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We had walked past this establishment many times. I was the one in my group urging us to go there. I finally got my way and everyone involved was so grateful. From the outside it seems very unassuming, some tables and a long kitchen counter with the chefs cooking away. We were ushered to the back room. We did not expect the dramatic and stylish high ceiling room. In the center was very large table with a massive floral arrangement. Our server introduced herself as Janet. We were made aware of that night's specials and took our order for drinks. We ordered the Sangria by the glass. Our friend was able to have a very dry martini with olives. We ordered two appetizers, the beef empanadas and potato croquettes. The empanadas was so amazing we ordered two more orders of the empanadas and added the grilled octopus. At this point the drinks are hitting the mark as are the appetizers and Janet's wonderful energy. We proceeded to order our entrees. One of us ordered the rack of lamb and the other two ordered paellas , one seafood only and the other mixed. In a timely fashion our entrees arrived looking so delicious we dove right into them . The seafood paella I had had to be one of the best ever! The rack of lamb was cooked to perfection. It was served with a reduced wine sauce and potatoes. Believe or not we had room for dessert . We were swayed by what the table next to us ordered, it was a concoction of ice cream and fruit with a cleverly executed chocolate screen .This restaurant stood out of the many , many good to great places we frequented while Island hopping . On our way out Janet and the staff including the chef bid us farewell and welcomed us back, we will be back!
This is 2 years overdue. Had the star rating pended and that's about as far as it went. The front entrance is beautiful and you can't miss it driving by. Inside is gorgeous and the outside courtyard is pretty nice too with the water fountain in the back. Service was good. We had the Truffle Egg Custard Pudding, Bunuelos, Chicken Liver Pate, Octopus Alla Gallega, Seafood Paella, Churro, and Frozen Turron. My favorite was the Truffle Egg Custard Pudding, Octopus Alla Gallega, and the desserts. Some dishes needed more seasoning or something to make it pop more, but that could just be personal preference. Worth giving it a try though!
What do you get when you have a mix of Spanish, Japanese, and Italian dishes all on one menu? Mixed results, or a wonderful blend? You have all that at El Cielo! Located in Waikiki along Lewers Street near Kuhio Ave. It's on the first floor sharing the same building with Oyster Hale and Genius Lounge. They don't have any affiliation with any parking garages, you're on your own. The inside is surprisingly big and spacious with bar and outdoor seatings, and high ceilings in the main dining room. The main theme is Spanish Tapas with mostly small or bite size dishes with a few paella and main entrees. Everything sounded good! "Pinchos" dishes is really just one bite. The Smoked Salmon was nothing special. It ate like a normal salmon with cream cheese. The other flavors such as dill, pink peppercorn, and orange did not come out. The Buñuelos Butterfish Fritter were good. Light, airy, doughy! nicely fried and seasoned. Didn't really taste much butterfish. The Tapas were a generous amount! The Shrimp Ajillo was flavorful with paprika and garlic. Shrimp was cooked well. The spice didn't come out from the dried chili peppers. The best was the Housemade Baguette! Warm, soft inside, crunchy outside. Better than at Vietnamese restaurants! Unfortunately, the dish and sauce was too salty--even for a person who likes more taste. The Octopus Ala Gallega was very good. Nicely grilled octopus to tender with a nice charred taste. Just needed some salt. Potatoes were good. Chimichurri sauce was flavorful. Generous amount of olive oil. The Uni & Crab Pasta was all right. I've had better. The spaghetti was a touch too Al dente. The flavor was very one note with the rich cream sauce and uni. There wasn't the sweetness from the crab. The cherry tomato was just there to be there for a bite. Would have been nice to get some acidity and sweetness throughout the dish. The Seafood Paella was very basic. Very disappointed with zero char on the rice. What's the point of the pan? It definitely needed higher heat. Everything ate like it was covered and simmered on low heat until the seafood was cooked. Very simple. The Ube Basque Cheesecake was good. Not too sweet, not too much Ube flavor with a light custard-like interior. Overall, this was a decent meal. All the dishes were beautifully presented, but needed some seasoning adjustments. Don't think I'll order the same dishes next time. The service was excellent. Very friendly, information, and attentive server. Comfortable dining area. Unfortunate it has no parking affiliation. I'll definitely comeback for their Housemade Baguette!
