Naisla Kitchen and Cocktails
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Well, this was a surprise, given what good experiences we've had here in the past. Husband had his Sunny Bubbles again, and loved it. I had an excellent dirty martini! I also had the scallops and truffle potatoes, which was excellent, though it was alarming to be given a steak knife with them. We shared brussels sprouts with different chiles, really good. Husband had the Miso Carbonara, which was not as good as last time. The real problem was our server, who was very pleasant and nice, but distracted and not paying enough attention. He was sipping wine and chatting with other servers when we were trying to get his attention. There was quite a wait for our check at the end. But the real kicker was when I got a call from him after we left saying that my credit card had been declined, how did I want to handle it? WE HAD PAID CASH!! Which I told him and he mumbled something.
They had an excellent dinner menu set at $110 per person which included a Starter, a Salad, an Entree, and a Dessert. * For my Starter, I chose the Hamachi Crudo which was Yellow Tail with Garlic Ginger Soy and Pickled Fresno. * For my Salad, I chose the Wasabi Caesar which came out as a cut of Romaine Lettuce topped with Parmesan Crisp, Herbed Croutons, and Wasabi Caesar Dressing. * For my Entree, I went with the Filet Mignon accompanied by Truffle Potato Purée, Mushroom Conserva, Charred Pearl Onion, and Compound Butter * For my Dessert, I picked the Tiramisu which was dressed in Coffee, Mascarpone, Cocoa, and Caramel Sauce. There are other options on the prefix menu so you can mix and match to craft your perfect dinner. Ambiance is romantic but also fun and energetic. There is a full bar with seating. Located on a main road so street parking is your best bet. Service was great -- but of course it would be -- nothing like Hawaiian hospitality. Would recommend this restaurant for a date night or a girls night out.
Back again at one of our favorite spots in Kapaʻa, and Naisla did not disappoint. We started with the scallop and hamachi crudo appetizers--absolute musts and somehow even better than last time. The Caesar salad was the only slight miss for us, as the wasabi flavor was a bit overpowering. But everything else more than made up for it. The braised short ribs with risotto is hands down their best dish--tender, flavorful, and perfectly executed. We come back for this every time. Despite being very busy on a Sunday evening, the service was spot on: attentive, friendly, and well-paced. Always a great dining experience here, and we'll definitely be back again.
We had a good meal here and a huge shout out to STEPH, our friendly and wonderful server. You can order a prie file meal here or order a la carte from the menu. Since I have a small appetite lately, I ordered the Wasabi Caesar with shrimp. The shrimp were so fresh and flavorful, I could have eaten twice as many! You get 4 shrimp on the salad. The salad was a little overdressed in my opinion. Hubby had the short rib on risotto. A huge service of risotto with a small short rib. He said he liked it. They have a nice cocktail selection and just a few wines by the glass. Many more wine selections by the bottle. We did wait awhile for our entrees but while waiting had a nice chat with our table neighbors who have been residents of Kauai since the mid '80's. That was nice to chat with them to hear their insights. Overall a great experience for a "newer" Kapaa restaurant.
Tasty food. Creative cocktail menu. Good if small wine selection. Friendly Service. Nice dining room. Parking situation sucks. Just 4 parking spots around the corner of the building in front of the coffee place. Warning signs declare don't park there until 5pm at risk of being towed away. The big parking lot down the hill on the right side of the building was gated and locked. Had early hour dinner. Sat next to a married couple who moved to Kauai from California 20 years ago. Had a conversation with them throughout the meal. They said that Naisla was the best restaurant on the island. IMHO that's debatable, but I respect their opinion. Bambie & I ate out frequently during our two week visit August 2025. Naisla was in the top three of the fancy places we ate. Others were Bar Acuda and Postcards, both located in Hanalei town.
