Wonderful experience and great food. The service was outstanding and the dishes were wonderfully prepared with great presentation

My parents were celebrating my Dad's birthday in Hanalei, and they're awful about making restaurant plans in advance -- but the staff here was so incredibly helpful over the phone to find a space, help me purchase a gift card, and make sure to take care of my parents. They had a wonderful time and have been raving about it since -- from the service, to the fantastic patio vibes, to the quality of the food and cocktails. I'm posting the photos they sent me afterwards, but they 100% loved it! read more

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Surpassed all others...quality in every dish. No wrong choice here. Can't wait to return.

Food was great as well as the service. Make reservations or go early. Ambiance is cool as well.

Good food but very pricy and a little over the top. Also the music was more upbeat which didn't match the vibe. The food tasted great, atmosphere was that of a restaurant in Colorado ski town like aspen or vail ( and not in a good way). I like tapas and my wife and I each got 3 plates, but the price and portion size was the same thing as a 3 course meal. Service was great and professional, but was really looking forward to this meal, only wishing we went back to a previous dinner spot for a second time instead. read more

One of the best dining experiences on the island! The lamb chops were absolutely exquisite, and the broccoli was incredibly flavorful and perfectly cooked. The service was warm and attentive, and the atmosphere made the meal even better. read more

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We were lucky enough to score reservations for two different nights while we were staying nearby. We didn't have a single bad dish and we pretty much tried them all. Each night they had a different handmade pasta special. Delicious each time! My toddler loved both of them. Other faves were the shrimp, filet, lamb and honeycomb. read more

5 stars for the cucumber salad alone (seriously, how is it so good??) a difficult reservation to secure, bar acuda lived up to its reputation. we ordered a bunch of different things and they were all excellent. apart from the salad which i'm still thinking about, we particularly loved the green goddess pizzeta, the blackened fish, and the special of the night which was a calabrian chili and sausage carbonara. also i loved that they served a giant bowl of olives when i was expecting a much smaller portion, i love olives so that really worked out for me. great date night vibes and friendly service, we definitely will make an effort to come back again on our next visit. read more

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Bar Acuda was good food. It was just severely overpriced for what you get. I understand this is Hawaii, but it still did seem a bit outrageous for small servings. We had 2 adults and 2 young children, and I believe our bill was about $300 (only including 1 drink each). In particular, the Scallops were delicious, but also pretty crazy high priced for 3 small scallops. The short ribs were good, and the butter that came with the rolls was very tasty. The Pizza was not as good as other flat breads that we have had on the island, and the papas ajo were mediocre. The Ono special was good, but honestly not much better than other sashimi that we have had elsewhere on the island. Unfortunately, i should also note that we also found a cockroach in the restroom, which wasn't too exciting to see running around. Especially since our table was located very close to the restroom. If I was back in the north side of the island, i don't think that I would eat here again. I'm glad that we tried it out, but wouldn't stop by again. read more

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Had a wonderful dinner here during our Kauai trip. I made a 6:30 pm dinner reservation about 30 days before, the reservations do go fast. We were greeted and seated right away. The server made suggestions and recommended 4-5 plates between the two of us. Every dish we had was great. The Kauai shrimp might be the best shrimp I've ever had. The broccoli with burrata our next favorite, then the bruschetta and papas. They don't have a huge menu, but they are able to make every dish perfectly. read more

Bar Acuda - Broccoli with burrata and papas - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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This is the best restaurant in all of Hanalei and the North Shore. Restaurant recommends making a reservation and we believe that. We walked in on a Wednesday night after the beach and we luckily were seated at a table by the bar. Ambiance: Stunning. Upscale tropical Hanalei vibes at its best. Love the dim lighting too. They understand the upscale yet relaxed vibe. The best part was the food! We had a light dinner from snacking all day at the beach and what we had was incredibly delicious: 1. Shrimp with mashed potatoes, edible flowers and chili. WOW WOW WOW. Yummy, sophisticated and that chili finish, divine. Get this. 2. Fish with couscous, flowers and green sauce. Excellent as well. Definite get this too. 3. Bruschetta - good, not great. But it was a good starter. Drinks: Athletic non-alcoholic beer for the win!!! Yes. Service: Outstanding! Overall, highly recommend. Suggestion: Would love to see more savory veggie appetizers on the menu like ricotta stuffed squash blossoms or beets/avocado/tomato with goat cheese & nuts. We're not big meat eaters. read more