Boquerones & Guindillo 1 way too sour for me Bacon Wrap Dates 4 savory and crunchy on the outside, sweet and soft on the inside Croquetas de Jamon 5 crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy inside, flavorful House Salad 3 spring mix, apples, tomato, bacon, refreshing Octopus Ala Gallega 5 chewy, flavorful Seafood Paella 3 Kaual Shrimp, Clam, Squld, Green Beans, Red Bell Peppers, Saffron Aioli, medium flavorful, shrimp was mushy Washugyu Steak 2 4oz US Wagyu Coulotte, Beets, Green Beans, Onlon, Housemade Chimichum, super tough, very dry, couldn't eat SHRIMP AJILLO 4 Kauai Shrimp, Garlic, Dried Pepper, Spanish Paprika, Housemade Baguette, shrimp cooked in oil, chewy, garlicky flavor Ube Basque Cheesecake 5 super creamy, fluffy, just the right balance of cheesiness and sweetness, rich ube flavor Service 5 Ambiance 4 has patio and indoor seating
Eating here for the first time when a visiting friends who wanted to eat here. Staff was friendly. We were seated in the front so I didn't see the rest of the restaurant From what I saw, the restaurant was clean and stylish. Tapas was tasty but seemed pricy (example 1 epinada for $7) This was my first time having tapas and it's Waikiki so I'm not sure how the prices compared. I didn't drink but my friends who did said all the drinks they tried were excellent. There is no validation for parking so that's a big issue for locals.
Since eating at El Cielo just 2 days ago, I've already told more than a dozen people about this restaurant. It is an absolute must and may take the cake as one of the best restaurants in Honolulu! My husband and I absolutely love Spanish tapas. A restaurant with tapas is almost always our go to, but it wasn't something I was expecting to eat in Hawaii. Growing up here, I don't think I ever remember having Spanish food. El Cielo is in Waikiki. The restaurant has a great ambiance and is quiet and calm, even though it's so close to such a busy area! Although we made a reservation, there were bar seats available and we opted for that to get a look into watching them make all the food. El Cielo is special because it's Spanish but with a twist. The chef is Japanese and they infuse some local flavors into a lot of their menu items! We started by splurging on the jamón ibérico - it's double the price of the serrano but noticeably special! I appreciated they gave a nice portion and we paired it with some Manchego that came with a quince jam. In addition, we ordered the pate. It was so creamy and delicious but a standout from that was the homemade baguette! It was so good! For our main entree, we ordered the loco pollo paella. Never have I had a paella with spam! Spam was so perfect in the paella. The chicken was also cooked so well! I loved the crisp skin and was so impressed. It was incredible! We finished off with the ube basque cheesecake that was light and delicious. Every single thing we ate was so good and I was so impressed! This meal was truly standout and I loved it so much.
Spanish tapas, Japanese style. How does the experience differ? First, order everything at once. The kitchen will send dishes as they are ready. This is not the typical, order one dish and a glass of wine, consume and repeat. Second, bites lack the roughness and boldness one expects from simple, everyman's Spanish food. Testing the sourcing of ingredients, the charcuterie board. A couple of different thick sliced cured sausages, jamon Serrano, and jamon Iberico de Bellota paired with a nice selection of olives, dried currants and the surprise pairing, dried mango all of great quality. Unfortunately the bought in rice crackers were stale. Opting to skip the paella (not cooked over an open fire) and the mains (this is a tapas restaurant), the standout was the octopus ala Gallega. A thick but uber tender, well seasoned, paprika dusted, grilled leg and a very acidic, zesty chimichurri a showstopper with its huge flavors. The bunuelos (butterfish and potato fritters in a saffron aioli) were just OK. Very creamy potatoes inside but lacking any butterfish flavor. Of the eight little deep fried balls, only one had a noticeable piece of butterfish in it. The "Boquerones & Guindilla" (Guindilla pepper, pickled anchovy, and olive) is a total miss. The piece of anchovy is so large, the sour, fishy taste overpowers the other two ingredients. The biggest misstep, the bacon wrapped dates. Stuffing the dates with creamy bleu cheese results in a mushy, pasty mouth feel. Brushing the bacon with maple syrup adds a bizarre flavor when paired with the bleu cheese and the sweetness is completely off balance. Nice selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Beautiful dining space and friendly service backed by a reasonably priced menu. A letdown based on its high Yelp and Google rating.
