This beautiful place is amazing! Richard, and Elizabeth are the very best bartenders I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. They both made such a wonderful experience. read more

Our server Anthony was great and very friendly!!! Veiw was amazing, ambience has a cool island vibe. Will definitely comeback!

The nighttime ambiance was astonishing. Food was definitely amazing and worth the prices. Anthony (our server) was awesome. On top of it, always checking on us, very friendly and the service was overall excellent! read more

Dined at Crouching Lion for a family member's birthday celebration. Our table was comprised of 6 adults and 2 children, and were pleasantly located within the bar area. The food is always delicious and the 'Harry' provided great musical entertainment. Kai was our server and was attentive, friendly, and engaging, making the experience that much more enjoyable. The bar serves up great drinks and I recommend the Old Fashion. Not all bars make them well. This one does. read more

Absolutely loved the perfect location of this place! It was beautiful and was great for being nearby after touring Kualoa Ranch. The drinks were all amazing and the food was all excellent! We did have a bit of regret with ordering the feast. Our server sold us on it and said it was small plates of the entire menu. It started out great with a sip and some bites. The sushi was so good and the salmon belly - absolutely amazing! Then, it escalated to portions that were far too large and not near enough protein of bread, peppers, cucumber salad and ceviche (while all still tasting delicious), and then there was a huge gap in service. We were told tastings from the grill were next and were ready to leave before the time they came out - 40 min later! The short ribs and veggies were okay, but definitely not worth that wait. And then there was another huge wait again for a couple of desserts. The gap in time was so bad, we paid our bill and were ready to walk out without even finishing our meal. We felt bad because our server was so nice and the food that came out was really great, it just wasn't timed/managed well. If they would have just continued pacing very small plates, every few minutes as we finished each one, like the drink, tofu and sushi, and then continue on with small plates of their rice/noodles dishes, then a few smaller portions from the grill...it could have been excellent. While the food that is served is amazing, I'd recommend just ordering what you really want and expect to wait. I'd give them a 5 for taste, but 1 or a 2 for all of the ridiculous waiting. read more

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it hurts me to make this review cus our server was sooo sweet, nothing against him. I hate to be a karen but for the price. - appetizers were sent after entrees - my ceviche was an hour delayed, and it was pure liquid no shrimp - alcoholic drinks tasted virgin - portions small positive: place was sooo cute read more

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The Crouching Lion is such a gorgeous place to enjoy a meal with good company. Having lived on Oahu and driven past the establishment when it was closed many times, it was a real treat when Terry K. took us here to dine. We arrived on a weekday afternoon and walked right in. We took time to explore the spaces, and I was in awe of how pretty it is overlooking the water. Plenty of space outside on their patio as well as spaces inside--all open air. It's a great place for all party sizes, ranging from friends and family to loved ones. The ambiance is relaxing and scenic. We didn't have reservations, but it's recommended on busier days. Service was friendly and accommodating throughout our entire stay. Having a full day ahead, the three of us shared some pupus. We got the Ceviche with House Nuac Cham Chips and Crispy Tofu. The ceviche was tasty and fresh. The chips were fine, crunchy, but inconsistent in texture, ranging from light to a bit harder and stale. The tofu was good, a simple agedashi tofu. You are paying for the view as prices are a bit more, reflecting the environment and location. But they do offer complimentary wonton chips, which were a nice touch. If you're driving around the island, a stop at The Crouching Lion is a must for the views. So happy to have the opportunity to dine here now that they're reopened. Find them off Kamehameha Highway with plenty of parking out front. read more

The Crouching Lion - Crispy Tofu - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

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Food was pretty good. I especially liked the wonton chips (free seasoned wonton chips with your meal!). The fries were my favorite and came with even more wonton chips. Tacos used flour tortilla instead of corn, which is not my personal preference. My boyfriend added an extra taco (order comes with 3) and it was $9 yeah Hawai'i is expensive but $9 felt steep for a single taco. Service was great. Very nice and they even gave us these red bean balls as a gift when we were leaving! Establishment was made up of 3 sections I think so there's something for everyone. Outdoor dining had lots of flies though but there's an electric fan-like item to deter them read more

The Crouching Lion - Tacos and fries - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

