We had reservations, were seated immediately. The setting is stunningly beautiful (even though low lying misty clouds covered a lot of the mountain) - we were seated under the open air porch. We shared the large green papaya salad - fresh crunchy and delicious - and the chicken satay bowl (roasted Jidori chicken thighs, bok choy, soft egg*, scallions, sweet peppers, chili crisp broccoli and a peanut, coconut, satay sauce) - both were fabulous. We also had the sake flight - unique and fun to try. Highly recommend! read more

We love coming here, we make a reservation every time we are in town. They used to have beautiful cocktails (I still have photos on my phone!) but they've changed their menu and now they are all on the rocks. My server suggested that the bartender could easily make my requested drink as it is a full service bar, but when I went up to the bartender he seemed so pissed that I would even ask for something off menu! I get that he didn't want to make a drink with egg whites (why?? they are so good, and a good sour is a classic cocktail). But it was his tone and attitude that just seemed so off.. I've never met a bartender who didn't like engaging with a customer (maybe sub in condensed coconut milk if you don't want to use egg whites?). All in all, that completely changed the tone of my night. I felt embarrassed for even asking, and that never should have been the case. read more

Food was so Ono perfect portions Atmosphere ~ romantico All staff super friendly ! Price is very reasonable for the food quality and portions read more

Ama - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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The place is gorgeous and the service was lovely. The food, on the other hand, ranged from okay at best to actually bad. The ahi donburi tasted off. I didn't even eat all the fish. The ramen was okay, hardly any broth. Green papaya salad tasted like it had been sitting for hours -- no brightness or tang or crunch like it should have. If they charged normal prices, that'd be one thing, but when the prices are extraordinary, then the food should at least be good. It was not. Save your money and take a walk on the lovely Hanalei beach and grab some food from almost anywhere else and you'll be way better off. read more

We've been wanting to try this place for years, and finally we did. Such a disappointment...a very limited menu made even more limited by their running out of items. Beyond that, the food we had just wasn't even that good - the main courses were average at best. The bright spot of the meal was the papaya salad. Honestly, it's hard to understand how a restaurant with such limited options runs out of its primary ingredients. The choices - ramen or donburi - are so basic that the food comes out quickly (almost like a fast food joint) and we were out of there after a little over 30 minutes. Despite the complete mediocrity of the food, they'll continue to print money given the limited culinary options in the area. read more

Ama in Hanalei was such a beautiful dinner place to settle down at if you're nearby North Shore! I made a reservation a few weeks prior so that I could request a seat by the bench facing directly at the mountains. The setting alone makes it worth visiting--stunning views of the lush mountains paired with that perfect indoor/outdoor layout that really captures Kauai's vibe. It feels open, breezy, and effortlessly connected to nature. The atmosphere is relaxed yet elevated, making it a great spot whether you're dressing up a bit or just coming in after a day of exploring. Food: - AMA Ahi Ramen: Ramen broth was clear yet flavorful. Egg noodles were thick and chewy. Ahi tuna was good, nothing insanely amazing. They give you sauces to go with the food. - Chicken Satay: delicious! Peanutty and tender. - Beignet donuts: A MUST* i considered not getting this because we were soooo full but went ahead and did it anyways, and this was the best decision ever! It comes with quite a few (i think like 5), perfectly complimented with vanilla soft serve & caramel coconut sauce. SOOO good. Great spot for a slightly more fancy dinner vibe :) read more