My work friends surprised me with a birthday dinner here, and it turned out to be such a great experience! From the moment I walked in, the staff was warm and welcoming. The rest of the group hadn't arrived yet (they were running a bit late), but the servers were super kind and checked in to see if we wanted drinks or pupus while we waited. Once everyone arrived, we started ordering, and our server--Maddox (I hope I'm spelling that right!)--was amazing. He gave us great food recommendations and really added to the overall vibe of the evening. The food? Absolutely delicious. From appetizers to entrees, every dish was packed with flavor--it was like a flavor explosion with every bite. My favorite was the seafood paella. WOWZA. I'd definitely come back, not only for the amazing food but also for the welcoming ambience and great service.
The world food tour duo made its first visit to this restaurant on Lewers Street in Waikiki to experience Spanish fare from a Japanese chef born in Argentina. It's an intimate space separated into two dining rooms. We were seated in the rear room dominated by a table in the center holding a very large floral arrangement, dishes, glassware, silverware, and water pitchers. While we perused the menu, I ordered a bottle of 2017 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($70). The wine was very dark in color with black fruit notes and an earthy undertone. We ordered Chicken Liver Paté ($15), Jidori chicken liver with truffle oil and a very nice house made baguette, and Arugula and Beets Salad ($20), cubes of red and gold beets, blue cheese, candied walnuts, and a sherry wine vinaigrette. The paté was creamy and rich in flavor and the baguette was perfect. The beets were firm, and the salad was great. We shared two entrees, Lamb Chops ($55), four ribs with roasted potatoes and a Rioja wine sauce, and Truffle & Mushroom Paella ($42), a medley of mushrooms, green beans, seasoned with truffle oil and saffron aioli. The lamb was flavorful and tender; the paella was fine but a touch dry (for me). We had Mont Blanc ($16) and Frozen Turron ($13) for dessert. The Mont Blanc was a visual treat, green tea infused sweetened chestnut puree turned into a piece of art. The Turron was a mix of almond, honey meringue and milky ice candy, a colorful mélange of flavors that reminded me of Spumoni ice cream. I finished my meal with a nice cup of coffee ($6). Service by Lawrence was fine and we enjoyed our time at El Cielo. The menu has enough for us to make a return visit. The prices are very reasonable for a restaurant in Waikiki. Recommended, with a 4.25 rating.
My girls and I were in the mood for something delicious and a little fancy, so we headed to Waikiki and decided to give this gem a try--and wow, are we glad we did! We went all in and ordered a feast: the Seafood Paella (flavor bomb!), Washugyu Steak (so tender it practically melted), Chicken Pâté, Octopus Alla Gallega, and the rich, dreamy Uni & Crab Pasta. Every dish was chef's kiss--full of flavor and perfect for sharing. And just when we thought we couldn't fit in one more bite, the Ube Cheesecake arrived. It was so airy, fluffy and not top sweet. We loved it. Dessert heaven! The vibe? Super romantic and intimate--dim lighting, cozy seating, and just the right amount of buzz from fellow diners. Perfect for a girls' night, but I'd definitely come back here for a date night with my other half. Only downside: no dedicated parking, so we had to park in a nearby garage and take a little stroll. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind if you're rocking heels. Service was warm and friendly, which added to the lovely evening. All in all, a beautiful spot with amazing food--Waikiki charm at its finest!
We were carving some tapas and found this place using Yelp! It's nestled in a busy street, but inside is dim and romantic. Great date night place. All of the food was fantastic, especially the paella. We mentioned it was our anniversary and received a complimentary dessert. We will be back!
It definitely comes as a surprise that El Cielo was our most memorable and favorite meal while we were in Honolulu for the week. Not only did we discover this restaurant by chance, but it made it even more special that it was right around the corner from our hotel, as it felt like our own little neighborhood bistro for the week. Except that it was pretty spacious inside, but still had the allure and ambiance of a bistro. The chef put a modern twist on classic Spanish dishes, and dare we say that it tasted better than what we had while we were in Spain? We loved that many of the dishes were vegan-friendly or could be modified for my husband. The mushroom paella was the breakout star for us, but truly, everything was delicious. I could dip everything in the garlic, chili oil the shrimp was swimming in!
