We decided to give Hualani's another try for our 10-year vow renewal dinner, and we're so glad we did--it absolutely did not disappoint. From the moment we arrived, the hostess was warm, welcoming, and attentive, which set the tone for the evening. The entire staff was fantastic, and we especially want to thank our server, Danielle, who was truly amazing and made our experience even more special. We came in with a large party of 15, and everything was handled seamlessly. The food was delicious across the board. The kids loved the chicken tenders and fries, and for myself, I ordered the lobster tempura to start along with the chili crunch poke--both were incredible, especially the poke, which was super fresh and full of flavor. My husband and I also split a steak, and it was cooked perfectly. Everyone in our group left happy the views outside are absolutely amazing as well. Perfect place for our dinner read more

See all

My teenagers and I very much enjoyed our dinner here last night. It didn't hurt that the sunset was perfection, and the weather was top notch. The wine list included lots of options that I don't often see by the glass, such as Chenin Blanc and Albarino. The Aperature Chenin Blanc was so tasty alongside appetizers and seabass. For starters, we had the short rib potsticker (5 to an order with a peanutty curry sauce on top), and focaccia, which came with balsamic and olive oil, plus roasted garlic cloves. The chewy texture was great, it almost seemed air fried. Entrees: 2 kid's shells with cheese (mac'n cheese) generous portions, and no grief over 15 to ordering off children's menu. Also, the filet and seabass entrees. One came with mashed potatoes, one with rice, but we swapped. Could have with both choy, or sub in green beans. The filet was cooked perfectly to our liking at medium, and very tender. I'm not sure on the size, but it was plenty. The seabass came with 2 large pieces of fish. About half got eaten, it was so delicious, but the buttery texture made it very filling, so hey! Lunch today. Possibly the best aspect of the dinner, topping the food and divine weather, was our server, Ali'i He went above and beyond, chatting to the kids and myself, plus on point recommendations, and speedy water fills and checking in. He brought me wine tastes, solit a virgin daiquiri for my girls, and generally brought a spirit of Aloha. There was a nice duo singing on the patio, too, which really sealed the deal on the relaxing atmosphere. Bathrooms are also very luxurious. read more

Hualani's - Infinity pool, cliff, ocean as backdrop to the restaurant - Hawaiian Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

See all

Located on the bottom floor of the Timbers Kaua'i - Ocean Club & Residences in Lihue, HI, it is the primary restaurant of the five-star resort, serving all 3 meals of the day. My wife and I took a leisurely walk from the nearby Marriott Ocean Club for lunch, and found the views, service, food, and beverage to be excellent. We arrived at 11 am just as they were switching to lunch service, and was lucky enough to get one of the front row tables with direct views of the ocean bay and the golf course. Mark was our friendly and attentive waiter, who kept our water glasses full and brought our food as soon as it was prepared. My wife started with a local brew, Lilikoi Ale ($10) from Kaua'i Island Brewing. She liked it a lot, easy to drink with a fruity aroma of passionfruit. I got an appetizer of Papaya & Fresh Mozzarella ($18), a must get if you like ripe papaya...first time having whole fruit with fresh mozzarella and it worked with generous portions. My wife got Fish & Chips ($29): two smaller pieces of well-fried battered marlin, an unusual fish for frying, but it worked for her: dense, mild, and filling. The accompanying fries were the typical skin-on shoestring, but was well done. I got the chili crunch bowl ($27), a beautifully presented 3 layer poke bowl: the ahi tuna was excellent quality, marinated hot with chili flakes to make good poke; the rice was well steamed and cooled, and the base was a very good guacamole. It was unusual visually, but reminded me of a good poke bowl mixed with a california roll. This being the first poke/raw fish I had in Hawaii for this visit felt right. I really liked it. We finished off the lunch by sharing a banana lumpia ($16), which we confirmed was a high-end turon, no jackfruit or plantain but a nicely ripe mini banana slices, served with a meager scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel/chocolate sauce. Like the rest of the dishes, the presentation was really good. Just wish the ice cream was of better quality. Even though we were the 3rd table seated, we were the last to leave, making it a very leisurely lunch. Payment was taken at the table but still brought back of restaurant to do credit card auth. We were welcomed to stay as long as we wanted...the views encouraged that, but we knew we had a long walk back, so slowly started back. read more

