Kauai - Most Romantic Restaurant
 

We will be in Kauai this June for our 35th wedding anniversary. I was wondering what would be the most romantic resturant for our anniversary dinner. I looked up Gaylord's website and it looks very nice with the carriage ride. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Book a table at sunset at the Cafe Hanalei (at the Princeville Resort) for romance and a stunning view. You can see a virtual tour here (http://www.princevillehotelhawaii.com/de_cafe.htm) but it doesn't really do it justice, because you can't, for whatever reason, see the stunning waterfall that you can see from the tables. Sunset is not at the same time in Hawaii as it is on the mainland, so I suggest calling and asking for a table on the terrace at "sunset" and having them give you the time. That way you can watch the beautiful sunset on the water. We did this for our honeymoon and will never forget it!

We liked the Tidepools at the Hyatt. It is very romantic. Also the Beach House in Poipu is quite nice.

I agree with either the Beach House, if you are there for sunset or full moon or Tidepools. If tidepools then ask for a table out at the edge next to the pond. Those tables are more private and romantic. We went to both when we were in Kauai for our anniversary! ;)

All three of these restaurants are good recommendations. I love Gaylords for the atmosphere and service. My friends celebrated their 10th anniversary at Tidepools and loved it. The Beach House has a beautiful location but when I was there (three years ago) the service and food was not very good.

One thing about Gaylords - They are now doing a luau on their property. We didn't even realize it except when you walk back near that area you can hear them. I do love it there. You should probably just hit all three : )

We loved the Princeville for our 25th anniversary in 2005. There isn't a more beautiful view than Bali Hai. Go to the website & view the pictures of the dining facilities. The food was excellent. Loved the mountains, water, rainbows, sunsets, & waterfalls. I don't know if they still have the seafood buffet. There were delicious hours dovours in the Living Room. It was a great place to sip a drink & watch the sunset. i think you'll love it. Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary!

So, where are you staying since it kind of depends how far you may want to drive to/from dinner, possibly with wine?

Having noted the above, I would not pick Gaylord's or the Beach House for dinner. I would suggest having a sunset drink at the Beach House since the setting is pretty spectacular, but not the food.

Tidepools at the Hyatt is also in a lovely setting (over the water huts)and the food and service are fine, better than o.k. Keep in mind that this is a very popular hotel-based restaurant and this is a limitation of sorts.

My pick would be the Plantation Gardens restaurant within the Kiahuna Plantation resort. It is situated in an old plantation house with porches all around, lily ponds with bull frogs heard at night, incredibly talented chefs (there are two of them) and pretty good service.

I cannot really comment regarding the North Shore since I do not have enough dinner experience on that part of the island and there is nothing memorable on the East Side.

Anna Roz

I might be wrong, but I think the Princeville Hotel will be closing for renovations and rebranding as a St Regis sometime this year.

We've dined at all the places mentioned, but for romanic I would choose Tidepools at the Hyatt. Get a table by the waterfall, and window so that you could feed the koi fish. Also, even a bit more romantic, is Dondero's. They have some seating outside on the patio. It is a very special Italian restaurant. Fabulous food.

iamq, you are indeed correct about the Princeville Hotel closing for capital renovations, although I cannot recall when this will happen. Many memorable moments spent at the Jim Saylor Jewelry store within the hotel (wink).

Anna Roz

Princeville Hotel is closing in "early September" for a planned "6-month renovation and remodeling".

As a Kaua`i resident who _loves_ to go out for dinner, I'm gonna add my 2 cents on the subject of "romantic dining" spots.

Beach House -- nice ocean & sunset views, but food and service are problematic. Great place to have a sunset drink, though.

Tidepools -- minimal sunset views, no ocean view. Great food, great service. If you dine there, be sure to get a table next to the koi pond.

Gaylord's -- charming sprawling historic plantation owners house, but no remarkable views. Great food, great service. BTW, they only do the lu`au once a week now (the lu`au pavilion was owned/operated by NCL -- who has now pulled 2 of their 3 ships out of Hawai`i).

Plantation Gardens -- lovely property, but no views. Food & service are good.

Which leads me to Cafe Hanalei at the Princeville Hotel. No more Friday night seafood buffet -- but the to-die-for-views are still intact, as is their great menu and wonderful service. As the sun sets over the ocean, you can watch the change of light & shadow over the pali (mountains) and Hanalei Bay. If your timing is just right, you might also see waterfalls, too.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! 8-)

But, but, but, it's their anniversary. The view is across the table! ;)

Thank you for all of you input. We will be staying at the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort that will open in May 2008.

