Food: not good Service: bad Atmosphere: ok-ish Prices: way too high for what it is We were on honeymoon and wanted a nice dinner out one night. All the guidebooks recommended Postcards, and the description as vegetarian + fish seemed perfect for a (veganish+fish) and (vegetarian) couple. Only 4 parking spaces, but after hours you can park across the street in a neighboring business's lot. We chose to sit outside and then noticed how buggy it was and how many mosquitoes were eating us, so we moved inside. An upscale restaurant with outdoor seating usually does something to discourage bugs. We ordered the taro fritter appetizer and the risotto entrees. We were disappointed that there was only one vegetarian entree, and one that could be made vegetarian, on the menu. Didn't seem that vegetarian friendly, and there were only 6 entrees on the menu total. Maybe a handful of appetizers would have been better. My husband got the risotto with seafood, and I got mine with tofu/vegetables. The taro fritters were ok, not great. Both risottos were way too oily, and seemed overly cheesy. The seafood one came with no vegetables, which disappointed my husband. Mine had a good amount of tofu & vegetables, but it was still bad due to being so overly oily and not prepared very well. The service wasn't so good. Our waitress wasn't friendly, didn't smile ever, seemed like she was trying really hard to be formal but not succeeding, and wasn't attentive. The fake formal thing got on our nerves with the way she announced each ingredient/dish instead of just telling us. Another waitress came by to refill our waters (for which we had to wait a long time) and take our plates away, and she seemed a little better. Our plates and our glasses were all sweating like crazy, and they had no placemats or coasters or tablecloths or anything. The whole table became quite wet, which was uncomfortable. In general, the place was uncomfortable and didn't have the romantic ambiance we had hoped for (instead was bright, loud). The better waitress came by to provide dessert menus and seemed very surprised that we weren't interested, but we were just itching to get out of this place and end our bad experience. If the prices had been half what they were, I don't think we would have felt so bad, but it just seemed a total shame to spend so much money (just under $100) on poorly prepared food with annoying service/atmosphere.
(1)
Craig M.
Good food, but small menu. There food and service was great, by be aware if you don't like seafood then there is little to no options for you.
(4)
Kent H.
Get the peppered pineapple sage sauce! I don't care what you put it on, just get it. My mouth waters just thinking about it, and our vacation's been over for days. This place has very friendly staff, great food and a nice atmosphere. Definitely recommended for something a little more upscale than your average taco joint in Hanalei, although the quality doesn't mean it's pretentious or standoffish. Great place for a romantic dinner.
(4)
Heather T.
Yummy!!!!! Just had the wasabi crusted ahi and it was amazing!!!! Jonah was our waiter and he was great! Would totally visit again. This was my favorite place in Kauai and there is a lot of incredible places to eat.
(5)
Amy L.
I was surprised by this place! Kinda small and you could certainly miss it if you aren't looking carefully...but definately worth the visit!
(4)
Sam M.
I had the distinct impression that they would not be qualified to work at a $40+ plate restaurant elsewhere. They were mopping the floor and cleaning up while we were still eating at 9:10. When she asked if I wanted to see the dessert menu I didn't want to hold them up from going home any longer. I did not care for my plate, but liked my wife's Ono Tandoori (hence the 2nd star). Usually restaurants with similar prices do not typically charge you for a plate you disliked and didn't eat. I wonder if they treat locals better.
(2)
Kimberly M.
Outstanding menu full of wonderful flavors. Great selection for GF diets and wide selection of organic veggies. Service was fantastic and atmosphere was peaceful. Our best meal on the island by far. Highly recommend reservations.
(5)
Coast W.
It was hard to get past the $6 scoop of rice. We decided to give Postcards a second chance after an unpleasant experience on our honeymoon six years ago. This time we arrived early with our five-year-old in tow , given their reputation for long waits. The place was nearly empty but very quickly filled up after 6pm. The good: the Taro fritter appetizer was amazing and unlike anything I've had before. A must to try. Note that it's not very clear on the menu that you can order this a la carte and not as part of the pupu platter. It ran around $14 for four fritters. The sauce was the key here, with dots of hot pepper sauce in it for flair. The other good item we had was the wasabe crusted ahi. This seemed like a signature dish, and the waitress said it was a popular item. It wasn't too spicy, and very flavorful. The other items were ordered were very so-so, and unimaginative. I'd recommend to stick to the popular items and away from the specials which are mediocre but come with a special price. What really discouraged us was the complete lack of any kids items. Kauai has two major demographics of tourists - couples and families -- and some restaurants we went to had some creative, healthy choices for kids. Here, the only item was a baked quesadilla for $10, with nothing else. So, I ordered the infamous side scoop of rice , which ended up costing $6.
(3)
AJ A.
I cannot believe how many people have positively reviewed this place and how many people continue to eat here despite the INFINITELY better Bar Acuda down the street (you'll probably spend less money and get quality food). I gave it 2 tars instead of 1 because the main course fish we had was actually very good. Unfortunately, everything else on the plate (the curry, vegetables, etc.) was disgusting. We ordered the Pupu platter. If you do not take my advice and actually eat here, do not get this. It consists of bland fried food on top of various pickled things. It was gross. The waitress came over at one point and asked us how our food was. I shrugged and said "It's alright" because I didn't want to be rude and tell her what I really thought of it. She smiled and walked away. Don't ask if you truly do not care.
(2)
Myles L.
A quaint little place by the sea. The wait is not too long if you get there early. Hostess and waitress were very friendly. Had the Grilled Mahi Mahi Special - was delectable. The Risotto and Wasabi Crusted Ahi are also very good - I had a bite or two from my friends. Get the chocolate cake, but remember to order early or it will be sold out! A bit on the pricey side but well worth it.
(4)
Kelly S.
Slightly overrated. Very cute place, nice atmosphere, but was not our favorite in Kauai. Fish was okay, but the vegetarian dish our daughter got was good. The Ahi was also good, but the fresh fish of the day was not. Our waitress was completely disinterested in us as a table as well. She was a bitt snooty. My husband was asking for a little extra Casear dressing while he was ordering his meal, and she proceeded to cut him off and tell him he didn't need any.
(3)
Anna h.
Total palate pleaser! We split the appetizer sampler and the Chef special of Hebi (Hawaiian swordfish) with the Mac-nut butter sauce. Both were beyond amazing. The Fish Rockets were so perfectly flavored and the crab cake was hands down the bet I have ever had. Even the pickled cabbage was delicious. And I am not a fan of pickled cabbage. But it was sweet and perfect. The Hebi could have been cooked a bit longer (I don't eat raw fish) but even cooked med-well was still phenomenal. The Volcano dessert was not mind blowing. Really tasty, don't get me wrong. But not nearly as incredible as the rest of the food. Splitting the sampler and entree was perfect for our bellies and our wallets. Expensive, yes but totally worth it.
(5)
Jocelyn L.
I've had breakfasts here a couple of times when they were opened for b'fast before and I've enjoyed the fresh, organic options. The patio is a great place to be seated
(4)
Jamie W.
Postcards Cafe would be five stars in my book if it wasn't so expensive and there was more diverse selection. This is usually our most expensive meal on the island. I think if there was more selection, we even go more than once a trip. Luckily, the food is always fresh and prepared perfectly. The wine list is good and reasonably priced. Strange that they serve expensive reds chilled so low, though. Desserts are strangely small, too, for the $12 price.
(4)
David B.
On our first trip to Hawaii and Kauai my wife and I wanted a nice dinner to start our vacation. A few friends and sites like Yelp pointed us to Postcards Cafe and we were very glad we went. The warm and cozy atmosphere, a decent wine list and attentive service accompanied a fine offering of local fresh fish prepared in a variety of ways. We both opted for the grilled fish with local greens (a good bargain compared to entree prices), ono and kalikali, along with a couple of excellent crab cakes. Very nice and highly recommended.
(4)
N D.
Not many restaurants have blown us away since we arrived in Kauai, but this place was awesome. Great service, delicious food, welcoming ambience, and reasonable prices. I think we might go back tonight! YUM!
(5)
erin b.
Excellent meal, service and wine. We had probably the best meal of the honeymoon here sitting outside on the lanai. The menu is well thought out and interesting (we call it a Brooklyn style menu). Definitely will return and definitely recommend!
(5)
Jeff L.
A little pricey but the food is good. It's the same price level as the popular Beach House Restaurant in Poipu but the food is better at Postcards. It's also infinitely better than any of the restaurant choices in the Princeville Center. We had the taro appetizer, Chef's special of the day, grilled Mahi Mahi, the chocolate volcano, a beer, and a fancy iced tea came out to be $115 after tax & tip. Quaint atmosphere and pretty good service. Just try not to be seated near the bathroom outside on the porch. It gets a little smelly over there.
(4)
Megan H.
Perfection! The food was amazing! Delicious! Fantastic! It was a slight bit pricier than the other restaurants in Hanalei, but well worth it. My husband had the catch of the day with a wasabi cream sauce. I had a veggie version of a simple, but perfect mexican dish that they do. The service was awesome. The atmosphere was super chill. My only wish is for more veggie options, but they have more than most North Shore restaurants so I really can't complain. Absolutely check it out!
(5)
Lisa M.
Awesome food! Eat here.
(5)
L S.
Ate here twice 2 years ago and it was five stars. Came back last week and it has gone way downhill. Why would you take a beautiful piece of fresh fish lather it with spicy sauce and then cover it with prawns. To me the chef is either apologetic or hiding something. Appetizers were weak especially the rockets. There are better places to eat across the street. Definitely a restaurant coasting on it's past reputation. Or maybe I hit it on a bad night, but after our last trip, I was so disappointed that there was no way I was going to give it a second try. (Oh, and they don't take reservations unless you're a party of 4 or more.)
(1)
Mitch S.
This would be a 3 star restaurant except it is too overpriced. My wife and I are vegetarians and while they had options for us, they were below average. Perhaps we are used to being spoiled by great food in Vancouver but the food was borderline unacceptable for the price. Lovely staff, great atmosphere, but the food wasn't worth it. Perhaps they make great fish? We wouldn't know.
(2)
Ibrahim A.
Creative menu that includes hummous with your breadbasket instead of just butter, corn fritters with a delicious dip (my favorite) and items like tandoori and Paella. The staff is great but thier prices and the flavores of their entrees kept the star count down. I'll go again next time I'm on the northshore but I'm in no hurry!
(3)
Chico R.
My wife and I are vegetarian and were very happy to find this restaurant. Not only did Postcards have 2 or 3 options for us each night we went there, the food was outstanding. The sauces they use were some of the best we have had at a restaurant. Their vegetarian options included of course pasta, but they also had a Mexican lasagna even though they don't call it that. It was the "Sombrero". Good stuff. We actually went there three times because the food was so good so we were able to get a real feel of the place. Our only complaint is we felt rushed each time, the food comes out super fast, so you must take the initiative to slow it down.
(5)
R P.
By far the best Fish on this part of the island.
(5)
Stell L.
Nothing special about the food, way overpriced. Not worth it...
(2)
Bradley D.
Dinner was great. Quaint small cafe that pushes out some unique and quality food. My wife enjoyed their pasta dish and I enjoyed their macadamia but encrusted seared ahi tuna (sushi grade). I recommend getting a pitcher of their white sangria cause its so good you can't have just one glass!!! Personally could drink a pitcher to myself if they had a straw big enough!! Food was spot on for sure. 4 stars really only because the place seemed under staffed and our server was all over the place trying to keep up. Have her 25% tip cause she was workin hard and maybe was picking up slack for someone who called out sick. My wife and I felt bad cause she looked beat and just couldn't keep up. We wish we coulda had some more drinks but she was too busy. If you hit it fully staffed I would bet it could get 5 stars all day long. Food was flawless though. We have gone twice in 10 days on Kauai. Reasonable prices for quality which is nice. Aloha!
(4)
David C.
I had high expectations, especially after reading the mostly positive reviews. Unfortunately, the food was really disappointing (bland), and over priced (my entree was $32.00). On the plus side, the interior is cute, homey, and very quaint. Parking is easy, and there's seating on the patio. Unless there's a change in the kitchen. I won't be returning.
(2)
Jen Z.
This is the BEST restaurant on the island. The fish is so fresh and the portions are amazing. Absolutely try the nightly specials, you will not be disappointed. I dined there twice and I should have gone every night. I miss this place now that I am back home. Fantastic!
(5)
Rich R.
Great spot. Hostess and waitress were so friendly and warm. Menu was small but varied. Upbeat atmosphere and fine dining despite outward appearances. Only beer/wine. Our best Kaua'i dining experience.
(5)
Lindsay B.
I had my birthday dinner here! This was the best restaurant we had dinner at in Kauai. The server sang to me with my fiance and hooked it up with a free appetizer. I loved the vegetarian options, my pasta was super good and that lava cake dessert was so so so so delicious.
(5)
Bubba E.
We just wanted desert and coffee. They rudely told us we could only be seated if we were having a full dinner and we could order desert to go. We have been to restaurants of all kind and were never told anything like this. There was no one else waiting and they weren't full. Didn't order and will never go back! Don't care what their food tastes like - can't be worth this treatment.
(1)
Eric P.
Heed this advice - get one of the fresh catch fish with the macademia nut butter! I got the opa fish and it was ridiculous! My wife got the same fish with indian spices and it was good too. Chocolate volcano should also be mandatory. For as nice as it was, the prices were very reasonable. I would definitely go back here.
(4)
Jeremy G.
I have a hard time giving them two stars because the service was wonderful, it was a beautiful setting, people seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the food was nicely presented. Unfortunately, I can't really say that we liked a single dish. Everything was kind of mediocre, even the taro fritters and such that they're known for. I don't think Kauai seems to have particularly good restaurants, but this was our attempt to go a little fancier and we were quite disappointed. Expensive and I'd have a hard time recommending it.
(2)
Barbara H.
They don't take reservations for less than 4 people but we got a table right away at 6:45. The catch of the day was swordfish and monchong. Both were very good. You can get them blackened or grilled with your choice of sauces. Only down side - no margaritas but a good selection of beer and wine.
(4)
Mace S.
Visited Postcards Cafe based on a recommendation from a friend for my birthday dinner. This is an awesome small local joint. They are only open for dinner and serve fish and vegetarian dishes. I had the wasabi ahi and have to say it was one of the best dishes I've had in a looooong time. The service was excellent. If you go, go early when then open. If you're in a hurry this isn't the place for you. The service was not slow but attuned to what I call island time. It's a great place for a wonderful quite dinner.
(5)
Melanie A.
Well they give you a postcard with your bill, so that was interesting. The food here was good, but not at the level that I expected it to be for the price. I had the Ono with vegetables and rice, except "vegetables" really meant two pieces of broccoli and the rice was pretty small too. The Ono was good, but I've had better. Maybe it would have been better with more vegetables. Anyway, the staff was very friendly and the dining experience was very romantic and relaxing, but I felt like what they considered "market price" was a little high for my entree. Glad my husband paid.
(3)
alan c.
somewhat disappointed when we actually dined there. We had the local lobster tail but it was over cooked. Dessert menu was also disappointing. It was overrated.
(3)
Kirsten B.
Some of the best fish I've had. On a 10 day trip, we visited multiple times. My boyfriend is normally a meat eater, and, after eating here, wants fish as much as he can get it.
(5)
nicole c.
Expensive but delicious and so worth it! We had the pupu platter to start, which wasn't completely amazing, but the ahi and the taro friters were the stars. I had the wasabi crusted tuna for my entree- one of the best pieces of fish I've ever had. Actually, I'll just go ahead and say THE BEST! The rice pilaf it comes with (some kind of black rice) was surprisingly also out of this world. I hear others when they say the service is not great- its not, but whatever. you have to just go for the food, ignore everything else.
(5)
Marion G.
I had an excellent swordfish here with shitake mushroom sauce, on a bed of root vegetables. Lilikoi mousse was great dessert. No complaints about the service at all.
(5)
Ben F.
Great setting. Romantic and comfortable. Good quality food. $32 for fish. No shared orders. A little too much on the spices and seasonings: When there's a flavor used here - it's used a lot. The Chocolate lava cake is good - and it's one of several desserts actually offered.
(3)
Tisha B.
A bit overrated and expensive for what you get. My husband's fish was GREAT (he said). Mine was "ok." Mine was the special of the night and was mushroom and truffle encrusted. More like smothered. So much mushroom and truffle I couldn't taste the fish and the fish was a gloopy mess as a result. Pretty disappointing for the price. The accompanying veg and rice were nothing special either. My "sage mashed potatoes" were literally ice cold. This was after a 45-minute wait for our food. My husband's (ono I think) looked and smelled divine. He devoured every bite. His rice was black. Exotic looking, but tasted like regular rice. Nothing special. The restaurant is VERY small and was very busy. Service was okay. We were not offered bread. The spring rolls were more like lettuce wraps from PF Changs. Nothing special. Wine was okay, not as good as Bar-Acuda from night before (and was more expensive). Dessert was the best part of the meal... a hot chocolate souffle type deal with vanilla ice cream. Order ahead because it takes a while. Overall, I'd give it a 3. Very very noisy inside. Hard to even carry on a conversation due to terrible acoustics, basically a wooden beach-house with open beam rafter type celing and all the tables in one room. Too many kids, barely tolerable service and okay food (overpriced for my so-called "special). For the money: Bar-Acuda is the better choice for me and all the screaming kids inside made me want to eat fast, leave and go elsewhere to DRINK!! Terrible atmosphere, poor ambiance, minimal service. Maybe we were there on an off night? When I'm paying that kind of money (regardless of whether I'm in Hawaii or elsewhere), I do expect at least edible food and passible service. Virtually no parking at restaurant.
(3)
Tim C.
Probably the nicest dinner spot in Hanalei, food, ambiance, service were all first rate.
(5)
Drew O.
5 stars for delicious, interesting and local inspired food. 3 stars on service which appears to be the norm on Kauai. Had fresh Hebe with marinated portobello cap and a gorgonzola potato. My wife had a Hawaiian tandori with opah.
(4)
Slu S.
After a lot of reading I was expecting a lot of this place, but it did not deliver entirely. The ingredients were fresh, but the preparations weren't very inspired. The best thing we had there was the pupu platter. Taro fritters, seafood rockets, summer rolls and seared ahi were all very good. Next my wife had the seafood risotto. It was topped with truffle oil and when I say topped, I meant doused. Too much, folks. I have truffle oil in my pantry, I am not impressed when a rich risotto is made nearly impossible to consume by dousing it in truffle oil. I had the wasabi crusted Ahi which was OK. I would consider it to be a decent entree at a small town mainland restaurant, but using fish caught in the same day, I'd expect a little bit more. That last line is a good summary of why I felt a little off about this restaurant.
(2)
Ginny C.
Amazing food and wine list. This is a must for all foodies!
(5)
Tobee V.
My husband's boss told us we had to try this place, so we went on his recommendation. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't have noticed it. We had their special, which I thought was very unusual for Kauai! Mongchong (not so unusual), topped with sauted spinach and two scoops of well-flavored butternut squash (never had that on Kauai before!). The rice on the side was just okay, but the portions were generous. Order the appetizer combo to sample and find your favorite. Loved the passion fruit mousse (not a fan of the chocolate souffle/volcano anywhere, but they offer it and it's probably good). Nice little addition to Hanalei and it's always good to see local establishments thriving! Good service and friendly staff. Parking is limited during peak hours.
(4)
David V.
The food is great and the service is great. But the price is too expensive for what you receive. We had two salads and two main courses (fish) and the bill was $95 before tip.
(3)
Dawn S.
A more upscale restaurant in Hanalei. Being our last night in Hawaii, we decided to splurge a little. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday night. Now it was about 8:30 pm and no one was waiting and we could see plenty of open tables around but the hostess still asked us if we had reservations and when we said "no" gave us that look. She had to study her watch and then her list before being able to seat us. A little snooty. I might expect this attitude in SF but not in Kauai. Come on. We did get seated and did enjoy our meal - contrary to the start of the evening. Shared the seafood rockets appetizer - a melange of shrimp, fish and coconut with curry sauce. Extremely tasty. For the entree it was the butterfish special with macadamia sauce. Was interesting as it was paired with a mound of beets and a mound of hummus. Never had that before but it was still good. The place is nice but the ambiance was just a little too stuffy for me. All the clientele looked like rich tourists and I was totally in the low-key Kauai mode.
(4)
Doreen Y.
Delicious and well worth the money. If you are in Kauai you must come here for dinner. The Taro fritters = yummy!
(5)
Richard M.
We had a lovely dinner here on the last night of our Kauai stay. I had the Uku grilled with the mac nut butter - which I found a little too sweet for the fish. We enjoyed the appetizer platter and the choco cake at the end of our dinner. My wife had the pepper crusted salmon with the potato side - which she found a little greasy. Staff was very attentive and we would give it a strong recommendation.
(4)
Mike C.
For a restaurant that came highly recommended by the locals and hotel staff, not to mention the last restaurant that I ate at in Kauai, I was expecting a lot from this place. The only thing that awed me was the price of the food, which was a bit expensive for the portion size. The table wait was not as long as the food. All we really ordered was the appetizer sampler and a Cesar salad and that took about half an hour. Not to mention that my appetizer was sent to another table that came in after us which really bothered me. The food was not bad but again I had expected more. For the amount of patrons in the restaurant, I wish the service could have been faster.
(3)
R A.
Pros: FRESH FISH. This restaurant is seafood only (no chicken, pork, beef etc.), and offered our party of four an array of four different fresh catches of the day. We tried all but one of this offering (the mahi mahi) at our table, and each fish was absolutely fresh and cooked to a perfect consistency. GOOD LOCATION AND AMBIANCE. Directly off the bay in Hanapei on the North Shore, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The table size was comfortable (we ate on the patio). GOOD RATE OF SERVICE. We were able to be in and out in about an hour, and courses were served quite promptly. Our initial wait was about 10 minutes, and each course had a wait time of approximately 2-4 minutes. Cons: CONSERVATIVE FLAVORING. For context, I should state that I am of south-asian descent, and so powerful flavors are very much a home-flavor zone for me. However, despite that fact, I found the food almost criminally bland. Even salt was lacking in every dish, and the overwhelming flavor on most of the plates was 'sweet'; which is great for some courses, but out of place in a main course. My dish, the Wasabi encrusted Ahi, was also unbelievably mild for something that draws from a flavor like Wasabi. OVERPRICED. Our party of four shared 3 appetizers (2 local salads and 1 order of crab cakes), 4 main courses (1 indian-style fish, 2 grilled catch of the days, 1 wasabi encrusted ahi), 2 deserts (2 x chocolate volcano), 1 glass of wine and 1 soda, our total for the evening was around $60 per head. I am comfortable with spending this kind of money for a meal, but I expect a seriously well put together meal. For the cost, the meal I received was lacking in flavor, creativity and style. Mid: SERVICE. Service was neither poor nor exceptional. Our water glasses were monitored carefully and the menu was explained to us thoroughly, but specific changes to our order got lost in the pipeline somewhere (they did, however fix them after noticing this once the food reached the table). Overall: Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant unless you have an extremely fragile palate and find most if not all other restaurants to be too heavy handed with their flavors, and you also consider $60 for a 6.5- 7/10 meal to be an acceptable price. I found 22' North (near Lihue), to be a far better meal for slightly less cost (I am a traveler to Kauai and have no affiliation to either restaurant). 22' North, however, does offer a less sea-food based menu, so if you are craving some seriously fresh fish, by all means, head to the Postcard cafe. Dishes: Best dish by far was the salad (Local Salad w/ Balsalmic Dressing and Goat Cheese Crostini). The dressing was creamy and had great sweetness and tang, the shredded radish on top was a delight, overall this salad was the hands down winner. The much hyped Volcano desert was not terribly exceptional. Ye' average chocolate cake + vanilla ice cream combo. Crab cakes appetizer was drowned by a saccharine fruit chutney, a flavor I felt which overwhelmed the subtle nature of a crab cake. Fish dishes, as described above, all lacked oomph in the flavor department, but were cooked perfectly and very, very, very fresh.
(3)
Ro M.
Cute and cozy atmosphere, making me feel like I was visiting at a friend's house. Friendly staff, delicious food, but it was a bit pricey. And like always, specify your food preferences! All in all pretty high on the yum factor... I'd still hit this place up after a snorkeling sess =)
(4)
Rich n Nancy C.
Great little dinner spot in the North Shore. The fish is excellent but the service can be spotty. Start things off with a cocktail and the Pupu platter. Save room for desert and a tasty treat.
(4)
Gabe S.
Compared to other restaurants we dined at in Kauai (including the Dolphin and the Taro food truck across the street) this restaurant was merely okay. The fish, like most of the fish we had in Kauai, was wonderful. But the sides were unseasoned and unremarkable. The wine was also mediocre.
(3)
Edward L.
Best fancy meal of the trip. Our server (Megan) was a delight. Always smiling and always friendly, really looked for us to enjoy our time at Postcards. For appetizer had the seafood platter for two. Everything on that plate was delicious. Crabcake was excellent, as was the seafood wrap. The seared ahi tuna was perfectly executed and provided a good omen for the fish to come. For dinner had the Wasabi Encrusted tuna and grilled monchong Tuna -Medium rare, just the way it should be. Had the wasabi crust which would provide that kick every bite, and the crunch from the panko added to the texture of that the soft medium rare tuna. Fish definitely shined. There's a reason why they call it their specialty. Monchong - Megan described it was mix between the ahi and a halibut. And she was right. Moist throughout and also had the hardiness where it wasn't flaky. I initially ordered the pineapple sage sauce to it. However, Megan wanted me to try the macadamia nut butter so she proactively asked the chef for it on the side. To our surprise, the chef put the butter on the fish and the sage sauce on the side... Definitely was the right choice. A happy accident. Butter was much better and complimented the monchong perfectly. There nothing not to like. Service was on point. Seafood was the shining star, and it spoke for itself. This is a I'd come back kind of place.
(4)
Dean B.
One of our best meals on our trip! It is located just as you enter Hanalei and though it does not have great views, they make up for it with great food and services and with a casual elegance. I had their grilled fish special and my companion had the vegetarian dish. Both were outstanding. We hope to be back soon.
If in Hanalei, this is a must stop. For dinner options, Postcards Cafe and the Dolphin Restaurant across the street are the top two. The local favorite dish, seared crusted Ahi tuna is made to perfection
(4)
James M.
Amazing! I am a very picky person when it comes to dining and this is easily the best restraint on the North Shore. The food is exactly what good whole foods should be and the atmosphere and service compliments the wonderful experience.
(5)
Nick B.
The Postcards Cafe is a quaint, warm restaurant with friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere. With that being said, be sure to call ahead for a reservation and specify if you prefer to be seated outside. For drinks, we had a pitcher of sangria. The sangria had a bunch of fresh pineapple, something I've never had in sangria, which I recommend you try if you're with a group. We had the bread as an appetizer as well which was rye with a number of herbs. Again, something I've never had (and wish it was given for free). I would recommend the bread if your group can't come to a consensus on something else or wants to get some cheaper appetizers. I'm not a big fish fan, and I still had a great meal. The sombrero, which I ordered, was like a vegetable lasagna. I'd order it again, but ask for less onion. I felt like I ate half of one. The Postcards Cafe is expensive, but not necessarily more so than other fish restaurants on the island. I hope you're able to give it a try.
(4)
Melinda H.
Favors galore! You will not be sorry pescatarian, vegan, vegetarian.... The food is marvelous!
(5)
Megan B.
I think they call this resto "Postcards" because it's something to write home about. I have been to Kauai multiple times and have passed by this place again and again but only tried it for the first time last night. I never realized that it was one of the north shore's fine dining establishments until now. My husband and I were so impressed with the overall dining experience, service and food! We had: Their new Lime Sake Cocktail... light and refreshing! Followed it with a couple glasses of vino, nice wine selection! The local farm salad.. delightful, great salad dressing! The lobster tail... awesome and beautiful! The fish of the day which was Monchong in a peppered pinneapple sage sauce... our favorite dish of the night! It came with mashed potatoes, broccolini and a carrot ginger purree, - YUM! I can't wait for the next vacation so we can go back to enjoy it again!
(5)
Suor K.
Postcards Cafe is a tiny restaurant right before the Hanalei shopping areas. We came here for dinner expecting great things since we read so many good reviews. The interior is cozy, with a few handful of small tables. Service was pretty slow at 6pm, even though there weren't many patrons in the restaurant. We ordered the platter for two and the thai coconut rice noodles. The platter was decent. The crab cake was good, as was the tuna. The taro wasn't that good, nor were the rockets. The thai coconut rice noodles were just okay. The broth was tasty, but I thought it was simply overpriced for what you receive.
(3)
Jenny L.
01.15.15 It was our last night visiting Kauai and we had finally made our way to the north shore. Postcards came enthusiastically recommended by a coworker, so I had to check it out. I have to frame this review through my state of mind that night: I was exhausted (from vacation, I know...) and too hot to be hungry. I was irritated by all my mosquito bites. There was not much that could have elevated my mood. We were seated right away with our choice of seats (indoors or in the lanai). We chose a table inside by the window, and ordered some Kona Brewing beers and an appetizer: crunchy seafood-filled "rockets" with coconut curry. Give that a try. You won't be disappointed. They're know for the wasabi crusted ahi, so of course the boyfriend snagged that to order. I was almost out of the mood for fish, but ended up ordering the sorrento - a seafood pasta dish. Don't get me wrong - the dishes were delicious, and the portions hearty. But after what seemed like an eternity of bites, it did not look like I put a dent in my plate. To go it is. And almost as good the next morning out of the fridge. Great place for a quiet dinner, away from the glitz and glam of resorts on the island. True to their name, they give you a postcard with your bill! yelp.com/biz_photos/post… Total damage for two: $105
(3)
Neil S.
In one word- delicious! The appetizers were perfect (especially the portabello mushroom). The service.was delightful and the food arrived very fast. I will def.be back for more!
(5)
Letitia L.
We were at Bar Acuda last night where the ambience was sexier, but the food here at Postcards blows Bar Acuda out of the water. Unfortunately, the bill just ended up being more pricey than we expected, even though we ordered neither drinks (except a $9 glass of wine) nor dessert and they didn't serve us any amuse-bouche or complimentary bread either. ---- APPETIZERS ---- Postcards Platter: 4.5 stars For four. Hanalei Taro fritters, Crab cakes were tasty, seafood-filled rockets with coconut curry, served with pineapple chutney and sort of pickled kimchi salad Seared ahi tuna with wasabi mayo was so delicious. Seafood rocket reminded me of a deep fried dimsum dish, stuffed with springy fishcake or crab ball. Portobello Mushroom: 3.5 stars Tasty, stuffed with cheese and other veggies. ---- MAINS ---- The Tandoori: 4 stars They say they're Indian-inspired, but more Japanese curry peppery, vegetables cauliflower and sweet potato were really good Thai Coconut Rice Noodles with Shrimp Broth: 4 stars Big portion (especially after the platter), real glad I shared this main with my partner. Came with kale and kaffir lime leaves (which we barely tasted) in a slightly spicy curry gravy broth... not really enough liquid to call it a soup or broth. Fresh catch of the day: Opah: 3 stars (Moonfish) Got this blackened with peppered pineapple sage sauce. Tough and dry, tasted kind of like swordfish maybe because we ordered it blackened? Fresh catch of the day: Monchong: 5 stars (Sickle pomfret) Got this grilled with macadamia butter. Super moist and tender Sorrento: 2 stars This was a seafood pasta swimming in a Chèvre Chardonnay sauce so overpoweringly creamy and cheesy, between the 6 of us we could not finish it. Warning: Automatic tip for parties of 6 or more is 20% POST-TAX so it's 21% built-in, which can really add up. Quality of food: 4.5 stars Ambience: 3 stars Value for money: 3.5 stars Overall rating: 4 stars
(4)
Jenni N.
Very delicious food. Recommend the Postcard platter as a starter. Wine is get and the dinner was awesome.
(4)
Lori L.
Postcards Cafe is a relaxing place for dinner. It's nice enough for date night or a family special occasion, open aired, and cozily set in a ranch-style home. I had the Wasabi Crusted Ahi for my entree. The ahi was marinated in shoyu-mirin, lightly crusted, then topped with a mild wasabi aioli. The fish was generously cut, served med-rare, and was perfectly tender. I liked this mid-rare preparation better than any seared ahi I've ever had. Accompaniments were a Coconut Cilantro Rice--not my favorite, I thought it was too wet and mushy--a delicious Carrot Ginger Mash, a Roasted Tomato topped with seeds and Broccolini. I would definitely order this again. It was satisfying, whimsical, and had a nice variety of flavors and textures. Even though I was already full, I had the Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert. The chocolate flavor was complex and layered. The cake broke and oozed the way it should. The ice cream and raspberry sauce were perfect accompaniments--I would have licked the plate if no one was watching. Service is relaxed and friendly. Treat yourself to dinner at Postcards Cafe and enjoy!
(4)
Christina L.
There are not a lot of places to eat in Princeville, and I didn't really feel like dropping $80-$100 per person at the hotel, so we ventured out here for a meal after a long day of hiking. We were ravenous and wanted to order half the menu, so I'm not sure if my tastebuds / judgement was clouded after hiking 8 hours without food. I'm sure even McDonalds or Applebee's would have tasted delicious, given how hungry we were. House Baked Organic Bread ($3) - This was just okay; I'm sure they change the flavors often, but this was pretty garlicky with every bite. The bread was warm, but a bit dense and with too many spices / garlic. Less is more. Trio of Tapenades with House-Made Crostini ($12) - This had an artichoke, eggplant, and olive tapenade with crostini that was just so-so, a little hard, and had either too much butter or seasoning on it. The tapenades were on the salty side for me, and not amazing. I ate it because I was starving, but it wasn't my favorite. Kailani Farms Organic Greens ($10) - This had mixed greens, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini pumpkin seeds, and cranberries, and dressing, It was good, but nothing extraordinary. Wasabi Crusted Ahi - This is their signature dish; again - good, but not out of this world. The wasabi coating overpowered the taste of the fish a bit. It came with rice, green beans, pureed carrots and a steamed tomato. The vegetables were tasty and fresh, although the pureed carrots reminded me of baby food. The Sorrento ($24) - This seafood pasta was also just okay, but on the watery side. It's a decent portion and a good choice if you're hungry. All in all, a cute atmosphere with decent food, but nothing mind-blowing. Everything was just okay, edible, but with slightly higher price-tags (thanks Princeville). I probably wouldn't come back here on another trip to Kauai but if you're looking to save some money and not eat at the overpriced restaurants at the hotel, this is a good option.
(3)
Jessica D.
I have to say this restaurant was AMAZING!! Not only because of the food, but it's hard to find good customer service in the island and here we felt very pleasant. We got the Postcard Platter for two - was super tasty! And as entree the Macadamia nut butter fish - wordless! Dessert we got the Passion mousse, but we didn't like it that much :(
(5)
Jeff S.
Fantastic, fresh, amazing, delicious, atmosphere. Megan, our waitress is gorgeous in every way
(5)
Yvonne Y.
When we were on Kauai there was this dream that all restaurants would be like Postcards. We sadly discovered them on our last day. The restaurant was charming with a whitewashed wood interior and a green exterior. Sit on the patio and enjoy the breeze if you can! We had the taro fritters with pineapple chutney...delicious and unique! My husband had "The sombrero" which was like a mexican lasagna...beautiful and good. I had the daily fish "blackened" with macadamia butter. So good...the surprise being the stuffed tomato which looks not that special and tastes very special. The only thing I would say is that the fish was slightly more cooked than I would have liked it, but i'm not sure if it's the fish varietal that needs to be cooked thoroughly. I like my fish really really flaky and the fish was maybe two minutes past that, yet still really delicious. The staff was absolutely warm and attentive. We would definitely go back. This restaurant was the highlight of our Kauai food experience.
(4)
Maria L.
Food : A+ Service: D We visited on a Friday night. We chose this spot because of yelp reviews and a friend's recommendation. I was a little hesitant on going here because of what others had said on yelp about how poor the service was, but we decided to give it a try. We arrived around 7:45pm and were told there would be a 20-30 minute wait. The restaurant itself had a great ambience. We had called ahead to place a reservation but they only do reservations for groups, not a party of 2. The hostess told us she would come and check on us to see if she could get us any drinks during our wait but she did not do so. Once we were seated, we placed our drink order with the hostess but she obviously did not relay the information to our waitress because we placed our food order and then about 5 minutes later our waitress came back to see if we had wanted anything to drink. Communication was obviously a struggle. Once we ordered our food and it was delivered we were in heaven! Only complaint was the price was a little high. I had the pasta and it was $24 and I honestly don't think it was worth more than $18. My boyfriend ordered the wasabi Ahi which was $38 but really was worth closer to $30. Yes, we are on an island but if you're catching the fish here, don't mark the price up just because you're on an island! Although the food was tasty, we would only come back if there was a major overhaul of their service. Do not come here if you have high standards for customer service.
(3)
Ed E.
This was a very disappointing meal that cost the two of us about $140 plus upset stomachs that went on for days. We ordered the House Baked Organic Bread, the Caesar Salad, the Trio of Tapenades, the Postcards Platter, and a Seared Ahi with Kauai Shrimp Broth. The bread was fine. The salad was limp. The tapenades were odd, and the balsamic reduction splashed across the plate was heavy handed and did not pull the dish together. Also the housemade crostini that came with the tapenades was stale. The postcards platter was a real train wreck, with too many flavors, ingredients and sauces competing for attention, and a poor representation of fusion. The seared ahi was done proper, but I'm not going to clap my hands for that because everyone on the island knows how to sear ahi, and the shrimp broth didn't quite capture the essence of anything particularly special. Postcards, I'm sorry for this negative review. I read through many of your other reviews to try to better understand and appreciate your food. On average you have good ratings, but the ratings are polarized. My dining partner said the food was spoiled and I defended you and said the food was not spoiled, just overly complicated. I thought maybe I'm being a big city snob...that maybe this type of fusion is dated and I'm being harsh...that my expectations were too high. But after all the rationalizing, I just couldn't come to terms with the meal.
(2)
Dan H.
Excellent food. Had the ahi, which was one of the best that I've ever had. We were a little skeptical about the service after reading singer of the older reviews. We experienced amazing service!
(5)
Andy A.
Ok. Kind of nice but the menu is limited. Can't remember dinner but we ordered the volcano chocolate fish for dinner and we wanted to share but it was so small we only had 2 bites each. With a a name like volcano we expected more. Reservations are good for more than 3 and its a really small place.
Ohhh what Postcards could be... It has so much more potential. Quaint little place in hanalei with an appealing menu and nicely decorated. It just falls a bit short on delivering exactly what you want. For the prices, the wait staff needs a little more training, The flatware and table items need a little updating, The entrees need a little more weight and size. And lastly what is the point of having vegan entrees but no vegan desserts????? Postcards is definitely one of those institutions resting on its laurels of days past. Seems like the cold spell may last because it never got crowded like it used to with a wait out the door ten years ago.
(3)
Julia S.
My mom and I went here because her hairdresser wouldn't stop talking about how great it was. The atmosphere is very cute. My mom loved her pasta dish with seafood but I didn't love my panko crusted ahi. The sauce they put on top of the fish overpowered the dish and the vegetables on the side were bland. When you are spending near $30 on a dish you want it to be really good and I didn't find it to be the case. Also when sitting outside bring bug spray! My mom and I both got a ton of bites.
(3)
jennifer M.
Make a reservation!!!!! Made the mistake of taking our chances and we waited and Waited And waited.... I wanted to devour a cow! Order the bread that comes with the macadamia butter! Wow!!!!! Order more bread, carbs rock! Had a pasta dish with plenty of prawns, mushrooms and other good stuff! Oh yeah, order the lava cake! We ordered 2 for 5 of us and we practically stabbed each other with our forks! Yum!!!!!!! The atmosphere was pretty cool, I felt like I was in someone's home, cozy & comfortable! A must try if you are in the North Shore area! Hanalei is the best place on earth!
(4)
rhiannon B.
Loved this place - we happened on it after Bar Acuda was too full to take us. The food was really tasty which is hard with vegetarian flavors - the sombrero was yummy, unexpectedly so. Our waitress Erica totally rocked the service. Attentive but not overly so! Don't overlook this place!
(5)
Karen W.
Postcards was recommended to us by someone at the resort we stayed at, so we stopped in without a reservation on a Tuesday night for dinner. The parking is tight for dinner and the little shop next door happily let us park in their lot. The staff at the restaurant was able to seat us right away on the deck which was nice. We ordered a bottle of white wine, and the Pu Pu platter which had a variety of appetizers to try: seared ahi, crab cakes, a crunchy fried rocket, taro fritter and some sauces. We also ordered the sea bass and ono for dinner entrees. The fresh fish dishes are served with your choice of a flavored butter such as macadamia butter. The entrees were disappointing as they were both undercooked. The sea bass was served significantly undercooked and the chef cooked it for some additional time to bring it up to temperature. The server was apologetic and acknowledged that it wasn't cooked correctly; and provided a complimentary dessert. In addition to the problem with the entrees I was also disappointed by the overall cost of the menu items. When I looked at the menu on-line it looked as if the entrees ranged from $19 to $38. For the fresh fish entrees, be prepared to spend at the upper end of that range. For the price that we paid, I regretted that we didn't have dinner at our resort. I know that Postcards has good reviews and is well liked in the community, but our experience was just not consistent with others.
(2)
Grace H.
First thing to note in Hawaii is that if it said it is a cafe, do not expect cafe prices. For example, this place charge $34 for an entree. I finished trekking the Napali Coast and just drove by and thought this looks decent enough. It is very pleasant inside and it also has seating outside. However, some of the staff's service needs improvement. The girl who lay out the cutleries on our table dropped one piece of cutlery and did not even say sorry and pretended that nothing has ever happen. A loud plonk!! Please! Any server or serving staff should have said sorry the least. The food is not remarkable that it worth paying that much for it. For appetizer, I had The Postcards Platter, the portion is very small. You get One crab cake for a platter for two persons. Two seafood filled rockets, some seared ahi and two taro fritters, with some pineapple chutney, relishes and sauces. Totally European size. For once I actually found the portion size in the states is small!! This platter was very well plated and the taro fritters was very good. I cannot tell what kind of seafood was in the rockets, because I cannot tell what was in it. The green salad was also good. A fish main course is like $34 or market price. For a pasta specials it is $24 or $25. I had some sort of seafood pasta. So it is definitely not cafe price. The pasta was so unremarkable that I forgot what it was like. My overall impression is that the atmosphere is relax but apart from the small portion size platter that make some impression on me, other food is not remarkable. Plus staff needs some more training. I totally do not like it when someone dropped the cutlery on my table with a loud plonk and not apologizing.
(2)
Gerrall T.
This is a fun little place for dinner in the Princeville area. The food was all very fresh (always a must with seafood) and the staff was all very attentive.
(5)
Anja P.
This restaurant only accepts reservations for groups. When we walked up, we saw two couples already waiting outside and an empty, dressed table on the deck. The tables inside were all busy and the ambience seemed quite nice. We asked the hostess how long the wait would be for a table inside, since it was breezy out and the deck was dark and had no atmosphere. Her response was overly pretentious, but she assured us that she had four tables that were all ready to leave soon. We went outside and waited with the other two couples. A little later the hostess came and told us that she had a table for us and that it was getting dressed at the very moment. Then she returned announcing "your table is ready" and led us to the table on the deck that had been set and ready when we got there a quarter of an hour earlier. When we reminded her that we asked for a table inside, she proclaimed that this would be the only table she could seat us that night. We certainly did not appreciate being taken for fools and should have left right then. However, the food here had been recommended to us and we decided to not let the evening get ruined by a hostess having a bad day. Unfortunately, everything went further downhill from here. Our rude waitress gave the impression that she'd rather be somewhere else and had a hard time remembering that evening's specials. When I went inside a while later to look for a restroom, I saw four empty tables before immediately being ushered back out by our waitress (bathrooms are accessible only from the outside). The two couples, whom had already been waiting for a table when we got there, were still waiting. The wine tasted like cork. The Tandoori with shrimp was average. The $38 grilled Ono with macadamia butter was a complete disaster. The fish was overcooked, tough and dry; the baked potatoes were hard and undercooked, the sweet mashed potatoes were cold alongside three bland, limp green beans. Needless to say, our entire experience here was so utterly disappointing, we won't be back.
(1)
Christopher F.
Good food but over priced. The best part was the dessert, both the chocolate volcano and coconut macadamia Sunday. The ono was very good but the appetizers were bad and not worth the money. Cute place inside and good staff.
(3)
Jarrett H.
What an amazing place to dine! This was one of the better meals I had on Kauai, which is saying something, because almost every meal on the north side was amazing. There is something special about this place though. The atmosphere is very relaxed and inviting. The service is thoughtful and personal. And the menu is just incredible. We went with the sampler trio and the fish of the day. The sampler trio was one of the most flavorful meals I have had in a long time, and the fish of the day was a hebi that tasted as fresh as anything I've ever had. The white sangria is something you won't want to miss out on.
(5)
Jessica B.
I like this restaurant....it was not my favorite place on Kauai but it was good. Nice restaurant on the inside, and a nice patio. The food was tasty, but not outstanding. Skip the Sangria (it's way too sweet) and know your waitress might come across as someone who also sat at the beach with a Mai Tai or two that afternoon (just a tad off, out of it) Reservations recommended, but not required.
(3)
Cora B.
What a delicious experience! We give BIG Kauai kudos to the chef for creating the Monchong fish in a sesame crust with ginger slaw and arborzzo rice. It was fresh, delicious fish with layers of flavor and a crispy veggie slaw with a bite. (Thanks to Brooke, our server, who recommended that preparation!) We enjoyed the organic greens on both the beet, goat cheese salad and the Caesar salad. Last, the warm and delicious molten chocolate cake completing our culinary experience with our last sips of Justin Cabernet. This is a must for the visitors and locals alike! Beyond our expectations and we felt the prices were reasonable based on the quality and ingenuity of the complex flavors.
(5)
Craig E.
Good food. Service seemed good until the we ordered a second bottle of wine. We waited quite a while for it and then the waitress informed us that they were out of that wine. She mentioned something about sending someone out to buy another bottle. After waiting a while longer, with everyone at the end of their meal, we cancelled the wine order. Had this upset the waitress? Possibly, because when the check came, the waitress had added an obligatory gratuity (we were a party of 8), but based on the bill including sales tax! When we complained that it was unethical to do this, she claimed that this was typical in Hanalei. It's too bad that our waitress topped a decent meal with a big dollop of BS.
(2)
Scott F.
Had the Wasabi Ahi and the evening's special which was a Sesame Crusted Ahi with an Asian Slaw. Both were so delicious, presentation and flavorings totally solid. Well done chef! Service (Megan) was super pleasant and ambience was relaxed and refined. Perfect way to end our stay in Kauai.
(5)
Pinecone E.
