7 Best Shave Ice Spots on Kauai That Locals Love (And Visitors Shouldn’t Miss!)

Want to know where to find the best shave ice on Kauai? Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, we’re revealing the top 7 shave ice spots on the island—including a few hidden gems—and sharing insider tips to help you order like a local.

By the end of this travel podcast, you’ll not only know the best shave ice spots on Kauai, but also how to order like a local and enjoy the island’s sweetest treat the right way. Supporting local businesses while embracing Hawaiian culture is an important part of any trip to Hawaii, and indulging in shave ice is the perfect way to do just that.

Whether you’re planning to visit Hawaii or already exploring the beauty of Kauai, this episode is packed with travel tips and travel hacks to help you make the most of your Hawaii vacation.

👉 In this episode, you will:

• Discover the 7 must-visit shave ice spots on Kauai, from local favorites to hidden gems.
• Learn how to order like a pro with must-try toppings and flavor combinations that will take your shave ice to the next level.
• Discover a fun and delicious way to support local businesses while enjoying the island’s best flavors.

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Scroll up ⬆️ and hit play now to start planning your sweet Kauai shave ice adventure!

🎧Related episodes:

• Ultimate Kauai Travel Guide
  • Listen 
• Kauai's Hidden Gems
  • Listen
• Planning Your First Trip to Kauai
  • Listen

⎯

💻Related blog posts:

• The Best Shave Ice on Kauai
• How Many Days Should You Spend on Kauai?
• 8 Best Snorkel Spots on Kauai

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🤓Chapters:

• 1:12 - Overview of Kauai's Shave Ice Culture
• 2:18 - Understanding Shave Ice Basics
• 5:23 - 7 Best Shave Ice Spots in Kauai
• 11:25 - Customizing Your Shave Ice Like a Pro
• 12:41 - Final thoughts

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This podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.

Edge of the Ocean, Stick Figure (w/ permission)

Ukulele and Chill, Coby G (w/ permission)

Chapters

• 1:12 Overview of Kauai's Shave Ice Culture
• 2:18 Understanding Shave Ice Basics
• 5:23 7 Best Shave Ice Spots in Kauai
• 11:25 Customizing Your Shave Ice Like a Pro
• 12:41 Final Thoughts

Transcript

141_Kauai Shave Ice_01

[00:00:00] Bryan Murphy: In this episode, you'll discover the seven must visit shave ice spots on Kauai. The one thing visitors often get wrong when ordering their shave ice. And the secret to customizing your shave ice like a pro,

[00:00:17] Bryan Murphy: a little hot. And welcome to Hawaii's Best, the podcast that helps you discover the best of Hawaii. Here you'll get travel tips, the latest news and everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Hawaii.

[00:00:31] Bryan Murphy: Aloha. My name is Bryan. I'm a dad of three, a certified Hawaii destination expert, and your guide to Hawaii. In this episode, you'll discover the seven must visit shave ice spots on Kauai, many of which are loved by locals. You'll discover also the common mistake visitors often make when ordering their shave ice, and you'll learn how to customize your shave ice like a pro for the ultimate island treat on Kui.

[00:00:59] Bryan Murphy: Welcome to episode 1 41 of Hawaii's Best, and on the show we often feature local businesses and voices who share their unique perspectives on visiting Hawaii and helping you travel with Aloha. Today we're talking all about Hawaii's iconic shave ice. We're giving UA a little love as I was. Going over the content calendar, I realize don't have much content or many episodes about Kauai.

[00:01:24] Bryan Murphy: So this episode and the one previous couple days ago. And then next week we'll also be featuring things to do and what to know about visiting Ka. So given Kauai some love, we actually just got back from Kui not too long ago and I can't wait to share some of our experiences regarding Shave Ice there.

[00:01:45] Bryan Murphy: And I'll share. Our girls, we have three girls. I'll share our girls, um, their favorite way to order their shave ice. By the end of today's episode, you'll know if you're missing out on some of the best shave ice spots on Kauai. A lot of them are local. It's kind of hard to go wrong with a good shave ice spot, but I just wanted to narrow this down to seven that we like.

[00:02:06] Bryan Murphy: The list is gonna be in no particular order, but they're all kind of the same and unique in their own. So I'll be highlighting some of those as we go throughout the episode today. So before we like really get into the top seven, I think it's good to have some context and some terms of what to know when ordering Shave Ice and why it's called Shave Ice.

[00:02:28] Bryan Murphy: So I. Just to start with some of the basics. What exactly is shave ice? Well, first, it's not a snow cone, you know, unlike the chunky hard bits of crutched ice in snow cones, shave ice is finally shaved from a solid block of ice, and it creates this soft, fluffy texture that just absorbs the syrup. Perfectly and just melts in your mouth.

