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We had walked past this establishment many times. I was the one in my group urging us to go there. I finally got my way and everyone involved was so grateful. From the outside it seems very unassuming, some tables and a long kitchen counter with the chefs cooking away. We were ushered to the back room. We did not expect the dramatic and stylish high ceiling room. In the center was very large table with a massive floral arrangement. Our server introduced herself as Janet. We were made aware of that night's specials and took our order for drinks. We ordered the Sangria by the glass. Our friend was able to have a very dry martini with olives. We ordered two appetizers, the beef empanadas and potato croquettes. The empanadas was so amazing we ordered two more orders of the empanadas and added the grilled octopus. At this point the drinks are hitting the mark as are the appetizers and Janet's wonderful energy. We proceeded to order our entrees. One of us ordered the rack of lamb and the other two ordered paellas , one seafood only and the other mixed. In a timely fashion our entrees arrived looking so delicious we dove right into them . The seafood paella I had had to be one of the best ever! The rack of lamb was cooked to perfection. It was served with a reduced wine sauce and potatoes. Believe or not we had room for dessert . We were swayed by what the table next to us ordered, it was a concoction of ice cream and fruit with a cleverly executed chocolate screen .This restaurant stood out of the many , many good to great places we frequented while Island hopping . On our way out Janet and the staff including the chef bid us farewell and welcomed us back, we will be back!
Eating here for the first time when a visiting friends who wanted to eat here. Staff was friendly. We were seated in the front so I didn't see the rest of the restaurant From what I saw, the restaurant was clean and stylish. Tapas was tasty but seemed pricy (example 1 epinada for $7) This was my first time having tapas and it's Waikiki so I'm not sure how the prices compared. I didn't drink but my friends who did said all the drinks they tried were excellent. There is no validation for parking so that's a big issue for locals.
Boquerones & Guindillo 1 way too sour for me Bacon Wrap Dates 4 savory and crunchy on the outside, sweet and soft on the inside Croquetas de Jamon 5 crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy inside, flavorful House Salad 3 spring mix, apples, tomato, bacon, refreshing Octopus Ala Gallega 5 chewy, flavorful Seafood Paella 3 Kaual Shrimp, Clam, Squld, Green Beans, Red Bell Peppers, Saffron Aioli, medium flavorful, shrimp was mushy Washugyu Steak 2 4oz US Wagyu Coulotte, Beets, Green Beans, Onlon, Housemade Chimichum, super tough, very dry, couldn't eat SHRIMP AJILLO 4 Kauai Shrimp, Garlic, Dried Pepper, Spanish Paprika, Housemade Baguette, shrimp cooked in oil, chewy, garlicky flavor Ube Basque Cheesecake 5 super creamy, fluffy, just the right balance of cheesiness and sweetness, rich ube flavor Service 5 Ambiance 4 has patio and indoor seating
Since eating at El Cielo just 2 days ago, I've already told more than a dozen people about this restaurant. It is an absolute must and may take the cake as one of the best restaurants in Honolulu! My husband and I absolutely love Spanish tapas. A restaurant with tapas is almost always our go to, but it wasn't something I was expecting to eat in Hawaii. Growing up here, I don't think I ever remember having Spanish food. El Cielo is in Waikiki. The restaurant has a great ambiance and is quiet and calm, even though it's so close to such a busy area! Although we made a reservation, there were bar seats available and we opted for that to get a look into watching them make all the food. El Cielo is special because it's Spanish but with a twist. The chef is Japanese and they infuse some local flavors into a lot of their menu items! We started by splurging on the jamón ibérico - it's double the price of the serrano but noticeably special! I appreciated they gave a nice portion and we paired it with some Manchego that came with a quince jam. In addition, we ordered the pate. It was so creamy and delicious but a standout from that was the homemade baguette! It was so good! For our main entree, we ordered the loco pollo paella. Never have I had a paella with spam! Spam was so perfect in the paella. The chicken was also cooked so well! I loved the crisp skin and was so impressed. It was incredible! We finished off with the ube basque cheesecake that was light and delicious. Every single thing we ate was so good and I was so impressed! This meal was truly standout and I loved it so much.
