Tasting Kauai is for those who live to eat. It’s for the adventurous soul who craves a taste of local culture; the sensual eater who rejoices in the juiciness of perfectly ripe fruit, the springy crumb of well made bread, the tang of fresh cheese, or the clean taste of the ocean, presented on a plate.

Designed to celebrate Kauai’s appetizing abundance, this website connects you with the freshest food on Kauai and the people who grow and prepare it for you. Armed with this knowledge you can embark on your own culinary adventure.

 

 

Tasting Kauai is about real food. Real. Fresh. Food.

 

 

Whether you are a Hawaii resident or planning a vacation, this website will guide you on exotic food adventures. For visitors, if you are staying in a vacation rental with a kitchen you can learn where to shop and what to buy to cook up island-style meals in your condo or home.

You’ll also learn about our local juice, mead (honey wine), rum and tropical jam makers, hand-crafted pies, island-style cookies, honey, exotic flowers and coffee grown and roasted here on Kauai. These make terrific gifts of aloha for island residents, as well as souvenirs for loved ones.

You’ll virtually eat at seaside restaurants and food trucks, have a pint or old-fashioned cocktail at island pubs, ride along the Na Pali for a sunset dinner cruise, and take a leisurely stroll at the farmers market.

 

From Seed

 

Meet a local farmer, rancher, fisherman or beekeeper in From Seed blog posts. Learn about what they grow, how it’s harvested and prepared. We even provide recipes! Enjoy exotic produce that’s in season, as well as staple crops that enhance any meal. Read behind-the scenes stories that entertain and inspire. Our farmers market listing allows you to shop local and save money.

 

To Table

 

 

 

To Table posts will introduce you to restaurants, chefs and food vendors. You’ll dine at Kauai’s fine restaurants with sweeping views, eat a sumptuous plate lunch after kayaking down the Hanalei River or feast at food trucks with a view of the ocean.

Pau Hana Friday

 

Kauai’s food scene is dynamic, ever-changing and varied. New products frequently line grocers’ shelves and island-style parties are a fun way to spend the day while learning about Hawaiian food and culture. Pau Hana Friday lists weekend events, news foodies can use, and ongoing tours that no self-respecting food lover will want to miss.

Foodie Extras

Occasionally, there will be Hawaiian cookbook reviews with recipes from the book, and keep an eye out for guest posts by farmers, chefs and cookbook authors. They’ll offer an inside look into the life of a foodie in Hawaii.

The ultimate foodie’s guidebook, A Culinary Romp Through Paradise, will be available soon. This is a handy reference to restaurants, artisans, events, retail outlets, liquor stores and beverage makers, events, tours, farmers markets and more. In the meantime, you can download our Top 20 Restaurants and Top 20 Food Artisans. These businesses have been chosen based on our preferences after covering more than two years of writing about food on Kauai.

We care about how food get to our table and we strive to eat local, organic and sustainably raised food that is grown in harmony with nature. If you’d like more information on what Marta calls “Conscious Eating” check Food for Thought for a list of articles, books and documentaries that we found useful, engaging and informative. Food and Farming Definitions  demystifies industry language and Steps You Can Take offers easy suggestions so you can insure your food is safe. There’s also a Farmers Market page that lists all the farmers markets on Kauai according to location and day of the week. Our Glossary defines Hawaiian words that have been used on this website. All definitions come from the Hawaiian Dictionary.

Kauai Culinary Tours

 

As local food experts, our culinary tours guide visitors and residents on a culinary romp through paradise. These unique tours offer an authentic taste of the Garden Isle and enables guests to immerse themselves in a farm to fork tour and experience intimate connections with Kauai’s farmers and chefs. Romp through Kauai’s lush hillsides and sample what’s in season. Enjoy a four-course gourmet lunch and cooking demonstration at the Kauai Marriott Resort. Cap the day off with an island cocktail, or two, made with local spirits. For more information, visit our Kauai Culinary Tours page. Our calendar lists 2013 tour dates and our Snaps page lists articles and reviews. As one guest says, “This is the best activity experience I’ve had (on Kauai) and well worth the expense.”

Tasting Kauai is a proud member of the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau

Snaps

The Calgary Herald says Tasting Kauai offers the “best foodie advice,” and that “Local foodie Marta Lane runs the essential resource to local food.” Supporting local food is our passion, and we offer Tasting Kauai as your insider’s guide to the best restaurants, chefs, artisans, beverage makers and farmers on Kauai. For more information about who we are, check out our About Us page.

 

All text and images are copyright protected. © 2012 Tasting Kauai