Wonderful experience, food, and service tonight at El Cielo. We enjoyed the restaurant week menu. We sat at the bar and had Steve serving us. He was amazing. The food was world class, they brought out a cake for our wive's birthday! Steve even showed us the seating area and took our picture. What an epic night. Thank you! Please put El Cielo on your list of must visit restaurants! The chef is amazing! Thank you for making our wive's 60th birthday so special and memorable!!!!
8 months ago
This was our second time here and it was great to come back again! David was our server and he's from Argentina (like Chef Masa) and was impressive with the great Japanese lines he's been learning! The food was exceptional and I truly appreciate Chef Masa's vision to bring the best tastes from around the world to an establishment in Hawaii together with an upscale experience, this is what the very best chefs in the world create and this restaurant will be one of the most memorable in my life. The favorites from the night were the uni & crab pasta, the ube basque cheesecake, and the seafood paella... the uni was especially spectacular with a delightfully flavorful taste that harmonized amazingly well with the crab and pasta. The El Cielo salad was a phenomenal combination of ingredients that just tasted incredible together too, like papaya and bacon with the passion fruit dressing. I'm glad I got to exchange glances with Chef Masa on our way out and express my appreciation for his vision and hard work! And thank you so much to David for his exceptional photography skills... we actually have some great family photos to look back upon now! El Cielo is truly one of Hawaii's greatest restaurants!! read more
4 months ago
Five stars!! Food and Ambiance!!! We didn't feel like we were in Hawaii. Loved the high ceilings and the simple and classic decor. With a beautiful central floral bouquet. It added to the grandness of the room we sat in. You don't expect it when you first walk in. When you walk in you see the chef and his staff working on the meals and the bartender making their signs drinks. Then you walk past the wine bar and the grandeur or the room opens. It reminds me of being in Europe with all the high ceilings. They have a little outdoor area with a fountain and a Moroccan style backsplash. You feel transported out of the islands. My friends and I were commenting we didn't feel like we're in Waikiki. The food was excellent. Everything we had was delicious. Empanada was full of flavor. Bunuelos we didn't know what to expect and were so delighted with the dish. Pan Con Tomate we had the Jamon Iberico de Bellota had so much flavor from the garlic fresh tomatoes to the delicate Jamon Iberico de Bellota, highly recommend adding it. I know it's $15 addition but it was fantastic. Personally I thought it was worth it. Next was the Shrimp Ajillo so simple and so tasty! The chicken liver pate was silky smooth and so flavorful. Uni & crab pasta you can taste the Uni, as one should if they say it's Uni pasta. That's not always the case, until I tried Chef Masa's keep in mind, I've only had it at one place which will remain nameless. The Paella we chose was the Negra with squid ink and Langostino. Delicious and cooked to perfection. All was cooked just right. And the finally was the Churro with the chocolate crème. Good but the churro was missing the cinnamon sugar. The chocolate crème made it sweet but not too sweet which was nice. I was the one who wanted to try it so I ate it all up. The evening was a great experience which we felt like we transported elsewhere s the ambiance made us feel like we were elsewhere then the food started to come out and the experience made us feel like we were transported off island. If you read the website about Chef Masa our experience last night made it seem like we did go along with his culinary journey from Argentina to Japan to Spain and finally to Hawaii. You see Hawaii in the dessert menu as his final destination were the islands. read more
Excellent food, wine, and service. This is an amazing addition to the Waikiki food scene. It's a Spanish-Japanese wine bar with classics like shrimp ajillo, or boquerones and sake. The restaurant is clean, sleek, and modern. Fresh flowers also add a nice, warm touch to the decor. With food, here is everything ranked from worst to best: - Boquerones: it's a guindilla pepper with olive and anchovy. I don't like fish but I love guindilla so I gave it a shot. It's not too fishy, but it's not my cup of tea. If you like fish and pickled flavours, this is for you. - shrimp ajillo: I love shrimp and garlic, but this dish didn't have enough garlic or spicy guindilla in it. It was very mild in a way! The shrimp was a varietal called Kauai, which is too sweet. I think they'll need to switch to kahuku for a more savoury shrimp. - Frozen turron dessert: I enjoyed the flavours of nuts