Dining at La Mer is truly an experience not just dinner, but a full culinary journey. the service was impeccable and the ambiance felt timeless, elegant, and intimate. With the ocean nearby and soft lighting, it's exactly what you imagine when you think of classic fine French dining in Hawaii. beautifully presented amuse bouche that were almost too pretty to eat. Every plate felt like edible art delicate microgreens, vibrant sauces, and touches of gold leaf that made each course feel luxurious and thoughtfully crafted. One of the highlights for me was the lobster bisque. It was incredibly rich, velvety, and packed with deep lobster flavor. You could tell it had been simmered and perfected with classic French technique smooth, buttery, and absolutely comforting. I honestly could have had a whole bowl of that alone. The seafood courses were equally impressive, especially the lobster presentation and the delicate sauces paired with it. Each bite had that perfect balance of elegance and flavor that French cuisine is known for. Then came the cheese course, which was an entire experience on its own. Their cheese bar was extravagant, with a curated selection ranging from creamy brie to bold blue cheeses, served with dried fruits and accompaniments. It felt like a mini tasting journey through France. Of course, dessert was just as artistic as the rest of the meal light, beautifully plated, and the perfect sweet ending. What really sets La Mer apart is the attention to detail. The plating, the pacing of the courses, the service, and the atmosphere all come together to create something truly memorable. If you're looking for top-notch French cuisine in Honolulu, La Mer absolutely delivers. It's refined, romantic, and one of those dining experiences you'll remember long after the last bite. Definitely a special occasion restaurant read more

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My wife and I celebrated our babymoon here and we were both quite disappointed. I want to preface by saying I honestly do not think my wife and I are very picky eaters as we have dined at countless fine dining restaurants and typically we are quite satisfied after. However, at La Mer, I think almost every dish we just didn't like. For example, the first course was a foie gras dish with cotton candy which incorporated a sweet element with the foie gras. Not a good combination in my opinion. All of the other dishes weren't bad per se, but they weren't dishes that we felt ourselves wanting to eat or wanting to finish. I know restaurants change their menu's all the time so maybe it was just the dishes we happened to get that we didn't like. The manager did come to check in on us and we communicated how we honestly felt. They did make a very nice gesture of removing 2 of our drinks and 2 of our desserts which was appreciated. On the plus side, the restaurant sits on the 2nd floor and has great views of the ocean. The decor is also nice and the service was good. Just not our cup of tea and we personally wouldn't go back or recommend. read more

We had really high expectations for this restaurant given its reputation, and I will say there were definitely some highlights - but unfortunately, the food itself was not one of them. The service was exceptional from start to finish. The staff was attentive and made us feel quite taken care of throughout the entire evening. The ambiance was also stunning - beautifully designed, intimate, and exactly what you'd hope for in a high-end dining experience in Hawaii even with the rainstorm going on outside. That said, the food was a major disappointment. We opted for the four-course meal, and while each dish was visually gorgeous, the flavors just didn't deliver. Both my partner and I found the dishes to be extremely lacking in taste, to the point where we could only manage one or two bites of each course. Ironically, the most enjoyable parts of the meal were the bread and butter and the bottle of wine. To be fair, it's possible that the menu simply didn't align with our personal flavor preferences. However, for what ended up being an $850 meal, we left feeling pretty let down by the experience. read more

We were told this was the place to go for an elevated dining experience -- and it absolutely delivered. The restaurant has a classy, upscale vibe, and they do enforce a dress code (especially for men), which actually adds to the whole experience. The views while dining were beautiful, and the service was truly spot-on from start to finish. We opted for the set menu, and every course felt very intentional. Portions were just right -- enough to leave satisfied but not overly full -- and you could really appreciate the quality of each dish. The flavors, textures, and presentation were all thoughtfully done and memorable. If you're looking for a refined dining experience in Hawaii, I would highly recommend giving this place a try. Honestly felt Michelin-worthy. read more

