Kukui's Restaurant at Kalapaki Beach

Kukui's Restaurant at Kalapaki Beach reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. C

   Chad-Joyce

   Hawaii11 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   This was an Easter brunch event. Wife and I had been here before. Cost $$$ for buffet was very high for buffet entrees: prime rib, steamed fish, and seafood paella. Breakfast menu included: Scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, and fried rice with only bacon garnishing added; hotcakes /french toast , banana nut muffins and mini pastry selection, and fresh fruits. Lunch dessert selection was excellent : strawberry cheesecake, chocolate mousse cake, tiramisu cake, mini cupcakes and easter sugar cookies. Overall food selection was great. Table service was attended well for beverages and condiments by wait staff.
   

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2. h

   huah

   New York City1 review

   5.0

   Dined on March 16, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   One of the best restaurants we have ever been to especially when you have an excellent service provided by Dax @ Kukui's restaurant.
   

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3. K

   Kendall

   Hawaii10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 13, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Kukui’s is always a great experience. Just footsteps from the massive pool at the Royal Sonesta, the ambience can’t be beat. Our server, Jackie, was fabulous, and the food is outstanding. We live here, so we are nearly regulars. Their prices have increased since they remodeled, but the menu has improved as well. Enjoy a great dinner, followed by a walk along Kalapaki Beach.
   

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4. J

   John

   Orlando41 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 9, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   This restaurant used to have a great breakfast buffet pre-COVID but now is just an overpriced menu of standard b'fast items. We were disappointed to say the least.
   

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5. R

   Rick

   Charleston4 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Don’t waste your time with this restaurant as the entire dining experience was terrible! We booked online and used the driving directions provided on the website. They took us to the back of the hotel with no access to the restaurant. I called the number provided and it went to an assistant food manager at the hotel not the restaurant. When we arrived for our 7:15 reservation with a party of four we were told they were running 45 minutes behind. We decided to wait as it was Valentine’s Day. The hostess was completely incompetent. There were many open tables already set yet no one was seated during the entire time we waited. The hostess took a party of two and seated them at a table for four having walked by five open tables for two. We were eventually seated at a table for 8 despite there being open tables for four. The appetizers and desert were buffet style so there was no excuse for the slow pace of service. The beef was done nicely and the food tasty.
   

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6. M

   Miles VIP

   Hawaii30 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Reservations were for 7:00 pm but got seated at 7:30. The waiter started serving us at 7:45. There were plates for bread but no bread. There was soup at the buffet but no bowls. Dessert bar was blocked by staff who didn’t be concerned about patrons waiting to get to to the dessert bar. Selection was sparse. Had to wait another 15 minutes for the check. The bill should have been for two at $85.00 but with one glass of iced tea we spent approximately $230. Will never go back there again.
   

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7. J

   John VIP

   Los Angeles41 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on January 14, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Enjoy the restaurant, was not super busy. The service was excellent . Our server was Marites she was lovely and very attentive to our needs. She had great knowledge about the menu. We had a great conversation about wine. She had good knowledge and recommendations and the reason why. We ordered appetizers shrimp. We ordered pasta and pork. We would order again. The price was fair portions are on large size. Did not order dessert.
   

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8. K

   Karen

   Portland1 review

   3.0

   Dined on December 28, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   We went to Kukui’s because it had fairly good reviews and had seating available. It is not wheelchair friendly or for anyone that has walking issues. Long walk down to the restaurant. The meal and staff were great but the constant moving of the chairs were very loud and annoying and ruined what should have been a nice dinner. Also, 25.00 for a 9 oz glass of Pinot Grigio was way over the top in terms of value.
   

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9. S

   Shweta

   San Diego1 review

   1.0

   Dined on December 26, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   The Christmas dinner buffet was ok. The pupus, salads, sides were better than meat mains. The meat mains were bland and dry. The reason for my one star review is due to bad services and rude staff. We were made to wait an hour for a table even though there were 8-10 empty tables… pretty bad management by hostess. And then when we were seated our server was extremely rude and was acting like they were doing us a favour! And we barely got our meat mains when we were slapped with bill on the table…. No asking if everything was good and if we were having a good time. And then they came back again and asked us for a card very rudely. We felt we were being rushed out !!! This has been my most awful experience ever at a restaurant. Would not recommend this restaurant at all even to those staying in the resort.
   

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10. J

    John VIP

    San Francisco2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3

    Nice place at the hotel, near the pool. Very convenient for guests.
    

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