Spanish tapas, Japanese style. How does the experience differ? First, order everything at once. The kitchen will send dishes as they are ready. This is not the typical, order one dish and a glass of wine, consume and repeat. Second, bites lack the roughness and boldness one expects from simple, everyman's Spanish food. Testing the sourcing of ingredients, the charcuterie board. A couple of different thick sliced cured sausages, jamon Serrano, and jamon Iberico de Bellota paired with a nice selection of olives, dried currants and the surprise pairing, dried mango all of great quality. Unfortunately the bought in rice crackers were stale. Opting to skip the paella (not cooked over an open fire) and the mains (this is a tapas restaurant), the standout was the octopus ala Gallega. A thick but uber tender, well seasoned, paprika dusted, grilled leg and a very acidic, zesty chimichurri a showstopper with its huge flavors. The bunuelos (butterfish and potato fritters in a saffron aioli) were just OK. Very creamy potatoes inside but lacking any butterfish flavor. Of the eight little deep fried balls, only one had a noticeable piece of butterfish in it. The "Boquerones & Guindilla" (Guindilla pepper, pickled anchovy, and olive) is a total miss. The piece of anchovy is so large, the sour, fishy taste overpowers the other two ingredients. The biggest misstep, the bacon wrapped dates. Stuffing the dates with creamy bleu cheese results in a mushy, pasty mouth feel. Brushing the bacon with maple syrup adds a bizarre flavor when paired with the bleu cheese and the sweetness is completely off balance. Nice selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Beautiful dining space and friendly service backed by a reasonably priced menu. A letdown based on its high Yelp and Google rating.
My work friends surprised me with a birthday dinner here, and it turned out to be such a great experience! From the moment I walked in, the staff was warm and welcoming. The rest of the group hadn't arrived yet (they were running a bit late), but the servers were super kind and checked in to see if we wanted drinks or pupus while we waited. Once everyone arrived, we started ordering, and our server--Maddox (I hope I'm spelling that right!)--was amazing. He gave us great food recommendations and really added to the overall vibe of the evening. The food? Absolutely delicious. From appetizers to entrees, every dish was packed with flavor--it was like a flavor explosion with every bite. My favorite was the seafood paella. WOWZA. I'd definitely come back, not only for the amazing food but also for the welcoming ambience and great service.
The world food tour duo made its first visit to this restaurant on Lewers Street in Waikiki to experience Spanish fare from a Japanese chef born in Argentina. It's an intimate space separated into two dining rooms. We were seated in the rear room dominated by a table in the center holding a very large floral arrangement, dishes, glassware, silverware, and water pitchers. While we perused the menu, I ordered a bottle of 2017 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($70). The wine was very dark in color with black fruit notes and an earthy undertone. We ordered Chicken Liver Paté ($15), Jidori chicken liver with truffle oil and a very nice house made baguette, and Arugula and Beets Salad ($20), cubes of red and gold beets, blue cheese, candied walnuts, and a sherry wine vinaigrette. The paté was creamy and rich in flavor and the baguette was perfect. The beets were firm, and the salad was great. We shared two entrees, Lamb Chops ($55), four ribs with roasted potatoes and a Rioja wine sauce, and Truffle & Mushroom Paella ($42), a medley of mushrooms, green beans, seasoned with truffle oil and saffron aioli. The lamb was flavorful and tender; the paella was fine but a touch dry (for me). We had Mont Blanc ($16) and Frozen Turron ($13) for dessert. The Mont Blanc was a visual treat, green tea infused sweetened chestnut puree turned into a piece of art. The Turron was a mix of almond, honey meringue and milky ice candy, a colorful mélange of flavors that reminded me of Spumoni ice cream. I finished my meal with a nice cup of coffee ($6). Service by Lawrence was fine and we enjoyed our time at El Cielo. The menu has enough for us to make a return visit. The prices are very reasonable for a restaurant in Waikiki. Recommended, with a 4.25 rating.
My girls and I were in the mood for something delicious and a little fancy, so we headed to Waikiki and decided to give this gem a try--and wow, are we glad we did! We went all in and ordered a feast: the Seafood Paella (flavor bomb!), Washugyu Steak (so tender it practically melted), Chicken Pâté, Octopus Alla Gallega, and the rich, dreamy Uni & Crab Pasta. Every dish was chef's kiss--full of flavor and perfect for sharing. And just when we thought we couldn't fit in one more bite, the Ube Cheesecake arrived. It was so airy, fluffy and not top sweet. We loved it. Dessert heaven! The vibe? Super romantic and intimate--dim lighting, cozy seating, and just the right amount of buzz from fellow diners. Perfect for a girls' night, but I'd definitely come back here for a date night with my other half. Only downside: no dedicated parking, so we had to park in a nearby garage and take a little stroll. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind if you're rocking heels. Service was warm and friendly, which added to the lovely evening. All in all, a beautiful spot with amazing food--Waikiki charm at its finest!
We were carving some tapas and found this place using Yelp! It's nestled in a busy street, but inside is dim and romantic. Great date night place. All of the food was fantastic, especially the paella. We mentioned it was our anniversary and received a complimentary dessert. We will be back!
