Amazing place-- food, drinks, and are server Angela was super AWESOME! Music--- atmosphere set the mood and vibe. Mahalo-- read more

Had the best experience at the bar , two wonderful bartenders ( Kai & trimaine ) Thank you for making our night out incredible ! best cocktails around ! read more

Spent my birthday here today, had an amazing time. Beautiful view from the lanai. Our waiter Anthony was such a great person, excellent service. Food was phenomenal as always. read more

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We really enjoyed our time at Crouching Lion. We ordered the ceviche, duck, and bulgogi kimbap, and of the three, the ceviche was definitely my favorite. It was fresh, flavorful, and really hit the spot. The duck was also very good. My only wish was that the skin had been a little crispier, but overall I still really enjoyed it. The bulgogi kimbap was fresh and tasty, although it wasn't my favorite kimbap I've ever had. The drinks, though, were amazing! They were easily one of the highlights of our visit and something I'd definitely come back for. Overall, we had a really nice experience and would happily return for the ceviche, drinks, and to try a few more things on the menu. read more

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

The food was exceptional and the service was great. This area of the Northshore has few great restaurants as it is mostly food trucks. We had the lamb chops, the daily fish, the pork belly and the sliders. Excellent flavor and huge portions. Live local Hawaiian music on a Wednesday night. Fuggedaboutit... We will definitely come back. read more

The Crouching Lion - Mai tai macadamia foam... Wow - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

I totally forgot to write a review because it was so very bad. I was only reminded to write this because I was just watching a YT video called "Restaurants got GREEDY - Now they're dying empty" by user Alerte Tribune. Content creators were complaining that they purchased one ham and cheese sandwich for $32 in NY. I think the ham and cheese for $32 was a bargain compared to this place: we got 2 cocktails, 1 appetizer with 3 pieces of tofu = $56.42 without tip. With tip $67.23. Totally ridiculous. I don't know how long this place can stay in business. Crouching Lion has been on my bucket list for years even before the Covid shut-down and the purchase of the restaurant by a new owner, so it was only fitting to come here a few weeks ago for our anniversary. It was with luck that we ate at Roy's Beach House at Turtle Bay before stopping here as an alternative for drinks (I convinced the husband that I only wanted to come here for drinks after seeing the menu online, GOOD MOVE). SERVICE: The front desk people consisted of a teenage girl in a hoodie sucking on a water bottle slurping and avoiding all eye contact. Another young guy walked us to our dark, dingy table in the back. Tourists who came in after us got the ocean view, which I have read comments about from local reviewers who noticed the same thing - I have a theory about this: locals who come here will never come back and probably leave reviews like this - tourists get milked for money and they never go back either (if they were smart). Our server Ethan was the only reason this place wasn't a 1-star. He was very nice and friendly and doesn't belong in an establishment like this. AMBIANCE: We came through the back side, because we parked right by the stairs. Trash on the stairs. Classy. Went the wrong way and got strange and suspicious looks from the bartenders. No one steered us to the correct place despite looking lost. The pictures on the internet make it look really nice, which was not our experience. If we had the ocean view we'd be staring at the power lines. FOOD: I ordered the fried tofu thinking it was going to be a proper appetizer. THREE PIECES FOR $18. Aside from slap in the face pricing, it had no flavor. I poured shoyu/soy sauce on it. DRINKS: I ordered the Ube Brulee ($18) thinking it would be sweet. Wrong. It was sour with weird bits of crystalized coffee floating on it. Horrible. My husband ordered a Hawaii Highball ($18), just plain. I don't see many locals wanting to come here. Who the heck pays these ridiculous prices for overall mediocre service and bad food/cocktails? read more

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Everytime this place doesn't disappoint. Fantastic views. Ono food. And the service with Aloha that one wants . RICHARD was friendly and very attentive. As a Townie ( iykyk) when I go holo holo ... I need to stop here. Drinks on point and quality food. No basic NS food. A blend primo and casual with no stuffiness read more

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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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Absolutely love this restaurant and our experience there. We drive along the Kamehameha Highway all the time and never noticed this restaurant. Yes, that's crazy! I looked on Yelp for gluten free options near Kaaawa. This restaurant came up In my search. The parking lot is large with plenty of parking. The exterior of the restaurant is large and beautiful. There's plenty of cool photo options inside and outside the restaurant. There's so many cool lion related statues and merchandise to look at. We were quickly seated. We did ask to sit near the window. We could see the beautiful Pacific Ocean from our window. They had plenty of gluten free options and our server was amazing. I've forgotten his name but he lives in Kaaawa and I think he had another job like most locals. He explained the menu and knew a lot about gluten free. The food is pricey but fresh and tasty. You can't beat the view and menu. Such a wonderful find. 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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Such a great spot for food and drinks! The service was excellent, and they had some great options for the kids too. The veggie sushis & Japanese curry were delicious! The ambience and decor were beautiful too, and they have seating with a great ocean view. read more

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Beautiful restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating and sweeping ocean views. Reservations recommended, we visited during off hours and waited about 10 minutes to be seated. The food comes out as it is ready as there are two kitchens. Rolls were delicious as well as the edamame. read more

The Crouching Lion - Patio - 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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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

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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My husband and I visited Crouching Lion for the first time, and it was such a wonderful experience! The food and atmosphere were incredible, but our waitress, Brazil, made the occasion truly extra special. From the moment we sat down, she was so sweet, attentive, and genuinely warm. She made us feel completely taken care of from start to finish. Outstanding hospitality, we can't wait to come back! read more

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

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This was our second time coming here and the experience was just as wonderful as the first time. Our server Anthony was a complete joy and had wonderful recommendations. We ordered the Kimchi fried rice and Volcano Brisket Fries and it was the perfect quick meal for the three of us! read more

