The 35 best ocean view restaurants in Kauai

We’ve come here many times over the years but first time back since pandemic We came for dinner at 5:15 Drinks -5/5 We all got mai tais and they were delicious! (Merrimans was slightly better) decent wines but wish they had more options by the glass. Food- ahi poke tostada (special) 5/5 Pork potstickers 3/5 kind of dry and the sauce was too creamy and spicy so asked for soy sauce Got the filet and it was perfectly cooked (rare) Amazing views as always Decent service- she was super helpful with timing our food around sunset so we could go take photos

Booked a reservation ahead of time so that we could snag a coveted sunset table! Everyone was unbelievably kind from the moment we arrived. We were celebrating our anniversary and gifted a champagne toast, while being showered with congratulations from everyone that passed. The lobster bisque is unmatched, the ahi tuna was exceptional, and the veggie pot pie still has my mouth watering the next day. We are so grateful to the wonderful service Rainey provided. If you want an incredible meal during your Kauai vacation, this is it!

We ate here to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The food was amazing and the view was spectacular! Kristy took great care of us and brought us a complimentary champagne to help us celebrate. The filet was so tender, you could cut it with a crayon. Incredible!

We went to the Beach House to celebrate our Honeymoon this past Thursday. We had Richie as our server, and he was absolutely amazing. He gave excellent recommendations and ensured that our visit was enjoyable. The view was gorgeous and you could walk onto the sand after eating. We ordered the coconut shrimp (half eaten in the picture, oops) and crab cakes as starters. We had the filet and diver scallops for our mains (both recommended by Richie). Everything was absolutely phenomenal.

I highly recommend visiting the Beach House if you are visiting the south shore of Kauai. The open atmosphere is great, very good view of the ocean, and tables were comfortably spaced apart. Book ahead of time. It is on the pricier side of other local restaurants and well worth it. I had the fish & lobster pasta. The only way I can describe it is how Tom Hanks acted in Castaway when he finally made fire and cooked lobster. I would have it again & again. Shout out to our server Kevin who was amazing.

Came into this dinner not knowing what to expect. Menu looked great but after a few underwhelming restaurants where you pay for the views I half expected that here. Place was awesome! Started with Mai tais, which were excellent with the foam. Warning though it is pretty sweet so if that’s not your thing maybe opt for something else. Appetizers we got the crab cakes. I’m not a huge crab cake guy but these were excellent, although very very small. For entrees she got the lobster seafood pasta which was amazing. I got the ahi which was an 8/10. We added a side of green beans which were very flavorful. Finished with the chocolate cake with raspberry and coconut which was also very good. All in all one of our best dining experiences in Hawaii!

Beach House : Unbeatable Sunsets and Impeccable Service. This was our first time at the Beach House Restaurant, and it was an absolutely magical evening. The reputation for having the best sunset view on the island is well-deserved. From our table, we had a front-row seat to a spectacular display of colors as the sun dipped below the horizon, with palm trees silhouetted against the sky. The sound of the waves and the string lights created a perfect, romantic atmosphere that you just can't beat. Five stars for the ambience, without a doubt. The service was just as impressive as the view. Every staff member we interacted with was incredibly friendly, professional, and attentive. Our server (Hi'ilea) was fantastic—making great recommendations and ensuring our glasses were never empty. They truly made us feel welcome and catered to, elevating the entire experience. A clear five stars for service. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The mocktails were refreshing, the sides were cooked to perfection, and the tiramisu for dessert was a wonderful end to the meal. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. The only reason I'm giving the food four stars instead of five is the limited number of vegetarian options on the menu. While the dishes they did have were great, a bit more variety for non-meat eaters would make this place an absolute home run. Overall, I highly recommend the Beach House for a special occasion or a romantic dinner. It’s an unforgettable experience that is worth every penny for the incredible views and flawless service.

Great ambience, views, and service. Cody, who took care of us, was so sweet and provided a great service. Veg options were very limited, but the one option they had - Thai curry - tasted good. I wish they had some protein on their like tofu instead of just veggies. My husband got the fresh catch which he rated 4/5 as well. For dessert we got their apple banana spring rolls which honestly was a little bit of a let down. Overall - food was okay, ambience was wonderful!

Amazing ambiance right on the water. They had Hawaiian ukulele music which made the experience even more unforgettable. The food was amazing, just wish we would have gone here from the very beginning instead of making it our last stop!

Experience here was great! A few items caused me to give 4 stars instead of 5. Pros: short rib was phenomenal in flavor. Market lobster was amazing! View was great, right on the ocean. We didn’t have a reservation but got sat in less than 10min. Our server was a total sweet heart and we really enjoyed her. Cons: hostess was not welcoming at all. With that being the first greeting into the restaurant usually they should be more friendly with less attitude. The sauce on the gnocchi with my market lobster was not to my liking but I think that’s more personal preference.

My husband and I came here while on our honeymoon, and Ryan, the manager, went out of his way to make sure we had the most amazing experience and felt celebrated. From the complimentary toast and dessert to his thoughtful storytelling about each dish, every detail felt special. We loved it so much we came back twice in the same week! The food was not only fresh and delicious but presented beautifully, with picturesque views that added to the magic. This place truly feels like an oasis — the perfect setting for a unique and memorable dining experience. Since they are only open for dinner, I’d recommend making this a special treat for you and your group. We cannot recommend it highly enough!

There is less beach dinning on the island than you'd think. This restaurant is situated right beside the beach. View of the ocean is perfect as is the breeze. Food was pretty good. It won't knock your socks off but it's also very solid. Cocktails were good, especially in the context of the island. Service was particularly friendly as it always is in Hawaii. Worth a spin of you're not budget conscious.

If you read one review for this restaurant, let it be this one (I run restaurants for a living). The view here is excellent. The service was even better. We had Cody as our waiter and he had some of the best service we’ve ever seen in the Americas. The food: Short rib- 9/10 Grilled catch of the day Marlin- 8/10 Cold water lobster-7/10 (good flavor, overcooked) Clams-8.5/10 Banana spring roll dessert- 9.5/10 The food here is not extremely fast, but it was worth the wait. This is inside of a hotel but at the back end by the beach. Everything was extremely fresh. They source all their ingredients from the island.

We arrived 5 minutes early and the greeting was sadly surly. Mai Tais were short and they added some amaretto to it... :-( The wontons were skinny and sauce watery. We had so looked forward to repeating our wonderful experience from the last trip, however.... Loud hip hop music was hardly an island feel, so we left.

Interesting stop, but not worth a wait if you have to wait. 1. Got the Wagyu burger. Tasted like any other premade burger. And kinda dry.. unlike what you’d expect for Wagyu. Fries were good. 2. Also go the Fish n Chips special. 1 Ono beer battered filet, 3 coconut shrimp, 2 beer battered shrimp. The Ono was so dry as well. Expected juicy and flakey. The saving grace was the coconut shrimp. Such a nice coconut flavor. The pineapple slaw was ok. 3. Ice Cream Cake. Tasted freezer burned. Like they make it and keep it uncovered in the freezer for days at a time? Not worth $15 for sure. Also was there for an entire hour. Not terrible but literally only because we had to keep asking for service. Repeatedly flagging down our server. VIEW and breeze were amazing. Not worth $90 lunch though. Wouldn’t go back. Try a different place in town.

Made reservations in advance for a party of 16 on a Thursday evening. Very nice location with ocean views. Service was friendly and most attentive - definitely on Hawaiian time, no rush. Lava Flow cocktails were delicious! Also loved the Old Fashioned. Would not recommend the Mai Tai (one of the worst I've had, but could've been a one-off). Loved the Pad Thai (vegetarian), Loco Moco, and Wasabi Seared Ahi. Would definitely recommend for a nice Hawaiian meal with a large group + great views!

This is a fun, lively, very popular restaurant and bar right across the street from Poipu Beach Park. Make reservations to be sure you have a spot. Local beers on tap, wine, and cocktails are available. There’s a good though early happy hour from 3 - 5. We enjoyed our Coconut Shrimp, Caesar Salad, and drinks, though the Pineapple Upside Down Cake was a disappointment.

My sister and I ordered the chicken Caesar salad, Asian noodle salad, and chicken fingers (to go). They served us rotten chicken on our Caesar salad. The chicken was grey, and it smelled like rotted fish and soiled milk. It was inedible. We didn't eat the chicken, but had a few of the Caesar salad lettuce pieces, and we were still sick for the rest of the night. The noodle salad tasted bland and underwhelming. The chicken fingers were also underwhelming and they gave us three nugget sized pieces. I'm really disappointed with Brenneckes and still feel sick from the chicken.

We went here after seeing the turtles across the street and it was simply amazing. The ahi tacos were INSANE literally the best tacos I’ve ever had. Everyone else got various things, and everyone said each of their items was crazy good. Atmosphere is incredible as well, servers were so nice and the wait honestly wasn’t very long right at dinner time.

This is a popular place fo dinner with good sunset views. Reservations are recommended, especially for large groups. We had an amazing experience from start to finish, the service was fast and friendly and the food was fresh and delicious. Personally recommending the poke bowl and the loco moco 😋😛😛😛

The Ahi sandwich was great. Really liked the Ahi medium rare with Togarashi, it was done perfectly. Definitely recommend people visiting to have a meal especially since the view of the ocean is nice since you are on the second floor and a park is across the street. Didn’t have a reservation and originally they said an hour wait but ended up being 20 minutes.

Visited on a Monday afternoon with 8 guests and waited about 25 minutes for a table. Nearby beach was also busy. Pretty outdoor atmosphere/seating. End of September, so quite humid and a little hot. Ordered the Ribs/Chicken Plate with Mac Salad and Rice - very tasty. Prices as to be expected for area. Service was friendly and attentive. We were seated by the live music, and the speaker was quite loud - we could hardly hear one another while it was playing. Other than that and the chicken flying onto our table, we'd recommend.

The best of Kauai both food, service, atmosphere. We both had the Mac Nut Herb Crusted Fish Monchong or Mukau, By Native Hawaiians. how ever it was spelled as that was the nearest pronunciation I can give. It came with the lemon butter burre blanc with capers. A rice pilaf that was light and tender with roasted carrots vert. Extra burr blanc sauce was nice and recommend by Courtney. I also ran the awesome salad bar that had cold lettuce, dressings, with many different salad offerings plus the best sweetest melons and pineapple. The pineapple was the best I had in two weeks on the Island.

Beautiful Atmosphere inside and outside, both downstairs and upstairs. Lots of tables overlooking the ocean, seeing the surfers in the daytime. The staff are wonderful and the food is delicious. Our server Keenan was an AMAZING EXCELLENT Server. He was on point with everything. Very attentive. The Prime Rib was wonderful. Every dish my party had was wonderful. Coconut shrimp was cooked to perfection and everything was served hot. The Hula pie is enough to share. The Live Music was enjoyable. The specialty drinks were good as well, but should have had more liquor in it.

We came for Sunday brunch. The food was amazing. My husband raved about the fish especially. The fried rice was delicious, more of a "dry" fried rice rather than sticky, which is my preference. The eggs benedict was really good, I was surprised that the yolks were still runny despite being a buffet setting. The waitress was very attentive, which again, I didn't expect for a buffet. My water glass was never empty, and I go through water quickly. There was also live music, which was really lovely. And they have a complimentary valet. We had reservations, but I don't think they were necessary. Probably during the summer months it would be.

The service wasn't the best. We had requested a table with a view during booking our reservation. It felt like the young girl seated us as far away as possible. When my husband asked if we could move to another table, he was told no. The tables sat empty during our entire dining experience. The food was good. It was more about the atmosphere. If they improve their customer service, they could be great.

It's a typical resort restaurant. The atmosphere is fun for kids. I had ravioli and friends ordered the salad and seafood. The quality was good though not exceptional. It's probably not a bad place to have a meal. The choices in the area are limited.

