By Sarah Burchard
23 May, 2026
A coconut grove in Kapa'a. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
This article was originally published on January 17, 2022 and updated on May 22, 2026.
So there's a little traffic on your journey to Kapa‘a town, but it never lasts long and the wait is worth it. That's because this east-side destination, where the majority of Kaua‘i’s population resides, is almost always bustling with activity. It's a shopping and dining hub, an artist's destination and a slice of Kauaʻi's historic sugar and pineapple past.
Lined with plantation-era buildings framed by the Makaleha Mountains on one side and sandy beaches on the other with stellar coffee, food and retail shops, plus a coastal bike path that will take you out of your own head for a while, it's my favorite town on Kauaʻi.
Fish Bar Deli. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Kuhio Highway runs right through town, acting as the main drag, with hotels, resorts and shopping centers on either end. "Downtown" spans from about the corner of Kuhio Highway and Inia Street, by Paco's Tacos, to where the highway meets Lehua Street, by Bubba's Burgers. This stretch of highway is where you'll find the historic Hee Fat Building — a former rice processing plant — and the Seto Building, where the first large-scale grocery store on Kauaʻi was located. You'll also find a slew of places to eat and drink. Here are my favorites:
The retail grocery story side of Fish Bar Deli. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Fish Bar Deli — Part fish counter, part craft cocktail bar and restaurant, part deli and retail shop. You can find every thing from local spirits to obscure bitters and vegan fish sauce in this incredibly well-stocked store. At the bar, order the smoked fish dip and whatever they are running as a special. 4-1380 Kuhio Highway. Open Thursday through Monday noon to 9 p.m.
The Flying Saucer Kauaʻi. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
The Flying Saucer — Grab a seat and order one of the many whimsical craft tiki cocktails on the menu, along with a flying saucer — a Kauaʻi specialty. This place makes a killer version. Then, sit back and watch the bartender work her magic. 4-1380 Kuhio Highway Suite 207 (right upstairs from Fish Bar Deli). Open Thursday through Sunday 5 to 11 p.m.
Poi smoothie bowl at Kauai Juice Co. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Kauai Juice — Fresh pressed juices, killer smoothie bowls, salads, wraps, sustainably packed to-go food, hot sauces and every wellness product you can imagine. If you want to eat/drink healthy, come here. 4-1384 Kuhio Highway. Open daily 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Java Kai, Kapaʻa. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Java Kai — A coffee shop that roasts its own beans and makes a solid breakfast. There are three locations on Kauaʻi, but this one is my favorite. The front lanai spills onto Kuhio Highway in the busiest section of town, its connected to Shipwrecked for shopping while you wait for your order and the cheese, spicy breakfast burritos are generous and completely craveable. 4-1384 Kuhio Highway. Open daily 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Local fruit stand at Lana's Cafe. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Lana's Cafe — Smoothies, fresh local fruit, shave ice and home-made banana or mango bread. What more do you need for an afternoon snack in Hawaiʻi? 4-1330 Kuhio Highway. Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
El Taco Feliz. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
El Taco Feliz — Just a good taco truck, open late with everything you want on a taqueria menu including burritos, quesadillas, tortas, fajitas, rice bowls and eight different kinds of tacos. 4-1395 Kuhio Highway. Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 to 8 p.m.
Little Fatties Tacos — Another good taco spot. This one uses local meat, produce and tortillas. Try the Beef Barbacoa or the Gringo Loco. 4-1161 Kuhio Highway. Open Thursday through Saturday noon to 8 p.m.
Wailua Drive-in — Yes, the one Guy Fieri featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, but also the one that all the locals come to for big portions of local-style comfort food, plate lunch and desserts. 4-733 Kuhio Highway, Suite 103. Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Spicy Chicken plate lunch at Wailua Drive-in. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Naisla Kitchen & Cocktails — Good upscale date night spot. Come for fresh fish, lobster, surf & turf, pastas, wine and craft cocktails. 4-369 Kuhio Highway. Open Thursday through Monday 4 to 9 p.m.
Wailua Shave Ice — Exceptional shave ice made with house-made (real) fruit purees and toppings like haupia foam and fresh sliced strawberries. 4-831 Kuhio Highway (in Kauai Village Shopping Center). Open daily noon to 8:30 p.m.
Lilikoʻi shave ice with vanilla bean milk, fresh lilikoi purée and haupia foam at Wailua Shave Ice. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Kealia Farm Market: Across the highway from Kealia Beach. Monday 3 to 6 p.m., Friday 3 to 7 p.m.
Kapaʻa Sunshine Market: Kapaʻa Town Park parking lot by Bypass Road. Wednesday 3 to 4 p.m. Produce only, including a large selection of organic produce.
Coconut Market Place: 4-484 Kuhio Highway. Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh lei, coconuts (for drinking), fruits and vegetables, flowers and Moloaa Bay Coffee.
Anahola Marketplace: Just outside Kapaʻa in Anahola on Kuhio Highway. Friday through Sunday all day. I've been stopping here for roadside huli-huli chicken for years.
