Pho Kapaa
About
A Taste of Vietnam on the East Side
When you find yourself cruising through Kapaa Town, the savory, anise-spiced steam drifting from Pho Kapaa acts as a natural magnet. This spot captures the unassuming, laid-back essence of Kauai’s east shore, stripping away the pretension of island fine dining in favor of deep, complex broth bowls that warm you up after a long morning of exploring nearby Kealia Beach.
The Broth That Defines the Menu
The kitchen here focuses on traditional execution, primarily known for their classic Pho Bo. You’ll find the signature beef broth is remarkably clear yet heavy on the aromatics—expect the sharp punch of ginger, charred onions, and star anise to hit your senses the moment the bowl touches the table. The portions are substantial, packed with thin, tender slices of beef and enough fresh Thai basil and bean sprouts to create your own perfect balance of crunch and heat.
The Kapaa Local Experience
This isn't a place for white-tablecloth service; it is a bustling, communal space where the clatter of chopsticks against porcelain and the hum of island conversation dominate. It is perfect for those needing a quick, reliable lunch between surf sessions or a satisfying dinner that won’t break the bank. Be mindful that parking in the central Kapaa corridor can be a bit of a localized puzzle, so give yourself an extra five minutes to tuck your car away before grabbing a seat.
Whether you lean toward the traditional beef combinations or prefer the refreshing crunch of their Vietnamese spring rolls, this local kitchen provides a consistent, soul-warming anchor in an area otherwise dominated by tourist-heavy cafes.
Amenities & Features
Location
4-831 Kuhio Hwy 4-831 Kuhio Hwy, Suite 440, 96746, Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii, Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746-1578
More to Explore
Reviews
Showing 10 of 145 community reviewsLauren DavisGoogle Maps
Recently
Absolutely amazing. Super tasty Broth. My favorite part was momma telling us how she grew the Basil fresh in her garden and how to care for our basil plant back in Kona
PīkakeGoogle Maps
Recently
This family-run restaurant has been in business for 13 years. They have great attitudes, offer excellent service, and love accommodating to the local community. My husband and I always get the #15 with tripe and tendons. It's the best comfort food. We drive from the North Shore because their pho is worth the distance. I suggest calling in your order after 8:00 pm just to be respectful and give them a heads up.
jANiCKA GraystonGoogle Maps
Recently
Their pho is delicious. Always a go to when my throat is sore and a cold is coming on- their broth knocked it right out. Heads up - the google menu photos have very out of date prices. Enjoy!
Taylor BrunswickGoogle Maps
Recently
Incredibly fast. Incredibly delicious. Reasonable prices for Kauai. Highly recommend the tofu bahn mi sandwich. It’s saucy and delicious. My parents loved the pho. My kids were having a hard time and the food came out so quickly that we didn’t even have time to request it to go - worked out great because they loved their food too.
RonnieGoogle Maps
Recently
Chilli day, so what's better than having a hot and tasty oxtail soup! Lots of veggies, bahn pho (flat rice noodles) and soft oxtails. Jalapeno for that added kick! Spacious seating, friendly and quick service makes this place appealing. Too busy scuffing down lunch, no time for conversation, ate the whole thing! Menu is overwhelming and they are all good because of their authenticity.
Hang NguyenGoogle Maps
Recently
Our first stop after getting our rental car. Food was good and hit the spot. The dishes were flavorful and staff were friendly.
Devan RomanoGoogle Maps
Recently
Excellent pho. Very clean, air conditioned, fast service. Egg rolls were very good. The owner was our server - he does a great job. Rivals the best pho we have had anywhere else.
Jared DaytonGoogle Maps
Recently
Great to see this place reopened as, for now, it's far superior to the Lihue pho location. Service and food are prompt and direct. Prices are in line considering on Kauai. Food has been consistent in our 3 visits. On a busy night for recent visit they saw our 2 to go containers full and proactively wanted to put it in a box with tape for our drive home. We didn't need that but that proactive service mindset is something special. Banh MI is solid, oxtail bowl solid and dumpling special also good. See photos for full.menu as of May 2025
Prisma BrewerGoogle Maps
Recently
Kapa’a Pho is definitely one of the most delicious restaurants on the whole island. Not only do they use the finest, freshest ingredients, but guests can tell that the family truly cares about each and every detail. Our order was the tofu vegetarian pho, which was super fresh and scrumptious. The jalapeños are the best part! And we also got the stir fried vegetables with asparagus. Both dishes were top notch quality and left us quite satisfied. Mahalo nui loa to the wonderful family who puts so much hard work!
Tyron CarvalhoGoogle Maps
Recently
Have you ever dreamt of trying Vietnamese cuisine? Well, you simply must give Pho Kauai a shot! I ordered the #15 Pho, which had rare steak, meatballs, tendon, and tripe. It was absolutely delicious! Considering the number of customers, the service was lightning-fast. The soup base was spot-on, bursting with flavor, and the portion size was generous. I also highly recommend their fried spring rolls. They’re the perfect sidekick to the meal. And for dessert, I can never pass up their boba drinks. Melon is my absolute favorite flavor.
Comments & Reviews
Please sign in to write a review.
No reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!
Frequently Asked Questions about Pho Kapaa
Common questions from diners about Pho Kapaa in Kapaa.
Nearby Restaurants
$$$$
$