Wonderful fish dishes. Highly recommend the specials of the day and the wasabi ahi. Great service. A little pricey but probably a value for what and where you get it. About $160 for the sample app, two entrees (market price) and a bottle of wine.
(5)
Fun In AZ M.
Fresh farm table, very well prepared. Have to get the appetizer for 4. Sauces are great! Fish entrees very nicely prepared. Nice Atmosphere. Cozy. Daughter didn't care for the marinara. She's a picky eater. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Traci G.
We really enjoy this place The bread is a bit doughy & the yam mash does taste eh. That said they have Great food very unique & flavorful And nice presentation
(5)
clodagh s.
Food, service and ambience are all five star. I had the wasabi crusted ahi which wa cooked to perfection and accompanied by interesting flavors of pureed carot, seasoned sticky rice and grilled tomato stuffed with pesto. I am baffled by the negative reviews and will definitely dine there again.
(5)
Len C.
Nice alternative to hotel restaurants. Friendly staff, nice fish dishes, bread and macademia butter is delicious. Try their ahi with wasabi sauce. Set in an old quaint residence. My issue is the temperature in this old quaint structure. It is hot! Particularly on a still night. To the owners; for the sake of your customers and your wait staff, get some fans!
(3)
Olenka L.
Heard this place had good food... it's a shame that we had to leave before trying any of it. My husband and I came here on our last night on Kauai (honeymoon). Upon arriving we were told that we had to wait 15 minutes to be seated. We were fine with that and sat on a bench to wait. 5 minutes later a family walks in (locals) and were greeted so very warmly and with excitement. We loudly overheard that they had no reservations but were to be sat right away anyway. Ok, I understand, locals can get special treatment--just wish it wasn't done so obviously in front of other waiting guests. 30 minutes later and we were still waiting. No word from the hostess either. So I walked up to her and asked her how much longer. She made a joke about how some tables were taking their time to get up and it wouldn't be much longer. Meanwhile, there were empty tables all around. She hurriedly cleaned off some table outside and sat us shortly after next to 2 other tables that were finishing up. 5 minutes later and our server (no introduction yet, just knew it was her because the hostess had motioned over to her upon seating us) comes out to chat up one of the tables next to us. After she was done chatting, she rushed back inside. No greeting. Another 5 minutes after that, she comes back out and takes their check. And goes back inside. And yet another 5 minutes go by and she's out again but this time she's talking to another table out there, clears their table and (no lie) not even turning around she goes "oh I'll be with you two shortly". Keep in mind this has been after 35 minutes of waiting, 15 minutes of no greeting, and then that super rude "acknowledgement". We were more than fed up and walked out. We took our business to Bar Acuda for the second time and were once again wowed over! So word of advice? Skip Postcards and go to Bar Acuda! You won't regret it!!
(1)
Thao D.
Fabulous service. Prompt seating. Fresh and locally sourced food. All the staff members we met during our visit were friendly, accommodating, and courteous from the hostess to our waitress Brooke to the bus/water boy. We were interested in ordering a pitcher of sangria for the table but were hesitant to commit to an entire pitcher without knowing what it tasted like. Brooke was happy to let us sample it. We liked it so got the pitcher which was not too sweet and not too dry, so just right. One person at our table was undecided about two different wines so Brooke offered to let her try them both before making a decision. The food menu was extensive and there were option for everyone's taste (pork, chicken, seafood, vegetarian). They also note gluten free and true vegetarian (no stocks or added animal fats) menu items, which is helpful. My ordered the Caesar salad and beet salad to start and both were fresh and tasty. For entrees we ordered the a few appetizers (polenta, crab cakes, and seafood rockets) and the tandoori. Everyone was pleased with what they ordered. For dessert, we were disappointed that they had run out of pineapple upside down cake. Apparently that never happens? But were happy with the ice cream sundae which was actually a ball of ice cream rolled in macadamia nuts then fried(!). It was devoured in seconds. We were celebrating a birthday and told the waitress when we sat down. She remembered and put in an order for volcano cake without us knowing. That was very sweet. We all left with a very positive experience and would be happy to return for another special occasion.
(5)
Karen R.
Very friendly service and a quaint an cute atmosphere. The food was delicious...get the beet salad! A bit pricey but hey this is Kauai
(4)
Katherine C.
We happened upon this AMAZING restaurant in Hanalei on our last night in Hawaii. Hands-down, the best meal we had in Kauai. From the moment we walked through the door to the time that we left happily full, it was a great experience. This place is a cute, older home which has been beautifully renovated and restored into a small, intimate dining spot. There is a lovely, open-air side patio that is good for larger groups. Smaller tables in the interior and on the lanai porch (screened in patio). We sat in the lanai in a small table for two, which was very romantic. My husband had his eyes on the taro taters from the start - and he was spot-on, they were so flavorful. We both ordered the fresh fish of the day, a beautiful swordfish which was carefully prepared and grilled to perfection; the sage sauce (you may pick your own sauce) was unique and tasty; carrot-ginger puree is so damn good you will want to ask for the recipe; broccolini was perfectly steamed with a good bite to it. Portions were just right to make you feel happily full and not too stuffed. This was the only restaurant in Kauai where I wanted to stay longer and order dessert...and it was worth it...apple cake with caramel sauce (chef was so good with my allergies and eliminated the pecans). I believe the menu features locally sourced foods. Many healthy options. Many vegan and dairy-free options. The hostess was perky, friendly, and informative with wait time, etc. Best hostess on the island...wish I caught her name. She brought me a water while we were waiting for our table (less than 20 min wait)...thoughtful. Our waitress, Melanie, was very calm and happy. Just what I needed after a crazy day of losing our credit card, delayed outgoing flight, and driving around the entire island. Parking is a little hap-hazard if their lot is full...but no biggie. Bathrooms located around outside patio and were very very very clean. Picnic tables would be nice to sit at for lunch on a sunny day. Eat here. I will, for sure, the next time we are in Kauai. Eat here. I can't say enough good things about this place.
(5)
Nory B.
Just had a fabulous dinner at Postcards Cafe! We put our name on the list just before opening for our party of 3, and within 10 minutes of opening were seated at a beautiful window table. Our server, Koral, was very personable and friendly as well as quick to take our order. We had crab cakes, polenta and the portobello mushroom for appetizers; all were well prepared and tasty, and came out fairly quickly after we ordered. We each had a different fresh fish--blackened hebe with pineapple sauce, grilled mahi mahi with the macadamia butter, and the wasabi encrusted ahi. All were so fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked--so good! And the portion sizes were perfect! Service was attentive and really nice throughout the meal. This is a foodie place, so don't come if you want big plates of fried food or pizza for the kids--this is elegant, refined dining.
(5)
Brittany A.
We just had the most amazing dinner at postcards. We are both vegan and there are vegan options on the menu clearly stated, so helpful. Our server Brooke was knowledgeable and kind, definitely one of the best we have had on the island (and we live here). The polenta cakes were outstanding. The sombrero and the tandoori were delicious and they even offer a vegan dessert, chocolate mousse pie that was heavenly. We had coffee with dessert and she brought us soy milk without us asking for it, so sweet. A+ for service and food, atmosphere was lovely as well. Give that girl a raise!
What an amazing find. My wife and I were spending our last night in Hawaii and just happened across this quaint little cafe, very cute building. The lights and smell of the food is what caught our attention. The Taro fritters are a must try. I have never had anything like those before. I wish someone on the mainland made those. The swordfish was perfectly grilled to perfection. The chef was great at accommodating my food allergies. And Melody/Melanie our waitress was so nice and personable. She was very patient with our food allergies and made our last night in Hawaii very special. Everything on the menu just looked so good. I wish I had more nights in Hawaii, when I go back I am eating here at least 3 nights so I can try more dishes. Oh and fresh squeezed limeade was very good.
(5)
Todd D.
Although it's a tad pricey, this was our best meal on the island. Great fish, good service. Highly unlikely you'd go wrong here. (That said, while fairly laid back, Postcards is not quite as casual as other places in town. This might be the place you decide to wear the collared shirt or pretty dress you brought on your vacation.)
(4)
Barbara S.
We enjoyed our dinner at Postcards on a weekday evening. No wait, although it would be have been worth waiting if we'd needed to do so. I'm a gluten-free diner, so I especially appreciated that GF items are marked right on the menu. My server also suggested that some other items not marked GF might be possible to adjust if I was interested. We started with the Seared Polenta and enjoyed both it's texture and flavor. I had the Thai Curry with rice noodles and grilled tofu. Delicious and just the right amount of spices for me. My husband had the "Sorrento" - pasta with shrimp and fish. He's not a huge seafood fan, but very much enjoyed this entree. (not GF) Our meal was complete with the GF Pineapple Upside Down Cake. As a GF diner, it sometimes gets tiresome when restaurants all have flour less chocolate torte as their GF option (when they have one at all). So I was pleasantly surprised to have this tasty Hawaiian-style option.
(4)
Justin G.
Food and service was amazing. The Caesar salad was great and fresh - the crab cakes with the sweet dipping sauce were awesome & the sesame seared tuna was killer. Wife had the shrimp (Sorrento) with pasta. Was delicious too.
(5)
Bob D.
Ignore the vegan theme of this resturant - if you love meals with a variety of intense flavors, you will love this place! - seafood dishes served here are the best of any resturant on the North Side Wasabi crusted Ahi was incredible, intense flavors and tender tuna Get the appetizer platter for a real treat of 5 different tastes of fish and veggies including taro - all so good you'll want to order another for dinner. The Namsu salad was so intriguing that it should be a regular salad! Of course all the vegetable sides were great and well prepared. Save room for the chocalate volcano dessert. Melts in your mouth with an explosion of flavors This chef is innovative and an undiscovered gem!
(5)
vicken h.
the food is very good... we went there late and they kept running out of what we ordered (but I get it...its a small place). so it took a while to get a complete meal with the kids. the food we ultimately had was very good (slightly overpriced even by Kauai standards) the ambiance of the room was very nice and the service was very good.
(4)
Edward P.
The menu is limited but some attempt is made to provide healthy choices. The pricing seems excessive for what you get. The service is friendly but casual and they work hard to make the experience memorable. An executive chef's services could transform their style very quickly into something unique and spectacular. As the plate presentation is highly eclectic and does not always make sense.
(3)
Geoffrey B.
This place oozes charm. Even though our experience with the food was lackluster, just spending 90 minutes dining inside Postcards was a treat. The staff here also seem very friendly overall, though our waitress didn't quite tow the party line on that front (perhaps she was just busy). The appetizers and salads were great, but the entrees were mediocre (the catch of the day was notably overcooked). It was a pleasant experience, but it would not top my list of places to return.
(3)
Melissa R.
I dined here on Monday night, and it was fantastic. First, I would like to contest the other reviewer who said the wait staff was impolite. I found them to be very polite, even the young man who brings water kept making sure we were having a positive dining experience. Meal started with their trio appetizer (some sort of fried taro, seafood rocket, and crab cake). This was delicious. Next I decided to be adventurous and order fish. I eat fish because it's healthy but I rarely if ever enjoy it. Usually I just find it palatable at best. I had the Ono and hubster ordered the Mahi Mahi. Both were amazingly delicious. I ate every piece of my fish and actually enjoyed it for the first time in my life!! Do yourself a favor and get the macadamia nut butter. Thank me later! The ambiance of the place is quite homey and warm feeling too, with white string lights and a few ukeleles. All in all, one of my favorite meals on the island. The only downside is that it's a little expensive, but it's great for a celebration!
(5)
M M.
Seriously good food here. Loved the wasabi ahi and the tandoori plate. Try this place!
(4)
Mangia M.
It took 15 minutes to get our water, another 10 minutes to get 2 glasses of wine. that aside, the Appetizer Postcard Platter was served on one plate, the 5 separate items blended together all tasting similar. The ceasar salad had good taste but was overdressed. We left to try another place for our entree.
(2)
Donald M.
Smaller place need to get here early, we were here when it opened @ 5:30. They said us outside on the screened in lanai. We started out with taro fritters they were a hit enough for 3 to share. Then we had Caesar salads pretty good I ordered the lobster because I've had so much ahi it was just what I was hoping for, the potatoes augratain were the best I've had. My better half had wasabi ahi and loved it Had a couple of glasses of wine nothing to write home about Don't forget your wallet you'll need it but it's worth it Aloha
(4)
Michael F.
Simply outstanding. The wasabi crusted Ahi was the best I ever had. Great local place with excellent waitstaff. A must if your on Kauai.
(5)
Rich N.
We used to love this place, but things have changed.. They no longer take reservations for parties less than 4. Ok, I can understand trying to achieve more profitability, but I hate to be treated as second class just because we are a only a couple. We were on Kauai for three weeks and would usually eat there once a week. We ate the first week and they were not crowded and we were allowed to have a table. My wife's special was OK, but the Sorrento seafood pasta was extremely salty with the pasta soggy and overcooked. We went back the second week and were treated like lepers by a condescending hostess. There are now so many other options that are much better than this dated facade of originality.
(2)
Ron V.
Good food, friendly staff and nice setting. Slightly overpriced. The lobster and pastas were great. My friend went for the fish of the day and was disappointed by the size of the portion.
(3)
Kevin H.
I can't believe some say this was the best meal they had in Kauai. Came in without reservations, I should've known by the crowd already that this was going to be sub-par. To be fair, the hostess had great energy and was very friendly. The waitress on the other hand looked like she needed the day off. Ordered a goat cheese salad with their local greens. The salad came out and all the ingredients were compartmentalized! I usually expect a mixed salad to be mixed! But not this one, nuts were on one side, a whalloop of cheese on the other, handful of beets to another side. Looked like a salad from an airlines (and it was at least $9). Seafood pasta was decent, but nothing over the top. I thought this place would have a bit higher standards than your typical strip mall faire but to no avail. This among other restaurants was a surprise (since they are close to some of the top golf courses in the world!) Although I am no golfer. . .
One of the best dining experiences of our lives. The food was amazing and made even better by the great atmosphere and service. We sat on the porch on a perfect night. We ordered the fish of the day (Ono) and the coconut Thai noodles. Both amazing. But by far the best part of the meal was the dessert - the Holokai Mousse. Incredibly light and sweet with just the right amount of passion fruit. Even though we only have a week on the island, we're planning to come back again in two days. We want the mousse again. WOW.
(5)
Cheryl C.
Must visit spot when staying on the garden island. My boyfriend and I visited while we stayed in Kilauea, near Princeville. The restaurant is casual but at the same time romantic and intimate -- so fitting of the north shore. We ordered a pupu platter and pitcher of white wine sangria to start off. Loved the seafood rockets and seared ahi tuna! Sangria was very different from what we're used to here on the mainland as it was infused with pineapples and kiwi. For the main course, I had the fish of the day, monchong with butter macadamia and it was soo delicious! I practically licked the sauce off the plate. Boyfriend ordered the super fresh blackened ahi tuna. Out tummies were very satisfied.
(5)
Christine T.
This place is so cute and romantic. It looks like a house from the outside, and it is a house on the inside, too! The homey candlelit decor brought such a feeling of warm and fuzzies. The food is great too! We ordered an appetizer sampler aka pupu platter which included the famous taro fritters, crab cake, seafood rockets and seared ahi. The chutney sauce is a MUST. As for the entrees, he went for the fish of the day while I opted for the wasabi crusted ahi tuna. The meal was delicious and the restaurant, charming. This is definitely a must revisit!
(5)
Kelly L.
We had our wedding reception at Postcards on 9/27/14, and I could not have been more pleased! It was absolutely perfect! We had never tasted the food, but all the appetizers and entrees were a huge hit! Sarah was our coordinator, and she was incredibly helpful and always cheerful. She was my favorite coordinator that I worked with for our wedding. Our experience with Postcards was flawless!
Nice location and friendly staff. The food was delicious! Good wine selection; I especially enjoyed the white sangria! Started off the meal with a delicious tapenade trio with homemade crostinis! My husband had fresh swordfish grilled with the macadamia butter; great balance of flavors. I had the sorrento, delicious seafood pasta dish in a chèvre Chardonnay sauce. Very rich and amazing! Lastly we had the mini lava chocolate cake; tasty and finished off the dinner well!
(5)
Michael K.
My girlfriend and I ate there for the first time tonight. The friendliness of the staff was off the charts. The hostess (brunette female) could not have been nicer and the server (blonde female) was beyond phenomenal. Even the bussed (light haired gentleman) was very cordial. We did have to wait awhile for her initial greet but both servers did seem very busy at that time. The bread was delicious and the chocolate volcano dessert was simply amazing, though a tad on the small side. They also had Samuel Smith organic lager, which is a huge plus. Unfortunately our entrees were mediocre at best. I ordered the Ono with the macadamia nut butter preparation and my girlfriend ordered the pasta entree with shrimp and fish. Our entrees came out shockingly fast. Both her shrimp and my Ono were very dry, tough, and overlooked. I removed the macadamia nut butter from the top of my fish which probably would have given it some moisture but wouldn't have compensated for the overlooked fish. Our dessert actually took a lot longer than our entrees. Needless to say, we won't be back. It pains me to only give this place 3 stars because the staff was absolutely fantastic and they deserve tremendous kudos. It was truly some of the friendliest service I've ever had!However, at the end of the day it simply can't make up for the entrees. Even now I'm tempted to give it a 4th star but $105 is too much to spend on that meal and as I mentioned previously, we won't be returning. We would have rather had a decent pizza than those entrees, even for the same price. There were 4 gentleman at the table next to us and they didn't appear to be loving their entrees either. For the record, we didn't complain about the food so they had no opportunity to correct it but hopefully they will take this review to heart because we really wanted to love this place!
(3)
Brian C.
Rare is the day I eat a meal as good as the meal I ate at postcards probably the best prepared fish I've eaten in the last 10 years and everything on the plate was fabulous just a great experience
(5)
phillip l.
Don't get what the hype is all about. The food was mediocre. I had the special with Ahi Tuna. The plating was not what I expect from a 4 Star restaurant charging 5 star prices with long lines. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time waiting.
(3)
Beverly Y.
Service was great, restaurant is cutely decorated. However parking is very limited. The food was okay but everything seemed to be drenched in a mess of sauces causing things to be overly sweet or salty. We got the platter for two with the tuna, taro fritters, and crab cake and it felt like eating sauce- I could barely taste the natural flavor of the food. It's a cute restaurant but the food was nothing special and I will mostly likely not come back.
(2)
Robert B.
My wife and I had dinner here, looking for the best dinner in Hanalei for a special occasion. We were not disappointed. When we got there, they said it would take a half hour to get a seat. No problem, we sat on the bench under the overhang and had a couple glasses of Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay. Reasonably priced and terrific. We got seated in 30 minutes in a very mellow mood. I had the Ahi and my wife had the Mong Chong. Both dishes were terrific. The service was terrific. Really a great evening.
This place reeks of pretension. Finished a beautiful hike along the Napali coast ready for a great meal at any cost, walked into Postcards and received snobbery. Do yourself a favor and walk across the street to the Dolphin for the full package of the aloha spirit and excellent food.
(1)
Nancy Y.
Excellent food, tastiest I have had on all 3 islands. Wasabi ahi tuna was amazing and the tandoori shrimp and veggies was also great-large portions. Only bad practice was charging $3 for bread. Never heard If that in the U.S. With $38 entrees. Parking was limited and no reservations for less than 4 persons, so be prepared for a 20 min wait on week nights, maybe more on a weekend. Worth the wait!
(5)
Jean T.
We rolled into Postcards last night for dinner and a lovely evening ensued. As it happens, we are gluten and sugar-free people but even if we weren't, this still would have been a great dining experience. Just all the nicer because it was so easy to eat there, given our dietary needs. We had the snapper, grilled with a light citrus sauce. A whole parade of vegetables accompanied the fish. Special mention to the carrots- first steamed, then pureed with fresh ginger and enough salt to bring out the savory aspect without killing it. Service, by Brooke, was attentive without being overbearing. A wonderful, sweet place for dinner, complete with hurricane lamps and holiday lights in a friendly, relaxed setting.
(4)
Neil M.
Very bland food. Very poor service when we went. Had to go to the front station anytime we needed anything. Food was ok.
(1)
Ros S.
Food and customer service was good. Like everywhere in Hanalei, come with your deep wallets because the meals aren't cheap. Ambiance is nice and Meghan was a wonderful waitress. Clearly knows the menu! We had the Ahi Tuna and the Mongchong Fish. We skipped the dessert but the chocolate cake looked pretty good.
(4)
jeffrey r.
so disappointed. i remember this place from a few years ago. enjoyed it and was excited by the reviews i read. i cant imagine how this place got such positive reviews. the fish we ordered tonite was overcooked. have you had snapper dry and tasteless? well we did.. the monchong was blackened and also over cooked. on top of this our server Niki was clueless. no followup. no pouring of wine. i asked for a plate so i could share some of my plate with my wife. it never came. i would not recommend this place. if you want good local food go to bar acuda that place was enjoyable and the food was great. the service attentive. stay away form postcards... i suspect that there are new owners or the old have become too co
(1)
Stephen C.
"Epic", you don't need to make a statement, "Come here"! This is the place to have great conversation and make that spark! In addition, your in great hand's with the staff, service, and ambience! If you want to make an impact on your significant other, "shut up"! I call this the closer? BTW, the owner, always buy's fresh, organic and non "GMO foods". Perfect way to end your vacation...
(5)
Neil F.
We really liked this restaurant. The ambiance is perfect. Staff was awesome. I had the coconut rice noodles, which were yummy. Plus the polenta and fish special for that day; both of which were great. It was a busy spot that night. We got there around 8:00p and the first round of dinner folks were wrapping up. So we grabbed some drinks and sat on the patio until our table was ready. By 8:30p we were seated. Definitely hitting this place up again.
(5)
Grace L.
Ono fish plate and Sorrento (seafood pasta dish) were amazing. Try the limeade and hibiscus cooler. We liked them because they weren't too sweet. The pineapple upside down cake is a must! This restaurant has to be the cutest place. Very romantic but also a nice place for the family to dine. Loved the lighting and the red accents. Service was great. This place gets busy for a reason so definitely check this place out. Loved the whole experience.
(5)
Brendan B.
This was the only experience during a week in Kauai where we really wanted our money back. We were a group of eight, and had mains, wine, and a couple of appetizers. Most of it was fine, and some quite disappointing (why smother the delicate flavors of an otherwise tasty ahi tuna with gobs of wasabi-flavored sauce? Why is the caesar salad served without croutons, and with carrots? So odd). The service was friendly, but technically brutal. This feels like the category of dinner (20-30+$ mains) where we wouldn't have to ask for new cutlery for a main, after it was removed during the previous course. Where the menus aren't plastic. Where a busboy starts removing dishes before everyone in our party was finished eating (really?!). Overall our issue wasn't that it was all terrible, but that it fell so far short of what should be expected in this price bracket (wound up about 65$ pp). That feeling was universal among the group. Head up the street for better value and *much* better food at Bar Acuda.
(1)
Natalie C.
Why is this place rated so high? For stale bread that has been kept under a heat lamp until being served, runny, overly-sweet macadamia nut butter, a terrible wine list, and not to mention a 25-minute wait for a table for two on a Wednesday night because they don't accept reservations for parties under 4 persons. Cute, Hawaii-plantation decor doesn't make up for the lack of seating indoors (it happened to be raining heavily this particular night), and "specials" that I see are the same as fellow yelpers have posted for the past 8 months. Perhaps once Postcards was a quaint Hanalei fine-dining establishment (they sure price their entrees like so), but they are dated in their appearance and service and not worth the money for the old-fashioned food. A non-innovative chef serving a plain piece of grilled fish with butter on top, and a side of broccoli is not worth $36.00.
(2)
Daniel H.
We were not disappointing dining here. Yes, its a little expensive, but the food quality supports this. The fish was great and its a relaxing spot for an enjoyable dinner. I enjoyed the friendly and attentive service and was one of the better meals we had whilst on Kauai. Can recommend. Good for vegetarian and vegan choices.
(5)
Jennifer M.
This is our third visit to Kauai, but first time to have dinner at Postcards ! Highly recommended by our hotel consigliere, but we disagree ! We were greeted politely and seated right away, but it all went downhill after that! The service was way too fast...as if the food had been prepared of ahead of time! The waitress had a memorized list of specials..highlighting her favorites! My husband ordered the Tuna and found it was mediocre..at best! I had the worst sea bass I've ever had...so tough I couldn't cut it ! We shared a Beet Salad that was boring !! Even the wine tasted strange ! Skipped dessert and coffee; it was also very hot in there and we were eager to leave !! We should have gone to a Food Truck ! Postcards is very expensive for what they are offering !! Skip it !!!!
(2)
Rebecca W.
Cute decor, sweet servers, but food is for the over-60 set (felt like I was back at my grandmothers Jewish country club). If it's good food you're after, go elsewhere.
(1)
Vanessa E.
Postcards, what can I say.... while I liked the quaint but elegant ambiance, and your taro fritters (chutney a bit sweet) and macadamia butter were delicious, I have to say the rest of your food lacked seasoning and was quite bland, especially the coconut quinoa. My fish was cooked perfectly, however.... my husband ordered the wasabi ahi and he said it was tough and fishy. A $36 meal down the drain. Completely ruined our experience. The couple near us also complained that their lobster was over cooked. I love natural foods, but this place was a bit too hippy dippy for me. I feel like their desire to minimally prepare natural foods and their lack of seasoning results in very bland dishes. Service was good however. If you like this type of cuisine (vegan, seafood, natural foods) then come here. Otherwise, I hear Bar Acuda or Hanalei Dolphin (I personally think the Dolphin has amazing food) could be a better place to spend your cash.
(2)
Doc C.
Our group had dinner here the other night and we were very disappointed with the quality of food we received. I had the Caesar salad and the veges were wilted. The croutons were stale and soggy. We also ordered the grilled fish which was severely overcooked. This used to be one of my fave restaurants in Hanalei, but with our large group - everyone had the same thoughts about the quality of food we received. The service was wonderful. They were very attentive.
(2)
Anthony A.
It's more than just a cafe. Lobster tail was nicely cooked and the wasabi ahi tuna was out of this world! Lookout Gordon Ramsay!
(5)
Tammie B.
What a great find! One of the favorite restaurants on the island, came here several times and the food was consistently great and the service good. It can be very busy but worth the wait. Great dessert, great atmosphere with a homey feel can be a bit expensive for a family dinner though is romantically casual and intimate. Have and will come back over and over again while in Kaui.
(4)
Matin P.
Great service, great fish dishes, we ordered the post card sampler and the bread for appetizer, and the wasabi ahi tuna, fresh island fish and lobster tail as main course and finished it off with the chocolate suffleè and the coconut caramel sundae, which is a must! Def go there if u stay on the north shore. Is visit this place again! Nice and friendly staff ;-)
(4)
B J.
Great food. The tuna was so fresh. The meals have the right spice to them. I would recommend this to anyone in Kauai. I can't wait to come back! We even saw a couple get engaged! Well done.
(5)
Shannon D.
Everything here was perfect! I had their vegan dish which was by far one of the most delicious and original vegan meals I have ever had. My dad had the scallops and my mom had the fresh catch of the day, both of them said their food was delicious. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Kauai!
(5)
Dan M.
No Meat No Problem.... Wow... great vegie and seafood selections. We had the mixed appetizer which had multiple items including some shrimp rolled in cone crust, and tarro root in a magnificent presentation. I asked them not to over cook the swordfish and it was perfect. My wife had the tia noodles with shrimp, stunning and different. the setting was like being at home in your dinning room, servers were lovely and happy and on top of thing. I went to the Dolphin the night before, they had good food but were pushing people through, I rated it 4 star for that,This place does everthing right, if you dont the meat, get to this place.
(5)
FoodieChic L.
Cutest place in Hanalei! Thought I was at a relative's house - intimate, casual, and charming. We had no reservations but were seated within 10 minutes - which was surprising based on how busy they were! Food: Hubby had their fish of the day and it was delicious. Fresh, well-prepared. I had the Ceasar Salad (unfortunately wasn't too hungry) and even this was great. Read previous Yelp reviews about the bread and macademia nut butter and OMG I was in heaven. So good! Wanted to go back just for this; plan to make it back at home. Another personable touch: they give you a postcard with your check. Very creative!
(5)
D B.
Everything was perfect from start to finish! A delightful setting with beautiful ambiance! The waitress was pleasant, professional, and most accommodating, even though she was due in a week! And, the food! Mongchong fish was delicious, prepared so the gentle notes of the fish came through. The pasta dish was just as yummy, on the richer side, but not too much so. And, the lillikoi mousse was the perfect ending to a perfect meal! Love this place, just wish I'd known about it before our last night on the island!
(5)
Evelyn A.
I went to Postcards on the last day of my stay in Kauai (August 31, 2014). And it was great! Apparently my review from the mobile app never uploaded despite my three attempts at it. I had the mongchung and the sauce that accompanied it was so delicious I asked of more. The sides were tasty and dessert passionfruit mousse was a bit too sweet but nonetheless well worth ordering it. The ambiance was perfect, as I sat on the lanai and watched the sunset while eating my meal. It was delightful and delicious and I look forward to going back again!
(5)
Victor W.
Our group enjoyed our first "fancy" meal here. The place is still pretty casual and is a nice spot to hit up on the way back from the Kalalau trail. The pineapple hibiscus drink was refreshing. The appetizer sampler platter is definitely worth trying. The fussili pasta made with fresh veggies, seafood and marinara was actually quite well done too. Service was friendly. The place is a little pricey but overall worth it.
(4)
Robert S.
Ordered the blackened monchong and it was great. Service was also good. Has a vegetarian thing going on that seemed a bit odd but really good nonetheless. Go there for a clean, healthy my meal.
(5)
Chrys R.
Old Hawaii with a trendy flare. Pretty little place. We ate in the indoor dining room. Great music, and the service was top notch as was the polenta cake appy and sangria. Fish special with a little mac nut butter was delish. Must go here while visiting Hanalei.
(5)
Dusty B.
I wanted to like it. It's a great atmosphere and the staff is friendly. My dish was simply disappointing. I had the Ono with pineapple sage sauce. The sauce was great but the fish was overcooked. The potatoes on the side were cold and flavorless.
(3)
Shannon D.
Yummy quaint place. Met a couple at our resort and went together for a nice quiet dinner. We had the Ona special and everything was special about it!! Yum!!!
(4)
Kay A.
3rd time to eat here and it was pretty poor, I must say. First of all, the tables were all in need of major refurbishing (many scratches, marks). Come on folks, how about some table clothes on them? It seemed more like an upgraded Denny's then a quiet, romantic place that I remember it being a few years ago. Kids were screaming out of control, food on the floor. The owner was counting money, and didn't seem the least bit interested in whether his customers were satisfied. Honestly, the food was alright, but not worth the cost and in my opinion, there are better choices in town (Hanalei). Maybe next time it will be better.....
(2)
T W.
The seafood rockets were pretty good. And for those of you who don't like coconut in your food, you can't taste any of the coconut in this dish. The rest of our dinner was not so good. My husband had to tell the waitress three times that he wanted potatoes with his dinner and then she says, "so, you want rice?" ummm...helllo??!? I ordered the Seafood Sorrento and it was very bland. I was adding salt and pepper just so that there was some sort of taste...not something you should have to do at a "gourmet restaurant." btw, I puked at the end of the night. I'm guessing it was a result of dinner because I didn't have anything else questionable that night.
(2)
Vivian J.
This place is cute old plantation cottage with a view of the mountains inside or from the patio out front. All their food is organic and local grown. They have gluten free and vegetarian as well on the menu. We started off with a mixed green salad with cucumber, pumpkin seeds, carrots, onions, cherry tomatoes, and a yummy balsamic dressing. The salad is huge and we split it between us. For main dish I went for was the butter fish in a coconut curry sauces with mixed vegetables and pumpkin seeds. It was so good! The fish is layered on top of veggies and is grilled so you can add how much sauce you want on it. The veggies were Yukon potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and eggplant. My hubby got the Seafood Paella that came with Mussels, Shrimp, Calamari, etc. He thought it was just ok overall. I had this yummy Hibiscus Cooler which is Pineapple juice blended with hibiscus iced tea & mint that was so refreshing! They have a few beers but mostly wines on their menu. We ordered the lava cake with vanilla ice cream which was so good to share but it was TINY for $12.00. If you have no budget get one for yourself. Overall good experience but a bit pricey so be ready for a big bill.
(4)
kirstin p.
Choices are limited in Hanalei, but the ambiance of this place is really charming. It is an exact replica of a plantation cottage originally built in the 1800s. We sat outside on the patio, looking out onto the lush mountains. It is always nice to hear of a restaurant using organic and/or locally-grown produce, but the result was just ok, not amazing. We started with the Pupu Platter - taro fritters, seafood rockets, summer rolls and seared ahi. The sauces kind of masked the flavor of most of the items. I had the fresh fish prepared in macadamia nut butter and my husband had Wasabi-crusted Ahi. Again, the fish was good - prepared well, but I remember the macadamia nut butter being served on the side, which i thought was odd. My husband's dish was better. All-in-all, i would go back simply for the gorgeous atmosphere.
(3)
Mary Ann W.
What a great evening at postcards! First Pauline (sp?) graciously returned my call Immediately to confirm our reservation, then when we were running late replied no problem". How refreshing compared to other restaurants in Hanalei! Now for the food and service. Hebe in tandoori sauce with fresh vegetables! Amazing! The Ono and the ahi with citrus sauce delicious! The Caesar salad one of the best ever! Then our server, Meagan! So amazing, great recommendations, knowledgeable about the fish and menu items, very attentive and just lovely! We will be back! Thank you Postcards for the best meal ever!
(5)
Shawn J.
Great food, we got seared ahi and the Serrento Pasta as well as the seafood platter for an app. Overall it was very good and the service was also great. A bit pricy (be prepared to spend over $100 for two) and get in when they open to avoid a wait.
(5)
Steve H.
The food here is good. Actually very good, probably some of the best you'll find on Kauii. Not on par with Maui, or Waikiki, but very good. I dont go to Kauii for the cuisine anyways. This place is nice. Nice ambience. Very small and quiet. Would not call it kid friendy. We took our 3 year old with us and felt like we stuck out like a sore thumb. Only gave 3 stars because its very, very expensive. And the service is just ok. I got the feeling that they felt like they could get away with it because they are one of the few upscale restaurants on Kauii. There are other nice places, but most are attached to upscale hotels and resorts. This is one of two I can think of that arent. So if you want great food, go for it. Just leave your tikes behind and bring your wallet.
(3)
Grace P.
We stopped in for a lite dinner. I had their green salad w/ goat cheese and passion fruit dressing. The greens were very fresh and the dressing was fabulous! Then I had their vegan chocolate pie, also very good. Oh mint iced tea was refreshing. Very cute restaurant...check it out if you are in the area.
(4)
Aimee R.
If you are vegan or vegetarian, do not waste your time and money anywhere else. Just go straight here. We had bad meal after bad meal after bad meal on Kauai until we finally reached Postcards. SO unfortunate it is only open for THREE hours a night though and not open for lunch. This limited time frame really prevented us from eating there more often. We seemed to always be driving by when it was NOT 6-9pm. We finally made it one night though and had very good meals. I got the Indian curry dish with added tofu and it was great. Also got the Silk pie at the end for dessert, and it was wonderful as well. Inside ambiance was really delightful and just perfect. Exactly what i had hoped for. Fine dining is hard to come by on Kauai, and Postcards really strikes a balance between fine dining and comfortable casual, which was ideal. Got crowded very quickly, so reservations might be in order. Highly recommend this place, even to non-vegetarians.
(5)
B T.
This is our second favorite restaurant in the area and we always stop there for dinner when we are on the island. The food and service were both excellent.
(5)
Liz L.
This is our third time eating @ this restaurant & every time it's been consistently delicious! Try the wasabi crusted Ahi tuna - - yummmm!
(5)
Ernie B.
I love the fish but recently their options seemed poor. I also like their vegetarian dishes but i always feel like I did not get enough. If you are a vegetarian this is the best place in town. If your not come and try their mahimahi fish dish or ask for what 's on special. The front screened in lanai is intimate and romantic. Inside is very friendly and homy atmosphere but small. There is another place in Kilauea that I like better for fish.
(4)
Eddie L.
Perhaps the best and freshest green salad in Hanalei or maybe even in Kauai. If you like salad greens and fresh herbs please get this salad with the dressing on the side. (One of our salads that came dressed had far too much dressing) Taro fritters were tasty and inventive but perhaps overly sauced as well. Our entrees weren't the greatest but I'm guessing we ordered wrong. I'm a vegetarian so I can only guess that the fish dinners here are good and fresh and that's probably what people come here for. The next time I'm in Hanalei I'll come here for the salad and apps. (and the chocolate volcano!) expect to pay~$90 for 2. Service was friendly and funky. Perfect Hanalei.
(3)
John G.
Perhaps the finest restaurant on Kauai. That good! Really is. Run by locals. Very casual place with just outstanding dishes. The fish is the speciality and they cook it to perfection with many variations. We ate there twice on the trip and both meals were simply outstanding. Service was outstanding. The wine list had some great California and French wines. The appetizers were really super. Try the Taro Fritters. Just very tasty. The combo platter for pupus at $15 was the best. Seafood rockets (whatever), fritters, and other tasties all on one plate easily to be split by two people. This place is just the best, IMHO.
(5)
Miriam S.
This place is great. It is a nice, quiet little place - I would suggest getting their at 6pm when they open. The waitresses were incredibly nice, and all of the food was fresh and most of it was organic. I had the night's special and it was quite delicious! It was mahi mahi with a lobster sauce on top of rice noodles with some green beans and asparagus - super tasty! I would have appreciated a few extra vegetables, but that's just my preference. Our waitress was awesome, we had a crying baby at our table and she was so nice about it and even entertained the little one. We tried their pupu appetizer, which was pretty good, although the tarot fritters and cabbage didn't taste like much, but the seafood rockets were quite tasty. The crab cake was also very good although quite small for an appetizer to share with several people. Lastly, their desserts were delicious - I would most highly recommend the Lilikoi Mousse (my sister doesn't even like passion fruit and she thought it was delicious!), although the chocolate volcano souffle was very tasty too. Great place for fresh food!
(4)
Amikam R.
Postcards Cafe is in a house almost at the edge of Hanalei. We were two for dinner on a Sunday night. We were seated on the screened lanai where it was quiet. The menu is eclectic and the wine list interesting. We had the very good seafood rockets and the good local color salad. We both had the mahi mahi with cabbage and potatoes which was excellent. For dessert we had the excellent lilikoi mousse and the very good coconut sorbet and vanilla ice cream. The service was very good. They do not take reservations and fill up around seven PM. Come early and you won't have to wait.
(4)
B G.
Some of the best food I have ever put in my mouth. Ever. I ordered the Chef's Special and was not disappointed in the least! For a delicious appetizer, try the rockets...omg. Casual yet elegant dining in a breathtakingly lush town in Kauai. I could not have been happier than when I sat in this restaurant with the wonderful food and my fantastic friends.
(5)
Mariah C.
After reading the other reviews, and based on the recommendations I received while I Hawaii, I think we hit Postcards when they were having an extremely off night. Our food arrived cold, my fish was tough (who has ever had tough fish!?), our waitress was a complete airhead and kept coming back to ask us what we had ordered... Such a disappointing dinner! Maybe I'll try again next time I'm on Kaua'i.
(2)
Chad Michael L.
Hands down best in Hanalei Bay. Wait staff dresses up. Polite. Professional. Gorgeous dishes. Organic foods. Nice feel. Some of the best fish I've had in my life.
(5)
Mark R.
Excellent! four of us had dinner here on our second day on the island. We picked it because our wives are vegetarians and they have a great variety of food for all types. The two non-vegetarians had the fresh fish specials of the day and they were both fantastic. Both vegetarian meals were also very good. Service and ambiance were excellent. I would have given them 5 stars but they only serve wine and beer and the lists are fairly limited.
(4)
Liz J.
bring your wallet ! yes, things are experience on Hawaii but geez - $39 for a piece of fish? and when my husband ordered a chocolate cake for desert, they only had soy milk (no real milk). Our server was fine for us, she was lovely (and quite stunning) but I think the owners and their friends were sitting next to us so she mostly sat with them. Reviews were amazing about this location in every book we read - esp vegan/veg options so I was super excited...but sadly disappointed and never returned. P.S. I'm a vegetarian and only drink soy so I'm not a snob about it - but restaurants should offer choices.
(3)
Allison G.
Probably one of the nicer places in this area. Busy!!!! Had a decent dinner with yummy dessert to follow. Not too much of a major selection for this area. Was happy I tried it, but don't know if I would go out of my way to dine again when the other side has many good offers. Beach Bunny blond waitress was nice, but a little spacey in the head. Go figure!
(2)
melanie p.
Just ok, totally overpriced. Cute homey atmosphere and service..ok, but waitress forgot my wine order with dinner. We had the Taro fritters for an appetizer..can't decide on if I liked it or not..just "ok" again. Food was bland and nothing to write home about. There are many other places I would go to enjoy on the north shore. When I drop this kind of money, I want to be blown away. I am not going to spend my $100 and some change here again. We didn't bother with dessert because we felt we had spent enough on 2 entrees, an app, and 1 glass of wine.
(2)
Jessica M.
The food was tasty, though perhaps the hummus and mashed potatoes were a little under-seasoned. The grilled fish was perfect, the taro fritters delicious and the vegan chocolate silk pie luscious. It was a real treat to find lots of vegan items to feed our child, who is dairy and egg allergic. I'd go back again. My glass of Riesling was perfect with my fish and, while my husband liked the beer he got, it was warm. The atmosphere is casual and friendly.
(4)
Arianna P.
quaint, charming atmosphere. good, quality food
(4)
James C.
I just literally had the best meal of my life. The appetizer was delicious and the fresh fish entree was a deep pleasure with each and every bite. If you are on Kauai do not miss the opportunity to eat here. THE BEST.
(5)
Karen C.
ONO!!!! You have to start out with the pupu plate, which was a sampler of appetizers, all of them were great. The standard fish preparations were great. I loved the pineapple sage sauce. They cooked the Opah so well, lovely and flakey. The sea bass special they had on the menu was a stark contrast though as it was far from being Ono. (-1 stars for that!) The other thing didn't like were the mosquito bites I got from the outdoor seating. Bring your repellant. Overall this was my best meal in Kuaui!
(4)
Sean L.
OMG!! Total yum. The Mahi Mahi was amazing and the lava cake was delish!! Def check this place out. Jolene was wonderful.
(5)
Tim G.
We ate at this restaurant and had such an excellent meal that we brought friends and family back two nights later. The unique tastes and fabulous fish entrees will keep you coming back! Do order their special bread and the desserts are a must. I can see why this was George Clooney's favorite restaurant while filming the movie, Desendants. By the way the service was charming and also worthy of 5-stars. Fantastic both nights.
(5)
Nadia S.
In a single word, GO! This place served up one of the best dinners we have ever had. Ingredients super fresh, flavors out of this world and all in an unpretentious, friendly, tiny restaurant. If you think this place is expensive apparently you have no idea what expensive is on an island. On the mainland this place may count as a pricier establishment but on Kauai it is avarge and the food is WAY better than average. Everything from their appetizers to dessert is fantastic. We had the Seafood Sorrento, a fish special (with ono) and the special dessert chocolate lave cake......incredible.
(5)
Alan H.
My wife and I had dinner at Postcards the last night of our trip and the food was outstanding. The taro fritters were delicious and my wasabi crusted ahi was fantastic. They said it used to be a regular item on the menu and after they removed it, they recieved so many complaints that they put it back on. My wife had risotto with shrimp and liked it very much. We finished with the lava cake which wasn't the best I've ever had, but still very good. So why just 4 stars? Well, the wait staff, especially our server, seemed very snooty. Certainly not what you expect on the islands. Now on this particular night it was an all female wait staff, including the busser. Perhaps one guy on the floor would have injected a little energy or lightened the mood a bit but they all seemed to take everything just a little to serious and lacked any sense of humor. There was one incident with our server that bothered me. I overheard another server telling the guests that they had chive and sour cream mash potatoes on the menu. Our server had not mentioned this so a few minutes after we placed our order, I asked if I could substitute the mash potatoes for the rice that came with my dish. She responded by telling me she didn't want to upset the kitchen since they were busy and would bring me a side. I didn't know if that meant I was being charged for a side. Now I've worked in kitchens so I understand the server/chef relationship and wanting to keep them happy. However as a guest, please don't share that with me because I don't give a F*%K about whether or not you get along and isn't it far more important to keep me happy? I beleive I'm the one tipping you, not the chef. Overall, great experience, fantastic food and we would definitely go back.
(4)
Amanda S.
This restaurant is in my top 3 and I have eaten at great restaurants. You can not go to Kauai and not eat dinner here (at least once). So fresh, flavorful and healthy!! mmmmmmm...
(5)
Kevin R.
Very good, well thought out meal with excellent use of local flavors.
(4)
Kim V.
$120 for two of us: 2 glasses of wine, 2 entrees, 1 coffee, and 1 dessert...which was $12! If you're ok with the prices, the food and service is wonderful. Postcards was recommended by a local, and we had the chef's special, Mong Chong fish, which was elegant. I can't recommend the small chocolate volcano souffle for $12. It was nice, but way, way overpriced.
(4)
Paul W.
One of the best places to eat on the North Shore for sure. The pupu plate was super yummy to start (notably the fried taro puppies, seafood rockets, and ahi) the Opa with peperred pineapple sage was divine. The special that night, a sea bass that was too firm and not flaky, moist, and delicious like the other fish lacked for sure. The wines were nice. Bread available on request with Mac Not butter. mmmmm, Mac nut butter. The service could improve. It is so popular and crowded maybe they don't feel the need to, but my friends Onno (nuther fish) was over-cooked and she had to send it back, which is not the end of the world, but the waiter was a little apprehensive and less than gracious about taking it back which was annoying because it was clearly overcooked, too firm, and dry. Also, we had a reservation but still had to wait a while for a table, which is not the end of the world either, but the hostess seemed a little put off that we wanted to order a bottle of wine to sip while we waited. In fact the wine did not make it out to us until the table was ready. I am sure she was busy and all, but I guess I didn't feel like it was an unreasonable request, and in fact, they should have been happy to sell us another bottle of wine, right? Well, lucky for them, the Opa and pupu platter were super tasty. Stilll very good dining on the North Shore, and there is not myuch up there to rave about unless you are staying at the Princeville and shelling out the big bucks for your food.
(4)
Brad T.
All around excellent. Food was outstanding. Beautifully prepared and presented. The help was very friendly, made us feel welcome and that they were very grateful that we'd chosen to have dinner at their restaurant. On of our best meals anywhere in the Islands. We went back a second time we enjoyed it so much.
(5)
L U.
Quaint cottage decor. The owner was very friendly, however, the food did not live up to our expections for the price we paid for our meal. BarAcuda down the road is a much better choice for the price.
(3)
Kenneth J.