It definitely comes as a surprise that El Cielo was our most memorable and favorite meal while we were in Honolulu for the week. Not only did we discover this restaurant by chance, but it made it even more special that it was right around the corner from our hotel, as it felt like our own little neighborhood bistro for the week. Except that it was pretty spacious inside, but still had the allure and ambiance of a bistro. The chef put a modern twist on classic Spanish dishes, and dare we say that it tasted better than what we had while we were in Spain? We loved that many of the dishes were vegan-friendly or could be modified for my husband. The mushroom paella was the breakout star for us, but truly, everything was delicious. I could dip everything in the garlic, chili oil the shrimp was swimming in!
Wonderful experience, food, and service tonight at El Cielo. We enjoyed the restaurant week menu. We sat at the bar and had Steve serving us. He was amazing. The food was world class, they brought out a cake for our wive's birthday! Steve even showed us the seating area and took our picture. What an epic night. Thank you! Please put El Cielo on your list of must visit restaurants! The chef is amazing! Thank you for making our wive's 60th birthday so special and memorable!!!!
We came in around 9 and there was no wait, which was a pleasant surprise. It was pleasantly lit, clean, and well decorated. We were seated immediately and the waiter was kind enough to make a few recommendations on the menu, catering towards our taste. The table next to us also chimed in, lauding his selections (they went with everything he chose from them) The highlight for me was the shrimp--far and away the best shrimp I've had in my life, and the provided bread was freshly baked and delightful to tear apart (I demonstrated the ripping noise for the waiter, I think he agreed). This was a recommendation to me (and I'm not particularly a fan of tapas) and I've already recommended it to others. Would come again!
3 months ago
My boyfriend and I had a wonderful time celebrating our anniversary here! Our waitress was very attentive and helpful by explaining menu items to us and constantly keeping our waters refilled. The ambiance of the place was nice and not too crowded, we also felt like we were able to take our time without being rushed. We started with the chicken liver pate and the shrimp ajillo and both were so delicious, the bread was especially tasty, super warm and fluffy! We ended up ordering another side of bread to finish off our pate. for our entrees we ordered the seafood paella and the uni & crab pasta, the paella was packed with flavor and the pasta was super rich and creamy. Lastly for dessert we ordered the ube basque cheesecake it was delicious and not too sweet! They also brought out a beautiful complimentary panna cotta dessert for our anniversary. We had an amazing night here at El Cielo and will definitely be back soon! read more
Best tapas I have had outside Spain. No reservations but seated immediately on a Sunday evening. Host and waiter service was top notch. Every pinchos and tapas dish we ordered were perfect. Drinks were spot on and the extra touches on the food made it very enjoyable. Music in background is very Spanish. Definitely a must return to place. Where else can you re-experience Spain In Waikiki? read more
7 months ago
El Cielo, you make the best empanadas I've ever had, and I cherish every morsel. In addition to excellent food and wine, the service is impeccable and I love seeing a well oiled machine (open kitchen) execute such good eats. read more
1 year ago
Both service and food was great! Paella and grilled octopus are some of our favorite Spanish dishes and we Googled to see if any restaurants near Waikiki that served both and we haven't tried yet. El Cielo was not a disappointed. Butterfish fritters were such a surprise. We enjoyed our 47th anniversary celebration here. read more
The food was actually pretty good but the portion sizes for the price were outrageous, service left something to be desired, and I didn't feel like we received the same treatment as everyone else.. My boyfriend and I came here ON my actual birthday to celebrate my 30th birthday. We had 5pm reservations and they wanted to seat us outside in the blistering sun. We asked if we could sit inside and they said all the tables were reserved... (we also had a reservation). They eventually agreed to sit us at a 4-top but they told us we would need to leave in 1.5 hours for the next reservation. A bit rude considering we also had a reservation, but sure. We noticed that EVERY other party that arrived after us in the dining room was also a party of 2 that was seated at a 4-top without question. I'm not sure if they're racist or if they're ageist (every other party was 50+) but we did not feel welcome The service was friendly, but our waiter also didn't elaborate on anything. It would have been nice to know that the pinchos were sold individually and we would need to order 2 pieces for the both of us. Throughout the meal, the kitchen's timing got progressively slower. Towards the end, the kitchen took really long to get our paella out and we felt rushed to eat it before our 1.5 hour limit was up. The food itself was pretty good, but the portion sizes were ridiculous. All of the pinchos are per piece, so you can imagine how much you'd have to spend to actually be full. We tried the: - croquetas ($8 each) - good but it was tiny, we finished it in one bite - truffle egg ($8 each) - our favorite one! - smoked salmon ($8 each) - octopus ($23) very tender, loved the chimichurri - seafood paella ($40) - the rice wasn't crispy enough at the bottom of the pan, but there was a good amount of seafood They did provide a free dessert which was nice. I've seen other guests receive the Mont Blanc as their complimentary dessert, again not sure why we didn't receive the same treatment. Overall I wouldn't return and instead, I would recommend Rigo if you're in the mood for tapas. I live down the street so I can't speak for parking, but I would imagine street parking would be difficult in this area read more