East Fusion Love any excuse to drive out here (: Restaurant entrance is on the left when facing the building - opposite end of the cafe. Breezy open air seating that overlooks out to the sea. . First time visiting and pleasantly surprised with the Korean based cuisine! -Prime brisket tacos - not too oily and are large enough to be a meal on its own. But beware the red jalapeños, they're deadly! - Hamachi kama - good, standard sized portion and taste. - Clams and focaccia bread - bread was amazingly fluffy, light but with a nice thin crunchy crust. Clams sat in wonderful garlic butter - tho I do wish they arrived pre-chucked. - Uni pasta - served with buckwheat noodles was a nice change! It enriched the blends of flavor of the thick uni cut toppings, cream sauce, and dabbles of ikura that gave a salty burst in each bite. - Peach Makgeoli ...the sweet sparkling beverage itself is wayy overpriced and not worth it. but I love the pretty carafe and matching cups it comes in - it gave an attempted perception of looking traditional despite serving a very modernized fizzy drink -- just saying. . Good service and the restaurant was very responsive on OpenTable when I contacted them about our late arrival. It also wasn't too crowded considering it was Mother's Day. Despite the ocean breeze - food by the beach will naturally attract flies. There wasn't plenty but it took small efforts to protect our meal from unwanted landings. Overall, an experience worth driving to. (: read more

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I've always enjoyed bringing family and friends to Crouching Lion for lunch or dinner. It's a great alternative to dining in Waikiki, and in the past the food, service, and overall vibe have usually been very good. Unfortunately, tonight's experience fell short of what we've come to expect. We made reservations online and arrived on time, but after checking in we were asked to wait while being told we would be seated shortly. During that time, another group of six arrived without reservations and was seated before us, even though we could clearly see our table was already available. As locals, it gave the impression that tourists were being prioritized over repeat local customers. I completely understand how important visitors are to businesses, but locals are often the ones who continue supporting a restaurant year after year. Our server started off great and was friendly throughout the meal, but after we finished eating he seemed to disappear for quite a while. We waited so long that we eventually decided to skip dessert by the time he returned. The food was mixed tonight. Most dishes were tasty, but the items from the Robata Grill -- including the scallops, mushrooms, and pork belly -- arrived cold, which was disappointing for grilled items. This review reflects tonight's experience only. I've had many good visits here before and I'll definitely return, hoping things get back to the solid 4-5 star experiences I've enjoyed in the past. read more

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This is a good restaurant, although admittedly the only one I've been to on the Northeast side of Oahu. It's got great views and food - my wife and I tried the Wagyu Slides, Brisket Tacos, and the Volcano Brisket Fries. My favorite was the Volcano Brisket Fries, large portion and great taste, with the won ton chips adding some additional structure and making it easy to grab the ingrediments. The Brisket Taco was good, and despite the pepper in my photo, wasn't too hot (although it does have a lil' kick). Wagyu Slider was good, the pickled stuff added a nice touch. There's an attached coffee spot as well. The one knock against this place was that there were some flies hanging around, despite the fan-shoo-away things they had on the table--but for the food, service, and vibes, definitely on point and would recommend trying this place out if you're in the area. read more

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A beautiful view, delicious food and thirst fulfilling drinks-what more can you ask for? This place is worth the scenic but far drive from town. We were fortunate to have been invited to a party being held here. The menu was amazing! So much food and everything was so delicious!! The ceviche was one of the best I've ever had! The mandoo is stuffed full and so perfect, crunchy and chewy! The bruschetta was different but so yummy! Their cucumbers rival the famous Chinese restaurant (DTF). Best ribeye I've had in a while! The shiitake mushrooms are cooked perfectly! Their lilikoi bread pudding and crème brulee are amazing desserts! We will take the drive out and come again because the food was so good, they have a full stocked bar for craft drinks and the service was friendly and kind!! Happy to give this restaurant five stars! read more

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AMAZING food, service and ambience!! From the breathtaking views, food bursting with flavor and the exceptional service from our server, Joselyn, we were blown away. I would describe the menu as a shareable/familiy style menu. We ordered quite a bit, but it was all worth it. What we ordered: * Ribeye Streak * Scallops * Lobster tail * Steamed clams with focaccia bread * Fried Rice Everything was cooked to perfection. My favorites were the steamed clams and the fried rice. 10 Stars! read more

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Excellent food. I had the Mandu and it was delicious. Ocean view. And the staff are very friendly and helpful. Thank you! read more

The Crouching Lion - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

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Went on a weekday on Tuesday and it wasn't busy at all. We were able to sit by the ocean view but it was raining so we moved closer to the middle. I ordered the volcano nachos and the brisket roll. My favorite here is their brisket, so I wanted to try their other brisket items. When we got them, it was delicious! I wish there was a bit more sauce on the nachos, but I asked for some on the side to dip the fries in. The roll was very good too and each part paired well together. I would return again for their brisket. Our server was very nice and attentive and I enjoyed the dinner! read more