See all

Wow this entire place is so beautiful! & Everything we had to eat was AMAZING! I also had a spicy marg off the drink menu that had a jalapeño foam on top that was so so good. read more

See all

This is the cutest, most beautiful, fine dining place in Kauai! They have live music (depending on the day), and the views are beautiful! The service here was delivered professionally by our server, Tristian, who gave us real good recommendations! :-) Shout out to him! Everything came out swiftly and the food was spectacular. I ordered the Hanalei Bae drink, (they could remove the alcohol if needed), and it was yummmmy! The Ahi Tuna app. was flavorful and fresh. My Opah dish was DELICIOUS!! My favorite thing during my visit. Usually, I don't like papaya, but it complimented the fish perfectly. I tried my boy's Ribs which were great and had nice sweetness to them! Lastly, the chocolate cake and banana lumpia were heavenly. When I am back in Kauai, i'll be here! read more

See all

The food was delicious. Service was on point. The best views in Kaua'i . Location and good food makes it a bucket list item and for a special occasion. Restaurant is pricey. They have a nice happy hour and you can enjoy the ocean view that way as well. Free valet parking. A picturesque location indeed. read more

See all

Im reluctant to share a great review out of fear of creating more popularity for this place. It's sooooo good! We came for thanksgiving and had an incredible pre-fixe experience. Try the opah fish dish. Easily one of the tastiest dishes I've ever had. That mango chutney sets it over the top. Service was great and of course the scenery doesn't get any better. Lovely outdoor seating with a view of the golf course, the ocean, and the infinity pool. We loved it so much we came back a few days later. Make a reservation and indulge. This is worth it. Will be a must-go place when we return read more

See all

Such a great spot!! We loved Tina as our server. She provided fab recommendations from the Queen's Bees Knees to the birthday warm chocolate cake!! Our fish was fresh and flavorful for both our entrees, and the apps were bomb: potstickers and scallops. Good vibes all around! read more

Farm-to-table and ocean-to-table! The menu is great! The farm-to-table items come principally from local farms, including a farm located within the Hokuala community. So many great vegetables at Hualani's! And, since I am principally vegan (except for fish and pecorino Romano on pasta) this aspect of Huilani's is crucial for me! Pumpkin, white squash, okra, kale, green beans, wing beans, bitter melon, basil, onions and more - on a seasonal basis! Divine! Then the fish! Awesome! Sea bass (Hapu'upu'u), ahi, kampachi, ono, maona, snapper, grouper, octopus, squirrel fish, mahi-mahi and more based on available catch. Service is provided by friendly staff. They know their restaurant well! And the views from Huilani's and the overall setting is a slice of paradise! I love Huilani's!! read more

See all

Had a lovely meal here- wow what a view! Valet parking only. The venue was a bit on the louder side- but I would characterize it as more lovely rather than a con. There was live music and a warm ambiance. I was very satisfied with my meal, we shared a few appetizers including the spicy poke and the fried octopus. Both were super tasty and packed with flavor. I loved my steamed onaga. The fish was so fresh and tender, the sauce was perfectly seasoned. They had an excellent selection of wine, a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Will definitely be back in the future! read more

