This was not eating out, it was an experience! I ate food that I normally don't like to eat and it was all delicious. Overall this is the best place I have ever eaten in my life so far. Exquisite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Judy G
We had a wonderful dinner tonight! The new menu is 5 star and everything was delicious. I especially enjoyed the Uni appetizer, cauliflower soup and shrimp toast, but the risotto mushroom and beef short rib melted in your mouth. The flavors were amazing! Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley Lukens
Just had the best meal of my life! Absolutely delicious. Make sure the get all the extras! They are totally worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janna Berman
We are big fans of Aziza in San Francisco and we’re looking forward to visit Aziza’s sister restaurant Leila in Honolulu. Unfortunately Leila didn’t meet up our expectations. As soon as we were seated at the table, our server started to offer to us their supplemental dishes very persistently. Later we understood the reason for this persistence. The size of dishes in their $75 four courses pre-fixed menu was too small to fill us up. For example the first course was one scallop slices by three slices or the fourth course consisted only two small pieces of pork and a small mushroom. Restaurant is categorized as Maroccan, but there was nothing that connected it to the category, as a flavor or texture. We were misled by the photos and reviews showcasing more Mediterranean/Moroccan food, but we were met with a dinner that frankly couldn’t be categorized under any specific cousin.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
GARY W
Chef Michael Winterbottom is a CIA trained chef and Level 3 Sommelier, so you can assume some of the amazing dishes he is putting out on his pre-fix menu come from a world class gastronomic education… Prawn Toast topped with caviar, Scallops in a blood orange vinaigrette with Serrano peppers and avocado, and oysters served in a tomato water mignonette…. If you are foodie in Honolulu you need to get here, now….
Amy Zanlungo
Can't possibly rave enough about the experience at Leila. The food was fantastic, every course outdoing the one prior. We added on a few extras because they sounded too good to pass up. No regrets. The vibe was chill; it wasn't loud or crowded so we felt like we could enjoy our time with each other seamlessly. Great service by Brandon. Will definitely be recommending to others while we are here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tommy Tang
Absolutely unforgettable experience! Everything single dishes was amazing, we ordered everything and love their oysters 🦪. The soup was definitely unique and unexpectedly delicious, I also done the wine pairing as well. Totally worth it! We were so lucky to have Brenda, the general manager to serve our table, he is absolutely fantastic and we had so much fun and highly recommended this restaurant. FYI, their entrance is slightly low-keyed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roald Marth
Incredible!!! Hidden GEM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adrienne Lin
When out-of-town visitors asked for upscale food recommendations in San Francisco, Mourad was at the top of my short list, thanks to a rare mix of excellent food and cocktails, plus the luxury of scoring a last-minute reservation. So when the city’s standout Moroccan restaurant closed late last year, it was a genuine loss.
Fortunately around the same time, chef Mourad Lahlou quietly opened Leila across the Pacific in Honolulu, teaming up with chef Chris Kajioka. The chef duo behind the hit Japanese-French spot Miro Kaimuki is already making waves with their second act.
Familiar favorites from Mourad SF make a welcome return at Leila as supplements, like the flaky duck basteeya, build-your-own buttery uni brioche, and those heavenly, creamy oysters.
The restaurant currently offers a $75 four-course prix fixe menu, and I was impressed that I enjoyed this meal even more than its predecessor.
Naragi crudo slices arrived beautifully plated, with a harissa crunch reminiscent of chili crisp. A crispy skin salmon delivered, the crackling exterior giving way to delicate large flakes, all set in a refreshing warm broth of pea and asparagus.
But the unexpected standout? A modest-looking endive salad. Whipped goat cheese mousse, oregano vinaigrette, dukkah, and sweet date slivers came together harmoniously. Even my partner (a salad skeptic) named it his favorite dish of the night.
Dinner concluded with Strauss soft serve, layered with banana, caramel, and the same spiced candied nuts found in the basteeya. A nice echo to end the meal.
The ambiance is sleek, dimly lit, and much smaller and intimate than Mourad SF - great for date night. Note that there’s no bar, so cocktails are pre-batched. I enjoyed a za’atar martini and a spin on an old fashioned with dates.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Basteeya Duck Confit in Puff Pastry
Joe Schmitz
Great food and atmosphere. I love how the have a monthly set menu.
Amazing cocktails and food. One of the best restaurants in Honolulu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kate Sclabassi
This is a small, intimate restaurant with amazing flavorful food. I wish my stomach was bigger, purely so I could eat more of the amazing food. While it is a little on the salty side, the food is perfectly spiced. There was a little bit of a backup in the kitchen, but the staff communicated with us throughout the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Seven Salads, Lamb Meshoul
N M
Who knew that a Moroccan restaurant originated in San Francisco and based in Honolulu would remind me so deeply why I miss New York.
After Danny Myers’ Setting The Table, you know the fine dining label sets up expectations. You think of Eleven Madison Park, One if By Land, Gramercy Tavern - where service is over the top yet down to earth, staff is professional yet personal, food is sophisticated yet comforting, followed by a price tag that is assumed yet EARNed.
