Michelin quality food but without the price tag. We sat at the bar while the Chef and one other cook made everything in front of us. Was great experience and will definitely go again. This was from last year but forgot to write the review. Great date night place. read more

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We had a fabulous experience here with chef Mitch Muroff. He's a one man show, yet somehow still creates such an intimate environment where he has at least one conversation with each table and / or personally delivers a plate to the table. There's an informative email / description on open table explaining timelines, restrictions, etc. Make sure to get there early if you want a welcome cocktail for the 6pm seating- you can order cocktails between 5:30-5:45, and they're great! I loved the dragonfruit cocktail and it was a lovely start to the meal. ***Please respect the chef's way of running the kitchen and don't try to order a drink mid way through dinner while he's working hard on cooking!*** Speaking of dinner, it was INCREDIBLE, very well balanced and the flavors were fantastic. The fresh local produce was the star of the show, and the sake pairing really elevated the experience. The first plate was light - a duo of a bright citrus forward green papaya salad which contrasted well with a rich creamy bok choy dish. This set the scene for a fresh lively tuna tartar. Followed by the main attraction, a perfectly seared moist and flaky white fish resting in a delicious mango miso sauce. After a quick palate cleanser of rice and homemade seafood soup, we finished with a delightful selection of fresh fruits and bite sized treats. My husband Marc particularly enjoyed the pickled star fruit. Chef Muroff and server Celeste were diligently working to ensure customers were satisfied and well taken care of. Both were so kind and attentive. My husband and I even had the pleasure of speaking with Chef about some of his inspirations and passions which were the foundation of Aina. Overall GREAT experience, we can't wait to come back and try the incredible food he has yet to create!! read more

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Takeaway word: WOW Our visit to Alina Kauai was spectacular. Not only was the service impressive it was intimate and nostalgic. We enjoyed our prepared course menu and opted for the sake pairings. The chef was hard at work whilst the server catered to our needs. With a 12 people seating the chef asserts that each customer is taken care of. The Chef frequently brought dishes to different tables and conversed with guests. This made the dining experience unique and warming. Each dish was crafted with Hawaii herbs, and Japanese influences. Each dish was special as it infused traditional artistry. Hats off to the Chef, very well done! read more

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Small well designed restaurant in the heart of Kapaa town. There's only one daily seating and reservations are required to dine. The chef's tasting menu was excellent and the dishes were delicious and well balanced. It is worth noting that the chef works alone, and thus patience is required between courses, however, the food is worth the wait. Overall very enjoyable experience. read more

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Truly outstanding food, preparation, and ambiance. A unique experience chef Mitch is a one man team, and prepares everything. Luckily he has found an excellent server now. As he said finding good help is the biggest challenge to running a small individual business. This was our second experience here, the last 3 years ago. Hope to make it back to Kauai again sooner. Dining here is definitely going to happen! Best meal we had on Kauai!! read more

Absolutely W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L ! Service was impeccable and the ambience was just perfect. And we were blown away by the fresh and delicious creations that were made with such care and plated with beautiful artistry. Each dish was consistently delightful and each entree held a delectable surprise of flavor. So thankful for the dinner experience and grateful to the chef and his love and care for the island of Kauai and his sincere desire to use local and fresh food to create a Michelin star experience. We had a truly incredible evening! The chef is a tremendous talent. read more

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New to the restaurant and didn't know reservations were required and were turned away even though the place was empty. Not worth our time and they can stay.empty. read more

Really special dining experience. Each dish was artfully prepared - and delicious. Totally worth the price. Mitch prepares a nice variety of cocktails prior to meal service. Four of us dined and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. read more

Great dining experience! Extremely intimate setting, two person show, impeccable service. The food was great! Some of the best on Kauai for sure and we've been many times. I will try and find my way back when I return!! Make sure to try the sake pairing as well :) read more

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Exceptional ambiance, service, quality of food, and artistry. Mitch is a legend, he's a gift to all of kauai.