My wife and I love this place! Dined here after proposing to my wife on her "21st" birthday of 2006 ;) We chose this restaurant for the seafood for me and the vegetarian dishes for her. My wife ordered the spaghetti with some homemade sauce, mashed with marinara and mushrooms, yummy and wine. I can't remember what I had to eat. I do remember sitting at a cozy table on their porch during the warm Kauai night laughing it up with my dearest over something silly. The service was also spot on. All I can say is that my wife was truly happy with her meal experience...and you know what "they" say...a happy wife means a happier husband. So happy, she often reminisces about dining here again. As do I ;)
(5)
Adria B.
I've been consistently disappointed in the food here on Kauai, until Postcards. You know that feeling you get when you walk into a place and you just know its going to be what you want? Well maybe it was the 3 drinks I had before dinner, but I got that feeling walking into Postcards. We weren't starving so we just had the bread with hummus as a starter, which was good. The hummus wasn't anything special (being a bit of a hummus snob, I've come to expect very little outside of Hummus Place, and the Sabra container) but the bread was clearly homemade and delicious. My brother and I thought it appropriate to treat our parents to a bottle of wine (of which we probably consumed the greater portion of), so we ordered the Pinot Grigio (a wine that never really impresses me, but rarely disappoints at the lower end of the price spectrum). For an entree, I'd have to say that I ordered the best dish, the Seafood Risotto. It had just enough saffron to boost the flavor, but not to take away from the fresh scallops, mussels, and clams. mmmmm. My mother had the fish special of the night (unfortunately I can't remember the name at all, and for lack of sounding like I'm bashing the Hawaiian language, I'll refrain from trying), which was fantastic. The description is full of cliches, "buttery, thick, delicious", etc. Our waiter was very nice and helpful, as my family can definitely be an irritating bunch. He stuck around to answer all of our drunk questions. If we were staying longer I'm sure we'd be back to Postcards, but alas, we've carefully mapped out our eating schedule for the remaining days.
(4)
D T.
Ok, if I had to base this on my last visit, it would probably be a 3 star review. I LOVE Postcards and have always been a fan of this gem in this tiny little town. However, my last meal here in December was not what I expected. The restaurant itself is adorable and charming. A little quaint "house" along the side of the road in VERY quiet Hanalei. It's open, airy, beachy and charming as hell. A huge bonus for me- everything is organic, there are a lot of vegetarian options, even gluten free. The family and I came last month and I was thrilled to eat at this yummy little cafe. We went VERY easy on ordering for us- a salad and an entree a piece. I don't think we have ever made it at a restaurant without over ordering, but the St. Regis has really upped its game and I was gorging myself all day, every day. The waitress kept pushing the "monchong". It was a fish I had never heard of- which is rare. So, despite the preparation not sounding up my alley, the description of the fish itself; i.e. texture, flavor, etc sounded excellent. Oh, but it wasn't. My dad loved it, but we have majorly different tastes in food. My mom and husband loved their tuna, and I, the foodie, was left with a subpar dinner. The only one at the table who worships food. Unfair. I would NOT let this deter you from going. I normally love this place. And what's with the complaints on the prices. It's organic, unbelievably fresh and anything that's not native, (which I doubt is much there) has to be shipped. People forget how damn far the Islands are. They don't have access to everything the other 48 do.
(4)
Emily M.
My husband and I were hungry for some dessert before heading back to Lihue and when we passed this charming little house lined with beautiful bulb lights we turned the car around to go investigate. There were at least three or four parties waiting to be seated outside but they looked cheery with their glasses of wine. The hostesses was LOVELY! As soon as we walked up she greeted us with a big smile and ushered us to the hostess station. When we told her we were only interested in dessert she politely let us know that during those hours "dessert only" orders were only able to be served to go. We were a bit sad, but it made a little sense, they appeared very busy. We browsed the menu for a bit (I would definitely say it looked $$$) and felt that yes, dessert was the only thing we could fit in our stomachs. I was thrilled to find a gluten-free (and vegan) chocolate cream pie listed! (it's always sad when you can't find a gluten free crust). I ordered that with a side of vanilla ice cream and my husband ordered the fried ice cream that was rolled in cocoanut and macadamia nuts? The hostess took our order and was quick to say that we'd want to eat the fried ice cream right away or else it just wouldn't taste as good, would we mind sitting outside on one of the outdoor picnic benches they weren't using for dinner? We quickly said yes! and happily strolled outside and sat down at a picnic bench with a few people that were waiting to be seated for dinner. Our desserts came out quickly and were WONDERFUL! The pie was creamy and rich, the crust made it possible to eat the whole thing and the ice cream was a great addition. My husband finished his in a matter of minutes :P We sat and talked for a bit, it felt like we had the best seat in the house, enjoying the twinkly lights from the house but far enough away to see the all the stars. It was one of my favorite dinning experiences we had in Kauai, and had it not been our last night I know we would have been back the next day for dinner :)
(5)
Rob B.
Was looking forwards to Postcards but I guess I did not fully research. One in our party was a landlubber, no fish. This is not the place to come, there were no meat or chicken dishes. He has a salad and we deferred to a quick appetizer, closed out and moved on. If I get back I will try this again.
(4)
Wen M.
When we were in Hanalie, several people suggested us to go to postcard cafe for dinner. After hitting the beach, we cleaned up a bit and headed to dinner. No reservation taken, first come first serve. We went on the early side when it just opened.. Servers were cheerful and attentive. We got seafood plate apps, shrimp tacos, and a local grilled fish. They were all awesome!! The lava cake desert was heavenly as well. It was reasonably priced with the amount of food, quality and freshness!!! I would love to come back next time we are in hanalie!
(5)
Gus G.
The flavors were very good and a bit different from what we've been eating on our Hawaii trip (which was a nice change). Almost Indian type flavor? Hard to describe. We had the fish of the day (one swordfish and one marlin). Swordfish was great, as we are very picky about our swordfish. Tasted very fresh and not fishy. The fritter appetizer was also tasty. Service was decent. They were very very nice but forgot to bring a glass if wine etc. We went at 8:30pm so just before closing and 1/2 the restaurant was empty, so we got a nice table on the front lani with no wait. The prices were high, in fact I'd give them 3.5 stars based on that but I can't and 3 stars is too low for the how tasty it was. Then again, most dinners at nicer sit down restaurants on our trip have been sky high so I guess it's in line. $36 for the fish of the day and $14 for the fritter appetizer.
(4)
Princess R.
I read the reviews, put on my best evening gown, drove there expecting the best!! Instead, I quickly realized that this poorly managed establishment isn't anything like the rest of this paradise island, in fact, I believe it's the crusty sore on Kauai's face!! Such rude, untutored demeanor and collective presence unbecoming of the Aloha spirit that I have come to love and embrace.... Shame on you Postcards Cafe, all of you still need much schooling on what it truly means to be hospitable and kind to ALL of your guests and not just only to those who look like you :(
(1)
Shana K.
I'm still not sure about this place. It gets great reviews and has quite the long wait for dinner if you go right after sunset. However, our experience wasn't much to be excited about. Our waitress was not friendly and was mad that I wanted the sampler platter for my dinner instead of as an appetizer for two as stated on the menu. The food in general is overpriced. We had better food and a better experience elsewhere not too far away for a lot less. To cap the night off, there were cockroaches starting to fly around the porch where we were sitting and crawled on the door to the restaurant when we left.
(2)
Alexis D.
Came here for dinner to try it out (we had already been everywhere else a few times) I can't recommend this to anyone unfortunately... I ordered a bottle of wine and our waitress just poured the whole glass - never let me try it properly first.. the rest of the staff wasn't the best. The food is wayyyy over priced for what it is... not impressed. Interesting flavors but nothing compliments each other. Great location but poor execution which is such shame giving the beautiful environment your in. Save your money if you're thinking about coming.
(1)
Y F.
We visited postcards on Monday evening but it was very busy and they do not take reservation for a couple so you need to go there 5:30pm to secure a seat. We arrived 6pm and end up to waiting 1 hour. Their dished are creative and fish, crab, and robstar were as flesh as we feel like eating them soon after they caught them. Especially, I found the unique local take on crab cake unforgetable. Definitely, My husband and I agreed that they were the yummiest crab cakes we have ever had.
(5)
Mimi K.
Bland! Very bland! I've the cut venue but For 100$ for a couple for 2 entrees and a desert to share not worth it. My husband didn't look at the detailed reviews and just saw the stars. For that cost of meals I would of hoped for waitress that wasn't wearing a tanktop. We got the fish tandoori style. It was not even close to any indian style I know of. It was fish on top of a fish broth which was bland as can be... My suggestion, Fo somewhere else for a hot date. I'm glad I didn't have kids with me or it would of been more waste of money. At least I had my husband there for the good company on the nice covered porch area with candlelight...
(1)
Caroline L.
Easily the best meal on the island (so far) I'm surprised to see the love hate relationship on yelp for postcards cafe. I'm from NYC and often I have to remind myself to lower my expectations when traveling. Not so with postcards cafe. The postcards platter is a must have. It wad totally unique and tastey. We also had the sorrento which was good.
(4)
Michael S.
Maybe it was hyped up too much before we tried it...but It wasn't the best meal we've had on the island by a long shot. Having said that the taro fritters were terrific and the lava cake was wonderful. I had the mahi and my husband had the signature ahi dish...and while the sauces were interesting the overall dishes were good--not great.
(3)
Jess F.
Very small and quaint atmosphere. Was a decent wait when we went. Was told they didn't take reservations, but we called ahead and they took our name. Food was decent, but we thought slightly overpriced. Ahi tuna entrees was good and around $45 which seemed to be a lot. Also tried the Thai noodle entree which was spicy, but good. Overall decent food, but have. Enjoyed other local restaurants much more.
(3)
Darian C.
This place was recommended by our concierge - as we drove up we were not convinced. This is a house converted to a restaurant and while it is homey once inside, from the outside it doesn't scream gourmet food. But this was our favorite meal in Kauai by far. The wasabi crusted fish was amazing and the coconut quinoa that was served with it is so delicious! The volcano dessert was so good too - not too rich but still sweet enough. Service was friendly and just the right amount of attention. We are thinking about going back to Kauai on our next Hawaii vacation just so we can go to Postcards again.
(5)
Elyse G.
Charming, friendly place with fresh, well-prepared food. Green salad fixings tasted as if they were picked that morning (maybe they were), Ono catch-of-the day, hubby's tandoori stew, and pineapple upside down cake with best sorbet ever were wonderful. Good wine quite well-priced. Jolene, our server, was the best!
(5)
Rami C.
Delicious food. We came here by accident, as another restaurant we were planning to go to was crazy busy. But we were glad we came. It's situated in a romantic house and the staff was very nice. We still had to wait outside for a little bit before we could get to our table, but they were accommodating and one of the staff even brought out a mosquito repellent for me as we were waiting outside. Inside, the staff were attentive and the food was delicious. I enjoyed the taro fritters (unexpectedly savory and full of flavor) and the bread. I had a salad which I liked. The hubby had pesto pasta which he thought was tasty. We enjoyed our dinner there.
(4)
Dani L.
We had dinner at postcards cafe over the holiday break. Much to our surprise, they were able to sit our party of 4 without a reservation around 5:45PM. The hostess was very nice and polite. We sat in the outside deck, which has a cool nature vibe to it. The food was honest and tasty. We had the tapenade trio (interesting) and a couple of the fish dishes (generously portioned, but not particularly creative). The lave cake for desert was good as was the passion fruit mousse. Bread and butter are available for an extra fee. The service was probably the lowlight. The waitress appeared overwhelmed, cranky, and rushed. The dishes came out quickly without the prior courses being cleared and empty wine glasses accumulated on the table. Prices, as most things in Hawaii, are higher than what you would expect. Overall, it is a nice, casual restaurant option in the town of Hanalei, where there aren't that many great options to begin with!
(3)
Asha L.
We are locals and thrilled to find that Postcards Cafe uses local, non gmo corn! On this island where gmo corn research is out of control, this little restaurant has the awareness and integrity to offer their customers local non gmo ingredients. Mahalo Nui Loa to Postcards, we are spreading the word to our networks. Wondering if you are non gmo completely, and if not, hope you can become so and market that widely. New research has shown gmo food to be very dangerous to the human immune system and healthy digestive flora. Those that are aware of this and still want to go out and enjoy a good meal would love to know where they can be sure to get healthy, life enhancing food!
(5)
Angelica H.
The restaurant itself is absolutely adorable! Very quaint and charming, Our server was great as well. To start, we had the bread with macadamia nut butter.. so good! Definitely worth getting. We also got the famous Postcards platter and were a bit disappointed. We felt like we ordered the whole platter in order to get the crab cakes (comes with one even if when you get the portion for 2) and that's kind of how the rest of the platter tasted. Fortunately, our entrees and desserts were delicious! I got the asabi-crusted Ono (they ran out of ahi tuna which is a bit odd since they are only open for three hours, but it worked out for me b/c I can't eat the ahi and wanted to try asabi crusted preparation on the fish). Came with a great jasmine rice and vegetable medley which was very unique and well thought out. My husband got a great pasta dish with seafood in it and loved it. For dessert, we shared the famous volcano cake which was delicious. These prices were about the same as Dolphin and we thought the experience/innovation of food was much better. Will return our next time around!
(4)
Kevin S. G.
What can l say? This place was amazing! !! Very nice laid back casual atmosphere, friendly, attentive staff, delicious (and healthy) food. One of my wife's friends recommended it to us. I had the monchong as the catch of the day. There were 3 different glaze options. I chose the pineapple pepper. For the appetizer, we had a big, stuffed Portobello. The next time you are in Kauai, you gotta come here!!!
(5)
David H.
I have just returned from a lovely mini break to Kauai. It was super relaxing, and everywhere we went, we were met with a special level of service irrespective of the caliber of the business, from the very simple sandwich shop right up to well documented high eateries. But I simply have no idea where this oh so full of hot air establishment managed to wrangle a four star average out of its diners, if our experience was anything to go by. We booked well ahead of time for a table at 8:15, with an instruction from the lady who,took our booking to get there a bit earlier as she would almost surely be able to seat when we arrived. For various reasons, our attempts to get there when planned, only resulted in an 8:10 arrival....thankfully. What a shambles. We were told that our table is finishing up, and we'd be seated shortly, followed by another plea from a hostess that the table had decided to extend their stay a little longer. By now there were numerous other guests hovering around in the gardens waiting patiently for their reservations. To add insult, a group of six, who clearly were well known to the establishment was lavishly supplied with complimentary wine while they waited, while the other diners, got nothing, not even an apology. Long story short, we were then offered a seat outside on the patio, because the hostesses didn't have the balls to,manage the dining room efficiently...oh and btw, never once were we paid a visit by a manager to utter so much as a basic apology...I digress. So there we sit like second rate citizens outside in humidity and the rain pelting down on the tin roof...at what time......8;55....forty five minutes after we arrived. I always judge my plate of food on the obvious factors, but also by whether I might be able to reproduce any of the plates of food ordered. With a small amount of effort, everything that was brought out to us could have been made in my kitchen. The waitress attempted to humor us with a free appetizer, and not charging for desserts...not because she had been told about us being inconvenienced, or that we had been unceremoniously dumped outside, but because she could see each and every face of thunder before her. The embarrassment of the evening for them was their upside down pineapple cake, which as anyone knows is this wonderful moist cake, oozing sweetness and the soft pineapple fruit toppling down the side....ahem....baked in cup cake trays, dry, dry, dry meh!!!!! As you see...my reviews are are tilted almost every time, and I should yelp more about the wonderful meals I have eaten, but I simply don't have the time, and I seem to remember, and am pissed off enough to find the time to write about the bad ones. The postcard needs to take a serious look at what they are trying to achieve. Their prices are high for very mediocre food, and their service is just dreadful, dreadful. I will never ever eat here again, should I be fortunate enough to return to this beautiful island....nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see the diners vote with their feet, and there is a closed for business sign hanging over the door soon. It a great location, so,hopefully once the other crew get run out of town, someone who knows what they are doing and can step in and provide some fine dining that the current owners are hood winking the public into believing they are getting.
(1)
jasmine w.
One of the best meals we had on the island. My boyfriend swears the ahi was the best piece of fish he's ever had! Very cute laid back dining experience.
(5)
Lindsey K.
This is a great place if you are looking for island ambience and simple, clean food. We went there after reading the Yelp reviews and started by ordering the Pupu Platter: taro fritters with delicious chutney, crab cakes, seafood rockets, seared ahi tuna, kim chi, and purple cabbage. I respectfully disagree with Vanessa that the chutney was too sweet. If you have ever had taro, even fried, it needs a little something. It was pineapple based and unlike and other chutney I have had. The seafood rockets and crab cakes were deliciously savory. The crab cake was not full of filler, which is always a buzzkill for me. I want crab, not breadcrumbs! There were two or three slices of beautiful ahi adjacent to the cabbage and kim chi. It was definitely one of those plates that had something for everyone, but aside from the cabbage, tuna and kim chi, it was rich and a little heavy. Not in a bad way, just in a deliciously fried way. For our main courses we had the wasabi tuna and the fish of the day (Ono) with cheddar mashed potatoes and pineapple sage sauce. Ok, so here is where things went south. My tuna was all tendony and literally inedible. It was a generously sized tuna steak that was seared rare and I literally was able to dissect 3 or four bites from it. What made it worse was that the flavor was delicious. I know if this had been as beautiful as the tuna on our app that this meal would have been perfect. Thankfully, they agreed that the cut of fish was inferior and comped it, along with dessert. I just have to wonder how a place that obviously puts out so much fish misses that. Especially since it has been noted that other Yelp reviewers have had the exact same problem. So, order at your own risk and know that your meal will be delicious if you have a nice piece of fish. Seems pretty simple. The Ono my husband and daughter ordered was memorable. The pineapple sage sauce was amazing, mouth watering, addicting even. I wish they bottled it. I seriously would have shipped some home. I didn't try the mashed potatoes, but my husband said they were on par with the fish and sauce. A good meal all around. I would definitely give Postcards a try, especially since it's a little different than so many of the places around it. Our server was so sweet, and they did rectify the kitchen's mistake. They do not have a full bar, but do beer and wine and have a house sangria.
(4)
Dulari A.
Perfect island restaurant! Must go. Small. homely. Cozy. Quaint. Warm / friendly service. Food was Delish. Organic. Local. Fresh. Good portions. Good cali wine list. Romantic...Charming...A gem. Worth wait. Garden smells lovely.
(5)
Sandra G.
We called ahead for a Friday night dinner but they were no longer accepting reservations. However they told us they save half the restaurant for walk-ins. We walked in 15 mins after it opened and it had already filled up. The hostess was very sweet and accommodating. We were able to take a reservation that had cancelled. The atmosphere was warm, the food was good and the service was excellent. My whole family enjoyed the evening. We would certainly come back.
(4)
John S.
Some friends of ours had recently stayed in Princeville so when we asked them which restaurant we should go to, both immediately responded "Postcards!" Several negative Yelp reviews made us worry (and indeed parking is scarce on this end of Hanalei) but we decided to give it try anyway. Getting a table at 8:15pm on a Saturday night was surprisingly not an issue. The cute and cozy restaurant was near capacity but still had a couple tables free. We opted to start with the appetizer combo for two, a collection of tasty treats such as taro fritters (yum!), fried seafood rockets (devoured by our 6 year old), crab cake (solid but not awesome), seared ahi (double yum) along with some delicious homemade chutney and slaw. It was absolutely a winner and I would unreservedly recommend it to all. For my main plate, I went for the tandoori blackened uku (grey snapper). The tandoori sauce was indeed delicious - spicy and creamy but not excessively so - and the inclusion of pepitas gave an interesting textural counterpoint to the otherwise overcooked vegetables. The poor zucchini, eggplant and bell peppers looked to have been cooked about an hour or two past their prime though the carrots and garbanzo beans were admittedly good. The snapper was great - nice spice rub and cooked to perfection as the outside was crispy and the inside cooked-through yet still moist and tender. My wife said her fennel-crusted lobster had good flavors, though I personally detest the addition of white truffle oil under any circumstances. It also suffered from being a touch over-broiled (as lobster is prone to being). Fortunately the meal ended on a positive note with the best dessert in recent memory - a ball of vanilla ice cream, rolled in macadamias and coconut, deep fried and drenched in a decadent caramel sauce. We were in heaven! Service was prompt and polite, and the wine list is solid with an interesting mix of good deals ranging from Sonoma-Cutrer to Kistler. They also have a modest keiki menu for the kiddos.
(4)
Mark D.
The food was good. It wasnt a showstopper but on a small island with limited choices it was very good. I liked the idea of the food coming from different parts of the world. It makes for an eclectic selection. I would have like a few more options. The was well prepared and nicely presented. For our 2 year old they had Penne with Marinara which he liked. I had the thai flavor noodles with coconut milk. It was probably the best tasting dish at our table.
(3)
sherri m.
Menu is very limited. But the food is good. Fish was excellent. Make sure you make a reservation to sit on the porch as it's sweltering inside. A party of five and we all were miserable due to the heat. Two glasses of wine and an iced tea so we weren't heavy drinkers at all but the total bill exceeded $250. Staff wasn't welcoming as we didn't have a reservation although we arrived slightly before they opened and they still were not full when we left. Missing some aloha here.
(3)
Alex C.
My whole family loved this place. The Wasabi Ahi was a hit with everyone from my seven year old on up. Our server was so nice and helpful. All the plates were interesting and delicious. So stoked we went here.
(5)
margery f.
Nice meal. Interesting food representing Hawaiian cuisine. Have the sundae with caramel and coconut for dessert
(4)
Vijay S.
Was looking for a place to take our party of 8 with a sprinkle of vegetarians for a nice dinner on our last day on the island. This came highly recommended by a friend. In any case I decided to do some research before going. I liked that there were quite a few vegetarian options as well as seafood options with good ingredients. I did also note that the reviews were mixed but I went with an open mind. For appetizers we ordered the Baked Portobello Mushroom, Trio Of Tapenades with House-Made Crostini, House Baked Organic Bread and a single order of the Crab Cakes. All very good. The crab cakes and the Baked Portobello Mushroom were my favorite. For the Main Course the seafood eating group ordered Fresh Island Fish (Mahi Mahi) Blackened and another grilled served with Macadamia butter, the Wasabi Crusted Ahi and the Thai Coconut Rice Noodles with Kauai Shrimp Broth with Shrimp added. The vegetarians ordered the Sombrero, Thai Coconut Rice Noodles with Tofu (Vegan). The child ordered the Pasta with marinara. All portions were reasonably sized however opinions were mixed. I personally tasted the Fish, Ahi and the Thai Coconut noodles. The seafood entree's seemed to fresh and done well. The wasabi crusted Ahi has just the right amount of wasabi and the cooked just right. My wife's Thai coconut rice noodles - while good completely lacked a certain punch. The others - specifically the vegetarians in the group felt the same. The consensus was a bit more of a acidic flavor needed to be incorporated into the dishes. However, the ingredients were fresh and the shrimp my wife added to her rice noodle order was excellent. The child unfortunately did not enjoy her pasta as the marina included onions - which she is not quite fond off. For dessert, some members of the group ordered the Chocolate Volcano and the Lilikoi Mousse. (The Chocolate Volcano needs to be ordered with the meal and we forgot to, but they were accommodating) The group had high expectations of the Chocolate Volcano but this was quite disappointing. While the dollop of ice cream was generous, the cake itself was quite small and more significantly taste wise, it didn't come close to any of our other experiences with this dessert. The Lilikoi Mousse was however the best and universally liked by all. While there were positives, overall we were disappointed with the experience. For one thing the waitressing was bare/minimal to the point of being curt. (We think this had to do with the fact that the tip was automatic for our party of 8.) We had to make requests for water and some were left without silverware during course changes. At $50 / person (without drinks) we expected better service and a bit more flavor.
(2)
Lisa H.
Husband and I were dying for some vegetables after ODing on white rice and plate lunches so it was nice to get a fresh salad and steamed broccoli. We also got the appetizer sampler which was $20+ for 2 and it was beautifully prepared, but portions were itty bitty. Overall, though food was overpriced and dessert was mediocre, ambiance was lovely and it was a nice way to end our trip. Especially since pickings for a good meal are slim in Hanalei.
(3)
Ash T.
Had the Ono which was delicious. Their ingredients are clearly fresh and the sauce was to die for. I'm not sure it warranted the price though; at about $40/entree it's a pricey meal that doesn't seem very upscale. Restaurant is cute but borderline dive-ey, and details down to the presentation of the food make you feel as though you're eating at more of a mom and pop shop than in one of the more expensive restaurants on the north shore.
(3)
Kevin K.
We were vacationing near the town of Princeville on Kauai. There are a handful restaurants in Hanalei that are what you would consider semi formal (well for Hawaii anyway). This restaurant was not necessarily recommended but it showed up on a few lists of available restaurants near our hotel.So we finally decided to go. This is a vegetarian / seafood only restaurant. We did not have to wait which is a good thing. The waitress tried to sell us the salmon as their signature dish for $34. We felt the whole menu was overpriced. But we ultimately ordered two main dishes in the $25 range. The food was kind of bland and certainly overpriced. But the bigger issue was the poor service. The waitress seemed impatient and did not want to wait for us to decide. We were in the middle of ordering and asking questions when the waitress said I'll give you more time to decide and left the table. She returned a while later with my wife's salad to our surprise and dismay. She brought a partial order when we had not even finished ordering. She then took the full order and left. We had one salad sitting on the table and waited for the second one to arrive followed by the main dishes. This was the first time this had happened to us in many many years of traveling worldwide . So unprofessional service and over-priced menu is our evaluation for this place. If you want great food on Hanalei, try BarAcuda's (that's how they spell it) a block away!
Ahi encrusted with wasabi is phenomenal. Great balance as you can clearly taste the Ahi. Reasonable wine prices (no hard liquor served) and service was spot on.
(4)
Kelly G.
Always a "safe"choice, never been disappointed. Great variety with good vegan and gluten-free options as well. The swordfish and Ahi are both fantastic, as are the incredible dessert selections!
(5)
Betty H.
Compared to all the other fresh fish options, this place is more than slightly overpriced and the decor doesn't really hold up to a place that can charge $36 for a plate of blackened Hebi. The service is good, but the hostess, hot -cougar-type as she is, is a bit...huffy. My mom and I shared an appetizer plate for 2, priced at $20 for a disappointing selection of appetizers. The best thing was the taro hushpuppy things, but everything else was luke warm. The fish was good, but a small portion compared to what we pay for in the fish markets, and I know, yada yada you're in a fancy restaurant blah blah blah, but trust me, the ambience, service and restaurant decor do not make up for such a steep price difference. The desserts are good, but also expensive. I recommend the chocolate silk pie and the macadamia nut crusted coconut ice cream, basically: tempura fried ice cream with macadamia nuts over it. Pretty good, but plenty of other great ice cream options around the island: esp: LAPPERTS! Plugging an ice cream place in a restaurant review. You're welcome lapperts. Lastly, the coffee was warm and weak and even after I asked the server to change the cup it was STILL luke warm. So. yeah. I've definitely experienced better and was not impressed.
(2)
Elizabeth B.
The food had great flavor and it was a good sized portion. We got the Thai noodles and the fusilli with shrimp- both dishes were interesting. I thought that bread should come with the meal at that price but that's ok. The dinner was great and our waitress was very friendly. We have other favorites but overall, 4 stars.
(3)
Lynn D.
Went right at 5:30 so we were seated and served quickly. Fresh fish was good. Liked sage pineapple sauce was better than the macadamia nut butter. Cesar salads were a little too tangy for my taste. Enjoyed it
(4)
David L.
FOOD ALLERGY WARNING: Don't go there if you have a food allergy. They will tell you they will leave it off and serve it to you anyways. When we suspected it, we asked them. Response: "if you would have asked me earlier, I would have told you it was in there." Huh? After we specifically told you we had allergies?
(1)
Russ S.
The chef is a master at combining flavors. There were so many unique combination I have never experienced such as the pineapple pepper sage sauce on the fish special. The combination appetizer is a must. Sad to say my Ono was a little dry as was the Spanish rice side. It was not overdone just maybe too long under the heat lamp. The setting is quaint plantation style. They only take reservations for a party of four or more but you can walkin as a party of two. Get there early as it fills up fast.
(4)
william p.
First time for this restaurant and I was pleased. Quaint older building added charm to less that spectacular location. Nevertheless, it is not location but food that makes a restaurant. There were four of us for dinner. We sat outside which was perfect. Without going into long discussion, everything was well prepared, tasty and satisfying. The bill wasn't outrageous considering this is Hanalei. The service was attentive. Wine list was so-so but that's Kauai. Next time in Hanalei, Postcard Cafe will be on the list.
(4)
april k.
What a lovely place. Great location in beautiful Hanalei. You can chose to sit inside, which is open and really pretty, or on the porch, which we did. A lot of mosquitos, but have enough sangria, and you won't notice that at all ;) Sangria was good, but not the best. Light and refreshing. We had the Postcards platter appetizer. The seared ahi was delightful, kids enjoyed the 'rockets', the crab cakes were rich and delicious, dense but not overbearing, just the right amount for the four of us, we each split one. The taro fritters were really good. I had the sombrero, and added grilled fish on the side. It was interesting, pretty tasty. The fish was lovely. My husband had the Thai coconut rice noodle dish. He thought it was just ok, I was not impressed, needed salt and just wasn't that great. Kids food was insulting, would just order off the regular menu for them next time. Also, our server, well, she was adequate, but not friendly, seemed like she wanted to move us through and out quickly, even though we had appetizers, dinner, drinks, etc. I think it might have been an off night, we will be back to try some other things.
(5)
Jennifer H.
I have to tell you right off the bat that I was VERY disappointed with this place! Dan and I had researched Postcards Cafe before deciding to eat there. The menu online had 6 items listed including a dessert that was or could be made vegan. When we arrived at Postcards it was an entirely different story! It went from 6 things I could eat down to 4 and no dessert! And of those 4 items 3 of them were appetizers; a salad, a thing called Taro Fritters and Hummus with bread They didn't really even have a vegan entree to speak of! What they did have in the way of a vegan entree was a pasta dish that you could order sans the meat and cheese (woohoo, thanks! way to go!). The appetizers... The Taro Fritters were interesting, the taste was good but the texture was strange. We never got the hummus we ordered so I can't comment on that dish. The entrees...Food quality was mediocre at best. Now Dan usually orders vegan but because of the lack of options he ordered Ahi. I usually wouldn't want to comment on a non-vegan food item on my blog but since this place sucked so bad I wanted you to know that it wasn't limited to vegan style food.... Back to it... Dan says his Ahi was really overcooked, nothing special at all. My pasta dish was unremarkable. Like blah, blah, BLAH! Other observations... So you can see right away that this place is striving to be upscale but how can it be? It's in an old converted house and when you convert an old house into a restaurant you get what? A homey atmosphere, right? The wait staff was not trained in proper dish handling etiquette. They were continually reaching in front of our faces to frantically grab at plates and water glasses. Which wouldn't really bother me if the place wasn't trying so hard to be upscale. I mean, how hard is it to have a staff meeting to go over these basic things? Parking was a joke! They have maybe three parking spots in front of the restaurant and of course those where taken. We had to park down the street and cross Kuhio Hwy with no sidewalks or street lights! Super! They only had four beers on the menu... no make that three because one of them was Michelob! But they did have an extensive wine list. Great! What are you going to do with all that wine and no good food to pair it with? Being what it was, it was overpriced. We were charged $90 for $5 lunch plates. Sorry Postcards Cafe but you really rubbed me the wrong way by teasing me with the promise of food on your website and not delivering. UPDATE your webpage! Our waitress told us that the menu on the website had not been update for years! Get with it! Stop telling people you are vegan friendly when clearly you are NOT!
(1)
Daniel S.
Four of us ate at Postcards, on the lanai, on an early Saturday evening and were unimpressed by the entree menu, so instead, we ordered many appetizers and salads. The food was fantastic! Everything was fresh, well prepared, and rich with interesting flavor. The Pupu Platter had interesting seafood 'rockets' which were skinny lumpia filled with a seafood filling, much like a fish-cake. The Taro fritters were excellent, and fitting for a restaurant surrounded by taro fields. For dinner I had their local, organic salad with a ball of fried goat cheese. Yum. The potato leek soup was also stand-out.
(4)
Susie M.
Postcards Cafe is a great restaurant for seafood lovers (you should note that there are not many options that are not seafood) My husband and I went here on our honeymoon and were very impressed. Great service (which I think is a bit hard to find in Kauai at times) and the food was fantastic. We had the crab cakes and scallops for appetizers - very good. And, we also had the chocolate cake for dessert - two thumbs up. If we return to Kauai, we will definitely return to Postcards!
(4)
gypsy v.
Dinner at postcards was one of the highlights of our mid-relationship honeymoon; my husband and I were old hands by this time at the him-the-omnivore-me-the-vegan-going-out-to-dinner-Âsomeone's-going-to-wind-up-hungry scinario, but we had been mostly relegated to doing that in Wisconsin and Montana -- so what a joyous delight to each be served beautiful, amazingly delicious, local cuisine that we each had been longing for AND be eating at the same restaurant at the same time! We shared the tofu and sai fun taro spring roll appetizer with ginger peanut dipping sauce, and then he got to sample something of the fish persuasion while I had a delectable mixed tropical fruit rissoto with grilled tempeh and lime (this was, needless to say, pre-raw, back when i was just a littl'vegan :) I've since been back and the food is just as marvelous and the culinary creativity just as inspired. Fantastic offerings, friendly and welcoming service, beautiful setting, a place where all can share a meal and be satisfied... what more could you ask for in Paradise?
(5)
Lisa M.
Food was average at best, and the prices were way too high. Our bottle of red wine was served straight out of the refrigerator, nothing like a cold Pinot Noir. The fish was bland and bone-dry, and seasonal vegetables meant two spears of broccoli. To their credit, when we commented on the dryness of the fish, they comped us a dessert--the lilikoi mousse was fantastic. To my mind, not worth a visit.
(2)
Will S.
My wife & I went to Postcards for our 1-year anniversary. Taro fritters were excellent appetizers, and we split various other vegetarian and vegan dishes that were very tasty. We had to wait a little while to be seated, but we got a great table, and while we were waiting, the director of TV's "Crossing Jordan" took our photo by some beautiful ginger-related flowers near the veranda. He felt the need to introduce himself that way, at any rate. Apparently, the whole cast and crew of "Crossing Jordan" were taking a trip together to Hawaii, and they were all a couple tables over from us during dinner. We pretended to not recognize Jerry O'Connell except as the fat kid from Stand By Me. But, I digress. We found the wait staff at Postcards to be incredibly friendly and attentive. We struck up a conversation with our waiter about Hawaii's (now second) favorite son, Jack Johnson (who only had one album out at the time). Our waiter had apparently been an old college roommate and friend back in California, so we had a nice chat. He even gave us our deadly delicious chocolate tort dessert for free. The long and short of it is that I highly recommend Postcards for a romantic dinner out on the North Shore. I don't think there is a better place for top-quality food and nice atmosphere.
(5)
Diane K.
Satisfying meal. Service just okay. Would try it again.
(4)
Lavender C.
Delicious and creative food but we ordered the Chefs Special and the waitress didnt let us know it was wayyyy more expensive ($37) than other entrees. Waitress spacey and took awhile....
(4)
Lisa Ann P.
Quaint quiet a little dark at night but oh my for my last night on the island what an incredible dinner! They have a nice wine selection, and the menu is local seafood or vegan dishes. I ordered the catch of the day which was the Hawaiian sun fish. the waitress told me it was melt in your mouth good so I thought why not! She could not have described it better! It was delectably full of flavor and did just melt in my mouth! The salad was a work of art with a fried goat cheese ball on the side to crumble over the salad, it was plated artfully well almost too pretty to mess up by eating but fresh yummy salad on a chilled dish I just cannot resist! The dinner was also presented beautifully. The wait staff was very attentive and nice! I would consider this an upscale dining place and the price was a bit high but worth every mouth watering bite!
(5)
amie a.
Excellent. All food in Hanalei is expensive. This was a bargain for the quality. Fish was excellent. Lava cake sublime. Salads superb!
(5)
Barry G.
Excellent service and the food was even better. Go with specials, if there are any left! Yum,
(4)
Maye C.
Love the appetizers and wished I had ordered only from the app menu. Wasn't thrilled with my entree but do love the ambience and setting of the restaurant. The staff wasn't too attentive even when we were one of the last tables in the restaurant at 9pm and halfway through dinner. Last seating is at 830, we had reservations at 8 but wasn't seated until 830. Overall, I would go back to try more appetizers and try to get seated earlier to avoid the awkwardness of the staff wanting us out of there after 9.
(3)
Deb R.
Our first night in Kauai we joined friends and family here (total of 8 diners). A great introduction to Kauai specialties. Food was delicious (I had seared ahi with wasabi crust), not unreasonable in price for Hawaii, and service friendly and as prompt as we wanted it to be. A bonus was a terrific thunderstorm
(4)
Barbara S.
During our recent 10-day trip to Kauai, we tried Postcards Cafe on recommendation from our friends who used to live there. I remember Lynn telling me to be sure to get the macadamia nut butter that comes with the fish. Well, let me tell you, it made an impression. We had a divine fish dinner there the first night we went. The accompanying vegetables were unusual, a great texture and delicious. To top that all off, we had their Velvet Chocolate Pie (made with soy) and it was a perfect dessert (and I am a harsh critic!) The next night we had met a bunch of random people in the hotel bar at sunset and all ended up eating at their ourdoor eating area. Another peak experience for all. The next night we brought some other friends we made and they loved it. Out of our 10 nights in lovely Kauai, we ate here 4 times. It's that kind of place. It is a cottagy building that feels comfy and homey. A find. A staple kind of a place. We'll be back!
(5)
Blue B.
Make reservations, this place is in demand and doesn't seat many. We had none but joined up with two other couples for a table of 6 and got right in. Pricey but excellent service and the food is fantastic. You may want to dress up a little more than the typical T shirt and slippers of Hanalei every day wear ;-)
(5)
Tiffany K.
What a wonderful experience--we went back a second time on our visit. Great, helpful and kind staff/service. AMAZING food--don't leave without having the Taro Fritters (GF) with Pineapple Chutney, and the Crusted Ahi. Their fresh fish specials are to-die-for, try the macadamia nut butter and the pesto/cheese tomato served with every dish was a 10 (definitely something I'll try to repeat at home). Parking is easy (they have their own lot), but the wait may take a bit (no reservations for small parties)--so have a glass of wine and grab a bench outside on the patio. Also, the owner is adorable!
(5)
alejandro f.
Food here was good on the day we visited. It wasn't "starred" gourmet or anything, but it was good quality and fresh tasting. We started with the PUPU plate, which everyone seems to like. We weren't an exception. It was good. The 'butter fish" entree was a very decent special of the night; not overcooked or over seasoned. The pasta vegetarian Francesca was good, but it was a huge portion. Service could have been a bit more attentive, but we were in and out in 1.25 hours. It probably is a bit overpriced but there are few eating options around hanalei.
(4)
Emily W.
We appreciate the casual atmosphere and good food here. The help is friendly and the service good. They even made a reservation for us even though there were only 3 of us and not 4. The wine selection was more than adequate, and the server was knowledgeable on what to recommend with our meal. We forwent the appetizers because we knew wanted to have dessert. In the past we have opted for the appetizer sampler and know that it is filled with a variety of very yummy items. We all opted for the Ono catch of the day, grilled, but with different sauces. The macadamia nut butter was the favorite. The plate also contained a well seasoned rice, lightly steamed broccoli, and a carrot/ginger puree. The servings were generous enough, but we ordered the Chocolate Silk Pie, which we knew from experience, was not to be missed. So rich and decadent, but totally gluten and dairy free. Postcards is a restaurant we enjoy very much, and a trip to Kauai would not be complete without it.
(5)
jon s.
Exquisite meal, nice portions, perfect service, solid value for how good it was. Highly recommend this establishment. So far it's been the best meal yet in Kauai.
(5)
N K.
Everything about the place was great. Staff were friendly and attentive, food was fantastic and pricing was on par for nice dinning. Nothing bad to say. The sampler plate when we were there-September 25-was amazing!
(5)
Leslie T.
I had really mixed feelings about this place after dinner there recently. Ambience and service is top-notch, but for the price of the food items ($34 ea for our two fish entrees, for example), the food was hit and miss the night my husband and I went there to celebrate his birthday. We started out with two extraordinary apps: Porcini-crusted scallops on a bed of greens and their incredible crab cakes. We were both excited about the entrees after eating these two apps, but I was disappointed with my "Tandori" Hawaiin fish entree. The fish was mongchong and it was definitely on the dry side, as in over-cooked. The coconut curry sauce and veggies were very good, but for $34, I expect better. My husband had the Wasabi-crusted Ahi and it was very tasty. HOWEVER, he ordered it med. rare and he said it was cooked more on the medium side, but it really was still very good in his opinion (ok, and mine). For dessert, we ordered their chocolate volcano cake and I could only eat one or two bites as I was stuffed (the portions are a decent size), but the dessert was very good. Perhaps the problem is that they are trying to do too many different styles of food. Hawaiin/Indian/Italian/Mexican-Spanish....I think they need to stick to their roots of fresh local, sustainable foods. My husband and I are both excellent cooks, and somewhat foodies from Northern Cali, so take that for what it is worth. The night before we ate here, we bought some fresh mongchong from the Dolphin Fish Market just across the street from the restaurant, marinated it in Roy's Sweet Onion dressing/marinade and grilled it and, folks, it was far superb to the overcooked piece of fish I had at Postcards.
(3)
Kevan M.
This is one of the better upscale dining spots in the North Shore. They offer an assortment of fresh fish and a respectable wine list all housed within a super cute location. I'd recommend sitting out on their front lanai - if that's your thing. Meals here have been pretty tasty. It's a solid choice for that special meal you've saved up for.
(4)
Steven P.
Great creative dishes, fast and friendly service. Good value too!
(4)
D M.
Came here on my honeymoon in 2004 and we've talked about it ever since. So, on vacation this week we decided to go back and we so disappointed. I ordered the fish of the day which was ahi. You can choose what sauce and how it is cooked, and chose the pineapple sage sauce and asked for the ahi seared. My meal came out with a side of roasted potatoes and broccoli, all of which was just lukewarm. The flavors on the plate all clashed, which is the challenge allowing customer's to choose their sauce but not adapting the other sides to match the rest of the dish. My partner ordered the seafood paella, which was blazing hot, ironically compared to my lukewarm meal. The rice was mushy and flavors bland. All in all, a disappointing meal. The concept of local and organic ingredients is great, but unfortunately it just wasn't executed well. Definitely a bummer.
(2)
L C.
The best dinner we had on the north side of Kauai. Service was great from our waiter Jonah and the food was delicious. Great selection of seafood and vegetarian options - highly reccomended.
(5)
Ron C.
This place doesn't quite live up to its high prices. While our food was good but not great, I was shocked at the menu. We were told by locals that this was an upscale, vegetarian friendly place. There are ONLY SIX entrees on the menu, and only three of them can be made vegetarian. The service was pretty mediocre. We each ordered a glass of the same wine, and one glass clearly had less in it than the other. Not acceptible I say when the glass costs $9. I enjoyed Bouchon's in Hanalei more.
(2)
Sarah K.
We really enjoyed our meal at Postcards Cafe! It's a vegetarian restaurant, but they also serve fish and lots of seafood dishes. The place is really cute - both inside and outside on their patio. They also have a little screened in porch with 3 little tables, where we got seated. The menu has lots of delicious sounding meals. I had the caesar salad and the Seafood Sorrento (a delicious pasta dish that comes with seafood and a white wine sauce). Both were very good! We also ordered the Chocolate Volcano (which you have to order early to give time to prepare), because as we were being seated we overheard someone saying it was the best thing they've ever tasted. We didn't agree - it was pretty good, but definitely overhyped. This restaurant is sort of expensive, but pretty much what you'd expect in Hanalei or anywhere on the island. We'd definitely go back!
(4)
A. Christine T.
Soooo good. If you're from LA and you're used to little boutique restaurants, this place is definitely for you. The service was fine, but it was training night, so we had two people waiting on us, which is always kinda weird (well, one person was waiting, the other was "waiting" for the waitress to stop talking). But the servers were knowledgeable and friendly. The food was GREAT. I had the special Mong Chong dish. Mong Chong is a kind of fish I had NEVER heard of before, but it was a fresh catch, so I went with my gut and got it. Seasoned very simply, the fish was both buttery and light, perfect texture, lovely taste. That was served with a butternut squash puree, peppery spinach and spicy arborio rice. We all agreed it was a very fine dinner. My husband ordered saffron seafood risotto, and another friend ordered a goat cheese pasta. All was so delicious, I definitely recommend it!
(5)
Buffy M.
I dined at Postcards by myself. My server was fabulous, very attentive and my rocket appetizer was great. However, they were out of my beverage that I requested, the hummus was ok, I'm used to creamier hummus, and the tandori entree was very over cooked. The vegetables were super soft, I found the pumpkin seed, or some sort of seed difficult to eat as part with my overly soft vegetables. It had a lot of peas as well which didnt match the flavor either. I had asked the chef to select whatever fish he felt best on the tandori and he chose Opah. It was good but slightly undercooked. There was a large portion in the middle of my fish that was quite undercooked. I may have just ordered one of their less than average items on the menu but for $60 dinner price tag for one person I will not return.
(2)
Jake A.
amazing.....I loved it when the waiter pointed out the busboy and said " he caught the fish this morning.....almost all the produce is local, the greens the mushroom, the tune...the yellow shrimp..( oh my god) I stayed the the St Regis for a week this by far was THE BEST DINNER. what more can i say.....Im reading a few of the other reviews...first this is NOT a dessert place NOR is this "I'm cheap and need to fill up on bread place" these guys and gals are a diamond in the rough......see you guys soon...!!! jake out
(5)
Jennifer C.
Had a nice dinner at Postcards Cafe. The crabcakes were delicious. My swordfish special was good as was my husband's Washbi crusted tuna. It just wasn't worth the price that we paid for this dinner. I love to cook and can make a mean Ahi myself. Our server was wonderful and the setting is really nice. It is one of the few places were you can dress for dinner on the North Shore.
(3)
Jenna M.
Food was not good. Service was great and the ambiance was good, but the food was terrible and overpriced.
(2)
Pam F.
First, I had not picked this restaurant. I had read the reviews but we had a rehearsal dinner there last month for my daughters wedding. The grooms mother picked Postcards. We had a great waitress, the fish was wonderful, I wouldn't have tried any of the vegetarian dishes. I would go back.