See all

Best meal we had on Kauai! This place is next level dining. XOXO Potstickers - WOW. Brilliant dish. Tender Braised Short Rib filling served with a creamy unctuous XO Butter Sauce. One of the best fusion ideas ever. 5+++ stars! Rice Cracker Crusted Opah - perfectly cooked tender fish with a fabulous crunchy coating combined with a nice amount of sweet from the mango sauce on top and Miso Butter sauce underneath. Grilled bok choy was ok but the dish was so good! 5 stars! Dynamite Kona Kampachi - the fairly mild Gochujang cream sauce was delightful with the kampachi, pan-seared to perfection. The coconut was subtle in the Jasmine Rice but a great carrier for mopping up all that wonderful sauce. The crushed avocado with greens on top was a creative and tasty little addition. 5+ stars! I'm always loving restaurants with fresh catch and creative farm to table offerings. The view was lovely and we enjoyed the live music and sunset ceremony. Whenever we're in Kauai we'll be here! read more

Hualani's - Dynamite Kona Kampachi - Hawaiian Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

See all

Beautiful definitely a delightful way to spend an evening together with your friends

We've been coming to Kauai regularly for the past 15 years and somehow just discovered Hulania's--what a gem! The patio dining is absolutely beautiful, with amazing ocean views that make for a perfect evening. The food and service were both excellent. Even though it was completely packed on a Monday night in February, everything ran smoothly and the staff was attentive and friendly. Highlights for us were the scallops, French onion soup, and the sea bass--each dish was outstanding and beautifully prepared. This is definitely a new favorite for us and will be a must-visit on future trips. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Hualani's is a great spot on Kauai to have a more elevated experience. The restaurant is located in a resort area, and is part of a hotel that's right on the water. We were lucky to be seated at a spot with an unobstructed view of the ocean. I got the catch of the day, which had a beautiful crust and a tasty sauce. We also got seared scallops, which were great! The "cheesecake" left something to be desired. Not much flavor, but it looked cool. There were plenty of drink options, and our server was so helpful and attentive! She gave great recommendations. If you're looking for a nice dinner with a nice view, this spot should be on your list. read more

See all

Amazing dining experience tonight with excellent food and beautiful views of the bay. Our server Tristen was excellent. He explained the specials, menu, and answered all our questions. He was very personable and contributed to making our dining experience wonderful. The ribeye steak was tender, so tender that it felt like it was prime +++. The miso seabass has an excellent flavor which seemed to be just infused in the fish Wow!! The views were remarkable of course and we were treated to a nice Hula performance which was a very nice touch! If you're ever in the Lihue area for dinner, Hualanis is definitely a wonderful choice. read more

See all

Had our wedding dinner reception here in the private dining room. While there were some initial communication hiccups booking with them, we were overall happy with our dinner-the food and service were excellent! Our main server, Matt was awesome-so we definitely have to give a shout out to him! He was on point, professional, and ensured our dinner service ran smoothly. All of our guests loved the prefixe meal and the appetizers of fried fish and sticky ribs that we added too. They were super impressed with both of the food quality and the venue. Our prefixe meal included kale salad, filet mignon/kauai shrimp pasta/or bubu arare onaga fish. Each dish was flavorful and each subsequent dish was even more amazing than the next. We brought our own accoutrements (centerpieces, name placards, and wedding cake) which helped to personalize things too. Highly recommend Hualani's if you're planning an elevated group dinner! Will definitely return too next time we're here. read more

See all

Excellent food and great service. View of the ocean. Hard to find but well worth it. Michelin star. Appetizers: fried coconut shrimp, sticky ribs, fried fish, kale salad with anchovies dressing Filet mignon with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and bok Choy. Dessert: chocolate cake with macadamia nut coffee ice cream was the best! read more

Hualani's - Dessert - Hawaiian Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

