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Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery, Waimea, HI

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

4.8 (245)
$50 and over
Japanese
62-100 Kaunaʻoa Dr, Waimea, HI 96743

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Romantic
Welcome to Engawa, a small restaurant limited to 20 guests per night, where we offer an exquisite experience of Japanese cuisine. There is no à la carte menu, but the Omakase course is offered for $95, including one glass of Junmai Daiginjo sake. Our menu is a celebration of traditional Japanese cuisine, featuring an array of exquisite dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients. From fresh sashimi to hearty tempura and other savory dishes are crafted to bring out the authentic flavors of Japan. Enjoy a unique culinary journey with chef & brew master Chiaki, where each dish complemented by our award-winning hand-crafted sake, designed to enhance your dining experience.
At Engawa, we pride ourselves on providing not only exceptional foods but also an inviting atmosphere and impeccable service. To ensure you have a wonderful evening with us, we recommend making a reservation. Our attentive team is here to accommodate your needs and preferences, making your visit truly special.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Brewery, Creative Japanese
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 5:30 pm–7:15 pm Mon–Sat 7:30 pm–9:15 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Dr. Chiaki Takahashi
  • Neighborhood
    Kohala Coast
  • Cross street
    Hapuna Golf Course
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Public transit
    Hotel shuttle van, Walk from Hotel
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 245 people are saying

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery 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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Hawaii

    Japanese

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Best Overall

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Best Food

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Best Service

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Best Value

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Healthy

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Romantic

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery offers a unique dining experience featuring a prix fixe menu paired with exceptional sake, brewed onsite. Guests praise the "amazing food" and "incredible host," highlighting an authentic atmosphere that blends Hawaiian and Japanese flavors. The setting, service, and sake create a "wonderful and charming experience."
245 Reviews
  1. Andrew

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food. Great sake. Good value for the price.

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  2. Dave VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area75 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    This was a disappointment. We just did dinner without the Sake brewery tour. It looked great on paper but we didn’t have a good experience. For $95 prix fixe menu, I had hoped for remarkable food but alas, it was nothing special. It was ok but no unique flavors or particularly interesting dishes. The Sake pairing was also a little underwhelming. Again, it was ok but nothing special. It’s located in a golf course clubhouse which was fine. They’re just celebrating their first anniversary and the owner explained the space was not ideal. The owner and his ( I assume) wife were very nice but even with just 5 tables, we found ourselves waiting between courses and for the check. We’re not likely to return. Sorry.

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  3. OpenTable Diner VIP

    Seattle / Eastern Washington2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    What an amazing find - go for the food and service! The set menu was delicious and there’s nothing like it on the coast.

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  4. Eric VIP

    Hawaii21 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 14, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    An unique and wonderful dining experience. Food and sake pairing amazing.

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  5. Mitch

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous food and service. The folks truly care about the food and drink being served.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a hidden gem! We absolutely loved the whole experience. The food was amazing and the Sake was incredible. We really enjoyed Toma, he was an incredible host.

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  7. Jerry VIP

    Los Angeles1 review

    3.0

    Dined on May 8, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Two courses were so excessively salty I could not eat them

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  8. Thomas

    Seattle / Eastern Washington13 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 23, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    not quite your average omakase-style restaurant. quality of the food was ok service was good

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  9. Alison

    Greater Boston1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    An unforgettable experience! The food was absolutely exceptional—each course was thoughtfully prepared and bursting with flavor. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive, making us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for from start to finish.

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  10. Paul

    Hawaii2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Until the golf course if finished, some greenery enclosing the veranda would be nice so as not to look out at the dirt and machinery.

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FAQs

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery is rated 4.8 stars by 245 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. Hawaii / Big Island
  5. Kohala Coast

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Google Map for Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

62-100 Kaunaʻoa Dr, Waimea, HI 96743

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Hapuna Golf Course
  • Neighborhood
    Kohala Coast
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 5:30 pm–7:15 pm Mon–Sat 7:30 pm–9:15 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Brewery, Creative Japanese
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Public transit
    Hotel shuttle van, Walk from Hotel
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Dr. Chiaki Takahashi
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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