Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Kauai

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in Kauai? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Hualani's

4.8

4.8 (2202)

$50 and over

Hawaiian Regional

Lihue

About the restaurant

Experience one of the best restaurants on Kaua'i and enjoy farm-to-table oceanfront dining from the elegant yet relaxed setting at Hualani's. Here, oceanfront dining is influenced by the seasons. What's fresh at The Farm at Hōkūala inspires the farm-to-table menu, while our bar serves up well-balanced craft cocktails that complement the seasonality of the kitchen. Our culinary experience is inspired by a sense of place and driven by local farmers, as well as fresh-picked ingredients from our on-site organic farm. From the morning harvest and the daily catch, Hualani's shines a hyper-local spotlight on the bounty of the Garden Isle.

Top review

CarolVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Beautiful day to enjoy hualanis gorgeous view, food & service.

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Harris Ranch Filet Mignon

Tidepools - Grand Hyatt Kauai

4.7

4.7 (5795)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Poipu

About the restaurant

The most romantic setting on Kauai. For the ultimate in ambiance, delectable food and stellar service, Tidepools is the place. This quintessential Hawaiian setting has a backdrop of waterfalls with thatched roof bungalows that seemingly float above koi-filled lagoons. Savor modern island-style cuisine in this distinctive open-air setting. Diners rave about the exceptional service and fresh fish and steak options with a unique island flair including macadamia nut crusted fish, grilled ahi or a succulent steak. Salads feature greens grown at our hydroponic farm on site and the desserts are luscious. Don't miss this delightful experience.

Top review

melissa

Dined 5 days ago

We don’t splurge this much on food, but it was worth EVERY cent and would do it again in a heartbeat. Friendly staff, excellent food, and so, so endlessly perfect!

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Popular dish

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

The Plantation House by Gaylords

4.7

4.7 (5373)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Lihue

About the restaurant

Gaylords now rebranded as The Plantation House by Gaylords offers one of Kauai's most beautiful settings for lunch, dinner and happy hour. Located in the historic Kilohana Plantation home, diners are seated around an open-air courtyard with views of the plantation grounds and Mt. Waialeale in the distance. Our kitchen uses only the freshest, seasonal ingredients supporting our local farmers and fishermen. Our 67-acre sustainable farm provides much of the produce and herbs used in our dishes and cocktails. Menu items include starters like fresh Ahi poke, fried brie, fresh seafood, delicious steaks and vegan entrees too. Don't forget about our famous Banana Cream Pie for dessert! Take a walk around the Kilohana grounds, shop in our assorted boutiques, visit the Koloa Rum shop, go on a rum safari adventure or take a ride on the plantation train.

If reservations are not available online, please call us anytime and we will be more than happy to accommodate you

Top review

MarieVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious lunch and beautiful setting, sitting outdoors. Our waiter was attentive and conscious of the pacing of the entrees and desserts since we had to catch a flight. We had the monchong sandwich, crab and coconut curry, the red curry salmon, and the monchong entree. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake and the bread pudding. All were delicious. Bread pudding was light and not heavy.

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4.7

4.7 (2868)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Kapaa

About the restaurant

Oasis is a beautiful oceanfront location that showcases the best of what Kauai has to offer in cuisine, service and ocean views.

We strongly believe that residents and guests of Hawaii want to experience Hawaii. We use local sources for almost 80% of our ingredients, and work closely with Kauai"s farmers and fishermen to provide you with the best and freshest possible ingredients.

We work to highlight the quality and freshness of our ingredients in a style that captures the diversity of local cultures and influences without burying the delicious flavors that our local ingredients offer.

Top review

Mala

Dined 2 days ago

What an amazing experience!! Great view and great staff. Our server was phenomenal!! Food was so good!! The servers and check in staff all A++ Love this place !

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Popular dish

Apple Banana Spring Roll

4.6

4.6 (7334)

$30 and under

Hawaiian Regional

Poipu

About the restaurant

Aloha! Visit keokisparadise.com for our menu, hours of operation, weekly specials or to place a takeout order online!

Enjoy fresh fish, steak, seafood and more! Keoki's is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week while offering brunch on the weekends. Escape to your own unforgettable paradise! Surround yourself with serene waterfall features and panoramic greenery, an experience the entire family will enjoy.

Live entertainment is offered daily. Experience locally sourced ingredients which compliments the refreshing and casual atmosphere. With a strong commitment to the community and genuine service, Keoki’s is truly beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Top review

Carl

Dined 5 days ago

Everything was perfect except the seafood risotto. Pretty much tasteless and there was no salt or pepper at the table to tweak it.

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Beach House Restaurant- Kauai

4.6

4.6 (12814)

$50 and over

Hawaiian Regional

Poipu

About the restaurant

Our stunning ocean-front location with spectacular sunsets makes the Beach House an iconic destination on Kauai's south shore that has won the Hale 'Aina Award for "Best Restaurant - Kauai" for 20+ years.

