This is a local style spot that serves up fresh fish and seafood to take home and cook as well as eat there and take out dishes. Very local and Hawaiian food like lau lau, kalua pig, and other local favorites that can be pretty darn good. There's a good chance you'll be the only visitors in line here, but there's nothing wrong with that. You know the the quality of the seafood is good for locals, it must be good. A great place for a plate lunch to eat on site or take home a slab of fish if you have a kitchenette at the hotel.
Recommended for Take Out because: Fresh local fish and Hawaiian food is served close to beaches and parks to take it to.
Jade's expert tip: Try the kalua pig, it's really good and always a great idea to try truly local dishes.
To peel or not to peel, that is the question at the Shrimp Station. Some dishes come with peeled shrimp, while others, like the coconut shrimp come peeled. Either way, all of the food is great and worth getting your hands a little messy for. Very casual, road side spot with meals enjoyed as take out or at picnic tables under a tent roof. The portions are huge, so you won't leave here hungry. This is a great option for lunch on the west side in Waimea, or last stop before heading out to Polihale Beach or inland to Waimea Canyon.
Recommended for Take Out because: Known for large portions and delicious shrimp, the dishes are easy to take to beaches nearby.
Jade's expert tip: Try the sweet chili garlic shrimp.
Known for its selection of organic, vegetarian, and health-food fare, this market and gourmet deli is as good for eating as it is for shopping. Dining is available inside, but the best tables are outdoors, shaded by market umbrellas. Salads and soups are crafted from fresh ingredients and make terrific light snacks. A variety of daily specials ups the ante, offering chicken, fish, pastas, garden burgers, pizza, and an array of ethnic dishes. Smoothies and desserts also make yummy treats. Papaya's is one of the best places in Kapa`a for grab and go lunch to take to a nearby beach or attraction.
Recommended for Take Out because: Offering salads, entrees, fresh juices and smoothies, the food is perfect to take down the street to Lydgate Beach Park or Kealia Beach.
Jade's expert tip: Get a fresh juice from the deli to go with lunch.
Owned and operated by two local friends who have a knack for making a great steak, Killah Steaks quickly became a local favorite as soon as the road side steak wagon opened. Very casual, and pretty quick, this eatery is a low key, low priced option for a great steak. They have expanded from a simple two item menu and now offer fresh local fish, shrimp, and multiple steak plates. Enjoy at the onsite and road side picnic table or take to eat at a nearby beach. Each plate comes with local side staples such as mac salad, a simple green salad, or rice. Sometimes they sell out and close early.
Recommended for Take Out because: Killa Steaks is known for great steak plates, and they're close to several beaches to take them to.
Jade's expert tip: Get there right when they open to guarantee availability.
Renowned for its baked goods, this enterprise crafts top-quality ingredients into an array of sweet and savory temptations. If you're going for a cup of espresso or chai tea, combine it with a scone, macadamia nut cookie, or danish. If you're looking for meal-like items, you can't go wrong with their innovative gourmet pizzas, topped with everything from prawns to gorgonzola. You'll also want to try the selection of sourdough breads and maybe even pick up a lush smoothie, laden with fruit, for a cool pick-me-up. The food can be enjoyed as take out or at one of the outdoor tables in the shopping center.
Recommended for Take Out because: Serving breakfast foods and pizzas easy to take to go, the bakery is close to beaches and a park.
Jade's expert tip: Lovely array of sweet and savory pastries and great local coffee in the morning.
Find healthy food in Hanalei at Harvest Market Natural Foods and Cafe. If you're looking for healthy groceries, this is the spot. And, if you're looking for a healthy deli and salad bar, this is also the place to go. It's a great resource for natural and organic groceries to bring back to your hotel, vacation rental, or the beach. The hot bar, deli items, salad bar, and pre-made and packaged food can be enjoyed on site or taken to a nearby beach for a picnic. Everything is organic and natural, and the by far the healthiest on the go meal to find in Hanalei.
Recommended for Take Out because: With a deli and salad bar full of organic and natural foods, the market offers easy to go food.
Jade's expert tip: Bring a reusable bag.
There's a whole lot more than fish in store is the market's motto, and they're right! In addition to fresh local fish, they have an ahi fajita burrito, fish tacos, salads, plate lunches and great specials, along with grass fed beef. Seating is outdoor picnic table style, and you'll find a mix of locals and visitors enjoying fish. Price can vary depending on market price, but you can get a great meal for a generally affordable price. Very casual and ideal for lunch or to pick up a fresh slab of fish to cook back at the condo. Close to the Kilauea Lighthouse.
Recommended for Take Out because: Serving up fresh local fish in many forms, the market is close to a park and beach to take the food to.
Jade's expert tip: Try the ahi wrap.
A hit with locals and visitors, the Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. is a spot that all visitors need to stop at and enjoy. Very local style, the restaurant is a local style lunch wagon resting roadside in Hanalei. Serving traditional Hawaiian food, but with a modern twist, this is your best bet to fill up on taro, the root crop that sustained Hawaiians for generations. Here you can find taro and many other healthy ingredients prepared with a modern twist, such as a taro smoothie, Hawaiian plate lunches, taro hummus, taro veggie burgers, and even taro acai bowls- the list goes on. A perfect place for those who enjoy a traditional diet and vegetarians too, the wagon will give you a taste of Hawaii's unique array of food. The lunch wagon run by the same family who runs the historical
Recommended for Take Out because: The lunch wagon serves healthy and delicious food in close proximity to beaches and a park to take it to.
Jade's expert tip: Try the taro smoothie.
Big portions of tasty food is what you'll get at Island Taco. The roadside eatery is simple, and resembles a Mexico taco stand, but totally clean, safe and awesome! It's order at the counter, where you can get a tiny peak into the kitchen, and enjoy at one of the roadside tables or take it to go. You can take it to go and enjoy at a nearby white sand beach, but with the big portions that can get a little messy. Vegetarians will fare very well here while meat eaters will find fresh fish, beef and chicken. All of the food is great, but tacos are a highlight. They add of unique elements such as cabbage and wasabi aioli sauce. A must stop while on the west side.
Recommended for Take Out because: Good food and big portions are served close to beautiful beaches to enjoy the meals on.
Jade's expert tip: Two people can share the double taco plate.