KP Lihue

KP Lihue – Come Enjoy Traditional Italian Fare Served in an Upscale Atmosphere
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

When only traditional Italian fare will do, skip on over to KP Lihue in East Side Kauai. They go big on flavor by using time-honored recipes to transform all their fresh island ingredients into memorable meals. Plus, as you dine on their amazing dishes, you’ll feel right at home thanks to their friendly service and welcoming atmosphere.

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

At KP Lihue, fresh island ingredients and time-honored recipes come together to create traditional Italian fare that you’re sure to adore. Open for lunch, dinner, and late-night bites, this East Side Kauai eatery promises to treat you to a meal to remember no matter when you drop by. 

As with any excellent Italian eatery, their handmade pasta dishes are the star of the show. From their Spaghetti with Meat Sauce to their Fresh Clam Linguine, their noodles beautifully carry all the sauce and other ingredients, so you can get all the best flavors in every bite. You’re even welcome to sub out their regular pasta for gluten-free brown rice pasta if you want to keep your meal wheat-free.

Although their pasta is pure magic, you really cannot go wrong with any of their dishes. They have everything from Eggplant Parmesan to the Steak of the Day plus plenty of tasty apps and sides to share. As you browse their menu, you can build your perfect meal from the ground up, incorporating all your favorite flavors into each visit. It really doesn’t matter what you choose. All their offerings will undoubtedly have you planning to come back for more as soon as you take your very first bite.

Their ingredients come from all the top island fishermen, farmers, and ranchers, including the ever-popular Makaweli Meat Company. So, you always know that your selections are made with the freshest ingredients possible at every visit.

The fan favorites on their menu include:

Truffle-Parmesan Fries with Three Sauces
When you want to kickstart your appetite in a big way, you absolutely need to try their Truffle-Parmesan Fries with Three Sauces. They create this popular app by frying up their fries to a nice golden brown. Then, they sprinkle on the truffle oil and parmesan before delivering them to your table with their homemade remoulade, ranch, and ketchup.

White Wine Steamed Clams
For all your favorite fresh ocean flavors, treat yourself to the White Wine Steamed Clams. Only available as a dinner appetizer, this dish begins with the creation of their spicy tomato broth with Italian sausage. The clams simmer to perfection in the broth before landing in front of you with grilled bread on the side. Be sure to ask for extra bread, so you can soak up the broth once you’re done savoring each and every clam in the pot.

House Made Pesto Pasta
With its brilliant herb and cheese flavors, the House Made Pesto Pasta never fails to impress. As with all their pasta dishes, this entrée begins with the creation of their handmade pasta from scratch. Then, as the noodles boil away to a perfect al dente, they create their pesto sauce with Kauai basil, Italian parsley, parmesan cheese, macadamia nuts, and olive oil.  

If you want to take your meal to the next level, get their wine by the bottle. They have classics like Caposaldo Pinot Grigio available at all times, allowing you to perfectly pair your meal with the right wine. Not sure which entrees and wine offerings go best together? Just ask your friendly server for their recommendations. They’re very knowledgeable about wine pairings and always happy to help you have the best dining experience with each visit.

Insider Tips:
-If you’re dining in a party of six or more, expect a 20% gratuity to automatically land on your bill.
-There’s an additional fee if you’d like to split entrees with your tablemates.
-You’re welcome to bring your own wine to enjoy with your meal. You’ll just need to pay a corkage fee for your server to open it up tableside.