We chose this place to celebrate our 17th Anniversary!!!! YES that's how much I love this restaurant! Here what we had: Bacon wrapped dates and blue cheese Chicken liver pate Squid ink paella Iberico pork We lived ALL!!! Definitely come back SOON! read more
My boyfriend and I came here for our anniversary. El Cielo was always on the top of my list of places I wanted try. Now it is one of our favorite restaurants Everything was perfect! The atmosphere, the food, the service is all 11/10! We ordered the Shino ajillo which was our favorite! The octopus Ala Gallega was nice and tender that pairs very well with their beautiful green sauce. The uni pasta was very delicious with the noodles cooked to perfection. The paella was very flavorful with a generous portion. The restaurant is nice and spacious and also has a cute outdoor seating In the back. The staffs were all very friendly and provided the best service I've ever experienced. They would never have your glass of water empty. My boyfriend and I fell in love with El Cielo and will definitely come back. We would love to bring our family and friends to try all the delicious foods! read more
3 months ago
4 months ago
El Cielo is located in Waikiki on Lewers street. This is a Spanish restaurant specializing in tapas by Chef Masa who has roots from Argentina and Japan. Service was friendly and attentive. The ambiance is welcoming and charming. The outdoor seating was the place to be seated. The chorizo was recommend and was so good that we ordered seconds. The special of the day was the paella. It was delicious and should be a permanent menu item. read more
2 years ago
My family really enjoyed this place! The service was great and everyone felt the family style dishes were very good. The paella was delicious. That's a must order. We didn't have anything that wasn't cooked under or well. It really was all done just right. read more
1 year ago
I thought the food was great. Would definitely come back. The Octopus was very tender. The shrimp ajillo was very flavorful. And the Iberico pork shoulder cooked to perfection with delicious mushrooms in a few sauces. Ended the evening with a Ube cheesecake. Just the right amount of food for my wife and I. Our waiter was also very attentive and we never felt we were being ignored. The outside patio was very tranquil and there was absolutely no traffic noise whatsoever. read more
11 months ago
Been wanting to try this place, every time we eat at Oyster Hale located upstairs from it. The food and service didn't disappoint! We happened to arrive 15 min earlier than reservations, and invited to join them for a special wine tasting event. Staff is very welcoming, chef greeted us at the kitchen entrance and Trevor's service was warm and on point! We'll be visiting with friends to taste more items! read more
1 year ago
What a beautiful place to have dinner! The food was fresh, amazing quality, and delicious! The ham must have been straight from Spain! It looked identical to the ham you see in the boquerias of Barcelona and tasted the same as well. Our server was attentive and kind. I can see why El Cielo is on yelps list of best new restaurants in America! read more
Came here for my birthday dinner. Husband picked the place. We were a little late but they have a grace period of 15 minutes. We were sat right away. They also have outdoor seating. Our server was amazing! Sorry don't remember his name. We ordered one order of the croquettes and one empanada and my husband loved them so much he ordered another order of both. The octopus was extremely tender and with the chimichurri it was delicious. I got the uni and crab pasta it was okay would definitely try something else next time. My husband got the steak and it was very tender. The dessert they gave with the happy birthday writing was a flan I think with lilikoi and it was so good! We also got the ube basque cheesecake. It was good too not too heavy. read more
Popped in for dinner and was told we had to leave by 8, we got there around 6:30 and thought it would be fine. Food comes out kind of slowly, so we left at 8. Our mains didn't come out until 7:40. Service is okay, it's not bad but not overly friendly. Restaurant is on the quieter end. Ordered the bread and pate, beet salad, octopus and potatoes, wagu steak and seafood paella. The bread was fresh and still warm, super fluffy. The salad wasn't bad, pretty standard. The octopus was a little cold in some spots, the potatoes were good, a little oily but warm. Paella didn't have very many crispy bits except for the side of the pan, seafood was plentiful, I thought the seasoning was good, not too salty. The steak was fairly tough and chewy. My partner thought the paella was too sweet and only ate half her steak. Overall, it was nice to try this place out but neither of us was blown away. Especially for the price point. read more
