Tidepools
1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI, 96756
Tidepools Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Koloa for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Koloa for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Koloa for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1571 Poipu Rd
Koloa, HI, 96756 - Phone (808) 240-6456
- Website https://kauai.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/Tidepools.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Steph W.
My husband and I stayed at the Grand Hyatt and knew we had to dine here once. What I didn't know is that this would be the most delicious meal either one of us had so far in Hawaii, or honestly in a really really long time! I highly recommend the crab cake appetizer and this is coming from someone who lives in DC and has had Maryland crab cakes on many occasions. These were legitimately the best crab cakes I have EVER had. For our entrees, we got the ahi and opah which our server suggested. The ahi was absolutely delicious with perfectly seasoned fried rice to accompany it. The dish that really stole the show was the opah though. It's a delicate yet swordfish type fish in terms of texture with spicy dungeonnes crab on top. I have never had a better fish dish in my life and am still thinking of it right now debating if we have time to return before we depart on Wednesday. Trust me, get the opah and it will change your life!! Lastly we finished the meal with perfect lava cake. Need I say more? Worth every penny!
(5)Ethan G.
I was lucky enough to come to this venue while it was raining outside. WOW! It was beautiful! When you walk into the restaurant, you go down a stair case over a koi pond. You get to see a bunch of fish swimming underneath the restaurant, which is literally nothing but bridges to different platform sections. When we were seated, we had a table right on the edge of the water. Was a great view, and the rain made it even better. On to the food: we had the Ono Ceviche, which was excellent. I'm a ceviche fan in general, and can say with confidence that this is one of the better ones. Earlier that day, I had went to the St. Regis and had some less-than-stellar ceviche, so maybe that's why this one was so good. Ono is the perfect fish for this kinda dip; the taro chips were awesome too. Next, I had the lobster bisque. You can tell a restaurant knows what it's doing when it brings its core soup ingredients out in a separate bowl from the bisque. The waiter put the bowl of lobster bits in front of me, then poured the bisque soup over the ingredients, making it a great soup. All of the lobster was firm and fresh; definitely worth the $12. For dinner, I had the Macadamia Nut Crushed Mahi. Wasn't actually my favorite part of the meal. But to be fair, I had just ate at a Charthouse a week ago, and had the same dish. I'm not going to bog down the score though, because it was still a decent meal. Overall, 5-stars all-around. Great ambiance, great food, and great cocktails. I could just exhaust the adjective, "great," and still not do this place enough justice. Check it out next time you are in the area!
(5)Amy C.
Beautiful location, friendly staff and great food! I'm in food coma! They have warm molasses bread with garlic truffle butter so good we asked for some togo! Hawaiian catch is their seafood sampler plate, very good! My hubby got the prime rib delicious. Well rounded meal w dessert which we had no room. Warm molten choc cake w raspberry choc filling and salted caramel ice cream. Omg all of it was super delicious
(5)Marcus A.
Been here twice now. Very much enjoyed it both times! This is a place I would visit every time I'm come to the island.
(5)Nicole K.
Amazing food, amazing service, amazing ambience!! Food was ONO!! Just like the previous reviewer, everything was delicious beyond belief. We had crab cakes and ahi bruschetta for pupus... Yumm! I ordered the hawaiian catch of the day and everything was cooked to perfection. The lobster OMG! Boyfriend order the prime-rib, he was one happy man! Molten lava cake to top it off... I pretty much was in a food coma Can't wait for our next trip to Kauai, definitely going back!!
(5)Nick R.
This place has it all, the service was spot on so nice and helpful but only there when needed. The view is spectacular the restaurant is located in the middle of a coy pond with hundreds of fish swimming about, and the pond is lined with tiki torches giving it a very romantic setting. All and all there's nothing that needs improvement for it was one of the best meals I have experienced with an unparalleled view and atmosphere.
(5)Jennifer B.
Everything was great here! By far our fav place on the island! We made a point of going to a different place for every meal and two stood out Jossilin's and Tidepools. Tidepools has the best ambiance and a great lay out with awesome views no matter where you sit. And the food!! Omg!! Too good!!! I had the moon fish with the Dungeness crab on top my hubby had the Hawaiian Catch and both were divine!! We can't wait to come back!
(5)Ashley Y.
This is my first meal at Hawaii. This is number 1 restaurant in state of Hawaii. I love the restaurant, not just the food. It's very beautiful.. We ordered crab cake, trio special for the night n Hawaiian catch. This is the crab cake that I have ever eaten with the most crab meat inside.. The ribeye steak was just right n tender as I expected. The fish n the scallop were so fresh that you can tell when u eat it. Overall it is a great restaurant with great food n great view... Love it!
(4)Jessica A.
Beautiful atmosphere and great service! Food is solid and super tasty. Our order: (they serve warm rolls & butter-so good) Crab Cakes: Honestly the best I've ever had. Lumps of fresh shredded crab with the perfect amount of breadcrumbs. So delicious. Summer Rolls: Light, yummy and refreshing-ask for extra peanut sauce so you can dip. Macadamia Encrusted Mahi: Delicate white fish, seasoned perfectly. Jasmine rice wrapped in a banana leaf. Sauce was tasty but definitely still light and not too overbearing. Chocolate Souffle: Order this! Perfect way to finish off the meal. Total bill was $90 for this order....not too shabby for a tasty upscale meal It is a very romantic setting for sure. Vacation dress is fine (aka maxi or sun dress and flip flops...no heels needed) Koi pond surrounding the entire restaurant. They tell you not to feed the fish, but go ahead and share your bread when the staff isn't looking. It's so fun to watch!
(5)Mike G.
My wife and I have had breakfast here every morning while we visited Kauai. We must say that the variety of food, and the freshness of it was astounding. We recommend the breakfast buffet and please check out the fruit section, the freshest and sweetest that I've had while in Hawaii. The politeness of all the staff from seating to check out was great. They were all extremely friendly and one of our servers actually went the extra mile by adjusting our table so we wouldnt be eating on a wobbly table. A+ in my book! Please check this place out when at the Hyatt!
(5)Ty S.
Bland, blah, overpriced. Hmm, what other adjectives could I used to describe our disappointment. But any time a hotel tries to sell you something on site, you should know better, right? We walked in without a reservation so were seated in the bar. Which was dead, just like the 80's decor that adorned the space. The views of the gardens behind the bar were totally blocked by the tacky racks and the espresso machine. Looked straight out of the Golden Girls. If we'd had a reservation would have been in the dining room which looked inviting. Our server was nice, but more awkward than you would expect with the prices being charged. Neither interactive or efficient. And the food. Boring. Overpriced from a value perspective. And the wine list was not just sparse, it was embarrassing. Much better lists and less expensive options on the island. No Wine Spectator restaurant award here. Bottom line, don't get sucked in. If you want fish at the Hyatt, get sushi at Stevenson Library. If you want to pay for a good meal, eat someplace else and just light a match to a $100 bill. Also, this is NOT a review of the Hyatt property. That was top notch, just don't eat or drink there.
(2)Kevan I.
HIGHLY recommend this lovely restaurant! Not only did we have an incredible meal, but our waitress, and yes even busboy, truly made the evening memorable. We actually waited around after dinner to compliment the staff to the manager. Everything was truly delicious. You know you are in the right spot when you basically want every single item on the menu! The crab cake appetizer was amazing - we loved the avocado cream. For my entree, I ordered the "Hawaiian Catch" plate which featured local monchong, a purple potato puree, broccolini, a lovely white sauce, and topped with a small lobster & shrimp cake (my favorite part). This place is definitely expensive, but if you are in the mood to splurge, it's a great spot. You can hang out at the Hyatt bars and around the salt water lagoon nearby outside before or after your meal as well.
(5)William T.
a bit pricey (hey, it's in the Grand Hyatt) but the food is excellent. Crab cakes appetizer were very meaty. then tried the lobster, swordfish, crabcake on purple sweet potatoe with sauce served with brocolli
(3)Matt S.
We stayed at the Hyatt and had dinner at Tidepools on our first night. My wife and I both loved it. It's pricey but it's vacation in Hawaii so it was fine. We had the crabcake appetizers and thought it was fantastic. It was flavorful but not to full of mayonaise-honestly it was one of the best crabcakes I ever had. My wife had the catch of the day and I had the ahi tuna. Both were fantastic, I thought the ahi was top notch. We finished with the roasted pear tart which was ok but it was topped with macadamia nut ice cream and that made us almost fall out of our chair. We ended up getting the ice cream over several days and it's unreal. Overall we thought the meal was worth it, while expensive, the service and quality was top notch.
(5)Rae I.
Night #1: Ron, our waiter, rocked! He took the time to learn our names and talk story with us. We were set to order our appetizers but to our surprise, the kitchen presented us each with a sampling of their most popular appetizers: ahi sashimi, crab cake, and poke. Post-appetizer consumption, I ordered the lobster bisque and my bf ordered more crab cakes. The lobster bisque was delicious and definitely in my top 5 (#1 is at Mr. G's in the Dallas Hyatt). Ron suggested the ahi or opah and paniolo ribeye. However they had scallops on special so the bf went with that and I selected the Hawaiian catch (swordfish) with lobster and shrimp cake. Both were great. I wish the fish was something more flaky and less firm like monchong or opakapaka as I've eaten a ton of swordfish on this trip. I was so full that I couldn't fit a morsel of dessert into my 'opu. What to do?!? We returned on night 2... Night #2: We arrived and Annalisa, the manager, informed us that Ron had the night off. I made the reservation via open table (need to accumulate those points for dining certificates) and asked for Ron in the special requests. Our server (can't remember his name) was nice but not as personable or attentive as Ron. We ordered the poke, poke, poke (tako was the best) and more crab cakes. For our meal, I ordered the prime rib special which was served with creamy horseradish, broccolini, mashed potatoes, and mixed mushrooms. They claim the portion is 12 ounces of meat. I disagree. Their scales are skewed as it was a massive piece of meat. The bf had the opah and only allowed me a small taste. He was in fish heaven. I only ate a 1/4 of my entree to leave room for dessert. The lava cake was fantastic. I was slightly disappointed about the presentation. I didn't want a scoop of ice cream that looked like the Lapperts scooper did it; I wanted a quinelle. My bf obliged and made my ice cream into quinelle formations. I'm a lucky girl. Good thing our room is at the far end of the property. I'm slightly disillusioned and believe wholeheartedly that I burned off the lava cake, at least, during my stroll back to the room. I'll dream of Tidepools, honking swans, and crazy koi till my next vacation...
(5)Danny G.
I have to say I was disappointed. The ambience and service was perfect, I couldn't ask for a better setting or service but the food was well below what I was expecting or what I paid for. I like my Ahi rare and it was not rare at all more like medium, and the overall taste was just ok. We had a group of 4 and only 1 was happy with her meal and it was a salad. For a dinner of 2 it was over 120.00 and that was without drinks. Sorry Tidepools but you get 5 stars for ambience and service but 1 star for food.
(2)Leah L.
This is a beautiful restaurant for a romantic meal. It's in the Grand Hyatt resort, and you have to walk through part of the hotel and grounds to get there. The food was nicely presented and very good. The Ono ceviche was delicious, as was the coconut creme brûlée for dessert. Overall, a very pleasant dining experience.
(4)Mere R.
We went to Tidepools for dinner after our wedding and it was perfect...dark, quiet, open air, literally on top of the koi pond. We barely even noticed how good the food was!
(5)Maxine G.
I came to Kaua'i for a long weekend with one of my closest girlfriends. After seeing photos of this restaurant, we decided to make a reservation for dinner, the idea of enjoying dinner in a thatched roof hut over water was very intriguing to us. We were an hour late (we did call to apologize and let them know we were on our way), but were still seated and treated incredibly well by the staff. We ordered the poke, poke, poke to start. It was good, not bad, not great, but good. Our two entrées were the Hawaiian catch with lobster tail, crab cake, and Molokai potatoes, and the lavender encrusted beef filet with bacon mashed potatoes. Both plates were good. We had asked the steak to be medium and it definitely came out well done, but all in all still a nice way to spend our evening.
(4)Brandon B.
The atmosphere is nice. Food is overpriced for the portions you get. We felt rushed through dinner by our server and noticed he did the same with the table next to us. Received more smiles from the wait support staff and hostesses that greeted us. We were also placed next to the waterfall which made it hard to hear our server when he blasted through the menu. My wife and I both agreed that we wouldn't come back.
(2)Rachel L.
We had a wonderful time at Tidepools. The ambience is lovely with surrounding koi ponds and greenery. The service and food are fantastic. We had the coconut encrusted mahi mahi and the hawaiian catch - both are of which are some of the best fish we have ever had.
(5)Alyse S.
I liked Tidepools but I think I was looking for more from them. The prices don't quite justify the food or the service. We went to Gaylord's earlier in the week and the service as well as good was perfect. Tidepools staff also were a little snotty if I'm being honest. A little more down to earth attitude and attention to details would give this place 5 stars.
(3)Natalie B.
Meal was amazing!! Beautiful atmosphere at an even better resort! Mahi Mahi was so fresh and good!! Lobster was also great!
(5)Betty N.
**ROMANTIC RESTAURANT ON KAUAI** Booked on Opentable with no issues. We sat alongside the koi pond. AMBIANCE ========= Romantic and dark. Family-friendly and couples-friendly. Spacious. ORDERED ========= **COCONUT CRUSTACEAN CHOWDER - $10 The apple smoked bacon and heirloom potatoes added a heartier depth to the chowder. Hot and delicious. RATING: 4/5 **MAHI MAHI - $36 The mahi mahi was macadamia nut crusted and served with molokai sweet potato coconut-kaffir lime beurre blanc and papaya-avocado relish. Loved this dish. Flavorful, good portioned, and simple. RATING: 5/5 **MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE - $12 Fantastic chocolate cake served with raspberry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream. As part of our engagement celebration, the dessert was complimentary. Thank you, Tidepools for the kind and generous gesture! You made our night very special! RATING: 5/5 Had a bottle of the '07 Cristom Viognier ($67) which went very well with the seafood. SERVICE ======== Casually nice and not overbearing. Friendly and apologetic when our main entrees took awhile. Had a very good time and experience here. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for special-occasions and romantic ambiance.
(5)Michael L.
My wife and I are staying at the hyatt for our honeymoon. I called up a day before hand and made a reservation and asked for a bottle of preseco to be waitinf ro surprise my wife. They were more than accommodating and greeted us with a warm welcoming. Our waitresses Joy was great, the food was amazing. I gor the Hawaiian Catch which ended up being the Monchong that night. First time I had thay fish and loved it. My wife had the Oprah and it tasted great too. This might of been one of the best meals we had while visiting the islands. Glad we dinner here!
(5)Lisa G.
I saw a picture of the Hawaiian catch on yelp and knew I had to have it. Wow! It was exactly how I invisioned it to be. The shrimp cake was amazing. I MUST have that dish every time I visit Kauai now. We also brought a 6 month old baby. They were accommodating with bringing a high chair. He was quite entertained by the the outdoor grounds of the restaurant. He was looking at the pond, koi fish and waterfall the entire time. It was a romantic setting. We couldn't have asked for a better restaurant to spend our 4 year anniversary!
(5)April F.
The Hyatt is a beautiful property and I have had some good food at Hyatt properties all over the country, but this restaurant isn't one of them. The décor/theme is cute/kitschy, but this isn't the culinary experience you expect it to be. The menu is formulaic with things like crab cakes, baby greens, and Chocolate Lava Cake. I can get those items anywhere in the country, so I struggled to find something I wanted to eat. The cocktails were the basics like a Mai Tai, Lava Flow, and Pina Colada - things clearly made with a bottled mix. The service was outstanding and the bread was decent, but this isn't somewhere I would visit again.
(2)Angela C.
It was the first night of our honeymoon in Kauai and we decided to try Tidepools for dinner. What a pretty location with beautiful views. We ended up coming back a second time because we enjoyed it so much. We tried the following items in addition to the catch of the day. We liked all the items, but the catch of the day was just OK. Ahi Sashimi Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes Hawaiian Catch Bananas Foster Bread Pudding Even if you aren't staying the the resort, this place is worth checking out.
(4)Chris H.
This is one of my favorite places to dine in Poipu. The setting is nice, sitting over a koi pond, and you get a bit of a sunset view (though not as good as others). The food is expensive but I have had several meals here and always been happy with them. The several times were with large parties, and they had not trouble keeping us all happy. My monchong was good...not quite up to Merriman's but very tasty. It even convinced my 6 yr old that he likes fish. Now he keeps asking for monchong everywhere we go.
(5)Jennifer C.
Amazing. Ambiance is remarkable and the food is excellent. We were guests at the hotel so it made it an easy choice, but this is no ordinary restaurant. The restaurant is situated on top of a koi and turtle filled lagoon and accented with tiki torches - a true oasis. The service was great and our server was personable and knowledgable about all the fish dishes and where they were caught. We ordered the lavender crusted filet topped with soy-ginger butter sauce, goat cheese mashed potatoes and tempura Maui onions. Everything was cooked to perfection and had wonderful flavoring that was not overwhelming. Perfect!
(5)Mark M.
Disclosure: I am an east coast transplant foodie snob. If you are not from my neck of the woods you may as well read the other reviews. HOWEVER - if you are a city dweller please read on. Stay the f away. The food was bad. I mean I sent food back bad. I never send anything back. The lobster bisque was tomato soup with a couple chunks of lobster in it. The Hawaiian catch of the day was bland and dry to the bones (because my filet had bones). The macadamia crusted filet that people love was also bland and boring. The 'lump' crab cakes were okay but so far from lump crab It upset my Maryland born wife. She enjoyed the the lava cake. Service was spotty. The waiter was kind but disheveled. The best way I can explain this place is it reminds me of the 'steakhouse' your suburban grandmother takes you to every time for your 'special birthday dinner'. This was the worst 175+ it dinner I have had in years that I couldn't expense.
(1)Lily N.
This was our last place for dinner during our stay in Kauai. I asked the husband to take me out to a "nice" dinner, so we decided on Tidepools. Plus, we were staying at Koloa Landing, so it wasn't too far of a drive. We had reservations for 7:30pm, but came a little early and were seated right away. The place was barely lit and the restaurant was maybe 20% full. That should have been our first clue to turn and run the other way. We were seated by the window over looking the koi ponds and palm trees. I would assume that the view would have been amazing during the day or at sunset, but by that time it was just darkness outside with not much to see. Our waiter was very nice and was attentive when necessary. The food was mediocre at best. I started with the lobster bisque, which was luke warm. There was maybe three small quarter sized pieces of lobster in the whole bowl. The husband had the poached pear salad, which he says was very good. I had the filet for my entree. I had ordered it medium, but it came out well done. Also luke warm, the potatoes were meh, and the "crispy" Maui onions were soggy. The husband had the opah, which was over cooked as well and rubbery. Overall, not a good meal. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(2)Krista L.
By far our best meal on the island-- and we'd had some great meals-- guess we saved the best for last! Delicious crab cakes, fantastic entrees, and the molten lava dessert to finish. We went out with a bang and were delighted to note the bill came out comparable to the other restaurants we'd been to (but a much better value). Koi were a nice touch but be prepared to get splashed since they seem to randomly flop around sometimes. The service was also prompt and effective. It almost seemed like there were bussers just watching us eat to come clear plates or refill glasses... My only minor annoyance is I later tried to change our reservation time so we'd have time to go back to our hotel and change, but no other times were available on OpenTable. Problem is, the restaurant was only just filling up when we left. Were there that many no-shows, or do they not put all their tables on OpenTable?
(5)Lani K.
My husband and I had dinner @ Tidepools last year and we both loved it! so we came back for dinner again. Unfortunately, our favorite appetizer which was Hamachi-sashimi with watermelons was gone...(PLEASE RETURN IT TO THE MENU!!), but we enjoyed our meals. As our starters, we shared "Crispy pacific prawns" and "Kula baby greens". The prawns were OK. The salads were so simple and the vinaigrette was so delicious. For meals, my husband ordered "Hawaiian catch" and I ordered "Grilled paniolo ribeye". The grilled sword fish from his meal was spectacular!! and my ribeye was so juicy and flavorful!! The service was very professional as always and it was just a great overall experience X 2!!! We will definitely come back every time we visit to Kauai!!!
(5)Joe P.
I thought this place was very nice. Clearly, it is much better to go here while the sun is still out so you can see the ocean. But we showed up after sunset and they create quite a nice ambience. I really liked this place because I didn't feel like it was cheesy hotel food. I ordered the filet mignon. I would rank it in my top 5 steaks ever. I don't know how to describe it- other than it had a nice seasoning with a gravy that had substance. It was very tender, perfectly cook as requested and a very good size. The price was competitive with other restaurants. The service was prompt, attentive and the atmosphere was a nice break from the crazy kids outside. I highly recommend checking this place out- especially if you're on the resort. Funny- when my wife and I were in Maui a couple of years ago, we went to allegedly the best restaurant on the island. This place was far better than that restaurant.
(5)Sarah L.
This ambience and setting is unmatched. Sooo romantic and lovely! The food was very good and the portions were comparable to other high-end restaurants. The molten lava cake was to die for! The service staff was great and our server gave us some great food and drink selections. Would definitely recommend. Absolutely beautiful.
(5)Susan D.
This was a great dining experience at our hotel. It was very romantic and the food was delicious. I would recommend it!
(5)Darcie P.
This place is pretty. The food they serve is very pretty too, very well presented if that is your thing. This place is uber expensive even for Kauai. Our bill with no alcohol was $150 w/ tax and tip for two entrees, two salads and one dessert. My husband loved his fish, he said it was the best he had our whole vacation. My fish and salad were just OK and were nothing that I would remember. The service we got from our waiter was not the best. When he came to out table he was in a rush it seemed and kept looking at other tables while we were talking to him. I asked him a question and he backed away from the table when answering it and took off, I felt it was very rude. It was not the kind of service you get in this expensive of a restaurant. He was also very slow to come back. The water and bread guy was very good, I wished he was our waiter. It was my birthday dinner so they gave me a candle in my dessert but no free dessert like a lot of other restaurants do for your birthday. It was OK for me and for the price I would not return.
(3)Kevin B.
Sat next to a waterfall, where I could not hear my wife unless she raised her voice... I could have asked to sit at another table, so oh well. Reason for the 3 stars was the service...very slow. Took 20 min before someone showed up at our table. Food was ok...Swordfish for my wife and Red Snapper for me.
(3)K A.
Very romantic setting and great fresh fish. Come early and check out the hotel.
(4)Jean P.
Amazing meal in an amazing location! I'm so happy that we decided to go here. Fish was outstanding. Service was excellent excellent and not overbearing. Highly recommended!
(5)Michael H.
Great restaurant. Service was understated, food was exceptional, especially for a hotel restaurant. Highly recommended if you stay at Hyatt.
(5)S A.
Had a great experience over dinner with my husband. We requested a table we saw when walking through a few days before. It was along the pond and had a great view. They reserved for us with no problem at all. Restaurant ambiance was cozy, tropical, and welcoming. The romaine salad I has to start with was just ok. Dressing could have even more flavorful. The ribs by husband started with was good but not great. The neat was falling off the bone which was great but it could have been a little hotter when served and maybe a bit more seasoning. Our main course was very good. We both ordered the opah. Fish was delicate but hearty. The crab served with the opah was super delicious and complimented the dish perfectly. Main courses could have also been served a bit hotter but all in all was great. Our dinner for two ( 2 starters, 2 main courses and a bottle of prosecco) only came to $160 without tip. Not bad at all!
(4)Raven C.
The setting is beautiful complete with waterfalls and swans. As you dine, you are sitting over a very large koi pool. Tip: Koi love the table bread and the staff doesn't mind if you feed them. We started with cocktails in the bar. I had something tropical and it was delicious. For our meal, we started with the poke poke poke which is ahi, tako and lobster. All very fresh and delish. For our main course, I had grilled Panilo ribeye. I asked for it rare and the meat was perfectly done and very flavorful. The heirloom potatoes and the shishito peppers were also very good. My husband had the Kula lavender crusted fillet of beef. His bacon whipped potatoes gave me a bit of "order envy." I could not even finish 1/2 of my main course. Come with a huge appetite. For dessert (yes, I was able to take a bite), we ordered the "yes I've had it a million times" molten chocolate cake. However, this version was the best. The service was stellar. Service can make or break a meal and his talent did not go unnoticed with the tip. I am very glad we got this particular server because the next table had a different server and he was basically obnoxious. Yes, this restaurant is expensive. We spent about $285.00. However..when you see the grounds and the surroundings...the entire experience of Tidepools is worth it.
(4)Patti F.
This was our first dining on Kauai, and consequently our honeymoon. The service was great, the food was AMAZING, and the drinks were really great as well. The ambiance is lovely, it's open air, and you're surrounded by Koi ponds. You can hear the ocean (if it's dark), or see the ocean (if it's light). It's a beautiful setting, and was an amazing experience. I had the Mahi-Mahi which absolutely melted in my mouth. The sauces were exquisite, the bread was incredibly tasty and all in all this was just an amazing experience. Yes, it was expensive per se, however compared to all the other restaurants at the Grand Hyatt - this was by far the best deal, biggest portions, and best price.
(5)TJ E.
Wow!!! This place deserves all 5 stars +. Everything was awesome. We had 3 different appetizers. Best crab cakes we've ever had, ahi bruschetta was yummy, & the ahi poke was delightful. The rolls and garlic butter are a plus. So yummy and fun to toss pieces at the koi fish that are surrounding the restaurant. For dinner we had the Mahi Mahi, a little more sauce would've been awesome, but still good. The Hawaiian catch was excellent, topped with an excellent piece of lobster. FYI the crab cake on the Hawaiian catch is NOT the same as the appetizer one. For dessert we had the Molten Lava cake, it's really only for one person, don't attempt to share. It was off the hook.
(5)Marc K.
This was one of the most pleasant surprises in #Kauai. Exceptional dinner even my four year old loved the food. The Ono, Manchong and Mahi Mahi were all amazing". I highly recommend Tidepools whether you are staying at the Hyatt or not.
(5)Local G.
This was one of our top 2 places to eat out of 10 restaurants that we dined at in Hawaii. The atmosphere is very well done. We loved watching the koi as we waited for our food. We started with the prawns which were very tasty even for my husband who doesn't like that type of shellfish. Then we both got steaks. The were perfectly cooked and the sides that came with them were also perfectly cooked and a nice portion. We skipped on dessert because we were so stuffed. We would definitely go back there. Warning - get a reservation and go early. Everything in Kauai seems to shut down early.
(5)Yong S.
If you are looking for a memorable dinner, I would definitely recommend this place. Setting, atmosphere, tasty meal, salad, and dessert were all excellent! It was worthwhile to visit.
(5)Jennifer M.
Best meal we had on our honeymoon in Kauai. Everything from the service to the ambiance to the food was outstanding. My husband and I are (recently) on a gluten-free diet, so the extensive gluten-free options were a huge plus. Our waiter was incredibly nice and knowledgeable, and most importantly the food was delicious. I had the Ahi, and my husband had the Mahi Mahi. I loved my Ahi but I think his macadamia nut crusted Mahi was the real star. Also, told staff it was our honeymoon when I booked a reservation and they gave us a nice congratulations card upon seating us. Very romantic setting, too - thatched huts and built right on a koi poind. Couldn't have asked for a better first romantic dinner as newlyweds!
(5)Down L.
Delicious food, great service, and an awesome view! A must go! During our honeymoon and stay at the grand Hyatt the hubby and I decided to have dinner here. We had a great time and enjoyed the food and service. I look forward to eating here again!
(5)Mike G.
This is definitely a tasty spot with great ambiance since you are surrounded by a koi pond, waterfalls, and huts (in the Grand Hyatt hotel). Dishes we ordered: - the seasonal fish that is served with shrimp and lobster: good seafood trio - the macadamia nut crusted mahi: this fish was better than the other one - crab cakes: get them here - seafood chowder: probably our least favorite, but still good - don't forget the chocolate molten lava cake! it's only appropriate on an island made from a volcano. you have to tell them when you order your main dish, since it takes 25 minutes to prepare.
(5)Tia M.
This place is heavy on atmosphere and light on the food. The salads were well executed and inventive but the catch of the day and the ahi tuna were both mediocre. The lobster on the catch of the day was over cooked and the ahi tuna was under seasoned. Very disappointing.
(3)Carina R.
My husband and I came here our first day in Kauai for dinner. It was a little hard for us to find at the Grand Hyatt, but when we got there, we were glad we did. There was about a 5 minute wait for our table, not a big deal. The staff and waiters there are very nice and professional. Their menu is steak and fish. My faves. I ended up ordering the ahi tuni and my husband ordered the New York steak. The ahi tuna was their special for the night and just sounded so good. I was right. Everything was so good and beautifully plated. Both were delicious. My husband literally said it was the best steak he has had in a long time. He likes his steak well done, but juicy. Only a true chef can cook a steak well done and keep it juicy, and they accomplished this. I am so glad that we dined here. If we go back to Kauai, we will definitely be back.
(5)Kurt S.
So, overall impressions... great good, friendly service, particularly low-stress despite being more upscale, and freakin built on top of a damn koy pond!. -- The Location -- So I completely messed up when I made my original reservations because I thought the place was at a different hotel. Imagine my surprise when my GPS takes me to the Hyatt instead of where I thought I was going. I went with it, and am glad that I did, because the experience was pretty memorable. The entire place is built on top of a koy pond, with tables under covered outcroppings and fish jumping around (especially when a patron throws some bread in the water despite the signs asking them not to). It was hot that day, but the restaurant did a good job keeping the seating area comfortable. -- The Staff-- We had a great experience with our waiter. He was knowledgeable and knew when to come by to see how we were doing and when to give us a few minutes to ourselves. He was also crazy friendly in a way that surprised me for such an upscale and expensive restaurant. There was ZERO pretension here! -- The Food-- I'm going to start with the not-as-good and built to a crescendo. I'm a huge seared ahi fan, and make it a point to order it whenever I see it on a menu. I'm still trying to find a version that beats the seared ahi at Side Street Inn in Honolulu, but apparently no one else gets it quite as right as they do. Anyway, we ordered the seared ahi here and it was just okay. It wasn't bad, per say, but it didn't blow anyone's socks off. This might be picky of me, but it's the only reason I dropped it from 5 to 4 stars. That's really where the bad (or less awesome) ends. We had the hamachi with watermelon before we started dinner... dude, who thinks to put watermelon with raw fish? I don't know, but it was delicious. My girlfriend and I both ordered fish dishes. Her mahi mahi was superb, and my mung cha was fantastic. I love leaving a restaurant satisfied but not overly full after eating delicious, clean, food. This place absolutely achieved that.
(4)Steve C.
The first course was great, I had the poke duo and my fiance had the civiche. Both were excellent. For a main course I had the snapper and she had the steak. The steak was huge even tho she ordered the petite cut. She wasn't a fan of the goat cheese mashed potatoes. My snapper came with buckwheat soba and some veggies, and was excellent. The plating was also very nice. For desert we shared the lava cake, also nice.
(5)Spencer S.
Tidepools is wonderful. We had our wedding reception there and it couldn't have been better. The food was amazing and the people were so nice. I highly recommend the macadamia crusted mahi-mahi and the filet mignon.
(5)Seth G.
My wife and I arrived at the tidepools gorgeous main dining hall at 6:30 hoping to have a first class meal during the sunset; apparently our waiter thought we wanted to stay for the sunrise as well. It took nearly 2.5 hours before we finally left the restaurant. I usually hate Yelp reviews that talk all about how bad their service was and discredit their review as a crotchety old man or a disgruntled person mad at the world who probably orders their starbucks latte at a specific temperature, but this was truly the worst service I have ever received. It was a very strange experience, our waiter seemed to disappear for long periods of time and when he finally did come around he was very timid; almost paranoid, I'm pretty sure he was high, he was really out of it all night. There was no flow what so ever to the meal and he was very inattentive all night. At one point he hadn't checked in for so long we had to have our bus boy(who was great!) tell him we were ready to order our entree's. on that note I'm sure we had a rare terrible experience other waiters seemed to be very attentive and informative at their tables. Now for the part you really care about; the food! We started with the Tataki of Hamachi; it was delicious! the best thing we were served all night. The sweetened ponzu sauce was very good and worked perfectly with the extremely lightly seared hamachi and kick of fresh sliced jalapeno. Next we ordered the salad with hearts of palm. besides the service this was the biggest disappointment of the night. The reason we decided to order this salad was because it listed Local hearts of palm as one of three main ingredients. When the salad came out it was basically greens a bland vinaigrette and literally 5 of the thinest shavings of a heart of palm you could ever create sitting on top. They must have freshly sharpened the mandolin blade. If a description on your menu only lists three ingredients, one of them better not be used as a garnish. Finally we had the new york steak and the prime rib for our entree's. Both were cooked perfectly medium rare and were actually much larger portions than I expected. The flavors were decent but definitely nothing special at all, especially the prime rib which was coated in rosemary despite no mention of this in the description on the menu. It's a very potent flavor and really overtook anything else going on with the steak. This was especially disappointing because this happens to be one of the few (and I mean very few) flavors my wife does not like. Overall we were both very disappointed with our meal because we were expecting top notch food and service. Something you tend to expect when you pay $40 for a steak. Our total bill came to $123 and the best thing we ate was the appetizer. Adding to this the terrible slow service from our waiter, we definitely felt ripped off at the end of the night. I'm sure this isn't a typical experience at tidepools but I'm definitely not willing to pay again to find out.
(2)Adrienne N.
Beautiful scenery (which is why it's getting 3 and not 2 stars), but that damn waterfall is so loud, we couldn't hear each other over the cascading cacophony. Not exactly the romantic experience it could be. Food is decent (for resort food), as are the drinks, but our waiter made me feel like we were a bit rushed to get done and out of there. He brought us the desert menu before our entrees even showed up (??). Overall -- meh.
(3)Andrea K.
We dined on the terrace, which is surrounded by a fish pond, very nice. Although a little too dark to read the menu without our phone flashlights, it was a nice ambiance. The Crab cakes were good, the pear salad was more pear than salad and the Opah was very good as well, although a little overpriced for $ 40. I liked their wine selection, my husband decided on ice tea and regretted his choice (had no taste at all). A good option for dinner though if you're staying at the Hyatt.
(3)E M.
What can I say that hasn't been said!?! This is a great resaurant. The food is delicious, and the view is beautiful. We had great service that went beyond what is expected. I have a very picky 1 1/2 year old who would not eat what was offered on the menu, and when I did not order anything for him the server offered to grab him a grilled cheese from the nearby pool area!
(5)Shal V.
This is where we had dinner after our wedding on Shipwreck Beach in Kauai. It was easily one of the best dining experiences in a long time and truly capped a memorable day. The location is superb - nestled in between koi-inhabited pools in the magnificent Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort. We had the scrumptious Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes as appetizer. The wife ordered the Hawaiian Catch (I believe it was pomfret) which was pretty good. I ordered NY Strip Steak in a black garlic steak sauce with maui onion marmalade and roasted garlic hollandaise, served with potato chips. The steak was spectacular! Our server, whose service was out-of-this-world, brought out a complimentary Molten Chocolate Cake with raspberry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream = simply divine!! If you're in Kauai and you want to enjoy one fine dining experience, go to Tidepools - excellent service, superb location and exquisite food! Very highly recommended!! Ensure you make reservations.
(5)Amanda O.
Best meal I had during my vacation in Kauai! Everything was amazing and our server was great! Crab cakes were out of this world!! Great ambiance. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Aravind S.
Amazing ambience. They have these pools with colorful fishes next to the seating areas. The flowing water and sound of fishes bobbing their heads up is very soothing. There is only one dish for vegetarians on the menu. It was very tasty, my wife had the salad. Their cocktails were good. Watch out for the ones with coconut rum it is very sweet. We finished our dinner with the chocolate cake - very delicious. Must go place for a romantic dinner
(5)Jonathan Z.
Food is not bad. But kind of pricy for the quality of the food they have. Very limited choices of wine.
(3)Christopher T.
There are plenty of good places to eat in Kauai, don't waste your time here. Red Salt was excellent and was a comparable price. It is also two minutes down the road. This place had terrible food and unimpressive service. If you are going to spend your money, you can certainly find better places to spend it than at Tidepools.
(1)Seth B.
There are very few times when the entire dining experience, from the ambience to the waitstaff to the local food, is perfect. Tide pools continues to achieve that goal every time we done there. The food is an amazing collection of the best tastes Kauai has to offer, with some of the freshest fish offerings as well as more traditional dishes. Hyatts executive chef Matt Smith is committed to using local ingredients as much as possible and it shows. The lobster bisque was amazing--a lighter broth with some spice, a perfect balance for the tropical climate as opposed to the New England style thick creamy broth. The crab cakes were to die for. Yes, they are 'just crab cakes,' but they are amazingly prepared , fresh and warm , and very filling (2). For the entree, the Hawaiian catch is the best dish I've had in ages--a fresh local fish (tonight it was monchong) cooked in a ginger soy glaze, topped with a shrimp cake and topped with a fresh Kona lobster tail. The lobster was succulent and sweet, as if it had butter infused from the lobster's birth. The shrimp cake was crusted and soft inside as a nice texture balance. All these three kinds of seafoods served atop purple Hawaiian potatoes and local broccolini. Yum! You can't go wrong at Tidepools. Sure, it's a little pricey but that's what all seafood dishes are costing around Poipu. Here you get a HUGE plate with delicious options, well worth the price.
(5)Stacey W.
Food = really great. Service = excellent. We stopped in with no reservation midweek when the restaurant was empty. We were well dressed. We ordered a bottle of wine, crab cakes, Ahi and Mahi Mahi, and topped it off with coffee crime brûlée. The crab cakes were the best I've ever had - moist but not a hint of any overbearing binding material ( mayo, etc) - just delectable. The Ahi was seared and served on a bed of black rice that I found yummy but hubby was less thrilled and said it was boring. The Mahi Mahi was fantastic: crusted and flaky, moist, flavorful, served with the best beans I've ever eaten (and that means more than 1000 servings) plus jasmine rice presented in a lovely tea leaf. All in all, fabulous experience. So why 3 stars? When we walked in the questions from the hostess were: name, room number. When we said we were not staying at the Grand Hyatt ( which Tidepool,belongs to) she quickly escorted us to the bar to dine. Don't get me wrong - I love bars. But I do not embrace hearing the whine of the blender behind me for 90 minutes. I also don't appreciate being forced to view a pathetic, captive swan in a faux lagoon when the Pacific is bursting with whales, as it was this night. I looked into the dining room multiple times and it was A) mostly empty and B) filled with diners dressed poorly, in shorty shorts and skanky clothes. Yet my spouse and I were shoved into a (albeit) nice bar to dine. This was a 30% less-than-optimal dining experience. Not surprisingly, I did NOT notice a 30% reduction in our $180 check. We tipped full fare despite this oversight. I wonder how the Grand Hyatt makes these rules. It seems customers on the hook are already caught. Potential customers, however, who come in from elsewhere should be lured into thinking they, too, should stay at the Grand Hyatt someday. Sadly, that day will likely never come for me ... now.
(3)Rick F.
Best Meal the entire vacation! Crab Cakes were perfect not much breading and plenty of fresh crab meat! Seafood Trio was excellent, Shrimp, Lobster and mongchong panfried with a side of rice. Atmosphere was great waterfalls, tropical plants, just great overall.
(4)Ian P.
The customer service is what made this a truly outstanding experience for our romantic evening!!! When we arrived we had to wait, there was a lovely lounge/bar where we could look out at the water filled with koi and a large swan. We were only waiting about 15 minutes (at 8PM on a Saturday night) before being seated. Our server was extremely attentive, friendly, and prompt. We were not seated directly by the water, which made us a little jealous of the couples that were, but it was still lovely. Our server did a great job of describing specials and answering questions. We had just eaten tapas 2 hours before so we decided to split an entree and get an appetizer and drinks. That's when things took a turn for the wonderful. First, a couple right next to the water, where we wanted to sit, left, and we requested to be moved to that table. Within 5 minutes they had the table cleared, and a busser who insisted we allow him to move our silverware/napkins/appetizer, etc. Then rest of the food came. What REALLY impressed us was the presentation. We've split plates before and we're used to extra charges (there were none) and splitting ourselves, we've even often had to request the extra plate. Here, they brought out 2 plates, with the portions perfectly split. They perfectly cut the lobster tail in half and found a way to arrange around our turf it to make it artful. We have spent more money in places that cared less about their presentation and customers. The food was outstanding, and we were blown away. Our best dining experience the entire week, and look forward to going back next year :D
(5)Marci A.
We went here for our 15th wedding anniversary dinner on our trip to Kauai. We were seated next to koi pond ( tip: make reservations and specifically request one of those tables). The koi were so much fun to watch swimming, and I loved feeding them some leftover bread. Our food was equally amazing. I had the ahi appetizer (husband had ceviche) and prime rib ss main course (husband had fish of day: opah). All were amazing. Great service and atmosphere!!
(5)Jared J.
Seafood here is great, so is the service. Really enjoyed the vibe - it's definitely a bit more touristy, almost feels like Disneyland, but if you're looking for a romantic dining experience - go for it! We ate here on our honeymoon and really enjoyed the fresh seafood.
(5)Lee A.
Poop. Your. Pants. (In a good way!) Genius. I got the Volcano Spiced Opah and that was the best meal I had on my trip. Sweet corn, bacon crab, edamame with the Opah? Are you kidding me? My plate was literally licked completely clean. Great service too.
(5)Chris G.
I was a bit skeptical because it is a hotel restaurant but came away with nothing but praise after a fantastic meal. Cocktails were really unique (pineapple mint jubilee), and the appies were great (crab cakes and poke). I had a super juicy rib eye in a delicious sauce that was cooked perfectly medium rare, and my wife had a yummy mahi mahi dish. Service was really good too.
(5)Gianna N.
Cool setup. Great scenery. We stayed at the Hyatt and loved it. So the setting is great. The food was okay. I had the volcano opah which was great, but my family was underwhelmed by their meals. The appetizers were okay. Nothing was too outstanding, but nothing was horrible. We liked our server. Not bad overall, but nothing I'd go back for. PS. Don't feed the koi fish because they will flock to you ha.
(3)Gopi V.
This is one of the best restaurants on the island if not the best. The ambience is wonderful, situated on islands surrounded by pools of water teeming with fish. It is definitely an unforgettable experience. The dinner itself was absolutely delicious. We started out with the crab cakes, which were one of the best we have had. The Hawaiian opah was simply delicious and so was the almond crusted chicken. The molten lava cake for dessert was as good as ever. The host was also very friendly and an excellent experience overall.
(5)Traci H.
I quite enjoyed dinner at Tidepools. I don't know if I'd call it the best thing I've ever had but for the value (My main dish was less than $20 I think) and the ambiance, it was somewhere between a 3 and 4 star experience and since I walked away quite happy I'll round up. We got seated in an inner table so we can't speak of the grand view of the waterfall that I think some table have, but we had some fun entertainment watching a little toad bounce around the fish. So if you're a view person, ask for a view of the waterfall ahead of time when you make reservations. It's all outdoorsy (read: no air conditioning, but it's Kauai. It's beautiful) and open air. We started with one of the appetizers from next door (the Yum Cha restaurant at the Poipu Bay Golf Course) that was quite nice--the spring roll thing. And we also got a veggie samosa. They were both flavorful and good and probably both better than average. But nothing spectacular. My main dish was basically a piece of teriyaki tofu with veggies on rice. I know I know, sounds like rabbit food, but it was so tasty!!! The prime rib was also tasty with nice horseradish (not the fresh kind, sadly) as well. and pretty HUGE. The dessert was good. The molten chocolate cake was worth it and now that I'm thinking about it again, I'm starting to long for it. And I'm picky when it comes to my molten chocolate cakes. I've had me some bad, dry yucky ones but this one was moist and delicious. I could have probably used more vanilla ice cream, but that's always a given. So yes, the meal did end quite well. It is still a hotel restaurant, which is why it's hard to give it 5 stars because nothing was outrageously good, but it was all quite nice. I do hear that the Share the Stars dinner is catered right out of Tidepools and offers a 4 course meal in a private cabana on the beach for $500 for a couple. Our meal was something like $84, including tip. ok we didn't have 4 courses, nor did we get the complimentary bottle of champagne, nor did we have a personal server, but we walked away quite full and satisfied. So just a thought if you're wondering...the extra 416 bucks can go to a few nice massages at the spa instead ;-)
(4)Emily J.
I had such a lovely dinner here with my family during our vacation. We were celebrating my mom's birthday and my parents' wedding anniversary so we were really looking for an extra special restaurant that night. Tidepools certainly fit the bill. The restaurant itself is beautiful, situated within the Hyatt on Poipu Beach next to a lagoon filled with koi, very nice ambiance to say the least. Our server Michael was simply wonderful. My vegan mother was able to order a birthday meal that did not violate her dietary restrictions without a problem. My sister is gluten and dairy free and she was also able to get a delicious meal to fit her needs, not to mention some killer gluten free bread. The resort gets it from a local bakery and I really wish that bakery had a location in Colorado for her! For dessert, Michael was kind enough to bring some gluten free/dairy free/vegan sorbet and fresh fruit for the table in addition to an awesome coconut creme brulee for me! Everything was top notch and it was certainly one of our top dining experiences on the island.
(5)Lou H.
Don't bother wasting your time and money on this overhyped and overpriced garbage. The hotel offers several better dining options at better prices. Service was slow to non existent as our server disappeared for long periods of time. We later found him chatting with other servers leaned against the wall near the kitchen. I wouldn't have left a tip if it wasn't for the service the busboy provided. The food was bland, seriously lacking any flavor. I'm convinced that people see high prices and automatically convince themselves the food is great. Both my wife and I had the macadamia crusted mahi mahi, it was well cooked mahi mahi, no seasoning, with some macadamia nuts on top. The rice it came with tasted like minute rice out of a box and straight to a microwave. The sauce it came on tastes like a cheap liqueur. Finally we ordered the famous lava cake. A microwaved mess of goop with freezer burnt ice cream. Having had an amazingly delicious mahi mahi sandwich at the terrace a couple days before, this was definitely not what we expected. I would not recommend tidepools, unless you want to go for the stagnant water coy pond that serves as a breeding and feeding ground for mosquitoes, I think the mosquitoes had a better meal than we did as we served as an all you can eat buffet for the little bloodsuckers while we waited for our server to finally reappear from his disappearing act. That's this critic's review, until next time I'll be eating.
(1)Shawn B.
This is our favorite fancy place on Kauai. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. The restaurant is built atop a koi pond, and architected such that almost every table is next to the pond. All of the seating is open air, which is a great feature when you're in Hawaii. The coconut crustacean chowder is fantastic, as are their salads. For entrees, we order fish every time; never the same dish twice and they are all great. For dessert, we liked the chocolate molten cake, and our friends raved about the lilikoi cheesecake. Avoid the coconut creme brulee, which seems to be on a lot of menus in Kauai but no one can get right. You probably need reservations, and they go quick, so plan a little ahead. While it's pricey, we left feeling that it was worth it.
(5)Mina L.
Always the best. My hubby and I always dine at Tide-pools whenever in Kauai. Service is friendly and courteous. Request table 42 for a special romantic location. Crab cake appetizer was excellent. I had the opa fish dish. It's a dense white fish. It was a large size portion and very filling. It was served with lobster mash potato. Yum Hubby had the prime rib. He was happy with his cut and even happier when his side of white rice arrived. Yeah... Real asian white rice makes my hubby happy. Not the Uncle Ben type either. It was our anniversary. We weren't offered a dessert. Its fine...that didn't our night. Still a beautiful experience at Tidepools. We'll be back the next time we're back in Kauai.
(5)Chris L.
My wife and I really enjoyed our visit to Tidepools. We both are not very big seafood people but we decided to go with one at the recommendation of our waitress. My wife had the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi and I had the Hawaiian Opah. We were both thoroughly impressed with our entrees. The entrees were well cooked (no fishy taste) and were well plated. We were also served some bread prior to our main course, which was very good as well. While the food was expensive, we were treated to a great meal and would whole heartedly recommend others to go for a special treat in the future.
(5)Al P.
Great food and service, a little pricey, but the service and food make up for it. We stayed at the grand Hyatt. So the location was great for us, and the koi pond is awesome. My gf had the mac nut mahi mahi, and I had the catch. Both were delightful, and the crab cake app was the best crab cake I.ever had. Def worth a try
(4)Ben K.
Ok food, typical of a big resort. Nothing that really stood out except for feeding the koi that are all around you.
(3)Powell A.
Decent, casual fish restaurant in the Hyatt in Poipu. A solid second tier restaurant for the Poipu area (with Merrimans and Josselins at the top tier) Tidepools beats Roy's at the game Roy invented.
(3)Ed H.
Dined at this Restaurant in February of this year for our anniversary. It came as a recommendation from my daughter and my wife made the reservations online which is really convenient. The service is excellent and timely. The food is outstanding but a little pricey! The crab cakes are to die for, along with the molten chocolate cake. The dining area is open air, dark, and dimly lit. But it does not take anything away from a great experience that you'll encounter. If you are not a guest of the hotel, I'd suggest that you valet park your car. After eating a such a wonderful meal that is served up right, the long walk to the self-serve parking lot will ruin it all.
(5)Brooke C.
I had dinner here during my honeymoon stay and it was delicious! To start we had the crab cakes and the kalua pork flautitas. The crab cakes were by far the best I've ever had! For dinner I had the Hawaiian Opah. It was delicious as well. My wife had the macadamia nut mahi mahi and she loved it. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake and the pineapple bread pudding. I loved the chocolate cake. The pineapple bread pudding was good but a little too sweet and too pineappley for my taste. The reason this isn't a 5 star review is the server did his job well but wasn't super friendly in the process. He wasn't rude or mean by any means. Again, just not super friendly. Also, the prices are very high. I'd still eat here again if I came back though.
(4)Lucy T.
"Spectacular food - freshest of the fresh!" An excellent place for dinner. The service was spot on. Outstanding are the lump crab cakes, seafood soup and various fish/seafood principle plates. Of all the dinng options in Kauai, this easily should be one of your top choice.
(5)Angy N.
Absolutely fantastic!!!! We ordered the samosas as an appetizer. Not greasy at all. Delicious!! I also had a smoothie with banana, coconut, and mango... yummy!! For my main dish I ordered the tofu. Best I've ever had!! Great flavor!! The soba noodles were delicious! I loved it so much I went back a few nights later and ordered it again. My husband isn't a huge tofu fan but ended up ordering it as well the next time we were here and even he loved it!!!! I'd love to know how they made the tofu!!!!
(5)Matthew D.
Outrageously priced (even by Hawaii pricing) for the portions. The atmosphere is nice but the food is bland, under seasoned, and minimal. To be expected from a hotel or resort but still a let down after the ambiance build up. When are resorts going to get the fact that we want food that matches the spectacular settings they create?
(1)Jonathan P.
this place seems like a rite of passage for honeymooners on Kauai so we went there. It is romantic and the food is very good as well as the service. it didn't blow us away though.
(3)Concerned C.
The atmosphere was great. Not all it's cracked up to be for the price only because the taste of the food we ordered was so-so. We tried to make reservations for an early dinner but the next reservation was not until 8:15pm. We decided to take a chance and just show up at 5:30. To our surprise we walked right in and was seated right next to the pond. The open air setting was nice and romantic as we watched the sunset. The waiter was attentive and the presentation was excellent. Neither my wife or I were impressed with the taste of Our entrees. I had the Macadamia Nut Mahimahi and she had the Tofu Hiryozu. However we did share a Molten Chocolate Cake topped with vanilla ice cream that was incredible.
(3)Tim V.
Great and inventive Ahi with foie gras infused rice and truffle miso eggplant sauce. One of the best dinners on Kauai.
(5)Karen D.
We arrived at the Grand Hyatt Kauai after a long and awful experience with (No) Go! Airlines in a bad mood, hungry and tired. It was late on a Sunday night and most other restaurants in the area were closed. Thank heaven Tidepools was still serving dinner! Since it was nearly closing time, we were the only ones there. Still, we were shown plenty of aloha, treated graciously and never made to feel the least bit rushed. Our server spent time "talking story" with us and was friendly, helpful, and professional. Our salads and ahi sashimi appetizer was very good. The opah and macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi very both tasty. We were happy to finish our meal with a chocolate lava cake. The ambiance of the place on the lagoon, the beautiful night, the delicious food, and the excellent service melted away the stress of the day. Mahalo Tidepools!
(5)JJ L.
Best meal we have had in Kauai and one of the better meals I have had in some time. Known for the fish but we didn't order any. Known for the setting and that didn't disappoint - just lovely. - Kauai Sweet Corn soup with Crab Spectacular soup, excellent crab and a generous portion of it. Just awesome. - Granny Smith apple and Micro arugula Salad Holy cow, get this! The duck was great, the goat cheese was perfect, and the salad so refreshing. A must order, you won't regret this. - Tofu Hiryzou Prepared in a unique way. I have never had tofu like this, and I eat a lot of tofu. Really creative and delicious. - Molten Chocolate Cake Massive scoop of delicious ice cream with it. Definitely meant for 2. Perfectly made. And my wife and I were sharing and the waiter, without asking, split the Tofu into 2 plates so we could share it easily. Very nice service, we really liked this. Start to finish, spectacular. I am still thinking about how much I enjoyed the meal, and will remember it for some time to come. Really interesting how we went to a "fish restaurant" and did not order any fish and had one of the better meals we have had in a while!
(5)Becky T.
Beautiful ambiance! We were seated right by the lagoon next to the waterfall. It would have been really peaceful except for the resort luau that was going on across the way, but that was pretty entertaining. There were a ton of koi fish swimming just a foot away from us and the best part was that even though it was all open-air seating, there were no bugs! The food wasn't spectacular but it was definitely good. I'm a bit of a crab fiend so I was pleased to able to have a bit of crab with each course. The crab cake was very good without filler, the corn bisque with crab was nice and creamy, and then my opah with crab and avocado stuffed shrimp was very tasty as well. The fish was really well done, but I'm sort of biased in that I'm the biggest Nico's fan, so it makes me feel guilty spending $30+ for a fish dish that could be surpassed for $9 at Nico's. However, we were also paying for eating at a resort, eating at a picturesque locale, and great service. It was a nice treat.
(4)Brandon A.
Best restaurant experience I've had in years. This is the restaurant that prompted me to join yelp. Great setting, nice views, peaceful. Wine and cocktails were reasonable and tasty. Service: Superb. We asked to switch tables and got the best seat in the house. The manager came over and personally greeted us and seated us at another table. Thanks to Heather for an incredible experience and being so kind. The waiter was personable but not too personable, prompt, knowledgeable, all around solid. Food: Two apps, Ahi Sashimi: best Ahi I had on the island and anytime in my life. Poke Poke Oyster: unique, very tasty. Two salads: Garden Isle and Manoa Lettuce, both unique and delicious. Entrees: Fish of the day, cooked perfect, delicious. Prime Rib: I never thought I would order anything but fish on Kauai but after fish all week I was ready for some beef. What a cut! Huge. Absolutely perfect. Best prime rib I've had since Lawry's in LA. Molten chocolate cake for desert was good. Top notch all around Aloha
(5)Joelle C.
Incredible service. Very good food. Loved the ambiance most of all. Pricey. The prime rib was tasty as was the tofu. The lava cake was dry.
(4)Patrick G.
Tidepools was a very cool, open style, thatched roof building over water at the Grand Hyatt Resort. The overall experience was very enjoyable, and the food was great. All of the items on the menu sounded like winners but I eventually settled on the ahi which was full of interesting textures and flavors. The flavors and the ahi were so rich and great that the meat practically melted in my mouth. The bananas foster dessert was also one of the best desserts I have ever had. It came with macadamia nut ice cream that alone would have challenged for the best ice cream I have ever eaten. The only down side of this place was the service was lacking in some aspects. They lost my groups reservation and instead of saying something, they just took all of our info again and made us wait about 10 minutes for a table. The waiter also took a while to come around even though the restaurant was not that crowded.
(5)Ryan D.
Stayed @ the Grand Hyatt while on my Honeymoon and this was probably the best food we had in Kauai!!! The crab cakes are a must!!! Best I have ever eaten!!! And I have eaten a lot of Crab Cakes!!! The fish special I had w/ Lobster was amazing and the atmosphere is probably one of the best in Kauai also!! Service was amazing too!!! Mike, Les and Meda have been there for awhile and do a great job!!! When your done....make sure you stop by Stevenson's Library and get an after dinner drink!! Beautiful Koa bar and the manager Kristy rocks!!! Nothing but great things too say about this entire property and GRAND HYATT!!
(5)Dave L.
Sure, it's a hotel restaurant, but what a hotel restaurant! Set in a separate, low building and designed to feel like a collection of thatched huts amid fish ponds (hence the name of the restaurant), it offers traditional steak and seafood. I tend not to be adventurous in resort restaurants under the assumption that they focus more on location, atmosphere and price than on the food. So I figure it's better to stick with the tried and true like simple red meat, and I had the prime rib both nights. I'm happy to say their prime rib ranks as the best I've had in recent memory, cooked just right and flavorful. Same goes for the chocolate souffle. We were staying at the hotel (Hyatt) and ate there twice. The wait service was very good the first night and excellent the second, and I'd have no problem going back the next time I'm in the area.
(5)Lynne V.
We made a reservation & got a great table right next to the Koi pond, although the place is so nicely laid out its hard to imagine not getting a good table. For appetizers we ordered shrimp summer rolls & salad with endive, butter lettuce & fried artichokes. Both very good. For dinner i had the Hawaiin catch, which was swordfish that day. Being from the East coast, this was a real treat for me. I like to eat local seafood and while we have plenty of clams, oysters & flounder, swordfish is a rarity. This was amazingly fresh as all the seafood I had in Hawaii, over a bed of mashed Yukon gold potatoes & young asparagus. Amazing. my husband had the prime rib, which was local Kauai beef and not your usual gigantic slab, but the perfect size portion, buttery tender & again, perfectly cooked. The best part was the local mushrooms sautéed in butter that came with it! I could not stop stealing bites off his plate. I drank wine so I can't vouch for the cocktails, & we didn't have dessert (too full!). Our server was polite & attentive but did not hover over us & we were not rushed at all. The food was prepared with care & creativity, while still satisfying the 'comfort' factor. As for the price, being from NY city I found the dinners at the better restaurants in the resort to be reasonable, it was the breakfasts lunches & snacks that were more expensive than normal. If you are staying at the Hyatt I would recommend you eat dinner here, at Stevensons or Donderos, & take a quick drive into Lihue or Koloa for a tasty inexpensive lunch at one of the local food shops
(5)Brent D.
Stayed at the Hyatt during our honeymoon and came here for dinner for our first night in Kauai. We were a little shocked at the spendyness, but it was a great meal nonetheless. We enjoyed the ambiance and the food. I had a deliciously marbled rib eye and my wife had a great fish entree (a white fish, can't remember which). It was a little dark where we were seated but it was still enjoyable.
(3)Stephanie B.
Simply amazing. I'm gluten intolerant and have to eat gluten free which can be a challenge. They had an amazing gluten free menu and I did not feel like I was missing out at all. I got sashimi with a gluten free tamari sauce and a salad to split with my husband from the gluten free menu. He is not GF but enjoyed these as much as I did. Then to my surprise they brought me hot gluten free bread and it was so good I asked for more. When I couldn't finish it they gave it to me in a to go box. For the main dish I got the surf and turf and again, 5 star. The service was incredible. It was also my anniversary an they gave us a great table and made sure to wish us a happy anniversary. My only disappointment was the koi fish being replaced by salt water fish that were mildly stinky. Bottom line is if you are gluten free, you have to visit this place!
(5)Jon J.
delicious steak, a little pricey(standard for Hawaii)
(4)Kent R.
This is the perfect place for a relaxing, totally enjoyable meal. With outdoor tables scattered along huts and boardwalks built over the pond, you can enjoy the water, gardens, the breeze, and your companions. It's truly picturesque. The food was great, the drinks even better, and our waiter very personable, and entertaining. Among the best places to pick for your last nite on the island
(4)Andrew K.