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I really wanted to love this place, but unfortunately I didn't have the best experience. My biggest gripe is the online menu is very outdated compared to the actual menu, and a good amount of the dishes I was excited to try were not on the menu when I went. The prices are also higher than what's shown online. $30 for a basic ramen is absolutely insane, and you must realize you are paying for the view/ambiance and not the food here. The ramen was very average, with absolutely nothing unique or special to it. It was not bad, but this place is not in the same league as a normal top ramen spot, and I still can't get over the fact that this was the most expensive ramen I've ever purchased. We also got the donuts & soft serve dessert. It was alright, but not nearly as good as I was hoping. The soft serve is very similar to McDonald's/Burger King, and the beignets heavily relied on the sauce for any flavor. I absolutely love ramen, I love a beautiful restaurant, and I REALLY love donuts and soft serve. This place lived up to the views/vibe, but the food absolutely fell flat and the prices are outrageous, even for Hawaii. I implore the owner to expand the menu and bring back some of the dishes listed online, and to definitely update the online menu to reflect the actual prices and offerings. read more

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Went here for dinner after my boyfriend (now fiancé) proposed at Hanalei Bay. Vibes are immaculate at Ama. It is outdoors though so if you're prone to bug bites bring some bug spray. But I loved the place it was very cute and romantic. Great for date night. It is a little expensive for what you get in my opinion, the only downfall. Great to try! My fiancé got the ahi ramen and I got the udon (which was both our faves) we also got the bao buns to start and they were decent! Also got the beignets for dessert and I loved those, definitely would try those. The mai tai was good but a little steep in price, I would want to try the Brazilian limeade if I went again. Overall I would try if you wanted a nicer dinner one night :) read more

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4/5 for food. The spicy miso sauce is the star you can add to any dish. 5/5 for drinks. We got the ube soda and AMA POG and really enjoyed both. The ube was our favorite. 3/5 for service. Our waiter was good enough, but the hostess comes across as rude and disinterested. Our reservation was at 5:15, so they were not busy yet. We were right on time. We walked up to the hostess stand, and she looked away. We volunteered our name and reservation time. She looked away and didn't acknowledge us. She then got out an iPad to look up reservations. She didn't say anything. Her face was stern the entire time. Then without even looking up at us, said come with me to seat us. I've never had such an unfriendly hostess. 6/5 for the views. This is the reason to go to AMA. read more

Ama - Ube soda - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Beautiful spot hidden toward the back of the building overlooking the garden and mountains. We arrived early and enjoyed a delicious cocktail (note: heavy pour!) at the garden table first. Our server was kind and helpful with the menu. We ordered the papaya salad (perfect and refreshing) and two ramens; pork and ahi. Coming from SF we are no strangers to ramen so the bar was high. They were delicious! Don't hesitate to try this spot for a treat or special night out on the li'l town. Note: all seating is outside. read more

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We decided to try AMA for dinner just to mix things up, and we were pleasantly surprised by how good everything was. We ordered the Chasu Braised Pork Ramen, and the kids had kids ramen and teriyaki chicken--everyone cleaned their plates. The flavors were comforting, well-balanced, and exactly what you want from a good ramen spot. We didn't have reservations, but the hostess was able to fit us in at a beautiful table on the back lawn, which ended up being one of the highlights of the night. The mountain backdrop was absolutely stunning. As the sun set, the lights built into the tables came on and the whole area began to glow--it felt peaceful, cozy, and honestly pretty magical. They don't serve mixed drinks like piña coladas, but our waitress recommended the Coco Mizu, and it was light, refreshing, and a great alternative. And don't skip dessert. The donuts with ice cream and coconut caramel were absolutely mouth-watering--warm, sweet, and the perfect ending to the meal. Between the food, the atmosphere, and the service, this was a fantastic experience. We would definitely eat here again the next time we're in Hanalei. read more

