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    Tahiti Nui

    3.9 (1.9k reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Tahiti Nui Photos

    Business Info

    TAHITI NUI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Live music
    Outdoor seating

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    Macnut Macadamia Nut Panko Crusted Fresh Ono
    Amanda C.

    Booked a reservation here for 7pm. Would recommend booking a reservation for inside so you can hear the live music. This restaurant was a fun tiki vibe with ~very~ strong mai tais. The coconut shrimp is excellent (I love coconut shrimp and this was my favorite I had in Hawaii). The appetizer portion is pretty large and could suffice for a small dinner for one. I also had the macnut crusted Ono which was also very good. The vibes and good music took Tahiti Nui over the top and made it a memorable part of our trip.

    Mai tai
    ronadette c.

    Came here last night for dinner around 7pm.check in was easy, we waited do maybe 15 min. Once we got seated it wasn't long After that we got to put in our orders. Our male server was very polite and we didn't feel rushed considering it was pretty busy. Ordered the coconut shrimp, mai tai and the zesty coconut crusted catch . First the coconut shrimp hit the spot and the sauce that it came with was delicious mix of flavors . I can't pinpoint what kind of aioli it is but it was good nonetheless. The Mai tai was pretty strong . Was just perfect to end the night! The sweet potato mash was a good twist from a regular mashed potato. The fish was a little dry but the flavor was still there and the sauce made up for it. They had a live band which was a nice addition to the ambiance. I was singing along while waiting for our food! Overall I could recommend this place and will be bask for sure

    Denise Y.

    We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Tahiti Nui. As others have said, all of the staff were very welcoming, but if you get Sara as your server then you will be warmly treated. She knows the menu and suggests great pairings. We would welcome having her serve us again. We chose Zesty Coconut Crusted catch which the fish of the day was Nui Swordfish which is not to be confused with the Marlin. It was served with mashed purple sweet potato and a side of fresh green beans. Delicious! My husband got the Macadamia Crusted Chicken and Sara suggested the garlic mashed potatoes instead of rice which was spot on for my husband. I also had the Mai Tai. Our meal was quick - hot & delicious. So glad we chose here for our dinner.

    Famous Mai Tai
    Ana R.

    A must try spot if you're visiting Kauai. A very popular bar, it's pretty much always lively and full so prepare to wait or sit at the bar. Must have cocktails (the famous mai tai) and mocktails. ORDER THE COCONUT SHRIMP. If you come here and don't order the coconut shrimp, my heart breaks for you. I get it with extra lilikoi sauce on the side. I dream of this shrimp. The Huli Huli Chicken Pizza (Basically a BBQ chicken pizza, is my other favorite. I really stick to these items. I got the pulled pork sandwich once and it was just okay. But a very fun spot! They also have music and dancing :)

    Pizzas
    John K.

    When you hail from the pizza capital of the world, the measuring stick for pizza is different. However Tahiti Nui is putting in the love with these pies, a one way ticket to flavortown. Not to mention the best, most fresh coconut shrimp I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Service and vibes were top notch as well, the live music was a great tone setter. If you need to mix it up, highly advise giving the fine folks at tahiti nui a chance!

    Mai tai
    Nicole W.

    I am a little biased because one of my favorite movies was filmed here and I was so happy to see it in person. The movie in question is so The Descendants. The Mai Tai's were really good. We came here after a day at the beach and we had a big breakfast so we didn't order food. Our kids can always eat so they shared the burger. The burger was really good. If we had tried more food I would have a more educated opinion on the food. The service was excellent.

    Ahi Carpaccio
    Eric S.

    Always a fun spot in Hanalei. Got there just as they opened and they filled the restaurant immediately. We thought this might take awhile but instead we had some of the quickest nicest service! Bailey our server was great and hope she has a great birthday!

    Kalua Pork Sandwich
    Sophie T.

