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

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

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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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

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

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

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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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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Excellent food, beautiful ambiance, and good service are all a part of the experience here! My folks and I made a reservation here for our final night on the island. From start to finish it was a perfect way to end our vacation. After our meal we walked down to see the actual Mantas feeding, an added treat for the evening! Parking is free valet at the hotel lobby and the restaurant is a bit of a walk down the steps and out to the veranda. Prices are consistent with all waterfront restaurants on the island but the quality and presentation of the dishes are top notch. They ran out of their regular table bread so we were able to sample their cast iron cornbread, that was delicious! The salad we ordered was small but tasty, as was the kampachi appetizer. My mom enjoyed her frutti di mari while my dad and I both ordered the opah - it was fresh, flaky, and buttery as advertised! We left the meal satiated without room for dessert. I will have to try their dessert the next time we visit the island. read more

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Saturday night dinner watching the spectacular sunset right by our table, jazz band playing on the other end. Perfect ending after a day at the beach with the family snorkeling, waves, sun & getting that golden tan! Great ambiance, setting, resort hotel grounds and hearing the waves nearby. You're really paying high-end prices for the views & atmosphere in some respects. It's very romantic & ethereal, I must say. Ordered a STRONG Lilikoi Martini, 3 Piña Coladas that were served in shorter glasses for our cocktails. Took pics as the sun was setting & waitress & servers were quick to accommodate as it's a picturesque setting amongst tiki torches, scenic overlooks, plants & many areas for that perfect pic. Next for appetizers were Foie Gras which was very tiny & came with a couple of grilled bread pieces & granola. Other members ordered Malpeque Oysters which were very tiny. Entree was the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi over a creamy olive-oil mashed potato bed, some cherry tomatoes & purple bok choy! Very unique color & crunchy. I loved my dish!! Also ordered on the table was the Kampachi fish & the local fish special & crab fried rice. All the fish is highlighted and delicious so best to order when in the islands! Dessert comp'd for our anniversary/birthday celebrations were a dense chocolate tart with a strawberry & topped with a dollop of whipped cream & a piece of white chocolate bark & a chocolate mousse cake that came with creme anglaise & a scoop of coffee ice cream & a chocolate wafer. This is a splurge restaurant so get ready to pay. Our liquor/wine total was $147 alone! The Piña Coladas(3) & Pinot Noirs(2) were $18 each; Berlucchi Brut Sparkling Wine $16; My Lilikoi Martini was a whopping $24 because I asked for Tito's Vodka($16) & they charged $8 for "Martini"(the Lilikoi liquor perhaps??) & Manta Tonic cocktail$17); Service was friendly & prompt but the waiters could've cleared the dishes more promptly before our main courses came. Great ambiance, setting, resort hotel grounds and hearing the waves nearby and a Jawaiian band playing in the background at a nearby party. Sat looking at the plethora of stars at the bluff afterwards taking in the soothing tropical breezes in lounge chairs. Just heaven on earth... read more

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I decided to give this restaurant a try since I was staying at the sister property and I had booked the manta snorkel for that night. I will start by saying the ambiance of the restaurant is beautiful and I love the outdoor set up which has a nice sunset view. Items tried: - Macnut mahi mahi - it was prepared well and tasted great. It's a safe dish to try when you're on the fence - vanilla soufflé comes with grand marnier and a lilikoi sauce. It wasn't the best souffle I've had but it was good Service: For the most part the service was great - but I was a bit bugged that I got the sole waiter and bus boy not wearing a mask - literally everyone was was masked. The waiter was also big on pushing apps and drinks. I guess mentioning once that I pass wasn't enough. Also mid dinner I received a call that my manta snorkel was canceled because of poor visibility and high tide. I told the waiter and he said if you have snorkel gear why don't you just go in on your own. Clearly safety wasn't top of mind for him. All in all I'm glad I tried it but I may pass during a future visit. read more

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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

Located in Mauna Kea hotel, the view from the restaurant is spectacular. It's right next to the water so you get a great view of the sunset. There are also a few feral cats that roam around, while you eat, but didn't seem to bother any patrons. They serve complimentary bread and chips at the beginning. One small thing they could do to elevate this is to warm the bread. Mac nut manhattan: Served on the rocks instead of up. It reminded me more of an old-fashioned. The Mac-nut flavors were very subtle. Big Island Green: standard salad with toppings. They were quite skimpy with the avocado (only one tiny ball). Would skip it unless you really want some veggies. Kona Konpachi: Fish was cooked well with an Asian influence. I thought the mushrooms were done especially well. Crab fried rice: Nice umami flavors with a bit of heat. They did add a bit of ikura (salmon roe), but again it was so minimal that I actually wished they either left it out or used more since again it felt they were being stingy with the ingredient. Chocolate Soufflé: This was the main reason we decided to come to Manta as it is difficult to find a restaurant that serves it. Be sure to order it before you finish your entrees as it can take 20-25min to make. They have both vanilla and chocolate soufflé and a variety of different sauces. The texture and flavor of the soufflé was great and highly recommend it, although it comes with a steep price tag ($22). They also provided us a complimentary chocolate mousse cake for our anniversary, which was a nice touch. Overall, Manta is a solid upscale Hawaiian restaurant. The dishes in general were solid, but not necessarily mind-blowing. Valet Parking is complimentary, but make sure to have your ticket stamped after your meal. read more

