I've eaten here so many times. And usually have the ONO Fish sandwich. Which is huge. Today we try the cup of chowder. It was ok, I didn't get much seafood (which is what I was excited about) - not even one shrimp. Oh well The Ahi Nachos were DA BOMB! Lots of fish there. Visually it could have used more sauce but tastefully it was perfection..... we had another wonderful experience here today! It's "our" spot read more

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Came in around 3 PM and we were the only ones there. Right away we were told no alcohol was being served, which was fine since we were mainly hungry. We ordered: poke nachos, fish and chips, and burgers. Service was fine, nothing against it, but the food was disappointing across the board: Poke nachos: The poke had an odd texture and the wonton chips were stale. Fish and chips: Big chunks of overcooked, bland fish with zero flavor except the oil it was fried in. Burgers: Patties tasted like frozen meat that had been defrosted and boiled, no flavor beyond the bacon, bun, and cheese. The view of the ocean was nice, but the restaurant itself looked dirty and run down. The floors, walls, windows, and ceiling all needed serious attention. I hate leaving a review like this, but our group of four all felt the same way. We came because of the positive reviews, but this was our experience. We stayed, ate, and left disappointed. I'm just hoping I don't get sick after that odd poke. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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We stopped in for lunch and if it weren't for the incredible views, I would give 3 stars, but the views are pretty spectacular. The restaurant itself is a bit worn and could use some TLC. The bathroom though was actually quite beautiful with their woodwork and looked recently renovated. We were promptly greeted by a kind woman who seated us and brought us water, she let us know they were not able to serve alcohol today - not sure why. The prices felt a bit high to me but they are one of the only places to eat in this area so I guess they can get away with it. We weren't super hungry so each opted for an appetizer. My mom got a cup of seafood chowder and I got the bbq chicken pizza, which had an option to add mushrooms, onion, or tomato. I added onion. Both items were very tasty. My main issue was the waiter. He never came back to check in with us on how the food was or to refill our water glasses. We also sat with our empty plates for several minutes and he never came to see if we were ready for the bill, have dessert, etc. - I had to call him over and let him know we were ready for the bill. Even then he never offered to refill our empty water glasses. With a little TLC and some better waiter service, this spot has great potential as the food was quite good and the view is hard to beat. For the prices though, I would expect better service. Definitely worth a stop for a bite to eat or a drink, but I wouldn't order an expensive entree. read more

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The food was very good and our server came and checked on us frequently. The restaurant was beautiful and the view was great. The only reason that this is not five stars was because it is very pricey here. Menu seemed limited but the kids enjoyed butter noodles/Alfredo. My husband said the burger and fries were very good and although I didn't find anything on the menu, I was able to make a meal with a side of amazing fried rice and a chicken breast. The chicken was dry but the sauce served with the rice helped with the chicken. read more

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In Kauai? This is the best restaurant on the North Shore of the island, a can't miss! Looking for Fish? Shrimp? Steak? Tacos (on Tuesdays)? They got it all! Super Ono (delicious), flavorful and tasty. Want to eat lunch or dinner at an oceanfront location? Feeling the light sea breeze and hearing the smooth sounds of the ocean while dining? The restaurant is about 5ft from the beach and ocean, the ample windows allow for an unimpeded view of the ocean. A full bar, if you're just looking to relax and drink and they even have an outdoor section near the beach to drink and reflect on your perfect Kauai day. The service is full of Aloha, the entire staff is attentive and yet 'island relaxed' , patient and looking to ensure you have an amazing experience. Your food is served fresh and hot, cups always full. The best staff and people on the island. Most nights have live music, Tacos on Tuesday evening and Karaoke on Saturday nights. The owner and staff here are Ohana (family) and deeply rooted in the community, truly the most wonderful experience on the island of Kauai. Next time in Kauai, we will be back to eat food and 'talk story' with our new Ohana. Ken and Ren read more

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Finally got to try this place out and it was a big disappointment. The restaurant is spacious, right on the ocean and the service was great but the food was just meh. I got the burger and it had no flavor except for the bacon. My wife got the poke nachos and there was no flavor there either. My niece got the fish and chips, the fish was dry and the batter was flavorless. I had no idea that all the entrees would be below average at best. I even got a Diet Coke that was flavorless too. I told the waiter of the issue, maybe they need to change out the cartridge or cylinder. He came back and said he couldn't do anything about it and just took the drink off the bill. Weird experience all around, too bad cause this spot could be legit... read more