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An exquisite, ethereal dining experience from start to finish. You'll pay for the pleasure, but if you are staying at the Halekulani, you owe it to yourself to indulge. The decor exudes elegant tiki vibes and the dining room has a row of tables overlooking the Pacific. We had a such a table. While in the fall the sun will have set by 6:30, looking out into the darkness over a leisurely meal has its own pleasures and seductions in which I recommend you indulge. The main event here is the 8 course tasting menu, which we attacked. However, be warned that it is a LOT of food - these are not small plates - and by the end of the meal I was stuffed and could not finish off all the desserts (3+!), even though I ate very little earlier in the day. We kicked the evening off with some Krug, and ordered a bottle of Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The CdP goes with everything and you'll save on the wine pairings. Amuse Bouche - A carrot vichyssoise with carrot/ginger panna cotta and lobster remoulade. Delicious and LARGE. Fois Gras - The most playful dish of the evening. A ballotine of foie gras slathered with apple calvados marmalade, all covered with a giant cotton candy cloud. The plate was decorated with chartruese jellies and ginger and kahlua gels. Everything was delicious and the cotton candy fun to eat. Large, easily sharable for two. Scallop - One scallop topped with a couple cuttlefish slices in a cauliflower mousse. Delicious, the scallop was perfectly cooked. Abalone - Only miss of the night. The abalone was chewy and the parsely and onion seasoning an odd approach that did not enhance the abalone's fundamental earthiness. If I did this dinner over I would go a la carte or just skip this course. Poached Lobster - Exquisite - tail meat, claw meat, coconut sauce, and tomato chutney. A masterpiece. Filet and foie gras - Perfection. Sizeable filet for a meal like this (6 ounces?), cooked perfectly rare, with a good size lobe of seared foie gras. Potatoes were a bit heavy on the truffle but the sauce was perfect. We could have easily split this dish given the size of the filet and other dishes. At this point it was all I could do to eat the whole lobe and most of the steak, I was bursting at the seams. Cheese course - I didn't catch all the varieties. The orange cheese was great. Easily skippable if you are not into cheese as a dessert. I ordered some Japanese whiskey to wash down the desserts. The server, recognizing my joie de vivre, also poured me a glass of white port. Merci mon ami! Almond Madeline - Another masterpiece. It looks like a madeline cookie, but its stuffed with a three fruit cream sauce. To Die For. Vanilla Mousse & Vanilla Souffle Two amazing desserts. The souffle comes with three pour over sauces - Spiced Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Banana Creme. I only wish I had more room to eat all of them. Special Anniversary Dessert Because it was our anniversary, we also got a THIRD DESSERT, which I cannot describe except to say it was delicious. And THEN we got multiple chocolate goodies to go, as is custom. All of the staff we encountered was friendly, knowledgeable, and very happy we were there. We had a great time and would return. read more

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La Mer earns its reputation. Between the impeccable service, the soul of Chef Trancher's kitchen, and the soft sound of the Pacific just beyond the windows, this was one of the most memorable meals we've had in Waikiki -- or anywhere. Bravo. read more

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We came here for a special engagement celebration, and the whole evening felt beautifully thoughtful. Gen, our server, guided us through each dish with such care and explained the chef's vision like she was letting us in on a secret. The duck breast was rich (mine was a bit on the firm side), and the fish with its crackling, hot-oil-kissed skin was melt-in-your-mouth unforgettable. Even the simple things , like the seaweed-infused tableside bread as it felt unique and magical. It was such a memorable meal, start to finish. read more

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The quality of the food, it's flavor, uniqueness, restaurant service and ambiance were all excellent! It's not just a meal but a dining experience. We came to celebrate a birthday and wedding anniversary of family members. We wanted to do something special and La Mer did not disappoint. We had the 7 course Menu Degustation. The $295 per person cost is an eye opener however, when you consider the variety, quality, and manner in which the dishes are prepared, you can appreciate it. The meal consisted of soup, seafood, meat, starches, vegetables, flowers, sauces, and sweets. Each plate consisted of a variation of dishes, uniquely prepared. We enjoyed every course, eating each dish individually and sometimes collectively. It would take too much space to describe each item so suffice it to say they were all delicious! The service is like no other restaurant. You have a number of servers providing everything you would need. You never have to wait for anything since you are so well taken care of. The atmosphere is very peaceful and the views spectacular. We could see the ocean and sunset out one opening and Diamond Head and the beach out the other. All the dishes were also presented beautifully, as you can see by the photos. Overall, a very, very nice way to celebrate a special occasion with special people! read more

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I came here for my birthday this year over the summer. This review is long overdue but I feel the after shocks of the meal still lingering. La Mer was always on my checklist and I finally did! If you have the means to splurge, do it. It does not fall short of expectations at all! I mean, it's a heinous amount of money to be spent on one single meal, but the entire experience from service, to plated course after course, to the beautiful views of Diamond Head/Waikiki and the oceanside, was divine. Opted for the menu dégustation with additional ala carte items from the menu soiree. I feel inadequate as a fine dining connoisseur to describe every dish but the pictures should do it all justice! There wasn't a dish I didn't enjoy (except for the duck liver - foie gras is just not my taste which is very subjective). They added complimentary amuse bouches, dessert tea cookies, birthday cake and chocolates (with pop rocks hidden in them!) in boxes to take home. The Michelin guide has not made its way to Hawaii but I definitely feel La Mer is up to those standards in fine French dining! I wish I could go back!! read more

