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Cafe Portofino, Lihue, HI

Cafe Portofino

4.4 (2337)
$31 to $50
Italian
3481 Ho'olaule'a Way, Lihue, HI 96766

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 20 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
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

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What 2,337 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

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

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Kauai

    Neighborhood gem

  • Kauai

    Great for fine wines

  • Kauai

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Kauai

    Romantic

  • Kauai

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cafe Portofino delights with "great food, superb wine list," and attentive service. Guests rave about the "amazing views" and "wonderful live music," adding to its "romantic atmosphere." Notable for its "authentic Italian cuisine," this restaurant offers a memorable dining experience with a spectacular oceanfront location, making it a "must eat" in Lihue.
2,337 Reviews

  1. Karen

    Vancouver / British Columbia2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    We were very disappointed with our meal. Mushy peppers which looked left over from the day before, no potatoes as mentioned on the menu. We had to ask for them and it was clear the waiter knew we were missing them but wasn’t going to correct it unless we asked. Meat portions were very small and unimpressive for the price. The overall dining experience was poor. We won’t be back

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  2. Jess VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities54 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely the best rack of lamb dinner we have ever enjoyed with an incomparable beach and bay view

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  3. Roy

    New York City15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was outstanding, service great and atmosphere excellent, overlooking the bay.

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  4. Chuck

    Denver / Colorado2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 1, 2025

    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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  5. Jess VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities55 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 1, 2025

    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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  6. Elise VIP

    California Central Coast69 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 29, 2025

    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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  7. Joanne M VIP

    Southwest Florida14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great service and food was delicious!! Great experience!

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  8. Jordan

    Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review

    3.0

    Dined on June 27, 2025

    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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  9. Joe

    San Francisco Bay Area5 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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  10. 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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FAQs

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

Cafe Portofino is rated 4.4 stars by 2337 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
10:30 PM
Booked 20 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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