[00:02:51] Bryan Murphy: You just gotta experience it. One tip and uh, an important tip to know is that in Hawaii it's called shave ice, not shaved ice. Because I had to do some research on this because I wasn't exactly sure why. So my research has showed that it's due to local linguistic tradition and Japanese influence, where the original term kaki gori.

[00:03:16] Bryan Murphy: And forgive me if I'm not pronouncing that a hundred percent accurate. I'm sure I didn't, but it doesn't include the D sound. So that at least from my research has shown why it's not called shaved ice. It's, I think it's just has been tradition. It's shave ice in Hawaii, I. And mainland, typically you'll, people will say shaved ice.

[00:03:37] Bryan Murphy: But what makes Kauai Shave Ice so special is that shave ice in Kauai is, it's all about the syrups. I mean, anywhere in Hawaii, but especially in Kauai, many of the best spots for shave ice are on Kauai, at least in my opinion and experience, is because they use some of the best fresh, locally sourced ingredients like mango, pineapple, passion fruit, and.

[00:03:59] Bryan Murphy: Even dragon fruit is something that is really hard to replicate. One, also important thing to know before we get into today's top seven, is about the toppings and some of the key terms to know on the menu and when you are ordering. Uh, snow Cap is a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk that adds just creamy sweetness.

[00:04:19] Bryan Murphy: It's a must try. Honestly, every time I get shave ice, it's, it's a no brainer for me. I always do a still cap. Zuki beans is, it's a sweet red bean, often used in traditional Hawaiian desserts, and they pair presently well with shave ice mochi balls, uh, they are chewy rice flour balls that add a nice, fun texture ice cream base.

[00:04:40] Bryan Murphy: Always highly recommend getting ice cream base, so whether it be a scoop of vanilla or macadamia nut ice cream at the bottom. It's so good. Leaking powder is a tangy, salty, sweet plum powder sprinkled on top for bold, unique flavor. Leaking is also great on within cocktails as well. Just a side note, so if you see that on the menu, like a leaking.

[00:05:01] Bryan Murphy: Margarita, go for it. Just a fun fact. Didn't originate in Hawaii. It was brought over in the early 19 hundreds by Japanese immigrants who adapted their traditional kaki, gory dessert using local ingredients. So over time, Hawaiians made their own adding tropical fruits and creative toppings, like I mentioned just a bit ago.

[00:05:21] Bryan Murphy: So, all right, here we go. The top seven shave ice spots on quite no particular order, just from experience and just from also polling people about their favorite spots. If your favorite spot didn't make the list, let me know. Um, I'm sorry. Alright. The first one on our list, no particular order again, so don't come after me.

[00:05:42] Bryan Murphy: So number one, why Lewis Chaise. Kapa Wa Luisa Ice is definitely a must visit for its focus on organic handcrafted syrups made with fresh local ingredients. So their flavors are bright, they're unique, and it really showcases the fruits of Kauai. Some of their signature flavors are the lava flow, which is a combination of pineapple.

[00:06:06] Bryan Murphy: Strawberry and roasted coconut topped with a jalapeno foam. It's sweet. It's tropical. Hint spice. So good. Another one of their signature flavors is dragon blood, which is made with dragon fruit, pineapple juice, honey, and a sprinkle of leaking powder. A quick tip about Y Lua shave ice is that it can get busy, especially in the afternoons.

[00:06:31] Bryan Murphy: So visit if you can during off peak hours, they've got air conditioned seating, which makes a great spot to cool Deon and relax as well. But just be aware that it does get busy. A lot of these places get busy, but especially this spot. All right, number two, jojo's Shave Ice and they have multiple location to cross.

[00:06:50] Bryan Murphy: The island of Kauai Jojo's is a definitely a local favorite known for its huge portions and just classical Hawaiian flavors. They've been around for about 20 years, and a couple standout flavors would be the Tropical Breeze, which is a mix of guava lily coi, which is passion, fruit, and mango. My girl's favorite is their Lilo and Stitch.

[00:07:13] Bryan Murphy: It's, if I can remember right, it's like a blue raspberry and a red. I think it's cherry or strawberry, but it's a blue and a red. They get it with the vanilla ice cream at the bottom and a snow cap on top, and they really, really like that one. So try their Lilo and stitch vanilla on the bottom. Snow cap and tell Hawaii's best set.

[00:07:33] Bryan Murphy: You just kidding. So if you're looking for a great spot across the islands, multiple locations, Jojo's is a, is a great spot. We visited him at their, uh, it was on the coconut coast, so it was at the coconut marketplace. The, so yeah, it was there. Alright, number three, the Fresh shave in Koloa, the Fresh Shave.

[00:07:55] Bryan Murphy: It stands out. Because of its all natural ingredients. Focus on sustainability. They're big on eco-friendly practices like using bamboo straws and serving their shave ice in coconut cups, which is kind of cool. Their menu is all the around mustache names, which is unique and adds this kind of a playful touch to everything.