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We really enjoyed our lunch at this spot. It's a drive to get there but worth it. It was not crowded, in fact, we were the first eating lunch. They have a huge dining room that looks out on the ocean. I started with a Mai Tai. Not the best I've had, but really good. We both got the fish tacos grilled and they were so good. The fish was perfectly cooked and the slaw and sauce were great. Service was great and after lunch we headed outside. There is a bar facing the ocean and lots of people were out there with drinks. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Mai Tai and Guava, passion fruit and orange juice. - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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Sticky tables, sticky floors, and windows so dirty you can't even enjoy the ocean view. I ordered the Ahi Poke on rice--sadly, the rice tasted like it came straight from the fridge and was microwaved. The ahi looked fresh but wasn't appetizing, the "furikake" was just chopped dried seaweed, and the sauces tasted like watered-down Knorr Liquid seasoning. When the server asked how I found it, I said "disappointing." He offered to bring me something else, but I declined. To his credit, he took the dish off the bill--that part was good. Still, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. There are much better options in Hanalei. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Came to eat with family. Party of 12. It was pretty empty when we got there so we got our table super quick. Service was great, food came out quickly, and we were well taken care of by our server. I ordered the OGB Half-pound, medium well. I loved every bite of it. It was so juicy and flavorful. Definitely one of the best ones I've had! And the fries, oh man, they were amazing! Piping hot and crispy! If i ever come back to Hawaii, im definitely coming back to this place. It's on the more expensive side but the view provided outside in the back of the restaurant. Killer view. So for us, it was well worth the visit. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - O.G.B Half Pound with Fries - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

If you ever find yourself near Hanalei on a Taco Tuesday, this is the spot to hit! We split a combo plate that had both fish and shrimp tacos which ended up being one of the best things we ate on the island. The portion size was big enough for 2 of us to share which was a huge plus. Our servers were wonderful and attentive, checking on us several times throughout our meal. The views from this restaurant were beautiful, overlooking the ocean which perfect photo spots that were about a minute walk down. Live music started as we were leaving which was a fun addition. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Fish Taco Combo Plate - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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There are restaurants that impress you, and then there are those that welcome you. Opakapaka Grill and Bar in Hanalei feels like the kind of place you'd be gently ushered into by a barefoot uncle with salt in his hair and wisdom in his eyes. It's unpretentious, comforting, and humming with that rare energy that says, you've found it--the kind of beachside spot locals don't always talk about, because they'd rather keep it to themselves. Our evening began with a round of Mai Tais--offered by our warm, smiling server who seemed less like a waiter and more like a friend you just hadn't met yet. The drinks were strong, smooth, and exactly what you'd hope for on a night kissed by trade winds and soft music. (Though let it be known, and I've said it before: the best Mai Tai on the island remains at The Plantation House in Līhu'e... but I digress.) In the corner, a man played soft electric guitar. Not the kind that demands your attention--but the kind that accompanies it. He drifted through tunes that whispered of Sting, Dire Straits, and dusky beach drives in the '80s. It felt like being inside a mixtape you didn't know you missed. My wife ordered the fish tacos--light, fresh, folded into warm tortillas like little edible sonnets. I opted for the catch of the day, which--fittingly--was opakapaka. A fish so delicate it barely needed persuasion, served with vibrant broccoli and a scoop of mashed purple sweet potatoes that could convert the most stubborn of skeptics. The food? Impeccable. The view? A dream painted in ocean and sky. The service? Like coming home after a long swim. Opakapaka is not just a meal. It's a moment. A breeze. A reminder that sometimes the best places don't need to be flashy--they just need to feel right. And this one does. A toast to soft guitars, purple potatoes, and restaurants that still feel like someone's heart is in the kitchen. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Mai tai - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Hubby and I got the catch of the day, Opakapaka. It came with rice and grilled vegetables. It was thoroughly delightful, served with shaved ginger and delicious lemon butter sauce and Onaga sauce. The service was very pleasant. The view of the ocean from our table was very relaxing. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Catch of the day, Opakapaka - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Aloha Yelpies !!! If your looking for amazing food and are willing to take a bit of a drive down the coast then look no further. The fish and shrimp tacos do not disappoint and the service and overall experience is great for all ages. Full bar and beach access puts this place at the top of the list. Portion sizes will put you in a food comma but that's all good because it's worth it. Maholo DMK read more

