Our server was very informative about the food and about my gluten intolerance. The restaurant was very clean. The food was excellent. read more

Hukilau Lanai - Gluten free chocolate raspberry cake. - Seafood Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Food was outstanding and reasonably priced. A good value in Kapaa. Server was very knowledgeable and attentive.

Hukilau Lanai absolutely rules. We loved it. Best dinner we had on the island. Great view, great service, great food. Highly recommend.

Each time we're on Kauai we always eat at Hukilau lanai. The service, the food, the ambience is always consistent and top-notch. I didn't even take any pictures. My food was so good. The only picture I got is of the specialty drink order that I had. Highly highly recommend them for a special meal on Kauai. Get reservations if you can. read more

Hukilau Lanai - Mezcal old-fashioned - Seafood Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Excellent meal! Been on the island for a week and this was hands down the best meat. Ahi was fantastic!

I came here twice on a five day trip to the island once for dinner and once just for dessert. I ordered the grey snapper, caesar salad, bbq short ribs, mixed green salad, and the Loco lemonade cocktail. When I came for desert I, of course, got the lava cake. The host and server were very nice and quickly sat us. The atmosphere is relaxing and perfect for a dinner date or group dining. read more

See all

Celebrated my birthday here and I'm so happy that I did! That staff was wonderful and the food was beyond delicious. Definitely recommend!! read more

See all

We had booked Hukilau before we arrived in Kauai as we had heard it gets busy. Had a lovely server who couldn't do enough for us and even had taken note from our booking that it was our anniversary delivering truffles as a treat . Would highly recommend as food and service were of a high quality. read more

Hands down the best meal I ever had in Hawaii. After reading reviews I wondered, could it be THAT good... and it was better We were seated at a pleasant table high overlooking the lanai and gardens with gentle live music in the background. So nice. The restaurant is very nicely set up and quite pleasant with white tablecloth table tops and many other refinements. The drink and wine list is impressive. There are varied wines and quite good selections. I started my meal with a Monte Moonrise cocktail, made with "Hawaiian moonshine" It was powerful and a knockout, but tasty, even with a curry leaf. Wanting an appetizer we chose a Mahi poke nachos plate to share. WOW! Do not pass it up, so flavorful and tasty with the freshest fish. We were told it's there best and most popular dish, and after having it I see why. For my entree I had one of the specialty fish of the day, Ono. You can find the daily catch they will serve by checking the online take-out menu after 4pm. When I saw Ono I was elated. It's one of my favorites. The fish came on a bed of rice and a very flavorful sauce that complimented and yet didn't overwhelm the taste of the fish. The fish was absolutely delectable, and grilled to perfection. The meal came with a soup and salad and I chose the pineapple gazpacho (wonderful!) and Wally's salad, so fresh and delicious. The portions are sizeable and the prices reasonable for the quality. Service was friendly and attentive. Do not miss coming here. It's a gem on Kauai. read more

See all

This continues to be our favorite spot for a date night on the island. The food is fantastic and the cocktails are tasty. Staff is friendly and so knowledgeable about allergies. The restaurant is so gluten free friendly and accommodating that they even have a (delicious) gluten free bread course. We miss their tasting menu and hope to get to try out the revamped tasting menu next time we're back! read more