We went on New Years Eve. If you gets chance go! This was the best meal and experience I've had at a restaurant; I've eaten at 2 Michelin Star restaurants and some highly rated French restaurants in Paris. By far this was the best. Don't expect sushi! You will be getting Japanese cuisine at its best. Make your reservations early! I'm not going back to Kauai anytime soon but when or if I do this place will be the reason why. The service was exceptional but paled by comparison to the amazing food. It's a hidden gem on an overpriced and overrated island. Nothing else came close. read more

This was an amazing meal and unlike anything else you can find in Kauai. The chef is incredibly talented, and many ingredients are sourced from his own garden and can't be found anywhere else on the island. The premium sake pairing was exceptional. I highly recommend this experience and cannot wait to return. read more

What a find in Kauai. This is an artisan restaurant. If you're looking for a crazy California roll, you're in the wrong place. Their effort, balance, ingredients and techniques are classic presentations of "authentic" Japanese food. No The meal is set omakase style where the chef guides you through what's fresh and seasonal. The starter was a whimsical shaved ice with lemongrass foam. After that the starfruit salad was amazingly great and the fruit itself popped with an apple like crunch. Next was sashimi that was beautifully presented and extremely fresh. The courses kept coming and eat dish not more than a few bites. The greens on the next dish were balanced and rolled sushi style and plated with a macadamia sauce that was robust with flavor. The heart of plam was presented in a dish with broth and would be a great stand alone for vegetarians. Moving into meats, the sous vide opah was as expected. Unbelievably succulent and seared to finish before serving. The yakitori was equally high quality with an amazing dipping sauce they combines creamy, spicy, salty and sweet. Amongst the best the island can offer. Don't forget the dessert. We ended with a light cream filled matcha jelly roll they was topped with chocolate. Served with a palate cleansing sorbet, this meal was worthy of the investment. New standard has been set here for authentic Japanese food prepared by a true artisan. read more

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The best food in Kauai, period. If you are a foodie this is the place for you. Innovative and bold food that is served by the chef/owner. The experience and quality are worth every penny. Date night? come here! read more

Aina Kauai Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Kapaʻa, Hawaii

This is by far the best restaurant in Kauai. We had an amazing dining experience with each course a revelation. When Chef Mitch told me he had worked at Rintaro (a fantastic ingredient driven izakaya in SF), I immediately got what he is doing. Very innovative, very ingredients driven, with a clear vision. We sat at the counter and enjoyed our "mind of chef" conversation. If you are a foodie, please try this restaurant and support what Chef Mitch has created. read more

Really enjoyed eating here sitting in the porch overlooking the ocean. Good food, good value.

One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The flavor combinations I experienced during this meal were indescribably good. The pacing was perfect, the pairings and sauces were perfect, everything was perfect. I was worried it wouldn't be enough food at first but every course is a reasonable size and I filled up way before the last one! Candace and Mitch were absolutely wonderful. The service and ambiance could not have been better. I cannot wait to visit Kauai again to dine here! read more

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This restaurant should have a Michelin star, maybe two? No Hawaiian restaurant has ever had one to my knowledge, and I don't believe the judges come to Hawaii. In California it would most certainly have at least one star. Cedar was our server and mixologist and was great. The Kama'aina (his creation) may be one of the most delicious cocktails I've ever had. The owner who's name I didn't catch was also very sweet and attentive. He has created a beautiful restaurant and a lovely experience. We had a lovely meal. Wonderfully creative flavors and flavor combinations. A number of ingredients I have never had or tasted before. Posted as many photos as yelp would allow, but I am leaving a few dishes off. Looking forward to our next trip to Kauai so that we can return. read more

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Amazing experience! The food was presented so beautifully and elegantly. Each dish had ingredients from the island with authentic Japanese taste and presentation. The quality of the food was top notch and delicious. The owner of the restaurant Mitch was very knowledgeable and friendly. We would definitely recommend this tasteful experience. We look forward to our next experience at Ainu Kauai the next time we visit Kauai. read more

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Lovely small Japanese place. Run by one dude - took your order and made and brought food. It was very delicious and quite refreshing. read more

Aina Kauai Restaurant - Some Japanese aoda - Japanese Near Me - Kapaʻa, Hawaii

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Aina I believe would be awarded a Michelin star if Michelin visited Kauai to rate it. I'm a bit of a Kaiseki fan and when I saw Aina I couldn't help but make a reservation. They used many local ingredients to offer a traditional Japanese kaiseki experience, I found it to fall just a bit out of what my experience is for traditional kaiseki but I thoroughly enjoyed each course. My party consisted of myself and two well traveled foodie Australians and they both enjoyed the meal as well. We did take them up on the drink pairing and it was fun, unique and went quite well with the meal. Only tiny bugaboo I had, the contemporary decor left the place feeling quite cold. read more

Aina Kauai Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Kapaʻa, Hawaii

Wow!! We had an amazing meal at this restaurant. From the food, to the service, to the ambience everything was perfect. What a wonderful and unique dining experience. The chef is incredible. Each dish is prepared with such care and intention. The ingredients are so outstanding and fresh some coming from the chef's own garden. The cocktails are made to order and are delicious and whimsical. The initial courses are presented as a trio and blend beautifully. The fish is outstanding with a magnificent presentation. The timing of each course is well thought out. Dessert was delicious and the entire dining experience was one of the best we have ever had. If you are lucky enough to get a reservation you will be in for a culinary treat! read more