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Thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We had the oxtail corn bread app, Mac crusted mahi mahi and filet for entrees and crème brûlée for desert. Everything was delicious and perfectly filling. Highly recommend the mai tai it was so fresh. The views and ambiance were great and relaxing, it was just a little hot since we were sitting outside read more

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The restaurant is absolutely STUNNING. From the entryway, bar area, the view - it's all spectacular. Really great spot for date night, but perfect for any occasion. My family and I have been several times and always thoroughly enjoyed. We had such a great dinner - items attached in the photos: - VA Dutch Veal Chop. To die for!! It had a delicious morel cream sauce. Cooked to perfection. - One of the specials being offered on this night as an appetizer was the Oxtail Ragu. This was also very good, all though some of the meat was a bit difficult to chew. Still a great dish though! - Crispy Brussel Sprouts. WOW!! These are 10/10 the best brussel sprouts we've ever had! We wanted to order several more of them they were so good. The dessert!! We got the Bombe Alaska and the Big Island Goat Cheese Cake. I was so enamored with the Bombe Alaska, I didn't try the cheesecake but everyone loved it! They both were great, but the Bombe Alaska was OUT OF THIS WORLD! We also had a sommelier pair a wonderful wine with our dishes; it was an old world wine from France, and was incredible! We've also come here for brunch, and we've had an incredible experience each time. Highly recommend. 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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I really do not like leaving bad reviews and doesn't the saying go, " If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." So although we have had dinner here, I will stick to their strengths, The Breakfast Buffet!!!! Their Breakfast Buffet is top notch!!! Extensive is an understatement. As you are seated you are greeted with a mini crafted fruit smoothie and fresh baked banana bread. We then request our coffee to be accompanied by oat milk and honey for me and cream and sugar for the Hubs. Once you have settled, time to get up and choose from the massive buffet spread. Waffle and Omlet/egg bar, artisan breads and spreads, mini quiche, bread pudding, pastry case, cold cereals, granola, oatmeal, pancakes, mini malasadas, miso soup, rice, breakfast meats, Benedict's, scrambled eggs, potatoes, pita, hummus, baba ghanoush, yogurts, fruits, lox and bagels (with the accompaniments), cold meats and cheese. YES, I've probably missed something.... To top it all off the VIEW with jumping dolphins in the distance!!!!!!! We have enjoyed staying at Mauna Kea a few times now. The breakfast buffet experience ALWAYS stays with us! read more

My husband and I went here for dinner the night after my 50th birthday - still in celebration mode. The place was beautiful, and felt like a glimpse into "how the other half lives." We are from Nashville, TN and were on the Big Island for my birthday and a belated honeymoon. We've been to plenty of fancy, schmancy restaurants and don't mind shelling out exorbitant prices for meals and drinks if they're above and beyond delicious. I'd say this place was not worth the $$$$. It was good, but it wasn't fantastic. We got the MANTA CAESAR to start and it was a decent Caesar salad, but not the best ever or anything. I got the ACHIOTE MARINATED HAWAIIAN CATCH which was "Pink Snapper" that night. It was a very small piece of fish for it's hefty $69 price tag. It tasted okay, but slightly fishy and very dry even with the accompanying oil poured all over it. The rice it was presented upon wasn't good at all. My husband got the SEARED WILD CAUGHT HAWAIIAN AHI. It was way better than my dish, he loved it. But again, $67 for 3 small chunks of fish that's plentiful all over the island - kind of ridiculous. For dessert, we got the BOMBE ALASKA. He liked it alright, but I didn't like it at all. We had 5 cocktails - 2 martinis, 2 old fashioneds, and a port wine. They were all decent pours except the Port - it was tiny. Our waitress was FANTASTIC and spent a ton of time talking to us. We felt like we were tearing her from her other customers, but she was just so delightful to talk to. We THINK her name was Brianna or something like that. We walked down to see the manta rays at the viewing point and that was awesome to see. I guess the point is, go here if you want to pay outrageous prices for mediocre food. I suppose you're paying for the ambiance, the view, and the mantas. Unfortunately, the food is an afterthought. read more

Great service from arrival to our meal, very nice view of Hapuna beach and bay. The food presentation was very nice and the food was very tasty. Not a lot of food options but a very large drink menu. read more