1 year ago
Excellent Calamari, Gambas, Smoked Salmon so good no one waited for pictures Anima Negra 2020 from Majorca is also definitely worth a try Palella was definitely the star of the night read more
Where do I start. If you haven't already try this restaurant, well I gotta say it's a must come. Food was over the top good. Service is seriously good I mean next level good. Very nice decoration in here , but you must must make reservations this restaurant is 2 to 3 month booked. I highly recommend here. read more
2 years ago
Went out for an early Mother's Day dinner in order to beat the mad rush of Sunday. My mom's been craving a Spanish place just as good as the place we went to in Vancouver so we checked out El Cielo tonight, located right next to Genius Lounge. We got the pri fixe menu which we learned is mainly for large groups or advanced booking, but our waiter helped us check if we could order it and we could! We ordered a few extras that we wanted to try too and honestly, it was more than enough. We'll definitely be going back. 1. Pinchos: Boquerones & Guindilla, Bacon wrapped dates , Croquetas de Jamon 2. Smoked salmon 3. Chicken liver pate 4. Salad: Arugula & beet salad 5. Tapas: Octopus Ala Gallega 6. Paella: Seafood Paella 7. Main: Iberico Pork 8. Ube basque cheesecake The ambiance is pretty low-key. Depending where you sit in the backroom, you'll be able to catch a partial view of the Waikiki fireworks. For parking, the restaurant will tell you either street parking or the Municipal parking lot behind the restaurant is your best bet. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
I learned about El Cielo from highlights I've seen on Instagram and been wanting to try them. I've been to Spain before and love tapa style eats so I was excited to come try their offerings. They don't have their own parking lot. Parking is street parking or the many lots in the area. Reservations recommended that you can make from their Yelp page or website. We were able to get same day reservations. There are seating in their dining area, an outside patio and roof top seating. I enjoyed a glass of sangria, which reminded me of my time in Spain even more. Started with their BUÑUELOS - Butterfish Fritter, Saffron Aioli. Crunchy bites with tender morsels of cod fish. Small portions which were perfect not to fill yourself up too much and spoil your appetite for main course. Then their CHICKEN LIVER PÂTÉ - Jidori Chicken liver, Truffle Oil, Housemade Baguette. Generous tasty portion of pate and the baguette was perfect. For entrees we selected their UNI & CRAB PASTA - Spaghetti, Bottarga, CherryTomato, Cream Sauce. The pasta was a perfect al dente. It was the first time I had crab and uni in the same sauce and it was such a perfect marriage. Very rich, decadent, and filling. And SEAFOOD PAELLA - Kauai Shrimp, Clam, Squid, Green Beans, Red Bell Peppers, Saffron Aioli. The rice was perfect too, great flavor. Al dente, and the bottom of the rice nice a crispy. Seafood was done well and not overcooked. Great timing in the cooking process. We were so full we didn't make it to dessert. The next time I want to try their lamp chops and pork shoulder. This place would be best enjoyed with a few more friends so we can share the tapas and try more items. The service at El Cielo was terrific. Very attentive, friendly. Our server was very knowledgable about the menu and made suggestions of his favorites. I loved our experience and look forward to going back. read more
2 months ago
Very cute, with a great staff. The mixture of pinchos/"bites" and Tapas/"appetizers " makes this great place for drinks and snacks. The empanada cannot be missed! Alone the empanada with good but the green Chimichurri makes it Spectacular! The same killer green sauce took the Octopus from common to Good. The Truffle Egg Custard was all looks and no flavor. The Croquettes, fried mash potato, too salty to enjoy. Lovely drink and cocktails menu but for the teetotaler, there is water, tea and soda. read more
I went here for dinner after the Honolulu Marathon and I truly couldn't ask for a better experience & treat! All the food were cooked with so much excellence and care. Every bite was delightful and worth every penny! I absolutely loved the drinks and ube cheesecake was just the cherry on top to finish off the meal. The staff were so helpful and attentive. The restaurant is so cute and open, so great spot for any occasion! read more
Nice restaurant if you're looking for small bites. We opted for ordering multiple small plates and sharing. Food came out quickly and hot. We loved the spacious indoor seating plus service was helpful and friendly. We really enjoyed our dining experience. Bacon wrap dates-sweet, loved it so much we ordered it instead of dessert. Empanada- 1 per order... flavorful beef Crocquetas de jamon- delicious... Pan con tomate-tasted so fresh Shrimp ajillo-tasty, and the bread that came with it was so light and crispy We would definitely return if we were in the area. read more
3 years ago