The setting is absolutely beautiful. We were very much looking forward to enjoying dinner with a stunning view!! Staff was very attentive but when it comes to the food .... I was truly disappointed. The baked fish was fine.... flakey and well prepared...the sauce was okay ..... but barely there. The sides however were just horrible. The rice was cooked to mush.... and as a veggie side I got 1 uncooked brussels sprout...cut up into 4 pieces.

Overall, 5 stars but the late night parking situation was inconvenient. There's a TINY lot in the back (go under the restaurant), and the lot across the street says no parking after 6pm. Thankfully, found a street spot not too far, but still far from a cross walk (if jaywalking isn't your thing). STRONGLY recommend making recommendations because it was packed. Service was really great, and the food was REALLY good. Wagyu steak was so good, and the nachos were delicious too. Drink selection was solid as well. Can only imagine what the view is like during the day.

What a great spot. We are bummed we just learned about it & they are closing 2/26. Such a fun environment, excellent service, and delicious food! I'm glad we got to enjoy appetizers there 1 night, then get a reservation & return for dinner the following night, which was also our last night before flying back to Oakland. Best wishes to all the wonderful servers and staff!

Torn with this rating. The food was great but the service was abysmal. We were seated at the ledge, which is considered the bar area? Took forever to get any type of acknowledgement from our waiter. We saw at least 4-5 other tables that sat down after us and get their food before we did. Restaurant had great views of the ocean, albeit we were there at 8:15. Luckily the moon was out and lit up the ocean.

Went here based on a recommendation from our Airbnb owner and I’m sure glad we did. Super fun small little restaurant right on the coast with absolute amazing views of the ocean. Open air and fantastic island vibe. The staff was friendly and efficient. We did small plates splitting the Wagyu sliders, Mediterranean toast and grilled cheese. I must say the grilled cheese was one of the best things I’ve had to eat in a long time, but you can’t go wrong with any of these dishes!!!

Had a great dinner at Sam's with a perfect view of the beach during sunset. Pretty much all of the seats have a great view of the ocean. The restaurant faces East, so you don't see the actual setting of the sun, but the view is still georgous as the clouds and ocean turn colors during sunset. And if you are lucky or time it right, you can catch a spectacular moonrise! The sea lights up like a bed of diamonds with the moonbeams glistening on the waves. For dinner, my wife had a chimichurri wagyu steak that was simply fantastic. One of the best dishes we had on our entire trip and definitely the best steak. I had the ahi tuna special which had a wasabi ginger preparation over an avacado cucumber salad- also delicious. Definitely plan a visit to Sam's if you come to Kauai- reservations are a must if you want a sunset or moonrise timeslot.

Really enjoyed our meal here. Drinks were yummy and super strong. Like really strong. Parking can be a drag but the food was delicious and our server Abby was a great. Ahi nachos a must and the boar sausage was such a great dish. Would definitely come again when I'm back on the island

This came highly recommended from our Airbnb hostess and she did not steer us wrong! The restaurant is smaller and parking can be difficult so reservations may be required, we were able to get in as a couple on a Saturday night. The ocean front view is really spectacular. If it’s windy you may want to bring a light jacket because it can get a bit chilly. We ordered the fried cauliflower appetizer on the recommendation of our server and it was phenomenal! They add capers and Parmesan with lemon to really make a great app. My boyfriend ordered the fish and chips and really liked it, especially the fries. I had the special (I wish I could remember the name of the fish) and it was phenomenal. Seriously some of the best fish I’ve ever had in my life. It was cooked just right and was so buttery it melted in my mouth! The service was excellent and even the table water tasted good! Definitely will be back again during our time in Kauai!

We had a great dinner here and the food was delicious! We got the crab cakes (strong recommend), tagliatelle, forbidden rice with scallops, and coconut seared scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly! The restaurant is on top of a koi fish pond and some tables have a great view. I wish we got to see more of the beach/ocean. Overall it’s a great place to eat. Note that there is a wait still even with reservations

Delicious meal in a tropical romantic setting, Incredible service at one of Kauai most beautiful resorts. I highly recommend! It was truly our best dinner in Hawaii hands down. It's definitely worth the money! Excellent 👌 food , service and setting

What an incredible place. We made reservations because of a recommendation and we are so happy we did. We came to Kauai with my parents and 4 of us were absolutrly impressed with quality of food, service & atmosphere. The bungalows were beautiful, the ambience stellar - tide pools, koi fish and waterfalls with the beach in the background as sunset. Just wow. We ordered the the beet & candied lemon appetizer which was delicious. I ordered the Hawaiian Catch and the lobster was the best I have had (and I have eaten at several top reviewed lobster restaurants in Maine with fresh Maine Lobster and this was BETTER). The purple potatoes so incredible also. My partner had the Mahi Mahi absolutely loved it. My parents had the special - surf & turf. We all ate every bite because each dish was spectacular. We were so full but weren't going to pass up desert. We got the Ugi Custard and my parents got the pineapple cheesecake and donuts - again spectacular and we ate every bite. We left over full but it was SO GOOD. The prices are high but you don't get that atmosphere every day. Just do it - you wont regret it. Make your reservation in advance.

Tidepools is a fantastic restaurant! Great vibes with the surrounding koi fish pond and you can see the ocean & hear the waves crash while you dine. A table closer to the sunset time is ideal to catch this place before the dark to take in the ambience. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of food for a place of such view at the resort-Grand Hyatt. The best seafood I’ve had an island hands down. Tried the dynamite crab cakes and the coconut scallops both cooked to perfection! The Hawaiian catch was really fresh and delicious! The lobster tail was better than ones from New England and CA area I’ve had in the past! Top notch dining experience. A bonus is the warm buttered toro roll served to every table-so freshly baked! Tidepools was part of our Kauai highlight.

Tidepools is not only visually stunning but offered fantastic variety on the menu. The staff was knowledgeable, Juan our server had great menu suggestions. The music, menu, & ambience made this one of our favorite meals.

We love this place! We have stayed at the Grand Hyatt at Poipu multiple times and always look forward to our dinners at Tidepools. The food is delicious and the service is always top notch. But it’s the ambiance that makes this place special. No sunset views, but special nonetheless. Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi is my go to meal. And the Crispy Tofu and Vegetable Fritter is a home run for the vegetarians in the family!

Had high hopes going into this meal given that the location was in our hotel and the restaurant’s popularity, but left feeling a little disappointed. After waiting an hour for the food, the portions were a little small and the taste was underwhelming. The interior, however, was really nice and we were seated by an open window overlooking a pond of fish. Nonetheless, not really worth the money in my opinion. Also, had to battle huge swarms of gnats to get into the restaurant.

Happy hour was the bomb! The Mai Tai’s were fabulous and the service was great. We loved the toes in the sand and the ocean view.”  The best craft cocktails I had on the island were at Lava Lava Beach Club. We had a ‘Lava Lava Flow’ by far the best one we had while we were there. Lava Lava Beach Club was a fun setting with live music. We actually went twice during our stay and loved everything we ordered.

I ordered the New York strip steak with potatoes and veggies, and it was cooked perfectly—tender, juicy, and full of flavor. (Wish I would have remembered to take a photo I was starving after a long day of travel to the island.). The sides were fresh and complemented the steak beautifully. For dessert, I had the chocolate lava cake, and it was the perfect sweet ending, so delicious! Combine that with the beautiful beachside atmosphere along with live entertainment, it made for such a memorable dining experience. Highly recommend!

Been here a couple times when visiting Kauai. This past time we got the poke nachos, pineapple fried rice with coconut shrimp, teri steak, ice cream, cheesecake and a ube limeade. I think this was actually my second time getting the fried rice because I normally love it, but I guess just not here. It needed a little more something. I added the juice from the steak and it was much better. The shrimp was great and the nachos really hit the spot. The highlights for me though were the ube limeade mocktail recommended by our awesome server David and also the cheesecake. I would make a stop here every time I'm on island for those two things. Atmosphere is fun and the service is great. Would recommend as a nice chill vibe.

Awesome place on the beach. The combo appetizer was excellent with 4 jumbo coconut shrimp, tiniest tender deep fried calamari with deep fried artichoke, sweet sashimi ahi tuna cubes over taro chips and seaweed. Great dipping sauces of aioli and a ginger guava sweetness. Also had the sizzling garlic shrimp scampi in butter in cast iron skillet. A little side of pineapple fried rice. An excellent Huggo's Mai Tai. Completed with a tiny tasty key lime pie... Service was excellent on a really busy evening with a perfect breeze at sunset and after.

We had a wonderful time at Lava Lava Beach Club! The atmosphere was perfect, the food was delicious, and the views were just stunning. A very special thank you to our waitress, Nadia, who made the lunch extra memorable with her friendly smile, attentive service, and genuine warmth. She truly went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Mahalo, Lava Lava team, and especially Nadia we’ll definitely be back! Visitors : Enjoy delicious food and lovely ocean location !

Great place to eat by the ocean, listen to live music and enjoy the atmosphere of a tiki bar. The food was delicious and the waitress worked with you to create an allergy free entree. The staff were friendly and very attentive. Loved having a specialty drink, listening to a man sing, sampling delicious foods sitting by the ocean. The specialty drinks are created by one of the best bar tenders in Kauai! On our visit to Hawaii, we went twice to enjoy the atmosphere!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lava Lava Beach Club was incredible! The swordfish I ordered was perfectly cooked and full of fresh flavor, honestly the best I’ve ever had. My wife’s teriyaki steak was tender, juicy, and packed with amazing flavor. Great food, ocean views, lovely live music and friendly service—definitely a must-visit!

We drove up from the south shore. What a great drive for some really excellent food. It’s only a 4 because it took longer than expected for drinks and food. Plus our server missed a salad order. The fish and chips really good. Super flaky fish. Fresh catch was grilled to perfection. California roll was so fresh along with the tuna roll. Overall it’s worth the trip. Seating fills up fast so you know it’s good!

Honestly if you can get over the crazy prices, the food is amazing. We paid $80 for two 10 piece rolls and one side of fries. The rolls were delicious and the fish was so fresh. But I believe you can find fresh fish on the islands for a lot cheaper. Great food but small portions for a heavy price. Service was fast and great.

I was unsure after seeing the comments and ratings. I am so happy I went to this restaurant. Everyone is super friendly and it has a beautiful environment by the river. Great food, a little on the pricier side. I would skip the sushis and focus on the mains which are amazing.

The Hanalei Dolphin, located right off the Kuhio Highway as you enter the charming town of Hanalei, has been a north shore favorite since the early 1970s, beloved for its riverside seating, sushi lounge, and reputation for fresh seafood. While its nostalgic setting might suggest a restaurant stuck in time, we were pleasantly surprised by the clean, fresh atmosphere and attentive service. We began with *The Origami* cocktail, an elegant mix of Nikka Pure Malt Taketsuru Whisky, Lillet Blanc, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and Averna Amaro—well-balanced and perfectly executed. For an indulgent start, we shared a basket of their double-coated, crispy fries (yes, fries and seafood can be friends). Our entrées included the chef’s choice sashimi-grade fish over local greens with sesame, ponzu, pickled ginger, and wasabi, alongside a poke bowl layered over sushi rice with unagi sauce and wasabi aioli—both dishes were as fresh as the Hanalei breeze. If you’re on Kauai’s north shore and craving top-quality seafood in a relaxed riverside setting, The Dolphin is a must-visit.

Great seafood. This tuna burger and onion rings were perfect. We sat outside in the garden along the Hanalei River. Lots of beautiful birds hanging out with us. Perfect for a leisurely lunch.