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This was touted as the top restaurant on the island. We made a reservation, and was warned about the $125 no show fee. Interesting. It is located in a very quiet, exclusive resort. The restaurant is on the second floor, with picturesque windows with breathtaking view of the ocean. The ambience was incredible, with staff dressed in impeccable white uniforms. The staff is constantly circling you, making sure all your needs are done before you even look for help. The go to here is the 8 course tasting menu. The wait staff poured me a nicely aged Burgundy white that melted my brain. The chef gave us a complementary cold soup with lobster pure, wonderfully refreshing. Course 1, a foie gras with banana chips, surprisingly sweet but tasty, paying homage to the island. Course 2, scallop with 3 kind of peas and caviar, the peas were sweet and fresh, this dish impressed the heck out of me. Course 3, abalone, cooked perfectly, delicious. Course 4, lobster and red wine sauce, with locally grown cold water lobster, sweet, succulent. Course 5, the main course, filet with truffles, foie gras, and truffle potato puree, the flavor is so intense, but balanced and complimentary at the same time, absolutely amazing! Course 6, cheese plate, very enjoyable, the cheese selection was outstanding. Course 7, the pre dessert, a lychee sorbet in a very tart raspberry sauce, a perfect palate cleanser. Course 8, soufflé with 3 sauce, and lemony bread pudding, my wife was a dessert expert and she was blown away. Finally the bill, expect about 300+ per person, plus drinks, and 125-150 tip. So you will pay for this meal. read more

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I absolutely love La Mer. It's not just my favorite spot in Honolulu, but one of the best restaurants I've ever been to and I wish I lived closer. It's mind blowing that they don't have two Michelin stars, but that's only because Michelin doesn't rate restaurants in Hawaii--it makes no sense to me. My husband and I come here whenever we are in Hawaii. We always do the tasting menu with the wine pairing because it's just absolutely fantastic. We both love everything they bring to the table, the attention to detail is amazing, and the flavors are explosive yet perfectly balanced. I also love the wine pairings. They pair nicely with the dishes and some of them truly elevate the dishes. I also love that the sommelier will chat with us about the wines and the regions. It's fun to nerd out on that level. Food aside, the experience is wonderful. You are greeted when you arrive and we've never had to wait to be seated. There are stunning views with a lovely tropical breeze drifting through the restaurants. If you can time it, try to be there during sunset because it's absolutely gorgeous. The ambiance is elegant and the service is top notch, but I love that it doesn't feel pretentious. The last time we were in Hawaii, my husband was out at dinner with friends, so I decided to bring my girl friend here. We had a great evening at the bar trying their amazing cocktails that come with a fun appetizer pairing. They were all super creative and delicious. We ended coming back a couple nights later with my husband and he really enjoyed it too. Whether you're celebrating something special or in the mood for a few elevated cocktails, La Mer is hands down the best restaurant on the island. The food, service, drinks and views are incredible. I look forward to coming back the next time we fly in and highly recommend carving out time to enjoy this experience if you're on Oahu. Ke aloha! read more

Fine dining at its best. Great service and amazing food. Must get caviar with your meal. One of the most romantic nights of my life. I cannot wait to go back. read more

If you want to enjoy a nice romantic dining experience this is the place to take your special someone. Get a table overlooking the ocean & cozy up for a splendid dinner. The food is spectacular and the presentation is beautifully done. Staff work together to ensure your night is memorable. read more

Came to La Mer with my wife for our 5th anniversary dinner and couldn't have been more blown away by the incredible experience! From the start, you are greeted by all of the staff that will be serving you. All genuinely seemed like they love working there! The views of Diamond Head and Waikiki that meet you when you are seated at your table are second to none! I've lived in Honolulu for two and a half years now and have yet to find a more stunning view at a beachside fine dining establishment. The complimentary bread to begin the meal came in a luxurious variety of brioche, baguette and other French styles. Dining options include course meals or a la carte. If you're feeling extra hungry, go for the course meal. We opted for the a la carte because we weren't sure whether we'd be able to finish. Some of the items we ordered include the Foie Gras de Canard, Saint-Jacques Roti, Filet de Bœuf, Filet de Canard Roti, La Cabosse de Chocolat, and Soufflé Vanille. The French red wine we ordered paired very well with the entree dishes! Finally, the staff was so thoughtful to provide us with an anniversary dessert and small in-house confectionary candies to take home! During our entire dinner, the staff was literally at our beck and call, making sure we had everything we needed and were having the best time possible. While it goes without saying that dining at La Mer will definitely break the bank, it is very much worth it for special occasion dinners! One of the top places I recommend on island! read more

