Best Restaurants Near the Kauai Airport in Lihue

When you’re planning your getaway to Kauai, you likely plan to fly into the Kauai airport in Lihue.

Once you and your family touch down at the airport, you’re sure to be hungry!

Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic restaurants right near the airport, so you can grab a bite, relax, then head to our Kauai condo rentals. Here are a few of our favorite destinations near the airport.

Duke’s

Duke’s is a laid-back eating experience located just down the road from the airport, perfect for if you have an evening flight. The restaurant gets its name from Duke Kahanamoku, who traveled all over the globe to tell people about the Hawaiian lifestyle and the sport of surfing. He spent much of his time on the property where Duke’s now sits. 

On the dining room menu, you’ll find various dishes that take advantage of the fresh local ingredients found on the island. Start out with panko fried calamari or Korean sticky ribs, then move on to fresh fish including the seven spice Ahi and spicy sesame ginger roasted fish. There are also steak and prime rib options if you’re not in the mood for seafood just yet. Once you’re done, don’t miss out on a slice of Kimo’s original hula pie for dessert!

Where: Duke’s is located at 3610 Rice Street. 

When: They are open daily from 4:45 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Pietro’s Pizza

After a long flight, you probably just want some good comfort food. Look no further than Pietro’s Pizza. Their New York-style menu takes advantage of fresh Hawaiian ingredients but channels the classic New York pizzas we all know and love. You can purchase individual slices from a 20-inch pizza, so one slice is probably enough to fill you up! 

If you have a big group, you can also buy a whole pizza. Choose the Classic Don, which is just cheese, or the Don Pietro, which is pepperoni. They also offer several varieties that channel the Hawaiian culture, including the Don Ho, made with Portuguese sausage and Kalua pig. If you want the typical “Hawaiian” pizza with pineapples and ham, order the Haole. No matter what you select, it will be filling and comforting.

Where: Pietro’s Pizza is located at 3501 Rice Street.

When: They are open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Kauai Pasta Lihue

Looking for Italian cuisine but don’t want pizza? Visit Kauai Pasta Lihue. Open for lunch and dinner, this eatery takes inspiration from classic Italian dishes while putting their own Hawaiian spin on them. Start your meal with an appetizer like the parmesan herb-sautéed fresh mozzarella or the handmade potato gnocchi al forno. Add the KP Lihue’s house salad or Kailani Farms field greens to begin your meal.

When you’re ready for your entree, there’s plenty to choose from. The lobster and shrimp ravioli and the homemade lasagna are big hits, but you can also select options like the veal marsala, fresh clam linguine, or Greek-style pasta. Be sure to save room for dessert, as they have several irresistible options like basil-infused panna cotta and dark chocolate creme brulee!

Where: Kauai Pasta Lihue is located at 3-3142 Kuhio Highway.

When: They are open daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Once you’ve had a great first meal in Kauai, you can head to one of our Kauai oceanfront resort condos to get the rest of your vacation underway! We are proud to offer some of the most luxurious yet affordable condos on the island, allowing you to truly personalize your vacation.