellness & Movement

Tours and Attractions

1. Exotic Fruit Tour (Moloaa).  Hosted by my dear friends. It's a great opportunity to taste fresh fruits right from the tree. 
2. Holo Holo Charters.  Best Boat Tour. Highly recommended if you have a chance! You'll highly likely see dolphins.
3. Island Helicopters. Best Helicopter tour company, they don't just fly around, they land at the Jurassic Falls! Super special experience. 
4. Kayak Wailua River to Secret Falls. Amazing experience! If you're into kayaking & hiking. 
5. Auliʻi Luau. Best luau, it's on the beach. Really amazing experience. They'll take a picture of you for the sunset. Food is ok. 
6. Smith Family Garden Luau. Really nice show, really good food, but the dining and the show are separate experiences. And it feels like a theatre performance.  Still worth it. 


1. Kealia Beach (Kapaa).  Best spot to watch sunrise! If you want to go for a swim, go all the way to the left. More gentle waves. 
2. Shipwrecks Beach (Poipu). Best Spot to watch the sunset! If you dare, jump off the famous cliff! 
Another great spot for sunset is Kee Beach, but you need to book a permit to go there. Poipu Beach, right next to it, is great for watching turtles.  
3. Hanalei Bay (Hanalei). Must see! The views are out of this world, don't even look real! You will be in awe. Popular surfing spot!
4. Tunnels Beach (Haena). Great place for snorkeling! Not very safe in the winter time due to strong currents. 
5. Kahili Quarry Beach  (Kilauea). Local's favorite, not many tourists, lots of spaciousness. Gorgeous place. You can find fire spinners there practicing on the weekend. 
6. Anini Beach (Princeville). Easy access, no waves, can see turtles.  Safe to go with kids. 
7. Secrets Beach (Kilauea). Secluded, one of the few clothing-optional beaches, is a short hike down the hill. Bonus: spring water source right there. Strong waves and currents, be super careful when swimming there!  

Shopping

1. Island Hemp & Cotton Store (Kapaa). High-quality cotton and hemp clothes. 
2. Creation Nation (Kapaa). Amazing store, unique items. Love it. 
3. Tropical Tantrum (Kapaa, Lihue, Hanalei - 3 locations). Unique one of a kind, high-quality dresses. 
4. Hula Beach Clothing (Hanalei). Cute Beach Clothes Boutique. 
5. Inseazen Boutique (Hanalei). Beautiful clothes. 
6. Coutured by Biork (Poipu). Stylish Boho boutique. 

Clothes

1.  Big Blue (Kapaa). Beautiful selection of one-of-a-kind souvenirs and clothes. 
2. Hunter-Gatherer (Kilauea). Unique store with spiritual items. You’ll love it!
3. Hilo Hatties (Lihue). Hawaiian souvenirs and clothes.


Souvenirs

Kauai is not the greatest place to shop, however, there are a few cute stores you can check out to buy high-quality quality sustainable clothes and souvenirs. 

Other

Art 

1. Rachel Shilah. Top photographer on the island. 
2. Jolie Anastasia. Beautiful energy and professionalism. 
3. Lulu. She does everything: pictures, hair, makeup, and style! 
4. Danelle Yost. All things beauty and photography! 
5. Alealani Guillen. Amazing Hair & Makeup master. 


Photoshoots 

1. Song Circle (Kilauea). Every Thursday at 6:30 pm. A community gathering to sing medicine songs, a great place to meet people and make new friends. My magical Kauai journey started here!
2. CSL Kauai: Center for Spiritual Living Kauai. (Kapaa). A great place to get inspired and align with your magnificent self. Services are every Sunday at 10 a.m.
3.  Kapaa Art Walk (Kapaa) Every first Saturday of the month. Kapaa town comes alive with street vendors, music, and celebration.
4.  Lawai International Center (Lawai) Sacred land, powerful place to be to uplevel your energy. 
5.  CLC’s Gymnastics Academy (Kapaa, Poipu, Lihue). Gymnastics classes for kids, led by my husband Kevin.
6. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (Poipu). A beautiful, luxurious place to explore and enjoy the grounds.
7. Kauai's Hindu Monastery (Wailua).  Sacred hindu monestary. Beautiful sacred place. Book a visit. 


1. The art of Max Lemaire (Hanalei). Check out this amazing art gallery by a dear friend. 
2. Fine Art by Aaron Feinberg (Hanalei). Amazing artist, check his gallery. 



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