In previous blogs, we’ve encouraged visitors to Kauai to try some of our local foods and delicacies. While Lomi salmon and Huli-Huli chicken are delicious dishes you should try, sometimes you crave a good, juicy burger.
The good news is that you can find just that wherever you are on the island. So here are our top recommendations for the ten best places for a burger on Kauai – with an extra suggestion by our resort manager!
1 Street Burger
Where: 4-369 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa’a, HI 96746 | 808.212.1555
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 4.00pm – 9:30pm
What’s on the menu: Street Burger is an upscale burger joint. All menu items are house-made with only the finest local ingredients. As well as five classic burgers to choose from, there are 12 speciality burgers, including the Southern (fried green tomato, pimento cheese, greens, buttermilk-chive dressing). Leave some room for their sweet treats, including the Street Burger S’more. There are 26 taps available featuring draft craft beer, wine, cider, kombucha, and root beer. Vegetarian-friendly, vegan options and gluten-free options are available.
What customers say: “Oh my goodness, this is one of the best burgers I’ve ever had! The location is unassuming, the vibe is casual, the service was outstanding, and the buns are ridiculous. SO GOOD!”
Anything else: You can order online via their website.
2 Kenji Burger
Where: Two locations at 4-788 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, Kauai, HI 96746-1544 | 808.320.3558 and 4454 Nuhou St., Suite 523, Lihue, HI 96766 | 808.320.8989
Opening times: Monday – Thursday 11am – 8.30pm | Firday – Saturday 11am – 9pm
What’s on the menu: Kenji Burger serves tasty burgers, sandwiches, sushi burritos and Kenji bowls with a Japanese twist. Try the Kenji Burger with teriyaki, ponzu aioli, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, tomato and arugula. There is also a plant-based vegetarian burger with spiced tomato jam. Fancy sushi instead? Choose the Japanese burrito with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, crab meat, cucumber, avocado, spicy aioli and unagi sauce.
What customers say: “Yes, yes, yes! The food and drinks here were truly amazing! Also, pretty reasonably priced, which is a huge plus! We tried the Kenji burger and the Misoyaki fish sandwich as well as the gyoza and the furikake fries – seriously SO good!”
Anything else: They serve 100 per cent Kauai grass-fed beef.
3 Bubba Burger
Where: 4-1421 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746 | 808.823.0069
Opening times: 10.30am – 8.00pm daily
What’s on the menu: Bubba Burger has been serving old-fashioned burgers since 1936. And they’re made the same way today, served on a toasted bun with mustard, Bubba relish and diced onion. The most popular burger is the Double Bubba with two patties (weighing a total of 1/3 pound), but why not try the Slopper? This single open-faced burger is smothered with Bubba’s Famous “Coors Tavern” Chili and topped with diced onions. Fancy something different? Other non-burger items are available.
What customers say: “Burgers are done to perfection, single for lighter appetites, double for “usual” burger eaters. Burgers served with grilled onions and tasty sauce. Fries were perfectly crispy and hot. A few tables inside, a couple more on the front porch along with a wide railing & a bench suitable for dining while looking across the street at a coastal park and the Pacific Ocean. Nice place for comfort food in Kapaa.”
Anything else: Vegan “Beyond” burgers are also available.
4 Brennecke’s Beach Broiler
Where:808.742.7588
Opening times: 11.00am – 8.30pm
What’s on the menu: While not solely a burger joint, Brennecke’s burgers receive great reviews. Their classic burger is made with Wagyu beef and served with lettuce, tomato, onions, and cheese. You can choose from classic or teriyaki-style sauces, and you can add bacon or sriracha aioli. A vegan burger is also available.
What customers say: “Our burgers were excellent. Nothing super fancy here; very popular, make sure to reserve a table”.
Anything else: Brennecke’s on the South Shore has an extensive menu and is perfect if any of your party is looking for an alternative, such as prime rib or Kauai Pad Thai.
5 Duke’s Kauai
Where: 3610 Rice Street, Lihue, HI 96766 | 808.246.9599
Opening times: Monday – Saturday 11.00am to 9.00pm | Sunday 9.00am – 9.00pm
What’s on the menu: Duke’s is dedicated to legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaii’s Ambassador of Aloha. The restaurant’s open-air design offers stunning, sweeping ocean views while the 30-foot waterfall plunges into a koi pond below that meanders through the tables. Enjoy Duke’s Cheeseburger made from local Medeiros farms grass-fed beef, aged cheddar, shredded iceberg, tomatoes, onion, and island dressing from the main dinner menu.
However, wait until Thursday and Duke’s Burger and Beer Day. Then, choose from a more extensive selection of burgers such as the Kanak Attack – Medeiros beef, crispy spam, fried egg, cheddar cheese, arugula, jalapeño pineapple marmalade!
What customers say: “Perfect place for lunch and a perfect view! We had burgers and kids’ chicken. Both were great! We were seating under a tent right on the ocean. What a view!”
Anything else: Don’t forget to order the Hula Pie!
6 Kickshaws
Where: 5371 Koloa Road, Koloa Town, Kauai, HI 96756-8623 | 808.651.6750
Opening times: Wednesday – Saturday 11.00am – 3.00pm
What’s on the menu: This food truck is not your ordinary truckin’ food! Kickshaws is a gourmet mobile food truck business owned and operated by Seth Peterson. Seth is a self-taught chef with a biology background. He also worked as an organic farmer on Kauai’s Northshore for over ten years. He loves to play with flavor palates and has a unique cooking style. What separates Kickshaws from other trucks on the island is cooking technique and flavor combinations.