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The spouse always wanted to dine at La Mer, Halekulani's French restaurant. While they don't have any Michelin Guide recognition, they are constantly crowned with AAA's Five Diamond Award. 2024 was the perfect time to celebrate our birthdays and anniversaries with 20 of our close family and friends. ATMOSPHERE: Located oceanfront above Orchids restaurant, we had use of their 22-seat private dining room "Salon du Vin" at the front of the establishment. It's air conditioned but open air at the same time, so it was a little toasty. MENU DÉGUSTATION: It's amuse bouche (chef-selected small portions). FOOD: We started off with a chef's complement basil pesto gazpacho with crab which was refreshing & divine. I passed on the duck foie gras with strawberry jam & pickled onions due to health reasons. A perfectly roasted scallop topped with caviar in a newburg sauce was amazing. Poached lobster tail & claw with chorizo squares, squid ink gnocchi & cream sauce was outstanding. Filet of beef with truffle sauce, mashed potatoes and potato "puffs" were excellent. Trio of cheeses were good but one cheese in particular was unpalatable to me and others due to its intense bitterness and earthiness. DESSERT: Canelé over a caramel mousse was fine. The last course was a beautifully plated and magnificent semifreddo, or frozen mousse, in a honey cream flavor. We each received sensational bags of homemade chocolate & Pop Rocks-covered macadamia nuts, compliments of La Mer. SERVICE: Unparalleled, first class professionalism. OVERALL: Exceptional cuisine, presentation and service. read more

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The best French on the island. You will enjoy the flavors and season with traditional French style cooking. You need to be ready to take time for your entire meal. Seven courses can go easily above three hours. The service is elegant and they know what they are doing. It has one of the best view with a timeless feel of Hawaii. read more

La Mer - Collection of Seven Course Menu - French Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Best dining experience in Hawaii to date. Superb, attentive service with peaceful/romantic atmosphere complimented by a 7-course meal that was masterfully curated with well-balanced flavors and portioning. Wine pairing elevated the meal and richly brought out the flavors. 10/10 for each course. If you are not accustomed to expensive fancy meals--think of this as a treat yo self opportunity to splurge on a well-worth it EXPERIENCE rather than just a meal. Will definitely be coming back again (hopefully soon if my budget allows haha). read more

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We came to celebrate a friend's birthday and it was my first visit to La Mer, and it certainly was a treat to dine here! There were a variety of traditional French dishes to choose from and you also have the option to Ala carte. However the best is to order the menu so that you can enjoy a variety of dishes designed by the chef. The service was absolutely superb. Our waiter Nick was attentive and also Stephen who helped making our evening wonderful! We got seated the ocean view and enjoyed the sunset till we finished dining last 9. The parking is fully validated by Halekulani Hotel. Easily pull upfront for valet. Validation is good for four hours. read more

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La Mer was more than just a fine dining experience--it was a moment of grace during one of the most difficult times in our lives. We noted in our reservation that we were grieving the loss of a family member, and from the moment we arrived, we were met with sincere warmth, care, and an unforgettable kindness that touched our hearts. The team went above and beyond--our table overlooked Diamond Head with live music and hula dancers below, creating a dreamy, peaceful setting. Each course of the tasting menu was exquisite, beautifully paired with wine, and presented with thoughtful precision. Every bite was a delight, and every server who approached us brought not only professionalism but genuine compassion. The most moving gesture of all? An additional dessert presented at the end of our meal, delicately inscribed with "our heartfelt condolences." It brought tears to our eyes. That small act of kindness meant more than we can express. To the manager and entire team--thank you. Your grace and care gave us a moment of beauty and comfort we will always remember. read more

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Simply amazing. I booked 1-2 months in advance for a celebratory dinner. Prime window seating is honored in order of request (you indicate it in your requests during booking, so I suppose the earlier you book, the better your view). Definitely come during sunset so you can enjoy the view! I read amazing things about both the food and the experience, so was actually rather excited to come dine here. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The service is most definitely 5 stars. Staff anticipated our needs before we even need to ask, and throughout the evening, all staff members addressed us by name. They even offered to take photos throughout the night and walked us through the restaurant to find the best views. We ordered the suggested tasting menu ($295/person) and they were able to accommodate my dietary needs. My primary server went above and beyond to check with management to remove any supplemental fees associated with my adjustments. He felt like it wasn't fair I had to pay more to sub out dishes just because I don't eat meat. Everything we ordered was superb. Some standouts were the scallop-hamachi tartare and the grilled scallop (one of the best I've had- not only in taste, but also presentation). I also generally don't care for lobster, but was able to consume the entirety of the dish. My fiancé also quite enjoyed the grilled scallop, and also thought the filet of beef was cooked extremely well. Dinner lasted about 2-3 hours and we left completely stuffed. We had to box up some sweets and mignardises to go because we couldn't take another bite. They also provided us with a additional complimentary mousse cake to congratulate us on our recent engagement. At the end of the night, we were sent home with 2 boxes of chocolate pop rock mac nut bons bons to enjoy. Well worth the money! I would highly recommend this restaurant and can't wait to come back. read more

The service here is top notch. Staff is extremely attentive you practically have a personal butler at your service at all times. I am not exaggerating when I say this, my water glass was getting refilled every 3 sips. Breathtaking sweeping ocean views all around, candles lit on the table with red roses really set the tone for mine and hubbys romantic date night. The food had some hits and misses. My husband and I agreed the lobster and scallop dish both would have been phenomenal but the seafood was noticeably rubbery. For the price we paid $$$$ that should not have been the case. The filet was decent nothing to write home about though. The star of the show was definitively the scallop-kampachi tartar. With hints of caviar, uni and crème fraishe, I will be dreaming about this dish! read more

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The world food tour duo celebrated the birthday of the better half of the duo at La Mer, in the Halekulani Hotel. We were seated at a table by the railing, so we had killer views of Diamond Head and the ocean. The wine menu is vast and very comprehensive; it took me a while to select a wine ... 2017 Corton Bressandes from Domaine Follin-Arbelet. This wine was a "steal" as it sells for almost $300 in a wine store. It had finesse in spades and was full-bodied, yet lightish in tone ... one of the best wines we've tried in 2024. We opted for the Menu du Soir, the four-course tasting menu for $255. It began with an amuse bouche of a green panna cotta made with two vegetables (neither of which I can recall). I thought it tasted like a matcha custard ... An interesting start to the evening. The first course was a Kampachi Tartare, pieces of fish hidden by a Tuile Croustillante, decorated with with uni (sea urchin roe), sitting in a coconut milk / basil oil sauce that was poured by wait staff. This was a visual and taste sensation. The next course was lightly grilled, smoked monchong served with a mint-green puree, pieces of asparagus and sugar snap peas. I love monchong (AKA sickle pomfret) and the vegetables were perfect. The main course was roast duck breast with a Cassis red sauce. There were squares of glazed turnip with spinach inside and dollops of black garlic. The duck was flavorful and tender, perfectly cooked. It's so easy to undercook or overcook duck ... Either will make the skin and the underlying fat layer almost inedible. We opted for two desserts ... The La Cabosse de Chocolat (a cacao pod, Guanaja mousse, Kona Coffee caramel and Kalua jelly) and the Vanilla Souffle from the Degustation menu. My dessert was fine ... three delectable concoctions to savor. The Vanilla Souffle came with three different sauces: Spiced Caramel, Grand Marnier Anglaise and Milk Chocolate sauce. I sampled the souffle; it was sublime. Mignardises followed but we were too full, so it went into the take home bag. The finale was a very light birthday cake ... A perfect end to a perfect evening. La Mer is expensive, a special occasion venue ... It was our first five-star evening of 2024. The food, atmosphere and service are second to none. Highly recommended! read more

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This was a private party where we had the 8 course tasting menu. Warning: this place is $$$$$$$. The service was terrific, white glove treatment all the way. The 9 of us sat in a private room with ocean view and were treated like royalty. Perfection. I'm posting a photo of the menu for easy reference. A couple of things I want to pick on though. The lobster was quite chewy and the filet a bit tough. However, the wine reduction for the filet was out of this world. A once in a life time experience. Recommend. There's valet parking at the Halekulani hotel. Dress code for men, in particular, is nice slacks, an aloha shirt is fine, closed toed shoes. No sandals, shorts, jeans, polos. But no need for jacket, tie. Dress nicely in an elegant Hawaiian style. read more

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Glorious food in the ideal Hawaii setting! Truly the location could not be more beautiful. I love how they keep all the doors open to the fresh island breeze. The view out over Waikiki, the ocean and Diamond Head is spectacular. We were lucky enough to come early in the evening when there was live Hawaiian music playing downstairs on the terrace, and we were able to enjoy it throughout our meal, but it was not so loud as to be overwhelming. In fact, the whole restaurant was very quiet, making it easy to talk to the older generation who is a bit hard of hearing. We really had a fantastic meal - the kampachi Krudo starter had a delightful combination of flavors, my husband loved the duck, and my mom and I feasted on the cheese cart! The only hiccup was that the service was a bit slow, but it was a wonderful epic celebration and we are so grateful to have come to. read more

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We ubered here, so unsure if there's parking around the area. The restaurant is located inside the hotel. We had made reservations and it is a fancy restaurant, so no jeans or shorts allowed. I wore a long skirt and a nice top. Everyone was really friendly and made the experience great. We did a 7 course meal and even though they're small bites, it was FILLING! I was really full by the 3rd course, but the plates kept on coming. From appetizers to dessert, everything was amazing. I enjoyed the environment, experience, and food. The restaurant is a bit dark, but they do have real candles on the table to create the ambiance. Restrooms are outside, but they will guide you there. Loved everything about this place and worth trying at least once. Recommendation(s): - 7 course meal (chef's choice) Service: 5+/5 Tip(s): - Restrooms outside (they will guide you there) - Attire is no shorts or jeans - Located on the 2nd floor of the hotel read more

This restaurant was incredible! From the delicious food, beautiful plating, and staff and service on point, made our night truly amazing. We were able to book a late reservation the week we got into the island. Only recommendation is to book way earlier in advanced to get a reservation to take sunset pics, oh and brighter pics of your food! We only got the darkness. But its okay it didn't hinder us, everything else was wonderful and perfect way to spend our Anniversary. We ordered the "Menu du Soir" and this was really the perfect amount of food for us. Amuse Bouche: Fine Slices of Kampachi Beurre Blanc with Caviar Kamapchi Tartare Tarlette Clarified Fish Soup Geelee Bread Basket with butters Entrees: Chilean Sea Bass Lamb Filet Ballotine, Spinach-Garlic Chickpea Ragout Eggplant Caviar Desserts: Waialua Dark Chocolates Red Currant Sorbet Vanilla Souffle, Spiced Caramel, Grand Marnier Anglaise Sauce, Milk Chocolate Sauce, White Chocolate Crisp Happy Anniversary Mousse And....Chocolate Truffles to go in our goodie bag! Yay! We left with full, and happy bellies. Again wonderful and amazing night! Totally recommended! read more

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You absolutely can't go wrong here. This French restaurant is beyond words and I am not sure I can describe its wonderful food, staff, ambience, view and presentation! My husband and I were both blown away. All the dishes we ordered were absolutely perfect and each one had a unique presentation. Our servers were attentive and we were spoiled to no end. My photos really don't do this high end eatery justice. You will have to go there yourself and decide for yourself but this is my favorite Restaurant in all of Hawai'i. I think the vanilla soufflé was on the top of my list but the other parts of the meal were just as delicious. I didn't want our meal to-end. This meal and the setting was a wonderful way to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. I hope you all enjoy and have a good experience at this wonderful restaurant. Mahalo Mahalo for reading my review. Enjoy each moment you are there. read more

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Fine dining at the Halekulani hotel in Waikiki (Oahu). We enjoyed a semi-private ( two table ) private room with an ocean view. Servers were friendly and attentive. Service was highly efficient and appropriate. Every dish was a masterpiece. The presentation of the food was so beautiful. This evening was truly a culinary delight. We were given macadamia nuts coated in toffee and chocolate as a nice surprise to take home and enjoy too! read more

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Service was impeccable as expected. The food was good but fell short of expectations. Cocktails are definitely overpriced. The lait au Macallan was interesting but at $45 i expected a mind blowing concoction. The rive de Tahiti was great. At $30 (all their base cocktails are this price) it's overpriced but I would order a few more of these next time. $325 for the main pre fixe meal. Some dishes were fantastic like the filet with foie gras, the scallops, and the abalone. The lobster fell short as did the plantain chips with foie gras - seemed to be a Hawaiian French fusion vibe and while the flavors were interesting individually, as a whole it fell flat. Ultimately though the level of service made up a lot for the few shortcomings on the food. The shortcomings can easily be overlooked if it was a $80 dinner, but much harder to overlook for a $325 dinner. read more