and ice cream, but it was a little too sweet. Also, they used candies nuts and dried fruits, and I wish they halved the portion and only used roasted nuts with no additives. - chicken liver pate: lovely, smooth pate with truffle oil and fresh, crunchy bread. If you don't like duck or duck pate, this would be a good alternative because it's not too gamey. On the second visit on 12 September 2023 though, we had to return the bread to get it extra toasted. It was a little too limpy, which was a disappointment. Paella negra: it was a good squid ink paella, but the langoustine was not my favorite shellfish. It's a little too soft, like crab to me. For my friend, it tasted more like overcooked shrimp. If you like langoustine, this is a fine dish. I just preferred the other paella. Empanada: a beef empanada packed with flavourful beef and other seasonings. I don't like the dough twist that makes an empanada an empanada, but the filling was amazing with the chimichurri sauce. Uni and crab pasta: the spaghetti was cooked al dente with a great bite. The taste of the uni was prevalent and the bits of crab were wonderful. A truly decadent dish. My only suggestion would be add a couple bits of uni for visuals and extra uni flavour. Truffle egg custard: amazing egg filled with a creamy truffle and potato filled egg cream with an egg white foam, sprouts, and bacon. Every note of this dish listed on the menu was readily apparent and it's a decadent treat. Seafood paella: excellent representation of paella. I've never enjoyed paella but Chef Masa has converted me. The rice was perfectly cooked al dente, the shrimp, squid, and clams added great umami flavour, and even the vegetables like cherry tomatoes and green beans added a nice refreshing bite to an otherwise heavy dish. The service was kind, attentive, and helpful. If you had any questions, they'd always answer and look up the information if needed. I really appreciated the bartender and the other servers who made it a pleasant experience. read more
8 months ago
Location: Lewers, Below Oyster House, Next to Genius Lounge Parking: Street Parking if you're lucky or walk from other parking lots. Go shopping at Ross. Service: Isaac provided excellent suggestions and we ordered all his suggestions. All items were spot on Umai! What we ordered: Pinochos: Empanada-Nice chimichurri sauce$7 Bunuelos-Butterfish Fritter balls, Saffron Aioli $7 Arugula & Beet Salad-we noticed an Arugula shortage on island $18 Pan Con Tomate $10 Tapas: Octopus Ala Gallega-$22 Paella: $38 Seafood-Kauai Shrimp, Clam, Squid, Green Beans, Red Bell Peppers, Saffron Aioli Dessert: Mont Blanc $16 House pressed chestnut purée, hojicha infused sweetened Creme Frozen Turon-$8 Almond Honey Meringue, milky ice candy Wine: Glass of Chardonnay from France$15 Rose from Spain $14 read more
2 years ago
Food was absolutely delicious and so beautifully prepared! The paella is a must! Service was friendly and had good recommendations on their faves and how to share the food tapas style. We sat out on the patio and it was very peaceful. Perfect date night! read more
We enjoyed this new restaurant. The garlic shrimp and homemade bread was to die for. The Mont Blanc was exquisite. The paella was like eating in Spain. The server was attentive and knowledgeable. The cocktails especially the sangria was refreshing. read more
3 years ago
El Cielo is a new Spanish Tapas establishment, comparable to Rigo in quality and service! I was able to order almost the entire menu, but here were my Top 10 items that were both delicious and worth the price: Gallega Style Octopus - $20 No-Ceiling Sangria - $12 Garlic Shrimp Paella - $33 Shrimp Ajillo - $19 Ahi Niçoise Salad - $20 Mushrooms (sautéed in a tangy sauce) - $12 Buñuelos (black cod fritter) - $7 Charcuterie (4 chef-picked meats, olives, and dried fruits) - $28 Mont Blanc (chestnut on the outside, hojicha on the inside) Chocolate Creme Brûlée The service was phenomenal and I would definitely come back here again when they're ready for their grand opening! My only critic is that the tables seemed a little unstable as they rattle a bit at the slightest movement. But I loved the ambiance of the restaurant--lots of natural lighting! It was beautiful coming in during sunset hour. read more
Newly opened tapas and wine bar. The dishes are beautifully plated, almost too good looking to eat. Order the Iberico Jamon and the grilled octopus. It's on Lewers Street, on the block between Kalakaua Ave & Kuhio Ave. It's Waikiki so plan ahead because parking is limited. Best to Uber if walking is too far. Wait staff is knowledgeable about the dishes and attentive. The restaurant is beautifully decorated as any new restaurant should. Love the fresh flowers arrangement. read more
