Banyan Crafts Kitchen and Lounge was a beautiful restaurant with life-like banyan trees in the middle of the two dinning areas. Beautiful decor of imitation plants that even the bathrooms were beautiful especially the women's bathroom by the kitchen. Even the Men's bathrooms were decorated. It's something you should see! You wouldn't even think there's a place like this in Kailua. There were a few steps to the door of the restaurant but as we exit the waitress let my mom through the back which had no stairs but a ramp leading to the side parking along the restaurant right side, since she was using a walker. I first came with my friend for dinner and I came with my mom for brunch after her dentist appointment, because I wanted to show her what became of the beloved Four Star Chop Suey decades ago. Brunch menu was not the usual breakfast items that we were used to, but I ordered what I thought she would like best. We had Breakfast Hash with potatoes, sausage, cheese, eggs, bell peppers but the sauce was a little spicy for mom. There were ingredients in the sauce which maybe was too much for mom. Citrus mint fruit salad, and Southern Chicken Biscuit and Gravy. The gravy was different.fitness good but, I preferred the dinner selection when I came with a friend who traveled all the way from Kapolei for some shared dishes and appetizers. She really liked it and it was flavorful and unique. We had the following dishes: Local Braised Oxtail Patatas Bravas Seared Poke nachos Seasonal Hummus Deconstructed Baklava Cheesecake Hiusemade breads Citrus mint fruit salad I would order everything again! The Oxtail was flavorful and delicious, The homemade breads were so warm and fresh. The breads were served with the seasonal hummus, and I love the citrus mint dressing on the fruits! So refreshing! Night time was busy and we didn't have reservations, so we were lucky we didn't have those high top table and chairs . Best to have reservations for dinner. Weekends have night entertainment in the bigger dining area. We came earlier, but as the night went on, it got busier and our waitress was also assisting other customers in the other room, so we were missed . Service could have been better. Not too many of my townie friends had made it to this side but it's a nice place to dine at to experience their food and beautiful ambiance! There were a few side parking stalls along the right wall of the restaurant, otherwise you would need to find street parking. There's a nearby 24 hour municipal parking lot and it's still a quarter of 20 minutes. This restaurant is not in the main Kailua town area. If you haven't been to Kailua, Kailua is a nice town to try all these different restaurants. You be surprised and pleased. They are closed on Monday & Tuesday. Brunch is on weekends from 9 am to 1 pm. Otherwise they open from Wednesday thru Sunday from 4pm to closing at 9pm and on Friday & Saturday nights they are opened til 11pm. read more

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We decided to try this place out for valentines dinner. This was our first time and I was excited as I heard good things. The setting: I really like the vibe they went with for valentines and the decor, I like the lowlight setting as well. The banyan tree decor in the middle of the restaurant was a nice touch. Service: our host and our waiter were awesome, very pleasant and helpful. The food: it was a fixed menu due to Valentine's Day, I guess I did not see that when I booked the reservations or it was listen on the open table app. I wish I had known because I wanted to try other dishes. Anyways.. we got to each choose an appetizer so we got the coconut shrimp which omgggg really good, that sauce was a perfect touch, the shrimp was nicely crispy. We also got the beef tataki which was another fav I must say. The main entrees was ok, I only say this because we got the lamb and fish. The lamb came with 4 pieces but 2 were cooked good and the other 2 seemed like it could have been cooked a little longer. The fish to me was also over done and a little touch and hard. I will go back because I do wanna try other things on their menu. Overall we still made it a great night and will come back again. read more

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My beautiful bestie introduced me to this beautiful restaurant. She said, "I think you'll love this place. It's got a whole vibe." Oh, she knows me so well! It was love at first sight. I adore a place who owns their vibe unapologetically and who does a theme with 100 percent enthusiasm and effort. So, Banyans literally stole my heart with their cute cocktails, simple but sophisticated dishes, and breathtaking aesthetic. It's all in the details and Banyans is all about the details. Walked in for breakfast with no reservations and got a high top with no wait. But weather was awful so it might be busier on a brighter day. But, lucky us! Greeted warmly by the lovely and welcoming host/server. She was attentive, helpful, and really seemed to enjoy her job. Cocktail menu had twice as many options as the food menu but I suspect people come for the branches and stay for the booze. So much care is put into their signature seasonal drinks. Come on! How can you not smile at a rubber duckie in your cocktail and a cotton candy drink with edible glitter. Seriously, you had me at edible glitter! The bartender even came at the end to check on us and to take feedback and suggestions. Nice! The food was delicious, too. I enjoyed the pretty plant-based avocado toast option. Bread was thick cut but toasted with a nice crunch, avocado was smooth , seasoning was on point, and the veggies were refreshing. No complaints as evidenced by my clean plate. Oh, and to make the experience totally 'extra' was the gorgeous bathroom. HAD to do a selfie. And had to catch a photo of the men's restroom door. So glad we ended up spending a morning under the branches at Banyans. It was hard to say goodbye...Stop by for special and unique experience! read more

