Hukilau LanaiOFF THE CHART !!Tonight's visit was off the chart ! As repeat visitors, we always look forward to what new ideas Krissi, Manda & crew have come up with. Joseph, our waiter for the evening, presented us the answers after bringing us the islands BEST MAI TAI's. We started with the standard cheese focaccia bread and balsamic dip-then moved right in to Candied Ahi (2 orders, please! )--followed by lobster bisque and a Wally salad. The crowning entrees of the night were: 1) Seared Ahi ,dressed with pesto,presented on a bed of goat cheese laced polenta and 2) Mahi Mahi, dressed with a dollop of salsa, laying on a bed of fettuccini noodles laced with spinach, corn, red onion and homemade sausage bits and accented with a chipotle drizzle. After this, LIGHTS OUT5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and serviceExcellent food and service all the time! They know how to prepare fish in just the right way. The prime rib is also juicy, soft, & flavorful. I would highly highly recommend this place!!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome dinner....I would love to meet the chef!! The food was amazing!!! The freshest fish I have ever tasted!! What a presentation!!! Awesome dessert to finish off a great meal!! We loved the view from the patio, too!!!!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMLovelyWhenever we visit Kauai we make a point to have a special dinner out and always choose Hukilau Lani. Be sure to make reservations and ask for a seat on the outdoor patio for the best views, ambience and lower noise levels. On this particular night there was a wedding reception being held on the grass area and then in the back banquet room. It was quite loud and took away from our usual relaxing dinner but the food was excellent! You will not find better prepared fish on the island!!!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMFreshest fishOur meal was delicious. I had the opah and my husband had the Mahi. The fish was sooooo fresh and the preparation was wonderful. It came with a salad. It was also very fresh and lightly dressed just the way we like it. We will be going back at least once, maybe twice before returning to the mainland. Can't wait!5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMAverageIt was our last night in Kauai and we booked this on the recommendation we found on yelp. I wasn't impressed. There were great highlights, such as the ambiance, the view, the ahi poke nachos, but apart from that it was just ok.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe fish dishes and the primeThe fish dishes and the prime rib were fantastic. Our waiter took the time to explain the different dishes and was very friendly.
We sat inside by the railing and enjoyed that location.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFantasticWe've been goiing to Kauai for 30 years and have yet to find a restaurant that is as good, in so many ways, as Hukilau Lanai. From the food, (each serving better than the last), to the service, (Tim), to the view, H. L. is unsurpassed. We will return often. The value is remarkable-we had an entree and the food-only wine/food pairing and spent less than we have at any comparable eatery on the island. We were celebrating our wedding anniiversary and could not have been more pleasantly surprised. We stay in the Princeville area when we're on the island. The H.L. is much closer to Princeville than the Beach House, for example, and the fare is equal to the Beach House, if not better. The wine list needs better descriptions or pre-dinner tastes5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing!Great atmosphere. The food was beyond delicious and the service was extremely polite, courteous, and respectful. Would highly recommend if you are ever in the Kapaa region on Kauai.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat meal at a reasonable price!We have been frequenting this restaurant over the past 9 years. Even though there has been a change in ownership, the quality of service and the meals served have not changed.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOur best dining experience on KauaiWe are foodies and this place is wonderful. We each had the Happy Hour Tasting menu. That title short changes what it really is - a full 5 course meal, paired with wines from around the world. The wine pairings were spot on. Each of the courses offered something special. Service was right on and with a smile, and each course was timed perfectly...not too soon. We can't say enough good things about Hukilau Lanai.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb Birthday Dinner!My wife made reservations for my 60th Birthday dinner and it was one I will always remember. We enjoyed the 5 course tasting selection for dinner. The food was outstanding! Our waiter was very attentive and we were not rushed at all. It was a very enjoyable evening and will always be remembered. Will return on our next visit for sure!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary DinnerWe went to Hakilau Lanai for an anniversary dinner and sat outside on the patio. Patio overlooks grounds, pool and farther distance, the ocean. The restaurant is located in the Kauai Coast resort.
Food, service and atmosphere were excellent. Good menu with good selection of entree's. Surprising good wine selection. Probably one of the best restaurants on the island. Tried Westin Nanea, Gaylord's and St. Regis on this trip, but will definitely come back to Hakilau Lanai on next trip.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMBest on the IslandFood always consistently good. They rotate how the fish are prepared so its different every time.