Amazing food with great service. Our server was Brie and she was so friendly and patiently explaining and provided suggestions for a gluten free meal. They were able to provide more gluten free options than most restaurants. Definitely a must if you're on this island. Reservation is needed unless you go early to get searing at the bar. read more

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We were able to snag a reservation to Bar Acuda. The ratings and menu was the perfect way to start our first night in Kauai. A tapas style dinner is always fun plus the local ingredients were attractive. This restaurant is in an unassuming shopping plaza. We parked in the back lot that was flooded and smelled of sewage. We were trying to dodge the rain and avoid puddles. There's another popular restaurant in the same vicinity and we almost went there instead, oops. We got to the Bar Acuda and were seated right away to the covered patio area near the entrance. The restaurant is small and there was a long waitlist for diners waiting their turn. Eventually, people were being turned away. When seated, I was immediately attacked by mosquitos so be aware and prepare. My long dress did not protect me from those sneaky bites. Speaking of bites, we stared with cocktails and the house bread. My favorite was the Smoke and Ginger but with mezcal. It was the perfect way to get things going. Things were a little backed up at the bar and kitchen but everything came out quickly once our ticket hit the kitchen. Service was wonderful and kind. Everyone stuck around for a quick chat. It was a nice and personable vibe. We ordered the local cucumber salad, spiced lentils, and the seared Hawaiian fish. My absolute favorite of the night was the salad. I know, you don't hear that often. This salad was crazy, crunch, and cool! It didn't look pretty and honestly underwhelming with the ingredients but the taste was intense. How can cucumber and chickpeas taste so good? Cucumber salad tip: Do not skip this item and you'll want your own. The lentils were tasty but not a standout item. The seared fish was cooked to perfection. The rich sauce was a nice addition to this beautiful dish. If you can grab a reservation, do it. You'll have a great meal. read more

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My husband and I ordered a Plantation Iced Tea and I decided to try the Hanalei Mule. I totally expected some spiciness from the jalapeno listed in the ingredients but I was not expecting HOW spicy it made the drink. Thankfully, I was given some simple syrup to make it more palatable. Now, drinks aside and based on food alone, we understand why it is one of the hardest places to make a reservation in Kauai! We ordered the special (Bison Tartare), Seared Kauai Shrimp, Blackened Hawaiian Fish (ono), and Braised Short Rib. All were very delicious and bigger portion sizes than expected for tapas. Also got the special dessert (Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding) which was really good as well. Unfortunately, we were seated near the parking lot so we didn't get quite the view some patrons might receive but the food and service was exceptional! read more

Food is very good. Service and drinks were awful. Made reservation 30 days in advance, put in a bunch of detailed notes with requests and none of those were acknowledged. Seated in the corner outside with no ambiance at all and when asked if there is anything they could do to move us, was told we could wait for something at the bar to open up for about 45 min. Net net - food is awesome but feels like a place that knows it is the only really nice dining experience in the area and they have gotten lazy and deliver poor experiences. We also got rushed out and had the check dropped without asking for it within 60 minutes of sitting down...that is not the experience we were expecting. read more

We risked it and came without reservations. We had to wait for sometime to be assisted by the hostess. Thankfully there was a seat left by the bar. Try to get there earlier around 5:30 pm! They are known for their cucumber salad and I have to say it was yummy! We were also recommended the lamb and wow was not disappointed, it had so much flavor!! Their special that night was a spinach and cheese fried balls, which were also delicious but not worth the price. Very kind service and casual ambiance. Would definitely recommend giving this place a try! I do think it's a bit over priced but was still satisfied and would probably want to come again just to try that lamb again. read more

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Food was delicious!!! Must try the Hawai'i fish and filet Mignon hands down the best dish there!!! The lamb and short ribs was good too and pizza was filling There sauce on each dish was unique and highlight each dish. Tips this place get pack quick so it's best to make reservations beforehand. Walk in expect to wait Service was good our server Dylon was awesome and friendly. Ambiance was really sociable and lively. The only downside was each dish was bit on the smaller size and the a little more on the pricy side But the taste will justify on the why read more

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Not enough words to describe this place. It's worth all the hype, and that much more! The food was amazing, must try everything on the menu. The service was top notch. We went for my husband's birthday and it was one of the best decisions we made. If you're visiting the area, be sure to make a reservation before coming. Be sure to ask for Miguel, he is the best server there. read more

