Like many restaurants, staffing is an issue. We did have to wait awhile because they didn't have enough staff but it was worth it once we got ordered and seated. It's on a golf course and unassuming for a restaurant but it's really delicious! Food is flavorful and fresh. A very good breakfast spot for traditional Hawaiian food but also regular breakfast foods with local items. Highly recommend read more

This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend and I was excited to try the breakfast on a Saturday. We were told when we arrived that their was a wait of 45 minutes to a hour because of understaffing on the front of the house and that food was not coming out as fast as it should be but we decided to stay because I heard the rave reviews on this place so I wanted to try the food. Well 1.2 hrs later we finally got our food but it was cold... sad to say I was not happy with this place. A few weeks later I wanted to give this this place another try to eat breakfast and once again it was a epic fail.. The wait again we were told was going to be 45 min to a hour because they only had one cook that was working on this Saturday that I went I was hesitant but wanted to support the local business so we waited and waited and waited we were offered water a few times at our table but I noticed that no manager came out and apologized for the long wait to any of the customers who were waiting for breakfast glad I was not the only customer who was complaining about no food coming out this time around and when food came out finally we did not get served yet but 3 other tables who came in after us did and by this time it's been 2.5 hrs and I was not happy and neither were the other customers who were still waiting to be served. We finally did get our food at least it was warm this time around and a staff member did apologize for the long wait for breakfast but I think I will probably not go back to this place for awhile or maybe I will do take out instead that might be the best way to get food faster rather then to dine in for now. I will say your staff and restaurant was very clean and friendly. read more

Really disappointed in our experience here today. We got here at 11am and were told our food would take an hour. We decided to order anyway, and 1 hour and 15 minutes later we asked about our food and were told it would take 25 more minutes. We had 3 restless babies/toddlers and would have appreciated updates along the way, especially seeing that we had babies and were waiting for much longer than the estimated time. We are regular patrons here and probably won't be back for a while after this experience. A little communication goes a long way. This experience was 1 star but since we normally enjoy the food and experience here, I'm giving 3. read more

Love this place! The food is amazing - haven't tried anything I didn't like yet. However, the wait can be a bit longer than expected. Today was my first time doing take out online and it said it would be ready in 20 mins. After 20 minutes the status said ready for pick up, but after ANOTHER 20 minutes my food was still not ready - all I ordered was a side order of waffles and 2 pieces of chicken. Eventually I just cancelled the order (I had somewhere to be and was already running late - my fault) and they refunded my money as a gift card - staff seemed sorry and were very polite. Today was an extra busy day for them (Mother's Day) which is fine. Just wish they hadn't said the order was ready when it wasn't. Other than that, the food is awesome! Just plan to go on a day when you aren't rushing to get somewhere else. If you're on Hawaiian time (relaxed with nowhere else to be), definitely go! I'm already planning to use my refunded gift card on my day off! read more

Took a friend there yesterday for lunch. Hubby had the kimchi fried rice with 2 eggs and loved it. Friend and I had the fried noodles which were very good also. Only BIG disappointment was my order of crab wonton; the pi used is way too thick and ended up being uncooked and with an unpleasant "floury" taste. I'd never order it again. Otherwise, we enjoyed our lunch and I'd return again. read more

My wife and I have been to the Puakea Grill a couple times before Covid and most recently in 2022 after a remodel. We were very happy to see the restaurant reopen as they were closed during Covid. It is a quaint little restaurant that is easy to get to. The parking lot is huge. The staff is friendly and the food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. On our most recent visit, we split a Mini Kalua Moco with fried rice. It was very tasty as was everything else we have had at this location. Prices are good as well. The location is clean and there are restrooms on the outside that are clean. We will surely return to the Puakea Grill any time we are in Kauai. read more

Good food and aloha staff. There is a trend of restaurants where you order before you sit down. I never feel like I have a moment to relax and time to collect my thoughts. Might have something to do with lack of staff. That being said, the food is good but at tourist prices. Might be nice to have kama'aina pricing for fixed income local folks. read more

Great service, people and pancakes! Would recommend to anyone + plus the golf course looks nice as well.