We got a great table at the peninsula of the restaurant. We were surrounded by koi fish that jumped out of the water from time to time. The ambiance was great. Food was also prepared well. Experience wise, it was one of our better ones this trip. Our server was detailed and ensured we had what we needed. Would definitely recommend if celebrating or just a romantic experience.
(4)N Y.
Worst service and meal we had in Kauai.... AND the most expensive. We were so excited based on reviews and the description in the resort literature of the koi fish, waterfalls, etc. etc. BIG LET DOWN. It was an empty pool around the restaurant that just made it seem like a cheap chinese restaurant in a strip mall. (We were later told after I asked they are suppose to move the koi back in soon). Still doesn't make up for the not so great food and poor service. The hostess is the worst!! We made reservations for the first night in for our honeymoon. We arrived on time and were told to have a seat. We waited 15 minutes while "walk in" traffic got seated. We were starving and decided to leave. When we told her to take us off she said.... "I will seat you!"... HUH??? We left. We decided to try again and made reservations a couple of days later at 8am for that evening at sunset. We asked for a view seat for the sunset. When we arrived the SAME hostess was working. We told her we had a reservation and our name. She then asked "how many?" We were confused. We repeated we have a reservation for 2 at 6:30 and our name. She said "would you like to be seated?". My husband looked confused and said "ugh... yeah". It was odd. Finally, she brought us back to the crappiest table there with NO view. I looked over and saw 2 free awesome view tables that we had asked for when making the reservation. I asked "can we sit at that table?". She said "we have people waiting in the bar for that table." Again.... we were confused. First of all, why are they waiting and not seated??? Sooooo.... we sat down like she said and waited while watching them seat more walk in traffic. Then another woman came up and said "right this way". We followed her to the good table that the hostess told us the people were waiting for in the bar. Annoying. So to say the least, we were already turned off of Tidepools because of the poor staff. The food was then a huge let down. Worst time we had in Kauai.
(1)Kristine P.
Yum! A super-romantic spot for a nice dinner in Kauai. My husband and I had dinner here during our honeymoon at the Hyatt. Definitely not cheap, but a nice place to treat yourself. Tidepools has the BEST crab cakes I've ever had in my life. The NY strip was also delicious, juicy and huge! It had a great flavor and was cooked medium as I ordered - not too rare or well done. The waiters and waitresses are super knowledgeable and describe all of the dishes to you ahead of time and as they come. If you want to enjoy a nice long dinner, order one course at a time so they don't come out one right after the other (our waiter suggested this and it worked well. We left full but able to enjoy everything). We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here, and we would hope so with a bill that was nearly $200 after tax and tip! (We did have 4 glasses of wine, appetizers and dessert though)
(4)Nicole W.
This was a great way to spend New Years Eve! The wait staff makes you feel very welcome, and there are a good mix of tourists and locals that dine here for a nice night out. The Mahi Mahi was exceptional!!! The sauce was especially good that comes with the fish. The scenery is romantic, and dont pass up the dessert. We loved the bread pudding.
(4)E M.
After living in San Francisco, I've become a bit of a foodie and I have to say the food at this place is spectacular! Beautifully presented and well balanced. Overall, a solid 4 stars!
(4)Dallas N.
I would say that this place has exceptional food with well trained staff and excellent chefs. I would have easily given this place 5 stars if the restaurant did not look like a 1980's Brady Bunch Hawaiian TV set. The staff were dressed like servers at Denny's which I did find comical, with the decor and attire almost scaring us off. I had the Hawaiian Sea Bass (while not a Bass at all) but a Grouper, it was delicious and well prepared, excellently cooked, and rich. The salads were creative and light and the Banana Foster Bread Pudding, average but still OK. The Koi pond was beautiful and the walk to the restaurant over the Hyatt grounds was a delight. Prices were on par for a high end dining experience.
(4)Ashley D.
This is the second time I've been to this place and it did not disappoint! The staff is very friendly and the scenery is really peaceful and pretty! We were seated next to a window, so we got a nice breeze and got to see all the koi fish and swans swimming around. It was a nice date night for me and my hubby. I recommend making a reservation first!
(4)Brenda D.
We had the Ahi and the seabass - both cooked and flavored well. The Molten chocolate cake is amazing! Because this is an open air restaurants it was windy. The restaurant itself if a bit confusing to find. Just keep going, you will find it at the end of the path! They have streams running under the seating with koi and goldfish swimming about. Very cool setup.
(4)Perch S.
Decent food, spectacular ambience, but don't bother getting any alcoholic drinks. They significantly water them down. It's quite disappointing to go to an expensive restaurant in a tropical setting, order a Mai Tai, and find out there's no rum in it. They also had this weird policy where your meal's price included an appetizer, entree and desert...but desert didn't include the desert drinks, even though they were cheaper and would have saved them some money.
(1)Dyan J.
We agree with everyone who loved the crab cakes. Mostly crab, no fillers, great. My husband and I had the prime rib and we enjoyed it. Great veggies (sautéed mushrooms, yummmm). We enjoyed the entire staff, especially Dallas our waiter. Everyone, from the woman who seated us (she was from Seattle) to the rest of the group was pleasant. Most of the food we've had on the island was poor to above average but this ranked best overall. We'd eaten at the Sheraton the night before and it was crappy at best.
(4)Chelsea D.
Great food and atmosphere. I had the Opah Cajun spiced fish over a bed of corn and edamame I was terribly sad to reach my last bite.
(4)Evan S.
Tidepools is that special occasion type of place. Wonderful service with our waiter Les who was so kind to us and explained every intricate detail of the menu that makes your mouth water. Food melted in your mouth and filled you up! Go here!
(5)Ashley F.
We ate here on our first night arriving, had a great meal. Crab cakes were awesome, so was the bread to start. Good wine list. I had the filet - i know, i know, but pregnancy has lead to a terrible fish/chicken aversion that I can't shake. It was very very good. A little sweet but that was the yummy caramelized onions on top. My husband had the tuna with the black rice which he loved. super service!!
(4)Kc S.
Breathtaking. Try and reserve a table next to the lagoon, and then ask your server for fish food, it is so much fun to feed the koi especially if you have kids! I have eaten here every year for the last ten years and it is one of my favorites! Not to be missed! I always order the ahi and am never disappointed. The crab cake appetizer is good as well. Live aloha!
(5)Jen M.
Tidepools has a gorgeous setting, and the atmosphere is definitely romantic. Our waiter was super nice, and explained everything very clearly. Weakest lava flow I had on the island, but hubs's green tea drink was quite good. My meal was very good - mahi mahi with avocado/crab stuffed shrimp. Great flavor, great presentation. Hubs got seared ahi which was really good. For dessert, we got the bananas foster bread pudding. The food was definitely good, and even with our nice waiter, we just got a stuffy vibe, so wouldn't necessarily go back. It's also very overpriced...you can get a cheaper meal at equal quality at Keoki's, Roy's or even Plantation Gardens Restaurant.
(3)James K.
This is one of the better choices for dining in Poipu. The Grand Hyatt has dropped their food prices and improved their wait service. Nice touch. The restaurant has a stellar location, set among a series of man made tide pools (hence the name of the restaurant). They used to have coi fish, lots of them, in the ponds. Now they're gone. That was disappointing. We were told they're in the process of converting over to a salt water pond. But it's been this way for several months. I don't know about salt water. I do miss the coi. I had the Poke Poke Oyster appetizer, which was a spoon of oyster ceviche, a spoon of sashimi, and a spoon filled with a raw oyster. It was tasty. I had the Monchong fish. It was good but slightly overcooked. My wife had the prime rib which she raved about. We had a the chocolate souffle with ice cream, which is to die for. Coffee was really good as it is in the rest of the resort. Fix the coi pond and fill it with fish. Don't overcook the fish. Then you'd get the extra star :-)
(4)William B.
Fantastic atmosphere. Crab cake appetizer was great. My wife's opah was excellent and my Hawaiian catch was good - maybe a little overcooked but still very good. They had a problem communicating with the kitchen so entrees took a while but our server let us know what was going on and brought us some crustacean chowder to keep us busy (and it was excellent).
(4)Amy M.
This is a nice romantic place. We were both pleased with the Mahi Mahi and Tenderloin.
(5)Allison M.
We received a gift certificate for this restaurant and used it on our last night on Kauai. This meal helped fix my irritation with the lack of good food on the island. The location, of course, is beautiful. You almost feel like you are outside while dining here. The food, the service, everything was perfect. Had I known that this restaurant was the same price as the other ones in the area we suffered through, I would have gone here every night. Do not miss Tidepools!
(5)LisaLisa F.
After reading the reviews on Yelp, we decided to give this a try for a 'fine dining night out' last night WRONG. Save your palate and go to Merriman's or Josselins instead. This place reeks tourist/honeymooner trap. When I go out to fine dining at $35.00 + per plate, I do not want to hear the 10 year old at the next table say "Daddy, I have to go pee". People...buy your kids McDonalds and leave them in your hotel room. 90% of children have NO business being in an expensive restaurant. Our server KNELT at our table when greeting us....um, helloo...isn't that what they do at Applebee's? thankfully he didn't write his name on the table in crayon. Sadly our server had zero personality and did a terrible job of selling the entrees. It seemed either lazy or he just didn't care. I am guessing the latter. We both had the tomato terrine, which was very unique. The boy had the Opah with some kind of corn succotash all over the place. I was not impressed. I had the Ahi and specifically said I wanted it rare-medium rare....what do you think it came out as? Yep...medium to medium well. I had to immediately begin cutting it so it would stop cooking. It also had this "Forbidden black rice with FoieGras" which tasted like I was eating grains of sand...still trying to remember if I saw any Foie Gras in it. Server dropped entrees and then began yapping about ordering dessert (are you effing kidding me?) Server then disappeared for over 40 minutes. Not ONCE did he come over to check on our entrees. We saw the busser about 10x in that time frame. Meanwhile I am gnawing on medium well done Ahi.... Needless to say, we wisely chose to skip dessert and in fact skipped going up to Stevensons Library to order drinks. Hands down the WORST meal I have had on Kauai in my 16 days here.
(1)Alicia Z.
My husband and I ate here twice over the course of our honeymoon at the Grand Hyatt. The first night I ordered the Ahi, while my husband went for the Mahi. My Ahi was fabulous!!! The Mahi was delicious as well, but nothing could compare to the flavors and perfection of the Ahi dish. Before finishing our meal, my husband and I decided we would be back before our trip was over. Our waiter was very friendly and made our experience very enjoyable. Between the two of us, we have several food allergies that preclude us from enjoying dessert but they were able to round up a delicious sorbet trio that tied everything together. The ambiance is wonderful...with your table feeling as if it is floating over a large koi pond. We will definitely be back here again on our next visit to Kauai.
(5)Scott M.
I am torn between 4 stars (Yay! I'm a fan) and 5 stars (Woohoo! As good as it gets!) because in some senses, this is as good as it gets on Kauai when you combine ambiance with food and service, but the food needs to be updated. They prepare the standards of prime rib, ahi, opah, etc very well, but that is so 1990's, maybe even 1980's. They need to glance at what La Mer and Alan Wong are doing and push the envelope. All that being said...... for anyone staying in Lihue, Poipu, Waimea and points in between, this is the best, most romantic place to eat.
(4)Kathleen B.
Tidepools is one of the most romantic restaurants that i've ever been to with its thatched hut roof, waterfalls and koi pond that surrounds it. The food was modern as well as delcious. My Fiancee even ordered a salad here, and he never eats salad anywhere. We had wonderful prime rib everywhere on the island, but the prime rib here was the best one around. This is a must if you're in Kauai.
(5)maureen k.
Great place to eat if you are staying at the hyatt (really what a magical place)... And...eat there your first night after getting off the plane. thats what we did and we are glad we did not save this place for our last meal. very tasty fish plates.....not as good as Merriman's though!!
(3)Crystal C.
Wonderful service. The menu is fantastic. We love the prime rib and the mahi is a close 2nd. Get the crab cakes for sure! One of the best meals we have ever had - for sure the best vacation meal! We will not miss this on any future visits to kauai.
(5)Myle S.
We had a superb Thanksgiving dinner here! Khalua Turkey breast, broccolini, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing........in fact we were so stuffed that they let us take our pumpkin cheesecake to go!! We also fell in love with their peanut butter smoothies which are unexplicably fanatastic.
(4)Douglas L.
We went for dinner. Overall, the food was very good. But the service was somewhat rushed/impersonal. Also, the view of the ocean from the retaurant is obstructed. In retrospect, we would have just had drinks at the hotel bar up above (great view) and then gone somewhere local for dinner.
(3)Kim B.
Very expensive for very mediocre food. Our service was great but the food was bland and definitely not worth the $200 price tag for 3 people ( that was for 3 drinks, 3 entrees, and 2 appetizers. No desserts!). The decor is tired and needs some love. Do not waste your money on this place. It's what you might call a pricey tourist trap.
(2)Anne B.
This was amazing, and our waiter was above and beyond excellent. Highly recommended.
(5)Theresa R.
Very good food in the best ambiance on Poipu Beach. I loved my Ahi sashimi appetizer, the spice crust was delicious. My husband enjoyed the prime rib and his wasabi encrusted calamari had just the right amount of spice and crunch. The rolls to start were tender, moist, warm and chewy with some salt sprinkled on the outside, in other words really good and hard to resist. Overall the best food we had in Kauai.
(5)Shaked B.
Had our first dinner in Kauai here. The atmosphere was great. If you want to sit outside and sensitive to bug, consider bringing bug repellent because you sit on a fishpond which may get some bugs. We had the catch of the day which was perfectly cooked with beautiful presentation. Don't forget order the chocolate soufflé with your entire as it takes 25-30 minutes to prepare. Definitely a must do when you're in Kauai!
(5)eliza b.
Unbelieveable on all levels! This was one of the most special meals I have ever had. My husband and I visited Tidepools on the last night of our honeymoon and we were not disappointed. The drinks, appetizers, food, and desserts were all amazing. Both of us got a fish special for dinner and our meals were both delicious. Also their creme brulee dessert is worth noting because you get 5 different tiny brulees ranging from coffee to macademia... it's really a cool experience. The atmosphere and scenery was perfect, especially when a guy dressed in a grass skirt outfit ran around and lit the torches at sunset. There were tons of Koi in the lagoon and we had fun watching them... they were some of the biggest I have ever seen. Our waiter was on-point and really made our dinner nice. I wanna go back!
(5)Thomas M.
This was our best dinner while vacationing in Kauai. The food was extremely fresh, well prepared, and FULL of flavor. The atmosphere of the restaurant and hotel is breathtaking. If you are looking for a nice restaurant to have dinner at while on Kauai, you need to go here. The price of $30 a plate for dinner is the same as all of the other restaurants in Kauai, and this place has a better atmosphere, location and food than the rest. Don't cheat yourself, run to Tidepools immediately if you are on the Island of Kauai. Great job and keep up the good work!!!
(5)Bob K.
Lovely restaurant in a gorgeous setting, and the staff is excellent. Our server, Mark, made the dinner more fun. The food was very good, as was the presentation, but I have to admit I was hoping for something a bit more memorable given the location and the price.
(4)Kathleen B.
Tidepools was a lovely setting for a wedding dinner. Wine selection recommended by the waitress not good. Meal was excellent: fish very well prepared but lacked impressive flavor, filet mignon was melt-in-your mouth perfect. Would like to see better bread selection. Chocolate lava cake was awesome.
(4)Victoria J.
During our vacation in Kauai in late October we made reservations for dinner and we were not disappointed. The restaurant is in the Hyatt, but this Hyatt is amazing and I suggest going a little early and walking around the grounds, getting a drink at the bar-Stevenson's library. The beach that is in back of the hotel is gorgeous. And parking in front of the hotel is free and plentiful. Ok back to the best dinner we had in Kauai. We started with a cocktail, I wasn't the biggest fan of the drink, it had amaretto in it, and their cocktail menu was kind of small but we drank it, no big deal. The bread was good, small soft hawaiian kind of bread, our server was laid back, and totally on top of things, not stuffy or stuck up. I started with the apple salad, it was AMAZING! There was no lettuce in this salad and it was to die for. It had sesame crusted goat cheese, smoked duck, wonton crisps and Li Hing Mui viniagrette, oh my gosh, it was the best thing I had all night. The portion sizes at this restaurant are great I left stuffed. My husband got the crab cakes and they were delicious, but I was all about my salad. Our entrees, I got the ahi with wasabi bernaise with foie gras fried rice, and it came with pea shoots, I also added broccolini because I was craving some vegetables. Husband got the Opa I think, with stuffed crab shrimp. His dish was good, the croquette was kind of plain, but the fish and shrimp were tasty. We ordered a specialty dessert coffee and the pineapple bread pudding, the coffee was delicious but we were too full to eat dessert so we took it home and ate it the next day, also so delicious. Best dinner of the trip, delicious great quality food, the restaurant is really cute, but they don't have coi in there anymore which I thin they are trying to do a salt water thing or something. Also during dinner we got a tropical rain downpour and they had to shut the windows and move some people, we thought it added to the experience. Def. a must go, totally worth it!
(5)E L.
Ate here multiple times for lunch and enjoyed every meal. The setting is wonderful with ocean and koi pond right next to you. The service here is great and this is a great option if you are at the Hyatt.
(4)Jeff P.
Great option for a great dinner at the Hyatt. The food is delicious, with plenty of options between beef and seafood. Great service. But what makes this place unforgettable is the ambiance. The whole restaurant is elevated on stilts above a coi pond. There are waterfalls and tiki torches surrounding as well. A great place to go for a romantic dinner.
(4)Tee D.
After ordering room service two nights in a row at the Hyatt, the husband and I decided to venture out for dinner on our last night in Kauai. I'm really glad we did. First of all, the staff at the Hyatt is amazing. Friendly, easy-going, and quick to offer any kind of assistance, I really never wanted to leave the resort. Their level of service extended over to Tidepools. The hostesses and servers were beyond amazing and very affable. Second, wow. The location is ideal for a romantic, intimate dinner. We had a table in a bungalow above the water, and it offered us a very spectacular view of the water. Below us, koi swam happily in their pond. Now, the food. For starters, I had the vanilla corn soup with crab. I could probably eat a gallon of this stuff. It was sweet, crisp, creamy, and yet, very summery and light. For my entree, I ordered the opah, a white fish that falls somewhere in between swordfish and mahi mahi. It was incredilby buttery soft and so flavorful. There was a sweetness to the dish, not only from the fish itself, but from the carmelization on the fish. I still dream about the tiny bits of carmelization.... And finally, dessert: the banana fosters bread pudding. Yes, it really was as good as it sounds. Yes, it's pricey, but it's a resort. And compared to the other "fine" dining options in the area, it's comparable. So, whether you're a guest at the Hyatt,or just spending the day in Poipu, I'd definitely recommend swinging by Tidepools for a dinner you'll never forget.
(5)Yee-Shing W.
wow. what an amazing location...and even more amazing food to match it. i'm currently staying at the grand hyatt on business and we ate here last night. what a treat. just the whole ambiance of your dining experience takes your breath away. we really are in paradise here. we ate....everything. highlights of the night: -macadamia nut ice cream (we had to get a second serving cuz we all loved it so much!) -pancetta wrapped scallops -crab cakes the restaurant was full of couples (honeymooners, anniversary, you name it). it's definitely a romantic place to spend with that special someone.
(5)Julia S.
Delicious and beautiful looking food! Came here for my birthday and I loved the atmosphere, food and staff. Definitely a special place on the island and everyone speaks highly of it. Also, where we were seated I could see koi fish swimming just to the right of our table! My mom accidentally dropped her napkin in the water LOL
(5)Kyle G.
Went here for dinner before heading back to the mainland, and overall it was a lot of fun. Definitely on the expensive side, but to be expected. Wife and I started with the crab stuffed prawns, which were very good but for the price pretty small. The drinks were great, we went with cocktails and they came out quick, perfect. Now for the entrees, I went with the ahi, medium. It was perfectly done and well seasoned. The fish was very fresh and flavorful, the sauce was a mild compliment that didn't hide the fish at all. It was served on a bed of rice with Lima beans and other veggie assortments, which was decent but underwhelming. My wife ordered the prime rib, medium and it was on the overdone side, definitely a medium well, and the accompanying mashed potatoes were not very flavorful. Dessert to finish was the chocolate molten lava cake, which again was underwhelming, didn't stand out, though the ice cream it was served with was good. Highlights were definitely the ambience and environment (being right there near the beach with water and fish underneath you in all directions is pretty awesome), and the service, which was perfect. Waiter was very helpful and knowledgeable, food and drinks came out quickly and at the right temperatures. Overall a very fun experience, though I can't really see going back.
(4)Anthony M.
This is a hard review to write because I was under the weather when I ate at the restaurant so I didn't enjoy it as much as I normally would have. The restaurant itself was very clean, and had excellent ambiance overlooking the koi pond at the Grand Hyatt with the ocean crashing on the beach in the background. I had the prime rib medium rare, it was cooked to perfection. The truffled au jus was decent, I'm not a truffle fan myself but it was one of the better truffle items I've had. The most interesting part of the meal was lavender goat cheese mashed potatoes - not a combination I would have ever thought up, but they were delicious. I finished off dinner with their molten chocolate lava cake which was also amazing. My only complaint here is while the ice cream had excellent flavor its consistency was very icy-crystal like. Overall I'd highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Michelle Y.
Requested Les as a waiter as per a recommendation by a couple we met at the pool. He explained every dish with so much passion and detail that it was hard to choose just one. We were first served warm bread with truffle butter. We split: Crab cakes with basil aioli, tomato-ginger relish and avocado mousse Ahi tuna with wasabi aioli, fried crab rice, and spicy-soy mustard sauce Molten chocolate cake Everything was so fresh and had great flavor combinations.
(4)Daphne T.
I was very impressed by this restaurant. It was a last minute pick, but prob the best all week! The ambience is great....in the back gardens of the beautiful grand Hyatt...and open concept with our ceilings covered of course It was easy to make a last minute reservation. Most people dine relatively early so a 7 pm reservation is the busiest but not packed. The best part is that the hotel provides umbrellas at each exit so you don't get wet entering the restaurant which is accessible from the outside Our waiter was friendly but very thorough and mostly enthusiastic. He explained the entire menu with a smile and when asked, gave us his honest opinion without having an biased towards the price. He was very patient and friendly. We couldn't decide between two appetizers and he helped us decide on one. But the best part is that he gave us a free sample of the other option we were contemplating on. Such a great touch! The food was amazing and we unfortunately didn't have room for dessert. We were so happy with the service and food and over experience I would recommend this to anyone! Pointers- get the tuna-hamachi poke...it was the best around Ono ceviche- tasty but a bit heavy and meaty that would be difficult to finish an entire coconut filled with it Snapper- super fresh and great Asian fusion flavors Wish we had space for the lava cake but something to try In the future!
(5)Adrienne L.
3.5 I don't know if this kind of place is for a non-fish eater like myself, but the crab cakes were meh. Our waiter (who was super odd and not really on his game that night) said they were way better than Maryland crab cakes and used MD crabs. Cool. We were excited. No surprise: They were in no way better, but they were tiny and about a million dollars each. My beet salad was pretty fantastic, but I don't really get the rage about Tidepools. My friends said their dishes were very rich but great. I just think you're better off finding local joints on the island and saving yourself some serious cash.
(3)Christina G.
Tidepools had decent reviews but the food was so-so. For the price, I expected something more unique and less "luau" like. We came here with a group deal arranged by our hotel, so yeah it was one of those packaged deals. I do like that you get to eat by the Koi pond and the restaurant is very breezy (open airflow). Service is fine.
(4)Gabriela S.
Best dinner in Kauai! while staying at the Hyatt over the Holidays, we made reservations way ahead of time for this restaurant after reading yelp reviews. We were not disappointing. Great service, fantastic food especially the prime rib is THE BEST I have ever had anywhere in the world- and trust me, I have had my share of prime rib. If you eat meat- the tenderness of this meat beats any filet mignon- it is simply quality meat cooked to perfection.Great wine list as well. When in Kauai next time, will be back here for sure!
(5)Gary F.
Breathtaking! Then again, what isn't when it comes to Hawaii? My wife and I visited Kauai on our honeymoon. We decided to dine here on one of our nights due to the wonderful reviews on every website we viewed. The food and wine were delcious. We sat looking over the Koi pond. We had a nice bottle of Pino Grigio, and started with the Kalua Pork flautitas, and poke, poke oysters. For our entree we had the strip steak and the mahi mahi. Last but not least the chocolate lava cake for dessert. Each meal was better than the last. Truly a great restaurant in Paradise.
(5)Karen W.
We had dinner at Tidepools on the first night we stayed at the Grand Hyatt. The experience was one of the best we had during our stay in Kauai for our honeymoon. The staff seated us at a table near the koi pond immediately upon arrival. This is not the type of restaurant you can watch the sunset, but the atmosphere of the koi pond and the intimate small rooms above the water are really romantic. Our server was incredible, and I wish I could remember his name. He was very helpful, interested, and engaged in the process of serving us. The restaurant had a nice wine list with a wide range of options. They served warm bread and butter. I ordered the onaga which was steamed and served in a leaf with vegetables and noodles. It was a really pretty presentation and it was a good fresh fish. We also ordered a dessert which was good, but I don't remember what it was called.
(4)Danielle L.
Ambiance is really neat! We loved the Koi ponds. Bread and truffle butter was amazing and crab cakes were great! I got the Macadamia Mahi Mahi and my husband got Opah which were good, but not great.
(3)Annissa H.
What a beautiful place!! Hut styled above the water at the gorgeous hotel, how can you resist eating here? So romantic especially seats by the open wall where you can watch the fish swim as you eat. Ioved the view. The food though was a bit of a let down. It was okay, but we expected more considering how expensive it is and the ratings. We started with the mushroom appetizer with artichokes, we wanted to try something different than our usual ahi or crab cake. It was interesting... It wasn't bad but the best part of it was the artichoke alone. I went on with the Hawaiian opah and it was okay, it could've been seasoned better. The dessert was the best part of the meal. This is really nice for the atmosphere and conveniency if you are staying at the Hyatt. Just lower your expectations a little bit and you will be okay.
(3)bill s.
Went there 2 times very good food from the lobster To the New York strip steak very nice and great view and pretty quiet good wait staff was prompt to are needs .
(4)Howard L.
We've dined at tide pools at least 15 times during all of our stays at the Hyatt. The food has gone down in quality and I'm not sure why.
(2)Leeland M.
This really is as good as it gets. I've seriously never had a meal, or even dining experience like this before. O ordered the mahi-mahi, and I'll just say that I've literally never had, and probably never will have mahi-mahi that good ever again. It really was that good. My mom had lobster, she felt the same way about hers as well. The ambience of the restaurant and the grounds surrounding it as well, are absolutely fantastic and romantic. Best restaurant in Kauai, hands down.
(5)Alex P.
Easiest 5 star review I've ever written. This was the best meal/experience we had on our trip to Hawaii (Kauai/Maui). The restaurant is beautiful and relaxed. We were seated right next to a koi pond, which provided a nice ambience. Our server (Les) was fantastic -- knowledgeable, friendly, casual, cool, and responsive. The bread was so good we ate two baskets between the two of us. I had the fish (Opah) and my wife had the steak. Both were amazing. Afterward we had some coconut ice cream which was also amazing. I literally have nothing bad to say about this place.
(5)Veronica L.
Crab cakes were divine!!! Best we've ever tasted! The ahi was really good too! Plus the ever excellent and efficient service, I'm glad we came here! The Opah was a little dry though. The sauce made up for it thankfully :)
(4)Steve C.
Our waiter Michael is an amazing waiter! He explained everything so nicely I did not know what to choose. I had the crab cake appetizer that Michael suggested. He was right for sure... it was amazing! He also suggested the lava cake for dessert... also very good. Love the service and food.
(5)Ian F.
This place is fantastic. You're going to pay top dollar BUT, if you're prepared to do so - it's a wonderful dining experience. Very high quality and carefully prepared food. Lots of traditional Asian preparations mixed with some modern flair. Me and my wife had a great experience here. The Ono Ceviche was quite good and the steamed Mahi Mahi was served perfectly. Server was attentive and friendly. Beautiful spot to eat a meal as well.
(5)Jules M.
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here and it was the perfect place which we found by accident. Our reservation at another restaurant was canceled so through divine intervention we found this place. The ambience is fun and romantic and after dinner you're welcome to roam the grounds. The food was spectacular the apple desert was so good which I normally loathe fruit deserts.
(5)Nancy W.
The setting is fabulous. The prices a bit high for the taste of food. I was really looking forward to this place, but I felt like the mani mani was a bit bland. I would expect more from the Hyatt.
(3)Lee L.
If you're looking for a special place for dinner while visiting, you must book a table here! Yes, it's pricey ($50 per person) but no other place can compare to here. This restaurant is located within the Grand Hyatt hotel in Princeville. Tip: Come at least an hour early to explore the beautiful hotel grounds and beach!. Valet your car (you'll get it validated at the restaurant) Guys! No tank tops, my husband had to wear a loner Hawaiian shirt lol We didn't mind, but I was a little bothered because everyone else was in flip flops and some woman was sitting in her bikini with a see thru cover up. The warm bread is amazing....comes with an addictive roasted garlic butter!!! Appetizers: Scallops- Not too fond of, didn't like the polenta crust Ahi Bruschetta- melts in your mouth Main: Kula Lavender Crusted Filet of Beef- the lavender was a nice touch. Fish of the day- Forgot what it was, but came with a crab cake and lobster. I loved the taro sweet potato mash that it came with. Dessert: Waialua Chocolate "Crunch"- Rich and velvety. Total w $20 tip: $160 We booked through Open Table and requested a table next to the window. You could practically reach out and touch the dozens of Kois in the pond. Wonderful experience.
(5)Pam P.
we love dining here when we stay at Grand Hyatt, and visit the beautiful island of Kaua'i. i celebrated my bday here this visit and the service was super exceptional. we had a very late seating bc they were crazy busy on a Wed summer night, but it was ok. our server, Andy was super friendly and gave us awesome recommendations of what to order from the menu. we were served hawaiian bread rolls while waiting for our orders which were yummy bc they were warm & soft, but the butter wasnt too pleasing to the palate. and the flavor of the butter didnt really go with the roll, so we ate the rolls by itself. I had the hawaiian catch as my bday entree of choice. (& bummed i wasnt able to snap a shot of the incredible plate presentation). but it was delicious! my wife had the polenta crusted scallops appetizer, and my niece ordered the crab stuffed tempura shrimp appetizer since they both have small appetites and wouldnt be able to finish an entree meal. we also ordered the crab cakes appetizer to share. & everything we ordered was delish or as the locals would say, so "ono"!! :) my hawaiian catch was super fresh and cooked perfectly. i also loved the yama sweet potato underneath all the seafood goodness. my wife and niece also loved their dishes. & to my surprise, our awesome server gave me a molten cake on the house for my bday! thanks again to Andy and tidepools staff for making my bday dinner extra special. its exactly what i needed after a long day of traveling. :) cant wait til our next visit! come and dine here & expect to be serenaded by the thousands of koi fish jumping & swimming all around the restaurant. so entertaining & such an awesome ambiance!
(5)omar c.
We had an awesome sunset dinner. My wife had ordered the lobster and the catch of the day and she said it was amazing, I ordered the New York steak with potatoes and those were very good too, overall the experience was great.
(5)Eric Y.
We had an excellent meal here. This restaurant is located in the swanky Grand Hyatt Kauai resort. The setting is beautiful, every table with waterfall and koi pond views. We had some delicious food here. The standout appetizer definitely was the Ono ceviche. This is Columbian-style ceviche, made with coconut milk. OMG this was delicious! It is served with taro chips but what I really wanted was a scoop! My entree was the Opah (moonfish). It's a fillet, topped with crabmeat, and then covered with hollandaise sauce and torched/broiled to caramelize the surface. It's similar to Oscar-style and was simply divine. The dessert selection was small but I'm happy we tried the chocolate lava cake. So many restaurants do this dessert in a mediocre way but here it's superb, as one would expect on an island borne of volcanoes! Service was slow even by Hawaiian resort standards and some of the other food we ordered was underwhelming but overall this is a great place.
(4)Lindsay D.
The atmosphere is the biggest selling point here and honestly I would come here of all they served were hot dogs which I can't even eat. The samosa app is divine however the chutney is a little over seasoned with cumin but everything else is on point. The mustard sauce it comes with tastes more like a creamy balsamic sauce than mustard and it is amazing. I paired this with coconut jasmine rice as a meal due to my vegan-ness. My hubby got the major magi which magically disappeared. He was very happy. He ordered the "fat Elvis" for dessert and said it was like a giant peanut butter cup but frozen. I ate the fruit on the side and the nut crumble. So yummy. Bill was around $75 so not too bad. The average entree was about $35 to $40. I'd come back but sunset is a must because it's all pink and then it gets dark and the tide pools light up with the koi and it's magical!
(5)Joriel A.
By far the best restaurant we've been to in Kauai and because of their unparalleled customer service + excellent food + amazing views + ambiance = Incredible dining experience. Customer service is what always gets me. I'm usually compelled to write my reviews based on it. They're excellent or terrible. Tidepools takes the trophy for best customer service and their incredibly delicious dishes are impressive works of art that made the whole experience much more worthwhile. I mean the views and ambiance alone are worth it but you get it all at Tidepools. You must try them at least once and be sure to check out the Hawaiin Catch! Hmmmm. Sooooo goooood. They start you off with a complimentary hawaiian sweet rolls with their addicting garlic truffle butter! It could get truly challenging in controlling yourself from stuffing yourself with it! So be warned!
(5)Aom K.
We stayed at the Grand Hyatt this past Kauai trip and were looking for a great seafood place. We checked out a couple place in the area and also this restaurant. The food here is truly amazing! We got some ahi poke for appetizer. It disappeared within a second! Haha. I got chef's catch or Hawaiian catch (or something like that) it came with lobster tail and monchong fish. it was $44 and worth every penny!!! In my dish, it also came with shrimp cake that's melt in your mouth. My boyfriend got the mahi mahi crusted which is also very good. The service was amazing and the place is very nice. Stop by if you are looking for a romantic place with a good food!
(5)Emily V.
What a great way to end () our Hawaiian vacation. The food here was some of the best that we've had on the island and the ambiance is fabulous. To start we got cocktails---some prosecco, a tai chi and something with pineapple juice, malibu rum, cranberry juice and something else. Blanking on the name (had surf in the title) but it was delicious. Capped off with a big wedge of pineapple. For dinner I actually went with the filet mignon because I was ready for some meat after so much fish. It was actually one of the best filets I've had! It was topped with sautéed Maui onions and the goat cheese mashed potatoes that it came with were divine! I also sampled my husband's macadamia but crusted mahimahi (which I would have had but had just had the same dish at a restaurant the night before). His was very tasty. As was my mom's fresh catch of the day which was Hapu. It was accompanied by a delicious shrimp cake and lobster--yum! Since it was the last night we decided to surge on desserts all around. But of course we all ended up with the molten lava cake---so delicious! Highly recommended. The service was excellent and almost every table is right on the little lagoon with the sound of the ocean waves crashing as well as the nearby waterfall. Can't go wrong with this place.
(5)Lee R.
Tidepools is an upscale restaurant with a gorgeous view. During my stay, they served a breakfast buffet here each day. It is pretty during the day and beautiful at sunset. They have some nice wines by the glass and a full bar. There are local fish choices and steaks as well. It is a spot for a special occasion or celebration. Lots of honeymooners come here because it is very romantic. This trip, I have been here several times and I like it enough to come back again. Tonight, I am excited to try the lobster. Last night, I had the goat cheese salad and it was delicious.
(4)Tim L.
The best thing here was the bread.. Not kidding.. Of our party of 7 half of us ordered the prime rib, which was quite bland.. The water was particularly salty, as if it was from the salt water lagoon outside.. Quite odd..
(3)Patty G.
We came here to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Food is great!! Prices are a little high but totally worth it. Service is casual so it's not intimidating. Try to get a table by the water to enjoy the koi fish. We had ceviche, kula greens, the special, which had seared Ono and lobster tail. For dessert we had the lava chocolate cake dessert and everything was yum! Eat here instead of Stevenson's if you can't decide between the two. The restaurant is a perfect and unique setting for any special occasion.
(5)Elizabeth C.
All around beautiful and fantastic experience. Food was wonderful and the service was spectacular as well. A true dining experience.
(5)Britt J.
After spending 10 days in the area, this was the best dinner we had by far. It's incredibly romantic and exudes Hawaiian charm. We had a beautiful table right on the water overlooking hundreds of Koi fish. We started with the manapuas which were perfectly cooked. Had a couple of the salads with the freshest greens. I had the opakapaka (snapper) that was the best fish I had the entire time there. Amazing flavors! Large portion that I couldn't finish. My husbands filet was cooked to perfection and had a wonderful sauce. The service was perfect. Our waiter, Les, made the evening even more special. Will DEFINITELY be back!! Make sure and get there a bit early to enjoy a drink in the beautiful bar. It's so authentic.
(5)Marielle D.
Tidepools has great food, service, and ambiance. It is very romantic and has fun views of the beach and the hotel. My husband and I split the blacked ahi bruschetta which was so tasty and the ahi was so fresh! My husband had the volcano spiced opah and I had the local ahi. Both dishes were very tasty using unique seasonings and had good sides. Our server was excellent and brought us a small taste of the sweet potato lobster soup which had hints of curry and he also brought us salted Hawaiian cookies at the end of our meal. We will definitely be eating here again when we return to Kauai one day.
(5)Shawna M.
We've been to Tidepools a handful of time in the past few years on special occasions and they've never failed us. We usually sit right on the water in a somewhat secluded sitting. It's a sweet romantic setting. The kois swim all around and it's breezy. The times we've went, the service has always been excellent. The hostesses greet with a friendly smile, ask how you are doing instead of silence and walking to the table. The servers we've had have always been prompt on bringing water as soon as the hostess sits us. Bring the bread quickly, and clear the table instead of like some places where your dishes pile up. Our food is always great and satisfying. The lobster tails are seasoned just right. The rib eye is tender and so easy to cut. The organic chicken is a little crunchy on the outside and cooked good on the inside. Their signature mashed potatoes are good too. We love coming to this place when we can. Since we live on the east side, it's a nice little get away from our side of the island.
(5)Jennifer M.
This was the perfect place to enjoy dinner and kick off our honeymoon! I cannot even explain how gorgeous the views are. We made our reservation for 7:15pm and were seated koi fish pond-side. We had an amazing view of the ocean, too! The sun quickly set and the entire ambiance of our dinner changed from relaxing to romantic. The candles, the sound of the ocean waves, and the rustle of the palm trees in the wind... simple perfect! My husband and I enjoyed the crab cake appetizer together. I'm not joking when I say they are the best crab cakes I've ever eaten in my life! My husband isn't a huge seafood fan, but he devoured his crab cake and wanted to order more! For my entree, I ordered the special of the night. I forget what the fish was, but it was served over pureed potato and accompanied with this sauce that had a nice kick to it. Delicious! My husband kept dipping his filet mignon in my sauce. Haha! The drinks were delicious, of course! We were so full so we took our apple dessert to the room. We didn't end up eating it that night, but when we enjoyed it the next day, it still made my taste buds happy! I cannot rave about this place enough! We'll be back someday!
(5)yunyan h.
The restaurant is awesome, and the food is yummy! Especially the lobster , it is super fresh; the dinning environment is amazing ! I think it's the best restaurant in the grand Hyatt in Kauai where I stayed!!
(5)Karl S.
A voluptuous experience. Walking thru the expansive lobby towards the setting sun, down a windy "jungle" path. Seated amongst the koi ponds overlooking the ocean under thatched roofs. A buff guy lighting the tiki torches. The setting is amazing. Amazing drinks, including local crafts on tap. The entrees were artistic as well as delicious. Deserts were sinful. No pictures of the desserts because we ate them to fast. Want to splurge for dinner on Kauai, eat here.
(5)Connie S.
This place was amazing! While they don't have the largest menu selection everything I tried was phenomenal. Aside from the food, they also had a great atmosphere and the location was beautiful! Its on top of a pond and theres colorful fish swimming around and a waterfall is right next to the restaurant as well. Just make sure you make a reservation!
(5)Dominica R.
Our last night of a week on the Island. Decided to stay at our hotel and try Tidepools. Boy, what a pleasant surprise! I had the Local Ahi.. Perfect. Very romantic, service was exceptional and very personable. Food- excellent and the ambiance was quiet and relaxing. On top of it, we had a celebrity spotting: Julia Roberts was there dining near us. If you are looking for a romantical spot. Tidepools is IT!! Bring a thick wallet.. It ain't cheap!
(5)Roxane G.
A lot of people say that this is the most romantic restaurant in Kauai, but I disagree. We were seated by the pond and we hardly saw any fish. The food however, was phenomenal and the service was exceptional. It's a bit pricey, and I would not come here again, but glad I did. :) This was our last dinner in kauai and we are sad to go.
(4)Erin Y.
This was the best meal we had at the Grand Hyatt resort. We were seated right on the pond, and while the waterfall was a little noisy, there were tons of koi fish in the water so can't really complain too much. To start, we shared the ono ceviche, the sautéed mushrooms, and the stuffed tempura shrimp. The ono ceviche was by far the best appetizer. It's not your traditional ceviche as they use coconut milk instead of lemon juice, but it's so delicious and definitely a must order. The other two appetizers were good but nothing to right home about. For my entree, I had the Hawaiian catch, which was monchong, a shrimp cake, and half a Kona lobster tail. My monchong was well cooked and the lobster tail and shrimp cake were tasty. I enjoyed the sides of sweet potatoes and greens as well and thought it was a delicious and light entree. Other entrees at my table were the opah and the snapper, both of which got zero complaints. The opah in particular was raved about. I wouldn't hesitate to order that one! For dessert, we had the lava cake, which is definitely worth ordering in advance! I've had so many lava cakes, but this one was very well done. We tried another chocolate dessert as well, but the lava cake is definitely the star of the show. While service was a bit on the slow side, our server was very friendly and informative. Tidepools is definitely the best restaurant at the Grand Hyatt, and one of the better ones on the island overall.
(4)Meghan K.
We came because we heard that Tidepools is the best restaurant on the island. If this was the best on the island, then sure...but it's no way near any Michelin standard. NOW, that doesn't mean it was good. It wasn't bad either, it just didn't blow my mind out of the water which I was expecting out of all the rave reviews. My boyfriend had the seared tuna and I had the vegetarian tofu dish. Our meals were good, again, not extraordinary. Dessert was a fail whale. We went with the coconut creme brulee. The consistency was like a flan with hints of lemon. Not the creamy creme brulee texture you would expect. Oh and the wine list is sad and way overpriced. Almost like $40+ for a bottle of Beringer white zin and you know you can get some of that crap at Safeway for $4 anywhere you go.
(2)Mike A.
I was under the impression that there was a space between tide and pools. This place taught me otherwise. I learn new things each day. This is my new thing for today. We came here late in the day on a Tuesday, I think. Maybe a Monday. It was a weekday, I remember that. And our reservation was for something like 9:15pm. That's late to an old man like me. Our waiter was very friendly, but we were sad when we heard him telling the same stories to the table next to us. I guess it happens. I just thought we were special. It turns out that we are not. We are not special. But speaking of, the specials menu was decent. I think I ordered something from there. Overall the food is good and the ambiance is better. I think Tidepools and Josselin's should smash into each other and create a super-restaurant. The yin and yang of Poipu. Josspool's. I'd go there.
(4)Scott B.
Awesome food, romantic environment, and fabulous staff. A shout out to Michael and Victoria (Torrey) for exceptional service. Mahalo-
(5)gina r.
For a fancy place the service sucked. We only had an app, dessert, two glasses of wine and two glasses of port. Bill was $75. For that amount I expect excellent service. Waited several minutes for our table (for the manager to get my husband a sleeved shirt since he had a sleeveless shirt - it was HI and 85 degrees). Then they brought our app before any place settings then our bread and butter with no knife. Sounds silly - but no attention to detail to go with the price. Polenta crusted scallop was ok but bland, salted garlic butter with the bread was great and the chocolate flour less cake was divine. Oh, and the fish love the bread... They must starve them.
(3)Natalie K.
Excellent dining experience! Great food & location! My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt so we gave this restaurant a try and ended up going back a second time because we enjoyed the food so much. I loved the Mahi Mahi and my husband the Opah. Delicious! Amazing flavors! The best fish we ever had. Also, please try the crab cake with avocado mousse from the appetizer menu. So good! If you get lucky and get Les as your waiter you are in for a treat. I've never had a waiter describe the flavors of dishes so well before. He really knows the dishes and menu very well. It's was very hard to choose a meal after talking to him. I will definitely go back here the next time I visit Kauai.
(5)Thomas G.
What a nice restaurant. The ambience is amazing and tranquil. My family and I really enjoyed our experience at tide pools. I usually have low expectations of hotel restaurants, but Tidepools was simply excellent. I had the NY strip with spinach and local mushrooms. The steak was grilled to perfection and the accompanying vegetables were done just right and were very tasty. This is a simple dish that can be easily messed up if not cooked properly. The chef at Tidepools did it just right and it was excellent. My wife had the Opa which she loved. It was prepared in a simple and tasty manner. Everything about Tidepools was top shelf. I give Tidepools an enthusiastic thumbs up!!!
(4)Nancy R.
We went there for our anniversary and asked to be seated by the water. We took our own bottle. Reservations are recommended. To start the place was beautiful, their staff was attentive and down to earth. I had a pear salad which was delicious and for dinner their surf and turf, oh my it was yummy! My husband got a steak and it was delicious as well. We can't wait to come back
(5)Victoria M.
I'll be to the point. Most romantic moment of my honeymoon. Andy our server was attentive and knowledgeable and as a good server, read our minds before we even asked for what we wanted. Our busser Andrew should be a server as well. Lai the manager of the night keeps a great establishment running. After food and drinks we walked to the beach and laid in a cabana under a full moon with 15 foot waves crashing on the beach. It was, all and all, one of the best dates I've had. Thanks again Tidepools!
(5)rhiannon B.
I got to say the 2 stars are for the location - the setting awesome. The landscape architects deserve 5 stars. But the food was really not that good and service was just meh...and this review might be overly picky but we were paying $250+ for dinner and I just had higher expectations. We ordered: Appetizers of Mushrooms. They were cold the waiter reheated them but it didn't help. Were they supposed to be cold? and I had the Polenta crusted Scallops - the scallops were well cooked but the polenta was definitely not crusted and was more flaking off in a mushy texture. It then took forever (like a good 30minutes) for us to get our second course. Meanwhile our waiter was off serving other people and we were seen to by the water guy. It really wasn't that busy I was bummed we were paying all that money and not given decent attention. The biggest issue I had was the next time we saw our waiter was when he was bringing out our deserts. For which we had wanted to change our order. But politely accepted them - the other thing that irked me was when making the reservation and before the meal I had specifically told the restaurant it was my partners birthday and they did nothing to make her feel special. Also the molten Lava cake was barely warm, again isn't it supposed to be hot? Lastly the mains were underwhelming the opah was overcooked - it was an odd combo with a hollandaise sauce. It was more like breakfast. Not my taste but maybe some would like it. Mostly though when I am paying $250+ for a dinner I want the service and food to be good. Not mediocre.
(2)ASW A.
We had a great easier, everything we ordered came out on time. The food was very good. The bruschetta appetizer was different and the prime rib was a fine cut of meat. The horseradish sauce was creamy but not very spicy. The koi pond adds a lot to the somewhat romantic setting.
(4)NewValleyGirl M.
I hung out at the bar and had a great time talking to bartender Mike and server Mike! I stuck with the bar menu and had Ono ceviche, polenta crusted crab cakes, sauteed island mushrooms and my friend chose a salad. All I can say is the food was awesome. I think I had more fun talking to Mike the bartender however. You will plop down a good coin for food here, but the ambience and service is worth it. If you want to kick off or cap off your vacation here in Kauai this is a great place to celebrate!
(5)Nick T.
This is such a beautiful, romantic and high quality place on Kauai. Service is impeccable and the food is delicious. The atmosphere alone is 5 star but everything else is on par and makes for a memorable experience. Had the crab cakes (pretty good), the Hawaiian catch (amazing!) and the molton chocolate cake (life changing). A beautiful location with a delicious menu. I would not recommend leaving Kauai without dining here once. Enjoy at sunset!
(5)Bruce O.
My wife and I had dinner here on our 25th wedding anniversary. We were cheerfully greeted and seated right next to one of the coy ponds. The sun was just starting to go down and the colors on the water with the beautiful surrounding vegetation was amazing. My wife ordered an ahi ahi dish and I had a lobster and mahi mahi dish with sweet potato mash and broccholi. It was the best lobster I have ever eaten. I highly recommend it. Unbelievable flavors. We had a very friendly server who let us sample a number of wines before we settled in on a nice bottle of pino noir (reasonably priced). We had an enjoyable romantic dinner and then a terrific strowl around the grounds near the ocean. The Grand Hyatt is an amazing property in and of itself and definitely worth coming to check out.
(5)E G.
The best food we had since we came to Kauai. I had the ahi tuna and was out of this world. The chef defiantly knows how to combine different spices to get this amazing sauce that I had never tasted before. Loved it!! My husband had the special of the day which was Ono and scallops and he was very happy. The highlight of dinning was our server Andy! Thanks for making our vacation memorable!!!!
(5)Tom S.
As you wind your way down the walkway , you end up among the Tiki torches in a beautiful island/type setting. The food was incredible, beginning with the appetizers right through the main courses. The fish dishes were amazing and the staff and service were outstanding! The prices were very reasonable. $34 for a 1/2 pound lobster tail. It doesn't get much better than that.
(5)Lynn C.
We had an extraordinary dinner experience last night @ the Tide Pools restaurant in the Hyatt Regency on Kauai. A perfect place to celebrate my husband's 75th birthday. While we ate, Poi fish swam around & under us, bringing about a peaceful & entertaining surrounding. My husband had a New York steak covered w/mushrooms & wilted spinach over garlic mashed potatoes. He ate every morsel of food. I had the best Hawaiian special I have ever eaten anywhere! I had fish called Mun Chung, a delicate, moist white fish gently laid on a sweet potatoes mash. This was accompanied with a supreme Crab cake which was made with chunky crab, delicately seasoned, which melted in my mouth. Not finished yet; both seafood selections were also accompanied by a lobster tail. It is the absolute first time I ate everything & held my self back scraping the plate w/my utensils? Our server, Derrick made us feel we were his only customers. When he wasn't there, a young man by the name of Nate, was equally as attentive & helpful and friendly. All in all, this was a five star experience which I recommend to anyone wanting a special occasion dinner. Please request Derrick & Nate. They made everything special for us. We sat @ the bar for a few moments, & I ordered a Mojito, refreshing& perfectly made. That drink, too, was the best I've ever had. I watched the experienced bartender mash the fresh mint to just the right amount of aroma, adding more as he needed to. Exquisite . Really a wonderful experience.
(5)Marion T.
Scenery and ambience were both romantic and breathtaking. The service and food are excellent. We have been to other restaurants in Kauai but this one gets the 5-star rating. The prime rib and ahi tuna were exceptional.
(5)JR H.
All in all, we enjoyed our meal at Tidepools. The ambiance simply cannot be beat. Just check out some of the photos and see for yourself. It's a very unique dining experience and makes you feel like you're eating in a seaside cabana. My wife and I started with the haupai mushrooms, a mix of several different mushrooms, artichokes, tomatoes, and a goat cheese. It was very tasty. For dinner, I had the Hawaiian Catch with swordfish and my wife had the organic chicken. My dish was excellent with the lobster and swordfish being prepared perfectly, but the real star of the dish was the coconut crab cake. I coulda eaten half a dozen of them. My wife didn't enjoy her meal as much as the chicken seemed grisly and overcooked which I tasted and confirmed (thus I docked one star). For dessert, we had the chocolate lava cake. It was a great way to end the meal; highly recommended.
(4)Tanna T.
Beautiful ambiance with open air dining room and view of the amazing Grand Hyatt property. My husband and 3 young adult kids enjoyed a fabulous meal. Our server, Les, was experienced, personable, and helpful with menu selections. For appetizers we enjoyed the Ahi-Hamachi Poke duo (outstanding) and crabcakes. The Opah and crusted Mahi Mahi dishes were outstanding as was the lava cake for dessert. Expensive meal but memorable and a vacation highlight.
(5)Ron C.
The food? Very good! Worthy of four stars! The ambiance? Very good! Worthy of four stars! So why the lousy two stars? Simple! Horrible service! We were essentially forgotten by our waitress and spent hours in this place waiting on various courses of food. To be fair, she gave us free dessert. However, by the time it arrived it was close to 10 p.m. (And we arrived at 7 p.m.). It wasn't as if the places was terribly busy, and there were plenty of others who came after us, got their meals before us, and got out of their in reasonable time. Terrible, just terrible service!
(2)Emily D.
My husband and I ate here on our honeymoon. We were guests of the hotel and had one of our "nice" dinners here. For ambiance and romantic setting Tidepools is definitely a 5 but for the food it was just meh. We are spoiled in Miami and have a lot of great restaurants as well as seafood and overall we were both underwhelmed by the food. For the price I would expect better. The server was fabulous and the restaurant beautiful but both our meals were bland and not worth the price. The best thing we had were the crab cakes appetizer. I ordered the snapper and he had the chicken and both were just ok. The chocolate lava dessert was delicious.
(3)Kevin K.
The food itself was only ok- my wife's prime rib was on the cold side and my fish/crabcake/lobster dish was only ok as well. That being said, the setting is fantastic set above the "tidepools" in the back of the Grand Hyatt with lots of coi fish swimming about, tiki torches in the background, and the ocean waves further behind that. The service was good as well. Definitely on the pricier side.
(4)Eric-Danielle G.
We decided to have dinner at Tidepools on the last night of our stay. We dropped in on a Wednesday night and were seated right away, at a nice table by the water. As many have mentioned, the ambiance is spectacular (and really what you're paying for - not the food, in our opinion.) This would be an amazing spot to view the sunset, but it was even magical in the rain. While our entrees were disappointing, we loved the Ono Ceviche appetizer. Very fresh, tropical favors and homemade taro chips for scooping up the fish. The portion was large and plenty for two people. One suggestion would be to cut the fish in smaller pieces, so it can be scooped up easier, and serve with a spoon because the coconut milk/lime "juice" is so tasty! Also really enjoyed the dinner rolls with truffle butter. For entrees we ordered the Local Ahi with Crab Fried Rice. Everything lacked major seasoning and was blah. Rice was dry and flavorless. Also ordered the special - lobster tail poached in red wine (cooked well but over salted), scallops (good! Cooked perfectly), lavender goat cheese mashed potatoes (odd and too sweet), and broccolini (simple preparation, and the best thing on the plate.) The plate also had a sweet soy miso glaze and a lavender butter sauce - it was all just too sweet and had conflicting and confusing flavors. I would have preferred a lemon herb sauce to cut the richness of all the elements on the plate. Service was good. Hostesses were friendly and our server was very knowledgeable on all of the seafood items - although two times, our empty beer bottle was left on the table for at least 20 minutes. In the end, we are glad we went because of the pretty ambiance, but disappointed that we spent so much money for an unimpressive meal.
(3)Jane M.
I would say this place is 3.5 stars. The place is pretty nice looking. We got a seat for dinner right next to the koi pond which was nice. The service was ok. The table next to us were inebriated and rowdy which kind of ruined the experience for me. The most memorable part of the meal itself was the ono cheviche which was pretty good. We also ordered the baby greens as a starter and the Hawaiian catch and opah for our mains. They were ok but for the price and the fact that it was at the Hyatt is was kind of mediocre. I would've preferred to go back to Savage Shrimp or Kauai Fish Market. Save your cash and go somewhere the locals would go!
(3)Bob W.
Cannot say enough positive things. Exemplary service.......great hospitality.......fortunate to have a water side table to observe the koi.......amazing prime rib----and this come from an experienced carnivore! Filet mignon was impeccable. Dessert......FORGET ABOUT IT! If you are inclined to dispatch with your scheckels; this is the place to go! I give it three thumbs up, only because I can due to a birth defect!
(5)Mariko C.
We had the most beautiful table right next to the koi pond. The ambiance was beautiful and very romantic. My husband and I had a great night out to ourselves here while the kids stayed back at the hotel room with the sitter. The food was very tasty and the server was great!
(5)Terrence J.
Tidepools is a beautiful restaurant and I highly recommend it for this reason. Aside from the location (open air tables surrounded koi ponds in Hawaii!) Tidepools would have a hard time competing with other resturants in this price range. The food is all good but all uninspiring. The menu feels like it was built for the least common denominator of tourist with something to please everyone but nothing to wow anyone. This I suppose is inevitable as the restaurant's popularity forces them to pump out the food. The winelist like too many of today's restaurants' still conforms to traditional varietals with only a slight nod to a modern perspective with one Syrah and "The Prisoner" (please don't get the fish with this). Luckily they do allow your to bring your own wine at a $25 corkage which is well worth it considering. Again I recommend Tidepools because it's novel beauty (come early for the sunset) and be sure to reserve a water-side table.
(3)Ken V.
We've been here twice now, on two separate trips to Kaua`i. Both times we had excellent meals in an interesting setting. As the name implies, the restaurant is set right in among some pools at the Grand Hyatt in Kaua`i. Each of its many rooms sports open windows on all sides, overlooking a very large set of koi pools. As you might expect, seafood (but not koi :-) is very present on their menu. I've had the fresh catch a couple of times and the food has been excellent each time. As with recent changes up the hill at Dondero's (see my review on them as well), the wine list here is pretty scant. There's good wine on the list, don't get me wrong, just not a selection worthy of a Grand Hyatt. The wait staff were superb, as I would expect. Attentive and helpful, without hovering around our table. Just right! Excellent food and excellent service. But if it's important to you to have a superlative selection of fine wines, this is not the place you're looking for.
(4)Megan S.
We went to Tidepool one night during our stay. We aren't fish eaters. To be honest I was hesitant because last time I had fish I had a horrible reaction but I didn't know if it was an allergy or preparation issue. We aren't fish eaters. Let me preface this with, my bf won't eat anything that doesn't have 4 legs and breaths fresh air. With that said, "when in Rome...." He had the white snapper (with skin) and I had the Opah. OMG so good. We both raved about it. The Raymond (red) wine was phenomenal as well.
(4)Merritt V.
This was our first nice place to grab dinner. Tidepools provide an great atmosphere and amazing food. We enjoyed a variety of fresh sea food and loved watching all the fish in the lagoon surrounding the restaurant.
(5)Rachel K.
Heavenly!!! Wow this place is great. Fine dining and attentive wait staff. Pricy but well worth it. I got the wasabi crusted fillet which was so amazing. Every bite was so juicy and delicious. My husband got the NY prime rib which we loved as well We got delicious desert on the house bc we were honeymooning. It was a heavenly lava cake that overflowed with chocolate goodness and came with vanilla bean ice cream and coconut ice cream. So amazing The place itself is very beautiful and romantic, you sit on top of a koi pond and can hear the ocean during dinner. Very romantic
(5)Lauren K.
My husband and I stopped by on our honeymoon after reading all of the great reviews that noted the 'romantic' vibe and found it was an okay experience. From pictures and comments we were excited to have a seat with a view. Unfortunately, we were seated in the middle of the restaraunt -- you can still experience the outdoor breeze, but you can't see the coy pond. We saw several open tables along the edge (where you can see the water); we were told the tables were reserved, yet we never saw anyone seated during our 2-hour dinner. After a couple near the edge moved, we asked to be reseated which they kindly accomodated -- being able to see the fish made our experience. The place and service felt a little outdated -- like a 1970's vibe. Our server was friendly, but a little over-the-top. Our food was good, but it didn't stand out from some of the other places we ate during our trip. The drinks were pretty standard -- sugarly, tropical options without a lot of creativity. It seemed as though the 'over-the-water' location offered something new when it opened, but perhaps hadn't held onto its glamour. If you do check it out, I'd recommend starting meal around sunset so you can fully see the pools.
(3)Mugwort Y.
