The Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant

Phenomenal food. They were about as packed as I've ever seen a restaurant and the servers killed it! Dishes were served promptly and politely and they managed to seat my wife and I and our baby despite there being a party of 52 there for a wedding. Super impressive. Will definitely be back.

Outstanding! Delicious food and excellent service. We sat on the patio enjoying fresh air and sipping our various cocktails. Started the meal with a generous and oh so fresh sushi roll and the richly yummy artichoke appetizer. Then to each their own with catch of the day, scallops, chicken and a nice white wine. Definitely a highlight of our stay in Hanalei.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sushi Rolls

Recommended by a shop owner in the area, I normally would've skipped over this place due to only 4 stars, but after said recommendation & reading into the reviews, we decided to give it a try - and I am SO happy we did! I had, to date, the best sushi roll (The Kamakani) my palate has ever had the pleasure of indulging in (and in a most humble way, I've eaten sushi all over the world). My partner also loved his lobster. Service & ambience were great too. Our one dining experience here says this place deserves otherwise of 4 stars...5 stars.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seafood, Sushi Rolls

Insane place for quality fresh local fish! Experience next level poke! With generous fish portions that take most of the dish! Mush visit place!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tuna, Rainbow Poke

Food is mediocre at best, busy unpleasant experience. There is much better in the area.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 2

The food was pretty good, just a bit on the expensive side, so price/quality ratio wasn't the best. The restaurant itself however was pretty bad when we went - there were flies all over the ceiling/walls.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 5

The Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant is located next to a small river with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Mallory was our server. She was very attentive and had a great attitude.

We started off with the sea bream crudo and the sunset roll. The crudo was a bit salty, but the fish had a nice texture. And the roll was enjoyable, but fairly basic.

The stars of the meal were the entrees. My wife had the Teriyaki Ahi and I ordered the Monchong charbroiled with butter. It's one of my favorite fishes to eat and not easy to come by (outside of Hawaii). It was cooked perfectly. The quality of the Ahi was top notch as I snuck a bite.

For dessert, we tried the butter mochi. It reminded me of bread pudding, but not as sweet.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Amazing fresh fish and sushi. Nigiri Omakase rivaled any I’ve ever had. We ate at the restaurant one night, and took home some fresh Ahi for the grill a few nights later. It was our best food and beverage experience in Hanalei by far!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips, Seafood, Tuna, Teriyaki Ahi, Ono, Sushi Rolls, Roll

No idea why this place doesn’t have 5 stars. We’ve been here 3 times (every time we come to Kauai) and it’s a staple. The sushi is incredible and so fresh. They updated the menu recently and we loved the kamakani roll. Great miso soup and really fresh side salad! The sushi chefs are also very friendly!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sushi Rolls, Salad

34 dollars for a sushi roll.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips, Sushi Rolls

our server lucio was fantastic! we didn‘t know what to order so he just brought different sushis and it was the best service we‘ve ever experienced in all our years of dining out! for a 5 star experience ask to be seated in lucios section!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Our group of two couples were just so sad to experience this once absolute icon of Hanalei in such a truly dramatic state of completely unexpected decline. We've been coming here for over 15 years and it's always been the famous go-to spot for otherwise predictable excellence in dining. This time there were inexperienced servers who not only did not know what an IPA was, but then attempted to push a Corona; What?! Edamame came out wet from being boiled with the salt flakes dripping into the growing brine at the bottom of the bowl. Hmmm, we thought but shrugged it off. Tempura was next out: Beer battered, so thick and heavy you could not chew it easily. Now, we all know tempura batter is light and flakey - right...not like onion rings from Texas. Japanese is subtle style artistry, not clumsy short order bar food. Eeaashhh, we thought. But okay... maybe just a fluke. Now came the spider rolls: lose seaweed wrapper with the ingredients falling out, and...wait forrrrrr it...; crazy fishy taste. Without even looking at one another first for a reaction, we all simultaneously grabbed our napkins to wipe that first bite off of our tongues. We all reached for water and in unison exclaimed "NO WAY man!" We then looked at the table to realize there were no chopsticks, wasabi nor pickled ginger setups. Basic stuff right? The server finally stopped back to let us know that he was about to get to that. Not kidding. So, I asked for a Salmon skin handroll, to which the server replied "I don't think we do handroll anymore". I thought to myself 'that's like a Mexican restaurant delivering your enchiladas to the table before stating they can't make a burrito for goodness sake. C'mon, it's the same basic components arranged a slightly different way right? What do you mean you don't think you do that anymore! Jesus. The website says it's the best sushi chefs in Hawaii. So, anyway, we cancelled any as yet undelivered items, asked for the check - and hustled out. Wow. What. Just. Happened?

Careful everyone, something significant has happened to this long-time standard bearing establishment. And it's really shocking.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Seafood, Sushi Rolls, Roll

Nothing but good things to say about the sushi lounge! Sushi is incredible and staff is absolutely amazing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seafood, Sushi Rolls

Not much of a secret but if you don't know, you need to go. This is a must stop for us when visiting. We've never ate at the restaurant but go towards the back and get fresh, delicious sushi rolls at the fish market. Staff is very happy to see us and friendly. Be sure to ask for Wasabi and soy when ordering as they do charge a little for each item. The chowder is also very good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A+ food and atmosphere. We sat outside, ideal for kids. Hostess was GRUMPY. Funny, we had read other reviews that said the same. It’s Hawaii, be happy!
Server was kind. Great drinks. Great sushi. Pricey, but you’re in the middle of the pacific, it’s worth it. Food came quickly. But then I felt rushed out haha. Take your time, you’re paying for it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5