We came to The Dolphin in Hanalei on our honeymoon after my wife recommended it from a past trip, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. On our first night we had the pleasure of being served by Ānuʻu (forgive me if I’m spelling that wrong) and Storm, and it was nothing short of incredible. The drinks were spot on, and the sushi was some of the best I’ve ever had anywhere. We let them choose a few rolls and dishes for us and every single thing they brought out was perfect. They were attentive, welcoming, and genuinely fun to talk to, all while hustling nonstop to keep the whole restaurant taken care of. After that first night we tried several of the other “top” recommended restaurants around the island, including the 1 Hotel and Welina Terrace on the north side and a handful of spots on the south side as well. We walked away underwhelmed every time, both by the food and the service. That made it clear there was no comparison. By our third night we knew there was only one place worth going back to, and that was The Dolphin. Once again Ānuʻu and Storm made it special. At that point we had tried nearly every roll on the menu and not one of them disappointed. The crudo was phenomenal, the nigiri melted in your mouth, and everything was packed with flavor. On our last night in Kaua‘i we decided the only way to end the trip was to come back to The Dolphin one more time. It turned out to be even more memorable than the first two visits. The place was packed with locals celebrating Megan, who I believe was the manager, on her final night after 18 years. The atmosphere was full of love and energy, and once again Ānuʻu and Storm recognized us right away and treated us like family. By then we had probably tried three quarters of the menu, and not a single bite fell short. I’ve eaten at some of the most well-known sushi spots across the country, including Uchi and Nobu, and The Dolphin holds its own without question. The servers hustle harder than anywhere I’ve ever seen, the sushi chefs never stop moving, and the quality is consistently top tier. Any complaints about “slow service” are simply from people who don’t understand the amount of care and effort it takes to serve this level of food in such a busy and high-demand place. The Dolphin is five stars in every sense. It was by far the best restaurant we ate at on the entire island, north or south, and it became the staple of our trip. Ānuʻu and Storm in particular made our honeymoon unforgettable. This is the kind of restaurant you remember long after you’ve left. If you’re in Hanalei, don’t waste your time or money anywhere else. The Dolphin is where you want to be.

Best scallops I have ever had! Melted in your mouth! My husband had the swordfish and again melted perfectly! Hands down better than mamas fish house, it takes a lot for me to be impressed with seafood but they absolutely killed it! I went 10/22/2025. Also loved the decor! They took old buoy’s and made them in to the most perfect light fixtures. Small but the most perfect restaurant. Absolutely worth the price!

It was ok. Crusted Mahi Mahi was good. Seared ahi was good as well. Drinks were pricey but well made. Small portions so you'll need plenty of apps if you are hungry. Pricey but it's the views you go for. Live local music was also nice.

We had gone to the Merriman's on the Big Island before and were excited to go here. Well, we ended up eating here twice on this trip because it is so good. Service is casual, attentive, and knowledgeable. The restaurant is simple in decor, but clean and attractive. The views are quite nice being on the second floor helps. The food is seasonal and the specials were worth trying. Everything was delicious. One of our steaks came out overcooked and they were eager to fix it. We will certainly be back. Reservations recommended.

Merriman’s is a classic Kaua’i dining experience - definitely a little bougie, a lot delicious, and great vibes. The upstairs location in Kukui’ula Shopping Village overlooks the ocean (pro tip, com here during sunset because it’s pure magic 🌅). I got their famous mai tai with lilikoi foam 🍹If you haven’t tried it, it’s a non-negotiable! My friend had the Hanalei Taro Falafel, and I went with the garlic roasted wild shrimp + bok choy. Both tasty, portions on the smaller side, and definitely a splurge! Do you have food allergies? We’ll know that Merrimans’s is great about double checking ingredients! Last note, we grabbed bar seats with no wait, but I’d recommend reservations if you want a table!

Merriman’s Kauai, located in Koloa, offers a casual yet elegant dining experience in a setting that reflects the charm of an Old Hawaii Plantation, with Chef-Owner Peter Merriman leading the way as a pioneer of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Staying true to his farm-to-table philosophy, over 90% of the menu features locally grown or caught ingredients prepared with sustainability at the forefront. We began with a beautifully balanced cocktail, the *Kokua Kunia*, made with Kohana Kea Agricole Rum, banana liqueur, simple syrup, and lime, which set the tone for the evening. For starters, the fresh oysters and warm buttermilk biscuits were outstanding, followed by two exceptional entrées: *Merriman’s Original Wok Charred Ahi*, paired with Won Bok slaw and a wasabi soy sauce, and the *Onaga Poisson Cru*, a refreshing combination of cucumber, tomato, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and coconut lime vinaigrette, served with sweet potato chips. If you’re on the south side of Kauai, Merriman’s is a must-visit for a refined yet approachable showcase of island flavors.

We had an incredible experience at Merriman’s Poipu! From start to finish, the service was outstanding. Our server, Eric, went above and beyond—he gave us thoughtful, honest recommendations from the menu and even shared great suggestions for other restaurants in the area. Every dish we tried was absolutely delicious, and you could tell how much care goes into the food here. The host also made us feel so welcome, acknowledging our anniversary right away, which added such a special touch to the evening. Between the warm hospitality and fantastic flavors, this was the perfect spot for our celebration. Merriman’s is truly a 5-star restaurant, and we’ll definitely be coming back!

This was probably one of the best meals we had while in Kauai! My husband and I stopped by without reservations and we were seated within 5 minutes. We told the hostess that we were on our honeymoon and they pulled out all the stops! The server Ashlyn was fantastic and so attentive the whole evening. She brought us a complimentary champagne toast to start us off. My husband ordered the pork and was absolutely thrilled at how tender and flavorful it was. I order the macadamia crusted fish which was also incredible. For dessert we were brought the Lilikoi Mousse which was divine! Not to mention the atmosphere was amazing, with a perfect view of the ocean and sunset. Highly recommend!

Consistently Perfect – A Must-Visit in Hawaii We had a fabulous dinner at Merriman’s Poipu on our last night in Kauai, and it was the perfect way to end our trip. Every time I visit a Merriman’s, the experience is flawless, and Poipu was no exception. We started with the ceviche appetizer, which was out of this world—incredibly fresh, bright, and bursting with flavor. The shrimp appetizer was also delicious, perfectly cooked and packed with island-inspired goodness. For my entrée, I had the steak and fish combo, and it was absolute perfection—expertly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and beautifully presented. It’s the kind of dish that makes you stop and savor every bite. Beyond the phenomenal food, the service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was elegant yet relaxed, making for a truly enjoyable dining experience. Merriman’s is consistently one of the best restaurants in Hawaii, and that’s why I always make sure to visit whenever I’m here. If you’re looking for an unforgettable meal on Kauai, Merriman’s Poipu is an absolute must.

My wife and I came here for our anniversary and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Almost everything was absolutely amazing and even the dishes that didn’t absolutely blow our minds were still good and we are still glad we tried them. To start we had the BBQ ribs, this was a good dish because of the unique flavors on the ribs, but not something we are dying to eat again. The remaining dishes were great. The bread was good! We had the different salads, mix greens with mac nuts, beets, tomatoes, basil vinaigrette & the Caesar, both were excellent. For mains we got the meatloaf and the pasta bolognese, both were amazing, very generous portions and we both left with a ton to take home. Lastly was dessert, we ordered the coconut cheesecake which was good but not GREAT. We are thinking we shouldn’t ordered the macadamia nut tart! Will do next time! Love music was nice and good background noise as we were outside, overall, gorgeous and a great experience! Also shoutout to our server Michelle! She was great!

We did this as our big meal on our trip and it was amazing. From sitting on patio to every detail it was worth it. Drinks were great food was excellent. We did the sweet potato ravioli and i think i no longer like cheese ravioli! The Wontons were good and the sauces excellent we both did fresh fish and it did not disappoint! Cheese cake for dessert was perfect not too sweet but great island flavors!

My husband and I enjoyed an absolutely amazing dinner last night at the Hukilau Lanai in Kapaa. We were early so we sat in the lounge, where I had a very nice mai tai. For starters I had a lovely, fresh salad with a papya vinaigrette and my husband had a pork tomato soup. Very unique and delicious. For entrees I had the filet mignon in a red wine reduction and my husband had beef medallions served with a crown Royal demi glace. Both were cooked perfectly. Tender, but not mushy and with amazing flavor. I have eaten a lot of steak in my life at a number of very high end steak houses here and abroad but this steak topped them all. This is the only steak where first of all, I did not add salt; secondly I did not even touch my potato until I ate all my steak, which was accompanied by a very nice 2021 shiraz from a winery in Morocco. At the end of the meal we were given a sample of their housemade, fabulous mango ice cream. The grounds were lovely, we had a great table and excellent service provided by the lovely Sheyla. It was worth the drive and every penny.

We liked it so much, we went back for a second time within our week stay nearby. Excellent selection of local food made in interesting and beautiful ways. Separate gluten-free menu with homemade gluten-free rosemary focaccia rolls that they bake to order. AMAZING. Also homemade focaccia for gluten eaters. Chef makes different soups daily and is great about allergen requests. Excellent entrees and homemade desserts too. Great location with a lovely view of the ocean through the resort.

What a wonderful place! I had heard it was and my expectations were met and went way above! It is beautiful, the food was wonderful, the servers and waitress were amazing and helpful. I have Celiac's Disease so no gluten yet had the absolute best meal!

We had a wonderful dining experience. The food was excellent, especially the fish. The staff were friendly and attentive, making us feel very welcome throughout our visit. The restaurant has a nice and relaxing atmosphere. Overall, a truly enjoyable experience that we would highly recommend.

We loved eating at Hukilau Lanai. It’s an upscale location in front of the beach. I have never eaten a fish and this was my first time devouring three fishes in their entree. The fish were so fresh that you can’t tell that we are eating fish. My wife loved her mahi mahi as well. Desert and drinks were delicious too! But an appetizer and entree were the show stopper for us! Staff/servers were polite, prompt, and checked on us throughout out our experience. Highly recommend this spot!

Delicious food, excellent service. The menu has a bit of everything, great variety, very seafood forward. Everything we had was delicious. The service was very friendly, professional, and helpful from the valets to the hostess to the server (Jo was excellent). The restaurant space isn’t great. It’s very loud (bad acoustics - there were some VERY loud people at the bar and it reverberated throughout); the seating isn’t very comfortable; it was hot and stuffy; and the view is of the hotel’s pool bar and loungers, with a sliver of ocean in the distance. But the food and service make this restaurant a total must.

While visiting Kauai, I unexpectedly ran into some friends that I don’t know were also visiting, and we decided to go out for dinner. I hadn’t heard of Red Salt before, but they couldn’t stop talking about how great it was, so of course we had to try it. From the moment we walked in, I was impressed. The restaurant is beautiful, the atmosphere is relaxed but elegant, and the service was absolutely on point. The food completely blew me away. The scallops were probably some of the best I’ve ever had, and the lobster gnocchi was next-level good. It’s definitely on the higher end price-wise, but honestly, you get exactly what you pay for. Everything about the experience was worth it, and I’d come back here in a heartbeat the next time I’m on the island.

The food at red salt from Breakfast, lunch, and dinner was exquisite. I was honestly really impressed with the serving sizes and the dish quality. This was the first time where I left extremely impressed and satisfied with resort culinary offerings. We ordered a myriad of dishes, for breakfast to go on our lanai: tacos and French toast. Very solid, it’s kind of pointless to leave the resort for breakfast when you have a solid breakfast offering as such. For lunch, sliders with truffle fries, which were satisfying and a delicious pairing. And for dinner (in which we had 2 dinners), I had a steak dinner that was cooked to perfection (of my liking) and my lady had a lobster gnocchi with big servings of lobster. I want to give a shot out to the exceptional service of Noah at Red Salt. I’ve been to countless restaurants but he has to be the most hospitable , meticilous, and courteous professional that I have EVER met to tie in the dining experience. Noah provided great recommendations and you can tell he takes great pride in his craft and loves what he does. He made our anniversary memorable and as a result we will always remember this wonderful place and Ko’a Kea resort. We will be back and make this a mainstay in our lifetime going forward.

Pricey but decent food. The focaccia bread was horrible, seemed like it was a day or 2 old and zero taste. Entrees we had the hen something (whole chicken) and the rib eye (14oz) both were very good. Mash potatoes as a side, tiny portion but decent. The Hawaiian bread pudding for dessert is a MUST order, delicious.

