My cousins were in town, so we did the classic island cruise and made a lunch stop at the newly reopened Crouching Lion. After being closed for over a decade, this spot reopened May 2024 under new ownership. It's much bigger than before . What used to be a small restaurant with a gift shop on the side is now a really big restaurant. The entire space itself is smartly designed to showcase the beautiful ocean views. The layout feels ready-made for big events like weddings, company parties, etc... The setup is pretty cool with two kitchens, one dedicated to robata grilling and the other handling regular dishes and a raw bar. The menu leans Korean with splashes of Japanese influence and a few local twists thrown in. The food? A bit of a roller coaster with some hits, some misses, and a few in-betweens. * The Scallion Pancakes with Octopus were the unanimous favorite. Crispy, flaky, packed with flavor. * Kalbi Ribs delivered too: smoky, garlicky, exactly what you want from Kalbi. * Duck Breast Lemongrass Butter Confit... not so much. Four tiny cubes of chewy, bland duck with zero lemongrass flavor for $26. Gonna pass on it next time. * Brisket Taco Reverse Roll was a mixed bag: tender, flavorful brisket but the rice was soft and almost mushy. Texturally not a good mouthfeel. Service was excellent. Our server, Josie, was on top of it. Friendly, attentive, and professional. A bit on the pricey side but we would come back on our next island tour. It's a nice stop between town and the North Shore with beautiful views, solid service, and enough menu intrigue to give it another go. Happy Eating!! read more

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It's a bit far, but it was worth the drive. Nestled right on the side of the Crouching Lion hike, it had a beautiful view of the ocean, would definitely recommend coming in the day for the view. We came as a walk-in on a Wednesday evening around 5:30 and was seated within 20min. Our server was great, she made great recommendations, was very knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered the Bulgogi Kimbap, Spicy cucumbers, wagyu sliders, volcanic loaded brisket fries, classic mandu, and uni pasta. This was more than enough for two people to share and the food was so good. My husband really enjoyed the spicy cucumbers, volcano fries and the wagyu sliders. My favorite was the uni pasta. Will definitely be back to try other foods on the menu. The atmosphere was nice, there was live music being played, the server checked in on us in a timely manner and the whole staff was great. read more

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We had such a wonderful experience at Crouching Lion. The view was absolutely amazing -- overlooking the ocean with the mountains as a breathtaking backdrop. It's one of those spots where the scenery alone makes the visit worthwhile. The service made it even better. Our server was so sweet and friendly, which really added to the overall experience. The food was delicious and beautifully prepared. The spicy cucumber dish was refreshing, though not as spicy as expected -- which may actually be perfect for those who prefer mild heat. Overall, great food, warm service, and unforgettable views. We'll definitely be back. read more

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Very Cute place... food was okay... service was good... they get their name from the surrounding area.... crouching lion trail and the mountain behind the restaurant also looks like a crouching lion.... One of the best things about this place is there is a car collection in back... some of the coolest cars... read more

The Crouching Lion - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

Off of Kamehameha hwy this spot has amazing vibe, interior and menu. Draws are definitely the location with beautiful beach view, interior design and great food and drink options, definitely maximized on the cute lion merch. Cute little photo op sections. Service was a little slow but friendly also assuming they are short staffed. Menu items are all shareable and varied between appetizers to grilled items. We started with bloody Mary, macadamia mai tai refreshing and mai tai was strong yet delicious. Kim chee fried rice, volcano fries, grilled squid and oysters. Everything was delicious main star was the grilled squid with garlic. Kim chee rice was perfectly cooked nice pieces of pork belly, oysters fresh, volcano fries loaded with brisket. Def a nice place to visit at night for a nice dinner after the beach. read more

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We went prior to 12:00 and didn't have to wait. Once 12:00 came it got busy. They handle it with ease as far as I could tell.. definitely visiting again. read more

