Japanese Grandma's Cafe

Review summary

1. B

   Brenda

   VIP

   Portland

   6 reviews

   4.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Unique outdoor dining with.consistently tasty seafood focused on seafood. High quality though limited sushi options. Attentive service and unique beverage specials.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. K

   Kate

   VIP

   Austin

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 7 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   So so fabulous! Amazing aloha garden energy, very sweet people and just the best quality ingredients and food. We were so impressed—this place rivals nobu!!!
   

   Is this helpful?

3. J

   Jessamy

   San Francisco

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 4 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We love coming to Japanese Grandma. Everything there is so good. We had the ahi poke tacos, hamachi jalapeño sashimi, three different nigiri’s, miso soup, and the Hanapepe roll. Every time we come we are not disappointed! Our server Leanna was amazing!
   

   Is this helpful?

4. W

   Whitney

   VIP

   Hawaii

   4 reviews

   2.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 3 February 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   $15 charge per person to make the reservation + 22% auto gratuity placed on parties of 5-9 was NONNEGOTIABLE & a huge turn off. Used to love this place when the quality and quantity was parallel. Prices have gone way up for popular items while quality has taken a dip. The staff were nice, but not attentive. Service is slow and doesn't appear to be high on the priority list. In conclusion the value just isn't there.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. R

   Rob

   Hawaii

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 3 February 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 1

   This place is a ridiculous money grab. The food is good. In fact, the sushi may be better than the Hyatt. The server was nice. Not outstanding, but did a fair job. My complaint is the price point does not match the ambience, service, presentation, etc. Not only that, without telling us they added a mandatory 22% gratuity to parties of 5 to 9 people. We were only five people and nobody told us about the gratuity until the check was presented. 22% on an already outrageous menu did not Represent the level service I would expect for a restaurant with that type of ambience. The restaurant is basically under a man-made tent in the back of an old building. The floor is covered in gravel. The tables are black aluminum patio tables that were very cheap looking and uncomfortable to sit at. The servers were in unpolished, black T-shirts and shorts or pants. The food runners were wearing surf trunks and T-shirts. They look like they just came from a day at salt pond. The portions are small for that price point as well. They are charging fine dining prices, but providing no view, a very rustic backyard experience, with untrained and polished service. Even if their food may be comparable to the Hyatt, you are far better off going to Stevenson’s and getting an outstanding experience with one of the best views in the world and highly professional wait staff. The only reason we went to Japanese grandma is because we were celebrating someone’s birthday and they always wanted to eat there but could never justify paying that much. I think that tells the story. They are just way too over priced for what they are offering. In my opinion, much better dining options on Kauai at a better price point or at least worth the price. Japanese Grandma is neither.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. P

   Paul

   VIP

   New York City

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 28 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Always amazing. Never disappoints. Fantastic Nigiri and sushi rolls. Crispy rice w/ spicy tuna - favorite starter. Live music. Relaxing atmosphere. Pleased to return everytime I'm in the area.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. j

   jodie

   Hawaii

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 27 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We went back for the second time 3 days after our first time. And it was even better!!! Leeana needs a raise!! She was awesome. Even got a surprise “Happy birthday” song with candles on our dessert. The staff there are all friendly, the food came out super fast. Just like the first time we went.
   

   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

8. A

   Anita

   VIP

   Calgary

   10 reviews

   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on 27 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Amazing Japanese food! So fresh! Loved our dining experience.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. j

   jodie

   Hawaii

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 24 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Not what I expected. This little tucked away spot was amazing!!!!!Loved everything about! Totally satisfying and can’t wait to go back!!!! Food was amazing, atmosphere was great, whole experience was a 10/10!!!!
   

   • 
   • 
   • 
   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

10. M

    Matthew

    St. Louis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Food and service was excellent. Definitely recommend if you are ever near Hanapepe.
    

    Is this helpful?