Tidepools was the low point of eating out all week on Kaua'i. I chose it over Red Salt b/c I was staying at the Grand Hyatt. After hearing all about the terrific service it was surprising to end up w/ a nearly indifferent server, D. The service was comparable to that at a busy city diner. Since we were there 5:30 on a Wednesday it wasn't as if he were busy. The server at the adjacent tables, on the other hand, (woman w short blonde hair) was a *rockstar* & I eavesdropped gratefully to her describing each entree to her tables, something our server didn't bother to do. When dinner was over I wanted to flee the place. The food was OK to Good, absolutely not worth $100+ before tip. When the entrees did arrive, the person carrying it out from the kitchen didn't mention the plates were very hot & I burned myself touching it. To give you a barometer of my service expectations, local places where the service *was* excellent were Keoki's, the supermarket poke counter, the deli, etc...everywhere else except for the restaurant that prides itself on its service.
(3)Rose L.
This was a beautiful experience. Romantic and fun. Started with poached pear salad and the mushroom, artichoke fiddle hair fern salad. Both delicious but was a bit disappointed that the fern was replaced with asparagus but still wonderful. My sweetie had the appetizer ribs and I had the lobster, shrimp and fresh fish of the day. Lobster great, shrimp cake okay fish dry. But a still an exceptional night. Would definitely return
(5)Ryan W.
Definitely one of the more nicer, romantic restaurants in which mostly all of the food was flavorful. It's a beautiful restaurant located in the Grand Hyatt. If you make reservations, ask to be seated next to the pond. We were seated at a spot where they must have had at least 100 koi right by your feet and once in a while they will splash you. A beautiful scenery to compliment your meal. ==Service== Ron was our waiter for the evening. He was very knowledgeable when it came to all of the dishes. He also explained what his most favorite dishes were and what were the most popular dishes among the guests. Great job!! ==Food== Local baby romaine salad: Maui onion-garlic dressing, fennel, manchego cheese, sweet breads crouton, Hawaiian chili pepper oil. The dressing was very light. I would have to say this is very similar to a Caesars salad. It really wasn't anything special. $12 2.5/5 Ahi: Foie gras infused forbidden rice, pea shoots, truffle-miso-eggplant sauce, roasted stoic hollandaise. The ahi is lightly seared and is just buttery soft. You get a little foie gras in the forbidden rice which adds a nice deep flavor. Overall the dish was pretty good. $38 4/5 Hawaiian catch: Soy-ginger glazed catch, coconut crusted shrimp and lobster cake, Molokai sweet potatoes, lemongrass beurre blanc. The reason why they don't specify the type of fish is, because it's constantly changing. Whatever is the fresh catch of day becomes their Hawaiian catch. On this night it was onaga which is a red snapper. It's a beautiful fish that has tons of flavor. This dish had so many flavors going on. The fish was subtle and soft, the Molokai potatoes added a bright purple color and a sweet flavor and finally the shrimp lobster cake added a little crunch and salt to the dish. The contrasting flavors actually worked out very well when you combine a little portion of each into every bite. Make sure to ask the server what type of fish they have since that could change the overall dish entirely and not taste as good. $40 4/5 Certified Angus slow roasted prime rib: 12 oz. cut, Hawaiian salt and herb seasoning, Yukon gold potatoes, truffle jus horseradish cream. We had one center piece and one end piece. The end piece has more flavor, but is always done on the more well done side which doesn't make the meat as tender. The middle cut was an absolutely beautiful pink, but needed just a little more seasoning. I would have to say the fish dishes here are more delicious, but it depends on what you're craving. $38 3.5/5 Molten chocolate cake: Raspberry coulis, vanilla bean ice cream. Amazing! Similar to Roy's chocolate soufflé but not as good. You just can't beat Roy's soufflé... Anyway, the dessert is perfect to share and an excellent way to finish off your meal. $12 4/5 Overall, I was impressed with Tidepools and would definitely be back again. I'd highly recommend those two fish dishes. If I'm ever back on the island, I'll for sure come back here again!
(4)Nicole B.
The setting is beautiful, the menu is varied, and our server was very friendly and attentive. The price is more on the expensive side, but it's warranted by the types of dishes on the menu, the service, and the setting. I would definitely eat here again, though I think there is some room for dishes to be more flavorful if the prices remain the same.
(4)Jeff C.
Definitely one of the most scenic restaurants I've ever been in. Almost every seat is waterside (whether facing out or inward) and some seats face waterfalls. In the water, there are lots of koi swimming around. We had a very late reservation. So we ordered an appetizer (Ahi-Hamachi Poke Duo) and opened our bottle of champagne at the bar. The lone bartender was definitely overworked and didn't really have time for conversation. The Poke Duo was really good and unique presentation. When we got seated, took a little bit of time to receive service. But once everything got started, it was pretty quick. We ordered the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi and Kula Lavender Crusted Filet of Beef. Both was cooked and presented really fancifully. Their complementary bread / butter was really unique and we still can't guess what the butter is flavored with. Since it was our honeymoon, we got a certificate for a free dessert. Since the wife wasn't a fan of chocolate, we got The "Mango". It had a great presentation and the flavors mixed really well. All in all, one of the most romantic places to eat but be prepared to pay for the privilege.
(4)David R.
Poorly made drinks... Ok food! Service was excellent by our waiter. One of those restaurants that you say "Nice presentation... wish the food was as good as it look" and it is not! They need to use more local suppliers and do farm to table. Ingredients are subpar, wherever they acquire them. Their are so many other local restaurants available. Its worth the cab ride to go off property.
(3)George C.
We had a wonderful adult dinner (thank you camp Hyatt). We sat right by the water with a full moon looking down on us. The food was perfect as was the service. A definite must when visiting Poipu.
(5)Sharon H.
Second time here and we weren't so impressed. Good was ok, not great, and it is very expensive. I think there are way better places to eat on Kauai
(3)Christine D.
We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary here. From all of the other reviews, we expected it to be overpriced, but we found the prices to be pretty much in line with the other nice restaurants in the area. We were glad we decided to go--the food was delicious and the service was both friendly and excellent. Love the ambiance! Worth every penny.
(5)Allison N.
Every time my husband and I visit Kauai, we have dinner at Tidepools. The food is amazing and we love the service and ambiance. We usually share an order of surf and turf. So good!!
(5)Kristen A.
This is one of the most romantic restaurants I have been to, and we are big travelers. It's located within a stunning resort, the Grand Hyatt in Kauai. The main structure looks like a hut, and koi ponds surround the diners (be prepared, if you feed them bread, they will bum-rush your area and create a bit of a scene). Of the dishes we tried, here were the best: the CRAB CAKES, THE CATCH, and the APPLE TART for dessert. The food and service here are excellent. As is the case with most places in Kauai, it's all open-air, so bring a jacket if you tend to get chilly.
(5)Doug E.
This restaurant is not cheap but we got 3 courses each for $80 per person. Very nice location, short wait time. I started with the crab cakes they weren't that great, my friend started with the Ahi-Hamachi Poke Duo, it was delicious, highly recommend it. For the main course I had the volcano spiced opah, it was very good. Desserts: we got the volcano chocolate cake which was very good and the coconut Creme brûlée which was not very good. Service was exceptional.
(4)Alex O.
you know, I know everybody loves this place, come on people, GET OUT a little. Really! It's a nice location. We just stayed 6 nights at the Hyatt that was fantastic. After looking at reviews, we (I reluctantly) went to dinner at Tide pools. If you want to believe the reviews, it "sounds" great, but really there is so much better food around. I am sure many people who come to the island don't want to bother with going out, I get it. But come on, this place is just normal hotel fare, really nothing special. Please go out!! Kind of over priced and not really all that good.
(2)Steve P.
Celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary here last night, the place is still as awesome as 10 years ago. Quality of food is excellent, and the level of service was top notch. Andy was our waiter, thanks for making the occasion special
(5)Jennifer V.
Overlooking a lovely koi pond, our meal at TidePools was a delicious. We started with the crab cakes which did not contain a lot of junk (like celery or peppers). The crab was shredded pretty fine. I would have preferred more lump meat, but they were still good. We split the Hawaiian Catch which was Ono. They split it in the kitchen for us, and it was so delicious. I loved the Molokai sweet potatoes, and the lobster and fish were scrumptious. Even though we were satisfied at that point we had placed our order when ordering our entree for the molten lava cake. It was your standard molten lava cake, but it was very delicious. I would recommend TidePools highly.
(5)Brian A.
Very knowledgeable waiter, many local fish entrees on the menu. I had the ceviche and the opah everything was prepared perfectly. Very quit romantic setting my wife and I enjoyed sitting near the koi pond and celebrating our 15th anniversary. Highly recommend visiting Tidepools and ask to be seated near the water.
(5)Allison G.
I called the restaurant from New Jersey in order to pay for the dinner of my sister and her new husband on their honeymoon. The manager, Isamar, was fantastic and incredibly helpful. She stayed on the phone with me for 15 minutes while I purchased a gift card online, wrote a note to go with the gift card and called me back 15 min later to confirm that I did everything properly online. She even followed up with me via email the next day. My sister and her husband were so shocked and happy with the surprise gift. I owe her a huge thank you!
(5)Bianca E.
Let's talk about atmosphere...simply perfect! This place is classy and still lends itself to island charm. The food was wonderful! My husband and I ordered the hamachi ceviche; although as a Mexican American I was skeptical about misc. ceviche, this was seasoned expertly and we loved the addition of coconut milk. We also each ordered the ahi, and much of our final dinner for our honeymoon stay at the Hyatt was spent in silence...in between sighs of delight. What a beautifully cooked piece of fish! We also treated ourselves to the molten lava cake, which was delicious. It was bittersweet to eat here as it was our last night in Kauai, and I wish we had been able to dine there more!
(5)Marc M.
Definitely paid the right price for the ambience of the area, I reccomend eating during sunset and ordering the new York steak. shipwrecks beach is close by so you cam spend time there before your dinner.
(4)Erica R.
A 10. A beautiful, romantic setting, friendly and attentive service and simply terrific cuisine. I enjoyed the fresh Opa which was divine. I added a lobster tail as well. Mouthwatering! Fish was deliciously flavorful, and perfectly cooked. We will likely go back a second time on this trip for dinner! The open air setting atop koi filled pools give Tidepools that authentic Polynesian feel. As many spots on Kauai, it has that throwback old school vibe, while remaining completely modern, and very chic. An all around wonderful dining experience.
(5)Rhythm E.
Reading restaurant reviews is funny, because even the best restaurants, with beautiful settings, impeccably prepared dishes & artistic flavorings (as Tidepools definitely has) are going to occasionally provide some customer with slow, neglectful service or a less-than-stellar plate of fish or meat...and those customers always seem to be the ones to quickly hop on Yelp and flame the establishment with a pissed-off 2-or 1-star review. So even though a few have gotten slow, neglectful service, we had a very friendly & attentive server (Rob) who took great care of us, and his service seemed to be the norm here. And our food was perfect, artistic & delicately seasoned, which also felt like the norm, not the exception, here at Tidepools. High-priced? You betcha! This is a luxury, fine-dining restaurant in a very tony world-class resort...what'd ya expect? People who want to complain about a $42 plate of beautiful fish & veggies, saying they got a great plate of the same for 1/2-price elsewhere, have no business even coming here. Times are tough for many, and I'm sorry if most cannot partake of Tidepools. We certainly could not, on a regular basis. But for special occasions, if you can save up the piasters and splurge, you stand a very good chance of having one of the best meals, best setting, and best service you ever had. And that's all you can ask of any fine restaurant.
(5)Vince L.
One thing is for sure--this restaurant has a fantastic view. The prices will make you do a double-take if you're not prepared. We sat for a while in the waiting lobby where you can see into the kitchen, and the staff there seemed very efficient. Following the advice of the other reviewers I ordered the macadamia-crusted mahi mahi (~$34). It was tender and flaky and sat on a bed of watercress and poi. There was some sort of green salsa on the fish but I couldn't tell for sure what it was. I also wasn't able to decipher the sauce--I only know it was really delicate. The huli huli chicken was good although it didn't seem to be worth the $30 they charged for it. If you're familiar with Hawaii, you'll see many roadside stands selling this local dish. It's grilled chicken generally seasoned with brown sugar, soy sauce, and ginger. To me, it's like putting fried chicken on a plate at Wolfgang Puck and selling it for $30. It just seems weird. Especially since the huli chicken came with a poi croquette, yet another local thing--poi. So my conclusion is that you can find dishes of equal quality at more reasonable prices if you drive off the property. You won't get the same view but you'll survive, I'm sure.
(3)Julie H.
We were seated at 5:30 at Table 25. Our wonderful server Wilma said it was serendipitous since we were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary! The view was amazing. We were so close to the fish we could see them jump in the water. We could also see the beautiful shore line with crashing waves and feel the cool breeze. Wilma was an excellent server who knew the menu quite well and described them with such passion it made our mouths water. I had the Hawaiian Catch. The presentation was spectacular and every bite was heavenly. My husband had the Prime Rib and was also highly pleased. Both of our meals were the signature dishes. We finished our meal with the molten chocolate cake and two spoons! The cake was delicious and the ice cream was refreshing. The garnish of berries and raspberry sauce were an added bonus. If you are ever in Kauai you must have dinner here!
(5)Amber E.
Was looking for a nice spot to celebrate our cousin's recent wedding in Kauai, so stopped in here. The Hyatt resort really does have spectacular architecture - Frank Lloyd Wright -like indoor to outdoor spaces. They have happy hour from 5:30-6:30 - not a huge bargain, but somewhat of a discount. Specialty cocktail of the day was a Tai Chi, which was $10 down from $14. Also tried the ahi appetizer which was excellent. The Poke Poke Poke (w/ little pokis of ahi, octopus and lobster) was ok, but not nearly as good. Lovely setting by the koi pond and ocean, but pretty dead when we were there (even though it was a Thursday night); we were the only ones in the lounge. Our server was wonderful - friendly and attentive. On the way out, looked into the Library bar, and it was still quiet, but relatively, a much more happenin' space.
(4)Juliana K.
The atmosphere here is quite stunning. The food and service are great, but the atmosphere is even better. For dinner, I started with the baby greens salad and had the Hawaiian opah for my entree. The opah was excellent and I highly recommend it! For dessert, my boyfriend and I ordered the lava cake, apparently a very popular dessert at Tidepools. In my opinion, the lava cake was decent, but a little too sweet. Altogether, Tidepools is perfect for a romantic evening in Kauai!
(4)John B.
The night was warm, the walk was long, the birdies outside sang their song. The koi splashed loudly, waiting for food, when our dinners came, they tasted good Too bad the waitress disappeared, so my wife got no wine refill (isn't that weird?) And then the tables, dragged to and fro, made enough noise that we wanted to go I'm not sure why we didn't rate, and were treated like people outside the gate. So, to summarize my terrible poetry, It's a long walk from the front down to the tidepools that give the restaurant its name, the place is very pretty, the food was OK but not spectacular (medium rare requested, rare received and the fish at the edge of overcooked). But the real problem was that after the food hit our table, 10 seconds later our waitress was there to ask how everything was, and then she literally vanished for 30 minutes. Towards the end of the time, several waitresses and hostesses started dragging tables around to make room for a larger party, and I do mean "dragging", not moving tables, while discussing their issues in "outside" voices. It was beyond disruptive to all of the guests in our area. Why didn't I get my food made correctly? Because we couldn't get anyone's attention. Why didn't we complain about the noise? Because there wasn't anyone to complain to. Next time go to Red Salt. Yes, the menu is more limited, and it isn't as incredible a space. But you will be treated well and the food is delicious.
(3)David J.
Amazing, one of top 3 meals ever :) Concerned after poor service at Hyatt for breakfast and lunch but tidepools was simply amazing with fantastic service, food and ambience. Will certainly eat there again next time in Kauai even if we don't stay at the hotel.
(5)Deanna A.
Absolutely an amazing restaurant! It's very romantic!! The service is spectacular and so is the food. My husband was in the front area talking about how our book in our room didn't have the correct information in it for this restaurant and the manager walked up and introduced himself and said he had overheard the conversation and asked for our room number. Before we left he informed us he had our book updated and was very sorry for the inconvenience. Also our waiter named Dallas was wonderful. He took time to chat with us and explain everything we needed to know out very well. Wish we lived closer I would be back all the time!! We travel all over the world and never really write reviews however our service and experience was first class and I wanted all to know.
(5)Matt F.
Excellent seafood and an even better view of the lagoons at the Hyatt. I had the signature macadamia but mahi mahi. It was cooked to flaky perfection! The drinks are the typical cocktails available at the Hyatt with an expanded wine list.
(4)Pam W.
Everything was perfect & delicious beyond belief! The asparagus was large and cooked al dente. The prime rib was tender, very tasty & prepared perfectly med-rare. The mashed potatoes were to die-for (I'm not a potato fan but these were great!). I do not understand the negative reviews. For the $42 they charged everything was included. Restaurants this caliber usually sell sides a la carte. Our server, Derrick, was friendly, funny & attentive. There was a bit of a wait for the food but it was hot when it arrived. My husband loved the spicy lobster bisque.
(5)Corena B.
This was truly a magical dinner! The setting was lovely (floating on a giant koi pond), the food was fresh and delicious (even the rolls were standouts and don't get me started on how good the crab cakes were), and our waiter Les was funny and on top of his game. We have found many restaurants associated with hotels in Kauai to be less than tasty so we were so pleased to agree with the other yelpers on Tidepools!
(5)Pam S.
TIdepools was a wonderfully romantic place to have a delicious dinner after our wedding renewal. Les our waiter was AWESOME and did an exceptional job of explaining the menu, attending to everything we needed and made our evening special right down to the Lava Cake for dessert! We will definately will be back!
(5)Kristy R.
We were lucky enough to get in for dinner wout a reservation and I'm glad we did cuz it was really good! Both my husband and I loved our meals. The crab cakes were really good and even their rolls w their garlic truffle butter were delicious. It is pricey so be ready to spend some money but it's so delicious if you like seafood!
(5)Ashley L.
I ordered the filet and my husband ordered the tuna. Very delicious and made to order! The rib appetizer was okay... they were my first and my husband said that BBQ ribs blow these out of the water, but said they were good. Our server, Dallas, was super amazing and made our experience very enjoyable. The atmosphere was very romantic though a couple times I was tempted to get out my phone flashlight to see my food/menu because the lighting is quite dim. The lava cake dessert was to die for! Yummy yummy. The hyatt hotel just has beautiful grounds as it is so if you are looking for a beautiful place to eat, this is it.
(5)Jenny D.
Awesome ambiance and location along with delicious seafood options and exceptional service. Crab cake appetizer is a must. Catch of the day was awesome as well. Took away one star because portions were small relative to price. Definitely have dinner here when on garden island;)
(4)Scott K.
We went here as a family of three as our big fancy meal before going back home. We loved the Grand Hyatt hotel grounds in Poipu. We stayed at the Hyatt in Maui before and thought it was nice but the one in Kauai is even more grander and a kid and adult paradise. So it was worth looking around before our meal. As for the dinner itself, we thought the restaurant looked okay but was seated next to a fish pond where you could smell the fish throughout the evening. I'm not a fan of that but I guess some people are. I'd rather it be more of an ocean side view but that's just my thing. My wife got the surf and turf while I got the Prime Rib in medium. Should have gotten it medium rare. My wife also ordered a Pina Colada and I ordered some red wine which went really well with my Prime Rib. We both devoured our dinner but if I had to be critical, both were a bit on the salty side. My favorite prime rib back in the states is at Lawry's and I guess I'm always comparing it to that. Overall, we loved our service, meal and experience at Tidepool. I would recommend it for a nice, expensive meal.
(4)Philip C.
For our last dinner in Kauai, the three of us went to Tidepools restaurant. We had to wait a few minutes because they failed to set our table for three people. But once we were seated, the service was excellent. Jeff, our server, made some recommendations which was helpful. My husband had the crab cakes, which he said were excellent, while I had the coconut crustacean chowder which was delicious. It was very much like a bisque. For an entree, I had the volcano spiced opah, which was excellent. The accompanying mashed potatoes and corn and crab relish was a perfect fit. The others in the party had the Hawaiian catch which they said was delicious. It was a good finish to our vacation.
(5)Christine E.
This place is so romantic and a wonderful place to take that special someone! The service is very friendly and the food fantastic! I don't want to spoil it for you, but if you have not tried it, I highly recommend at least having appetizers and cocktails in this beautiful place in paradise!
(5)Anthony W.
We had a great meal here yesterday for dinner. The restaurant is far from the hotel entrance so if you don't know where you are going, ask for directions. The restaurant is open air so bring something warm to wear especially if the weather is windy. They have a good fish selection and we thought the coconut shrimp and curry soup was tasty. Unfortunately the filet that my wife ordered was cooked well when she wanted it rare but they took care of this immediately and offered their sincerest apologies and even gave us our dessert for free. We would gladly dine here again and would recommend it to anyone else who is thinking about going here. Visited July 2012
(5)Chris N.
Great food and service, fairly fast and efficient. Only one dish for vegetarians like my wife but the fish makes my mouth melt with enjoyment. You know it's a good meal when you get hiccups from eating! Chocolate and coffee Creme Brulee was a great finish! The atmosphere is what makes this place great and popular. The fish in the water by your feet make this an enjoyable experience.
(4)Anthony V.
My wife and I went here on our honeymoon and had a great time. She highly recommends the Ahi Poke appetizer. She had the mahi mahi entree and i had the catch of the day, both were excellent. The bananas fosters was amazing for dessert.
(4)Marion P.
Excellent food, service and ambiance. Our first meal in Kauai did not disappoint. We started with the ahi bruschetta - the fish was extremely fresh and the tomato and wasabi paste were perfect. We also had bread with delicious truffle butter (I love truffle) that I had to move the bread away from my husband so he wouldn't eat 5 pieces. We both had cocktails - both excellent. I had the fishermans catch of a fresh fish (good not great, somewhat bland), crab cake (excellent, lightly fried with coconut) and lobster (good lobster) with delicious potatoes and asparagus. My husband had the mahi mahi with macadamia nuts which was delicious (sides were average). For dessert we got the lava cake which had a delicious berry sauce and ice cream and a salty cookie (we are staying at the Hyatt and the hotel gave us a free dessert because it was our honeymoon which was nice !!). Service was excellent. Ambiance very romantic, quiet, and fun to watch the fish. So far one of the best meals we had in Hawaii highly recommend ! (And I'm a foodie from NYC).
(4)Desirée P.
AMAZING FOOD!!The Hyatt is a amazing hotel period best hotel on the island.....But this restaurant is epic!! I had the lobster and prawns so yummy!! I live on the North Shore and it takes me about a hour and 20 mins to get to the South Shore but for real worth the drive....I will be back to Tidepools very soon.....It's my favorite restaurant on the island great atmosphere Koi fish and waterfalls surrounding the whole restaurant just very majestic
(5)Denni S.
I so wanted to give a great review for Tidepools. My husband and I booked our reservation here over TWO months ago for the final night of our honeymoon on Kauai. One word simply sums it up: DISAPPOINTING. We did get a table on the edge of the koi pond - but at the back of the restaurant when it was 1/2 empty. Service was purely awful. Our waiter stopped by 3 times the entire evening before offering the dessert menu & check. We didn't even get a goodbye when leaving. I was here once before and it was great, but after telling them the special evening it was when I was booking the reservation and then getting the treatment we received - I will never come back. There are simply too many other nice places on the south shore to choose from. The person at the deli counter at the Big Save in Koloa will take better care of you than the staff at Tidepools...and it will be about 80% less expensive.
(1)Dan M.
We made reservations to come here our last night in Kauai while on our honeymoon. Pretty good call! We were seated promptly, but the girl tried to seat us in a boring spot. I asked to be seated near the koi pond towards the center of the restaurant and she was happy to oblige. Only major complaint about this place, and the reason I knocked a star off, what kind of fancy joint like this has no local beer on tap? Seems like a massive oversight. I'm a beer snob admittedly, but for the extensive wine list they have, you think they'd manage to find a spot to install a few taps for Hawaiin brews. I settled for overpriced Blue Moon though without crying about it too much. Moving on... We split the ahi poke appetizer which was stupid good. We really should have gotten two, it went quick. Wife had the filet of beef, me the macadamia nut mahi mahi. Both were very excellent, and cooked to perfection. Since it was our honeymoon stay, we got the free chocolate cake like everyone else mentions, and it was excellent! Our waitress was really nice too, which always helps for the mood of the meal. If you want a good laugh toss a few bread crumbs to the koi. They go nuts for the stuff. Made for some funny video.
(4)Lindsey J.
My husband and I went to Tidepools for our one year anniversary and I was extremely happy with our choice. The setting was so unique and romantic. I recommend trying to make your reservation a little before sunset so that you can see it in the light. The service was great, but the food wasn't as good as I expected it to be. Don't get me wrong, it was still good, but nothing to rave about. Overall, great experience and would recommend it if ambiance is your thing.
(4)Summer S.
The ambiance was very nice. The service was very nice. The bread was kinda dry and tasteless. The crab cake was delicious. The coconut crustacean chowder was pretty good. The volcano spiced opah was kinda disappointing. It was dry, not juicy, no taste, not tender. We wondered maybe it was because we just didn't like opah? So we tried to find out what opah should taste like. Here's what we read about opah-moonfish: "Popular with chefs, opah has a juicy, rich flavor with a roast pork-like aroma. Texture is very tender." Hmmm, we should have liked it, if it were anything close to the description. Very disappointing. The lava cake dessert was average. Be aware if you are going there for the opah fish.
(3)Jason M.
Had some amazing food there. The ahi was out of this world! Big fan of japanese art and all the Koi kept swimming up near our table. I thought it was so cool. Staff was excellent, but couldn't take a picture with an iPhone
(5)Jenny K.
tidepools stuck out in my mind as a restaurant that i wanted to dine at when doing food research before reaching hawaii. the grand hyatt is the nicest hotel on the island in terms of size, location, amenities, etc. *st regis doesn't compare.* the restaurant is situation in "huts" along the water with koi fish that occasionally make a big splash every now and then. they try to give you a water side table when you make a reservation. our table for two had a romantic view; however, they do not make it special if you are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday (it's no mama's fish house). service is not bad but just okay. it is not top-notch with the prices they charge. to start, they serve complimentary 7 grain bread with a hint of molasses. think "king's hawaiian bread". it comes with butter in the shape of a shell. jumbo crab cakes are a must. funny of the night was when we were trying to figure out what kind of crab they used. the waitress wasn't walking by during that time so we asked the busboy. when asked if he knew the type of crab used, he replied, "it's lump crab". LOL!! later when the waitress passed by again, we asked her. it's dungeness crab; yes, it was big pieces of crab in a lump but there is no such thing as lump crab. haha.. the mayo-based thai basil sauce and avocado mousse with some diced tomatoes made the crab cakes that were already delicious in itself even better. i had my eyes set on the macadamia crusted mahi mahi with coconut infused jasmine rice. loved the macadamia nut crust topped with avocado and very thinly flash fried shredded taro chips (?). hubby had the hawaiian fish of the day (which was swordfish) stuffed with shrimp and lobster served on a bed of mashed potatoes. it was fine except we couldn't really taste the shrimp/lobster. the chocolate molten cake needed to be ordered along with your entrees. it was topped with lappert's vanilla ice cream and some raspberry syrup in circles on the plate. as you spoon your first bite of vanilla with chocolate cake, the molten cake oozes out like no other. highly enjoyable but it would have been even better if they had stuck a mint leaf with a fresh raspberry on top of the ice cream. the reason i mention this is that it would be completed the dish details from start to finish better. it was not the best higher end meal we had on the island but we paid the most for it. but tidepools has a 5 star ambiance unless you don't get a water side table. if you want better food and service with culinary greatness at a lower price, go to josselin's.
(4)Celeste T.
Great fresh fish dishes - but get a seat by the water. You'll get to watch the sea life in their extra large aquarium, as you float above it on a dock-like structure that is the restaurant. I had a fish whose name was mostly vowels; my husband had the seared tuna. Both were quite pleasant, though I feel that my butter-fried, nut-crusted fish was better. We also had salads and drinks; both were quite good! Service was very attentive - but it all pales to the aquarium!
(4)Evan T.
Tidepools is the epitome of a safe, hotel restaurant. Nothing went wrong in my visit, but nothing was memorably good, either. The setting immediately strikes you upon walking into Tidepools. For me, it was in a bad way, though I could see that most patrons enjoyed it. The restaurant is situatied in fake, open-air, thatched huts that are all connected with artificial tidepools/koi ponds running among them. The tables typically sit next to this water. Personally, I was reminded of Epcot or Disney World. It has a sort of prettiness about it, but it is all so fake that it is hard to take it seriously. I wasn't really a fan. Service was excellent throughout my visit. I was immediately seated without a reservation, and my server was enthusiastic and helpful throughout the meal. No complaints there. My ability to review the food is slightly limited compared to most of my reviews because I had only one glass of wine and an entree, with no appetizer or dessert. This was merely because I wasn't very hungry; it had nothing to do with the food. The wine list was good by Kauai standards but poor by mainland standards. It was, of course, overpriced. My glass was serviceable and unremarkable. As my main course, I had the Mahi Mahi dish. The fish had a macadamia crust and was topped with papaya and avacado. On top of that was a small pile of thin, purple-ish crisps, which I could not identify. It was all served atop a bed of rice with bits of bok choy. A sauce ("tropical rum sauce") ringed the plate. The fish was cooked properly, and I have no real complaints about the meal. I have no real praise either. The dish lacked any strong flavors, and nothing really highlighted the fish, either. The sauce had a couple small dots of another sauce in it for decoration (perhaps a soy?), and that dark bit actually added a savoryness that the whole plate could have used. I finished the plate, and then I forgot about it. You could do worse than Tidepools, but you could also do better, especially considering the very high prices. It seems to be a serviceable restaurant, but the dishes seem very safe and unremarkable. The atmosphere, which seems to be appealing to at least the majority of the restaurant's clientele, was a bit off-putting to me with its strong air of artificiality. This is a matter of preference, though. In short, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this place, but there's no need to object to a visit, either.
(3)Nick D.
We made reservations via OpenTable for our honeymoon. The ambience was romantic and intimate. The food was amazing. I had the macadamia nut mahi mahi and wife had the opah dish. We both thought our dishes were spectacular. We also shared a banana bread desert (forgot the name) and that was one of our favorites throughout the whole honeymoon. This is a place that should be booked in advance and it's pricey (figure you'll spend $150 for dinner for 2 with a shared dessert & appetizer and each a drink), so don't be surprised but you pay for what you get and it's well worth it for a special occasion, else don't go there for a cheap eat. The hotel it resides in says it all ;)
(4)Kimberly H.
Came here for one of our last nights on our honeymoon and sadly it was disappointing. We had high hopes given the location at the grand Hyatt. The food was good but the service was awful. It took away from enjoying the food. The server took a half hour to approach us after we finished our entrees. We both probably would have had a few more drinks since we were willing to treat ourself but since we barely saw our server all night so we didn't a chance. Also when we made the reservation they asked about a special occasion. I told her it was our honeymoon. The server made a point to acknowledge other honeymooners and birthdays around us... They even got a free desert or appetizer. Nothing was mentioned to us. Based off of other reviews seems like this place is not consistent in service or food. I wouldn't waste my time here again. There are other places in Kauai that ate worth the $$ and time.
(1)Rufus Figgums L.
Pros Nice mix of seafood with the 'Hawaiian Catch" entree Steak perfectly cooked Good lemonade Nice view Cons Side of vegetables with entrees were tiny and unimpressive Bread was average Small romaine salad Price
(4)Bryan S.
Wow! Awesome food and ambiance. Expensive, but wonderfully prepared food and great service. Perfect setting to remember your trip to Kauai. It appeared every table is by the lagoons stocked with fish, so there were no center tables. Very special moment during our trip.
(5)Becca L.
Service: excellent Ambiance: wonderful Food: - Best crab cake ever - Fish cooked perfectly, even with uneven thickness. Very impressive. Plating beautiful, flavors well balanced. - Even dessert was delicious. Lava cake was a good size, cooked perfectly, nice ice cream on top. Definitely worth the money. It's rare to find a place that can deliver consistently across so many areas.
(5)Monica D.
Had an amazing dinner here. I had the Mahi and my partner had the Opah both cooked to perfection with high quality ingredients. The service (Derrick) was impeccable and top notch. Wine was a little over priced, a bottle of Cakebread chard was 100.00. Everything else was appropriate. Super friendly staff!
(5)Natalia D.
I had my wedding reception here and it was divine! The waterfall room was breathtaking! The staff was amazing! The pork papusas were delicious, the prime rib was to die for, and the New York strip was a god. As you can tell, I went back over and over during my stay!
(5)Matthew K.
Tidepools was our "fancy" dinner of our Kauai vacation, and it definitely lived up to expectations. My wife had the crab cakes as an appetizer which she absolutely loved - we ordered them based on recommendations from others on Yelp. We also ordered a nice bottle of wine, which was priced at about what you'd expect when you buy a bottle of wine at a restaurant. For our entree, my wife had the current catch, which was a fish similar to a snapper (but I don't remember the exact name). It also came with a shrimp cake and part of a lobster tail. My wife said that everything on her plate was delicious. On the other hand, as more of a traditional meat-eater, I had the 12 oz. rib-eye. The steak was cooked perfectly and came out more tender than I generally expect from a rib-eye, which is awesome. The reduction that they served on the steak had a very deep, vibrant flavor. All-in-all, we had nothing bad to say about our dinners. Service was solid as should be expected from a fine dining restaurant; fast, friendly, and never an empty water cup or wine glass.
(4)Danielle M.
Breathtaking! Then again, what isn't when it comes to Hawaii? My husband and I visited Kauai on our honeymoon. We decided to dine here on one of our nights due to the wonderful reviews on every website we viewed. The food and wine were delcious. We sat looking over the Koi pond. We had a nice bottle of Pino Grigio, and started with the Kalua Pork flautitas, and poke, poke oysters. For our entree we had the strip steak and the mahi mahi. Last but not least the chocolate lava cake for dessert. Each meal was better than the last. Truly a great restaurant in Paradise.
(5)Christine B.
Beautiful romantic atmosphere, great service, good food. Perfect romantic dinner in Hawaii. Request a table by the lagoon so you can look out over the water and watch the koi fish swimming right by your table. Book around sunset for the best view.
(4)Brent V.
Have ate here many times.... Service and Food are always above average....
(4)Tania L.
First off, let me tell you this: I am NOT super picky. I know when food is done well and I can appreciate different types of flavors, styles, etc albeit with a somewhat amateur sense of taste (meaning that I'm not gonna be a snob but I do have some particulars). Even though I can tell when something isn't executed the best, I can still look for the good in it. And at Tidepools, I ended up with a mixed review. Appetizer: Decent selection, finally pared down to the crab cakes. SUPER GREAT, and if I went completely on this app alone, it would have garnered five stars. Yes, THAT good. The bf and I both agreed that neither of us had that great of a crab cake in who knows how long, and for $15 it was a great deal. The sauce pairing was excellent. I'm not going to go into details because I don't think that's what you yelpers are looking for. Salad: After playing elimination and ultimately going on the menu's description we opted for the tomato terrine. Substantially smaller than what we expected, especially considering the decent portion of crab cakes we had previous. Still good, and I could appreciate the blue cheese foam thing (that they left out in the description but it was interesting). It played with several different parts of your palate: arugula providing the bitterness, the blue cheese gave it a pungent saltiness, and the tomato provided texture with a - well, whatever a tomato tastes like lol... there was a sweet balsamic reduction (just guessing here) and an olive oil vinaigrette (again another guess), so yeah... despite its portion size, still very interesting. So far so good, right? Well, hey, service was pretty decent, although I think we had better rapport with our wait assistant than with our server. Our server came by to check on us and looked like he was working hard, but still our wait assistant conversed with us, touched tables more often than our server, etc... but idk, all restaurant have different dynamics. I specifically asked my server to make the opah medium rare (but he didn't notate it when he took my order down, or the kitchen messed up, or the food sat too long IDK). Anybody who eats anything knows that undercooked is better than overcooked. UGH. This was the ultimate letdown that not even a slight buzz from my "eh" wine (maybe you can be demanding and ask them to open a fresh bottle? but I didn't dare be so pretentious so I got the day-old wine and even MY amateur palate can sense) could save. What saved it were the facts that Mike (the server) and the wait assistant were doing such a great job - the bf said "don't tell him; he looks very happy and you'll ruin his night" - AND the flavors of the food and complemented starches/veggies/sauces were REALLY REALLY GREAT... but again, my $34 entree was overcooked........... really disappointed =( And to make things worse, the bf's mac-nut mahi was even drier... both our entrees tasted like chicken. Jerk chicken, or "chicken breast" as the bf put it. So based on the "meaty" portion of our meal, it would have only gotten two stars, and maybe just one, since I've had better fish at Zippy's (fast food-type place for you mainlanders) at half the price. Might have opted for dessert had our meal been more enjoyable. As it were, we just ate quickly to get it over with =( so we could leave. Wine selection for bottles was not bad, but by the glass could have been better. Also, idk about the others' complaints about the cheesiness of the ambiance but I really thought it wasn't so bad at all. It reminds me of the Pagoda Hotel restaurant with the koi pond and a table in the middle with a walkway to seclude it, and I liked that we had open air seating (though sometimes it got chilly and we did get splashed by the koi hehe)... and seating was spread out enough to where you could have privacy. East meets Polynesia - kind of a weird combination, but it's not as cheesy as I thought it would be based on others' "warnings". LASTLY (I almost pressed "Post" but the bf reminded me about the hostess) ------- maybe she's young, maybe she's dumb, or maybe I caught her in a bad moment. By all means, she was NOT the worst hostess I've ever come across, but she wasn't great. I stood in front of her while she completed her conversation with a coworker..... for a while.... And when she turned over she just said "aloha, welcome to blah blah..." but after she checked me in, she forgot who I was and the seater was like "Who's this?"... and she took a moment, looked at the ticket, looked at me, asked if I was "Miss so-and-so" and I'm thinking HOW MANY ASIANS ARE SITTING IN YOUR LOBBY WHO WOULD HAVE AN ASIAN LAST NAME. lol just a manini (minor) rant. All I have to say is, first AND lasting impressions!! That is all.
(3)Ty T.
Situated in the lower tiers of the Hyatt resort, this tucked away restaurant has such an impeccable/ open layout. During our morning of check-out we decided to have brunch here. Very very attentive staff and service, Arleen -the woman who chatted me up in particular.. was warm, friendly, very very hospitable... and uber-curious in regards to what my ethnic-identity was. I kept encountering her throughout the 5 nights we spent here, she is fabulous in every regard and thank you for the more than generous pours during the ball-room banquet the night below. Arleen deserves a raise!! We sat in the alcove overlooking the Koi pond, wow.. beautiful views from anywhere you are from inside the restaurant. I was quite specific with how my omelet should have sauteed mushrooms on the side and they were very accommodating to make it exactly as such. I also had some yogurt with some very macadamia nut granola, and slivers of fresh pineapple and papaya with lime. Delicious.
(4)Rami D.
Excellent food, great view and very child friendly wait staff. Very fresh tasting food with great adult beverages....
(5)Brianna G.
The food was awesome. They had gluten free options which was also a plus!! My boyfriend had the mahi mahi which was really good and I had the opah also very good!!! The waiter seemed to be flustered running around when the restaurant wasn't really that busy.
(3)Billy E.
I look forward to going to Tidepools when we go to Kaua'i. We were married at Hyatt Grand and we try to go every year. It's nice to see the same faces. We noticed that the menu had changed (always for better) and we saw some great things. Speaking of same faces, Derrick the server has always been our server each time we go and I always ask him whats best and he always tells me something off menu that's amazing. Well again he suggested the seabass and it was really great. Wife went w/ macnut mahi and chowder. The lava cake Is awesome and if u're a fan u won't be disappointed. Great after dinner coffee. Everything Ono!! Mahalo
(5)Ashley R.
Tofu was not good. Over priced. Snooty
(2)Wayne H.
A peaceful, tasteful and upscale dining option in Lihue. Nevermind the waterfall, or that you're in fact dining elevated above a koi pond, or that you're situated in the heart of the Hyatt property surrounded by beautiful fauna with a view to the sunset. They got me at ribeye. Everything the other Yelpers say about its beauty is true. And everything the dudes say about its food is equally true. The dishes are prepared and served with the attentiveness and grace befitting of this highly regarded establishment. I refer you to other Yelpers' reviews for menu specifics. I strongly recommend their macadamia nut smoothy. And please don't throw bread into the water. Watching writhing bodies of koi fighting over it will make you feel ill, and perhaps turn your opinion against kois, or even fish in general.
(5)Valerie R.
Reading the reviews on here, I have to admit that I was a little nervous about the super-touristy theme. And when I arrived, my fears skyrocketed. It reminded me of the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a restaurant at the Grand Wailea on Maui with all of its thatched huts. I left there with a feeling of "whoa, I just paid a LOT of money for food that wasn't all that good just to sit in a thatched hut!" Panic ensued. But then, I decided to calm down. Didn't it at least smell pretty good? Yes. So made my way to the table with a view of some koi and the sound of the waterfall and RELAXED. For the first course, I tried the tomato terrine with whipped blue cheese and bacon. It was light and refreshing, but at the same time oozing plenty of flavor. I didn't feel the need to go super local for dinner, so I didn't hesitate to pick out the prime rib. It was a thick cut, juicy, with creamy horseradish for dipping and tender but crisp broccolini. Melt in yo' mouth goodness! Originally I'd wanted the opah, but let my husband order it. We don't order the same thing in our family...it's like a travesty. I got to try some of the fish though, and it was divine. Afterwards, our waiter swooped by to gauge our interest in dessert and then surprised us with a hot molten lava cake on the house. Who can resist? Overall, pretty delicious if not incredibly touristy - not the most posh place ever, so don't worry about dressing up too much!
(4)T S.
Perfectly cooked food in a beautiful place. Simply put, it's a really pretty place to eat a gorgeous meal.
(4)Carey D.
A gorgeous place, but the service and food wasn't great. They spent more time on the appearance and the quality suffered. Service was slow and they made mistakes with the salad. We ended up getting a free desert to split as compensation, so that was nice. The price was pretty steep, but I guess that is to be expected based on the location.
(2)Patrick W.
Mmmmm... Nice place. Kind of a journey to find but worth it... Feed the swan and fish so bread.
(5)Jason F.
Looking for traditional Hawaiian food in a stunning tropical setting? Look now further than Tidepools a festival "hut" restaurant serving fun seafood and steak dishes...try the jumbo lump crab cakes for an appetizer, the only in Hawaii Hawaiian Opah for a main dish and for dessert, consider trying the slice of paradise, mud pie Hawaiian style! The prices are considered high but your paying for the ambiance (Koi fish literally jump around you while you're sitting in the hotel's lagoon) so it is totally worth it...there is a reason it was rated by Zagat the best restaurant on Kauai in 09'. It is!
(4)Danielle L.
It was in our hotel, so my husband and I tried it out. Pretty expensive but the food was yummy here. Nice atmosphere. You are literally floating in the pools, atleast it feels that way. If we ever go back to Kauai, we need to head back here. Plus we had fun feeding the fish our bread. Lol
(4)Clare M.
First and foremost, just because I gave it 3 stars doesn't mean it's not good. It is good. The dining area was very lovely. Set in little bamboo huts surrounded by a Koi pond I felt like I was back in South East Asia. (only sometimes are those good memories though). We had a great table right by the open doors where the fish would come up and open their starving, fish lip, mouth at us. Cute at first, then felt bad for the fish like they weren't being fed enough. All the appetizers were delectable. I had the roasted corn and crab and tahitian vanilla bean chowder...sounds strange, taste like a party in my mouth. The crab cakes also at our table are still being talked about too and almost returned just for those last night. The main courses were decent, but I wasn't blown away. I mean, it was good, but I was a little bored with my sea bass. Another of us had the prime rib (daunting) and the third enjoyed his vegetarian option (nice that they have that). For desert, if you want the melty chocolate crack dome, you must order it when ordering your dinner. By the time desert came around, I was morbidly full, but I'd already ordered the ganache cake thingee whatever they call it. It too was fine, but nothing special. I've had chocolate melty crack domes for 6 bucks that make this thing look like a McDonalds Brownie. The food was absolutely fine, atmosphere would have been great, save the Australian family who let their toddlers roam the floor like Vietnam War soldiers. Just a little pricey, then again, it's Kauai...Aloha bank balance.
(3)Simon A.
The service was quick and great. The atmosphere is terrific with the dining room over a giant koi pond with the fish right out the window splashing and almost putting on a show for diners. The menu had just been changed in the restaurant, but not online, so when we got there knowing what we wanted to order it was disappointing not having those options available. In my opinion, terribly overpriced, but the food was pretty good. Beware though, if you order something to be cooked a specific way and the chef recommends it another way, you're getting it the way the chef wants it (at least with the ahi).
(4)Erica M.
We had dinner here on our last night in Kaua'i. We made an 8pm reservation the day of and were pleasantly surprised when we were given the coveted table that extends out over the Koi pond. The setting is very unique and Zen like. It was really a peacful dining experience. I wasn't too hungry, so I ordered the ahi sashimi appetizer and the garden salad. Ahi was perfectly seared and served with a tasty glaze. Salad was basic but fresh and not overdressed. It was just enough food if you're looking to eat light. The other people in my party were happy with their meals (catch of the day, new york strip, prime rib) and we were all in agreement that this was the best quality restaurant meal we had during out stay. Pricey, but worth it. I should also mention that one of the people we traveled with has a gluten allergy and this place accomodated her the best out of any restaurant we visited, even bringing an entire basket of gluten-free bread to her before the meal. DON'T waste your money staying at the Hyatt. DO stay at a condo nearby and treat yourself to dinner here one night. We made an evening of it by coming early...had drinks, strolled the grounds, watched the sunset and hula dancers in the lobby. It was plenty of resort luxury for us!
(4)allen o.
My wife and I were staying at the Grand Hyatt for our honeymoon and we decided to try Tidepools one night as we had a complimentary dessert voucher from the hotel. We started out with the Kalua Pork Pupusas, and they were yummy. They're so good in fact that they should have these as entrees--I could've eaten several of these as a meal. When in Hawaii, I know that you should take advantage of the fresh and abundant fish, and so both of us ordered fish dishes. My wife had the special, which was an Ahi dish, which was very good. I had the Hawaiian Catch, which was ok--a bit overcooked and not as tender as I would've liked, but still pretty good. The free dessert we had (honeymoon vouchers from the hotel) was surprisingly good--we ordered the Fat Elvis which was this chocolate peanut butter souffle thing with caramelized bananas, strawberries, and crunchy nut things. Completely unique and tasty.
(4)Angela C.
Tidepools is located inside the Grand Hyatt Resort, where we stayed during our time in Kauai. We chose this place for our "romantic" night out because of the ambiance and good reviews. Tidepools is made up of a bunch of thatched huts surrounded by Koi filled lagoons and dim lighting. I loved sitting there with my beautiful food, staring out into the ocean and star-filled sky with my favorite person in the whole world. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't stellar for what you pay. I was most impressed by the presentation of the food than anything else. I ordered the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi ($32) - it came with a side of coconut jasmine rice wrapped in a "money pouch" of bamboo leaves. I loved the macadamia nut crust, and the sauces that accompanied the dish were perfect for the mahi mahi. The coconut in the rice was very subtle so don't be scared off if you don't like coconut. My only problem with this dish is that the fish was slightly overcooked. It may have been sitting out in the window for too long, but overall this was a good dish and I enjoyed it more than my husband's. My husband ordered the Ginger Soy Glazed Hawaiian Sea Bass ($34) - it's topped with wasabi, lobster, and hearts of palm. Accompanied by vegetable fried jasmine and bhutanese red rice, with a papaya-coconut lime sauce. We couldn't really taste the lobster (and it was too dark to really see), and the fish was also slightly overcooked. Again, the sauce was the highlight of this dish - they did a superb job. Overall, a satisfying romantic night out, but I've definitely had better food for the prices they charge here.
(3)Nali M.
tidepools, the grand hyatt kauai's signature restaurant is located on property surrounded by beautiful koi ponds. reservations are a must, at times this restaurant is sold out. you may request a table near the water, however, it's not always available. the menu is hawaiian fusion. appetizers and entrees are all well very prepared. the last time i dined there, my husband took me for mother's day. he had "poke, poke, poke" for an appetizer (i don't eat raw seafood) and i had the lump crab cakes. these are my favorite!! the aioli sauce that goes with it is absolutely amazing and compliments the cakes perfectly. i can't recall what my husband had for his main dish, but i had the macadamian encrusted opah. also, very good! service is great and very attentive to all of your needs.
(4)P B.
The best restaurant in Poipu, maybe all of Kauai. I enjoyed the food as much as the setting. Get the Mount Waialeale Cooler. So refreshing.
(5)Joe D.
Very nice, expensive restaurant in a gorgeous setting - the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. The hotel itself is beautiful - if you decide to go I would suggest walking around a bit and maybe grabbing a drink at their bar upstairs. Tidepools is downstairs, and the setting is beautiful. Outside the windows of the restaurant is a ... tidepool ... which is basically a koi pond. Very cool to see the fish swimming around, but it's tough to see if you're not sitting by a window. Some other people have mentioned Table 42, which kinda sits alone on a walkway, and is very romantic. That is your first choice. My wife and I sat at Table 34, which is in the corner near two windows, and that is almost as good. I fed the fish as they swarmed around us (we both enjoyed the bread a lot). Very cool. Oh yes, they serve food. I disagree with other reviewers that it is somehow amazing, but it's a nice, expensive restaurant, and the food there is very good. I got the catch of the day, and you will want to get seafood as well, being in Hawaii. You will be happy. I have to say, though, my wife got the steak and it was extremely tender and delicious, so you can't really go wrong. Just set your expectations in terms of price (the menu is online), make sure you get a good table by the window (if you want to watch the fish), and enjoy the food and the atmosphere.
(4)Tim F.
Hit and miss... Crab cakes were delicious! Mahi Mahi was good, but not exceptional. At these prices, exceptional should be the norm. The steak was very good, partly due to the sauce. Without the sauce it would be average. Chocolate Molten Cake was delicious. Service was friendly, but not too attentive. The waiter never checked back after delivering our food. After we finished our entrees he asked if everything was good. Again, the price of the food should come with more attentive service.
(3)Anton E.
Touristy, Expensive, But Fun This restaurant is located at the Grand Hyatt so of course you get a lot of hotel guests coming here for dinner. So it's easy to dismiss this place as too touristy and expensive -- both things this restaurant may very well be. But I have to say, I had fun dinning here. First off, the setting here is beautiful. I can try to describe it, but it's better to look at the pictures. Yes, the koi-filled lagoon is just delightful too look at, and the open air hut makes everything here seem exotic and romantic. If you're on your honeymoon and looking for a place to indulge yourself for dinner, this is a great spot. My wife and I started with the crab cakes, which were pricey but delicious. Next, I had the chef's special that night which was a play on the surf and turf, consisting of a smaller filet of beef, with grilled shrimp, and some scallops. The beef was cooked nicely and tasted fine, the shrimp was fine, but the scallops were honestly the best I had ever tasted. It was just so juicy, and flavorful. I absolutely loved it. The restaurant was packed that night, and I imagine it's probably like this most nights. But although this restaurant has the tourist look, feel, and price, it's incredibly beautiful, the food is tasty, and the service here was friendly and attentive. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.
(4)Elissa D.
If you want to feel like you're eating in Disneyland, then this is the place for you. If you want to experience local flavor, culture, food, etc. in a down-to-earth place, this is not the place for you. Ridiculously expensive, like most restaurants in Hawaii. You eat over fake tidepools in grass roof covered buildings. Tiki torches, and that sort of thing. It's exactly where you would imagine people from the Midwest with too much money who dont' really want to venture out of their comfort zone would go. The food was fine in a couple of cases, inedible in others. They did remove the charge for a plate of fish that was clearly not in good condition, so that was good. When we left, a server was whisking what looked like a wedding cake by us. On the back of it, it said: "Will you marry me." Pretty much exactly what you would expect at a place like this. Atmosphere for people with no imagination.
(2)Opal D.
Wonderful! Tidepools is located at the Grand Hyatt. The restaurant is set on the water filled with carp (at least that's what the waiter told me the fish were), and I enjoyed feeding the fish some of my bread. Dimly lit, the mood is set for a lovely romantic evening. The food was all good. Service was wonderful without hovering. They offer a 3-course dinner for $45 which includes choices from many of the items on the menu and is a great deal. I, however, opted for the special not on the dinner menu - lobster stuffed with crab which was very hearty and delicious. I recommend this restaurant to anyone coming to Kauai! Make a reservation as it does get filled up during peak dinner hours.
(4)Sara J.
Great meal! My husband and I went here for dinner on our trip- the food was great, a little expensive (but what in Kauai isn't?), but everything was really tasty, the presentation was great and the meals were creative. The service was awesome, too. The waiter was nice, helpful and answered all of our questions. Our water glasses were always full, which I love. My only gripe about this place is that the dessert menu was lackluster. We didn't actually have the dessert since the menu wasn't impressive, I'm sure it would have been great- but all of those things listed were things we can get in Michigan. But really, there was molten lave cake and creme brûlée, which would probably please most people. Great experience, we'd definitely go back.
(5)Janice F.
Hyatt definitely has their landscaping down. Gorgeous setting, waterfalls, meandering rivers, islands with hot tubs.. you're definitely paying for their maintenance costs! Onto Tidepools, it's got a lovely ambiance - thatched huts, sitting over the koi waterfall ponds - no sunset view though. They have some huge aggressive kois! It was hard not to keep trying to find out what they wouldn't eat. We came on a Monday night, which luckily meant that they had a 3 course special for $45. Decent value for the setting. Food-wise, I had low expectations and it didn't surpass it. Well, one item did - the garnish that came with my opah entree. Crab and avocado stuffed shrimp - it was delicious. They need to make an actual appetizer out of those shrimp - it would have made me much happier. The crab cake appetizer wasn't too bad, no filler at all. The prime rib entree was a huge portion, but nothing exciting whatsoever about it. The dessert was a lilikoi mousse that seemed a lot more dense (more of a cheesecake) then a mousse. Topped with pineapples over a graham-like, macadamia granola.
(3)James W.
Benchmark for restaurants here on the island
(4)Rob C.
If you like getting harassed by the staff, then you will love Tidepools. The maître d' told me that tanktops were not allowed in the restaurant, but they had an aloha shirt they could loan me for dinner. I don't mind wearing aloha shirts, even the extremely loud one they presented to me. However, when I sat down, there were six other people scattered throughout the dining area wearing tanktops and no loud aloha shirts. Inconsistency is a bad sign for a restaurant to have, even when it comes down to a dress code. Then an overpowering wave of perfume assaulted me. A few seconds later, our waiter should up, reeking of cheap cologne. At this point, we should have just left the restaurant, but it was our last night on the island and I didn't want to make a scene by leaving abruptly. The food had a nice presentation, but we could not taste it over the smell of cologne. We could not finish the meal, and had to leave.
(2)kit b.
Prime rib was very fatty, very little jus, horseradish "cream" watery, ice-cream-scoop of mashed potatoes unremarkable, tiny pile of inoki mushrooms, a little raw baby broccoli & raw green beans, for $38? Husband had the special: small filet of swordfish (said it was "okay") and very small lobster tail half. More uncooked vegetables, same dollop of potatoes. Left hungry. $42. We called for reservations at noontime, were told there were no reservations left between 6:15 and 8 PM., so we took the 6:15 time. While we were there, the place was barely half full. What is that about? Service unremarkable. The koi ponds are great. Felt like Disneyland. Walk through the restaurant to see the koi, then go eat somewhere else.
(2)Steph C.
Matt B. and I spent our second anniversary in Kauai, and as we were staying at the Grand Hyatt, we booked Tidepools for our special dinner. We made our reservation weeks in advance, and let the restaurant know that it was our anniversary, so they could maybe book us a nice table, or put a candle in our dessert. We should have just requested a good table outright, as it was evident when we arrived that no one knew or cared that we were celebrating a special occasion. We got stuck at a table in the middle of the restaurant, next to a huge party. The staff was obliging, though, when we requested a change because of the noise a minute after we sat down. We also had a wonderful waitress names Marta. She was friendly and warm and improved our experience greatly. Service was good all around once we got seated. The food came out faster than I would have liked, with entrees on the table the second appetizers were done, but Tidepools wasn't catering to a couple on a special date. Considering Kauai's honeymooner consumer base, I actually found this surprising. We expected Tidepools to be somewhat romantic, but it was very family-oriented, with lots of children and nothing in the way of an intimate ambience. It was, though, a very pleasant setting. I liked the open hut set-up, and the views were lovely. Late into our meal, it started to rain heavily, and this did bring a bit of romance. We also shared a bottle of wine, as our ability to do so factored into our decision to dine in our hotel. The list was on the expensive side, with the cheapest bottles all priced at $44, and nothing between $44 and $70. As a lot of people tend to order the second cheapest bottle on the menu, kind of a genius move. The list seemed pretty boring, though, like the top shelf of a good Vons, and we got a $44 cabernet. It was fine. The food was acceptable, if pretty mediocre. We got a basket of dinner rolls that were purely utilitarian carbs, edible by not worth filling up on. Not long after we ordered, appetizers arrived. These were the high point of the meal. I had the jumbo lump crab cakes with basil aioli, avocado mousse, and a tomato ginger relish. These were pretty decent crab cakes. I've had better farther from water, but these were tasty, with a generous amount of crab meat and flavorful accompaniments. Matt's chilled Kauai shrimp were also good, served with ginger, scallion, and a cucumber namasu. The shrimp was snappy enough, and I liked the pickled cucumber and onion base. The ginger scallion topping was okay too, though very sharp. The entrees weren't bad but they were very forgettable. I ordered the grilled Hawaiian ahi with foie gras fried rice, Tokyo sauce, and roasted garlic hollandaise. When it arrived I took one bite and sent it back to the kitchen. I hate doing this, and I don't do it often, but this was something like a $35 piece of fish, and it was cooked medium to medium well when I ordered it rare. The color was gray instead of red, and the overdone meat had no flavor. Thankfully, Marta took it back without making me feel like a jerk. The second piece was a true rare, and it was an entirely different entree. The fish was cooked to retain it's supple sashimi texture, and it tasted like ahi. The dish had good flavors in general, though I have to wonder where the foie gras was in the foie gras fried rice. I mean, foie gras is rich and unctuous and this just tasted like dry black rice. If there was any foie, it was wasted. Matt got the Brandt Farms organic "prime" New York strip with pommes frites, homemade steak sauce, and roasted garlic hollandaise. It was a very mediocre steak, cooked on the medium side of medium rare, without a lot of flavor. The pommes frites were big thumb-like bars of potato that I had no problem leaving on his plate. Desserts were also pretty lackluster. The molten chocolate cake with ganache and vanilla bean ice cream was decent, but I've had a dozen like it, more than half of them better. The lilikoi creme brulee with sesame tuile and raspberries was just bad. It was goopy and warm with minimal passionfruit flavor. The fresh raspberries were the best part. I'd rate Tidepools at two stars based on the food, but the setting was nice and Marta was a splendid waitress. Though it had its issues, I didn't actively dislike the place. Matt and I had a brilliant anniversary in beautiful Kauai, and Tidepools played its part.
(3)Stanley S.
Loved the ocean setting watching the surfer;s, with kids playing in the tide pools and enjoying fresh Ahi sandwich for lunch. The onion rings were flavorful and the fruit tasting tea was awesome. The waitress was very attentive and was excellent in her personality to deal with the jokes one of the members in the group insisted on.
(4)Craig W.
Incredible food and ambience! Had the ahi tuna and filet mignon and I have to say they both were spectacular. The flavors of both dishes was out of this world and the fish and meat was so tender. By far this was the best piece of yellow fun tuna I have ever had!
(5)Marjorie C.
Expensive BUT this is the place where you want to spend your money: wonderfull Pina Colada, amazing Mahi Mahi, decadent chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream (baked freshly for each and everyone). The place is really original, you are dining between tidepools with Koi Fish, romantic lighting, efficient and friendly staff. The perfect place for an intimate dinner.