We ventured to town for date night. It had been a long while since we had Spanish food. Maybe last Vegas trip years ago? Found El Cielo on Yelp! and enticed by tapas! So we came here for a late lunch/uber early dinner. They don't open until 5pm and we didn't have a reservation. Eek. We passed the restaurant and peeped the menu outside. I believe he was the manager, was setting up the restaurant to open and acknowledged us out front about 30 minutes prior to opening. He offered to get us on the reservation book so we could be seated when they open. So sweet of him. Definitely took that tiny panic away from not making reservations! We ventured off for a quick stroll and returned to be immediately seated. For starters, we had the pan con tomate. Such a refreshing combo of puréed tomato, garlic, and olive oil over crackle fresh housemade baguette slices. We also ordered the shrimp ajillo. A little kick, a lot of garlic freshness, and perfectly simmered shrimp. All served over more of their amazing baguette. Seriously couldn't get enough of that bread with literally everything on the table. For my main, I ordered the loco pollo paella. The chicken was juicy and tender with so many layers of flavor. The sharper flavors of chorizo and sausage played so well with the white beans. And mixed with the saffron aioli, each bite was heavenly. Hubs enjoyed his washugyu steak with their housemade chimichurri. The steak was a perfect medium and their chimichurri was so zesty fresh. He's not a beets fan so I got to enjoy them all to myself; cooked firm with great bite. We finished off with the ube basque cheesecake. So creamy yet not uncomfortably heavy! Just amazing bites of ube goodness. I can't wait to go back to enjoy more of their tapas... and definitely taking home some of those baguettes next time! read more
2 years ago
We Thought We Were Back in Barcelona - Like a little Catalan in Waikiki. There are a bunch of emotions you experience when your choice of a dining venue ends up being so 'Right On' on so many levels that you wish you could slow time so that the evening wouldn't come to an end. Dining at El Cielo was that - and better. Hats off to Jolene, Lori and Randy for already capturing the outstanding Restaurant Week Prix Fixe reviews already. My wife and I enjoyed each and every course - as well as adding Tapas and others items from the full menu. We agreed that the Seafood Paella probably would have suited us better, however having never experienced Negra Paella, it was a wonderful introduction. Also of particular note and most enjoyable for us was the Iberico Rioja Wine Stew which was like a butter tender short rib over silky potato mash. Ono! We were blessed with the earliest of seatings and it was honestly a joy to walk in to the Restaurant and be greeted by not only the lovely hostess, but also Chef Masa Arnaldo Gushiken himself and the crew of sous chefs from the open air kitchen. El Cielo is decorated where the forward dining tables with a very ample bar sets a perfect atmosphere for romance or relaxation. Wine goes with all the dishes and it will appear that El Cielo has every imported Spanish wine option available. Our waiter, Lawrence, was outstanding in his knowledge of the full menu, the RW Prix Fixe and the composition of the dishes throughout. His focussed attention, along with the attentiveness of the rest of the dining room staff, ensured that dishes arrived comfortably prompt, water was always filled at the appropriate intervals. The centerpiece of the aft dining room is an extraordinary over-sized floral arrangement [faux] that also acts as a waiter's pantry for wine bottles, tableware and a staging area. Very beautiful and it also dampens the acoustics of that dining room. Passing through that area, there are additional tables outside in a cozy al fresco setting. The whole restaurant stays on point for the Spanish cuisine it specializes in. In addition to the RW prix fixe offerings, which we thought were outstanding, [Lawrence ensured we knew the 'cork' was edible] we also added to our experience the Empanada, Boquerones & Guindilla, Bacon Wrapped Dates and Croquetas de Jamon Pinchos and the Octopus Ala Gallega Tapas. Each was distinctly favorable and prepared perfectly. Our favorite - and it was hard to pick one - was the Boquerones & Guindilla; a skewer with a Guindilla Pepper, White Anchovy, and an Olive as the perfect 'Bite'. The Octopus was unbelievably tender, pre-sliced and resting on potato medallions. Also on the plate was a very smooth chimichurri to dip each piece. The rest of the very intriguing menu will have to wait until our next visit - and hopefully that will be very soon. read more
This charming restaurant on Lewers was a retail store that was renovated and transformed into a lovely little slice of a European villa with high ceilings. It's beautifully decorated with a huge fresh floral arrangement and paintings. Conceived by Chef Masa of Rigo, this is more of a relaxed fine dining experience. There are indoor and outdoor seating options with cool music playing in the background. But beware, when the restaurant fills up, it can get increasingly loud to the point of distraction. So go early and or sit outside if you want peace and quiet. FOOD - Everything was good but our faves are starred* Empanada- savory meat filled pastry with a tangy chimichurri sauce to brighten it. Buenolos- butterfish fritter with saffron aioli. I prefer the Japanese style preparation but it was interesting to try this finger food version. *Truffle egg custard pudding- this amazing little creation of potato espuma foam and herb truffle oil topped with bacon has a delightful taste and texture that had the BFF mmmming at first bite. The presentation is very sexy too! . *Chicken Liver pate- This jidori chicken liver with truffle oil is smooth, not at all gamely and pairs perfectly with their cute homemade baguette. Seafood Paella- a delicious mixture of calamari, shrimp, clams and vegetables and pan fried rice. DESSERT *Frozen Turron almond honey meringue milky ice candy- a delightful refreshing dessert version of a candy. Best eaten while cold. Our server Culbert was great -knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions. He was just the right amount of attentive and helpful without interrupting our girl talk. Looking forward to exploring more on the menu! read more