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Excellent food and customer service!! Must try while visiting this beautiful island. Beachfront dining at its best. read more

Terrible experience. Who are these people writing 5-star reviews? The food and the service were really bad. We're staying up in Princeville. I called at 6:25 PM confirming their hours and confirming that they were serving burgers, which are prominently advertised on their website. Our server, "Jango" obviously had minimal training. But he did inform me that they were out of burgers at 7:15 even though just 50 minutes earlier, "Jen" assured me on the phone that they had "delicious burgers" and to come on down. Jango said they had them earlier and must have run out, thus the confusion. There were maybe three or four other tables with people eating. I'm pretty sure that he knew that there were no burgers when I called. Did all the tables order multiple plates of burgers per person? It was obvious that they didn't care. There was no manager to be seen. How could you not have a manger walking the floor when things are so slow. Well, maybe Jen (the bartender, I was told) is also the manager. Speaking of alcohol, even though their website says they have draft and bottled beer, Jango informed me that they aren't currently serving beer. Did they lose their liquor license? The interior is getting pretty rundown, which is sad for an eight-year-old restaurant. The staff don't seem to care, and I'm assuming that the owner doesn't really care either. My wife ordered the catch of the day, Ahi. She ordered it seared. It was way overcooked, and pretty thin for a cut of Ahi. Jango placed the plate down, saying "This is way overcooked for seared in my opinion. I hope you enjoy it." He never even bothered to check to see how our food was. Remember, there were maybe a handful of tables at the most with guests. I had to track him down because my wife's side of vegetables (carrots, broccoli and potato slices) were practically raw. She sent them back to be cooked some more. She finally had to go to the (open) kitchen to find the status of the vegetables. The cook and his assistant were jaw-jacking with one another and had completely forgotten about the vegetables. In lieu of the burger, I ordered a bowl of the fresh fish chowder. Not only was it lacking in fish, but it was the blandest chowder I've ever had in decades of eating out. All in all, it was a terrible experience that you have to drive nearly to the end of the road to reach, through windy, narrow roads. Save yourself the trip and the waste of money. This is definitely a place to AVOID. read more

To be clear, we did not eat any food at this location. We were interested in going here after a day at the beach at tunnels, but we arrived at 2:30 it was a ghost town, maybe 10 customers inside the place, and it looked like the most shabby restaurant I've seen. The leather menus were worn out, The laminated pages of the menu were torn out of the books, everything seemed wrong about it. I felt like we were in a small town in Mexico with some really crappy decor. We got up and walked out. I hate to be so harsh, but I certainly wouldn't give them our business. I've noticed some nice reviews on yelp from customers who enjoyed this place, maybe they came at night and didn't see the lack of attention to detail that we did. With such a great location, you think that they would take advantage of it and have a presentable restaurant. read more

A fun, family friendly dinner spot. This place has a beautiful story that is worth taking the chance to read on the first page of their menu. The owner, Greg, was humorous and clearly a people person. On a Sunday night there was also beautiful live music. The food was solid comfort food, and the view outside is amazing. If it's busy, you might have a wait for your food, but come with good vibes and the time will pass easily. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Fish tacos - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Beautiful view and super kind staff. Food was good and there was live music. Service was a little slow but that just allows you to sit and watch the ocean longer! read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Leo the cat - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

What a view! Watching the moon rise over Hanalei Bay was the highlight of our evening. Unfortunately, the food was not. Our server was attentive and effective. The food, on the other hand, had issues. We ordered a quesadilla and seafood chowder as starters, along with two Mai Tais. The quesadilla was the best part of the meal. Well executed and served appropriately warm. The chowder was a cup of indeterminate gray and brown goop. It did taste of seafood, but I have no idea what seafood. I ordered fish and chips. The fries were good, the fish was meh. At least it was moist. My wife ordered a grilled fish sandwich and it was almost inedible, dry dry dry. The drinks tasted good, but felt very light on the liquor, even though they were $18 each. We probably should have asked for the sandwich to be remade, but by that time we'd had enough. We paid our check, $160 after tip. That's not a typo. Kaua'i is an expensive place, but when you order a $30 sandwich, it better be good. Our server saved this place from getting 2 stars. That and the cat who seemed to enjoy watching us eat as he or she kept the chickens at bay. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Moonrise over Hanalei Bay. - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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All I can say is "WOW"! This place has amazing views, ambiance, service and best of all, food. My wife and I just shared the best Fish & Chips ever. Mahi-Mahi caught this morning! Also tried the Maui Bikini Blonde beer...ice cold. You will not be disappointed. And the drive here from Princeville is so beautiful and peaceful. read more