(5)Charlie B.
We at here our first night in Hawaii during our honeymoon. The setting was wonderful and romantic and the food was really good. Our best meal in Hawaii...nope. But, a great way to start our trip and the place is really romantic. I had the tuna and my new hubby had the mahi. My tuna was really fresh and really tasty, but a tad overcooked for asking for it medium rare. Some of the best crabcakes I have had, though. If you are staying at the Hyatt, it is worth checking out, and I would return for sentimental reasons, not to be blown away by the food.
(4)Andrew K.
This is a wonderful restaurant, location is fabulous, we were seated at an open door with coy fish by hundreds swimming by. Our server was a delight, informative, but not intrusive. The food was excellent. Overall it is a most romantic experience. Recommend without reservations.
(5)A S.
Pricey but worth it. Ate there twice during my vacation & loved it. Definitely get the catch of the day. Was so fresh. Cooked to perfection. Service was excellent. Views are great. Beautiful during sunset. Definitely make reservations ahead of time.
(5)Denise L.
Beautiful atmosphere - the tables are directly above the koi pond with an adjoining waterfall. I would definitely recommend going before dark. Our delicious dinner consisted of: - Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes - Macadamia Crusted MahiMahi - I have had this dish almost everywhere, and it was definitely on par with some of the best. The seller was that it was stuffed with crab meat! - Wasabi Crusted Ahi - My boyfriend is very picky about his ahi steak, and he enjoyed this rendition. - Bananas Foster Bread Pudding - Light, and not overbearingly sweet. Just the perfect blend of fruit and chocolate (brownie bits). Delicious food, great service, fine dining at its best -- at fine dining prices. If you are from San Francisco or any other metropolitan city, the bill will be the usual. Highly recommended for a romantic dinner.
(4)Joe Y.
Th decor and surrounding area inside the Hyatt is pleasant. When we arrived at 6:30pm, the restaurant was not very busy but we had to wait 10 minutes even though we booked the reservation in well in advance. Service was fine and the staff friendly. After ordering, it took over 45 minutes to serve. Again, the place was not packed with customers. We ordered the mahi mahi coupled with macadamia nut sauce. The fish was dry and the jasmine rice lukewarm. Not a very tasty dish compared to other restaurants I've been to with similar menus. Price was a somewhat overpriced as I'm comparing it to New York prices. Th saving grace was the server gave my daughter a complimentary lava flow dessert. Spectacular! Also, he was good enough to add a fresh and warm chowder cup which she wanted to take back home.
(2)Julie P.
The first time I came here last year, everything was perfect... perfect table surrounded by koi fish, the perfect salad, tasty bread n' butter, a heavenly piece of macadamia crusted mahi mahi, mashed potatoes, a chocolate ganache dessert... perhaps one of the best meals ever. This year it was still mostly tasty, but if was writing this review based on my most current experience, it would be getting 3 stars. If I based my review on my first time, it would be 5 stars. So I settled on 4 stars. The seating wasn't quite as magical this time... tucked away from most of the koi fish, I think I only saw a couple swimming... as compared to last time when I saw dozens of Koi. I did see a frog jump up from the pond and hop towards us under our table... that was a riot. :) It was also very dark this time... I could barely see my food. The mahi mahi had a more fine nut crust texture this time, and tasted more oily. I loved the large chunks of macadamia nuts from last time. And no mashed potatoes this time, instead some jasmine rice, which tasted lovely, but I'm not that big on rice. The dessert didnt not have the ball of pure chocolate ganache and spun sugar crisp like last time, and instead just had the lava cake with a lump of vanilla bean ice cream. Still tasty, but I was spoiled from the first visit. Luckily, we had a coupon for a free desset, so you can't complain about free cake. :) I suppose this all had to do with a different chef preparing the food. Everything felt very asian influenced this time. I suppose because Yum Cha, another restaurant at the Hyatt was closed, they felt the need to fill that missing gap over at Tidepools. Meh. Overall, Tidepools is a beautiful place, set on a unique koi pond. I would recommend requesting a table out on the water to get the full experience, and get reservations.
(4)Laurie S.
I had high expectations for Tidepools. The service was wonderful! They did not rush us and allowed us to relax. The house bread was ok. The corn soup was tasty. I loved, loved the opah and crabcakes! The shrimp that came with it were too buttery and I couldn't eat them. The potato croquette tasted like steak fries - nothing special. The mai tai was very good and cheaper than at the pool bar. The setting is beautiful, but the view from my hotel room at the Hyatt was much better. I would return just for the crabcakes!
(3)Ann M.
nice setting, food was good but I left hungry after spending $160 for two
(3)Jules A.
This review takes into account what you get for the price. The atmosphere is nice and the quality of ingredients high. At this price point, though, we expect dishes to be well balanced. The crab cakes were excellent. The hamachi watermelon appetizer was terrible. Watermelon overpowers the hamachi and it doesn't work. Overall good, but not great and not worth the price.
(3)Nicole F.
Setting is beautiful and the prices are comparable to any fine dining restaurant in a large city on the mainland. One star knocked off because their wine selection is not very good. Plus, wine is really pricey...more than the industry standard of 2.5 times markup. But the opah and shrimp is fresh and flavorful. Macadamia seabass wasn't as good a portion size but wasn't bad. Opah the favorite however. If you are staying in the Poipu Beach area, it's worth a trip - just for the setting and ambience.
(4)Wayne R.
Excellent date night location. Food was very delicious the atmosphere was beautiful (sat next the waters edge and fed the koi!). Service was friendly but a posh. $200 per couple for a full course meal with drinks. Would go again.
(5)S S.
Best crabcakes EVER. Drinks were smooth and strong and the service was great even though we only stopped in for drinks and appetizers. Enjoy the stars on your outdoor walk down and be sure to peek at the fish in the "tide pool!" Happy hour in the lounge with create your own drink looked cool but we didn't make it early enough for that. If you're not staying in the Hyatt it's also worth the trip to see the beautiful hotel lobby and outdoor space with live Hawaiian music in the lobby.
(5)Denise Y.
Beautiful views, dining over the water, and the waitstaff is very accommodating. Good place for a special night out--but be prepared for a little sticker shock when looking at the menu. I had the Ahi, which was delicious. The foie gras infused rice was the best.
(4)KC T.
Excellent food and service. The ahi poke is delicious.
(5)Jeannie L.
Meh... Tidepool was a bit of a letdown, especially for new year's dinner. Situated in the middle of an artificial tide pool, the setting itself is absolutely stunning. We took an earlier seating around 5:30 just to catch sunset. While it was lovely, much of the sunset view was blocked with Hyatt's structure and tall coconut trees. The food itself was pretty good but nothing exceptional from fine dining perspective. The kalua pig pupusa could have been better with less breading and more filling. The seared ahi tuna appetizer with furakame and layered with ponzu, yuzu and habernero sauce was delicious. The best appetizer was probably the shrimp and crab chowder. Great flavor with nice chunky shrimp bites. We also had the opah which was well seasoned with sweet corn and edemame. It may be a personal taste that I prefer more buttery, flakey fish which the opah is not, it's more on the firm side. All in all, Tidepool was pretty decent. I wouldn't make a trip to eat there if you aren't already staying at the Hyatt.
(3)Richard D.
OK, but you deserve much better.. and there IS much better in Kauai. We are staying at the Grand Hyatt Resort in Poipu, which is where Tidepools is located. To jump to the reason for the 2 star review, I'll skip over the details that I'd normally cover in a 4-5 star as I think you should really skip unless you're stuck eating here. Food: My girlfriend was pretty full, but I was famished when we arrived at Tidepools. We jumped in and ordered almost immediately after being seated as it was already getting late. I ordered the New York Strip, and my girlfriend ordered the Ahi Tuna appetizer and the Kalua Pork Flautitas. The tuna wasn't bad, but I actually expected a lot more out of Kauai fish. I don't think this was representative of Kauai, but the tuna tasted a bit too fishy and the bits of greens included didn't really balance the ahi. The Kalua Pork Flautitas were a miss as well. The pork was well seasoned but dry. The 'flautas' were really more like 'deep friend yesterday' cannellonis! The only really decent bit was the steak. Overpriced, but that's more a result of the resort most likely. Drinks: I ordered a Lava Flow, and my girlfriend had a Shipwreck, which as mixed speciality drink they offered. Drinks were good! Service: S-L-O-W! The server was extremely kind and polite, but overall the service was super slow. We were literally staring at our watches between getting items like drinks, bread, appetizer, meal, check. The restaurant was practically empty when we arrived, and yet the service was as slow as a snail. I highly recommend skipping. Your time and money are not worth it here.
(2)chavo d.
Tidepools is nestled within the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resorts and truly a destination for anyone visiting the island. My wife and I had a truly amazing experience, which shows the focus of good management. Making an 8:30P reservation, we arrived exactly 4 minutes late and were told that two couples were being seated in front of us. The hostess politely said it would be very quick. A half hour into waiting and seeing 6 couples ushered to seats, I walked up to have a chat with the staff. I mentioned the wait and was given a blank response. From earshot, Heather (Manager) witnessed the event and asked to speak with me. I recanted the situation and she kindly stated we'd be seated next. She actually took us to a table and asked if we were celebrating anything in particular; our honeymoon I stated. Seated in Michael's section (ace service!), she kindly offered us some beverages and appetizers to make this an excellent experience. From first bites, my wife and I were blown away by the culinary wonders and Michael's fantastic recommendations. Dinner was grand, one for the books I'd say. Heather and Michael turned our initial negative experience into one of the best restaurant affair ever. Having dined high and low all over the world, Tidepools is a stellar treat.
(5)Darci S.
Wonderful atmosphere, wonderful service, and fantastic food! We LOVED the crab cakes, salads, and had a wonderful soy ginger glazed fish stuffed with lobster and shrimp. Highly recommend for a lovely dinner.
(5)Sean J.
Really really surprised. We know hotels are usually good, but we had a great experience and we will go back. The setting is nice with small huts on the water breaking up the space making wherever you are surrounded by koi pond. The service from Sev to Derrick was casual but not sloppy.... That highend comfortable feel you would hope for. The food... We love food! It was spot on. Seared ahi and crab cakes are fairly typical but I have to say the amount of lump crab was more than I've ever seen. Both great. We then had a simple salad that was perfect and surprisingly did not opt for their amazing fishes but for prime rib. Downtown! Finish with a fancy coffee drink and the molten lava chocolate cake. Nigh nigh!
(5)Jessica K.
Fantastic meal, ambiance and service. I ordered the Opah after our waiter convinced me to try the local fish, and my husband got the catch of the day. We were extremely impressed - both entrees were perfectly prepared in delicious sauces with very tasty sides. And I'm super picky when it comes to fish! Not inexpensive, but worth every penny!
(5)Lauren M.
We usually venture out of the hotel for dinner, but my husband was feeling lazy so we just ate here. We enjoyed our dinner so much the first night that we came by the second night as well. To start, I had the seafood chowder they had, so good. My husband had a salad which was nicely done. Next he had a steak and I had opah. I found the fish somewhat bland and while my husband loved the edamamae and corn succatash it was served with, while it was fresh, I wasn't as big of a fan. My husband's steak was good. The coconut rice I got as a side was not very good. We finished with the lava cake which was delicious. We were also impressed by the price. It was about $120 -- only my husband was drinking, but still. The second night we both got a salad to start and as I wasn't that hungry, I just got the same soup as the night before for my main. Again it was very good. My husband got the Hawaiian catch which is fish, shrimp and lobster. He actually said my fish from the night before was better, but he still liked this. We got the lava cake again. Overall, we thought this place had great value, especially considering it's at a pricy resort. Service was good, even when we didn't have a reservations and they seemed to hesitate, we were always seated immediately. Food was overall very good as well.
(4)Corey W.
The fish they serve is as fresh as the fish swimming in the Koi pond throughout the restaurant. Located at the Hyatt resort in Poipu, Kauai - this restaurant is rated as one of the top on the island and does indeed live up to it's expectations. I have been to Kauai twice now and visited on both occasions for a high end and delicious meal - and both times left extremely satisfied (and full). The ambiance is unlike any other location seeing as the entire restaurant is open air and is seated atop a large koi pond filled with the beautiful fish swimming beneath your feet and near table side (try to get a table on the edge to "dine with the fishes"). The menu is seafood heavy (of course, its Hawaii), but also has meat and vegetarian selections. All fish is fresh and local caught which comes through in its flavour and taste. We started the evening with a bottle of wine and crab cakes. BEST CRAB CAKES EVER. They were quite big and served with an avocado mousse and a basil aioli (so it's a doctored up crab cake for sure). I had the mac nut crusted mahi which is truly made in heaven. This meal is to die for - no seriously, so amazing its beyond words. The fish is perfect, fresh covered in crushed nuts and placed upon a white coconut sauce that makes it almost dessert like. Also with it comes an avocado and papaya relish which is quite the delicious touch. This meal rates as one of the best I have ever had (I have had many). Other items at the table were the steak and the Ahi (I sampled and it was quite outstanding and tender). Every plate was extremely well plated and attractive with taste factors to boot. With all that said above - dessert was another matter! I had remembered the desserts from the previous visit (they stuck with me) and for great reason. I cannot tell if they do fish or dessert better - but either way, be sure to order both when you drop by. We shared up the lava cake, the passionfuit cheesecake and the coconut creme brûlée. OH BOY. Where to start. None of us could come close to picking a favourite as all three were literally "favourites". The lava cake was hot, fresh and and delectable (also served up with a mound of mac nut ice cream). Next - the surprising cheesecake was so soft and moist and tart, mmmm..ok, maybe this was the fav? .. nope. The coconut creme brûlée was served in a coconut shell and was absolute Hawaiian heaven. Ugh. Order all three and you pick! Service was impeccable as you would hope. The servers are very attentive, knowledgable, quick, and friendly. Both times we quite enjoyed the server we had for the table. The price point is as expected for this type of food - it's pricey, but well worth it!! The portions are fair/perfect, the quality is very high end and service/location makes for an amazing night. Splurge at some point on your trip and give it a go.
(5)Andrea P.
The Hawaiian Catch dish is highly recommended- the kitchen is so creative with flavoring. My favorite on the dish was the coconut encrusted shrimp cake- delish! The best meal on the island so far!
(5)Sim B.
Service was great but the food was below average, tasteless, and we were sadly disappointed. We went here as we did not feel like leaving the resort for dinner, big mistake. We actually went in with very low expectations as we are rarely impressed by resort food but this disappointed even further than most. We opted for the polenta encrusted scallops which were decent but overly salty. We also got the kula green salad--it came out looking nice but was drenched in way too much dressing. We also ordered the prime rib--12oz, big mistake! Had no flavor, looked dehydrated and the side of broccoli was wilted. There was no attempt at presentation on the plate and nothing was seasoned. It was all around bad food with a dull atmosphere. The highlight of our experience was the friendly waiter who even apologized for the bar tender as I ordered their gin martini but asked for it to be made spicy (I even suggested to simply add a jalapeño) but bar tender apparently ignored the request and told the waiter he did not know what I expected him to do. Overall very expensive for tasteless food and no ambiance. Made us feel sad to be spending a night in paradise at a place like this. Highly recommend leaving the resort for dinners if you have any desire to satisfy your taste buds!
(2)Suhail B.
Pretty surroundings, nice staff and ambiance. However the food is overpriced and not that good. Starters were pretty good but the ahi tuna entree was chewy- unfortunately anything but melt in your mouth. Chewy ahi tuna is not nice! Coffee and chocolate creme brûlée was just odd. We expected much more for such high prices.
(3)Timothy P.
This is our second visit to the Tidepools in Kauai. Our first visit was very good and the food excellent! We both had the prime rib which was very tasty! Our second visit was on 10/12/14. Again my wife and I ordered the prime rib remembering our former visit . This trip the prime rib was so so. We ordered two different size cuts , me the larger, my wife the smaller cut. We both got the same size, mine was $12 more. The kicker was the au jus was terrible to say the least. No meat flavor at all . Must have used some type of tomato base or some other artificial base. When you spend $$$ for a good meal you expect the best.
(2)Kristin K.
Tidepools is having an identity crisis: it can't decide on whether it's a high-end dining experience or a cheesy Tiki lounge. The meals were well-plated and looked beautiful and delicious, the prices were that of a higher-end restaurant ($30ish for an entree), the setting was generally lovely (koi pond, slate floors, lush garden surroundings). But, there were all sorts of dated and casual elements: we had to close out our bar tab before being seated, the service was friendly, but very informal, food wasn't well-seasoned (I rarely salt my food in a restaurant, but found myself doing that repeatedly), the dinner rolls were not good, the staff was joking around in the foyer (no problem with that - just didn't seem like "fine dining" atmosphere), and some of the decor was dated. It was our one nice meal out while in Kauai and I would definitely not bother with it next time.
(2)Jillian A.
We loved our experience at Tidepools. I had been looking forward to dining there for a good portion of our honeymoon and it did not disappoint. When we first arrived, they seated us at a table in the middle of one of the rooms, near a very loud family celebrating a small child's birthday. Not exactly the quiet romantic meal I had envisioned. My wonderful hubby asked the hostess if we could be seated elsewhere, and they couldn't have been nicer about it. We moved to a new spot by one of the Koi ponds and a waterfall (still loud but not "happy birthday" singing loud). The food was wonderful. We started out with the crab cakes-- I'm not a seafood fan, but thought I'd at least try something while I was in Hawaii, and I was MORE than pleasantly surprised. For dinner I had a lavender crusted filet and my husband had the opah fish. Our server was very sweet and attentive, and not overbearing at all. We had a wonderful meal, and if we could afford it, we'd happily go back again.
(4)Ashley J.
Amazing food. Gorgeous location. Friendly staff. The ONLY tip I have about eating here? Don't drink too much. You may end up losing a utensil or something in the koi pond. Actually just be careful if you are sitting next to the pond. It's all open and you can drop things in there really easily.
(5)Bananajoe B.
What more Can one Say when ambiance, food, and Service are stellar! Server Dallas was the best, as Was his back up supporter .. Sevento . Hostess and manager attentive to special requests. thank you Anna Lisa!
(5)Alex B.
This was one of the better meals I've had in a while. My wife had a spa appointment at the Hyatt that day, so we met before dinner to have some wine on the beach out front during the sunset before dinner. One of the benefits of being a hotel restaurant. Perfect. Our table was next to one of the openings of the koi pond that runs underneath the whole restaurant. Pretty fun, but also very, very dark. Service was wonderful, and while the apps came out crazy fast, the meal was at the perfect relaxed pace for our mood. The calamari appetizer was very good, but usual. The ahi poke appetizer was wonderful. The best fish and a great edimame, wasabi, goat cheese pure to go with. It was so amazing that I decided to order the ahi entrée. My wife got a seafood sampler with lobster and shrimp that were good, and snapper that was ok. She said the rice was some of the best she's had. But she didn't try mine. I had the ahi, nearly rare, on a bed of foie gras forbidden rice with a few sauces which sounded a bit more interesting than they tasted. The ahi was perfect, and the rice was like some kind of incredibly unusual risotto. Amazing. Desert was a good coconut crème brulee in half a coconut. Fun, but not as impressive as the rest. After dinner we wandered around the Hyatt with the goal of strolling on the beach before heading home. But we got distracted by the hammocks and wound up lounging on them looking up at the stars until we almost fell asleep.
(5)Mike F.
You'd think a meal at the Grand Hyatt would be up to the name. It just wasn't tasty nor anything close to warm. The fish dishes my wife and ordered were overcooked and likely kept close to warm being in the general vicinity of a heat lamp for an hour or so, but nowhere near under it. And how can you screw up a salad? Don't clean or wash the lettuce. They did neither. Dead black wilted leaves generously served stuck to fresher looking holdouts from another night. It was truly gross! I've worked in 3rd world countries that cleaned their food better. Our waitress was vey experienced, but truly on autopilot, doing just enough to appear to be doing her job. Our server was better, but seemingly didn't want to be there either. Cold crab cakes, old rubbery lobster tails, way over-cooked catch of the day with salad from last week...did they accidentally grab the demo plates and served those to us? Then, to top it off, after I paid (by credit card), we hit the restrooms which are right next to the restaurant reception desk. As my wife and I started to leave I heard the greeter/hostess calling my name into the phone. I was concerned so I went up and asked if there was a problem. She said that my bill was sent to a room number that didn't exist and she was glad I stayed to straighten it out. I reached into my wallet and pulled out my receipt when she said, "Oh, our mistake. The waitress figured it out". Grrrr, I hate incompetence, and this place wasn't professional in any regard. The ambience, gardens, waterfalls, live swans swimming in the pools and older decor are all amazingly well done if not down right impressively exotic. You'd think the food would at least be decent. It's not! Avoid this place at all costs..unless you'd like to tour the grounds and maybe indulge in a way overpriced drink. Regardless of the cost, you'll avoid a terrible meal.
(2)Alana K.
I feel you are definitely paying for your surroundings here, and if that is your main concern, then you will be very happy in this tranquil setting. Open to the lagoon with waterfall and wildlife (koi and swan), it is truly beautiful and serene. The service was fine, perhaps a little stuffy but certainly on top of things. And the food is good. The Ahi poke was amazing. The fish was delicate. The tofu was very well prepared. The Mai Tai's were not worth the $14 price tag - too sweet, in my opinion. Maybe not our most memorable dinner but certainly a good one.
(3)Marty M.
Tried the crab cakes based on the reviews and they were OK - lots of crabmeat, however it is blended and not lump crabmeat which causes it to lose moisture and flavor. Tried the calamari and sent it back. The Ahi with Foie Gras infused forbidden rice was one of the best entrees I have had in my life and was perfectly done, bold flavors that worked together well and complemented the fresh ahi. The Hawaiian catch was Mongchong, which absolutely melts in your mouth - the lobster and prawns were both overcooked - however this can be overlooked with how amazing the mongchong was. Overall 5 stars if you stick with what they do amazingly!
(5)Lizzie W.
What a special dinner. On our last night in Hawaii, my party decided to venture over to tidepools for dinner. We were staying a timeshare neighboring the Hyatt, and therefore our concierge was very helpful in getting us a reservation. The building itself was absolutely stunning. Basically you're sitting in a lagoon surrounded by waterfalls, fish, and even a swan. The lighting was perfect, dimmed but not to the point where I felt like I was eating in the dark. Our waiter sat us right next to a waterfall, which added to the quality of the experience monumentally. I was in awe the entire evening of the location alone. Even if the food was lackluster (which it certainly was not) I might just come for the sake of eating in a stunning restaurant. The food. The bread they initially brought out was tasteless. Even with the addition of butter it felt more like filler than actual food. However that is where my complaints END and with the quality of the food, surely I'm going to look over a small hiccup in a bread basket. Okay, the other two people in my party had Opah which I was lucky enough to sample. It was fresh and it was flavorful, a perfect combination. I myself ordered the filet of beef. Normally I can find something in a dish that I'm not crazy about, but to be honest there was not one fault in my entire meal. The maui onion marmalade on top of the yukon gold potato will CERTAINLY make it into my dreams. It was by far one of the best meals I've had in the past 5 years. Unfortunately the night was cut short by an awkward personal situation, which led us to pass on dessert. (something I now FULLY regret) But if it was anything like dinner, I may have just entered a food induced coma. It was a perfect ending to the trip. The ambiance and the food is an unbeatable combination. Truly a culinary treat.
(5)Patti K.
We enjoyed a wonderful sunset dinner here! Lovely fresh salad and fresh wasabi crusted Ahi for dinner! romantic setting, great for special occasions.
(5)Pete M.
My wife wanted to experience a fancy hotel resort restaurant on this Hawaiian trip so we decided to try Tidepools. Very nice set up, table alongside the koi ponds in an outside setting. Only negative: no real exposure to the island breeze and our table was not near any ceiling fans either, so it was on the warm and muggy side. Sweaty and sticky would be a good description. Cocktails were $14 each. Good but not that good. No draft beer selection either. Food price was equivalent to other top end restaurants or those that think they are top end. My wife had the Hawaiian catch, which was better than my catch of the day selection. Quality of food: very good. Presentation: excellent. Quantity: average. Could have had a salad or appetizer I suppose but we weren't in the mood to add anywhere from $10 to $18 more per item and wanted to save room for dessert. Service: very good. Relaxed and no rush. They were also not completely booked. Shared a peach tart for dessert. It was $13. It was very good. Bill with tip for 2 cocktails (pina colada and lava flow), two entrees, one dessert and two coffees : $161. Expected to spend a chunk of change and we did. Would I do it again? Proabbly but probably not here.No complaints but no major excitement either.
(3)Jimmy T.
This is 1 of 3 restaurants you must visit while in Kauai. It's at the Grand Hyatt in Poipu. The others are Dondero's (Grand Hyatt) and the Beach House. Anyhow, the meal was awesome. I needed a break from seafood, so I had the prime rib. Excellent. My wife had a very good vegetarian entree, which was not just some sautéed vegetables. It was even something that I thought was great.
(5)Lauren C.
Unfortunately, it's hard to give any restaurant in Kauai 5*'s. Tidepools is almost as good as it gets. Atmosphere is romantic and certainly pleasant, food is really decent albeit pricey, and service was pretty outstanding. I would go again, though need to save up awhile to afford!
(4)Paul T.
This place is beautiful and reeks of vacation. If you're in the mindset for a mai tai on the beach this place is a must go. It's romantic and casual all at once. Surrounded by tidepools, as the name suggests, and backed by a large waterfall, there just aren't many restaurants in the world with this kind of ambiance. If you're not staying at the Hyatt then going to this restaurant is an excellent excuse to tour this impressive complex. Of course all this unnatural beauty has that Tommy Bahama edge that may be too much for some people. An example of that edge is the big wicker chairs they use which are nice to look at but a little awkward to sit in. However after a few strong (and sweet) drinks it all goes down easy. To complete the ambiance the service was friendly and attentive but the food is only good. I think perhaps it comes from trying to appeal to a wide range of palates. The samosas were perhaps the most flavorful thing we had as the sauces they came with were delicious. Baby romaine salad was good but not spectacular. The Hawaiian Catch was a bit disappointing, just not that flavorful. The fish they used that day didn't really hold up to that cooking and the sauce could have used some more punch. The vegetarian option, Tofu Hiryozu, was surprisingly good though. We ended an enjoyable experience with the Lava cake (which was good) and headed out to the Hyatt beach side swings to cap a romantic night.
(4)Anthony Y.
Go here if you want a horrible ambiance filled with mosquito bites and lighting so dim you can't see the menu. Food quality did not justify how inconvenienced I was at this restaurant. Never coming back here again
(2)John F.
We weren't really expecting much when we came to Tidepool's on the last night of our honeymoon, but we were pleasantly surprised! The food was very, very good and our server was super friendly. I had the seafood soup and Ono for main course. Everything was cooked perfectly and had lots of flavor. We had the chocolate soufflé for dessert, which was really good. The only thing I found strange was the fact that the restaurant was virtually empty. Here we were enjoying an awesome meal in a large dining room surrounded by a gigantic koi pond by ourselves (the koi were mean). I hope they have better luck in 2013.
(4)Shanell P.
Great service. Friendly staff. We had a beautiful table right by the koi fish (they splashed us a few times!). I ordered the Hidori Chicken and hated it. The mushroom sauce was disgusting! I didnt bother eating all of it. Left a bad taste in my mouth. My husband had the Opa fish. It was delicious. I was very jealous! Lol For dessert I ordered the chocolate molten cake. It was so good! A must have! Overall a good experience with the exception of the chicken :-/
(4)Simon L.
Came here off a recommendation from travel guides as well as a friend who had previously been to this restaurant. In the midst of a longer celebration period. Setting: Again, you're in Kauai. What more can you really ask for. It's always warm with tolerable humidity. The restaurant itself is located near the middle of the Grand Hyatt Kauai premises. It's a little bit of a walk to get to the front of the restaurant as there are multiple paths through the pools and gardens of the hotel. But once you get to the front, you're greeted by a fantastic sight. The restaurant is practically sitting in the middle of the Grand Hyatt's pond! The pond, itself surrounded by beautifully vibrant flowers, is itself full of colorful koi. A restaurant with movable doors and glass panels allow you to see directly into the restaurant (or out of it, depending on where you're sitting or standing). The design of the restaurant is designed to make you feel as if you're on a floating paradise in the middle of the tropics. They succeeded. Rating: 5 stars Waiter: Our waiter was knowledgeable, warm, and friendly. It's awesome when you're greeted "Hi Mr. and Mrs........" He checked back on us multiple times throughout the meal and never provided service without a smile. He tried his best to entertain us and take care of special requests regarding dinner. His recommendations for appetizers and drinks was spot on. The only drawback, although possibly intentional to allow for enough time in case we were slow eaters, was that there were long lag periods between courses. But, as mentioned in the Setting section above, there's plenty to be entertained by while eating. Rating: 4 stars Food: Bread - Honeywheat. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Would have preferred for it to have been served warm so that the butter melts and permeates through the loaf. Still, I'd have to admit that it was pretty good. Rating: 3 Appetizer - No longer on the menu but basically consisted of veggie and sushi rolls. 6 of them. 3 sets of 2. Each set had it's own specific fish, garnish, and sauce. Possibly the best part of the meal. Refreshing. Nice way to clean your palate and prepare yourself for the upcoming meal. Rating: 4.5 Entree - Mahi Mahi and Tofu Hiryozu. The Mahi mahi was crusted with macadamia nuts, served with a molakai sweet potato, coconut -kaffir lime beurre blanc, and topped with a papaya-avocado relish. Honestly, I couldn't taste the lime, papaya, or avocado. Instead, it was a homogenous mixture of flavors. It's not to say that this dish was bad. Just that the individual flavors were not pronounced. The Tofu Hiryozu was served with stir-fried local vegetables, seame somen noodles, and a sweet soy sauce. The sauce was definitely sweet. Otherwise, nothing else was spectacular. Rating: 3 Dessert - No longer on the menu. Was a cheesecake served with pieces of chocolate and drizzled with a lime sauce. It wasn't too bad. I remember the cheesecake being a little "sour" compared to others I've tasted. But remember, I'm not a sweets kind of guy. Rating: 3 stars Drinks - Lava Flow. The traditional strawberry syrup mixed into a pina colada drinks. Not bad. The alcohol was pretty light. Rating: 3 stars Recommendation: Try it out. The experience is better than the meal.
(3)Eleanor L.
We were staying at the Marriott and decided to eat here one night. We just ordered a bunch of appetizers to save money. Valet parking - get your ticket validated. Atmosphere - lovely, outdoor eating, casual. Food - excellent. Well prepared, creative, fresh, tasty., good portions. Just because you might be on a budget doesn't mean you need to skip this place, by ordering a bunch of different appetizers you save money and will still be full so full that you may not have room for their amazing desserts. Great dessert menu - very creative. Would definitely return here.
(5)Jon N.
Our favorite so far in Kauai. Setting is thatch-roof-style open-sided huts off a koi pond lagoon near the ocean, in the middle of the Grand Hyatt resort, catch sunset if you can. Service is very good. Food is excellent, especially recommend the seared Ahi over black rice.
(5)Judy P.
If there were more stars to give this restaurant I would do so. From the moment we entered to the moment we left, every experience was outstanding! It was so good the first time, we went back a second time in one week! Will definitely return and recommend! I also enjoyed my favorite wine...a bottle of Caymus, mmmm so good!
(5)Kai T.
It is a really nice place, food was great.
(4)T M B.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. We made reservations, were promptly seated at a fantastic table, got a wonderful waiter who had worked there for 18 years and knew the entire menu inside and out, and had absolutely wonderful food. The crabcakes were phenomenal. I've had crabcakes at almost every restaurant I go to, including many 5 star restaurants and some great places in New Orleans that you would think would have great crabcakes. These were, by far, the greatest. The lumps of crab were fresh - never canned or frozen - and in great big lumnps. I don't know how they formed these perfect crabcakes without handling them so much that they turned to paste. There was practically no filler and they were seasoned to perfection. I had the macadamia crusted mahi mahi and it was excellent. My husband had the Ono and was very pleased. The dessert was also FANTASTIC. I got the Bananas Foster Bread Pudding, which was - according to the waiter - essentially bread pudding made from banana bread. IT was delicious and came from a house made caramel sauce that actually tasted like caramelized sugar - a little bit like burnt sugar rather than like corn syrup and artificial flavoring. I would highly recommend it. So far on our honeymoon we have had three $125 dinners. Gaylord's, Tidepools, and Kintaro Japanese. Of these, Tidepool takes the cake. If I could do it over again, I would gladly have driven all the way here to eat at this place three times rather than shopping around and only eating here once.
(5)Alexandra D.
At the end of our amazing stay in Kauai, we chose this restaurant for our "fancy/romantic" dinner. It was fun to dress up an walk around the Hyatt for a bit and then settle into cozy table that was on the edge of the Koi pond. Every single thing we ate was absolutely delicious! Appetizer: grilled vegetable samosas. My meal: tofu (as a vegetarian, I REALLY appreciate the effort put into coming up with a dish like this and making it as delicious as it was) His meal: swordfish (he really enjoyed it... and he doesn't love to eat as much as I do, so for him to lick the plate clean is saying something) Dessert: bananas foster bread pudding. Oh... my... God... so good. All washed back with a bottle of champagne, and it made for a fantastic evening!
(5)Ibrahim A.
If you don't mind paying a premium for great food, you'll love the food at Tidepools. We were a party of 18 and I pretty much tasted everyone's food. All exceptional. My favorite was the stuffed Seabass. I also recommend the Samosa and if you like blue cheese, the organic tomatoe salad. Staff is well trained and accomodating. One last thing, if you are looking for a quiet meal, ask for a table away from the waterfall.
(5)S H.
We showed up late and didn't get to see the place lit up very well. The ponds around the tables are lit, so we did watch the fish all around us for the whole meal. We were a bit worried when we first walked in. There was a live performer in the back of the hotel that was super loud, but by the time we walked down to the ponds, we couldn't hear any of it. We didn't have a reservation, but got seated almost immediately. Got our drinks served up quick and some bread. I tried the organic tomato salad appetizer and was a bit disappointed. The presentation was good, everything gets stuffed back into the tomato and it looks like all you get is an ordinary tomato on a plate. Cutting into it, you find the normal insides have been replaced with maui onions, blue cheese, arugula, and a little bit of bacon. It probably should have been great, but I found the tomato a bit lacking -- it was close to the worst supermarket tomato you could think of -- ice cold, not quite red in color, and flavorless. The opah&shrimp and macadamia crusted mahi mahi were ok, but weren't anything special. I didn't care much for the rice that accompanied the opah. The fish was better without the "tomato basil and mint relish" that was served on the side. Maybe they don't deal much with tomatoes at this place -- the ones in the relish were 1/2 cherry tomatoes. I expect my relish & chutneys to be chopped a bit finer than that. If I had it to do over, I'd just wander through here to soak up the atmosphere. Maybe get a drink at the bar -- we didn't notice it, so I don't know what kind of view it had. Then I'd go eat at the Beach House or Red Salt.
(3)Jamie R.
I was at the resort for a conference for 10 days and a few nights I just wanted to relax with a good glass of wine and good food. The restaurant is overly pricey and the portions are small which is why I only gave it 3 stars. Likewise, it closes relatively early in the evening so if you're running around all day and wait too long to come down to the restaurant, you'll be out of luck. I went twice by myself and got the same thing: Crab Cakes-$15 (some of the best I've ever had), the Island salad-$9 and glass of Ravenswood zinfandel-$10. That cost about $45 with tax and 20% tip. It wasn't exceptionally filling but very well done and the perfect beach meal. The atmosphere is lovely and very relaxing. Yes, it's a family resort so be prepared for families to bring their kids in there. However, I went a little later at night and the kids were mostly gone those days. The servers were prompt and pleasant. Overall, it was a nice splurge but probably not the place you want to eat at every night unless you've got deep pockets.
(3)Andrew S.
Tidepools is one of the most beautiful restaurants that my wife and I have had the pleasure to dine. There's beautiful views from every seat. Our server was very attentive throughout the meal. The bread that comes before the meal is outstanding. I had to stop myself so that I had room for the meal! I ordered the granny smith salad with duck and goat cheese. It was very good but it's not really a salad in the usual terms. The small slices of apple are the "lettuce". It was very tasty. I tried the hawaiian opah fish with yuzu sauce for my entree. It's very good. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the potato croquette. It was just ok. My wife had the ny strip. If you still have room get the molten chocolate cake dessert with macadamia ice cream. It's tasty! For a very special night this is a great place. It's quite expensive but the atmosphere alone warrants the splurge.
(4)J M.
The best part was the koi ponds and the scenery. The food tasted good but was a bit too rich with butter. It felt very heavy and overpowered. Also the bill may scare you when you see the price... Still definitely worth seeing if you love fish because you are surrounded by tons of them and you can even eat lots of different kinds of them too!! Also make sure to bring mosquito spray. I forgot to put some on and quickly became a sunset meal to these pesky creatures.
(4)Miss T.
2 stars only be because of ambience. Food, at best, was mediocre, as I would only give this restaurant one star for food--as I would at this entire resort. I had the opah, served with shrimp and a fried potato cake. I have had better prepared and presented airplane food. The opah was prepared grilled and draped in a sauce that would have been better paired with a steak. My boyfriend had the ahi which was just okay. For the price, go somewhere else on the island. We won't be staying at this resort again as the food options are lackluster and sparse. The location of this resort and this restaurant demands better quality fare and options.
(2)Ellen O.
best meal during our trip to kauai. i don't remember what type of fish i had (mahi mahi?) but i do remember that it was cooked to perfection. the quiet, zen-like ambiance was a pleasant change after roy's the night before.
(4)Stan W.
Great ambiance, excellent service as with everything at the Hyatt. Having been offered a macadamia crusted mahi, wasabi seared ahi, and grilled opah at just about every restaurant on this little island, I was very disappointed that the chef here offered much of the same. I was hoping for a little more imagination here. So I went with the surf and turf and my wife had the tofu. My steak was cooked perfectly, although I thought it was lacking some flavor - my wife disagreed. I guess being from the midwest I shouldn't expect much from Hawaiian steak, but for $56 my hopes were up. The tofu was definitely an interesting dish and very well done.
(4)Megan M.
Lovely restaurant, we had a great time. The place was pretty deserted, and we couldn't figure out why. It looked slightly busier as we were leaving (we ate early, to watch the sunset as we ate, so around 6:30pm), but still not packed by any means. Our waiter was very attentive, and the food was great. We were able to sit right at a window on the koi pond (the "windows" are floor to ceiling, and completely open), and the fish would come up begging for food (seriously), and splash our feet while we ate, it was pretty funny. I think we saw some people feeding them fish food (not Phish Food) that they got from their server, but we didn't ask, or get any. For dinner we had the Pupu platter to start, and the seared opah and surf & turf for meals. All was really good, I think the best part was when our server dropped off our meals, and said "enjoy...and have FUN". We both cracked up. Dessert we had the chocolate lava cake, again, yum. The one at the Beach House was better, but warm chocolate...vanilla ice cream...you can't really go wrong. Definitely a fun night for us, the atmosphere was great, food was terrific, service was spot on.
(4)Paul H.
Atmosphere was perfect, service was spot on and the food was delicious. Best Mahi Mahi I have ever had. Wife had the steak and loved it as well. Cannot wait to go back.
(5)McKenzie M.
So good we ended up eating here twice while on our vacation. We had 4 in our group so we had a lot of different items. Everything was delicious. Great setting and service too!
(5)Shane H.
The ambiance alone makes this place unique. Every seat is a good. I recommend the prime rib, crab cakes and, Hopa fish plate. It's a little on the pricey side, but definitely a great meal.
(4)M P.
Our best meal on the island ! Fish was cook to perfection ! just delicious ! Crab cake was so yummy. well, we did have a small problem - my husband order steak for med well and it came out so red/bloody that we have to send it back twice, but overall it was still very good and service was excellent. They comp our drinks and desert due to the steak being undercooked twice, but we still enjoys our dinner very much, except - tons of mosquitoes around.
(4)Brian L.
My girlfriend and I ate here as part of her company function. We ended up getting a private area for our group and a set menu to select from as we had a large party. We had a choice of the crab cake or the sashimi for a starter and I must say, the sashimi was right on. Next was the option for a asian styled chicken salad or a tomato with maui onion & bacon salad. Both were pretty good. Entrees consisted of fish or beef in assorted styles. I opted for the peppered Ahi (on the spicy side but I like it that way) and the GF got the Opah. Both were excellent! Hands down, great preparation and presentation. Flavors were perfect and portions were generous. Dessert options were a chocolate mouse type dessert with hard shell or fresh sorbet. The little known thing about the desserts are that they do not make the desserts onsite except for the sorbet. Hence, why the sorbet is the better of the two and is fresh. It was a combo of Gauva, Lychee, and Mango with fresh berries. Awesome! It's pricey, but worth it for that dinner to splurge on. Especially if you are stuck in the resort and not venturing off. The service staff is also very good and attentive. The only thing I didn't like, was the watered down Tai Chi drinks they kept bringing me.
(5)Patrick A.
Wow. Ultra romantic vibe. Beautiful place. -especially liked the openness, not far from the beach, nearly surrounded by a koi pond (also, man, the Hyatt is palatial). Excellent service. I used to work as a server. I know. Fantastic food and presentation. -creative and tasty My wife and I went there as a "date" on our honeymoon. It was a beautiful night. So glad we went. We recommend it.
(5)Dan R.
Great scenery, awesome food, a great romantic dinner spot. It felt like we were dinning high end Hawii style. Would haave been nice with a group as well.
(4)Jessica V.
My husband and I were told that Tidepools was the most romantic restaurant in Kauai, so we made sure to make a reservation to eat there while we were in Hawaii for our honeymoon. We arrived a few minutes early for our 8:30pm reservation, but ended up having to wait for a while before the table was ready. Fortunately we found seats at the bar and were able to enjoy some cocktails and an appetizer while we waited. Once we were taken to our table, we were disappointed - we were seated in what was essentially a hallway that ran parallel to the kitchen. It was very loud and we could smell everything - and I mean everything - going into and coming out of the kitchen. I asked to be moved to a different table, which didn't make the hostess very happy (and she showed it). After we got re-settled in, the service was good and prompt. Unfortunately there were lots of families with younger children, so it definitely wasn't the romantic meal we thought we'd have.
(3)Dawn M.
My husband and I ate here during our honeymoon while we stayed at the Hyatt in late 2005. We had a reservation right by the pond there. I wasn't as impressed as I expected to be. We both had the Seafood Mixed Grill and then we split the Apple Pie for dessert. As we walked to Tidepools from the back of the hotel, we passed the backside of Donderos, the Italian restaurant, for the first time. I found myself wishing we made reservations there instead. Our meal at Tidepools was good, but if I did it again, I'd go to Donderos instead, as it looked like the terrace of a mansion from the rear and was nice and romantic with all the tiki torches.
(3)Kristen B.
Very pleased!! We came here on the first night of our honeymoon and were not disappointed. The atmosphere is very romantic, the service is attentive and friendly, and the food was great. We ordered the crab cakes (loved), the summer rolls (pretty good), and the filet (pretty good). The chocolate molten cake was also very good. Returned the next night for crab cakes and the bananas foster (amazing!!). It is pretty pricey, but comparable to the other upscale restaurants on the island.
(4)M L.
Reservations: Required. Service: Impeccable. Water glasses constanly full, waiter was warm and gracious. Food: Gourmet and elegantly served. Do try the pupu platter appetizer. Ambience: Lovely. Restaurant is situated on stilts ON TOP OF a large man-made koi pond, and the fish have a tendancy to swim right up to the tables, which are perched in open archways right on the water's edge. Killer place to take a date.
(5)Gregg H.
Reading over the menu, I had much higher expectations for dinner because the food was very good at the other places on the Hyatt Resort where we had eaten (Seaside Café, Stevenson's and Lagoon). Sadly, we were disappointed with our dinner. We started off with the crab cakes and Romaine Salad. The crab cakes had very little flavor and the Salad completely lacked flavor. With onion-garlic dressing, manchego cheese and chili pepper oil there should have been a ton of flavor. My wife likened the salad to a bottled Caesar dressing we could make at home. Our entrees were also disappointing. I had the Volcano Spiced Opah that was dry and overcooked. My wife had the Mahi Mahi, that was also overcooked and tasteless. Given the experience with appetizers and entrees, we did not stick around for dessert. The only saving grace was the location and the attentive bus boy. All in all, we likened this meal to mass catered hotel wedding food. If you are looking for a good meal in this price range, I would recommend upstairs at Merriman's, Red Salt or taking the drive up the The Kauai Grill at the St. Regis Hotel in Princeville.
(1)Sidney P.
Best high-end restaurant on Poipu. Spendy for sure, but food, ambiance and service are all stellar. If you are only going to one or two fancy pants places, put this at the top of your list!
(5)James T.
The fist time we dined at Tidepools we thought we got an off night. The company who killed the electric car - GM General Motors - were at the resort and a bit on the grumpy side so they brought a heavy aura to the entire place that maybe influenced the service here also. So when GM did not take over large parts of the resort anymore we went back to Tidepools and service was still below par, drinks never came and wine never came paired with the meals as designed. The meals were small and overpriced. The menu descriptions were better than the actual meals and needed to be rescued by a hot sauce. Compared to what we had at the other restaurants and even room service we expected more since this was highly recommended by the concierge. Our advice is to go to the Golf Course asian restaurant for a fraction of the price and a much better service, food, and view of the sun going behind the mountains and spreading light over the golf course. Bummer, I was looking forward to eating more at the resort but I agree with Mari K. - go down the road a bit for a better experience overall. Heck even the brick over place was better than this.
(1)missy s.
After the great reviews, we were excited to try this place out while celebrating our anniversary. Sad to say, it was mediocre and very expensive. The ambiance is nice, but the food was only OK. we were able to get a nice table overlooking the Kai pond, but it was at night, so we couldn't really see anything :(
(3)Ken H.
Outstanding! Great service, ambiance, and the food was superb. Best to get a reservation, but we just showed up and they were happy to seat us in the bar area which was still a fantastic table.
(5)Michael G.
First meal I had upon arriving to Kauai. We had steak and scallops and it was amazing! We sat right next to the pond, it was really romantic and very quiet (when we were there). We had great drinks and dessert. It's a higher end restaurant so it's a little more pricy but when you are vacationing you want to eat good and Tidepools fit under that category.
(5)Nicole W.
I remember this as being one of my favorite meals ever. I went for dinner after sunset, and the interior lighting was really low, with tiki torches sparkling off the koi pond. It felt magical. The waiter was spectacular, and the food was delicious. Honestly, it's been awhile since I went so I don't remember many particulars. But I'd still recommend it to anyone in the area.
(5)Jay E.
Tidepools was one of our favorite restaurants in Kauai. Great setting and excellent service. I would recommend trying to make a reservation for the table that extends out. It's away from everyone else and your surrounded by water on 3 sides. We started with the crab cakes, a must and some pork dumpling type dish. They were both excellent. I ordered the local fish, they had 3 to choose from on the night we dined. It was excellent and cooked perfectly. I wouldn't recommend the chicken entree, that was the only dish that wasn't excellent. Overall, It's worth eating here if your staying at the Hyatt or another hotel in the area.
(5)Erin T.
We were staying at the Grand Hyatt and had $100 Amex resort credit to use. My husband and I are usually not fans of the hotel restaurants but figured we had nothing to loose. I had also heard it was pretty good. We had 8:15 reservations for 2 and waited about 30 minutes for a table. This made my husband very upset, rightfully so. They did not seem to be busy at all but the hostess did seem flustered. She kept saying they were waiting for special tables in the waterfall room? to open up - we didn't care - we were just hungry! After finally being seated (in no special place), 3 different staff members apologized for the wait which was very nice and made us feel better. Our waiter was super crazy at first and had me worried, but he ended up being very knowledgeable and honest about the food and pretty funny. We had the kalua pork papusas for an appetizer which was wonderful. My husband had the creole opah which was delicious (I'm from New Orleans and usually not a fan of ANY attempt at creole food outside the state or my kitchen!) and I had the Hawaiian catch which was wonderful. Both dishes were perfectly portioned and presented beautifully. We were so pleasantly surprised. The waiter did accidentally charge us for someone else's dessert which he laughed off and apologized for.
(4)Ivan D.
First of all, the setting is gorgeous. It is a very open restaurant that is surrounded by a monster koi pond. Service was ok, food was ok but very pricey. This is the second time i have been here and the food came out luke warm both times(7 months apart mind you). For the price, this is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the restaurant choices at the Grand Hyatt are limited, so this and Dondero's the italian restaurant are the go to places on property. (i refuse to go high end italian in hawaii!!) They do have some meat options for the non fish eaters. Eat somewhere else and have dessert here....
(3)Frenchy B.
Service: 4 star Food: 3 stars I love kauai - but one must lower standards and expectations - otherwise go to wailea. Friendly staff, somewhat attentive service. The food is just 'okay'. They certainly don't measure up to the five star hotel restaurants of the bigger islands. Keep that in mind.
(3)Kristin Y.
The setting was romantic. GO before dark because all they use to light the table is little candles. We enjoyed our meals of surf and turf and the i loved loved the mahi mahi stuffed with crab. The triple chocolate dessert was only ok.
(4)CW L.
Romantic restaurant. There is a swan outside. My husband really liked his meal. Mine was good too. Nice.
(4)Chris M.
Absolutely delicious meal. Our waiter was attentive, helpful in describing the selections in each course, and super friendly. The atmosphere is also excellent and relaxing as the dining tables are surrounded by a Koi pond. Our dinner was expensive, though not so expensive for the resort area of Kauai, but we would absolutely return.
(4)Stuart M.
Tidepools is one of my family's favorite south shore restaurants. The food is terrific, the views are beautiful and the service is very good. The atmosphere is casual but nice and the restaurant is surrounded by a koi pond (if you have kids ask for some fish food). It's a good place to take kids. Parking isn't a problem.
(5)Eric G.
Normally I'm not big on ridiculously expensive hotel restaurants, but we all loved the food here and the building is like something out of a storybook. Each room is like a little island floating in a koi pond, which is surrounded by little bridges and tiki torches. I had a seafood sampler which came with a breaded fish fillet, one piece of shrimp, and one scallop. Not as small as it sounds. Everything was well prepared. For drinks, try a "tai chi." It's a strong mai tai with a pineapple flavor. It will make you move slow. My only complaint is the shrimp cocktail has to be the worst deal of all time. I think it worked out to about $5 per shrimp. Skip the appetizers and get an extra drink instead.
(5)Erica B.
Very beautiful ambiance, super romantic. Koi pond is hypnotic. Very average food. It looks pretty, but is not cooked well. Local fish dishes are overcooked and bland. I mean, It was a nice evening, but it just tastes like resort food, you know? I've had MUCH better meals in my life.
(2)David S.
I ate here with my wife for our honeymoon while staying at the Grand Hyatt. The food was delicious, but you really come here for the ambiance. Get a seat near the water for a beautiful view of the waterfall and koi pond. I don't remember all the details about our meal since it was sadly almost 3 weeks ago, but it was delicious (I had opah, and my wife had the prime rib). Portions were big, and we barely finished our meal. The dessert was probably the most memorable part... molten lava chocolate cake. It took about a half hour to make (you order it ahead of time), and it was absolutely worth it.
(5)Sutanuka L.
Had a birthday dinner here... Very good food.
(5)Stephanie K.
One of my favorite restaurants in the world. I highly recommend the filet mignon, for it is the best dish I have ever tasted. The bread is very good! Overall, the customer service is phenomenal. Each staff member is polite and gives honest opinions about each dish they have tasted, which I admire. Not only that, but the scenery is BEAUTIFUL! I love the waterfall! If you eat here, I highly recommend asking for a seat by the water, which is filled with aesthetic koi fish.
(5)greg s.
Is it expensive? Are the portions small? Is the setting unbeatable? Yes to all so why the complaining? Food is fantastic and I come up with five stars when I compare this to expensive bay area places like Alexanders or One Market. There is no comparison. The food quality is better for the same price as all the bay area restaurants but you have a setting that they cannot offer.
(5)Little Tuna's Mom X.
We are here in Kauai on our honeymoon. We ate here two nights ago... Very romantic! (Expensive, but you are paying for the beautiful & peaceful setting.) Anyhow, no regrets! Ok, ask me again when I see my credit card statement! Cocktails were like $14 each... I think dessert was about $11 or so. You don't even want to know how much the entrees were. But like I said, it was super romantic. The tables are very spread out, and it is on their koi pond and very dark ... lit only by tiki torches and candles. The service has been called 'slow', but I think they are honestly just trying to be nice and not make you feel rushed. I think that is part of the charm. Our waiter, Rob, was super cool and friendly.
(5)Ron A.
I was hesitant to go here after disappointing meals at Roy's and Merriman's. Only so many overpriced mediocre meals you can take. But since we were staying at the Hyatt anyways, we decided to give it a shot. The layout of the restaurant provides a great ambiance. So that was a very nice start. The service was also very good. I kept expecting something to go wrong. But in the end the restaurant was all you could have hoped for. Food, service, location, it all was above par. It was a welcome respite from our earlier disappointments. I would definitely recommend it.
(5)Tiffany B.
OMG!! such a beautiful setting. Right onthe koi pond next to the waterfalls. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! Wine list-great, menu items were standard- poke, steak,fish, meat nothing too special. The setting just takes the cake all together.
(4)Mark W.
My wife had fish, I had prime rib, and we had chocolate dessert with ice cream. All were awesome, as was the view from the restaurant and the hotel it is a part of.
(5)Mari K.
Have to give it a ONE star. Boo to the server who wouldn't allow my husband and I to sit at one of their PREMIER spots by the window- it was 830pm (and pitch black outside AND it was on a Monday night)....not busy at all. This all occurred when we stated we were there for dessert only. I guess you are treated as a second class citizen at Tidepools if you only want to partake in their dessert. Don't waste your time on a snooty restaurant. Try Roy's or Keoki's, only a 5 minute drive from there and much better service AND food.
(1)Thomas C.
Great food, atmosphere and service. Server gave honest opinion of menu items not just suggesting the more expensive item.
(5)Laura H.
My husband and I went here twice for dinner during our honeymoon last year. First off; the setting is beautiful. You sit in little huts on the water and koi fish swim all around you. We threw some bread out to them and all of the fishes came sworming to our area. It was amazing. The food was quite good. We had the Grilled Peppered Ahi one night and split a dessert. The wine was delicious and the setting romantic. I recommend this place to anyone visiting Kauai! Just to walk around the Hyatt too is a sight in itself. That hotel is gorgeous. We hope to one day be able to afford to stay there.
(5)E D.
Delicious filet mignon and lava cake. View was not as nice as I expected based on other reviews.
(4)Craig D.
A-OK...Just too many House Sparrows flying around to enjoy the meal completely.
(3)Brandon G.
Amazing ambiance sitting on the koi ponds, in the gardens, near a waterfall. This really is an amazing hotel all in all. Food and price were standard. Nothing too great and didn't disappoint. I had lobster and my wife had the macadamia crusted mahi mahi. They made me a lobster sans the surf and turf which was nice but it should be on the menu. Bread was nothing special, but they didn't complain that we were feeding the birds and the fish with it (which is pretty much our favorite pastime on the island). $120 for the 2 of us with 2 drinks and entrees and amazing surroundings. Good deal. Cheers
(4)Matt C.
Service was not good at all...Fish was decent...Wouldn't go back nor would I recommend it...Only reason I gave two stars was because of the ambience.
(2)Jason H.
We came for dessert and enjoyed the chevre cheesecake and pineapple bread pudding. The koi pools are fun. This place loses stars based on it's very dated appearance right down to the 80's table runners and staff uniforms, the very informal service for a high end resto, and the big piece of prime rib under a heat lamp that greets you on the way in (how odd). Like the other restaurants at the hyatt I feel like this place is trapped in time about 20 years ago. Really needs a refresh to something much more contemporary.
(3)Angie J.
Its expensive as all resort food is but I recommend the prime rib. Its a huge cut and truly delicious.
(5)Meghan K.
My husband and I came here during our honeymoon. Good atmosphere, Interesting setup - water huts in a coy pond. Definitely try to get here for the sunset. Good food, but for the prices not amazing. We got the ahi poke for a starter which was very good, but I've never had it before so I don't have much to compare it to. For entrees, we got the mahi mahi and the surf n turf (new york strip and kona cold lobster tail). Both were good - but not amazing. For dessert we got the molten chocolate lava cake which was great if you love chocolate. Overall it was a good dining experience and I would go back.
(4)Chris F.
Great ambience. Good food. Our waiter was great too - put up with my dad and I chattin real loud and laughin and all that.
(4)Monica M.
Why 5 stars? Great waiter, awesome mahi mahi and rice that was wrapped in coconut leaves. Husband had the Opah and was in love with this dish. Koi pond filled with fish with personality. Monday evening around 9pm provided for a nice breeze with a beautiful tikki torch ambiance. Not crowded, 5 minute wait for a table.
(5)Antonio L.
We ate here while staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai and are glad we did. First of all, the restaurant is absolutely lovely with its placement out on the water, surrounded by koi in the ponds. The lighting was almost a little too soft at night, but it was romantic. We shared a shrimp and duck summer roll appetizer, which was very delicious. The duck was tasty and not at all greasy or tough as duck can sometimes be. I also had a tomato appetizer with blue cheese, bacon and balsamic. It was unique as the tomato had been peeled and cut open, with the greens and other items stuffed inside. Very tasty. For dinner, my wife enjoyed a crusted mahi mahi which even I enjoyed a bite of, and I do not eat fish generally. No fishiness to it at all, and it was light and flavorful. I had a surf and turf, with a very tender 7oz steak and the best lobster tail I have ever eaten. I did not even want to touch it to the butter, as it was so rich and sumptuous on its own. For dessert, we shared a very tasty chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. My wife also had a fresh made smoothie with coconut and vanilla which was very good. The service was very attentive and friendly, and overall we were exceptionally pleased. Furthermore, for what we enjoyed, and the location and type of restaurant, we found the bill to be very reasonable at $135 pre tip.
(5)Marie O.
Such a great restaurant, we wished we could take it with us back to Seattle. The open dining room floor plan is so beautiful and peaceful- the tables by the "waterfall" kind of magical at night. We weren't looking for 'posh' on our trip to Kauai, we were looking for Hawaiian chill and definitely found it at Tide Pools. During our stay at the Grand Hyatt we ate at Tidepools twice, and were oversatisfied both times. Service was genuinely friendly, attentive, and relaxed. Their housemade sweet dinner roles were incredible, and our waiter was kind enough to let me smuggle some back to our hotel room. The crab cakes and their dangerously delicious molten chocolate cake were my favorites. My only complaint was their wine by the glass collection was weak (the Segura Viudas sparkling is awful).
(5)N K.
After reading all the reviews, we decided to try Tidepools, hoping for a five star meal. Being from the Bay Area, the cost and meal size did not scare us. Also, staying at the Hyatt, this was a convenient choice. After having an awesome Tai Chi (upgraded Mai Tai) and an amazing appetizer (essentially a veggie won ton) we were all set for a great entrée. Here is where we met the downfall. I ordered the Surf and Turf. Please don't make this mistake. The menu advertised shrimp, scallops and filet of beef. What I got was ONE shrimp, ONE scallop and a filet of overdone beef (I ordered it medium) on a bed of very dry mashed potatoes. I was SO disappointed. My husband ordered the prime rib which was charred. Totally overdone. Who overcooks prime rib? We ordered the banana fosters bread pudding for dessert hoping to up the review but it was really only mediocre. We gave the restaurant 3 stars merely for the drinks and the appetizer. I'd give it a 1 star for the main course. Perhaps we just ordered the wrong thing. My logic, however, is that if u r going to put it on the menu and charge an arm and a leg for it, u should be able to cook it well.
(3)Hunter O.
this place is nice.. small portions for the money.. but you will most likely leave full...and the taste is great.. the wait staff is outstanding cant say enough about how great they are..dont forget to bring lots of dollars this place ran like 140.00 for dinner and drinks for the two of us.
(4)Bill C.
