The Food
Papaya's Natural Foods & Café
Pick up a week's worth of groceries at either location of Kauai's excellent Whole Foods equivalent.
4-831 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, (808) 823-0190; or 5-5161 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, (808) 826-0089.
Kauai has at least one somewhere on the island every day except Sunday, offering local (often organic) fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheese, and flowers.
Waimea Plantation will provide a schedule with times and locations.
It's a little on the glitzy side, with honeymooners in plunging dresses and an on-site photographer, but the Beach House has the best food on the island (along with impeccable service and steep prices). Try the daily catch, rack of lamb, corn chowder, or fried calamari—and grilled fish medallions from the kids' menu for the little ones.
5022 Lawai Rd., Koloa, (808) 742-1424.
This vegetarian-and-seafood restaurant is as laid-back as the reggae music playing in the background. The garden burgers and hibiscus iced tea are great after a jaunt over the nearby swinging footbridge.
3830 Hanapepe Rd., Hanapepe, (808) 335-5011.
The spicy-sweet habanero chocolate cookies alone are worth the trip.
Ching Young Village, 5-5190 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, (808) 826-1999.
Go for homemade scoops that showcase local ingredients like macadamia nuts and passion fruit.
4280-A Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, (808) 826-7393.
This vegan restaurant is perfect for kids, who can create their own dishes with any grain, veggie, protein, and sauce. Other dishes include Ulysses' Udon Odyssey, Super Shakti's Spanakopitta, and Rockin' Moroccan Seared Tofu.
4504 Kukui St., Kapaa, (808) 822-7678.
Stop here to pick up smoothies and juices as well as healthy picnic fare, like hummus wraps. Grab a coffee next door at Java Kai.
1384 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, (808) 823-6658.
The Shopping
Kapaia Stitchery
This fabric shop has a great selection of Hawaiian-themed cloth, Balinese batiks, and Japanese prints.
3-3561 Kuhio Highway, Lihue, (808) 245-2281.
The award-winning passion-fruit mustard from this specialty-foods shop and processing factory will get you hooked. (Good thing there's an online store, too.)
9875 Waimea Rd., Waimea, (808) 338-1296.
Go Fish cards or handmade stuffed animals will entertain the kids on the flight home.
Off Highway 50 West, Waimea, (866) 545-4564.