This review is a true 3.5, but giving them a 4 as they can't control the weather and view due to bad weather. We decided to try it out as the shuttle driver told us they had the most beautiful view and the hotel staff mentioned that had some sort of Michelin rating. Upon arriving for our 6:45pm dinner real we were seated promptly and the hostesses were lovely! We did select "live music experience" but was seated in the back dinning room so not sure what that actually meant as the live music was in front of the bar area. The weather was very rainy so there was absolutely no view and just black when you looked outside. I'm sure if the weather was agreeable it would have been a different feel. The server was "cute" lol, I don't know how else to categorize her- she was definitely frazzled and service was definitely slower then a restaurant at that price point should be but she was honest about. She owned up to the fact that she was having a night and just laughed it off with us which was actually refreshing. Has she pretended that all was well then there would def be issues lol. Food wise, my meal was delicious, I had the ahi sashimi and kale avocado salad and both were nicely flavoured and enjoyed! Our server also managed to get the kitchen to make me truffle fries (usually not on dinner menu) so that's also the reason for boosting to a 4! My partner had the filet and he mentioned that it was very lack lustre and almost flavourless, I did enjoy the carrots that came with his dish! We finished with the chocolate lava cake which was very good but TINY- in every way the cake was so small, not even enough room for the lava lol! I did some digging afterwards as I was confused how they can have a Michelin rating and it seems the hotel is rated as a honourable mention not the restaurant! So if you go on a nice day and stick to their recco'd dishes you will have a good time! read more

Nice setting and well prepared food nice presentation. Service was very attentive. Restaurant is downstairs from hotel lobby. read more

Hualani's - View from our dining table - Hawaiian Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

We had one of the best dinners in a while. The food was GREAT,appetizers and entrees were outstanding. Our server, Tristan was so personable and attentive. It would have been a perfect mother's day dinner if the weather had cooperated, unfortunately it was raining so no beautiful sunset was to be seen. We definitely will dine there again. read more

Great drinks and appetizers. The happy hour from 3-6 pm is great, with lots of appetizer choices and better pricing . We had the coconut shrimp, poke and ahi tuna was excellent. I had the ribs as an entree. They are not smoked as others here claim. I'm a bbq'er smoker and know my meats. They were OK. But we had leftover, enough to share the following day. Wife's Lamb chops were very good. Service in the bar and when we were seated was very good. The waitress took good care of us and wrapped our leftover ribs in heavy foil to facilitate reheating leftovers! read more

See all

The BEST meal we had in Kauai! Everything about Hualani's was spectacular. There is valet parking upon arriving and as you enter the restaurant and descend the stairs, you are serenaded by live beautiful music. The views are breathtaking and the staff was so sweet. The food!! In my family, we love to share and try each others' meals, and the staff was so nice to split up the order of ribs onto two plates for us. The mashed potatoes that came with the ribs was TO DIE FOR. I ordered the sea bass and my brother ordered the fettuccine. The sea bass was just fantastic and was complimented by the sauce beautifully. We ended with the cheesecake and just wow. It was so delicious. Would definitely recommend!! read more

See all

Our family has been coming to Kauai for many years and just discovered Hualani's. It is a beautiful restaurant with a gorgeous view. We celebrated our daughter's birthday there and it was a wonderful evening of delicious food, elegant ambience and wonderful service. We sat out on the outdoor patio then it was just a happy place to be. Our server Tina was very attentive, funny and kind. The entrée entrées and specials were pricey, but for a special occasion, it's worth it. Definitely highly recommend as a place to visit. read more

See all

Beautiful setting at the end of a twisty driveway that also passes by other hotels in the same huge area; the Hualani is downstairs from the hotel lobby. Our server Breena was amazing, helpful and friendly, and considerate of my allergy to chiles. She made sure to ask the chef if my order could pose a problem, which it didn't; I thoroughly enjoyed my Fettuccine with asian pesto, mushrooms, okra, tomatoes and creamy parmesan sauce. My drink of choice was the Queen Bee's Knees : delicate and served in a cup glass. The view on the terrace is stunning, the infinity pools made me want to stay an extra day at this hotel/timeshare resort! There's a golf course and a lighthouse at the far end of a dirt road that you can see from the restaurant. Very relaxing lunch here before flying back home. Mahalo for a lovely experience! read more