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We came for brunch and it wasn't very busy compared to other brunch spots in Kailua. We walked over but there was plenty of street parking and the restaurant was really well decorated! The brunch menu is small and simple and we had the mimosa flight, fried chicken, hash and fried potatoes. The fried potatoes were good and had some bacon with the sauce that tasted like a loaded baked potato. The hash was a bit bland and the sausage it came with was really dry. The fried chicken was decent but tasted a bit burnt along with the biscuit. Overall the food was not great and we probably wouldn't get those items again. The service was nice and the drinks were strong so definitely a cute place to hang out and have some appetizers but I would stick to the traditional Kailua staples for brunch. The prices were on also on the higher side and the food came out pretty slowly for our table. read more

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We ventured out to Banyans craft kitchen and lounge - it was close to a 45 minute ride from our hotel. It was a great choice for brunch. I ordered the beachside BLT and a side of patatas bravas. They use housemade milk bread for the sandwiches. The bread was extremely thick but outside of that it was a delicious sandwich. The patatas bravas were nicely seasoned and very crispy. For mimosas, we ordered the flight plus the bottle of Prosecco. The flight was good and the Prosecco we ordered was a great choice wasn't too dry or too sweet. It was definitely worth the drive. The lounge had a nice relaxing vibe and our waitress was exceptional. I would highly recommend the Banyans craft kitchen and Lounge. read more

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Came here for Sunday brunch and had such a good time at Banyan's Craft Kitchen & Lounge. The vibe was relaxed but still lively, making it a great spot to ease into the weekend. It's the kind of place where you can actually sit back, enjoy your food, and not feel rushed. The brunch menu had a lot of solid options, and everything we ordered was flavorful and well done. Portions were satisfying without being over the top, and the drinks paired really well with the food. Service was friendly and attentive, which always makes a difference, especially during a busy brunch. Overall, Banyan's is a great choice for Sunday brunch if you're looking for good food, a comfortable atmosphere, and a nice place to catch up with friends or family. Would definitely come back. read more

Very polite staff got us seated and it's a nice set up with the indoor banyan tree look. The prices were a little surprising considering the menu selection was limited. I don't mind paying almost $50 for shrimp scampi but the noodles didn't have much flavor and the shrimp was bland. It had 4 good sized shrimp but it wasn't filling so I juiced all I could out of the lemon ate every bit of the noodles then got a bite of a burger and picked at some of my wife's fries. The food took a while to come out which was understandable because there were a lot of people in the relatively small space, but it also took me 15-20 mins to get the tab. That's not a bad thing because we carried on a discussion but we deep down I was anxious to get home and eat some leftover pizza. It's definitely a bar vibe so I'll probably return for some drinking some day read more

Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Shrimp scampi. Could've used some more seasoning and/or additional lemon to add flavor. Burger and fries are bomb tho - Lounges Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

I have been twice now. This space has been several places since the bar. The owner did a great job of remodeling, decor is really cool with the tree growing up the wall and spreading across the ceiling. It gives the feeling of being in a tree house. Now onto the food. Came for dinner a bit ago. I really enjoyed the dinner menu. I really enjoyed trio dip and fish tacos. Many of the small plate options are shareable for multiple people. Recently came for brunch and as a vegetarian there is not many options. My friend wanted the pork hash but was not being made with kalua pork that day but instead with Portuguese sausage. I will return for dinner but not impressed enough to return for brunch. read more

Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Beer battered fish tacos. - Lounges Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Food was delicious! Loved their shrimp and grits, so flavorful and they gave a good portion of plump shrimp. Yum yum! Also had their ceviche. I just wish there's more fish, but the flavor was good. The poppers were also tasty. Service was friendly. I love the big tree in the middle of the restaurant, and the ambiance was nice. I wish the lights were a little brighter during daytime. It was a bit too romantic for an 11am meal lol. When we were there, there were a lot of flies. Their bug zapper might have broken. I hope they fix it and there's no more bugs flying around. Would definitely come back again for the shrimp and grits!!! read more

