Best Japanese Restaurants in Kawaihae

Food was excellent all the staff was friendly and attentive. Wonderful experience! Mahalo to them all.

Thanks to our wonderful waiter, Dustin, who was able to explain the new changes to the menu, especially the gluten free options. We were able to enjoy some favs as well as try something new! We decided to split five menu items for the two of us. All five were a thumbs up, and all could be altered if necessary to be gluten free. What a treat! We shared the snap peas with goat cheese, pine nuts and mint. Yum. The corn ribs with truffle butter are so good. The Kekala Farm salad was unique with its edamame dressing and chili oil. Very large salad, so way to split. We loved the fingering potatoes with mustard and a soft cooked egg on top. The catch of the day was mahi mahi in a delicious ume butter sauce. Two pieces! The kimchi with the fish was served on the side as it had gluten. My husband thought it was a little too spicy, and would order the fish without next time. We skipped dessert as the only gluten free option that sounded good included a coffee crust and would have to be altered. Need to find more options there, but we were really full so it was ok! Dustin explains everything and gives great advice. We skip drinks because of super high prices, and just eat more food and drink later! Beautiful night. Can’t wait to go back just like we have done for over thirty years!

Dining at Copper Bar may have been our favorite dining experience on the Big Island! The setting was outstanding with the sunsetting and snorkeled heading out to see the manta rays. The service was outstanding. Our server was warm, knowledgeable, attentive. We loved the music and the beautiful, talented hula dancer made it extra special.

We’ve traveled all over the world to eat. This place could compete with any of the best places. The sake was extraordinary. Even the rice - the rice was the most delicate and silky rice I’ve ever had. If you miss this place, it’s on you. You’re not really living and you’re missing out on something very special. You owe it to your palette. The service was impeccable as well. Just go.

Happiest waitress ever, shared the specials gave us time to decide and open to our requests, made note of our gluten intolerance and brought us Tamari. We were seated in the back quieter dining room under a vent that couldn’t be turned off, the only drawback, it was freezing.