Why 5 stars? Because our server, Joy made the whole dining experience enjoyable. She's been here more than 20 years and still had a smile for us every time she visited the table, which was just often enough but not too often. Because Jaime (and his trainee) did a great job with all the little things like water and clearing dishes. Because the food was absolutely delicious. The coconut scallops were cooked to perfection, the lamb chops tender, juicy and very nicely seasoned. The Hawaiian seafood platter was perfect and the mahi mahi was also delicious. We topped it off with the molten chocolate lava cake with ice cream. The host also did a great job, seating us at our reserved time. Everything was flawless, bravo Tidepools, it's hard to orchestrate everything so well, but you did it. Did I mention Joy? What a delightful person. Finally, the restaurant is beautiful with views of the ocean, koi pools all around with lots of colorful fish, open to the outside (but fully indoors too!), easy to get around and enough distance between tables to have a peaceful conversation.
The chef here is a genius. Save your money at all the generic mahi-with-macadamia-crusted entrees elsewhere and come here for truly delicious and creative cuisine! Scallop appetizer was divine and so complex and layered. Hawai’i mixed seafood dish with both a lemongrass buerre blanc and a caramel sauce—incredible. Ambiance in amazing—we dined near a waterfall and koi pond. Skip a few overpriced dinners elsewhere and definitely splurge at Tidepools.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cristina
Thought I was still gonna be hungry but Tidepools surprised me! Ambiance was quite serene. Ultimate Hawaii experience as we had the ocean (not as close) on one side and large koi splashing in a pond on the other. Service was exceptional :)
Appetizer: Scallops 10/10
Mains: - macadamia crusted mahi mahi: 9/10 - could've definitely used more acidity. Had to ask for a lemon! - Hawaiian catch: 10/10
Drinks: 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Julia Bourlakov
Great ambiance and service! We had scallops as appetizer - interesting and exciting flavors, opah fish was moist.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phillip
Wonderful location and ambience. Good service as well. The prices are quite high, but you're in Kauai at a resort so it comes with the territory.
Doreen
One of my favorite restaurants on the island!!! Breathtaking setting surrounded by water, beautiful koi fish with greenery everywhere!! The food was first class and excellent tasting!!!
Rebecca
Mitch was a fabulous waiter! The food was excellent, the view and ambience were spectacular. Wonderful date night.
Emma
Incredible spot to have a birthday dinner! Awesome to see the koi fish and great atmosphere even while raining.
Bill
The best fine dining experience on Poipu. A little bit of a splurge, but truly worth it. Service and ambiance are great, and the food execution is extraordinary.
Renae
The food is always excellent at Tidepools. We go here every year when we visit Kauai. They have a great variety of food. The service was also excellent. The atmosphere is beautiful.
Had our final dinner of our trip there for my husband’s birthday. Our server Les was incredible, the food was incredible and the restaurant was beautiful. Can’t say enough good things, we will definitely be back on our next visit.
Amazing ambience!!! We loved the atmosphere, it was everything we wanted. I was a little underwhelmed by the food for the price we paid but it was still good.
Emmanuel
The service was great, the food was good, we both had the center cut fillets. Overall it was a good meal.
Carrie
Unique, beautiful experience sitting right next to a koi pond and waterfalls. We ordered the banana nut opah and it was delicious. The Ube bread melts in your mouth. They surprised us with a molten lava cake and ice cream for our anniversary. Derrick was a fantastic server and River kept the drink and bread coming. Best, most romantic meal of our trip!
Callie
We had a wonderful experience celebrating our anniversary at Tidepools! Incredible food and staff
Why 5 stars?
Because our server, Joy made the whole dining experience enjoyable. She's been here more than 20 years and still had a smile for us every time she visited the table, which was just often enough but not too often.
Because Jaime (and his trainee) did a great job with all the little things like water and clearing dishes.
Because the food was absolutely delicious. The coconut scallops were cooked to perfection, the lamb chops tender, juicy and very nicely seasoned. The Hawaiian seafood platter was perfect and the mahi mahi was also delicious. We topped it off with the molten chocolate lava cake with ice cream.
The host also did a great job, seating us at our reserved time.
Everything was flawless, bravo Tidepools, it's hard to orchestrate everything so well, but you did it.
Did I mention Joy? What a delightful person.
Finally, the restaurant is beautiful with views of the ocean, koi pools all around with lots of colorful fish, open to the outside (but fully indoors too!), easy to get around and enough distance between tables to have a peaceful conversation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops, Molten Chocolate Lava Cake, Baby Lamb Chops, Coconut Crusted Scallops, Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi
The chef here is a genius. Save your money at all the generic mahi-with-macadamia-crusted entrees elsewhere and come here for truly delicious and creative cuisine! Scallop appetizer was divine and so complex and layered. Hawai’i mixed seafood dish with both a lemongrass buerre blanc and a caramel sauce—incredible. Ambiance in amazing—we dined near a waterfall and koi pond. Skip a few overpriced dinners elsewhere and definitely splurge at Tidepools.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thought I was still gonna be hungry but Tidepools surprised me! Ambiance was quite serene. Ultimate Hawaii experience as we had the ocean (not as close) on one side and large koi splashing in a pond on the other. Service was exceptional :)
Appetizer: Scallops 10/10
Mains:
- macadamia crusted mahi mahi: 9/10 - could've definitely used more acidity. Had to ask for a lemon!
- Hawaiian catch: 10/10
Drinks: 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great ambiance and service! We had scallops as appetizer - interesting and exciting flavors, opah fish was moist.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful location and ambience. Good service as well. The prices are quite high, but you're in Kauai at a resort so it comes with the territory.
One of my favorite restaurants on the island!!! Breathtaking setting surrounded by water, beautiful koi fish with greenery everywhere!! The food was first class and excellent tasting!!!
Mitch was a fabulous waiter! The food was excellent, the view and ambience were spectacular. Wonderful date night.
Incredible spot to have a birthday dinner! Awesome to see the koi fish and great atmosphere even while raining.
The best fine dining experience on Poipu. A little bit of a splurge, but truly worth it. Service and ambiance are great, and the food execution is extraordinary.
The food is always excellent at Tidepools. We go here every year when we visit Kauai. They have a great variety of food. The service was also excellent. The atmosphere is beautiful.
Restaurantji Recommends
Had our final dinner of our trip there for my husband’s birthday. Our server Les was incredible, the food was incredible and the restaurant was beautiful. Can’t say enough good things, we will definitely be back on our next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hawaiian Catch, Dynamite Crab Cakes
Amazing ambience!!! We loved the atmosphere, it was everything we wanted. I was a little underwhelmed by the food for the price we paid but it was still good.
The service was great, the food was good, we both had the center cut fillets. Overall it was a good meal.
Unique, beautiful experience sitting right next to a koi pond and waterfalls. We ordered the banana nut opah and it was delicious. The Ube bread melts in your mouth. They surprised us with a molten lava cake and ice cream for our anniversary. Derrick was a fantastic server and River kept the drink and bread coming. Best, most romantic meal of our trip!
We had a wonderful experience celebrating our anniversary at Tidepools! Incredible food and staff
Loading...