2 months ago
3 years ago
Upscale dining for Tapas. Decor/Ambience: Conveniently located in Waikiki, El Cielo is well decorated but comfortable, not stuffy like some upscale restaurants. Services: Friendly and attentive. We had a reservation at 7pm but got there way early. The hostess was able to sit us after a 10 minute wait. Food: aesthetically pleasing and delicious. We liked everything (almost). Croquetatas de Jamon: nicely deep fried, and well seasoned. Truffle egg custard pudding: I highly recommend this dish. It's so cute and decadent. The egg pudding is fluffy and smooth. And the amount of truffle is perfect, not overwhelming. I could probably eat multiple of this. A very unique dish Chicken liver pate: The housemade baguette is perfect, freshly baked and warm when served. We had to order an additional baguette to go with the pate, which is $7 extra. Pate was smooth and not gamey. Arugula and beets salad: This is probably the only disappointing dish for the night. The beets in the salad seem to be raw or undercooked, as it was hard and somewhat crunchy. If I knew I wouldn't have ordered it, as I'm not a big fan of raw beets. Seafood Paella: seafood is fresh, rice is al dente. It is comparable to the paella in Spain. read more
1 year ago
4.5 Food A+ (entrees B) Service A (This establishment does not high chairs or booster seats). Ambiance A (the indoor seating is beautiful. The patio seating is nice but cigarette smoke and pot was prevalent for part of the meal. Not the restaurant's fault, it seemed to be coming from over the wall). I finally had a chance to try El Cielo after eyeing it for months. The Tapas and Appetizers are AMAZING. The Pan Con Tomate doesn't sound like much, tomato and bread but this appetizer was easily one of the best dishes we had. I never expected to have the best baguette in this country in a Spanish restaurant in Waikiki, but here I am still thinking about that perfectly crunchy yet soft and chewy bite. The crust is crunchy without being hard, and airy yet wonderfully toothsome at the same time. It was better than baguettes I've had from all over France-ok enough about the baguette, just try it. We opted to add the Jamon Iberico de Bellota for $15. While it was delicious and did elevate the dish, the pan con Tomate would have been just as delicious without it. It's a good way to sample the highly sought after and rare Jamon without committing to a full serving of it. The chicken liver pate is delicious. Wonderfully seasoned and cooked to perfection. The pate wasn't grainy, mealy or minerally. It comes with an another house baked baguette! The Croquetas were tasty but didn't stand out the way the rest of the dishes did. The octopus was nicely prepared, but much like the Croquetas, it didn't quite wow us as much as the rest of the dishes. This is nothing again the octopus or Croquetas, they're great but the other appetizers and tapas were just fantastic. The butterfish Buñuelos were amazing. Even my 10 month old ate those up. Highly recommended. The Callos, tripe in tomato sauce was delicious. The tripe is clean, no unpleasant flavors at all and perfectly cooked. If you're a local from Hawaii it's like tasting the original source of what local tripe stew descended from. Rich tomato flavors stewed with tripe until tender. Similar to a Roman tripe stew but savory and wonderful in its own way. It's seems to be on the pricier side at $18 for a smallish portion, but the care that went into cooking the dish is apparent. A must try if you like tripe, and honestly even if you don't, it might change your mind. Truffle egg custard. If you're from Hawaii, chances you've had chawan mushi, a savory Japanese egg custard. This is delicate rendition of a savory egg custard with truffle, tasting familiar but foreign at the same time. Served chilled, it was a mouth watering appetizer. Even my spouse who doesn't love egg custards thoroughly enjoyed this dish. For the mains, we got the Washugyu Steak, Iberico Pork Shoulder and Seafood Paella. The proteins were ok. Everything was prepared decently however for some reason they were not as tasty and satisfying as the appetizers and Tapas. The quality of meats is obvious, but the flavors were lacking. My main gripe about the paella- the shrimp was overcooked. The clams and calamari were perfectly cooked. They tasted great with the aioli. I wanted to try the crab, uni and bottarga pasta however we opted for the Paella since it feels obligatory at a Spanish eatery. I would suggest trying entrees other than the ones I mentioned, as they didn't seem up to par with the rest of the menu. The complimentary special occasion dessert was a delicious panna cotta. The churros while piping hot and fresh had a strangely hard crunch. I feel like churros are something meant to be enjoyed fresh from a cart or truck. It was really my mistake for trying a street food at a nicer restaurant. I have no doubt their other dessert options would've been amazing. Our server was attentive and always popped out to refill our waters. The staff here are all friendly and helpful. Thank you guys for a wonderful experience. We can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! read more