Ama - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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Ama is a really cool ramen restaurant on the north shore of Kauai. It is located in Hanalei town in the main shopping area. The restaurant converted a covered outdoor patio area into its main dining room and also has seating in the grassy garden area. The restaurant view looks out to lush greenery with the Hanalei mountain range as the final background. It's a beautiful place to get a simple dinner but I'd recommend going early while there's still light so you can enjoy the view. The menu is limited to a couple of appetizers, a few ramen selections, a couple of rice bowls, and one dessert but the food was enjoyable overall. Service was great and very friendly. Would recommend to anyone looking for a simple meal with a nice view if you're in the area. Atmosphere: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Food: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Total: 3.8/5 Price: $$ Rating Criteria: 1/5: Terrible, would not recommend 2/5: Not good but not the worst. Might be worth it depending on price and other factors. 3/5: Solid option. Average in this category for the area. 4/5: Above average and excels in this area. 5/5: Excellent, needs no improvement Pricing Criteria: $: $0 - $50 per person $$: $50 - $100 per person $$$: $100 - $200 per person $$$$: $200 - $500 per person $$$$$: $500+ per person *Please keep in mind that the reviews posted here are based on personal experience which may differ from person to person based upon a multitude of factors (individual/specific workers, time of day, personal preferences, etc). Pricing may also differ and is reflected here based on what we paid for our meal. We usually enjoy multiple courses with our meals including appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts, and sometimes drinks or tasting menus when available. You are always encouraged to do your own research if concerned about potential pricing.* read more

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When we couldn't get into another restaurant we checked here and got right in. Ramen noddle bowl was filling and hot the spot as it was a little chilly in the evening. Our server was very nice. Hostess seemed a little dismissive at first when we arrived and didn't have a reservation but we did get a table pretty quickly. read more

Ama - I was in the area the following day and wanted to capture the sunrise with the mountains. This a seating area/ bonfire in the evening. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Amazing restaurant! We ordered the bao buns, chashu ramen, ahi ramen, and the ahi bowl, and everything was absolutely fantastic. The flavors were on point and the quality really stood out. The fabulous view elevated the whole experience. We would definitely come back! read more

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Great food, such a pretty place to eat, the outdoor seating is very refreshing, love how tropical this place feels and the arbor and the hanging lights that come on at night. Came here for an early dinner before checking into our hotel. Great service by James. The hostess was kind enough to find a table for us as we didn't have a reservation and this place got packed. We enjoyed the ahi ramen, ahi bowl and bao bun - we loved the pog drink! read more

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Love everything about this lovely restaurant! From the outdoor seating with gorgeous Mountain View's, the friendly and great service from staff, and oh yeah the food! We were seated immediately for our reserved table. Greeted by server very quickly. Hubby had the pork belly ramen which was delicious. I had the veggie Donburri bowl. That was great as well. Everything was so fresh tasting and seasoned perfectly. Make sure you make reservations well in advance! Will return next year! read more

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We've been coming to this island for years and somehow never made it to Ama, but I'm so glad we finally did. The scenery alone is worth it. Such a beautiful setting with a great outdoor area and a huge fire pit that makes it feel cozy and relaxed at the same time. The drinks were really yummy. We tried the Mai Tai, which was smooth and more citrusy than sweet, and the Ube Cream Soda, which was fun, purple, and super refreshing. For dinner, three of us ordered the Chicken Ramen and one got the Ahi Donburi. Definitely ask for the hot sauces because they really make the dish. The broth was especially delicious and comforting. Overall, we're really happy we tried Ama and can't believe it took us this long. It's a great spot with good food, solid drinks, and an awesome atmosphere. Would absolutely come back. read more

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The menu selection is short and sweet. The food quality is excellent. The employees are friendly and helpful. The open air dining patio is charming. This meal and experience is every thing you want for a dinner during your Kauai vacation. Advanced reservations are highly recommended during the busy tourist season. Oh wait, it's always tourist season in Hawaii. Come. Enjoy. Aloha! read more

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The restaurant and ambiance were stunning with the mountains as a backdrop. Bao buns were super fresh and had excellent balance of flavor. Husband said it's the best ramen he has ever had, chashu was so flavorful and tender. Hostess was lovely and service was quick. Would absolutely come back read more

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The buns were dry and hard and the ramen broth tasted like cinnamon Mexican soup and the noodles were undercooked. The service was bad too. The workers know the food is bad but won't tell you. It'a pretty in there but it's one of the worst places you can go to for how expensive it is. I would never go again. read more