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So glad we got to try this cute place! We came for dinner and it was pretty crowded for a Tuesday night. It's also much bigger than I thought. But it's so cute with the lights and of course the Banyan tree in the middle. Love the ambiance! The menu is not huge but what we got was really delicious. We got several dishes and they were all good. My favorites were the meatloaf sliders. Very tasty. We were so full after that we didn't try any of the desserts but those looked good as well. The staff was very nice and attentive as well. Great time and would go back again! read more

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This place was a disaster for a large party birthday celebration. Even tho the restaurant was not fully busy we waited forever for items to come out and our party was served dishes at completely different times. Our waters and drinks were empty for really long waiting periods. We had to wave at the servers who did not check in with us unless we begged them to come by. The food was pretty terrible. The oxtail dish was TOUGH. I had to bite at the meat to get it to part from the bones (oxtail should always melt in the mouth) and the pieces were tiny, as if they were cut off the fetus of a cow. The puff pastry was drier than the Sahara desert. It just fell apart like a dusty old mummy. The servers were very nice, I'll give them that but maybe they need more training or better processes to run this ship that's filled with fake trees. To add insult to many injuries it was wicked expensive on top of it all. A total FAIL all around. read more

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MUST VISIT!!! (For dinner) Hands down, best experience and delicious food! I've been here for lunch and the vibe is completely different compared to dinner. Everything on their menu up is delicious and flavorful. The charcuterie board is to die for and the ceviche was perfect! This is a great date night, girls night, or just to stop by for a cocktail to listen o live music! I look forward to many more visits! read more

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We came in Sunday morning (10:30am 11/2/25 with reservations) for a business brunch. This is not our usual spot but our clients wanted to try this place on recommendation from a good friend. First off, the service was terrible. Waited so long for our beverages, water refill, our food... the waitress didn't know the menu and seemed genuinely disinterested in our table. Second, the food was underwhelming to put it nicely. Our client ordered the breakfast hash and could not identify what was on her plate. The biscuits and gravy were weird. Biscuits were BURNT and everything was cold. Chicken was spicy, gravy was spicy, legit was one flavor throughout the dish. Plate was half empty. As for presentation of this dish seemed unfinished. Shrimp and grits were ok. Tiny, but ok. Our client's husband got the tostadas. Not a fan. Ambiance was ok. Guy singing was good but kinda irritating because wtf if we want to sit farther from the stage it should be fine. Why make a comment about the noise level being the same at any table. Drinks were overpriced and ok. Espresso martini with some baileys was good. I would not come back here for it but it was the highlight of my meal. We were waiting to ask about dessert when the waitress came back and put the check on our table. Couldn't even ask if we were good, if we wanted anything else, nothing. Asked her about dessert anyways and she said it wasn't available. Mentioned it was on the menu and she said "oh, well it's new so..." still wondering what the second half of her thought was. Overall, would not recommend and would not come back. It's so weird that the business owner would edit their initial response to my review but since I'm here... small business owner? Please correct me if I'm wrong but did you buy the building? Locally owned? I would love to know how long you've been apart of the Kailua community. And in a response to another review you said you've had one executive chef and one consultant. Wasn't chef Sydney your executive chef? Didn't she leave? read more

Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Biscuits and gravy... tf? - Lounges Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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4.5 stars, if we could give partial stars. Came for the brunch, stayed for the service... It was a busy Saturday morning but we had reservations so seating was a breeze. The atmosphere is beachy eclectic and the servers were very polite. There's a small fly problem because they leave the front door open (we were seated near the host station), but our server brough us one of those whirling fly chasers, which helped a lot. Nice touch! But you're here for the food review, too... I started with a michelada, but didn't want the buzz. They were happy to oblige me with an Athletic (non-alcoholic) IPA. The drink was cool and refreshing, and it had "billionaire bacon" as a garnish. The bacon was basically a candied bacon, but unfortunately it got a bit soggy in the michelada. Tasty, though. You can also add shrimp if you want for a small charge. You don't need to be a billionaire... Our dishes: Bread pudding French toast: This was kind of our dessert, but we ate it alongside our other dishes. Three large slices of very dense, not overly-sweet bread pudding with creme Anglaise and fresh fruit. Well done and well plated. Yummy, but not overly sweet. Brekky sliders: My niece thought the eggs, bacon and roll were great, but maybe the jam could be served on the side and applied at the diner's discretion. (Everything else in the sliders was savory.) Smoked gouda grits with shrimp: creamy and cheesy, just like you want them. Perfectly cooked shrimp. Avocado smash "toastada": it looks small, but it is very filling. The over-easy eggs were done perfectly and the pickled onions were a nice contrast. Kalua pork hash: pork was moist and smoky. The potatoes were the star: Crispy and mealy on the inside. The diced veggies were also very fresh. The romesco made the dish even richer but could have used a touch more salt. All in all, a great meal. The chef has done a great job of assimilating local ingredients and local themes into her dishes. Time to return for more offerings! read more