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The drive here was gorgeous. We arrived right before sunset and had a beautiful view next to the e water. Service was stellar. Its served family/tapas style so we werent sure exactly how much to order for two people but were guided to try a few things from different sections of the menu. Food comes out as its ready and everything was a hit! Our only wish was that we came with more people so we could have ordered more menu items to try! Come hungry and try it all! read more

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Crouching Lion on Oahu is one of those places where the view alone makes it worth the visit -- but the food holds its own too. We went for lunch and sat on the patio, which overlooks the ocean and is absolutely beautiful. It's such a relaxing setting and perfect for taking in the scenery while you eat. The vibe during lunch was very casual. Some people were dressed up, but you definitely don't need to feel obligated to do the same. If you want a table closest to the very edge of the patio, I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time. That said, the views are great from pretty much anywhere outside. We ordered the bulgogi kimbap roll, scallion pancakes, and mandu. Everything was really flavorful and perfect for sharing. Portion sizes were okay -- not huge, but enough for a light lunch. There's a small parking lot on-site, which can fill up, so just keep that in mind depending on when you go. It is definitely on the pricier side, but honestly that's pretty expected for Hawaii, especially at a place with views like this. I'd absolutely come back. Between the incredible ocean views and the solid food, it's a great spot to stop if you're exploring that side of the island read more

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The ceviche is absolutely amazing. The serving portion is very small, but worth trying! The service is really good as well. We did not have a reservation, but asked if we could be seated facing the ocean, and they were able to accommodate us. I think it is a great place for a nice dinner with friends or a date. At least two birthday parties were going on while I was there. read more

The Crouching Lion - Ceviche - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

Nice atmosphere but the food is a rip off. Too expensive for what you get....we ordered the swordfish, steak and shrimp with a potato, asparagus and crispy tofu. Everything was so bland. Two of us ordered the cherry bomb drink and even that was a disappointment. We also made a reservation and still Had to wait an additional 35 minutes. The bill for our party of 5 was more than $350 and our son made a PB&J when we got home. read more

My husband and I haven't been back since 26 years ago. The restaurant looks different in a good way. We just stopped in for an quick lunch. Everything was Excellent! From the service and food. Madison was our waitress and she was so friendly and helpful. The Sliders and fries she recommended was delicious and chocolate and vanilla ice-cream so yummy!. We're definitely going back for dinner. read more

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Excellent. Asian-fusion cuisine across street from beach with direct ocean views. Very exotic, bohemian, Balinese atmosphere open to the elements. Well known dishes as larb, curries, suishi raw bar etc. worth the drive. read more

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I was having such a hard time trying to find a place for rehearsal dinner that would be close enough to the venue AND would host 19 people. I reached out and Stephanie was amazing to communicate with. When we got there the electricity went completely out and they had some lamps to put around the table. I really felt bad for my photographer because bad lighting sucks. But the service here was absolutely amazing. Even with zero electricity they were able to serve a 4 course meal and it was alll so freakin good. We decided to come back for dinner the night before we left and it was good. The nachos or whatever they were , had such great flavor. I would skip on the pasta - we didn't love it. Also every dish on our menu for the rehearsal was amazing read more

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Great service and scenic view! The oysters were so fresh! Highly recommend the scallion pancakes and edamame. I was a little disappointed with the scallops. They tasted like they were cooked in the same pan/grill as burgers and the texture was chewier than I'd like. Other than that, everything was amazing! For two people, we spend just under $200. read more

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Killer food. Great staff, Anthony was a terrific server and made the heal memorable.

The Crouching Lion was 10/10 experience. The vibe was so cute, all decorated for Christmas, with a killer view of the ocean. We had the Santa Sangria to start. Delicious and sweet. Then we ordered share plates of crunchy ahi, crunchy salmon, brisket tacos and volcano fries. All were seriously so satisfying and plenty to go around between the four of us. We were also celebrating a birthday and an upcoming deployment. The staff surprised us with a sweet chocolate ice cream dish to share as well as a candle and a sweet, sweet serenade from the live music artist they had that night. It was definitely an incredible experience and we can't wait to dine here again. read more