Reservation required to enter the Mauna Kea resort; valet was free since we're eating at one of the resort's restaurants! (Beach is free as long as there are parking spots & if you arrive before sunset) My partner and I had no idea that reservations were required but luckily made one at 11am for the same night. Only wacky thing is that there's a $50 cancellation/rescheduling fee. Food was AMAZING! A dinner for 2 was just over $200, we got 2 main platters and a dessert. Loved every bite of my seafood pasta. My partner loved the lamb rack. Also got a lava cake with lilikoi sauce. Delicious, so good. *I actually wrote this review last February 2022 and forgot to post it. I'm still thinking about this meal a year later. Delicious! read more

Food was delicious. Service was great, seated outside and was able to see the Manta Rays.

Sunset was stunning Food was flavorsome Ambience was amazing The TARRAGON SCALLOP RAVIOLI were definitely the star of the show. Don't forget to head downstairs to check out the Manta Rays swimming around! read more

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I love this place, the place is very very pretty, you can enjoy the whole outdoors of the hotel including the manta rays watch are which it was awesome, with out any extra cost, the staff was very nice, valet is free but tip the guys well they are very nice. i love it. read more

Well, we went HAM at Manta. Located in the Mauna Kea hotel, straight through the lobby and down the stairs to the right. Nicely appointed, massive outdoor area, and great service. Bread service: complimentary and bread was warm! Yummy fried wontons and delicious butter with pink salt. Drinks: Mai Tai was excellent! Great blend of flavors, not watered down, and went down easy. Strawberry lilikoi margarita was also pretty good. Loved the Manhattan! Spirit-forward and had a mac nut infused ice cube that empties into the drink with time. Great flavors! Apps: the seafood tower sets you back $120. Sweet pacific oysters, succulent crab legs, lobster tails, and abalone and tuna poke. Beef carpaccio: not bad, could have used more citrus. Seafood chowder: great flavor, chunks of lobster, would recommend for soup lovers. Fois gras: rich, flavorful, and a great portion. Comes with yummy croutons. Sashimi platter: excellent quality, loved the orange wasabi sauce! A great starter! Entrees: Kanpachi (amberjack) was a great entree. Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside-not dry at all. Accompanied by kale and cauliflower and a delicious crab fried rice! Togarashi crusted ahi was the special and was also a great dish. Loved the potato purée and roasted local tomatoes. Jalapeño cornbread: pricey for what you get. $12 for a serving that includes jalapeño spread between two pieces of cornbread. Desserts: the vanilla soufflé with lilikoi sauce was amazing! Order early as they do take time to make! Second favorite was the Kona coffee cheesecake! Excellent for the coffee lovers out there and a great ending to dinner. We also ordered the creme brûlée with the ube emulsion but weren't too impressed with it. Overall, a pretty penny for a nice view and good food. Great ambiance and polite servers. Perfect for those staying at the Mauna Kea or those looking to travel up a little past the airport. read more

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The food was average, the service was poor. They don't bring all the food we ordered. The bus boy was more attentive than the waiter was! This was our second time and quite possibly the last! read more

Seared foie gras - Good. Not thick enough. quality of the foie gras sightly above average but it could be they didn't clean it up properly. Frutti De Mare - impressive. Lobster tails, very fresh and flavorful prawns, Diver scallop was excellent. The risotto is different from there Italian creamy one. More grainy. White shrimp tagliatelle - delicious. Good pasta texture. These are prawns not shrimps. Very fresh as well. Lobster bisque - biggest disappointment. You might as well call it soup with lobster pieces. Lilikoi Souffle - extraordinary. One of read more

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We are having our staycation anniversary trip and ate at Manta on the first night (last night)staying at the resort. I was excited to make the reservation for our anniversary dinner and unfortunately it broke my heart. What was good: The sashimi, it was excellent and smokey in flavor. The drinks were terrific as well, props to the sushi chef and bartender. That is were it ends though. The entrees were lackluster and fishy in taste, as if they were boiled with no flavor and then had rancid fish stock dumped on them. Both seafood entrees had no flavor to the fish or shellfish and yet there was a profound fishy feel and taste, it is difficult to explain how this was possible but alas here we are. I don't enjoy writing this, as we have family in culinary, however we paid a chunk of money (265+tip) for the worst entrees we ever had. We opted to not have desert at the restaurant even though it was our anniversary dinner because we were concerned it would be as bad. This morning my husband could barely touch his breakfast because all he could taste and smell was the fishy aroma from the night before and he had the worst stomach ache. We didn't say anything at the time because we had planned to eat at the resort the remainder of this weekend and didn't want to chance a misunderstanding of an honest critique, however after breakfast, we have decided to eat elsewhere for safety reasons. I love the resort and this is our annual anniversary destination but I am at a loss.. And the rest of our day may be a loss but we are trying to venture out even though he feels nauseated. read more