They always have fresh fish and great salads. Make reservations, it's always busy but tables are not set too close so it's very comfortable. Great service. Order the chocolate lava cake when you get your dinner if you want it. It takes 20 minutes to prepare.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good food at a reasonableVery good food at a reasonable price. A very laid back place, dont go if you are in a rush, and Reservations are a must...5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMIf you closed your eyes.....If you closed your eyes while eating you might think you were at Roy's.
Three of the 4 dishes we had were outstanding ( 2 fish, 1 chicken and 1 combo).
A must is the Maytag Blue Cheese salad even if you must pay up charge.
The wait staff is friendly
One reviewer described this as an fine dining restaurant wanna-be. From a food point of view they have made it.
For 2/3rds the price.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMMy favorite restaurantThis is my go to place for any occasion when I want to have a memorable evening. Awesome food combined with great entertainment, and exquisite service made for a perfect birthday dinner. Thanks!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat food, great valueDidn't expect much as we drew up in the car but wanted to try this place as we had read many good reviews. Despite our expectations, the food was wonderful. We loved the ahi nachos, the crab cakes and the onagi main course. Really good value, unpretentious, pleasant setting serving superb, fresh food. Would definitely return.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good!Great food and service. Watch out for the per drink charge. Other than that this is a great place to eat. Everyone in our party had a great time.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMA MUST on KauaiBeautiful place, superb food, excellent service. I had the BEST fish I have ever eaten.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding resturantThe food, service & ambiance were all extraordinary! I would highly recommend this resturant. Plus they served one of the best Mai tais on the island. I also recommend the warm chocolate cake for dessert4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMBeautiful setting & food in Kapa'aWhat a great experience. Seated front table closest to view. Service, food, and view were the best. Our hostess seated us right away at reservation time and was very friendly. Perfect evening in Kapa'a!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food. We went forGreat food. We went for the gluten free menu and they did not disappoint. They even worked with us on substitutes for items with dairy. Overall an excellent restaurant.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasantly SurprisedSee Steve F review on tripadvisor for the full review.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing food we had 4 courses.Amazing food we had 4 courses. I would highly recommend this place.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply stated, we had a deliciousSimply stated, we had a delicious dinner, with great service at a romantic restaurant on a beautiful warm night. Loved everything about it.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe prime rib was melt inThe prime rib was melt in your mouth really good. Most definitely the best food we gave had so far on the island. Beautiful scenery and live performance playing soothing music.Great for special occasions4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant was recommendedThis restaurant was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. The food was great and the service was very good. We'll go back.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMI love dining at the HukilauI love dining at the Hukilau Lanai restaurant. It is my favorite restaurant in Kauai. The food and ambience is always wonderful.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMKauai => HukilauWhere do I begin? It's amazing to find such a good restaurant anywhere, let alone on an outer Hawaiian island! The chefs and servers are amazing...they know their flavors and constantly change things up and use the freshest local ingredients.
Try the candied ahi if they have any...it's a nice blend of balsamic and poke...and it's all delicious. All their entrees are great. My wife almost always gets the meatloaf, which will delight you. I had Opah and it was cooked perfectly.