This place was so delicious. The ramen, the beignets, the cocktails all high quality. Also they have a cute fire pit while you wait and the Mountain views do not disappoint! read more

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Booked this restaraunt for a date one night. Highly disappointed. Mainly came for the bao and they did not have them anymore. Everything was over priced. We ended up sharing a dish. It was just okay. Didn't taste authentic and sauces were really not that good. I was expecting something way better quality for the price. I regret not getting a fancy drink but we spent enough on one without alcohol. Views were beautiful, but that's what you're basiacally paying for. read more

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The view is absolutely stunning. Easy parking and also ability to make reservations. The prices are high but expected. Kind staff and good donburi or ramen choices. Didn't order a drink due to the long drive back to Lihue. Main bummer was the ahi only had 3 slices and due to the price would have hoped for more. Otherwise was very fresh and came with great sauces. read more

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The ramen itself was mediocre. The Chashu ramen was served with shredded lettuce and red bell pepper which was really odd to me. Highlight of the bowl was the chashu itself. I prefer tonkotsu ramen with a thicker base and this wasn't that. Good ambience , service was ok, but I'll pass on the ramen next time. Also ube cream soda was sour and flavorless, would not recommend. read more

Ama - Chashu ramen and Ube cream soda - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

We weren't too hungry, so shared a ahi ramen and dessert. Wifey had freshly made doughnuts with ice cream. There was even a great vanilla glaze that came along with the order. Nice touch, and one of the most beautiful views on the island. Key point if you get ramen, ask for the variety of hot sauces to add to it. They were a game changer. read more

Food was excellent! We arrived right when it opened and there were people waiting to get seats, not a problem though we got seated right away- such a beautiful setting, would definitely come back. read more

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"Rude, judgmental, and unwelcoming. The two hostesses at the front were unprofessional - pointing fingers at your guests is never acceptable in customer service. Neither of them bothered to take our name down or to assist us. Left immediately due to the hostile atmosphere. Avoid if you want to be treated with respect read more

This is an amazing ramen spot and one of my favorite restaurants in Kauai! With the mountains as the backdrop you are guaranteed to have an incredible dining experience. They also have an outdoor patio where you can order drinks while you wait for your table. The food is really delicious, I particularly loved the papaya salad. They also have a bunch of house hot sauces that you should ask for to spice up your dishes. The cocktails are also super tasty! Their outdoor seating is incredible one of the best and their gardens are beautiful. Definitely worth trying if you are in the area! read more

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Excellent consistent dishes wonderful service and delightful ambiance. Love this place.

I've never felt inspired to leave a bad review before today. - Ahi tuna was not fresh - Ramen lacked flavor - Zero broth in the ramen - Over-sweatened cocktails - Paid $250 for terribly overrated and surprisingly lacking food For being charged top dollar for a short menu, we expected it to be excellent, at least good, but we were brutally disappointed. Two stars may seem harsh, but it's truly how we feel. Though, the hostess and staff were great as well as the atmosphere. We left early to get appetizers at Bar Acura and were blown away by the taste, texture, and professionalism in contrast to Ama. read more

What a gorgeous location! And the ramen is SO DELICIOUS! Coming from SF we thought we knew good ramen, but this place has the best we've ever had - such a savory while still super clean finish of a broth. The papaya salad was also excellent. Also the staff was incredibly sweet to us and made many kind accommodations for our family to help our toddler stay peaceful during the meal :) we would have retuned for dinner a second time in our 4 nights but they were closed on Monday's! But next time, we will definitely pay this place a second (and maybe third if we are lucky) visit! read more

Ama - Majestic mountain backdrop - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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Don't order a manhattan. Way too much vermouth and cherries were bad. Waited about 15 minutes to order the cocktails.