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We came to Crouching Lion after visiting Kualoa Ranch, and it was the perfect way to end the day. We got there around 5 pm, which turned out to be a great time -- not too busy yet, but you could see it starting to fill up later. First off, the ambience. This is one of those rare spots outside Honolulu/ Waikiki where the atmosphere actually feels thoughtfully put together. It's not just the amazing ocean view -- they've got flowers, a fountain at the entrance, nice lighting, and everything felt clean and welcoming. Definitely more "special night out" vibes than your average countryside restaurant. We had kids with us (a toddler and a 10-year-old), and I loved how they treated families. Crayons and coloring sheets came right away, and the kids' meals were served in little toy cars -- a hit. Food-wise: * Oysters: pricey (around $50 for 13), but fresh, tasty, and came with two sauces to try. * Sliders: just okay * Tacos: amazing * Mocktail (virgin piña colada): fine, nothing special, but they do have a full cocktail menu if you're drinking. * Dessert: the star of the night. The crème brûlée (made with Hawaiian-grown coffee) was outstanding. One of the best I've ever had, and I've had my fair share, even in France. Perfectly crunchy caramelized top, smooth custard with a subtle coffee twist. Expensive at $20, but worth it. * Ice cream was $8 a scoop, which felt a little too steep for what it was. Overall, this is not a budget dinner spot, but if you're looking for a memorable, sit-down meal with great views and nice ambience -- especially after doing something nearby like Kualoa Ranch -- it really hits the mark. read more

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Charlie & Anthony were amazing servers. Very detailed, patient, and attentive. Food exceeded all expectations! Portions were huge/shareable & delicious. Worth every penny, worth the drive, beautiful view, and experience. 10/10! read more

I'm a foodie that will travel for food and this place was worth the trek. I did the Crouching Lion feast and had the pleasure of being served by Joshua Winder. Joshua was great, personable and very passionate about what he was serving (he too is a foodie and appreciates delicious noms)! The feast is definitely worth it. It was all good but the salmon, bbq and Shiitake mushrooms really stood out for me. As if 12 courses wasn't enough, they then bring you coffee and dessert! Highly recommend and ask to sit in Joshua's section! read more

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We did not have a reservation, so we waited which was expected. Asked host if we can sit another area and was told that the server in that area was overwhelmed so we couldn't. Understood that can happen, however still questioned the statement. Sat down placed order for drinks and food. This is where I have the problem, each item was brought out one at a time. First the fries (amazing) then asparagus, then 1/2 DZ oysters...but no salmon roll. Waited...waited and waited, no update not even checking in to see how the rest of service/food was. We were overlooked. Caught another server attention and began to speak with her, that's when our server ran up to us. I asked him we waited for almost 30 minutes on a single roll. He ran in the back to "check" on it, but saw him twice taking care of other customers. I finally said give me the bill so I can leave and eat elsewhere. I just wanted some kind of acknowledgement but received none. read more

The service, food and the ambiance were amazing. We had Wagyu sliders, brisket rolls and daily caught (Ono fish), cooked to perfection and flavors were the best we've had in 7 days. Ended it with a private tour of the classic cars collection! DK is the best! Highly recommend trying! read more

The Crouching Lion - Balcony overlooking the ocean - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

This restaurant is lovely, beach front and wonderful breezy views on the second level. Easy to grab a table as a walk in, but I recommend making a reservation. Food is expensive relative to the amount and quality you get. There's a wide variety of Asian inspired dishes, the most popular being the Korean Sushi, kimbap. The quality of ingredients used are great. Quick service and decent amount of free parking. read more

The Crouching Lion - Tacos - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

We stopped by The Crouching Lion after a day at Kualoa Ranch, absolutely famished. A friend in our group knows the family who owns the restaurant, so we made it a point to visit. And we're so glad we did! Everything was amazing. The space is stunning, right by the water with incredible ocean views, and the portions are generous and perfect for sharing. We left feeling completely stuffed and so happy. *COCKTAILS We loved every drink we tried: the 100% Kona Espresso Martini, Mokoli'i Yuzu Express, and the Highball. Each one was smooth, balanced, and beautifully made. KAHANA POKE Wow, off to a great start. It was so fresh, with the right amount of shoyu to marinate the ahi tuna. The presentation is gorgeous with the microgreens. KIMCHI FRIED RICE A huge and satisfying portion. Comforting, flavorful, and so fulfilling. It had this really great smoky Chipotle like flavor. ***UNI PASTA Obsessed. The creamy mushroom sauce paired perfectly with the salty-sweet ikura and rich uni. The noodles were the perfect texture. It seriously vanished within seconds. Our favorite dish of the day! FRIES WITH HONEY AIOLI Crispy, golden, and perfect for sharing. The honey aioli is a standout. **OYSTER ON THE HALF SHELL Absolutely gorgeous. Fresh, buttery, and possibly the best oysters I've ever had. *SCALLION PANCAKES So light and crispy, with bits of squid throughout for texture and flavor. The dipping sauce complemented it perfectly, just the right hint of spice. **LARB Delicious and balanced. Generous portions with simple, fresh ingredients and bold flavor. The spice level was perfect, and the fresh lettuce for wraps made it even better. Highly recommend adding it on. ***CRISPY SALMON BELLY Incredible. Perfectly crisp on the outside, tender on the inside. You won't even need a knife. The spiced soy sauce took it to another level. I really hope they make this a permanent menu item! read more