When researching restaurants on Kauai for my honeymoon Red Salt consistently came up as one of the best restaurants on the island. My husband and I stayed at the Koa Kea but I did make a reservation for dinner well in advance to ensure we could get a table. Since it was a special occasion we went all out and ordered appetizers, salad, entrees and dessert. All of the food was incredibly delicious. The lobster gnocchi was a highlight for me alongside the freshness of the pear salad and my husband loved the sashimi he started with. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, checking in but also allowing us to take our time and fully enjoy the dining experience. I would happily return if back on Kauai!

Tita Marlina was an absolute gem, she was attentive and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. She also made us feel like VIPs from start to finish, and her warm personality turned a great meal into an unforgettable experience! The food was delicious and we enjoyed every plate.

Wonderful and elegant meal at Red Salt. My spouse and I tried the chef's tasting menu (a honey and housemade ricotta cheese starter, then a seared Hokkaido scallop with beurre blanc, then mahi mahi, then rich flourless chocolate cake), with the wine pairings and were not disappointed! Everthing was beautifully plated, perfect portions, and delicious, and the wine pairing complimented very nicely. Another of us got the blue crab crushed Monchong (fish), and my kid got a slider off the keiki menu which they loved. This was our first time back in several years, we were happy we returned! Only thing we missed was the red salt on the table and bread to start that we had enjoyed in years past. Still very worth the experience!

Bull Shed is decent for Hawaii when it comes to pricing—especially the steaks, which are moderately priced compared to other local spots. The food was okay overall. The potato “skins” were more like halved baked potatoes than the traditional version. The shrimp pasta was good, though it leaned a little heavy on the Parmesan. The 6-layer chocolate cake was good but very dense. The complimentary bread was a nice touch, especially since you don’t see much complimentary around here. It was good, though it would’ve been even better served warm. The atmosphere felt like dining in the galley of an old ship—no A/C and a bit cramped. It was ok, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it.

Look folks, this is a hard review after seeing so many high scores. The staff super nice and attentive. The food 3 stars. Local catch was grilled but a bit dry. The steaks, three, were all a little different color for medium. The atmosphere, for me it is awful. When I say atmosphere I’m only meaning the carpet, tables, walls and ceiling. Almost looks like a hazard. Paint from the ceiling starting to peal off. The outside wall is bowed. It’s 100% dated and for this kind of gross. If the seating area is like this, what about the kitchen? Ugh

Really great steak place! Live music on a Friday night was a nice touch. Fire grilled steaks were delicious, and the grilled shrimp were perfect 👌 I'll dream about the cake until I come back to the island again. It was sooooo good!!!!

Scallops appetizer was overcooked and the Parmesan cheese on top was closer to mozzarella, potato "skins" were essentially halves of loaded baked potatoes with canned bacon bits, prime rib was chewy and tough, old fashioned and isotini cocktails were not very tasty. The bread was delicious though!

Rack of lamb! What can I say? My choice each and every time I'm there! I normally have the whole rack served but this time I ordered the medium rare rack which was individually cut (between rib bones) and then charred over fire! I had 8 rib bones of lamb! Amazing, so succulent and tender! Top it off with baked potato with everything on it! No salad bar and all you can eat bread, 😞 since COVID. Wonder why?

Massive prime rib I’ve ever seen and it’s the perfect meal to share and enjoy. Ambiance is definitely beautiful, hearing the waves crashing and embracing the amazing breeze. Would definitely come back here! Manalo!

Well loved this place! We sat at the bar and spoke with Pam the bartender who has been there 46 years. She made us feel at home and made excellent drinks and was super helpful with the food selection. I had the ahi tuna and my wife had the shrimp scampi which were both excellent. At the end we had their version of a mud pie, all the food was so well prepared and very, very good. We'll definitely be back and highly recommend the Bull Shed.

Yep this is a great place for dinner. Doesn't look like much from the outside but you step into a little oasis with food that's as good as the scenery. Came back twice and would keep coming if we stayed longer. Would recommend to all!

I love this place.I always go here.The coconut shrimp are really good and quite big. The cocktails are also really good. But the best part about it is the atmosphere and the service. I would definitely recommend going to this restaurant. Ruby is a excellent server. Thank you ruby.

Made reservations in advance for a party of 16 and seated at 2 8-person tables next to one another... right next to the live musician who was fantastic! Restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and surrounded completely by lush greenery and flowers... but this also makes it extra humid, so dress accordingly! Service was very friendly and attentive - Carly was awesome! -Nacho Appetizer -Kale Salad -Spinach & Mushroom Ravioli -Keoki Style Fish -Pina Colada with Strawberry -Cilantro Mango Heat Cocktail Everything was absolutely delicious, and priced as expected for a nice restaurant. Would highly recommend for any group size and special occasion!

Small menu, pricey, opulent. Didn't eat but had a drink... Then moved on. Beautiful place, water falls, nice art, bunch of chickens scurrying around. Food looks good. I was happy to go a few miles and get a burger from Kenji!

This place is a hidden gem of a restaurant. It is near Poipu Road but you can't tell when you are in the place. Is features split level dining with a great view of ponds and banyan trees. Food was excellent and at a fair price for Hawaii. Lo

We had Bree last night and she was quite literally the BEST server I have ever had. She was not only so kind and funny, she also gave us amazing recommendations, filled our waters before they were empty and remembered everything. Genuinely can’t recommend her enough!! As for the food…. 10/10!! I got the rib appetizer and fish & chips they were so good! Other people at my table got the burger, risotto, nachos, Mac crusted fish, and kioki style fish and they all were raving over their meals. We ended the night with the hula pie and it was so good! The atmosphere was 10/10 I just can’t recommend this place and Bree enough!

Very very good meal! Try the Sweet Taro and Pineapple Carrot breads as an appetizer! Great service and an AMAZING outdoor feel atmosphere! Best restaurant on the Island!

Great, local eatery and bar. Came for the happy hour from 12-5P. Service was tight because they were waiting on servers, but all super friendly. We ordered via their QR code in the Toast app to expedite. We got the Mai tai, a guava margarita, the happy hour chicken sliders trio, and the tofu poke bowl. Wish the lunch tofu poke bowl came with a grain feature. Pricey for what they gave us. The sliders were decent.

We drove an hour plus to go have a world famous mai tai. Granted it was very good. We were seated quickly at the bar. We ordered 2full dinners at Market Price and dessert and drinks. Food was very good and fresh. However the service left a lot to be desired. Waitress was not very attentive to our needs. I felt overlooked and ignored. I know we were just tourists but we also would have tipped on the whole bill. Disappointed

Fun place and excellent pizza. I went after my hike to Hanakapiai Falls! Much needed after the 6 hours on foot😂. Great drinks and service too. I made a reservation for one for my bday and they made me a card ☺️.

Everyone enjoyed the food. We ordered to go for 5 adults and 1 toddler. Unfortunately my Tikiman pizza was missing ingredients (no cilantro and no Smokey BBQ sauce). My pizza had 1 piece of kalua pig. I would still recommend this restaurant. The pizza sauce was delicious. Sorry but I had to take 1 star off because of the poor execution on the Tikiman pizza. I would eat here again.

Amazing food and atmosphere! I had reserved a table for dinner and they seated us right away. The porch area blocked to the view to the live music but overall the vibe was good. If I went again, I would get seated inside to see the band or in the garden for fresh air. Ordered the Ahi carpaccio (110% recommend), oh so Ono and the Tilkiman pizza. The mai tai is #1 for a reason. You can’t go wrong with any of the orders. The waitress (Ayden) was incredibly welcoming and easy to talk to. Our appetizer delayed a bit but she made sure we got the order in the end - very mindful! Overall, a must try if you are in Hanalei/Princeville!

Great food and service. Menu isn't big but they have great options. Live music during happy hour. Indoor and outdoor seating.

Vegan options! But disappointed about a few things. Staff was great and it’s a chill spot for a meal. We got the veggie lovers pizza with vegan cheese, it’s disappointing that it’s an extra $4 for vegan cheese (a bit exorbitant if you ask me) but they did willingly swap the tomato’s for pineapple which was nice of them. It taste good but the pizza slice was a bit soggy at the ends and the crust wasn’t as thick as it looked in some other photos I saw. We also got the tofu poke which was really yummy - aioli on the side for my bf who isn’t vegan. I was disappointed that the veggie burger didn’t have a vegan burger bun option - one bun had dairy and the focaccia has honey in it. Was really looking forward to trying it but didn’t want to eat it plain. They also listed a vegan lilikoi cheesecake on their menu but the server said that they no longer served it and it had been a while since they carried it. The food we got was good but I don’t know if I’d come back knowing of these misses.

We have been going to Portofino for many years, starting when it was located across the street from its current location. It is one of the must stop dining locations for us. The owner is always pleasant, the service is good, the food better than average, and a spectacular view. All the outer tables have a wonderful view of the water, it is peaceful and relaxing. Because it is open, it is relatively quiet. The pricing is comparable to other top restaurants. All seem a bit high, especially for desserts and drinks. It is best to make a reservation. Plan on arriving a bit early because finding a parking spot may be a challenge.

Ordered the Miata salad minestrone soup and garlic bread to go it was disgusting! The soup was watered down chicken broth with oil and the only vegetables were carrots and a few pieces of potato! The salad was supposed to be mixed greens with tarragon vinaigrette and it was wilted oily spinach with no flavor! The garlic bread was barely toasted and again no flavor! Worst food ever threw it all in the trash!!!!!!!

My wife and I ordered from the pizzeria tonight and the food we got was overpriced and inedible. When I came to pick up the food, the bartender looked me up and down and said “we don’t have an order from you.” Once I said my name they remembered I ordered a gluten free pizza for my wife. The pizza tasted terrible. The sauce tasted sour and the cheese seems to have turned bad. For $27, I can’t believe how horrible the food was. We both tried 1 slice and couldn’t make it through the rest. My wife spit hers out. From the rude staff to the very gross food, would not recommend.

Really really really good service. The ravioli was delicious. The sword fish was lacking in flavor in my opinion. My husband ordered rack of lamb. Was really rare but they were happy to cook longer so it was editable. I honestly thought the potatoes were the best part of the meal, better then the protein portion of the meal. Would not recommend trying the mushroom souffle. Was very sponge like and mushy.

Absolutely fabulous! Wonderful atmosphere and service, terrace view is beautiful and the violinist added the perfect touch. We were so happy to find a fine dining experience after a week of casual food choices- the escargot and salads, we had veal and steak, house made desserts, all delicious. The wine list was extensive and the espresso was perfect. Beautiful service, our servers were attentive and personable. We even came back for takeout pizzas to enjoy on the beach, which were amazing. We highly recommend this beautiful spot!

We went there because we heard the food is great. But from the moment we sat down the white table cloth was full of crawling insects! They were everywhere on the glasses, silverware and all over the table! Nauseating and disturbing! The food portions were unbelievably small! The salad was good. The garlic bread wasn’t fresh and unpleasant. I don’t recommend it —very gross!

My wife and I both ordered different pizza and both were outstanding. We have a trip to Italy planned next year and I hope the pizza there is as good as what we had tonight. The price was very reasonable and the staff were all great. When I read the negative reviews, I’m thinking they were at a different restaurant, as this place was fantastic.

Holy Grail Donuts = life changing. 🫶 My boyfriend and I thought we were being “reasonable” by getting just three to share… super rookie mistake. I should’ve grabbed a dozen because I would’ve happily eaten the entire box myself over the weekend and not felt one ounce of regret. Every single flavor is unreal. Do yourself a favor and don’t choose—just get them all. They are unreal

(Late review - July 2024) A viral donut shop where all the influencers raved about. It’s located in a quaint food truck area. My husband and I had high expectations from all the recs. The service was swift and courteous. Everything is outdoors so the seats are picnic tables next to the truck. The donuts are beautifully crafted, enticing to the eyes. I can’t say the taste is the same. The donut texture and flavors did not stand out nor memorable. I recalled the donuts were on the dense side. Bottom line: Not worth the hype.