Make your reservation , prepare for the rain . View is amazing , ramen is good , but you could also find good Ramen in other city but not this view!! read more

After waiting 10 minutes for the hostess to arrive, we asked whether they offered walk-in seating. She laughed at the question and pointed at the dining room as if we were stupid for asking, which felt very bizarre, awkward, and uncomfortable. The waitstaff, however, seemed nice. She also volunteered that there was no seating available for tomorrow, even though we had not asked about tomorrow. read more

holy shoots cuz... ordered the chicken ramen added black garlic and kimchi (it was my server's fave) and now has become my favourite ramen ever. MAHALO Ama for taking care of my sis and I while visiting Hanalei! The ambiance is ahmazing, food is so ono and the host is really pretty. cheeee we like try again ! read more

Ama - chicken ramen with the most perfect egg - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

We were pleasantly surprised by this gem. I had the papaya salad. I always ask for the dressing on the side and I actually liked it without dressing. Btw, there is no papaya in it. The hubs had the chicken bowl. We both loved our meals while we admired a waterfall in the far distance. The donuts dessert is really yummy. Our server was sweet and very accommodating. I always like when they leave a carafe of water on your table. We would dine there again. read more

One of our best meals in Hanalei. Great service and excellent ramen. Make sure you get the Green Papaya salad. They also make a very nice dry martini. read more

Amazing is all I need to say Go and just enjoy. Ramen was delicious, so we're the appetizers!!! read more

Ama is clearly quite popular and for good reason. There aren't a ton of nice restaurant options in this part of Kauai and it has a great location. The service was great, like fine dining. They were attentive and not annoying. We had the Brussels sprouts, which were delicious. My husband got the ahi ramen and said it was under seasoned/needed salt but otherwise good. I had the chicken satay bowl and I was disappointed that it was really just one skewer of meat, a lot of rice and a pile of raw onion/scallions. It was very tasty but not worth the $26 I paid for it. That being said, everything in Hawaii is overpriced so it's not too shocking. read more

Ama - Chicken satay bowl - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

On the culinary map of Kaua'i, Hanalei is already a jewel. But if you follow the curve of the main road just right, past surf shops and sun-faded shaka signs, you'll eventually arrive at a place you'd never think to look for greatness: a modest shopping center where one might buy a lava lamp shaped like King Kamehameha or a vintage dashboard hula girl. Tucked behind it, almost like a secret passed from one hungry soul to another, sits Ama Ramen. It was my sister and her husband--our steadfast guides on this gastronomic pilgrimage across the island--who brought us here. And let me be clear: they haven't steered us wrong once. If they told me to eat seaweed off a lava rock, I'd ask for a second helping. We were seated on the back lawn, the golden hour draping everything in a dreamy amber light, as if Hanalei itself were leaning in to hear what we'd order. I went with a Dark and Stormy, brooding and bright in all the right ways. My wife ordered the Mai Tai, a lovely rendition--though let's be honest, the best one on the island still resides at The Plantation House in Lihue (but I digress). Then came Zane. Every good restaurant has a Zane--equal parts server, oracle, and enthusiastic co-conspirator. When I asked what he recommended, he leaned in and said: "Chicken ramen... but add green curry." A curious suggestion. But I was intrigued. And hungry. Moments later, the bowl arrived, steaming and aromatic, promising warmth and complexity. The first bite delivered. Then the second confirmed. By the third, I was lost in a world of velvety broth, fragrant curry, tender chicken, and noodles that knew exactly what they were doing. It was unexpected. It was perfect. It was the kind of dish you don't just eat--you remember. So if you find yourself in Hanalei, shopping for pineapple-scented candles or embroidered shirts from the '70s, do yourself a favor: slip around the back, wait for the sky to turn gold, and order what Zane tells you. Especially if it involves green curry and ramen. Ama isn't just a ramen spot. It's a chapter in your Kaua'i story. Make it count. read more

Ama - Chicken Ramen, add Green Curry. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii