Another fabulous Christmas dinner at Manta at the Mauna Kea! It began on a weird note as for the second year running we were relegated to a side table right next to a walkway while all the tables towards the ocean were empty - as we were celebrating a milestone birthday and anniversary we asked if we could be moved and they did kindly accommodate us ! Service was fabulous throughout the dinner which made for a great meal! We began with some cocktails and champagne and a couple of appetizers- the ahi sashimi and the ahi katsu - exceptionally fresh ahi but the sashimi could have been a little cooler and both needed a tad more seasoning! Mains were the standout - I had the Kampachi which was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection served with wasabi gnocchi, my husband had the catch of the day - a snapper, also fabulous. The kids had the seared ahi which was melt in your mouth served with Bok Choy which they loved and a taro mash which was not good and we could have done without! Ordered the chocolate soufflé which was perfection and the Alaskan Bombe which has a delicious macadamia base! So good! A great was to celebrate Christmas and a fabulous meal ! read more

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Wow, what a nice treat dining here at Manta for their breakfast buffet on a Sunday during my staycation at Mauna Kea Hotel. They got busy quick, the reason for the 4 stars and not 5, I checked in with the hostess and she asked me to wait on the side, we waited close to 20 mins. until I wonder why others that came after me were seated, another staff came by to ask for our name, come to find out we were not on the list to be called for table. Luckily the views were amazing & I didn't mind waiting. We got outdoor seating and wow just loving the ocean view, while enjoying our breakfast at the same time. The wait staff were on top of it, checking on us to see if we needed anything else. I took my time just enjoying every bite and the views. The breakfast buffet ($50.) so much food, so many choices, some of the offerings were: hot foods = has breakfast meats, eggs, corned beef hash, Japanese theme with make your own miso soup, salmon & fish, abundant of sweets, pastries, breads, fresh waffle and omelet section. Out of all items from the buffet line, I made a plate of sausage, corn beef, rice and omelet X 2 and waffle. I was stuffed and couldn't go for the other stuff. hehe. Although I wish I made room for miso soup and fish. I really enjoyed my omelet choice requested for fresh eggs. Not every time I get to eat omelet so that was hits. The omelet line does get long, the only guy cooking handles 3 pan, that is talent! The staff at check in mentioned about seeing the Manta Rays here, If you see the light shining at night, that's the Manta. We missed that. So cool that the restaurant named "Manta" for Manta Rays. All in all, such a great experience, lovely breakfast enjoyed by me & my love, at the Manta and we are ready for Sunday's adventure, a day filled with walking, exploring the property and swimming! I would love to check out dinner during my next visit, maybe for our 30th anniversary, hope to spot some Manta Rays- Truly grateful moments! read more

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Ambiance and service was good. It's a wonderful venue. However the food was not that great. In fact, it was disappointing if you consider the prices. 1) the old fashion drink that's infused with vanilla was excellent 2) uni pasta missed the mark. The pasta was cooked perfectly, but the sauce was lacking. It needed more salt and more rounding out to really highlight the uni. I felt the sauce can use more work. For $48 and the portion and the sauce, I wouldn't order it again. Now, I know the uni is salty, but there's wasn't enough uni on the plate to compensate the salt and lack of flavor in the sauce. 2) macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi: first time I ordered it, I had to return it. It was over cooked. 2nd time they brought it out it was cooked a lot better and juicer. The sauce on the mahi mahi wasn't that great and also fell flat. Overall, for $68? Some dollars, I would probably skip. Overall, the 2 dishes I ordered really were not great. I was hoping manta would knock it out of the park, but my expectations were high. May be come here for the drinks and some apps, but I wouldn't do a meal here. Also note I'm a total foodie and pretty discerning when it comes to food- I grew up with a French mother who is a chef. Please take that into consideration. My review is based on the food itself: portion, price, and quality. Ambiance and location: can't be beat- it's the best water view you'll get. 2.5 stars on the food 5 stars on old fashion 5 stars on the location and service read more

We had a fantastic dinner with great service. Most restaurants around the area are pricey and we leave underwhelmed. Manta might be a little pricier but the meal, atmosphere, and service were excellent. Walking down to the manta viewing area after dinner was also a highlight. read more

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Located inside Mauna Kea Hotel this restaurant is a must for placing a reservation if you want to get a table with a good view. The views are perfect for sunsets and highly recommend eating here during those hours . Our server Bracel was very attentive the entire evening. We ordered a few appetizers and I will say the burrata salad was outstanding. Not very big on the ham but option to take it out. The uni pasta ! Flavorful each bite ! We also did the steak 7oz and the fish of the day . Steak was the winner for me . Finished off with crème brûlée desert ! Overall dinner was amazing but the views were even better! Thank you. read more

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Food at Manta is absolutely top notch. we've been here for both breakfast and dinner and it never disappoints. First off- breakfast. It's a daily buffet with many options, starting from an omelette station (where you can also just order eggs), delicious pastries, fresh fruit, fish, eggs, bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, oatmeal, cereal, etc! It's every breakfast lover's dream. My favorite is their fish and the miso soup station. The salmon I've had is always tender and juicy, and the miso soup station just fills your soul up with warmth. The service is amazing, they always offer banana bread and a small sample of the smoothie of the day. They are always refilling our water and coffee. The view from the patio is absolutely one of the best. I love how you can just see the entire beach and ocean from your seat. Truly a 5 star experience. You'll have to stop by for a breakfast buffet. I'll do a separate review for dinner. read more

Manta - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

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By far one of my all time favorite meals. First the sunset views !! Unbelievable. The cocktails were delicious. We shared a few plates. The scallop ravioli- is a must order dish!!! We split a salad- the kitchen split the dish for us. The macadamia crusted mahi was perfectly cooked. Then dessert - baked Alaska.... Also a must order!! It was equally beautiful and delicious. Salted caramel ice cream, covered with meringue. The waiter was awesome!! I will dream about this meal. read more

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Yummiest breakfast ever! And the view is incredible! The service was great, very attentive.

This place was the biggest disappointment I have had on any of the islands. The view was stunning but everything else was a real let down. I will say that our server was outstanding. Bread was warm but pretty bland. Nothing special. We got a rosé that was pretty bad. None of us finished it. I got the chicken dish since I am allergic to shellfish. It was so bland. It came out white like it was boiled. It came with egg noodles that I thought was an odd choice. The sauce on the noodles was pretty good. I told the server I had disliked my meal and he was kind enough to take it off even though I didn't ask him to. I have no reason to come back to this place which makes me sad since the place and views were so nice. read more

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Absolutely spectacular!! Service, food, setting...could not have been improved. We had dinner twice and the breakfast buffet every morning of our 5-day stay. Our dinner server Richelle (sp?) was flawless...the quintessential mix of excellent service and personality that makes a special meal memorable. The food was outstanding...the scallop and prawn dish was extraordinary. The tomato soup was not as humble as one would think...satisfying to the core. Fresh salads, fish, pastas, bread, desserts, etc...all delicious! Cocktails and wine choices were outstanding. The breakfast buffet was over the top. I don't know what more could be added to the choices. If nothing else, go for the macadamia nut sticky buns...oh my goodness. The woman who kept the buffet line stocked and running smoothly was amazing...she's been here for 30+ years, impressive...this says a lot about the establishment. Every single staff member we encountered provided excellent service...professional, friendly, welcoming, respectful. Wonderful dining experience. read more

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Came here twice on the trip. The best night was at the bar with apps. We enjoyed the sashimi, uni pasta, burrata and foie gras. Service was top notch and everyone is so kind. The first night hubs ordered local Parker Ranch NY and I had the mahi. Both times delicious given a resort and the price point. read more

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The location is extravagant, however the service definitely sucked. Looked like it was pretty busy, our service was terrible. Our server wasn't rude but just seemed rushed the entire night. He only checked on us one time to see if we needed anything but besides that I do have to admit the food was very delicious. Everything we ordered was what I expected from a high-end place. The food bill was higher than a local crack head, for the price I'd expect top notch service which that was far from what we experienced. Would I go back? Absolutely not. read more

Some of our favorite food we ate during the entire trip. Our server was helpful and had good insights on the menu. Loved the view: simply amazing. The burrata salad was to die for. Everything we ate was incredible. Only downside was portions were smaller... but the quality of food was incredible. read more

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You can't beat the atmosphere here it is a beautiful location. The service is awesome and the food is okay. I don't want to say that but it is average at best. It didn't wow me. We went for Sunday brunch here. The poached eggs was not run it was all cooked. The pastries were average. The sausage was not savory more in the sweet side. The thick bacon was yummy. The smoked salmon was delicious I made it with the capers and red onions The freshly made waffles was better than the ones they have out. For ten people it was over 600.00. See my photos read more

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Review is mostly for the gorgeous setting, ambience, and service. Mauna Kea, the hotel where this restaurant is located, is magical and the view from Manta is spectacular. I always must eat here once when I visit the Big Island even if I stay elsewhere. The view and ambience were just as spectacular as I remembered. Sunset against their trees and the sparkling water is just such a special view, even compared to other places in this area. The food here varies from visit to visit. Tonight, the food was creative and interesting... but unseasoned (nicer way of saying bland?) Cocktail: Poi-pounder. Coconut vodka, guava, lime, mint. Refreshing, but watery. I liked drinking it, but it gave me no buzz at all and I'm a lightweight! Complimentary sourdough bread: One of the better courses. Bread was good, butter with sea salt was very nice. Appetizer: I got the island mushrooms en papillote. The dish came steamed in foil. The mushrooms were local and a very interesting variety, and the dish was healthy. But it was pretty bland! There was also tomato and feta, but it was not terribly flavorful. It was missing salt, or herbs, or acid, or something! Entree: Kona Kampachi meuniere. Fish was cooked well, and I liked the Al dente local green vegetables with it. But the butter sauce was pretty boring. I am the girl who will stop up every ounce of a meunière with bread. But this sauce was not worth doing that to the bread! For dessert, because I was still hungry, I got the chocolate Mille feuille. You can see in the picture that the three pieces of pastry are little thicker than traditional. I liked the chocolate mousse, but the pastry itself was not terribly exciting. The Matcha ice cream that it normally comes with was a mismatch, in my view. But our exceptionally nice server (Kanoa?) hooked me up with a little scoop of coconut ice cream, which I had meant to substitute. Let me tell you, that was the most perfect little coconut ice cream I have ever eaten. Absolute perfection! So between the fantastic ending to my meal, and the amazing view - and I forgot to mention they have live jazz on Wednesday nights - I still had an exceptional time, even if my appetizer and entrée were a little boring. I love Manta and will look forward to returning if I can come to the big island again! (last thing, this hotel is under renovation, so it's a little complicated to walk to Manta. But it's still so pretty to walk around the hotel grounds!) read more

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This upscale restaurant is located at Mauna Kea. Mantas apparently swim up right outside the restaurant, but we weren't lucky enough to spot any (although my kids got to swim with Mantas the next evening, which was even better). We did see a bunch of little ones chanting "Manta! Manta!" as we were looking so loved the Manta spirit. Everyone in the fam agreed that this was our best dinner in Hawaii. The bread basket alone put a smile on my kids faces and I have to admit it was pretty good bread! We started off by sharing the scallop raviolis (SO good that we got 2 orders) , sashimi and the beet root salad (i'm not typically a fan of beets, but this was good). For my main entree I shared the mac crushed mahi mahi with my daughter. It was good, but i had food envy with my husbands tuna. Fortunately, he was nice enough to share with me. Dessert was a goat cheesecake and a baked alaska. I thought both were great, but the kids didn't love the cheesecake. The baked alaska took forever so the waiter was kind of enough to remove it from our bill. The service was some of the best we had in Hawaii. Our waiter kept the drinks flowing and got the food out right on time with the exception of dessert, which was out of his control. We got here right after sunset, but i imagine this is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset so I'd recommend a 5:30pm reservation if possible. read more

We met friends here on a Thursday night. Watched the sunset, enjoyed cocktails. Service was good. We split a Garden salad followed by Macadamia crusted mahi-mahi and a Kona Kampachi. Both seafood dishes were delicious. After dinner, we walked out to the manta viewing area. What magnificent graceful animals. read more

Manta - Sunset at dinner time - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

Walking from the valet area to the restaurant can be quite a trek, but you get a view of the beautiful grounds, decor, and surrounding landscape where Mauna Lea resort sits. Although construction was happening throughout the hotel, it didn't diminish the beauty of the restaurant nor the views of the sandy beach below. First greeting at check-in podium was less than stellar but our server, Richelle, was top notch. She gave great recommendations and bantered with us without being intrusive. I devoured everything I ordered that night. I started off with the Poi Pounder cocktail, as recommended by Richelle and from the initial sip it seduced me with its coconut and guava ambrosia. The uni pasta is an appetizer for two people if they are being "so mindful" "so demure". I am neither and I enjoyed every bite. The lamb chops were bathed to the bone in flavor. For dessert, Richelle once again came through when she recommended the lilikoi soufflé. I thought I'd only get through half of it but I scraped that ramekin clean! I don't know when I'll be back on the Big Island but we will be more than happy to dine here again. read more

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They refused to serve us because we weren't staying at the hotel. After some back and forth the explained they want to reserve occupancy for guests but all we really wanted was to do a take out. read more

Everything about this experience was 10 stars! From walking in and soaking up the views to all the delicious food. There were just two of us so we got two appetizers and split one entree and it was enough food. They also bring bread! The Mac crusted Mahi-Mahi had a sweet sauce that was to die for, cooked to perfection. My favorite was the Manta Sashimi!!! All the servers were kind and lovely! I hope to go back one day read more

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Must-visit for brunch or dinner (which has live jazz music!) and views. The walk there is an experience as well. I heard that pre-pandemic, the breakfast buffet was better because it had sushi. Regardless, it's still worth $50/pp IMO for the huge variety. They have lots of lox, fish, meats, other proteins, and fruits, and the chef can make omelettes on the spot! Service is attentive and pleasing. read more

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WEAK SEAFOOD PLATTER I wasn't impressed with their portion size. Especially for the seafood tower that was $180. The crab legs were two thin pieces. The poke had zero taste we had to sprinkle soy sauce. Ambiance of the restaurant was dark and gloomy. I wish I ate at the Meridian at the Westin instead. read more

Manta - $180 seafood tower was small - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

(Daniel Craig voiceover) The vibe is utterly exquisite restaurant here in the Big Island! Florian warmly greeted us! Bronson served us. He is sooo nice! The men seated at the table went with his recommended Bone In Veal. And of course the ladies tried everything else. And may I say they enjoyed every morsel of the culinary delights presented. mmhmm. It was a most splendiferous meal with some of my favorite people on planet Earth. Especially the athletic females...shhh. They were all athletic. Indubitably. The ambiance was tropically surreal, the cuisine absolutely delectable, and the exceptional service was impeccable! Would order everything again! Thank you for facilitating such a splendid evening, Bronson! Woohoo! read more

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This place has two things going for it- an amazing view and good service. Unfortunately, the food is not good. There was so much salt on the fish and the Brussel Sprouts, they were barely edible. The goat cheesecake was pretty tasty/m- no salt read more

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food and service were excellent. we had onaga and kampachi. for dessert choc souffle. after dinner we walked to water and watched manta rays. beautiful setting also. read more

Manta - manta rays feeding - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

Beautiful view. Some may say the menu is overall a bit pricey but I'd say it's worth every penny and I'm nowhere near rich. My server was so helpful and even encouraged me to try a local seafood item I wouldn't have ever felt comfortable trying and I actually loved it after he very well described it and I knew what to expect. Cocktails are wonderful!!! View is amazing. Sometimes you can see manta rays down on the walking path. read more

Manta - Lamb chops special with seasonal veggies. - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

Walking through the doors you're greeted with ocean views and a Hawaiian palatial grandeur that's awe-inspiring and almost spiritual. As you descend the stairs to the restaurant, you'll get a warm welcome from the Manta greeter (who this evening happened to be the amazing Monte who runs the restaurant), and a hint of pleasant and natural aromatherapy. Every person working there we encountered was exceptionally pleasant. Bronson, our waiter, was superb, a perfect mix of vigilant, easy going and friendly. We started with two drinks from the bar, both delicious-- the signature Mai Tai and espresso martini; we drank them while watching the sunset along the horizon, pink hues of clouds across the sky above a long stretch of beach in a lovely cove. Next we sat for dinner on the wide and open veranda. All seating (as is the resort the restaurant is housed in) is open air, with tall ceilings overlooking the ocean. The goat cheese beet (locally sourced) salad and brussel sprouts hit the spot (though a bit salty, which is a plus for me). Both of these starters are packed with flavor. The cheeses in both dishes are quality, as are the vegetables. We ended with the lilikoi (passion fruit) soufflé-- mouth watering! Top notch dining experience. Note for chef-- We also ordered the bread, and my suggestion for the chef is to serve it heated, maybe in a skillet. Parking-- there is complementary valet, and it's the only way to park. read more

Manta - Outdoor sunset dining - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

Quick Summary Excellent breakfast and dinner experience. The views and service are spectacular. Marriott platinum elite free breakfast is nice with a breakfast bento box, but it's mostly carbs (need to pay extra for the standard buffet). Highly recommend the kona abalone, but their filet and catch of their day were solid as well. Highly recommend to book reservations to ensure a seat with a good view. Food- 4.5 stars Breakfast was good but as mentioned above, it's mostly carbs. Pastries are a hit or miss, but the banana bread is really good Dinner was great. The Kona abalone was the star of the show. We also ordered the beet cheese salad, filet, and catch of the day which were really solid as well Service- 5 stars Servers were fantastic both times I dined here. No complaints at all Views- 5 stars Fantastic views in the morning and evening. Would recommend coming early for breakfast and getting reservations for dinner to get the more desirable outdoor tables Bottom Line Great food, excellent service, and beautiful views. Definitely a must if you are staying at the Mauna Kea Beach hotel read more

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Very pricy but worth it for a special occasion. Great location and ambiance. Make reservations well in advance. read more

This place is fancy! The food, the drinks, and the service. We wanted to come get drinks and deserts and ended up ordering two entrees too. We got almost every desert they had and they treated us a sorbet trio too! Drinks were all on the sweet side, and I was after something more simple but they were still beautiful. Don't forget to come at dark so you can see the manta rays feeding down by the rocks! They keep it lit up. So very cool. read more

Manta - Menu cover - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

We had a great time! This hotel is half empty because of the renovations so it was nice a quiet, but there was a nice Jazz band playing in the background. Our food didn't take long and the food was very good. The BEST dessert I've had on the island-- the Alaskan bombe? I forget the name, but you will know when you look at the menu! It was our Anniversary so they signed a postcard to give us, which was really nice because none of the other restaurants did anything personal like that for us (even though our concierge added it to all reservations) Thanks for that nice touch.. we'd definitely be back. read more

Manta - The postcard they signed for our anniversary and the Cream of Tomato Soup - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

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I am going to second what quite a few other reviews have said. The view - 5 stars The food - 3 Stars The service - 2 stars For the price you pay, I wouldn't say this place is worth it. But, for some, the view may be enough to look past everything else. We started out at the bar, and got two cocktails while we waited. I asked for a small soda water, and they charged $5 per water for water from the gun. It's supposed to be a nice place. I looked past it. When we sat, we brought our drinks to the table. The server kept trying to take our soda waters away instead of refilling them. I asked for more, as I prefer it over tap. They brought more and subsequently charged us another $5 a water. We felt rushed to order. The server was cold and indifferent. We ordered the bread that was $15 and it was dried out. It kinda felt like a bad omen at this point. We got the fresh catch, the Uni Pasta and the Baby Romaine. They were okay. The fish was fresh. I wouldn't say either we're amazing, but they weren't bad. The server had so many tables, she didn't come back to check on us until we were basically done eating. The best way I can explain this place, is a hotel restaurant, that is trying to seem fancy, but just isn't. read more

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Wow! What an amazing dining experience! If you want more than a "good food in a beautiful restaurant", this is the place to go. The whole setting is breathtaking from the day into the night it's gorgeous! Not only they have the full view of the bay, there's walkways through the resort to the beach, lookouts, & fire pits. Now at the end of March, the sun sets right through the big tree and it was like a dream. Then after the nightfall they (swimmers and tour boats) shine lights into the water to attract the manta rays. As I was walking down to the lookout, there were fireworks straight across the bay. I got videos of rays swimming with the fireworks in the distance! Oh my! The restaurant is open and beautiful. The food was great if you love seafood. I ate so many good stuff last night We had a private event so it was a buffet. I got to try Head on shell on prawns, poke (needed extra soy sauce), Thai chicken salad (I think it was a green papaya salad), wild rice mixed with veggies, large shrimp ceviche, some large fish, Mac & cheese and mashed potatoes. You gotta try cheese barrel risotto! So good! I didn't try but they also had prime rib. Dessert tray had an array of little desserts and my top choice is a crème brûlée in a spoon. It's a single bite serving... I would have had like 10 if I could. Coconut, yuzu. Chocolate little tarts. The whole staff is top notch with attentiveness and courtesy. I loved the whole experience. Thank you!! read more

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We LOVED Manta so much, it was the only restaurant we went to twice, and we actually went three times during our trip. It is right on the water, and if you go at the right time, you will see manta rays in the ocean. Their dirty martini is hands down the best one I've ever had. From the little onions and goat cheese stuffed olives, to how perfectly it is balanced, and the presentation for such a simple drink--I'd say this is a staple. For food--the lobster and the scallop ravioli were our two favorites hands down. Specifically the ravioli though, that sauce is delicious, the greens with it are yummy, and it's just everything good. The restaurant also has many stray kitties wandering around, and I'm a total cat person so I had to share some of my expensive mahi with them! Smart cats. Service was good all three times. I'll definitely be coming back when I'm in the area again. read more

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We were very underwhelmed by the quality of food to price (appetizer, 2 fish dishes, one steak, one Bouillabaisse , one dessert) at Manta. Our expectations were high based on reviews. The setting was outstanding and service was ok. We dropped almost $1k for four with wine (which was very good). We would not go back. Stay local near Kona not worth the long ride. Disappointing since we go out big on our vacations for one night. read more

Manta - View from restaurant - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

The food was "good". My friend had the fish and I had the ribeye. The view/sunset were amazing. Service was impeccable. I expected a little more, but I admittedly have high standards. read more

Every course at Manta was delicious. Beautifully prepared, presented, and absolutely delectable. We had everything from the tuna tartare, beef tartare, ribeye, and bombe Alaska. Each course was mouth watering. However, the service is what really shined. Kiley went out of his way to make our dinner special in a way I have never seen at a restaurant before. If you are looking to celebrate a special meal, Manta is the place to do it. On top of that, the restaurant and views are fantastic, a real gem of a meal. I cannot wait to eat here again. read more

Amazing food and the people there are great service. I love Everything I will go back and again and again read more

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Overpriced, little portions, excellent aesthetics and ambiance, real exclusive and secluded set up. Don't fall for the manta ray sightings. That's a gimmick and the staff will be armed with several excuses as to why the manta decided not to show and glow. We were not impressed but the architectural design was just too much to give this place a low star review! read more

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The breakfast buffet is amazing The varieties are endless! This morning I had an omelette from the omelette station and a freshly made waffle The Bombe Alaska was heaven in your mouth Chef Michael came out to greet us and everyone there showed aloha, mahalo Manta Crew read more

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