Hamura Saimin
Saimin + BBQ Sticks · Since 1952
A James Beard America's Classics winner and the soul of Lihue since 1952 — a blue converted-barracks noodle stand with communal counters and a secret shrimp-chicken-pork-scallop broth. A regular or special saimin, a $3.75 chicken or beef stick each, and a shared order of fried won ton runs two about $15–20. Save room for the legendary lilikoi chiffon pie. Cash only, open late.
Mark's Place
Famous Mixed Plate (Share)
A beloved Lihue plate-lunch counter near the airport, famous for a mixed plate big enough to share — kalbi, mahi mahi, chili chicken — with rice and mac salad, plus adobo wings. The mixed plate and a side keep two around $20 (a few items like the shrimp plate run higher, so share the mixed plate). Outdoor picnic-table seating only; popular with locals. Closed weekends.
Smiley's Local Grinds
Smiley's Chicken · Mixed Plate
A takeout favorite five minutes from the airport, slinging crispy boneless Smiley's chicken, kalua pork, beef patty with gravy, and a killer mixed plate — portions so generous regulars say to split one. Plates come with rice and mac salad, so two share for around $20 (don't skip the banana cream or ube cheesecake). Outdoor counter, no seating, worth the wait. Closed Sun.
Paradise Grinds
Lunch Box $14.95 · Fried Chicken
A 4.9-star local plate spot with some of the best fried chicken on the island — teri fried chicken, chicken katsu, garlic shrimp, chili chicken — in crazy-generous portions (one plate is often two meals). The lunch box runs $14.95, so two eat for around $20 with leftovers, plus great malasadas. Cash or Venmo for dinner. Closed Sun.
The Fish Express
Fresh Poke Bowls · Hot Plates
A friendly local fish market with super-fresh poke bowls (ahi-onion, spicy ahi), unique side dishes, great-value hot lunch plates, and some of the best spam musubi around. Decent prices for fresh fish; a poke bowl and a plate (or musubi) keep two near $20. Takeout only — most folks eat out of the car or at a park. A genuine locals' spot.
Konohiki Seafoods
Poke & Local Plates
About as local as it gets — a takeout seafood counter with a line out front for fresh poke (hamachi, ahi limu, surf clam), pre-made local plates, fried chicken and shrimp, and a famous 'Amaze Ball.' The line moves fast; a poke bowl and a plate to share keep two around $20. No seating — grab it and head to a grassy knoll nearby. Closed Sun.
Mama Lucy's Kitchen
Authentic Filipino Home Cooking
A no-frills Puhi spot serving home-style Filipino food the locals love — pork adobo, pork and peas, dinuguan, squid adobo, fried fish, and lumpia, with kanin-kanen desserts. One choice with rice (and half-and-half pancit) runs about $12.47, so two eat for around $20. Order, pay, find a seat by the open window. Real, traditional, and cheap. Closed Sun.
Tip Top Cafe
Oxtail Soup · Diner Since 1916
A nostalgic Lihue diner-bakery that's been going since 1916 — classic local breakfasts (two eggs, Spam, rice), a famous oxtail soup big enough that a regular bowl with extra meat and noodles feeds two, and house malasadas. Hearty and affordable, so two eat for well under $20. Cozy, old-Hawai'i charm; closes early afternoon. Closed Mon.
Shaka Burgers Hawaii
Smash Burgers · Porko Loco Moco
A 4.9-star food truck near the airport making thick, juicy smash burgers as wide as the bun, killer Shaka fries, and a Porko Loco — loco moco upgraded with pork belly over garlic rice and gravy with an over-easy egg. Made to order and fairly priced, so two eat for around $20. Lunch-only and lines form before open, so go early. Closed weekends.
Oki's Box Lunches
Box Lunches & Daily Specials
A warm, family-run box-lunch counter where owner Barbara Oki personally greets you and steers you to the day's best — fried teriyaki chicken, daily lunch specials served with rice and noodle salad — at prices so low people order multiple. Two can eat for well under $20. In a mall with ample parking and covered seating. Friendly, simple, local.
Kauai Bakery
Best Malasadas on Kauai
A Kukui Grove bakery with what many call the best malasadas on the island — the ube one is a must, plus coconut and cinnamon-sugar, all fluffy and fresh, alongside mac-nut lattes. Malasadas are a couple of dollars each, so two share a box plus coffee for well under $20. They travel well enough that fans take boxes back to the mainland. Closed Sun–Mon.
Uncle D's Kauai
BBQ on a Mac Boat
An only-on-Kauai mashup — craft beer, disc-golf gear, and seriously good barbecue tucked in a Lihue mini-mall. Pulled pork and smoked brisket come on a 'macaroni boat' (or a brisket Philly), in portions so ample two can barely finish. A sandwich or boat plus a shared side keeps two around $20. Friendly owner, local-beer selection. Open Wed–Sat.
💡 Pro tip: All deals are community-verified but prices and availability change. Always check the restaurant's website or app before making a special trip — and if something's expired, flag it on our main directory so we can update it.
These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Lihue.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Pick 6 — Meal for Two from $19.99
The Pick 6 lets two people build a shared meal — choose six items across wings, tenders, and sides — starting around $19.99. A reliable two-for-$20 play at any BWW. Dine-in or takeout; pricing varies slightly by market.
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