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    Ama

    4.1 (1k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM

    Ama Reservations

    Ama Photos

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    AMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Ama

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chicken Satay Skewer
    Lilly N.

    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 :)

    Andrew R.

    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 My biggest gripe is the online menu is very outdated compared to the actual menu, and a good amount of the dishes I was excited to try were not on the menu when I went.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.

    Green papaya salad
    Christine C.

    The place isn't very big so recommend making a reservation. We ordered the green papaya salad and it was yummy. The waitress told us the bao buns were also good but we didn't have the room to eat them. We ordered the ahi donburi and pork belly ramen. Both were good! The ahi was fresh! The Brazilian limeade I ordered was refreshing. Would order it again. The view was amazing!! It's a cute place that even a chicken entered the bar to order a drink. LoL. He was taken out nicely and didn't return the entire time we were there.

    Ahi ramen
    Niki P.

    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 :)

    Lisa R.

    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.

    Papaya salad
    Meredith R.

    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.

    Ahi ramen (left)  Chashu ramen (right)
    Matt I.

    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.*

    Patio
    Michael C.

    Cloudy views and cloudy ramen. We had a beautiful dinner at Ama. I loved the traditional Hawaiian style ramen and all the apps. I'll be back on our next trip out!

    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.
    Alysia D.

    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.

    Chashu Ramen
    Lola C.

    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!

    Cristina M.

    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!

    OG Mai Tai
    Rae H.

    Accidentally stumbled into AMA while shopping around Hanalei and decided we'd try for a table. We were told it could be a 45 minute wait (which we didn't mind because they brought us a drink menu and you wait in front of a killer view) but we were seated much faster. We had the Bao Buns, Chicken Satay, and Veggie Green Curry noodles- everything was fabulous. The weather was clear and the sun was setting which made for a romantic and perfectly Hawaiian ambience. The OG Mai Tai might have been my favorite Mai Tai so far. Would recommend!

    Barbara S.

    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!

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    8 days ago

    Food was very good. Waitress was not very friendly. Atmosphere lovely, good vibes, amazing view.

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    28 days ago

    Food was great - the ramen broth was superb. Service was great, perhaps a bit too swift. Incomparable atmosphere. Loved it.

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    Page 1 of 26

    Ama Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ama

    Can AMA accommodate seating for a party of 2 seniors at a low-top table? We would not be comfortable at the high top bar seating.?

    They do have tables that are not high tops. You could request when you make a reservation.

    Would this be an acceptable place to bring a child?

    Yes, but if your kid is typically good in restaurants. The tables are close to each other and people are there to have a nice evening and you want to respectful to not spoil the experience for others. We took our twin 13 year olds, but I do not… Read more

    Do you accept walk-ins?

    yes we do

    Do you have Outdoor seating?

    It's not inside seating. It's covered seating but it's open to the outside. The only side seating is at the bar.

    Can I order food to go if I can't get a table?

    we recently started doing take out.

    Coming poipu, what is a good time /good day to go without reservations? TIA

    Firstly, an amazing restaurant!! We arrived an hour before closing and the host offered to squeeze us in with no reservation if we did not mind waiting....30 min later we had a table. This is an incredibly popular restaurant.

    Wednesday are reservations needed for early dinner?

    We have reservations at 5:30 aug 1 Laura lynch for 2. I just found out the road opens at 5:30 from princeville. Can we arrive when we get there ? Please answer?

    The road is open Sunday. However it is still only one lane and a lead car takes one side at a time. I would get in line no later than 5 for a 5:30 res. Maybe even 4:30. You can always walk the beach for half hour if you're early

    I cannot tell from your web presence. Are you open Friday, March 26, 2021?

    Hi Jennifer, we are not open tomorrow, hopefully next Friday. Thank you for thinking of us.

    Would a group of 15 be accommodated on a Saturday evening?

    Yes as long as you get there and willing to wait since there is no reservation

    View All 18 Questions

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    Bar Acuda

    Bar Acuda

    4.3
    (2k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$$

    Nice outdoor and indoor seating with a breath-taking view!…read more You have to try their cucumber salad (so refreshing and unique), bolognese (rich sauce with al dente pasta), and lamb (well-seasoned and tender). Excellent choices with great flavor and presentation. Do yourself a favor and book at least a week in advance. They fill up really fast and the walk-in line starts building up 30 minutes until opening.