Shipwrecked, Kapa'a. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
One of my favorite things to do in Kapa'a is grab a coffee at Java Kai and go shopping. There are boutiques, health and wellness shops, fabric shops, gift shops and more, all within walking distance.
Shipwrecked — Connected to Java Kai, this cute little boutique has swimwear and beach apparel for men and women. 4-1384 Kuhio Highway, #B-106. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kiko — Curated selection of home goods and high-quality apparel. Mostly for the ladies. 4-1316 Kuhio Highway. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
KIKO. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Atelier — Apparel made my local Hawaiʻi designers and the shop owner herself. Come here if you want something unique and distinctly local. 4-1320 Kuhio Highway. Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hometown Kauai — Beachy gifts, home goods and apparel. 4-1354 Kuhio Highway. Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Vicky's Fabrics & Notions. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Art studios, tattoo shops, yoga and dance studios
Art Walk — Every first Saturday of the month from 5 to 9 p.m. Stores stay open late, and the streets are lined with food, art and live entertainment. This is an opportunity to support local artists and bring home something special.
Live Music — Visit Paniolo Santa Maria Style BBQ on Saturday nights for live music on the lanai. 4-1345 Kuhio Highway. Open Tuesday through Saturday 5 to 9 p.m.
Vickyʻs Fabric & Notions — Everything you need for sewing something of your own, including patterns, kits, Hawaiian fabrics and classes. 4-1326 Kuhio Highway. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Heather Brown Gallery — Brownʻs cartoon-style surf paintings and prints are some of the most recognizable art in Hawaiʻi. 4-901 Kuhio Hwy # A. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Earth & Sea Gallery — Locally made malas, lei, hand carved sea creatures and photography. 4504 Kukui Street, Suite 3.
Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kapaʻa Bike Path) along the Royal Coconut Coast. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
The Royal Coconut Coast, which is named after the coconut groves and aliʻi (chiefs) who made their home here, spans the entire east side. It is home to Ke Ala Hele Makalae or “the path that goes by the coast.” The ocean scenery is relaxing and you may even spot a sunbathing Hawaiian monk seal or, during winter months, humpback whales offshore.
Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kapaʻa Bike Path) — Stroll or ride a rented bicycle along this passageway that stretches about nine miles from Wailua to Ahihi Point. There are 15 beaches and points of interest along the way. Bike rental shops are located on Kuhio Highway and on Kou street on the path next to Kapaʻa Swimming Pool. Prices range $28 for 2 hours to $60 for 2 hours depending on the type of bike.
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Lydgate Farm Chocolate Tour. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Lydgate Farm produces exceptional bean-to-bar chocolate, grown just a few miles from Kapaʻa town. You can find its award-winning chocolate, honey and vanilla at its tasting room downtown or take a tour of the farm, where you will try a variety of chocolate, tropical fruit and more. This is one of my favorite farm tours in all of Hawai'i. The quality of the tour guides, samples and experience goes beyond what many other farms can do. It is definitely worth setting aside an afternoon for.
From $145 per person
Lydgate Farm Chocolate Shop, Kapa'a. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Visit Lydgate Farm Chocolate Tasting Room
4-1379 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI (in downtown Kapaa)
Monday through Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Kuhio Highway in Kapa'a town. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Ancient Hawaiians once lived throughout this historic community growing kalo, or taro, and fishing along the coast.
In the 1870s, the sugar plantation industry moved in, dominated by Makee Sugar Company — the original sugar mill and business venture initiated by a group of individuals, which included King David Kalākaua. The sugar operation drove many people of various ethnicities to the island including Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, and Filipino.
Hawaiian Canneries Company opened in Kapa'a in 1913 — now vacation condominiums — processing pineapple until closing in 1962.
Some plantation workers stayed after their contracts were over to open their own businesses. Wong Aloiau and Hee Fat became the "rice kings" of Kapa'a in the 1920s. These companies established rice fields in former kalo lo'i, or wetland taro fields. Their battered plantation buildings still stand in town.
Kapaʻa town grew to serve the plantations and homesteads of the area. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, American military flooded the island of Kaua'i. Troops camped at Kapaʻa School and trained in Nā Pali valley jungles. On payday, soldiers spent their money in retail stores, movie theaters, bars and restaurants and 19 new restaurants opened in Kapaʻa.
Club Wyndham Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Getting There: Kapa'a is about 15 to 20 minutes from Līhue Airport and about 45 minutes from Hanalei. Free street parking is available on and around Kuhio Highway.
When to Go: Kapaʻa generally has good weather year round. Kapaʻa town is fun morning, noon and night and rarely gets overcrowded. Visit on the first Saturday of the month from 5 to 9 p.m. for the Art Walk. Check restaurant and shop hours before you go, many are not open daily.
Combine Your Visit With: Kayaking the Wailua River, Biking the Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kapaʻa Bike Path), Lydgate Farms Chocolate Tour
Where to stay:
This article was originally published on January 17, 2022 and updated on May 22, 2026.
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