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I had the pleasure of dining in at Banyans for the second time this year and I'm looking forward to the next time! The first time I went: Happy Hour. Seated at 5 PM. We enjoyed: - Venison Tataki (heavier on the venison - yay) - Lobster Corndog (note, the first time, it was a bit undercooked and doughy) - Dip Trio (felt like there wasn't enough bread or chips as the dip portion is generous for sharing) - Tako Taco - espresso martini with baileys - Moscow mule - Lilikoi mocktail The first time was incredibly enjoyable and I was already planning on coming back with my family. Second time: we ordered all of the above, minus the Tako taco and plus: - ox tail pot pie (it had some Asian influence to it, like 5 spice. As it was reminiscent of Vietnamese Bo kho) - meatball Parmesan - baklava cheesecake (the flavors were great but i might've preferred if it wasn't deconstructed - olive oil pound cake (try this!!!! My hot take: if they offer an Ala mode option - it would elevated this dish more!) The venison dish was thinner on the venison and heavier on the arugula. Still a big hit! The lobster corn dogs was done more crispy and was my father's favorite dish of the night. The dip trio came with more delicious bread - yay. We were able to enjoy some live music as well which is such a nice touch. The ambiance and look of the restaurant is just so fun. I can't believe this used to be the old Porkys! read more

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Banyan's is one of my favorite places. My husband takes me here when I'm in a bad mood, when I'm in a good mood, and it's the first restaurant baby Bruce went to! Lol, this place is so Kailua that the first time we went with baby Bruce in his ergo baby, they thought my husband was wearing a weighted vest for brunch. With that said, while there's no changing station in bathroom, it is a baby friendly restaurant. Super pretty aesthetics especially with the banyan trees in the middle of the restaurant. Baby Bruce loves looking around now that he is older. Service is knowledgable, attentive, and friendly. Husband says the drinks are great. And we love the live music nights. Most importantly, we adore the seasonal local menu!! The portions are on the smaller side but you definitely get the quality you pay for. Our latest meal was filled with super fresh uni, juicy clams, and fresh greens. I don't think you can go wrong ordering anything off their menu. If you're trying to save money though, this is not your place. read more

Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - crispy rice - Lounges Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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Unfortunately not planning to return anytime soon. Evening started with drinks from the bar- an ocean breeze & dry martini. The martini could be a little colder but the ocean breeze and live music from the other room made for good ambiance. The main reason to come to the restaurant is the food. Focaccia bread came hot & fresh. The Caesar salad was fresh and crunchy with the right balance of dressing. Then we waited. We watched & waited. We watched and waited some more. We watched as salad after salad came out from the kitchen, while the burgers sat on the top shelf. Eventually the burger & chicken Parmesan arrived. Burger cold. Fries cold. Pasta under chicken cold. Chicken was warm. We waited and waited without eating while waiting for the 3rd dish- the pasta with fish. No one noticed three people, 2 with food, 1 without sitting- at a table everyone passed to the main dining room. Finally I approached the hostess to say our food was cold & we wanted to send it back. The food went back, then the 3rd dish arrived hot. We were asked if we wanted to wait for the first two dishes to be remade and should they look for a manager? We were so hungry. We just spent $60 on drinks and did not want to watch one eat while they remade the other 2 dishes. A manager should have been called, not guests asked IF they wanted a manager. Ideally... $ hot food should not sit in the window while salads leave $$ all food should arrive hot & at the same time $$$ managers should be called & involved when a $100 meal customer is walking out hungry after spending $60 on drinks. This is the 3rd chef since opening. Please retrain kitchen & servers. We truly need a neighborhood restaurant. read more