Wowowow. This is not only the best food we had on the island but one of the best dinners we've had in months. The cocktails were delicious, the food was perfectly cooked and the service was great. It's a nice restaurant while still welcoming to our family. Highly recommend for your visit while on Kauai.
I had high expectations for Naisla based on other reviews. Wow - our expectations were exceeded! My partner and I opted for the prix fixe menu and every course was perfection. The tuna carpaccio was truly spectacular with perfect garnish. Bao bun was scrumptious. I had the miso Caesar salad which was a sensory explosion - so unique and delicious. The fresh catch was seared Ahi - truly one of the best fish dishes that I've eaten with layers of flavor. My partner loved his filet mignon. And, then - the desserts. I was so full but ate every morsel of the tiramisu- probably the best tiramisu I've eaten. Our server, Emma, was lovely and attentive. If you are anywhere in Kauai, go to Naisla - a truly amazing food experience. Every course was so incredibly delicious.
4.5 stars We had a really lovely dinner here! Service was genuinely great - our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and the kind of person who makes you *want* to tip well. He introduced us to their seasonal dessert, and we're 100% glad we listened. Such a good call. I had the lobster pasta and thoroughly enjoyed it. Flavor was spot on and exactly what I was craving. If I'm being picky, the pasta itself could've been a bit more al dente, but still delicious overall. We also tried the surf and turf, and that was a highlight. The filet mignon was cooked to juicy medium-rare perfection, and the lobster was tender and satisfying. We loved the sides too! The only downside for us was the mahi mahi. The owner fished it himself so that's really cool and it was tasty, but for the price, getting two skewers with three cubes of fish each felt a bit underwhelming. Overall, great service, memorable dishes, and a solid experience - we'd definitely come back, just maybe skip the mahi mahi next time.
Stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn near by and stumbled upon this GEM of a restaurant for dinner. Straight to the point, this was one of the BEST dinner experiences I've ever had. I've never had a Japanese/Italian fusion cuisine, but if you're a fan of either, this is a MUST HAVE on the island. Food: We ordered three items, the fish collar which was a special for the day, the cucumber dish, and the Miso Carbonara. Each item had a a distinct flavor to them with blended sauces and aromas. We added chicken to the carbonara which was a perfect addition. The cucumber dish was a flavor packed medley and complimented all the other food items. Drinks: there's one drink that sells for 10x more than anything else on the menu and it's their Spicy Margarita. After trying it, I can definitely see why. They definitely perfected the recipe to that drink and if you love margaritas, you can't miss out on theirs. The service at Naisla was stellar to say the least. Brock our server, helped us out and even thought I was a local which goes to show how connected they are with their community of patrons. If you read this Brock, much love and mahalo brotha, really appreciated the service and conversation. Again, if you're visiting Kauai and need an amazing dinner experience in a beautiful restaurant setting, there's no better place to go than Naisla.
Came here for dinner and overall the food was great! We ordered apps and entrees, everything was super tasty and flavorful. However, the only call out was the Italian Ramen was on the lighter side; would prefer and more richer broth.
I'm ashamed to say this is the first time we have been here since it opened! Can easily say we will recommend Naisla and be back! Serviced was fantastic & the food was beyond amazing. We went with the specials for the appetizer and salad, if they have the cru ceviche, just say "yes please" when your server is telling you the nightly specials! Everything came out timely and there isn't a thing I would suggest to change our experience.
Reviews are largely positive. Diners highlight the creative, flavorful food, friendly, attentive staff, inventive cocktails, and an inviting ambiance.