[00:08:14] Bryan Murphy: Some of their popular flavors are the F Manchu, which is made of strawberry banana, and a drizzle of cream, and their handlebar, which is a mixture of coconut pineapple topped with shredded coconut. This spot is definitely Instagram worthy. If you go to their Instagram, you can see just how fun some of their marketing is and what they've done with their branding.

[00:08:39] Bryan Murphy: So it's not just about the shave ice, it's, it's a fun presentation at the Fresh Shave. Next up is number four. Heat, heat, fat. I believe that's how you pronounce it. Don't hate me, but a lot of people say he fat, but I believe it's the hee Fat general store. It's in Kapa. Message me if I'm pronouncing that incorrect.

[00:09:00] Bryan Murphy: Would appreciate that. Anyways, this place is great. If you want massive portions, you want a huge shave ice, this is definitely a spot for you. It's located in the historic general store. They also have creative seasonal syrups, so depending on when you're visiting, you can ask them about their seasonal fruit syrups If you're in Kapa.

[00:09:21] Bryan Murphy: This is a great stop for an afternoon treat after exploring the nearby beaches or shops, so definitely worth visiting. Next up number five is Omo Shave Ice, which is off of K Road and Kaleo Omo Shave Ice is all about quality. They use locally sourced ingredients. I think you're kind of picking up on a theme here.

[00:09:42] Bryan Murphy: They offer plenty of vegan and gluten-free options as well. This is a definitely a great option for you. This is a great stop. After hitting the beaches or shopping at the local boutiques nearby, hit 'em up. And number six is uncles shave ice in either lihue or poipu. So for a more traditional Hawaiian shave ice experience, uncles is a great spot to visit.

[00:10:05] Bryan Murphy: They offer classic toppings like mochi balls and zuki beans, but what really sets 'em apart is their shave snow mix. This combines dairy and syrup. To create a creamy, almost dessert like texture. It's this unique twist on the traditional shave ice experience Uncles is known for its welcoming and friendly Atmospheres kind of in the name Uncle Shave Ice, and it's a great spot to slow down and enjoy more of a lay back shave ice experience after maybe a long day or maybe a start to a full day.

[00:10:39] Bryan Murphy: And last but not least, up on the North Shore in Hana Lei, we have wishing well shave ice. It's a beloved spot located in a vintage truck, and this spot has been serving shave ice for over 40 years now, and it's more than just a shave ice stand. They also offer acce bowls, smoothies, coffee, making a versatile stop on your journey up to the North Shore for snack light meal.

[00:11:02] Bryan Murphy: Some of their standout flavors include hibiscus lime, which is a tingy floral option. That's super refreshing. And they're ginger for something a little bit different, but also with a little kick. It's a great stop for after exploring maybe Hanae Bay or some of the nearby trails. It's definitely one of the top shave ice spots on the island of Kui.

[00:11:25] Bryan Murphy: Some quick tips on how to customize your shave ice like a pro is knowing how to order so. I would definitely recommend starting with a scoop of ice cream. Adding macadamia nut or vanilla ice cream at the bottom of your shave ice is definitely a game changer Also. Like I mentioned earlier is go for a a snow cap.

[00:11:44] Bryan Murphy: Also, don't be afraid to blend flavors together. Some classic commas include mango and pineapple and coconut and lime. Gotta put the lime in the coconut and it's really hard to. Go wrong with blending some of these flavors. One tip that I often will do is I'll ask the person I'm ordering, like, Hey, what's your favorite or What do you recommend?

[00:12:05] Bryan Murphy: And sometimes more often you'll get, you know, their, their top sellers, but also some things that aren't on the menu. That some of the workers have kind of created on their own, and some of those are the best. So don't be afraid to ask questions as you're, you know, traveling. It's important to support local, but this is a great easy way to support local is by going to one of these sha by spots and contributing your.

[00:12:29] Bryan Murphy: Vacation budget there, but also you get to experience flavors like nowhere else in the world. It's really a great win-win you. You get amazing shave ice and you get to help support local business. So if you enjoyed this episode and you're visiting Kaia anytime soon, be sure to share this with the people you're going to Kaia with.

[00:12:47] Bryan Murphy: Get them excited. About grabbing shave ice on the island of Ka. Thank you so much for joining me today on this episode. If you haven't already hit follow on the podcast app you are listening to to get our next episode, which will be a seven day itinerary on the island of Kui coming out this coming Wednesday.

[00:13:06] Bryan Murphy: So be sure to follow so you get that episode as soon as it is released. And until next time, as always. Live with Aloha

[00:13:18] Bryan Murphy: Mala for listening to this episode of Hawaii's. Best to stay up to date on future episodes. Hit follow on your podcast app. Hawaii's Best is a production of shore break media group with editing by easy podcast solutions and music courtesy of our friends. Stick figure.