    After coming back here 8 years later, I do enjoy this restaurant!! It's so cute and has a variety of food choices. The pizza oven was broken when we came, but there's still lots of variety of foods. The coconut shrimp was so good and crispy - you can really taste the coconut flavor. The kalua pork sandwich was my favorite - it was sweet yet savory and tasted refreshing because of the veggies inside. I also tried the burger - it's definitely hefty but still delicious - I love the added crunch with the onion ring.

    Menu
    Anastacia S.

    This place is THE ORIGINAL MAI TAI place. Don't get it twisted. There is no better Mai Tai in the world, which is proven literally statistically since this place always wins. We couldn't believe what a difference in having a Mai Tai here was like--unbelievable! I recommend going during happy hour since they are reduced in price (otherwise it is pretty expensive). We also tried so many of the tasty plates, but the ahi carpaccio was epic. This has to be a must if you are in Kauai. It is worth flying out from the mainland, grabbing a mai tai, and flying back--it is THAT good.

    Mai tai
    Makena S.

    No frills casual dress bar and grill (The Descendants filmed some indoor scenes here) within walking distance of Hanalei Bay. The pizza is very good and just the right size for one, or to share with a salad (the kale Caesar was good!). They're "famous" for their Mai Tai, and it's fairly sweet but with a generous pour.

    Kami M.

    Tahiti Nui is always a win for us. They have our favorite Mai Tais on the island hands down. Strong, perfectly balanced, and exactly what you want when you're in Kauai. We ordered the coconut shrimp and it was delicious, crispy, and flavorful, plus you get seven pieces, which felt generous and perfect for sharing (or not). The vibe is fun and laid-back, making it an easy spot to relax and enjoy great drinks and solid food. Definitely a place we'd go back to again just for the Mai Tais alone.

    Hawaiian pizza with ham add pepperoni
    Sunshine S.

    We got here around 2:45 and stood in line waiting. The people in front of us and behind us left which worked out well for us! We got a table and ordered drinks. They had happy hour 3-5 with the mai tai, house marg, wine and beer on the menu for a slight discount. My friends margarita tasted like they forgot the tequila entirely but she didn't say anything. My mai tai was fine. The other group member got a longboard draft and a pele (passion) margarita. The margarita wasn't bad. One person got the kao kao pizza it was good and took leftovers I got Hawaiian add pepperoni and I ate the whole thing. The crust was good, a little thin so had to scrunch the end to avoid losing the toppings but taste was good! One got the gluten free cauliflower crust and went with the Margherita pizza and enjoyed it The last got the market special catch which was in the marlin family. The fish was good but the sauce didn't go at all and tasted bitter. The ube mash was underwhelming. We shared the oh so ono appetizer and it was the best ono we've had on the trip. We also shared two gluten free lilikoi cheesecake slices and they were plate licking good! We sat outside and it was the typical outdoor Hawaiian environment with the chickens and a pretty view of the mountains and trees and the shelter protected us from the brief rain. Inside was more bar like. Bathrooms weren't terrible but also not great. Typical I guess. The area is beautiful and one of the prettier parts of Kauai. We went to the Anini beach first and it was not too far from there to grab some linner.

    Rib Eye Beef Poke Bowl
    Lori R.

    My first time in Kauai and went to Tahiti Nui twice. The service was great! The ahi carpaccio was amazing! Also had a flatbread & dessert. It was all good! Second visit we sat at the bar and our bartender was so nice & friendly & our waiter the first night was too! Enjoyed the live music!

    Fabulous authentic tapa and lauhala decor.

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    14 days ago

    Enjoyed the pizza and outdoor seating. Our waiter was very kind and had a fun enthusiasm! Drinks weren't the worst, or the best.

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    Tahiti Nui Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tahiti Nui

    Are reservations needed?

    They don't take reservations so just put your name in and wait.

    Do they have gluten free options?