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3 months ago
First thing we were greeted by the bar tender Stephanie. She actually came around the bar, greeted us, and also sat us. That was a great first impression. A waiter came around and then offered to take our order. Then when time went, another girl asked if someone already came by and helped us. We ordered a few things off the menu it being our first time back after two years. This time, everything was delicious! From the appetizers, to the salad, to our entrees. They have really came a long way! The wasabi Caesar dressing, delicious! Bao bun, soft and tasty! The scallop appetizers, sauted in bacon and bacon fat... oh my goodness! Our filet mignon cooked to perfection! The poached lobster and squid ink noodles with lobster bisque.. my favorite! Our waitress, which she didnt even tell us her name, did a mediocre job. We really tipped her more than she deserved, but I hope the bartender got a good portion of that tip we left. Thank you Stephanie, our bartender! All the kudos to you for making us feel welcomed, and really making our experience all the more better! It's those little things that we as customers look for... service, and attentiveness.. and of course great food! Shout out to the preps, and chefs! Delicious! Hands down! read more
Great food prepared well and quickly using very fresh ingredients. Service is attentive and kind. Ambience feels high-end but not stuffy. Drinks were a delight. The old fashioned was too sweet for me but the sazerac was on point! read more
4 months ago
A nice switch up from island food. OK, so if we're being honest, every other restaurant in Hawaii offers Hawaiian food with similar menus. After day four of eating Hawaiian food, breakfast lunch and dinner my family and I wanted a different culinary experience and this place absolutely delivered. We're not huge Italian cuisine fans but the way this food gave us a new experience to enjoy together was incredible. We ordered several things like the braised rib, lobster pasta, scallop appetizer and miso cod appetizer with fettuccine Alfredo for the kids and a spicy margarita and a couple other drinks. Service and the food was great! Such a nice switch up from your everyday island cuisine. A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it read more
3 days ago
5 months ago
Well, this was a surprise, given what good experiences we've had here in the past. Husband had his Sunny Bubbles again, and loved it. I had an excellent dirty martini! I also had the scallops and truffle potatoes, which was excellent, though it was alarming to be given a steak knife with them. We shared brussels sprouts with different chiles, really good. Husband had the Miso Carbonara, which was not as good as last time. The real problem was our server, who was very pleasant and nice, but distracted and not paying enough attention. He was sipping wine and chatting with other servers when we were trying to get his attention. There was quite a wait for our check at the end. But the real kicker was when I got a call from him after we left saying that my credit card had been declined, how did I want to handle it? WE HAD PAID CASH!! Which I told him and he mumbled something. read more
They had an excellent dinner menu set at $110 per person which included a Starter, a Salad, an Entree, and a Dessert. * For my Starter, I chose the Hamachi Crudo which was Yellow Tail with Garlic Ginger Soy and Pickled Fresno. * For my Salad, I chose the Wasabi Caesar which came out as a cut of Romaine Lettuce topped with Parmesan Crisp, Herbed Croutons, and Wasabi Caesar Dressing. * For my Entree, I went with the Filet Mignon accompanied by Truffle Potato Purée, Mushroom Conserva, Charred Pearl Onion, and Compound Butter * For my Dessert, I picked the Tiramisu which was dressed in Coffee, Mascarpone, Cocoa, and Caramel Sauce. There are other options on the prefix menu so you can mix and match to craft your perfect dinner. Ambiance is romantic but also fun and energetic. There is a full bar with seating. Located on a main road so street parking is your best bet. Service was great -- but of course it would be -- nothing like Hawaiian hospitality. Would recommend this restaurant for a date night or a girls night out. read more
Back again at one of our favorite spots in Kapaʻa, and Naisla did not disappoint. We started with the scallop and hamachi crudo appetizers--absolute musts and somehow even better than last time. The Caesar salad was the only slight miss for us, as the wasabi flavor was a bit overpowering. But everything else more than made up for it. The braised short ribs with risotto is hands down their best dish--tender, flavorful, and perfectly executed. We come back for this every time. Despite being very busy on a Sunday evening, the service was spot on: attentive, friendly, and well-paced. Always a great dining experience here, and we'll definitely be back again. read more