The biggest surprise though? Their wines. They carefully choose them to match their cuisine, and it appears they only charge wholesale price...a first for any restaurant I've been to. You an get a couple bottles and not break the bank. So nice.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingWhat an exceptional restaurant. The food was delicious and the server excellent. We truly appreciated dining there and will eat there every time we are in the area. Thank you Hukilau Lanai. It was the best restaurant we ate at in Hawaii.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMservice was great,every serverservice was great,every server was helpfull.good team work4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, late serviceThis is the most difficult review I have written to date. However, in the end the management of the restaurant made all right. The food was outstanding. The beef peppercorn medallions were done to my reqest and were prefect. My wife had the chicken and it was probably some of the best I had ever experienced. The Parmesan/macadamia nut crust was crispy and the chicken itself was tender and juicy. The dessert was a Maytag blue cheese cheese cake. Very interesting but a good blend of the savory and sweet. Now the difficult part and the disclaimer. Our entrees were quite late in delivery....maybe a hour after our salads. Management became aware of this and on their own volition comped the entres. We recommend this fine restaurant.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were very pleasantly surprisedWe were very pleasantly surprised at this restaurant. When we walked in, it appeared dated and the decor, furniture etc seemed old. The food and service was fantastic. Our server was efficient and gave us good recommendations. The corkage fee was only 10 which was nice4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMVERY GOOD FOOD, GOOD SERVICEVery good food with beautiful presentation. The lobster curry bisque was terrific. Service was friendly but I had to ask for my drink refill, server apparently forgot, which made me feel "unimportant." Good kids' menu. Comfortable seating, good ambiance, and we didn't feel rushed. We'd definitely come again when visiting Kauai.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOur family had a lovely timeOur family had a lovely time on our last nite on Kauai. The food was delicious - especially the "special" and the bisque. Thank you.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMHukilau Lanai seems to beHukilau Lanai seems to be our "default" restaurant. Whenever we want a reliable experience for food and atmosphere, this is where we go. The fish has always been fresh and excellent. This last time we went early so we could choose the Tasting Menu (you have to get there before 5:45pm, which is early for us, but worth it.) Each course was wonderful (we had the wine pairing, as well), and a great way to get a "taste" of more things than we would normally have ordered. The candied Ahi was excellent. Can hardly wait to go back.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThey prepare the best freshThey prepare the best fresh fish on the island. Great comfortable place for a great meal. They also have a small room available for larger parties.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have only good things toWe have only good things to say about this restaurant. The one down side, and was no fault of the restaurant, was that it was chilly; and being an open-air restaurant, the only suggestion I may have is they could have provided a small blanket, space heater, etc. The service was excellent if not a bit too fast. All food was excellently prepared and served efficiently and hot. It was my husband's birthday and they presented him with a fabulous chocolate mousse desert topped with a candle and accompanied with a small box of truffles.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was a pleasant surprise!This was a pleasant surprise! What a diamond in the rough. The food was excellent, beautiful presentation and creatively prepared. We have marked this ad a must come back to place!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Kuai ExperienceFish special with banana cream sauce was amazing. Walley salad with dressing delicious. Great cozy, romantic setting. Singers were good in the bar area. We had reservations and were promptly seated. Loved the laid back and quieter atmosphere. Very good service. Ate there twice and had the fish with sticky rice and coconut sauce and it was yummy.
Large portions. Husband and I split and paid 5:00 fee for our own salads and they split the main entree for us.
Hard to find if you don't know the area. Turn on street by Coconut Market!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMBest fishBest fish dinner. I had the Ono and my husband had the Ahi. Nice size portion and preparation was excellent. The Wally salad was very good too. The restaurant itself could use a little update, but the food and setting will keep me returning.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a beautiful setting:This is a beautiful setting: looking through the palm tree grove to the Pacific Ocean. How good is that! In addition the tasting menu is outstanding and a real bargain compared to other resturants on the island...and we have been on this island for 14+ years. Make sure you reserve as they are becomg known and very busy but worth the detour as they say in the Michelin Guide. roy3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the must-go placesOne of the must-go places on Kauai. There is a reason why this place has been so well thought of for so many years. Food, respectable prices, friendly service.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Dining on the IslandWe have been coming to Kauai for many years and have tried most of the better restaurants. The food here is unsurpassed, by far the most fresh and delicious. The service was impeccable. We look forward to dining here again. T3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently ExcellentAs always, Hukilau was a gem to share with visitors to our island. I tried the farmer's market veggie lasagna for the first time and it was delicious. Leftovers were great - hot and cold! My brother had the local mushroom/meat loaf, which is always a winner. My husband enjoyed the prime rib, cooked perfectly for him. Sis had one of the many delectable fresh fish preparations. We had the two items we always have at Hukilau: the curry lobster bisque & chocolate lava cake: the start and end to a perfect meal with friendly, perfectly-paced service.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was Excellent. AmbianceFood was Excellent. Ambiance outstanding. Now we know where to go for all our special dinners.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExtraordinary experience....food,Extraordinary experience....food, setting, service!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Hukilau is a fantasticThe Hukilau is a fantastic restaurant - we ate dinner twice and once had a late dinner in the lounge. Absolutely perfect. Mahi was the best I've ever had, great wine list, farm to table salad, creative presentation and very attentive service. Well done!!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMYummy!Hands down the best food on the island. Menu is a but pricey but the food is definitely worth it. I made reservations for four two weeks ahead of time- definitely suggest making reservations in advance. There is another restaurant,Wahoo, down the street- same pricing but the food was lacking. Even two of our tour guides on different adventures recommended the Hukilau Lani. Service was great asking- friendly and knowledgable.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AM