(4)
G. O.
Hostess was warm and welcoming, but waitress was a little cold-not typical on the island. But, the food is definitely fine dining and the entire meal was solid. The taro fritters were fried yet light and reminded us of falafel, with an amazing sauce on the side. Ordered a second appetizer of shrimp and coconut lumpia which were also light and flavorful (but less impressive than the spring rolls we had the night before at the Eastside in Kapaa). Special was a walu (Hawaiian butter fish) with black plantain rice-first time having this fish which was oily and buttery and delicious! Portions are average-size (not complaining, just saying). FAR better than anything in Princeville and well-worth the windy drive around the way for real food, but still think Eastside is the BEST on the island.
(3)
Jason D.
Great place! Food was excellent... Other than the long black hair I fiund in my spinach. Although completely grossed out, the staff didn't apologize but did take it off the bill, which made me happy because i couldn't finish it after that. ( nor could my friends). All in all, great vibe, good service, good food... Would go back.
(4)
K H.
Went there over a month ago. Just remember really liking the macademia nut butter. Had the pupu platter based on recommendations. My husband liked it. I thought food in general was forgettable and nothing special.
(3)
Bryan K.
If I had to describe this restaurant in 1 word, it would be FRESH. The opah tasted like it was caught that day and the ahi was so good that it literally melted in my mouth. My wife and I always share food and she refused to give me 1 of the last 2 pieces of ahi. Kinda messed up, but it was that good. The side dishes were also outstanding and the portions were perfect. You leave feeling satisfied, but without a food coma. We also had a fantastic waitress that made us feel right at home... like one of your friends had you over for dinner and said "Take a seat, I've got everything covered". If we had a different server, I'd give it a 4-4.5. She more than made up for the clueless host, whom management should pay not to show up. Seriously. Excellent setting in Hanalei with lots of character. I'll be back next year to try their desserts!
(5)
K. S.
THIS PLACE ROCKS !!! We've been to Hanalei four years in a row now and every time we've eaten at Postcards it has blown us away. The food, the staff the atmosphere - all amazing - especially the food. The only downside is that they don't server mixed drinks - only beer and wine. This is however easily overlooked by the fact that the good will blow your mind. Fresh ingredients, inventive dishes, reasonably priced for Kauai. I would highly recommend to anyone. My wife and I have been alone and with our two small boys - all of our experiences there have been positive.
(5)
Miki M.
Update - 05/27/06 I decided to decrease further the rating of this restaurant. We found their quality has fallen down since last time we visited. I won't get into much detail except that... if they were in LA (instead of the culinary jungle of Kauai), they wouldn't get more than 2 stars and would have probably closed doors already. A very amateur cuisine. Otherwise, the fish was still fresh and tasty. The service was courteous. Still worth going there. Unless a better restaurant opens doors, this is still one of the best here... Make sure you check out their Banana Mac Pie (banana and macadamia) + Coconut Sorbet (with 2 small pieces of pineapple on top). Avoid the Creme Brulee- wasn't freshly made; only the good Lord knows when it was brulee-ed. :)) Original review - 07/01/06 A premier restaurant in Hanalei (on the beautiful Garden Island of Kauai). Does not fit into the available Yelp categories (sorry)- the restaurant calls itself PACIFIC RIM CUISINE. Great overall quality, friendly service (preceded by a timely reservation, since the seating is limited to around 70 people). Aromatic creamy Brocolli soup, great "pupu" (appetizer, in Hawaiian language) platter, very fresh delicious fish dishes... oh, and especially, an outstanding "Pineapple Upside-Down Cake" with Coconut Sorbet! Just a few small details (such as not-so-well washed utencils, not brilliant "Creme Brulee", and a not-so-great, however expensive, Porto dessert wine) caused my stars to be 4 instead of 5. Still, a very good restaurant. By the way, is it true or is it an urban legend, this restaurant's owner is a famous Hollywood director or producer. I didn't dig too much into it; up to you to discover who!
(3)
Judgey Von Judge O.
cute atmosphere, good healthy food, pupu app was delightful. mains were slightly overcooked and undercooked (go figure) but i'll let that slide being that i only ate here once. i say: worth it.
(4)
Jacquie C.
A famous restaurant in Kauai, featured in many press' culinary rave reviews, which I think is sitting on its laurels too confidently. Don't get me wrong, it still is a notable, must-try restaurant if you're in Kauai. You must definitely do your taste buds the favor of savoring their specialty "fresh from the sea" fish either grilled or blackened and prepared in perfected sauce of your choice: honey ginger dijon, macadamia butter or peppered pineapple sage; Also, make sure to have room for their delectable dessert of pineapple upside down cake paired sublimely with a melt-in-your-mouth coconut sorbet. That being said, this famous restaurant is not without shortcomings. Just tonight when a friend of mine had dinner there, we noticed that the utensils had not been thoroughly cleaned; the port we tried was decent, but lacking in flavor, and they definitely could use more inventive reds to pair with their seafood dishes (there's more to subtle reds than Kenwood Pinot ( how about a Beaujolais-style wine). Even a good restaurant such as Postcards need to stay passionate at what it does. Judging by the number of people dining on a friday night...even very good needs some improvement.
(4)
Stephanie D.
After reading some negative Yelp reviews last week we still decided to go to Post cards Cafe last Friday. After our wonderful dining experience we wondered out loud who were those losers that wrote the poor reviews. Niki, our server gave quality, personable service , the food was terrific and the dining room ambience quite appealing. Oh did I mention the bill was very reasonable? We have neighbors coming to Northern Kauai next Spring for their wedding anniversary and Postcard Cafe will be our first suggestion for a dinner reservation on their trip!
(5)
Meme M.
Our family really enjoyed our dinner here. The location is rather "quaint", as it is in a set in a small plantation style home. As with the majority of restaurants in Hanalei, the views are not their strongpoint. Reservations for parties 4+. We had a party of 3, so we arrived soon after opening to avoid a wait. The appetizer platter was delicious. We ordered it for a party of 4. Our favorite were the rockets with coconut curry. Super yummy! The bread with macadamia butter was outstanding, but our favorite was the chocolate volcano cake. AMAZING chocolate flavor! My son and I wrestled for the last bite. :) The main courses: wasabi crusted ahi & Thai coconut rice noodles were split between the three of us. The ahi was amazing. The noodles were just good, as it wasn't what we expected and a bit more soupy. Still good, just not " WOW". Overall fresh food, well prepared, with excellent and attentive service. It is a bit pricey, but that's just how it is on Kauai.
(4)
Brian W.
First of all, restaurant does not cater to couples (ie only two people in the party). Restaurant only takes reservations for parties of four or more....so if you're with your significant other, you will need to put your name on the waiting list. The hostess was very friendly and gave us estimates of how long it was to be seated. This was a positive. The negative was the food. My wife ordered the lobster, which was completely overlooked and flavorless. The rest of the plate was swimming in an asparagus truffle sauce which destroyed the flavor of the mashed potatoes and asparagus. I tried the Asian noodles, which was a good attempt, but lacked seasoning and heat. All in all, we were extremely disappointed with the food and cannot recommend to other diners.
(2)
Anna H.
The best meal we had in Kauai! It was fantastic!! They had vegan options and that was really important to our group, but they also had plenty for the meat eaters. We came right after getting engaged and they had champagne waiting and the owner came to the table and wished us well :) It was really sweet and we so enjoyed our meal :)
(5)
Ashley K.
Amazing, been three times and every time it's AMAZING! Cleaned our plates, then tried every dessert, all delicious.
(5)
Mike G.
I was underwhelmed by Postcards Cafe. The food was fine, but we ended up with several deep (I mean deep) fried items, and when there are such great restaurants like Bar Acadu nearby, it just makes you question why to go here.
(3)
Jan S.
This place is a MUST!!! Especially for vegans! Wow, everything was amazing. The salad was fresh and delicious, the white sangria was refreshing, The Sombrero with tofu was unbelievable as well. And the chocolate silk pie (gluten-free and vegan) was fantastic, I can still taste it in my mouth. I loved everything! The atmosphere and the services were great as well. I will definitely come back if I am on island again. (Might have to make a special trip)
(5)
K Z.
Great place. Wonderful menu, service, food presentation very nice. Quality of fresh fish awesome. Third time we've eaten there over the years - it never disappoints.
(5)
Katie F.
My husband and I make it a "must do" on every visit to Kauai. We are always very impressed with the food and love the atmosphere. We both had the wasabi crusted ahi cooked to the chefs recommendation of medium rare. Each mouthful was absolutely amazing. The portion was large...my husband finished mine. Postcards Cafe is a sure winner,
(5)
Rod G.
Good eats. No ocean views here however. Food was good quality and presented well. Desert was VERY GOOD. Coconut fried ice cream, yes please. Waitress was new to the game and could use more direction but she was trying hard. A little pricey but a good deal for anyone looking for a nice meal.
(4)
Kelsey T.
Fantastic. Great service and delicious food. We started our meal with the platter for two which was a sampler of a few different appetizers. I couldn't decide which I liked best- they were all mouth wateringly delicious. It was a little pricey, but the quality made up for it. For dinner my husband ordered the Thai coconut rice noodles with shrimp. They served a good sized portion and it was excellent. I ordered a beet salad with goat cheese which was also very good, particularly the dressing. I paired my food with a delicious California cab. Can't say enough good things!
(5)
Gina H.
What a negative experience my family and I just had at this place. I had made reservations here based on the 4 star yelp rating but would love to give this place zero stars if it were possible. My mom, 2 young sons (ages 1 and 4) and myself ended up leaving before even ordering our main course. The restaurant is so small and the manager, Sarah stuck us is in the corner table - practically right on top of the table of people next to us. Not to mention the restaurant was uncomfortably hot. Anyone with young children know how unpredictable your dinners out can be so I brought plenty of things to keep my boys occupied. We started with the iPhone and iPad so that they could each play their own game. The people at the table next to us stared us down from the moment we were seated next to them. I always do my best to be considerate when dining out with my children so got them situated with their games. The table next to us obviously complained that my son's ipad was too loud since Sarah (manager of restaurant) came over to us and asked us to turn it down... The iPad's volume was so low I wasn't even certain the sound was on. Talk about making us feel unwelcome! After Sarah told us a guest made a comment that the ipad was too loud we asked our server, Brooke who by the way was so sweet, accommodating and apologetic who the manager of the restaurant was and were shocked to find out it was the woman who told us to turn the ipad down. I can't get over how unprofessional the manager of the restaurant was. Needles to say, we asked for the bill after drinking our wine and having our Caesar salad which lacked flavor. There was no way we were going to give this restaurant anymore of our business after making us feel so uncomfortable.
(1)
Ryan B.
This place is overrated and expensive. Only 1 of our party of 6 enjoyed their meal. This was the only place we didn't like on our week long stay. The portions were small and the dishes were not what we expected. If you want all organic, lots of vegetables, with little flavor, this is your place.
(1)
Amy O.
Wow. Do I need to say more? Okay, I will anyway. The appetizer for 2 was incredible. We could have happily had out own. The roasted beat salad was delicious & refreshing. Fish of the day, fantastic. Too full for dessert. Maybe next time!
(5)
Ryan K.
This was a nice find in Hanalei. They had a fantastic outdoor seating area. We came here after a long day of hiking. Started off with the Limeade, which we ended up getting two rounds of it. Amazing!!! Delicious seafood as you would expect. Service was slower than usua for Kauai but it was relatively busy so I will cut them some slack. Highly recommend for reasonably priced food in Hanalei.
(4)
Lindsey J.
Great ambiance, great food, great service...might be our new favorite date night restaurant on Kauai. I would strongly recommend the wasabi crusted ahi as well as the fennel crusted lobster. I have to comment about the vegetable sides...creative and delicious!
(5)
Felicia G.
This was the most amazing meal we had on the island out of our two week stay. We ate at the St. Regis, Hyatt, Beach House and nothing compared to Postcards Cafe. I highly recommend this place for dinner. The sangria was great and the fish was fresh and well prepared. The coconut fried ice cream was to DIE for.
(5)
Fritz v.
Off night? Come back earlier when our chefs are fresher was the excuse. The Sorrento was like a salt lic. My wife's mahi mahi was blah and way over priced. The sides were not paired properly. The water was good!
(1)
A N.
The only one star this restaurant is getting is for the cute ambiance and setting. We ate there last night and I just couldn't wait to write a review about them. When you have great food in this island in places such as the Dolphin Seafood why would you want to eat at place like postcards. The crab cakes were more like crushed flafels and cold, asked for salt and pepper, it never made it to the table, ordered two fish of the day dishes, both grilled to death, no seasoning and dry like chicken breast. They have no understanding of spices going together, there is cumin, ginger, basil used in high doses, like you are eating soap but no adequate salt and pepper. Please stick to simple spices unless you know your spices and how much it should be used. Yes, it is a crime to cook delicate fish like the way they do. Stayyyyy away, When you dine in sophisticated restaurants in London, NY, and Los Angeles for example, you have a certain expectation when you are in those cities, however when you are in an island with amazing fresh seafood, you can always appreciate quality food, especially when its done in the most simplest yet sophisticated way.
(1)
Nicole H.
The postcard platter was delish! I also recommend the wasabi ahi. The service is great! Honestly the friendliest staff I have ever experienced. A must when you're in Kauai.
(4)
Alex N.
We had our wedding dinner here on August 17! We had the outside deck, and the food and wine was fantastic. Appetizers: seared ahi, taro fritters, some kind of seafood spring roll, and crab cakes. All delicious. Different, yummy fish entrees. I had seared ahi with a wasabi sauce and crusted with something delicious. Also, bread is usually not worth eating at restaurants. This bread is AMAZING - fresh out of the oven, warm, with gorgeous macadamia nut butter. I think I ate a whole basket before the corset of my wedding dress prevented me from eating more. And for dessert, gorgeous lilikoi mousse. I could eat a bucket of this. I'm wishing I had some right this very minute. Thank you, Postcards, for a lovely experience. We also came back the following week to eat more lobster tail and lilikoi mousse.
(5)
Terri B.
We had a fabulous meal at Postcards Cafe, a charming small restaurant set in a cottage. All meals where super fresh and the preparation was perfect. I had the seared tuna ahi crusted with wasabi & macadamia nuts. The staff was so eager to please that it made for a very enjoyable evening out. A great find on such a small island.
(5)
Griffin K.
SO REFRESHING! REAL VEGAN/VEGGIE FRIENDLY! Tandoori and Chicken Tortilla dishes were both outstanding. Reasonably priced, good ambiance...one of the best dining experiences I've had on Kauai.
(5)
Melody T.
A friend tipped us off about is place before we arrived on the island, so our expectations were already set quite high. The restaurant itself is quite unique--at least I haven't seen anything similar to this! Atmosphere and food were both great. They do t take reservations for parties under 6 people, so you gotta get there early. We got there exactly at 6 when they open and there were already 6 tables seated and a line out the door waiting to get seated. GET THERE EARLY to avoid a wait. Food was off the hook!! Nothing on the entree list tickled my fancy so I ordered 2 lupus as my main. Most impressive Portobello cap - WOW I don't like mushrooms but this blew my mind Taro fritters with pineapple chutney -- yum!! Crab cakes Wasabi ahi tuna (wasn't my main, but the boy enjoyed his) Scallops were okay, but still good. When you're in the north side of the island, make sure to check this gem out. I would say very comparable to the SF foodsy restaurants. We were happy we waited 2 hours in town for this place to open before heading back to our resort in Lihue!
(4)
Julie T.
I had some of the best fish I have ever eaten here - the wasabi crusted ahi was divine and I think I need to make a special trip back to Hanalei just to eat this again - it was that good! I shared this plate and another plate - the fresh fish blackened with the macadamia butter and it was also very very good. I ate with a large party and everyone was delighted with their choice of entree and also with the deserts of which we shared several so we could try a variety. The service was excellent and sitting outside on the deck for dinner the lighting created a cozy intimate atmosphere.. a lovely place to have dinner.
(5)
Mitch K.
If they have the hebi fish on special get it blackened over the tandoori it's a large portion but it is worth it. Great service and homey atmosphere
(4)
David G.
They make a nice fresh limeade. We tried the taro fritters. If you have only ever tried taro when it was made into poi, you should give these a try. It turns out taro has a potato like taste and consistency. Very neutral. The pepper pineapple sage sauce was great over the fresh fish which was cooked perfectly. The passion fruit mousse was a nice finish to our last night in Hawaii.
(4)
James M.
My boyfriend took me to a romantic dinner here during our vacation in Hanalei. The service was superb, the food was amazing. I highly recommend it! The menu is all seafood with vegan and vegetarian options. They also had a large selection of gluten free items. I ordered the Tandoori with Op'a (Hawaiian Moonfish). It was done to perfection with 'forbidden city' purple rice in a tangy coconut curry sauce. The piece of fish was huge! My boyfriend ordered the special- which was Marlin with a cajun inspired sauce. He loved it! We also had the chocolate volcano cake for dessert (we split one)- decadent and delicious. Everything was pleasantly un-rushed. We lazed a bit over coffee and dessert, and our server didn't pester us. A lovely, lovely meal at a very reasonable price.
(5)
Neil E.
We came here for our second-last dinner on the island based on all the strong reviews. One thing that jumped out right away was the hostess: she was great. After a week of being places with young hostesses that really don't know the biz, the hostess at Postcards was awesome. Friendly, clear in our possible wait time, and just... I don't know. Somehow she was "with it" and made the opening experience of the meal great. Sadly, greatness ended there. I had one of the fish specials at market price. The fish was reasonably tasty, but had clearly stuck to the grill during cooking as there were little pieces of it ripped off. I had the peppercorn/pineapple sauce with it, which was just weird and not very good. The mashed potatoes were cold and had been dumped on the plate with a disher. There was a single stalk of broccoli on the plate, beautifully steamed, but also cold. The sauce for the fish was under the fish, not on top. Very strange. On the plus side, the bread and humuus was delicious and a bargain at $2. The chocolate dessert was also good, and a proper single-serving cake rather than a slice (I'm looking at you, Bar Acuda!) Midway through my fish course I started to wonder how much I was paying for it, and realized we'd never been told market price by the server. Turns out it was $34. Ouch. So two market price dishes, one dessert, and some bread (no drinks) and the bill was over $100. For that amount of money it would have been nice to have warm mashed potatoes and fish that hadn't stuck to the grill during cooking :(
(2)
Harry M.
They've done a great job creating an intimate and casual spot that serves great food. Not to be missed is the macadamia butter, or the deserts....
(5)
Heidi S.
Took a while to be seated, but that's pretty normal on Kauai. The beet and goat cheese salad was fabulous! The fish of the day was also great and is their specialty, so don't go if you aren't into fish or veggie dishes. Lastly we had the Thai coconut noodles dish, it was great but the menu and server did mention that it is very spicy!
(4)
Rob M.
Stopped in here on multiple recommendations from locals and we had a wonderful dinner. The atmosphere is classy and comfortable, service was fantastic, and food even better. The Postcards Platter for two as a starter was an excellent choice!
Great food with great service. It was a nice way to end the trip having our last dinner here. Highly Recommended!
(5)
allen o.
My wife and I came here on a Thursday night and got seated right away. We're on our honeymoon, so it was great that the decor and ambiance was nice. I found this place on yelp, and seeing all the rave reviews had high hopes for another great dinner (we'd had excellent meals at Roy's and Tidepools the previous two nights, so we were on a roll). We started with the pupu platter, which was the one good highlight of the meal (if we'd not ordered this, I think I would've given this a single star). My wife ordered the Sombrero. It was ok, although I think it was a bit light on shrimp. I ordered the Seafood Sorrento, which was a pasta dish with fish, scallops, and shrimp. I have to say that this was the most disappointing dish that I've had in quite a while. The fish was completely inedible--the waiter wasn't sure which fish it was as it could have been a number of different ones. But it was the driest, toughest, chewiest piece of fish I've ever eaten. I didn't even know fish could ever be described as chewy, but it had the consistency of a really tough piece of beef and it took me quite a while to chew a single piece. Very unpleasant and ultimately inedible. I moved on to the scallops (I love scallops and part of why I ordered the dish), but it had a single small scallop in the entire dish--I swear. One scallop on the entire plate. I had to console myself with a handful of shrimp and some average pasta. I did mention to the waiter how tough and chewy the fish was, but he just apologized and didn't really offer to take it back or have it remade. I'm not one to make a fuss at restaurants, so I was going to let it go, but looking at a mostly uneaten dish with several pieces of horribly tough fish that cost $24, I stopped him when he was taking the plate away and asked if I could be comped or something for it. He took off the dessert, but I still felt completely ripped off. It wasn't a little bit bad or blah--it was like trying to eat vulcanized rubber.
(2)
Cathleen H.
The food was solid, the service very friendly. Would give this 3.5 stars if I could, but I had pretty high expectations for the food - and it was good, but not great. We started with the appetizer sampler platter and the organic greens salad with goat cheese and beets. Both were fine, but i think we'd skip the sampler platter next time. A couple of things were delicious (i.e. the ahi), but others were just okay (like the crabcakes and seafood rocket). Three stars for apps. I'd give the entree four stars - blackened mahi with macadamia butter. Delicious. But at a relatively steep price tag - I think it was $36 or so. I'd go back, but will probably be trying other many other interesting-looking places around here before I find my way back at Postcards.
(3)
LJ G.
They only take reservations for parties of 4 or more, so you want to get there early. The atmosphere is lovely and relaxing. It looks like a converted home that really gives it a cozy feel. All of the staff were wonderful. They were nice, and seemed to really enjoy working there. The food is amazing!! We had lobster and ahi and both ere so very good! It is a bit pricey, but worth it.
(5)
Pb J.
The food was pretty average, but the service was so very friendly and impeccable that it made up for it! I highly recommend ordering the homemade bread (comes out warm) accompanied with macadamia butter. My main was the polenta which was good (probably better if it were warm!) and the accompanying sauces (I forgot what they were) were pretty delicious! I snuck some of the "Indian style meal" that was pretty authentic aside from the huge slice of soggy spongy tofu on top. Maybe it was supposed to soak up the curry? Never-the-less the texture was a bit off putting. The highlight of the meal was my side of mashed potatoes with a ginger garlic glaze and I really wished I had a whole plate of just that, or at least more than one tiny ice cream scoop size! But most of all, 4 stars because our server thought I was underage. That completely made my night. When you are old and crotchety like I am, and you forget your id because you think your crows feet will give away your age plus 6 years, and your server refuses you a glass of wine because she believes you are under 21, there is nothing more to do than to wallow in pure bliss of the generous mistake!
(4)
Shameem A.
great food. we walked in at around 940 and they close at 10 but they gave us a table and the food was great. lots of mosquitos at night here, i'd sit inside.
(5)
Serena L.
We had gotten the heads up to get there early to get a table but did not realize how early. People start lining up about 20 - 30 minutes before they open (6pm is opening). You get seated in order of how you lined up unless you have a reservation. Parties of 4 or more I highly recommend you call for a reservation. We were one of the last indoor tables and eating on the patio would not have been fun given the fierce wind and rain. The service was very attentive on the night we went and all tables seemed well attended to. They did a good job explaining the menu and the specials. The fish of the day was delicious and all the vegetables served with it were very tasty. The special of the day was a sumptuous shrimp and lobster in pesto over pasta and it too was excellent. The food came out a little too quickly for my liking and there was no encouragement to linger as we finished our wine given that there were people waiting for tables. All in all, the food was worth it and we will go back.
(4)
Lola B.
I would have given this sensational spot 5+ stars were it not for our very passive aggressive, server with a 'tude. Highly recommend the portobello mushroom appetizer and ask for their house bread.....best meal we had on our trip! Too bad the server was so rude...
(4)
Lola K.
I'm a little late to write this review, since I went there almost a year ago, but I think it's telling that a year later I'm still thinking about it. The food was exceptionally good. Vegan options abound but it's better known for it's seafood I believe. We went twice in our 5 day stay in Kauai, even though we were staying on the South Shore, we just had to go back. We did have to wait awhile to be seated when we went as a couple as they don't take reservations for less than 4, but when we came back with 3 friends and made a reservation we were quickly seated. The vegan chocolate silk pie is possibly the best vegan desert I have ever tasted.
I didn't really get the name but once seated I noticed the little nostalgic Hawaii postcards embedded in the table. It's a cute place that serves mostly seafood, all local and organic. We had the pupu platter for an appetizer with crab cakes, taro fritters, seafood rockets and everything was really fresh and tasty with perfect complementary sauces. I went with the recommended wasabi crusted ahi which was awesome and the boyfriend had the striped marlin. After eating here we decided that bad seafood just doesn't exist on this island. If you're in Hanalei for a few days you have to eat here once.
(4)
James W.
Very special place! Had great experience!
(4)
EJ L.
We went with the pupu platter and salads rather than an entree. It was fine but nothing memorable. And though we ordered it for two, not that much food. It was enough for a meal because we each had a salad. The fish looked good, but at $36 a plate, more than we really needed (after a week of fresh fish on Kauai). The menu is very small so really no options if you don't want the fish. Very pleasant environment and generally friendly and knowledgeable servers (if a bit robotic). Overall, it was just ok - probably wouldn't go again.
(3)
Amy B.
I think this was our favorite meal on the island. The staff was very friendly, the service was spectacular, and the food was memorable! We started with the appetizer combo plate, which had a sample of the crab cakes (grilled, not fried), taro fritters, seafood lumpia, and seared ahi. All were fabulous. I then got the seafood sorrento, which was simply divine. My boyfriend got a grilled fish special, which was also good. We were way too stuffed to get dessert, but they looked equally fabulous. I can't wait to plan another trip back!
(5)
Cheri. A G.
I came here a couple nights ago for dinner because it was highly recommended and I noticed in the paper that it was voted the best restaurant in the North Shore. It's an seafood and organic restaurant with vegetarian food and a lot of gluten free meals too. We came early and good thing we did because there was only 3 tables left and all were 2 tops....good thing we were two. We sat on the little porch in the front which had a screen around it so don't worry about pests bugging you. We ordered from our server Sara the Hibiscus Cooler which is Pineapple juice blended with hibiscus iced tea & mint, humus with warm house-baked organic bread, a Caesar salad and the From The Sea entree which we chose the monchong fish blackened. It took a while before our food came...again....relax it's Hawaii Time. The Hibiscus cooler was a tasty drink, the hummus was good and the fresh baked bread was fantastic and the Caesar had baked parmesan crisps which was good but it did not have anchovies :( The blackened monchong madehealthier.com/2008/0… (yeah...I never heard of that fish before either and I have been to Hawaii a bunch of times) was wonderful. Very moist, light and flakey...perfectly cooked. It came with some broccoli, rice and sweet potato. It's a bit pricey but not St Regis pricey, the staff dress up a bit but you can come dressed up or shorts or anywhere between because I noticed all of the above. When we left there was a bit of a wait so make reservations or come early like we did. Parking is a problem because there are only a few spots but look nearby along the highway or side roads.
(4)
Paul T.
The wait here is ridiculous. We showed up at 7, got on the list, and was told it would take 45 minutes to get a table. 8:30 we finally got a table. Of course it was a pleasant night and they will serve you booze while you wait so its not that bad. Service was friendly and attentive, but food seemed mediocre. The taro cakes were good but the chutney they were served with was sickly sweet. My fish (Ono) was a bit overcooked and the pineapple sauce was kinda one note. My girlfriend really enjoyed her vegetarian spanish rice dish, though the rice seemed kinda under-cooked to me. I suspect she liked it because she was drunker than I (I know I probably should never question my girlfriends taste but...). This brings us to the saving grace of this evening and it was the pitcher of sangria. I'm used to the San Francisco pitchers of sangria which are wimpy, maybe 4 glasses. This pitcher was more like 7 full glasses, an excellent value if you want to get bombed, and it tasted pretty good too. It definitely helped take me back to the proper vacation mindset. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
(3)
david m.
By far my favorite meal during my week stay in Kauai. Postcards cafe truly lives up to their motto--"superb seafood and natural cuisine". I couldn't resist ordering the Postcards platter for appetizers mostly to satisfy my culinary curiosity for taro fritters. The whole platter was well thought out with all of the exotic flavors. I had the blackened monchong with garlic mashed potatoes and peppered pineapple sage sauce. it was a nice sweet compliment to the lightly spiced fish. Serving sizes were quite generous. Must try the coconut caramel sundae--how do they get it crispy?! Yes, it is crazy good!
(5)
Caleb F.
Overall, we loved this place! Appetizer plater was amazing...and so was the Chocolate Volcano! Although still very good, the entrees left just didn't add up :( Staff and Service was fantastic!
(4)
N F.
Ran off to the island for a dream vacation by myself (highly recommend THAT, too!) and I cooked a lot for myself during the trip, so I wanted to treat myself to dinner out at least once. Postcards Cafe: perfect! I phoned ahead to ask about how busy they get, and if it would be weird sitting at a table for one (depends on restaurant ambiance). Quite the contrary to weird: I felt pampered the whole time! The staff were very accommodating, friendly, and attentive. I had the freshly caught island fish (ono!), grilled, rice, macadamia butter. Truly gourmet! Every bite was heavenly. I sipped a luscious glass of Napa Valley Pinot Noir throughout. All this on their screened patio with fresh island breezes providing the natural air conditioning. If I get to Kauai again, Postcards Cafe is on the list for a must-re-do!
(5)
Kelly C.
Postcards is a wonderful little spot for dinner with inventive food inspired by local ingredients and friendly, relaxed service. While some diners have complained that the restaurant is expensive, I think that for the quality of the food it is on target. We started with the crab cakes which were some of the best I've ever eaten - nice fresh lumps of crab meat and delicious sauces (I never would have thought a tomatillo salsa would go so well with them!). I ordered the special of the day which was a seared tuna with a crusted pesto served with a mushroom ragout and delicate squash which was very yummy. My husband ordered the monchong fish Indian style which I would not recommend as much since the indian spices overpower the freshness of the fish and its natural flavors. There aren't any landscape views from the restaurant, but the food is great and therefore worth your time during your stay on the north shore. Reservations, especially during the high season, are worthwhile and if you can't find a place to park right beside the restaurant you can find somewhere nearby. Fish is the specialty with some vegetarian, so don't expect beef and chicken.
(4)
Brent F.
Great food. Really interesting ingredients well executed. Would go again.
(5)
El W.
The poor service at Postcards overshadowed the delicious food. As a haole on the island, I have come to terms with the overpriced dining options. It's pretty well understood that a sit-down dinner will set a family of five back $250. This kind of price point, however, comes along with a commensurate rise is service. This was not the case at Postcards. In fact, we nearly walked out it was so abysmal. The hostess could not reseat us and made excuses for seating up us out on the deck. She acknowledged that she herself had complained about the small; however, she could do nothing to reseat our party. Luckily, one of the servers stepped in and got us a new table. The food was truly amazing. But I couldn't get over the lack of service.
(2)
shopaholic v.
I seriously have issues with some of the Yelp reviews on the island of Kauai. The husband says it must be based in context with only other restaurants on the same island. Meh. Postcards Cafe is rather quaint and charming with a very nice island ambiance, but the food is really nothing to write home about. We sat outside on the patio facing the highway, and that in itself was a high point. It was nice that they had screened it in as well, so we didn't get bit by mosquitoes. Service was really good for Kauai. We always had drinks refilled and the waitress came by plenty. Generally I'd want to give this place 3 stars, but MY dish was really quite bad. I ordered one of the specials of the night: Diver Scallops in Citrus Herbs with Cheddar Mashed Potatoes. For $36 or $38, I was expecting a very fine dish. Instead I got 3 scallops that seemed SOAKED in saltwater! From the very first bite, where I bit down on a chunk of sand, to the last piece of cauliflower, every bite was salty, salty, salty! I think I drowned every bite I took with a big gulp of water. Needless to say, I didn't finish my dish. I also must add, the presentation was sorely lacking...my "herb citrus sauce" looked like a big, green, congealed puddle. J ordered the Thai Coconut Rice Noodles with Shrimp Broth ($19). Sounds delicious right? Well, the "broth" was really more of a thick sauce, and nothing you could slurp up, as one would imagine a broth-y noodle dish. It arrived covered in bean sprouts and I could hardly tell where the noodles were amongst all the sprouts. I then learned it was "vegetarian" since any shrimp or meat would have to have been an "add-on". No beer on draft - I put that in for the guys who find that important (like mine). I think generally this place has been over-hyped because it really is a cute place to eat, and one of the nicer establishments in Princeville/Hanalei, but seriously over-priced and over-seasoned. Would not recommend.
I really wanted to like this place more. It's such a cute building, and the service was really good. It's no longer a vegetarian restaurant, seems like they actually concentrate mostly on seafood now. And it was fine. Nowhere near as good as Bar Acuda. I had the Paella, which was overly salty. My boyfriend had something a bit like a mexican lasagna, with tortillas instead of noodles. It was fine, neither of us were crazy about it. The food was just kind of lackluster. The wine list was ok. It's at least another pretty good option in Hanalei for dinner that's not inside a fancy hotel.
(3)
Ren M.
If you are ever in Hanalei, Kauai check out Postcards Cafe. Great cuisine, vegetarian and excellent desserts. You should make a reservation and book it early, parking is a little tight. For those of you who visit Kauai often you know that most places don't pack in a full house like this little place can. Friendly cats roam free on the premises, not in abundance, but you might see one strolling through while you are enjoying your delicious meal. They offer seating inside and out, grow much of their own vegetables in the garden and are organic. Go for local fish, makes for a wonderful meal. I had the Chefs Special served by Michelle a wonderful young lady! Grilled Mahi with lemon basil and avocado sauce and spiced sweet potatoes with fennel, cherry tomatoes and a salad tossed with red wine vinaigrette! It was spicy hot and excellent. I finished with the sherbet drizzled with fruit sauce. My auntie had the crab cakes, said they were the best she had ever had! About $150.00 for 4 of us to eat, one had a glass of wine. f you are Kauai, Postcards is a must visit! Always Organically Yours, Renay
(4)
Cindy C.
Homerun! A friend who had been to Postcards, recommended it when we were visiting Kauai for our honeymoon and let me tell you this place was unbelievable! There was a slight wait for a table but it was without question 100% worth it. We both enjoyed our dinners and the waitstaff was bubbly and sweet. We would without question dine there again next time we visit Kauai!
(5)
Bob M.
Brought my family of four here primarily because two are vegetarians. Food was good, but overpriced. $200. meal, and they charge you for bread. My wasabi ahi was just OK. Had better in Chicago! Way better options in Kauai. I'll pass next time.
(2)
Stephanie C.
I was really excited to try this restaurant. I came in knowing you would have to spend a bit more, but I'd have to leave it at just three stars... which means... "A-OK". It wasn't exceptional.... its like eating in someone cute little house. Nice service, food portions not bad. IF you are in the area, sure come by and try it.. its not bad... their Ahi IS one of the best I've ever had... but everything else.. really is just OK.
(3)
Ray K.
Well worth every penny spent!!! I strongly recommend that anyone visiting Hanalei Bay splurge at Postcards at least once during their stay. It's located toward the eastern entrance to town on the south side of the road. The menu was creative and inspiring. The service impeccable. The staff charming. The restaurant itself was cozy -- both inside and out on the patio. We just went with the chef's specials...and never regretted our decisions for a moment. They have this chocolate torte made with tofu...don't let the "t" word scare you...try it...if you have a sweet tooth, you'll be glad you did.
(5)
Kara C.
Definitely a solid choice for a nice dinner if you are staying in Hanalei. I wasn't in love with what I ordered, but I think I may have just picked kind of a weird dish (noodles in coconut milk with tofu). They were pretty busy when I was there on a Friday night, and I had to wait a little while before being seated. I'd recommend making a reservation in advance if you'd like to eat there.
(3)
chelsa v.
excellent!! we arrived a little later in the evening around 8:30- scored a perfect table for two outside and enjoyed taking in the surroundings. our waitress was good- but this review is 5 stars for the food! we shared the sampler for 2- that was almost a meal within itself- so good. the taro fritters and ahi were my favorites from the platter. the servings for the main course were huge- we took home over half of our meals and couldn't resist taking home dessert too- hey it's our honeymoon!! the pineapple upside down cake with the passion fruit sorbet is the bomb! to top it off - the hostess, erica, was super super sweet and friendly and we really enjoyed talking with her as we were departing. mahalo!!!
(5)
Donna B.
We noticed this quaint little restaurant housed in an authentic Kauai cottage in Hanalei while we were having lunch across the street at Tropical Taco, so we decided to try it for dinner. I checked out the menu on their website and read the good and bad reviews here on Trip Advisor, so I wan't sure it was exaclty our cup of tea since it seemed to be more of a vegetarian restaurant. We were, however, quite impressed with the wines they listed on their webpage. We called to make a reservation, but they only do that for parties of four or more, so we were a little concerned we might have a long wait. We arrived at around 7:30 on a Saturday night and found a parking place right in front. The seating on the front porch was full, but once we stepped inside we saw there were several empty tables. That surprised us a little since it was a weekend night, but we were glad to be seated right away. The server came up right away and welcomed us, showed us the menu, told us the specials, and took our wine order. He also took the time to explain some of the menu items and answered our questions. We found him to be extremely helful and knowledgeable. We started with a salad and an order of the taro fritters, their house specialty. Covered in a delicious pineapple/ginger chutney, we found these six fritters quite good. It was a perfect starter dish to share. I ordered the Wasabi Crusted Ahi, and my husband ordered the Grilled Ono, which was their fish of the day. My ahi was a nice-sized steak cooked just right (I don't like my fish rare) and covered with a scrumptious wasabi sauce that was not too spicy as to overwhelm the tase of the fish. My husband's ono was served with a peppered pineapple sage sauce, which was tasty, but could have have been better with a little less sage. All in all we had a very nice dinner at Postcards. The atmosphere was casual but charming and the service was very good. We'd definitely go back!
(4)
Tobin S.
Yum - really good food that isn't steeped in touristy crap and isn't hotel pricey. Must have: the deep fried taro dumpling. so flipping good and served with mango chutney and a ltitle red chile sauce. Fabulous. Wine list is nice and encompassing. Service is good and Hawaii mellow. They have a great wrap around porch to allow for outdoor seating. Do yourself a favor and go.
(4)
Sammy Z.
Boo Hiss........third time to visit is NOT the charm in this case. The food is just average. Cold in the middle entree (not fresh but frozen?) The waitresses and hostess are the worst. Sitting on the screened porch (yuck) we got bombarded with the fuel smell of the lanterns they burn outside. Not a pleasant situation. The rudeness ruined all 3 of our visits over the past 10 years. Never again!
(1)
C M.
What a great find. Not a lot of options in Hanalei but this little place was great. Had the Ahi special with Forbidden rice. Server was very attentive and made the evening very enjoyable. Best meal we've had on Kauai. Note: despite seafood on the menu, this is primarily a vegetarian restaurant. All entrees are available without the seafood.
(5)
Louis S.
Great experience with friendly staff, creative fish dishes. We had the taro fritters, which were great, followed by the fresh Opah with a curry sauce. The portions were quite generous. We recommend the awesome white wine sangria, but it made us both sleepy, so be careful! 4 stars for the price to awesome ratio.
(4)
Pete S.
I'm assuming the high reviews are coming from the vegan & vegetarian crowd. The local population has it figured out- every other place in town was full except here- for a reason. Our meal (appetizer platter, sorento, drinks, and chocolate lava cake) was less than mediocre- (if mediocre is equivalent to anything from frozen food section in the grocery store). Not to mention the exorbitant prices they charge for boxed spiral pasta ($26) and lava cake ($12)! I definately would not recommend. If that's what you are looking for stay home, open some canned vegetables, poor them on noodles, and save the $85! If that's the four star standard for vegan/veg, count me out.
(1)
Tyson G.
Cute place in Hanelei. We actually originally started at Bouchons at a shopping area just down the street but the service, food and drink were less than desirable. So we yelped and found Postcards Cafe. The decor was cozy, service was attentive and food presentation and taste was good. Parking was sparse.
(4)
Markus K.
Not bad - but not as good as bar acuda next door. Pasta is very good. Nice fresh fish. Good service.
(4)
Davey K.
Really good food, really good service, about $25-$35 a plate. Just not happy that the menu at restraunt didn't match up with the online menu we viewed earlier today. The reservation for parties of four is pretty lame too. I really like how theres no chicken, beef or pork, just seafood and veg options.
(4)
laura m.
The food, the service, and the casual friendly atmosphere are all well worth a visit to this treasure of a restaurant. Living in the bay area I'm used to good food, and Postcards delivers. I had the polenta cakes and the wasabi ahi both were AMAZING.
(5)
G O.
Such a charming little place with really flavorful foods! Atmosphere was warm and inviting. Waitstaff were prompt, friendly,and personable. We had the chef's special, which was a mahi mahi served with a vegetable rice and grilled asparagus. I'd definitely come back if in the area.
(4)
Kong T.
Really bad service. Even if the food was decent the poor service just kills it. Unfortunately, the food wasn't up to par to what anyone else raved about. I will give them this, the crab cakes were great!!! Both the salsa and raspberry chutney that came with them were great. Too bad this was the appetizer and it went downhill from there. Here are some other things I noted: 1. No bread. Everyone else got some, except our table. Maybe cause were Asian? If that was the case, bring us some rice. 2. Ahi over cooked. They asked how I wanted it, here is what I said, medium-rear, in fact, barely touch the fish on the grill. How did it come? Close to medium. It was cooked all the way through and no cold or uncooked sections. No pink, nothing. The fish had no flavor. If this was a "vegan" type place, then I know why I am not vegan. No need to mix in some salt, but when you over cook fish to begin with, the flavor of the fish is gone, you need to throw some seasoning on it. 3. No cleaning of tables. Send someone over with a towel please!!! Supposedly this is "fine" dining. Wipe off the water off the table. Worse, when desert came, they put the new utensil right on the table into the spilled water or drinks. I am not a clean freak, but it was kind of disgusting. 4. No thank-you or any politeness. I think I said thank-you or your welcome more than the staff. Nuff said. 5. Ice cream with the lava cake came hard as ice. Also, the cake wasn't all that. Lastly, I was forced to give it one star. If it was up to me, I would have given zero.
(1)
Senator B.
My Mother and I joined them for dinner last night and the results were decidedly mixed. I get the sense that this establishment aspires to provide (and bill you for) a fine dining experience but, sadly, their execution leaves one feeling only like they just ate at a cafe. Food: 3.5. I had the Ono with mac nut butter, good but not great; my Mother the seafood pasta which was also nice but bland. Service: the receptionist, Robin?, was top notch... She was the high point. Our waitress, not so much. While very sweet, she forgot numerous items and repeatedly abandoned us for swaths of time reaching up to 15 minutes! (at one point, it got so bad, I had to get help from another server). Lastly, special mention of the napkins... They were of the thinnest paper, (think KFC)?! When I enquired why a place charging up to $30/plate would go so cheap on this amenity, I was told,"Oh!, can you believe it we ran out! Of all times, on Father's Day!" Actually, yes, I can....
(3)
Ryan E.
Postcards Cafe is located in Hanalei on the north side of Kauai. If I remember correctly it's the first restaurant (converted house) on the left when driving in. Walking into the restaurant we received a very warm greeting and seated right away. The restaurant has a screened in lanai. It reminded me of Fried Green Tomatoes sort of a family/welcoming feeling. The appetizers were great especially the crab cakes, and the fish was very fresh. I would suggest trying something with their macadamia nut butter so delicious. I would recommend trying this restaurant if you are traveling to Kauai.
(4)
Laura J.
This place was delicious! We enjoyed some excellent local fish and fantastic desserts. Yelp says it's not good for children but on a local's advice, we took our 8-month-old daughter there and it was no problem. There were other families with children there as well. We sat out of the deck which I highly recommend. The service was prompt, the atmosphere quaint and beautiful. Don't miss it!
(4)
Michelle T.
We really enjoyed this place! This place was recommended by a friend of ours who's living in Kauai, so we stopped in for dinner during our visit to Kauai. First of all, we'd arrived straight from snorkeling, so although we had dried off, my hair was a mess. I figure that's probably par for the course in Hawaii. Anyway, it was maybe 20 min before opening time, but we asked if we could sit on the patio, order a beer, and wait. They said, "Sure!" and were really nice and friendly. We were off to a great start already, and we hadn't even eaten yet! The patio is really nice and relaxing. It's covered, so you don't get baked in the sun, but you can look out on the trees and plants while you enjoy your meal. For our first dinner there (yes, we returned on the last night of our trip since we enjoyed it so much!), we had: 1. bread and hummus, $2 Nice herb bread with yummy hummus. Great starter. 2. Postcards Platter (2 seafood rockets, 2 taro fritters, seared ahi, one crab cake, pineapple chutney, various sauces), $18 Seafood rocket (minced shrimp/fish/coconut with curry, wrapped in eggroll wrapper and deep fried, drizzled with sweet chili sauce) was very good! Taro fritter (polenta-crusted taro) was also quite good, as were the seared ahi and the crab cake. The pineapple chutney was interesting, but not outstanding, I think. Also, the other accompaniments were ok (shredded cabbage, oil-roasted cashews). 3. Porcini-crusted scallops with salad (baby greens, onions, mushrooms, cranberries, cashew-date dressing), $14 Four large scallops, very good! Salad had too much dressing and too many cranberries (too sweet) on it. 4. Lilikoi mousse, $7 Wow! Fluffy, light mousse with intense lilikoi flavor, great balance of tart and sweet. Drizzles of lilikoi sauce on top, delicious raspberry around the mousse, chunks of pineapple and a few grapes. We devoured this! For our second dinner: 1. bread and hummus, $2 Still good! 2. Striped marlin special, $30-something (I think)? Marlin with giant portobello mushroom The fish itself was excellent, but too much going on with lots of sauces on the fish, and too many seasonings/sauces on the mushroom. 3. Local color salad (organic greens, sprouts, pumpkin seeds $11) with grilled fish (add $12) Delicious and a good deal! You get a huge grilled fliet of fish (I chose opah), simply grilled without sauces or toppings (great this way because of the quality of the fish!). The salad is delicious too, and I loved the lilikoi vinaigrette (you can choose lilikoi or balsamic). 4. Coconut sorbet with lilikoi swirl, $7 Two scoops of delicious coconut sorbet with thin ribbons of lilikoi swirled inside, sitting on lilikoi sauce, surrounded by raspberry sauce, accompanied by fresh blueberries and melon balls. Really good! A great restaurant with friendly service, lovely patio, great food!
(4)
Lisette R.
Postcards is a charming restaurant in a cute house in Hanalei. This fantastic restaurant has a great selection of gluten-free and vegetarian meals to suit a wide variety of diets. We tried the lobster tail and Ahi tuna - which were both completely fantastic. The lobster tail was in an asparagus puree that was utterly unique and the presentation was gorgeous. Service was very good and the selection and quality was the best we had during our stay on the north side of Kaua'i.
Delicious! We attended Postcards for my cousin's birthday and had a wonderful meal. The wasabi ahi was great - highly recommend. Served as requested and huge portion. We also had the lava chocolate cake which was delicious.
(5)
Sam A.