See all

A great dinner for our last night on the island! Service was perfect, friendly and great recs. We enjoyed all the apps, especially the giant whole fish! Definitely a sharing dish! We shared a bunch of apps and mains so tried a little bit of everything. All the food was great. Nicely cooked and good seasoning and flavor! It's hard to pick a favorite but if I had to pick the scallops were a real standout! read more

See all

Hualani's is a beautiful cliffside restaurant overlooking the ocean. It is the main restaurant of Timbers Kauai resort and one of our favorite places on the island to enjoy a nice romantic dinner. Service here is always friendly and the views are hard to beat. I'd recommend going for an earlier dinner so you can catch the view as the sun is setting. The food is nothing spectacular but it is good and when paired with the views, live entertainment, friendly service, and awesome drinks, it does create a very relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. While we do enjoy the food here I think we really continue to come back for the combination of all its elements. One downside I will note is that the restaurant is near the airport so you may see planes take off and land from time to time. It can be a little loud sometimes but it's never been really frequent while we were there and not bad enough to ruin our experience. If it's something that you think may be enough to spoil your evening then you might want to look elsewhere. Otherwise, I think this place is worth a try. We will definitely be back again. Atmosphere: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Food: 4/5 Value: 3/5 Total: 4.25/5 Price: $$$ (Higher price on this visit as we had a group of 5 and 2 of us ordered the wagyu ribeye cap special which were $150 each. Normal menu entrees range between $40 - $70) Rating Criteria: 1/5: Terrible, would not recommend 2/5: Not good but not the worst. Might be worth it depending on price and other factors. 3/5: Solid option. Middle of the road. 4/5: Above average and excels in this area. 5/5: Excellent, needs no improvement Pricing Criteria: $: $0 - $50 per person $$: $50 - $100 per person $$$: $100 - $200 per person $$$$: $200 - $500 per person $$$$$: $500+ per person *Please keep in mind that the reviews posted here are based on personal experience which may differ from person to person based upon a multitude of factors (individual/specific workers, time of day, personal preferences, etc). Pricing may also differ and is reflected here based on what we paid for our meal. We usually enjoy multiple courses with our meals including appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts, and sometimes drinks or tasting menus when available. You are always encouraged to do your own research if concerned about potential pricing.* read more

See all

One of the best locations for wonderful dinner. Admittedly, the view is outstanding. From the time we arrived until departure, the experience is awesome. Food was exceptional and very well done. We did add cheesecake at the end and that was a great end of meal. From Royal Sonesta I suggest taking the shuttle. read more

Spectacular! From a view to die for, to the best blacken scallops to my favorite Misoyaki. If you can schedule during the live music or dancers even better. Service was on point and we can't wait to return. read more

Hualani's - Misoyaki must try! - Hawaiian Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Wow!! From drinks, to appetizers, to main course.... TOP notch. And let's not forget to mention the ambiance!!! Service was absolutely outstanding....thanks for a wonderful birthday dinner. read more

See all

When we visit Kauai every other year, we always make a point to dine once or twice. The atmosphere is very romantic with the palm trees swaying and the sound of the ocean. We started off with Pina Colada with Bacardi rum, $17, that our friend ordered and she said it was so good she could picked the inside of the glass. I had a Modelo, $7 and my wife had the Truchard Pinot Noir, $18. Our appetizers included Coconut Shrimp (5), $23, which were tasty and Papaya & mozzarella,$18. This was the first time I tried their Filet Mignon, $65, and doesn't come close to the ones we get in the mainland. Even though it tasted good, the texture of the meat was stringy. Our friend ordered the smoke ribs, $47, which were tasty, tender and finger licking good. My wife had the Ahi Tataki, $27. Our server was okay nothing really special. Our dining experience was very nice, we chatted for awhile and no one rushed us off the table. Always a pleasant experience. read more