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June 2023 Stopped by while exploring other areas of the island. Has some nice views in the back but everything else left a lot to be desired. Service was infrequent, water refills and check ins very low. Not really anyone else there at the time either. We had gotten a couple mai tais and a mango margarita later for drinks. For food, my partner ordered the fresh catch and I had gotten the pasta primavera with no chicken. The drinks were forgettable. Not really well balanced with little rum and nothing to speak of for juice you'd normally see in mai tais on the island. The fish was terribly dry and over cooked. The OGB rice was ok, needed salt or soy sauce. The pasta primavera was a let down. The bread was chewy, the sauce watery, and nothing had salt. Nothing had flavor and the sauce couldn't adhere to anything in the dish so in the end it was just boiled pasta and boiled broccoli. Not inedible, but not enjoyable either. read more

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A hidden gem of a getaway place. The local vibe pervades in the dishes, musical talent and friendly staff. Go for the freshest of seafood dishes ;stay for the hospitality and live music. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - The seafood is caught hours before it's cooked! - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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This place is amazing! The view is incredible! Service is ok. Hosted is the best lady ever! As for food it was sooooo delicious! We had Quisadilia and Tuna Poke are tasty and beautiful !!!! Great experience! read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Pina Colada - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Great local spot with ocean views. Fish tacos, fish sandwich, loco moco -and a vegetarian option (taro burger and pasta primavera. There is a bar and there was great live music. This place was recommended to us by a local. read more

It was nice to find out that their fryer only fries wings and fries so there is no cross contamination with gluten products. I got the sweet chili wings and a coke. It was a good portion of wings that came with some carrot and celery sticks as well as shredded lettuce. Plenty of sauce on them as well as on the side. Some of the wings were dryer than others. Service was friendly. Inside kind of gives off cafeteria vibes mixed with log cabin. There is a view of the ocean in the background. The only unfortunate thing was that all the windows were open so flies were a huge problem while eating. Definitely pricey for what it is but seems on par with many of the other spots on the island. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

So bummed out... not sure what's going on with this place but man how disappointing. Was really looking forward to reliving my experience from a year ago! All food was below par, service was interesting. We ordered drinks and we were told they may or may not serve us them although we noticed other tables did receive drinks. Overall a real bummer. read more

Such a good burger! The quality of the food was excellent. Not to mention the killer view. The service was friendly, and overall we had a positive dining experience. Highly recommend. read more

I couldn't rate the food because we ended up walking out before we ordered. I had found this restaurant as a recommendation on a Kauai facebook group I follow so I thought we would try it after I saw their menu and the prices listed on their website were very reasonable. The location is great because it's on the beach but it's "bring your own beer/alcohol" which was very odd to me. The menu items were all $10 more for each thing than what was on their website. I even showed the lady who was helping us and she was apologetic...not her fault though. We were not hungry enough to pay somewhere between $25-$40 per person for food so we ended up leaving. read more

The waiter was very attentive and polite but the service was on the slow side. Food and ambience were just okay.

This place was fantastic! I loved all the broken windows, crusty old ceiling fans, and the ocean view and surf spray right from my table. Came in, ordered, took my coffee out to watch the waves as I waited for my food. Perfect sunny day, good food, great service. 10/10 Hope to return. read more

The food was really excellent. Amazing view and staff! Super fresh fish, one of the best meals we had on the North Shore.

