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The Best Places to Get a Mixed Plate on Kauai
Kauai, known as the Garden Isle, isn’t just famous for its lush landscapes and stunning beaches—it’s also a haven for incredible local food. One dish that truly captures the island’s diverse culinary influences is the mixed plate. Inspired by Hawaii’s plantation-era history, the mixed plate is a delicious combination of flavors, often featuring proteins like teriyaki beef, shoyu chicken, or fresh fish, served alongside scoops of rice and creamy mac salad.
Whether you're a local or a visitor craving an authentic taste of Kauai, here are the best places to grab a mixed plate on the island.
Mark’s Place (Lihue)
Why You’ll Love It: Big portions, affordable prices, and some of the best plate lunches on the island.
A local favorite, Mark’s Place serves up generous portions with bold island flavors. Their teriyaki beef, katsu chicken, and beef stew combo is a must-try. Plus, their signature chili pepper chicken is one of the most popular items on the menu.
Location: 1610 Haleukana St, Lihue, HI
Must-Try Plate: Teriyaki beef & chicken katsu combo
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Pono Market (Kapa‘a)
Why You’ll Love It: Authentic Hawaiian-style mixed plates with fresh seafood options.
Pono Market has been serving locals for over 50 years, and their daily mixed plate specials are packed with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Try their teriyaki chicken, laulau, kalua pork, or poke for an unforgettable island feast.
Location:4-1300 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa‘a, HI
Must-Try Plate: Kalua pork, laulau, and poke
Koloa Fish Market (Koloa)
Why You’ll Love It: Amazing fresh seafood with a Hawaiian plate lunch twist.
For some of the best poke and seafood mixed plates on Kauai, head to Koloa Fish Market. Their plate lunches feature grilled ahi, shoyu chicken, and kalua pork, served with rice and mac salad. It’s takeout only, so grab a plate and enjoy it at Poipu Beach, just a few minutes away.
Location: 5482 Koloa Rd, Koloa, HI
Must-Try Plate: Grilled ahi & shoyu chicken
Konohiki Seafoods (Lihue)
Why You’ll Love It: Fresh fish, poke, and daily plate lunch specials.
Konohiki Seafoods is known for its incredible poke bowls, but their mixed plates are equally amazing. They often feature local favorites like garlic shrimp, furikake salmon, and mochiko chicken. The portions are solid, and the flavors are on point.
Location: 3-4301 Kuhio Hwy, Lihue, HI
Must-Try Plate: Mochiko chicken & garlic shrimp
Hanalima Bakery & Deli (Lihue)
Why You’ll Love It: A tremendous breakfast-lunch spot with hearty plate lunches.
While known for its baked goods, Hanalima Bakery also serves hearty plate lunches perfect for fueling a day of island adventures. Try their hamburger steak, fried chicken, or mahi-mahi plate, all served with rice and mac salad.
Location: 3-2600 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, HI
Must-Try Plate: Fried chicken & mahi-mahi
Waimea Plantation Cottages Restaurant (Chicken in a Barrel BBQ) (Waimea)
Why You’ll Love It: Smoked meats and BBQ-style plate lunches.
If you love smoky, slow-cooked meats, Chicken in a Barrel serves a Hawaiian BBQ-style mixed plate that’s hard to beat. Their ribs, chicken, and pulled pork bring a unique spin to the classic plate lunch.
Location: 9400 Kaumualii Hwy, Waimea, HI
Must-Try Plate: BBQ sampler plate (ribs, pulled pork & chicken)
No trip to Kauai is complete without trying a classic mixed plate, and these spots serve up some of the best flavors on the island. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, Hawaiian BBQ, or local comfort food, these restaurants and takeout spots deliver big portions, bold flavors, and the true taste of Hawaii.