First thing you need to make reservations ahead of time, at least 90 days in advance. The other option is to stand in line before they open to get 1st dibs at the bar. There's only 8 bar stools and 3 round tables. We were able to get bar seating. It's not big inside. The food was tapas. We got the cucumber salad, braised short ribs and Hawaiian fish of the day which was Mahi Mahi. The food was 10/10. The short ribs was rich and flavorful. The fish was light and refreshing. The only thing is the price. You are paying dinner plate prices for small plates. read more

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So this ain't the end, I saw you again, today I had to turn my heart away Smiled like the sun, kisses for everyone And tales, it never fails -- Heart, Barracuda I thought that I had written this review, I guess I hadn't. This was one of our favorite meals last year in Kauai. Like too many people getting a reservation was futile. So, we joined the line about 30 minutes prior to opening and we received probably the best seat, at the bar with a great view of the kitchen. I really wouldn't want to sit anywhere else. We purposely were hungry so we could order everything. Service was top notch, decent and thoughtful wine list although I brought a special bottle with corkage at $30. Favorite dishes include the roasted potatoes, lamb, steak, scallops, house bread, veggies. Everything was outstanding although we were underwhelmed with the house salad. Worth the splurge, it is pricey although not as expensive as the Japanese restaurant overlooking Hanalei bay (which is also an outstanding restaurant). Let's hope Kauai can stay Kauai and not turn into Maui. Highly recommended. read more

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This was hands down my favorite meal on the island! We were lucky enough to score a 6pm reservation but wanted to dine earlier and they were able to accommodate. Our server was very nice and explained the menu to us. Between me and my husband, we ordered 3 dishes and a dessert. We weren't stuffed but felt full. Our favorite was the lamb riblettes. It comes with 3 riblettes with an option to add a 4th which I highly recommend to do cause they are amazing. The cucumber salad was also great and you can't go wrong with bruschetta. Will definitely be going again next time we visit Kauai! read more

Bar Acuda - Cucumber salad and bruschetta - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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The best food on the north side of the island. Make sure you go with a few people so that you can share everything cause it makes it so much better. read more

This is my favorite spot to dine on Kauaʻi. I love their tapas -- they do them just right, no lie. Kauai isn't the best for food, so on special days I always come here. They're good to locals too. It's pricey like everything else on the island, but at least the food tastes ono. read more

We were lucky enough to get a canceled reservation. The vibe is lovely. It's dark after sunset, loud at times. The chairs are very deep if you're a smaller person. I couldn't sit all the way back. Cocktails are $20. Virgin $13. I had a Mai Tai, nice and strong. Cucumber salad is overrated. The avocado was underripe so had that weird texture and the cucs lost their texture in the dressing. Not enough mint. Only a few bites could you taste it. Shrimp over mashed potatoes. The crunchy chili sauce was so yummy. The shrimp were cooked perfect but for $32 the 4 served were small, like less than 2 inches. Potatoes were slightly gummy. Fish of the day - ahi over couscous. Delish. 4 oz portion. Pizzeta- did not care for the crust. Tasted like biscuit dough. It was very saucy, too, with a creamy sauce. Would not get again. Broccoli with burrata so yummy. Could've done without such big chunks of almonds. All dishes are tapas size. I did not care for that it felt like we had 5 servers. With tip and for 2 people, $240 read more

Wow, wow, wow! Awesome food, service, and vibe. It's been the same since this restaurant started back in the day. Loved it then. Love it now. A must visit if you are going to be in Hanalei! Mahalo Kalindi and Katie! read more

Even if Bar Acuda looks to be full, you've not made reservations, and you look like you just stumbled in from a day of swimming and sunning worry not: the best seat in the house awaits you. I was all of the above when I approached the hostess stand and got offered a seat at the bar (from which I could eat and drink). While I waited for that seat I was offered a standing spot, across from the bar, a mere foot or two away from where food was being prepped. It was a great spot from which to get one's salivary glands functioning. The bartenders here (who were also my food servers) are the best; they seem like they enjoy both their job and their customers. Bar Acuda, despite its Hanalei location, holds some serious San Francisco lineage which might account for my appreciation of what they were offering. The cocktails and the food (small plates and yes, it gets quite pricey quite fast) were a throwback to the (previous) owner of Bar Acuda: he was also the founding chef/owner of San Francisco's Slow Club (RIP, but it was a place I adored) and 42 Degrees. From cocktails to small plates to ambiance and service, Bar Acuda is a winner and a real standout for Kauai. Don't miss it. read more