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I was really hoping that my experience here would be great as my brother recommended that we go here tonight as their family really likes this restaurant. Some red flags happen as we walked in to check in for our reservation. We were asked to wait to on the side as a party entered after us with no reservations. They were seated right away as there were many open tables at 6:00 pm. We were later seated after them to a table toward the back of the restaurant. Receptionists did not once say anything why we were not seated first as our table was available, but the other thing we all noticed is that she did not once greet us or smiled. Someone in our party made a comment that it's because we are locals and the group after us was obviously tourist. I really hope this is not the case as I feel that locals are the backbone that will sustain a restaurant during low travel seasons. Our waiter Brian was very friendly as he took our order and made great recommendations. Unfortunately I feel they might have been short staffed as he was quite busy and could not check on us. We received some of our dishes but the dishes we ordered from the grill did not arrive too much later. You could also tell that they had been sitting for a while as they came out cold. This was really tough as I was most excited to eat the grilled scallops and grilled pork belly. We also had an issue with fly's all night. Hopefully they can do something about that. We were initially going to try some desserts but after waiting for another 15-20 minutes we decided not to. I do like the fact that randomly their manager Stephanie came by and asked how things were as she saw us just sitting and waiting around. I explained that the flavors were great but the execution and service lacked some. She seemed very concerned and noted that she appreciated the criticism as she would like to address those issues. Because my brother really likes the restaurant and I grew up in Kahaluu, I hope to give them another try with a different experience. read more

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The MOST delicious and flavorful loaded fries I have ever had. The meat was spectacular, very lean and full of flavor. The service was excellent and the cider was good! We sat along the railing and split it all,-plenty of food. The views were incredible. We came after walking around at the Byodo In temple, perfect way to cap off the trip. read more

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Really spectacular views! And the guitar player was so wonderful...really added to the atmosphere. I will say the only reason it's not a 5 is the food quality was just a little less than expected. I got a few rolls and the pork. The desert was delicious... creme brulee. I would definitely come back for a glass of wine and desert! read more

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Great portion sizes. Good variety of food and drinks. Service was good. Our waitress was newer (1 month of working here) but she was very nice and friendly. Very quick service. read more

This restaurant was on my list of places to check out forever but I never made the trek from town until I pulled out the "it's my birthday and I want to go here so please drive me so I can drink and enjoy" card out. The view is pretty during the day but there's nothing but darkness outside of you go at night. It's a pretty large place so we were able to get a table for 3 as a walk in. The servers are very nice and attentive. The hostess gave me a chocolate rose as a birthday gift. The chefs and bartenders know what they're doing. The food was yummy! Everything we tried was delicious and nicely plated. It should be for the price point! My favorite dish was the wagyu beef larb which we ate with the complimentary freshly fried won ton chips. 'Ono!! The sushi roll sampler was a nice way to try their different sushi rolls. It wasn't the best sushi but it was good. I'd skip this next time tho. The Karaage chicken was wonderful. Big portion, yummy sauce, hot and crispy. read more

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Great views, but the food leaves more to be desired. This restaurant is located along Kamehameha Highway facing the water. It's located right next to "The Collection," a building showcasing cars and motorcycles, which also belongs to the owner of The Crouching Lion. We came in on a weekend for lunch and it wasn't busy at all, and we were able to be seated quite promptly! We ordered the CL bruschetta, which was essentially crispy rice with toppings of raw fish, as well as the rose tteokbokki carbonara. I think it took around 30 minutes for our food to come out. The bruschetta was an interesting concept, though it was rather oily and I got tired of the taste/texture by the second piece. I liked the rose tteokbokki the most, though the dish was quite expensive for the portion size and just being rice cakes and sauce. I likely would not come back since I didn't really enjoy the food, but if you wanted a scenic view while eating lunch or dinner, this is definitely an option! read more

The Crouching Lion - lava flow - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

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****This is an update to my initial review on Feb 14, 2026*** So after 3 months we were able to visit the restaurant. Reservations were made and we were set. It was Mother's Day weekend. We arrived a few minutes early and was warmly greeted by the host. I was given a chocolate rose and a special treat that was made by the restaurant. We order the preset meal, The Crouching Lion Feast. I highly recommend if you are not sure what to order. The atmosphere was amazing. We were seated near the bar area which was perfect. Noise level was just right. The food was delicious as always. The live music was great amazing. My initial complaint isn't about the food or the ambiance. It was more on how things were handled when the restaurant didn't have power and the lack of communication that they were closed. We drove for about an hour just to get to the restaurant, as we live on the west side of the island. There are a couple things I would suggest. 1) Investing in some generators. So that you would have a way to still serve patrons that come from afar. 2) Find an alternate way to better communicate when an unplanned situation occurs. It was unfortunate that the unforeseen circumstances had occurred, but CUSTOMER SERVICE is a big thing for me. My work experience has me face-to-face with customers on a daily and I've learned that no matter the situation you are faced with, it is always go to make the customer feel at ease. read more