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My favorite dish was the steamed clams with focaccia! The clams tasted very fresh and the broth was delicious. I loved dipping the focaccia in the broth to soak up all the flavor. This is a great dish to share with the table and I would definitely get it again! Our server was very kind and attentive and the view can't be beat if you're sitting outside. Highly recommend trying this place out if you're in the area! read more

The Crouching Lion - Steamed Clams with Housebaked Focaccia - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

Parking: Plenty in front of parking Service: Amazing, was able to get lots of recs from the waitress who helped structure our order Ambiance: Upscale open air restaurant with local live music Food: Would rec the clams, jidori chicken, rose tteokbokki pasta, and brisket tacos read more

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There couldn't be a more picturesque location for a restaurant than this one -- great view of the ocean on a peaceful stretch of the North Shore. We had the AYCE feast option, a mix of appetizers, sushi, robata grill dishes, and cooked entrees. The food was solid, although the service was a bit too fast paced for the quantity delivered. read more

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We drove by earlier in the day and saw this restaurant from the highway. We were staying in the North Shore area and hadn't eaten at many sit-down restaurants outside of our resort so we decided to come here for our final dinner in Hawaii. We ordered a variety of dishes (oysters, sweet potato, mushrooms, hamachi kama, kimbap, miso salmon, and an ube cocktail) and after tasting everything, I genuinely thought that we were sick and something was wrong with our taste buds because most of our food lacked flavor. I've never experienced that in a restaurant before. We realized it wasn't our taste buds after eating other foods the next day so sadly, their food was just missing flavor. We were seated at a six-person table with a great view of the ocean during sunset and they were quick to check in on us throughout our service. The food came out fairly quickly and each dish was wonderfully presented. There was also live acoustic music with the artist playing both classics and Christmas songs. I'd say it's worth stopping by for a drink or two but I hope others have better luck with the flavor of the food. read more

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I have not been to The Crouching Lion since 2003. Back then I thought it was just ok. We made a reservation for Christmas night at 8:00pm. The place was packed, assuming mostly tourist looking for a place to eat. Although the reservation was for 8pm, we ended up waiting to about 8:30pm before being seated. This was disappointing but we stuck it out. A lot has changed since 2003 and this time, everything was delicious. I tried the brisket tacos, the kimchi fried rice, and the pork belly from the Robata grill. Everything was excellent! The decor and vibe here are absolutely perfect. I seriously cannot wait to go back. read more

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All the food and drinks we had were great but a little pricey. They were very accommodating as we had a large party. I had the CL bruschetta and really enjoyed the variety! read more

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This was one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever been in not only because the location is right across the street from the ocean but its backdrop is beautiful leafy green mountains! We came here after we hiked the crouching lion trail- well it wasn't really a trail more like a you shouldn't hike it kind of spot but our cousins a local so we gave it a try. The restaurant has a very indoor outdoor kind of vibe. All the food on the menu was delicious and fresh. The service was top notch and they really had good prices for it to be sort of on the higher end of the food chain with their food selection. Super unique experience and overall 5 stars! read more

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My large family (5 adults 3 kids) had a wonderful time at the Crouching Lion. The atmosphere was beautiful right out on the ocean with lanterns and a breeze, and the food was fresh and excellent! We enjoyed everything and the desserts were superb. We really appreciated how many vegetarian options there were as well. The service was also excellent, our server Angela was lovely and extremely professional and attentive to us, especially considering it was right after the storms. Highly recommend! read more