    Per our usual experience, Bar Acuda met our high expectations. We had a 7:30 reservation which I…read moresnared a month ago on their reservation site. You have to sign in right on time 3pm HST which was 6pm DST. If you delay more than 10-15 minutes, all the spots are taken. The problem of getting reservations is the biggest drawback of Bar Acuda. We arrived at 7:30 & had a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Chose indoor & were seated at one of the round table booths. The ambiance is typical Hawai'i - casual, but nice. Looking at the menu, we decided on several options for the 4 of us: Brioche rolls: come out hot & served with special butter. Good, but not outstanding Honeycomb w/ goat cheese: Served with crackers & thin slices of apple. Always a hit. Lentils: W/ tomato cream. A huge hit with the vegetarian in the group. Cucumber salad: A definite favorite with avocado & crispy chickpeas. It's a simple salad with big taste. A must have for everyone in group. Kauai shrimp: 4 shrimp served over mashed potatoes. My favorite of the night, it was a bit spicy & paired well with potatoes. Broccoli: with burrata & almonds slightly charred. My husband's favorite. Potatoes Braves: Very crispy & served piping hot with spicy sauce. Always a hit with everyone. Lamb: 3 small chops over polenta. Excellent as always served medium rare. Bruschetta: 4 servings. Well-liked. For dessert: the Illikoi cheesecake is light & creamy and always a pick for the group. Lemon curd ice cream was a new menu item. Served with loads of pistachios it was light & refreshing. I haven't seen lemon ice cream before. Definitely a great dessert. We will be returning in a few days. Got lucky on reservations taking last spot available. Can't wait.

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    Bar Acuda
    Bar Acuda
    Mahi mahi

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    Mahi mahi
    Wailua Drive In

    Wailua Drive In

    4.2
    (843 reviews)
    14.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Family-owned & operated

    Wailua Drive In is a popular Hawaiian restaurant in Kapa'a, Hawaii, known for its fresh, local…read morecomfort food like plate lunches, burgers, and katsu. Popular menu items include ahi katsu 10/10, chili pepper chicken 9/10, and Hawaii's own- loco moco (not a huge fan in general). They offer a variety of other options, including poke, ramen, and sandwiches, with convenient takeout and delivery available. It's definitely a local favorite due to its generous portions, authentic Hawaiian cuisine and friendly service. We ordered the fried chicken and poke combo with wonton chips and the ahi katsu (my absolute fav). The ahi was fried to perfection- crispy on the outside while rare and tender on the inside. The sauce on the katsu was absolutely fire!!! So good! Macaroni salad was creamy and delicious. And the rice was perfect. Obviously, you cannot visit Hawaii without having some of their poke- always fresh and delightfully tasty. The marinade was savory and packed with flavor.

    First time to Kaua'i and I'm looking for some local eats. From the reviews I've read, this seems to…read morebe a popular place. GETTING THERE: It was extremely easy to find. Its right off a main road and you cannot miss it. Parking lot was a bit small, but there was plenty of parking. AMBIANCE: When I went there was plenty of seating. A bit dead, but I also did go pretty early. There were a bunch of decor of older American pop culture like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, etc. But also Hawaiian themed decor (obviously). SERVICE: You gotta walk up to the front to order. I was approached almost immediately as soon as I walked up to the menu on the screen. The girl working was super friendly and welcoming. I made my order and she gave me a pager for when my food was ready. FOOD: I ordered the chili pepper chicken, which was recommended from the girl at the counter. My friend ordered the ahi katsu. The chili pepper chicken was good! It was crispy and extremely flavorful. It was slightly too salty for my taste, but luckily the rice does help balance it out. Some of the crispness was sacrificed for the sauce, but it was overall still pretty crispy. I loved that they used boneless chicken thigh. I was expecting bones or lots of breading but it actually had a perfect ratio. I wasn't much a fan of the mac salad. It was like a mix of mac and potato salad, but more like a potato salad. I'm not big on potato salad, so that makes sense. My friend's ahi katsu was alright in my opinion. The sauce that's on it was good and enjoyed all the flavors. The tuna was just a bit overcooked to my liking, but idk how else one would make a katsu without overlooking it too much. Maybe bread the fish and freeze it before frying? Idk man, I'm not a chef lol but the tuna would definitely be better if it was less cooked. OVERALL: Honestly, I would still come here again. I still enjoyed the meal and the service was pretty quick. Both items were both worth trying. All the flavors were there and the little things I didn't like were just personal preferences. Its a great place to pick up a lunch plate and enjoy it at the beach.