Location ambiance was great as was the service. Food rating about a 5 out of ten. Mediocre food for $450 for four of us for dinner unacceptable. read more

The restaurant is beautiful we have a late afternoon reservation on the patio. The sun was pretty intense before the sun dropped below the trees. After that it's was very pleasant. Now to the food - Sashimi, the fish was fresh and nicely seasoned and the presentation was wonderful. The portion was surprisingly smaller than i expected for the price. The Abalone Foie gras i just had to try i love abalone and i like foie gras. That flavor was incredible if you like those two things this is a must at $38 it is not cheap but i would get it again without even thinking about it. We also had their first of the day Monchong and Campeche, both exceptionally prepared. The Fillet was also good , I am not a fan of Mole but the steak was lightly seasoned with it and not overpowering or unpleasant. Reviews are spectacular in the Manta viewing down by the water after dark was incredible ! read more

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Lovely setting overlooking the manta rays swimming about. Our experience this year was much less enjoyable than last year. First off, of our five cocktails three were not drinkable. We sent one back and didn't drink two. The Caesar salad was droopy and way too much dressing. My chicken dish came out 10 minutes late as they apparently forgot to fire the order. They did comp the meal but that was really not enough comfort as I watched my family eat without me. My daughter in law was told they ran out of rice so her celiac needs weren't entirely met. The chicken dish I finally received was overcooked and not particularly tasty. Sad to say we don't be back. read more

Love everything!! My favorite restaurant. Food is seasonal and on point. Great atmosphere with ocean views and amazing desserts read more

Even after reading many mixed reviews, we wanted to give this place a shot and we are so glad we did! Yes, currently there is a massive construction project at the resort but the restaurants and luau are still open. The oceanfront dining is just stunning, especially at sunset. Maka, our server, was fantastic and had a lot of knowledge of the menu and suggestions. I would suggest getting several small plates and sharing one entree or just get all small plates, to try many flavors. The burrata salad and scallop ravioli were our favorites, I would go back and order several plates of it! The signature Bombe Alaska was very good. Included below are pics of the Shanghai lobster (3 tails) and Mac-crusted mahi mahi. If you're worried about portion sizes, ask your server. This is definitely a pricier establishment, but you're in Hawaii, eating oceanfront, at a resort, it is what it is. We would definitely come back and the live jazz music was some of the best we've heard on the island so far. It was a sax/flute musician with a keyboard on our night. read more

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The venue and the view are fantastic. The presentation is well executed. Unfortunately the food and cookery was rather standard fair hotel food. Same goes with the cocktails. Nothing wrong, but nothing exceptional or outstanding either. We ordered the Lobster pasta and "Ribeye" steak that oddly enough looks a lot more like a filet mignon. And finished off with the souffle. The souffle being my favorite part. The highlight was going down to the manta pools after dinner and watching g the giant mantas at night. read more

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I had a great breakfast at Manta. Marriott Platnium status will give you free continental breakfast which consisted of a yogurt parfait, fruit and a couple small fresh pastries. A breakfast buffet upgrade was listed as a possibility for $27 which is roughly half price. But it just looked like too much food. The continental breakfast was exquisitely presented and very fresh. The views were amazing. Overall a very positive experience. The staff here takes care of some stray cats which hang around the restaurant. Was talking to some of the staff and they are all top notch caring people. One of the cats was cute following a waiter around like a puppy dog. read more

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We arrived at valet parking excited to eat at this once amazing restaurant, and the valet told us Manta was CLOSED due to a PRIVATE PARTY. WE MADE A DINNER RESERVATION ON OPEN TABLE ONE MONTH BEFORE, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY TEXT THE DAY BEFORE. They took us in to see the concierge who did not apologize, and made reservations for dinner at the Meridia at The Prince, the sister hotel. We had already eaten there and we were very disappointed. No apology for our trouble, no comped cocktail or appetizer. We were just gaslighted. I decided to call the resort manager the next day and she was saying, " we can TRY to make another reservation for you at MANTA; but we were leaving the next day. Again no apology. THEY WERE FULL ON WHITE LOTUS!!!!!!!! Total disdain for polite paying customers. What was once the premiere resort on The Big Island is no more. NOTE: this happened in mid February of 2025; the review never posted. read more

We have dinned here many times and have never experienced the extremely poor service as we have this evening. The hostess told us our table was not ready for our reservation and we should come back in 30 minutes. No explanation or even pleasant about telling our group of 10 to just go away. We were told we should go have a drink but there's no server available. Also no manager available. Finally seated and the food and service were excellent as usual . The front end staff need much better training or at least care about the guests experience. read more

This was our favorite meal on the island. Going down looking at manta ray's in between courses. The food was incredible. read more