Great place for a calm breakfast. Seat yourself and order at the bar. Lilikoi ice tea was yummy and the mochi pancakes were delish.

Went for breakfast and it was really good - only drawback is that they are likely understaffed - who isn't these days and things took a bit longer than we had anticipated for breakfast. read more

Great local spot for all meals. The chef was formerly at the well respected verde restaurant and brings her robust and instagram worthy cooking to a gorgeous golf course bar and grill. Breakfast was super filing and the mochi pancake properly chewy and even a little crispy! Can't wait to try for Pau Hana! read more

Except for the snooty chick taking orders, breakfast here is da bomb! You must try the Mochi pancakes! So good!

One large party seated, a couple to go orders in line ahead of us and another to dine in like us. BIG MISTAKE! Got here at 8:22am the cashier was friendly and said the wait would be about 20-35 minutes. So we knew to expect slow service. Unfortunately you have to order and tip and seat yourself so now you're stuck! After an hour passed I politely asked at the counter if it was coming soon? She said yes, minute later my kids plate of avocado toast on ciabatta bread - not toast. In fact it didn't appear toasted and a single scoop of white rice came. My food did not. I watched the entire table Family of 4's food came. I watched that family at the 35 min mark feed their kids the pre made spam and then the kids played outside. The mom at their table got in car and left restaurant. 10 minutes later my stuffed French toast came. It was eh. French toast with $2 extra for strawberry it seems not strawberries. Ado $1.25 for coconut syrup cuz why not charge people more for a little of nothing? Needless to say we used to love coming here pre-pandemic. Won't be back. Be warned if you don't have all day to wait and are hungry don't come to this spot! You'll be sorry. read more

Was shopping in town, so popped in for a fast lunch. Husband had the chicken cutlet - "best on island" is what he claims! I had the Chinese Chicken Salad - chicken reminded me of the old Hanamaulu Cafe style, so yummy! The cashier and servers were soo friendly too. We enjoyed it so much, that we have cousins visiting from mainland, and we plan to bring them to Puakea Grill to have lunch (again) tomorrow! read more

Just got off the plane and looking for a place to eat. Smiley's closed today so wanted to try this place. Outstanding! They even do a non-meat loco moco. All the food we had was wonderful and friendly, accommodating service. This place is a must-stop. We will be back. read more

Considering you are in Lihue (restaurant scene not so hot), the food here is not bad. The ginger fried chicken is quiet tasty where the meat and crispy outer have a sweet ginger flavor. Burgers are so-so. Breakfast is better with their early b'fast plate and also the pancakes. B'fast burritos are so-so while the loco moco can be a bit salty. You can enjoy the view of the driving range if seating outside at the deck. read more

Had to wait 10 minutes in line to order and then 50 minutes to receive the food. At the least they should tell you the estimated wait time given it is much longer than you would normally expect at a grill. read more

We made a game time decision to stop here for breakfast before heading to the airport. The food and service were great! The mochi pancakes were beautiful and tasty as was the fried rice. We'll definitely go back! read more

Updated menu and interior. Love the stuffed french toast and breakfast burrito. The fried noodles, homemade potato chips and crab wontons are a favorite...YUM! Need to go back soon!!! read more

Truly wish we would've found this place about 20 minutes earlier. We stumbled across them on the way to our flight out of LIH, and were so grateful we did. Fill up your rental car at the Costco, then enjoy one last homemade meal before you head back home. My husband's beautiful and delicious saimin was still steaming when we had to run. My banana pancakes were the perfect cure to my pre-flight wine the night before. My daughter loved her fresh-made classic eggs/bacon/fruit plate. Thank you for your great service. read more

Outstanding food quality. Everything on the menu is amazing. The mochi pancakes, loco moco, and the Puakea breakfast are great in the morning. The burgers, ginger chicken, fried noodles, ahi poke bowl, and rib eye steak are lunch and afternoon winners. Plenty parking, clean facility, and so central in Lihue. read more

Good food great for family groups for breakfast or lunch has good service I think u will enjoy this place