Have something special to celebrate? This is your place! Let me break it down for you: Parking: This hotel has the BEST valet parking stuff. So very nice and professional! Easy to get to. Not in the heard of Waikiki so you are not stressed about finding the hotel and parking. Dress code: I like to get dressed up for dinner. I am in a long dress and boyfriend is in a suit. WAY TO HOT for this place. It is pretty much open air so come dressed cooly but COME DRESSED NICE. Staff: All of the staff were top notch. No complaints Purses: Girls, you are going to love this! They give you the cute little purse stool for your purse to sit on. So fancy. lol Food: Again, no complaints. Top notch. The flow of the dishes coming out were just right. Not too quickly but not too slow where you felt you were waiting. We went with the pre fix dinner option. Drinks: We had one regular lemon drop martini-yummy and we had one mock-tail- a watermelon drink. That one just tasted like watermelon juice. Not worth the $20 price tag. Bill: This is a spendy place. The set menu with just the two drinks came to almost $700.00. Would we go again? I would have to say no. I say no simply because the food is not to my personal liking. I am not a fan of foie gras and two of our dishes had it in it. That IS a very french thing so I totally understand them serving it, it IS a French restaurant after all. lol. read more

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La Mer is located at the Halekulani, and this is their prized AAA's Five Diamond awarded restaurant. Their dinner menu offers a Menu du soir, a Menu Dégustation and a Menu Les Assiettes Potagères; we went for the Menu Dégustation, which seemed like a nice coursed menu: +an amuse bouche - this was a basil gazpacho with some crab +Foie Gras de Canard, Brunoise de Fraises Marinées au Vinaigre, Gelee de Fraise, Oignons Acidulés - a duck foie gras, strawberry-raspberry saison, pickled onions, and strawberry jam +Saint-Jacques Rôti, Grains de Caviar, Mousseline de Carotte au Pamplemousse - roasted scallop with caviar, carrot grapefruit puree, and sauce newburg +Homard Poché, Tourbillon de Tomate au Chorizo, Gnoc à l'Encre de Seiche - poached lobster with swirl of tomato chorizo, squid ink gnocchi, and chorizo cream sauce +and, Filet de Bœuf, Sauce Périgueux Façon Rossini, Mousseline Truffée, et Pommes Soufflées - filet of beef, foie gras, truffle mashed potatoes, and truffle sauce +Chariot de Fromage - a cheese cart of selection +Le Canelé à la Mousse de Caramel, Compote de Pommes - caramel mousse, and an apple compote, canelé style +Mousse Glacé au Miel et Crème Fraîche, Compotée d'Agrumes de Saison - a honey creme fraiche semifreddo with seasonal citrus confit +Soufflé Vanille, Sauce Caramel aux Épices, Crème Anglaise au Grand Marnier, Sauce au Chocolat Lait, Chocolat Blanc Croquant - a vanilla souffle with spiced caramel, Grand Marnie anglaise sauce, milk chocolate sauce, and a white chocolate crisp Overall, the set was a hit-or miss, but beautifully presented; each guest walked away with a gift bag of housemade covered nuts and chocolates. Service was wonderful and attentive, and the setting was beautiful, as it is set right by the ocean with a view. +friendly service +located at the Halekulani read more

La Mer more like la shit! I payed 400 for goop that might as well been poop. I'm still shitting blood. How can you make an oyster taste worse. The best thing they served was bread. The waiter conned me to pay for everything individually which made it more expensive! He did it with a smile on his stupid face knowing what he was doing. I asked to be seated next to the music and then they said it as far away as possible from the music.. wtf This is the worst experience ever and I feel like it's a total scam. Do not go to this place! You're better off dumping seaweed onto your face and calling it a night read more

This is a very SPECIAL venue at The Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu. Five star French restaurant all the way. The restaurant itself has the greatest views of Diamond Head, the ocean and feels like you are perched in a tree. Food is super French - big flavor, sufficient portions and unique flavors. Service is white glove all the way. The bar is super retro with every alcoholic potion you could imagine served with special appetizer delights. Bartender's Henry and Brian are invaluable. While not inexpensive, an experience to be remembered. read more

La Mer - Best Bartenders! - French Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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It was my 15th wedding anniversary and my husband took me to the finest dining possible on Oahu, La Mer. I always dreamed of eating here and now that our finances are decent, my husband seems to be into making my dreams come true!!! Anyway, service was wonderful. People came out of the woodworks to wish us a happy anniversary! I don't even know who they were except that they worked there. One thing I wish was to have been able to see the kitchen or meet Chef Trancher! The food was all delightful and perfectly presented. It was a work night and I settled for a cocktail instead of the wine pairing which I think I regret. I feel like the wine pairing would've paced the dinner a bit better. In the end, I'll be back for our next milestone! read more

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This restaurant is all about 5 star service but unfortunately I can't say same about the food. Food is good but not what I expected for French cuisine. The scallop and vanilla soufflé was notable and good wine selection from boutique wineries. There is also an extensive caviar menu. If you want an intimate quality service experience, this might be the place. read more