The Crouching Lion - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

I was really excited to eat here. When we arrived I love the way everything looked and the ambiance with the ocean view was perfect. Service time took a bit long as we looked around and others were getting their food order taken etc and we were still waiting on drinks. Food came out quick, reminder it is only shareable style plates. Food was average to my taste, price seems a bit high for the quality. Shrimp was overcooked to where it stuck to the shell so we gave up. Their clam soup was actually really good and their pork belly sticks. I wouldn't go back with kids, even tho they did have kids meals, it seemed more a like a nice happy hour spot to end the night type feel. read more

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This place is wonderful and beautiful. This is what you think what Hawaii ambiance should be. Feels wonderful. We had several items on the menu. The only issue I would say, and even then it's not a big deal, I wish our waiter would have told us this is a "sharing menu" that we should order several things and share. We ordered as individuals and when we got our plates we realized we all could have eaten and shared the food. Food was really good!! Lamb lollipops were good, a little more seasoning. But wonderful, the chimichuri was so good! The oyster and qual egg shooter, ans roe are excellent! Please advise it is all raw. Kids plates were a great size! Especially the pasta. The wagyu burgers were killer!!!! The pork belly was wonderful!! Asparagus perfectly cooked! Great Mai Tai. This place is so fun. Great music, the vibe was great and the view of the ocean was amazing!! We cannot wait to go again!! read more

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The food was unfortunately not good. We got the bulgogi roll and one of the other ahi sushi rolls and they were super bland. We didn't have much of it. The Wagyu sliders to start were at least alright. View is gorgoues but the outside was not the best maintained and had a funky smell. Wanted to love this place so badly because I picked specific spots for our Hawaii trip but I'm not sure if we maybe just didn't order the right thing or what happened but both our rolls were disappointing. read more

Just amazing!!! Great imaginative food! Try the scallion pancakes, off the hook good! Incredible service in a beautiful laid back north shore Oahu way! Loved every moment of this dinner! read more

Adding pictures from my initial visit. Wish this place was where I live as it would be my regular place for Modern Hawaiian food and really like their wine, beer and cocktail list. read more

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I ordered black tea and it came in a cute little teapot. We ordered soju, and the waitress brought out a tray for us to pick our shot glasses. Very cute. This place has great potential, but it was a bit disappointing. It smells ever so slightly of pee everywhere, and my friend who ate the food got diarrhea. read more

The Crouching Lion - Black tea - Beer Bar Near Me - Kaaawa, Hawaii

The crouching lion has very quickly become one of my favorite spots to eat on the island. With spectacular ocean views, and a vibe that can't be beat, it's a great spot for lunch or dinner. Make a reservation. They seem to be easy to get, and can save you some time. I've been when there no line, and I've gone when there's a line out the door. My only meh point, and the reason for 4 stars is everything is served 'family style' and for the price, the potions are really on the smaller side to share with even one person. That being said, everything I've had there is amazing and I keep coming back. My favorite things to order- Miso salmon. So good. So tender and perfectly cooked with a thick glaze. French fries- the honey miso aioli is so good! The brisket inside out roll- it's a perfect item for those who want to try sushi but might not like the whole raw fish scene. Brisket. Sushi! Spicy and delicious! At this point I've gone half a dozen times with one other person up to a group of 11, so I've tried almost all the dishes on the menu. There is nothing I wouldn't eat again if placed infront of me. The service was great and all of my servers have been kind and helpful. read more

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Excellent service from Kai. Delicious food. Got the Feast ... so much food! Loved the seating outside with the perfect view of the ocean!