Very nice! Like the hotel, you will pay big bucks for the food. The ambiance is incredible. If possible, ask for a table on the outside, not the inside where you might be next to a tiny pool with a few fish.
(5)Seth B.
There are very few times when the entire dining experience, from the ambience to the waitstaff to the local food, is perfect. Tide pools continues to achieve that goal every time we done there. The food is an amazing collection of the best tastes Kauai has to offer, with some of the freshest fish offerings as well as more traditional dishes. Hyatts executive chef Matt Smith is committed to using local ingredients as much as possible and it shows. The lobster bisque was amazing--a lighter broth with some spice, a perfect balance for the tropical climate as opposed to the New England style thick creamy broth. The crab cakes were to die for. Yes, they are 'just crab cakes,' but they are amazingly prepared , fresh and warm , and very filling (2). For the entree, the Hawaiian catch is the best dish I've had in ages--a fresh local fish (tonight it was monchong) cooked in a ginger soy glaze, topped with a shrimp cake and topped with a fresh Kona lobster tail. The lobster was succulent and sweet, as if it had butter infused from the lobster's birth. The shrimp cake was crusted and soft inside as a nice texture balance. All these three kinds of seafoods served atop purple Hawaiian potatoes and local broccolini. Yum! You can't go wrong at Tidepools. Sure, it's a little pricey but that's what all seafood dishes are costing around Poipu. Here you get a HUGE plate with delicious options, well worth the price.
(5)Stacey W.
Food = really great. Service = excellent. We stopped in with no reservation midweek when the restaurant was empty. We were well dressed. We ordered a bottle of wine, crab cakes, Ahi and Mahi Mahi, and topped it off with coffee crime brûlée. The crab cakes were the best I've ever had - moist but not a hint of any overbearing binding material ( mayo, etc) - just delectable. The Ahi was seared and served on a bed of black rice that I found yummy but hubby was less thrilled and said it was boring. The Mahi Mahi was fantastic: crusted and flaky, moist, flavorful, served with the best beans I've ever eaten (and that means more than 1000 servings) plus jasmine rice presented in a lovely tea leaf. All in all, fabulous experience. So why 3 stars? When we walked in the questions from the hostess were: name, room number. When we said we were not staying at the Grand Hyatt ( which Tidepool,belongs to) she quickly escorted us to the bar to dine. Don't get me wrong - I love bars. But I do not embrace hearing the whine of the blender behind me for 90 minutes. I also don't appreciate being forced to view a pathetic, captive swan in a faux lagoon when the Pacific is bursting with whales, as it was this night. I looked into the dining room multiple times and it was A) mostly empty and B) filled with diners dressed poorly, in shorty shorts and skanky clothes. Yet my spouse and I were shoved into a (albeit) nice bar to dine. This was a 30% less-than-optimal dining experience. Not surprisingly, I did NOT notice a 30% reduction in our $180 check. We tipped full fare despite this oversight. I wonder how the Grand Hyatt makes these rules. It seems customers on the hook are already caught. Potential customers, however, who come in from elsewhere should be lured into thinking they, too, should stay at the Grand Hyatt someday. Sadly, that day will likely never come for me ... now.
(3)Rick F.
Best Meal the entire vacation! Crab Cakes were perfect not much breading and plenty of fresh crab meat! Seafood Trio was excellent, Shrimp, Lobster and mongchong panfried with a side of rice. Atmosphere was great waterfalls, tropical plants, just great overall.
(4)Ian P.
The customer service is what made this a truly outstanding experience for our romantic evening!!! When we arrived we had to wait, there was a lovely lounge/bar where we could look out at the water filled with koi and a large swan. We were only waiting about 15 minutes (at 8PM on a Saturday night) before being seated. Our server was extremely attentive, friendly, and prompt. We were not seated directly by the water, which made us a little jealous of the couples that were, but it was still lovely. Our server did a great job of describing specials and answering questions. We had just eaten tapas 2 hours before so we decided to split an entree and get an appetizer and drinks. That's when things took a turn for the wonderful. First, a couple right next to the water, where we wanted to sit, left, and we requested to be moved to that table. Within 5 minutes they had the table cleared, and a busser who insisted we allow him to move our silverware/napkins/appetizer, etc. Then rest of the food came. What REALLY impressed us was the presentation. We've split plates before and we're used to extra charges (there were none) and splitting ourselves, we've even often had to request the extra plate. Here, they brought out 2 plates, with the portions perfectly split. They perfectly cut the lobster tail in half and found a way to arrange around our turf it to make it artful. We have spent more money in places that cared less about their presentation and customers. The food was outstanding, and we were blown away. Our best dining experience the entire week, and look forward to going back next year :D
(5)Marci A.
We went here for our 15th wedding anniversary dinner on our trip to Kauai. We were seated next to koi pond ( tip: make reservations and specifically request one of those tables). The koi were so much fun to watch swimming, and I loved feeding them some leftover bread. Our food was equally amazing. I had the ahi appetizer (husband had ceviche) and prime rib ss main course (husband had fish of day: opah). All were amazing. Great service and atmosphere!!
(5)Jared J.
Seafood here is great, so is the service. Really enjoyed the vibe - it's definitely a bit more touristy, almost feels like Disneyland, but if you're looking for a romantic dining experience - go for it! We ate here on our honeymoon and really enjoyed the fresh seafood.
(5)Lee A.
Poop. Your. Pants. (In a good way!) Genius. I got the Volcano Spiced Opah and that was the best meal I had on my trip. Sweet corn, bacon crab, edamame with the Opah? Are you kidding me? My plate was literally licked completely clean. Great service too.
(5)Chris G.
I was a bit skeptical because it is a hotel restaurant but came away with nothing but praise after a fantastic meal. Cocktails were really unique (pineapple mint jubilee), and the appies were great (crab cakes and poke). I had a super juicy rib eye in a delicious sauce that was cooked perfectly medium rare, and my wife had a yummy mahi mahi dish. Service was really good too.
(5)Gianna N.
Cool setup. Great scenery. We stayed at the Hyatt and loved it. So the setting is great. The food was okay. I had the volcano opah which was great, but my family was underwhelmed by their meals. The appetizers were okay. Nothing was too outstanding, but nothing was horrible. We liked our server. Not bad overall, but nothing I'd go back for. PS. Don't feed the koi fish because they will flock to you ha.
(3)Traci H.
I quite enjoyed dinner at Tidepools. I don't know if I'd call it the best thing I've ever had but for the value (My main dish was less than $20 I think) and the ambiance, it was somewhere between a 3 and 4 star experience and since I walked away quite happy I'll round up. We got seated in an inner table so we can't speak of the grand view of the waterfall that I think some table have, but we had some fun entertainment watching a little toad bounce around the fish. So if you're a view person, ask for a view of the waterfall ahead of time when you make reservations. It's all outdoorsy (read: no air conditioning, but it's Kauai. It's beautiful) and open air. We started with one of the appetizers from next door (the Yum Cha restaurant at the Poipu Bay Golf Course) that was quite nice--the spring roll thing. And we also got a veggie samosa. They were both flavorful and good and probably both better than average. But nothing spectacular. My main dish was basically a piece of teriyaki tofu with veggies on rice. I know I know, sounds like rabbit food, but it was so tasty!!! The prime rib was also tasty with nice horseradish (not the fresh kind, sadly) as well. and pretty HUGE. The dessert was good. The molten chocolate cake was worth it and now that I'm thinking about it again, I'm starting to long for it. And I'm picky when it comes to my molten chocolate cakes. I've had me some bad, dry yucky ones but this one was moist and delicious. I could have probably used more vanilla ice cream, but that's always a given. So yes, the meal did end quite well. It is still a hotel restaurant, which is why it's hard to give it 5 stars because nothing was outrageously good, but it was all quite nice. I do hear that the Share the Stars dinner is catered right out of Tidepools and offers a 4 course meal in a private cabana on the beach for $500 for a couple. Our meal was something like $84, including tip. ok we didn't have 4 courses, nor did we get the complimentary bottle of champagne, nor did we have a personal server, but we walked away quite full and satisfied. So just a thought if you're wondering...the extra 416 bucks can go to a few nice massages at the spa instead ;-)
(4)Emily J.
I had such a lovely dinner here with my family during our vacation. We were celebrating my mom's birthday and my parents' wedding anniversary so we were really looking for an extra special restaurant that night. Tidepools certainly fit the bill. The restaurant itself is beautiful, situated within the Hyatt on Poipu Beach next to a lagoon filled with koi, very nice ambiance to say the least. Our server Michael was simply wonderful. My vegan mother was able to order a birthday meal that did not violate her dietary restrictions without a problem. My sister is gluten and dairy free and she was also able to get a delicious meal to fit her needs, not to mention some killer gluten free bread. The resort gets it from a local bakery and I really wish that bakery had a location in Colorado for her! For dessert, Michael was kind enough to bring some gluten free/dairy free/vegan sorbet and fresh fruit for the table in addition to an awesome coconut creme brulee for me! Everything was top notch and it was certainly one of our top dining experiences on the island.
(5)Lou H.
Don't bother wasting your time and money on this overhyped and overpriced garbage. The hotel offers several better dining options at better prices. Service was slow to non existent as our server disappeared for long periods of time. We later found him chatting with other servers leaned against the wall near the kitchen. I wouldn't have left a tip if it wasn't for the service the busboy provided. The food was bland, seriously lacking any flavor. I'm convinced that people see high prices and automatically convince themselves the food is great. Both my wife and I had the macadamia crusted mahi mahi, it was well cooked mahi mahi, no seasoning, with some macadamia nuts on top. The rice it came with tasted like minute rice out of a box and straight to a microwave. The sauce it came on tastes like a cheap liqueur. Finally we ordered the famous lava cake. A microwaved mess of goop with freezer burnt ice cream. Having had an amazingly delicious mahi mahi sandwich at the terrace a couple days before, this was definitely not what we expected. I would not recommend tidepools, unless you want to go for the stagnant water coy pond that serves as a breeding and feeding ground for mosquitoes, I think the mosquitoes had a better meal than we did as we served as an all you can eat buffet for the little bloodsuckers while we waited for our server to finally reappear from his disappearing act. That's this critic's review, until next time I'll be eating.
(1)Shawn B.
This is our favorite fancy place on Kauai. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. The restaurant is built atop a koi pond, and architected such that almost every table is next to the pond. All of the seating is open air, which is a great feature when you're in Hawaii. The coconut crustacean chowder is fantastic, as are their salads. For entrees, we order fish every time; never the same dish twice and they are all great. For dessert, we liked the chocolate molten cake, and our friends raved about the lilikoi cheesecake. Avoid the coconut creme brulee, which seems to be on a lot of menus in Kauai but no one can get right. You probably need reservations, and they go quick, so plan a little ahead. While it's pricey, we left feeling that it was worth it.
(5)Mina L.
Always the best. My hubby and I always dine at Tide-pools whenever in Kauai. Service is friendly and courteous. Request table 42 for a special romantic location. Crab cake appetizer was excellent. I had the opa fish dish. It's a dense white fish. It was a large size portion and very filling. It was served with lobster mash potato. Yum Hubby had the prime rib. He was happy with his cut and even happier when his side of white rice arrived. Yeah... Real asian white rice makes my hubby happy. Not the Uncle Ben type either. It was our anniversary. We weren't offered a dessert. Its fine...that didn't our night. Still a beautiful experience at Tidepools. We'll be back the next time we're back in Kauai.
(5)Chris L.
My wife and I really enjoyed our visit to Tidepools. We both are not very big seafood people but we decided to go with one at the recommendation of our waitress. My wife had the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi and I had the Hawaiian Opah. We were both thoroughly impressed with our entrees. The entrees were well cooked (no fishy taste) and were well plated. We were also served some bread prior to our main course, which was very good as well. While the food was expensive, we were treated to a great meal and would whole heartedly recommend others to go for a special treat in the future.
(5)Corey W.
The fish they serve is as fresh as the fish swimming in the Koi pond throughout the restaurant. Located at the Hyatt resort in Poipu, Kauai - this restaurant is rated as one of the top on the island and does indeed live up to it's expectations. I have been to Kauai twice now and visited on both occasions for a high end and delicious meal - and both times left extremely satisfied (and full). The ambiance is unlike any other location seeing as the entire restaurant is open air and is seated atop a large koi pond filled with the beautiful fish swimming beneath your feet and near table side (try to get a table on the edge to "dine with the fishes"). The menu is seafood heavy (of course, its Hawaii), but also has meat and vegetarian selections. All fish is fresh and local caught which comes through in its flavour and taste. We started the evening with a bottle of wine and crab cakes. BEST CRAB CAKES EVER. They were quite big and served with an avocado mousse and a basil aioli (so it's a doctored up crab cake for sure). I had the mac nut crusted mahi which is truly made in heaven. This meal is to die for - no seriously, so amazing its beyond words. The fish is perfect, fresh covered in crushed nuts and placed upon a white coconut sauce that makes it almost dessert like. Also with it comes an avocado and papaya relish which is quite the delicious touch. This meal rates as one of the best I have ever had (I have had many). Other items at the table were the steak and the Ahi (I sampled and it was quite outstanding and tender). Every plate was extremely well plated and attractive with taste factors to boot. With all that said above - dessert was another matter! I had remembered the desserts from the previous visit (they stuck with me) and for great reason. I cannot tell if they do fish or dessert better - but either way, be sure to order both when you drop by. We shared up the lava cake, the passionfuit cheesecake and the coconut creme brûlée. OH BOY. Where to start. None of us could come close to picking a favourite as all three were literally "favourites". The lava cake was hot, fresh and and delectable (also served up with a mound of mac nut ice cream). Next - the surprising cheesecake was so soft and moist and tart, mmmm..ok, maybe this was the fav? .. nope. The coconut creme brûlée was served in a coconut shell and was absolute Hawaiian heaven. Ugh. Order all three and you pick! Service was impeccable as you would hope. The servers are very attentive, knowledgable, quick, and friendly. Both times we quite enjoyed the server we had for the table. The price point is as expected for this type of food - it's pricey, but well worth it!! The portions are fair/perfect, the quality is very high end and service/location makes for an amazing night. Splurge at some point on your trip and give it a go.
(5)Andrea P.
The Hawaiian Catch dish is highly recommended- the kitchen is so creative with flavoring. My favorite on the dish was the coconut encrusted shrimp cake- delish! The best meal on the island so far!
(5)Sim B.
Service was great but the food was below average, tasteless, and we were sadly disappointed. We went here as we did not feel like leaving the resort for dinner, big mistake. We actually went in with very low expectations as we are rarely impressed by resort food but this disappointed even further than most. We opted for the polenta encrusted scallops which were decent but overly salty. We also got the kula green salad--it came out looking nice but was drenched in way too much dressing. We also ordered the prime rib--12oz, big mistake! Had no flavor, looked dehydrated and the side of broccoli was wilted. There was no attempt at presentation on the plate and nothing was seasoned. It was all around bad food with a dull atmosphere. The highlight of our experience was the friendly waiter who even apologized for the bar tender as I ordered their gin martini but asked for it to be made spicy (I even suggested to simply add a jalapeño) but bar tender apparently ignored the request and told the waiter he did not know what I expected him to do. Overall very expensive for tasteless food and no ambiance. Made us feel sad to be spending a night in paradise at a place like this. Highly recommend leaving the resort for dinners if you have any desire to satisfy your taste buds!
(2)Michael H.
Great restaurant. Service was understated, food was exceptional, especially for a hotel restaurant. Highly recommended if you stay at Hyatt.
(5)S A.
Had a great experience over dinner with my husband. We requested a table we saw when walking through a few days before. It was along the pond and had a great view. They reserved for us with no problem at all. Restaurant ambiance was cozy, tropical, and welcoming. The romaine salad I has to start with was just ok. Dressing could have even more flavorful. The ribs by husband started with was good but not great. The neat was falling off the bone which was great but it could have been a little hotter when served and maybe a bit more seasoning. Our main course was very good. We both ordered the opah. Fish was delicate but hearty. The crab served with the opah was super delicious and complimented the dish perfectly. Main courses could have also been served a bit hotter but all in all was great. Our dinner for two ( 2 starters, 2 main courses and a bottle of prosecco) only came to $160 without tip. Not bad at all!
(4)Raven C.
The setting is beautiful complete with waterfalls and swans. As you dine, you are sitting over a very large koi pool. Tip: Koi love the table bread and the staff doesn't mind if you feed them. We started with cocktails in the bar. I had something tropical and it was delicious. For our meal, we started with the poke poke poke which is ahi, tako and lobster. All very fresh and delish. For our main course, I had grilled Panilo ribeye. I asked for it rare and the meat was perfectly done and very flavorful. The heirloom potatoes and the shishito peppers were also very good. My husband had the Kula lavender crusted fillet of beef. His bacon whipped potatoes gave me a bit of "order envy." I could not even finish 1/2 of my main course. Come with a huge appetite. For dessert (yes, I was able to take a bite), we ordered the "yes I've had it a million times" molten chocolate cake. However, this version was the best. The service was stellar. Service can make or break a meal and his talent did not go unnoticed with the tip. I am very glad we got this particular server because the next table had a different server and he was basically obnoxious. Yes, this restaurant is expensive. We spent about $285.00. However..when you see the grounds and the surroundings...the entire experience of Tidepools is worth it.
(4)Patti F.
This was our first dining on Kauai, and consequently our honeymoon. The service was great, the food was AMAZING, and the drinks were really great as well. The ambiance is lovely, it's open air, and you're surrounded by Koi ponds. You can hear the ocean (if it's dark), or see the ocean (if it's light). It's a beautiful setting, and was an amazing experience. I had the Mahi-Mahi which absolutely melted in my mouth. The sauces were exquisite, the bread was incredibly tasty and all in all this was just an amazing experience. Yes, it was expensive per se, however compared to all the other restaurants at the Grand Hyatt - this was by far the best deal, biggest portions, and best price.
(5)TJ E.
Wow!!! This place deserves all 5 stars +. Everything was awesome. We had 3 different appetizers. Best crab cakes we've ever had, ahi bruschetta was yummy, & the ahi poke was delightful. The rolls and garlic butter are a plus. So yummy and fun to toss pieces at the koi fish that are surrounding the restaurant. For dinner we had the Mahi Mahi, a little more sauce would've been awesome, but still good. The Hawaiian catch was excellent, topped with an excellent piece of lobster. FYI the crab cake on the Hawaiian catch is NOT the same as the appetizer one. For dessert we had the Molten Lava cake, it's really only for one person, don't attempt to share. It was off the hook.
(5)Suhail B.
Pretty surroundings, nice staff and ambiance. However the food is overpriced and not that good. Starters were pretty good but the ahi tuna entree was chewy- unfortunately anything but melt in your mouth. Chewy ahi tuna is not nice! Coffee and chocolate creme brûlée was just odd. We expected much more for such high prices.
(3)Timothy P.
This is our second visit to the Tidepools in Kauai. Our first visit was very good and the food excellent! We both had the prime rib which was very tasty! Our second visit was on 10/12/14. Again my wife and I ordered the prime rib remembering our former visit . This trip the prime rib was so so. We ordered two different size cuts , me the larger, my wife the smaller cut. We both got the same size, mine was $12 more. The kicker was the au jus was terrible to say the least. No meat flavor at all . Must have used some type of tomato base or some other artificial base. When you spend $$$ for a good meal you expect the best.
(2)Kristin K.
Tidepools is having an identity crisis: it can't decide on whether it's a high-end dining experience or a cheesy Tiki lounge. The meals were well-plated and looked beautiful and delicious, the prices were that of a higher-end restaurant ($30ish for an entree), the setting was generally lovely (koi pond, slate floors, lush garden surroundings). But, there were all sorts of dated and casual elements: we had to close out our bar tab before being seated, the service was friendly, but very informal, food wasn't well-seasoned (I rarely salt my food in a restaurant, but found myself doing that repeatedly), the dinner rolls were not good, the staff was joking around in the foyer (no problem with that - just didn't seem like "fine dining" atmosphere), and some of the decor was dated. It was our one nice meal out while in Kauai and I would definitely not bother with it next time.
(2)Jillian A.
We loved our experience at Tidepools. I had been looking forward to dining there for a good portion of our honeymoon and it did not disappoint. When we first arrived, they seated us at a table in the middle of one of the rooms, near a very loud family celebrating a small child's birthday. Not exactly the quiet romantic meal I had envisioned. My wonderful hubby asked the hostess if we could be seated elsewhere, and they couldn't have been nicer about it. We moved to a new spot by one of the Koi ponds and a waterfall (still loud but not "happy birthday" singing loud). The food was wonderful. We started out with the crab cakes-- I'm not a seafood fan, but thought I'd at least try something while I was in Hawaii, and I was MORE than pleasantly surprised. For dinner I had a lavender crusted filet and my husband had the opah fish. Our server was very sweet and attentive, and not overbearing at all. We had a wonderful meal, and if we could afford it, we'd happily go back again.
(4)Ashley J.
Amazing food. Gorgeous location. Friendly staff. The ONLY tip I have about eating here? Don't drink too much. You may end up losing a utensil or something in the koi pond. Actually just be careful if you are sitting next to the pond. It's all open and you can drop things in there really easily.
(5)Bananajoe B.
What more Can one Say when ambiance, food, and Service are stellar! Server Dallas was the best, as Was his back up supporter .. Sevento . Hostess and manager attentive to special requests. thank you Anna Lisa!
(5)Alex B.
This was one of the better meals I've had in a while. My wife had a spa appointment at the Hyatt that day, so we met before dinner to have some wine on the beach out front during the sunset before dinner. One of the benefits of being a hotel restaurant. Perfect. Our table was next to one of the openings of the koi pond that runs underneath the whole restaurant. Pretty fun, but also very, very dark. Service was wonderful, and while the apps came out crazy fast, the meal was at the perfect relaxed pace for our mood. The calamari appetizer was very good, but usual. The ahi poke appetizer was wonderful. The best fish and a great edimame, wasabi, goat cheese pure to go with. It was so amazing that I decided to order the ahi entrée. My wife got a seafood sampler with lobster and shrimp that were good, and snapper that was ok. She said the rice was some of the best she's had. But she didn't try mine. I had the ahi, nearly rare, on a bed of foie gras forbidden rice with a few sauces which sounded a bit more interesting than they tasted. The ahi was perfect, and the rice was like some kind of incredibly unusual risotto. Amazing. Desert was a good coconut crème brulee in half a coconut. Fun, but not as impressive as the rest. After dinner we wandered around the Hyatt with the goal of strolling on the beach before heading home. But we got distracted by the hammocks and wound up lounging on them looking up at the stars until we almost fell asleep.
(5)Mike F.
You'd think a meal at the Grand Hyatt would be up to the name. It just wasn't tasty nor anything close to warm. The fish dishes my wife and ordered were overcooked and likely kept close to warm being in the general vicinity of a heat lamp for an hour or so, but nowhere near under it. And how can you screw up a salad? Don't clean or wash the lettuce. They did neither. Dead black wilted leaves generously served stuck to fresher looking holdouts from another night. It was truly gross! I've worked in 3rd world countries that cleaned their food better. Our waitress was vey experienced, but truly on autopilot, doing just enough to appear to be doing her job. Our server was better, but seemingly didn't want to be there either. Cold crab cakes, old rubbery lobster tails, way over-cooked catch of the day with salad from last week...did they accidentally grab the demo plates and served those to us? Then, to top it off, after I paid (by credit card), we hit the restrooms which are right next to the restaurant reception desk. As my wife and I started to leave I heard the greeter/hostess calling my name into the phone. I was concerned so I went up and asked if there was a problem. She said that my bill was sent to a room number that didn't exist and she was glad I stayed to straighten it out. I reached into my wallet and pulled out my receipt when she said, "Oh, our mistake. The waitress figured it out". Grrrr, I hate incompetence, and this place wasn't professional in any regard. The ambience, gardens, waterfalls, live swans swimming in the pools and older decor are all amazingly well done if not down right impressively exotic. You'd think the food would at least be decent. It's not! Avoid this place at all costs..unless you'd like to tour the grounds and maybe indulge in a way overpriced drink. Regardless of the cost, you'll avoid a terrible meal.
(2)Alana K.
I feel you are definitely paying for your surroundings here, and if that is your main concern, then you will be very happy in this tranquil setting. Open to the lagoon with waterfall and wildlife (koi and swan), it is truly beautiful and serene. The service was fine, perhaps a little stuffy but certainly on top of things. And the food is good. The Ahi poke was amazing. The fish was delicate. The tofu was very well prepared. The Mai Tai's were not worth the $14 price tag - too sweet, in my opinion. Maybe not our most memorable dinner but certainly a good one.
(3)Marty M.
Tried the crab cakes based on the reviews and they were OK - lots of crabmeat, however it is blended and not lump crabmeat which causes it to lose moisture and flavor. Tried the calamari and sent it back. The Ahi with Foie Gras infused forbidden rice was one of the best entrees I have had in my life and was perfectly done, bold flavors that worked together well and complemented the fresh ahi. The Hawaiian catch was Mongchong, which absolutely melts in your mouth - the lobster and prawns were both overcooked - however this can be overlooked with how amazing the mongchong was. Overall 5 stars if you stick with what they do amazingly!
(5)Lizzie W.
What a special dinner. On our last night in Hawaii, my party decided to venture over to tidepools for dinner. We were staying a timeshare neighboring the Hyatt, and therefore our concierge was very helpful in getting us a reservation. The building itself was absolutely stunning. Basically you're sitting in a lagoon surrounded by waterfalls, fish, and even a swan. The lighting was perfect, dimmed but not to the point where I felt like I was eating in the dark. Our waiter sat us right next to a waterfall, which added to the quality of the experience monumentally. I was in awe the entire evening of the location alone. Even if the food was lackluster (which it certainly was not) I might just come for the sake of eating in a stunning restaurant. The food. The bread they initially brought out was tasteless. Even with the addition of butter it felt more like filler than actual food. However that is where my complaints END and with the quality of the food, surely I'm going to look over a small hiccup in a bread basket. Okay, the other two people in my party had Opah which I was lucky enough to sample. It was fresh and it was flavorful, a perfect combination. I myself ordered the filet of beef. Normally I can find something in a dish that I'm not crazy about, but to be honest there was not one fault in my entire meal. The maui onion marmalade on top of the yukon gold potato will CERTAINLY make it into my dreams. It was by far one of the best meals I've had in the past 5 years. Unfortunately the night was cut short by an awkward personal situation, which led us to pass on dessert. (something I now FULLY regret) But if it was anything like dinner, I may have just entered a food induced coma. It was a perfect ending to the trip. The ambiance and the food is an unbeatable combination. Truly a culinary treat.
(5)Patti K.
We enjoyed a wonderful sunset dinner here! Lovely fresh salad and fresh wasabi crusted Ahi for dinner! romantic setting, great for special occasions.
(5)Pete M.
My wife wanted to experience a fancy hotel resort restaurant on this Hawaiian trip so we decided to try Tidepools. Very nice set up, table alongside the koi ponds in an outside setting. Only negative: no real exposure to the island breeze and our table was not near any ceiling fans either, so it was on the warm and muggy side. Sweaty and sticky would be a good description. Cocktails were $14 each. Good but not that good. No draft beer selection either. Food price was equivalent to other top end restaurants or those that think they are top end. My wife had the Hawaiian catch, which was better than my catch of the day selection. Quality of food: very good. Presentation: excellent. Quantity: average. Could have had a salad or appetizer I suppose but we weren't in the mood to add anywhere from $10 to $18 more per item and wanted to save room for dessert. Service: very good. Relaxed and no rush. They were also not completely booked. Shared a peach tart for dessert. It was $13. It was very good. Bill with tip for 2 cocktails (pina colada and lava flow), two entrees, one dessert and two coffees : $161. Expected to spend a chunk of change and we did. Would I do it again? Proabbly but probably not here.No complaints but no major excitement either.
(3)Jimmy T.
This is 1 of 3 restaurants you must visit while in Kauai. It's at the Grand Hyatt in Poipu. The others are Dondero's (Grand Hyatt) and the Beach House. Anyhow, the meal was awesome. I needed a break from seafood, so I had the prime rib. Excellent. My wife had a very good vegetarian entree, which was not just some sautéed vegetables. It was even something that I thought was great.
(5)Lauren C.
Unfortunately, it's hard to give any restaurant in Kauai 5*'s. Tidepools is almost as good as it gets. Atmosphere is romantic and certainly pleasant, food is really decent albeit pricey, and service was pretty outstanding. I would go again, though need to save up awhile to afford!
(4)Paul T.
This place is beautiful and reeks of vacation. If you're in the mindset for a mai tai on the beach this place is a must go. It's romantic and casual all at once. Surrounded by tidepools, as the name suggests, and backed by a large waterfall, there just aren't many restaurants in the world with this kind of ambiance. If you're not staying at the Hyatt then going to this restaurant is an excellent excuse to tour this impressive complex. Of course all this unnatural beauty has that Tommy Bahama edge that may be too much for some people. An example of that edge is the big wicker chairs they use which are nice to look at but a little awkward to sit in. However after a few strong (and sweet) drinks it all goes down easy. To complete the ambiance the service was friendly and attentive but the food is only good. I think perhaps it comes from trying to appeal to a wide range of palates. The samosas were perhaps the most flavorful thing we had as the sauces they came with were delicious. Baby romaine salad was good but not spectacular. The Hawaiian Catch was a bit disappointing, just not that flavorful. The fish they used that day didn't really hold up to that cooking and the sauce could have used some more punch. The vegetarian option, Tofu Hiryozu, was surprisingly good though. We ended an enjoyable experience with the Lava cake (which was good) and headed out to the Hyatt beach side swings to cap a romantic night.
(4)Anthony Y.
Go here if you want a horrible ambiance filled with mosquito bites and lighting so dim you can't see the menu. Food quality did not justify how inconvenienced I was at this restaurant. Never coming back here again
(2)John F.
We weren't really expecting much when we came to Tidepool's on the last night of our honeymoon, but we were pleasantly surprised! The food was very, very good and our server was super friendly. I had the seafood soup and Ono for main course. Everything was cooked perfectly and had lots of flavor. We had the chocolate soufflé for dessert, which was really good. The only thing I found strange was the fact that the restaurant was virtually empty. Here we were enjoying an awesome meal in a large dining room surrounded by a gigantic koi pond by ourselves (the koi were mean). I hope they have better luck in 2013.
(4)Shanell P.
Great service. Friendly staff. We had a beautiful table right by the koi fish (they splashed us a few times!). I ordered the Hidori Chicken and hated it. The mushroom sauce was disgusting! I didnt bother eating all of it. Left a bad taste in my mouth. My husband had the Opa fish. It was delicious. I was very jealous! Lol For dessert I ordered the chocolate molten cake. It was so good! A must have! Overall a good experience with the exception of the chicken :-/
(4)Simon L.
Came here off a recommendation from travel guides as well as a friend who had previously been to this restaurant. In the midst of a longer celebration period. Setting: Again, you're in Kauai. What more can you really ask for. It's always warm with tolerable humidity. The restaurant itself is located near the middle of the Grand Hyatt Kauai premises. It's a little bit of a walk to get to the front of the restaurant as there are multiple paths through the pools and gardens of the hotel. But once you get to the front, you're greeted by a fantastic sight. The restaurant is practically sitting in the middle of the Grand Hyatt's pond! The pond, itself surrounded by beautifully vibrant flowers, is itself full of colorful koi. A restaurant with movable doors and glass panels allow you to see directly into the restaurant (or out of it, depending on where you're sitting or standing). The design of the restaurant is designed to make you feel as if you're on a floating paradise in the middle of the tropics. They succeeded. Rating: 5 stars Waiter: Our waiter was knowledgeable, warm, and friendly. It's awesome when you're greeted "Hi Mr. and Mrs........" He checked back on us multiple times throughout the meal and never provided service without a smile. He tried his best to entertain us and take care of special requests regarding dinner. His recommendations for appetizers and drinks was spot on. The only drawback, although possibly intentional to allow for enough time in case we were slow eaters, was that there were long lag periods between courses. But, as mentioned in the Setting section above, there's plenty to be entertained by while eating. Rating: 4 stars Food: Bread - Honeywheat. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Would have preferred for it to have been served warm so that the butter melts and permeates through the loaf. Still, I'd have to admit that it was pretty good. Rating: 3 Appetizer - No longer on the menu but basically consisted of veggie and sushi rolls. 6 of them. 3 sets of 2. Each set had it's own specific fish, garnish, and sauce. Possibly the best part of the meal. Refreshing. Nice way to clean your palate and prepare yourself for the upcoming meal. Rating: 4.5 Entree - Mahi Mahi and Tofu Hiryozu. The Mahi mahi was crusted with macadamia nuts, served with a molakai sweet potato, coconut -kaffir lime beurre blanc, and topped with a papaya-avocado relish. Honestly, I couldn't taste the lime, papaya, or avocado. Instead, it was a homogenous mixture of flavors. It's not to say that this dish was bad. Just that the individual flavors were not pronounced. The Tofu Hiryozu was served with stir-fried local vegetables, seame somen noodles, and a sweet soy sauce. The sauce was definitely sweet. Otherwise, nothing else was spectacular. Rating: 3 Dessert - No longer on the menu. Was a cheesecake served with pieces of chocolate and drizzled with a lime sauce. It wasn't too bad. I remember the cheesecake being a little "sour" compared to others I've tasted. But remember, I'm not a sweets kind of guy. Rating: 3 stars Drinks - Lava Flow. The traditional strawberry syrup mixed into a pina colada drinks. Not bad. The alcohol was pretty light. Rating: 3 stars Recommendation: Try it out. The experience is better than the meal.
(3)Chris N.
Great food and service, fairly fast and efficient. Only one dish for vegetarians like my wife but the fish makes my mouth melt with enjoyment. You know it's a good meal when you get hiccups from eating! Chocolate and coffee Creme Brulee was a great finish! The atmosphere is what makes this place great and popular. The fish in the water by your feet make this an enjoyable experience.
(4)Anthony V.
My wife and I went here on our honeymoon and had a great time. She highly recommends the Ahi Poke appetizer. She had the mahi mahi entree and i had the catch of the day, both were excellent. The bananas fosters was amazing for dessert.
(4)Marion P.
Excellent food, service and ambiance. Our first meal in Kauai did not disappoint. We started with the ahi bruschetta - the fish was extremely fresh and the tomato and wasabi paste were perfect. We also had bread with delicious truffle butter (I love truffle) that I had to move the bread away from my husband so he wouldn't eat 5 pieces. We both had cocktails - both excellent. I had the fishermans catch of a fresh fish (good not great, somewhat bland), crab cake (excellent, lightly fried with coconut) and lobster (good lobster) with delicious potatoes and asparagus. My husband had the mahi mahi with macadamia nuts which was delicious (sides were average). For dessert we got the lava cake which had a delicious berry sauce and ice cream and a salty cookie (we are staying at the Hyatt and the hotel gave us a free dessert because it was our honeymoon which was nice !!). Service was excellent. Ambiance very romantic, quiet, and fun to watch the fish. So far one of the best meals we had in Hawaii highly recommend ! (And I'm a foodie from NYC).
(4)Desirée P.
AMAZING FOOD!!The Hyatt is a amazing hotel period best hotel on the island.....But this restaurant is epic!! I had the lobster and prawns so yummy!! I live on the North Shore and it takes me about a hour and 20 mins to get to the South Shore but for real worth the drive....I will be back to Tidepools very soon.....It's my favorite restaurant on the island great atmosphere Koi fish and waterfalls surrounding the whole restaurant just very majestic
(5)Denni S.
I so wanted to give a great review for Tidepools. My husband and I booked our reservation here over TWO months ago for the final night of our honeymoon on Kauai. One word simply sums it up: DISAPPOINTING. We did get a table on the edge of the koi pond - but at the back of the restaurant when it was 1/2 empty. Service was purely awful. Our waiter stopped by 3 times the entire evening before offering the dessert menu & check. We didn't even get a goodbye when leaving. I was here once before and it was great, but after telling them the special evening it was when I was booking the reservation and then getting the treatment we received - I will never come back. There are simply too many other nice places on the south shore to choose from. The person at the deli counter at the Big Save in Koloa will take better care of you than the staff at Tidepools...and it will be about 80% less expensive.
(1)Dan M.
We made reservations to come here our last night in Kauai while on our honeymoon. Pretty good call! We were seated promptly, but the girl tried to seat us in a boring spot. I asked to be seated near the koi pond towards the center of the restaurant and she was happy to oblige. Only major complaint about this place, and the reason I knocked a star off, what kind of fancy joint like this has no local beer on tap? Seems like a massive oversight. I'm a beer snob admittedly, but for the extensive wine list they have, you think they'd manage to find a spot to install a few taps for Hawaiin brews. I settled for overpriced Blue Moon though without crying about it too much. Moving on... We split the ahi poke appetizer which was stupid good. We really should have gotten two, it went quick. Wife had the filet of beef, me the macadamia nut mahi mahi. Both were very excellent, and cooked to perfection. Since it was our honeymoon stay, we got the free chocolate cake like everyone else mentions, and it was excellent! Our waitress was really nice too, which always helps for the mood of the meal. If you want a good laugh toss a few bread crumbs to the koi. They go nuts for the stuff. Made for some funny video.
(4)Lindsey J.
My husband and I went to Tidepools for our one year anniversary and I was extremely happy with our choice. The setting was so unique and romantic. I recommend trying to make your reservation a little before sunset so that you can see it in the light. The service was great, but the food wasn't as good as I expected it to be. Don't get me wrong, it was still good, but nothing to rave about. Overall, great experience and would recommend it if ambiance is your thing.
(4)Summer S.
The ambiance was very nice. The service was very nice. The bread was kinda dry and tasteless. The crab cake was delicious. The coconut crustacean chowder was pretty good. The volcano spiced opah was kinda disappointing. It was dry, not juicy, no taste, not tender. We wondered maybe it was because we just didn't like opah? So we tried to find out what opah should taste like. Here's what we read about opah-moonfish: "Popular with chefs, opah has a juicy, rich flavor with a roast pork-like aroma. Texture is very tender." Hmmm, we should have liked it, if it were anything close to the description. Very disappointing. The lava cake dessert was average. Be aware if you are going there for the opah fish.
(3)Jason M.
Had some amazing food there. The ahi was out of this world! Big fan of japanese art and all the Koi kept swimming up near our table. I thought it was so cool. Staff was excellent, but couldn't take a picture with an iPhone
(5)Jenny K.
tidepools stuck out in my mind as a restaurant that i wanted to dine at when doing food research before reaching hawaii. the grand hyatt is the nicest hotel on the island in terms of size, location, amenities, etc. *st regis doesn't compare.* the restaurant is situation in "huts" along the water with koi fish that occasionally make a big splash every now and then. they try to give you a water side table when you make a reservation. our table for two had a romantic view; however, they do not make it special if you are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday (it's no mama's fish house). service is not bad but just okay. it is not top-notch with the prices they charge. to start, they serve complimentary 7 grain bread with a hint of molasses. think "king's hawaiian bread". it comes with butter in the shape of a shell. jumbo crab cakes are a must. funny of the night was when we were trying to figure out what kind of crab they used. the waitress wasn't walking by during that time so we asked the busboy. when asked if he knew the type of crab used, he replied, "it's lump crab". LOL!! later when the waitress passed by again, we asked her. it's dungeness crab; yes, it was big pieces of crab in a lump but there is no such thing as lump crab. haha.. the mayo-based thai basil sauce and avocado mousse with some diced tomatoes made the crab cakes that were already delicious in itself even better. i had my eyes set on the macadamia crusted mahi mahi with coconut infused jasmine rice. loved the macadamia nut crust topped with avocado and very thinly flash fried shredded taro chips (?). hubby had the hawaiian fish of the day (which was swordfish) stuffed with shrimp and lobster served on a bed of mashed potatoes. it was fine except we couldn't really taste the shrimp/lobster. the chocolate molten cake needed to be ordered along with your entrees. it was topped with lappert's vanilla ice cream and some raspberry syrup in circles on the plate. as you spoon your first bite of vanilla with chocolate cake, the molten cake oozes out like no other. highly enjoyable but it would have been even better if they had stuck a mint leaf with a fresh raspberry on top of the ice cream. the reason i mention this is that it would be completed the dish details from start to finish better. it was not the best higher end meal we had on the island but we paid the most for it. but tidepools has a 5 star ambiance unless you don't get a water side table. if you want better food and service with culinary greatness at a lower price, go to josselin's.
(4)Celeste T.
Great fresh fish dishes - but get a seat by the water. You'll get to watch the sea life in their extra large aquarium, as you float above it on a dock-like structure that is the restaurant. I had a fish whose name was mostly vowels; my husband had the seared tuna. Both were quite pleasant, though I feel that my butter-fried, nut-crusted fish was better. We also had salads and drinks; both were quite good! Service was very attentive - but it all pales to the aquarium!
(4)Evan T.
Tidepools is the epitome of a safe, hotel restaurant. Nothing went wrong in my visit, but nothing was memorably good, either. The setting immediately strikes you upon walking into Tidepools. For me, it was in a bad way, though I could see that most patrons enjoyed it. The restaurant is situatied in fake, open-air, thatched huts that are all connected with artificial tidepools/koi ponds running among them. The tables typically sit next to this water. Personally, I was reminded of Epcot or Disney World. It has a sort of prettiness about it, but it is all so fake that it is hard to take it seriously. I wasn't really a fan. Service was excellent throughout my visit. I was immediately seated without a reservation, and my server was enthusiastic and helpful throughout the meal. No complaints there. My ability to review the food is slightly limited compared to most of my reviews because I had only one glass of wine and an entree, with no appetizer or dessert. This was merely because I wasn't very hungry; it had nothing to do with the food. The wine list was good by Kauai standards but poor by mainland standards. It was, of course, overpriced. My glass was serviceable and unremarkable. As my main course, I had the Mahi Mahi dish. The fish had a macadamia crust and was topped with papaya and avacado. On top of that was a small pile of thin, purple-ish crisps, which I could not identify. It was all served atop a bed of rice with bits of bok choy. A sauce ("tropical rum sauce") ringed the plate. The fish was cooked properly, and I have no real complaints about the meal. I have no real praise either. The dish lacked any strong flavors, and nothing really highlighted the fish, either. The sauce had a couple small dots of another sauce in it for decoration (perhaps a soy?), and that dark bit actually added a savoryness that the whole plate could have used. I finished the plate, and then I forgot about it. You could do worse than Tidepools, but you could also do better, especially considering the very high prices. It seems to be a serviceable restaurant, but the dishes seem very safe and unremarkable. The atmosphere, which seems to be appealing to at least the majority of the restaurant's clientele, was a bit off-putting to me with its strong air of artificiality. This is a matter of preference, though. In short, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this place, but there's no need to object to a visit, either.
(3)Nick D.
We made reservations via OpenTable for our honeymoon. The ambience was romantic and intimate. The food was amazing. I had the macadamia nut mahi mahi and wife had the opah dish. We both thought our dishes were spectacular. We also shared a banana bread desert (forgot the name) and that was one of our favorites throughout the whole honeymoon. This is a place that should be booked in advance and it's pricey (figure you'll spend $150 for dinner for 2 with a shared dessert & appetizer and each a drink), so don't be surprised but you pay for what you get and it's well worth it for a special occasion, else don't go there for a cheap eat. The hotel it resides in says it all ;)
(4)Kimberly H.
Came here for one of our last nights on our honeymoon and sadly it was disappointing. We had high hopes given the location at the grand Hyatt. The food was good but the service was awful. It took away from enjoying the food. The server took a half hour to approach us after we finished our entrees. We both probably would have had a few more drinks since we were willing to treat ourself but since we barely saw our server all night so we didn't a chance. Also when we made the reservation they asked about a special occasion. I told her it was our honeymoon. The server made a point to acknowledge other honeymooners and birthdays around us... They even got a free desert or appetizer. Nothing was mentioned to us. Based off of other reviews seems like this place is not consistent in service or food. I wouldn't waste my time here again. There are other places in Kauai that ate worth the $$ and time.
(1)Rufus Figgums L.
Pros Nice mix of seafood with the 'Hawaiian Catch" entree Steak perfectly cooked Good lemonade Nice view Cons Side of vegetables with entrees were tiny and unimpressive Bread was average Small romaine salad Price
(4)Bryan S.
Wow! Awesome food and ambiance. Expensive, but wonderfully prepared food and great service. Perfect setting to remember your trip to Kauai. It appeared every table is by the lagoons stocked with fish, so there were no center tables. Very special moment during our trip.
(5)Becca L.
Service: excellent Ambiance: wonderful Food: - Best crab cake ever - Fish cooked perfectly, even with uneven thickness. Very impressive. Plating beautiful, flavors well balanced. - Even dessert was delicious. Lava cake was a good size, cooked perfectly, nice ice cream on top. Definitely worth the money. It's rare to find a place that can deliver consistently across so many areas.
(5)Monica D.
Had an amazing dinner here. I had the Mahi and my partner had the Opah both cooked to perfection with high quality ingredients. The service (Derrick) was impeccable and top notch. Wine was a little over priced, a bottle of Cakebread chard was 100.00. Everything else was appropriate. Super friendly staff!
(5)Natalia D.
I had my wedding reception here and it was divine! The waterfall room was breathtaking! The staff was amazing! The pork papusas were delicious, the prime rib was to die for, and the New York strip was a god. As you can tell, I went back over and over during my stay!
(5)Matthew K.
Tidepools was our "fancy" dinner of our Kauai vacation, and it definitely lived up to expectations. My wife had the crab cakes as an appetizer which she absolutely loved - we ordered them based on recommendations from others on Yelp. We also ordered a nice bottle of wine, which was priced at about what you'd expect when you buy a bottle of wine at a restaurant. For our entree, my wife had the current catch, which was a fish similar to a snapper (but I don't remember the exact name). It also came with a shrimp cake and part of a lobster tail. My wife said that everything on her plate was delicious. On the other hand, as more of a traditional meat-eater, I had the 12 oz. rib-eye. The steak was cooked perfectly and came out more tender than I generally expect from a rib-eye, which is awesome. The reduction that they served on the steak had a very deep, vibrant flavor. All-in-all, we had nothing bad to say about our dinners. Service was solid as should be expected from a fine dining restaurant; fast, friendly, and never an empty water cup or wine glass.
(4)Carey D.
A gorgeous place, but the service and food wasn't great. They spent more time on the appearance and the quality suffered. Service was slow and they made mistakes with the salad. We ended up getting a free desert to split as compensation, so that was nice. The price was pretty steep, but I guess that is to be expected based on the location.
(2)Patrick W.
Mmmmm... Nice place. Kind of a journey to find but worth it... Feed the swan and fish so bread.
(5)Wayne H.
A peaceful, tasteful and upscale dining option in Lihue. Nevermind the waterfall, or that you're in fact dining elevated above a koi pond, or that you're situated in the heart of the Hyatt property surrounded by beautiful fauna with a view to the sunset. They got me at ribeye. Everything the other Yelpers say about its beauty is true. And everything the dudes say about its food is equally true. The dishes are prepared and served with the attentiveness and grace befitting of this highly regarded establishment. I refer you to other Yelpers' reviews for menu specifics. I strongly recommend their macadamia nut smoothy. And please don't throw bread into the water. Watching writhing bodies of koi fighting over it will make you feel ill, and perhaps turn your opinion against kois, or even fish in general.
(5)Valerie R.
Reading the reviews on here, I have to admit that I was a little nervous about the super-touristy theme. And when I arrived, my fears skyrocketed. It reminded me of the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a restaurant at the Grand Wailea on Maui with all of its thatched huts. I left there with a feeling of "whoa, I just paid a LOT of money for food that wasn't all that good just to sit in a thatched hut!" Panic ensued. But then, I decided to calm down. Didn't it at least smell pretty good? Yes. So made my way to the table with a view of some koi and the sound of the waterfall and RELAXED. For the first course, I tried the tomato terrine with whipped blue cheese and bacon. It was light and refreshing, but at the same time oozing plenty of flavor. I didn't feel the need to go super local for dinner, so I didn't hesitate to pick out the prime rib. It was a thick cut, juicy, with creamy horseradish for dipping and tender but crisp broccolini. Melt in yo' mouth goodness! Originally I'd wanted the opah, but let my husband order it. We don't order the same thing in our family...it's like a travesty. I got to try some of the fish though, and it was divine. Afterwards, our waiter swooped by to gauge our interest in dessert and then surprised us with a hot molten lava cake on the house. Who can resist? Overall, pretty delicious if not incredibly touristy - not the most posh place ever, so don't worry about dressing up too much!
(4)T S.
Perfectly cooked food in a beautiful place. Simply put, it's a really pretty place to eat a gorgeous meal.
(4)Clare M.
First and foremost, just because I gave it 3 stars doesn't mean it's not good. It is good. The dining area was very lovely. Set in little bamboo huts surrounded by a Koi pond I felt like I was back in South East Asia. (only sometimes are those good memories though). We had a great table right by the open doors where the fish would come up and open their starving, fish lip, mouth at us. Cute at first, then felt bad for the fish like they weren't being fed enough. All the appetizers were delectable. I had the roasted corn and crab and tahitian vanilla bean chowder...sounds strange, taste like a party in my mouth. The crab cakes also at our table are still being talked about too and almost returned just for those last night. The main courses were decent, but I wasn't blown away. I mean, it was good, but I was a little bored with my sea bass. Another of us had the prime rib (daunting) and the third enjoyed his vegetarian option (nice that they have that). For desert, if you want the melty chocolate crack dome, you must order it when ordering your dinner. By the time desert came around, I was morbidly full, but I'd already ordered the ganache cake thingee whatever they call it. It too was fine, but nothing special. I've had chocolate melty crack domes for 6 bucks that make this thing look like a McDonalds Brownie. The food was absolutely fine, atmosphere would have been great, save the Australian family who let their toddlers roam the floor like Vietnam War soldiers. Just a little pricey, then again, it's Kauai...Aloha bank balance.
(3)Simon A.
The service was quick and great. The atmosphere is terrific with the dining room over a giant koi pond with the fish right out the window splashing and almost putting on a show for diners. The menu had just been changed in the restaurant, but not online, so when we got there knowing what we wanted to order it was disappointing not having those options available. In my opinion, terribly overpriced, but the food was pretty good. Beware though, if you order something to be cooked a specific way and the chef recommends it another way, you're getting it the way the chef wants it (at least with the ahi).
(4)Erica M.
We had dinner here on our last night in Kaua'i. We made an 8pm reservation the day of and were pleasantly surprised when we were given the coveted table that extends out over the Koi pond. The setting is very unique and Zen like. It was really a peacful dining experience. I wasn't too hungry, so I ordered the ahi sashimi appetizer and the garden salad. Ahi was perfectly seared and served with a tasty glaze. Salad was basic but fresh and not overdressed. It was just enough food if you're looking to eat light. The other people in my party were happy with their meals (catch of the day, new york strip, prime rib) and we were all in agreement that this was the best quality restaurant meal we had during out stay. Pricey, but worth it. I should also mention that one of the people we traveled with has a gluten allergy and this place accomodated her the best out of any restaurant we visited, even bringing an entire basket of gluten-free bread to her before the meal. DON'T waste your money staying at the Hyatt. DO stay at a condo nearby and treat yourself to dinner here one night. We made an evening of it by coming early...had drinks, strolled the grounds, watched the sunset and hula dancers in the lobby. It was plenty of resort luxury for us!
(4)allen o.
My wife and I were staying at the Grand Hyatt for our honeymoon and we decided to try Tidepools one night as we had a complimentary dessert voucher from the hotel. We started out with the Kalua Pork Pupusas, and they were yummy. They're so good in fact that they should have these as entrees--I could've eaten several of these as a meal. When in Hawaii, I know that you should take advantage of the fresh and abundant fish, and so both of us ordered fish dishes. My wife had the special, which was an Ahi dish, which was very good. I had the Hawaiian Catch, which was ok--a bit overcooked and not as tender as I would've liked, but still pretty good. The free dessert we had (honeymoon vouchers from the hotel) was surprisingly good--we ordered the Fat Elvis which was this chocolate peanut butter souffle thing with caramelized bananas, strawberries, and crunchy nut things. Completely unique and tasty.
(4)Angela C.
Tidepools is located inside the Grand Hyatt Resort, where we stayed during our time in Kauai. We chose this place for our "romantic" night out because of the ambiance and good reviews. Tidepools is made up of a bunch of thatched huts surrounded by Koi filled lagoons and dim lighting. I loved sitting there with my beautiful food, staring out into the ocean and star-filled sky with my favorite person in the whole world. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't stellar for what you pay. I was most impressed by the presentation of the food than anything else. I ordered the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi ($32) - it came with a side of coconut jasmine rice wrapped in a "money pouch" of bamboo leaves. I loved the macadamia nut crust, and the sauces that accompanied the dish were perfect for the mahi mahi. The coconut in the rice was very subtle so don't be scared off if you don't like coconut. My only problem with this dish is that the fish was slightly overcooked. It may have been sitting out in the window for too long, but overall this was a good dish and I enjoyed it more than my husband's. My husband ordered the Ginger Soy Glazed Hawaiian Sea Bass ($34) - it's topped with wasabi, lobster, and hearts of palm. Accompanied by vegetable fried jasmine and bhutanese red rice, with a papaya-coconut lime sauce. We couldn't really taste the lobster (and it was too dark to really see), and the fish was also slightly overcooked. Again, the sauce was the highlight of this dish - they did a superb job. Overall, a satisfying romantic night out, but I've definitely had better food for the prices they charge here.
(3)Nali M.
tidepools, the grand hyatt kauai's signature restaurant is located on property surrounded by beautiful koi ponds. reservations are a must, at times this restaurant is sold out. you may request a table near the water, however, it's not always available. the menu is hawaiian fusion. appetizers and entrees are all well very prepared. the last time i dined there, my husband took me for mother's day. he had "poke, poke, poke" for an appetizer (i don't eat raw seafood) and i had the lump crab cakes. these are my favorite!! the aioli sauce that goes with it is absolutely amazing and compliments the cakes perfectly. i can't recall what my husband had for his main dish, but i had the macadamian encrusted opah. also, very good! service is great and very attentive to all of your needs.
(4)P B.
The best restaurant in Poipu, maybe all of Kauai. I enjoyed the food as much as the setting. Get the Mount Waialeale Cooler. So refreshing.
(5)Christine B.
Beautiful romantic atmosphere, great service, good food. Perfect romantic dinner in Hawaii. Request a table by the lagoon so you can look out over the water and watch the koi fish swimming right by your table. Book around sunset for the best view.
(4)Brent V.
Have ate here many times.... Service and Food are always above average....
(4)Tania L.
First off, let me tell you this: I am NOT super picky. I know when food is done well and I can appreciate different types of flavors, styles, etc albeit with a somewhat amateur sense of taste (meaning that I'm not gonna be a snob but I do have some particulars). Even though I can tell when something isn't executed the best, I can still look for the good in it. And at Tidepools, I ended up with a mixed review. Appetizer: Decent selection, finally pared down to the crab cakes. SUPER GREAT, and if I went completely on this app alone, it would have garnered five stars. Yes, THAT good. The bf and I both agreed that neither of us had that great of a crab cake in who knows how long, and for $15 it was a great deal. The sauce pairing was excellent. I'm not going to go into details because I don't think that's what you yelpers are looking for. Salad: After playing elimination and ultimately going on the menu's description we opted for the tomato terrine. Substantially smaller than what we expected, especially considering the decent portion of crab cakes we had previous. Still good, and I could appreciate the blue cheese foam thing (that they left out in the description but it was interesting). It played with several different parts of your palate: arugula providing the bitterness, the blue cheese gave it a pungent saltiness, and the tomato provided texture with a - well, whatever a tomato tastes like lol... there was a sweet balsamic reduction (just guessing here) and an olive oil vinaigrette (again another guess), so yeah... despite its portion size, still very interesting. So far so good, right? Well, hey, service was pretty decent, although I think we had better rapport with our wait assistant than with our server. Our server came by to check on us and looked like he was working hard, but still our wait assistant conversed with us, touched tables more often than our server, etc... but idk, all restaurant have different dynamics. I specifically asked my server to make the opah medium rare (but he didn't notate it when he took my order down, or the kitchen messed up, or the food sat too long IDK). Anybody who eats anything knows that undercooked is better than overcooked. UGH. This was the ultimate letdown that not even a slight buzz from my "eh" wine (maybe you can be demanding and ask them to open a fresh bottle? but I didn't dare be so pretentious so I got the day-old wine and even MY amateur palate can sense) could save. What saved it were the facts that Mike (the server) and the wait assistant were doing such a great job - the bf said "don't tell him; he looks very happy and you'll ruin his night" - AND the flavors of the food and complemented starches/veggies/sauces were REALLY REALLY GREAT... but again, my $34 entree was overcooked........... really disappointed =( And to make things worse, the bf's mac-nut mahi was even drier... both our entrees tasted like chicken. Jerk chicken, or "chicken breast" as the bf put it. So based on the "meaty" portion of our meal, it would have only gotten two stars, and maybe just one, since I've had better fish at Zippy's (fast food-type place for you mainlanders) at half the price. Might have opted for dessert had our meal been more enjoyable. As it were, we just ate quickly to get it over with =( so we could leave. Wine selection for bottles was not bad, but by the glass could have been better. Also, idk about the others' complaints about the cheesiness of the ambiance but I really thought it wasn't so bad at all. It reminds me of the Pagoda Hotel restaurant with the koi pond and a table in the middle with a walkway to seclude it, and I liked that we had open air seating (though sometimes it got chilly and we did get splashed by the koi hehe)... and seating was spread out enough to where you could have privacy. East meets Polynesia - kind of a weird combination, but it's not as cheesy as I thought it would be based on others' "warnings". LASTLY (I almost pressed "Post" but the bf reminded me about the hostess) ------- maybe she's young, maybe she's dumb, or maybe I caught her in a bad moment. By all means, she was NOT the worst hostess I've ever come across, but she wasn't great. I stood in front of her while she completed her conversation with a coworker..... for a while.... And when she turned over she just said "aloha, welcome to blah blah..." but after she checked me in, she forgot who I was and the seater was like "Who's this?"... and she took a moment, looked at the ticket, looked at me, asked if I was "Miss so-and-so" and I'm thinking HOW MANY ASIANS ARE SITTING IN YOUR LOBBY WHO WOULD HAVE AN ASIAN LAST NAME. lol just a manini (minor) rant. All I have to say is, first AND lasting impressions!! That is all.
(3)Joe D.
Very nice, expensive restaurant in a gorgeous setting - the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. The hotel itself is beautiful - if you decide to go I would suggest walking around a bit and maybe grabbing a drink at their bar upstairs. Tidepools is downstairs, and the setting is beautiful. Outside the windows of the restaurant is a ... tidepool ... which is basically a koi pond. Very cool to see the fish swimming around, but it's tough to see if you're not sitting by a window. Some other people have mentioned Table 42, which kinda sits alone on a walkway, and is very romantic. That is your first choice. My wife and I sat at Table 34, which is in the corner near two windows, and that is almost as good. I fed the fish as they swarmed around us (we both enjoyed the bread a lot). Very cool. Oh yes, they serve food. I disagree with other reviewers that it is somehow amazing, but it's a nice, expensive restaurant, and the food there is very good. I got the catch of the day, and you will want to get seafood as well, being in Hawaii. You will be happy. I have to say, though, my wife got the steak and it was extremely tender and delicious, so you can't really go wrong. Just set your expectations in terms of price (the menu is online), make sure you get a good table by the window (if you want to watch the fish), and enjoy the food and the atmosphere.
(4)Tim F.
Hit and miss... Crab cakes were delicious! Mahi Mahi was good, but not exceptional. At these prices, exceptional should be the norm. The steak was very good, partly due to the sauce. Without the sauce it would be average. Chocolate Molten Cake was delicious. Service was friendly, but not too attentive. The waiter never checked back after delivering our food. After we finished our entrees he asked if everything was good. Again, the price of the food should come with more attentive service.
(3)A S.
Pricey but worth it. Ate there twice during my vacation & loved it. Definitely get the catch of the day. Was so fresh. Cooked to perfection. Service was excellent. Views are great. Beautiful during sunset. Definitely make reservations ahead of time.
(5)Anton E.
