Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [107]
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, 1571 Poipu Rd., Poipu. 80 8/742-1234.www.kauai.hyatt.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $31–$56. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5:30–10pm.
MODERATE
Brennecke’s Beach Broiler AMERICAN/SEAFOOD Cheerful petunias in window boxes and second-floor views of Poipu Beach are pleasing touches at this seafood/burger house, a longtime favorite for a couple of decades. The view alone is worth the price of a drink and pupu, but it helps that the best hamburgers on the south shore are served here, as well as excellent vegetarian selections. Quality is consistent in the kiawe-broiled steak, fresh fish, and vegetarian gourmet burger. It’s so casual that you can drop in before or after the beach and dine on nachos and peppers, fresh-fish sandwiches, kiawe-broiled fish and kabobs, prime rib, pasta, build-your-own gourmet burgers, and the salad bar. Look for happy-hour specials daily and the Alaskan king crab and prime rib nights.
2100 Hoone Rd. (across from Poipu Beach Park), Poipu. 80 8/742-7588.www.brenneckes.com. Main courses $10–$20 lunch, $12–$40 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am–10pm (street-side deli takeout daily 7am–8pm).
Family-Friendly Restaurants
In addition to the plate-lunch eateries, where children are welcome, the following restaurants not only tolerate kids but make them feel right at home:
LIHUE
Hanamaulu Restaurant (3–4291 Kuhio Hwy., Hanamaulu; 80 8/245-2511). Generations of local families have grown up dining at this Japanese/Chinese eatery. You can feed your family for less than $12 each and still leave food on the plate. Stop by for lunch; the kids will get a kick out of dining at low tables on tatami floors in a Japanese-garden setting.
Kalapaki Beach Hut (3474 Rice St., Nawiliwili; 80 8/246-6330). This tiny “hut” is a great place for burgers (prepared 10 different ways). After a day at the beach, heck, you and the kids can show up in your bathing suits and slippers. Burgers for four, plus drinks, will only set you back $20.
Tip Top Café/Bakery (3173 Akahi St., Lihue; 80 8/245-2333). This is a great place to take the entire family to breakfast. Most items are $6 or under, and the kids will love the macadamia-nut pancakes. On the way out, stop by the bakery and get the freshly baked malasadas.
POIPU RESORT AREA
Brennecke’s Beach Broiler (2100 Hoone Rd., across from Poipu Beach Park; 80 8/742-7588). After a morning at Brennecke’s Beach, just walk across the street to this casual eatery and chow down on their famous hamburgers. They also have “kid” items like nachos and peppers, fresh-fish sandwiches, build-your-own gourmet burgers, and desserts. Look for the early dinner (4–6pm) to save even more money.
Poipu Beach Broiler (1941 Poipu Rd., Poipu; 80 8/742-6433). The kids’ menu at this steak-and-seafood restaurant features “mac ‘n cheese” ($5), chicken nuggets and fries ($7), and the standard grilled cheese sandwich and fries ($6). Come early and take in the sunset.
Brick Oven Pizza (2-2555 Kaumualii Hwy. [Hwy. 50], Kalaheo, inland from Poipu; 80 8/332-8561). Kids and pizza just go together, especially at this old-fashioned stone-oven pizzeria featuring more pizza toppings than you can count. There will be something here to please every member of the family, including Mom and Dad when they get the bill. A 15-inch cheese pizza will feed four and costs less than $7 a person.
COCONUT COAST
Bubba Burgers (4-1421 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa; 80 8/823-0069; also Hanalei Center, Hanalei; 80 8/826-7839). Here at the house of Bubba they dish out humor, great T-shirts, and old-fashioned hamburgers. They also serve up the Slopper