Ever had Taro donuts before- must try if not. Freshly made to order donuts Limited flavors based on the week but they do have a few permanent donuts. Lucky enough to have tried Holey Grail in Hanalei, Honolulu, and Long Beach. But the Hanalei location is the best imo. Island feel definitely. Their coffee is really good and they use cashew milk. The classic 4 donuts are all good but the weekly specials are great. Lucky enough that we have a group of people to share multiple donuts

Really unique and flavorful vegan donuts made fresh when you order. We ordered the tasting box which comes with 4 different flavors. We had Saffron snickerdoodle, POG, Reincarnated and Chaga Chai. The staff were super friendly. It was wonderful to enjoy warm donuts with a view of the taro fields and mountains.

These were definitely the best doughnuts I have ever had. It is not normally my go to for breakfast but if you’re in Hanalei you have to stop by!

Insanely delicious, made-to-order taro root donuts 🤤🤤 our favorite was the original sin. The ube was lacking a pronounced ube flavor in my opinion. But the texture/taste of the donuts was 10/10. Don’t skip! Branding is 🔥🔥

Quality of the donuts and coffee was amazing, and the views from their tables cannot be beat. The donut was so amazingly fresh and hot. Highly recommend!

We stayed here in August so we didn’t know that during summer time this part of Kauai gets big surf. The hotel beach is narrow and small and the waves were quite uncomfortable during this time of the year so we had to drive north beaches to swim comfortably. The hotel itself is nice. I like how Marriott uses the same fragrance in their hotels worldwide. The scent spreads through HVAC. I bought the same fragrance on Amazon to my house which now smells like Marriott 😀

This stay started off wrong the moment I arrived at 9 p.m. to find no parking available anywhere—not in the unlit and sketchy side lot, not in the dark back lot, not on the side street, and not even in the valet area. The front desk offered one complimentary night of valet, but after that, it was 30 dollars per night. Since then, I’ve been walking about a quarter mile each night to and from my car. The rooms are just average—nothing special, and certainly not what I’d expect from a property calling itself a resort. The bed has no blanket, only a couple of thin sheets, which confused me at first until I realized why: the thermostat is locked at 70 degrees. The room temperature hovered around 73 near the bed and 72 in the bathroom, rising to about 77 during the day before the A/C finally kicked on or did anything. When I called the front desk, I was told it was a "water chilled system" and there was nothing that could be done. I slept with "swamp coolers" in Iraq that worked better. The internet seems to be a crappy standard for Sheraton locations in Hawaii. If you want to look at web pages you're good, but anything else will not work. Netflix barely streams for a couple minutes before it needs to buffer for 10. Worst internet of any hotel chain by far. I see most of the reviews for this place mention that, so it appears management could care less. For a Sheraton resort, this is unacceptable. I’m paying 590 dollars per night to sweat through the night and hike back and forth to my car. I’m here with a team working on the nearby power plant and we will have to rethink our accommodation moving forward. We are here 2 months a year, every year.

Really fantastic spot. We unfortunately did not have AC during our entire 3-day stay, and the room was between 77-80 degrees the whole time. We notified the front desk and they took the thermostat away for repairs, but did not finish repairing it during the entire stay. So we just didnt have a thermostat the whole time. There was one staff member who was extremely nice and helpful and waved our resort fees due to the inconvenience, and he gave us a fan as well. Overall I give it a 3/5 only because not having AC is a brutal con, especially for the price you're paying to stay there. If we had AC during our stay it would have been a 5 star rating across the board, but not having AC is pretty brutal. We couldn't sleep, and it was just really uncomfortable the whole time. The food and bar were really great, the live music was very good. Breakfast buffet was just okay.

The front desk staff is super friendly here, that I fully appreciated! The location is absolutely perfect. It's close to Poipu beach where all the turtles come up at night. There is also a resort fee, but it does cover activities and parking. We did the lei making class which was awesome! Rating this resort a 4 though because Sheratons usually are Marriotts higher tier and I would expected even better rooms for the price point, even if it is Hawaii. We had an ocean front room which was beautiful, but there were quite a few ants in the bathroom which made me a little uneasy.

Our friends stayed at this location, and we had the opportunity to hang out in their “Ocean View, King, High Floor” room. It was very nice, and the ocean view was beautiful. We ate at the two onsite restaurants, RumFire and Java’s, and they were both excellent in terms of service, quality and variety of food, and beautiful views of the Pacific. The grounds of the Sheraton Kaua’i are impeccably maintained, and the location in Poipu is outstanding.

It's a really old hotel with really old rooms (at least in building 2), and really old pool and pool equipment. The breakfast is also bad and eventually we just gave up and went to old koloa downtown to eat. Honesty, its just not a good hotel. But... The location is good as a base to explore the south of Kauai at a somewhat reasonable price

As others have said...it's Hawaii!!! It's a treat to be there any time and feel that splendid air. This property, though, is missing the attention to detail that would actually make it a classy"resort". Instead it feels more like a nice motel in a great location. Note: the location is unquestionably beautiful, but it's tough water right there at the hotel. Poipu beach is reasonably short walk and better suited for kids and beginners. Our room was clean, I'll say that much. But someone has either not authorized the cleaning staff to report issues or hasn't trained them to do so. I don't know which. But there were a string of things that needed to be addressed: one of the reading lights on the bed was broken, the wall behind the entry door had a big hole from the door handle banging into it, there were multiple holes and gashes in one of the walls next to the sink (no idea why), the shower rod was falling and needed to be tightened, and the in-room amenity bottles were affixed to the wall with tape and the shampoo bottle wouldn't stay. All small issues alone, but cumulatively tell a story about the attention to detail. The property is very well manicured, but we found lots of trash under the bushes on our patio and throughout. It's very windy, so maybe that's the culprit of the trash, but someone should be paying attention. Also because of the wind, the "do not disturb" hangers for the doors blew off within minutes of being put out. How can an outdoor property like this not use magnets? Again, small things like this add up to an overall impression that will bother some people and not others. Someone called this hotel "Hawaii nice" - implying most Hawaiian hotels often don't take care of their properties or upgrade as often because people will keep coming no matter what. But for those of us who save and plan to be able to have one nice trip every so often it feels almost disrespectful to think we won't notice or shouldn't care about these things. Most of the staff was nice. Kudos to them for getting an onsite plumber to come fix our running toilet within an hour of our evening arrival. (Again, though...details.) Food at Lavas was good. The pool is small, but lovely. It's strange that the only onsite market/cafe is closed for three hours in the middle of the day, but they do open at 6am which is good for those of us who have been awake for hours already at that point. My family won't return here, but I don't think it's a bad property. It's just not elegant. You can decide for yourself if the price point is worth it.

Fun atmosphere right on the beach. Very small food menu. The nachos were excellent! The pulled pork sandwich was pretty good. burger was pretty basic. The ice cream hula pie was yum.

Atmosphere down stairs is great especially for kids. Our fish tacos were great but ever seemed like small portions including kids menu sides. Great service. We only waited 20 minutes without a reservation to eat downstairs. Nice ambiance down three as well. We parked across the street by the food carts so we wouldn’t have to wait for valet. Gotta get the hula pie! I would like to mention the restrooms are very small downstairs and always had a line. My wife said they were VERY dirty in hopes that someone would clean.

We took a free shuttle from the NCL cruise Ship to this location which took about 5 minutes and another 5 minutes to walk to Kalapaki Beach. Had lunch at Dukes Canoe Club Barefoot Bar while enjoying the breath-taking views of Nawiliwili Kaui. We had the Fish & Chips for lunch. Food and Service was very good. The fish used for the fish and chips is not what were used to but was still good. Not the restaurants' fault. They cook a different fish that is dry and tastes more like chicken than what most Irish Pubs will serve back in the mainland. The Dukes Blonde from Kona Brewing Co. was super delicious.

Great location. Good service. The food came out cold and underwhelmed. The drinks were under poured.

Great location and variety on the menu. Had the poke tacos and calamari. So good!

I ordered the Fish and Chips from Dukes and it was incredible. I’m not a huge seafood fan, but since on vacation in Hawaii, I gave it a shot and was not disappointed. I also had a bite of my cousin’s Swordfish meal that was recommended by our waitress, & that was beyond fantastic. We also ordered their famous pie. With how big it was, I was not expecting to be able to eat it all. But we are the entire thing. Our waitress was fantastic and the vibes of the restaurant were so nice!

The food here is alright but generally overhyped. Pricing is much more reasonable than the resort restaurant but there are other restaurants nearby that are going to give you better food. Seems like most of the wait was for dinners, but going for lunches we generally were able to be seated immediately.

Great place. Live music great setting right on the beach. The device was friendly and helpful. We had Lebanese appetizers and the fish of the night. The appetizers were good the fish was awesome! Their pineapple upside down cake is to die for!

The food was mediocre at best, I had the Paella and it was fairly bland, with all the seafood overcooked. Considering the price ($35) I would have rather bought some of the delicious fish from the market and cooked it at home myself. The wait staff were not particularly friendly or engaging, the dining room didn't seem to have any air conditioning. Not the worst meal I've ever had but for the price I would not return and would not recommend it to anyone.

Fantastic dining experience. We both had the prime rib and it was delicious. The ocean view is spectacular and the service was great. Food portions were generous and the prices are very reasonable. We highly recommend 👍🏻.

This was a wonderful gem for lunch after a long day of the beach. I had the gyro wrap with delicious-ly cooked lamb. My husband had the paella which he states was awesome and perfect size (tapas version). Views were spectacular and service great. Drinks verges from your usual mail tai which is good. Overall great!

The food was tasteless. Clean with nice view but my soup tasted like warm water, the hummus had no flavour, the carrots and celery came out of a bag. My husband's gyro was so-so. Server was nice but slow. We wouldn't return.

- Nice, spacious venue, with a lovely ocean view. Good service. Virgin lava flow was tasty. - Chicken sandwich was cooked nicely, but flavor-wise was missing something. Steamed clams were also cooked nicely, but again missing something flavorwise (I found the broth good but too light), and there wasn't much sweetness in the clams themselves. I think I've been spoiled by Tokyo.

Location and ambienece was fantastic, food was absolutely delicious and as a vegetarian there was decent variety as well with reasonable prices (for Hawaii). Server was very friendly. Only negative was the drinks ordered. Had the weakest ginger ale in my life here so minus one star.

This was our favorite restaurant during our stay in Kauai. Good drink selection and huge beers! We got the Kalua pork nachos which were delicious and the coconut shrimp which my wife and I agreed was probably the best coconut shrimp we ever had. Definitely recommend and wish we would have went back for another meal!

Great spot for a dinner after the beach! They keep their beers on tap fairly chilly which is absolutely refreshing. Great options for seafood! The pasta is quite delicious. Beware of chickens prancing around the restaurant, fairly harmless and quirky. Peak hours will come with a wait but they’re true to their estimation.

8/10 - garlic butter shrimp pasta 8/10: solid, but nothing special. creamy marinara sauce with melty cheese - pretty good. shrimp was well cooked, good portions. garlic bread mid but tasted good dipped in the sauce! - fish & fries 7/10: first bite was an 8 then got sick of it. fish was moist, a bit sweet. batter was not seasoned enough. fries were good and hot! tartar sauce was very mid

After a disappointing meal at Opakapaka the night before, we decided to give Kalypso in Hanalei a try. We kept our expectations low, ordering the seafood pasta and the tropical Waldorf salad for our early dinner. To our surprise, both dishes exceeded expectations. The seafood pasta was impressive—plump mussels, jumbo shrimp, and generous portions of mahi-mahi and calamari. The flavors leaned mild, but a touch of salt and pepper easily brought everything together. The tropical Waldorf salad was just as memorable, with fresh pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, and crumbles of blue cheese creating a refreshing balance of sweet and savory. Both plates were hearty enough to share, making them perfect for two. Kalypso turned out to be a delightful find in Hanalei—I’d definitely recommend it.

We had a wonderful dinner and drinks at Kalypso Island Bar & Grill in Hanalei. The Mai Tai's were strong and tasty—definitely worth enjoying, but sip carefully! I ordered the blackened fish and shrimp, which was beautifully crafted and absolutely delicious with the passion cilantro sauce. Our nephew enjoyed the Pipikaula taco trio, another fantastic plate. Great food, good drinks, enjoyable service and a fun Hanalei atmosphere.