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I would've given this place four stars if not for some glaring missed items. I'll give them a lifeline as they had recently opened, and plan to give them another try in the future. This was, however, our initial experience. First off, the menu was very limited and most of the items were not available. Secondly, some of our dishes were served with missing ingredients. The positive was the manager made up for the kitchen's oversight, but it was something we had to bring to their attention. If not for the manager addressing our concerns it would've been it would've been a one star review. read more

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I still can't believe this used to be the old Porky's, they really turned this place UP! There's a handful of free parking along the side of their building, and street parking. Highly recommend making reservations because this place fills up quickly. The food is tapas style, so that you're able to try several things. For me, that venison tataki is it!! There's no gamey flavor at all, easily my favorite item on their menu. The dip flight trio was also a solid contender to which there's a little bit of everything for different palates. I felt that the Tako Taco is missing something, like maybe a little more acid to kick it up a notch. I was really looking forward to the lobster "corndog" but the batter was too soggy for my liking. I would've liked for the item to either be double fried or more crispy on the outside. And I know that being a bar, you're probably not known for your desserts, but I'm allergic to the one dessert item that you had on the menu (nuts), so I had to pass on that. Oh and don't forget to visit their restroom. I don't know about the men's but the women's ceiling is so esthetically pleasing! The vibe all around the restaurant is amazing. Our server was also great. Even when it got busy, she wasn't flustered and still took great care of us. Just a little tweak on some food items and it would definitely be 5-stars for sure! read more

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One of the newest eateries in Kailua...Big Banyan tree adding to the aesthetic and lively dimly lit atmosphere. Great for dates, friends, and groups. Most people don't want to drive from town to the windward side, so give em a reason! We mainly came to see TAVANA! He gave an amazing performance as usual. Hopefully they can bring more musicians like him, then I think they can flourish and get more business. Easy to make reservations on OpenTable. We were seated immediately after check in. Hostess was friendly and our server was attentive even with being a full house. Food: MAUI NUI VENISON TATAKI* 20 Venison Tenderloin | Cheddar Cheese Crisps| Kewpie | Green Chilis | Herb Oil PATATAS BRAVAS 10 Twice-Fried Potatoes | Whipped Goat Cheese | Bacon | Green Onion | Paprika TAKO TACO 22 Charred Local Octopus | Spanish Chorizo | Cilantro Lime Crema | Romesco Foam JOEY'S CHICKEN PARM 22 Crispy Sous Vide Chicken Roulade | Basil Marinara | Onda's Handmade Spaghetti | Parmesan Food was overall good, with room for improvement. Some food was cold or overcooked, but some other dishes were really spot on. Being a newer restaurant, I'd give them grace. I'll definitely come back when they get their groove on in a few months! read more

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First, the parking situation. I parked in the metered parking lot across the street where Kailua Square Shopping Mall is located. Otherwise, there is a small parking lot on the left side of the building when facing Banyan's or street parking. This was an unexpected gem that I stumbled across with my mom. The atmosphere is very relaxing. The decor is earthy and modern. The tree in the center of the main dining area is a lovely touch. We went for brunch and the food did not disappoint. The portions are generous and definitely good for sharing with other people. The Patatas Bravas was crisp and the creamy whipped goat cheese sauce combined with bits of bacon was addictive. Their house made milk bread that they used for Sweet Heat Breakfast Sandwich was soft, fluffy, and buttery. Chef was kind to ask if the Creole Cream Shrimp & Grits was salty which it wasn't at all. The grits were so creamy. The shrimp was very succulent and the seasoning wasn't overwhelming. My favorite part of the Breakfast Hash is their house made sausage medallions. The romesco sauce and white cheddar cheese definitely tied everything in this dish all together. The service was fantastic. For the love of God I'm trying to remember our waitress's name but she was very nice and accommodating. She checked up on us momentarily and at no point our experience felt rushed. The gentleman who sat us at our table provided great hospitality as well. We will be back again to try the dinner menu :). read more

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We had the BEST time at Banyon's last night!!! The staff were super friendly and the service and food were excellent! Really delicious and great atmosphere. Highly recommend!!!! read more

Just popped in for a drink at the bar last week. The remodel is nice and welcoming. I ordered the smoked old fashioned and it was definitely smoked!!! It was served to me on a clear smoke filled box. I should have taken a video but was so surprised that I just took my drink out of the box. lol. It was a really good old fashioned and I enjoyed the smokiness. My friend had the Banyan Margarita, which she enjoyed. Service was prompt and friendly. Would definitely go back for more drinks and to try the food. read more