17 days ago
1 year ago
22 days ago
30 days ago
Food was absolutely fantastic! The server was very friendly and attentive. Wasn't too busy but reservations are always encouraged on the island. Highly recommend it! read more
1 year ago
We had a good meal here and a huge shout out to STEPH, our friendly and wonderful server. You can order a prie file meal here or order a la carte from the menu. Since I have a small appetite lately, I ordered the Wasabi Caesar with shrimp. The shrimp were so fresh and flavorful, I could have eaten twice as many! You get 4 shrimp on the salad. The salad was a little overdressed in my opinion. Hubby had the short rib on risotto. A huge service of risotto with a small short rib. He said he liked it. They have a nice cocktail selection and just a few wines by the glass. Many more wine selections by the bottle. We did wait awhile for our entrees but while waiting had a nice chat with our table neighbors who have been residents of Kauai since the mid '80's. That was nice to chat with them to hear their insights. Overall a great experience for a "newer" Kapaa restaurant. read more
Tasty food. Creative cocktail menu. Good if small wine selection. Friendly Service. Nice dining room. Parking situation sucks. Just 4 parking spots around the corner of the building in front of the coffee place. Warning signs declare don't park there until 5pm at risk of being towed away. The big parking lot down the hill on the right side of the building was gated and locked. Had early hour dinner. Sat next to a married couple who moved to Kauai from California 20 years ago. Had a conversation with them throughout the meal. They said that Naisla was the best restaurant on the island. IMHO that's debatable, but I respect their opinion. Bambie & I ate out frequently during our two week visit August 2025. Naisla was in the top three of the fancy places we ate. Others were Bar Acuda and Postcards, both located in Hanalei town. read more
3 months ago
Wowowow. This is not only the best food we had on the island but one of the best dinners we've had in months. The cocktails were delicious, the food was perfectly cooked and the service was great. It's a nice restaurant while still welcoming to our family. Highly recommend for your visit while on Kauai. read more
4 months ago
I had high expectations for Naisla based on other reviews. Wow - our expectations were exceeded! My partner and I opted for the prix fixe menu and every course was perfection. The tuna carpaccio was truly spectacular with perfect garnish. Bao bun was scrumptious. I had the miso Caesar salad which was a sensory explosion - so unique and delicious. The fresh catch was seared Ahi - truly one of the best fish dishes that I've eaten with layers of flavor. My partner loved his filet mignon. And, then - the desserts. I was so full but ate every morsel of the tiramisu- probably the best tiramisu I've eaten. Our server, Emma, was lovely and attentive. If you are anywhere in Kauai, go to Naisla - a truly amazing food experience. Every course was so incredibly delicious. read more
11 months ago
4.5 stars We had a really lovely dinner here! Service was genuinely great - our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and the kind of person who makes you *want* to tip well. He introduced us to their seasonal dessert, and we're 100% glad we listened. Such a good call. I had the lobster pasta and thoroughly enjoyed it. Flavor was spot on and exactly what I was craving. If I'm being picky, the pasta itself could've been a bit more al dente, but still delicious overall. We also tried the surf and turf, and that was a highlight. The filet mignon was cooked to juicy medium-rare perfection, and the lobster was tender and satisfying. We loved the sides too! The only downside for us was the mahi mahi. The owner fished it himself so that's really cool and it was tasty, but for the price, getting two skewers with three cubes of fish each felt a bit underwhelming. Overall, great service, memorable dishes, and a solid experience - we'd definitely come back, just maybe skip the mahi mahi next time. read more
1 year ago
Stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn near by and stumbled upon this GEM of a restaurant for dinner. Straight to the point, this was one of the BEST dinner experiences I've ever had. I've never had a Japanese/Italian fusion cuisine, but if you're a fan of either, this is a MUST HAVE on the island. Food: We ordered three items, the fish collar which was a special for the day, the cucumber dish, and the Miso Carbonara. Each item had a a distinct flavor to them with blended sauces and aromas. We added chicken to the carbonara which was a perfect addition. The cucumber dish was a flavor packed medley and complimented all the other food items. Drinks: there's one drink that sells for 10x more than anything else on the menu and it's their Spicy Margarita. After trying it, I can definitely see why. They definitely perfected the recipe to that drink and if you love margaritas, you can't miss out on theirs. The service at Naisla was stellar to say the least. Brock our server, helped us out and even thought I was a local which goes to show how connected they are with their community of patrons. If you read this Brock, much love and mahalo brotha, really appreciated the service and conversation. Again, if you're visiting Kauai and need an amazing dinner experience in a beautiful restaurant setting, there's no better place to go than Naisla. read more
7 months ago
Came here for dinner and overall the food was great! We ordered apps and entrees, everything was super tasty and flavorful. However, the only call out was the Italian Ramen was on the lighter side; would prefer and more richer broth. read more
1 year ago
I'm ashamed to say this is the first time we have been here since it opened! Can easily say we will recommend Naisla and be back! Serviced was fantastic & the food was beyond amazing. We went with the specials for the appetizer and salad, if they have the cru ceviche, just say "yes please" when your server is telling you the nightly specials! Everything came out timely and there isn't a thing I would suggest to change our experience. read more
What a find! This great place is in a very non-assuming building, and we completely drive by it when we visited a year ago. I'm so glad that we had dinner here this visit. The place is cute and service is great. The NYE tasting menu was good. For me - tuna carpaccio, endive salad, garden pasta and lobster tail added, chocolate lava cake. ALL delicious. For him - arancini, smashed cucumber salad (which I tried - delish), filet mignon with lobster tail added, pumpkin sir cream coffee cake (also tried this - yum!) One more about the lobster tails - mine melted in my mouth and was so tender. His was not cooked the same way and assists a bit translucent. We were told that they sou-vide them so they are all the same... but they didn't look or taste the same. read more
6 months ago
Best meal of our entire 8-day trip. The scallops appetizer is a MUST. The lobster pasta -- incredible. The miso carbonara could be paired with anything but not my absolute favorite! read more
6 months ago
Naisla Kitchen is a nice little place. Ambiance is quaint. The staff is awesome very friendly and attentive and service is outstanding. Happy hour if 4-5, Dinner is available after 5pm. Prices are reasonable for Hawaii depending on what you order. I had an appetizer Arancini, ( Deep fried risotto) topped with ricotta pesto guanciale. It was outstanding, I have sampled all their appitizers and they are all very good can't miss, especially with a cocktail. I ordered the jidori chicken with purple mashed sweet potatoes and glazed heirloom carrots, with gastrique. One of my favorite dishes here. The fish is fresh everyday from.local fisherman and are outstanding as well. This place is a hidden little gem I go to when I am in Kauai. read more
10 months ago
What an absolute gem. The best meal we've had all trip (and yes, we've already been to Bar Acuda) and we will almost certainly go back. Brock was a wonderful server who gave great recos, including the scallops which were terrific. The hamachi crudo was another standout and honestly we wish we had ordered every appetizer after the fact. All our mains were good or great, our cocktails were delightful, and the overall vibe is casual but nice. Put this high on your list. read more
8 months ago
I recommend Naisla to everyone!! Whether you are celebrating or just looking for great dinner and drinks this is the spot. My go to favorite is the Chicken Jidori but a close second is the short rib. Their tiramisu is also a great end to any meal! I've always had wonderful service and I love how they updated the space; the atmosphere is comfortable and classy. read more
10 months ago
This is fantastic place. Loved the food. Highly recommend for a special night out. There was a variety of menu choices and cocktails were excellent. read more
11 months ago