Great restaurant in Hanalei. Everything on the menu sounded delicious and everyone in our party had a tough time deciding what to try. All of the food was amazing, especially the blackened ahi tuna, fish and fries, shrimp ceviche, and stuffed katsu chicken. Our server was attentive and friendly.

This place had very tasty food! We went 2 times on our stay in Kauai. First picture is the BBQ pulled pork sandwich that I had on one night. Also in that same picture across from my sandwich is the pulled pork Quesadilla that I also had on another night. The second picture is a flight of beers I had. It’s the first place I’ve had a flight where they are 8 ounce glasses, so you’re getting 32 ounces total! We definitely will go again when visiting Kauai.

Came for a bite and they were only serving drinks, we waiting for happy hour to get some food. The drinks were great a decent deal on happy hour vs regular menu price. The Kauai punch (I think) was quite good. Food was so-so but needed it given the drinks. Worth a stop if youre nearby and shopping.

This place was awesome! Best night out on the island by far. The drinks were amazing (IMHO best classic Mai Tai on the island!) We ordered a bunch of drinks from both the Classic and Twisted Tiki menu and nothing disappointed. Staff was so much fun and the bar was lively with mingling vacationers like us (on a Thursday). My only regret was not planning a second night out to try all the drinks! Will recommend to all our friends as a must stop! Did not look at the food menu. Make sure you have a designated driver if you get the Navy Grog, it will sneak up on you. Mahalo!

Fantastic! The staff is wonderful, friendly and fun. On point drinks, nice tropical fun atmosphere, bubbles. Food was very yummy. Met at the door with a big smile and someone will be right with you (turns out it was the owner) she was right.

The vibes are excellent. Loved the brown sugar bourbon drink (comes in a Spam can), the zombie on fire (make sure to squeeze in the orange slice), and the navy grog. Drinks were $14-20 normally, $12-16 on happy hour.

Beautiful, authentic TIKI Bar. The service and the drinks were amazing. The atmosphere is inviting and yes, I bought a tiki mug while I was there. They have a daily happy hour from 3-4pm which was a pleasant surprise and the food was actually really good!

Fun atmosphere, typical tiki bar with cheap drafts during their happy hour~ staff is nice, chatty and the tempura zucchini was awesome. Definitely has the Hawaii vibe.

This bar was only a 5 minutes walk from where we stayed in Paniolo, in Princeville. It's location is perfect and comfortable. The staff is so kind and inviting! We even met the owner, Meshelle, who was a very fun woman! The pork sliders you have to try and the fried musubi was awesome! Even if this place is out of your way, I highly recommend it. The community there is a warm place to hangout and both nights we were there, they had live music right outside the bar! A must, to add to your buck list next time you visit!

It’s a great restaurant—forget that it’s part of a resort, the food is delicious and it’s a fun place to be. One of the best high-end meals we’ve had on the island, we loved the ability to choose four smaller-portioned entrees for two people, it’s a good menu and clever idea to allow people to taste more of it in one sitting. You can also choose two entrees for one person if you’re stuck between two options. The mango basil mojito was 100% best frozen drink we’ve experienced, we went back again to get more

Good restaurant, good food, good view of the ocean, and great service. Our server, she not only remembers all the orders, knows the details of the foods too and does not forget to explain it. Food is above the average in that area and the portions are just right.

Well... This is one of the best meals I've ever had! Staff was incredibly friendly, food is to die for, and the views are next level. Yes it is pricey but you're in Hawaii, live a little and try this once in a lifetime meal!

A Perfect Five-Star Experience at RumFire! Our recent dinner at RumFire Poipu Beach was, without a doubt, a five-star experience from beginning to end. If you're looking for a place that perfectly combines breathtaking ambiance, exceptional service, and absolutely delicious food, this is it. Ambiance: 5/5 We were seated with a stunning, unobstructed view of the ocean just as the sun began to set. The vibrant colors of the sky, framed by palm trees, were absolutely magical. The restaurant's modern, chic decor and the namesake fire pits flickering outside created an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and incredibly romantic. It is the perfect setting for a memorable evening in Poipu. Service: 5/5 The service was impeccable. Our server was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making excellent recommendations and ensuring our glasses were never empty. Every staff member we encountered was warm and welcoming, which truly elevated our dining experience. Food: 5/5 Every single dish we ordered was a home run. We started with the Goat Cheese Fondue, which was creamy, tangy, and utterly addictive, served with warm, soft bread for dipping. For our main, the Grilled Tofu was cooked to perfection, with a wonderful texture and a savory flavor that paired beautifully with the fresh sides of Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus. The potatoes were rich and creamy, and the asparagus had the perfect crispness. The drinks were just as impressive. The Virgin Mango Mojito was a refreshing tropical delight, while the Lychee Martini was expertly crafted, elegant, and delicious. Overall, our dinner at RumFire was an unforgettable experience. It's the ideal spot for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself to one of the best dining experiences on the island. We are already looking forward to our next visit!

We had a very nice meal here and I would otherwise rate it highly. However, we were celebrating our wedding anniversary, which was clearly marked on the reservation. The hostess who greeted us wished us a happy anniversary, so it was correctly listed on the reservation, but that was it. The waiter, who was otherwise very good, clearly did not get the memo that it was our anniversary. Nothing notable or special, not even wishing us a happy anniversary. So do not come here for a special event. You will be underwhelmed. One other negative is that they served some sort of popcorn and pretzel mix instead of a bread basket when seated. That gives a real sports bar feel instead of a fine dining establishment. Bad vibes on that one. Whoever came up with that idea, it doesn't work for fine dining. Pic attached. That said, the view is awesome if you arrive early (5p) to get one of the ocean view tables and the mains and dessert were very good.

We noticed all the details put into making our dining experience excellent. Our food was very good, but the atmosphere, location, beauty of this establishment is top notch. The service was over the top as well. I wish I could remember the names but from the hostess seating us in an excellent spot to the server who paid attention to every detail, to the chef both serving us our appetizer and coming out to check on our entre. All very impressive! More than 5 stars!

We went for dinner and had a lovely experience. Our server was Greg, he is funny and knowledgeable and friendly. Our table had a view of the ocean, so we could see the changing colors of the evening sky. We ordered Brussels sprouts for the appetizer, and they were excellent, super delicious. My husband got filet mignon and I got butterfish for the main course, both were amazing, but after that we had no room for dessert. Highly recommend this restaurant for the ambiance and food and service quality.

This was a great luau experience. The buffet style was great. There was tons of amazing food for everyone. The three kids all loved different options for food. The garden was beautiful and an amazing walk through. The show was very cool! With the set up there, they were able to make it a true performance. This was a great time spent with the family.

An absolutely unforgettable experience. Smith Family Garden Luau is a magical place surrounded by beautiful gardens and countless picture-perfect spots with stunning backdrops. The food was delicious, and the hospitality was truly exceptional — they make you feel like part of their family. We were on our honeymoon, and they invited us up front along with other newlywed couples. They sang a beautiful live song while we danced — such a special, emotional moment we’ll never forget. To end the night, the luau show was amazing: full of art, detail, and culture. A wonderful celebration of Hawaiian music, dance, food, and nature. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Kauai. 🌺✨

I have very mixed feelings about the Smith Family Garden Laua! Pros: -absolutely stunning grounds! -Feeding the birds was a blast for my kids -The boat tour to the fern grotto was cool -Delicious food and drinks! My whole family loved the food so much -I appreciated how the dining area and show were in different areas. The show having a stage and raised seating was nice Cons: -The actual show is very dated and cringe. I was uncomfortable many times. I am shocked at how many reviewer say they enjoyed the show. It seemed like the whole show was created in the 70s and was never updated. ((The fire dancer did a great job and the woman spinning the fire ball string things did a great job too!)) -The dessert options are minimal: fruit, jello, rice pudding and coconut cake. The cake was good, but if you don’t like jello or coconut, you will be out of luck.

I had to experience a Hawaiian luau and this was the perfect place. The grounds are beautiful, the food was delicious, seating allowed to meet and talk with people from different places. The dances after dinner were really good. They had dances from the different cultures on the island which added to the experience. Overall this was one of my favorite things I got to do on my visit to Kauai.

We make a point to visit every time we visit Kauai! The grounds are spectacular! The tram ride takes you all around the different parts of the property and then you’re welcome to walk around on your own afterwards at any time. So many beautiful picture opportunities. Water is served while you wait for and watch the imu ceremony, then the bar opens while you get seated. The buffet is abundant with many wonderful choices. It’s the absolute best luau food I’ve ever had before. The beef teriyaki and chicken thighs are particularly good, and of course the kalua pork. But the fried rice, pickled cucumber salad and mac salad are delicious also. The drinks are plentiful and easy to get. The luau show is traditional and very enjoyable. Highly recommend!

The garden was beautiful!!! And the food was so delicious. Had a great time at the show and they did a great job telling the story of Hawaii. Smith family is truly family our car battery died and the dancers saw us stuck in the parking lot and they helped us jump start our car. Big shout out for helping us get back safe!!!! ❤️❤️

We didn’t have dinner there but we loved the luau dance performance — the dancers were so talented, and the storytelling through the dance was mesmerizing. The atmosphere was very welcoming and family-friendly, and everything felt very well organized. It was a truly memorable experience and one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommend to see the show if you’re visiting the area!

The fried fish was amazing. Carne asada was ok, it had cabbages instead of just onions and cilantro, the meat was good. Small place

This place is near to my airbnb by short walk, and it suggested by my tour guide. I had green tea matcha with coconut milk, and my husband had capuchino. With banana bread, and mochi donut. It's delicious & good choices!

Sleeping Giant Grill - plate lunch so delicious, it will have you coming back for more! I looked up places with the best plate lunch before we arrived to Kauai and Sleeping Giant Grill seemed to be very well rated and highly recommended. The restaurant is on the smaller side and tucked away in a smaller stripe mall behind the Coconut Marketplace. There is limited outdoor seating, and also a larger indoor seating area found at the back of the restaurant. My husband ordered the Teriyaki Chicken and I got the Habanero Chicken - both ordered with the mac salad and rice. The portions were fairly large, although I would have loved even more mac salad because I love to have all components of the plate in every bite and ran out of mac salad quickly. This is the first time I've had a mac salad with potatoes in it, and although I'm not usually an enjoyer of potato salad, this was delicious!! If I can recommend one item off of this menu, it would be the Habanero Chicken. It was cooked to perfection - the breading was perfectly crispy and the heat level was decently spicy. The flavor was so delicious, I bought an extra side of the sauce to drizzle over the chicken. Although they offer a wide variety of items on their menu, I ordered the same thing on two different occasions because it was THAT good. This was our first meal upon arriving to the island and it truly set the bar so high! I absolutely devoured everything on my plate and the second I finished eating, I had one of those moments where I thought, "I will be very bummed if we don't return here again before the end of our trip." Don't worry - we did return!

Small spot better for take out than eating in. The fried chicken plate was Bomb, I would have that again …the steak plate was ok, wouldn’t have that again. Prices were a little higher than expected $48 for two plates… They were out of poke unfortunately so couldn’t try that and parking was very limited so there was a long walk.

The food is amazing. Don't let the 2 tacos fool you, they are massive and pack a ton of flavor. The Mahi fish plate was delicious and cooked perfectly. The ahi tacos, raw, were spectacular and very shasharableA must when youare in Kauai.

This place has the best food I ate in a while. We went there for a quick dinner and I said to my wife that we should go back to try the other plates. She said she wanted to go to different places but we always come back here thanks to the food being so good, for the third night in a row. We got the Ahi and Mahi plates, the Chicken tacos and the Shrimp plate, all very tasty and fresh. I'm sure we will end up back here for our last dinner on Kauai tomorrow.