Touristy, Expensive, But Fun This restaurant is located at the Grand Hyatt so of course you get a lot of hotel guests coming here for dinner. So it's easy to dismiss this place as too touristy and expensive -- both things this restaurant may very well be. But I have to say, I had fun dinning here. First off, the setting here is beautiful. I can try to describe it, but it's better to look at the pictures. Yes, the koi-filled lagoon is just delightful too look at, and the open air hut makes everything here seem exotic and romantic. If you're on your honeymoon and looking for a place to indulge yourself for dinner, this is a great spot. My wife and I started with the crab cakes, which were pricey but delicious. Next, I had the chef's special that night which was a play on the surf and turf, consisting of a smaller filet of beef, with grilled shrimp, and some scallops. The beef was cooked nicely and tasted fine, the shrimp was fine, but the scallops were honestly the best I had ever tasted. It was just so juicy, and flavorful. I absolutely loved it. The restaurant was packed that night, and I imagine it's probably like this most nights. But although this restaurant has the tourist look, feel, and price, it's incredibly beautiful, the food is tasty, and the service here was friendly and attentive. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.
(4)Jason F.
Looking for traditional Hawaiian food in a stunning tropical setting? Look now further than Tidepools a festival "hut" restaurant serving fun seafood and steak dishes...try the jumbo lump crab cakes for an appetizer, the only in Hawaii Hawaiian Opah for a main dish and for dessert, consider trying the slice of paradise, mud pie Hawaiian style! The prices are considered high but your paying for the ambiance (Koi fish literally jump around you while you're sitting in the hotel's lagoon) so it is totally worth it...there is a reason it was rated by Zagat the best restaurant on Kauai in 09'. It is!
(4)Elissa D.
If you want to feel like you're eating in Disneyland, then this is the place for you. If you want to experience local flavor, culture, food, etc. in a down-to-earth place, this is not the place for you. Ridiculously expensive, like most restaurants in Hawaii. You eat over fake tidepools in grass roof covered buildings. Tiki torches, and that sort of thing. It's exactly where you would imagine people from the Midwest with too much money who dont' really want to venture out of their comfort zone would go. The food was fine in a couple of cases, inedible in others. They did remove the charge for a plate of fish that was clearly not in good condition, so that was good. When we left, a server was whisking what looked like a wedding cake by us. On the back of it, it said: "Will you marry me." Pretty much exactly what you would expect at a place like this. Atmosphere for people with no imagination.
(2)Opal D.
Wonderful! Tidepools is located at the Grand Hyatt. The restaurant is set on the water filled with carp (at least that's what the waiter told me the fish were), and I enjoyed feeding the fish some of my bread. Dimly lit, the mood is set for a lovely romantic evening. The food was all good. Service was wonderful without hovering. They offer a 3-course dinner for $45 which includes choices from many of the items on the menu and is a great deal. I, however, opted for the special not on the dinner menu - lobster stuffed with crab which was very hearty and delicious. I recommend this restaurant to anyone coming to Kauai! Make a reservation as it does get filled up during peak dinner hours.
(4)Sara J.
Great meal! My husband and I went here for dinner on our trip- the food was great, a little expensive (but what in Kauai isn't?), but everything was really tasty, the presentation was great and the meals were creative. The service was awesome, too. The waiter was nice, helpful and answered all of our questions. Our water glasses were always full, which I love. My only gripe about this place is that the dessert menu was lackluster. We didn't actually have the dessert since the menu wasn't impressive, I'm sure it would have been great- but all of those things listed were things we can get in Michigan. But really, there was molten lave cake and creme brûlée, which would probably please most people. Great experience, we'd definitely go back.
(5)Janice F.
Hyatt definitely has their landscaping down. Gorgeous setting, waterfalls, meandering rivers, islands with hot tubs.. you're definitely paying for their maintenance costs! Onto Tidepools, it's got a lovely ambiance - thatched huts, sitting over the koi waterfall ponds - no sunset view though. They have some huge aggressive kois! It was hard not to keep trying to find out what they wouldn't eat. We came on a Monday night, which luckily meant that they had a 3 course special for $45. Decent value for the setting. Food-wise, I had low expectations and it didn't surpass it. Well, one item did - the garnish that came with my opah entree. Crab and avocado stuffed shrimp - it was delicious. They need to make an actual appetizer out of those shrimp - it would have made me much happier. The crab cake appetizer wasn't too bad, no filler at all. The prime rib entree was a huge portion, but nothing exciting whatsoever about it. The dessert was a lilikoi mousse that seemed a lot more dense (more of a cheesecake) then a mousse. Topped with pineapples over a graham-like, macadamia granola.
(3)James W.
Benchmark for restaurants here on the island
(4)Danielle L.
It was in our hotel, so my husband and I tried it out. Pretty expensive but the food was yummy here. Nice atmosphere. You are literally floating in the pools, atleast it feels that way. If we ever go back to Kauai, we need to head back here. Plus we had fun feeding the fish our bread. Lol
(4)Rob C.
If you like getting harassed by the staff, then you will love Tidepools. The maître d' told me that tanktops were not allowed in the restaurant, but they had an aloha shirt they could loan me for dinner. I don't mind wearing aloha shirts, even the extremely loud one they presented to me. However, when I sat down, there were six other people scattered throughout the dining area wearing tanktops and no loud aloha shirts. Inconsistency is a bad sign for a restaurant to have, even when it comes down to a dress code. Then an overpowering wave of perfume assaulted me. A few seconds later, our waiter should up, reeking of cheap cologne. At this point, we should have just left the restaurant, but it was our last night on the island and I didn't want to make a scene by leaving abruptly. The food had a nice presentation, but we could not taste it over the smell of cologne. We could not finish the meal, and had to leave.
(2)kit b.
Prime rib was very fatty, very little jus, horseradish "cream" watery, ice-cream-scoop of mashed potatoes unremarkable, tiny pile of inoki mushrooms, a little raw baby broccoli & raw green beans, for $38? Husband had the special: small filet of swordfish (said it was "okay") and very small lobster tail half. More uncooked vegetables, same dollop of potatoes. Left hungry. $42. We called for reservations at noontime, were told there were no reservations left between 6:15 and 8 PM., so we took the 6:15 time. While we were there, the place was barely half full. What is that about? Service unremarkable. The koi ponds are great. Felt like Disneyland. Walk through the restaurant to see the koi, then go eat somewhere else.
(2)Steph C.
Matt B. and I spent our second anniversary in Kauai, and as we were staying at the Grand Hyatt, we booked Tidepools for our special dinner. We made our reservation weeks in advance, and let the restaurant know that it was our anniversary, so they could maybe book us a nice table, or put a candle in our dessert. We should have just requested a good table outright, as it was evident when we arrived that no one knew or cared that we were celebrating a special occasion. We got stuck at a table in the middle of the restaurant, next to a huge party. The staff was obliging, though, when we requested a change because of the noise a minute after we sat down. We also had a wonderful waitress names Marta. She was friendly and warm and improved our experience greatly. Service was good all around once we got seated. The food came out faster than I would have liked, with entrees on the table the second appetizers were done, but Tidepools wasn't catering to a couple on a special date. Considering Kauai's honeymooner consumer base, I actually found this surprising. We expected Tidepools to be somewhat romantic, but it was very family-oriented, with lots of children and nothing in the way of an intimate ambience. It was, though, a very pleasant setting. I liked the open hut set-up, and the views were lovely. Late into our meal, it started to rain heavily, and this did bring a bit of romance. We also shared a bottle of wine, as our ability to do so factored into our decision to dine in our hotel. The list was on the expensive side, with the cheapest bottles all priced at $44, and nothing between $44 and $70. As a lot of people tend to order the second cheapest bottle on the menu, kind of a genius move. The list seemed pretty boring, though, like the top shelf of a good Vons, and we got a $44 cabernet. It was fine. The food was acceptable, if pretty mediocre. We got a basket of dinner rolls that were purely utilitarian carbs, edible by not worth filling up on. Not long after we ordered, appetizers arrived. These were the high point of the meal. I had the jumbo lump crab cakes with basil aioli, avocado mousse, and a tomato ginger relish. These were pretty decent crab cakes. I've had better farther from water, but these were tasty, with a generous amount of crab meat and flavorful accompaniments. Matt's chilled Kauai shrimp were also good, served with ginger, scallion, and a cucumber namasu. The shrimp was snappy enough, and I liked the pickled cucumber and onion base. The ginger scallion topping was okay too, though very sharp. The entrees weren't bad but they were very forgettable. I ordered the grilled Hawaiian ahi with foie gras fried rice, Tokyo sauce, and roasted garlic hollandaise. When it arrived I took one bite and sent it back to the kitchen. I hate doing this, and I don't do it often, but this was something like a $35 piece of fish, and it was cooked medium to medium well when I ordered it rare. The color was gray instead of red, and the overdone meat had no flavor. Thankfully, Marta took it back without making me feel like a jerk. The second piece was a true rare, and it was an entirely different entree. The fish was cooked to retain it's supple sashimi texture, and it tasted like ahi. The dish had good flavors in general, though I have to wonder where the foie gras was in the foie gras fried rice. I mean, foie gras is rich and unctuous and this just tasted like dry black rice. If there was any foie, it was wasted. Matt got the Brandt Farms organic "prime" New York strip with pommes frites, homemade steak sauce, and roasted garlic hollandaise. It was a very mediocre steak, cooked on the medium side of medium rare, without a lot of flavor. The pommes frites were big thumb-like bars of potato that I had no problem leaving on his plate. Desserts were also pretty lackluster. The molten chocolate cake with ganache and vanilla bean ice cream was decent, but I've had a dozen like it, more than half of them better. The lilikoi creme brulee with sesame tuile and raspberries was just bad. It was goopy and warm with minimal passionfruit flavor. The fresh raspberries were the best part. I'd rate Tidepools at two stars based on the food, but the setting was nice and Marta was a splendid waitress. Though it had its issues, I didn't actively dislike the place. Matt and I had a brilliant anniversary in beautiful Kauai, and Tidepools played its part.
(3)Stanley S.
Loved the ocean setting watching the surfer;s, with kids playing in the tide pools and enjoying fresh Ahi sandwich for lunch. The onion rings were flavorful and the fruit tasting tea was awesome. The waitress was very attentive and was excellent in her personality to deal with the jokes one of the members in the group insisted on.
(4)Craig W.
Incredible food and ambience! Had the ahi tuna and filet mignon and I have to say they both were spectacular. The flavors of both dishes was out of this world and the fish and meat was so tender. By far this was the best piece of yellow fun tuna I have ever had!
(5)Marjorie C.
Expensive BUT this is the place where you want to spend your money: wonderfull Pina Colada, amazing Mahi Mahi, decadent chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream (baked freshly for each and everyone). The place is really original, you are dining between tidepools with Koi Fish, romantic lighting, efficient and friendly staff. The perfect place for an intimate dinner.
(5)Charlie B.
We at here our first night in Hawaii during our honeymoon. The setting was wonderful and romantic and the food was really good. Our best meal in Hawaii...nope. But, a great way to start our trip and the place is really romantic. I had the tuna and my new hubby had the mahi. My tuna was really fresh and really tasty, but a tad overcooked for asking for it medium rare. Some of the best crabcakes I have had, though. If you are staying at the Hyatt, it is worth checking out, and I would return for sentimental reasons, not to be blown away by the food.
(4)Danielle M.
Breathtaking! Then again, what isn't when it comes to Hawaii? My husband and I visited Kauai on our honeymoon. We decided to dine here on one of our nights due to the wonderful reviews on every website we viewed. The food and wine were delcious. We sat looking over the Koi pond. We had a nice bottle of Pino Grigio, and started with the Kalua Pork flautitas, and poke, poke oysters. For our entree we had the strip steak and the mahi mahi. Last but not least the chocolate lava cake for dessert. Each meal was better than the last. Truly a great restaurant in Paradise.
(5)Andrew K.
This is a wonderful restaurant, location is fabulous, we were seated at an open door with coy fish by hundreds swimming by. Our server was a delight, informative, but not intrusive. The food was excellent. Overall it is a most romantic experience. Recommend without reservations.
(5)Denise Y.
Beautiful views, dining over the water, and the waitstaff is very accommodating. Good place for a special night out--but be prepared for a little sticker shock when looking at the menu. I had the Ahi, which was delicious. The foie gras infused rice was the best.
(4)KC T.
Excellent food and service. The ahi poke is delicious.
(5)Wayne R.
Excellent date night location. Food was very delicious the atmosphere was beautiful (sat next the waters edge and fed the koi!). Service was friendly but a posh. $200 per couple for a full course meal with drinks. Would go again.
(5)S S.
Best crabcakes EVER. Drinks were smooth and strong and the service was great even though we only stopped in for drinks and appetizers. Enjoy the stars on your outdoor walk down and be sure to peek at the fish in the "tide pool!" Happy hour in the lounge with create your own drink looked cool but we didn't make it early enough for that. If you're not staying in the Hyatt it's also worth the trip to see the beautiful hotel lobby and outdoor space with live Hawaiian music in the lobby.
(5)Denise L.
Beautiful atmosphere - the tables are directly above the koi pond with an adjoining waterfall. I would definitely recommend going before dark. Our delicious dinner consisted of: - Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes - Macadamia Crusted MahiMahi - I have had this dish almost everywhere, and it was definitely on par with some of the best. The seller was that it was stuffed with crab meat! - Wasabi Crusted Ahi - My boyfriend is very picky about his ahi steak, and he enjoyed this rendition. - Bananas Foster Bread Pudding - Light, and not overbearingly sweet. Just the perfect blend of fruit and chocolate (brownie bits). Delicious food, great service, fine dining at its best -- at fine dining prices. If you are from San Francisco or any other metropolitan city, the bill will be the usual. Highly recommended for a romantic dinner.
(4)Joe Y.
Th decor and surrounding area inside the Hyatt is pleasant. When we arrived at 6:30pm, the restaurant was not very busy but we had to wait 10 minutes even though we booked the reservation in well in advance. Service was fine and the staff friendly. After ordering, it took over 45 minutes to serve. Again, the place was not packed with customers. We ordered the mahi mahi coupled with macadamia nut sauce. The fish was dry and the jasmine rice lukewarm. Not a very tasty dish compared to other restaurants I've been to with similar menus. Price was a somewhat overpriced as I'm comparing it to New York prices. Th saving grace was the server gave my daughter a complimentary lava flow dessert. Spectacular! Also, he was good enough to add a fresh and warm chowder cup which she wanted to take back home.
(2)Julie P.
The first time I came here last year, everything was perfect... perfect table surrounded by koi fish, the perfect salad, tasty bread n' butter, a heavenly piece of macadamia crusted mahi mahi, mashed potatoes, a chocolate ganache dessert... perhaps one of the best meals ever. This year it was still mostly tasty, but if was writing this review based on my most current experience, it would be getting 3 stars. If I based my review on my first time, it would be 5 stars. So I settled on 4 stars. The seating wasn't quite as magical this time... tucked away from most of the koi fish, I think I only saw a couple swimming... as compared to last time when I saw dozens of Koi. I did see a frog jump up from the pond and hop towards us under our table... that was a riot. :) It was also very dark this time... I could barely see my food. The mahi mahi had a more fine nut crust texture this time, and tasted more oily. I loved the large chunks of macadamia nuts from last time. And no mashed potatoes this time, instead some jasmine rice, which tasted lovely, but I'm not that big on rice. The dessert didnt not have the ball of pure chocolate ganache and spun sugar crisp like last time, and instead just had the lava cake with a lump of vanilla bean ice cream. Still tasty, but I was spoiled from the first visit. Luckily, we had a coupon for a free desset, so you can't complain about free cake. :) I suppose this all had to do with a different chef preparing the food. Everything felt very asian influenced this time. I suppose because Yum Cha, another restaurant at the Hyatt was closed, they felt the need to fill that missing gap over at Tidepools. Meh. Overall, Tidepools is a beautiful place, set on a unique koi pond. I would recommend requesting a table out on the water to get the full experience, and get reservations.
(4)Laurie S.
I had high expectations for Tidepools. The service was wonderful! They did not rush us and allowed us to relax. The house bread was ok. The corn soup was tasty. I loved, loved the opah and crabcakes! The shrimp that came with it were too buttery and I couldn't eat them. The potato croquette tasted like steak fries - nothing special. The mai tai was very good and cheaper than at the pool bar. The setting is beautiful, but the view from my hotel room at the Hyatt was much better. I would return just for the crabcakes!
(3)Ann M.
nice setting, food was good but I left hungry after spending $160 for two
(3)Jules A.
This review takes into account what you get for the price. The atmosphere is nice and the quality of ingredients high. At this price point, though, we expect dishes to be well balanced. The crab cakes were excellent. The hamachi watermelon appetizer was terrible. Watermelon overpowers the hamachi and it doesn't work. Overall good, but not great and not worth the price.
(3)Nicole F.
Setting is beautiful and the prices are comparable to any fine dining restaurant in a large city on the mainland. One star knocked off because their wine selection is not very good. Plus, wine is really pricey...more than the industry standard of 2.5 times markup. But the opah and shrimp is fresh and flavorful. Macadamia seabass wasn't as good a portion size but wasn't bad. Opah the favorite however. If you are staying in the Poipu Beach area, it's worth a trip - just for the setting and ambience.
(4)Jeannie L.
Meh... Tidepool was a bit of a letdown, especially for new year's dinner. Situated in the middle of an artificial tide pool, the setting itself is absolutely stunning. We took an earlier seating around 5:30 just to catch sunset. While it was lovely, much of the sunset view was blocked with Hyatt's structure and tall coconut trees. The food itself was pretty good but nothing exceptional from fine dining perspective. The kalua pig pupusa could have been better with less breading and more filling. The seared ahi tuna appetizer with furakame and layered with ponzu, yuzu and habernero sauce was delicious. The best appetizer was probably the shrimp and crab chowder. Great flavor with nice chunky shrimp bites. We also had the opah which was well seasoned with sweet corn and edemame. It may be a personal taste that I prefer more buttery, flakey fish which the opah is not, it's more on the firm side. All in all, Tidepool was pretty decent. I wouldn't make a trip to eat there if you aren't already staying at the Hyatt.
(3)Richard D.
OK, but you deserve much better.. and there IS much better in Kauai. We are staying at the Grand Hyatt Resort in Poipu, which is where Tidepools is located. To jump to the reason for the 2 star review, I'll skip over the details that I'd normally cover in a 4-5 star as I think you should really skip unless you're stuck eating here. Food: My girlfriend was pretty full, but I was famished when we arrived at Tidepools. We jumped in and ordered almost immediately after being seated as it was already getting late. I ordered the New York Strip, and my girlfriend ordered the Ahi Tuna appetizer and the Kalua Pork Flautitas. The tuna wasn't bad, but I actually expected a lot more out of Kauai fish. I don't think this was representative of Kauai, but the tuna tasted a bit too fishy and the bits of greens included didn't really balance the ahi. The Kalua Pork Flautitas were a miss as well. The pork was well seasoned but dry. The 'flautas' were really more like 'deep friend yesterday' cannellonis! The only really decent bit was the steak. Overpriced, but that's more a result of the resort most likely. Drinks: I ordered a Lava Flow, and my girlfriend had a Shipwreck, which as mixed speciality drink they offered. Drinks were good! Service: S-L-O-W! The server was extremely kind and polite, but overall the service was super slow. We were literally staring at our watches between getting items like drinks, bread, appetizer, meal, check. The restaurant was practically empty when we arrived, and yet the service was as slow as a snail. I highly recommend skipping. Your time and money are not worth it here.
(2)Ty T.
Situated in the lower tiers of the Hyatt resort, this tucked away restaurant has such an impeccable/ open layout. During our morning of check-out we decided to have brunch here. Very very attentive staff and service, Arleen -the woman who chatted me up in particular.. was warm, friendly, very very hospitable... and uber-curious in regards to what my ethnic-identity was. I kept encountering her throughout the 5 nights we spent here, she is fabulous in every regard and thank you for the more than generous pours during the ball-room banquet the night below. Arleen deserves a raise!! We sat in the alcove overlooking the Koi pond, wow.. beautiful views from anywhere you are from inside the restaurant. I was quite specific with how my omelet should have sauteed mushrooms on the side and they were very accommodating to make it exactly as such. I also had some yogurt with some very macadamia nut granola, and slivers of fresh pineapple and papaya with lime. Delicious.
(4)Rami D.
Excellent food, great view and very child friendly wait staff. Very fresh tasting food with great adult beverages....
(5)Brianna G.
The food was awesome. They had gluten free options which was also a plus!! My boyfriend had the mahi mahi which was really good and I had the opah also very good!!! The waiter seemed to be flustered running around when the restaurant wasn't really that busy.
(3)Billy E.
I look forward to going to Tidepools when we go to Kaua'i. We were married at Hyatt Grand and we try to go every year. It's nice to see the same faces. We noticed that the menu had changed (always for better) and we saw some great things. Speaking of same faces, Derrick the server has always been our server each time we go and I always ask him whats best and he always tells me something off menu that's amazing. Well again he suggested the seabass and it was really great. Wife went w/ macnut mahi and chowder. The lava cake Is awesome and if u're a fan u won't be disappointed. Great after dinner coffee. Everything Ono!! Mahalo
(5)Ashley R.
Tofu was not good. Over priced. Snooty
(2)Concerned C.
The atmosphere was great. Not all it's cracked up to be for the price only because the taste of the food we ordered was so-so. We tried to make reservations for an early dinner but the next reservation was not until 8:15pm. We decided to take a chance and just show up at 5:30. To our surprise we walked right in and was seated right next to the pond. The open air setting was nice and romantic as we watched the sunset. The waiter was attentive and the presentation was excellent. Neither my wife or I were impressed with the taste of Our entrees. I had the Macadamia Nut Mahimahi and she had the Tofu Hiryozu. However we did share a Molten Chocolate Cake topped with vanilla ice cream that was incredible.
(3)Tim V.
Great and inventive Ahi with foie gras infused rice and truffle miso eggplant sauce. One of the best dinners on Kauai.
(5)Karen D.
We arrived at the Grand Hyatt Kauai after a long and awful experience with (No) Go! Airlines in a bad mood, hungry and tired. It was late on a Sunday night and most other restaurants in the area were closed. Thank heaven Tidepools was still serving dinner! Since it was nearly closing time, we were the only ones there. Still, we were shown plenty of aloha, treated graciously and never made to feel the least bit rushed. Our server spent time "talking story" with us and was friendly, helpful, and professional. Our salads and ahi sashimi appetizer was very good. The opah and macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi very both tasty. We were happy to finish our meal with a chocolate lava cake. The ambiance of the place on the lagoon, the beautiful night, the delicious food, and the excellent service melted away the stress of the day. Mahalo Tidepools!
(5)JJ L.
Best meal we have had in Kauai and one of the better meals I have had in some time. Known for the fish but we didn't order any. Known for the setting and that didn't disappoint - just lovely. - Kauai Sweet Corn soup with Crab Spectacular soup, excellent crab and a generous portion of it. Just awesome. - Granny Smith apple and Micro arugula Salad Holy cow, get this! The duck was great, the goat cheese was perfect, and the salad so refreshing. A must order, you won't regret this. - Tofu Hiryzou Prepared in a unique way. I have never had tofu like this, and I eat a lot of tofu. Really creative and delicious. - Molten Chocolate Cake Massive scoop of delicious ice cream with it. Definitely meant for 2. Perfectly made. And my wife and I were sharing and the waiter, without asking, split the Tofu into 2 plates so we could share it easily. Very nice service, we really liked this. Start to finish, spectacular. I am still thinking about how much I enjoyed the meal, and will remember it for some time to come. Really interesting how we went to a "fish restaurant" and did not order any fish and had one of the better meals we have had in a while!
(5)Becky T.
Beautiful ambiance! We were seated right by the lagoon next to the waterfall. It would have been really peaceful except for the resort luau that was going on across the way, but that was pretty entertaining. There were a ton of koi fish swimming just a foot away from us and the best part was that even though it was all open-air seating, there were no bugs! The food wasn't spectacular but it was definitely good. I'm a bit of a crab fiend so I was pleased to able to have a bit of crab with each course. The crab cake was very good without filler, the corn bisque with crab was nice and creamy, and then my opah with crab and avocado stuffed shrimp was very tasty as well. The fish was really well done, but I'm sort of biased in that I'm the biggest Nico's fan, so it makes me feel guilty spending $30+ for a fish dish that could be surpassed for $9 at Nico's. However, we were also paying for eating at a resort, eating at a picturesque locale, and great service. It was a nice treat.
(4)Ed H.
Dined at this Restaurant in February of this year for our anniversary. It came as a recommendation from my daughter and my wife made the reservations online which is really convenient. The service is excellent and timely. The food is outstanding but a little pricey! The crab cakes are to die for, along with the molten chocolate cake. The dining area is open air, dark, and dimly lit. But it does not take anything away from a great experience that you'll encounter. If you are not a guest of the hotel, I'd suggest that you valet park your car. After eating a such a wonderful meal that is served up right, the long walk to the self-serve parking lot will ruin it all.
(5)Brandon A.
Best restaurant experience I've had in years. This is the restaurant that prompted me to join yelp. Great setting, nice views, peaceful. Wine and cocktails were reasonable and tasty. Service: Superb. We asked to switch tables and got the best seat in the house. The manager came over and personally greeted us and seated us at another table. Thanks to Heather for an incredible experience and being so kind. The waiter was personable but not too personable, prompt, knowledgeable, all around solid. Food: Two apps, Ahi Sashimi: best Ahi I had on the island and anytime in my life. Poke Poke Oyster: unique, very tasty. Two salads: Garden Isle and Manoa Lettuce, both unique and delicious. Entrees: Fish of the day, cooked perfect, delicious. Prime Rib: I never thought I would order anything but fish on Kauai but after fish all week I was ready for some beef. What a cut! Huge. Absolutely perfect. Best prime rib I've had since Lawry's in LA. Molten chocolate cake for desert was good. Top notch all around Aloha
(5)Joelle C.
Incredible service. Very good food. Loved the ambiance most of all. Pricey. The prime rib was tasty as was the tofu. The lava cake was dry.
(4)Patrick G.
Tidepools was a very cool, open style, thatched roof building over water at the Grand Hyatt Resort. The overall experience was very enjoyable, and the food was great. All of the items on the menu sounded like winners but I eventually settled on the ahi which was full of interesting textures and flavors. The flavors and the ahi were so rich and great that the meat practically melted in my mouth. The bananas foster dessert was also one of the best desserts I have ever had. It came with macadamia nut ice cream that alone would have challenged for the best ice cream I have ever eaten. The only down side of this place was the service was lacking in some aspects. They lost my groups reservation and instead of saying something, they just took all of our info again and made us wait about 10 minutes for a table. The waiter also took a while to come around even though the restaurant was not that crowded.
(5)Ryan D.
Stayed @ the Grand Hyatt while on my Honeymoon and this was probably the best food we had in Kauai!!! The crab cakes are a must!!! Best I have ever eaten!!! And I have eaten a lot of Crab Cakes!!! The fish special I had w/ Lobster was amazing and the atmosphere is probably one of the best in Kauai also!! Service was amazing too!!! Mike, Les and Meda have been there for awhile and do a great job!!! When your done....make sure you stop by Stevenson's Library and get an after dinner drink!! Beautiful Koa bar and the manager Kristy rocks!!! Nothing but great things too say about this entire property and GRAND HYATT!!
(5)Dave L.
Sure, it's a hotel restaurant, but what a hotel restaurant! Set in a separate, low building and designed to feel like a collection of thatched huts amid fish ponds (hence the name of the restaurant), it offers traditional steak and seafood. I tend not to be adventurous in resort restaurants under the assumption that they focus more on location, atmosphere and price than on the food. So I figure it's better to stick with the tried and true like simple red meat, and I had the prime rib both nights. I'm happy to say their prime rib ranks as the best I've had in recent memory, cooked just right and flavorful. Same goes for the chocolate souffle. We were staying at the hotel (Hyatt) and ate there twice. The wait service was very good the first night and excellent the second, and I'd have no problem going back the next time I'm in the area.
(5)Lynne V.
We made a reservation & got a great table right next to the Koi pond, although the place is so nicely laid out its hard to imagine not getting a good table. For appetizers we ordered shrimp summer rolls & salad with endive, butter lettuce & fried artichokes. Both very good. For dinner i had the Hawaiin catch, which was swordfish that day. Being from the East coast, this was a real treat for me. I like to eat local seafood and while we have plenty of clams, oysters & flounder, swordfish is a rarity. This was amazingly fresh as all the seafood I had in Hawaii, over a bed of mashed Yukon gold potatoes & young asparagus. Amazing. my husband had the prime rib, which was local Kauai beef and not your usual gigantic slab, but the perfect size portion, buttery tender & again, perfectly cooked. The best part was the local mushrooms sautéed in butter that came with it! I could not stop stealing bites off his plate. I drank wine so I can't vouch for the cocktails, & we didn't have dessert (too full!). Our server was polite & attentive but did not hover over us & we were not rushed at all. The food was prepared with care & creativity, while still satisfying the 'comfort' factor. As for the price, being from NY city I found the dinners at the better restaurants in the resort to be reasonable, it was the breakfasts lunches & snacks that were more expensive than normal. If you are staying at the Hyatt I would recommend you eat dinner here, at Stevensons or Donderos, & take a quick drive into Lihue or Koloa for a tasty inexpensive lunch at one of the local food shops
(5)Brent D.
Stayed at the Hyatt during our honeymoon and came here for dinner for our first night in Kauai. We were a little shocked at the spendyness, but it was a great meal nonetheless. We enjoyed the ambiance and the food. I had a deliciously marbled rib eye and my wife had a great fish entree (a white fish, can't remember which). It was a little dark where we were seated but it was still enjoyable.
(3)Stephanie B.
Simply amazing. I'm gluten intolerant and have to eat gluten free which can be a challenge. They had an amazing gluten free menu and I did not feel like I was missing out at all. I got sashimi with a gluten free tamari sauce and a salad to split with my husband from the gluten free menu. He is not GF but enjoyed these as much as I did. Then to my surprise they brought me hot gluten free bread and it was so good I asked for more. When I couldn't finish it they gave it to me in a to go box. For the main dish I got the surf and turf and again, 5 star. The service was incredible. It was also my anniversary an they gave us a great table and made sure to wish us a happy anniversary. My only disappointment was the koi fish being replaced by salt water fish that were mildly stinky. Bottom line is if you are gluten free, you have to visit this place!
(5)Jon J.
delicious steak, a little pricey(standard for Hawaii)
(4)N Y.
Worst service and meal we had in Kauai.... AND the most expensive. We were so excited based on reviews and the description in the resort literature of the koi fish, waterfalls, etc. etc. BIG LET DOWN. It was an empty pool around the restaurant that just made it seem like a cheap chinese restaurant in a strip mall. (We were later told after I asked they are suppose to move the koi back in soon). Still doesn't make up for the not so great food and poor service. The hostess is the worst!! We made reservations for the first night in for our honeymoon. We arrived on time and were told to have a seat. We waited 15 minutes while "walk in" traffic got seated. We were starving and decided to leave. When we told her to take us off she said.... "I will seat you!"... HUH??? We left. We decided to try again and made reservations a couple of days later at 8am for that evening at sunset. We asked for a view seat for the sunset. When we arrived the SAME hostess was working. We told her we had a reservation and our name. She then asked "how many?" We were confused. We repeated we have a reservation for 2 at 6:30 and our name. She said "would you like to be seated?". My husband looked confused and said "ugh... yeah". It was odd. Finally, she brought us back to the crappiest table there with NO view. I looked over and saw 2 free awesome view tables that we had asked for when making the reservation. I asked "can we sit at that table?". She said "we have people waiting in the bar for that table." Again.... we were confused. First of all, why are they waiting and not seated??? Sooooo.... we sat down like she said and waited while watching them seat more walk in traffic. Then another woman came up and said "right this way". We followed her to the good table that the hostess told us the people were waiting for in the bar. Annoying. So to say the least, we were already turned off of Tidepools because of the poor staff. The food was then a huge let down. Worst time we had in Kauai.
(1)Kristine P.
Yum! A super-romantic spot for a nice dinner in Kauai. My husband and I had dinner here during our honeymoon at the Hyatt. Definitely not cheap, but a nice place to treat yourself. Tidepools has the BEST crab cakes I've ever had in my life. The NY strip was also delicious, juicy and huge! It had a great flavor and was cooked medium as I ordered - not too rare or well done. The waiters and waitresses are super knowledgeable and describe all of the dishes to you ahead of time and as they come. If you want to enjoy a nice long dinner, order one course at a time so they don't come out one right after the other (our waiter suggested this and it worked well. We left full but able to enjoy everything). We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here, and we would hope so with a bill that was nearly $200 after tax and tip! (We did have 4 glasses of wine, appetizers and dessert though)
(4)Nicole W.
This was a great way to spend New Years Eve! The wait staff makes you feel very welcome, and there are a good mix of tourists and locals that dine here for a nice night out. The Mahi Mahi was exceptional!!! The sauce was especially good that comes with the fish. The scenery is romantic, and dont pass up the dessert. We loved the bread pudding.
(4)E M.
After living in San Francisco, I've become a bit of a foodie and I have to say the food at this place is spectacular! Beautifully presented and well balanced. Overall, a solid 4 stars!
(4)Kent R.
This is the perfect place for a relaxing, totally enjoyable meal. With outdoor tables scattered along huts and boardwalks built over the pond, you can enjoy the water, gardens, the breeze, and your companions. It's truly picturesque. The food was great, the drinks even better, and our waiter very personable, and entertaining. Among the best places to pick for your last nite on the island
(4)Andrew K.
We got a great table at the peninsula of the restaurant. We were surrounded by koi fish that jumped out of the water from time to time. The ambiance was great. Food was also prepared well. Experience wise, it was one of our better ones this trip. Our server was detailed and ensured we had what we needed. Would definitely recommend if celebrating or just a romantic experience.
(4)Dallas N.
I would say that this place has exceptional food with well trained staff and excellent chefs. I would have easily given this place 5 stars if the restaurant did not look like a 1980's Brady Bunch Hawaiian TV set. The staff were dressed like servers at Denny's which I did find comical, with the decor and attire almost scaring us off. I had the Hawaiian Sea Bass (while not a Bass at all) but a Grouper, it was delicious and well prepared, excellently cooked, and rich. The salads were creative and light and the Banana Foster Bread Pudding, average but still OK. The Koi pond was beautiful and the walk to the restaurant over the Hyatt grounds was a delight. Prices were on par for a high end dining experience.
(4)Ashley D.
This is the second time I've been to this place and it did not disappoint! The staff is very friendly and the scenery is really peaceful and pretty! We were seated next to a window, so we got a nice breeze and got to see all the koi fish and swans swimming around. It was a nice date night for me and my hubby. I recommend making a reservation first!
(4)Brenda D.
We had the Ahi and the seabass - both cooked and flavored well. The Molten chocolate cake is amazing! Because this is an open air restaurants it was windy. The restaurant itself if a bit confusing to find. Just keep going, you will find it at the end of the path! They have streams running under the seating with koi and goldfish swimming about. Very cool setup.
(4)Perch S.
Decent food, spectacular ambience, but don't bother getting any alcoholic drinks. They significantly water them down. It's quite disappointing to go to an expensive restaurant in a tropical setting, order a Mai Tai, and find out there's no rum in it. They also had this weird policy where your meal's price included an appetizer, entree and desert...but desert didn't include the desert drinks, even though they were cheaper and would have saved them some money.
(1)Dyan J.
We agree with everyone who loved the crab cakes. Mostly crab, no fillers, great. My husband and I had the prime rib and we enjoyed it. Great veggies (sautéed mushrooms, yummmm). We enjoyed the entire staff, especially Dallas our waiter. Everyone, from the woman who seated us (she was from Seattle) to the rest of the group was pleasant. Most of the food we've had on the island was poor to above average but this ranked best overall. We'd eaten at the Sheraton the night before and it was crappy at best.
(4)Chelsea D.
Great food and atmosphere. I had the Opah Cajun spiced fish over a bed of corn and edamame I was terribly sad to reach my last bite.
(4)Evan S.
Tidepools is that special occasion type of place. Wonderful service with our waiter Les who was so kind to us and explained every intricate detail of the menu that makes your mouth water. Food melted in your mouth and filled you up! Go here!
(5)Ashley F.
We ate here on our first night arriving, had a great meal. Crab cakes were awesome, so was the bread to start. Good wine list. I had the filet - i know, i know, but pregnancy has lead to a terrible fish/chicken aversion that I can't shake. It was very very good. A little sweet but that was the yummy caramelized onions on top. My husband had the tuna with the black rice which he loved. super service!!
(4)Kc S.
Breathtaking. Try and reserve a table next to the lagoon, and then ask your server for fish food, it is so much fun to feed the koi especially if you have kids! I have eaten here every year for the last ten years and it is one of my favorites! Not to be missed! I always order the ahi and am never disappointed. The crab cake appetizer is good as well. Live aloha!
(5)Jen M.
Tidepools has a gorgeous setting, and the atmosphere is definitely romantic. Our waiter was super nice, and explained everything very clearly. Weakest lava flow I had on the island, but hubs's green tea drink was quite good. My meal was very good - mahi mahi with avocado/crab stuffed shrimp. Great flavor, great presentation. Hubs got seared ahi which was really good. For dessert, we got the bananas foster bread pudding. The food was definitely good, and even with our nice waiter, we just got a stuffy vibe, so wouldn't necessarily go back. It's also very overpriced...you can get a cheaper meal at equal quality at Keoki's, Roy's or even Plantation Gardens Restaurant.
(3)James K.
This is one of the better choices for dining in Poipu. The Grand Hyatt has dropped their food prices and improved their wait service. Nice touch. The restaurant has a stellar location, set among a series of man made tide pools (hence the name of the restaurant). They used to have coi fish, lots of them, in the ponds. Now they're gone. That was disappointing. We were told they're in the process of converting over to a salt water pond. But it's been this way for several months. I don't know about salt water. I do miss the coi. I had the Poke Poke Oyster appetizer, which was a spoon of oyster ceviche, a spoon of sashimi, and a spoon filled with a raw oyster. It was tasty. I had the Monchong fish. It was good but slightly overcooked. My wife had the prime rib which she raved about. We had a the chocolate souffle with ice cream, which is to die for. Coffee was really good as it is in the rest of the resort. Fix the coi pond and fill it with fish. Don't overcook the fish. Then you'd get the extra star :-)
(4)William B.
Fantastic atmosphere. Crab cake appetizer was great. My wife's opah was excellent and my Hawaiian catch was good - maybe a little overcooked but still very good. They had a problem communicating with the kitchen so entrees took a while but our server let us know what was going on and brought us some crustacean chowder to keep us busy (and it was excellent).
(4)Amy M.
This is a nice romantic place. We were both pleased with the Mahi Mahi and Tenderloin.
(5)Allison M.
We received a gift certificate for this restaurant and used it on our last night on Kauai. This meal helped fix my irritation with the lack of good food on the island. The location, of course, is beautiful. You almost feel like you are outside while dining here. The food, the service, everything was perfect. Had I known that this restaurant was the same price as the other ones in the area we suffered through, I would have gone here every night. Do not miss Tidepools!
(5)maureen k.
Great place to eat if you are staying at the hyatt (really what a magical place)... And...eat there your first night after getting off the plane. thats what we did and we are glad we did not save this place for our last meal. very tasty fish plates.....not as good as Merriman's though!!
(3)Crystal C.
Wonderful service. The menu is fantastic. We love the prime rib and the mahi is a close 2nd. Get the crab cakes for sure! One of the best meals we have ever had - for sure the best vacation meal! We will not miss this on any future visits to kauai.
(5)Myle S.
We had a superb Thanksgiving dinner here! Khalua Turkey breast, broccolini, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing........in fact we were so stuffed that they let us take our pumpkin cheesecake to go!! We also fell in love with their peanut butter smoothies which are unexplicably fanatastic.
(4)Douglas L.
We went for dinner. Overall, the food was very good. But the service was somewhat rushed/impersonal. Also, the view of the ocean from the retaurant is obstructed. In retrospect, we would have just had drinks at the hotel bar up above (great view) and then gone somewhere local for dinner.
(3)LisaLisa F.
After reading the reviews on Yelp, we decided to give this a try for a 'fine dining night out' last night WRONG. Save your palate and go to Merriman's or Josselins instead. This place reeks tourist/honeymooner trap. When I go out to fine dining at $35.00 + per plate, I do not want to hear the 10 year old at the next table say "Daddy, I have to go pee". People...buy your kids McDonalds and leave them in your hotel room. 90% of children have NO business being in an expensive restaurant. Our server KNELT at our table when greeting us....um, helloo...isn't that what they do at Applebee's? thankfully he didn't write his name on the table in crayon. Sadly our server had zero personality and did a terrible job of selling the entrees. It seemed either lazy or he just didn't care. I am guessing the latter. We both had the tomato terrine, which was very unique. The boy had the Opah with some kind of corn succotash all over the place. I was not impressed. I had the Ahi and specifically said I wanted it rare-medium rare....what do you think it came out as? Yep...medium to medium well. I had to immediately begin cutting it so it would stop cooking. It also had this "Forbidden black rice with FoieGras" which tasted like I was eating grains of sand...still trying to remember if I saw any Foie Gras in it. Server dropped entrees and then began yapping about ordering dessert (are you effing kidding me?) Server then disappeared for over 40 minutes. Not ONCE did he come over to check on our entrees. We saw the busser about 10x in that time frame. Meanwhile I am gnawing on medium well done Ahi.... Needless to say, we wisely chose to skip dessert and in fact skipped going up to Stevensons Library to order drinks. Hands down the WORST meal I have had on Kauai in my 16 days here.
(1)Alicia Z.
My husband and I ate here twice over the course of our honeymoon at the Grand Hyatt. The first night I ordered the Ahi, while my husband went for the Mahi. My Ahi was fabulous!!! The Mahi was delicious as well, but nothing could compare to the flavors and perfection of the Ahi dish. Before finishing our meal, my husband and I decided we would be back before our trip was over. Our waiter was very friendly and made our experience very enjoyable. Between the two of us, we have several food allergies that preclude us from enjoying dessert but they were able to round up a delicious sorbet trio that tied everything together. The ambiance is wonderful...with your table feeling as if it is floating over a large koi pond. We will definitely be back here again on our next visit to Kauai.
(5)Scott M.
I am torn between 4 stars (Yay! I'm a fan) and 5 stars (Woohoo! As good as it gets!) because in some senses, this is as good as it gets on Kauai when you combine ambiance with food and service, but the food needs to be updated. They prepare the standards of prime rib, ahi, opah, etc very well, but that is so 1990's, maybe even 1980's. They need to glance at what La Mer and Alan Wong are doing and push the envelope. All that being said...... for anyone staying in Lihue, Poipu, Waimea and points in between, this is the best, most romantic place to eat.
(4)Kathleen B.
Tidepools is one of the most romantic restaurants that i've ever been to with its thatched hut roof, waterfalls and koi pond that surrounds it. The food was modern as well as delcious. My Fiancee even ordered a salad here, and he never eats salad anywhere. We had wonderful prime rib everywhere on the island, but the prime rib here was the best one around. This is a must if you're in Kauai.
(5)Kim B.
Very expensive for very mediocre food. Our service was great but the food was bland and definitely not worth the $200 price tag for 3 people ( that was for 3 drinks, 3 entrees, and 2 appetizers. No desserts!). The decor is tired and needs some love. Do not waste your money on this place. It's what you might call a pricey tourist trap.
(2)Anne B.
This was amazing, and our waiter was above and beyond excellent. Highly recommended.
(5)Theresa R.
Very good food in the best ambiance on Poipu Beach. I loved my Ahi sashimi appetizer, the spice crust was delicious. My husband enjoyed the prime rib and his wasabi encrusted calamari had just the right amount of spice and crunch. The rolls to start were tender, moist, warm and chewy with some salt sprinkled on the outside, in other words really good and hard to resist. Overall the best food we had in Kauai.
(5)Shaked B.
Had our first dinner in Kauai here. The atmosphere was great. If you want to sit outside and sensitive to bug, consider bringing bug repellent because you sit on a fishpond which may get some bugs. We had the catch of the day which was perfectly cooked with beautiful presentation. Don't forget order the chocolate soufflé with your entire as it takes 25-30 minutes to prepare. Definitely a must do when you're in Kauai!
(5)eliza b.
Unbelieveable on all levels! This was one of the most special meals I have ever had. My husband and I visited Tidepools on the last night of our honeymoon and we were not disappointed. The drinks, appetizers, food, and desserts were all amazing. Both of us got a fish special for dinner and our meals were both delicious. Also their creme brulee dessert is worth noting because you get 5 different tiny brulees ranging from coffee to macademia... it's really a cool experience. The atmosphere and scenery was perfect, especially when a guy dressed in a grass skirt outfit ran around and lit the torches at sunset. There were tons of Koi in the lagoon and we had fun watching them... they were some of the biggest I have ever seen. Our waiter was on-point and really made our dinner nice. I wanna go back!
(5)Thomas M.
This was our best dinner while vacationing in Kauai. The food was extremely fresh, well prepared, and FULL of flavor. The atmosphere of the restaurant and hotel is breathtaking. If you are looking for a nice restaurant to have dinner at while on Kauai, you need to go here. The price of $30 a plate for dinner is the same as all of the other restaurants in Kauai, and this place has a better atmosphere, location and food than the rest. Don't cheat yourself, run to Tidepools immediately if you are on the Island of Kauai. Great job and keep up the good work!!!
(5)Bob K.
Lovely restaurant in a gorgeous setting, and the staff is excellent. Our server, Mark, made the dinner more fun. The food was very good, as was the presentation, but I have to admit I was hoping for something a bit more memorable given the location and the price.
(4)Eleanor L.
We were staying at the Marriott and decided to eat here one night. We just ordered a bunch of appetizers to save money. Valet parking - get your ticket validated. Atmosphere - lovely, outdoor eating, casual. Food - excellent. Well prepared, creative, fresh, tasty., good portions. Just because you might be on a budget doesn't mean you need to skip this place, by ordering a bunch of different appetizers you save money and will still be full so full that you may not have room for their amazing desserts. Great dessert menu - very creative. Would definitely return here.
(5)Jon N.
Our favorite so far in Kauai. Setting is thatch-roof-style open-sided huts off a koi pond lagoon near the ocean, in the middle of the Grand Hyatt resort, catch sunset if you can. Service is very good. Food is excellent, especially recommend the seared Ahi over black rice.
(5)Judy P.
If there were more stars to give this restaurant I would do so. From the moment we entered to the moment we left, every experience was outstanding! It was so good the first time, we went back a second time in one week! Will definitely return and recommend! I also enjoyed my favorite wine...a bottle of Caymus, mmmm so good!
(5)Kai T.
It is a really nice place, food was great.
(4)T M B.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. We made reservations, were promptly seated at a fantastic table, got a wonderful waiter who had worked there for 18 years and knew the entire menu inside and out, and had absolutely wonderful food. The crabcakes were phenomenal. I've had crabcakes at almost every restaurant I go to, including many 5 star restaurants and some great places in New Orleans that you would think would have great crabcakes. These were, by far, the greatest. The lumps of crab were fresh - never canned or frozen - and in great big lumnps. I don't know how they formed these perfect crabcakes without handling them so much that they turned to paste. There was practically no filler and they were seasoned to perfection. I had the macadamia crusted mahi mahi and it was excellent. My husband had the Ono and was very pleased. The dessert was also FANTASTIC. I got the Bananas Foster Bread Pudding, which was - according to the waiter - essentially bread pudding made from banana bread. IT was delicious and came from a house made caramel sauce that actually tasted like caramelized sugar - a little bit like burnt sugar rather than like corn syrup and artificial flavoring. I would highly recommend it. So far on our honeymoon we have had three $125 dinners. Gaylord's, Tidepools, and Kintaro Japanese. Of these, Tidepool takes the cake. If I could do it over again, I would gladly have driven all the way here to eat at this place three times rather than shopping around and only eating here once.
(5)Alexandra D.
At the end of our amazing stay in Kauai, we chose this restaurant for our "fancy/romantic" dinner. It was fun to dress up an walk around the Hyatt for a bit and then settle into cozy table that was on the edge of the Koi pond. Every single thing we ate was absolutely delicious! Appetizer: grilled vegetable samosas. My meal: tofu (as a vegetarian, I REALLY appreciate the effort put into coming up with a dish like this and making it as delicious as it was) His meal: swordfish (he really enjoyed it... and he doesn't love to eat as much as I do, so for him to lick the plate clean is saying something) Dessert: bananas foster bread pudding. Oh... my... God... so good. All washed back with a bottle of champagne, and it made for a fantastic evening!
(5)Ibrahim A.
If you don't mind paying a premium for great food, you'll love the food at Tidepools. We were a party of 18 and I pretty much tasted everyone's food. All exceptional. My favorite was the stuffed Seabass. I also recommend the Samosa and if you like blue cheese, the organic tomatoe salad. Staff is well trained and accomodating. One last thing, if you are looking for a quiet meal, ask for a table away from the waterfall.
(5)J M.
The best part was the koi ponds and the scenery. The food tasted good but was a bit too rich with butter. It felt very heavy and overpowered. Also the bill may scare you when you see the price... Still definitely worth seeing if you love fish because you are surrounded by tons of them and you can even eat lots of different kinds of them too!! Also make sure to bring mosquito spray. I forgot to put some on and quickly became a sunset meal to these pesky creatures.
(4)S H.
We showed up late and didn't get to see the place lit up very well. The ponds around the tables are lit, so we did watch the fish all around us for the whole meal. We were a bit worried when we first walked in. There was a live performer in the back of the hotel that was super loud, but by the time we walked down to the ponds, we couldn't hear any of it. We didn't have a reservation, but got seated almost immediately. Got our drinks served up quick and some bread. I tried the organic tomato salad appetizer and was a bit disappointed. The presentation was good, everything gets stuffed back into the tomato and it looks like all you get is an ordinary tomato on a plate. Cutting into it, you find the normal insides have been replaced with maui onions, blue cheese, arugula, and a little bit of bacon. It probably should have been great, but I found the tomato a bit lacking -- it was close to the worst supermarket tomato you could think of -- ice cold, not quite red in color, and flavorless. The opah&shrimp and macadamia crusted mahi mahi were ok, but weren't anything special. I didn't care much for the rice that accompanied the opah. The fish was better without the "tomato basil and mint relish" that was served on the side. Maybe they don't deal much with tomatoes at this place -- the ones in the relish were 1/2 cherry tomatoes. I expect my relish & chutneys to be chopped a bit finer than that. If I had it to do over, I'd just wander through here to soak up the atmosphere. Maybe get a drink at the bar -- we didn't notice it, so I don't know what kind of view it had. Then I'd go eat at the Beach House or Red Salt.
(3)Jamie R.
I was at the resort for a conference for 10 days and a few nights I just wanted to relax with a good glass of wine and good food. The restaurant is overly pricey and the portions are small which is why I only gave it 3 stars. Likewise, it closes relatively early in the evening so if you're running around all day and wait too long to come down to the restaurant, you'll be out of luck. I went twice by myself and got the same thing: Crab Cakes-$15 (some of the best I've ever had), the Island salad-$9 and glass of Ravenswood zinfandel-$10. That cost about $45 with tax and 20% tip. It wasn't exceptionally filling but very well done and the perfect beach meal. The atmosphere is lovely and very relaxing. Yes, it's a family resort so be prepared for families to bring their kids in there. However, I went a little later at night and the kids were mostly gone those days. The servers were prompt and pleasant. Overall, it was a nice splurge but probably not the place you want to eat at every night unless you've got deep pockets.
(3)Andrew S.
Tidepools is one of the most beautiful restaurants that my wife and I have had the pleasure to dine. There's beautiful views from every seat. Our server was very attentive throughout the meal. The bread that comes before the meal is outstanding. I had to stop myself so that I had room for the meal! I ordered the granny smith salad with duck and goat cheese. It was very good but it's not really a salad in the usual terms. The small slices of apple are the "lettuce". It was very tasty. I tried the hawaiian opah fish with yuzu sauce for my entree. It's very good. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the potato croquette. It was just ok. My wife had the ny strip. If you still have room get the molten chocolate cake dessert with macadamia ice cream. It's tasty! For a very special night this is a great place. It's quite expensive but the atmosphere alone warrants the splurge.
(4)Miss T.
2 stars only be because of ambience. Food, at best, was mediocre, as I would only give this restaurant one star for food--as I would at this entire resort. I had the opah, served with shrimp and a fried potato cake. I have had better prepared and presented airplane food. The opah was prepared grilled and draped in a sauce that would have been better paired with a steak. My boyfriend had the ahi which was just okay. For the price, go somewhere else on the island. We won't be staying at this resort again as the food options are lackluster and sparse. The location of this resort and this restaurant demands better quality fare and options.
(2)Ellen O.
best meal during our trip to kauai. i don't remember what type of fish i had (mahi mahi?) but i do remember that it was cooked to perfection. the quiet, zen-like ambiance was a pleasant change after roy's the night before.
(4)Stan W.
Great ambiance, excellent service as with everything at the Hyatt. Having been offered a macadamia crusted mahi, wasabi seared ahi, and grilled opah at just about every restaurant on this little island, I was very disappointed that the chef here offered much of the same. I was hoping for a little more imagination here. So I went with the surf and turf and my wife had the tofu. My steak was cooked perfectly, although I thought it was lacking some flavor - my wife disagreed. I guess being from the midwest I shouldn't expect much from Hawaiian steak, but for $56 my hopes were up. The tofu was definitely an interesting dish and very well done.
(4)Megan M.
Lovely restaurant, we had a great time. The place was pretty deserted, and we couldn't figure out why. It looked slightly busier as we were leaving (we ate early, to watch the sunset as we ate, so around 6:30pm), but still not packed by any means. Our waiter was very attentive, and the food was great. We were able to sit right at a window on the koi pond (the "windows" are floor to ceiling, and completely open), and the fish would come up begging for food (seriously), and splash our feet while we ate, it was pretty funny. I think we saw some people feeding them fish food (not Phish Food) that they got from their server, but we didn't ask, or get any. For dinner we had the Pupu platter to start, and the seared opah and surf & turf for meals. All was really good, I think the best part was when our server dropped off our meals, and said "enjoy...and have FUN". We both cracked up. Dessert we had the chocolate lava cake, again, yum. The one at the Beach House was better, but warm chocolate...vanilla ice cream...you can't really go wrong. Definitely a fun night for us, the atmosphere was great, food was terrific, service was spot on.
(4)Paul H.
Atmosphere was perfect, service was spot on and the food was delicious. Best Mahi Mahi I have ever had. Wife had the steak and loved it as well. Cannot wait to go back.
(5)McKenzie M.
So good we ended up eating here twice while on our vacation. We had 4 in our group so we had a lot of different items. Everything was delicious. Great setting and service too!
(5)Shane H.
The ambiance alone makes this place unique. Every seat is a good. I recommend the prime rib, crab cakes and, Hopa fish plate. It's a little on the pricey side, but definitely a great meal.
(4)M P.
Our best meal on the island ! Fish was cook to perfection ! just delicious ! Crab cake was so yummy. well, we did have a small problem - my husband order steak for med well and it came out so red/bloody that we have to send it back twice, but overall it was still very good and service was excellent. They comp our drinks and desert due to the steak being undercooked twice, but we still enjoys our dinner very much, except - tons of mosquitoes around.
(4)Brian L.
My girlfriend and I ate here as part of her company function. We ended up getting a private area for our group and a set menu to select from as we had a large party. We had a choice of the crab cake or the sashimi for a starter and I must say, the sashimi was right on. Next was the option for a asian styled chicken salad or a tomato with maui onion & bacon salad. Both were pretty good. Entrees consisted of fish or beef in assorted styles. I opted for the peppered Ahi (on the spicy side but I like it that way) and the GF got the Opah. Both were excellent! Hands down, great preparation and presentation. Flavors were perfect and portions were generous. Dessert options were a chocolate mouse type dessert with hard shell or fresh sorbet. The little known thing about the desserts are that they do not make the desserts onsite except for the sorbet. Hence, why the sorbet is the better of the two and is fresh. It was a combo of Gauva, Lychee, and Mango with fresh berries. Awesome! It's pricey, but worth it for that dinner to splurge on. Especially if you are stuck in the resort and not venturing off. The service staff is also very good and attentive. The only thing I didn't like, was the watered down Tai Chi drinks they kept bringing me.
(5)Patrick A.
Wow. Ultra romantic vibe. Beautiful place. -especially liked the openness, not far from the beach, nearly surrounded by a koi pond (also, man, the Hyatt is palatial). Excellent service. I used to work as a server. I know. Fantastic food and presentation. -creative and tasty My wife and I went there as a "date" on our honeymoon. It was a beautiful night. So glad we went. We recommend it.
(5)Dan R.
Great scenery, awesome food, a great romantic dinner spot. It felt like we were dinning high end Hawii style. Would haave been nice with a group as well.
(4)Jessica V.
My husband and I were told that Tidepools was the most romantic restaurant in Kauai, so we made sure to make a reservation to eat there while we were in Hawaii for our honeymoon. We arrived a few minutes early for our 8:30pm reservation, but ended up having to wait for a while before the table was ready. Fortunately we found seats at the bar and were able to enjoy some cocktails and an appetizer while we waited. Once we were taken to our table, we were disappointed - we were seated in what was essentially a hallway that ran parallel to the kitchen. It was very loud and we could smell everything - and I mean everything - going into and coming out of the kitchen. I asked to be moved to a different table, which didn't make the hostess very happy (and she showed it). After we got re-settled in, the service was good and prompt. Unfortunately there were lots of families with younger children, so it definitely wasn't the romantic meal we thought we'd have.
(3)Dawn M.
My husband and I ate here during our honeymoon while we stayed at the Hyatt in late 2005. We had a reservation right by the pond there. I wasn't as impressed as I expected to be. We both had the Seafood Mixed Grill and then we split the Apple Pie for dessert. As we walked to Tidepools from the back of the hotel, we passed the backside of Donderos, the Italian restaurant, for the first time. I found myself wishing we made reservations there instead. Our meal at Tidepools was good, but if I did it again, I'd go to Donderos instead, as it looked like the terrace of a mansion from the rear and was nice and romantic with all the tiki torches.
(3)Kristen B.
Very pleased!! We came here on the first night of our honeymoon and were not disappointed. The atmosphere is very romantic, the service is attentive and friendly, and the food was great. We ordered the crab cakes (loved), the summer rolls (pretty good), and the filet (pretty good). The chocolate molten cake was also very good. Returned the next night for crab cakes and the bananas foster (amazing!!). It is pretty pricey, but comparable to the other upscale restaurants on the island.
(4)M L.
Reservations: Required. Service: Impeccable. Water glasses constanly full, waiter was warm and gracious. Food: Gourmet and elegantly served. Do try the pupu platter appetizer. Ambience: Lovely. Restaurant is situated on stilts ON TOP OF a large man-made koi pond, and the fish have a tendancy to swim right up to the tables, which are perched in open archways right on the water's edge. Killer place to take a date.
(5)E D.
Delicious filet mignon and lava cake. View was not as nice as I expected based on other reviews.
(4)Craig D.
A-OK...Just too many House Sparrows flying around to enjoy the meal completely.
(3)Brandon G.
Amazing ambiance sitting on the koi ponds, in the gardens, near a waterfall. This really is an amazing hotel all in all. Food and price were standard. Nothing too great and didn't disappoint. I had lobster and my wife had the macadamia crusted mahi mahi. They made me a lobster sans the surf and turf which was nice but it should be on the menu. Bread was nothing special, but they didn't complain that we were feeding the birds and the fish with it (which is pretty much our favorite pastime on the island). $120 for the 2 of us with 2 drinks and entrees and amazing surroundings. Good deal. Cheers
(4)Matt C.
Service was not good at all...Fish was decent...Wouldn't go back nor would I recommend it...Only reason I gave two stars was because of the ambience.
(2)Jason H.