The Crouching Lion - Kimchi fried rice and Volcano Brisket Fries - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

We did the feast option which honestly I thought would be more of a tasting menu, but it is an actual feast. The plates are large enough for sharing and give you a wide variety of things to try. The staff is very attentive and you get a lot of interaction with everyone because they all drop off food. It comes from three kitchens so you get to try specials from different chefs which was really cool experience. You absolutely cannot beat the view it is gorgeous! I would highly recommend making a reservation because it is very busy. read more

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Loved the ambience and the theme of the food being Korean, since I'm Korean myself. However, I wasn't a fan of the food. The Mai Tai was pretty good, but I wanted to like the food more than I did. Lots of parking areas though the parking lot was packed so we lucked out on a parking spot. The service was great! And we enjoyed the view of the water. read more

This place was amazing! They had the most beautiful singer/guitarist playing on a weeknight. You can't beat the views. It got a bit hot/humid to be honest, like beads of sweat on me-but they have fans and our water cups were never empty. The service is definitely on point. Fave dishes included the Japanese stew alongside their rice, the fries with aioli were perfectly crispy, BBQ chicken was crazy good, the steak was good. All the kimbap rolls were on point but the Fresno chili in the brisket one took me out- I was dying from the spiciness and had to down a lava flow to quench that ache haha. Oh edemame was good too! Bread pudding, yes. I took ZERO food photos which I kind of regret but wanted to enjoy the moment and our time there. Highly recommend. If you're still reading- just plan to share food with others at the table. Food comes out sometimes immediately after ordering too. It's kind of like a tapas vibe but bigger portions. Mahalo Crouching Lion!! 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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We ordered several dishes and each one was very flavorful with nice size portions. The ambience was great. Staff was very nice and the view cannot be beat. We appreciated how attentive our server Brazil was , she did an incredible job making sure everything was to our satisfaction. I definitely recommend the crouching lion! read more

I went there 30 years ago and they were serving dinner. I went there 15 years ago and they were serving only lunch. I remember the first time the food was excellent, but I don't remember anything about the second time other than people were friendly and nice but the second time the atmosphere was outside. I loved it when they had the fireplace going and the large Casablanca chairs for dining in the evenings. I remember the food being good then, but I haven't been there for a while I know I've never had a complaint about the food because if I did, I wouldn't go back. I passed by a week ago and couldn't stop but I will definitely visit and let you know what I think! Aloha Nui loa! read more

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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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

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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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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Josey was absolutely amazing! Just by chance, each time we visit she is the one serving us! read more

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

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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So glad they're back!!! Love the atmosphere and the people. Great hidden place and a must visit. read more

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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The service was outstanding and the atmosphere was amazing. A totally immersive experience. The food was beyond delicious. The presentation of their food was beautiful. Delicious to the last bite!! read more

The Crouching Lion - Entrance to restaurant - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

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We found this restaurant by chance last night and enjoyed a very nice meal with high-quality food. The atmosphere was beautiful, with live music and a stunning ocean view, which made the experience feel special. Unfortunately, the main issue was the service. We received the bread and one appetizer, but the rest of our food did not arrive until about 35 minutes later. When the server came to ask if we wanted dessert, they did not even realize that our main dishes had not been served yet. They apologized and tried to make up for the situation, but unfortunately, by that time it was already quite late and our dinner was delayed beyond 10:00 PM. Overall, the food, ambiance, live music, and ocean view were wonderful, but the service delay had a significant impact on our experience. With better timing and attention from the staff, this could be a truly excellent restaurant. read more

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

The Crouching Lion pasta deserves its own standing ovation. The shishitos were perfection, the oysters were fresh, and RICHARD made the entire experience even better. If you're on Oahu, this place is a must. read more

The Crouching Lion - PASTA, Lobster, shrimp, scallops, oysters. Th best wine and best beers!!!!!! - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

The crouching lion was a must stop restaurant on my list of desired destinations when I visited Oahu last week. & it definitely did NOT disappoint, I told my fiancé it was newly renovated and was in the area after our tour at kualoa ranch! We were surprised we didn't have to fight for parking or wait to sit at a perfect spot overlooking the ocean while we ate. Our server Allison was so fantastic we were shocked to find out it was only her second day working here, we came back two days later in order to have her fantastic service one last time while we were in the island. The atmosphere was stunning, drinks were fantastic and the food was delicious. Highly recommend the short rib tacos (they are craved constantly after enjoying them that first try) the miso salmon and pork belly were quite tasty as well! Unfortunately we weren't the biggest fan of the steak it was just a bad cut because every bite was tough and fought back but besides that everything here was out of a dream. Definitely will return and hope to have Ali's service when we get back, if a manager sees this I would give that girl a raise! She has great customer service and will keep your business flowing smooth and keep your clientele coming back! read more

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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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Great view on the ocean and friendly service. Worth the 30 min drive from Turtle Bay. Good food overall, some great and a few so so dishes. You order to share but the waiter warned us that there is no order of food delivery. You get whatever is prepared first by 1 of 3 kitchens. The crouching lion seafood pasta was pricey but we loved it. You get 2 lobster tails plus shrimp and scallops. Kimchee fried rice was well done. Very tasty. The sushi was a bit below average in terms of taste. Don't order the grill corn - it was lifeless. The flavor of the cucumber salad was spicy and tangy ... but it was poured over fresh cucumbers vs being marinated for a bit so the flavor can be detected in the thickly sliced pieces. read more

Our server Anthony made our night! We came in for my boyfriend's birthday. The food was great, but our server really made the night special. He was very detail oriented, made great recommendations and even remembered our names in a very full section ! We will be coming back for sure! Thanks Anthony!!! read more