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Food was some of the best Japanese food we have ever had. Presentation excellent as well as service . Japanese food well prepared is always expensive but well worth it read more

Go read about how this was established with a Michelin chef and what a find this is in Kauai. Go read about how all the food is grown on the island. Go read about how the menu follows traditional Japanese styles of multi course meals and Buddhist cuisine. But if you're on the fence, just GO. Finally, there's a restaurant on Kauai that really showcases what the island produces. Support this beautiful creation of a restaurant and enjoy some delicious edible art. I'm still thinking about the grilled Opa and how perfectly paired every cocktail was with each course of the meal. Associates on staff were warm, knowledgeable, and extremely efficient. We chose bar seating and watched how they executed their respective functions like a choreographed dance. You'll be amazed how quickly 2 hrs passes and how full you'll be with just a few bites at each course, but you'll leave feeling renewed. read more

I don't typically do reviews, but felt that this place deserved it! I didn't think Kauai would have fine dining, then we found Aina and had the most magnificent Kauaiian Kaiseki! Service was great, food was exquisite, perfectly cooked, super fresh and local. Typically eggplant is often over cooked in other restaurants, but not here, it was the PERFECT texture. I found myself even telling my husband how flavorful their carrots were! Ambiance was sophisticated, clean and understated. I liked that it was a quaint venue so they could give you their 100% attention. Foodie friends, make reservations if you're in the area! read more

Aina Kauai Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Kapaʻa, Hawaii

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Michelin star level food and service. I live in NYC and have eaten at the best restaurants in the world so can confidently say this is one star level food. Best meal we had on Kauai, hands down. The only true fine dining experience on the whole island. Everything was made to perfection. Space is modern and chic. We sat at the chefs bar seating and got to interact with the excellent, friendly and knowledgeable staff, including the chef/owner, Mitch. Don't miss out! read more

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We enjoy high quality, and interesting fixes menu dinners like we enjoyed at Aina Kauai New Years Eve. We've done a few such Japanese dinners in the San Francisco Bay Area and this was on par or better than most, and a better value as well. We sat at the chef's bar so we could chat with the staff and watch the action. The back of the house is masked only with a shaded curtain so we could see the grill, stove, etc. right in front is a clean and organized prep area. I don't know much about sake, and asked for something to sip on for the meal - the chef and owner set me up with a Desai which was quite pleasant and went with everything. My fiancée and I both had a tea made from a member of basil family - fragrant and no caffeine was the ask, and this delivered! The menu changes a bit based on what is fresh and sounds interesting to him. On the bbq we got a bit of waygu and a few other meats with an assortment of excellent pepper and spices, the soup broth was wonderful (and meticulously maintained on an induction stove just for this), a perfectly seared bit of fish (mackerel?), a pickled turnip and lychee (very fun), a cake made with champagne and a sorbet made with a local fruit. We learned a lot and enjoyed the thought and care the chef and team took on the food choices, prep and presentation. You won't regret it, and it's reasonable enough price you can make it a regular part of your visit! read more

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If I could give them more stars I would. My family and I are on vacation in Kauai and when we travel my wife loves to try new places. We received a recommendation from a friend to try Aina and we have to tell you we were not disappointed. We had a 9 course Omakase style experience and it was totally worth. It is expensive but you are on vacation....You have to live a little I don't want to give away too much of the experience but if you have a chance to eat here. I would highly recommend it. I would be a little surprised the next time we come back if they don't have a Michelin star. It was that good. Hats off to Lacy and the rest of the Aina staff you guys are awesome... read more

Aina Kauai Restaurant - Robata - Japanese Near Me - Kapaʻa, Hawaii

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We were so excited to see a tasting menu in Kauai and this was one of the best we've had. The service was excellent. Warm. Attentive. Not stuffy. We sat at the counter and it was fun to see all the details in the food prep. Lots of tweezers! Choosing the perfect piece of lettuce from the garden. And every locally sourced green from the Chef's garden was perfection. Wasabina and shungiku - so unique! The concept of Aina Kauai is all local and fresh. The chefs are hands-on and you can see they care about the integrity of the food. It fun to watch the staff interact with each other while prepping. Each course was so delightful- but I have to say the vegetables really stood out to me. I'm still thinking about the eggplant. Yes, eggplant. Something my husband has always refused to try, yet loved. The pickled vegetables at the end were such a nice touch. The sashimi paired with the saké tasting was a treat. The dessert was exquisite- the miso caramel over a petite chocolate lava cake with Hanalei spirit soaked pineapple and house-made pineapple sorbet. We paired it with the Japanese brandy which was a lovely way to end. The pace was perfect. The chef, Mitch, was pleasant and thoughtful. Aina Kauai has soul. That's hard to find. read more