    Photos
    Inside seating area
    Inside seating area
    Lau lau plate - delish!
    Lau lau plate - delish!
    Ahi Katsu

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    Ahi Katsu
    Eating House 1849 Koloa

    Eating House 1849 Koloa

    4.2
    (1.7k reviews)
    22.1 mi
    $$$

    Every time we're in Kauai, always dine at Eating once or twice. Fantastic food, service and views…read more We had reservations which are highly recommended. Request a table near the windows for a sunset view. We arrived and were greeted and seated immediately. Shortly afterwards we were served complementary spicy edamame. We ordered three appetizers to share. Brussel Sprouts & Cauliflower, Black Garlic & Yuzu Ahi Tartar and Vietnamese Style Sashimi. The Brussel Sprouts & Cauliflower was excellent, golden raisins and pine nuts add sweetness and texture, balsamic vinegar counters with wonderful acid contrast. The Black Garlic & Yuzu Ahi Tartar is simply fabulous, one of the best bites I have ever had. I first had this dish two years ago when it was introduced as a new dish in a prefix meal. On that trip we returned to enjoy the dish once again. Had it again last year as I travel to Kauai each year. I'm happy to see it is still on the menu! Our third dish was the Vietnamese Style Sashimi and it was okay, although a bit underwhelming for Eating House standards. It was fresh but lack the complexity that I have grown to expect from this restaurant. We requested some wasabi and it helped with the flavors. My thinking is the jalapeño oil should have been more concentrated or pronounced. To be clear I did not complain, regardless the dish was removed from our bill. Very nice. Thank you. The server was friendly and knowledgeable. The view at sunset was amazing. Looking forward to returning. Highly recommended!

    It was great to know that there was an elevator to bring us up to the level of the restaurant…read more After a terrible experience at another restaurant, it gave me the idea to call and see if they had an elevator near by. The front desk staff guided me to the elevator. This trip was for my birthday. In every reservation when asked about a special occasion, I put birthday. This was the first restaurant to acknowledge my special day. The check-in staff wished me well as did the server. We had been to several restaurants prior to Eating House that didn't say a word. Kudos to the staff for its kindness. The restaurant is open air and very comfortable. It has a rustic feel. We were seated by the window on a cool, rainy night but were perfectly dry the whole evening. On top of that, our server was very helpful in guiding us to order the right amount of food. He brought us a serving of edamame which is always on the house. The shrimp & pork potstickers were very good. I had the ramen which was tasty, filling and a great choice. Our server was terrific to put the spicy oil on the side which made it easier for me to eat. My husband had the butterfish which is the best I have ever tasted. It is a signature dish and always a pleaser. The only real downside is the limited menu. We were told that because of a staff shortage, it wasn't the typical menu. This was disappointing. But they did have the best of the Roy's dishes. So far, it has been the best experience that we have had in Poipu.

    Photos
    Caramel Leche Baked Pineapple | Stuffed with Hawaiian Sugar & Spiced Macadamia Nuts.
    Caramel Leche Baked Pineapple | Stuffed with Hawaiian Sugar & Spiced Macadamia Nuts.
    Chili Pepper Chicken Wings | Green Onion, Cilantro, Ginger, Serrano Chilies.
    Chili Pepper Chicken Wings | Green Onion, Cilantro, Ginger, Serrano Chilies.
    Kamuela Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella Salad | Warm Balsamic Pancetta Vinaigrette, Kailani Farms Arugula, Pine Nuts.

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    Kamuela Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella Salad | Warm Balsamic Pancetta Vinaigrette, Kailani Farms Arugula, Pine Nuts.

    Ama - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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