This is quite the hidden gem! We got the Ono Fish Tacos and Korean BBQ Chicken Plate and loved every bite! The salad and dressing were delicious, the cilantro cream on the fish was awesome, and the chicken was cooked perfectly! They have indoor and outdoor seating, free water, and the cook came out to ask us how we were doing. He told us he’d been to culinary school, and it definitely shows. Best lunch we’ve had on the island, and we’ll for sure be back.

Stayed in Sheraton Kauai Resort, had breakfast in this restaurant every morning of my family stay. The restaurant is sitting on a beautiful beach. The French toast and American breakfast are all very good. However, my server Amado on the first morning was terrible. He rushed us to order, and when asked about the ingredients of the food (allergy issues), he was very impatient and wondered why I asked. He never offered juice, only coffee or water, until my family asked him if juices were available. He has never came back to my table and provided the routine check if we need anything else, or provided refill my water or juice. The very next time he shown up was to put the bill on the table, which he had also provided to another couple who were still eating. Amado is the worst restaurant server I have ever met in my visits to 4 Hawai’i islands and not sure if he really hates his job. For the subsequent morning breakfasts, I made sure to tell the front receptionist not to get me a table served by Amado. All the other servers however, were very friendly and attentive, in particular, John is exceptional. They (and the food) made my start of the day wonderful on Kauai.

The food and drinks are excellent! Ahi nachos were sooo good! Had the macadamia crusted mahi and it was very tasty but too salty. My friend’s food was good too! One had the mushroom pasta and added grilled ahi, the other had the grill shrimp which were both yummy! The portions are pretty big so it will satisfy.

Came here for lunch after lounging on the beach. Ordered the poke bowl and the mahi tacos. Honestly, both left a lot to be desired. Maybe because we had similar dishes elsewhere on the island this week. The service was good, our server was attentive and kind. Easy location if you’re lounging on the beach, but really the island has a lot of to offer and you should seize the opportunity to explore. Check out Fish Express in Lihue for amazing poke and Japanese Grandma in Hanapepe for amazing fish tacos (and other amazing food.

Typical bar food restaurant. The fish sandwich was good on the taro bun and the fish tacos were yummy too. The view of the beach was pretty amazing!

I had the crispy chicken tenders. I was very disappointed in this appetizer. Tasted like it came from the freezer, precooked and then heated up. They weren’t all that crispy either. A total disappointment. Probably should have sent it back. Service was good. Restaurant was busy. Nice ocean views. I think you’re paying for the view, definitely not for the food.

The best thing about this restaurant is the friendly and professional service! Also the ocean view is beautiful. Food is tasty, and portions are a good value for the money.

The service was good and the restaurant has nice ambiance in a convenient location with good views. Unfortunately, the food was a huge disappointment. Honestly, the worst dinner we’ve had in a very long time. We had the roasted Huli Huli chicken and it was inedible. The emaciated chicken was dry, cold and tasteless. It was also a challenge to get any meat off the chicken bones. It came with a scoop of white rice (basic) and a side of slimy Brussels sprouts. We rarely ever complain to a restaurant about a meal but diners should have a reasonable expectation of getting a fresh, flavorful and hearty meal when they go out to dinner in a truly beautiful hotel. The RumFire restaurant next door is excellent so I’d recommend that you skip Lava’s all together for a much better dinging experience at RumFire.

I like to eat at the local places and Marks is as local as they come. Counter service and camp tables with umbrellas. Lots of places to sit but it's all outside. Parking is terrible at lunch time. Ne prepared to wait for a spot, and no street parking. The food is great and you get a lot for the money. I like the potato Mac salad, nice change from Mac only. They also sell cookies which were also excellent. Love this place and have come by many times. Keep it up!

Really enjoyed the plate lunch here. The Mac salad is perfect — not too sweet or saucy. Ahi katsu special was substantial and very crispy. The beef stew tastes just like home made (in a good way). The beef teriyaki was a bit dry but had nice flavor. Overall, really fantastic food. Loved eating outside too.

(Late review - July 2024) This place was recommended by a friend since it was the hubby and my first time in Kauai. Only outside seating is available. Portion size are large. Decent price for the portion. Flavors were pretty good. Service was quick. Bottom line: Easy and quick fix for some local Hawaiian food.

Food are decent and portion is small for the price. Service is so so. I got three small pieces of beef in my meat stew plate (14$), and 7-8 medium size shrimps in the shrimp rice plate (22-23$). I got charged 3% for credit card as well. We tried two other local spots and their food were better with better price.

The BEST food we had on the island hands down. We were told about this spot on the shuttle to hike the Na Pali coast. We went prior to departing the island because it's near the airport. We wish we went earlier to eat there twice. Everything was so flavorful, huge portion size and great price. Chili chicken and the sampler plate!

This is probably the best food I've ever had on any island & probably even overall. I don't regret coming here at all. The portions were the best and the flavor was THE BOMB. The price was good too. I highly recommend the loco moco! The teriyaki beef and chicken was good too. Overall 10/10. Must come if you're in Kauai 🌺 please don't change anything!

WOW! Hands down the best Plate Lunch around! The staff were friendlier than most on the island. The food was amazing. From the white rice to the noodles under my Korean beef I was thrilled. The macaroni salad was without a doubt the best on Kauai! (Yes better even than the Luau Mac) I loved having some leftovers too. There is something for everyone here. Local workers seemed to frequent this spot and that tells you its the perfect price, tastes great, and is pretty quick depending on what you order. I will always have a smile thinking back to my family & I trying this little gem <3

Magical. A bouquet of flavor. The best shave ice I've ever eaten. Hand made syrup from real fruit and fresh macadamia ice cream makes thus ice unbeatable. PROFITS SUPPORT MAKANALANI FARMS, a youth camp the provides wholesome experiences free of charge. Chicken In A Barrel next door also do area profits so, so get chicken as well.

The shave ice is okay because I've tasted better ones in Kauai. Other than that its not bad it just taste like a regular shave ice or snow cone.

The shaved ice is SO GOOD!! The cream on top? To die for. I didn’t love the ice cream. I tried the Mac nut and I didn’t like it, so I got another one the next day with vanilla and it was a bit better but not to die for. But the ice with the cream on top? To die for!!!

Loved the Local North Shore (Lychee was a unique flavor and tasted delicious). I also loved the haupia cream. Line always moved quick if there was one. We went several times during our trip

In the competitive shave-ice landscape, there's no better stop than Jojos. Some places might be more internet-famous, but you'll never have more fun with the best shave ice than you will with this crew. The also crank them out with enthusiasm, so even a long line moves quickly here.

Literally one of the best shaved ices I’ve ever had. Two of us shared a ‘berry berry’ and added coconut and it was incredible right after the beach. The macadamia ice cream was pretty good too

In my friend’s recommendations for Kauai he had in parentheses next to Jojo’s (always, anytime, never skip) and my review is just that! Always. Anytime. Never skip! Shave ice is to Hawaii as gelato is to Italy. It is always a must and should be partaken of at minimum once a day! I was a sucker for the coconut and the tropical breeze flavors as both have the macadamia nut ice cream and the Haupia cream which is quite simply the best! 🥥

came here for the tropical shave ice and it didn't have as many holes as I have seen in other places and it required a little bit of a chop in order to get the flavor, it was all right. had much better but can't complain

We tried ‘da bomb’ and then a blue raspberry + strawberry which were both yummy! My husband and I both agreed we would have liked da bomb more if it was cola instead of root beer. I also did not like strawberry which is usually my fav flavor but it tasted nothing like strawberry and was really strange tasting so I would not recommend.

This charming little shack offers organic shave ice. We tried the Tropical Bliss and Sunset flavors with Macnut Ice cream. It was yummy. We enjoyed the laid back atmosphere.

Absolutely delicious. So many different combinations with toppings or ice cream for the center. This is such a neat area to hang out enjoy some shaved ice and make memories. Make sure this is on your list of places to stop.

Piña Colada flavor was great! A local told us this is the best shave ice on the island and I couldn’t agree more…comes with macadamia nut ice cream.

By far, the most amazing shaved ice I've ever eaten. Organic Passion fruit/Strawberry, Macadamia ice cream, seasonal fruit, snow cap and honey. 😋

My Dad still prefers Ululani's but personally, this is the best shaved ice I've ever had! I tried ice cream on the bottom for the first time and now I can't imagine shaved ice without it! So yummy + good atmosphere

Long stay at the Hyatt and look forward to breakfast each day here. What a creative, professional, diverse breakfast buffet! Too much to note here but there is NOTHING missing for breakfast or brunch options! The staff is so friendly and personable.

If you are staying at the Grand Hyatt at Poipu, you will likely have had the incredible breakfast buffet. But have you had lunch here? We have been here multiple times and tried it out for lunch for the first time. It’s very good! The turkey wrap and the black bean/corn burger were wonderful. Side salads with papaya poppy seed dressing a nice touch.

We enjoyed staying at Grand Hyatt for about 6 days and had the breakfast buffet everyday. Plenty of options. They had cheeses, meats, breads, tropical fruits, an egg station, also some Hawaiian dishes. Larry our waiter was splendid. We aimed to sit in his area because he was very attentive and cordial, but didn't get to everyday since the hostess decides where to sit you. Sitting by the pond with the swans was extra special. It's a very elegant place, people with no manners and loud kids look out of place here. Price is expected for this resort. This breakfast was a delight in our visit.

Breakfast buffet was fantastic! View is stunning and service was perfect! Thank you very much.

Visited here twice during our stay at Grand Hyatt, even though the price is more on the expensive side, the food is absolutely delicious 🤤 If you get here early, you’ll probably be lucky to get a seat with a lake view too. So many cute birds and fish around this place. It’s absolutely gorgeous and great way to start your day fresh! We ordered Waffles, Avocado Toast Fruit Platter and Pancakes and everything was hands down amazing! And the food portion was filling and each item is sufficient for two people if you’re a light eater. They also offer a buffet for the morning breakfast which I really would want to try my next time there. They have so many options to try ☺️

The breakfast buffet was incredible. Everything I had was delicious. I started with eggs benedict, pork hash, frittata and bacon. All were incredible fresh, warm and beyond delicious. The bacon was some of the best I’ve ever had. I fished with two plates of pancakes and French toast topped with whipped butter, toasted coconut, chopped macadamias and warm coconut syrup. It was to die for. They have a small bar with various concentrated juice shots. I had the carrot/cantaloupe/ginger and the green apple/celery/kale. They were both like shots of energy and very, very good. Our server, Jean was so friendly and helpful not only with food suggestions but places to visit on the island, a truly great server. It is well worth the price and we might go back tomorrow because it was so good. Give it a try, you won’t be sorry. I highly recommend it.

The worst breakfast we ate in Hawaii, pitiful buffet with a sad variety for $52pp. Oatmeal was a water soup that had disintegrated over they days as they kept putting out what looked like the same bowl because no one was eating it. Small omelette bar with limited add in options. The hot buffet items were bland and low quality, a sad “frittata” that was an egg cake with a tiny dusting of mushrooms on top, old bread from the buffet turned into French toast, and mush fried rice were just some of the options. They didn’t rotate items so it was pretty much the exact same thing day after day. If you like salmon Wellington you’re in luck, it’s served every morning. The fruit was not ripe and very limited options.

My wife and I ate here on two different occasions. The first time, we ordered the famous fish tacos which were AMAZING. Second time, she got the taco bowl with fish and I got the macadamia nut crested mahi mahi, which was delicious. The sauce they use is phenomenal. Highly recommend when in Kauai!

Good place. We ordered fish tacos and chowder, all very good. The tacos are huge and fall apart, but they did warn us. Also have good beer on tap! The thing I remember most about this restaurant is that the employees really seemed to care that we had a good experience and care about the restaurant. They took time to describe the menu and make recommendations, and were busy cleaning the place and checking on us when there wasn't anyone in line. We had a pet chicken for our meal, apparently this one liked eating lemon wedges.

Coconuts fish cafe is amazing. There was a short line but they got through everyone pretty quickly. The menu offers all sorts of great Hawaiian food options. I went with the fish tacos and they are loaded with goodness. Prices are around $15 per entree so for a family of four it was around $80 including drinks. It was worth every penny though as the food was mouth-watering delicious. This is a must visit restaurant.