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Two stars solely for the service which was excellent and the cocktail menu. I don't want to judge too harshly as Hawaii is still logistically different restaurant wise compared to SF or NYC where there are a ton of Michelin starred restaurants. That said, two stars is fairly generous especially considering the price ($575 + $125 tip for two for dinner and two cocktails). My girlfriend and I were hoping for a decent Michelin star restaurant in Hawaii, so we gave this restaurant a shot. There are two menu options. A 4 course menu for $255 and a 7 course menu for $295. You can also go a la carte (which I recommend if you ignore my main recommendation of not eating here whatsever). The 7 course menu had foie gras in two dishes. Personally, not to my taste at all so I asked what substitutions were available. For one dish, the subbed it with mushroom (I was okay with that), but the other dish only had the option to sub it with a more expensive dish for an up charge or to replace it with a salad. Not at all comparable so we ended up going with the 4 course menu. Bread Course - Nori bread + brioche The bread was dry, not warm, and hard to eat. The two butters were both cold and hard to spread. It can't possibly be that hard to keep butter out to let it warm up especially considering this restaurant runs solely through reservations. Terrible start, but I was willing to overlook this. Amuse Bouche - Lobster Panna Cotta This was acceptable taste wise, but it was far too cold. Did they keep this in the fridge till the last second like the butter? Who knows, but once again, another let down to start the meal. First Course - Fruit de Mer ( fruit of the sea) This dish consisted of sea urchin, oysters, caviar strewn across a plate accompanied by some lychee jelly and lychee tapioca pearls. I'm not a fan of expensive ingredients just placed on plate and then expected to eat them individually. Sorry, but if I wanted to just eat some good sea urchin or caviar without any prep or accompaniments with them, I could just buy them from the grocery store. Second Course - Amadai (crispy fish) This dish consisted of fish and asparagus with a lobster bisque sauce. It was pretty good, nothing spectacular. I have no notes. It's acceptable as the "worst dish" for a prie fixe meal. Unfortunately, the other dishes were worse than this one. Third Course - Roasted Duck Breast This dish was a perfectly cooked duck breast with a good cherry sauce. The duck breast was excellent and was the only good bite of the night. The accompanying daikon ribbons were hard to eat and just awkward. Fourth Course - Chocolate Cake + Chocolate Mousse Oh man, this dessert was nearly inedible. The Chocolate mousse was incredibly bland and too dark. The chocolate cake was terribly dry. The cherries made out of cream was gross. We had dinner the next day at the restaurant downstairs (Orchid), and it was far better in every way and cost us only $280. Unfortunately, this restaurant is incredibly far from an actual Michelin starred restaurant. They definitely price themselves as one and not even as a cheaper one. They price themselves at the level of two or even three star Michelin restaurants. read more

Fabulous overall experience. I was seated right in front of the sunset - accompanied by excellent service and very tasty food. I opted for the 7 course tasting menu and was so glad I did - every dish had its own spark and my pallet loved it. The dish that stood out the most to me was the Filet of beef with foie gras - I've always enjoyed foie gras, but this was NEXT level. A very special, tasty, unforgettable experience with a view to die for- a must try at least once! read more

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Excellent food and excellent service. This is the first time I paid $$$$ for a meal with just 2 people and I thought it was worth it. We had the menu degustation for 2, plus a bottle of wine, the add-on for dessert (soufflé), and the basic wine pairing for the meal. We left very happy and full! This place has been around for a long time - it's one of those upscale local places that has been around forever. We were waited on by a team of waiters and attendants and they were all superb. 20%+ tip on top of $$$$ - yeah, the service was that good to me and I will support great service. Helps to keep great staff on board. The only real caveat I have for those looking to experience La Mer is that there is no a/c. There were trade winds so it was comfortable for us. For that to happen, the windows/floor-to-ceiling panels are left wide open for ventilation, which allows nearby weddings and other events to create a noisy atmosphere (during our time, there was a wedding on a nearby balcony that had their pre-reception cocktail hour outdoors and there was a separate outdoor event with live music down below). If you are looking for a quiet, romantic evening, particularly on a weekend or holiday in the late afternoon/early evening, this might not be your place. But will we be back? Absolutely yes. The atmosphere is very Hawaii like with an elegant touch. Thank you, La Mer, for a wonderful meal and we look forward to dining with you again in the future. read more

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Impeccable! Everything you ever imagined! Extravagant!! Amazingly delicious with ABOVE top-notch service. Highly recommend. read more

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From the greeting, to the view, perfect table, flawless service, and the many creative courses paired perfectly with wines, the whole experience was outstanding from top to bottom, and worth every penny. read more