By far the rudest staff I have ever experienced. We walked in at 5 pm for a party of 3 and they said they couldn't take us because they had a 7:30 reservation. The menu is limited and the staff is rude, wouldn't know how the food was because they were so nasty that we didn't even eat there and said we wouldn't ever be back. I am astonished this place is still in business they are the nastiest hostesses I have ever experienced. will not ever be back and i warn everyone of even attempting to go there. read more

Our first time here was great. Food was great. Service was outstanding and even the other clientele made the were friendly which made our whole experience phenomenal. read more

We called a week in advance for a birthday dinner the night before July Fourth. When we arrived with the 9 person party we were told that they did not have the reservation down. We proceeded to show them proof of the call from our recently dialed list and they told us they did not have room for us. The hostess said the restaurant calls back on their reservations to confirm however when we first called they never mentioned that they would be calling us to confirm. The staff lost a reservation that was placed a week in advance proving them to be incompetent. read more

We have been to Ohana four times since they opened. The creativity and food has been very good with each trip. the tuna and fillet are always great cuts and always cooked perfectly. It is a warm room , but can be nosiy when crowded. The staff is friendly and attentive. read more

Awesome place!!! Seriously by far the best place around, and one of the best meals I've had in a long time... Went with a group of 9 people, everyone got a different dish and loved their meal. The calamari appetizer had an Asian twist and was awesome!! Service was excellent as well. We will definitely go back! read more

Disappointing....went with a group of nine, started out good with most of the appetizers very tasty. Especially liked the calamari and the clams with chorizo and beer sauce. The soups were fantastic! After that, they seemed to have run out of salt (except for the salmon special, which was very salty and in edible.) Most of the entrees were very bland and were over cooked. We had 2 orders of tuna that we asked for rare and they were both overcooked, just slightly pink in the middle. One order had two temperatures. Even the dessert, which we were told was very popular, a chocolate chip cookie in a skillet, tasted bland, needing more sugar and salt. In addition, the server, although very nice, was not terribly attentive, and service was very slow. The orders were not put in correctly, as we discovered this on the bill. It was a combination of both the kitchen and the front end staff. I think, with some corrections, this could be a dynamite restaurant. At this point in time, we won't be returning. read more

The food was absolutely amazing. I specifically recommend the coconut infused opakapaka and the filer mignon. The steamed clams were great, some of the best I've had. The desserts were also delicious. The peanut butter bread pudding was perfect, and the creme brûlée was great. The food was authentic Hawaiian, like the taro mashed potatoes. The ambiance was nice, hanging pictures of Hawaii and Hawaiian-related objects. The service was solid too, they came and checked on us throughout the meal. The appetizers took a little while, but that was just because the clams took some time to cook. The entrees didn't take a second too long. Overall, the dinner was fantastic. Some of the best food I've had. read more

Ohana grill is such a cozy place to enjoy AWESOME food. Got the steak special, the scallop risotto and the scallop and shrimp dish just to name a few... the seafood was so fresh and everything was cooked perfectly. They accommodated our large group of 12 with with ease. Will definitely come back to enjoy another yummy meal !!! They also have a small area for some out door seating. read more

I took my father, mother, and best friend to celebrate my dad's birthday during restaurant week. The restaurant is decorated beautifully with an open kitchen and friendly staff. They started us out with bread with chili oil and parmesan cheese crisps, both which were really yummy. My mom and friend ordered the New England clam chowder as an appetizer. They both said it was the best they ever had -- light as delicious. My dad had the fried calamari as an appetizer and I tried some. Delicious, crispy, tender, with a bit of a kick to it. I had the crab cakes, which were loaded with tons of crab. My dad had the pan seated ahi tuna and he said it was excellent. My mom had filet mignon and my friend had crab balls, both of which they enjoyed. My parents had creme brûlée as dessert. Overall, everything was delicious and we had a great time. We will be back! read more

one of my favorites down the shore! such a cute little place, but it's so hard to get a table, i needed to call a couple weeks again but now I see why. the food is unbelievably amazing, always have great special. everything is always fresh and delicious! read more

Love prix fix Thursday. Absolutely fantastic. We had a party of 4 and everyone was happy :).

