Tasting Kauai Food Tour

Food Tour of Kaua'i runs through Tasting Kauai. Rated 4.5 across 350 reviews. Runs 3 to 4 hours (approx.). From $125.

Overview

Tasting Kauai runs a private food tour that lasts roughly 3 to 4 hours and rotates through a different part of the island depending on the day of the week. Each weekday has a fixed route: Kilauea on Monday and Tuesday, the South Shore from Koloa on Wednesday, the Royal Coconut Coast from Kapa'a on Thursday, Hanapepe on Friday, downtown Lihue on Saturday, and Hanalei on Sunday. The day you book effectively decides where you eat, so it is worth checking the schedule before committing.

The format is simple. You meet the guide at a named starting point, such as Kilauea Fish Market, Kickshaws in Koloa, or Kauai Juice Co. in Kapa'a, and visit a series of local food stops, several of the day-routes being walking tours. Tastings, beverages, and a local guide are all part of the package, and because this is a private tour only your own group takes part. Many reviewers praise the Hawaiian history and legend stories shared between stops, and several mention leaving well fed.

It is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, infants can sit on laps, and a vegetarian option exists if you request it when booking. Hotel pickup is not included, so you make your own way to the meeting point.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet your guideThere is no hotel pickup; you meet at the starting point for your booked day, for example Kilauea Fish Market on the Kilauea tour or Kickshaws in Koloa on the South Shore tour.
2. Pass through KauaiThe route passes through Kauai, with the specific area depending on the day of the week you book.
3. Food tastings and beveragesYou stop at a series of local vendors for included tastings and drinks, and the listing guarantees you skip the long lines.
4. Stories between stopsBetween stops the guide shares local history and cultural stories, a part of the tour many reviewers highlight.
5. Tour endsThe experience runs approximately 3 to 4 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape whether this tour works for you.

• Come hungry. Several reviewers said the samples were generous, with one couple unable to finish the last sushi roll and taking boxes home. One reviewer joked that being too full afterwards was their only complaint. Eat lightly beforehand.
• Dress smart casual. The listing sets a smart casual dress code. Wear comfortable walking shoes, since several of the day-routes, such as the Kilauea, Hanapepe, Lihue, and Hanalei versions, are walking tours.
• History along the way. Reviewers often mention the Hawaiian history, culture and mythology shared between stops. One said the guide also recommended great places to try on their own afterwards.
• Dietary needs. A vegetarian option is available if you advise at booking, and the listing asks you to flag any specific dietary requirements then. One reviewer said the guide accommodated their restrictions well. The listing warns the tour is not recommended for travellers with food allergies.
• Age and family. Children must be accompanied by an adult, the child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults, and infants must sit on laps. One reviewer said a young child was added at no extra charge. The minimum drinking age is 21.
• Weather matters. The listing states the experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Common issues. The tour requires a minimum number of travellers and can be cancelled after confirmation if that minimum is not met, in which case you are offered an alternative or a full refund. A few reviewers felt the amount of food was thin relative to the price, describing shared plates and one small drink, and one wanted more detail about the vendors and why they were chosen. Logistics hiccups also appear: one reviewer reported a no-show caused by a date error, and another reported being charged twice after no one arrived. Gratuities and transportation to and from the meeting point are not included.

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