This place was great!!! It's a Spanish tapas joint with lots of great small dishes to choose from. The jamon was amazing and so delicious. The shrimp ajillo was so flavorful and with a hint of spice - highly recommend! The octopus was decent, I think a little bland but still done well. We also tried the uni & crab pasta which was so delicious, great uni flavor and creamy. And of course we got the seafood paella which was amazing. Best part was the ube cheesecake which was light (like a Japanese cheesecake) and so good. Best cheesecake of my life! Sangria was great too!!! Service was great and the restaurant was so open and pretty inside. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is hard around this area. Need to find a lot around the restaurant and get it validated or get lucky with street parking (typically Waikiki!). read more
El Cielo by Chef Masa is across the old DFS on the same street as Gyu Kaku in Waikiki. It's on the left hand side as you're driving on the road before Kuhio Ave. There is multiple pay to park lots that you can park in, garages or you can look for street meter parking near the residential area. There is bar seating, some tables in front, tables in back in their main dining area and some seating outside in the far back near the fountain. The main dining area was extremely loud (not sure if it was mostly from our table though lol). Customer service was excellent all night and our server was very attentive. The kitchen and staff were on it with the timing of the dishes. We ordered up a storm so we could get a good tasting of their menu. The items we ordered were the Empanada's, Pan Con Tomate w/Jamon Serrano, Chicken Liver Pate, Shrimp Ajillo, Octopus A La Gallega, Uni & Crab (Noodles), Negra Paella, Loco Pollo Paella, Seafood Paella, Lamb Chops, Ube Basque Cheesecake, a Lemon Creme Brûlée dessert and a Chicharon dessert. This was accompanied by many glasses of wine and sangrias. My personal favorites of the night were the Shrinp Ajillo, Lamb Chops (perfect medium rare, more on the rare side) and the Ube Basque Cheesecake. Fun tapas bar in Waikiki. read more
2 years ago
Love this spot! Spanish tapas! Ordered their truffle custard egg, sizzling shrimp ajillo, uni & crab pasta, seafood & chicken paella, and frozen turron dessert. My faves were shrimp ajillo and their frozen turron dessert! read more
7 months ago
This was our second time here and it was great to come back again! David was our server and he's from Argentina (like Chef Masa) and was impressive with the great Japanese lines he's been learning! The food was exceptional and I truly appreciate Chef Masa's vision to bring the best tastes from around the world to an establishment in Hawaii together with an upscale experience, this is what the very best chefs in the world create and this restaurant will be one of the most memorable in my life. The favorites from the night were the uni & crab pasta, the ube basque cheesecake, and the seafood paella... the uni was especially spectacular with a delightfully flavorful taste that harmonized amazingly well with the crab and pasta. The El Cielo salad was a phenomenal combination of ingredients that just tasted incredible together too, like papaya and bacon with the passion fruit dressing. I'm glad I got to exchange glances with Chef Masa on our way out and express my appreciation for his vision and hard work! And thank you so much to David for his exceptional photography skills... we actually have some great family photos to look back upon now! El Cielo is truly one of Hawaii's greatest restaurants!! read more
El Cielo is a new tapas bar in Waikiki that serves up elegantly-plated, Spanish fusion dishes! The food is served in various portion sizes, from small to shareable. The portions overall are a bit on the smaller side so be prepared to order quite a few dishes if you're going with a group! I've chosen my favorite dishes of the night to feature here: - Lobster Noodles - Uni & Crab Noodles - Truffle Egg Custard Pudding - Octopus a La Gallegos - Shrimp Ajillo I honestly enjoyed everything I ate, but these dishes definitely were standouts for me. The noodle dishes were especially delicious, and I would highly recommend them. The cocktails however were a bit too sweet for me, and I plan to just get red wine the next time I go. Overall, the food we ordered was great (albeit a bit pricey for the small portion size) - a perfect place to come for a celebration or just a fancier night out The ambiance is quite nice and the decor feels classy yet approachable (not too too stuffy). I loved the art on the walls! The servers were also so friendly and accommodating - they explained all the dishes so well. I definitely want to come back and try more items! read more
More info about El Cielo
346 Lewers St
Fl 1
Honolulu, HI 96815
Waikiki
Directions
(808) 772-4533
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https://www.elcielo-hawaii.com
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Ask the Community - El Cielo
Preference for seating. Inside or patio? Parking?
Have an eaten outside yet, but really enjoyed the dining area towards the back of the restaurant. Also, there is a parking lot almost directly behind the restaurant that is the municipal lot. It fills up quick but with any luck it’s only a short… Read more
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El Cielo - tapas - Updated May 2026
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