6/30/24 Naisla was our final dinner choice in Kauai. The ambience was very modern and beautiful in the simple aesthetic decor. We started we started off with some Hamachi Crudo, some Hokkaido scallops to share. Both were 5/5 on flavor. We then ordered the Kauai shrimp Caesar salad which was amazing! 5/5 It was enough so we added local greens salad. It was good but had a bit too much vinaigrette for us 4/5. Moving on to entrees, my youngest ordered the Lobster Linguine - described as a butter poach lobster tail on top of squid ink linguine sitting in lobster bisque. The lobster was a tad too salty for us making the dish overall a 4/5. My oldest ordered the soy braised short rib over creamy risotto. Excellent flavor. 5/5 Hubs ordered Fresh catch of the day - Ahi Tuna Seared over soba noodles, in a wasabi aioli and veggies 4/5 I ordered the Jidori Chicken - miso chicken breast over purple, sweet potato mash with heirloom carrots - this was excellent. 5/5 We ordered 2 desserts to share. We chose the lava cake and green tea sponge cake with chocolate mousse for dessert. While both were good, they weren't exceptional. 4/5 I ordered not 1 but 2 spicy mauka margaritas. They were delish. Emma was our server and was attentive and great with service. 5/5 Almost everything from start to finish was really good. We would definitely come back if we come back to Kauai! Great dinner for a great family vacation. 4.5/5 stars read more
4 months ago
7 months ago
Well this was my most talked about place and a place I needed to revisit. I would say the food is still spectacular. However, being asked to move seats at the bar towards the end of our meal is a bit low class. For that I would say this place has drop a notch. Food still good but perhaps re-evaluate how you interact with patrons. read more
2 years ago
Naisla is hands-down one of my favorite spots on island. It's one of those places where every dish feels thoughtful, the flavors are layered, and you kinda want to order everything just to see what else they've done that well. I get the Tuna Carpaccio every time we go --Hawaiian yellowfin ahi, truffle ponzu, arugula, shaved parm... it's fresh and savory and just hits all the right notes. I could eat it every day and not get tired of it. The Endive Salad sounds simple but it's wild how much flavor they pack in. The goat cheese + mango chutney + honey tamarind combo is next level. Sweet, tangy, creamy, crunchy--just so good. For entrées, the Braised Short Ribs are melt-in-your-mouth amazing. The risotto is rich and comforting, and the ginger soy reduction brings it all together in the best way. And make sure you get the Spicy Mauka Margarita--pineapple, jalapeño, citrus... it's the perfect balance of spicy and refreshing. I always get one (or two). The vibe is warm, elevated but not stuffy, and the service is consistently great. It's one of those rare spots where you can tell the team really cares. Highly, highly recommend. read more
It's located on the main highway near a strip mall. We had reservations and we were sat right away. It was pretty empty and pretty quiet. It was nicely decorated and the bench seating was comfortable with pillows to use as backrest. The server was very nice and helpful with suggestions. The menu is Asian and Italian inspired plates. We ordered their interpretation of a Whisky Sour (Samurai Sour) and a jalapeño Margarita (Spicy Mauka Margarita). Both were good. Food came out rather quickly. The Miso Carbonara pasta tasted like fettuccine Alfredo with a hint of teriyaki. It was good. I wish it was a bigger portion. The Italian Ramen was good too. We opted for tiramisu for dessert and it was amazing too. I enjoyed our dinner. It was rather quick so we didn't get a vibe for the experience. I wish they would have had some music to elevate the experience. read more
6 months ago
Delicious and savory food. Loved the modern and upbeat ambiance. Our server was also great and hospitable. read more
5 months ago
11 months ago
The ambiance is romantic; the service is beyond what's standard; and the food is the best we've had on the island: fresh, well thought out, and *everything* on the plate has a delicious purpose. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
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Ask the Community - Naisla Kitchen and Cocktails
Do they do take out or to go orders or is it fine service only?
Don't know, but the food wouldn't be as enjoyable without the presentation. You'll have to call them to be sure.
What are the hours for this place? Any reservations needed? Phone #
They are currently open Wednesday- Sunday 5 to 930pm. You can make a reservation on OpenTable. I would highly recommend doing that. #808-855-0294
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