See all

I should start by saying that really, this meal deserves a 3.5 star rating but they did try to fix the issues so I didn't want to ding them too harshly and mess up their average star rating. Anyway, this was our last night in Hawaii and also when we were celebrating our anniversary, so keep that in mind. We had reservations for a Thursday night at 7. We walked over from our hotel, Kaua'i Shores, which was a nice perk, and arrived about 7 mins early. We checked in and told there was a wait which was fine but was the start of a weird experience. All the lounge chairs in the lobby were filled with guests eating, like literally eating dinner at coffee tables, so there was nowhere for us to sit. Fortunately the grounds are pretty and there was a bench out front so we spent some time looking around. Once they called out names, maybe 3 mins after our reservation time, the host wished us a happy anniversary. There was a band playing in the lobby area, which was nice, but was glad when we were seated in the lanai area. Really gorgeous views from there, of the lush landscaping. Our waters were filled right away, but then our waitress didn't show up for maybe 10 minutes. I ordered a piña colada and the lobster wontons. My boyfriend hadn't decided on a drink yet, so she said she'd go out in my drink and the app. She came back a few mins later for our entree, and my boyfriend's drink, orders. At this point she apparently realized it was our anniversary and wished us a happy anniversary. Then the waiting began. Our drinks didn't come out for probably another 10 mins and when they did, my boyfriend's had lipstick residue. Restaurants need to do better checking since so many dishwashers don't get that waxy residue off. She did return with a fresh drink pretty quickly, and I think this is when the wontons came out. They were a really delicious play on crab Rangoons. Top marks! Then a few mins later, the little bread service came out. Two 3-bite pieces of focaccia. I appreciate any bread service but at this point I was getting pretty hungry since the wontons just whet my appetite. At this point we had maybe a 15 minute wait for our salads. Salads for people who arrived much later than us were coming out, which is always irritating. I kept reminding myself that we're on island time and had nowhere to be but we were now like 45 mins in and hadn't even had our salads. When the salads came out, I was really happy with mine, the mixed greens. Loved the pickled beets and macadamia nuts. Attitude improved again. The waitress stopped by to get the plates and asked if we wanted more bread, I said sure (at this point, wasn't sure when our entrees were coming). Another 10 or so minutes went by with no bread. Stopped the waitress and asked about it and she said she'd put in the order with the kitchen and she'd check. Never heard of a kitchen platting the bread service, rather than the waitstaff so that was weird, and a great way to make everything take longer. Bread came out shortly after and then another bread service because I guess she ordered again because of the wait. Just odd service at this point. Finally entrees came out, around 8:15. I'd gotten the catch of the day Ono entree. Loved the sauce and the flavors. Unfortunately the middle was quite raw. I'd never had Ono before so I wasn't sure what the cooking expectations were but saw it could be eaten raw and I felt like we were being a pain at that point so I didn't complain. Fortunately I was quite full at this point and I was able to eat about half the Ono, which was fully cooked. The rest of the dish was really good though. And my boyfriend's dinner was delicious. We did order the macadamia nut tart as a finish and it was delicious with a little happy anniversary chocolate on the plate. She also brought out complimentary creme brûlée to make up for all the errors in the meal. I thought it was a really nice effort and why I was fine giving an "official" 4 star rating on the meal. Everything we got tasted quite good but the pacing and some basic errors took away a lot from what promised to be a fine dining experience. I did also think the price was very reasonable for all that we got. Maybe my expectations were too high based on all the raves on here and on Google. I'd still recommend it but not going with the expectations I had. read more

See all

Delicious food ambiance and service. We also were very close since we stayed at the resort. It's a high end beautiful restaurant open to the beach. read more

We always try to go to Hukilau Lanai at least once every time we come to Kauai. Lots of options on the menu, delicious food, good sized portions, nice setting, great service....need I say more??? read more

Great Service, Atmosphere & Food. You can't ask for more than that. The Ahi Tuna appetizer was the best I've ever had. All four of our meals were delicious! read more

For my birthday, my husband booked a romantic dinner, and I loved the atmosphere--everything was so elegant and beautiful. Our server was polite, which I really appreciated, and the wine was exceptional. I had a glass of German Riesling, and it was probably the best Riesling I've ever tasted! The food, however, left us a bit disappointed. While our mini soups were superb and full of flavor, my main course--a trio of fish--was a letdown. It was overly salty and the different types of fish were indistinguishable. As for dessert, the cheesecake was buttery, which completely overshadowed the flavor. Despite the food frustrations, I'd give the place another try, but I'd definitely order something different next time! read more

See all

I have to say, this dinner was a bit of a disappointment. Overall the food was just good, not great or particularly memorable for the price. The presentation of everything was amazing, the taste just didn't match it. The wait staff was fantastic and the dining area was beautiful. read more

See all

Excellent food and service! We got a reservation 3 hours before dinner time with no problem. The place is lovely. We go every time we visit Kauai. read more

While visiting Kapaa we wanted to try Hukilau for dinner and were very happy with the food and service. The venue is beautiful and had entertainment in the bar that we were able to enjoy in the dining room as well. We have dietary restrictions in our family and are gluten free. Hukilau had a gluten free menu and even brought out a basket of gluten free bread. The food was amazing and the chef clearly knew how to prepare gluten free food that was flavorful and appealing. The fish was super fresh and was not over seasoned, cooked to perfection. read more

See all

A Timeless Gem on the Island The Hukilau has truly stood the test of time--just as amazing now as ever. Each of us ordered a different fish dish, and somehow each one was more spectacular than the last. Our waitress was a standout: incredibly sweet, patient, and attentive, especially with our toddler. The view? You can't go wrong--every seat offers a beautiful glimpse of paradise. Dining here always feels like coming home. If you're on the island, don't miss it! read more

See all

The food is delicious and beautiful. The restaurant ambience is relaxing and romantic. read more

The service was warm and welcoming. The fresh fish was delicious, and the calamari was some of the best I've had anywhere.