But many of the fine dining restaurants in San Francisco or Honolulu, appear to believe the price tag is not earned but bestowed upon the label of fine dinning, Michelin, or sorts. They fetch the price tag first, and then hope that the rest would follow.
Lelia fits right into that.
As we stepped in, a young lady at the front welcomed us in, and a well-dressed middle-aged gentleman eloquently introduced the menu, both of whom reminded me of real estate sales - friendly but not warm. Then the small details betrayed their polished fine-dining look. Whether it’s a 5-min wait at the door for the front lady to get off the phone, while a gentleman waiter made eye contact with us then ignored because the front wasn’t his job, or that guests at our table being stuck for a while because another gentleman waiter occupied the only narrow space between tables to get out while he took his time chatting with the adjacent table. All perfectly understandable for a regular restaurant, until you put on a fine dining label and price tag.
The food follows. The seven salads were certainly palatable and pita bread fluffy and warm. Lamb warmly spiced, brussel sprouts crispy and puree creamy. Date cake yields expectations but no surprise. All perfectly satisfying for a New York neighborhood restaurant in East village or Hell’s kitchen, until you put on a fine dining label and price tag.
As we settled the bill and headed out, Honolulu's evening outside was surprisingly chilly. At this moment, I yearn for the lost warm aloha once found in New York city.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
George Davis
What a wonderful experience! $$$ but well worth it! Foodie heaven!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Seven Salads, Basteeya Duck Confit in Puff Pastry, Lamb Meshoul
Ronin
Just opened today, first seating at 5:00pm. This Moroccan restaurant was absolutely delicious. My coworkers and I had to try it...not knowing they just opened. Atmosphere had a cool relaxing earthy vibe. Music played in the background. The noise wasn't bad, enough to mask the neighboring tables but soft enough to hear your own conversations. Service was especially on point. You were not rushed. They allow time between course to enjoy the food at a leisurely pace. Since the dishes didn't come out at once. You could enjoy each dish and focus on it's taste. Staff watched your water levels, offer flat or sparkling water, and fold your napkins when you leave the table. Very cool attention to detail. The food was amazing. The menu seems complicated but it's actually simple. 3 course, the first and second are set. The third course is a shareable protein. We selected short ribs and lamb. Both dishes were soft, tender and moist. A balance of favor, no single element overpowered the other. Lastly, they had four specials of the night, we selected a puff pastry duck confit (like a pie). It was delicious. Next time I go back, I want to try the other items. I highly recommend the zero proof drinks. Only two available, I got the spicy trade, then I moved to an alcoholic beverage. Amazing over all, especially a must try for couples. I recommend to at least go once. Prices are slightly higher, but I think its worth it.
This was not eating out, it was an experience!
I ate food that I normally don't like to eat and it was all delicious.
Overall this is the best place I have ever eaten in my life so far.
Exquisite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a wonderful dinner tonight! The new menu is 5 star and everything was delicious. I especially enjoyed the Uni appetizer, cauliflower soup and shrimp toast, but the risotto mushroom and beef short rib melted in your mouth. The flavors were amazing! Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just had the best meal of my life! Absolutely delicious. Make sure the get all the extras! They are totally worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We are big fans of Aziza in San Francisco and we’re looking forward to visit Aziza’s sister restaurant Leila in Honolulu. Unfortunately Leila didn’t meet up our expectations. As soon as we were seated at the table, our server started to offer to us their supplemental dishes very persistently. Later we understood the reason for this persistence. The size of dishes in their $75 four courses pre-fixed menu was too small to fill us up. For example the first course was one scallop slices by three slices or the fourth course consisted only two small pieces of pork and a small mushroom.
Restaurant is categorized as Maroccan, but there was nothing that connected it to the category, as a flavor or texture. We were misled by the photos and reviews showcasing more Mediterranean/Moroccan food, but we were met with a dinner that frankly couldn’t be categorized under any specific cousin.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Chef Michael Winterbottom is a CIA trained chef and Level 3 Sommelier, so you can assume some of the amazing dishes he is putting out on his pre-fix menu come from a world class gastronomic education… Prawn Toast topped with caviar, Scallops in a blood orange vinaigrette with Serrano peppers and avocado, and oysters served in a tomato water mignonette…. If you are foodie in Honolulu you need to get here, now….
Can't possibly rave enough about the experience at Leila.
The food was fantastic, every course outdoing the one prior. We added on a few extras because they sounded too good to pass up. No regrets.
The vibe was chill; it wasn't loud or crowded so we felt like we could enjoy our time with each other seamlessly.
Great service by Brandon.
Will definitely be recommending to others while we are here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely unforgettable experience! Everything single dishes was amazing, we ordered everything and love their oysters 🦪. The soup was definitely unique and unexpectedly delicious, I also done the wine pairing as well. Totally worth it! We were so lucky to have Brenda, the general manager to serve our table, he is absolutely fantastic and we had so much fun and highly recommended this restaurant. FYI, their entrance is slightly low-keyed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible!!! Hidden GEM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
When out-of-town visitors asked for upscale food recommendations in San Francisco, Mourad was at the top of my short list, thanks to a rare mix of excellent food and cocktails, plus the luxury of scoring a last-minute reservation. So when the city’s standout Moroccan restaurant closed late last year, it was a genuine loss.