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Flies, flies, and more flies!!! We didn't have a reservation when we walked in, so it made sense that our only option was at the bar. However, during our dining experience there were four tables in our area that remained empty for the 40 minutes that were there. Perhaps it was due to lack of wait staff but it seems the front side of the restaurant was under-managed. Back to the bar experience, we had the POG and Guava juice and they were both unremarkable and small with loads of ice. At about 25 minutes in a waiter tried to deliver someone else's food to us, we refused it of course before they were able to put it in front of us. At about 30 minutes in then OUR food was delivered to someone else. Our food sat in front of others while they were talking/breathing over it for a few minutes. Then the waitress realized her error and tried to tell them it was our food, but we said that we rather have new food. So at 35 minutes we still didn't have our food. They had to reorder our food but at that point we were very frustrated with the whole experience, did not want to wait another 30 minutes, and decided to cancel our order. The bartender never talked with us and didn't check in at all, not even when the mistake happened. There needs to be better communication between the bar and wait staff. The systems in place are lacking management. Very disappointing service. If I were the management I would have at least comped our drinks. Upset that we didn't get to try the food but we saw what we were supposed to get and for mid-$20 meals they looked like appetizers. That isn't even the worst of it. The biggest complaint are the flies, OMG, there are so many house flies and fruit flies all over flying into our drinks and around our faces. People on both sides of us at the bar said the flies were annoying and we were all waving at the flies regularly. It is a very disturbing environment and we probably won't come back. read more

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Amazing Brunch spot in Kailua town. Tried a variety of dishes and enough to share. Biscuits and gravy; Kalua Pork Hash; Hot honey chicken malasadas; smoked Gouda grits with Oxtail; Assorted Pastry Board. All were excellent choices. We wil return to try the dinner menu. Service: Excellent attentive service Ambiance: Great vibe with the Banyan tree in the center of dining area. Free parking on side of building read more

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I had the "Sweet Heat Breakfast" sans the bacon. My mind was blown by how large the sandwich was. The bread was really fluffy and light, the combo of the cheese and the jam was delightful. The eggs were fluffy and delicious. I also had the mimosa flight. It was chill and relaxed inside. My server was friendly and didn't hover. All around a good experience. read more

Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Breakfast sandwich - Lounges Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

My little car made the drive out to Kailua to meet a friend. She highly recommended this place. Service is wonderful... Food was yummy. The only downside is when it's happy hour 4pm-6pm, they will only have the happy hour menu. Can't order any dinner items until after 6pm. The best part of this experience is SMORES ON THE TABLE!!! The kid in me was so happy!!! It was delish! The real kid at the table over was definitely jealous and asked her mom for it after. LOL! read more

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We've been in twice now. Once for dinner and once for brunch. Both had amazing elements, but both also had some not so good ones. I've heard of soup de Jour. I've never heard it used for tacos of sliders on the menu, but that's neither here nor there. The problem was the conversation- My friend- what is the slider and taco de jour? Server- It's an item that changes by the day. Not always the same as the day before. MF- ok. So what is the slider and taco de jour? S- it's whatever the chef has decided to serve for the day. MF- I understand that, but what is it today? S- oh. I'll have to go check. It should not have taken that much time to figure out what the items on the menu were. I fully understand it's a newer restaurant, but the exchange was silly. For dinner the food was really good. I got the slider of the day, which ended up being Kailua pork with a red pepper jam. My friend got the taco of the day, which was shrimp and she enjoyed it. My son got the octopus and chorizo tacos, which I believe was the best entree ordered. The olive tapenade was amazing. For how expensive the food is, I would think there would either be a little more of it, or sides of some sort to go along with the entrees. Not exactly fine dining with finer dining prices. Brunch was good. The pastry board stole the show. I was a little bummed the menu had changed from the weekend before. I was expecting biscuits and gravy. It had been lobster corn dogs on cheddar bay biscuits, with chorizo gravy. When I came, for the same price it was lobster in a cheddar bay batter. It felt incomplete, and again, felt like it wasn't worth the price. While it was tasty, the lobster was tough, and the gravy eas incredibly salty. When I mentioned it was salty, the server said that must just be the chefs southern roots coming out....Ive lived in the south, and I've lived in New England, it was off. I've never had lobster so tough and I've never had food that salty in the south. My son got the shrimp and grits, and once again, tasty, but the sauce was slap you in the face salty and it was a bummer to be dismissed when we brought it up. The inside is stunning. The trees inside really make it a neat place to eat. And the photo opp near the bathroom is fun. I really think once they get their kinks worked out that it will be a wonderful pace to dine, and I will give it a couple more chances. read more