Menu items change, but try the 100% Awesome Burger: A house-ground, 30-hour-cured burger made up of 80 percent ground chuck steak, 20 percent ground maple bacon, pineapple black pepper marmalade, cheddar cheese, arugula, tomato, and their house-made aioli on a Deli & Bread Connection bun.
What customers say: “It was the best burger we have ever tasted. Unfortunately, it is only open Wednesday through Friday, partially because it takes 30 hours to prepare each burger. It was $11.95 with either coleslaw or fries and all of the included condiments. Eighty percent sirloin and a bacon mixture for the remainder. ”
Anything else: Seth uses sous vide cooking and other avant-garde techniques to create truly unique and delicious dishes.
7 Keoki’s Paradise
Where: 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr, Poipu, Koloa, Kauai, HI 96756-9522 | 808.742.7534
Opening times: Monday – Saturday 11.00am to 9.00pm | Sunday 9.00am – 9.00pm
What’s on the menu: Part of the TS Restaurants group (see Duke’s above), try the Keoki’s Paradise Cheddar Burger from their main lunch and dinner menus (Local Medeiros farms grass-fed Kaua’i beef, aged cheddar, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and island sauce). Alternatively, enjoy their Burger and Beer menu, which is available on Wednesday afternoons. Try the Broke Da Mouth burger with Medeiros beef, cheddar cheese, kalua pig, sunny-side-up egg, and chipotle aioli.
What customers say: “I chose the cheddar burger (superb) and switched from fries to their kale salad for $3 more. It’s one of the best salads I’ve ever enjoyed. ”
Anything else: Vegetarian? Try their plant-based Kaua’i-made taro patty instead.
8 The Garden Island Grille (temporarily closed, but keep checking)
Where: 5404 Koloa Road, Koloa, HI 96756-9421 | 808.639.8444 |
Opening times: 11.30am – 8.00pm – Happy Hour 3.00pm – 6.00pm | Closed Wednesday
What’s on the menu: Garden Island Grille is located in old Koloa town, just 5 minutes from Poipu and the beautiful southern shoreline of Kaua’i. It is a fun casual bar and grille specializing in using fresh island ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere. Try the juicy fire-grilled burgers, lightly seasoned and cooked over an open flame to bring out the unique texture and flavors. In addition, they use fresh local beef from a ranch just minutes away from the restaurant.
What customers say: “Gotta try their burgers, really juicy beef. We came during happy hours and tried their appetizers.”
Anything else: There is live music every night from 6.00pm – 8.00pm. And try their fresh-squeezed fruit margaritas – grapefruit, tangerine, lime – whatever is in season.
9 Kalypso Island Bar and Grill
Where: 5-5156 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714 | 808.826.9700
Opening times: Monday & Wednesday 2.00pm – 9.00pm | Thursday & Friday 11.00am – 9.00pm | Saturday 10.00am – 9.00pm | Sunday 8.00am – 9.00pm | Closed Tuesday | Happy Hour 3.00pm – 5.30pm every day
What’s on the menu: Located in the beautiful town of Hanalei, Kalypso Island Bar and Grill is an excellent option for guests at Ali’i Kai Resort. Try the house speciality – Loco Moco. It’s a local grass-fed beef patty served over steamed rice, stacked with two over-easy eggs, mushroom gravy, and fried onion strings. It’s topped with green onions and sweet soy. Or build your Kalypso burger from their pupus menu.
What customers say: “Kalypso is a great restaurant located near the beach. The food is excellent, and the location is better. I recommend the burgers and sandwiches.”
Anything else: Pop by for Happy Hour and check out their 16 draft beers at 29 degrees.
10 Oasis on the Beach
Where: 4-820 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI 96746 | 808.822.9332
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday 3.00pm – 9.00pm
What’s on the menu: Oasis on the Beach is a beautiful oceanfront location that showcases the best of what Kauai has to offer in cuisine, service and ocean views. They use local sources for almost 90 per cent of their ingredients and work closely with Kauai” s farmers and fishermen to provide the best and freshest possible ingredients. Try the grass-fed burger with crispy tobacco onions, bacon jam, Rick’s mustard, mixed greens, and seasonal cheese.
What customers say: “The Braddah Dave’s Taro Burger is an amazing vegan option—best plant-based burger ever”.
Anything else: When it opened in 2010, Oasis was the only truly farm-to-table restaurant on Kauai. Today, they still support local farmers, and on Wednesdays, you may see their chef filling up his hand cart with locally produced treasures.
Resort Manager’s Bonus Suggestion
They always say eat where the locals go, and this is our Resort Manager’s suggestion for the best burger on the island. She says, “The Tip Top Cafe isn’t known for its burgers, but it is a popular local restaurant, and I like the burgers there. It’s old-fashioned.”
11 Tip Top Cafe & Bakery
Where: 3173 Akahi St, Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766 | 808.245.2333
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday 7.00am – 1.30pm
What’s on the menu: The key to Tip Top Cafe and Bakery‘s success is simple: providing quality, consistent food that tastes great every single time. They pride themselves on serving customers delicious, genuine dishes for breakfast and lunch. Choose from four simple burger options, all under $10, or their homemade Loco Moco burger with two large USDA grade AA eggs over easy, served over white rice and their special brown gravy.
What customers say: “Phenomenal local food. Always busy, always good. They turn tables fast, so you never have to wait long.”
Anything else: This cafe is a local favorite and has been around for 100 years. It’s a simple, no-frills place.
Of course, this is just a small selection of restaurants and food trucks serving great burgers on the island. We would love your suggestions, too, and we’ll add them to this list. Just contact us with your suggestions.