    Yes. The gf kalua pork eggs benedict was amazing. We went there for brunch and they said they typically had a gf taro bread for it but it was out then so they had udi's gf bun instead. Note I do not have celiacs so this was gluten-free but did… Read more

    Is this place still open?

    Yes

    How is the luau?

    Food was great, show was great, size of venue was small and made show more fun. Got to see the pig actually cooking in the pit before it was served.

    View All 7 Questions

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    Welina Terrace

    4.0(216 reviews)
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    Welima terrace is all about the Hanalei Bay views. SInce it is insidew the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay,…read moreWelima Terrace is super expensive. My order: Veggie Roll Crispy Rice Black Sesame Mochi Cake MAHINA MELE Loved my food! The vegiie roll was like a veggie california roll with a mix of Cucumber, Avocado, Asparagus, and Shiso Leaves. The highlight was the crispy rice. Golden fried , sumptuopus riceand it was delicious! To top it off , they gave us a candle to separate our special occasion over a black sesame mochi caked. Cocktails were great with local spirits. I would recommend booking a table in advance, show up early and the best time would be 30 mins before sunset, so I showed up at 6PM. The views were a killer. The resturant also has a DJ and is open late in the night but after sunset the views become really dark.

    I got lucky to spend my birthday here; our plan was to explore our options at the hotel and settle…read moreon whatever mood struck. This was our first and last spot. We were seated promptly at a cozy table inside with couches; we didn't want to wait for an outside table (tip: make a reservation). The cocktails were not only beautiful, but absolutely delicious and fresh. We loved each dish we ordered and the menu is big - and has something for almost everyone who enjoys Japanese cuisine. The views are incredible - especially at the outside tables. However we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset where we were inside. Service was excellent - considering how busy it was. You wouldn't know it by how attentive and professional our server was. Excellent evening here and we'll be back. Mahalo to the Welina Terrace team.

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    Kauai tai

    Ama

    Ama

    4.1(1k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We had reservations, were seated immediately. The setting is stunningly beautiful (even though low…read morelying misty clouds covered a lot of the mountain) - we were seated under the open air porch. We shared the large green papaya salad - fresh crunchy and delicious - and the chicken satay bowl (roasted Jidori chicken thighs, bok choy, soft egg*, scallions, sweet peppers, chili crisp broccoli and a peanut, coconut, satay sauce) - both were fabulous. We also had the sake flight - unique and fun to try. Highly recommend!

    We love coming here, we make a reservation every time we are in town. They used to have beautiful…read morecocktails (I still have photos on my phone!) but they've changed their menu and now they are all on the rocks. My server suggested that the bartender could easily make my requested drink as it is a full service bar, but when I went up to the bartender he seemed so pissed that I would even ask for something off menu! I get that he didn't want to make a drink with egg whites (why?? they are so good, and a good sour is a classic cocktail). But it was his tone and attitude that just seemed so off.. I've never met a bartender who didn't like engaging with a customer (maybe sub in condensed coconut milk if you don't want to use egg whites?). All in all, that completely changed the tone of my night. I felt embarrassed for even asking, and that never should have been the case.

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    Ama
    Ama - Brussels sprouts

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    Ama - Mocktails- Brazilian limeade & AMA P.O.G

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    Happy Talk Bar & Restaurant - Pineapple chicken and coconut rice

    Happy Talk Bar & Restaurant

    3.7(682 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    Such a cool place with amazing music and atmosphere! Huge shoutout to the musician who was covering…read moremodern hits in a Hawaiian style - honestly, that alone is worth coming here for. The bar bites were also really good. We ordered the coconut shrimp and chicken wings, and the wings were so tasty we ended up getting a second order. Service was great and respectful. My friends got beer and really enjoyed it. I ordered a cocktail and didn't have the best luck with it - lots of ice and a bit too bitter for my taste. I wouldn't recommend the Hanalei Sour. One thing to note: the restroom isn't inside the bar, it's on the hotel property, so you'll need to take a short walk. Overall, I'd recommend this place mainly for the vibe and live music - such a fun experince!