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Although the food had great flavor, the overall experience fell short--mostly due to pacing and service. Last night was my birthday, and I went with my family to Banyans in Kailua after hearing the poke nachos was really good. We ordered three appetizers, but it took about 30 minutes for them to start coming out, and they arrived separately instead of together. By the time the poke nachos came out first, we were so hungry that we basically devoured them, which made it hard to share evenly. The nachos were tasty, but they're served in a small, deep bowl where you have to dig for everything--messy and not very share-friendly. The bread we ordered was delicious, but it was a separate order and not something offered for the table while we waited. Service also felt a bit off. Our waiter spent a lot of time standing at the bar with his back toward the dining area, and it seemed like staff were hovering around the food window watching for orders to come out. The whole vibe felt pressured--like they were trying hard to push food out quickly, but maybe the kitchen was short-handed or running slow. As for the food: the oxtail was very flavorful, but quite oily. On the other hand, the shrimp scampi was delicious, and the ribeye steak was very flavorful and cooked perfectly. On the positive side, they were very accommodating when I needed to adjust both the reservation time and the number of people, and I appreciated that. One other thing to note: the restaurant is very loud and felt more like a lounge than a sit-down dinner spot. If you're planning a birthday dinner, it may be better suited for a younger, more celebratory crowd rather than a relaxed family meal. They did bring out a large slice birthday cake, which was nice in theory, but it really wasn't good--very dense with overly sweet icing. I took one bite and couldn't eat more. I appreciate the gesture since it was free, but I wouldn't have ordered it. Overall, the flavors were there, but the service, pacing, and atmosphere didn't match what we were hoping for on a birthday night. read more

Banyans Kailua is such a wonderful find on the Windward side! The vibe is relaxed but stylish--perfect for anything from a casual brunch with friends to a fancier dinner or special occasion. What I love most is that the menu really adapts to whatever you're there for. Whether you're popping in for a drink and pupus or sitting down for a full meal, they've got options that fit the mood. The food is definitely on the fancier side (in a good way!)--every dish is beautifully presented and packed with flavor. You can tell there's a lot of thought and care behind the menu. I've tried both the seafood and steak options, and they've been consistently delicious and fresh. The cocktails are also a highlight--creative, balanced, and just the right amount of fun. Service has always been attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between upscale and welcoming. It feels elevated but still very Kailua, which I really appreciate. read more

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I saw a TikTok about this place, and really wanted to give it a try. Just so happened to be going out to that side of the island, so we added Banyans to our breakfast plan. We made reservations online through OpenTable, but there were still lots of open seats at 9:30 on a Sunday. The ambiance of the restaurant is very cute. There's a banyan tree in the middle that makes the restaurant feel very inviting. We were lucky enough to find street parking right outside the restaurant, which was free on a Sunday. We decided to do family style and shared the bread pudding French toast, kalua pork hash, and hot honey fried oyster mushrooms and little vessel donuts. These three dishes were more than enough food for four people and was the perfect combination of salty and sweet. My favorite dish was the oyster mushrooms. There was a generous portion of mushrooms that were breaded perfectly and had the perfect kick from the hot honey. The little vessel donuts were light and fluffy. The two other dishes were flavorful and hit the spot. Service was friendly and efficient. I would definitely recommend this spot for brunch if you're in the area! read more

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Banyans Craft Kitchen & Lounge in Oʻahu is such a great spot. The food was delicious, and the ribeye morsels were amazing! Super flavorful and cooked perfectly. The drinks were on point, and the atmosphere was laid-back yet still felt upscale. The staff were friendly and helpful, which made everything even better. Definitely a great choice if you're looking for a relaxed dinner with good food and drinks on the island. Can't wait to go back! read more

Reservations with a pre fixed menu. Started with Local A'i fresh fish ceviche with tortilla chips. Then the vegan avocado smash tostada, chef Cidneys Gouda grits with shrimp, short rib loco moco benny and bread pudding French toast! Also, Kailua roasters coffee was soooo smooth! Cool ambiance with a tree indoors , makes you feel as you are chilling in a jungle! Live music added a nice touch. Will be back soon! read more

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The layout was cute, love the huge Banykn in the middle. We sat down And they moved us because they didn't want us in the front with kids . We don't have infants and I thought that was kinda off. But we were by the window in the next room so that was nice. The Smokey old fashioned was nicely presented and my oxtail pot pie was just a sliver of a crust on top and not a pie at all. read more

