I will make a few delicious pit stops. My Kauai restaurants were a round up off suggestions from this thread on Threads and netted almost 40 responses. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone and for what its worth, folks had more to say about where I should go in Kauai then Honolulu. Go figure.
The Vitals:
the spot: Kauai Sushi Station 2405 Ulu Maika St, Lihue, HI 96766
the eats: Hamachi sashimi, New Zealand King Salmon nigiri, Spicy Tuna roll
the bucks: $$ but can easily go to $$$ if you’re starving
the full nelson: Sushi Food Truck with actually really impressive fish
There is something charming about finding a place to eat as soon as you get off the plane. Way better to settle in your new surroundings at a new local eatery than your hotel room.
Located in Lihue, minutes from the airport, Kauai Sushi Station is a good stop to make either coming off a plane ride or when you need to eat before one.
The fish was fresh as one might expect. Coming off an all star Omakase experience recently, I’m a lot pickier these days about rice, which isn’t a strength at Kauai Sushi station but in the context of a food truck, it’s pretty solid. The hamachi sashimi with thin slices of jalapeño was the star of the order and something I would order every time I’m here.
The Vitals:
the spot: Koloa Fish Market 3390 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
the eats: Spicy Tuna Poke, Tuna Avocado Poke, Salmon Poke, Octopus Poke, Smoked Marlin
the bucks: $-$$ depending on appetite
the full nelson: A must stop for every Poke lover
I love Poke and I don’t think I’ve had it any better than at Koloa Fish Market. This was another spot recommended from my Threads post and nothing missed here. The Spicy Tuna poke, usually an all star hit, was the least interesting because Koloa Fish Market makes the usually forgettable stuff, well, unforgettable.
It was across the board great, but the dressing in the octopus poke would be reason enough to buy a cookbook that Koloa Fish Market puts out. My only regret here was not eating here twice. 
The Vitals:
the spot: Stevenson’s Library 1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756(located in the Grand Hyatt hotel)
the eats: assorted sushi, rolls, sashimi
the bucks: $$$
the full nelson: A lovely bar with pricey munchies
You go to Stevenson’s Library because it is a lovely bar and most likely you’re also staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai so it’s just an easy decision. While it is cheaper than say dining at their formal restaurants, Stevenson’s Library does serve sushi that carries a the typical hefty price tag.
The fish is fresh, which is no surprise and like the sushi food truck, the rice is fine but far from exceptional. The bar rocks and has a deep and varied selection of spirits, notably the whiskey. I’d recommend this place for the bar experience primarily.
The Vitals:
the spot: Hamura Saimin 2956 Kress St, Lihue, HI 96766
the eats: Specialty Saimin, chicken and beef skewers, fried dumplings
the bucks: $
the full nelson: Cheap Eats Kauai staple
It makes total sense that this local gem also took home a James Beard American Classics award. Hamura Saimin was also recommend via Threads(see a pattern here?) and it slapped hard. The name of the game here is Saimin: a Hawaiian noodle soup with serious ramen vibes.
I got the special Saimin which adds, ham, egg, veggies, fish cake, wontons and roast pork into the mix. We got a large to split and it was a solid lunch when shared. The skewers and meaty fried dumplings were all great as well. This was a particular highlight and was my fav along with the poke.
Kauai is all about being chill to the tune of staying at your hotel/beachfront hacienda but the food is worth renting a car and taking a cruise. Highly recommend Koloa Fish Market and Hamura Saimin folks. And both are solid Cheap Eats too.
@alikhaneats Everywhere I ate in Kauai. Full rundown on alikhaneats.com/blog and the link is on my profile. Big shoutout to everyone who replied on my @threads post. The restaurants: @kauaisushistation @koloafishmkt @stevensonslibrarykauai Hamumara Saimin #alikhaneats #kauai #hawaii #sushi #poke #saimin
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