We've been vacationing in the area for years and this is a MUST. We've been here several times ... even before it was Ohana's. (it was formerly "The Blue Water Grill) and always found the food & service beyond reproach. Never had a bad experience and the food is always exceptional; best in the area!! read more

We had the salmon pan seared Ahi. The food was so Ono. The service was great too. We will be definitely back. Mahalo ohana Grill

On a Saturday night with four people we tried this place for the first time. It is a BYO, which is an advantage at times but changes the atmosphere of a restaurant. A fairly small dining room with not a whole lot of style but their food makes up for it. We had the calamari, pork belly and two different salads for apps. All were very good. The thai curry seafood was delicious but would like to see a few less mussels. The special was a grouper that was had, along with Chilean Sea bass, and fish taco's. All delicious. A bit pricey but not omg. Outstanding service for such a busy evening. They also had great choices for dessert. There is a small parking lot but in the summer I would guess this is a small miracle to get a spot. There is street parking but again, plan on possibly circling a few times. They do take reservations which is also a advantage. read more

Took my wife to this location for her birthday. This is one of the worst restaurants I have visited in quite a while...RUN. The restaurant was very warm, teaming with flies, and saturated in grill smoke. My server said that she could not refill our bread basket as there would not be enough for the rest of the people in the dining room. Salads are not included in any of the overpriced entrees. Prices are not at all in line with the area. I had a filet mignon cooked ok, for the most part flavorless. Of the 7 people at our table not one said their meal was exceptional or even something special. From undercooked lo mein, to a near incinerated leather piece of fish this restaurant is not worth trying. I asked to speak to a manager and was told there is no manager on duty. Really?! None of the incorrect food was removed from my bill but I was just happy to leave at that point! If overpriced terrible food in a smokey fly den is what u are after try it, if not RUN AWAY!!! read more

Love this byob place!! Have eaten here each year on vacation. This year we sat outside on porch. I liked it but some in my group didn't like eating on 35 with liquor store view. The food was delicious. The tbone special was good. Mussels and calamari were tasty. The two different raviolis both were a hit. The staff was very friendly and our waitress was great. We definitely recommend this place. Call ahead for reservations if you don't want to eat outside because the dining room is small. read more

Finally..... superb, in a somewhat mixed residential area of North Lavallette, great little find. Open kitchen atmosphere with great knowledgeable staff. Owner (I think), Dana, works the floor and sometimes serves, husband ( big guy on the line) cooks.... These guys started this place a couple years ago and it is excellent. For the old-timers its where the Teepee Sub Shop was. .... Risotto always perfect. Usually have a fresh fish special, I have had the grouper and mahi, both cooked to perfection...get it with the risotto. They serve a cute 3 way soup order, 3 different kinds of fresh soup in small cups, all very good but the New England white is by far my favorite, my partner enjoyed the onion soup. Best part BYOB! and a great liquor store right across the street, my partner is a wine snob and I am so sick of paying $100 bucks for a bottle of wine with dinner but here we just walk across the street and were shocked with the wine selection, we bought a Stags Leap for about $60.oo that would cost $150.oo if served in a restaurant. We walk there and consider it our place. When they get to know you they really try to fit you in on the busy days. Forgot to mention the Shrimp..served by the piece on ice bed with fresh horseradish and cocktail sauce, gigantic, I ordered 2 and it was perfect starter. Lavalette is somewhat limited with fine dining and this place is a gem. I waited until we ate there a couple times to yelp and I am glad we did, every meal was delicious. Oh, IF the weather is nice sit outside. read more

My husband and I totally LOVE this place and recommend it to anyone who will listen! Make a reservation! Everything on the menu is excellent, the creams and broths are delicious. read more