This is a charming little restaurant in the heart of Waikiki. The tapas here carefully curated and each dish is thoughtful executed. The chicken liver pate is certainly the BEST pate I have ever had...and it pairs perfectly with the warm, fresh baguette. The paella is the star of the place-it's the perfect cornucopia of all the flavors showcased on a sizzling pan, with a crust of slightly crispy rice. The vibe here is upscale but not snooty. The ambience is quiet and romantic. Definitely worth making a trip to Waikiki to taste all the delicious dishes here. read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
Their service is insanely fast and the food is insanely good that's all I have to say in words and I'm not years old. I'm too lazy. Altogether it is the best Mexican restaurant I've ever had. I love the baguettes. read more
A quaint little restaurant with big flair! As we are greeted at the door, we pass by the bar on the right where Chef Masa is slicing the leg of el Jamòn Serrano de Bellota, the best kind. We are seated in the main dining area. Our server was a very knowledgeable and friendly and took his time explaining everything. The tapas were good, and each presentation on point. The Paella was alright, it was a bit like risotto, (I'm more used to rice that's not as moist..from when I lived in Spain). I wished they had a better selection of Spanish wines. Overall, flavors were delicious! I'd like to bring my Spaniard hubby next time! Muchas Gracias Masa!! PS: Parking is tricky since there's no valet nor parking lot on site, I parked at Nordstrom Rack two blocks away, and bought something there to get ticket validated. read more
1 year ago
Everything was great and good atmosphere but eel stuff was super unique so that I couldn't eat it though. read more
What an amazing hole in the wall restaurant. We tried 6 different dishes and will definitely come back to try the others. Here's the dishes we enjoyed: * Truffle egg custard pudding was very well balance I had to order another one * Chicken Liver Pate was creamy & rich that went well with there homemade bread. * Octopus A la galegga went very well with there homemade chimichurri. * empanada was filled with a lot of ground beef and very delicious. * Loco Pollo Paella was definitely a twist to the traditional paella. I loved the flavor of the chicken and not to mention Hawaii's favorite spam in the Paella. Oahu don't really have any Tapa's restaurants on the island, so if you're looking for a place to enjoy with friends or on date night I definitely recommend El Cielo. read more
2 years ago
Their @honolulurestaurantweek menu (11/9/24- 11/17/24) was AMAZING. It was my bf's and my first time here and we could see the care and thought in every single dish. They were all full of flavor, texture, balance, and each component was beautiful cooked/prepared and presented. The Austrian angel shrimp (they ran out of the Molokai shrimp) tartare was plump, soft and sweet, well balanced by the gazpacho sheet and the surprise cracker on the bottom. The iberico was fork tender and juicy with the buttery mash (the "cork" (aka pickled gobo) was a cool touch, though a bit too crunchy). I absolutely loved the squid ink paella, as EVERY component was perfectly cooked (tender octopus and crab legs, crisp but juicy sausage, crispy bits of rice) and seasoned and there was a generous amount of protein. I enjoyed that there was so much acidity provided to brighten the dish. The dessert was such a perfect end to the meal, the chocolate mousse was light and brighted up by the fresh mango bits and lilikoi sauce. The cocktails were OK, though I did really enjoy the sangria. Service was friendly and helpful. They don't have any designated parking available. Since we were staying in Waikiki for the night, I made sure to take this opportunity to check this restaurant out. I highly recommend this Spanish tapas restaurant and I look forward to returning. read more
Fun place to check out that recently open. It's sort of like a Spanish tapas place where they have lots of small plates, however, also have fusion type of dishes as well reflected in their mains. Parking is either street (good luck) or at the paid parking lot behind (within the Ritz Carlton, entrance on Kuhio, hidden behind) or paid parking behind Camado ramen. We parked in the lot behind Ritz - bring lots of quarters. $1.50 per hour (as of June 2023) with no option for CC. Spanish wines, but we decided on the sangria which was quite tasty, and I got the wine/coke version. Also tasty. Tapa = small size, so keep that in mind. The dates were great, two per order. They had different levels of jamon, however, didn't have iberico. They did have bellato that night, which is even better. We decided to just splurge and get a plate rather than a charcuterie (we already knew what we wanted), with Brie on the side. Uni & Crab dish was flavoful, and well balanced. It didn't tasty too salty, and there was enough crab in it. The lamb was delicious and cooked well. Dessert had to be the Mont Blanc since not many places sell it. Their version has chestnuts in it, which created a very velvety texture. We also got illy coffee there, which was nice. Service was great, I believe his name was Ducks (?). Seems like everyone was communicating well, even though food did take some time to come (they did warn the Lamb would take at least 30 minutes, which was true). Pricing wise, you get what you pay for. It is on the expensive side, however, given the other options and prices in Waikiki it is a place to strongly consider visiting for that special date/occasion. It is indeed different, especially in Waikiki, and the atmosphere is definitely more close and more classy. read more