We wanted an upscale dinner one of the nights we were in Kauai. It was not cheap, but the food was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. We got the BBQ ribs as an appetizer very flavorful and fall off the bone tender. We had the seafood mixed grill and Wally's steak crown royal. Very flavorful! For dessert we had the Hawiian chocolate factory cake, it was delicious. The ice tea and coffee were the best we had any location while there. The lemonade was probably the best I have ever had. Service was great, very polite, attentive, and timing of the plates was perfect. Would definitely recommend! read more

See all

Good food and great service. My husband and I shared 3 appetizers and a dessert. We also each had a bowl of lobster bisque. We had a nice table overlooking the garden. Excellent wine selection too! read more

Hukilau Lanai - Garden behind our table - Seafood Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Food was fine. Had the prime rib and the ono. Lobster bisque tasted like lobster but had no lobster in it. I mean it is Hawaii so what could I expect. What got us was the complete lack of ambiance. We were stuck at the last table in what was a walled off ballroom. It was like being at the table at a wedding that was filled with last minute guests. The waitress was semi attentive but I needed to keep asking for water. Was just a disappointing overall kind of experience. read more

I had the mahi-mahi and it was excellent. My wife had the chicken and it was one of the best meals she's had out in a very long time. We will book this in advance on our next trip immediately after booking our hotel. read more

No wonder everyone recommends this place! I ate here on a Friday and I am still thinking about it the following week! We ordered a seared ahi which was superb and the mixed fish plate which showcased each unique flavor of the fish so well. For dessert, we got the macademia nut tart and the only fault there was that I wished it was bigger read more

See all

This is a really special restaurant in Kapa'a! Kadie was our server and she was excellent! Very professional, attentive, and helpful when we had questions. I was impressed by the service. The restaurant is open on the ocean side, which looks out toward a very nice garden area. On the evening we arrived, it was a bit cooler than most and I was glad I had a light jacket. While there are white table cloths, the atmosphere is not stuffy. There did not seem to be a specific dress code, which goes with the general vibe in Hawaii. The food was outstanding. We had eaten fish every night for the last 10 days, so, I ordered the Crown Royal medallions of beef, which were superb! I selected Tomato Gazpacho as the included choice of soup or salad and it was excellent. My husband ordered the soup of the day, which was exquisite, with the Prime Rib. The meat was cooked more medium, than the medium rare he asked for and expected, but perhaps one person's medium rare is the chef's rare? It was delicious, nonetheless. The cocktails were really special and for dessert, we ordered the warm chocolate cake with the liquid filling. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and dollop of whipped cream accompanied the cake. I love chocolate and it was exquisite! My husband chose the evening special - a Macadamia Nut Chocolate Martini. It was delicious, too. I regret not taking any pictures but we were engrossed in enjoying every bite. Best of all, it was walking distance from our VRBO. We stopped at Merriman's in Kauai earlier in the week and Hukilau is on par, but a little classier than Merriman's. I don't think you will be disappointed. We certainly were not! read more

Great scenery that alone is worthwhile. Menu adequate - food and service above average. I would highly recommend

Food and mai tais here are worth the dinner. We ate here twice this last week and recommend it to anyone. Cost for dinner can get a little steep depending on what you order but their food is good and the staff are good people read more

Excellent service, food and atmosphere! This is one of our favorite restaurants on Kauai when we visit and did not disappoint! Celebrated hubbies birthday again. Started with calamari, very good! The Wally salad, mushroom meatloaf and vanilla bean creme brûlée were delicious! Hubby had the chicken mushroom and Caesar salad, all were great! Will return! read more

See all

Ambiance & Food Excellent - make reservation. We got all the way there -and couldn't get seated. Maybe even ask for seats near live music if they have on site. Lovely to listen to. read more