Great news! If you are looking for that cafe that is pretentious and trys to be more than a local dive I have found it! Appetizers and drinks were the goal and we found a Cesar salad that tasted like the industry average minus croutons, as there were none. The sampler was middle of the road too. Bottom line: no regrets just no recommendations either. Milk toast.
(3)
Jeannine R.
Great food and atmosphere. Blackened fish is recommended. Great service from Niki and the manager, Sarah was attentive, as well.
(5)
Ellen S.
Ick. So disappointed in the yelp community! 4/5 stars for that was way off. Poor service and a hodge podge of food on a plate describes our experience tonight. And hardly a vegetarian's culinary hope. If you do go, don't have the lobster. It took almost 40 minutes for them to rubberized and over-sauce. And skip the coconut noodle dish - what it had in number of ingredients, it lacked in any seasoning or flavor. When I said I needed salt, the server brought out 3 sauces and said,"try these and maybe you'll find the right combination." Left with a lot less cash and promising to go back to Bar Acuda and the Lighthouse Bistro.
(1)
Cory L.
Great ambiance as the sun was setting. Quaint with an island casual feel. We started with the Sampler and it was amazing. Highly recommend it. My wife is a vegetarian and the Sombrero, a mexican lasagna that offered a sizable portion and was satisfying, but not quite earth shattering. I had the fish special which was cooked nicely, not overdone, and chose garlic mashed as my side which was the right choice. Service was excellent, wine choices were plentiful, and overall we were very happy with our dinner. Buyer Beware, you can spend $100 here in a heartbeat but if you're not overly concerned it's a great spot for dinner.
(4)
AL Y.
Good food, very good service. No additional comments from other reviewers
(4)
E T.
This is our 3rd or 4th time visiting Postcards. Before returning to the Island when I made my list of restaurants to visit, this was on the maybe list. We have always liked the food, but there were some mixed reviews lately, so it wasn't a "must go back to" place for us. We tried another restaurant that was full, so we called ahead to see what the wait time was for Postcards, they had a table waiting for us. Great! We have 2 hungry kids so didn't want to wait! They have a kids menu (Yay!) and they have pasta on that menu (BONUS!). So far so good! We started with the The Pupu Platter, great sampler platter including a crab cake, taro fritters, seafood rockets and seared ahi...all were fantastic (the sauce & chutney, yum!)! Kids didn't partake, but more for us! I had the Wasabi Crusted Ahi, my husband had the fresh fish meal (forget what it was). His meal was very good, but I certainly had the star meal of the table! The crust and the amount of Wasabi was perfection! Any more would have been too spicy, any less, not enough spice. It was melt in your mouth perfect every bite! We also had the Chocolate Volcano Souffle which was wonderful and the kids did help us with that! Over all it was a great evening and we are sooo happy that we went here! We love the atmosphere too, like being in someone's home. Also, we asked for a wine pairing recommendation and our server was very honest to admit that she was a bit new so she was going to check with the kitchen to see what the chef recommended for pairing. Kudos to her for not trying to fake it and just recommend anything. Bonus point for her. A couple of notes, they don't have a liquor license so wine & beer only. Parking was pretty full, but we were able to park across the street (be careful crossing the road!) and they don't have any milk in the restaurant (relevant for kids). We recalled last time that we went to a grocery store near by to buy a bottle of milk for our son (back then we only served him milk!), now with child #2 and they are a little older (and we are a little more relaxed) let them have juice. Ha! They were happy.
(5)
Sara R.
This is a definite must for those staying in Hanale'i or Princeville. The restaurant boasts a warm, casual environment, but don't feel uncomfortable wearing nice dinner attire. The food was incredible with the freshest of ingredients; this coupled with the attentive, friendly staff makes this a must.
(4)
Jonathan L.
My wife and I went here for dinner on our vacation. We had a very nice meal. The service was excellent, I loved the food choices, we both enjoyed our dinners and dessert. I highly recommend the green salad with the goat cheese, it's simply fantastic. All in all, a very refreshing take on a meal, especially in light of north shore dining being a bit limited.
(4)
Lenny G.
For the exception of the old fart that decided to yell at us because our group was too loud, we had a fabulous time. Food was great, service was even better and we even saw an appearance from Charo. She was personable and even did a farewell "cha, cha cha" for us! ;) Awesome place!
(4)
Janet D.
Postcards Cafe is one of a few fine dining restaurants in the North Shore. It's best feature is its ambiance...whitewashed wood beam ceiling and walls, soft lighting, and outside dining on the front and back covered patios. Service was excellent...very friendly and prompt. If you're looking for a juicy steak, you're not going to find it here...they specialize in gourmet vegetarian and seafood dishes. My friend and I shared their house salad (with a lightly sweet and delicious lilikoi dressing) and the appetizer platter (with seared ahi, spring rolls, crab cakes, and taro patties). For dessert, we indulged in the lilikoi mousse...at the moment the spoon entered my mouth, I became passionate about lilikoi. Everything was very, very good...I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Samantha T.
My boyfriend and I went here for dinner thinking it might be one of the better restaurants on the island. The menu made everything sound awesome, but it was far from it. First of all, their service was very uninviting. When we walked in I could hear a waitress at her side station complaining about how, "haoles with money think they can get anything they want," which I thought was funny since she looked pretty haole to me. I ignored it and instead tried to stay positive and focus on the quaint interior and ambiance of the restaurant, which was really one of it's only good points. The second star goes to the hostess, who seemed to be the only friendly person in the restaurant and gave us an option of where to sit. However, the rest of the staff, including our server, acted like they didn't want us there. Secondly, the food was subpar. If you go to the Taro Shack across the street you can get better food for a third of the price. We ordered two appetizers, the "Seafood Rockets" and a scallop dish I can't remember the name of. The rockets tasted like ground seafood stuffed into small fried egg roll wrappers. It was served with sweet and sour sauce, similar to the kind you get from Panda Express. The scallops were undercooked and had a similar sauce over it. For our entree we shared their special, which was sea bass served with a rice pilaf and veggie concoction. It tasted like a watered down Indian/Mexican fusion mess...and again the fish was undercooked. I think I have had better Lean Cuisine microwave dinners. Also, the sauces on everything had this artificially sweet taste to it. I typically like a mix of sweet and savory in my meals, but this was just sweet...and not the good kind of sweet. On top of that we ordered their white sangria, which we couldn't even finish because of the sugar overload. Overall, I think this place is way overrated. If you are looking for good food I would try Infigos in Princeville. Their service is pretty slow, but everyone there is friendly and the food is fantastic. Either that or Bouchons (where we had their sushi, which for the most part was pretty good). Aloha!
(2)
Sarah P.
Delicious. Be sure to try the taro fritters.
(5)
Milton S.
Great local organic produce. Order salad n sea bass. Over cooked Lobster n pasta
(3)
D F.
Exceptional all around but their local color salad with their passionfruit based salad dressing and the goat cheese crustini was the best salad I have ever had. Great local food with fresh fish made for our nest dinner yet in Kauai!
(5)
J K.
Ambiance is great and the dishes are pretty --- I think that's why people rate it a 4. The food is so-so at best. The curry we had a few nights back was terrible (worth of a 1), but he Taro Frtters and atmosphere make the place worthy of a 3.
(3)
Alex G.
Solid four stars - friendly service, fresh fish, and tasty preparations. The positives included a terrific paella, with perfectly cooked seafood and rice; and a pink snapper with a light pineapple sage sauce (under, not over, the fish), served with black rice and three other veggie servings- wow! The wasabi crusted ahi tuna was tasty, but we ordered it medium rare and it came out much closer to well done - slightly disappointing. Taro fritters with pineapple chutney was crazy delicious, and the fresh baked bread and hummus was a solid choice. Wine list is fairly priced and well designed. Overall, a casual place with excellent food (really fresh fish) and polite service.
(4)
Lisa Q.
Had the most amazing dinner at Postcards...portobello mushroom, fresh island green salad, taro fritters w/pineapple chutney and cashews, and homemade bread with macadamia but butter. It was divine...and very reasonable for a classy North Shore restaurant. Deserves a Michelin star.
(5)
Fhk G.
I'm torn about this one: The service was impeccable! Our waiter's name was Jordan I believe and he was friendly, knowledgable and his timing was perfect. His joy of food was palpable! However, he should probably find a better place to live out that passion. Two salads as appetizers: Nothing remarkable there, solid but not great, definitely overpriced. Two fish dishes as entrees, one of which was the Chef's special ('specially bad) and what a disappointment! First, they arrived less than 10 minutes after we had ordered. Bad sign for grilled fish, which was grilled earlier that night and appeared reheated. To cover up the poor quality, the fish was smothered in sauce which actually spread all over the plate. To make things worse, the sauce totally overpowered everything else that was going on on the plate - it was too sweet! Also, do not order the white wine sangria! It tastes like stale seven up that's been left in the sun. After that we skipped desert and got the hell out! Needless to say, totally overpriced! I wouldn't eat there again if they paid me! Hanalei features such great restaurants that I am really surprised this place is still around. Tourists who don't know better I guess. Now, you know better. Thanks for reading and go to the Bar Acuda down the street or to The Tavern in Princeville.
(1)
Julia J.
Been coming to Kauai now for 10 yrs. and Postcards is a must dine place for us. The food is always excellent - although I would probably pass on the dessert.
(4)
Cav M.
Sadly, another one bites the dust. We live in the area and Postcards was our go-to for great food every time. The last time we went will be the last time we ever go. If MJ, the manager, had been in attendance that night, we feel certain we would not have left with the bitter taste in our mouths that we did... things run smoothly when she is present. My husband used to work in the kitchen there and was always so impressed at the owner's attention to detail, always buying the highest quality organic ingredients, no matter what the cost... so everything would be fresh and delicious. We wonder if maybe Postcards has been sold, as the past couple of times we went, things seemed a little off. We always like to share at Postcards. First, the crab cakes... then the house salad with goat cheese crostini (according to the menu, it has sprouts, which we haven't seen in a long time)... and then the fresh fish (Opah was always amazing). The past few times, the servers have brought the crab cakes first, and then the salad and the entree at the same time. Having worked in the restaurant business for years, my husband says that you are to always time the firing of the entree so it doesn't overlap with the salad... you want the guests to have time to enjoy their salad, and the entree hot when the guests are ready to eat it. We shouldn't have to train the wait staff, but apparently these days, it's all about high turnover of tables: get 'em in, get 'em fed, get 'em out. The time before last, when the waitress brought the salad and entree together, we told her we wanted time to enjoy our salad and then our entree. She was very apologetic and the kitchen re-fired our meal appropriately. This time, our waitress (a different girl altogether, who shares her name with a bird who shall remain nameless), brought our salad and entree together. If we had known ahead of time that she would do this too, we would have told her, but we didn't know we needed to. When we told her that we wanted salad first and then the entree, she said she could just put the fish back in the window until we were ready. What would be the point of that? Letting it get cold in the window where we can't even shoo flies off it while it chills? For dessert, we ordered our favorite Lilikoi mousse which was always served in a margarita glass on a saucer, garnished with crystallized lavender and mint. It was a heavenly nectar of the gods. This time, it was slung sloppily (not scooped) into a cup and garnished with a chopped up green grape on top... and no saucer, just the cup. It looked more like something an uncoordinated child might prepare to impress the adults, but it did not impress us (at least, not in a GOOD way). During the course of the evening, both my husband and I had 2 mineral waters. Once the bill arrived, it stated an elevated price (50 cents more per bottle than what the menu stated). When I asked the girl about it, she said she would go check. Upon returning, she stated that the price had gone up and we had gotten a menu that hadn't been changed. "Just know that NEXT time, you'll have to pay the higher price," she stated haughtily. What's with the unnecessary attitude? I don't mind paying what the menu says, but make sure your menu says what you'll be charging! I am not a big fan of the ol' bait-n-switch. Let's at least be honest and respectful of your guests! To paraphrase an old story from my childhood: "When it is good, it is very very good... and when it is bad, it is HORRID!" Aloha, Postcards! We will miss you!
(3)
Iain T.
Took the girlfriend here for her 40th birthday and was very impressed. While many of the dished are veggie-based, fish is an option on most dishes. The starter of crab cakes was stupendously good and the fish of the day was fresh and tasty. To finish we shared a passionfruit mousse that was nothing short of divine, and it came with a candle which was a lovely touch on the GF's birthday. This is superb cooking , with a lot of attention to detail (the wasabi snake, dotted with seeds, was a beautiful touch with the seared tuna). The staff are friendly and service is quick. We got there around 7pm and had no problems getting a table outside (but behind a screen - mossies here are a killer). So, after all this praise, why only four stars I hear you ask? Well, it's down to the one sour note of the evening. My main course dish was $25, or $20 for the vegetarian option sans prawns. The plate came with two (admittedly fat and juicy) prawns, and charging an extra $5 for that seemed a little steep. Nevertheless I would highly recommend the restaurant as the place to eat in town if the budget isn't too tight.
(4)
Joel C.
Found this restaurant through our guide book and had a great experience. Great atmosphere - we sat on the porch with gas lanterns nearby and christmas lights. We were served amazing warm and gooey bread with homemade hummus for only $2. I had the mong chong fish with macadamia nut butter - it was flaky and delicious with creamy, rich mashed potatoes. My wife had the goat cheese salad and taro fritters. Though the chutney was a bit sweet for our taste, the fritters were fried to perfection and otherwise very tasty. We didn't have room for dessert. Service was quick and very friendly. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Linda L.
it is good.
(3)
Karen C.
Appealing location and decor. Many rave reviews, but not this one. Their known for their fish (they were out of everything on the menu) and had a chef's special. But it was mediocre at best. Very disappointing.
(2)
Mr C.
I was really surprised after reading some of the bad reviews on this place. We had an outstanding meal here with exceptional service. We sat outside on the patio, where it had a very romantic feel and were able to take in the warm tropical air. We both had fish. The Ono and the Ahi were simply amazing. Our waitress recommended these two items and she was right on the money. For dessert we shared the pineapple upside down cake with coconut ice cream. I would go back just for this dessert!
(5)
Pinguino K.
Postcards was awesome. It's a cute restaurant with great food, but is very expensive for what you get. I got the mong chong fish. It was really tasty. My boyfriend got the paella and I kept stealing bits of it cuz it was so good! The place accommodated our large group very well, and the wait staff were super friendly and gave us tips on places to check out. Lava cake was good but tiny. The cat outside was very cute and friendly.
(4)
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Address :5-5075 Kuhio Hwy,Ste A
Hanalei, HI, 96714
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Stacey B.
Food: not good Service: bad Atmosphere: ok-ish Prices: way too high for what it is We were on honeymoon and wanted a nice dinner out one night. All the guidebooks recommended Postcards, and the description as vegetarian + fish seemed perfect for a (veganish+fish) and (vegetarian) couple. Only 4 parking spaces, but after hours you can park across the street in a neighboring business's lot. We chose to sit outside and then noticed how buggy it was and how many mosquitoes were eating us, so we moved inside. An upscale restaurant with outdoor seating usually does something to discourage bugs. We ordered the taro fritter appetizer and the risotto entrees. We were disappointed that there was only one vegetarian entree, and one that could be made vegetarian, on the menu. Didn't seem that vegetarian friendly, and there were only 6 entrees on the menu total. Maybe a handful of appetizers would have been better. My husband got the risotto with seafood, and I got mine with tofu/vegetables. The taro fritters were ok, not great. Both risottos were way too oily, and seemed overly cheesy. The seafood one came with no vegetables, which disappointed my husband. Mine had a good amount of tofu & vegetables, but it was still bad due to being so overly oily and not prepared very well. The service wasn't so good. Our waitress wasn't friendly, didn't smile ever, seemed like she was trying really hard to be formal but not succeeding, and wasn't attentive. The fake formal thing got on our nerves with the way she announced each ingredient/dish instead of just telling us. Another waitress came by to refill our waters (for which we had to wait a long time) and take our plates away, and she seemed a little better. Our plates and our glasses were all sweating like crazy, and they had no placemats or coasters or tablecloths or anything. The whole table became quite wet, which was uncomfortable. In general, the place was uncomfortable and didn't have the romantic ambiance we had hoped for (instead was bright, loud). The better waitress came by to provide dessert menus and seemed very surprised that we weren't interested, but we were just itching to get out of this place and end our bad experience. If the prices had been half what they were, I don't think we would have felt so bad, but it just seemed a total shame to spend so much money (just under $100) on poorly prepared food with annoying service/atmosphere.
(1)Craig M.
Good food, but small menu. There food and service was great, by be aware if you don't like seafood then there is little to no options for you.
(4)Kent H.
Get the peppered pineapple sage sauce! I don't care what you put it on, just get it. My mouth waters just thinking about it, and our vacation's been over for days. This place has very friendly staff, great food and a nice atmosphere. Definitely recommended for something a little more upscale than your average taco joint in Hanalei, although the quality doesn't mean it's pretentious or standoffish. Great place for a romantic dinner.
(4)Heather T.
Yummy!!!!! Just had the wasabi crusted ahi and it was amazing!!!! Jonah was our waiter and he was great! Would totally visit again. This was my favorite place in Kauai and there is a lot of incredible places to eat.
(5)Amy L.
I was surprised by this place! Kinda small and you could certainly miss it if you aren't looking carefully...but definately worth the visit!
(4)Sam M.
I had the distinct impression that they would not be qualified to work at a $40+ plate restaurant elsewhere. They were mopping the floor and cleaning up while we were still eating at 9:10. When she asked if I wanted to see the dessert menu I didn't want to hold them up from going home any longer. I did not care for my plate, but liked my wife's Ono Tandoori (hence the 2nd star). Usually restaurants with similar prices do not typically charge you for a plate you disliked and didn't eat. I wonder if they treat locals better.
(2)Kimberly M.
Outstanding menu full of wonderful flavors. Great selection for GF diets and wide selection of organic veggies. Service was fantastic and atmosphere was peaceful. Our best meal on the island by far. Highly recommend reservations.
(5)Coast W.
It was hard to get past the $6 scoop of rice. We decided to give Postcards a second chance after an unpleasant experience on our honeymoon six years ago. This time we arrived early with our five-year-old in tow , given their reputation for long waits. The place was nearly empty but very quickly filled up after 6pm. The good: the Taro fritter appetizer was amazing and unlike anything I've had before. A must to try. Note that it's not very clear on the menu that you can order this a la carte and not as part of the pupu platter. It ran around $14 for four fritters. The sauce was the key here, with dots of hot pepper sauce in it for flair. The other good item we had was the wasabe crusted ahi. This seemed like a signature dish, and the waitress said it was a popular item. It wasn't too spicy, and very flavorful. The other items were ordered were very so-so, and unimaginative. I'd recommend to stick to the popular items and away from the specials which are mediocre but come with a special price. What really discouraged us was the complete lack of any kids items. Kauai has two major demographics of tourists - couples and families -- and some restaurants we went to had some creative, healthy choices for kids. Here, the only item was a baked quesadilla for $10, with nothing else. So, I ordered the infamous side scoop of rice , which ended up costing $6.
(3)AJ A.
I cannot believe how many people have positively reviewed this place and how many people continue to eat here despite the INFINITELY better Bar Acuda down the street (you'll probably spend less money and get quality food). I gave it 2 tars instead of 1 because the main course fish we had was actually very good. Unfortunately, everything else on the plate (the curry, vegetables, etc.) was disgusting. We ordered the Pupu platter. If you do not take my advice and actually eat here, do not get this. It consists of bland fried food on top of various pickled things. It was gross. The waitress came over at one point and asked us how our food was. I shrugged and said "It's alright" because I didn't want to be rude and tell her what I really thought of it. She smiled and walked away. Don't ask if you truly do not care.
(2)Myles L.
A quaint little place by the sea. The wait is not too long if you get there early. Hostess and waitress were very friendly. Had the Grilled Mahi Mahi Special - was delectable. The Risotto and Wasabi Crusted Ahi are also very good - I had a bite or two from my friends. Get the chocolate cake, but remember to order early or it will be sold out! A bit on the pricey side but well worth it.
(4)Kelly S.
Slightly overrated. Very cute place, nice atmosphere, but was not our favorite in Kauai. Fish was okay, but the vegetarian dish our daughter got was good. The Ahi was also good, but the fresh fish of the day was not. Our waitress was completely disinterested in us as a table as well. She was a bitt snooty. My husband was asking for a little extra Casear dressing while he was ordering his meal, and she proceeded to cut him off and tell him he didn't need any.
(3)Anna h.
Total palate pleaser! We split the appetizer sampler and the Chef special of Hebi (Hawaiian swordfish) with the Mac-nut butter sauce. Both were beyond amazing. The Fish Rockets were so perfectly flavored and the crab cake was hands down the bet I have ever had. Even the pickled cabbage was delicious. And I am not a fan of pickled cabbage. But it was sweet and perfect. The Hebi could have been cooked a bit longer (I don't eat raw fish) but even cooked med-well was still phenomenal. The Volcano dessert was not mind blowing. Really tasty, don't get me wrong. But not nearly as incredible as the rest of the food. Splitting the sampler and entree was perfect for our bellies and our wallets. Expensive, yes but totally worth it.
(5)Jocelyn L.
I've had breakfasts here a couple of times when they were opened for b'fast before and I've enjoyed the fresh, organic options. The patio is a great place to be seated
(4)Jamie W.
Postcards Cafe would be five stars in my book if it wasn't so expensive and there was more diverse selection. This is usually our most expensive meal on the island. I think if there was more selection, we even go more than once a trip. Luckily, the food is always fresh and prepared perfectly. The wine list is good and reasonably priced. Strange that they serve expensive reds chilled so low, though. Desserts are strangely small, too, for the $12 price.
(4)David B.
On our first trip to Hawaii and Kauai my wife and I wanted a nice dinner to start our vacation. A few friends and sites like Yelp pointed us to Postcards Cafe and we were very glad we went. The warm and cozy atmosphere, a decent wine list and attentive service accompanied a fine offering of local fresh fish prepared in a variety of ways. We both opted for the grilled fish with local greens (a good bargain compared to entree prices), ono and kalikali, along with a couple of excellent crab cakes. Very nice and highly recommended.
(4)N D.
Not many restaurants have blown us away since we arrived in Kauai, but this place was awesome. Great service, delicious food, welcoming ambience, and reasonable prices. I think we might go back tonight! YUM!
(5)erin b.
Excellent meal, service and wine. We had probably the best meal of the honeymoon here sitting outside on the lanai. The menu is well thought out and interesting (we call it a Brooklyn style menu). Definitely will return and definitely recommend!
(5)Jeff L.
A little pricey but the food is good. It's the same price level as the popular Beach House Restaurant in Poipu but the food is better at Postcards. It's also infinitely better than any of the restaurant choices in the Princeville Center. We had the taro appetizer, Chef's special of the day, grilled Mahi Mahi, the chocolate volcano, a beer, and a fancy iced tea came out to be $115 after tax & tip. Quaint atmosphere and pretty good service. Just try not to be seated near the bathroom outside on the porch. It gets a little smelly over there.
(4)Megan H.
Perfection! The food was amazing! Delicious! Fantastic! It was a slight bit pricier than the other restaurants in Hanalei, but well worth it. My husband had the catch of the day with a wasabi cream sauce. I had a veggie version of a simple, but perfect mexican dish that they do. The service was awesome. The atmosphere was super chill. My only wish is for more veggie options, but they have more than most North Shore restaurants so I really can't complain. Absolutely check it out!
(5)Lisa M.
Awesome food! Eat here.
(5)L S.
Ate here twice 2 years ago and it was five stars. Came back last week and it has gone way downhill. Why would you take a beautiful piece of fresh fish lather it with spicy sauce and then cover it with prawns. To me the chef is either apologetic or hiding something. Appetizers were weak especially the rockets. There are better places to eat across the street. Definitely a restaurant coasting on it's past reputation. Or maybe I hit it on a bad night, but after our last trip, I was so disappointed that there was no way I was going to give it a second try. (Oh, and they don't take reservations unless you're a party of 4 or more.)
(1)Mitch S.
This would be a 3 star restaurant except it is too overpriced. My wife and I are vegetarians and while they had options for us, they were below average. Perhaps we are used to being spoiled by great food in Vancouver but the food was borderline unacceptable for the price. Lovely staff, great atmosphere, but the food wasn't worth it. Perhaps they make great fish? We wouldn't know.
(2)Ibrahim A.
Creative menu that includes hummous with your breadbasket instead of just butter, corn fritters with a delicious dip (my favorite) and items like tandoori and Paella. The staff is great but thier prices and the flavores of their entrees kept the star count down. I'll go again next time I'm on the northshore but I'm in no hurry!
(3)Chico R.
My wife and I are vegetarian and were very happy to find this restaurant. Not only did Postcards have 2 or 3 options for us each night we went there, the food was outstanding. The sauces they use were some of the best we have had at a restaurant. Their vegetarian options included of course pasta, but they also had a Mexican lasagna even though they don't call it that. It was the "Sombrero". Good stuff. We actually went there three times because the food was so good so we were able to get a real feel of the place. Our only complaint is we felt rushed each time, the food comes out super fast, so you must take the initiative to slow it down.
(5)R P.
By far the best Fish on this part of the island.
(5)Stell L.
Nothing special about the food, way overpriced. Not worth it...
(2)Bradley D.
Dinner was great. Quaint small cafe that pushes out some unique and quality food. My wife enjoyed their pasta dish and I enjoyed their macadamia but encrusted seared ahi tuna (sushi grade). I recommend getting a pitcher of their white sangria cause its so good you can't have just one glass!!! Personally could drink a pitcher to myself if they had a straw big enough!! Food was spot on for sure. 4 stars really only because the place seemed under staffed and our server was all over the place trying to keep up. Have her 25% tip cause she was workin hard and maybe was picking up slack for someone who called out sick. My wife and I felt bad cause she looked beat and just couldn't keep up. We wish we coulda had some more drinks but she was too busy. If you hit it fully staffed I would bet it could get 5 stars all day long. Food was flawless though. We have gone twice in 10 days on Kauai. Reasonable prices for quality which is nice. Aloha!
(4)David C.
I had high expectations, especially after reading the mostly positive reviews. Unfortunately, the food was really disappointing (bland), and over priced (my entree was $32.00). On the plus side, the interior is cute, homey, and very quaint. Parking is easy, and there's seating on the patio. Unless there's a change in the kitchen. I won't be returning.
(2)Jen Z.
This is the BEST restaurant on the island. The fish is so fresh and the portions are amazing. Absolutely try the nightly specials, you will not be disappointed. I dined there twice and I should have gone every night. I miss this place now that I am back home. Fantastic!
(5)Rich R.
Great spot. Hostess and waitress were so friendly and warm. Menu was small but varied. Upbeat atmosphere and fine dining despite outward appearances. Only beer/wine. Our best Kaua'i dining experience.
(5)Lindsay B.
I had my birthday dinner here! This was the best restaurant we had dinner at in Kauai. The server sang to me with my fiance and hooked it up with a free appetizer. I loved the vegetarian options, my pasta was super good and that lava cake dessert was so so so so delicious.
(5)Bubba E.
We just wanted desert and coffee. They rudely told us we could only be seated if we were having a full dinner and we could order desert to go. We have been to restaurants of all kind and were never told anything like this. There was no one else waiting and they weren't full. Didn't order and will never go back! Don't care what their food tastes like - can't be worth this treatment.
(1)Eric P.
Heed this advice - get one of the fresh catch fish with the macademia nut butter! I got the opa fish and it was ridiculous! My wife got the same fish with indian spices and it was good too. Chocolate volcano should also be mandatory. For as nice as it was, the prices were very reasonable. I would definitely go back here.
(4)Jeremy G.
I have a hard time giving them two stars because the service was wonderful, it was a beautiful setting, people seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the food was nicely presented. Unfortunately, I can't really say that we liked a single dish. Everything was kind of mediocre, even the taro fritters and such that they're known for. I don't think Kauai seems to have particularly good restaurants, but this was our attempt to go a little fancier and we were quite disappointed. Expensive and I'd have a hard time recommending it.
(2)Barbara H.
They don't take reservations for less than 4 people but we got a table right away at 6:45. The catch of the day was swordfish and monchong. Both were very good. You can get them blackened or grilled with your choice of sauces. Only down side - no margaritas but a good selection of beer and wine.
(4)Mace S.
Visited Postcards Cafe based on a recommendation from a friend for my birthday dinner. This is an awesome small local joint. They are only open for dinner and serve fish and vegetarian dishes. I had the wasabi ahi and have to say it was one of the best dishes I've had in a looooong time. The service was excellent. If you go, go early when then open. If you're in a hurry this isn't the place for you. The service was not slow but attuned to what I call island time. It's a great place for a wonderful quite dinner.
(5)Melanie A.
Well they give you a postcard with your bill, so that was interesting. The food here was good, but not at the level that I expected it to be for the price. I had the Ono with vegetables and rice, except "vegetables" really meant two pieces of broccoli and the rice was pretty small too. The Ono was good, but I've had better. Maybe it would have been better with more vegetables. Anyway, the staff was very friendly and the dining experience was very romantic and relaxing, but I felt like what they considered "market price" was a little high for my entree. Glad my husband paid.
(3)alan c.
somewhat disappointed when we actually dined there. We had the local lobster tail but it was over cooked. Dessert menu was also disappointing. It was overrated.
(3)Kirsten B.
Some of the best fish I've had. On a 10 day trip, we visited multiple times. My boyfriend is normally a meat eater, and, after eating here, wants fish as much as he can get it.
(5)nicole c.
Expensive but delicious and so worth it! We had the pupu platter to start, which wasn't completely amazing, but the ahi and the taro friters were the stars. I had the wasabi crusted tuna for my entree- one of the best pieces of fish I've ever had. Actually, I'll just go ahead and say THE BEST! The rice pilaf it comes with (some kind of black rice) was surprisingly also out of this world. I hear others when they say the service is not great- its not, but whatever. you have to just go for the food, ignore everything else.
(5)Marion G.
I had an excellent swordfish here with shitake mushroom sauce, on a bed of root vegetables. Lilikoi mousse was great dessert. No complaints about the service at all.
(5)Ben F.
Great setting. Romantic and comfortable. Good quality food. $32 for fish. No shared orders. A little too much on the spices and seasonings: When there's a flavor used here - it's used a lot. The Chocolate lava cake is good - and it's one of several desserts actually offered.
(3)Tisha B.
A bit overrated and expensive for what you get. My husband's fish was GREAT (he said). Mine was "ok." Mine was the special of the night and was mushroom and truffle encrusted. More like smothered. So much mushroom and truffle I couldn't taste the fish and the fish was a gloopy mess as a result. Pretty disappointing for the price. The accompanying veg and rice were nothing special either. My "sage mashed potatoes" were literally ice cold. This was after a 45-minute wait for our food. My husband's (ono I think) looked and smelled divine. He devoured every bite. His rice was black. Exotic looking, but tasted like regular rice. Nothing special. The restaurant is VERY small and was very busy. Service was okay. We were not offered bread. The spring rolls were more like lettuce wraps from PF Changs. Nothing special. Wine was okay, not as good as Bar-Acuda from night before (and was more expensive). Dessert was the best part of the meal... a hot chocolate souffle type deal with vanilla ice cream. Order ahead because it takes a while. Overall, I'd give it a 3. Very very noisy inside. Hard to even carry on a conversation due to terrible acoustics, basically a wooden beach-house with open beam rafter type celing and all the tables in one room. Too many kids, barely tolerable service and okay food (overpriced for my so-called "special). For the money: Bar-Acuda is the better choice for me and all the screaming kids inside made me want to eat fast, leave and go elsewhere to DRINK!! Terrible atmosphere, poor ambiance, minimal service. Maybe we were there on an off night? When I'm paying that kind of money (regardless of whether I'm in Hawaii or elsewhere), I do expect at least edible food and passible service. Virtually no parking at restaurant.
(3)Tim C.
Probably the nicest dinner spot in Hanalei, food, ambiance, service were all first rate.
(5)Drew O.
5 stars for delicious, interesting and local inspired food. 3 stars on service which appears to be the norm on Kauai. Had fresh Hebe with marinated portobello cap and a gorgonzola potato. My wife had a Hawaiian tandori with opah.
(4)Slu S.
After a lot of reading I was expecting a lot of this place, but it did not deliver entirely. The ingredients were fresh, but the preparations weren't very inspired. The best thing we had there was the pupu platter. Taro fritters, seafood rockets, summer rolls and seared ahi were all very good. Next my wife had the seafood risotto. It was topped with truffle oil and when I say topped, I meant doused. Too much, folks. I have truffle oil in my pantry, I am not impressed when a rich risotto is made nearly impossible to consume by dousing it in truffle oil. I had the wasabi crusted Ahi which was OK. I would consider it to be a decent entree at a small town mainland restaurant, but using fish caught in the same day, I'd expect a little bit more. That last line is a good summary of why I felt a little off about this restaurant.
(2)Ginny C.
Amazing food and wine list. This is a must for all foodies!
(5)Tobee V.
My husband's boss told us we had to try this place, so we went on his recommendation. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't have noticed it. We had their special, which I thought was very unusual for Kauai! Mongchong (not so unusual), topped with sauted spinach and two scoops of well-flavored butternut squash (never had that on Kauai before!). The rice on the side was just okay, but the portions were generous. Order the appetizer combo to sample and find your favorite. Loved the passion fruit mousse (not a fan of the chocolate souffle/volcano anywhere, but they offer it and it's probably good). Nice little addition to Hanalei and it's always good to see local establishments thriving! Good service and friendly staff. Parking is limited during peak hours.
(4)David V.
The food is great and the service is great. But the price is too expensive for what you receive. We had two salads and two main courses (fish) and the bill was $95 before tip.
(3)Dawn S.
A more upscale restaurant in Hanalei. Being our last night in Hawaii, we decided to splurge a little. My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday night. Now it was about 8:30 pm and no one was waiting and we could see plenty of open tables around but the hostess still asked us if we had reservations and when we said "no" gave us that look. She had to study her watch and then her list before being able to seat us. A little snooty. I might expect this attitude in SF but not in Kauai. Come on. We did get seated and did enjoy our meal - contrary to the start of the evening. Shared the seafood rockets appetizer - a melange of shrimp, fish and coconut with curry sauce. Extremely tasty. For the entree it was the butterfish special with macadamia sauce. Was interesting as it was paired with a mound of beets and a mound of hummus. Never had that before but it was still good. The place is nice but the ambiance was just a little too stuffy for me. All the clientele looked like rich tourists and I was totally in the low-key Kauai mode.
(4)Doreen Y.
Delicious and well worth the money. If you are in Kauai you must come here for dinner. The Taro fritters = yummy!
(5)Richard M.
We had a lovely dinner here on the last night of our Kauai stay. I had the Uku grilled with the mac nut butter - which I found a little too sweet for the fish. We enjoyed the appetizer platter and the choco cake at the end of our dinner. My wife had the pepper crusted salmon with the potato side - which she found a little greasy. Staff was very attentive and we would give it a strong recommendation.
(4)Mike C.
For a restaurant that came highly recommended by the locals and hotel staff, not to mention the last restaurant that I ate at in Kauai, I was expecting a lot from this place. The only thing that awed me was the price of the food, which was a bit expensive for the portion size. The table wait was not as long as the food. All we really ordered was the appetizer sampler and a Cesar salad and that took about half an hour. Not to mention that my appetizer was sent to another table that came in after us which really bothered me. The food was not bad but again I had expected more. For the amount of patrons in the restaurant, I wish the service could have been faster.
(3)R A.
Pros: FRESH FISH. This restaurant is seafood only (no chicken, pork, beef etc.), and offered our party of four an array of four different fresh catches of the day. We tried all but one of this offering (the mahi mahi) at our table, and each fish was absolutely fresh and cooked to a perfect consistency. GOOD LOCATION AND AMBIANCE. Directly off the bay in Hanapei on the North Shore, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The table size was comfortable (we ate on the patio). GOOD RATE OF SERVICE. We were able to be in and out in about an hour, and courses were served quite promptly. Our initial wait was about 10 minutes, and each course had a wait time of approximately 2-4 minutes. Cons: CONSERVATIVE FLAVORING. For context, I should state that I am of south-asian descent, and so powerful flavors are very much a home-flavor zone for me. However, despite that fact, I found the food almost criminally bland. Even salt was lacking in every dish, and the overwhelming flavor on most of the plates was 'sweet'; which is great for some courses, but out of place in a main course. My dish, the Wasabi encrusted Ahi, was also unbelievably mild for something that draws from a flavor like Wasabi. OVERPRICED. Our party of four shared 3 appetizers (2 local salads and 1 order of crab cakes), 4 main courses (1 indian-style fish, 2 grilled catch of the days, 1 wasabi encrusted ahi), 2 deserts (2 x chocolate volcano), 1 glass of wine and 1 soda, our total for the evening was around $60 per head. I am comfortable with spending this kind of money for a meal, but I expect a seriously well put together meal. For the cost, the meal I received was lacking in flavor, creativity and style. Mid: SERVICE. Service was neither poor nor exceptional. Our water glasses were monitored carefully and the menu was explained to us thoroughly, but specific changes to our order got lost in the pipeline somewhere (they did, however fix them after noticing this once the food reached the table). Overall: Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant unless you have an extremely fragile palate and find most if not all other restaurants to be too heavy handed with their flavors, and you also consider $60 for a 6.5- 7/10 meal to be an acceptable price. I found 22' North (near Lihue), to be a far better meal for slightly less cost (I am a traveler to Kauai and have no affiliation to either restaurant). 22' North, however, does offer a less sea-food based menu, so if you are craving some seriously fresh fish, by all means, head to the Postcard cafe. Dishes: Best dish by far was the salad (Local Salad w/ Balsalmic Dressing and Goat Cheese Crostini). The dressing was creamy and had great sweetness and tang, the shredded radish on top was a delight, overall this salad was the hands down winner. The much hyped Volcano desert was not terribly exceptional. Ye' average chocolate cake + vanilla ice cream combo. Crab cakes appetizer was drowned by a saccharine fruit chutney, a flavor I felt which overwhelmed the subtle nature of a crab cake. Fish dishes, as described above, all lacked oomph in the flavor department, but were cooked perfectly and very, very, very fresh.
(3)Ro M.
Cute and cozy atmosphere, making me feel like I was visiting at a friend's house. Friendly staff, delicious food, but it was a bit pricey. And like always, specify your food preferences! All in all pretty high on the yum factor... I'd still hit this place up after a snorkeling sess =)
(4)Rich n Nancy C.
Great little dinner spot in the North Shore. The fish is excellent but the service can be spotty. Start things off with a cocktail and the Pupu platter. Save room for desert and a tasty treat.
(4)Gabe S.
Compared to other restaurants we dined at in Kauai (including the Dolphin and the Taro food truck across the street) this restaurant was merely okay. The fish, like most of the fish we had in Kauai, was wonderful. But the sides were unseasoned and unremarkable. The wine was also mediocre.
(3)Edward L.
Best fancy meal of the trip. Our server (Megan) was a delight. Always smiling and always friendly, really looked for us to enjoy our time at Postcards. For appetizer had the seafood platter for two. Everything on that plate was delicious. Crabcake was excellent, as was the seafood wrap. The seared ahi tuna was perfectly executed and provided a good omen for the fish to come. For dinner had the Wasabi Encrusted tuna and grilled monchong Tuna -Medium rare, just the way it should be. Had the wasabi crust which would provide that kick every bite, and the crunch from the panko added to the texture of that the soft medium rare tuna. Fish definitely shined. There's a reason why they call it their specialty. Monchong - Megan described it was mix between the ahi and a halibut. And she was right. Moist throughout and also had the hardiness where it wasn't flaky. I initially ordered the pineapple sage sauce to it. However, Megan wanted me to try the macadamia nut butter so she proactively asked the chef for it on the side. To our surprise, the chef put the butter on the fish and the sage sauce on the side... Definitely was the right choice. A happy accident. Butter was much better and complimented the monchong perfectly. There nothing not to like. Service was on point. Seafood was the shining star, and it spoke for itself. This is a I'd come back kind of place.
(4)Dean B.
One of our best meals on our trip! It is located just as you enter Hanalei and though it does not have great views, they make up for it with great food and services and with a casual elegance. I had their grilled fish special and my companion had the vegetarian dish. Both were outstanding. We hope to be back soon.
(5)S O.
Postcards is a cute, quaint cafe in Hanalei. The ambiance was cozy: on the smaller side, twinkly lights decorate the interior, and open windows (no AC, which means it can get warm inside, but very nice when a cool breeze comes through). My fiancé and I arrived on Thursday night without a reservation and waited about 30 minutes to get a table. We were seated and we both ordered the sear crusted Ahi, (which I had heard from Yelp and our server was the best thing on their menu). I was less than impressed with the preparation of their signature dish. The Ahi was smothered in a wasabi sauce, and covered with bread crumbs, which didn't add to the flavor. I could barely see the fish, and when I pushed all the extra sauce and crumbs to the side, the taste of the Ahi was sadly still bland. I didn't finish my meal. I noticed my fiancé also left quite a bit of Ahi on his plate. Afterwards, he told me: it's not too difficult to prepare Ahi since the fish itself is so delicious, but they managed to take all the flavor out of the fish somehow. I sadly agreed. I really wanted to like this place, but at $38 a plate, I expected something good, if not excellent. The service and ambience were quite good, which is why this place got two stars.
(2)Ask K.
If in Hanalei, this is a must stop. For dinner options, Postcards Cafe and the Dolphin Restaurant across the street are the top two. The local favorite dish, seared crusted Ahi tuna is made to perfection
(4)James M.
Amazing! I am a very picky person when it comes to dining and this is easily the best restraint on the North Shore. The food is exactly what good whole foods should be and the atmosphere and service compliments the wonderful experience.
(5)Nick B.
The Postcards Cafe is a quaint, warm restaurant with friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere. With that being said, be sure to call ahead for a reservation and specify if you prefer to be seated outside. For drinks, we had a pitcher of sangria. The sangria had a bunch of fresh pineapple, something I've never had in sangria, which I recommend you try if you're with a group. We had the bread as an appetizer as well which was rye with a number of herbs. Again, something I've never had (and wish it was given for free). I would recommend the bread if your group can't come to a consensus on something else or wants to get some cheaper appetizers. I'm not a big fish fan, and I still had a great meal. The sombrero, which I ordered, was like a vegetable lasagna. I'd order it again, but ask for less onion. I felt like I ate half of one. The Postcards Cafe is expensive, but not necessarily more so than other fish restaurants on the island. I hope you're able to give it a try.
(4)Melinda H.
Favors galore! You will not be sorry pescatarian, vegan, vegetarian.... The food is marvelous!
(5)Megan B.
I think they call this resto "Postcards" because it's something to write home about. I have been to Kauai multiple times and have passed by this place again and again but only tried it for the first time last night. I never realized that it was one of the north shore's fine dining establishments until now. My husband and I were so impressed with the overall dining experience, service and food! We had: Their new Lime Sake Cocktail... light and refreshing! Followed it with a couple glasses of vino, nice wine selection! The local farm salad.. delightful, great salad dressing! The lobster tail... awesome and beautiful! The fish of the day which was Monchong in a peppered pinneapple sage sauce... our favorite dish of the night! It came with mashed potatoes, broccolini and a carrot ginger purree, - YUM! I can't wait for the next vacation so we can go back to enjoy it again!
(5)Suor K.
Postcards Cafe is a tiny restaurant right before the Hanalei shopping areas. We came here for dinner expecting great things since we read so many good reviews. The interior is cozy, with a few handful of small tables. Service was pretty slow at 6pm, even though there weren't many patrons in the restaurant. We ordered the platter for two and the thai coconut rice noodles. The platter was decent. The crab cake was good, as was the tuna. The taro wasn't that good, nor were the rockets. The thai coconut rice noodles were just okay. The broth was tasty, but I thought it was simply overpriced for what you receive.
(3)Jenny L.
01.15.15 It was our last night visiting Kauai and we had finally made our way to the north shore. Postcards came enthusiastically recommended by a coworker, so I had to check it out. I have to frame this review through my state of mind that night: I was exhausted (from vacation, I know...) and too hot to be hungry. I was irritated by all my mosquito bites. There was not much that could have elevated my mood. We were seated right away with our choice of seats (indoors or in the lanai). We chose a table inside by the window, and ordered some Kona Brewing beers and an appetizer: crunchy seafood-filled "rockets" with coconut curry. Give that a try. You won't be disappointed. They're know for the wasabi crusted ahi, so of course the boyfriend snagged that to order. I was almost out of the mood for fish, but ended up ordering the sorrento - a seafood pasta dish. Don't get me wrong - the dishes were delicious, and the portions hearty. But after what seemed like an eternity of bites, it did not look like I put a dent in my plate. To go it is. And almost as good the next morning out of the fridge. Great place for a quiet dinner, away from the glitz and glam of resorts on the island. True to their name, they give you a postcard with your bill! yelp.com/biz_photos/post… Total damage for two: $105
(3)Neil S.
In one word- delicious! The appetizers were perfect (especially the portabello mushroom). The service.was delightful and the food arrived very fast. I will def.be back for more!
(5)Letitia L.
We were at Bar Acuda last night where the ambience was sexier, but the food here at Postcards blows Bar Acuda out of the water. Unfortunately, the bill just ended up being more pricey than we expected, even though we ordered neither drinks (except a $9 glass of wine) nor dessert and they didn't serve us any amuse-bouche or complimentary bread either. ---- APPETIZERS ---- Postcards Platter: 4.5 stars For four. Hanalei Taro fritters, Crab cakes were tasty, seafood-filled rockets with coconut curry, served with pineapple chutney and sort of pickled kimchi salad Seared ahi tuna with wasabi mayo was so delicious. Seafood rocket reminded me of a deep fried dimsum dish, stuffed with springy fishcake or crab ball. Portobello Mushroom: 3.5 stars Tasty, stuffed with cheese and other veggies. ---- MAINS ---- The Tandoori: 4 stars They say they're Indian-inspired, but more Japanese curry peppery, vegetables cauliflower and sweet potato were really good Thai Coconut Rice Noodles with Shrimp Broth: 4 stars Big portion (especially after the platter), real glad I shared this main with my partner. Came with kale and kaffir lime leaves (which we barely tasted) in a slightly spicy curry gravy broth... not really enough liquid to call it a soup or broth. Fresh catch of the day: Opah: 3 stars (Moonfish) Got this blackened with peppered pineapple sage sauce. Tough and dry, tasted kind of like swordfish maybe because we ordered it blackened? Fresh catch of the day: Monchong: 5 stars (Sickle pomfret) Got this grilled with macadamia butter. Super moist and tender Sorrento: 2 stars This was a seafood pasta swimming in a Chèvre Chardonnay sauce so overpoweringly creamy and cheesy, between the 6 of us we could not finish it. Warning: Automatic tip for parties of 6 or more is 20% POST-TAX so it's 21% built-in, which can really add up. Quality of food: 4.5 stars Ambience: 3 stars Value for money: 3.5 stars Overall rating: 4 stars
(4)Jenni N.