1 year ago
Great food experience! We have have been back 3 times. Chef is always there and looks like he loves his craft. The food shows the love. read more
1 year ago
Perfect spot for a nice date or for feeling a fancy-ish night out. We don't drink but if you do the wine was certainly flowing for other guests. It's a smaller restaurant and everyone was so friendly and attentive. Came here with specific cravings and execution was excellent so we're happy El Cielo can fulfill them. Fish buñuelos were new to us - a hearty app of eaten by one, with plenty of fish in small packages. Truffle egg custard - fun to eat! Bread was so crispy and while not pan de cristal we treasured every bite of the pan con tomate. The texture and grill of the octopus is a treat. Devoured every last bite of the paella and washugyu - veggies included - and while we were very stuffed we had to try desserts. All very good. Parking is limited in the municipal lot behind; other garages nearby have a similar short walk and steep prices as it is Waikīkī, but we didn't mind the splurge and some fresh air before the drive home. read more
We decided to go here during thanksgiving as we happened to be in Hawaii for work. Thank you for being open. My am I glad it was because everything we had was incredible. We started with the Pan Con Tomate with a topping of Serrano which was a very refreshing way to start. The tomato was so delicious it almost taste like a hint of strawberries. Next we had the Octopus ala Gallega, that was perfectly cooked octopus with house made chimichurri which was very vibrant. Then we had the El Cielo Salad. Any time I see passion fruit I get excited and this was a passion fruit dressing. To be honest it was a bit underwhelming. Salad was great however the dressing was extremely mild and could barely taste the passion fruit. For the entree we went with the Negra Paella which didn't miss the mark. Very delicious and the Langoustine was cooked to perfection. And for Dessert we decided on the Mont Blanc which did not disappoint. All in all you won't be disappoint with this restaurant if you're looking for Spanish Tapas. read more
9 months ago
I have gone back and forth on this review quite a few times deciding whether it was a 3 star or a 4 star. To me, it certainly wasn't a 5 star, but that's not to say that it wasn't good. The ambiance had potential, however we were initially offered what looked like a small shared area toward the front of the restaurant. We asked the host if we could be seated elsewhere, to which he checked and made sure that we did in fact get seated somewhere else. Moving on to the food... The Buñuelos were very bland, not a lot of flavor involved. The calamari was saved by the sauce that it came with, it was cooked correctly which was definitely a plus. Onto the main dishes... The seafood paella was... okay... Nothing really set it over the top for me, however the Loco Pollo paella was to die for. The flavor in the meat was amazing. I would order that dish again without a doubt. We did have two drinks, which seemed to be more about the esthetic than the actual taste, but they had a decent amount of alcohol. All in all, if I could do a 3.5 I would, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt and say 4 stars. As far as Hispanic food goes in the Waikiki area, I am unable to say whether this one is the best in the area or if there are in fact better places. I have eaten at some pretty high quality Hispanic restaurants, this one just happened to be in the middle of my list. Would I return? Yes, but I would try a different dish just to really make an educated decision. read more
2 years ago
