Pricey but excellent. I can't say anything bad about the meal. Great food, superb view, wonderful service. We went here for our anniversary dinner. We were originally booked at the Bali Hai but left due to the noisy scene. We're glad we wound up here. The concierge set us up with reservations promptly at 6pm with a great view, since it was our anniversary. I'm sure all their food is great, but I can truly recommend everthing we ate: seafood chowder, blue pincher crab-taro dip (enough for two--unique and yummy), grilled filet and prawns, lemongrass-crusted Ahi, and for dessert, the chocolate baby cake. If you are planning on a three-course, as we did, go for their complete three-course meal for $53.95; it'll save you a few dollars overall.

Located in the most prestigious hotel in all of Kauai, Cafe Hanalei was a wonderful place to eat. The meal was really good, but the view was spectacular. We made dinner reservations for 7:00 pm and the sunset was at 7:30. The view of the sunset was stunning. Our food was very good. The restaurant has a prix-fixe dinner for $51.95 per person. This includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert. That is the best way to go. My wife and I had filet mignon and it melted in your mouth. This is also an excellent way of getting a dessert, which range from $8 to $13 per person. Trust me, the dessert is worth it. When you go, definitely bring a camera. The mountains to the left and the beach to the right make the view unbelievable for a romantic dinner for two.

You MUST splurge and eat dinner here. I would recommend arriving early (around 4:30) to enjoy a cocktail in The Living Room of the Princeville. Dinner reservations were at 5:00, and we were there the entire evening until 9:00. We sat on the terrace around the corner away from the sun, since the sun was HOT and in our eyes. But everybody goes to check out the sunset and takes each other's photos. Oh, and the food!--yes, the food (steaks and seafood) is absolutely wonderful, and the desserts are heavenly. They offered a multi-course special, which I recommend, so that you can taste a lot of their selections. If you're a coffee lover, make sure to have their press pot coffee (which is included with their special).

Great, reasonably-priced food and a beautiful, romantic view. The restaurant located at the Hanalei Bay Resort in Princeville is well worth the trip and the price; the views are unparalleled especially at sunset and the food is excellent -- you won’t leave hungry.

If you go for breakfast, you have to try the Poi pancakes (forget what you heard about Poi -- they are excellent). Breakfasts are very reasonably-priced and the daytime views are as beautiful as the sunsets.

Dining is under a large covered patio and no walls to obstruct the views. Open-air dining at its finest -- can’t wait to go back. The resort itself is gorgeous too, a real eye popper!

If you are looking for a restaurant with a nice view as well as good food, Hanalei Cafe has got to be it. The restaurant overlooks Hanalei Bay and "Bali Hai," made famous by the movie "South Pacific" (1958). I can guarantee you that there is no other location more romantic and awe-inspiring than this restaurant, which is set on a terrace of the resort.

WHEN TO GOThe perfect time to go dining is about one hour before sunset. By being there early, we avoided crowds and chose the best possible table even without a reservation. Glass-like water pool by tables and calm waters of Hanalei Bay surrounded by mystic mountains shrouded with clouds were truly mesmerizing. When the sun set over the Pacific horizon with colorful glow in the sky, many guests were out of their seats clicking away their cameras as if they had not seen a sunset before. Indeed the sunset appeared different, and you can only experience it by being there.

FOOD AS AN ACCESSORYNeed I tell you about their food? The scenery is sumptuous enough that I wondered why they even serve food there. But as a courtesy, let me list some of their delicacies:


- Steamed Hawaiian Snapper with ginger, cilantro, shiitake mushrooms, and green onions


- Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken Breast with grilled vegetables and guava butter sauce


- Broiled Japanese fresh water eel over steamed rice with a mirin shoyu sauce, served with miso soup, pickled vegetables, and green salad


The menu is more eclectic than American, but then what is American if not eclectic? Bon appetit.