So good! Awesome staff! The guy who took our order and the one who delivered food both took the time to tell us about the the fish-what flavors and textures etc. The food was awesome and the restaurant is very clean. Slightly overpriced, but still a pretty cheap meal for Kauai.

Four of us had lunch there. Two of us rated the place five stars and two of us said four stars. Everyone enjoyed their meal, except me. My complaint was the fish in the Fish & Chips plate was overcooked and dried out. The french fries were fair at best. For the price they should have been better. Ambience was fun. Surf boards for table tops and chairs. Surfing was being broadcast on all of the large screen TVs. The staff was friendly.

Best fish tacos I've ever had. The pulled pork taco was a very close 2nd. We also got the Coconut shrimp and Spicy Ahi Poke' and loved it. We will return here before we leave. Outstanding food!

Read the great reviews and decided to come here for lunch - our meal was very hit and miss. Coconut shrimp was great. Fish tacos were not. I'm not sure why they advertise this as their best seller but the fish was flavorless and it was extremely overstuffed with lettuce and toppings, to the point where you can't eat it without everything falling out. Far from a classic, well balanced taco.

The wait staff are friendly. Gave us the catch of the day option. We ordered the catch of the day Ono which made for a really fresh fish and chips. We also ordered the garlic shrimp which was an appetizer but they gave me a side of rice to make it a shrimp plate. Both dishes were very good and fresh. Recommend coming here for a visit.

Fresh seafood daily, and really kind and attentive service. Wife and I went here for the sunset view. Unfortunately, the seating is not exactly oriented and the view isn't ideal for sunsets. We still had an amazing meal at a much more affordable price than the restaurants near the resorts. Plus there is live music across the street on the weekend. Highly recommend!

Great spot for fresh fish & chips, poke nachos, or fish wraps! Excellent friendly service and a decent view of the Port Allen waterfront. We stayed around to watch an MLB playoffs game (Go Ms 🔱🤙) so we ran up more of a tab than most groups likely would.

Wow. Not many places get steak right, but so ono! Literally one of our fave spots across the islands. We had their specials and couldn’t have asked for anything better. Portions were huge and so delicious! Can’t recommend it enough 🤤

Great waitress. Very knowledgeable about the menu and allergy aware. Generous drinks and food portions.

Food was awesome and our waitress was great!! She was very sweet.

Great place to try authentic local food. The poke is fresh and made with fish caught by local fishermen.

The view is absolutely stunning - definitely a 10/10. The service was great. The staff was friendly and gave helpful recommendations about the food. As for the food itself, it was decent but not exceptional. I had a poke bowl - the fish was fresh, but I’ve had better. The same goes for the ramen: well-presented, but the flavor didn’t stand out. Overall, a nice experience, especially for the atmosphere, but the food could be more impressive.

We made online reservations and were able to be seated right away. I believe there was a decent wait (Tuesday night) without reservations. The menu is simple: ramen or rice bowl, with a few variations for each. The ramen was very good, high quality noodle and vegetables. Broth was rich. The rice bowl was fine. The chicken was tasty. Overall, the prices were steep for what you were getting. Bowls are just under $30. Cocktails are $19. But the food is good and the views are wonderful as well.

We had a wonderful dinner with a beautiful view! We had a delicious Mai Tai around the fire pit before we were seated in the open air dining room! The Ramen was very fresh & delicious! This is a must visit while in Kanalei!!!

The atmosphere is what you are here for. The view & outdoor seating is really a lovely venue for dinner. We ordered the papaya salad, ahi rice bowl and the pork belly ramen. The papaya salad was by far the highlight of the meal and a very generous portion for two people. The ahi bowl was just okay. The tuna was fresh but the flavor of the overall bowl was lacking. The pork belly ramen was good but again I’ve had better ramen as random spots in many other places and I’ve had worse ramen. I’d say come here knowing this meal won’t blow your hair back but it’s fine and you’ll leave on a good note. The view is why you are here and to enjoy looking at the gorgeousness that is Kauai. We made a reservation for 8pm since that’s all we could get online and but I called same day around 415pm they let us move it to 5pm which was amazing! So kudos to them on that. There also seemed to be a fair amount of walk in seating readily available for the people who were there before 5pm and wanted dinner. Perhaps just the time of year but if you are dying to go here and can’t get a reservation, arrive early for a walk in at 5pm and dinner seems very likely with that strategy. Drinks were great as well. I had the Franciscan and asked to have the mezcal not included and the drink was great still! Service was lovely and they were very quick with food for this first part of the evening.

Breathtaking views and delicious flavors. We spent full dinner prices ($250 for a family of four) and we were all still hungry afterwards. My noodle bowl "protein" was three tiny bites of chicken on a skewer. Not even chunks of chicken. It was unacceptable!

Incredible view of mountains and food. Lived the pork bao bun, curry satay bowl, tuna bowl and Dan Dan noodles. Outstanding taste without being spicy hot Same chef and building as Bar Acuda. $60 per person including beer and wine. Best view from high bar tables facing garden, flowering trees and mountains.

Not a fan of the food. The appetizer boa buns was too sweet and needed some spice. Hard to chew. The presentation was good but the taste of the meals were really blah. I needed some sort of flavoring. I added the spicy black garlic but you couldn't taste it. I'm willing to pay for good food but way too overpriced for mediocre noodles and rice meals. No flavor!! The drinks were good though.

I ordered the huli huli chicken with mixed veggies, Yukon mashed potatoes, and focaccia—it was phenomenal! The chicken was tender and flavorful, the mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious, and the focaccia was the perfect touch. Everything was cooked to perfection and beautifully balanced. I definitely recommend dining here while on Kauaʻi!

Where to begin. The food looks pretty but that's about all I can say. Portions are very small and we waited 20 minutes for food we ate in 5 minutes. Just not much to it. We left hungry and unsatisfied. We won't eat here again. There's too many better options. Like the Italian restaurant down the road. The atmosphere was nice. Service was just OK. I had the huli huli chicken which was like 5 small strips of breast off the bone....the rest was bone. The korean "short ribs" were not your typical short ribs but thin tough fatty pieces of meat that were mostly bone. Way overpriced for the quality and quantity of food you get.

Food was excellent, the only flaw was that without a reservation it took 30 minutes to get seated. They only had one server for a Saturday night. We ordered the Catch of the Day - Mahi Mahi and the Udon Noodles with Seared Ahi.

For the most part, food was good. Had one error on the egg order but the staff was amazing! Frank and JB are great! When it did get busy, some people just talked too loud. With my wife, had the Steak and Eggs the First day and the French Polynesian Toast, then the KBR Hash and the Omelet.

Great food and service, the patio is views of a beautiful koi pond. The food was very good, I had the pork chop and house mash. We also enjoyed the mango crem brulee, everything was cooked to perfection and our server was wonderful. Thank you!

The breakfast menu was excellent, food was fresh and well prepared. Atmosphere was excellent and service was excellent. I enjoyed my meal and will return. Though the buffet costs $36.65 I think it was a good deal overall considering the food quality and competitive pricing among other diners.

Our server Lexi was super knowledgeable and very accommodating. We had the fresh catch, seared ahi and a Caesar salad and it was all really good.

We just left the restaurant. Would have to say the entire experience was wonderful. From the service to the food to the views. From the outside, nothing special, but much more that meets the eye. The food- we had the fresh catch of the day (red snapper) and it was delicious. The fish tacos were to die for (had one fried and one grilled). We also had side salad and the cup of chowder. I would highly recommend the fresh catch and tacos. The service- paka was so friendly: we enjoyed getting to know her and hearing about her life. The owner Greg was moving around and being very friendly, we loved meeting him! He made the whole dining experience sublime. The view- ocean view unimpeded. What more could you ask for? Highly recommend this small 7 min drive from hanalei. It’s absolutely worth it. It was our favorite dining experience and we found it on our last night here. Do yourself a favor and come in to this place.

Delicious cheeseburger. Fries were nice and hot but I think I got the bottom of the batch. Severely overcooked. The interior of the restaurant needs some updating. Mathew our waiter and busboy was great. Great views of the ocean.

I’ve never regretted a food purchase this much in my entire life. We order the pasta primavera with the $10 chicken add-on and $50 later I have an inedible box of food. The chicken is drier than the sand on the beach, the broccoli disintegrated into mush, on a bed of cheap pasta and canned tomato sauce. Service was lovely though!

We had the absolute best lunch/dinner ever! The fresh fish and amazing fries were stupendous. The seafood chowder is a must and if you are in the mood for a pizza, the all meat with the sweet onion is the BEST! I cannot wait to go back and see if they will be serving the fish pizza….we talked about a macadamia nut pesto sauce with the catch of the day shredded on the top… 5 stars is not enough! We will definitely be back to visit and have some amazing food!

We had the fish and chips. Generously loaded with crispy fries and 3 large pieces of perfectly breaded pieces of fresh fish. Great atmosphere and stellar staff made this meal a great experience.

place looks kinda trashy. service is average, food is not the best. surprised this place has anything more then 2 stars. The place looks like they had a small budget. definitely don’t recommend. Bathrooms were honestly nicer then the rest of the place. i

This is a hidden gem!!! Excellent food and right on the water. Casual atmosphere and a heartwarming story behind the restaurant and the big hearted owner. Make a point to stop by!!!

5/5, highly recommend, a must go! The setting is beautiful, you can hear the waves, Every detail was wonderful! Such an amazing night! The food was surprisingly good, book the tickets! The VIP package was worth every penny, everyone in our group loved the luau, it was a trip highlight, please don’t pass on this, even the teenagers in our group were impressed!! I wish I could give more than 5 stars! A must see when In Kauai

Our family's first luau experience was fantastic. The oceanfront location made for a unique and memorable evening. There was a drizzle of rain during most of the event, but it gifted us with a very pretty rainbow during sunset. The staff made sure that every guest had access to a rain poncho for comfort. The food & drink options were wonderful and the show was just as educational as it was entertaining. The skill and dedication of the entire luau team was impressive. Mahalo for the wonderful time!

Paid for the "Premier" dinner experience. It was phenomenal. Between the broad cultural demonstrations, excellent food choices, and live music, there's not much to criticize. The food was an assortment of well-made Hawaiian traditional foods. It wasn't spectacular, but it was good. And it had plenty to go around. Cultural presentations were impressive and immersive, even if some were a bit short. There was a family with two small children's in the front row. Now, I normally love children, but they were dancing very distractingly in front of the stage. So parents, if you have restless kids, please have them dance on the side areas so they do not distract other guests, please. Otherwise, I'm sure they had a great time.

Well Organized event. Use the free valet. Event parking is far. Food and drinks were good. Plenty. Show was good. Needed more hula dancing. Fire is always a hit. Great view. Luau photos are $30 Small vendor section at the event. Had a great time.

We had a good time other than it felt really crowded. The band was excellent, the performers were excellent, the photographer took some amazing pictures of us, and the food and service were good. It’s a buffet style, don’t expect a Chef’s Table experience. We sample everything and thought it was good and a little something for everyone. Cocktails were Mai Tai and Hawaiin Breeze which was fine for us. They had some delicious juice too that Lava’s also has for breakfast. My only real knock is that there are just too many people crowded into the space, it loses any intimacy and atmosphere that the show and music bring. I think headcount should be reduced by 30% and it would be such a relief. Glad I went overall!

While the show was a little light on “production value” (compared to other luaus we have been to on Kauai), the food was spectacular and the ambiance was hard to beat!! Don’t get me wrong…the dancers were talented and did a nice job.

What a great experience! From the time we drove in to the end, a very helpful and wonderful time. The valet was nice, which we didn't expect. Everyone we made contact with was very helpful and soooo nice. As for the food, also great and the setting on the beach was just amazing. The performers were very entertaining and seemed so happy to put on the show. I would recommend this Luau to everyone. We were thrilled and left with great memories that will last a lifetime! Thank you!