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Cafe Portofino, Lihue, HI

Cafe Portofino

4.3 (2333)
$31 to $50
Italian
3481 Ho'olaule'a Way, Lihue, HI 96766

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Charming
  • Great for outdoor dining
Authentic Northern Italian fare, also specializing in seafood and steaks. Cafe Portofino is a beautiful upscale restaurant overlooking the ocean located at the Royal Sonesta Resort. Please come and enjoy our award wining cuisine and breathtaking views. Official parking for the restaurant is available at the Royal Sonesta Resort.

Please note, all seating is first come, first served- no special seating requests can be honored. For parties over 6, online reservations are not accepted, please call the main number.

If you have children in your party, please leave a note on your reservation or message the restaurant so that we can better accommodate your seating. Grazie.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Pizzeria
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (808) 245-2121
  • Website
    http://cafeportofinokauai.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Resort Casual
  • Location
    3481 Ho'olaule'a Way, Lihue, HI 96766
  • Neighborhood
    Lihue
  • Cross street
    Rice Street
  • Parking details
    Free valet parking at Royal Sonesta.(Street Parking and Beach parking also available)
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 2,333 people are saying

Cafe Portofino reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Kauai

    Great for fine wines

  • Kauai

    Romantic

  • Kauai

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cafe Portofino offers authentic Italian cuisine with an "exquisite meal" and "wonderful food, view and service." Guests enjoy its "superb wine list" and "delicious and fresh seafood." The "beautiful ocean view" and live music add to the ambiance. While service is generally praised, some reviews note occasional staffing issues.
2,333 Reviews

  1. Chuck

    Denver / Colorado2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food, service and view were great. Music also made for an enjoyable evening

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  2. Jess VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities53 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    In our opinion, this beachside Italian fine dining restaurant remains a must for anyone visiting Lihue. Great food, service and atmosphere. The pastas are simply incredible.

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  3. Elise VIP

    California Central Coast69 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Different for us to have excellent Italian food in Kauai. Great menu choices. Excellent service. Best surprise was the violin music that was perfect for the restaurant and setting.

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  4. Jordan

    Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review

    3.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    Ok. So, this place was really disappointing. The interior of overly dated and formal for Kauai, despite a lovely large covered patio. The whole place looks like a banquet room in a hotel or on a cruise ship; but shabbier. Seriously awkward experience where waitstaff were obviously uncomfortable and/or bored. Our res was early to catch our flight, but the place was very big, and very empty, with no happy hour crowd, and the floor is set up so that there’s no way for it to not be empty and awkward. Food was actually decent, but didn’t make up for the awkward vibe. The whole area caters to the resort and cruise ship crowd and this place is no exception. Parking was difficult to find as was the entrance to the restaurant, in comparison with the neighboring restaurant. They clearly do a robust (wood fired?) pizza/takeout business which may be the way to go. All in all, this was one of the most laughably awkward dining experiences we’ve had anywhere, let alone on Kauai. 3 stars feels generous and is for food quality alone.

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  5. Joe

    San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, superb wine list, good service, and wonderful live music.

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  6. Lisa

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had. I’m going back one more time.

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  7. Mike

    Sacramento / Sacramento Valley1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was attentive and friendly. The food was fabulous. The electric violin being purposefully played was a wonderful addition to the peaceful ambiance. Parking was a bit quirky, but that wouldn’t prevent me from visiting this restaurant again. My Ono prepared piccata style was mouthwatering. The focaccia bread was to die for.

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  8. Steve

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our first meal on vacation - June 2025. We dined late (8:30) and decided to sit outside. We started with Traditional Calamari fritti and it was amazing, lightly breaded and mostly rings, just one tentacle. The bread was freshly baked and had a hard crunchy crust. We also ordered the garlic bread - visually was beautiful but not my favorite. Amazing service from Nat! Made us feel right at home and provided great insights about the island. Family Entrees: Trofie Al Pesto $25. Genovese pasta in homemade pesto cream sauce topped with pine nuts. Added chicken. Fettuccine Alfredo $26. Flat egg pasta in a rich cream and parmesan sauce. Spaghettini Alla Marinara $22. pasta in a fresh tomato and basil sauce. Pollo Porcini $38. chicken sautéed with a light porcini mushroom cream sauce. Meal also came with roasted vegetables and a carrot soufflé. The chicken was so tender and very thin. Excellent meal.

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  9. Karen VIP

    Hawaii26 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The open air atmosphere and ocean view was beautiful and relaxing. The food was delicious and our prime ribs were cooked perfectly. Our server was personable, efficient, and polite.

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  10. Jeffrey

    Portland / Oregon4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love Portofino’s. Food is great with a wonderful view. Service has been great. We come back everytime we are on Kauai

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FAQs

Cafe Portofino offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (808) 245-2121.

Cafe Portofino is rated 4.3 stars by 2333 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Hawaii
  4. Kauai
  5. Lihue

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today
Google Map for Cafe Portofino

3481 Ho'olaule'a Way, Lihue, HI 96766

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Rice Street
  • Neighborhood
    Lihue
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Pizzeria
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Resort Casual
  • Parking details
    Free valet parking at Royal Sonesta.(Street Parking and Beach parking also available)
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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