Hualani's - Lihue, Hawaii

Uaploy P.

Have been wanted to dine here for a while, finally got a chance after Golf. We were really starving. The view and the decor were amazing !!!! We ordered Honeycomb Arugula Salad with Mac nuts, Penthouse Burger and Local catch fish and chips. Salad was nice. My fish and chips was a local fish similar to Striped Marlin which is an odd choice as it could be tough but I gave it a try. It was really chewy like a rubber. It should name fish and fries not chips. The burger was nothing penthouse about it. May be my expectation was too high. Nice place for the view for sure. Service was great.

Justin M.

Beautiful endless ocean view. Whales jumping. Food was great had the smoke ahi bagel and locomoco gravy was savory and eggs cooked perfect. Beef was lean. Smoked ahi had a nice sweet sauce that paired well with the capers. Fresh garden salad. Really good service.

Cris P.

We just arrived in Kauai after a 6-hr flight and the process of picking up our rental car. We drove to this spot that was bookmarked by my sister. There is no denying the magnificent view of the ocean. Sapphire waters as far as the eyes can see. The garden is breathtaking as well. Our server Mark was friendly and attentive enough. I was excited to taste the food that was awarded a Michelin star in 2024. We ordered Macnut local catch (I think he said it was Mahi-Mahi) one for my mom and another for me, Island fish & chips, Penthouse burger, and beets and blue. I was starving so I finished my order. The fish was forgettable, mom barely ate hers. My sister complained that her fish was dry and tough. Tried a piece and I agree. My son finished his burger, said it was ok. The most flavorful item was the beets and bleu salad. I asked for extra hot coffee, it was old and by the time I added cream it was barely warm. Restroom was clean and well stocked. Valet parking only.

Karl B.

If you're looking for THAT experience on Kauai definitely keep this on your radar. Even the drive up to the restaurant through the resort is beautiful. Sitting right on the beach it casts the perfect date night vibe or if you're just looking to treat yourself! Service was perfect and food was amazing. For two people with 1 appetizer 2 glasses of champagne two entrées and two desserts was around 175 before gratuity. The proportions were really good and I honestly wouldn't change a thing about my experience. I will definitely be back.

Breeann A.

Fancy restaurants (which this very much is) don't always treat solo diners well. That was NOT the case here at Hualani's. The food and service was amazing. My server (I think her name was Tina) was amazing. I ordered a flight and a bottle of the wine was out of my price range, she suggested another one that she thought I'd love, and she was correct. I ordered the chili crunch poke, misoyani sea bass (on my servers suggestion) and it was one of the best sauces I have ever had, and I was given a lovely dessert for my birthday. I'm not exaggerating, the food was amazing but what made the experience truly memorable was the service. And that went beyond my server to also the hostess, who I spoke on the phone with about where I could sit as a solo diner and the busers. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a real treat and fabulous night out.

Anna S.

The restaurant was almost empty when we stopped there for a lunch. Everything was pretty good: the service, the food. However the best thing about the place is the view and the opportunity to watch the airplanes landing.

Shannon W.

We have finally found the best restaurant on Kauai. It took us until the last night but we did it. This places as it all. Friendly staff✅. Great view✅. Delicious food (from apps to desserts)✅. If you are looking for a good variety of meals and reasonably priced for the location and quality, then make a reservation here and skip all those other places.

Larry

Too lazy to read it all? Just go, thank me later.

If you’re ever in Lihue and want to feel like you’ve hit the restaurant jackpot, Hualani’s is the place to be. This farm-to-table gem not only changes its menu with the seasons, but it also comes with a front-row seat to the Pacific—because why just eat dinner when you can feast on ocean views too?

Our server, Matt, deserves a shout-out. He was the perfect mix of knowledgeable and chill—ready to swoop in with menu intel but also smart enough to give us space to sip our cocktails in peace. And speaking of cocktails, we started off strong. I went for the Hawaiian Painkiller, which was a smooth, blended dream. My wife picked the Hanalei Bei, which she liked… until she didn’t. A bit too sweet for her taste. No problem—Matt came to the rescue, swapping it out for the Loose Nene, a tangy, sweet-sour mix that was much more her vibe. Crisis averted.

For pupus, we dove into the Chili Crunch Poke, and wow—absolute perfection. Fresh, flavorful, and the kind of dish that makes you question why you don’t live in Hawaii full-time.

Then came the mains. My wife ordered the Dynamite Kona Kampachi, and she was all in—fresh, perfectly cooked, and bursting with flavor. Meanwhile, I went full indulgence mode with the A5 Wagyu, which arrived with a hot stone so I could cook it exactly how I wanted. Let me tell you, this was next-level Wagyu—juicy, buttery, and ridiculously good. It came with mashed potatoes, broccolini, carrots, and a gravy that honestly deserves its own fan club.

And just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, banana lumpia happened. Fried, caramel-drizzled, vanilla ice cream-topped goodness. We somehow found room. Zero regrets.

Final verdict? Hualani’s is a must. The food is phenomenal, the service is spot on, and the views? Unreal. If you’re in Kaua’i, do yourself a favor and book a table.