Fortunately around the same time, chef Mourad Lahlou quietly opened Leila across the Pacific in Honolulu, teaming up with chef Chris Kajioka. The chef duo behind the hit Japanese-French spot Miro Kaimuki is already making waves with their second act.
Familiar favorites from Mourad SF make a welcome return at Leila as supplements, like the flaky duck basteeya, build-your-own buttery uni brioche, and those heavenly, creamy oysters.
The restaurant currently offers a $75 four-course prix fixe menu, and I was impressed that I enjoyed this meal even more than its predecessor.
Naragi crudo slices arrived beautifully plated, with a harissa crunch reminiscent of chili crisp. A crispy skin salmon delivered, the crackling exterior giving way to delicate large flakes, all set in a refreshing warm broth of pea and asparagus.
But the unexpected standout? A modest-looking endive salad. Whipped goat cheese mousse, oregano vinaigrette, dukkah, and sweet date slivers came together harmoniously. Even my partner (a salad skeptic) named it his favorite dish of the night.
Dinner concluded with Strauss soft serve, layered with banana, caramel, and the same spiced candied nuts found in the basteeya. A nice echo to end the meal.
The ambiance is sleek, dimly lit, and much smaller and intimate than Mourad SF - great for date night. Note that there’s no bar, so cocktails are pre-batched. I enjoyed a za’atar martini and a spin on an old fashioned with dates.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Basteeya Duck Confit in Puff Pastry
Great food and atmosphere. I love how the have a monthly set menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing cocktails and food. One of the best restaurants in Honolulu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a small, intimate restaurant with amazing flavorful food. I wish my stomach was bigger, purely so I could eat more of the amazing food. While it is a little on the salty side, the food is perfectly spiced. There was a little bit of a backup in the kitchen, but the staff communicated with us throughout the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Seven Salads, Lamb Meshoul
Who knew that a Moroccan restaurant originated in San Francisco and based in Honolulu would remind me so deeply why I miss New York.
After Danny Myers’ Setting The Table, you know the fine dining label sets up expectations. You think of Eleven Madison Park, One if By Land, Gramercy Tavern - where service is over the top yet down to earth, staff is professional yet personal, food is sophisticated yet comforting, followed by a price tag that is assumed yet EARNed.
But many of the fine dining restaurants in San Francisco or Honolulu, appear to believe the price tag is not earned but bestowed upon the label of fine dinning, Michelin, or sorts. They fetch the price tag first, and then hope that the rest would follow.
Lelia fits right into that.
As we stepped in, a young lady at the front welcomed us in, and a well-dressed middle-aged gentleman eloquently introduced the menu, both of whom reminded me of real estate sales - friendly but not warm. Then the small details betrayed their polished fine-dining look. Whether it’s a 5-min wait at the door for the front lady to get off the phone, while a gentleman waiter made eye contact with us then ignored because the front wasn’t his job, or that guests at our table being stuck for a while because another gentleman waiter occupied the only narrow space between tables to get out while he took his time chatting with the adjacent table. All perfectly understandable for a regular restaurant, until you put on a fine dining label and price tag.
The food follows. The seven salads were certainly palatable and pita bread fluffy and warm. Lamb warmly spiced, brussel sprouts crispy and puree creamy. Date cake yields expectations but no surprise. All perfectly satisfying for a New York neighborhood restaurant in East village or Hell’s kitchen, until you put on a fine dining label and price tag.
As we settled the bill and headed out, Honolulu's evening outside was surprisingly chilly. At this moment, I yearn for the lost warm aloha once found in New York city.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
What a wonderful experience! $$$ but well worth it! Foodie heaven!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Seven Salads, Basteeya Duck Confit in Puff Pastry, Lamb Meshoul
Just opened today, first seating at 5:00pm. This Moroccan restaurant was absolutely delicious. My coworkers and I had to try it...not knowing they just opened.
Atmosphere had a cool relaxing earthy vibe. Music played in the background. The noise wasn't bad, enough to mask the neighboring tables but soft enough to hear your own conversations.
Service was especially on point. You were not rushed. They allow time between course to enjoy the food at a leisurely pace. Since the dishes didn't come out at once. You could enjoy each dish and focus on it's taste. Staff watched your water levels, offer flat or sparkling water, and fold your napkins when you leave the table. Very cool attention to detail.
The food was amazing. The menu seems complicated but it's actually simple. 3 course, the first and second are set. The third course is a shareable protein. We selected short ribs and lamb. Both dishes were soft, tender and moist. A balance of favor, no single element overpowered the other. Lastly, they had four specials of the night, we selected a puff pastry duck confit (like a pie). It was delicious. Next time I go back, I want to try the other items.
I highly recommend the zero proof drinks. Only two available, I got the spicy trade, then I moved to an alcoholic beverage. Amazing over all, especially a must try for couples. I recommend to at least go once.
Prices are slightly higher, but I think its worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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