Food was good. Last time I eat here I had the tuna which was awesome. Tonight not so. Over. Cooked. Owner came out and was rude to us when we were just having fun. Overall the food was good however I do not think I will return because of the owner. Too many places that appreciate our business to return to this one. read more

I have been here over a dozen times. It's our go to place to have a great meal. they always have great service and the food is incredible from apps, salads, and soups to mains and desserts. The broth for the clams with chorizo and beer is outta this world. Can't make a bad decision, it's all good. read more

The owner from the Ohana Grilled called me tonight to apologize. I told him what I have told me friends and family, it has been my favorite restaurant at the Jersey Shore for years and yet it was not the best night for us at the Ohana Grill but given it's terrific history of great food give it another chance. The chef, his wife and their servers are hard workers. The Chef has been one of the only chefs that is creative, imaginative and dedicated to food on the Jersey Shore. I will give Ohana Grill another chance. Again many thanks for the apology :) read more

Food & service was great the many times that I've been there. Friendly staff and family run business

A lot of restaurants on the barrier island, but most are disappointing. Ohana is a family owned/run restaurant that is by far my favorite restaurant in the area. Fantastic food, great service topped off with the best coffee around. I could and try to eat there once a week!!! read more

Before anyone goes to this restaurant, you should know something about their "policy." It's a small restaurant with only a handful of parking spaces so when you arrive you're force to find a parking space somewhere in the town of Lavallette which is no easy task. Here's what happened to me: My wife and I decided to treat my 92 year old Mother and my 75 year old cousin to a nice dinner. When we arrived at Ohana for our 6:00 reservations, it was pouring raining. I dropped everyone off at the restaurant and then attempted to find a parking space. I found one after about 10 minutes about four blocks away. As I entered the restaurant, I saw my family including my Mother standing waiting to be seated. Several tables were available but this staff of Ohana would not seat them until I arrived. I was incensed but said nothing until we were finished dinner. Afterwards, I confronted them about making my 92 year old Mother stand instead of being seated. They said it was their "policy." And if she wanted to sit and wait, there were tables outside. When I told them it was raining, they ignored me. I asked if their policy included any common sense to which they didn't reply. Then a woman comes out who claimed to own the restaurant and started arguing with me. She threatened to call the police if I didn't leave. I told her to go ahead and she did. While waiting outside for our car, she comes out again yelling at me and not allowing me to say anything. At this point the police show up and she leaves, quite proud of herself no doubt. They police were nice. They realized I wasn't drunk or abusive and actually agreed with me. You can go to this place but the attitude of they staff and apparent "owner" leaves alot to be desired. Be warned read more

very good food, soup trio was superb and funky server was funny and yet professional.... very nice experience and i really like the byob... we ran out of wine but there is a liquor store right across the street with a surprisingly good wine selection, and again the people that work there are a little odd but did know their wine and had us in stitches with their uniforms.... shorts , sandals and ties... ahh.. the jersey shore we love it! read more

We have been to Ohana Grill several times in the past years, with just my husband and I, or with guests from 4 to 12 total diners. The food is always excellent, as it was this past Sunday. We made a reservation for 12 people, but one begged out at the last minute. As parking is difficult in the summer, we arrived in 3 different groups. Although the table was ready, we were told to sit outside until the entire group arrived. This included my 89 year-old m-in-law. When I protested, they allowed us to sit at the table. Two people were late and we tried to order appetizers for the table and we were told that they would only take complete orders when everyone was seated. Now, I understand that entree orders are preferably taken when all the guests are present, but appetizers? In many better restaurants, it is not unusual to order appetizers, then while waiting for these to arrive, more leisurely peruse the menu to decide on an entree. Our server was very good and tried to accommodate us as well as she could within the restraints that the management put on her. We will come back because the food is good, but we probably will not bring too many guests in the future. read more

it was a surprisingly wonderful treat - the food was creative and delicious. the atmosphere, relaxed, and the owners were out and about, as friendly as the rest of the staff. can't wait to go again! read more