    If only the food tasted as good as the setting of this restaurant looks, it'd be a five star dining…read moreexperience. Unfortunately, we don't eat the restaurant setting, so this is a 2 star experience instead. Came in with a group of 4, and between all of us we ordered: 1.) Coconut Shrimp 2.) Homemade Mac-Nut Hummus 3.) Fried Calamari N' Shrimp 4.) Happy Talk Loco-Moco 5.) Happy Talk Smash Burger 6.) Volcano Poke I only got to try #'s 1-4, and from those, only the hummus was any good. Unfortunately, the loco-moco was bland. There was no seasoning, and there was no flavor. My party seemed to really enjoy the burger and that was probably the best food from what we ordered. Overall, I wasn't happy with the meal and would give this a 2/5

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    Happy Talk Bar & Restaurant - Dinner seating is adjacent to the upper level bar.

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    Tiki Iniki - The bill

    Tiki Iniki

    3.5(1.3k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Food - 5 stars. Easily. Some of the best sauces I've ever tasted & obviously locally sourced…read moreingredients. The basic green salad was absolutely incredible. The hot wings are unique in a very good way. They are definitely hot but have such a well balanced flavor profile. Even their fries have a dusting of magic on them. The sticky ribs are a must try. Ambiance is fun & lively. Tiki drinks are fun & strong. The only reason I held back a star is because we were a party of 2 waiting behind two larger groups of people to be seated. Multiple people were allowed to walk up & enter through the exit, then sit at the bar while we were patiently waiting to even be approached. We would have gladly sat at the bar, if anyone would have checked with us. I guess it pays to be aggressive here? The check in process during busy times should be regulated & monitored better. Other than that, once we were approached we were seated after a short wait and service was great after that. Food was so good, we came back the next day and were seated immediately. Aloha!

    It's such a shame, because my wife and I love trying tiki bars whenever we go to a new place, but…read moreTiki Iniki just feels like no one cares. At all. Service is slow. Slooooowwwww. Slow. The worst mai tai I have ever had. My god. Ordered the "top shelf" Mai tai, and it was absolutely brutal. First, it wasn't shaken OR stirred. What does this mean? It was served one ingredient on top of the next, room temperature, and tasted like a hot mess. We actually felt sick from it. The amount of syrup this bartender used was crazy. She's either not tasting her drinks, or has just fried her taste buds doing god knows what over the years. Please, for your customer's sake, train the bartenders.

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    Stinger Ray's Tiki Bar & Lounge - Photo 3: Interior

    Stinger Ray's Tiki Bar & Lounge

    3.8(11 reviews)
    18.2 mi

    Jamie W and I have yet to explore the island of Kauai, but we did have a longer-than-scheduled…read morelayover at Lihue Airport on the way back home from Honolulu. Three hours to be exact, and the airport was unsurprisingly quite small. There was a mini-market, a couple of places to eat, and this casual tiki bar. Of course we were drawn in even though it was crowded due to several concurrent flight delays. The bartender was busy, even providing table service without any staff assistance. We managed to snag a window-side table, and while we balked a bit at the price, we ordered a pair of $22.49 Macadamia Nut Espresso Martinis, a luscious libation of vodka, Borghetti espresso liqueur, macadamia nut honey, and nitro-infused espresso (Photo 7). It kept us going until our flight finally took off. COCKTAIL - 4 stars...pricy yet top drawer AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...it's the airport after all SERVICE - 4 stars...as attentive as possible TOTAL - 4 stars...last tiki stop before leaving the islands RELATED - Exploring Hawaii? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/n9JWu5nlzl

    Food is the same through the entire airport (burger is good!) but our bartender was fabulous…read more Friendly and helpful. Best way to burn a flight delay ever Coronas were plentiful and cold

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    Tahiti Nui - seafood - Updated May 2026

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