I ate at Tidepools 2 weeks ago for my birthday and it was wonderful.

We also ate at the Beach House 2 weeks ago. I found it to be a bit obnoxious. During sunset it was like a mad house - people constantly getting up from their tables to go outside and take picutes which meant people constantly walking by our table. My husband hated it there!

Janis7897,
Since that is a new hotel were you able to get any special rates or upgrades?
Thanks,
Wendy

Pete 1222, We bought a timeshare in Orlando, Florida last year so we had Option Points to use for a room. I didn't realize that I had to book a room 8 months in advance until I called in February to book something. We were looking at going to St. John USVI but it was booked and the only opening was the Westin Princeville Kauai so we booked it. We live in Michigan and I really wasn't looking forward to the long flight but everything fell into place and we can't wait to get there. Now the planning of what to do...helicopter tours, snorkeling, horeseback riding, bike tour, restaurants etc. Thanks for your suggestions.

Janis7897....I am a NW Ohio native that now lives in CA. Never even considered Hawaii when I lived back in OH. Oh was I wrong....I absolutely LOVE Hawaii and most notably Kauai. We own a timeshare there and go almost every April.

We have gone on a helicopter flight with Inter Island Helicopters twice. They have a private waterfall tour that is to die for. You land at a private waterfall that can only be accessed by helicopter.

We also go out on the Kauai Sea Tours sunset cruise to see whales and dolphins along with seeing the beautiful Na Pali coast.

Our favorite places to eat when on the island are Gaylord's, Duke's, and Brennekes along with Bubba's Burgers and JJ Broiler.

Beth, Thank you for the info on the helicopter tour. I really want to go up and see the sights from the helicopter but I am scared to death. Since my husband really wants to go so I'm sure he will end up talking me into going up. Thanks.

Janis7897.....the helicopter flights are a blast! The pilots are so friendly and knowledgable of the area. If you happen to go with Inter Island ask for Luka, if he is still with them. He was our pilot both times.

The Beach House or Tidepools (both on the south shore)

The sunset crowd at The Beachhouse is very annoying. Everyone gets up from the tables and wanders around in front of you taking pictures. Then there are the professional picture takers just feet from your table. It turns into a circus. It wasn't that great as a romantic restaurant.

I had a dull and very disappointing meal at Tidepools. I also though the decor looked very faded and not well-kept. I liked the Princeville Resort- the Italian restaurant- La Cascada was very nice and romantic. Get reservations after sunset, so you can have drinks at the bar and watch the incredible sunset view from there.

I just got back from Kauai a few days ago (loved every minute, btw). We had dinner at the Beach House, and I really enjoyed it. I thought the food and service were wonderful, and the views at sunset were very nice. Yes, there are a lot of people hanging out on the lawn taking pics at sunset, but that lasts about 5-10 minutes. It didn't really bother me, but that's just me. I enjoy watching the silly things people do.

We also went to Plantation Gardens. Very nice, romantic restaurant with good service, great drinks. They do fish very well. I'm not a fish eater, so I didn't love my meal, but my husband enjoyed his (he had fish).

We stayed at the Hyatt, but did not eat at Dondero's or Tidepools. Tidepools looks very romantic. Prices are higher at the hotel, as you'd expect.

Whichever you choose, I wish you a wonderful trip!

Beth/JB1968, Thank you for your information. My husband loves fish but I don't care for it that much. The only way I really like fish is battered, deep fried with an inch of tartar sauce on top of it which isn't very healthy.

I will look up Inter Island Helicopter tours and make a reservation and see if Luka is still there.

I am getting very excited about our trip. We went to Hawaii in 1973 on our Honeymoon and I haven't been back since. My husband has been back but just on business. I am sure I won't recognize anything from 35 years ago. 11 weeks to go....

Voting with those that say:
Cafe Hanalei at the Princeville Resort.

Most for the most beautiful hotel view's I have ever seen!!! Food was wonderful too. But the views!!! It is the first place I think of when romance or beautiful views.

Definitely make this a must do for some point on your trip... and then report back to us. If you like spectacular views... you will not be disappointed.

Janis...I will give you my trip report when we return in 4 weeks. We will be there from April 6-11.

Beth_fitz, Thank you so much. I can't wait to read your trip report. We leave June 3rd and I am counting the days. Ahhhhh Hawaii!!