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    Wai'oli

    4.7 (3 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    8 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Makensy was the sweetest server. She was so accommodating and so kind. We will definitely be coming back just to see her!

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    Big Nick’s - Keiki (kids) cheese burger, plain with a side of fries

    Big Nick’s

    4.6(156 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Big Nick's was such a standout spot during our time in Kauai! I ordered the chili pepper chicken…read morebowl, which came with three pieces of juicy, flavorful chicken that had the perfect spicy kick -- not overwhelming, but definitely satisfying. It was served over a scoop of rice and made for such a filling, delicious meal. On the employee's recommendation, we also got the taro wedges, and I'm so glad we did! They were crispy and crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and yes... a little oily -- but in the best, indulgent way. The sauce that came with it (not sure what it was!) was SO good and paired perfectly with the wedges. My husband ordered the taro burger, and we both loved it -- it ended up being his favorite vegetarian meal on Kauai! Good to know: there's parking in the back, which is also where the bathrooms are located (just ask for the key). Overall, Big Nick's is a must-try for flavorful, local-style comfort food. Everything we had was delicious, and we'd absolutely come back!

    Fresh, savory meats! Crispy, fresh shrimp! Texture-licous Mac/potato salad. Friendly, welcoming…read moreservice. Didn't know where we were going to grab dinner but this one hit the spot. Especially after the super religious chicken barrel spot ran out of chicken and ribs (but not Jesus). The outside patio is nice, with stools, and we saw a rainbow. The end. The sequel! We went back, a 2nd time. My partner's idea. It was still tasty. There are bowls instead of plates, which is less food. I should have gotten that.

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    Inside

    Big Nick’s - Locol plate and onion rings

    Locol plate and onion rings

    Big Nick’s

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    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei

    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei

    4.2(1k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    After hiking Kalalau (18 miles... yeah), we were beyond hungry -- the kind of hungry where you'd…read moreeat your own backpack if it had sauce on it. So we pulled up to Chicken In A Barrel BBQ around 6:30 PM on a Thursday, and honestly... it hit the spot in the best way. We ordered the 1/2 Chicken, the #3 Baby Back Rib Plate, plus a full order of fries and a side of ranch. Total came out to about $50, which felt totally fair for the amount of food and how filling it was. The ribs were my favorite part -- smoky, meaty, and not dry at all. They had that real BBQ vibe without being drowned in sauce. The chicken had a solid char on the outside and stayed juicy inside (which is not easy after a long day when you're eating fast and don't want to mess around). Fries were crispy and salty -- exactly what you want after a hike like that. This place is simple, casual, no fancy nonsense -- just good BBQ that makes you feel human again. If you're on Kauai and you've been hiking all day (or even if you haven't), this spot is absolutely worth it. We left full, happy, and already talking about coming back again.

    I've been chasing the memory of the Huli Huli chicken I had off the side of the road on the Big…read moreIsland so finding another spot in Kauai was a MUST. We ended up at Chicken in a Barrel and honestly... super good and super flavorful. I think I kept unfairly comparing it to that fresh-off-the-grill roadside chicken experience in my head, but this place still absolutely delivered. The chicken and ribs were both really yummy and definitely worth the stop. Also loved the service here. I had asked for dark meat but got white meat instead and was totally fine with it, but the guy came back out like, "Oh no man, you wanted dark meat huh?" and insisted on fixing it even after I said it was okay That kind of service always stands out to me. Only thing missing for me was a good hot/spicy sauce option because I LOVE heat But overall, definitely recommend

    Photos
    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei - Inside

    Inside

    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei - Loaded fries with pork

    Loaded fries with pork

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    Half chicken smoked

    The Dolphin

    The Dolphin

    3.5(2.1k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Fresh and delicious! The friendly staff were excited to have you there and share the fresh fish and…read moreother offerings from their menu. The location and ambiance was island perfect and my poke bowl was not just delicious but somehow just the right size! Salads and sushi rolls held up to my poke bowl, thanks team for sharing a bite. I did not share any of my bowl ... it was mine! A definite must visit and a staple on any visit to the island in my future.

    A family-owned spot in downtown Hanalei for 30+ years…read more Arrive early to put your name on the list - they gave us a buzzer and we walked around to the neighboring businesses while we waited. We were seated on the covered patio, overlooking their lawn and the Hanalei River. The food was straightforward and good, but what we liked the most was our server. I sadly don't recall her name but she was a young girl who grew up in Hanalei and clearly has passion for food and for service. She knew the menu and spoke confidently about it, and shared little anecdotes along the way - she was attentive, informative, joyful, and yet not intrusive. A shining service star. The mixed tempura starter was tasty. The salad was a plate of fresh veggies - fresh but basic in presentation and flavor. I personally might skip this next time. We really enjoyed the daily special of soba noodles with yuzu sauce. Bright and citrusy. And the sushi rolls we enjoyed were clean in flavor with a focus on the fresh fish: -Next Best Thing -Hamachi -Avocado roll Another friend said that she orders the sushi rolls to go. And she also told me about their neighboring fish market, if you want to get fish to make at home (we did not have time to check that out). To cap our our meal, we shared a piece of the Homemade Dolphine Ice Cream Pie and it was decadently delicious!

    Photos
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    The Dolphin - limited sushi bar seating

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    Brownie Dessert

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    Wai'oli - shavedice - Updated May 2026

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