Our philosophy at the Beach House is simple - take aloha, blend it with fresh and high-quality ingredients, and add an ocean view to deliver a handcrafted, Hawaiian experience. Executive Chef Marshall Blanchard makes the most of local ingredients by sourcing our fish directly from island fisherman and our beef from neighboring ranches. We incorporate fresh and local produce throughout our menu, highlighting Hawai'i farms and the resources that surround Kauai.

Reservations are highly recommended for a dining room table in our open-air restaurant. We also offer lounge seating on our lawn, where the full menu and full service are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please check in with the bar host for lawn seating.

Top review

PamelaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service from our server who knew from memory the gluten free selections. Our steak and Ahi were both prepared perfectly. Ambience as always, breathtaking. Everyone, from the valet, to the welcoming committee at the desk, to the expediters really take a moment to make a connection however brief. Amazing in this age where it seems people are losing the ability to communicate. But the coup de gras? Gluten-free Mochi cake! Thanking the team for a gluten free dessert that is unique and memorable.

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4.6

4.6 (1820)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Poipu

About the restaurant

This luxury nightspot offers a truly unique and welcoming atmosphere with a 27-ft koa wood bar, outdoor lanai and intimate lounge seating. The bar features beautifully carved koa in traditional sugarcane and pineapple motifs.

Chef Jin and his team create delectable sushi creations nightly. Relax, enjoy the views and sip on a tropical, martini, beer or sake. Stevenson's also boasts an extensive selection of Whiskeys, Cognac, Port and Wine.

Stevenson's is the place for sushi & spirits.

To Go orders: Offered between 5-6PM only due to high demand
High-Top seating: This is a tall table located in the bar area. This is a request and is not guaranteed.
Regular seating: A regular dining table located in the restaurant.
Lanai Seating: Balcony seating is limited. We do our best to accommodate requests, however it is not guaranteed. Mahalo for your understanding.

Top review

Mona

Dined 3 days ago

Always wonderful local service! Poke, sashimi, sushi pizza and lobster dynamite is always outstanding! Our 4 sushi rolls were fresh and delicious! Side Uni on rice and our dessert was amazing! Our fav place to go for dinner on the south side!!

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Popular dish

Sushi Pizza

Popular dish

Stevenson's Lobster Dynamite

Duke's Kauai

4.6

4.6 (5681)

$31 to $50

Hawaiian Regional

Lihue

About the restaurant

We are open for dine-in and takeout every day of the week. We feature live entertainment from 3:30-5:30pm & 6:00-8:00pm daily. Except for Sunday, live music from 9:30-11:30am & 6:00-8:00pm. Please visit our website at dukeskauai.com for current menus or to order takeout online.

With the crystal blue waters of Kalapaki Bay and the Hoary Head Mountains surrounding you, Duke’s Kauai invites you to celebrate life like the legend, Duke Kahanamoku, himself. The unique island-inspired atmosphere connects guests to the garden isle with luscious indoor waterscapes and a breezy Barefoot Bar. The Barefoot Bar is seated on a first come-first serve basis. Savor the fresh tastes of the island with locally sourced, contemporary beachside cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. The aloha spirit and Duke’s legacy live on at Duke’s Kauai.

Top review

Mark

Dined 5 days ago

The Hula Pie is always a big treat for us and the food was as expected… amazing. The best part of Dukes is the staff. They go out of their way to make dining an enjoyable experience.

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Popular dish

Twisted Hula Pie

Popular dish

Crispy Coconut Shrimp

Popular dish

Tristan Lobster Tail

Merriman's Kauai

4.7

4.7 (5213)

$31 to $50

Hawaiian Regional

Koloa

About the restaurant

Chef-Owner Peter Merriman has brought his unique style of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine served in a casual yet elegant setting of Old Hawaii Plantation. A pioneer in the "Farm to Table" concept, Peter serves only the freshest products, at least 90% of which are locally grown or caught, using only sustainable methods. His international menu items are prepared in a manner that highlights the natural flavors of these fresh, local foods. Located in Poipu, we feature both mauka (mountain) and makai (ocean) views as well as sunset veiws over the Kukui'ula resort. The aloha-friendly staff, with a food and beverage knowledge second to none, will ensure that you have an extraordinary dining experience.

Top review

Savanna

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience! Best dinner in Kauai for us, enjoyed it over the Beach House! Excellent service, great cocktails, and delicious classics with outside the box flair. Definitely will go back!

Japanese Grandma's Cafe

4.7

4.7 (46)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Hanapēpē

About the restaurant

We specialize in healthy, delicious Japanese Food!
Established in 2016.
The restaurant was opened with the philosophy of serving wonderful fresh food just like Japanese Grandma has fed to her family and friends!

Top review

Billie

Dined 7 days ago

Always a pleasure to visit Japanese Grandma's for their delicious, and my favorite, food selections. Service is exceptional; talented entertainment pleasing, appropriate, and enjoyable.

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