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Wow! Dinner at Aina Kauai was a highlight of our trip to the Garden Island. The tasting menu had surprises we had never had before, with many ingredients sourced locally or grown in the Chef's garden. The cocktails were delightful, even when they didn't have some ingredients on hand to make the drink on the menu the alternative concoction was even better. The waitstaff were so welcoming and graciously answered all our questions about the courses. It felt a little fast at the beginning but once we were done, 2 hours had passed and we had no idea where the time went, we had been so immersed. It is an experience not to be missed if you are looking for a special night out or simply to treat yourself to some incredible food. Can't wait to be back! read more

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Relatively new restaurant with a great concept of incorporating local ingredients in a Japanese inspired menu. Apparently they just started 2 dinner seatings (5pm and 7pm) too! RESERVATIONS: Required. Made a reservation about 1 month in advance. PARKING: Free parking in dedicated lot, some stalls available. Side note-- the outside of the restaurant has a beautiful lighted sign displaying the restaurant name. Great for pictures. AMBIANCE: Relatively small restaurant with some counter seating for those who wish for a close up view of the kitchen proceedings. The interior is clean, open and inviting. Our table was smaller in size, but fortunately there was an extra table separating us and the next party, so there was extra space to place the menus. FOOD: 9 course meal for $125. Everything was extremely fresh and we appreciated the fact that the flavors/cooking techniques were varied. My boyfriend grew up with Japanese food, and many dishes had familiar flavors and reminded him of home cooked food. Personally, my favorite dishes were the refreshing palate opener (Kakigori-- Japanese shave ice) and Sashimi course with ahi sashimi. The Tempura course was also tasty, but very lightly battered. I also enjoyed the homemade mango sorbet in the Island Mizukashi (dessert) course. Certain components of the other courses were better than other components, but overall weren't quite as impressive. DRINK: Ordered the sake flight ($55) and 1 beer. We were surprised by some of the drink prices, especially the $25 cocktails. SERVICE: Excellent. There were a total of only 4 parties seated... the limited number of patrons allowed for very attentive service. OVERALL: We were pleasantly surprised that a place such as Aina Kauai exists on Kauai and enjoyed the brightness and freshness of the dishes. The food was overall tasty, but not everything was superb. We appreciated the Japanese flair and inclusion of fresh, quality produce, some of which were from the chef's garden. read more

Went here for our one year wedding anniversary - easily the best food in Kauai. We did the omakase which included a 9! Course menu which was amazing - the beef skewers and shrimp tempura may have been the best I have ever had. Cocktails were diverse and very well balanced. Thanks to Mitch and and Cedar for a fantastic culinary experience! Would absolutely go back. Ps: the policy of all flowers served as garnished should also be delicious was well received; read more

This is a celebration of everything that is Kauai through Japanese cuisine. Elements like sashimi and wagyu beef are the foundation for locally sourced ingredients, including herbs from our server's garden. read more

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Wish there was a sixth star to give! We are big fans of tasting menus and have indulged in the finest available world-wide, from Budapest to Bahrain, NYC to Seattle - this was easily one of our favorites. It wasn't just about the courses (9, all wonderful) or the cocktails (beautiful and delicious), but also the incredible service - warm, friendly, welcoming, and unfailingly knowledgeable. The staff spent time with us during each course to explain the various locally-sourced ingredients and afterwards to answer our questions. Well worth the visit, especially for a pleasant date night. The food and drink will knock you out and the staff is not to be missed! read more

Aina Kauai Restaurant - Palette cleanser! - Japanese Near Me - Kapaʻa, Hawaii

Not fine dining. Also fed everyone wild Taro leaves and gave everyone in the restaurant calcium oxalate poisoning. These clowns need to take cooking classes from local grandmas on how to cook taro safe. Go elsewhere service is super crap and weird and since they are prepaid and tipped they couldn't care less. If I could give zero stars I would. read more