We came for dessert and enjoyed the chevre cheesecake and pineapple bread pudding. The koi pools are fun. This place loses stars based on it's very dated appearance right down to the 80's table runners and staff uniforms, the very informal service for a high end resto, and the big piece of prime rib under a heat lamp that greets you on the way in (how odd). Like the other restaurants at the hyatt I feel like this place is trapped in time about 20 years ago. Really needs a refresh to something much more contemporary.
(3)Angie J.
Its expensive as all resort food is but I recommend the prime rib. Its a huge cut and truly delicious.
(5)Meghan K.
My husband and I came here during our honeymoon. Good atmosphere, Interesting setup - water huts in a coy pond. Definitely try to get here for the sunset. Good food, but for the prices not amazing. We got the ahi poke for a starter which was very good, but I've never had it before so I don't have much to compare it to. For entrees, we got the mahi mahi and the surf n turf (new york strip and kona cold lobster tail). Both were good - but not amazing. For dessert we got the molten chocolate lava cake which was great if you love chocolate. Overall it was a good dining experience and I would go back.
(4)Chris F.
Great ambience. Good food. Our waiter was great too - put up with my dad and I chattin real loud and laughin and all that.
(4)Monica M.
Why 5 stars? Great waiter, awesome mahi mahi and rice that was wrapped in coconut leaves. Husband had the Opah and was in love with this dish. Koi pond filled with fish with personality. Monday evening around 9pm provided for a nice breeze with a beautiful tikki torch ambiance. Not crowded, 5 minute wait for a table.
(5)Antonio L.
We ate here while staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai and are glad we did. First of all, the restaurant is absolutely lovely with its placement out on the water, surrounded by koi in the ponds. The lighting was almost a little too soft at night, but it was romantic. We shared a shrimp and duck summer roll appetizer, which was very delicious. The duck was tasty and not at all greasy or tough as duck can sometimes be. I also had a tomato appetizer with blue cheese, bacon and balsamic. It was unique as the tomato had been peeled and cut open, with the greens and other items stuffed inside. Very tasty. For dinner, my wife enjoyed a crusted mahi mahi which even I enjoyed a bite of, and I do not eat fish generally. No fishiness to it at all, and it was light and flavorful. I had a surf and turf, with a very tender 7oz steak and the best lobster tail I have ever eaten. I did not even want to touch it to the butter, as it was so rich and sumptuous on its own. For dessert, we shared a very tasty chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. My wife also had a fresh made smoothie with coconut and vanilla which was very good. The service was very attentive and friendly, and overall we were exceptionally pleased. Furthermore, for what we enjoyed, and the location and type of restaurant, we found the bill to be very reasonable at $135 pre tip.
(5)Marie O.
Such a great restaurant, we wished we could take it with us back to Seattle. The open dining room floor plan is so beautiful and peaceful- the tables by the "waterfall" kind of magical at night. We weren't looking for 'posh' on our trip to Kauai, we were looking for Hawaiian chill and definitely found it at Tide Pools. During our stay at the Grand Hyatt we ate at Tidepools twice, and were oversatisfied both times. Service was genuinely friendly, attentive, and relaxed. Their housemade sweet dinner roles were incredible, and our waiter was kind enough to let me smuggle some back to our hotel room. The crab cakes and their dangerously delicious molten chocolate cake were my favorites. My only complaint was their wine by the glass collection was weak (the Segura Viudas sparkling is awful).
(5)N K.
After reading all the reviews, we decided to try Tidepools, hoping for a five star meal. Being from the Bay Area, the cost and meal size did not scare us. Also, staying at the Hyatt, this was a convenient choice. After having an awesome Tai Chi (upgraded Mai Tai) and an amazing appetizer (essentially a veggie won ton) we were all set for a great entrée. Here is where we met the downfall. I ordered the Surf and Turf. Please don't make this mistake. The menu advertised shrimp, scallops and filet of beef. What I got was ONE shrimp, ONE scallop and a filet of overdone beef (I ordered it medium) on a bed of very dry mashed potatoes. I was SO disappointed. My husband ordered the prime rib which was charred. Totally overdone. Who overcooks prime rib? We ordered the banana fosters bread pudding for dessert hoping to up the review but it was really only mediocre. We gave the restaurant 3 stars merely for the drinks and the appetizer. I'd give it a 1 star for the main course. Perhaps we just ordered the wrong thing. My logic, however, is that if u r going to put it on the menu and charge an arm and a leg for it, u should be able to cook it well.
(3)Hunter O.
this place is nice.. small portions for the money.. but you will most likely leave full...and the taste is great.. the wait staff is outstanding cant say enough about how great they are..dont forget to bring lots of dollars this place ran like 140.00 for dinner and drinks for the two of us.
(4)Bill C.
Very nice! Like the hotel, you will pay big bucks for the food. The ambiance is incredible. If possible, ask for a table on the outside, not the inside where you might be next to a tiny pool with a few fish.
(5)Kathleen B.
Tidepools was a lovely setting for a wedding dinner. Wine selection recommended by the waitress not good. Meal was excellent: fish very well prepared but lacked impressive flavor, filet mignon was melt-in-your mouth perfect. Would like to see better bread selection. Chocolate lava cake was awesome.
(4)Stuart M.
Tidepools is one of my family's favorite south shore restaurants. The food is terrific, the views are beautiful and the service is very good. The atmosphere is casual but nice and the restaurant is surrounded by a koi pond (if you have kids ask for some fish food). It's a good place to take kids. Parking isn't a problem.
(5)Eric G.
Normally I'm not big on ridiculously expensive hotel restaurants, but we all loved the food here and the building is like something out of a storybook. Each room is like a little island floating in a koi pond, which is surrounded by little bridges and tiki torches. I had a seafood sampler which came with a breaded fish fillet, one piece of shrimp, and one scallop. Not as small as it sounds. Everything was well prepared. For drinks, try a "tai chi." It's a strong mai tai with a pineapple flavor. It will make you move slow. My only complaint is the shrimp cocktail has to be the worst deal of all time. I think it worked out to about $5 per shrimp. Skip the appetizers and get an extra drink instead.
(5)Erica B.
Very beautiful ambiance, super romantic. Koi pond is hypnotic. Very average food. It looks pretty, but is not cooked well. Local fish dishes are overcooked and bland. I mean, It was a nice evening, but it just tastes like resort food, you know? I've had MUCH better meals in my life.
(2)Victoria J.
During our vacation in Kauai in late October we made reservations for dinner and we were not disappointed. The restaurant is in the Hyatt, but this Hyatt is amazing and I suggest going a little early and walking around the grounds, getting a drink at the bar-Stevenson's library. The beach that is in back of the hotel is gorgeous. And parking in front of the hotel is free and plentiful. Ok back to the best dinner we had in Kauai. We started with a cocktail, I wasn't the biggest fan of the drink, it had amaretto in it, and their cocktail menu was kind of small but we drank it, no big deal. The bread was good, small soft hawaiian kind of bread, our server was laid back, and totally on top of things, not stuffy or stuck up. I started with the apple salad, it was AMAZING! There was no lettuce in this salad and it was to die for. It had sesame crusted goat cheese, smoked duck, wonton crisps and Li Hing Mui viniagrette, oh my gosh, it was the best thing I had all night. The portion sizes at this restaurant are great I left stuffed. My husband got the crab cakes and they were delicious, but I was all about my salad. Our entrees, I got the ahi with wasabi bernaise with foie gras fried rice, and it came with pea shoots, I also added broccolini because I was craving some vegetables. Husband got the Opa I think, with stuffed crab shrimp. His dish was good, the croquette was kind of plain, but the fish and shrimp were tasty. We ordered a specialty dessert coffee and the pineapple bread pudding, the coffee was delicious but we were too full to eat dessert so we took it home and ate it the next day, also so delicious. Best dinner of the trip, delicious great quality food, the restaurant is really cute, but they don't have coi in there anymore which I thin they are trying to do a salt water thing or something. Also during dinner we got a tropical rain downpour and they had to shut the windows and move some people, we thought it added to the experience. Def. a must go, totally worth it!
(5)E L.
Ate here multiple times for lunch and enjoyed every meal. The setting is wonderful with ocean and koi pond right next to you. The service here is great and this is a great option if you are at the Hyatt.
(4)Jeff P.
Great option for a great dinner at the Hyatt. The food is delicious, with plenty of options between beef and seafood. Great service. But what makes this place unforgettable is the ambiance. The whole restaurant is elevated on stilts above a coi pond. There are waterfalls and tiki torches surrounding as well. A great place to go for a romantic dinner.
(4)David S.
I ate here with my wife for our honeymoon while staying at the Grand Hyatt. The food was delicious, but you really come here for the ambiance. Get a seat near the water for a beautiful view of the waterfall and koi pond. I don't remember all the details about our meal since it was sadly almost 3 weeks ago, but it was delicious (I had opah, and my wife had the prime rib). Portions were big, and we barely finished our meal. The dessert was probably the most memorable part... molten lava chocolate cake. It took about a half hour to make (you order it ahead of time), and it was absolutely worth it.
(5)Sutanuka L.
Had a birthday dinner here... Very good food.
(5)Tee D.
After ordering room service two nights in a row at the Hyatt, the husband and I decided to venture out for dinner on our last night in Kauai. I'm really glad we did. First of all, the staff at the Hyatt is amazing. Friendly, easy-going, and quick to offer any kind of assistance, I really never wanted to leave the resort. Their level of service extended over to Tidepools. The hostesses and servers were beyond amazing and very affable. Second, wow. The location is ideal for a romantic, intimate dinner. We had a table in a bungalow above the water, and it offered us a very spectacular view of the water. Below us, koi swam happily in their pond. Now, the food. For starters, I had the vanilla corn soup with crab. I could probably eat a gallon of this stuff. It was sweet, crisp, creamy, and yet, very summery and light. For my entree, I ordered the opah, a white fish that falls somewhere in between swordfish and mahi mahi. It was incredilby buttery soft and so flavorful. There was a sweetness to the dish, not only from the fish itself, but from the carmelization on the fish. I still dream about the tiny bits of carmelization.... And finally, dessert: the banana fosters bread pudding. Yes, it really was as good as it sounds. Yes, it's pricey, but it's a resort. And compared to the other "fine" dining options in the area, it's comparable. So, whether you're a guest at the Hyatt,or just spending the day in Poipu, I'd definitely recommend swinging by Tidepools for a dinner you'll never forget.
(5)Gregg H.
Reading over the menu, I had much higher expectations for dinner because the food was very good at the other places on the Hyatt Resort where we had eaten (Seaside Café, Stevenson's and Lagoon). Sadly, we were disappointed with our dinner. We started off with the crab cakes and Romaine Salad. The crab cakes had very little flavor and the Salad completely lacked flavor. With onion-garlic dressing, manchego cheese and chili pepper oil there should have been a ton of flavor. My wife likened the salad to a bottled Caesar dressing we could make at home. Our entrees were also disappointing. I had the Volcano Spiced Opah that was dry and overcooked. My wife had the Mahi Mahi, that was also overcooked and tasteless. Given the experience with appetizers and entrees, we did not stick around for dessert. The only saving grace was the location and the attentive bus boy. All in all, we likened this meal to mass catered hotel wedding food. If you are looking for a good meal in this price range, I would recommend upstairs at Merriman's, Red Salt or taking the drive up the The Kauai Grill at the St. Regis Hotel in Princeville.
(1)Sidney P.
Best high-end restaurant on Poipu. Spendy for sure, but food, ambiance and service are all stellar. If you are only going to one or two fancy pants places, put this at the top of your list!
(5)James T.
The fist time we dined at Tidepools we thought we got an off night. The company who killed the electric car - GM General Motors - were at the resort and a bit on the grumpy side so they brought a heavy aura to the entire place that maybe influenced the service here also. So when GM did not take over large parts of the resort anymore we went back to Tidepools and service was still below par, drinks never came and wine never came paired with the meals as designed. The meals were small and overpriced. The menu descriptions were better than the actual meals and needed to be rescued by a hot sauce. Compared to what we had at the other restaurants and even room service we expected more since this was highly recommended by the concierge. Our advice is to go to the Golf Course asian restaurant for a fraction of the price and a much better service, food, and view of the sun going behind the mountains and spreading light over the golf course. Bummer, I was looking forward to eating more at the resort but I agree with Mari K. - go down the road a bit for a better experience overall. Heck even the brick over place was better than this.
(1)missy s.
After the great reviews, we were excited to try this place out while celebrating our anniversary. Sad to say, it was mediocre and very expensive. The ambiance is nice, but the food was only OK. we were able to get a nice table overlooking the Kai pond, but it was at night, so we couldn't really see anything :(
(3)Ken H.
Outstanding! Great service, ambiance, and the food was superb. Best to get a reservation, but we just showed up and they were happy to seat us in the bar area which was still a fantastic table.
(5)Michael G.
First meal I had upon arriving to Kauai. We had steak and scallops and it was amazing! We sat right next to the pond, it was really romantic and very quiet (when we were there). We had great drinks and dessert. It's a higher end restaurant so it's a little more pricy but when you are vacationing you want to eat good and Tidepools fit under that category.
(5)Nicole W.
I remember this as being one of my favorite meals ever. I went for dinner after sunset, and the interior lighting was really low, with tiki torches sparkling off the koi pond. It felt magical. The waiter was spectacular, and the food was delicious. Honestly, it's been awhile since I went so I don't remember many particulars. But I'd still recommend it to anyone in the area.
(5)Jay E.
Tidepools was one of our favorite restaurants in Kauai. Great setting and excellent service. I would recommend trying to make a reservation for the table that extends out. It's away from everyone else and your surrounded by water on 3 sides. We started with the crab cakes, a must and some pork dumpling type dish. They were both excellent. I ordered the local fish, they had 3 to choose from on the night we dined. It was excellent and cooked perfectly. I wouldn't recommend the chicken entree, that was the only dish that wasn't excellent. Overall, It's worth eating here if your staying at the Hyatt or another hotel in the area.
(5)Erin T.
We were staying at the Grand Hyatt and had $100 Amex resort credit to use. My husband and I are usually not fans of the hotel restaurants but figured we had nothing to loose. I had also heard it was pretty good. We had 8:15 reservations for 2 and waited about 30 minutes for a table. This made my husband very upset, rightfully so. They did not seem to be busy at all but the hostess did seem flustered. She kept saying they were waiting for special tables in the waterfall room? to open up - we didn't care - we were just hungry! After finally being seated (in no special place), 3 different staff members apologized for the wait which was very nice and made us feel better. Our waiter was super crazy at first and had me worried, but he ended up being very knowledgeable and honest about the food and pretty funny. We had the kalua pork papusas for an appetizer which was wonderful. My husband had the creole opah which was delicious (I'm from New Orleans and usually not a fan of ANY attempt at creole food outside the state or my kitchen!) and I had the Hawaiian catch which was wonderful. Both dishes were perfectly portioned and presented beautifully. We were so pleasantly surprised. The waiter did accidentally charge us for someone else's dessert which he laughed off and apologized for.
(4)Ivan D.
First of all, the setting is gorgeous. It is a very open restaurant that is surrounded by a monster koi pond. Service was ok, food was ok but very pricey. This is the second time i have been here and the food came out luke warm both times(7 months apart mind you). For the price, this is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the restaurant choices at the Grand Hyatt are limited, so this and Dondero's the italian restaurant are the go to places on property. (i refuse to go high end italian in hawaii!!) They do have some meat options for the non fish eaters. Eat somewhere else and have dessert here....
(3)Frenchy B.
Service: 4 star Food: 3 stars I love kauai - but one must lower standards and expectations - otherwise go to wailea. Friendly staff, somewhat attentive service. The food is just 'okay'. They certainly don't measure up to the five star hotel restaurants of the bigger islands. Keep that in mind.
(3)Kristin Y.
The setting was romantic. GO before dark because all they use to light the table is little candles. We enjoyed our meals of surf and turf and the i loved loved the mahi mahi stuffed with crab. The triple chocolate dessert was only ok.
(4)CW L.
Romantic restaurant. There is a swan outside. My husband really liked his meal. Mine was good too. Nice.
(4)Chris M.
Absolutely delicious meal. Our waiter was attentive, helpful in describing the selections in each course, and super friendly. The atmosphere is also excellent and relaxing as the dining tables are surrounded by a Koi pond. Our dinner was expensive, though not so expensive for the resort area of Kauai, but we would absolutely return.
(4)Stephanie K.
One of my favorite restaurants in the world. I highly recommend the filet mignon, for it is the best dish I have ever tasted. The bread is very good! Overall, the customer service is phenomenal. Each staff member is polite and gives honest opinions about each dish they have tasted, which I admire. Not only that, but the scenery is BEAUTIFUL! I love the waterfall! If you eat here, I highly recommend asking for a seat by the water, which is filled with aesthetic koi fish.
(5)greg s.
Is it expensive? Are the portions small? Is the setting unbeatable? Yes to all so why the complaining? Food is fantastic and I come up with five stars when I compare this to expensive bay area places like Alexanders or One Market. There is no comparison. The food quality is better for the same price as all the bay area restaurants but you have a setting that they cannot offer.
(5)Little Tuna's Mom X.
We are here in Kauai on our honeymoon. We ate here two nights ago... Very romantic! (Expensive, but you are paying for the beautiful & peaceful setting.) Anyhow, no regrets! Ok, ask me again when I see my credit card statement! Cocktails were like $14 each... I think dessert was about $11 or so. You don't even want to know how much the entrees were. But like I said, it was super romantic. The tables are very spread out, and it is on their koi pond and very dark ... lit only by tiki torches and candles. The service has been called 'slow', but I think they are honestly just trying to be nice and not make you feel rushed. I think that is part of the charm. Our waiter, Rob, was super cool and friendly.
(5)Ron A.
I was hesitant to go here after disappointing meals at Roy's and Merriman's. Only so many overpriced mediocre meals you can take. But since we were staying at the Hyatt anyways, we decided to give it a shot. The layout of the restaurant provides a great ambiance. So that was a very nice start. The service was also very good. I kept expecting something to go wrong. But in the end the restaurant was all you could have hoped for. Food, service, location, it all was above par. It was a welcome respite from our earlier disappointments. I would definitely recommend it.
(5)Tiffany B.
OMG!! such a beautiful setting. Right onthe koi pond next to the waterfalls. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! Wine list-great, menu items were standard- poke, steak,fish, meat nothing too special. The setting just takes the cake all together.
(4)Mark W.
My wife had fish, I had prime rib, and we had chocolate dessert with ice cream. All were awesome, as was the view from the restaurant and the hotel it is a part of.
(5)Mari K.
Have to give it a ONE star. Boo to the server who wouldn't allow my husband and I to sit at one of their PREMIER spots by the window- it was 830pm (and pitch black outside AND it was on a Monday night)....not busy at all. This all occurred when we stated we were there for dessert only. I guess you are treated as a second class citizen at Tidepools if you only want to partake in their dessert. Don't waste your time on a snooty restaurant. Try Roy's or Keoki's, only a 5 minute drive from there and much better service AND food.
(1)Thomas C.
Great food, atmosphere and service. Server gave honest opinion of menu items not just suggesting the more expensive item.
(5)Laura H.
My husband and I went here twice for dinner during our honeymoon last year. First off; the setting is beautiful. You sit in little huts on the water and koi fish swim all around you. We threw some bread out to them and all of the fishes came sworming to our area. It was amazing. The food was quite good. We had the Grilled Peppered Ahi one night and split a dessert. The wine was delicious and the setting romantic. I recommend this place to anyone visiting Kauai! Just to walk around the Hyatt too is a sight in itself. That hotel is gorgeous. We hope to one day be able to afford to stay there.
(5)Yee-Shing W.
wow. what an amazing location...and even more amazing food to match it. i'm currently staying at the grand hyatt on business and we ate here last night. what a treat. just the whole ambiance of your dining experience takes your breath away. we really are in paradise here. we ate....everything. highlights of the night: -macadamia nut ice cream (we had to get a second serving cuz we all loved it so much!) -pancetta wrapped scallops -crab cakes the restaurant was full of couples (honeymooners, anniversary, you name it). it's definitely a romantic place to spend with that special someone.
(5)Sean J.
Really really surprised. We know hotels are usually good, but we had a great experience and we will go back. The setting is nice with small huts on the water breaking up the space making wherever you are surrounded by koi pond. The service from Sev to Derrick was casual but not sloppy.... That highend comfortable feel you would hope for. The food... We love food! It was spot on. Seared ahi and crab cakes are fairly typical but I have to say the amount of lump crab was more than I've ever seen. Both great. We then had a simple salad that was perfect and surprisingly did not opt for their amazing fishes but for prime rib. Downtown! Finish with a fancy coffee drink and the molten lava chocolate cake. Nigh nigh!
(5)Jessica K.
Fantastic meal, ambiance and service. I ordered the Opah after our waiter convinced me to try the local fish, and my husband got the catch of the day. We were extremely impressed - both entrees were perfectly prepared in delicious sauces with very tasty sides. And I'm super picky when it comes to fish! Not inexpensive, but worth every penny!
(5)Matthew D.
Outrageously priced (even by Hawaii pricing) for the portions. The atmosphere is nice but the food is bland, under seasoned, and minimal. To be expected from a hotel or resort but still a let down after the ambiance build up. When are resorts going to get the fact that we want food that matches the spectacular settings they create?
(1)Jonathan P.
this place seems like a rite of passage for honeymooners on Kauai so we went there. It is romantic and the food is very good as well as the service. it didn't blow us away though.
(3)Lauren M.
We usually venture out of the hotel for dinner, but my husband was feeling lazy so we just ate here. We enjoyed our dinner so much the first night that we came by the second night as well. To start, I had the seafood chowder they had, so good. My husband had a salad which was nicely done. Next he had a steak and I had opah. I found the fish somewhat bland and while my husband loved the edamamae and corn succatash it was served with, while it was fresh, I wasn't as big of a fan. My husband's steak was good. The coconut rice I got as a side was not very good. We finished with the lava cake which was delicious. We were also impressed by the price. It was about $120 -- only my husband was drinking, but still. The second night we both got a salad to start and as I wasn't that hungry, I just got the same soup as the night before for my main. Again it was very good. My husband got the Hawaiian catch which is fish, shrimp and lobster. He actually said my fish from the night before was better, but he still liked this. We got the lava cake again. Overall, we thought this place had great value, especially considering it's at a pricy resort. Service was good, even when we didn't have a reservations and they seemed to hesitate, we were always seated immediately. Food was overall very good as well.
(4)Ben K.
Ok food, typical of a big resort. Nothing that really stood out except for feeding the koi that are all around you.
(3)Powell A.
Decent, casual fish restaurant in the Hyatt in Poipu. A solid second tier restaurant for the Poipu area (with Merrimans and Josselins at the top tier) Tidepools beats Roy's at the game Roy invented.
(3)Brooke C.
I had dinner here during my honeymoon stay and it was delicious! To start we had the crab cakes and the kalua pork flautitas. The crab cakes were by far the best I've ever had! For dinner I had the Hawaiian Opah. It was delicious as well. My wife had the macadamia nut mahi mahi and she loved it. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake and the pineapple bread pudding. I loved the chocolate cake. The pineapple bread pudding was good but a little too sweet and too pineappley for my taste. The reason this isn't a 5 star review is the server did his job well but wasn't super friendly in the process. He wasn't rude or mean by any means. Again, just not super friendly. Also, the prices are very high. I'd still eat here again if I came back though.
(4)Lucy T.
"Spectacular food - freshest of the fresh!" An excellent place for dinner. The service was spot on. Outstanding are the lump crab cakes, seafood soup and various fish/seafood principle plates. Of all the dinng options in Kauai, this easily should be one of your top choice.
(5)Angy N.
Absolutely fantastic!!!! We ordered the samosas as an appetizer. Not greasy at all. Delicious!! I also had a smoothie with banana, coconut, and mango... yummy!! For my main dish I ordered the tofu. Best I've ever had!! Great flavor!! The soba noodles were delicious! I loved it so much I went back a few nights later and ordered it again. My husband isn't a huge tofu fan but ended up ordering it as well the next time we were here and even he loved it!!!! I'd love to know how they made the tofu!!!!
(5)Angela C.
It was the first night of our honeymoon in Kauai and we decided to try Tidepools for dinner. What a pretty location with beautiful views. We ended up coming back a second time because we enjoyed it so much. We tried the following items in addition to the catch of the day. We liked all the items, but the catch of the day was just OK. Ahi Sashimi Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes Hawaiian Catch Bananas Foster Bread Pudding Even if you aren't staying the the resort, this place is worth checking out.
(4)Chris H.
This is one of my favorite places to dine in Poipu. The setting is nice, sitting over a koi pond, and you get a bit of a sunset view (though not as good as others). The food is expensive but I have had several meals here and always been happy with them. The several times were with large parties, and they had not trouble keeping us all happy. My monchong was good...not quite up to Merriman's but very tasty. It even convinced my 6 yr old that he likes fish. Now he keeps asking for monchong everywhere we go.
(5)Jennifer C.
Amazing. Ambiance is remarkable and the food is excellent. We were guests at the hotel so it made it an easy choice, but this is no ordinary restaurant. The restaurant is situated on top of a koi and turtle filled lagoon and accented with tiki torches - a true oasis. The service was great and our server was personable and knowledgable about all the fish dishes and where they were caught. We ordered the lavender crusted filet topped with soy-ginger butter sauce, goat cheese mashed potatoes and tempura Maui onions. Everything was cooked to perfection and had wonderful flavoring that was not overwhelming. Perfect!
(5)Mark M.
Disclosure: I am an east coast transplant foodie snob. If you are not from my neck of the woods you may as well read the other reviews. HOWEVER - if you are a city dweller please read on. Stay the f away. The food was bad. I mean I sent food back bad. I never send anything back. The lobster bisque was tomato soup with a couple chunks of lobster in it. The Hawaiian catch of the day was bland and dry to the bones (because my filet had bones). The macadamia crusted filet that people love was also bland and boring. The 'lump' crab cakes were okay but so far from lump crab It upset my Maryland born wife. She enjoyed the the lava cake. Service was spotty. The waiter was kind but disheveled. The best way I can explain this place is it reminds me of the 'steakhouse' your suburban grandmother takes you to every time for your 'special birthday dinner'. This was the worst 175+ it dinner I have had in years that I couldn't expense.
(1)Lily N.
This was our last place for dinner during our stay in Kauai. I asked the husband to take me out to a "nice" dinner, so we decided on Tidepools. Plus, we were staying at Koloa Landing, so it wasn't too far of a drive. We had reservations for 7:30pm, but came a little early and were seated right away. The place was barely lit and the restaurant was maybe 20% full. That should have been our first clue to turn and run the other way. We were seated by the window over looking the koi ponds and palm trees. I would assume that the view would have been amazing during the day or at sunset, but by that time it was just darkness outside with not much to see. Our waiter was very nice and was attentive when necessary. The food was mediocre at best. I started with the lobster bisque, which was luke warm. There was maybe three small quarter sized pieces of lobster in the whole bowl. The husband had the poached pear salad, which he says was very good. I had the filet for my entree. I had ordered it medium, but it came out well done. Also luke warm, the potatoes were meh, and the "crispy" Maui onions were soggy. The husband had the opah, which was over cooked as well and rubbery. Overall, not a good meal. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(2)Krista L.
By far our best meal on the island-- and we'd had some great meals-- guess we saved the best for last! Delicious crab cakes, fantastic entrees, and the molten lava dessert to finish. We went out with a bang and were delighted to note the bill came out comparable to the other restaurants we'd been to (but a much better value). Koi were a nice touch but be prepared to get splashed since they seem to randomly flop around sometimes. The service was also prompt and effective. It almost seemed like there were bussers just watching us eat to come clear plates or refill glasses... My only minor annoyance is I later tried to change our reservation time so we'd have time to go back to our hotel and change, but no other times were available on OpenTable. Problem is, the restaurant was only just filling up when we left. Were there that many no-shows, or do they not put all their tables on OpenTable?
(5)Lani K.
My husband and I had dinner @ Tidepools last year and we both loved it! so we came back for dinner again. Unfortunately, our favorite appetizer which was Hamachi-sashimi with watermelons was gone...(PLEASE RETURN IT TO THE MENU!!), but we enjoyed our meals. As our starters, we shared "Crispy pacific prawns" and "Kula baby greens". The prawns were OK. The salads were so simple and the vinaigrette was so delicious. For meals, my husband ordered "Hawaiian catch" and I ordered "Grilled paniolo ribeye". The grilled sword fish from his meal was spectacular!! and my ribeye was so juicy and flavorful!! The service was very professional as always and it was just a great overall experience X 2!!! We will definitely come back every time we visit to Kauai!!!
(5)Andrea K.
We dined on the terrace, which is surrounded by a fish pond, very nice. Although a little too dark to read the menu without our phone flashlights, it was a nice ambiance. The Crab cakes were good, the pear salad was more pear than salad and the Opah was very good as well, although a little overpriced for $ 40. I liked their wine selection, my husband decided on ice tea and regretted his choice (had no taste at all). A good option for dinner though if you're staying at the Hyatt.
(3)Joe P.
I thought this place was very nice. Clearly, it is much better to go here while the sun is still out so you can see the ocean. But we showed up after sunset and they create quite a nice ambience. I really liked this place because I didn't feel like it was cheesy hotel food. I ordered the filet mignon. I would rank it in my top 5 steaks ever. I don't know how to describe it- other than it had a nice seasoning with a gravy that had substance. It was very tender, perfectly cook as requested and a very good size. The price was competitive with other restaurants. The service was prompt, attentive and the atmosphere was a nice break from the crazy kids outside. I highly recommend checking this place out- especially if you're on the resort. Funny- when my wife and I were in Maui a couple of years ago, we went to allegedly the best restaurant on the island. This place was far better than that restaurant.
(5)Sarah L.
This ambience and setting is unmatched. Sooo romantic and lovely! The food was very good and the portions were comparable to other high-end restaurants. The molten lava cake was to die for! The service staff was great and our server gave us some great food and drink selections. Would definitely recommend. Absolutely beautiful.
(5)Susan D.
This was a great dining experience at our hotel. It was very romantic and the food was delicious. I would recommend it!
(5)Darcie P.
This place is pretty. The food they serve is very pretty too, very well presented if that is your thing. This place is uber expensive even for Kauai. Our bill with no alcohol was $150 w/ tax and tip for two entrees, two salads and one dessert. My husband loved his fish, he said it was the best he had our whole vacation. My fish and salad were just OK and were nothing that I would remember. The service we got from our waiter was not the best. When he came to out table he was in a rush it seemed and kept looking at other tables while we were talking to him. I asked him a question and he backed away from the table when answering it and took off, I felt it was very rude. It was not the kind of service you get in this expensive of a restaurant. He was also very slow to come back. The water and bread guy was very good, I wished he was our waiter. It was my birthday dinner so they gave me a candle in my dessert but no free dessert like a lot of other restaurants do for your birthday. It was OK for me and for the price I would not return.
(3)Kevin B.
Sat next to a waterfall, where I could not hear my wife unless she raised her voice... I could have asked to sit at another table, so oh well. Reason for the 3 stars was the service...very slow. Took 20 min before someone showed up at our table. Food was ok...Swordfish for my wife and Red Snapper for me.
(3)K A.
Very romantic setting and great fresh fish. Come early and check out the hotel.
(4)Jean P.
Amazing meal in an amazing location! I'm so happy that we decided to go here. Fish was outstanding. Service was excellent excellent and not overbearing. Highly recommended!
(5)Rhythm E.
Reading restaurant reviews is funny, because even the best restaurants, with beautiful settings, impeccably prepared dishes & artistic flavorings (as Tidepools definitely has) are going to occasionally provide some customer with slow, neglectful service or a less-than-stellar plate of fish or meat...and those customers always seem to be the ones to quickly hop on Yelp and flame the establishment with a pissed-off 2-or 1-star review. So even though a few have gotten slow, neglectful service, we had a very friendly & attentive server (Rob) who took great care of us, and his service seemed to be the norm here. And our food was perfect, artistic & delicately seasoned, which also felt like the norm, not the exception, here at Tidepools. High-priced? You betcha! This is a luxury, fine-dining restaurant in a very tony world-class resort...what'd ya expect? People who want to complain about a $42 plate of beautiful fish & veggies, saying they got a great plate of the same for 1/2-price elsewhere, have no business even coming here. Times are tough for many, and I'm sorry if most cannot partake of Tidepools. We certainly could not, on a regular basis. But for special occasions, if you can save up the piasters and splurge, you stand a very good chance of having one of the best meals, best setting, and best service you ever had. And that's all you can ask of any fine restaurant.
(5)Vince L.
One thing is for sure--this restaurant has a fantastic view. The prices will make you do a double-take if you're not prepared. We sat for a while in the waiting lobby where you can see into the kitchen, and the staff there seemed very efficient. Following the advice of the other reviewers I ordered the macadamia-crusted mahi mahi (~$34). It was tender and flaky and sat on a bed of watercress and poi. There was some sort of green salsa on the fish but I couldn't tell for sure what it was. I also wasn't able to decipher the sauce--I only know it was really delicate. The huli huli chicken was good although it didn't seem to be worth the $30 they charged for it. If you're familiar with Hawaii, you'll see many roadside stands selling this local dish. It's grilled chicken generally seasoned with brown sugar, soy sauce, and ginger. To me, it's like putting fried chicken on a plate at Wolfgang Puck and selling it for $30. It just seems weird. Especially since the huli chicken came with a poi croquette, yet another local thing--poi. So my conclusion is that you can find dishes of equal quality at more reasonable prices if you drive off the property. You won't get the same view but you'll survive, I'm sure.
(3)Julie H.
We were seated at 5:30 at Table 25. Our wonderful server Wilma said it was serendipitous since we were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary! The view was amazing. We were so close to the fish we could see them jump in the water. We could also see the beautiful shore line with crashing waves and feel the cool breeze. Wilma was an excellent server who knew the menu quite well and described them with such passion it made our mouths water. I had the Hawaiian Catch. The presentation was spectacular and every bite was heavenly. My husband had the Prime Rib and was also highly pleased. Both of our meals were the signature dishes. We finished our meal with the molten chocolate cake and two spoons! The cake was delicious and the ice cream was refreshing. The garnish of berries and raspberry sauce were an added bonus. If you are ever in Kauai you must have dinner here!
(5)Amber E.
Was looking for a nice spot to celebrate our cousin's recent wedding in Kauai, so stopped in here. The Hyatt resort really does have spectacular architecture - Frank Lloyd Wright -like indoor to outdoor spaces. They have happy hour from 5:30-6:30 - not a huge bargain, but somewhat of a discount. Specialty cocktail of the day was a Tai Chi, which was $10 down from $14. Also tried the ahi appetizer which was excellent. The Poke Poke Poke (w/ little pokis of ahi, octopus and lobster) was ok, but not nearly as good. Lovely setting by the koi pond and ocean, but pretty dead when we were there (even though it was a Thursday night); we were the only ones in the lounge. Our server was wonderful - friendly and attentive. On the way out, looked into the Library bar, and it was still quiet, but relatively, a much more happenin' space.
(4)Juliana K.
The atmosphere here is quite stunning. The food and service are great, but the atmosphere is even better. For dinner, I started with the baby greens salad and had the Hawaiian opah for my entree. The opah was excellent and I highly recommend it! For dessert, my boyfriend and I ordered the lava cake, apparently a very popular dessert at Tidepools. In my opinion, the lava cake was decent, but a little too sweet. Altogether, Tidepools is perfect for a romantic evening in Kauai!
(4)John B.
The night was warm, the walk was long, the birdies outside sang their song. The koi splashed loudly, waiting for food, when our dinners came, they tasted good Too bad the waitress disappeared, so my wife got no wine refill (isn't that weird?) And then the tables, dragged to and fro, made enough noise that we wanted to go I'm not sure why we didn't rate, and were treated like people outside the gate. So, to summarize my terrible poetry, It's a long walk from the front down to the tidepools that give the restaurant its name, the place is very pretty, the food was OK but not spectacular (medium rare requested, rare received and the fish at the edge of overcooked). But the real problem was that after the food hit our table, 10 seconds later our waitress was there to ask how everything was, and then she literally vanished for 30 minutes. Towards the end of the time, several waitresses and hostesses started dragging tables around to make room for a larger party, and I do mean "dragging", not moving tables, while discussing their issues in "outside" voices. It was beyond disruptive to all of the guests in our area. Why didn't I get my food made correctly? Because we couldn't get anyone's attention. Why didn't we complain about the noise? Because there wasn't anyone to complain to. Next time go to Red Salt. Yes, the menu is more limited, and it isn't as incredible a space. But you will be treated well and the food is delicious.
(3)David J.
Amazing, one of top 3 meals ever :) Concerned after poor service at Hyatt for breakfast and lunch but tidepools was simply amazing with fantastic service, food and ambience. Will certainly eat there again next time in Kauai even if we don't stay at the hotel.
(5)Deanna A.
Absolutely an amazing restaurant! It's very romantic!! The service is spectacular and so is the food. My husband was in the front area talking about how our book in our room didn't have the correct information in it for this restaurant and the manager walked up and introduced himself and said he had overheard the conversation and asked for our room number. Before we left he informed us he had our book updated and was very sorry for the inconvenience. Also our waiter named Dallas was wonderful. He took time to chat with us and explain everything we needed to know out very well. Wish we lived closer I would be back all the time!! We travel all over the world and never really write reviews however our service and experience was first class and I wanted all to know.
(5)Matt F.
Excellent seafood and an even better view of the lagoons at the Hyatt. I had the signature macadamia but mahi mahi. It was cooked to flaky perfection! The drinks are the typical cocktails available at the Hyatt with an expanded wine list.
(4)Pam W.
Everything was perfect & delicious beyond belief! The asparagus was large and cooked al dente. The prime rib was tender, very tasty & prepared perfectly med-rare. The mashed potatoes were to die-for (I'm not a potato fan but these were great!). I do not understand the negative reviews. For the $42 they charged everything was included. Restaurants this caliber usually sell sides a la carte. Our server, Derrick, was friendly, funny & attentive. There was a bit of a wait for the food but it was hot when it arrived. My husband loved the spicy lobster bisque.
(5)Local G.
This was one of our top 2 places to eat out of 10 restaurants that we dined at in Hawaii. The atmosphere is very well done. We loved watching the koi as we waited for our food. We started with the prawns which were very tasty even for my husband who doesn't like that type of shellfish. Then we both got steaks. The were perfectly cooked and the sides that came with them were also perfectly cooked and a nice portion. We skipped on dessert because we were so stuffed. We would definitely go back there. Warning - get a reservation and go early. Everything in Kauai seems to shut down early.
(5)E M.
What can I say that hasn't been said!?! This is a great resaurant. The food is delicious, and the view is beautiful. We had great service that went beyond what is expected. I have a very picky 1 1/2 year old who would not eat what was offered on the menu, and when I did not order anything for him the server offered to grab him a grilled cheese from the nearby pool area!
(5)Marc K.
This was one of the most pleasant surprises in #Kauai. Exceptional dinner even my four year old loved the food. The Ono, Manchong and Mahi Mahi were all amazing". I highly recommend Tidepools whether you are staying at the Hyatt or not.
(5)Yong S.
If you are looking for a memorable dinner, I would definitely recommend this place. Setting, atmosphere, tasty meal, salad, and dessert were all excellent! It was worthwhile to visit.
(5)Jennifer M.
Best meal we had on our honeymoon in Kauai. Everything from the service to the ambiance to the food was outstanding. My husband and I are (recently) on a gluten-free diet, so the extensive gluten-free options were a huge plus. Our waiter was incredibly nice and knowledgeable, and most importantly the food was delicious. I had the Ahi, and my husband had the Mahi Mahi. I loved my Ahi but I think his macadamia nut crusted Mahi was the real star. Also, told staff it was our honeymoon when I booked a reservation and they gave us a nice congratulations card upon seating us. Very romantic setting, too - thatched huts and built right on a koi poind. Couldn't have asked for a better first romantic dinner as newlyweds!
(5)Down L.
Delicious food, great service, and an awesome view! A must go! During our honeymoon and stay at the grand Hyatt the hubby and I decided to have dinner here. We had a great time and enjoyed the food and service. I look forward to eating here again!
(5)Mike G.
This is definitely a tasty spot with great ambiance since you are surrounded by a koi pond, waterfalls, and huts (in the Grand Hyatt hotel). Dishes we ordered: - the seasonal fish that is served with shrimp and lobster: good seafood trio - the macadamia nut crusted mahi: this fish was better than the other one - crab cakes: get them here - seafood chowder: probably our least favorite, but still good - don't forget the chocolate molten lava cake! it's only appropriate on an island made from a volcano. you have to tell them when you order your main dish, since it takes 25 minutes to prepare.
(5)Tia M.
This place is heavy on atmosphere and light on the food. The salads were well executed and inventive but the catch of the day and the ahi tuna were both mediocre. The lobster on the catch of the day was over cooked and the ahi tuna was under seasoned. Very disappointing.
(3)Carina R.
My husband and I came here our first day in Kauai for dinner. It was a little hard for us to find at the Grand Hyatt, but when we got there, we were glad we did. There was about a 5 minute wait for our table, not a big deal. The staff and waiters there are very nice and professional. Their menu is steak and fish. My faves. I ended up ordering the ahi tuni and my husband ordered the New York steak. The ahi tuna was their special for the night and just sounded so good. I was right. Everything was so good and beautifully plated. Both were delicious. My husband literally said it was the best steak he has had in a long time. He likes his steak well done, but juicy. Only a true chef can cook a steak well done and keep it juicy, and they accomplished this. I am so glad that we dined here. If we go back to Kauai, we will definitely be back.
(5)Kurt S.
So, overall impressions... great good, friendly service, particularly low-stress despite being more upscale, and freakin built on top of a damn koy pond!. -- The Location -- So I completely messed up when I made my original reservations because I thought the place was at a different hotel. Imagine my surprise when my GPS takes me to the Hyatt instead of where I thought I was going. I went with it, and am glad that I did, because the experience was pretty memorable. The entire place is built on top of a koy pond, with tables under covered outcroppings and fish jumping around (especially when a patron throws some bread in the water despite the signs asking them not to). It was hot that day, but the restaurant did a good job keeping the seating area comfortable. -- The Staff-- We had a great experience with our waiter. He was knowledgeable and knew when to come by to see how we were doing and when to give us a few minutes to ourselves. He was also crazy friendly in a way that surprised me for such an upscale and expensive restaurant. There was ZERO pretension here! -- The Food-- I'm going to start with the not-as-good and built to a crescendo. I'm a huge seared ahi fan, and make it a point to order it whenever I see it on a menu. I'm still trying to find a version that beats the seared ahi at Side Street Inn in Honolulu, but apparently no one else gets it quite as right as they do. Anyway, we ordered the seared ahi here and it was just okay. It wasn't bad, per say, but it didn't blow anyone's socks off. This might be picky of me, but it's the only reason I dropped it from 5 to 4 stars. That's really where the bad (or less awesome) ends. We had the hamachi with watermelon before we started dinner... dude, who thinks to put watermelon with raw fish? I don't know, but it was delicious. My girlfriend and I both ordered fish dishes. Her mahi mahi was superb, and my mung cha was fantastic. I love leaving a restaurant satisfied but not overly full after eating delicious, clean, food. This place absolutely achieved that.
(4)Steve C.
The first course was great, I had the poke duo and my fiance had the civiche. Both were excellent. For a main course I had the snapper and she had the steak. The steak was huge even tho she ordered the petite cut. She wasn't a fan of the goat cheese mashed potatoes. My snapper came with buckwheat soba and some veggies, and was excellent. The plating was also very nice. For desert we shared the lava cake, also nice.
(5)Spencer S.
Tidepools is wonderful. We had our wedding reception there and it couldn't have been better. The food was amazing and the people were so nice. I highly recommend the macadamia crusted mahi-mahi and the filet mignon.
(5)Seth G.
My wife and I arrived at the tidepools gorgeous main dining hall at 6:30 hoping to have a first class meal during the sunset; apparently our waiter thought we wanted to stay for the sunrise as well. It took nearly 2.5 hours before we finally left the restaurant. I usually hate Yelp reviews that talk all about how bad their service was and discredit their review as a crotchety old man or a disgruntled person mad at the world who probably orders their starbucks latte at a specific temperature, but this was truly the worst service I have ever received. It was a very strange experience, our waiter seemed to disappear for long periods of time and when he finally did come around he was very timid; almost paranoid, I'm pretty sure he was high, he was really out of it all night. There was no flow what so ever to the meal and he was very inattentive all night. At one point he hadn't checked in for so long we had to have our bus boy(who was great!) tell him we were ready to order our entree's. on that note I'm sure we had a rare terrible experience other waiters seemed to be very attentive and informative at their tables. Now for the part you really care about; the food! We started with the Tataki of Hamachi; it was delicious! the best thing we were served all night. The sweetened ponzu sauce was very good and worked perfectly with the extremely lightly seared hamachi and kick of fresh sliced jalapeno. Next we ordered the salad with hearts of palm. besides the service this was the biggest disappointment of the night. The reason we decided to order this salad was because it listed Local hearts of palm as one of three main ingredients. When the salad came out it was basically greens a bland vinaigrette and literally 5 of the thinest shavings of a heart of palm you could ever create sitting on top. They must have freshly sharpened the mandolin blade. If a description on your menu only lists three ingredients, one of them better not be used as a garnish. Finally we had the new york steak and the prime rib for our entree's. Both were cooked perfectly medium rare and were actually much larger portions than I expected. The flavors were decent but definitely nothing special at all, especially the prime rib which was coated in rosemary despite no mention of this in the description on the menu. It's a very potent flavor and really overtook anything else going on with the steak. This was especially disappointing because this happens to be one of the few (and I mean very few) flavors my wife does not like. Overall we were both very disappointed with our meal because we were expecting top notch food and service. Something you tend to expect when you pay $40 for a steak. Our total bill came to $123 and the best thing we ate was the appetizer. Adding to this the terrible slow service from our waiter, we definitely felt ripped off at the end of the night. I'm sure this isn't a typical experience at tidepools but I'm definitely not willing to pay again to find out.
(2)Adrienne N.
Beautiful scenery (which is why it's getting 3 and not 2 stars), but that damn waterfall is so loud, we couldn't hear each other over the cascading cacophony. Not exactly the romantic experience it could be. Food is decent (for resort food), as are the drinks, but our waiter made me feel like we were a bit rushed to get done and out of there. He brought us the desert menu before our entrees even showed up (??). Overall -- meh.
(3)Shal V.
This is where we had dinner after our wedding on Shipwreck Beach in Kauai. It was easily one of the best dining experiences in a long time and truly capped a memorable day. The location is superb - nestled in between koi-inhabited pools in the magnificent Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort. We had the scrumptious Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes as appetizer. The wife ordered the Hawaiian Catch (I believe it was pomfret) which was pretty good. I ordered NY Strip Steak in a black garlic steak sauce with maui onion marmalade and roasted garlic hollandaise, served with potato chips. The steak was spectacular! Our server, whose service was out-of-this-world, brought out a complimentary Molten Chocolate Cake with raspberry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream = simply divine!! If you're in Kauai and you want to enjoy one fine dining experience, go to Tidepools - excellent service, superb location and exquisite food! Very highly recommended!! Ensure you make reservations.
(5)Amanda O.
Best meal I had during my vacation in Kauai! Everything was amazing and our server was great! Crab cakes were out of this world!! Great ambiance. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Aravind S.
Amazing ambience. They have these pools with colorful fishes next to the seating areas. The flowing water and sound of fishes bobbing their heads up is very soothing. There is only one dish for vegetarians on the menu. It was very tasty, my wife had the salad. Their cocktails were good. Watch out for the ones with coconut rum it is very sweet. We finished our dinner with the chocolate cake - very delicious. Must go place for a romantic dinner
(5)Jonathan Z.
Food is not bad. But kind of pricy for the quality of the food they have. Very limited choices of wine.
(3)Christopher T.
There are plenty of good places to eat in Kauai, don't waste your time here. Red Salt was excellent and was a comparable price. It is also two minutes down the road. This place had terrible food and unimpressive service. If you are going to spend your money, you can certainly find better places to spend it than at Tidepools.
(1)Gopi V.
This is one of the best restaurants on the island if not the best. The ambience is wonderful, situated on islands surrounded by pools of water teeming with fish. It is definitely an unforgettable experience. The dinner itself was absolutely delicious. We started out with the crab cakes, which were one of the best we have had. The Hawaiian opah was simply delicious and so was the almond crusted chicken. The molten lava cake for dessert was as good as ever. The host was also very friendly and an excellent experience overall.
(5)Al P.
Great food and service, a little pricey, but the service and food make up for it. We stayed at the grand Hyatt. So the location was great for us, and the koi pond is awesome. My gf had the mac nut mahi mahi, and I had the catch. Both were delightful, and the crab cake app was the best crab cake I.ever had. Def worth a try
(4)chavo d.
Tidepools is nestled within the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resorts and truly a destination for anyone visiting the island. My wife and I had a truly amazing experience, which shows the focus of good management. Making an 8:30P reservation, we arrived exactly 4 minutes late and were told that two couples were being seated in front of us. The hostess politely said it would be very quick. A half hour into waiting and seeing 6 couples ushered to seats, I walked up to have a chat with the staff. I mentioned the wait and was given a blank response. From earshot, Heather (Manager) witnessed the event and asked to speak with me. I recanted the situation and she kindly stated we'd be seated next. She actually took us to a table and asked if we were celebrating anything in particular; our honeymoon I stated. Seated in Michael's section (ace service!), she kindly offered us some beverages and appetizers to make this an excellent experience. From first bites, my wife and I were blown away by the culinary wonders and Michael's fantastic recommendations. Dinner was grand, one for the books I'd say. Heather and Michael turned our initial negative experience into one of the best restaurant affair ever. Having dined high and low all over the world, Tidepools is a stellar treat.
(5)Darci S.
Wonderful atmosphere, wonderful service, and fantastic food! We LOVED the crab cakes, salads, and had a wonderful soy ginger glazed fish stuffed with lobster and shrimp. Highly recommend for a lovely dinner.
(5)Veronica L.
Crab cakes were divine!!! Best we've ever tasted! The ahi was really good too! Plus the ever excellent and efficient service, I'm glad we came here! The Opah was a little dry though. The sauce made up for it thankfully :)
(4)Steve C.
Our waiter Michael is an amazing waiter! He explained everything so nicely I did not know what to choose. I had the crab cake appetizer that Michael suggested. He was right for sure... it was amazing! He also suggested the lava cake for dessert... also very good. Love the service and food.
(5)Julia S.
Delicious and beautiful looking food! Came here for my birthday and I loved the atmosphere, food and staff. Definitely a special place on the island and everyone speaks highly of it. Also, where we were seated I could see koi fish swimming just to the right of our table! My mom accidentally dropped her napkin in the water LOL
(5)Kyle G.
Went here for dinner before heading back to the mainland, and overall it was a lot of fun. Definitely on the expensive side, but to be expected. Wife and I started with the crab stuffed prawns, which were very good but for the price pretty small. The drinks were great, we went with cocktails and they came out quick, perfect. Now for the entrees, I went with the ahi, medium. It was perfectly done and well seasoned. The fish was very fresh and flavorful, the sauce was a mild compliment that didn't hide the fish at all. It was served on a bed of rice with Lima beans and other veggie assortments, which was decent but underwhelming. My wife ordered the prime rib, medium and it was on the overdone side, definitely a medium well, and the accompanying mashed potatoes were not very flavorful. Dessert to finish was the chocolate molten lava cake, which again was underwhelming, didn't stand out, though the ice cream it was served with was good. Highlights were definitely the ambience and environment (being right there near the beach with water and fish underneath you in all directions is pretty awesome), and the service, which was perfect. Waiter was very helpful and knowledgeable, food and drinks came out quickly and at the right temperatures. Overall a very fun experience, though I can't really see going back.
(4)Anthony M.
This is a hard review to write because I was under the weather when I ate at the restaurant so I didn't enjoy it as much as I normally would have. The restaurant itself was very clean, and had excellent ambiance overlooking the koi pond at the Grand Hyatt with the ocean crashing on the beach in the background. I had the prime rib medium rare, it was cooked to perfection. The truffled au jus was decent, I'm not a truffle fan myself but it was one of the better truffle items I've had. The most interesting part of the meal was lavender goat cheese mashed potatoes - not a combination I would have ever thought up, but they were delicious. I finished off dinner with their molten chocolate lava cake which was also amazing. My only complaint here is while the ice cream had excellent flavor its consistency was very icy-crystal like. Overall I'd highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Michelle Y.
Requested Les as a waiter as per a recommendation by a couple we met at the pool. He explained every dish with so much passion and detail that it was hard to choose just one. We were first served warm bread with truffle butter. We split: Crab cakes with basil aioli, tomato-ginger relish and avocado mousse Ahi tuna with wasabi aioli, fried crab rice, and spicy-soy mustard sauce Molten chocolate cake Everything was so fresh and had great flavor combinations.
(4)Ian F.
This place is fantastic. You're going to pay top dollar BUT, if you're prepared to do so - it's a wonderful dining experience. Very high quality and carefully prepared food. Lots of traditional Asian preparations mixed with some modern flair. Me and my wife had a great experience here. The Ono Ceviche was quite good and the steamed Mahi Mahi was served perfectly. Server was attentive and friendly. Beautiful spot to eat a meal as well.
(5)Daphne T.
I was very impressed by this restaurant. It was a last minute pick, but prob the best all week! The ambience is great....in the back gardens of the beautiful grand Hyatt...and open concept with our ceilings covered of course It was easy to make a last minute reservation. Most people dine relatively early so a 7 pm reservation is the busiest but not packed. The best part is that the hotel provides umbrellas at each exit so you don't get wet entering the restaurant which is accessible from the outside Our waiter was friendly but very thorough and mostly enthusiastic. He explained the entire menu with a smile and when asked, gave us his honest opinion without having an biased towards the price. He was very patient and friendly. We couldn't decide between two appetizers and he helped us decide on one. But the best part is that he gave us a free sample of the other option we were contemplating on. Such a great touch! The food was amazing and we unfortunately didn't have room for dessert. We were so happy with the service and food and over experience I would recommend this to anyone! Pointers- get the tuna-hamachi poke...it was the best around Ono ceviche- tasty but a bit heavy and meaty that would be difficult to finish an entire coconut filled with it Snapper- super fresh and great Asian fusion flavors Wish we had space for the lava cake but something to try In the future!
(5)Adrienne L.
3.5 I don't know if this kind of place is for a non-fish eater like myself, but the crab cakes were meh. Our waiter (who was super odd and not really on his game that night) said they were way better than Maryland crab cakes and used MD crabs. Cool. We were excited. No surprise: They were in no way better, but they were tiny and about a million dollars each. My beet salad was pretty fantastic, but I don't really get the rage about Tidepools. My friends said their dishes were very rich but great. I just think you're better off finding local joints on the island and saving yourself some serious cash.
(3)Christina G.
Tidepools had decent reviews but the food was so-so. For the price, I expected something more unique and less "luau" like. We came here with a group deal arranged by our hotel, so yeah it was one of those packaged deals. I do like that you get to eat by the Koi pond and the restaurant is very breezy (open airflow). Service is fine.
(4)Gabriela S.
Best dinner in Kauai! while staying at the Hyatt over the Holidays, we made reservations way ahead of time for this restaurant after reading yelp reviews. We were not disappointing. Great service, fantastic food especially the prime rib is THE BEST I have ever had anywhere in the world- and trust me, I have had my share of prime rib. If you eat meat- the tenderness of this meat beats any filet mignon- it is simply quality meat cooked to perfection.Great wine list as well. When in Kauai next time, will be back here for sure!
(5)Gary F.
Breathtaking! Then again, what isn't when it comes to Hawaii? My wife and I visited Kauai on our honeymoon. We decided to dine here on one of our nights due to the wonderful reviews on every website we viewed. The food and wine were delcious. We sat looking over the Koi pond. We had a nice bottle of Pino Grigio, and started with the Kalua Pork flautitas, and poke, poke oysters. For our entree we had the strip steak and the mahi mahi. Last but not least the chocolate lava cake for dessert. Each meal was better than the last. Truly a great restaurant in Paradise.
(5)Karen W.
We had dinner at Tidepools on the first night we stayed at the Grand Hyatt. The experience was one of the best we had during our stay in Kauai for our honeymoon. The staff seated us at a table near the koi pond immediately upon arrival. This is not the type of restaurant you can watch the sunset, but the atmosphere of the koi pond and the intimate small rooms above the water are really romantic. Our server was incredible, and I wish I could remember his name. He was very helpful, interested, and engaged in the process of serving us. The restaurant had a nice wine list with a wide range of options. They served warm bread and butter. I ordered the onaga which was steamed and served in a leaf with vegetables and noodles. It was a really pretty presentation and it was a good fresh fish. We also ordered a dessert which was good, but I don't remember what it was called.
(4)Danielle L.
Ambiance is really neat! We loved the Koi ponds. Bread and truffle butter was amazing and crab cakes were great! I got the Macadamia Mahi Mahi and my husband got Opah which were good, but not great.
(3)Annissa H.
What a beautiful place!! Hut styled above the water at the gorgeous hotel, how can you resist eating here? So romantic especially seats by the open wall where you can watch the fish swim as you eat. Ioved the view. The food though was a bit of a let down. It was okay, but we expected more considering how expensive it is and the ratings. We started with the mushroom appetizer with artichokes, we wanted to try something different than our usual ahi or crab cake. It was interesting... It wasn't bad but the best part of it was the artichoke alone. I went on with the Hawaiian opah and it was okay, it could've been seasoned better. The dessert was the best part of the meal. This is really nice for the atmosphere and conveniency if you are staying at the Hyatt. Just lower your expectations a little bit and you will be okay.
(3)bill s.
Went there 2 times very good food from the lobster To the New York strip steak very nice and great view and pretty quiet good wait staff was prompt to are needs .
(4)Howard L.
We've dined at tide pools at least 15 times during all of our stays at the Hyatt. The food has gone down in quality and I'm not sure why.
(2)Leeland M.
This really is as good as it gets. I've seriously never had a meal, or even dining experience like this before. O ordered the mahi-mahi, and I'll just say that I've literally never had, and probably never will have mahi-mahi that good ever again. It really was that good. My mom had lobster, she felt the same way about hers as well. The ambience of the restaurant and the grounds surrounding it as well, are absolutely fantastic and romantic. Best restaurant in Kauai, hands down.
(5)Alex P.
Easiest 5 star review I've ever written. This was the best meal/experience we had on our trip to Hawaii (Kauai/Maui). The restaurant is beautiful and relaxed. We were seated right next to a koi pond, which provided a nice ambience. Our server (Les) was fantastic -- knowledgeable, friendly, casual, cool, and responsive. The bread was so good we ate two baskets between the two of us. I had the fish (Opah) and my wife had the steak. Both were amazing. Afterward we had some coconut ice cream which was also amazing. I literally have nothing bad to say about this place.
(5)Lee L.
If you're looking for a special place for dinner while visiting, you must book a table here! Yes, it's pricey ($50 per person) but no other place can compare to here. This restaurant is located within the Grand Hyatt hotel in Princeville. Tip: Come at least an hour early to explore the beautiful hotel grounds and beach!. Valet your car (you'll get it validated at the restaurant) Guys! No tank tops, my husband had to wear a loner Hawaiian shirt lol We didn't mind, but I was a little bothered because everyone else was in flip flops and some woman was sitting in her bikini with a see thru cover up. The warm bread is amazing....comes with an addictive roasted garlic butter!!! Appetizers: Scallops- Not too fond of, didn't like the polenta crust Ahi Bruschetta- melts in your mouth Main: Kula Lavender Crusted Filet of Beef- the lavender was a nice touch. Fish of the day- Forgot what it was, but came with a crab cake and lobster. I loved the taro sweet potato mash that it came with. Dessert: Waialua Chocolate "Crunch"- Rich and velvety. Total w $20 tip: $160 We booked through Open Table and requested a table next to the window. You could practically reach out and touch the dozens of Kois in the pond. Wonderful experience.