Very delicious food. Recommend the Postcard platter as a starter. Wine is get and the dinner was awesome.
(4)Lori L.
Postcards Cafe is a relaxing place for dinner. It's nice enough for date night or a family special occasion, open aired, and cozily set in a ranch-style home. I had the Wasabi Crusted Ahi for my entree. The ahi was marinated in shoyu-mirin, lightly crusted, then topped with a mild wasabi aioli. The fish was generously cut, served med-rare, and was perfectly tender. I liked this mid-rare preparation better than any seared ahi I've ever had. Accompaniments were a Coconut Cilantro Rice--not my favorite, I thought it was too wet and mushy--a delicious Carrot Ginger Mash, a Roasted Tomato topped with seeds and Broccolini. I would definitely order this again. It was satisfying, whimsical, and had a nice variety of flavors and textures. Even though I was already full, I had the Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert. The chocolate flavor was complex and layered. The cake broke and oozed the way it should. The ice cream and raspberry sauce were perfect accompaniments--I would have licked the plate if no one was watching. Service is relaxed and friendly. Treat yourself to dinner at Postcards Cafe and enjoy!
(4)Christina L.
There are not a lot of places to eat in Princeville, and I didn't really feel like dropping $80-$100 per person at the hotel, so we ventured out here for a meal after a long day of hiking. We were ravenous and wanted to order half the menu, so I'm not sure if my tastebuds / judgement was clouded after hiking 8 hours without food. I'm sure even McDonalds or Applebee's would have tasted delicious, given how hungry we were. House Baked Organic Bread ($3) - This was just okay; I'm sure they change the flavors often, but this was pretty garlicky with every bite. The bread was warm, but a bit dense and with too many spices / garlic. Less is more. Trio of Tapenades with House-Made Crostini ($12) - This had an artichoke, eggplant, and olive tapenade with crostini that was just so-so, a little hard, and had either too much butter or seasoning on it. The tapenades were on the salty side for me, and not amazing. I ate it because I was starving, but it wasn't my favorite. Kailani Farms Organic Greens ($10) - This had mixed greens, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini pumpkin seeds, and cranberries, and dressing, It was good, but nothing extraordinary. Wasabi Crusted Ahi - This is their signature dish; again - good, but not out of this world. The wasabi coating overpowered the taste of the fish a bit. It came with rice, green beans, pureed carrots and a steamed tomato. The vegetables were tasty and fresh, although the pureed carrots reminded me of baby food. The Sorrento ($24) - This seafood pasta was also just okay, but on the watery side. It's a decent portion and a good choice if you're hungry. All in all, a cute atmosphere with decent food, but nothing mind-blowing. Everything was just okay, edible, but with slightly higher price-tags (thanks Princeville). I probably wouldn't come back here on another trip to Kauai but if you're looking to save some money and not eat at the overpriced restaurants at the hotel, this is a good option.
(3)Jessica D.
I have to say this restaurant was AMAZING!! Not only because of the food, but it's hard to find good customer service in the island and here we felt very pleasant. We got the Postcard Platter for two - was super tasty! And as entree the Macadamia nut butter fish - wordless! Dessert we got the Passion mousse, but we didn't like it that much :(
(5)Jeff S.
Fantastic, fresh, amazing, delicious, atmosphere. Megan, our waitress is gorgeous in every way
(5)Yvonne Y.
When we were on Kauai there was this dream that all restaurants would be like Postcards. We sadly discovered them on our last day. The restaurant was charming with a whitewashed wood interior and a green exterior. Sit on the patio and enjoy the breeze if you can! We had the taro fritters with pineapple chutney...delicious and unique! My husband had "The sombrero" which was like a mexican lasagna...beautiful and good. I had the daily fish "blackened" with macadamia butter. So good...the surprise being the stuffed tomato which looks not that special and tastes very special. The only thing I would say is that the fish was slightly more cooked than I would have liked it, but i'm not sure if it's the fish varietal that needs to be cooked thoroughly. I like my fish really really flaky and the fish was maybe two minutes past that, yet still really delicious. The staff was absolutely warm and attentive. We would definitely go back. This restaurant was the highlight of our Kauai food experience.
(4)Maria L.
Food : A+ Service: D We visited on a Friday night. We chose this spot because of yelp reviews and a friend's recommendation. I was a little hesitant on going here because of what others had said on yelp about how poor the service was, but we decided to give it a try. We arrived around 7:45pm and were told there would be a 20-30 minute wait. The restaurant itself had a great ambience. We had called ahead to place a reservation but they only do reservations for groups, not a party of 2. The hostess told us she would come and check on us to see if she could get us any drinks during our wait but she did not do so. Once we were seated, we placed our drink order with the hostess but she obviously did not relay the information to our waitress because we placed our food order and then about 5 minutes later our waitress came back to see if we had wanted anything to drink. Communication was obviously a struggle. Once we ordered our food and it was delivered we were in heaven! Only complaint was the price was a little high. I had the pasta and it was $24 and I honestly don't think it was worth more than $18. My boyfriend ordered the wasabi Ahi which was $38 but really was worth closer to $30. Yes, we are on an island but if you're catching the fish here, don't mark the price up just because you're on an island! Although the food was tasty, we would only come back if there was a major overhaul of their service. Do not come here if you have high standards for customer service.
(3)Ed E.
This was a very disappointing meal that cost the two of us about $140 plus upset stomachs that went on for days. We ordered the House Baked Organic Bread, the Caesar Salad, the Trio of Tapenades, the Postcards Platter, and a Seared Ahi with Kauai Shrimp Broth. The bread was fine. The salad was limp. The tapenades were odd, and the balsamic reduction splashed across the plate was heavy handed and did not pull the dish together. Also the housemade crostini that came with the tapenades was stale. The postcards platter was a real train wreck, with too many flavors, ingredients and sauces competing for attention, and a poor representation of fusion. The seared ahi was done proper, but I'm not going to clap my hands for that because everyone on the island knows how to sear ahi, and the shrimp broth didn't quite capture the essence of anything particularly special. Postcards, I'm sorry for this negative review. I read through many of your other reviews to try to better understand and appreciate your food. On average you have good ratings, but the ratings are polarized. My dining partner said the food was spoiled and I defended you and said the food was not spoiled, just overly complicated. I thought maybe I'm being a big city snob...that maybe this type of fusion is dated and I'm being harsh...that my expectations were too high. But after all the rationalizing, I just couldn't come to terms with the meal.
(2)Dan H.
Excellent food. Had the ahi, which was one of the best that I've ever had. We were a little skeptical about the service after reading singer of the older reviews. We experienced amazing service!
(5)Andy A.
Ok. Kind of nice but the menu is limited. Can't remember dinner but we ordered the volcano chocolate fish for dinner and we wanted to share but it was so small we only had 2 bites each. With a a name like volcano we expected more. Reservations are good for more than 3 and its a really small place.
(3)L J.
Very delicious and I would be bold enough to say one of the best meals of my life. And I'm pretty picky. I had the sombrero, I believe it was called, and added grilled monchong fish on top. Soooo good. My husband had the grilled mahi which came with puréed ginger carrots, some sort of delicious mashed potatoes and bok choy. We shared our meals and in my opinion the portions were good sized. Not too much not too little. We cleaned our plates and left feeling full. I believe I also read, or heard, this place serves organic produce which gets bonus points with me and the fish is so fresh and delicious. Service was good and friendly. Ambiance is nice with its homey charm. The bill was on the pricey side and a little more than we expected, but I get the impression that is kind of the case on this island anyway. We didn't care the meal was so good. I would recommend and definitely eat there if visiting here again.
(5)Jay D.
Ohhh what Postcards could be... It has so much more potential. Quaint little place in hanalei with an appealing menu and nicely decorated. It just falls a bit short on delivering exactly what you want. For the prices, the wait staff needs a little more training, The flatware and table items need a little updating, The entrees need a little more weight and size. And lastly what is the point of having vegan entrees but no vegan desserts????? Postcards is definitely one of those institutions resting on its laurels of days past. Seems like the cold spell may last because it never got crowded like it used to with a wait out the door ten years ago.
(3)Julia S.
My mom and I went here because her hairdresser wouldn't stop talking about how great it was. The atmosphere is very cute. My mom loved her pasta dish with seafood but I didn't love my panko crusted ahi. The sauce they put on top of the fish overpowered the dish and the vegetables on the side were bland. When you are spending near $30 on a dish you want it to be really good and I didn't find it to be the case. Also when sitting outside bring bug spray! My mom and I both got a ton of bites.
(3)jennifer M.
Make a reservation!!!!! Made the mistake of taking our chances and we waited and Waited And waited.... I wanted to devour a cow! Order the bread that comes with the macadamia butter! Wow!!!!! Order more bread, carbs rock! Had a pasta dish with plenty of prawns, mushrooms and other good stuff! Oh yeah, order the lava cake! We ordered 2 for 5 of us and we practically stabbed each other with our forks! Yum!!!!!!! The atmosphere was pretty cool, I felt like I was in someone's home, cozy & comfortable! A must try if you are in the North Shore area! Hanalei is the best place on earth!
(4)rhiannon B.
Loved this place - we happened on it after Bar Acuda was too full to take us. The food was really tasty which is hard with vegetarian flavors - the sombrero was yummy, unexpectedly so. Our waitress Erica totally rocked the service. Attentive but not overly so! Don't overlook this place!
(5)Karen W.
Postcards was recommended to us by someone at the resort we stayed at, so we stopped in without a reservation on a Tuesday night for dinner. The parking is tight for dinner and the little shop next door happily let us park in their lot. The staff at the restaurant was able to seat us right away on the deck which was nice. We ordered a bottle of white wine, and the Pu Pu platter which had a variety of appetizers to try: seared ahi, crab cakes, a crunchy fried rocket, taro fritter and some sauces. We also ordered the sea bass and ono for dinner entrees. The fresh fish dishes are served with your choice of a flavored butter such as macadamia butter. The entrees were disappointing as they were both undercooked. The sea bass was served significantly undercooked and the chef cooked it for some additional time to bring it up to temperature. The server was apologetic and acknowledged that it wasn't cooked correctly; and provided a complimentary dessert. In addition to the problem with the entrees I was also disappointed by the overall cost of the menu items. When I looked at the menu on-line it looked as if the entrees ranged from $19 to $38. For the fresh fish entrees, be prepared to spend at the upper end of that range. For the price that we paid, I regretted that we didn't have dinner at our resort. I know that Postcards has good reviews and is well liked in the community, but our experience was just not consistent with others.
(2)Grace H.
First thing to note in Hawaii is that if it said it is a cafe, do not expect cafe prices. For example, this place charge $34 for an entree. I finished trekking the Napali Coast and just drove by and thought this looks decent enough. It is very pleasant inside and it also has seating outside. However, some of the staff's service needs improvement. The girl who lay out the cutleries on our table dropped one piece of cutlery and did not even say sorry and pretended that nothing has ever happen. A loud plonk!! Please! Any server or serving staff should have said sorry the least. The food is not remarkable that it worth paying that much for it. For appetizer, I had The Postcards Platter, the portion is very small. You get One crab cake for a platter for two persons. Two seafood filled rockets, some seared ahi and two taro fritters, with some pineapple chutney, relishes and sauces. Totally European size. For once I actually found the portion size in the states is small!! This platter was very well plated and the taro fritters was very good. I cannot tell what kind of seafood was in the rockets, because I cannot tell what was in it. The green salad was also good. A fish main course is like $34 or market price. For a pasta specials it is $24 or $25. I had some sort of seafood pasta. So it is definitely not cafe price. The pasta was so unremarkable that I forgot what it was like. My overall impression is that the atmosphere is relax but apart from the small portion size platter that make some impression on me, other food is not remarkable. Plus staff needs some more training. I totally do not like it when someone dropped the cutlery on my table with a loud plonk and not apologizing.
(2)Gerrall T.
This is a fun little place for dinner in the Princeville area. The food was all very fresh (always a must with seafood) and the staff was all very attentive.
(5)Anja P.
This restaurant only accepts reservations for groups. When we walked up, we saw two couples already waiting outside and an empty, dressed table on the deck. The tables inside were all busy and the ambience seemed quite nice. We asked the hostess how long the wait would be for a table inside, since it was breezy out and the deck was dark and had no atmosphere. Her response was overly pretentious, but she assured us that she had four tables that were all ready to leave soon. We went outside and waited with the other two couples. A little later the hostess came and told us that she had a table for us and that it was getting dressed at the very moment. Then she returned announcing "your table is ready" and led us to the table on the deck that had been set and ready when we got there a quarter of an hour earlier. When we reminded her that we asked for a table inside, she proclaimed that this would be the only table she could seat us that night. We certainly did not appreciate being taken for fools and should have left right then. However, the food here had been recommended to us and we decided to not let the evening get ruined by a hostess having a bad day. Unfortunately, everything went further downhill from here. Our rude waitress gave the impression that she'd rather be somewhere else and had a hard time remembering that evening's specials. When I went inside a while later to look for a restroom, I saw four empty tables before immediately being ushered back out by our waitress (bathrooms are accessible only from the outside). The two couples, whom had already been waiting for a table when we got there, were still waiting. The wine tasted like cork. The Tandoori with shrimp was average. The $38 grilled Ono with macadamia butter was a complete disaster. The fish was overcooked, tough and dry; the baked potatoes were hard and undercooked, the sweet mashed potatoes were cold alongside three bland, limp green beans. Needless to say, our entire experience here was so utterly disappointing, we won't be back.
(1)Christopher F.
Good food but over priced. The best part was the dessert, both the chocolate volcano and coconut macadamia Sunday. The ono was very good but the appetizers were bad and not worth the money. Cute place inside and good staff.
(3)Jarrett H.
What an amazing place to dine! This was one of the better meals I had on Kauai, which is saying something, because almost every meal on the north side was amazing. There is something special about this place though. The atmosphere is very relaxed and inviting. The service is thoughtful and personal. And the menu is just incredible. We went with the sampler trio and the fish of the day. The sampler trio was one of the most flavorful meals I have had in a long time, and the fish of the day was a hebi that tasted as fresh as anything I've ever had. The white sangria is something you won't want to miss out on.
(5)Jessica B.
I like this restaurant....it was not my favorite place on Kauai but it was good. Nice restaurant on the inside, and a nice patio. The food was tasty, but not outstanding. Skip the Sangria (it's way too sweet) and know your waitress might come across as someone who also sat at the beach with a Mai Tai or two that afternoon (just a tad off, out of it) Reservations recommended, but not required.
(3)Cora B.
What a delicious experience! We give BIG Kauai kudos to the chef for creating the Monchong fish in a sesame crust with ginger slaw and arborzzo rice. It was fresh, delicious fish with layers of flavor and a crispy veggie slaw with a bite. (Thanks to Brooke, our server, who recommended that preparation!) We enjoyed the organic greens on both the beet, goat cheese salad and the Caesar salad. Last, the warm and delicious molten chocolate cake completing our culinary experience with our last sips of Justin Cabernet. This is a must for the visitors and locals alike! Beyond our expectations and we felt the prices were reasonable based on the quality and ingenuity of the complex flavors.
(5)Craig E.
Good food. Service seemed good until the we ordered a second bottle of wine. We waited quite a while for it and then the waitress informed us that they were out of that wine. She mentioned something about sending someone out to buy another bottle. After waiting a while longer, with everyone at the end of their meal, we cancelled the wine order. Had this upset the waitress? Possibly, because when the check came, the waitress had added an obligatory gratuity (we were a party of 8), but based on the bill including sales tax! When we complained that it was unethical to do this, she claimed that this was typical in Hanalei. It's too bad that our waitress topped a decent meal with a big dollop of BS.
(2)Scott F.
Had the Wasabi Ahi and the evening's special which was a Sesame Crusted Ahi with an Asian Slaw. Both were so delicious, presentation and flavorings totally solid. Well done chef! Service (Megan) was super pleasant and ambience was relaxed and refined. Perfect way to end our stay in Kauai.
(5)Pinecone E.
Wonderful fish dishes. Highly recommend the specials of the day and the wasabi ahi. Great service. A little pricey but probably a value for what and where you get it. About $160 for the sample app, two entrees (market price) and a bottle of wine.
(5)Fun In AZ M.
Fresh farm table, very well prepared. Have to get the appetizer for 4. Sauces are great! Fish entrees very nicely prepared. Nice Atmosphere. Cozy. Daughter didn't care for the marinara. She's a picky eater. Would definitely go back.
(4)Traci G.
We really enjoy this place The bread is a bit doughy & the yam mash does taste eh. That said they have Great food very unique & flavorful And nice presentation
(5)clodagh s.
Food, service and ambience are all five star. I had the wasabi crusted ahi which wa cooked to perfection and accompanied by interesting flavors of pureed carot, seasoned sticky rice and grilled tomato stuffed with pesto. I am baffled by the negative reviews and will definitely dine there again.
(5)Len C.
Nice alternative to hotel restaurants. Friendly staff, nice fish dishes, bread and macademia butter is delicious. Try their ahi with wasabi sauce. Set in an old quaint residence. My issue is the temperature in this old quaint structure. It is hot! Particularly on a still night. To the owners; for the sake of your customers and your wait staff, get some fans!
(3)Olenka L.
Heard this place had good food... it's a shame that we had to leave before trying any of it. My husband and I came here on our last night on Kauai (honeymoon). Upon arriving we were told that we had to wait 15 minutes to be seated. We were fine with that and sat on a bench to wait. 5 minutes later a family walks in (locals) and were greeted so very warmly and with excitement. We loudly overheard that they had no reservations but were to be sat right away anyway. Ok, I understand, locals can get special treatment--just wish it wasn't done so obviously in front of other waiting guests. 30 minutes later and we were still waiting. No word from the hostess either. So I walked up to her and asked her how much longer. She made a joke about how some tables were taking their time to get up and it wouldn't be much longer. Meanwhile, there were empty tables all around. She hurriedly cleaned off some table outside and sat us shortly after next to 2 other tables that were finishing up. 5 minutes later and our server (no introduction yet, just knew it was her because the hostess had motioned over to her upon seating us) comes out to chat up one of the tables next to us. After she was done chatting, she rushed back inside. No greeting. Another 5 minutes after that, she comes back out and takes their check. And goes back inside. And yet another 5 minutes go by and she's out again but this time she's talking to another table out there, clears their table and (no lie) not even turning around she goes "oh I'll be with you two shortly". Keep in mind this has been after 35 minutes of waiting, 15 minutes of no greeting, and then that super rude "acknowledgement". We were more than fed up and walked out. We took our business to Bar Acuda for the second time and were once again wowed over! So word of advice? Skip Postcards and go to Bar Acuda! You won't regret it!!
(1)Thao D.
Fabulous service. Prompt seating. Fresh and locally sourced food. All the staff members we met during our visit were friendly, accommodating, and courteous from the hostess to our waitress Brooke to the bus/water boy. We were interested in ordering a pitcher of sangria for the table but were hesitant to commit to an entire pitcher without knowing what it tasted like. Brooke was happy to let us sample it. We liked it so got the pitcher which was not too sweet and not too dry, so just right. One person at our table was undecided about two different wines so Brooke offered to let her try them both before making a decision. The food menu was extensive and there were option for everyone's taste (pork, chicken, seafood, vegetarian). They also note gluten free and true vegetarian (no stocks or added animal fats) menu items, which is helpful. My ordered the Caesar salad and beet salad to start and both were fresh and tasty. For entrees we ordered the a few appetizers (polenta, crab cakes, and seafood rockets) and the tandoori. Everyone was pleased with what they ordered. For dessert, we were disappointed that they had run out of pineapple upside down cake. Apparently that never happens? But were happy with the ice cream sundae which was actually a ball of ice cream rolled in macadamia nuts then fried(!). It was devoured in seconds. We were celebrating a birthday and told the waitress when we sat down. She remembered and put in an order for volcano cake without us knowing. That was very sweet. We all left with a very positive experience and would be happy to return for another special occasion.
(5)Karen R.
Very friendly service and a quaint an cute atmosphere. The food was delicious...get the beet salad! A bit pricey but hey this is Kauai
(4)Katherine C.
We happened upon this AMAZING restaurant in Hanalei on our last night in Hawaii. Hands-down, the best meal we had in Kauai. From the moment we walked through the door to the time that we left happily full, it was a great experience. This place is a cute, older home which has been beautifully renovated and restored into a small, intimate dining spot. There is a lovely, open-air side patio that is good for larger groups. Smaller tables in the interior and on the lanai porch (screened in patio). We sat in the lanai in a small table for two, which was very romantic. My husband had his eyes on the taro taters from the start - and he was spot-on, they were so flavorful. We both ordered the fresh fish of the day, a beautiful swordfish which was carefully prepared and grilled to perfection; the sage sauce (you may pick your own sauce) was unique and tasty; carrot-ginger puree is so damn good you will want to ask for the recipe; broccolini was perfectly steamed with a good bite to it. Portions were just right to make you feel happily full and not too stuffed. This was the only restaurant in Kauai where I wanted to stay longer and order dessert...and it was worth it...apple cake with caramel sauce (chef was so good with my allergies and eliminated the pecans). I believe the menu features locally sourced foods. Many healthy options. Many vegan and dairy-free options. The hostess was perky, friendly, and informative with wait time, etc. Best hostess on the island...wish I caught her name. She brought me a water while we were waiting for our table (less than 20 min wait)...thoughtful. Our waitress, Melanie, was very calm and happy. Just what I needed after a crazy day of losing our credit card, delayed outgoing flight, and driving around the entire island. Parking is a little hap-hazard if their lot is full...but no biggie. Bathrooms located around outside patio and were very very very clean. Picnic tables would be nice to sit at for lunch on a sunny day. Eat here. I will, for sure, the next time we are in Kauai. Eat here. I can't say enough good things about this place.
(5)Nory B.
Just had a fabulous dinner at Postcards Cafe! We put our name on the list just before opening for our party of 3, and within 10 minutes of opening were seated at a beautiful window table. Our server, Koral, was very personable and friendly as well as quick to take our order. We had crab cakes, polenta and the portobello mushroom for appetizers; all were well prepared and tasty, and came out fairly quickly after we ordered. We each had a different fresh fish--blackened hebe with pineapple sauce, grilled mahi mahi with the macadamia butter, and the wasabi encrusted ahi. All were so fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked--so good! And the portion sizes were perfect! Service was attentive and really nice throughout the meal. This is a foodie place, so don't come if you want big plates of fried food or pizza for the kids--this is elegant, refined dining.
(5)Brittany A.
We just had the most amazing dinner at postcards. We are both vegan and there are vegan options on the menu clearly stated, so helpful. Our server Brooke was knowledgeable and kind, definitely one of the best we have had on the island (and we live here). The polenta cakes were outstanding. The sombrero and the tandoori were delicious and they even offer a vegan dessert, chocolate mousse pie that was heavenly. We had coffee with dessert and she brought us soy milk without us asking for it, so sweet. A+ for service and food, atmosphere was lovely as well. Give that girl a raise!
(5)Mairin M.
We had a wonderful time at Postcards for a dinner during our honeymoon! Although we had a long wait, we were served drinks on the lanai and the staff was friendly. We also requested a table inside and they made that available to us with no problem. They also gave us a free round of drinks to make up for the wait for our table and for our dinner! The hostess and waitress were both attentive and very nice. I had wanted to order the rice noodle bowl, but they were out and I ordered the seared ahi with the shrimp broth, which was delicious!!! The coconut rice it came with was the best I've ever had. My husband ordered the fennel crusted lobster tail, which he raved about and the potato purée was awesome as well! For dessert, we ordered the Liliko'i Mousse, which was so so good! I wanted to get another one and want the recipe to make it when I get back home!! Thank you for a great dinner Postcards!
(5)Jeff C.
What an amazing find. My wife and I were spending our last night in Hawaii and just happened across this quaint little cafe, very cute building. The lights and smell of the food is what caught our attention. The Taro fritters are a must try. I have never had anything like those before. I wish someone on the mainland made those. The swordfish was perfectly grilled to perfection. The chef was great at accommodating my food allergies. And Melody/Melanie our waitress was so nice and personable. She was very patient with our food allergies and made our last night in Hawaii very special. Everything on the menu just looked so good. I wish I had more nights in Hawaii, when I go back I am eating here at least 3 nights so I can try more dishes. Oh and fresh squeezed limeade was very good.
(5)Todd D.
Although it's a tad pricey, this was our best meal on the island. Great fish, good service. Highly unlikely you'd go wrong here. (That said, while fairly laid back, Postcards is not quite as casual as other places in town. This might be the place you decide to wear the collared shirt or pretty dress you brought on your vacation.)
(4)Barbara S.
We enjoyed our dinner at Postcards on a weekday evening. No wait, although it would be have been worth waiting if we'd needed to do so. I'm a gluten-free diner, so I especially appreciated that GF items are marked right on the menu. My server also suggested that some other items not marked GF might be possible to adjust if I was interested. We started with the Seared Polenta and enjoyed both it's texture and flavor. I had the Thai Curry with rice noodles and grilled tofu. Delicious and just the right amount of spices for me. My husband had the "Sorrento" - pasta with shrimp and fish. He's not a huge seafood fan, but very much enjoyed this entree. (not GF) Our meal was complete with the GF Pineapple Upside Down Cake. As a GF diner, it sometimes gets tiresome when restaurants all have flour less chocolate torte as their GF option (when they have one at all). So I was pleasantly surprised to have this tasty Hawaiian-style option.
(4)Justin G.
Food and service was amazing. The Caesar salad was great and fresh - the crab cakes with the sweet dipping sauce were awesome & the sesame seared tuna was killer. Wife had the shrimp (Sorrento) with pasta. Was delicious too.
(5)Bob D.
Ignore the vegan theme of this resturant - if you love meals with a variety of intense flavors, you will love this place! - seafood dishes served here are the best of any resturant on the North Side Wasabi crusted Ahi was incredible, intense flavors and tender tuna Get the appetizer platter for a real treat of 5 different tastes of fish and veggies including taro - all so good you'll want to order another for dinner. The Namsu salad was so intriguing that it should be a regular salad! Of course all the vegetable sides were great and well prepared. Save room for the chocalate volcano dessert. Melts in your mouth with an explosion of flavors This chef is innovative and an undiscovered gem!
(5)vicken h.
the food is very good... we went there late and they kept running out of what we ordered (but I get it...its a small place). so it took a while to get a complete meal with the kids. the food we ultimately had was very good (slightly overpriced even by Kauai standards) the ambiance of the room was very nice and the service was very good.
(4)Edward P.
The menu is limited but some attempt is made to provide healthy choices. The pricing seems excessive for what you get. The service is friendly but casual and they work hard to make the experience memorable. An executive chef's services could transform their style very quickly into something unique and spectacular. As the plate presentation is highly eclectic and does not always make sense.
(3)Geoffrey B.
This place oozes charm. Even though our experience with the food was lackluster, just spending 90 minutes dining inside Postcards was a treat. The staff here also seem very friendly overall, though our waitress didn't quite tow the party line on that front (perhaps she was just busy). The appetizers and salads were great, but the entrees were mediocre (the catch of the day was notably overcooked). It was a pleasant experience, but it would not top my list of places to return.
(3)Melissa R.
I dined here on Monday night, and it was fantastic. First, I would like to contest the other reviewer who said the wait staff was impolite. I found them to be very polite, even the young man who brings water kept making sure we were having a positive dining experience. Meal started with their trio appetizer (some sort of fried taro, seafood rocket, and crab cake). This was delicious. Next I decided to be adventurous and order fish. I eat fish because it's healthy but I rarely if ever enjoy it. Usually I just find it palatable at best. I had the Ono and hubster ordered the Mahi Mahi. Both were amazingly delicious. I ate every piece of my fish and actually enjoyed it for the first time in my life!! Do yourself a favor and get the macadamia nut butter. Thank me later! The ambiance of the place is quite homey and warm feeling too, with white string lights and a few ukeleles. All in all, one of my favorite meals on the island. The only downside is that it's a little expensive, but it's great for a celebration!
(5)M M.
Seriously good food here. Loved the wasabi ahi and the tandoori plate. Try this place!
(4)Mangia M.
It took 15 minutes to get our water, another 10 minutes to get 2 glasses of wine. that aside, the Appetizer Postcard Platter was served on one plate, the 5 separate items blended together all tasting similar. The ceasar salad had good taste but was overdressed. We left to try another place for our entree.
(2)Donald M.
Smaller place need to get here early, we were here when it opened @ 5:30. They said us outside on the screened in lanai. We started out with taro fritters they were a hit enough for 3 to share. Then we had Caesar salads pretty good I ordered the lobster because I've had so much ahi it was just what I was hoping for, the potatoes augratain were the best I've had. My better half had wasabi ahi and loved it Had a couple of glasses of wine nothing to write home about Don't forget your wallet you'll need it but it's worth it Aloha
(4)Michael F.
Simply outstanding. The wasabi crusted Ahi was the best I ever had. Great local place with excellent waitstaff. A must if your on Kauai.
(5)Rich N.
We used to love this place, but things have changed.. They no longer take reservations for parties less than 4. Ok, I can understand trying to achieve more profitability, but I hate to be treated as second class just because we are a only a couple. We were on Kauai for three weeks and would usually eat there once a week. We ate the first week and they were not crowded and we were allowed to have a table. My wife's special was OK, but the Sorrento seafood pasta was extremely salty with the pasta soggy and overcooked. We went back the second week and were treated like lepers by a condescending hostess. There are now so many other options that are much better than this dated facade of originality.
(2)Ron V.
Good food, friendly staff and nice setting. Slightly overpriced. The lobster and pastas were great. My friend went for the fish of the day and was disappointed by the size of the portion.
(3)Kevin H.
I can't believe some say this was the best meal they had in Kauai. Came in without reservations, I should've known by the crowd already that this was going to be sub-par. To be fair, the hostess had great energy and was very friendly. The waitress on the other hand looked like she needed the day off. Ordered a goat cheese salad with their local greens. The salad came out and all the ingredients were compartmentalized! I usually expect a mixed salad to be mixed! But not this one, nuts were on one side, a whalloop of cheese on the other, handful of beets to another side. Looked like a salad from an airlines (and it was at least $9). Seafood pasta was decent, but nothing over the top. I thought this place would have a bit higher standards than your typical strip mall faire but to no avail. This among other restaurants was a surprise (since they are close to some of the top golf courses in the world!) Although I am no golfer. . .
(2)Omid A.
Quick service Polite hostess and waitresses. GREAT food. We got the Polenta and organic green salad with date sauce. It was fantastic. Then we shared a Tandoori entrée. Lovely taste. I would definitely get all above again. We ended with a freshly warm chocolate lava cake. Remember to order before lunch as it takes 20 min to prepare.
(5)Becky G.
One of the best dining experiences of our lives. The food was amazing and made even better by the great atmosphere and service. We sat on the porch on a perfect night. We ordered the fish of the day (Ono) and the coconut Thai noodles. Both amazing. But by far the best part of the meal was the dessert - the Holokai Mousse. Incredibly light and sweet with just the right amount of passion fruit. Even though we only have a week on the island, we're planning to come back again in two days. We want the mousse again. WOW.
(5)Cheryl C.
Must visit spot when staying on the garden island. My boyfriend and I visited while we stayed in Kilauea, near Princeville. The restaurant is casual but at the same time romantic and intimate -- so fitting of the north shore. We ordered a pupu platter and pitcher of white wine sangria to start off. Loved the seafood rockets and seared ahi tuna! Sangria was very different from what we're used to here on the mainland as it was infused with pineapples and kiwi. For the main course, I had the fish of the day, monchong with butter macadamia and it was soo delicious! I practically licked the sauce off the plate. Boyfriend ordered the super fresh blackened ahi tuna. Out tummies were very satisfied.
(5)Christine T.
This place is so cute and romantic. It looks like a house from the outside, and it is a house on the inside, too! The homey candlelit decor brought such a feeling of warm and fuzzies. The food is great too! We ordered an appetizer sampler aka pupu platter which included the famous taro fritters, crab cake, seafood rockets and seared ahi. The chutney sauce is a MUST. As for the entrees, he went for the fish of the day while I opted for the wasabi crusted ahi tuna. The meal was delicious and the restaurant, charming. This is definitely a must revisit!
(5)Kelly L.
We had our wedding reception at Postcards on 9/27/14, and I could not have been more pleased! It was absolutely perfect! We had never tasted the food, but all the appetizers and entrees were a huge hit! Sarah was our coordinator, and she was incredibly helpful and always cheerful. She was my favorite coordinator that I worked with for our wedding. Our experience with Postcards was flawless!
(5)Melanie L.
Decent food but nothing spectacular. Best was the sampler for an app. I had the noodles with shrimp. Ok but needed a little sweetness. My fiancée had the seared tuna. Very steak-like. ..even needed a knife but good flavor. Sides were just ok. Big bill for something that is just 3-star worthy.
(3)Kim O.
Nice location and friendly staff. The food was delicious! Good wine selection; I especially enjoyed the white sangria! Started off the meal with a delicious tapenade trio with homemade crostinis! My husband had fresh swordfish grilled with the macadamia butter; great balance of flavors. I had the sorrento, delicious seafood pasta dish in a chèvre Chardonnay sauce. Very rich and amazing! Lastly we had the mini lava chocolate cake; tasty and finished off the dinner well!
(5)Michael K.
My girlfriend and I ate there for the first time tonight. The friendliness of the staff was off the charts. The hostess (brunette female) could not have been nicer and the server (blonde female) was beyond phenomenal. Even the bussed (light haired gentleman) was very cordial. We did have to wait awhile for her initial greet but both servers did seem very busy at that time. The bread was delicious and the chocolate volcano dessert was simply amazing, though a tad on the small side. They also had Samuel Smith organic lager, which is a huge plus. Unfortunately our entrees were mediocre at best. I ordered the Ono with the macadamia nut butter preparation and my girlfriend ordered the pasta entree with shrimp and fish. Our entrees came out shockingly fast. Both her shrimp and my Ono were very dry, tough, and overlooked. I removed the macadamia nut butter from the top of my fish which probably would have given it some moisture but wouldn't have compensated for the overlooked fish. Our dessert actually took a lot longer than our entrees. Needless to say, we won't be back. It pains me to only give this place 3 stars because the staff was absolutely fantastic and they deserve tremendous kudos. It was truly some of the friendliest service I've ever had!However, at the end of the day it simply can't make up for the entrees. Even now I'm tempted to give it a 4th star but $105 is too much to spend on that meal and as I mentioned previously, we won't be returning. We would have rather had a decent pizza than those entrees, even for the same price. There were 4 gentleman at the table next to us and they didn't appear to be loving their entrees either. For the record, we didn't complain about the food so they had no opportunity to correct it but hopefully they will take this review to heart because we really wanted to love this place!
(3)Brian C.
Rare is the day I eat a meal as good as the meal I ate at postcards probably the best prepared fish I've eaten in the last 10 years and everything on the plate was fabulous just a great experience
(5)phillip l.
Don't get what the hype is all about. The food was mediocre. I had the special with Ahi Tuna. The plating was not what I expect from a 4 Star restaurant charging 5 star prices with long lines. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time waiting.
(3)Beverly Y.
Service was great, restaurant is cutely decorated. However parking is very limited. The food was okay but everything seemed to be drenched in a mess of sauces causing things to be overly sweet or salty. We got the platter for two with the tuna, taro fritters, and crab cake and it felt like eating sauce- I could barely taste the natural flavor of the food. It's a cute restaurant but the food was nothing special and I will mostly likely not come back.
(2)Robert B.
My wife and I had dinner here, looking for the best dinner in Hanalei for a special occasion. We were not disappointed. When we got there, they said it would take a half hour to get a seat. No problem, we sat on the bench under the overhang and had a couple glasses of Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay. Reasonably priced and terrific. We got seated in 30 minutes in a very mellow mood. I had the Ahi and my wife had the Mong Chong. Both dishes were terrific. The service was terrific. Really a great evening.
(5)Carolyn S.
Ate here last night after a small beach wedding. We reserved space on the lanai for 7:45. On a Monday it was practically empty and we ended up with the lanai to ourselves. The service was amazing... But the best part was the food!!!! We ordered the pupu sampler platter... Not only was it pretty but it was insanely amazing. I have extremely picky children, it looked so appetizing that they tried everything in the platter and really loved the crab cakes and rockets. It was all so fresh and perfectly prepared!!! They brought out bread with macadamia nut butter, it was an amazing combination, herby with a garlicky sweetness. I ordered one of each of the Kiki plates for my kids. While they were each really good- I recommend the noodles with white sauce. For myself I ordered the wasabi crusted ahi. It came out plated nicely, with fresh broccoli, rice and puréed carrots with ginger. The flavors combined were perfect. The ahi we had seared on the rare side, it melted in your mouth and was not cold. The wasabi and crusty topping were not overpowering and complimented the fish perfectly. Great winevabd beer selection! We will definitely be returning so we can try everything on the menu!!
(5)Tony S.
This place reeks of pretension. Finished a beautiful hike along the Napali coast ready for a great meal at any cost, walked into Postcards and received snobbery. Do yourself a favor and walk across the street to the Dolphin for the full package of the aloha spirit and excellent food.
(1)Nancy Y.
Excellent food, tastiest I have had on all 3 islands. Wasabi ahi tuna was amazing and the tandoori shrimp and veggies was also great-large portions. Only bad practice was charging $3 for bread. Never heard If that in the U.S. With $38 entrees. Parking was limited and no reservations for less than 4 persons, so be prepared for a 20 min wait on week nights, maybe more on a weekend. Worth the wait!
(5)Jean T.
We rolled into Postcards last night for dinner and a lovely evening ensued. As it happens, we are gluten and sugar-free people but even if we weren't, this still would have been a great dining experience. Just all the nicer because it was so easy to eat there, given our dietary needs. We had the snapper, grilled with a light citrus sauce. A whole parade of vegetables accompanied the fish. Special mention to the carrots- first steamed, then pureed with fresh ginger and enough salt to bring out the savory aspect without killing it. Service, by Brooke, was attentive without being overbearing. A wonderful, sweet place for dinner, complete with hurricane lamps and holiday lights in a friendly, relaxed setting.
(4)Neil M.
Very bland food. Very poor service when we went. Had to go to the front station anytime we needed anything. Food was ok.
(1)Ros S.
Food and customer service was good. Like everywhere in Hanalei, come with your deep wallets because the meals aren't cheap. Ambiance is nice and Meghan was a wonderful waitress. Clearly knows the menu! We had the Ahi Tuna and the Mongchong Fish. We skipped the dessert but the chocolate cake looked pretty good.
(4)jeffrey r.
so disappointed. i remember this place from a few years ago. enjoyed it and was excited by the reviews i read. i cant imagine how this place got such positive reviews. the fish we ordered tonite was overcooked. have you had snapper dry and tasteless? well we did.. the monchong was blackened and also over cooked. on top of this our server Niki was clueless. no followup. no pouring of wine. i asked for a plate so i could share some of my plate with my wife. it never came. i would not recommend this place. if you want good local food go to bar acuda that place was enjoyable and the food was great. the service attentive. stay away form postcards... i suspect that there are new owners or the old have become too co
(1)Stephen C.
"Epic", you don't need to make a statement, "Come here"! This is the place to have great conversation and make that spark! In addition, your in great hand's with the staff, service, and ambience! If you want to make an impact on your significant other, "shut up"! I call this the closer? BTW, the owner, always buy's fresh, organic and non "GMO foods". Perfect way to end your vacation...
(5)Neil F.
We really liked this restaurant. The ambiance is perfect. Staff was awesome. I had the coconut rice noodles, which were yummy. Plus the polenta and fish special for that day; both of which were great. It was a busy spot that night. We got there around 8:00p and the first round of dinner folks were wrapping up. So we grabbed some drinks and sat on the patio until our table was ready. By 8:30p we were seated. Definitely hitting this place up again.
(5)Grace L.
Ono fish plate and Sorrento (seafood pasta dish) were amazing. Try the limeade and hibiscus cooler. We liked them because they weren't too sweet. The pineapple upside down cake is a must! This restaurant has to be the cutest place. Very romantic but also a nice place for the family to dine. Loved the lighting and the red accents. Service was great. This place gets busy for a reason so definitely check this place out. Loved the whole experience.
(5)Brendan B.
This was the only experience during a week in Kauai where we really wanted our money back. We were a group of eight, and had mains, wine, and a couple of appetizers. Most of it was fine, and some quite disappointing (why smother the delicate flavors of an otherwise tasty ahi tuna with gobs of wasabi-flavored sauce? Why is the caesar salad served without croutons, and with carrots? So odd). The service was friendly, but technically brutal. This feels like the category of dinner (20-30+$ mains) where we wouldn't have to ask for new cutlery for a main, after it was removed during the previous course. Where the menus aren't plastic. Where a busboy starts removing dishes before everyone in our party was finished eating (really?!). Overall our issue wasn't that it was all terrible, but that it fell so far short of what should be expected in this price bracket (wound up about 65$ pp). That feeling was universal among the group. Head up the street for better value and *much* better food at Bar Acuda.
(1)Natalie C.
Why is this place rated so high? For stale bread that has been kept under a heat lamp until being served, runny, overly-sweet macadamia nut butter, a terrible wine list, and not to mention a 25-minute wait for a table for two on a Wednesday night because they don't accept reservations for parties under 4 persons. Cute, Hawaii-plantation decor doesn't make up for the lack of seating indoors (it happened to be raining heavily this particular night), and "specials" that I see are the same as fellow yelpers have posted for the past 8 months. Perhaps once Postcards was a quaint Hanalei fine-dining establishment (they sure price their entrees like so), but they are dated in their appearance and service and not worth the money for the old-fashioned food. A non-innovative chef serving a plain piece of grilled fish with butter on top, and a side of broccoli is not worth $36.00.
(2)Daniel H.
We were not disappointing dining here. Yes, its a little expensive, but the food quality supports this. The fish was great and its a relaxing spot for an enjoyable dinner. I enjoyed the friendly and attentive service and was one of the better meals we had whilst on Kauai. Can recommend. Good for vegetarian and vegan choices.
(5)Jennifer M.
This is our third visit to Kauai, but first time to have dinner at Postcards ! Highly recommended by our hotel consigliere, but we disagree ! We were greeted politely and seated right away, but it all went downhill after that! The service was way too fast...as if the food had been prepared of ahead of time! The waitress had a memorized list of specials..highlighting her favorites! My husband ordered the Tuna and found it was mediocre..at best! I had the worst sea bass I've ever had...so tough I couldn't cut it ! We shared a Beet Salad that was boring !! Even the wine tasted strange ! Skipped dessert and coffee; it was also very hot in there and we were eager to leave !! We should have gone to a Food Truck ! Postcards is very expensive for what they are offering !! Skip it !!!!
(2)Rebecca W.
Cute decor, sweet servers, but food is for the over-60 set (felt like I was back at my grandmothers Jewish country club). If it's good food you're after, go elsewhere.
(1)Vanessa E.
Postcards, what can I say.... while I liked the quaint but elegant ambiance, and your taro fritters (chutney a bit sweet) and macadamia butter were delicious, I have to say the rest of your food lacked seasoning and was quite bland, especially the coconut quinoa. My fish was cooked perfectly, however.... my husband ordered the wasabi ahi and he said it was tough and fishy. A $36 meal down the drain. Completely ruined our experience. The couple near us also complained that their lobster was over cooked. I love natural foods, but this place was a bit too hippy dippy for me. I feel like their desire to minimally prepare natural foods and their lack of seasoning results in very bland dishes. Service was good however. If you like this type of cuisine (vegan, seafood, natural foods) then come here. Otherwise, I hear Bar Acuda or Hanalei Dolphin (I personally think the Dolphin has amazing food) could be a better place to spend your cash.
(2)Doc C.
Our group had dinner here the other night and we were very disappointed with the quality of food we received. I had the Caesar salad and the veges were wilted. The croutons were stale and soggy. We also ordered the grilled fish which was severely overcooked. This used to be one of my fave restaurants in Hanalei, but with our large group - everyone had the same thoughts about the quality of food we received. The service was wonderful. They were very attentive.
(2)Anthony A.
It's more than just a cafe. Lobster tail was nicely cooked and the wasabi ahi tuna was out of this world! Lookout Gordon Ramsay!
(5)Tammie B.
What a great find! One of the favorite restaurants on the island, came here several times and the food was consistently great and the service good. It can be very busy but worth the wait. Great dessert, great atmosphere with a homey feel can be a bit expensive for a family dinner though is romantically casual and intimate. Have and will come back over and over again while in Kaui.
(4)Matin P.
Great service, great fish dishes, we ordered the post card sampler and the bread for appetizer, and the wasabi ahi tuna, fresh island fish and lobster tail as main course and finished it off with the chocolate suffleè and the coconut caramel sundae, which is a must! Def go there if u stay on the north shore. Is visit this place again! Nice and friendly staff ;-)
(4)B J.
Great food. The tuna was so fresh. The meals have the right spice to them. I would recommend this to anyone in Kauai. I can't wait to come back! We even saw a couple get engaged! Well done.
(5)Shannon D.
Everything here was perfect! I had their vegan dish which was by far one of the most delicious and original vegan meals I have ever had. My dad had the scallops and my mom had the fresh catch of the day, both of them said their food was delicious. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Kauai!
(5)Dan M.
No Meat No Problem.... Wow... great vegie and seafood selections. We had the mixed appetizer which had multiple items including some shrimp rolled in cone crust, and tarro root in a magnificent presentation. I asked them not to over cook the swordfish and it was perfect. My wife had the tia noodles with shrimp, stunning and different. the setting was like being at home in your dinning room, servers were lovely and happy and on top of thing. I went to the Dolphin the night before, they had good food but were pushing people through, I rated it 4 star for that,This place does everthing right, if you dont the meat, get to this place.
(5)FoodieChic L.
Cutest place in Hanalei! Thought I was at a relative's house - intimate, casual, and charming. We had no reservations but were seated within 10 minutes - which was surprising based on how busy they were! Food: Hubby had their fish of the day and it was delicious. Fresh, well-prepared. I had the Ceasar Salad (unfortunately wasn't too hungry) and even this was great. Read previous Yelp reviews about the bread and macademia nut butter and OMG I was in heaven. So good! Wanted to go back just for this; plan to make it back at home. Another personable touch: they give you a postcard with your check. Very creative!
(5)D B.
Everything was perfect from start to finish! A delightful setting with beautiful ambiance! The waitress was pleasant, professional, and most accommodating, even though she was due in a week! And, the food! Mongchong fish was delicious, prepared so the gentle notes of the fish came through. The pasta dish was just as yummy, on the richer side, but not too much so. And, the lillikoi mousse was the perfect ending to a perfect meal! Love this place, just wish I'd known about it before our last night on the island!
(5)Evelyn A.