We loved this place so much we went 2 times during our honeymoon. The first night we sat at the patio and enjoyed the sunset and the weather. The service was on point the whole night. We had empanadas (MUST HAVE), croquetas españolas (amazing!) mushrooms tapas with the homemade baguette and they were to die for and my wife and I decided to share the seafood paella...and it was DELICIOUS!!! For dessert we got the Mont Blanc and a chocolate dessert from the house in celebration of the honeymoon. The second night we got: 2 empanadas each, and we ordered the special black paella of the day and it was luscious with lots of uni!. I also ordered an egg and truffle custard and it was not only craftily prepared but also very delicious. For our dessert we got the churros and they were so gooooddddd!!!!!! At the end of the second night we had the chance to talk to the chef for a bit and he seems very down to earth and very pleasant to talk to. Make sure you stop by to say hi to him when you leave. We thanked him and congratulated him for his restaurant. When we return to Honolulu we will for sure eat here again. MUCHO WXITO CHEF MASA!!!! read more
1 year ago
The place was decorated beautifully for the holiday season, and the service was equally wonderful. Everything we tried was delicious, although the star of the show was the paella, of course. read more
1 year ago
My family and I came here to celebrate our Valentine's Day dinner. We love the impeccable service, great ambiance and delicious food! My husband loved his loco pollo paella and I very much enjoyed my seafood paella We also the appetizers (bacon wrapped dates & calamari) and the desserts (ube cheesecake & churros) were really tasty. read more
2 years ago
Everything we ordered was very tasty! We were sitting outside. But nice! Customer service was ok. But food was beautiful!! Must try! Dessert was good! Not sweet at all! Mont Blanc was the hit!! Highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
My first time enjoying this style of dining. Good ingredients, well prepared, a pleasure to enjoy. A very attentive staff, and well above average customer service.. read more
Enjoyed this cute restaurant located on Lewers Street in Waikiki. It looks small when you walk in but just past the bar area opens up to a bigger dinning area and it looked as if there may have been outdoor seating. Cocktails: We had the COCO SAFFRON, 2021 LAGAR de CERVERA, ALBARINO, RIAS BAIXAS, SPAIN (white wine) and an Espresso martini. Most delicious in my opinion! Food: Empanadas, croquettes as pinchos (small plates) and calamari as tapas (appetizers). For dinner we shared the seafood paella. This was a perfect amount of food for 2 people. Not too much where we felt over stuffed and not too little. Parking: I believe no specified parking. Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is a good option which is walking distance to the restaurant. Check parking rates. I believe parking is free with validation with a $10 minimum purchase. I recall Waikiki Shopping Plaza may have flat rate parking during certain times. read more
2 years ago
Food, service, value and atmosphere are 5 stars. Everything that is supposed to be hot arrived piping hot straight from the kitchen and was delicious we left no crumbs! Sangria Bacon wrapped dates Empanada Shrimp Ajillo w/ an extra baguette Seafood Paella Octopus ala Gallega A special strawberry dessert being featured for Mothers day. I'm not good at describing flavors or taking food pics, I just know what I like to eat and this is it! Wish we could try other items but for 2 people that's all we can eat. We shared every dish. The only things we ordered two of were the sangia and an extra baguette. It was a Saturday night, it did not feel rushed, noisy or packed. Not sure what used to be in this building, maybe a small hotel? It's a cozy place but the high ceiling in the dining area makes it feel spacious. Definitely coming back. read more
2 years ago
Incredible just had a wonderful cocktail I had delicious dinner by chef masa Uni pasta five stars all the way Don't sleep on this place this is one of the places you can take a date or your family it's super delicious read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
I love coming here. The Uni pasta is amazing...an incredibly well balanced and beautifully cooked dish. One of my must have places when I'm on island! read more
Aloha, we enjoyed working our way through this menu of Japanese inspired tapas. A small boutique restaurant off of Kuhio Ave, we sat at the bar to watch chef Masa work his magic. I would definitely return for more delicious tapas. Everything was delicious. It's a small restaurant, so you'll need a Rez, enjoy! read more
1 year ago
7 months ago
More info about El Cielo
346 Lewers St
Fl 1
Honolulu, HI 96815
Waikiki
Directions
(808) 772-4533
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https://www.elcielo-hawaii.com
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Preference for seating. Inside or patio? Parking?
Have an eaten outside yet, but really enjoyed the dining area towards the back of the restaurant. Also, there is a parking lot almost directly behind the restaurant that is the municipal lot. It fills up quick but with any luck it’s only a short… Read more
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El Cielo - tapas - Updated June 2026
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