(5)Pam P.
we love dining here when we stay at Grand Hyatt, and visit the beautiful island of Kaua'i. i celebrated my bday here this visit and the service was super exceptional. we had a very late seating bc they were crazy busy on a Wed summer night, but it was ok. our server, Andy was super friendly and gave us awesome recommendations of what to order from the menu. we were served hawaiian bread rolls while waiting for our orders which were yummy bc they were warm & soft, but the butter wasnt too pleasing to the palate. and the flavor of the butter didnt really go with the roll, so we ate the rolls by itself. I had the hawaiian catch as my bday entree of choice. (& bummed i wasnt able to snap a shot of the incredible plate presentation). but it was delicious! my wife had the polenta crusted scallops appetizer, and my niece ordered the crab stuffed tempura shrimp appetizer since they both have small appetites and wouldnt be able to finish an entree meal. we also ordered the crab cakes appetizer to share. & everything we ordered was delish or as the locals would say, so "ono"!! :) my hawaiian catch was super fresh and cooked perfectly. i also loved the yama sweet potato underneath all the seafood goodness. my wife and niece also loved their dishes. & to my surprise, our awesome server gave me a molten cake on the house for my bday! thanks again to Andy and tidepools staff for making my bday dinner extra special. its exactly what i needed after a long day of traveling. :) cant wait til our next visit! come and dine here & expect to be serenaded by the thousands of koi fish jumping & swimming all around the restaurant. so entertaining & such an awesome ambiance!
(5)omar c.
We had an awesome sunset dinner. My wife had ordered the lobster and the catch of the day and she said it was amazing, I ordered the New York steak with potatoes and those were very good too, overall the experience was great.
(5)Eric Y.
We had an excellent meal here. This restaurant is located in the swanky Grand Hyatt Kauai resort. The setting is beautiful, every table with waterfall and koi pond views. We had some delicious food here. The standout appetizer definitely was the Ono ceviche. This is Columbian-style ceviche, made with coconut milk. OMG this was delicious! It is served with taro chips but what I really wanted was a scoop! My entree was the Opah (moonfish). It's a fillet, topped with crabmeat, and then covered with hollandaise sauce and torched/broiled to caramelize the surface. It's similar to Oscar-style and was simply divine. The dessert selection was small but I'm happy we tried the chocolate lava cake. So many restaurants do this dessert in a mediocre way but here it's superb, as one would expect on an island borne of volcanoes! Service was slow even by Hawaiian resort standards and some of the other food we ordered was underwhelming but overall this is a great place.
(4)Lindsay D.
The atmosphere is the biggest selling point here and honestly I would come here of all they served were hot dogs which I can't even eat. The samosa app is divine however the chutney is a little over seasoned with cumin but everything else is on point. The mustard sauce it comes with tastes more like a creamy balsamic sauce than mustard and it is amazing. I paired this with coconut jasmine rice as a meal due to my vegan-ness. My hubby got the major magi which magically disappeared. He was very happy. He ordered the "fat Elvis" for dessert and said it was like a giant peanut butter cup but frozen. I ate the fruit on the side and the nut crumble. So yummy. Bill was around $75 so not too bad. The average entree was about $35 to $40. I'd come back but sunset is a must because it's all pink and then it gets dark and the tide pools light up with the koi and it's magical!
(5)Joriel A.
By far the best restaurant we've been to in Kauai and because of their unparalleled customer service + excellent food + amazing views + ambiance = Incredible dining experience. Customer service is what always gets me. I'm usually compelled to write my reviews based on it. They're excellent or terrible. Tidepools takes the trophy for best customer service and their incredibly delicious dishes are impressive works of art that made the whole experience much more worthwhile. I mean the views and ambiance alone are worth it but you get it all at Tidepools. You must try them at least once and be sure to check out the Hawaiin Catch! Hmmmm. Sooooo goooood. They start you off with a complimentary hawaiian sweet rolls with their addicting garlic truffle butter! It could get truly challenging in controlling yourself from stuffing yourself with it! So be warned!
(5)Aom K.
We stayed at the Grand Hyatt this past Kauai trip and were looking for a great seafood place. We checked out a couple place in the area and also this restaurant. The food here is truly amazing! We got some ahi poke for appetizer. It disappeared within a second! Haha. I got chef's catch or Hawaiian catch (or something like that) it came with lobster tail and monchong fish. it was $44 and worth every penny!!! In my dish, it also came with shrimp cake that's melt in your mouth. My boyfriend got the mahi mahi crusted which is also very good. The service was amazing and the place is very nice. Stop by if you are looking for a romantic place with a good food!
(5)Emily V.
What a great way to end () our Hawaiian vacation. The food here was some of the best that we've had on the island and the ambiance is fabulous. To start we got cocktails---some prosecco, a tai chi and something with pineapple juice, malibu rum, cranberry juice and something else. Blanking on the name (had surf in the title) but it was delicious. Capped off with a big wedge of pineapple. For dinner I actually went with the filet mignon because I was ready for some meat after so much fish. It was actually one of the best filets I've had! It was topped with sautéed Maui onions and the goat cheese mashed potatoes that it came with were divine! I also sampled my husband's macadamia but crusted mahimahi (which I would have had but had just had the same dish at a restaurant the night before). His was very tasty. As was my mom's fresh catch of the day which was Hapu. It was accompanied by a delicious shrimp cake and lobster--yum! Since it was the last night we decided to surge on desserts all around. But of course we all ended up with the molten lava cake---so delicious! Highly recommended. The service was excellent and almost every table is right on the little lagoon with the sound of the ocean waves crashing as well as the nearby waterfall. Can't go wrong with this place.
(5)Lee R.
Tidepools is an upscale restaurant with a gorgeous view. During my stay, they served a breakfast buffet here each day. It is pretty during the day and beautiful at sunset. They have some nice wines by the glass and a full bar. There are local fish choices and steaks as well. It is a spot for a special occasion or celebration. Lots of honeymooners come here because it is very romantic. This trip, I have been here several times and I like it enough to come back again. Tonight, I am excited to try the lobster. Last night, I had the goat cheese salad and it was delicious.
(4)Tim L.
The best thing here was the bread.. Not kidding.. Of our party of 7 half of us ordered the prime rib, which was quite bland.. The water was particularly salty, as if it was from the salt water lagoon outside.. Quite odd..
(3)Patty G.
We came here to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Food is great!! Prices are a little high but totally worth it. Service is casual so it's not intimidating. Try to get a table by the water to enjoy the koi fish. We had ceviche, kula greens, the special, which had seared Ono and lobster tail. For dessert we had the lava chocolate cake dessert and everything was yum! Eat here instead of Stevenson's if you can't decide between the two. The restaurant is a perfect and unique setting for any special occasion.
(5)Elizabeth C.
All around beautiful and fantastic experience. Food was wonderful and the service was spectacular as well. A true dining experience.
(5)Britt J.
After spending 10 days in the area, this was the best dinner we had by far. It's incredibly romantic and exudes Hawaiian charm. We had a beautiful table right on the water overlooking hundreds of Koi fish. We started with the manapuas which were perfectly cooked. Had a couple of the salads with the freshest greens. I had the opakapaka (snapper) that was the best fish I had the entire time there. Amazing flavors! Large portion that I couldn't finish. My husbands filet was cooked to perfection and had a wonderful sauce. The service was perfect. Our waiter, Les, made the evening even more special. Will DEFINITELY be back!! Make sure and get there a bit early to enjoy a drink in the beautiful bar. It's so authentic.
(5)Marielle D.
Tidepools has great food, service, and ambiance. It is very romantic and has fun views of the beach and the hotel. My husband and I split the blacked ahi bruschetta which was so tasty and the ahi was so fresh! My husband had the volcano spiced opah and I had the local ahi. Both dishes were very tasty using unique seasonings and had good sides. Our server was excellent and brought us a small taste of the sweet potato lobster soup which had hints of curry and he also brought us salted Hawaiian cookies at the end of our meal. We will definitely be eating here again when we return to Kauai one day.
(5)Shawna M.
We've been to Tidepools a handful of time in the past few years on special occasions and they've never failed us. We usually sit right on the water in a somewhat secluded sitting. It's a sweet romantic setting. The kois swim all around and it's breezy. The times we've went, the service has always been excellent. The hostesses greet with a friendly smile, ask how you are doing instead of silence and walking to the table. The servers we've had have always been prompt on bringing water as soon as the hostess sits us. Bring the bread quickly, and clear the table instead of like some places where your dishes pile up. Our food is always great and satisfying. The lobster tails are seasoned just right. The rib eye is tender and so easy to cut. The organic chicken is a little crunchy on the outside and cooked good on the inside. Their signature mashed potatoes are good too. We love coming to this place when we can. Since we live on the east side, it's a nice little get away from our side of the island.
(5)Jennifer M.
This was the perfect place to enjoy dinner and kick off our honeymoon! I cannot even explain how gorgeous the views are. We made our reservation for 7:15pm and were seated koi fish pond-side. We had an amazing view of the ocean, too! The sun quickly set and the entire ambiance of our dinner changed from relaxing to romantic. The candles, the sound of the ocean waves, and the rustle of the palm trees in the wind... simple perfect! My husband and I enjoyed the crab cake appetizer together. I'm not joking when I say they are the best crab cakes I've ever eaten in my life! My husband isn't a huge seafood fan, but he devoured his crab cake and wanted to order more! For my entree, I ordered the special of the night. I forget what the fish was, but it was served over pureed potato and accompanied with this sauce that had a nice kick to it. Delicious! My husband kept dipping his filet mignon in my sauce. Haha! The drinks were delicious, of course! We were so full so we took our apple dessert to the room. We didn't end up eating it that night, but when we enjoyed it the next day, it still made my taste buds happy! I cannot rave about this place enough! We'll be back someday!
(5)Jules M.
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here and it was the perfect place which we found by accident. Our reservation at another restaurant was canceled so through divine intervention we found this place. The ambience is fun and romantic and after dinner you're welcome to roam the grounds. The food was spectacular the apple desert was so good which I normally loathe fruit deserts.
(5)Nancy W.
The setting is fabulous. The prices a bit high for the taste of food. I was really looking forward to this place, but I felt like the mani mani was a bit bland. I would expect more from the Hyatt.
(3)yunyan h.
The restaurant is awesome, and the food is yummy! Especially the lobster , it is super fresh; the dinning environment is amazing ! I think it's the best restaurant in the grand Hyatt in Kauai where I stayed!!
(5)Karl S.
A voluptuous experience. Walking thru the expansive lobby towards the setting sun, down a windy "jungle" path. Seated amongst the koi ponds overlooking the ocean under thatched roofs. A buff guy lighting the tiki torches. The setting is amazing. Amazing drinks, including local crafts on tap. The entrees were artistic as well as delicious. Deserts were sinful. No pictures of the desserts because we ate them to fast. Want to splurge for dinner on Kauai, eat here.
(5)Connie S.
This place was amazing! While they don't have the largest menu selection everything I tried was phenomenal. Aside from the food, they also had a great atmosphere and the location was beautiful! Its on top of a pond and theres colorful fish swimming around and a waterfall is right next to the restaurant as well. Just make sure you make a reservation!
(5)gina r.
For a fancy place the service sucked. We only had an app, dessert, two glasses of wine and two glasses of port. Bill was $75. For that amount I expect excellent service. Waited several minutes for our table (for the manager to get my husband a sleeved shirt since he had a sleeveless shirt - it was HI and 85 degrees). Then they brought our app before any place settings then our bread and butter with no knife. Sounds silly - but no attention to detail to go with the price. Polenta crusted scallop was ok but bland, salted garlic butter with the bread was great and the chocolate flour less cake was divine. Oh, and the fish love the bread... They must starve them.
(3)Scott B.
Awesome food, romantic environment, and fabulous staff. A shout out to Michael and Victoria (Torrey) for exceptional service. Mahalo-
(5)Natalie K.
Excellent dining experience! Great food & location! My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt so we gave this restaurant a try and ended up going back a second time because we enjoyed the food so much. I loved the Mahi Mahi and my husband the Opah. Delicious! Amazing flavors! The best fish we ever had. Also, please try the crab cake with avocado mousse from the appetizer menu. So good! If you get lucky and get Les as your waiter you are in for a treat. I've never had a waiter describe the flavors of dishes so well before. He really knows the dishes and menu very well. It's was very hard to choose a meal after talking to him. I will definitely go back here the next time I visit Kauai.
(5)Thomas G.
What a nice restaurant. The ambience is amazing and tranquil. My family and I really enjoyed our experience at tide pools. I usually have low expectations of hotel restaurants, but Tidepools was simply excellent. I had the NY strip with spinach and local mushrooms. The steak was grilled to perfection and the accompanying vegetables were done just right and were very tasty. This is a simple dish that can be easily messed up if not cooked properly. The chef at Tidepools did it just right and it was excellent. My wife had the Opa which she loved. It was prepared in a simple and tasty manner. Everything about Tidepools was top shelf. I give Tidepools an enthusiastic thumbs up!!!
(4)Nancy R.
We went there for our anniversary and asked to be seated by the water. We took our own bottle. Reservations are recommended. To start the place was beautiful, their staff was attentive and down to earth. I had a pear salad which was delicious and for dinner their surf and turf, oh my it was yummy! My husband got a steak and it was delicious as well. We can't wait to come back
(5)rhiannon B.
I got to say the 2 stars are for the location - the setting awesome. The landscape architects deserve 5 stars. But the food was really not that good and service was just meh...and this review might be overly picky but we were paying $250+ for dinner and I just had higher expectations. We ordered: Appetizers of Mushrooms. They were cold the waiter reheated them but it didn't help. Were they supposed to be cold? and I had the Polenta crusted Scallops - the scallops were well cooked but the polenta was definitely not crusted and was more flaking off in a mushy texture. It then took forever (like a good 30minutes) for us to get our second course. Meanwhile our waiter was off serving other people and we were seen to by the water guy. It really wasn't that busy I was bummed we were paying all that money and not given decent attention. The biggest issue I had was the next time we saw our waiter was when he was bringing out our deserts. For which we had wanted to change our order. But politely accepted them - the other thing that irked me was when making the reservation and before the meal I had specifically told the restaurant it was my partners birthday and they did nothing to make her feel special. Also the molten Lava cake was barely warm, again isn't it supposed to be hot? Lastly the mains were underwhelming the opah was overcooked - it was an odd combo with a hollandaise sauce. It was more like breakfast. Not my taste but maybe some would like it. Mostly though when I am paying $250+ for a dinner I want the service and food to be good. Not mediocre.
(2)ASW A.
We had a great easier, everything we ordered came out on time. The food was very good. The bruschetta appetizer was different and the prime rib was a fine cut of meat. The horseradish sauce was creamy but not very spicy. The koi pond adds a lot to the somewhat romantic setting.
(4)NewValleyGirl M.
I hung out at the bar and had a great time talking to bartender Mike and server Mike! I stuck with the bar menu and had Ono ceviche, polenta crusted crab cakes, sauteed island mushrooms and my friend chose a salad. All I can say is the food was awesome. I think I had more fun talking to Mike the bartender however. You will plop down a good coin for food here, but the ambience and service is worth it. If you want to kick off or cap off your vacation here in Kauai this is a great place to celebrate!
(5)Nick T.
This is such a beautiful, romantic and high quality place on Kauai. Service is impeccable and the food is delicious. The atmosphere alone is 5 star but everything else is on par and makes for a memorable experience. Had the crab cakes (pretty good), the Hawaiian catch (amazing!) and the molton chocolate cake (life changing). A beautiful location with a delicious menu. I would not recommend leaving Kauai without dining here once. Enjoy at sunset!
(5)Bruce O.
My wife and I had dinner here on our 25th wedding anniversary. We were cheerfully greeted and seated right next to one of the coy ponds. The sun was just starting to go down and the colors on the water with the beautiful surrounding vegetation was amazing. My wife ordered an ahi ahi dish and I had a lobster and mahi mahi dish with sweet potato mash and broccholi. It was the best lobster I have ever eaten. I highly recommend it. Unbelievable flavors. We had a very friendly server who let us sample a number of wines before we settled in on a nice bottle of pino noir (reasonably priced). We had an enjoyable romantic dinner and then a terrific strowl around the grounds near the ocean. The Grand Hyatt is an amazing property in and of itself and definitely worth coming to check out.
(5)E G.
The best food we had since we came to Kauai. I had the ahi tuna and was out of this world. The chef defiantly knows how to combine different spices to get this amazing sauce that I had never tasted before. Loved it!! My husband had the special of the day which was Ono and scallops and he was very happy. The highlight of dinning was our server Andy! Thanks for making our vacation memorable!!!!
(5)Tom S.
As you wind your way down the walkway , you end up among the Tiki torches in a beautiful island/type setting. The food was incredible, beginning with the appetizers right through the main courses. The fish dishes were amazing and the staff and service were outstanding! The prices were very reasonable. $34 for a 1/2 pound lobster tail. It doesn't get much better than that.
(5)Lynn C.
We had an extraordinary dinner experience last night @ the Tide Pools restaurant in the Hyatt Regency on Kauai. A perfect place to celebrate my husband's 75th birthday. While we ate, Poi fish swam around & under us, bringing about a peaceful & entertaining surrounding. My husband had a New York steak covered w/mushrooms & wilted spinach over garlic mashed potatoes. He ate every morsel of food. I had the best Hawaiian special I have ever eaten anywhere! I had fish called Mun Chung, a delicate, moist white fish gently laid on a sweet potatoes mash. This was accompanied with a supreme Crab cake which was made with chunky crab, delicately seasoned, which melted in my mouth. Not finished yet; both seafood selections were also accompanied by a lobster tail. It is the absolute first time I ate everything & held my self back scraping the plate w/my utensils? Our server, Derrick made us feel we were his only customers. When he wasn't there, a young man by the name of Nate, was equally as attentive & helpful and friendly. All in all, this was a five star experience which I recommend to anyone wanting a special occasion dinner. Please request Derrick & Nate. They made everything special for us. We sat @ the bar for a few moments, & I ordered a Mojito, refreshing& perfectly made. That drink, too, was the best I've ever had. I watched the experienced bartender mash the fresh mint to just the right amount of aroma, adding more as he needed to. Exquisite . Really a wonderful experience.
(5)Marion T.
Scenery and ambience were both romantic and breathtaking. The service and food are excellent. We have been to other restaurants in Kauai but this one gets the 5-star rating. The prime rib and ahi tuna were exceptional.
(5)Victoria M.
I'll be to the point. Most romantic moment of my honeymoon. Andy our server was attentive and knowledgeable and as a good server, read our minds before we even asked for what we wanted. Our busser Andrew should be a server as well. Lai the manager of the night keeps a great establishment running. After food and drinks we walked to the beach and laid in a cabana under a full moon with 15 foot waves crashing on the beach. It was, all and all, one of the best dates I've had. Thanks again Tidepools!
(5)JR H.
All in all, we enjoyed our meal at Tidepools. The ambiance simply cannot be beat. Just check out some of the photos and see for yourself. It's a very unique dining experience and makes you feel like you're eating in a seaside cabana. My wife and I started with the haupai mushrooms, a mix of several different mushrooms, artichokes, tomatoes, and a goat cheese. It was very tasty. For dinner, I had the Hawaiian Catch with swordfish and my wife had the organic chicken. My dish was excellent with the lobster and swordfish being prepared perfectly, but the real star of the dish was the coconut crab cake. I coulda eaten half a dozen of them. My wife didn't enjoy her meal as much as the chicken seemed grisly and overcooked which I tasted and confirmed (thus I docked one star). For dessert, we had the chocolate lava cake. It was a great way to end the meal; highly recommended.
(4)Tanna T.
Beautiful ambiance with open air dining room and view of the amazing Grand Hyatt property. My husband and 3 young adult kids enjoyed a fabulous meal. Our server, Les, was experienced, personable, and helpful with menu selections. For appetizers we enjoyed the Ahi-Hamachi Poke duo (outstanding) and crabcakes. The Opah and crusted Mahi Mahi dishes were outstanding as was the lava cake for dessert. Expensive meal but memorable and a vacation highlight.
(5)Ron C.
The food? Very good! Worthy of four stars! The ambiance? Very good! Worthy of four stars! So why the lousy two stars? Simple! Horrible service! We were essentially forgotten by our waitress and spent hours in this place waiting on various courses of food. To be fair, she gave us free dessert. However, by the time it arrived it was close to 10 p.m. (And we arrived at 7 p.m.). It wasn't as if the places was terribly busy, and there were plenty of others who came after us, got their meals before us, and got out of their in reasonable time. Terrible, just terrible service!
(2)Emily D.
My husband and I ate here on our honeymoon. We were guests of the hotel and had one of our "nice" dinners here. For ambiance and romantic setting Tidepools is definitely a 5 but for the food it was just meh. We are spoiled in Miami and have a lot of great restaurants as well as seafood and overall we were both underwhelmed by the food. For the price I would expect better. The server was fabulous and the restaurant beautiful but both our meals were bland and not worth the price. The best thing we had were the crab cakes appetizer. I ordered the snapper and he had the chicken and both were just ok. The chocolate lava dessert was delicious.
(3)Kevin K.
The food itself was only ok- my wife's prime rib was on the cold side and my fish/crabcake/lobster dish was only ok as well. That being said, the setting is fantastic set above the "tidepools" in the back of the Grand Hyatt with lots of coi fish swimming about, tiki torches in the background, and the ocean waves further behind that. The service was good as well. Definitely on the pricier side.
(4)Eric-Danielle G.
We decided to have dinner at Tidepools on the last night of our stay. We dropped in on a Wednesday night and were seated right away, at a nice table by the water. As many have mentioned, the ambiance is spectacular (and really what you're paying for - not the food, in our opinion.) This would be an amazing spot to view the sunset, but it was even magical in the rain. While our entrees were disappointing, we loved the Ono Ceviche appetizer. Very fresh, tropical favors and homemade taro chips for scooping up the fish. The portion was large and plenty for two people. One suggestion would be to cut the fish in smaller pieces, so it can be scooped up easier, and serve with a spoon because the coconut milk/lime "juice" is so tasty! Also really enjoyed the dinner rolls with truffle butter. For entrees we ordered the Local Ahi with Crab Fried Rice. Everything lacked major seasoning and was blah. Rice was dry and flavorless. Also ordered the special - lobster tail poached in red wine (cooked well but over salted), scallops (good! Cooked perfectly), lavender goat cheese mashed potatoes (odd and too sweet), and broccolini (simple preparation, and the best thing on the plate.) The plate also had a sweet soy miso glaze and a lavender butter sauce - it was all just too sweet and had conflicting and confusing flavors. I would have preferred a lemon herb sauce to cut the richness of all the elements on the plate. Service was good. Hostesses were friendly and our server was very knowledgeable on all of the seafood items - although two times, our empty beer bottle was left on the table for at least 20 minutes. In the end, we are glad we went because of the pretty ambiance, but disappointed that we spent so much money for an unimpressive meal.
(3)Jane M.
I would say this place is 3.5 stars. The place is pretty nice looking. We got a seat for dinner right next to the koi pond which was nice. The service was ok. The table next to us were inebriated and rowdy which kind of ruined the experience for me. The most memorable part of the meal itself was the ono cheviche which was pretty good. We also ordered the baby greens as a starter and the Hawaiian catch and opah for our mains. They were ok but for the price and the fact that it was at the Hyatt is was kind of mediocre. I would've preferred to go back to Savage Shrimp or Kauai Fish Market. Save your cash and go somewhere the locals would go!
(3)Bob W.
Cannot say enough positive things. Exemplary service.......great hospitality.......fortunate to have a water side table to observe the koi.......amazing prime rib----and this come from an experienced carnivore! Filet mignon was impeccable. Dessert......FORGET ABOUT IT! If you are inclined to dispatch with your scheckels; this is the place to go! I give it three thumbs up, only because I can due to a birth defect!
(5)Mariko C.
We had the most beautiful table right next to the koi pond. The ambiance was beautiful and very romantic. My husband and I had a great night out to ourselves here while the kids stayed back at the hotel room with the sitter. The food was very tasty and the server was great!
(5)Terrence J.
Tidepools is a beautiful restaurant and I highly recommend it for this reason. Aside from the location (open air tables surrounded koi ponds in Hawaii!) Tidepools would have a hard time competing with other resturants in this price range. The food is all good but all uninspiring. The menu feels like it was built for the least common denominator of tourist with something to please everyone but nothing to wow anyone. This I suppose is inevitable as the restaurant's popularity forces them to pump out the food. The winelist like too many of today's restaurants' still conforms to traditional varietals with only a slight nod to a modern perspective with one Syrah and "The Prisoner" (please don't get the fish with this). Luckily they do allow your to bring your own wine at a $25 corkage which is well worth it considering. Again I recommend Tidepools because it's novel beauty (come early for the sunset) and be sure to reserve a water-side table.
(3)Ken V.
We've been here twice now, on two separate trips to Kaua`i. Both times we had excellent meals in an interesting setting. As the name implies, the restaurant is set right in among some pools at the Grand Hyatt in Kaua`i. Each of its many rooms sports open windows on all sides, overlooking a very large set of koi pools. As you might expect, seafood (but not koi :-) is very present on their menu. I've had the fresh catch a couple of times and the food has been excellent each time. As with recent changes up the hill at Dondero's (see my review on them as well), the wine list here is pretty scant. There's good wine on the list, don't get me wrong, just not a selection worthy of a Grand Hyatt. The wait staff were superb, as I would expect. Attentive and helpful, without hovering around our table. Just right! Excellent food and excellent service. But if it's important to you to have a superlative selection of fine wines, this is not the place you're looking for.
(4)Megan S.
We went to Tidepool one night during our stay. We aren't fish eaters. To be honest I was hesitant because last time I had fish I had a horrible reaction but I didn't know if it was an allergy or preparation issue. We aren't fish eaters. Let me preface this with, my bf won't eat anything that doesn't have 4 legs and breaths fresh air. With that said, "when in Rome...." He had the white snapper (with skin) and I had the Opah. OMG so good. We both raved about it. The Raymond (red) wine was phenomenal as well.
(4)Merritt V.
This was our first nice place to grab dinner. Tidepools provide an great atmosphere and amazing food. We enjoyed a variety of fresh sea food and loved watching all the fish in the lagoon surrounding the restaurant.
(5)Rachel K.
Heavenly!!! Wow this place is great. Fine dining and attentive wait staff. Pricy but well worth it. I got the wasabi crusted fillet which was so amazing. Every bite was so juicy and delicious. My husband got the NY prime rib which we loved as well We got delicious desert on the house bc we were honeymooning. It was a heavenly lava cake that overflowed with chocolate goodness and came with vanilla bean ice cream and coconut ice cream. So amazing The place itself is very beautiful and romantic, you sit on top of a koi pond and can hear the ocean during dinner. Very romantic
(5)Lauren K.
My husband and I stopped by on our honeymoon after reading all of the great reviews that noted the 'romantic' vibe and found it was an okay experience. From pictures and comments we were excited to have a seat with a view. Unfortunately, we were seated in the middle of the restaraunt -- you can still experience the outdoor breeze, but you can't see the coy pond. We saw several open tables along the edge (where you can see the water); we were told the tables were reserved, yet we never saw anyone seated during our 2-hour dinner. After a couple near the edge moved, we asked to be reseated which they kindly accomodated -- being able to see the fish made our experience. The place and service felt a little outdated -- like a 1970's vibe. Our server was friendly, but a little over-the-top. Our food was good, but it didn't stand out from some of the other places we ate during our trip. The drinks were pretty standard -- sugarly, tropical options without a lot of creativity. It seemed as though the 'over-the-water' location offered something new when it opened, but perhaps hadn't held onto its glamour. If you do check it out, I'd recommend starting meal around sunset so you can fully see the pools.
(3)Mugwort Y.
Tidepools was the low point of eating out all week on Kaua'i. I chose it over Red Salt b/c I was staying at the Grand Hyatt. After hearing all about the terrific service it was surprising to end up w/ a nearly indifferent server, D. The service was comparable to that at a busy city diner. Since we were there 5:30 on a Wednesday it wasn't as if he were busy. The server at the adjacent tables, on the other hand, (woman w short blonde hair) was a *rockstar* & I eavesdropped gratefully to her describing each entree to her tables, something our server didn't bother to do. When dinner was over I wanted to flee the place. The food was OK to Good, absolutely not worth $100+ before tip. When the entrees did arrive, the person carrying it out from the kitchen didn't mention the plates were very hot & I burned myself touching it. To give you a barometer of my service expectations, local places where the service *was* excellent were Keoki's, the supermarket poke counter, the deli, etc...everywhere else except for the restaurant that prides itself on its service.
(3)Rose L.
This was a beautiful experience. Romantic and fun. Started with poached pear salad and the mushroom, artichoke fiddle hair fern salad. Both delicious but was a bit disappointed that the fern was replaced with asparagus but still wonderful. My sweetie had the appetizer ribs and I had the lobster, shrimp and fresh fish of the day. Lobster great, shrimp cake okay fish dry. But a still an exceptional night. Would definitely return
(5)Ryan W.
Definitely one of the more nicer, romantic restaurants in which mostly all of the food was flavorful. It's a beautiful restaurant located in the Grand Hyatt. If you make reservations, ask to be seated next to the pond. We were seated at a spot where they must have had at least 100 koi right by your feet and once in a while they will splash you. A beautiful scenery to compliment your meal. ==Service== Ron was our waiter for the evening. He was very knowledgeable when it came to all of the dishes. He also explained what his most favorite dishes were and what were the most popular dishes among the guests. Great job!! ==Food== Local baby romaine salad: Maui onion-garlic dressing, fennel, manchego cheese, sweet breads crouton, Hawaiian chili pepper oil. The dressing was very light. I would have to say this is very similar to a Caesars salad. It really wasn't anything special. $12 2.5/5 Ahi: Foie gras infused forbidden rice, pea shoots, truffle-miso-eggplant sauce, roasted stoic hollandaise. The ahi is lightly seared and is just buttery soft. You get a little foie gras in the forbidden rice which adds a nice deep flavor. Overall the dish was pretty good. $38 4/5 Hawaiian catch: Soy-ginger glazed catch, coconut crusted shrimp and lobster cake, Molokai sweet potatoes, lemongrass beurre blanc. The reason why they don't specify the type of fish is, because it's constantly changing. Whatever is the fresh catch of day becomes their Hawaiian catch. On this night it was onaga which is a red snapper. It's a beautiful fish that has tons of flavor. This dish had so many flavors going on. The fish was subtle and soft, the Molokai potatoes added a bright purple color and a sweet flavor and finally the shrimp lobster cake added a little crunch and salt to the dish. The contrasting flavors actually worked out very well when you combine a little portion of each into every bite. Make sure to ask the server what type of fish they have since that could change the overall dish entirely and not taste as good. $40 4/5 Certified Angus slow roasted prime rib: 12 oz. cut, Hawaiian salt and herb seasoning, Yukon gold potatoes, truffle jus horseradish cream. We had one center piece and one end piece. The end piece has more flavor, but is always done on the more well done side which doesn't make the meat as tender. The middle cut was an absolutely beautiful pink, but needed just a little more seasoning. I would have to say the fish dishes here are more delicious, but it depends on what you're craving. $38 3.5/5 Molten chocolate cake: Raspberry coulis, vanilla bean ice cream. Amazing! Similar to Roy's chocolate soufflé but not as good. You just can't beat Roy's soufflé... Anyway, the dessert is perfect to share and an excellent way to finish off your meal. $12 4/5 Overall, I was impressed with Tidepools and would definitely be back again. I'd highly recommend those two fish dishes. If I'm ever back on the island, I'll for sure come back here again!
(4)Nicole B.
The setting is beautiful, the menu is varied, and our server was very friendly and attentive. The price is more on the expensive side, but it's warranted by the types of dishes on the menu, the service, and the setting. I would definitely eat here again, though I think there is some room for dishes to be more flavorful if the prices remain the same.
(4)Jeff C.
Definitely one of the most scenic restaurants I've ever been in. Almost every seat is waterside (whether facing out or inward) and some seats face waterfalls. In the water, there are lots of koi swimming around. We had a very late reservation. So we ordered an appetizer (Ahi-Hamachi Poke Duo) and opened our bottle of champagne at the bar. The lone bartender was definitely overworked and didn't really have time for conversation. The Poke Duo was really good and unique presentation. When we got seated, took a little bit of time to receive service. But once everything got started, it was pretty quick. We ordered the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi and Kula Lavender Crusted Filet of Beef. Both was cooked and presented really fancifully. Their complementary bread / butter was really unique and we still can't guess what the butter is flavored with. Since it was our honeymoon, we got a certificate for a free dessert. Since the wife wasn't a fan of chocolate, we got The "Mango". It had a great presentation and the flavors mixed really well. All in all, one of the most romantic places to eat but be prepared to pay for the privilege.
(4)Sharon H.
Second time here and we weren't so impressed. Good was ok, not great, and it is very expensive. I think there are way better places to eat on Kauai
(3)Christine D.
We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary here. From all of the other reviews, we expected it to be overpriced, but we found the prices to be pretty much in line with the other nice restaurants in the area. We were glad we decided to go--the food was delicious and the service was both friendly and excellent. Love the ambiance! Worth every penny.
(5)Allison N.
Every time my husband and I visit Kauai, we have dinner at Tidepools. The food is amazing and we love the service and ambiance. We usually share an order of surf and turf. So good!!
(5)David R.
Poorly made drinks... Ok food! Service was excellent by our waiter. One of those restaurants that you say "Nice presentation... wish the food was as good as it look" and it is not! They need to use more local suppliers and do farm to table. Ingredients are subpar, wherever they acquire them. Their are so many other local restaurants available. Its worth the cab ride to go off property.
(3)George C.
We had a wonderful adult dinner (thank you camp Hyatt). We sat right by the water with a full moon looking down on us. The food was perfect as was the service. A definite must when visiting Poipu.
(5)Kristen A.
This is one of the most romantic restaurants I have been to, and we are big travelers. It's located within a stunning resort, the Grand Hyatt in Kauai. The main structure looks like a hut, and koi ponds surround the diners (be prepared, if you feed them bread, they will bum-rush your area and create a bit of a scene). Of the dishes we tried, here were the best: the CRAB CAKES, THE CATCH, and the APPLE TART for dessert. The food and service here are excellent. As is the case with most places in Kauai, it's all open-air, so bring a jacket if you tend to get chilly.
(5)Doug E.
This restaurant is not cheap but we got 3 courses each for $80 per person. Very nice location, short wait time. I started with the crab cakes they weren't that great, my friend started with the Ahi-Hamachi Poke Duo, it was delicious, highly recommend it. For the main course I had the volcano spiced opah, it was very good. Desserts: we got the volcano chocolate cake which was very good and the coconut Creme brûlée which was not very good. Service was exceptional.
(4)Alex O.
you know, I know everybody loves this place, come on people, GET OUT a little. Really! It's a nice location. We just stayed 6 nights at the Hyatt that was fantastic. After looking at reviews, we (I reluctantly) went to dinner at Tide pools. If you want to believe the reviews, it "sounds" great, but really there is so much better food around. I am sure many people who come to the island don't want to bother with going out, I get it. But come on, this place is just normal hotel fare, really nothing special. Please go out!! Kind of over priced and not really all that good.
(2)Steve P.
Celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary here last night, the place is still as awesome as 10 years ago. Quality of food is excellent, and the level of service was top notch. Andy was our waiter, thanks for making the occasion special
(5)Jennifer V.
Overlooking a lovely koi pond, our meal at TidePools was a delicious. We started with the crab cakes which did not contain a lot of junk (like celery or peppers). The crab was shredded pretty fine. I would have preferred more lump meat, but they were still good. We split the Hawaiian Catch which was Ono. They split it in the kitchen for us, and it was so delicious. I loved the Molokai sweet potatoes, and the lobster and fish were scrumptious. Even though we were satisfied at that point we had placed our order when ordering our entree for the molten lava cake. It was your standard molten lava cake, but it was very delicious. I would recommend TidePools highly.
(5)Brian A.
Very knowledgeable waiter, many local fish entrees on the menu. I had the ceviche and the opah everything was prepared perfectly. Very quit romantic setting my wife and I enjoyed sitting near the koi pond and celebrating our 15th anniversary. Highly recommend visiting Tidepools and ask to be seated near the water.
(5)Allison G.
I called the restaurant from New Jersey in order to pay for the dinner of my sister and her new husband on their honeymoon. The manager, Isamar, was fantastic and incredibly helpful. She stayed on the phone with me for 15 minutes while I purchased a gift card online, wrote a note to go with the gift card and called me back 15 min later to confirm that I did everything properly online. She even followed up with me via email the next day. My sister and her husband were so shocked and happy with the surprise gift. I owe her a huge thank you!
(5)Bianca E.
Let's talk about atmosphere...simply perfect! This place is classy and still lends itself to island charm. The food was wonderful! My husband and I ordered the hamachi ceviche; although as a Mexican American I was skeptical about misc. ceviche, this was seasoned expertly and we loved the addition of coconut milk. We also each ordered the ahi, and much of our final dinner for our honeymoon stay at the Hyatt was spent in silence...in between sighs of delight. What a beautifully cooked piece of fish! We also treated ourselves to the molten lava cake, which was delicious. It was bittersweet to eat here as it was our last night in Kauai, and I wish we had been able to dine there more!
(5)Marc M.
Definitely paid the right price for the ambience of the area, I reccomend eating during sunset and ordering the new York steak. shipwrecks beach is close by so you cam spend time there before your dinner.
(4)Erica R.
A 10. A beautiful, romantic setting, friendly and attentive service and simply terrific cuisine. I enjoyed the fresh Opa which was divine. I added a lobster tail as well. Mouthwatering! Fish was deliciously flavorful, and perfectly cooked. We will likely go back a second time on this trip for dinner! The open air setting atop koi filled pools give Tidepools that authentic Polynesian feel. As many spots on Kauai, it has that throwback old school vibe, while remaining completely modern, and very chic. An all around wonderful dining experience.
(5)Dominica R.
Our last night of a week on the Island. Decided to stay at our hotel and try Tidepools. Boy, what a pleasant surprise! I had the Local Ahi.. Perfect. Very romantic, service was exceptional and very personable. Food- excellent and the ambiance was quiet and relaxing. On top of it, we had a celebrity spotting: Julia Roberts was there dining near us. If you are looking for a romantical spot. Tidepools is IT!! Bring a thick wallet.. It ain't cheap!
(5)Ashley Y.
This is my first meal at Hawaii. This is number 1 restaurant in state of Hawaii. I love the restaurant, not just the food. It's very beautiful.. We ordered crab cake, trio special for the night n Hawaiian catch. This is the crab cake that I have ever eaten with the most crab meat inside.. The ribeye steak was just right n tender as I expected. The fish n the scallop were so fresh that you can tell when u eat it. Overall it is a great restaurant with great food n great view... Love it!
(4)Jessica A.
Beautiful atmosphere and great service! Food is solid and super tasty. Our order: (they serve warm rolls & butter-so good) Crab Cakes: Honestly the best I've ever had. Lumps of fresh shredded crab with the perfect amount of breadcrumbs. So delicious. Summer Rolls: Light, yummy and refreshing-ask for extra peanut sauce so you can dip. Macadamia Encrusted Mahi: Delicate white fish, seasoned perfectly. Jasmine rice wrapped in a banana leaf. Sauce was tasty but definitely still light and not too overbearing. Chocolate Souffle: Order this! Perfect way to finish off the meal. Total bill was $90 for this order....not too shabby for a tasty upscale meal It is a very romantic setting for sure. Vacation dress is fine (aka maxi or sun dress and flip flops...no heels needed) Koi pond surrounding the entire restaurant. They tell you not to feed the fish, but go ahead and share your bread when the staff isn't looking. It's so fun to watch!
(5)Mike G.
My wife and I have had breakfast here every morning while we visited Kauai. We must say that the variety of food, and the freshness of it was astounding. We recommend the breakfast buffet and please check out the fruit section, the freshest and sweetest that I've had while in Hawaii. The politeness of all the staff from seating to check out was great. They were all extremely friendly and one of our servers actually went the extra mile by adjusting our table so we wouldnt be eating on a wobbly table. A+ in my book! Please check this place out when at the Hyatt!
(5)Jennifer B.
Everything was great here! By far our fav place on the island! We made a point of going to a different place for every meal and two stood out Jossilin's and Tidepools. Tidepools has the best ambiance and a great lay out with awesome views no matter where you sit. And the food!! Omg!! Too good!!! I had the moon fish with the Dungeness crab on top my hubby had the Hawaiian Catch and both were divine!! We can't wait to come back!
(5)Ty S.
Bland, blah, overpriced. Hmm, what other adjectives could I used to describe our disappointment. But any time a hotel tries to sell you something on site, you should know better, right? We walked in without a reservation so were seated in the bar. Which was dead, just like the 80's decor that adorned the space. The views of the gardens behind the bar were totally blocked by the tacky racks and the espresso machine. Looked straight out of the Golden Girls. If we'd had a reservation would have been in the dining room which looked inviting. Our server was nice, but more awkward than you would expect with the prices being charged. Neither interactive or efficient. And the food. Boring. Overpriced from a value perspective. And the wine list was not just sparse, it was embarrassing. Much better lists and less expensive options on the island. No Wine Spectator restaurant award here. Bottom line, don't get sucked in. If you want fish at the Hyatt, get sushi at Stevenson Library. If you want to pay for a good meal, eat someplace else and just light a match to a $100 bill. Also, this is NOT a review of the Hyatt property. That was top notch, just don't eat or drink there.
(2)Kevan I.
HIGHLY recommend this lovely restaurant! Not only did we have an incredible meal, but our waitress, and yes even busboy, truly made the evening memorable. We actually waited around after dinner to compliment the staff to the manager. Everything was truly delicious. You know you are in the right spot when you basically want every single item on the menu! The crab cake appetizer was amazing - we loved the avocado cream. For my entree, I ordered the "Hawaiian Catch" plate which featured local monchong, a purple potato puree, broccolini, a lovely white sauce, and topped with a small lobster & shrimp cake (my favorite part). This place is definitely expensive, but if you are in the mood to splurge, it's a great spot. You can hang out at the Hyatt bars and around the salt water lagoon nearby outside before or after your meal as well.
(5)Rae I.
Night #1: Ron, our waiter, rocked! He took the time to learn our names and talk story with us. We were set to order our appetizers but to our surprise, the kitchen presented us each with a sampling of their most popular appetizers: ahi sashimi, crab cake, and poke. Post-appetizer consumption, I ordered the lobster bisque and my bf ordered more crab cakes. The lobster bisque was delicious and definitely in my top 5 (#1 is at Mr. G's in the Dallas Hyatt). Ron suggested the ahi or opah and paniolo ribeye. However they had scallops on special so the bf went with that and I selected the Hawaiian catch (swordfish) with lobster and shrimp cake. Both were great. I wish the fish was something more flaky and less firm like monchong or opakapaka as I've eaten a ton of swordfish on this trip. I was so full that I couldn't fit a morsel of dessert into my 'opu. What to do?!? We returned on night 2... Night #2: We arrived and Annalisa, the manager, informed us that Ron had the night off. I made the reservation via open table (need to accumulate those points for dining certificates) and asked for Ron in the special requests. Our server (can't remember his name) was nice but not as personable or attentive as Ron. We ordered the poke, poke, poke (tako was the best) and more crab cakes. For our meal, I ordered the prime rib special which was served with creamy horseradish, broccolini, mashed potatoes, and mixed mushrooms. They claim the portion is 12 ounces of meat. I disagree. Their scales are skewed as it was a massive piece of meat. The bf had the opah and only allowed me a small taste. He was in fish heaven. I only ate a 1/4 of my entree to leave room for dessert. The lava cake was fantastic. I was slightly disappointed about the presentation. I didn't want a scoop of ice cream that looked like the Lapperts scooper did it; I wanted a quinelle. My bf obliged and made my ice cream into quinelle formations. I'm a lucky girl. Good thing our room is at the far end of the property. I'm slightly disillusioned and believe wholeheartedly that I burned off the lava cake, at least, during my stroll back to the room. I'll dream of Tidepools, honking swans, and crazy koi till my next vacation...
(5)Danny G.
I have to say I was disappointed. The ambience and service was perfect, I couldn't ask for a better setting or service but the food was well below what I was expecting or what I paid for. I like my Ahi rare and it was not rare at all more like medium, and the overall taste was just ok. We had a group of 4 and only 1 was happy with her meal and it was a salad. For a dinner of 2 it was over 120.00 and that was without drinks. Sorry Tidepools but you get 5 stars for ambience and service but 1 star for food.
(2)Leah L.
This is a beautiful restaurant for a romantic meal. It's in the Grand Hyatt resort, and you have to walk through part of the hotel and grounds to get there. The food was nicely presented and very good. The Ono ceviche was delicious, as was the coconut creme brûlée for dessert. Overall, a very pleasant dining experience.
(4)Mere R.
We went to Tidepools for dinner after our wedding and it was perfect...dark, quiet, open air, literally on top of the koi pond. We barely even noticed how good the food was!
(5)Maxine G.
I came to Kaua'i for a long weekend with one of my closest girlfriends. After seeing photos of this restaurant, we decided to make a reservation for dinner, the idea of enjoying dinner in a thatched roof hut over water was very intriguing to us. We were an hour late (we did call to apologize and let them know we were on our way), but were still seated and treated incredibly well by the staff. We ordered the poke, poke, poke to start. It was good, not bad, not great, but good. Our two entrées were the Hawaiian catch with lobster tail, crab cake, and Molokai potatoes, and the lavender encrusted beef filet with bacon mashed potatoes. Both plates were good. We had asked the steak to be medium and it definitely came out well done, but all in all still a nice way to spend our evening.
(4)Brandon B.
The atmosphere is nice. Food is overpriced for the portions you get. We felt rushed through dinner by our server and noticed he did the same with the table next to us. Received more smiles from the wait support staff and hostesses that greeted us. We were also placed next to the waterfall which made it hard to hear our server when he blasted through the menu. My wife and I both agreed that we wouldn't come back.
(2)Rachel L.
We had a wonderful time at Tidepools. The ambience is lovely with surrounding koi ponds and greenery. The service and food are fantastic. We had the coconut encrusted mahi mahi and the hawaiian catch - both are of which are some of the best fish we have ever had.
(5)Alyse S.
I liked Tidepools but I think I was looking for more from them. The prices don't quite justify the food or the service. We went to Gaylord's earlier in the week and the service as well as good was perfect. Tidepools staff also were a little snotty if I'm being honest. A little more down to earth attitude and attention to details would give this place 5 stars.
(3)Natalie B.
Meal was amazing!! Beautiful atmosphere at an even better resort! Mahi Mahi was so fresh and good!! Lobster was also great!
(5)April F.
The Hyatt is a beautiful property and I have had some good food at Hyatt properties all over the country, but this restaurant isn't one of them. The décor/theme is cute/kitschy, but this isn't the culinary experience you expect it to be. The menu is formulaic with things like crab cakes, baby greens, and Chocolate Lava Cake. I can get those items anywhere in the country, so I struggled to find something I wanted to eat. The cocktails were the basics like a Mai Tai, Lava Flow, and Pina Colada - things clearly made with a bottled mix. The service was outstanding and the bread was decent, but this isn't somewhere I would visit again.
(2)Betty N.
**ROMANTIC RESTAURANT ON KAUAI** Booked on Opentable with no issues. We sat alongside the koi pond. AMBIANCE ========= Romantic and dark. Family-friendly and couples-friendly. Spacious. ORDERED ========= **COCONUT CRUSTACEAN CHOWDER - $10 The apple smoked bacon and heirloom potatoes added a heartier depth to the chowder. Hot and delicious. RATING: 4/5 **MAHI MAHI - $36 The mahi mahi was macadamia nut crusted and served with molokai sweet potato coconut-kaffir lime beurre blanc and papaya-avocado relish. Loved this dish. Flavorful, good portioned, and simple. RATING: 5/5 **MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE - $12 Fantastic chocolate cake served with raspberry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream. As part of our engagement celebration, the dessert was complimentary. Thank you, Tidepools for the kind and generous gesture! You made our night very special! RATING: 5/5 Had a bottle of the '07 Cristom Viognier ($67) which went very well with the seafood. SERVICE ======== Casually nice and not overbearing. Friendly and apologetic when our main entrees took awhile. Had a very good time and experience here. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for special-occasions and romantic ambiance.
(5)William T.
a bit pricey (hey, it's in the Grand Hyatt) but the food is excellent. Crab cakes appetizer were very meaty. then tried the lobster, swordfish, crabcake on purple sweet potatoe with sauce served with brocolli
(3)Matt S.
We stayed at the Hyatt and had dinner at Tidepools on our first night. My wife and I both loved it. It's pricey but it's vacation in Hawaii so it was fine. We had the crabcake appetizers and thought it was fantastic. It was flavorful but not to full of mayonaise-honestly it was one of the best crabcakes I ever had. My wife had the catch of the day and I had the ahi tuna. Both were fantastic, I thought the ahi was top notch. We finished with the roasted pear tart which was ok but it was topped with macadamia nut ice cream and that made us almost fall out of our chair. We ended up getting the ice cream over several days and it's unreal. Overall we thought the meal was worth it, while expensive, the service and quality was top notch.
(5)Michael L.
My wife and I are staying at the hyatt for our honeymoon. I called up a day before hand and made a reservation and asked for a bottle of preseco to be waitinf ro surprise my wife. They were more than accommodating and greeted us with a warm welcoming. Our waitresses Joy was great, the food was amazing. I gor the Hawaiian Catch which ended up being the Monchong that night. First time I had thay fish and loved it. My wife had the Oprah and it tasted great too. This might of been one of the best meals we had while visiting the islands. Glad we dinner here!
(5)Lisa G.
I saw a picture of the Hawaiian catch on yelp and knew I had to have it. Wow! It was exactly how I invisioned it to be. The shrimp cake was amazing. I MUST have that dish every time I visit Kauai now. We also brought a 6 month old baby. They were accommodating with bringing a high chair. He was quite entertained by the the outdoor grounds of the restaurant. He was looking at the pond, koi fish and waterfall the entire time. It was a romantic setting. We couldn't have asked for a better restaurant to spend our 4 year anniversary!
(5)Roxane G.
A lot of people say that this is the most romantic restaurant in Kauai, but I disagree. We were seated by the pond and we hardly saw any fish. The food however, was phenomenal and the service was exceptional. It's a bit pricey, and I would not come here again, but glad I did. :) This was our last dinner in kauai and we are sad to go.
(4)Erin Y.
This was the best meal we had at the Grand Hyatt resort. We were seated right on the pond, and while the waterfall was a little noisy, there were tons of koi fish in the water so can't really complain too much. To start, we shared the ono ceviche, the sautéed mushrooms, and the stuffed tempura shrimp. The ono ceviche was by far the best appetizer. It's not your traditional ceviche as they use coconut milk instead of lemon juice, but it's so delicious and definitely a must order. The other two appetizers were good but nothing to right home about. For my entree, I had the Hawaiian catch, which was monchong, a shrimp cake, and half a Kona lobster tail. My monchong was well cooked and the lobster tail and shrimp cake were tasty. I enjoyed the sides of sweet potatoes and greens as well and thought it was a delicious and light entree. Other entrees at my table were the opah and the snapper, both of which got zero complaints. The opah in particular was raved about. I wouldn't hesitate to order that one! For dessert, we had the lava cake, which is definitely worth ordering in advance! I've had so many lava cakes, but this one was very well done. We tried another chocolate dessert as well, but the lava cake is definitely the star of the show. While service was a bit on the slow side, our server was very friendly and informative. Tidepools is definitely the best restaurant at the Grand Hyatt, and one of the better ones on the island overall.
(4)Meghan K.
We came because we heard that Tidepools is the best restaurant on the island. If this was the best on the island, then sure...but it's no way near any Michelin standard. NOW, that doesn't mean it was good. It wasn't bad either, it just didn't blow my mind out of the water which I was expecting out of all the rave reviews. My boyfriend had the seared tuna and I had the vegetarian tofu dish. Our meals were good, again, not extraordinary. Dessert was a fail whale. We went with the coconut creme brulee. The consistency was like a flan with hints of lemon. Not the creamy creme brulee texture you would expect. Oh and the wine list is sad and way overpriced. Almost like $40+ for a bottle of Beringer white zin and you know you can get some of that crap at Safeway for $4 anywhere you go.
(2)Mike A.
I was under the impression that there was a space between tide and pools. This place taught me otherwise. I learn new things each day. This is my new thing for today. We came here late in the day on a Tuesday, I think. Maybe a Monday. It was a weekday, I remember that. And our reservation was for something like 9:15pm. That's late to an old man like me. Our waiter was very friendly, but we were sad when we heard him telling the same stories to the table next to us. I guess it happens. I just thought we were special. It turns out that we are not. We are not special. But speaking of, the specials menu was decent. I think I ordered something from there. Overall the food is good and the ambiance is better. I think Tidepools and Josselin's should smash into each other and create a super-restaurant. The yin and yang of Poipu. Josspool's. I'd go there.
(4)Corena B.
This was truly a magical dinner! The setting was lovely (floating on a giant koi pond), the food was fresh and delicious (even the rolls were standouts and don't get me started on how good the crab cakes were), and our waiter Les was funny and on top of his game. We have found many restaurants associated with hotels in Kauai to be less than tasty so we were so pleased to agree with the other yelpers on Tidepools!
(5)Pam S.
TIdepools was a wonderfully romantic place to have a delicious dinner after our wedding renewal. Les our waiter was AWESOME and did an exceptional job of explaining the menu, attending to everything we needed and made our evening special right down to the Lava Cake for dessert! We will definately will be back!
(5)Kristy R.
We were lucky enough to get in for dinner wout a reservation and I'm glad we did cuz it was really good! Both my husband and I loved our meals. The crab cakes were really good and even their rolls w their garlic truffle butter were delicious. It is pricey so be ready to spend some money but it's so delicious if you like seafood!
(5)Ashley L.
I ordered the filet and my husband ordered the tuna. Very delicious and made to order! The rib appetizer was okay... they were my first and my husband said that BBQ ribs blow these out of the water, but said they were good. Our server, Dallas, was super amazing and made our experience very enjoyable. The atmosphere was very romantic though a couple times I was tempted to get out my phone flashlight to see my food/menu because the lighting is quite dim. The lava cake dessert was to die for! Yummy yummy. The hyatt hotel just has beautiful grounds as it is so if you are looking for a beautiful place to eat, this is it.
(5)Jenny D.
Awesome ambiance and location along with delicious seafood options and exceptional service. Crab cake appetizer is a must. Catch of the day was awesome as well. Took away one star because portions were small relative to price. Definitely have dinner here when on garden island;)
(4)Scott K.
We went here as a family of three as our big fancy meal before going back home. We loved the Grand Hyatt hotel grounds in Poipu. We stayed at the Hyatt in Maui before and thought it was nice but the one in Kauai is even more grander and a kid and adult paradise. So it was worth looking around before our meal. As for the dinner itself, we thought the restaurant looked okay but was seated next to a fish pond where you could smell the fish throughout the evening. I'm not a fan of that but I guess some people are. I'd rather it be more of an ocean side view but that's just my thing. My wife got the surf and turf while I got the Prime Rib in medium. Should have gotten it medium rare. My wife also ordered a Pina Colada and I ordered some red wine which went really well with my Prime Rib. We both devoured our dinner but if I had to be critical, both were a bit on the salty side. My favorite prime rib back in the states is at Lawry's and I guess I'm always comparing it to that. Overall, we loved our service, meal and experience at Tidepool. I would recommend it for a nice, expensive meal.
(4)Philip C.
For our last dinner in Kauai, the three of us went to Tidepools restaurant. We had to wait a few minutes because they failed to set our table for three people. But once we were seated, the service was excellent. Jeff, our server, made some recommendations which was helpful. My husband had the crab cakes, which he said were excellent, while I had the coconut crustacean chowder which was delicious. It was very much like a bisque. For an entree, I had the volcano spiced opah, which was excellent. The accompanying mashed potatoes and corn and crab relish was a perfect fit. The others in the party had the Hawaiian catch which they said was delicious. It was a good finish to our vacation.
(5)Christine E.
This place is so romantic and a wonderful place to take that special someone! The service is very friendly and the food fantastic! I don't want to spoil it for you, but if you have not tried it, I highly recommend at least having appetizers and cocktails in this beautiful place in paradise!
(5)Anthony W.
We had a great meal here yesterday for dinner. The restaurant is far from the hotel entrance so if you don't know where you are going, ask for directions. The restaurant is open air so bring something warm to wear especially if the weather is windy. They have a good fish selection and we thought the coconut shrimp and curry soup was tasty. Unfortunately the filet that my wife ordered was cooked well when she wanted it rare but they took care of this immediately and offered their sincerest apologies and even gave us our dessert for free. We would gladly dine here again and would recommend it to anyone else who is thinking about going here. Visited July 2012
(5)Nicole K.
Amazing food, amazing service, amazing ambience!! Food was ONO!! Just like the previous reviewer, everything was delicious beyond belief. We had crab cakes and ahi bruschetta for pupus... Yumm! I ordered the hawaiian catch of the day and everything was cooked to perfection. The lobster OMG! Boyfriend order the prime-rib, he was one happy man! Molten lava cake to top it off... I pretty much was in a food coma Can't wait for our next trip to Kauai, definitely going back!!
(5)Steph W.
My husband and I stayed at the Grand Hyatt and knew we had to dine here once. What I didn't know is that this would be the most delicious meal either one of us had so far in Hawaii, or honestly in a really really long time! I highly recommend the crab cake appetizer and this is coming from someone who lives in DC and has had Maryland crab cakes on many occasions. These were legitimately the best crab cakes I have EVER had. For our entrees, we got the ahi and opah which our server suggested. The ahi was absolutely delicious with perfectly seasoned fried rice to accompany it. The dish that really stole the show was the opah though. It's a delicate yet swordfish type fish in terms of texture with spicy dungeonnes crab on top. I have never had a better fish dish in my life and am still thinking of it right now debating if we have time to return before we depart on Wednesday. Trust me, get the opah and it will change your life!! Lastly we finished the meal with perfect lava cake. Need I say more? Worth every penny!
(5)Ethan G.
I was lucky enough to come to this venue while it was raining outside. WOW! It was beautiful! When you walk into the restaurant, you go down a stair case over a koi pond. You get to see a bunch of fish swimming underneath the restaurant, which is literally nothing but bridges to different platform sections. When we were seated, we had a table right on the edge of the water. Was a great view, and the rain made it even better. On to the food: we had the Ono Ceviche, which was excellent. I'm a ceviche fan in general, and can say with confidence that this is one of the better ones. Earlier that day, I had went to the St. Regis and had some less-than-stellar ceviche, so maybe that's why this one was so good. Ono is the perfect fish for this kinda dip; the taro chips were awesome too. Next, I had the lobster bisque. You can tell a restaurant knows what it's doing when it brings its core soup ingredients out in a separate bowl from the bisque. The waiter put the bowl of lobster bits in front of me, then poured the bisque soup over the ingredients, making it a great soup. All of the lobster was firm and fresh; definitely worth the $12. For dinner, I had the Macadamia Nut Crushed Mahi. Wasn't actually my favorite part of the meal. But to be fair, I had just ate at a Charthouse a week ago, and had the same dish. I'm not going to bog down the score though, because it was still a decent meal. Overall, 5-stars all-around. Great ambiance, great food, and great cocktails. I could just exhaust the adjective, "great," and still not do this place enough justice. Check it out next time you are in the area!
(5)Amy C.
Beautiful location, friendly staff and great food! I'm in food coma! They have warm molasses bread with garlic truffle butter so good we asked for some togo! Hawaiian catch is their seafood sampler plate, very good! My hubby got the prime rib delicious. Well rounded meal w dessert which we had no room. Warm molten choc cake w raspberry choc filling and salted caramel ice cream. Omg all of it was super delicious
(5)Marcus A.
Been here twice now. Very much enjoyed it both times! This is a place I would visit every time I'm come to the island.
(5)Nick R.
This place has it all, the service was spot on so nice and helpful but only there when needed. The view is spectacular the restaurant is located in the middle of a coy pond with hundreds of fish swimming about, and the pond is lined with tiki torches giving it a very romantic setting. All and all there's nothing that needs improvement for it was one of the best meals I have experienced with an unparalleled view and atmosphere.
(5)