I went to Postcards on the last day of my stay in Kauai (August 31, 2014). And it was great! Apparently my review from the mobile app never uploaded despite my three attempts at it. I had the mongchung and the sauce that accompanied it was so delicious I asked of more. The sides were tasty and dessert passionfruit mousse was a bit too sweet but nonetheless well worth ordering it. The ambiance was perfect, as I sat on the lanai and watched the sunset while eating my meal. It was delightful and delicious and I look forward to going back again!
(5)Victor W.
Our group enjoyed our first "fancy" meal here. The place is still pretty casual and is a nice spot to hit up on the way back from the Kalalau trail. The pineapple hibiscus drink was refreshing. The appetizer sampler platter is definitely worth trying. The fussili pasta made with fresh veggies, seafood and marinara was actually quite well done too. Service was friendly. The place is a little pricey but overall worth it.
(4)Robert S.
Ordered the blackened monchong and it was great. Service was also good. Has a vegetarian thing going on that seemed a bit odd but really good nonetheless. Go there for a clean, healthy my meal.
(5)Chrys R.
Old Hawaii with a trendy flare. Pretty little place. We ate in the indoor dining room. Great music, and the service was top notch as was the polenta cake appy and sangria. Fish special with a little mac nut butter was delish. Must go here while visiting Hanalei.
(5)Dusty B.
I wanted to like it. It's a great atmosphere and the staff is friendly. My dish was simply disappointing. I had the Ono with pineapple sage sauce. The sauce was great but the fish was overcooked. The potatoes on the side were cold and flavorless.
(3)Shannon D.
Yummy quaint place. Met a couple at our resort and went together for a nice quiet dinner. We had the Ona special and everything was special about it!! Yum!!!
(4)Kay A.
3rd time to eat here and it was pretty poor, I must say. First of all, the tables were all in need of major refurbishing (many scratches, marks). Come on folks, how about some table clothes on them? It seemed more like an upgraded Denny's then a quiet, romantic place that I remember it being a few years ago. Kids were screaming out of control, food on the floor. The owner was counting money, and didn't seem the least bit interested in whether his customers were satisfied. Honestly, the food was alright, but not worth the cost and in my opinion, there are better choices in town (Hanalei). Maybe next time it will be better.....
(2)T W.
The seafood rockets were pretty good. And for those of you who don't like coconut in your food, you can't taste any of the coconut in this dish. The rest of our dinner was not so good. My husband had to tell the waitress three times that he wanted potatoes with his dinner and then she says, "so, you want rice?" ummm...helllo??!? I ordered the Seafood Sorrento and it was very bland. I was adding salt and pepper just so that there was some sort of taste...not something you should have to do at a "gourmet restaurant." btw, I puked at the end of the night. I'm guessing it was a result of dinner because I didn't have anything else questionable that night.
(2)Vivian J.
This place is cute old plantation cottage with a view of the mountains inside or from the patio out front. All their food is organic and local grown. They have gluten free and vegetarian as well on the menu. We started off with a mixed green salad with cucumber, pumpkin seeds, carrots, onions, cherry tomatoes, and a yummy balsamic dressing. The salad is huge and we split it between us. For main dish I went for was the butter fish in a coconut curry sauces with mixed vegetables and pumpkin seeds. It was so good! The fish is layered on top of veggies and is grilled so you can add how much sauce you want on it. The veggies were Yukon potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and eggplant. My hubby got the Seafood Paella that came with Mussels, Shrimp, Calamari, etc. He thought it was just ok overall. I had this yummy Hibiscus Cooler which is Pineapple juice blended with hibiscus iced tea & mint that was so refreshing! They have a few beers but mostly wines on their menu. We ordered the lava cake with vanilla ice cream which was so good to share but it was TINY for $12.00. If you have no budget get one for yourself. Overall good experience but a bit pricey so be ready for a big bill.
(4)kirstin p.
Choices are limited in Hanalei, but the ambiance of this place is really charming. It is an exact replica of a plantation cottage originally built in the 1800s. We sat outside on the patio, looking out onto the lush mountains. It is always nice to hear of a restaurant using organic and/or locally-grown produce, but the result was just ok, not amazing. We started with the Pupu Platter - taro fritters, seafood rockets, summer rolls and seared ahi. The sauces kind of masked the flavor of most of the items. I had the fresh fish prepared in macadamia nut butter and my husband had Wasabi-crusted Ahi. Again, the fish was good - prepared well, but I remember the macadamia nut butter being served on the side, which i thought was odd. My husband's dish was better. All-in-all, i would go back simply for the gorgeous atmosphere.
(3)Mary Ann W.
What a great evening at postcards! First Pauline (sp?) graciously returned my call Immediately to confirm our reservation, then when we were running late replied no problem". How refreshing compared to other restaurants in Hanalei! Now for the food and service. Hebe in tandoori sauce with fresh vegetables! Amazing! The Ono and the ahi with citrus sauce delicious! The Caesar salad one of the best ever! Then our server, Meagan! So amazing, great recommendations, knowledgeable about the fish and menu items, very attentive and just lovely! We will be back! Thank you Postcards for the best meal ever!
(5)Shawn J.
Great food, we got seared ahi and the Serrento Pasta as well as the seafood platter for an app. Overall it was very good and the service was also great. A bit pricy (be prepared to spend over $100 for two) and get in when they open to avoid a wait.
(5)Steve H.
The food here is good. Actually very good, probably some of the best you'll find on Kauii. Not on par with Maui, or Waikiki, but very good. I dont go to Kauii for the cuisine anyways. This place is nice. Nice ambience. Very small and quiet. Would not call it kid friendy. We took our 3 year old with us and felt like we stuck out like a sore thumb. Only gave 3 stars because its very, very expensive. And the service is just ok. I got the feeling that they felt like they could get away with it because they are one of the few upscale restaurants on Kauii. There are other nice places, but most are attached to upscale hotels and resorts. This is one of two I can think of that arent. So if you want great food, go for it. Just leave your tikes behind and bring your wallet.
(3)Grace P.
We stopped in for a lite dinner. I had their green salad w/ goat cheese and passion fruit dressing. The greens were very fresh and the dressing was fabulous! Then I had their vegan chocolate pie, also very good. Oh mint iced tea was refreshing. Very cute restaurant...check it out if you are in the area.
(4)Aimee R.
If you are vegan or vegetarian, do not waste your time and money anywhere else. Just go straight here. We had bad meal after bad meal after bad meal on Kauai until we finally reached Postcards. SO unfortunate it is only open for THREE hours a night though and not open for lunch. This limited time frame really prevented us from eating there more often. We seemed to always be driving by when it was NOT 6-9pm. We finally made it one night though and had very good meals. I got the Indian curry dish with added tofu and it was great. Also got the Silk pie at the end for dessert, and it was wonderful as well. Inside ambiance was really delightful and just perfect. Exactly what i had hoped for. Fine dining is hard to come by on Kauai, and Postcards really strikes a balance between fine dining and comfortable casual, which was ideal. Got crowded very quickly, so reservations might be in order. Highly recommend this place, even to non-vegetarians.
(5)B T.
This is our second favorite restaurant in the area and we always stop there for dinner when we are on the island. The food and service were both excellent.
(5)Liz L.
This is our third time eating @ this restaurant & every time it's been consistently delicious! Try the wasabi crusted Ahi tuna - - yummmm!
(5)Ernie B.
I love the fish but recently their options seemed poor. I also like their vegetarian dishes but i always feel like I did not get enough. If you are a vegetarian this is the best place in town. If your not come and try their mahimahi fish dish or ask for what 's on special. The front screened in lanai is intimate and romantic. Inside is very friendly and homy atmosphere but small. There is another place in Kilauea that I like better for fish.
(4)Eddie L.
Perhaps the best and freshest green salad in Hanalei or maybe even in Kauai. If you like salad greens and fresh herbs please get this salad with the dressing on the side. (One of our salads that came dressed had far too much dressing) Taro fritters were tasty and inventive but perhaps overly sauced as well. Our entrees weren't the greatest but I'm guessing we ordered wrong. I'm a vegetarian so I can only guess that the fish dinners here are good and fresh and that's probably what people come here for. The next time I'm in Hanalei I'll come here for the salad and apps. (and the chocolate volcano!) expect to pay~$90 for 2. Service was friendly and funky. Perfect Hanalei.
(3)John G.
Perhaps the finest restaurant on Kauai. That good! Really is. Run by locals. Very casual place with just outstanding dishes. The fish is the speciality and they cook it to perfection with many variations. We ate there twice on the trip and both meals were simply outstanding. Service was outstanding. The wine list had some great California and French wines. The appetizers were really super. Try the Taro Fritters. Just very tasty. The combo platter for pupus at $15 was the best. Seafood rockets (whatever), fritters, and other tasties all on one plate easily to be split by two people. This place is just the best, IMHO.
(5)Miriam S.
This place is great. It is a nice, quiet little place - I would suggest getting their at 6pm when they open. The waitresses were incredibly nice, and all of the food was fresh and most of it was organic. I had the night's special and it was quite delicious! It was mahi mahi with a lobster sauce on top of rice noodles with some green beans and asparagus - super tasty! I would have appreciated a few extra vegetables, but that's just my preference. Our waitress was awesome, we had a crying baby at our table and she was so nice about it and even entertained the little one. We tried their pupu appetizer, which was pretty good, although the tarot fritters and cabbage didn't taste like much, but the seafood rockets were quite tasty. The crab cake was also very good although quite small for an appetizer to share with several people. Lastly, their desserts were delicious - I would most highly recommend the Lilikoi Mousse (my sister doesn't even like passion fruit and she thought it was delicious!), although the chocolate volcano souffle was very tasty too. Great place for fresh food!
(4)Amikam R.
Postcards Cafe is in a house almost at the edge of Hanalei. We were two for dinner on a Sunday night. We were seated on the screened lanai where it was quiet. The menu is eclectic and the wine list interesting. We had the very good seafood rockets and the good local color salad. We both had the mahi mahi with cabbage and potatoes which was excellent. For dessert we had the excellent lilikoi mousse and the very good coconut sorbet and vanilla ice cream. The service was very good. They do not take reservations and fill up around seven PM. Come early and you won't have to wait.
(4)B G.
Some of the best food I have ever put in my mouth. Ever. I ordered the Chef's Special and was not disappointed in the least! For a delicious appetizer, try the rockets...omg. Casual yet elegant dining in a breathtakingly lush town in Kauai. I could not have been happier than when I sat in this restaurant with the wonderful food and my fantastic friends.
(5)Mariah C.
After reading the other reviews, and based on the recommendations I received while I Hawaii, I think we hit Postcards when they were having an extremely off night. Our food arrived cold, my fish was tough (who has ever had tough fish!?), our waitress was a complete airhead and kept coming back to ask us what we had ordered... Such a disappointing dinner! Maybe I'll try again next time I'm on Kaua'i.
(2)Chad Michael L.
Hands down best in Hanalei Bay. Wait staff dresses up. Polite. Professional. Gorgeous dishes. Organic foods. Nice feel. Some of the best fish I've had in my life.
(5)Mark R.
Excellent! four of us had dinner here on our second day on the island. We picked it because our wives are vegetarians and they have a great variety of food for all types. The two non-vegetarians had the fresh fish specials of the day and they were both fantastic. Both vegetarian meals were also very good. Service and ambiance were excellent. I would have given them 5 stars but they only serve wine and beer and the lists are fairly limited.
(4)Liz J.
bring your wallet ! yes, things are experience on Hawaii but geez - $39 for a piece of fish? and when my husband ordered a chocolate cake for desert, they only had soy milk (no real milk). Our server was fine for us, she was lovely (and quite stunning) but I think the owners and their friends were sitting next to us so she mostly sat with them. Reviews were amazing about this location in every book we read - esp vegan/veg options so I was super excited...but sadly disappointed and never returned. P.S. I'm a vegetarian and only drink soy so I'm not a snob about it - but restaurants should offer choices.
(3)Allison G.
Probably one of the nicer places in this area. Busy!!!! Had a decent dinner with yummy dessert to follow. Not too much of a major selection for this area. Was happy I tried it, but don't know if I would go out of my way to dine again when the other side has many good offers. Beach Bunny blond waitress was nice, but a little spacey in the head. Go figure!
(2)melanie p.
Just ok, totally overpriced. Cute homey atmosphere and service..ok, but waitress forgot my wine order with dinner. We had the Taro fritters for an appetizer..can't decide on if I liked it or not..just "ok" again. Food was bland and nothing to write home about. There are many other places I would go to enjoy on the north shore. When I drop this kind of money, I want to be blown away. I am not going to spend my $100 and some change here again. We didn't bother with dessert because we felt we had spent enough on 2 entrees, an app, and 1 glass of wine.
(2)Jessica M.
The food was tasty, though perhaps the hummus and mashed potatoes were a little under-seasoned. The grilled fish was perfect, the taro fritters delicious and the vegan chocolate silk pie luscious. It was a real treat to find lots of vegan items to feed our child, who is dairy and egg allergic. I'd go back again. My glass of Riesling was perfect with my fish and, while my husband liked the beer he got, it was warm. The atmosphere is casual and friendly.
(4)Arianna P.
quaint, charming atmosphere. good, quality food
(4)James C.
I just literally had the best meal of my life. The appetizer was delicious and the fresh fish entree was a deep pleasure with each and every bite. If you are on Kauai do not miss the opportunity to eat here. THE BEST.
(5)Karen C.
ONO!!!! You have to start out with the pupu plate, which was a sampler of appetizers, all of them were great. The standard fish preparations were great. I loved the pineapple sage sauce. They cooked the Opah so well, lovely and flakey. The sea bass special they had on the menu was a stark contrast though as it was far from being Ono. (-1 stars for that!) The other thing didn't like were the mosquito bites I got from the outdoor seating. Bring your repellant. Overall this was my best meal in Kuaui!
(4)Sean L.
OMG!! Total yum. The Mahi Mahi was amazing and the lava cake was delish!! Def check this place out. Jolene was wonderful.
(5)Tim G.
We ate at this restaurant and had such an excellent meal that we brought friends and family back two nights later. The unique tastes and fabulous fish entrees will keep you coming back! Do order their special bread and the desserts are a must. I can see why this was George Clooney's favorite restaurant while filming the movie, Desendants. By the way the service was charming and also worthy of 5-stars. Fantastic both nights.
(5)Nadia S.
In a single word, GO! This place served up one of the best dinners we have ever had. Ingredients super fresh, flavors out of this world and all in an unpretentious, friendly, tiny restaurant. If you think this place is expensive apparently you have no idea what expensive is on an island. On the mainland this place may count as a pricier establishment but on Kauai it is avarge and the food is WAY better than average. Everything from their appetizers to dessert is fantastic. We had the Seafood Sorrento, a fish special (with ono) and the special dessert chocolate lave cake......incredible.
(5)Alan H.
My wife and I had dinner at Postcards the last night of our trip and the food was outstanding. The taro fritters were delicious and my wasabi crusted ahi was fantastic. They said it used to be a regular item on the menu and after they removed it, they recieved so many complaints that they put it back on. My wife had risotto with shrimp and liked it very much. We finished with the lava cake which wasn't the best I've ever had, but still very good. So why just 4 stars? Well, the wait staff, especially our server, seemed very snooty. Certainly not what you expect on the islands. Now on this particular night it was an all female wait staff, including the busser. Perhaps one guy on the floor would have injected a little energy or lightened the mood a bit but they all seemed to take everything just a little to serious and lacked any sense of humor. There was one incident with our server that bothered me. I overheard another server telling the guests that they had chive and sour cream mash potatoes on the menu. Our server had not mentioned this so a few minutes after we placed our order, I asked if I could substitute the mash potatoes for the rice that came with my dish. She responded by telling me she didn't want to upset the kitchen since they were busy and would bring me a side. I didn't know if that meant I was being charged for a side. Now I've worked in kitchens so I understand the server/chef relationship and wanting to keep them happy. However as a guest, please don't share that with me because I don't give a F*%K about whether or not you get along and isn't it far more important to keep me happy? I beleive I'm the one tipping you, not the chef. Overall, great experience, fantastic food and we would definitely go back.
(4)Amanda S.
This restaurant is in my top 3 and I have eaten at great restaurants. You can not go to Kauai and not eat dinner here (at least once). So fresh, flavorful and healthy!! mmmmmmm...
(5)Kevin R.
Very good, well thought out meal with excellent use of local flavors.
(4)Kim V.
$120 for two of us: 2 glasses of wine, 2 entrees, 1 coffee, and 1 dessert...which was $12! If you're ok with the prices, the food and service is wonderful. Postcards was recommended by a local, and we had the chef's special, Mong Chong fish, which was elegant. I can't recommend the small chocolate volcano souffle for $12. It was nice, but way, way overpriced.
(4)Paul W.
One of the best places to eat on the North Shore for sure. The pupu plate was super yummy to start (notably the fried taro puppies, seafood rockets, and ahi) the Opa with peperred pineapple sage was divine. The special that night, a sea bass that was too firm and not flaky, moist, and delicious like the other fish lacked for sure. The wines were nice. Bread available on request with Mac Not butter. mmmmm, Mac nut butter. The service could improve. It is so popular and crowded maybe they don't feel the need to, but my friends Onno (nuther fish) was over-cooked and she had to send it back, which is not the end of the world, but the waiter was a little apprehensive and less than gracious about taking it back which was annoying because it was clearly overcooked, too firm, and dry. Also, we had a reservation but still had to wait a while for a table, which is not the end of the world either, but the hostess seemed a little put off that we wanted to order a bottle of wine to sip while we waited. In fact the wine did not make it out to us until the table was ready. I am sure she was busy and all, but I guess I didn't feel like it was an unreasonable request, and in fact, they should have been happy to sell us another bottle of wine, right? Well, lucky for them, the Opa and pupu platter were super tasty. Stilll very good dining on the North Shore, and there is not myuch up there to rave about unless you are staying at the Princeville and shelling out the big bucks for your food.
(4)Brad T.
All around excellent. Food was outstanding. Beautifully prepared and presented. The help was very friendly, made us feel welcome and that they were very grateful that we'd chosen to have dinner at their restaurant. On of our best meals anywhere in the Islands. We went back a second time we enjoyed it so much.
(5)L U.
Quaint cottage decor. The owner was very friendly, however, the food did not live up to our expections for the price we paid for our meal. BarAcuda down the road is a much better choice for the price.
(3)Kenneth J.
My wife and I love this place! Dined here after proposing to my wife on her "21st" birthday of 2006 ;) We chose this restaurant for the seafood for me and the vegetarian dishes for her. My wife ordered the spaghetti with some homemade sauce, mashed with marinara and mushrooms, yummy and wine. I can't remember what I had to eat. I do remember sitting at a cozy table on their porch during the warm Kauai night laughing it up with my dearest over something silly. The service was also spot on. All I can say is that my wife was truly happy with her meal experience...and you know what "they" say...a happy wife means a happier husband. So happy, she often reminisces about dining here again. As do I ;)
(5)Adria B.
I've been consistently disappointed in the food here on Kauai, until Postcards. You know that feeling you get when you walk into a place and you just know its going to be what you want? Well maybe it was the 3 drinks I had before dinner, but I got that feeling walking into Postcards. We weren't starving so we just had the bread with hummus as a starter, which was good. The hummus wasn't anything special (being a bit of a hummus snob, I've come to expect very little outside of Hummus Place, and the Sabra container) but the bread was clearly homemade and delicious. My brother and I thought it appropriate to treat our parents to a bottle of wine (of which we probably consumed the greater portion of), so we ordered the Pinot Grigio (a wine that never really impresses me, but rarely disappoints at the lower end of the price spectrum). For an entree, I'd have to say that I ordered the best dish, the Seafood Risotto. It had just enough saffron to boost the flavor, but not to take away from the fresh scallops, mussels, and clams. mmmmm. My mother had the fish special of the night (unfortunately I can't remember the name at all, and for lack of sounding like I'm bashing the Hawaiian language, I'll refrain from trying), which was fantastic. The description is full of cliches, "buttery, thick, delicious", etc. Our waiter was very nice and helpful, as my family can definitely be an irritating bunch. He stuck around to answer all of our drunk questions. If we were staying longer I'm sure we'd be back to Postcards, but alas, we've carefully mapped out our eating schedule for the remaining days.
(4)D T.
Ok, if I had to base this on my last visit, it would probably be a 3 star review. I LOVE Postcards and have always been a fan of this gem in this tiny little town. However, my last meal here in December was not what I expected. The restaurant itself is adorable and charming. A little quaint "house" along the side of the road in VERY quiet Hanalei. It's open, airy, beachy and charming as hell. A huge bonus for me- everything is organic, there are a lot of vegetarian options, even gluten free. The family and I came last month and I was thrilled to eat at this yummy little cafe. We went VERY easy on ordering for us- a salad and an entree a piece. I don't think we have ever made it at a restaurant without over ordering, but the St. Regis has really upped its game and I was gorging myself all day, every day. The waitress kept pushing the "monchong". It was a fish I had never heard of- which is rare. So, despite the preparation not sounding up my alley, the description of the fish itself; i.e. texture, flavor, etc sounded excellent. Oh, but it wasn't. My dad loved it, but we have majorly different tastes in food. My mom and husband loved their tuna, and I, the foodie, was left with a subpar dinner. The only one at the table who worships food. Unfair. I would NOT let this deter you from going. I normally love this place. And what's with the complaints on the prices. It's organic, unbelievably fresh and anything that's not native, (which I doubt is much there) has to be shipped. People forget how damn far the Islands are. They don't have access to everything the other 48 do.
(4)Emily M.
My husband and I were hungry for some dessert before heading back to Lihue and when we passed this charming little house lined with beautiful bulb lights we turned the car around to go investigate. There were at least three or four parties waiting to be seated outside but they looked cheery with their glasses of wine. The hostesses was LOVELY! As soon as we walked up she greeted us with a big smile and ushered us to the hostess station. When we told her we were only interested in dessert she politely let us know that during those hours "dessert only" orders were only able to be served to go. We were a bit sad, but it made a little sense, they appeared very busy. We browsed the menu for a bit (I would definitely say it looked $$$) and felt that yes, dessert was the only thing we could fit in our stomachs. I was thrilled to find a gluten-free (and vegan) chocolate cream pie listed! (it's always sad when you can't find a gluten free crust). I ordered that with a side of vanilla ice cream and my husband ordered the fried ice cream that was rolled in cocoanut and macadamia nuts? The hostess took our order and was quick to say that we'd want to eat the fried ice cream right away or else it just wouldn't taste as good, would we mind sitting outside on one of the outdoor picnic benches they weren't using for dinner? We quickly said yes! and happily strolled outside and sat down at a picnic bench with a few people that were waiting to be seated for dinner. Our desserts came out quickly and were WONDERFUL! The pie was creamy and rich, the crust made it possible to eat the whole thing and the ice cream was a great addition. My husband finished his in a matter of minutes :P We sat and talked for a bit, it felt like we had the best seat in the house, enjoying the twinkly lights from the house but far enough away to see the all the stars. It was one of my favorite dinning experiences we had in Kauai, and had it not been our last night I know we would have been back the next day for dinner :)
(5)Rob B.
Was looking forwards to Postcards but I guess I did not fully research. One in our party was a landlubber, no fish. This is not the place to come, there were no meat or chicken dishes. He has a salad and we deferred to a quick appetizer, closed out and moved on. If I get back I will try this again.
(4)Wen M.
When we were in Hanalie, several people suggested us to go to postcard cafe for dinner. After hitting the beach, we cleaned up a bit and headed to dinner. No reservation taken, first come first serve. We went on the early side when it just opened.. Servers were cheerful and attentive. We got seafood plate apps, shrimp tacos, and a local grilled fish. They were all awesome!! The lava cake desert was heavenly as well. It was reasonably priced with the amount of food, quality and freshness!!! I would love to come back next time we are in hanalie!
(5)Gus G.
The flavors were very good and a bit different from what we've been eating on our Hawaii trip (which was a nice change). Almost Indian type flavor? Hard to describe. We had the fish of the day (one swordfish and one marlin). Swordfish was great, as we are very picky about our swordfish. Tasted very fresh and not fishy. The fritter appetizer was also tasty. Service was decent. They were very very nice but forgot to bring a glass if wine etc. We went at 8:30pm so just before closing and 1/2 the restaurant was empty, so we got a nice table on the front lani with no wait. The prices were high, in fact I'd give them 3.5 stars based on that but I can't and 3 stars is too low for the how tasty it was. Then again, most dinners at nicer sit down restaurants on our trip have been sky high so I guess it's in line. $36 for the fish of the day and $14 for the fritter appetizer.
(4)Princess R.
I read the reviews, put on my best evening gown, drove there expecting the best!! Instead, I quickly realized that this poorly managed establishment isn't anything like the rest of this paradise island, in fact, I believe it's the crusty sore on Kauai's face!! Such rude, untutored demeanor and collective presence unbecoming of the Aloha spirit that I have come to love and embrace.... Shame on you Postcards Cafe, all of you still need much schooling on what it truly means to be hospitable and kind to ALL of your guests and not just only to those who look like you :(
(1)Shana K.
I'm still not sure about this place. It gets great reviews and has quite the long wait for dinner if you go right after sunset. However, our experience wasn't much to be excited about. Our waitress was not friendly and was mad that I wanted the sampler platter for my dinner instead of as an appetizer for two as stated on the menu. The food in general is overpriced. We had better food and a better experience elsewhere not too far away for a lot less. To cap the night off, there were cockroaches starting to fly around the porch where we were sitting and crawled on the door to the restaurant when we left.
(2)Alexis D.
Came here for dinner to try it out (we had already been everywhere else a few times) I can't recommend this to anyone unfortunately... I ordered a bottle of wine and our waitress just poured the whole glass - never let me try it properly first.. the rest of the staff wasn't the best. The food is wayyyy over priced for what it is... not impressed. Interesting flavors but nothing compliments each other. Great location but poor execution which is such shame giving the beautiful environment your in. Save your money if you're thinking about coming.
(1)Y F.
We visited postcards on Monday evening but it was very busy and they do not take reservation for a couple so you need to go there 5:30pm to secure a seat. We arrived 6pm and end up to waiting 1 hour. Their dished are creative and fish, crab, and robstar were as flesh as we feel like eating them soon after they caught them. Especially, I found the unique local take on crab cake unforgetable. Definitely, My husband and I agreed that they were the yummiest crab cakes we have ever had.
(5)Mimi K.
Bland! Very bland! I've the cut venue but For 100$ for a couple for 2 entrees and a desert to share not worth it. My husband didn't look at the detailed reviews and just saw the stars. For that cost of meals I would of hoped for waitress that wasn't wearing a tanktop. We got the fish tandoori style. It was not even close to any indian style I know of. It was fish on top of a fish broth which was bland as can be... My suggestion, Fo somewhere else for a hot date. I'm glad I didn't have kids with me or it would of been more waste of money. At least I had my husband there for the good company on the nice covered porch area with candlelight...
(1)Caroline L.
Easily the best meal on the island (so far) I'm surprised to see the love hate relationship on yelp for postcards cafe. I'm from NYC and often I have to remind myself to lower my expectations when traveling. Not so with postcards cafe. The postcards platter is a must have. It wad totally unique and tastey. We also had the sorrento which was good.
(4)Michael S.
Maybe it was hyped up too much before we tried it...but It wasn't the best meal we've had on the island by a long shot. Having said that the taro fritters were terrific and the lava cake was wonderful. I had the mahi and my husband had the signature ahi dish...and while the sauces were interesting the overall dishes were good--not great.
(3)Jess F.
Very small and quaint atmosphere. Was a decent wait when we went. Was told they didn't take reservations, but we called ahead and they took our name. Food was decent, but we thought slightly overpriced. Ahi tuna entrees was good and around $45 which seemed to be a lot. Also tried the Thai noodle entree which was spicy, but good. Overall decent food, but have. Enjoyed other local restaurants much more.
(3)Darian C.
This place was recommended by our concierge - as we drove up we were not convinced. This is a house converted to a restaurant and while it is homey once inside, from the outside it doesn't scream gourmet food. But this was our favorite meal in Kauai by far. The wasabi crusted fish was amazing and the coconut quinoa that was served with it is so delicious! The volcano dessert was so good too - not too rich but still sweet enough. Service was friendly and just the right amount of attention. We are thinking about going back to Kauai on our next Hawaii vacation just so we can go to Postcards again.
(5)Elyse G.
Charming, friendly place with fresh, well-prepared food. Green salad fixings tasted as if they were picked that morning (maybe they were), Ono catch-of-the day, hubby's tandoori stew, and pineapple upside down cake with best sorbet ever were wonderful. Good wine quite well-priced. Jolene, our server, was the best!
(5)Rami C.
Delicious food. We came here by accident, as another restaurant we were planning to go to was crazy busy. But we were glad we came. It's situated in a romantic house and the staff was very nice. We still had to wait outside for a little bit before we could get to our table, but they were accommodating and one of the staff even brought out a mosquito repellent for me as we were waiting outside. Inside, the staff were attentive and the food was delicious. I enjoyed the taro fritters (unexpectedly savory and full of flavor) and the bread. I had a salad which I liked. The hubby had pesto pasta which he thought was tasty. We enjoyed our dinner there.
(4)Dani L.
We had dinner at postcards cafe over the holiday break. Much to our surprise, they were able to sit our party of 4 without a reservation around 5:45PM. The hostess was very nice and polite. We sat in the outside deck, which has a cool nature vibe to it. The food was honest and tasty. We had the tapenade trio (interesting) and a couple of the fish dishes (generously portioned, but not particularly creative). The lave cake for desert was good as was the passion fruit mousse. Bread and butter are available for an extra fee. The service was probably the lowlight. The waitress appeared overwhelmed, cranky, and rushed. The dishes came out quickly without the prior courses being cleared and empty wine glasses accumulated on the table. Prices, as most things in Hawaii, are higher than what you would expect. Overall, it is a nice, casual restaurant option in the town of Hanalei, where there aren't that many great options to begin with!
(3)Asha L.
We are locals and thrilled to find that Postcards Cafe uses local, non gmo corn! On this island where gmo corn research is out of control, this little restaurant has the awareness and integrity to offer their customers local non gmo ingredients. Mahalo Nui Loa to Postcards, we are spreading the word to our networks. Wondering if you are non gmo completely, and if not, hope you can become so and market that widely. New research has shown gmo food to be very dangerous to the human immune system and healthy digestive flora. Those that are aware of this and still want to go out and enjoy a good meal would love to know where they can be sure to get healthy, life enhancing food!
(5)Angelica H.
The restaurant itself is absolutely adorable! Very quaint and charming, Our server was great as well. To start, we had the bread with macadamia nut butter.. so good! Definitely worth getting. We also got the famous Postcards platter and were a bit disappointed. We felt like we ordered the whole platter in order to get the crab cakes (comes with one even if when you get the portion for 2) and that's kind of how the rest of the platter tasted. Fortunately, our entrees and desserts were delicious! I got the asabi-crusted Ono (they ran out of ahi tuna which is a bit odd since they are only open for three hours, but it worked out for me b/c I can't eat the ahi and wanted to try asabi crusted preparation on the fish). Came with a great jasmine rice and vegetable medley which was very unique and well thought out. My husband got a great pasta dish with seafood in it and loved it. For dessert, we shared the famous volcano cake which was delicious. These prices were about the same as Dolphin and we thought the experience/innovation of food was much better. Will return our next time around!
(4)Kevin S. G.
What can l say? This place was amazing! !! Very nice laid back casual atmosphere, friendly, attentive staff, delicious (and healthy) food. One of my wife's friends recommended it to us. I had the monchong as the catch of the day. There were 3 different glaze options. I chose the pineapple pepper. For the appetizer, we had a big, stuffed Portobello. The next time you are in Kauai, you gotta come here!!!
(5)David H.
I have just returned from a lovely mini break to Kauai. It was super relaxing, and everywhere we went, we were met with a special level of service irrespective of the caliber of the business, from the very simple sandwich shop right up to well documented high eateries. But I simply have no idea where this oh so full of hot air establishment managed to wrangle a four star average out of its diners, if our experience was anything to go by. We booked well ahead of time for a table at 8:15, with an instruction from the lady who,took our booking to get there a bit earlier as she would almost surely be able to seat when we arrived. For various reasons, our attempts to get there when planned, only resulted in an 8:10 arrival....thankfully. What a shambles. We were told that our table is finishing up, and we'd be seated shortly, followed by another plea from a hostess that the table had decided to extend their stay a little longer. By now there were numerous other guests hovering around in the gardens waiting patiently for their reservations. To add insult, a group of six, who clearly were well known to the establishment was lavishly supplied with complimentary wine while they waited, while the other diners, got nothing, not even an apology. Long story short, we were then offered a seat outside on the patio, because the hostesses didn't have the balls to,manage the dining room efficiently...oh and btw, never once were we paid a visit by a manager to utter so much as a basic apology...I digress. So there we sit like second rate citizens outside in humidity and the rain pelting down on the tin roof...at what time......8;55....forty five minutes after we arrived. I always judge my plate of food on the obvious factors, but also by whether I might be able to reproduce any of the plates of food ordered. With a small amount of effort, everything that was brought out to us could have been made in my kitchen. The waitress attempted to humor us with a free appetizer, and not charging for desserts...not because she had been told about us being inconvenienced, or that we had been unceremoniously dumped outside, but because she could see each and every face of thunder before her. The embarrassment of the evening for them was their upside down pineapple cake, which as anyone knows is this wonderful moist cake, oozing sweetness and the soft pineapple fruit toppling down the side....ahem....baked in cup cake trays, dry, dry, dry meh!!!!! As you see...my reviews are are tilted almost every time, and I should yelp more about the wonderful meals I have eaten, but I simply don't have the time, and I seem to remember, and am pissed off enough to find the time to write about the bad ones. The postcard needs to take a serious look at what they are trying to achieve. Their prices are high for very mediocre food, and their service is just dreadful, dreadful. I will never ever eat here again, should I be fortunate enough to return to this beautiful island....nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see the diners vote with their feet, and there is a closed for business sign hanging over the door soon. It a great location, so,hopefully once the other crew get run out of town, someone who knows what they are doing and can step in and provide some fine dining that the current owners are hood winking the public into believing they are getting.
(1)jasmine w.
One of the best meals we had on the island. My boyfriend swears the ahi was the best piece of fish he's ever had! Very cute laid back dining experience.
(5)Lindsey K.
This is a great place if you are looking for island ambience and simple, clean food. We went there after reading the Yelp reviews and started by ordering the Pupu Platter: taro fritters with delicious chutney, crab cakes, seafood rockets, seared ahi tuna, kim chi, and purple cabbage. I respectfully disagree with Vanessa that the chutney was too sweet. If you have ever had taro, even fried, it needs a little something. It was pineapple based and unlike and other chutney I have had. The seafood rockets and crab cakes were deliciously savory. The crab cake was not full of filler, which is always a buzzkill for me. I want crab, not breadcrumbs! There were two or three slices of beautiful ahi adjacent to the cabbage and kim chi. It was definitely one of those plates that had something for everyone, but aside from the cabbage, tuna and kim chi, it was rich and a little heavy. Not in a bad way, just in a deliciously fried way. For our main courses we had the wasabi tuna and the fish of the day (Ono) with cheddar mashed potatoes and pineapple sage sauce. Ok, so here is where things went south. My tuna was all tendony and literally inedible. It was a generously sized tuna steak that was seared rare and I literally was able to dissect 3 or four bites from it. What made it worse was that the flavor was delicious. I know if this had been as beautiful as the tuna on our app that this meal would have been perfect. Thankfully, they agreed that the cut of fish was inferior and comped it, along with dessert. I just have to wonder how a place that obviously puts out so much fish misses that. Especially since it has been noted that other Yelp reviewers have had the exact same problem. So, order at your own risk and know that your meal will be delicious if you have a nice piece of fish. Seems pretty simple. The Ono my husband and daughter ordered was memorable. The pineapple sage sauce was amazing, mouth watering, addicting even. I wish they bottled it. I seriously would have shipped some home. I didn't try the mashed potatoes, but my husband said they were on par with the fish and sauce. A good meal all around. I would definitely give Postcards a try, especially since it's a little different than so many of the places around it. Our server was so sweet, and they did rectify the kitchen's mistake. They do not have a full bar, but do beer and wine and have a house sangria.
(4)Dulari A.
Perfect island restaurant! Must go. Small. homely. Cozy. Quaint. Warm / friendly service. Food was Delish. Organic. Local. Fresh. Good portions. Good cali wine list. Romantic...Charming...A gem. Worth wait. Garden smells lovely.
(5)Sandra G.
We called ahead for a Friday night dinner but they were no longer accepting reservations. However they told us they save half the restaurant for walk-ins. We walked in 15 mins after it opened and it had already filled up. The hostess was very sweet and accommodating. We were able to take a reservation that had cancelled. The atmosphere was warm, the food was good and the service was excellent. My whole family enjoyed the evening. We would certainly come back.
(4)John S.
Some friends of ours had recently stayed in Princeville so when we asked them which restaurant we should go to, both immediately responded "Postcards!" Several negative Yelp reviews made us worry (and indeed parking is scarce on this end of Hanalei) but we decided to give it try anyway. Getting a table at 8:15pm on a Saturday night was surprisingly not an issue. The cute and cozy restaurant was near capacity but still had a couple tables free. We opted to start with the appetizer combo for two, a collection of tasty treats such as taro fritters (yum!), fried seafood rockets (devoured by our 6 year old), crab cake (solid but not awesome), seared ahi (double yum) along with some delicious homemade chutney and slaw. It was absolutely a winner and I would unreservedly recommend it to all. For my main plate, I went for the tandoori blackened uku (grey snapper). The tandoori sauce was indeed delicious - spicy and creamy but not excessively so - and the inclusion of pepitas gave an interesting textural counterpoint to the otherwise overcooked vegetables. The poor zucchini, eggplant and bell peppers looked to have been cooked about an hour or two past their prime though the carrots and garbanzo beans were admittedly good. The snapper was great - nice spice rub and cooked to perfection as the outside was crispy and the inside cooked-through yet still moist and tender. My wife said her fennel-crusted lobster had good flavors, though I personally detest the addition of white truffle oil under any circumstances. It also suffered from being a touch over-broiled (as lobster is prone to being). Fortunately the meal ended on a positive note with the best dessert in recent memory - a ball of vanilla ice cream, rolled in macadamias and coconut, deep fried and drenched in a decadent caramel sauce. We were in heaven! Service was prompt and polite, and the wine list is solid with an interesting mix of good deals ranging from Sonoma-Cutrer to Kistler. They also have a modest keiki menu for the kiddos.
(4)Mark D.
The food was good. It wasnt a showstopper but on a small island with limited choices it was very good. I liked the idea of the food coming from different parts of the world. It makes for an eclectic selection. I would have like a few more options. The was well prepared and nicely presented. For our 2 year old they had Penne with Marinara which he liked. I had the thai flavor noodles with coconut milk. It was probably the best tasting dish at our table.
(3)sherri m.
Menu is very limited. But the food is good. Fish was excellent. Make sure you make a reservation to sit on the porch as it's sweltering inside. A party of five and we all were miserable due to the heat. Two glasses of wine and an iced tea so we weren't heavy drinkers at all but the total bill exceeded $250. Staff wasn't welcoming as we didn't have a reservation although we arrived slightly before they opened and they still were not full when we left. Missing some aloha here.
(3)Alex C.
My whole family loved this place. The Wasabi Ahi was a hit with everyone from my seven year old on up. Our server was so nice and helpful. All the plates were interesting and delicious. So stoked we went here.
(5)margery f.
Nice meal. Interesting food representing Hawaiian cuisine. Have the sundae with caramel and coconut for dessert
(4)Vijay S.
Was looking for a place to take our party of 8 with a sprinkle of vegetarians for a nice dinner on our last day on the island. This came highly recommended by a friend. In any case I decided to do some research before going. I liked that there were quite a few vegetarian options as well as seafood options with good ingredients. I did also note that the reviews were mixed but I went with an open mind. For appetizers we ordered the Baked Portobello Mushroom, Trio Of Tapenades with House-Made Crostini, House Baked Organic Bread and a single order of the Crab Cakes. All very good. The crab cakes and the Baked Portobello Mushroom were my favorite. For the Main Course the seafood eating group ordered Fresh Island Fish (Mahi Mahi) Blackened and another grilled served with Macadamia butter, the Wasabi Crusted Ahi and the Thai Coconut Rice Noodles with Kauai Shrimp Broth with Shrimp added. The vegetarians ordered the Sombrero, Thai Coconut Rice Noodles with Tofu (Vegan). The child ordered the Pasta with marinara. All portions were reasonably sized however opinions were mixed. I personally tasted the Fish, Ahi and the Thai Coconut noodles. The seafood entree's seemed to fresh and done well. The wasabi crusted Ahi has just the right amount of wasabi and the cooked just right. My wife's Thai coconut rice noodles - while good completely lacked a certain punch. The others - specifically the vegetarians in the group felt the same. The consensus was a bit more of a acidic flavor needed to be incorporated into the dishes. However, the ingredients were fresh and the shrimp my wife added to her rice noodle order was excellent. The child unfortunately did not enjoy her pasta as the marina included onions - which she is not quite fond off. For dessert, some members of the group ordered the Chocolate Volcano and the Lilikoi Mousse. (The Chocolate Volcano needs to be ordered with the meal and we forgot to, but they were accommodating) The group had high expectations of the Chocolate Volcano but this was quite disappointing. While the dollop of ice cream was generous, the cake itself was quite small and more significantly taste wise, it didn't come close to any of our other experiences with this dessert. The Lilikoi Mousse was however the best and universally liked by all. While there were positives, overall we were disappointed with the experience. For one thing the waitressing was bare/minimal to the point of being curt. (We think this had to do with the fact that the tip was automatic for our party of 8.) We had to make requests for water and some were left without silverware during course changes. At $50 / person (without drinks) we expected better service and a bit more flavor.
(2)Lisa H.
Husband and I were dying for some vegetables after ODing on white rice and plate lunches so it was nice to get a fresh salad and steamed broccoli. We also got the appetizer sampler which was $20+ for 2 and it was beautifully prepared, but portions were itty bitty. Overall, though food was overpriced and dessert was mediocre, ambiance was lovely and it was a nice way to end our trip. Especially since pickings for a good meal are slim in Hanalei.
(3)Ash T.
Had the Ono which was delicious. Their ingredients are clearly fresh and the sauce was to die for. I'm not sure it warranted the price though; at about $40/entree it's a pricey meal that doesn't seem very upscale. Restaurant is cute but borderline dive-ey, and details down to the presentation of the food make you feel as though you're eating at more of a mom and pop shop than in one of the more expensive restaurants on the north shore.
(3)Kevin K.
We were vacationing near the town of Princeville on Kauai. There are a handful restaurants in Hanalei that are what you would consider semi formal (well for Hawaii anyway). This restaurant was not necessarily recommended but it showed up on a few lists of available restaurants near our hotel.So we finally decided to go. This is a vegetarian / seafood only restaurant. We did not have to wait which is a good thing. The waitress tried to sell us the salmon as their signature dish for $34. We felt the whole menu was overpriced. But we ultimately ordered two main dishes in the $25 range. The food was kind of bland and certainly overpriced. But the bigger issue was the poor service. The waitress seemed impatient and did not want to wait for us to decide. We were in the middle of ordering and asking questions when the waitress said I'll give you more time to decide and left the table. She returned a while later with my wife's salad to our surprise and dismay. She brought a partial order when we had not even finished ordering. She then took the full order and left. We had one salad sitting on the table and waited for the second one to arrive followed by the main dishes. This was the first time this had happened to us in many many years of traveling worldwide . So unprofessional service and over-priced menu is our evaluation for this place. If you want great food on Hanalei, try BarAcuda's (that's how they spell it) a block away!
(2)Crystal B.
A dear friend told us we must go to Postcards during our stay and so we did. We thought the building was charming but it went downhill from there. We started with the sangria and hibiscus tea which were average. Note, the waitress never offered a refill or asked if we wanted anything else to drink. The appetizer was blah. The tapenade was underwhelming and the bread was poorly executed. We both ordered dishes featuring the fish of the night, monchong. My grilled fish was a bit dry and tough and the macadamia nut butter didn't really help much. I actually liked the pesto mashed potatoes and puréed carrots it was served with. My husband got the Thai coconut noodle dish with the fish. He thought it was ok. We skipped dessert for two reasons. 1. The waitress disappeared for a while and thus we were sitting around waiting and 2. We were already underwhelmed with the food and wanted to leave. All in all I probably wouldn't recommend this restaurant. The prices are what you'll find around the island but the flavors and service are way below par!
(2)Billy M.
Ahi encrusted with wasabi is phenomenal. Great balance as you can clearly taste the Ahi. Reasonable wine prices (no hard liquor served) and service was spot on.
(4)Kelly G.
Always a "safe"choice, never been disappointed. Great variety with good vegan and gluten-free options as well. The swordfish and Ahi are both fantastic, as are the incredible dessert selections!
(5)Betty H.
Compared to all the other fresh fish options, this place is more than slightly overpriced and the decor doesn't really hold up to a place that can charge $36 for a plate of blackened Hebi. The service is good, but the hostess, hot -cougar-type as she is, is a bit...huffy. My mom and I shared an appetizer plate for 2, priced at $20 for a disappointing selection of appetizers. The best thing was the taro hushpuppy things, but everything else was luke warm. The fish was good, but a small portion compared to what we pay for in the fish markets, and I know, yada yada you're in a fancy restaurant blah blah blah, but trust me, the ambience, service and restaurant decor do not make up for such a steep price difference. The desserts are good, but also expensive. I recommend the chocolate silk pie and the macadamia nut crusted coconut ice cream, basically: tempura fried ice cream with macadamia nuts over it. Pretty good, but plenty of other great ice cream options around the island: esp: LAPPERTS! Plugging an ice cream place in a restaurant review. You're welcome lapperts. Lastly, the coffee was warm and weak and even after I asked the server to change the cup it was STILL luke warm. So. yeah. I've definitely experienced better and was not impressed.
(2)Elizabeth B.
The food had great flavor and it was a good sized portion. We got the Thai noodles and the fusilli with shrimp- both dishes were interesting. I thought that bread should come with the meal at that price but that's ok. The dinner was great and our waitress was very friendly. We have other favorites but overall, 4 stars.
(3)Lynn D.
Went right at 5:30 so we were seated and served quickly. Fresh fish was good. Liked sage pineapple sauce was better than the macadamia nut butter. Cesar salads were a little too tangy for my taste. Enjoyed it
(4)David L.
FOOD ALLERGY WARNING: Don't go there if you have a food allergy. They will tell you they will leave it off and serve it to you anyways. When we suspected it, we asked them. Response: "if you would have asked me earlier, I would have told you it was in there." Huh? After we specifically told you we had allergies?
(1)Russ S.
The chef is a master at combining flavors. There were so many unique combination I have never experienced such as the pineapple pepper sage sauce on the fish special. The combination appetizer is a must. Sad to say my Ono was a little dry as was the Spanish rice side. It was not overdone just maybe too long under the heat lamp. The setting is quaint plantation style. They only take reservations for a party of four or more but you can walkin as a party of two. Get there early as it fills up fast.