See all

After landing in Kauai today for the first time, we headed to Hualani's ready to eat. I had found this place here on Yelp and wanted the view I flew many hours to see. The patio and view DID NOT disappoint, however, I didn't realize there wasn't a whole menu for "Pau Hana." Anyways, we got the smoked Ahi dip(gluten free) and coconut shrimp. I did try the shrimp although they weren't gluten free and they were amazing! The sauce took those perfectly cooked shrimp all the way. The Ahi dip was good too, but needed just a little something that was missing. Idk. Can't put my finger on it. Would def eat it both again, but would to come back for a full service meal time. Tip: they do valet only so don't drive around looking for parking read more

See all

One stop shop, food, drinks, and entertainment. We dined here with another couple on a recommended from a local. We stared out at the bar for Happy Hour, then moved to our table for diner. Our waiter was so nice and recommended a few options. Two of us had the fish and two of us had steaks. Everything was delicious. The restroom was clean and even smelled really good. The outdoor dining overlooks the ocean and a lighthouse. We saw a cruise ship passing by as well. This experience was pricey but worth the splurge. read more

Hualani's - The banana lumpia dessert - yum - Hawaiian Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Five stars for service for Justin. Super accommodating with my allergy as I was about to board a flight going home. The food was very good and beautiful views of the water read more

Hualani's - Hawaiian Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

What a fabulous find! Nestled in with private homes this fantastic restaurant has wonderful drinks food service and views! Danielle was outstanding! We were a bit early for dinner and were able to sit at the bar for happy hour. The red snapper was melt in your mouth delicious. Papaya something for desert was different and delicious. The Hawaiian pain killer delivered! By the end of our meal the restaurant was packed. Definitely make a reservation read more

Beautiful place, service was wonderful but it is on the higher end of things food was good but needed something read more

Hualani's - Hawaiian Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

See all

Beautiful view of the ocean, open air, beautiful bar, live music and a couple Hawaiian's doing a ceremony. Our family of 4 (2 elementary age kids) had a lovely dinner here. Service was attentive and kind. Cocktails were so good- had some version of a Mai tai. Had mocktails for the kids which is always a treat. Favorites were the scallops- cooked perfectly and sauce was delicious. And the whole fish- really tasty - had a Thai flair to it with lime and cooked well! Lastly my daughter's Mac & cheese was surprisingly delicious! Valet service for parking. I'd come early for the views of the ocean and seating in the hotel lobby deck- great photo- ops there and on the lawn outside the restaurant. read more

See all

Hualani's is tucked away at the edge of Timbers/Hokuala Resort in Lihue. One of the best views for lunch and dinner. Coconut shrimp is delicious and service is top notch. Valet parking only so have some cash on hand for the drivers. read more

Food is excellent and the view is fantastic. Go here often for lunch. Staff is very attentive. Open air with the infinity pool that opens up to the expanse of the bay. read more

See all

Highly recommend this place. Although a tad bit expensive (but expected due to location) the view was well worth it. The fish was fresh and cooked well and there were a lot of options for entrees, appetizers, and also drinks. Took a bit of time after ordering and sat for a while waiting for the check as it got really busy. Didn't really mind due to the amazing view during golden hour. Great place to celebrate special moments for locals or a nice meal for vacationers! read more

See all

Had some time before return flight so selected this interesting restaurant about 10minutes away. It's located deep within other building condos and golf course but eventually you reach the lobby on the coast. Enjoyed happy hour drinks; Mai tai and a great new drink for me, a Painkiller. Service was very attentive and friendly. Dinner was amazing; we enjoyed the onion soup (great broth and cheeses) and blackened scallops (best preparation!). Dinner was a great sea bass and fresh fish called Bubu Apare. The seating was right up to the water with unrestricted view of the ocean, lighthouse, and evening sailing regatta. This will definitely be where we come to when catching our flight back stateside; a great ending to a great trip! read more

See all