Our server was very kind and all the staff was quite friendly. Just remember, we are on island time so be patient :) Location is awesome, space was really nice and had a great view. Food was quite mediocre. I had the poke with fried rice, would not recommend to be honest. The fries my friend had were the best thing on my menu. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - Poke and fried rice - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

I want to begin by saying that this restaurant holds a special place in our hearts. Twenty years ago, we had our wedding reception here, and the food was absolutely amazing. Although it was under different ownership back then, we continued to return over the years during our visits to Kauai and always enjoyed our meals--until just two days ago. We hadn't initially planned to dine here this time, but we learned they now host karaoke on Saturday nights. I called ahead to confirm, and we made plans to have dinner there with a large group before the karaoke started. When we arrived, the restaurant was noticeably empty and missing many tables. The atmosphere felt tired and run-down. The table we were seated at was sticky, and when we looked up, the light fixtures were grimy and looked like they hadn't been cleaned in quite some time. Still, I was happy to be there, holding on to the memories and looking forward to good food and drinks. Our waiter greeted us, but he seemed frazzled and immediately began complaining about how busy he was--which was odd, considering only one other family was seated at the time. When we asked for drinks, we were told there was no bar service. I asked when that changed, and he explained that they had lost their liquor license. This was a big letdown for everyone, but we stayed and ordered water instead. As the waiter took our orders, he appeared annoyed, and for some reason, seemed especially irritated with my daughter. We brushed it off, thinking he might just be an eccentric personality. When the food finally arrived--after a long wait--many of us had ordered the fish and chips. After just one bite, I knew something was wrong. The fish was rubbery, extremely difficult to chew, and just overall unpleasant. I looked around and saw others with the same dish were having the same experience, so I knew it wasn't just me. It seemed severely overcooked. To be fair, some others in our group who ordered different dishes did enjoy their meals. But between the dirty appearance of the restaurant, the odd and off-putting service, and the disappointing food, the overall experience was disheartening. The final kicker was that they did not do karaoke because they didn't have alcohol. I wished they would have let us know when we made the reservation of those changes as we probably would not have come. This place used to be so well maintained and vibrant--it's now just a shadow of what it once was. I truly hope they can turn things around and restore it to its former glory. I'd love to be able to come back someday, but after this visit, I sadly won't be returning. read more

My husband and I really enjoyed our lunch here. He had the quesadilla with chicken. I had the fish tacos. The fish tacos were absolutely amazing and they also have a beautiful Chardonnay as well. Our waiter, (his name is Todd), was very friendly and offered great service. I highly recommend that you stop here when you're in the area. Also- epic ocean views from EVERY table! read more

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Every single time come to Kauai this is a favorite stop of ours not pretentious great food. Great owner read his story. Gives back to the community. Great live music fun vibe great deals on Tuesdays with margaritas and tacos. Crazy to pass this up. See you here !! read more

This is by far the worst place we've eaten on Island. We had a large group and ordered several menu items. Ribeye was dry and tough and was similar to beef jerky. Pasta Primavera tasted similar to a microwave dinner. Poke nachos tasted stale, but the Pike was actually decent. The cheeseburgers were very dry. The chicken was so dry it wasn't edible. One person at our table ordered catch of the day fish. Apparently they were out so instead of communicating that with our table, they kitchen staff decided to Just give him something different. The staff was friendly, but the service was extremely slow. We waited well over an hour for food that wasn't edible. We went home and had to have cereal, which is a real bummer after an almost $600 dinner This restaurant does have an amazing view read more

We stopped in after taking the road all the way to the State Park. It was just past 1:00 and we were given a table right at the window, where we could watch the water. (I apologize for not taking any pictures, I was enthralled with the view and then dug into the good as soon as it arrived!) The food was amazing!!! I had the Fresh Catch, Opakapaka, and my husband had the Ahi Poke with fried rice. My fish couldn't have been cooked any better! Absolutely delicious!! The servers were very attentive and the meal was excellent!! It's quite a drive to get there but definitely worth the trip!! read more

Pizza is to die for! Don't go to Italy, come to Hawaii! Gourmet as it gets. Your cup is full before you sit down. I WILL be coming back again for this pizza. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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The location and backstory of the restaurant are really the only standouts here. The food was so incredibly overpriced and just not worth it given then quality. It was great to have a table next to the large windows overlooking the waves crashing, but that's about the most memorable part for me. read more

Opakapaka Grill and Bar - American Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

Beautiful location and scenery, super friendly staff, the ahi sandwich and poke bowl with OGB rice were both very good. I'll be going back next time I'm on the island. read more