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I've been told I am hard to please when it comes to restaurants. This was one that I cannot say enough good things about. I made a reservation easily on Open Table. Today when we got there, there was no wait. The host was very nice and our server also was. The restaurant is simply decorated which is nice, letting the tree be the focal point. We ordered the fish ceviche to start. I've only had shrimp ceviche so I didn't know what to expect. It was so good; freshly made chips and a great ceviche flavor. We got the hot chicken malasadas, Grits with Oxtails, and French toast bread pudding, along with a side of Portuguese sausage. I actually came to this restaurant after googling "Grits, Oahu" so I was really hoping for the best. The grits were amazing! I would say these are some of the best grits I've ever had. The oxtail went perfectly with it and was very tender. The bread pudding was sweet but not overly sweet. My son really liked the fried chicken malasada, but I was so full from everything I didn't really try it. Everything was so good, I'm ready to go back asap! read more

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Banyans. I looked this place up a while back but it's kind of out of our way and we have other favorite spots we love to visit in the vicinity for date nights. The parking lot adjacent to the establishment looks a little run down and sketchy but we went ahead and took a chance. We went ahead and booked a reservation but we weren't aware it'd be empty (for the most part). What a gem!!!! The lighting was perfect. The host/receptionist was pleasant!!! Out of the gate I was satisfied. We were waiting on guests from the mainland so we decided to have some libations (a Banyan's Margarita", a Moscow Mule", and an appetizer. We decided to go with the loaded fries (pictured). The fries were perfectly crisped and topped with two delicious sauces that gave it a savory flavor. We ordered fish tacos and the braised oxtail. I was expecting to see some Chef Cidney menu items but I later discovered she'd moved on. Still, the food was tasty and light enough to charm our tastebuds. Though I was expecting to hear live music. The website said Chris Rego would be playing. There was no live music (one of the reasons I picked this spot) and it was really quiet so we were loud (unintentionally)...... Overall, I really enjoyed this experience. It's certainly worth revisiting. Try it out and let me know how you like it. read more

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This place is delish!! The fried chicken was juicy and crispy. Someone's momma taught someone how to make biscuits and the chef totally understood the assignment! Bloody Mary's on point. We will definitely be returning to explore the dinner options soon. Sunday Brunch Winning! read more

Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

The drinks are good, the food is a limited menu, but good. What I don't like is the resturant area is closed when they open the restaurant. I don't understand why they only have the bar open and not the resturant part. The bar seats and tables are uncomfortable in the bar area. I don't understand a business that only opens part of their business. read more

Brunch here is sooooo good! I came with my friend and was really surprised at how spacey it is in there! They have a room which you can rent for events and a bar area that is sooo cute!! I am definitely o I g back!! The guy who served us was really nice and knew the angles to take the best photos lol loved it! read more

Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Banyan's... sigh. Wanted this place to be decent at least (because Kailua is lacking nicer places to dine), but alas, yet another place I'll never return. Ambiance - 2.5/5 - very loud, mixed dressed patrons (some in date night attire, some in boardshorts/sweatpants), you could tell they tried to make it nicer but still felt forced and out of place (esp with a fake tree running through the restaurant). Service - 3/5 - table of 4 ordered 7 beers and 1 cocktail in 3 total rounds. Each round took on avg, 12 mins to arrive... to pour beers and bring out. Entrees came out in 2 waves by 1 person and had to ask again who ordered what (which both combined automatically tells me it's not a nice restaurant) Food - 1.5/5 - table ordered the focaccia bread, gem Caesar salad w/shrimp, fish tacos, chicken parm, and burger. Everything was "meh" at best and easily forgettable (2 of our party had been here a few times recently and said the food was much better before). And the main purpose for the review is... the hamburger, which specifically deserves a -10/5. $26 for a burger that's severely dry and overcooked, slathered in mayo to cover up the terrible cook, w/ a patty that's barely 50% of the bun?? Probably the worst burger my SO or I have had on island... or ever. SO didn't WANT to finish the burger so we took it home thinking the dog would at least enjoy it... nope, guess our 4 legged friends have higher standards than Banyan's kitchen. Never again, Banyan. Please do better for your future guests. Edit: 11/18 - owner PMed me to email specific date/server, message chain attached as photos. Definitely never coming back here, and making sure my windward friends and neighbors know to avoid going forward. read more

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