We celebrated my birthday at the Crouching Lion on Jan. 7th and we cannot say enough positive remarks about our hostess, Keahialaka and server, Josie! Their fun, upbeat, warm and welcoming service made our evening extra special! Mahalo nui loa for treating us like 'ohana. The ambiance is beautiful and the food is delicious. We highly recommend the Crouching Lion to our friends and 'ohana & we will definitely dine at the Crouching Lion again in the future. read more

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Killer mai tai that rivals monkey pod and Moku's . Our bartender was the best ! He recommended the tacos and sliders which were yummy awesome. The view of the ocean is pretty priceless. Will be back soon read more

So worth the drive for us esp since we were cruising up to the north shore anyway. Such a "hidden gem" because it's so different and kind of hidden away off the side of the road if you're not looking for it. We appreciate the portions because we could share them and try different things. Service was great too and I liked that they had inside and outside options for seating. Was very clean. read more

Great service for our big party the other weekend. Both servers were on it, drinks were fast to the table, and food was quick to come out. Pricey. But we knew that. Nice you have quality sit down deep country side. read more

Great spot on the side of the road but huge and beautiful restaurant! Food is not sweet, thank god! The grilled squid topped with a caramelized garlic was perfect with kimchi fried rice. The clams with focaccia with a great balance of clam juice and garlic. The beurre blanc fish was a bit overcooked . The sweet potato is quite innovative with a crunchy skin.... Very interesting and tasty. 2 cocktails and 5 shareable plates with a %20 tip totaled $180. Very affordable! This place also overlooks the ocean. read more

This place was recommended in the area. One thing I have to admit is their chips are addicting! The view and layout of this place is great. Food to me was average and a bit on the high end. If you're looking to have a large get together that's a little fancier, I would definitely recommend this place. Their shishito peppers were really spicy. Everything here are mainly shareables shareable tapas. If you're in the area looking for a cute date restaurant or celebrating a special occasion, definitely recommend this place! read more

This restaurant is a can't miss eatery for locals and tourists alike. The food is delicious, the scenery is awesome and the service is always excellent. Today, Shalei and Nicky helped us and they both were so helpful and kind. Highly recommend this place and ask for these two employees by name. You won't be disappointed. read more

Great service and tasty food! Ambiance with live music and a beautiful view was really nice. Shoutout to Anthony and Jeff for making our experience even better! read more

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The Crouching Lion Restaurant is easily one of the best bites on Oahu. Every dish we tried burst with flavor and creativity, and the staff's attention to detail made the experience exceptional. Our server communicated allergies to the chef directly, and the kitchen accommodated perfectly--thoughtful and professional from start to finish. The setting alone is breathtaking. Whether you're admiring the restaurant's stunning ocean view from inside or catching its eye-catching exterior while passing by, it's impossible not to stop. Service was outstanding--every worker moved in sync, attentive yet natural, and genuinely kind. From the plating to the recipes, you can tell that real thought and care went into every part of the experience. We selected off of the robata grill and shareable menu and every bit was delicious. Did not even have time to take pictures because the food smelled too good as soon as it arrived. Other food not pictured was the gochujang pork belly, miso salmon, oysters, rice. Perfection! read more

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We recently purchased in the area and this was my second visit. First time we had the brisket tacos, sliders and fries. All delicious so I brought my husband here today. I had loved the brisket tacos so ordered again and my husband ordered the sliders. My tacos looked amazing when they arrived. I took my first bite, heaven, then went to take a second bite and saw a long black hair hanging out of my taco. I have short grey hair. This has happened only one other time in my life 30+ years ago. I hung onto it until the waitress returned so she could clearly see the hair was inside my taco. I thought it was law to wear hairnets around food but she checked and said they wear hats in the kitchen. I was of course ready to puke and declined anything further. When it came to settling the bill, the tacos were taken off leaving the $26 for the sliders. I tapped the 20% tip and didn't pay attention until much later in the day to discover I had been charged $10.40 for the tip. That's 20% before the hairy tacos were taken off. It wasn't the servers fault, nor mine, but my husband's three sliders ended up costing $37+ dollars. Unfortunately I haven't found my favorite neighborhood eatery in The Crouching Lion. read more

Five stars if not only because they provide fly fans. THANK YOU!!! The food - BAD - The scallops were the worst I've ever had in my life. Crazy overcooked. Two normal (sea) sized, two the size of bay scallops. Wine - 1/5. Meh meh meh. Had the rose, and it felt like a white zinfandel. SO FRIGGIN GOOD - The clams. The broth. The bread. So friggin good. The sliders - generally basic as a universal standard. Theirs were VERY good. I really enjoyed them. Friend had coffee, which came with a dead ladybug on top. He enjoyed his refill. Views made up for all the missteps. read more