This place blew our minds!? Everything was phenomenal!! We started with the candied Ahi and I wish we got two! It wasn't sweet like the name implies. It was the best bite of food I had on this trip! Ahi seared in coffee and spices. My hubs got the 3 grilled fish and all were cooked to perfection!! I got the ribeye and it was melt in my mouth delicious! Our son got the bison ragu and that too was amazing! Loaded with meat sauce! Big chunks of cheese! I wish I could give this place more stars! The service was top notch and our view beside the open table was picturesque. This place is a must!!!!!! read more

See all

Booked a reservation here for our last night because of its high ratings. The food is very nice and beautifully presented. Loved the PineappleTomato Gazpacho. Flavorful filet mignon and prime rib. After a week of fish every lunch and dinner, I needed a change. The waitstaff were professional and attentive. Do not go here on a romantic date. The decor is like a 1990's hotel dining room, and the restaurant is off a hotel lobby. At most tables there were octogenarians. They were either in pairs or grandparents with children and grand children. Kind of like what you might see on a cruise ship. It just wasn't my favorite atmosphere for a pricey restaurant. Entrees $40-$50. If you want a fun dinner with younger people, go to the Lava Lava Club practically next door. It's so cute and hip. The food there might not be as gourmet, but more my style for sure. read more

Hukilau Lanai - Lobster Curry Bisque and Local Mixed Greens with added goat cheese. - Seafood Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

See all

Came here twice during our honeymoon - Both times delicious. Highly recommend getting the Lobster Curry Bisque soup and the Prime Rib, absolutely amazing! We also tried their sweet potato ravioli which was good, but a little too smokey for taste. Their yellow tuna is very good too. We dressed up very nice and made it a date night both times, however, you can dress more casual as the environment is really more of what you make of it! Highly recommend their mocktails, DELICIOUS! read more

See all

Hukilau Lanai is an exceptional dining experience. We try to go at least once a month for special date nights and ALWAYS start things off with the Lobster Curry Bisque. First time the "description" threw us off but left us curious to try it. It's outstanding! The appetizers are delicious and I recommend ALL of them but really when you're in a group, unless you're a big eater. I say that because the dinners are filling especially if you get the prime rib. It's so good that there is no stopping until it's all gone. You have to save a little room for the Hawaiian warm Chocolate Cake with ice cream. If you think, "no way too full" SHARE IT! It's a spiritual experience! LOL. The fish is some of the freshest you'll find on Kauai and always prepared perfectly. It's always a great idea to book reservations online at least a week or two in advance. They do take walk ins but go early! But just go!!! read more

It is one of the few good food places in Kauai. Amazing food at great value (because they were served with soup/salad). Service was attentive as well despite of our seats being the furthest from the station. The place is amazing and clean. Make sure to get reservation. read more

Took family for a great dinner. Josh was our server and he was exceptional. Wonderful food, excellent service. Not an inexpensive meal but worth it! read more

Fantastic food. Willing to make selections to our taste, great service and ambiance. read more

I waited too long to give this well-deserved review. My wife and I got married on 11/6/24 and held our wedding reception here because this was the only place that could seat our total-of-21 party ...BUT, this didn't just turn out to be "that place" that made-do with our accommodation requests. I am 100% confident that this would be THE place for us regardless of circumstances. Chantry Williams was our main contact and kept in touch for more than six months prior to our reservation. I can't say much more than how simply kind, loving, helpful, and insightful she has been. As for the night of, the whole team that served us, led by Kera (I'm sorry if I misspelled your name!) were ALL just as warming, kind, and all the best you could imagine. Talk about true Kauai hospitality. You ladies rock and made our night special. We love you! Bryan & April Wait how could I forget... The food! I won't convolute this review; but the options to choose from were vast, and what we chose... DELICIOUS! Every. Single. Part. As well as the drinks. From Apps to Dessert, AMAZING! read more

Hukilau Lanai - Our whole wedding group! - Seafood Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

From getting at the front desk, being seated and out server, the team was helpful and friendly. It was our anniversary and our first time on kuaui and to help make the meal extra special, we were seated on the best table on the patio to see the moonrise. The server was very patient and helpful to address a severe food allergy, confirming and serving a wonderful meal that was'safe' for my needs. Service was exceptional and we can back again a couple of days later, to a similar outstanding evening. Not only would we visit again, we highly recommend Hukilau Lanai for a five dining experiment. read more