Long story short, we dined here on Christmas Eve and were poisoned by their "vegetable course" of undercooked taro leaves which were served in a stew of taro leaf brine/stew. Taro leaves contain calcium oxalate and when consumed raw or undercooked/improperly prepared will cause serious poisoning, including reported fatalities. Symptoms of calcium oxalate poisoning include immediate pain and burning of the throat, tongue, and mouth. More severe cases can result in airway obstruction and death. https://www.poisonsinfo.health.qld.gov.au/plants-and-mushrooms/taro-colocasia#:~:text=Symptoms,irritation%20may%20occur%20if%20swallowed. https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_170_01.html#:~:text=Some%20plants%20(e.g.%20wild%20taro,and%20pain%20in%20the%20mouth. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/102490790100800308 My husband and I dined here on 12/24/23, our second time eating at Aina Kauai (first time was in 2022). We were served taro leaves with a single lotus root sitting in a taro brine (bottom left in photo). We were not informed of the ingredients and possible toxicity. About 1 minute after I ate the taro leaf (which we were told to eat), I experienced a burning, stabbing sensation in the back of my throat and my tongue and inside my mouth. Thinking it was an allergic reaction, I asked my husband and he reported the same sensation. Then the table next to us overheard and reported they also felt the burning. Across the restaurant, a party of four seated near the bar also started speaking loudly about the burning sensation they all were experiencing and were asking the waiters what was going on. I brought up the symptoms I was having to our waiter and he very nonchalantly said it "probably came from that dish" pointing to the taro leaves and lotus root. He said "maybe it's the lotus root, maybe it's the taro leaf". I eat lotus root all the time and lotus root does not cause these symptoms. I am a medical doctor (MD) and I did a quick search on my phone and confirmed my suspicions. I brought up my concerns to the waiter and he proceeded to gaslight us and reassure us that "these symptoms are normal". These symptoms are NOT NORMAL and are symptoms of calcium oxalate poisoning. The chef never came out to explain or apologize. All we received was a dismissive attitude and gaslighting, plus "two beers that were comped" (we prepaid $400 for our dinner already per their policy). This place is run by amateurs and dangerous to eat at. They clearly don't know what they're doing, and they don't care. Maybe as a first step, they should not serve poisonous ingredients that they have no clue about. The rest of the meal was also mediocre. Service was also super weird and awkward. They didn't take our drink orders until I prompted them and launched straight into a monologue about the first dish. When I asked to order drinks he looked visibly annoyed that I had "interrupted him". Not really fine dining here. We're never dining here again, and I advise anyone eating here to eat with caution. read more

Aina Kauai Restaurant - The taro leaf dish (bottom left) caused intense burning and stabbing pain of my mouth and throat - Japanese Near Me - Kapaʻa, Hawaii

If I could give Aina Kauai a million stars, I would do just that!  From start to finish this was an amazing experience.  The food is superb, but the artistry in preparation is beyond compare.  The team work together very well, and they all play a major role in the enhancement of the experience.  This is a nine course meal filled with incredible locally sourced and grown food.  Every bite is better than the last.  Make your reservations early, it's definitely an experience you should not miss. Kudos to Chef Mitch and the team at Aina Kauai.  I will definitely be back . Update: We returned again! It was just as good the second time. read more

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Absolutely fabulous, possibly the best restaurant on Kauai at this very moment. Mitch Muroff was able to bring to Kauai what it absolutely needed: meticulously prepared fine foods at a price point that "made sense". Everything tasted perfectly prepared, the portions were great, I didn't leave wanting more food (even though at the time of eating, I wished I had more of every dish.) I was satisfied by the service, the staff, and the overall quality of everything - great wine (we had the Cotes Du Rhône which was comparable if not better than the one served at JO2), great dishes (handmade everything? I had to do a double take on copying their items), and of course, great produce, sourced from local farms. Kaiseki style is the perfect way to let the ingredients shine on their own (instead of being overpowered with sauce, which is a common occurrence in many restaurants on island). We'll probably come back for most special occasions. There isn't anything like this place on island. Highly recommend if you've been craving something more than the typical macadamia crusted fish. Treat yourself to something great - because that's how I would describe this place: it's just freaking great. read more

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I am so excited to try this restaurant as we we were not able to visit Japan since covid. Chef Mitch and Sueyoshi did not disappoint. They serves great Japanese Kaiseki cuisine. The food and the presentation is up to par. They source locally and the menu change accordingly. The herbs and vegetables are local and fresh The food is delicious and the osuimono is wonderful. Their signature cocktail is also tasty. The service is great. Definitely a must try if you love Japanese food. We don't eat beef and we email Chef Mitch in advance and he make accommodation for us. read more

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Stopped into Aina Kauai for bento lunch. So happy we stumbled upon this place. The food was delicious. Everything was fresh and the soba was perfectly seasoned and refreshing with our bento. Spent some time talking with the chef owner about the food and business. You won't regret going, the food is so good! We need more local restaurants like this! read more

Aina Kauai Restaurant - Soba and potato croquette bento - Japanese Near Me - Kapaʻa, Hawaii

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