‘Āina Kaua‘i offers creative and delicious Japanese cuisine that highlights the flavors and bounty of Kaua’i. The menu features ingredients harvested at peak freshness from local farms for use in refined Japanese cooking techniques that transform a meal into a transcendent dining journey. The open kitchen allows guests to observe the preparation of courses, while the choice “Chef’s Counter” features four exclusive seats where guests can interact with the chefs throughout their meal. Guests can select libations from a drink menu which includes premium sake, Japanese beer, wine, and cocktails made from scratch with local fruits, spirits from Hanalei Spirits, and Japanese whisky. OpenTable’s Top Diners’ Choice Winner – rated #1 on Kaua’i.
Based on 80 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.6 stars. Price
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ No takeout ✔️ No delivery
Address:
4-985 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
Phone: (808) 378-4112
Website: http://www.ainakauai.com/
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Saturday | 5–9 PM |
| Sunday | 5–9 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 5–9 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
Christine Anderson
Top dining experience in Kauai. Unlike some other tasting menus, the 9 course tasting menu at Aina Kauai includes multiple components and you will not leave hungry. The ingredients are all fresh and delicious. The presentation is beautiful. The drinks are unique and well crafted as well. Reservations required as set number of seatings a night. Highly recommend for fine dining in Kauai.
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Nick Ernst
Aina Kauai Restaurant exceeded all expectations, making it my favorite culinary experience during my visit Kauai. The variety of dishes presented were exceptional, each one a delightful fusion of flavors that left me craving more. The use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients was evident in every bite, enhancing the authenticity and quality of the cuisine. Moreover, the restaurant’s charming ambiance provided the perfect setting to savor these delectable creations, creating a memorable dining experience that will stay with me long after I leave the island.
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Victor Chang
Absolutely incredible restaurant and really the only fine dining on the island. Sure you can easily spend $200-300+ for two people at other places (Merrimans, Roy’s Eating House, Stevenson Library, JO2, to name a few that we visited this week) but if you are a foodie, you know none of those meals while good (some even very good), are going to deliver the extraordinary or “wow” factor you are searching for. Something you can readily find on Oahu just didn’t exist on Kauai until now. For those that don’t understand what Japanese Kaiseki is (they don’t serve California rolls!), or have an open mind beyond “steak and potatoes”, or need everything to blow your tastebuds, perhaps this is not the place for you. If you crave the sugar bomb cocktails of all the other establishments, go there. For those that are globally travelled and epicurious, this is your place.
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Megan Shepherd
This is more than a dinner it is a full experience! The chef and staff are so friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the food. The food served was truly gourmet and got better with each course. After 9 courses you will not leave hungry. We truly enjoyed our experience and recommend it to anyone looking for a dinner experience in Kauai.
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Jack Sprat
On their way to earning a Michelin star.
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Christina Ng
Wonderful dining experience. Book your reservations! Limited seating and only 2 seatings times. We had the 730 seating. Parking is limited. We got there early and got one of the spaces. Everything was so good. We were able to sit at the bar to see the kitchen and prep area. When we come back to Kaua’i we will make sure to make our reservations.
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Andy Herdman
We had a great experience at Aina. The menu changes day to day depending on what they can get locally. You can definitely tell that is carefully curated. We thought the food was delectable! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The intimate setting was also very cool. Our only complaint would be that the cocktails are a bit pricey.
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David Heath
Michelin star level food and service. I live in NYC and have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world so can confidently say this is one star level food.
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Min Li Fu
It’s plentiful for a 9 course meal. We thought we may need to go somewhere else after but we left very very satisfied. We enjoyed every courses and the husband loves their alcohol selection. We didn’t like the skewers but that’s really just us being super picky.
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Christina D.
Dinner was absolutely amazing! From start to finish, everything was perfect. The restaurant is beautiful, simple, and creates an intimate experience between you, the staff and the other guests, which we loved! Jess, our server was helpful, easy going, and had great recommendations for drinks to go along with our meal. All of the staff was helping and came over to our table at some point, they were friendly and seemed so happy to be there. The food from start to finish was amazing. The first course was a surprise and a beautiful palate cleanser, especially for Kauai. I tried to take photos of every course but I got too excited and started eating some before getting all of the pics. I can’t wait to come back. Getting to meet the chef at the end of the night was awesome, so kind and interesting to get a better understanding of his course. Such a beautiful, different experience, I can’t wait to come back!
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