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Food was wonderful!!Atmosphere was fantastic!! Our waiter, Yann, and our buser, Charlei, were friendly and very attentive!! Would highly recommend!! read more

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Such an incredible place. The location backing to the pali and facing the ocean makes for phenomenal views. We were seated near the railing so we had great ocean views. Our waiter Anthony was great. He informed us of their menu and was great at keeping our drinks fresh, water filled and the sharable food items coming. We ordered ribeye, scallops, spicy tuna sushi and asparagus and we shared it all between us. Everything was cooked to perfection. The highlight was ordering the mango bingsu for dessert. Oh wow! We will definitely be back. read more

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The location is breath taking, by being right on the ocean. I'd recommend going before sunset. The ambiance is very nice, it's clean and very aesthetic. We had a bday party for my wife. The food is definitely shareable and delicious. There's a lot of options and the menu seems built to share. The service was good enough and very friendly. I would definitely go back with friends. read more

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We sat down to this stunning view of Kahana Bay and deep dived into a seafood feast! The clams and oysters were sooo fresh, and the Hamachi Kama and lamb chops straight from the fire grill? Delicious! But we saved the best for last -- shaved ice for dessert! So refreshing, especially after a long hike on a hot day! If you're in the area, check this spot out. Amazing food and killer view read more

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Everything about this place was perfect. I enjoyed each dish we tried and was a big fan of the atmosphere. The food was more than I had expected and I am so thankful we drove from Wai'anae over to the east side for this menu and experience. The wonton chips were crispy, and I can't place the flavors but they were a touch of spicy and sweet. Great to snack on while checking the menu. We started with a shareable drink that was light, crisp and refreshing called Makgeolli Peach Sharable Spritz. Highly recommend this cocktail. No usually go to mai tai or margarita for me tonight. This was just what I needed. The oysters are from Seattle and they are almost as amazing as being at Elliot's in Seattle. Don't get the half; get the bakers dozen or you will be sad and want more. I asked for something spicy besides the horse radish, and had the spicy chili oil which was a nice touch with the shoyu and lemon. My first time ever eating scallops so I am not sure how to rate them but they had a meaty yet tender texture. They were buttery and delicious. The sauce I had been worried about since I am not a wasabi fan but it was light and not over powering. The Ribeye was tender, juicy and flavorful. Perfectly cooked and cut pupu style. Spicy ahi roll, inside out or something, yum! Loved it. Our waitress Ka'imi was exceptional. As a newer employee, she knew what's dishes were popular and what other guests enjoyed so she was able to recommend and knock our restaurant experience out of the park. I couldn't have asked for a more attentive and kind waitress. We also had a younger gentleman fill our water who was kind and attentive as well but I forgot to grab his name but we chatted about the beaches on the west side briefly. read more

The Crouching Lion - At night - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

If you a chance, go here! My husband will not stop talking about the brisket tacos, and he rarely truly "remembers" a meal. The views and ocean breeze made for a wonderful lunch after our stop at Kuloa Ranch read more

The restaurant itself is very nice. I enjoyed the location and the interior decors. As for the food, I thought it was only okay. The best thing I ate was definitely the order of beef kalbi with a side of plain white rice. The meat was a bit tough, but the flavors were really good. However, I can't give it a higher rating because of the service. Although our server was very enthusiastic and friendly, he completely forgot one of our orders, did not check on us, and completely disappeared for long time periods during our visit. read more

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It's a bit far, but it was worth the drive. Nestled right on the side of the Crouching Lion hike, it had a beautiful view of the ocean, would definitely recommend coming in the day for the view. We came as a walk-in on a Wednesday evening around 5:30 and was seated within 20min. Our server was great, she made great recommendations, was very knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered the Bulgogi Kimbap, Spicy cucumbers, wagyu sliders, volcanic loaded brisket fries, classic mandu, and uni pasta. This was more than enough for two people to share and the food was so good. My husband really enjoyed the spicy cucumbers, volcano fries and the wagyu sliders. My favorite was the uni pasta. Will definitely be back to try other foods on the menu. The atmosphere was nice, there was live music being played, the server checked in on us in a timely manner and the whole staff was great. read more

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