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We went off a recommendation from a person we met at one of our excursions. He highly recommended the place so we decided to try on our last day on the island. We didn't have reservations (highly recommended), but we didn't mind. We walked around for an hour or so before we were seated (dinner at 830pm). We sat near the bar. Even though the place was packed, the noise level was not bad at all. We ordered six tapas. All were delicious. My fav was the rack of lamb. The lamb was cooked perfectly. Tender with no gamey taste. The scallops and the fish of the day were fresh and so good! read more

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They hit the mark on every dish. Each local we asked about this place raved about it and it didn't miss! For a table for two at the bar, we waited an hour, passing the time at AMA's bar which is also great. The cheese plate and the sea scallop were perfection. They do a great job of mixing in various textures and complimentary flavors in their dishes. Cannot wait to come back just for this. The next reservation available was a month away, so either reserve early or be prepared for the wait . read more

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This was one of the best restaurants we've ever been to! We were not able to get reservations but were able to eat at the bar and it was spectacular, bartenders were amazing, very descriptive on all the food and craft cocktails. Unfortunately I didn't even take any pictures, but every single item was mouth watering with the best flavors! read more

It's a great spot...if you can get in. I never could get a reservation. If you don't mind a waitlist you'll eventually get seated. We made an impromptu visit at 8:30 PM and easily got two seats at the bar (where I wanted to sit). The bartender was personable and engaging, he knew about their wine and spirits. We had dinner elsewhere so we only ordered drinks but from our spot we could see everything being prepared. All the food looked so tempting. It's essentially a five-star place as long as you embrace island time and don't care when you get seated (which is the point of being on Kauai so a good note for me next time). read more

This is a chic restaurant, the decor is sophisticated yet casual. The food is excellent, no doubt. Many of the dishes were memorable. Prices are high, so be prepared to pay a lot for not a lot of food. It's the best restaurant in Hanalei and is a memorable experience, but you'll probably be hungry at the end. read more

Servers were very rude, forgot what drinks we ordered. Tried to pass off an incorrect drink as the correct drink. Then when we asked about said drink the server proceeded to be extremely rude and said it was our fault for being confusing and tried to correct what was wrong by explaining to correct way to order said drink. Everyone was very full of themselves. Go here and get ready to be judged. Diabolical experience. read more

Food always wonderful. Only problem getting in is hard. Reservations must be made way in advanced

The food and the service at Bar Acuda was phenomenal. We had the best time. Drinks were fantastic as well. Everything is worth the price paid 100%. Definitely get reservations. read more

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We got in via walk in & sat at the bar. The bartenders were phenomenal & we got to watch how the kitchen is run & it was top notch service. The food was so good & very much worth the price. Highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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One of the best meals I've ever had! The service was phenomenal and it was only matched by the food.

I was really looking forward to this dinner. But it was good just not great. Open kitchen concept but the flow was a little funky. The service was super friendly. Lots of options for vegetarians just not great for the price. read more

This place is so incredible. We have eaten here four different times now, and it is always a wonderful experience. Louie took amazing care of us- serving is a difficult combination of the interpersonal and the logistical, and he does both with ease. I'll tell you what really impressed me as someone who has worked in restaurants my whole life, the GM Katie. She is the epitome of a true professional, up at the host stand, resetting tables, running stock, being there to support and train her crew, paying attention to all the details- all the hard work that most people become managers to avoid, she does because she knows that's what it takes for a restaurant to be great. read more

I know, and have worked with the founder of this business back in the old days in San Francisco, and I could tell you that the attention to detail and quality is above most places that you will go to. I highly recommend this place when you are visiting. read more

This was our fourth time at Bar Acuda and it is wonderful!! Definitely make a reservation way in advance. Walk ins are unpredictable and reservations book up quickly. First off, the space is beautiful. There is a large covered porch that is wonderful to sit on as the sun sets. Hanalei is a bit tricky to get to sometimes, but worth the drive for this spot. And, the people who walk there are always so nice and helpful! We started off with brioche. It looked a bit dry but was so fluffy and flavorful that it didn't matter! Next we got the broccoli with harissa and burrata-- yummmmm. One of the best vegetables I've eaten at a restaurant. Only small feedback would be that it would have been set off if the burrata was a bit warmer. Next was the stars of the night--the lamb riblettes and pizza--wowowowow. The lamb was sooooo tender and perfectly seasoned. And the pizza was schockingly good--the combo of the garlic, pickled jalepenos, and corn was unexpected but incredible. We wanted to get the chocolate cake for dessert but the waitress went out of the way to triple check all the ingredients and there was an ingredient my boyfriend was allergic to in the chocolate used but we were sooo appreciative for how thoroughly she checked! A great night. Can't wait for the next time we go back. read more

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