(4)william p.
First time for this restaurant and I was pleased. Quaint older building added charm to less that spectacular location. Nevertheless, it is not location but food that makes a restaurant. There were four of us for dinner. We sat outside which was perfect. Without going into long discussion, everything was well prepared, tasty and satisfying. The bill wasn't outrageous considering this is Hanalei. The service was attentive. Wine list was so-so but that's Kauai. Next time in Hanalei, Postcard Cafe will be on the list.
(4)april k.
What a lovely place. Great location in beautiful Hanalei. You can chose to sit inside, which is open and really pretty, or on the porch, which we did. A lot of mosquitos, but have enough sangria, and you won't notice that at all ;) Sangria was good, but not the best. Light and refreshing. We had the Postcards platter appetizer. The seared ahi was delightful, kids enjoyed the 'rockets', the crab cakes were rich and delicious, dense but not overbearing, just the right amount for the four of us, we each split one. The taro fritters were really good. I had the sombrero, and added grilled fish on the side. It was interesting, pretty tasty. The fish was lovely. My husband had the Thai coconut rice noodle dish. He thought it was just ok, I was not impressed, needed salt and just wasn't that great. Kids food was insulting, would just order off the regular menu for them next time. Also, our server, well, she was adequate, but not friendly, seemed like she wanted to move us through and out quickly, even though we had appetizers, dinner, drinks, etc. I think it might have been an off night, we will be back to try some other things.
(5)Jennifer H.
I have to tell you right off the bat that I was VERY disappointed with this place! Dan and I had researched Postcards Cafe before deciding to eat there. The menu online had 6 items listed including a dessert that was or could be made vegan. When we arrived at Postcards it was an entirely different story! It went from 6 things I could eat down to 4 and no dessert! And of those 4 items 3 of them were appetizers; a salad, a thing called Taro Fritters and Hummus with bread They didn't really even have a vegan entree to speak of! What they did have in the way of a vegan entree was a pasta dish that you could order sans the meat and cheese (woohoo, thanks! way to go!). The appetizers... The Taro Fritters were interesting, the taste was good but the texture was strange. We never got the hummus we ordered so I can't comment on that dish. The entrees...Food quality was mediocre at best. Now Dan usually orders vegan but because of the lack of options he ordered Ahi. I usually wouldn't want to comment on a non-vegan food item on my blog but since this place sucked so bad I wanted you to know that it wasn't limited to vegan style food.... Back to it... Dan says his Ahi was really overcooked, nothing special at all. My pasta dish was unremarkable. Like blah, blah, BLAH! Other observations... So you can see right away that this place is striving to be upscale but how can it be? It's in an old converted house and when you convert an old house into a restaurant you get what? A homey atmosphere, right? The wait staff was not trained in proper dish handling etiquette. They were continually reaching in front of our faces to frantically grab at plates and water glasses. Which wouldn't really bother me if the place wasn't trying so hard to be upscale. I mean, how hard is it to have a staff meeting to go over these basic things? Parking was a joke! They have maybe three parking spots in front of the restaurant and of course those where taken. We had to park down the street and cross Kuhio Hwy with no sidewalks or street lights! Super! They only had four beers on the menu... no make that three because one of them was Michelob! But they did have an extensive wine list. Great! What are you going to do with all that wine and no good food to pair it with? Being what it was, it was overpriced. We were charged $90 for $5 lunch plates. Sorry Postcards Cafe but you really rubbed me the wrong way by teasing me with the promise of food on your website and not delivering. UPDATE your webpage! Our waitress told us that the menu on the website had not been update for years! Get with it! Stop telling people you are vegan friendly when clearly you are NOT!
(1)Daniel S.
Four of us ate at Postcards, on the lanai, on an early Saturday evening and were unimpressed by the entree menu, so instead, we ordered many appetizers and salads. The food was fantastic! Everything was fresh, well prepared, and rich with interesting flavor. The Pupu Platter had interesting seafood 'rockets' which were skinny lumpia filled with a seafood filling, much like a fish-cake. The Taro fritters were excellent, and fitting for a restaurant surrounded by taro fields. For dinner I had their local, organic salad with a ball of fried goat cheese. Yum. The potato leek soup was also stand-out.
(4)Susie M.
Postcards Cafe is a great restaurant for seafood lovers (you should note that there are not many options that are not seafood) My husband and I went here on our honeymoon and were very impressed. Great service (which I think is a bit hard to find in Kauai at times) and the food was fantastic. We had the crab cakes and scallops for appetizers - very good. And, we also had the chocolate cake for dessert - two thumbs up. If we return to Kauai, we will definitely return to Postcards!
(4)gypsy v.
Dinner at postcards was one of the highlights of our mid-relationship honeymoon; my husband and I were old hands by this time at the him-the-omnivore-me-the-vegan-going-out-to-dinner-Âsomeone's-going-to-wind-up-hungry scinario, but we had been mostly relegated to doing that in Wisconsin and Montana -- so what a joyous delight to each be served beautiful, amazingly delicious, local cuisine that we each had been longing for AND be eating at the same restaurant at the same time! We shared the tofu and sai fun taro spring roll appetizer with ginger peanut dipping sauce, and then he got to sample something of the fish persuasion while I had a delectable mixed tropical fruit rissoto with grilled tempeh and lime (this was, needless to say, pre-raw, back when i was just a littl'vegan :) I've since been back and the food is just as marvelous and the culinary creativity just as inspired. Fantastic offerings, friendly and welcoming service, beautiful setting, a place where all can share a meal and be satisfied... what more could you ask for in Paradise?
(5)Lisa M.
Food was average at best, and the prices were way too high. Our bottle of red wine was served straight out of the refrigerator, nothing like a cold Pinot Noir. The fish was bland and bone-dry, and seasonal vegetables meant two spears of broccoli. To their credit, when we commented on the dryness of the fish, they comped us a dessert--the lilikoi mousse was fantastic. To my mind, not worth a visit.
(2)Will S.
My wife & I went to Postcards for our 1-year anniversary. Taro fritters were excellent appetizers, and we split various other vegetarian and vegan dishes that were very tasty. We had to wait a little while to be seated, but we got a great table, and while we were waiting, the director of TV's "Crossing Jordan" took our photo by some beautiful ginger-related flowers near the veranda. He felt the need to introduce himself that way, at any rate. Apparently, the whole cast and crew of "Crossing Jordan" were taking a trip together to Hawaii, and they were all a couple tables over from us during dinner. We pretended to not recognize Jerry O'Connell except as the fat kid from Stand By Me. But, I digress. We found the wait staff at Postcards to be incredibly friendly and attentive. We struck up a conversation with our waiter about Hawaii's (now second) favorite son, Jack Johnson (who only had one album out at the time). Our waiter had apparently been an old college roommate and friend back in California, so we had a nice chat. He even gave us our deadly delicious chocolate tort dessert for free. The long and short of it is that I highly recommend Postcards for a romantic dinner out on the North Shore. I don't think there is a better place for top-quality food and nice atmosphere.
(5)Diane K.
Satisfying meal. Service just okay. Would try it again.
(4)Lavender C.
Delicious and creative food but we ordered the Chefs Special and the waitress didnt let us know it was wayyyy more expensive ($37) than other entrees. Waitress spacey and took awhile....
(4)Lisa Ann P.
Quaint quiet a little dark at night but oh my for my last night on the island what an incredible dinner! They have a nice wine selection, and the menu is local seafood or vegan dishes. I ordered the catch of the day which was the Hawaiian sun fish. the waitress told me it was melt in your mouth good so I thought why not! She could not have described it better! It was delectably full of flavor and did just melt in my mouth! The salad was a work of art with a fried goat cheese ball on the side to crumble over the salad, it was plated artfully well almost too pretty to mess up by eating but fresh yummy salad on a chilled dish I just cannot resist! The dinner was also presented beautifully. The wait staff was very attentive and nice! I would consider this an upscale dining place and the price was a bit high but worth every mouth watering bite!
(5)amie a.
Excellent. All food in Hanalei is expensive. This was a bargain for the quality. Fish was excellent. Lava cake sublime. Salads superb!
(5)Barry G.
Excellent service and the food was even better. Go with specials, if there are any left! Yum,
(4)Maye C.
Love the appetizers and wished I had ordered only from the app menu. Wasn't thrilled with my entree but do love the ambience and setting of the restaurant. The staff wasn't too attentive even when we were one of the last tables in the restaurant at 9pm and halfway through dinner. Last seating is at 830, we had reservations at 8 but wasn't seated until 830. Overall, I would go back to try more appetizers and try to get seated earlier to avoid the awkwardness of the staff wanting us out of there after 9.
(3)Deb R.
Our first night in Kauai we joined friends and family here (total of 8 diners). A great introduction to Kauai specialties. Food was delicious (I had seared ahi with wasabi crust), not unreasonable in price for Hawaii, and service friendly and as prompt as we wanted it to be. A bonus was a terrific thunderstorm
(4)Barbara S.
During our recent 10-day trip to Kauai, we tried Postcards Cafe on recommendation from our friends who used to live there. I remember Lynn telling me to be sure to get the macadamia nut butter that comes with the fish. Well, let me tell you, it made an impression. We had a divine fish dinner there the first night we went. The accompanying vegetables were unusual, a great texture and delicious. To top that all off, we had their Velvet Chocolate Pie (made with soy) and it was a perfect dessert (and I am a harsh critic!) The next night we had met a bunch of random people in the hotel bar at sunset and all ended up eating at their ourdoor eating area. Another peak experience for all. The next night we brought some other friends we made and they loved it. Out of our 10 nights in lovely Kauai, we ate here 4 times. It's that kind of place. It is a cottagy building that feels comfy and homey. A find. A staple kind of a place. We'll be back!
(5)Blue B.
Make reservations, this place is in demand and doesn't seat many. We had none but joined up with two other couples for a table of 6 and got right in. Pricey but excellent service and the food is fantastic. You may want to dress up a little more than the typical T shirt and slippers of Hanalei every day wear ;-)
(5)Tiffany K.
What a wonderful experience--we went back a second time on our visit. Great, helpful and kind staff/service. AMAZING food--don't leave without having the Taro Fritters (GF) with Pineapple Chutney, and the Crusted Ahi. Their fresh fish specials are to-die-for, try the macadamia nut butter and the pesto/cheese tomato served with every dish was a 10 (definitely something I'll try to repeat at home). Parking is easy (they have their own lot), but the wait may take a bit (no reservations for small parties)--so have a glass of wine and grab a bench outside on the patio. Also, the owner is adorable!
(5)alejandro f.
Food here was good on the day we visited. It wasn't "starred" gourmet or anything, but it was good quality and fresh tasting. We started with the PUPU plate, which everyone seems to like. We weren't an exception. It was good. The 'butter fish" entree was a very decent special of the night; not overcooked or over seasoned. The pasta vegetarian Francesca was good, but it was a huge portion. Service could have been a bit more attentive, but we were in and out in 1.25 hours. It probably is a bit overpriced but there are few eating options around hanalei.
(4)Emily W.
We appreciate the casual atmosphere and good food here. The help is friendly and the service good. They even made a reservation for us even though there were only 3 of us and not 4. The wine selection was more than adequate, and the server was knowledgeable on what to recommend with our meal. We forwent the appetizers because we knew wanted to have dessert. In the past we have opted for the appetizer sampler and know that it is filled with a variety of very yummy items. We all opted for the Ono catch of the day, grilled, but with different sauces. The macadamia nut butter was the favorite. The plate also contained a well seasoned rice, lightly steamed broccoli, and a carrot/ginger puree. The servings were generous enough, but we ordered the Chocolate Silk Pie, which we knew from experience, was not to be missed. So rich and decadent, but totally gluten and dairy free. Postcards is a restaurant we enjoy very much, and a trip to Kauai would not be complete without it.
(5)jon s.
Exquisite meal, nice portions, perfect service, solid value for how good it was. Highly recommend this establishment. So far it's been the best meal yet in Kauai.
(5)N K.
Everything about the place was great. Staff were friendly and attentive, food was fantastic and pricing was on par for nice dinning. Nothing bad to say. The sampler plate when we were there-September 25-was amazing!
(5)Leslie T.
I had really mixed feelings about this place after dinner there recently. Ambience and service is top-notch, but for the price of the food items ($34 ea for our two fish entrees, for example), the food was hit and miss the night my husband and I went there to celebrate his birthday. We started out with two extraordinary apps: Porcini-crusted scallops on a bed of greens and their incredible crab cakes. We were both excited about the entrees after eating these two apps, but I was disappointed with my "Tandori" Hawaiin fish entree. The fish was mongchong and it was definitely on the dry side, as in over-cooked. The coconut curry sauce and veggies were very good, but for $34, I expect better. My husband had the Wasabi-crusted Ahi and it was very tasty. HOWEVER, he ordered it med. rare and he said it was cooked more on the medium side, but it really was still very good in his opinion (ok, and mine). For dessert, we ordered their chocolate volcano cake and I could only eat one or two bites as I was stuffed (the portions are a decent size), but the dessert was very good. Perhaps the problem is that they are trying to do too many different styles of food. Hawaiin/Indian/Italian/Mexican-Spanish....I think they need to stick to their roots of fresh local, sustainable foods. My husband and I are both excellent cooks, and somewhat foodies from Northern Cali, so take that for what it is worth. The night before we ate here, we bought some fresh mongchong from the Dolphin Fish Market just across the street from the restaurant, marinated it in Roy's Sweet Onion dressing/marinade and grilled it and, folks, it was far superb to the overcooked piece of fish I had at Postcards.
(3)Kevan M.
This is one of the better upscale dining spots in the North Shore. They offer an assortment of fresh fish and a respectable wine list all housed within a super cute location. I'd recommend sitting out on their front lanai - if that's your thing. Meals here have been pretty tasty. It's a solid choice for that special meal you've saved up for.
(4)Steven P.
Great creative dishes, fast and friendly service. Good value too!
(4)D M.
Came here on my honeymoon in 2004 and we've talked about it ever since. So, on vacation this week we decided to go back and we so disappointed. I ordered the fish of the day which was ahi. You can choose what sauce and how it is cooked, and chose the pineapple sage sauce and asked for the ahi seared. My meal came out with a side of roasted potatoes and broccoli, all of which was just lukewarm. The flavors on the plate all clashed, which is the challenge allowing customer's to choose their sauce but not adapting the other sides to match the rest of the dish. My partner ordered the seafood paella, which was blazing hot, ironically compared to my lukewarm meal. The rice was mushy and flavors bland. All in all, a disappointing meal. The concept of local and organic ingredients is great, but unfortunately it just wasn't executed well. Definitely a bummer.
(2)L C.
The best dinner we had on the north side of Kauai. Service was great from our waiter Jonah and the food was delicious. Great selection of seafood and vegetarian options - highly reccomended.
(5)Ron C.
This place doesn't quite live up to its high prices. While our food was good but not great, I was shocked at the menu. We were told by locals that this was an upscale, vegetarian friendly place. There are ONLY SIX entrees on the menu, and only three of them can be made vegetarian. The service was pretty mediocre. We each ordered a glass of the same wine, and one glass clearly had less in it than the other. Not acceptible I say when the glass costs $9. I enjoyed Bouchon's in Hanalei more.
(2)Sarah K.
We really enjoyed our meal at Postcards Cafe! It's a vegetarian restaurant, but they also serve fish and lots of seafood dishes. The place is really cute - both inside and outside on their patio. They also have a little screened in porch with 3 little tables, where we got seated. The menu has lots of delicious sounding meals. I had the caesar salad and the Seafood Sorrento (a delicious pasta dish that comes with seafood and a white wine sauce). Both were very good! We also ordered the Chocolate Volcano (which you have to order early to give time to prepare), because as we were being seated we overheard someone saying it was the best thing they've ever tasted. We didn't agree - it was pretty good, but definitely overhyped. This restaurant is sort of expensive, but pretty much what you'd expect in Hanalei or anywhere on the island. We'd definitely go back!
(4)A. Christine T.
Soooo good. If you're from LA and you're used to little boutique restaurants, this place is definitely for you. The service was fine, but it was training night, so we had two people waiting on us, which is always kinda weird (well, one person was waiting, the other was "waiting" for the waitress to stop talking). But the servers were knowledgeable and friendly. The food was GREAT. I had the special Mong Chong dish. Mong Chong is a kind of fish I had NEVER heard of before, but it was a fresh catch, so I went with my gut and got it. Seasoned very simply, the fish was both buttery and light, perfect texture, lovely taste. That was served with a butternut squash puree, peppery spinach and spicy arborio rice. We all agreed it was a very fine dinner. My husband ordered saffron seafood risotto, and another friend ordered a goat cheese pasta. All was so delicious, I definitely recommend it!
(5)Buffy M.
I dined at Postcards by myself. My server was fabulous, very attentive and my rocket appetizer was great. However, they were out of my beverage that I requested, the hummus was ok, I'm used to creamier hummus, and the tandori entree was very over cooked. The vegetables were super soft, I found the pumpkin seed, or some sort of seed difficult to eat as part with my overly soft vegetables. It had a lot of peas as well which didnt match the flavor either. I had asked the chef to select whatever fish he felt best on the tandori and he chose Opah. It was good but slightly undercooked. There was a large portion in the middle of my fish that was quite undercooked. I may have just ordered one of their less than average items on the menu but for $60 dinner price tag for one person I will not return.
(2)Jake A.
amazing.....I loved it when the waiter pointed out the busboy and said " he caught the fish this morning.....almost all the produce is local, the greens the mushroom, the tune...the yellow shrimp..( oh my god) I stayed the the St Regis for a week this by far was THE BEST DINNER. what more can i say.....Im reading a few of the other reviews...first this is NOT a dessert place NOR is this "I'm cheap and need to fill up on bread place" these guys and gals are a diamond in the rough......see you guys soon...!!! jake out
(5)Jennifer C.
Had a nice dinner at Postcards Cafe. The crabcakes were delicious. My swordfish special was good as was my husband's Washbi crusted tuna. It just wasn't worth the price that we paid for this dinner. I love to cook and can make a mean Ahi myself. Our server was wonderful and the setting is really nice. It is one of the few places were you can dress for dinner on the North Shore.
(3)Jenna M.
Food was not good. Service was great and the ambiance was good, but the food was terrible and overpriced.
(2)Pam F.
First, I had not picked this restaurant. I had read the reviews but we had a rehearsal dinner there last month for my daughters wedding. The grooms mother picked Postcards. We had a great waitress, the fish was wonderful, I wouldn't have tried any of the vegetarian dishes. I would go back.
(4)G. O.
Hostess was warm and welcoming, but waitress was a little cold-not typical on the island. But, the food is definitely fine dining and the entire meal was solid. The taro fritters were fried yet light and reminded us of falafel, with an amazing sauce on the side. Ordered a second appetizer of shrimp and coconut lumpia which were also light and flavorful (but less impressive than the spring rolls we had the night before at the Eastside in Kapaa). Special was a walu (Hawaiian butter fish) with black plantain rice-first time having this fish which was oily and buttery and delicious! Portions are average-size (not complaining, just saying). FAR better than anything in Princeville and well-worth the windy drive around the way for real food, but still think Eastside is the BEST on the island.
(3)Jason D.
Great place! Food was excellent... Other than the long black hair I fiund in my spinach. Although completely grossed out, the staff didn't apologize but did take it off the bill, which made me happy because i couldn't finish it after that. ( nor could my friends). All in all, great vibe, good service, good food... Would go back.
(4)K H.
Went there over a month ago. Just remember really liking the macademia nut butter. Had the pupu platter based on recommendations. My husband liked it. I thought food in general was forgettable and nothing special.
(3)Bryan K.
If I had to describe this restaurant in 1 word, it would be FRESH. The opah tasted like it was caught that day and the ahi was so good that it literally melted in my mouth. My wife and I always share food and she refused to give me 1 of the last 2 pieces of ahi. Kinda messed up, but it was that good. The side dishes were also outstanding and the portions were perfect. You leave feeling satisfied, but without a food coma. We also had a fantastic waitress that made us feel right at home... like one of your friends had you over for dinner and said "Take a seat, I've got everything covered". If we had a different server, I'd give it a 4-4.5. She more than made up for the clueless host, whom management should pay not to show up. Seriously. Excellent setting in Hanalei with lots of character. I'll be back next year to try their desserts!
(5)K. S.
THIS PLACE ROCKS !!! We've been to Hanalei four years in a row now and every time we've eaten at Postcards it has blown us away. The food, the staff the atmosphere - all amazing - especially the food. The only downside is that they don't server mixed drinks - only beer and wine. This is however easily overlooked by the fact that the good will blow your mind. Fresh ingredients, inventive dishes, reasonably priced for Kauai. I would highly recommend to anyone. My wife and I have been alone and with our two small boys - all of our experiences there have been positive.
(5)Miki M.
Update - 05/27/06 I decided to decrease further the rating of this restaurant. We found their quality has fallen down since last time we visited. I won't get into much detail except that... if they were in LA (instead of the culinary jungle of Kauai), they wouldn't get more than 2 stars and would have probably closed doors already. A very amateur cuisine. Otherwise, the fish was still fresh and tasty. The service was courteous. Still worth going there. Unless a better restaurant opens doors, this is still one of the best here... Make sure you check out their Banana Mac Pie (banana and macadamia) + Coconut Sorbet (with 2 small pieces of pineapple on top). Avoid the Creme Brulee- wasn't freshly made; only the good Lord knows when it was brulee-ed. :)) Original review - 07/01/06 A premier restaurant in Hanalei (on the beautiful Garden Island of Kauai). Does not fit into the available Yelp categories (sorry)- the restaurant calls itself PACIFIC RIM CUISINE. Great overall quality, friendly service (preceded by a timely reservation, since the seating is limited to around 70 people). Aromatic creamy Brocolli soup, great "pupu" (appetizer, in Hawaiian language) platter, very fresh delicious fish dishes... oh, and especially, an outstanding "Pineapple Upside-Down Cake" with Coconut Sorbet! Just a few small details (such as not-so-well washed utencils, not brilliant "Creme Brulee", and a not-so-great, however expensive, Porto dessert wine) caused my stars to be 4 instead of 5. Still, a very good restaurant. By the way, is it true or is it an urban legend, this restaurant's owner is a famous Hollywood director or producer. I didn't dig too much into it; up to you to discover who!
(3)Judgey Von Judge O.
cute atmosphere, good healthy food, pupu app was delightful. mains were slightly overcooked and undercooked (go figure) but i'll let that slide being that i only ate here once. i say: worth it.
(4)Jacquie C.
A famous restaurant in Kauai, featured in many press' culinary rave reviews, which I think is sitting on its laurels too confidently. Don't get me wrong, it still is a notable, must-try restaurant if you're in Kauai. You must definitely do your taste buds the favor of savoring their specialty "fresh from the sea" fish either grilled or blackened and prepared in perfected sauce of your choice: honey ginger dijon, macadamia butter or peppered pineapple sage; Also, make sure to have room for their delectable dessert of pineapple upside down cake paired sublimely with a melt-in-your-mouth coconut sorbet. That being said, this famous restaurant is not without shortcomings. Just tonight when a friend of mine had dinner there, we noticed that the utensils had not been thoroughly cleaned; the port we tried was decent, but lacking in flavor, and they definitely could use more inventive reds to pair with their seafood dishes (there's more to subtle reds than Kenwood Pinot ( how about a Beaujolais-style wine). Even a good restaurant such as Postcards need to stay passionate at what it does. Judging by the number of people dining on a friday night...even very good needs some improvement.
(4)Stephanie D.
After reading some negative Yelp reviews last week we still decided to go to Post cards Cafe last Friday. After our wonderful dining experience we wondered out loud who were those losers that wrote the poor reviews. Niki, our server gave quality, personable service , the food was terrific and the dining room ambience quite appealing. Oh did I mention the bill was very reasonable? We have neighbors coming to Northern Kauai next Spring for their wedding anniversary and Postcard Cafe will be our first suggestion for a dinner reservation on their trip!
(5)Meme M.
Our family really enjoyed our dinner here. The location is rather "quaint", as it is in a set in a small plantation style home. As with the majority of restaurants in Hanalei, the views are not their strongpoint. Reservations for parties 4+. We had a party of 3, so we arrived soon after opening to avoid a wait. The appetizer platter was delicious. We ordered it for a party of 4. Our favorite were the rockets with coconut curry. Super yummy! The bread with macadamia butter was outstanding, but our favorite was the chocolate volcano cake. AMAZING chocolate flavor! My son and I wrestled for the last bite. :) The main courses: wasabi crusted ahi & Thai coconut rice noodles were split between the three of us. The ahi was amazing. The noodles were just good, as it wasn't what we expected and a bit more soupy. Still good, just not " WOW". Overall fresh food, well prepared, with excellent and attentive service. It is a bit pricey, but that's just how it is on Kauai.
(4)Brian W.
First of all, restaurant does not cater to couples (ie only two people in the party). Restaurant only takes reservations for parties of four or more....so if you're with your significant other, you will need to put your name on the waiting list. The hostess was very friendly and gave us estimates of how long it was to be seated. This was a positive. The negative was the food. My wife ordered the lobster, which was completely overlooked and flavorless. The rest of the plate was swimming in an asparagus truffle sauce which destroyed the flavor of the mashed potatoes and asparagus. I tried the Asian noodles, which was a good attempt, but lacked seasoning and heat. All in all, we were extremely disappointed with the food and cannot recommend to other diners.
(2)Anna H.
The best meal we had in Kauai! It was fantastic!! They had vegan options and that was really important to our group, but they also had plenty for the meat eaters. We came right after getting engaged and they had champagne waiting and the owner came to the table and wished us well :) It was really sweet and we so enjoyed our meal :)
(5)Ashley K.
Amazing, been three times and every time it's AMAZING! Cleaned our plates, then tried every dessert, all delicious.
(5)Mike G.
I was underwhelmed by Postcards Cafe. The food was fine, but we ended up with several deep (I mean deep) fried items, and when there are such great restaurants like Bar Acadu nearby, it just makes you question why to go here.
(3)Jan S.
This place is a MUST!!! Especially for vegans! Wow, everything was amazing. The salad was fresh and delicious, the white sangria was refreshing, The Sombrero with tofu was unbelievable as well. And the chocolate silk pie (gluten-free and vegan) was fantastic, I can still taste it in my mouth. I loved everything! The atmosphere and the services were great as well. I will definitely come back if I am on island again. (Might have to make a special trip)
(5)K Z.
Great place. Wonderful menu, service, food presentation very nice. Quality of fresh fish awesome. Third time we've eaten there over the years - it never disappoints.
(5)Katie F.
My husband and I make it a "must do" on every visit to Kauai. We are always very impressed with the food and love the atmosphere. We both had the wasabi crusted ahi cooked to the chefs recommendation of medium rare. Each mouthful was absolutely amazing. The portion was large...my husband finished mine. Postcards Cafe is a sure winner,
(5)Rod G.
Good eats. No ocean views here however. Food was good quality and presented well. Desert was VERY GOOD. Coconut fried ice cream, yes please. Waitress was new to the game and could use more direction but she was trying hard. A little pricey but a good deal for anyone looking for a nice meal.
(4)Kelsey T.
Fantastic. Great service and delicious food. We started our meal with the platter for two which was a sampler of a few different appetizers. I couldn't decide which I liked best- they were all mouth wateringly delicious. It was a little pricey, but the quality made up for it. For dinner my husband ordered the Thai coconut rice noodles with shrimp. They served a good sized portion and it was excellent. I ordered a beet salad with goat cheese which was also very good, particularly the dressing. I paired my food with a delicious California cab. Can't say enough good things!
(5)Gina H.
What a negative experience my family and I just had at this place. I had made reservations here based on the 4 star yelp rating but would love to give this place zero stars if it were possible. My mom, 2 young sons (ages 1 and 4) and myself ended up leaving before even ordering our main course. The restaurant is so small and the manager, Sarah stuck us is in the corner table - practically right on top of the table of people next to us. Not to mention the restaurant was uncomfortably hot. Anyone with young children know how unpredictable your dinners out can be so I brought plenty of things to keep my boys occupied. We started with the iPhone and iPad so that they could each play their own game. The people at the table next to us stared us down from the moment we were seated next to them. I always do my best to be considerate when dining out with my children so got them situated with their games. The table next to us obviously complained that my son's ipad was too loud since Sarah (manager of restaurant) came over to us and asked us to turn it down... The iPad's volume was so low I wasn't even certain the sound was on. Talk about making us feel unwelcome! After Sarah told us a guest made a comment that the ipad was too loud we asked our server, Brooke who by the way was so sweet, accommodating and apologetic who the manager of the restaurant was and were shocked to find out it was the woman who told us to turn the ipad down. I can't get over how unprofessional the manager of the restaurant was. Needles to say, we asked for the bill after drinking our wine and having our Caesar salad which lacked flavor. There was no way we were going to give this restaurant anymore of our business after making us feel so uncomfortable.
(1)Ryan B.
This place is overrated and expensive. Only 1 of our party of 6 enjoyed their meal. This was the only place we didn't like on our week long stay. The portions were small and the dishes were not what we expected. If you want all organic, lots of vegetables, with little flavor, this is your place.
(1)Amy O.
Wow. Do I need to say more? Okay, I will anyway. The appetizer for 2 was incredible. We could have happily had out own. The roasted beat salad was delicious & refreshing. Fish of the day, fantastic. Too full for dessert. Maybe next time!
(5)Ryan K.
This was a nice find in Hanalei. They had a fantastic outdoor seating area. We came here after a long day of hiking. Started off with the Limeade, which we ended up getting two rounds of it. Amazing!!! Delicious seafood as you would expect. Service was slower than usua for Kauai but it was relatively busy so I will cut them some slack. Highly recommend for reasonably priced food in Hanalei.
(4)Lindsey J.
Great ambiance, great food, great service...might be our new favorite date night restaurant on Kauai. I would strongly recommend the wasabi crusted ahi as well as the fennel crusted lobster. I have to comment about the vegetable sides...creative and delicious!
(5)Felicia G.
This was the most amazing meal we had on the island out of our two week stay. We ate at the St. Regis, Hyatt, Beach House and nothing compared to Postcards Cafe. I highly recommend this place for dinner. The sangria was great and the fish was fresh and well prepared. The coconut fried ice cream was to DIE for.
(5)Fritz v.
Off night? Come back earlier when our chefs are fresher was the excuse. The Sorrento was like a salt lic. My wife's mahi mahi was blah and way over priced. The sides were not paired properly. The water was good!
(1)A N.
The only one star this restaurant is getting is for the cute ambiance and setting. We ate there last night and I just couldn't wait to write a review about them. When you have great food in this island in places such as the Dolphin Seafood why would you want to eat at place like postcards. The crab cakes were more like crushed flafels and cold, asked for salt and pepper, it never made it to the table, ordered two fish of the day dishes, both grilled to death, no seasoning and dry like chicken breast. They have no understanding of spices going together, there is cumin, ginger, basil used in high doses, like you are eating soap but no adequate salt and pepper. Please stick to simple spices unless you know your spices and how much it should be used. Yes, it is a crime to cook delicate fish like the way they do. Stayyyyy away, When you dine in sophisticated restaurants in London, NY, and Los Angeles for example, you have a certain expectation when you are in those cities, however when you are in an island with amazing fresh seafood, you can always appreciate quality food, especially when its done in the most simplest yet sophisticated way.
(1)Nicole H.
The postcard platter was delish! I also recommend the wasabi ahi. The service is great! Honestly the friendliest staff I have ever experienced. A must when you're in Kauai.
(4)Alex N.
We had our wedding dinner here on August 17! We had the outside deck, and the food and wine was fantastic. Appetizers: seared ahi, taro fritters, some kind of seafood spring roll, and crab cakes. All delicious. Different, yummy fish entrees. I had seared ahi with a wasabi sauce and crusted with something delicious. Also, bread is usually not worth eating at restaurants. This bread is AMAZING - fresh out of the oven, warm, with gorgeous macadamia nut butter. I think I ate a whole basket before the corset of my wedding dress prevented me from eating more. And for dessert, gorgeous lilikoi mousse. I could eat a bucket of this. I'm wishing I had some right this very minute. Thank you, Postcards, for a lovely experience. We also came back the following week to eat more lobster tail and lilikoi mousse.
(5)Terri B.
We had a fabulous meal at Postcards Cafe, a charming small restaurant set in a cottage. All meals where super fresh and the preparation was perfect. I had the seared tuna ahi crusted with wasabi & macadamia nuts. The staff was so eager to please that it made for a very enjoyable evening out. A great find on such a small island.
(5)Griffin K.
SO REFRESHING! REAL VEGAN/VEGGIE FRIENDLY! Tandoori and Chicken Tortilla dishes were both outstanding. Reasonably priced, good ambiance...one of the best dining experiences I've had on Kauai.
(5)Melody T.
A friend tipped us off about is place before we arrived on the island, so our expectations were already set quite high. The restaurant itself is quite unique--at least I haven't seen anything similar to this! Atmosphere and food were both great. They do t take reservations for parties under 6 people, so you gotta get there early. We got there exactly at 6 when they open and there were already 6 tables seated and a line out the door waiting to get seated. GET THERE EARLY to avoid a wait. Food was off the hook!! Nothing on the entree list tickled my fancy so I ordered 2 lupus as my main. Most impressive Portobello cap - WOW I don't like mushrooms but this blew my mind Taro fritters with pineapple chutney -- yum!! Crab cakes Wasabi ahi tuna (wasn't my main, but the boy enjoyed his) Scallops were okay, but still good. When you're in the north side of the island, make sure to check this gem out. I would say very comparable to the SF foodsy restaurants. We were happy we waited 2 hours in town for this place to open before heading back to our resort in Lihue!
(4)Julie T.
I had some of the best fish I have ever eaten here - the wasabi crusted ahi was divine and I think I need to make a special trip back to Hanalei just to eat this again - it was that good! I shared this plate and another plate - the fresh fish blackened with the macadamia butter and it was also very very good. I ate with a large party and everyone was delighted with their choice of entree and also with the deserts of which we shared several so we could try a variety. The service was excellent and sitting outside on the deck for dinner the lighting created a cozy intimate atmosphere.. a lovely place to have dinner.
(5)Mitch K.
If they have the hebi fish on special get it blackened over the tandoori it's a large portion but it is worth it. Great service and homey atmosphere
(4)David G.
They make a nice fresh limeade. We tried the taro fritters. If you have only ever tried taro when it was made into poi, you should give these a try. It turns out taro has a potato like taste and consistency. Very neutral. The pepper pineapple sage sauce was great over the fresh fish which was cooked perfectly. The passion fruit mousse was a nice finish to our last night in Hawaii.
(4)James M.
My boyfriend took me to a romantic dinner here during our vacation in Hanalei. The service was superb, the food was amazing. I highly recommend it! The menu is all seafood with vegan and vegetarian options. They also had a large selection of gluten free items. I ordered the Tandoori with Op'a (Hawaiian Moonfish). It was done to perfection with 'forbidden city' purple rice in a tangy coconut curry sauce. The piece of fish was huge! My boyfriend ordered the special- which was Marlin with a cajun inspired sauce. He loved it! We also had the chocolate volcano cake for dessert (we split one)- decadent and delicious. Everything was pleasantly un-rushed. We lazed a bit over coffee and dessert, and our server didn't pester us. A lovely, lovely meal at a very reasonable price.
(5)Neil E.
We came here for our second-last dinner on the island based on all the strong reviews. One thing that jumped out right away was the hostess: she was great. After a week of being places with young hostesses that really don't know the biz, the hostess at Postcards was awesome. Friendly, clear in our possible wait time, and just... I don't know. Somehow she was "with it" and made the opening experience of the meal great. Sadly, greatness ended there. I had one of the fish specials at market price. The fish was reasonably tasty, but had clearly stuck to the grill during cooking as there were little pieces of it ripped off. I had the peppercorn/pineapple sauce with it, which was just weird and not very good. The mashed potatoes were cold and had been dumped on the plate with a disher. There was a single stalk of broccoli on the plate, beautifully steamed, but also cold. The sauce for the fish was under the fish, not on top. Very strange. On the plus side, the bread and humuus was delicious and a bargain at $2. The chocolate dessert was also good, and a proper single-serving cake rather than a slice (I'm looking at you, Bar Acuda!) Midway through my fish course I started to wonder how much I was paying for it, and realized we'd never been told market price by the server. Turns out it was $34. Ouch. So two market price dishes, one dessert, and some bread (no drinks) and the bill was over $100. For that amount of money it would have been nice to have warm mashed potatoes and fish that hadn't stuck to the grill during cooking :(
(2)Harry M.
They've done a great job creating an intimate and casual spot that serves great food. Not to be missed is the macadamia butter, or the deserts....
(5)Heidi S.
Took a while to be seated, but that's pretty normal on Kauai. The beet and goat cheese salad was fabulous! The fish of the day was also great and is their specialty, so don't go if you aren't into fish or veggie dishes. Lastly we had the Thai coconut noodles dish, it was great but the menu and server did mention that it is very spicy!
(4)Rob M.
Stopped in here on multiple recommendations from locals and we had a wonderful dinner. The atmosphere is classy and comfortable, service was fantastic, and food even better. The Postcards Platter for two as a starter was an excellent choice!
(5)Anna W.
I love this place. It's one of the best restaurant we found on the island during our vacation. Super romantic and really cute We went for dinner and the food was great. The portions were a little small for the price, but the quality of food was excellent. The appetizers, entrées, and desserts were all awesome. I love the atmosphere and the servers are really great. If you are staying near the north shore and looking for a good quality restaurant with good seafood this is the best place.
(4)David L.
Great food with great service. It was a nice way to end the trip having our last dinner here. Highly Recommended!
(5)allen o.
My wife and I came here on a Thursday night and got seated right away. We're on our honeymoon, so it was great that the decor and ambiance was nice. I found this place on yelp, and seeing all the rave reviews had high hopes for another great dinner (we'd had excellent meals at Roy's and Tidepools the previous two nights, so we were on a roll). We started with the pupu platter, which was the one good highlight of the meal (if we'd not ordered this, I think I would've given this a single star). My wife ordered the Sombrero. It was ok, although I think it was a bit light on shrimp. I ordered the Seafood Sorrento, which was a pasta dish with fish, scallops, and shrimp. I have to say that this was the most disappointing dish that I've had in quite a while. The fish was completely inedible--the waiter wasn't sure which fish it was as it could have been a number of different ones. But it was the driest, toughest, chewiest piece of fish I've ever eaten. I didn't even know fish could ever be described as chewy, but it had the consistency of a really tough piece of beef and it took me quite a while to chew a single piece. Very unpleasant and ultimately inedible. I moved on to the scallops (I love scallops and part of why I ordered the dish), but it had a single small scallop in the entire dish--I swear. One scallop on the entire plate. I had to console myself with a handful of shrimp and some average pasta. I did mention to the waiter how tough and chewy the fish was, but he just apologized and didn't really offer to take it back or have it remade. I'm not one to make a fuss at restaurants, so I was going to let it go, but looking at a mostly uneaten dish with several pieces of horribly tough fish that cost $24, I stopped him when he was taking the plate away and asked if I could be comped or something for it. He took off the dessert, but I still felt completely ripped off. It wasn't a little bit bad or blah--it was like trying to eat vulcanized rubber.
(2)Cathleen H.
The food was solid, the service very friendly. Would give this 3.5 stars if I could, but I had pretty high expectations for the food - and it was good, but not great. We started with the appetizer sampler platter and the organic greens salad with goat cheese and beets. Both were fine, but i think we'd skip the sampler platter next time. A couple of things were delicious (i.e. the ahi), but others were just okay (like the crabcakes and seafood rocket). Three stars for apps. I'd give the entree four stars - blackened mahi with macadamia butter. Delicious. But at a relatively steep price tag - I think it was $36 or so. I'd go back, but will probably be trying other many other interesting-looking places around here before I find my way back at Postcards.
(3)LJ G.
They only take reservations for parties of 4 or more, so you want to get there early. The atmosphere is lovely and relaxing. It looks like a converted home that really gives it a cozy feel. All of the staff were wonderful. They were nice, and seemed to really enjoy working there. The food is amazing!! We had lobster and ahi and both ere so very good! It is a bit pricey, but worth it.
(5)Pb J.
The food was pretty average, but the service was so very friendly and impeccable that it made up for it! I highly recommend ordering the homemade bread (comes out warm) accompanied with macadamia butter. My main was the polenta which was good (probably better if it were warm!) and the accompanying sauces (I forgot what they were) were pretty delicious! I snuck some of the "Indian style meal" that was pretty authentic aside from the huge slice of soggy spongy tofu on top. Maybe it was supposed to soak up the curry? Never-the-less the texture was a bit off putting. The highlight of the meal was my side of mashed potatoes with a ginger garlic glaze and I really wished I had a whole plate of just that, or at least more than one tiny ice cream scoop size! But most of all, 4 stars because our server thought I was underage. That completely made my night. When you are old and crotchety like I am, and you forget your id because you think your crows feet will give away your age plus 6 years, and your server refuses you a glass of wine because she believes you are under 21, there is nothing more to do than to wallow in pure bliss of the generous mistake!
(4)Shameem A.
great food. we walked in at around 940 and they close at 10 but they gave us a table and the food was great. lots of mosquitos at night here, i'd sit inside.
(5)Serena L.
We had gotten the heads up to get there early to get a table but did not realize how early. People start lining up about 20 - 30 minutes before they open (6pm is opening). You get seated in order of how you lined up unless you have a reservation. Parties of 4 or more I highly recommend you call for a reservation. We were one of the last indoor tables and eating on the patio would not have been fun given the fierce wind and rain. The service was very attentive on the night we went and all tables seemed well attended to. They did a good job explaining the menu and the specials. The fish of the day was delicious and all the vegetables served with it were very tasty. The special of the day was a sumptuous shrimp and lobster in pesto over pasta and it too was excellent. The food came out a little too quickly for my liking and there was no encouragement to linger as we finished our wine given that there were people waiting for tables. All in all, the food was worth it and we will go back.
(4)Lola B.
I would have given this sensational spot 5+ stars were it not for our very passive aggressive, server with a 'tude. Highly recommend the portobello mushroom appetizer and ask for their house bread.....best meal we had on our trip! Too bad the server was so rude...
(4)Lola K.
I'm a little late to write this review, since I went there almost a year ago, but I think it's telling that a year later I'm still thinking about it. The food was exceptionally good. Vegan options abound but it's better known for it's seafood I believe. We went twice in our 5 day stay in Kauai, even though we were staying on the South Shore, we just had to go back. We did have to wait awhile to be seated when we went as a couple as they don't take reservations for less than 4, but when we came back with 3 friends and made a reservation we were quickly seated. The vegan chocolate silk pie is possibly the best vegan desert I have ever tasted.
(5)Jordan H.
I don't usually give 5 star ratings on Yelp, reserving those for the truly special places (and I grew up in San Francisco, so my restaurant standards are pretty high), but this is one of those places. Great ambiance, impeccable service from a very friendly staff, and the food is *awesome*. We've been here before and loved it, but tonight topped even our previous experiences. The sampler platter was delicious, each separate appetizer having a unique and different taste (and the Ahi sashimi was to die for - fresh, buttery soft and wonderfully flavored), complete with a basket of hot, flavorful homemade bread with a wonderful macadamia butter spread. The blackened sea bass entrée with pureed potatoes and carrots was delicious, and the volcano chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream - OMG - how can I even begin to describe the volcano chocolate cake?! I don't even know how they manage to create that texture and taste, but it's just amazing - heaven on a plate! I had to restrain myself from wolfing it down and then licking the plate like an uncivilized barbarian. We don't have many nights left on the island this trip, but we're going again before we leave. We have to!
(5)Lianna S.
I didn't really get the name but once seated I noticed the little nostalgic Hawaii postcards embedded in the table. It's a cute place that serves mostly seafood, all local and organic. We had the pupu platter for an appetizer with crab cakes, taro fritters, seafood rockets and everything was really fresh and tasty with perfect complementary sauces. I went with the recommended wasabi crusted ahi which was awesome and the boyfriend had the striped marlin. After eating here we decided that bad seafood just doesn't exist on this island. If you're in Hanalei for a few days you have to eat here once.
(4)James W.
Very special place! Had great experience!
(4)EJ L.
We went with the pupu platter and salads rather than an entree. It was fine but nothing memorable. And though we ordered it for two, not that much food. It was enough for a meal because we each had a salad. The fish looked good, but at $36 a plate, more than we really needed (after a week of fresh fish on Kauai). The menu is very small so really no options if you don't want the fish. Very pleasant environment and generally friendly and knowledgeable servers (if a bit robotic). Overall, it was just ok - probably wouldn't go again.
(3)Amy B.
I think this was our favorite meal on the island. The staff was very friendly, the service was spectacular, and the food was memorable! We started with the appetizer combo plate, which had a sample of the crab cakes (grilled, not fried), taro fritters, seafood lumpia, and seared ahi. All were fabulous. I then got the seafood sorrento, which was simply divine. My boyfriend got a grilled fish special, which was also good. We were way too stuffed to get dessert, but they looked equally fabulous. I can't wait to plan another trip back!
(5)Cheri. A G.
I came here a couple nights ago for dinner because it was highly recommended and I noticed in the paper that it was voted the best restaurant in the North Shore. It's an seafood and organic restaurant with vegetarian food and a lot of gluten free meals too. We came early and good thing we did because there was only 3 tables left and all were 2 tops....good thing we were two. We sat on the little porch in the front which had a screen around it so don't worry about pests bugging you. We ordered from our server Sara the Hibiscus Cooler which is Pineapple juice blended with hibiscus iced tea & mint, humus with warm house-baked organic bread, a Caesar salad and the From The Sea entree which we chose the monchong fish blackened. It took a while before our food came...again....relax it's Hawaii Time. The Hibiscus cooler was a tasty drink, the hummus was good and the fresh baked bread was fantastic and the Caesar had baked parmesan crisps which was good but it did not have anchovies :( The blackened monchong madehealthier.com/2008/0… (yeah...I never heard of that fish before either and I have been to Hawaii a bunch of times) was wonderful. Very moist, light and flakey...perfectly cooked. It came with some broccoli, rice and sweet potato. It's a bit pricey but not St Regis pricey, the staff dress up a bit but you can come dressed up or shorts or anywhere between because I noticed all of the above. When we left there was a bit of a wait so make reservations or come early like we did. Parking is a problem because there are only a few spots but look nearby along the highway or side roads.
(4)Paul T.
The wait here is ridiculous. We showed up at 7, got on the list, and was told it would take 45 minutes to get a table. 8:30 we finally got a table. Of course it was a pleasant night and they will serve you booze while you wait so its not that bad. Service was friendly and attentive, but food seemed mediocre. The taro cakes were good but the chutney they were served with was sickly sweet. My fish (Ono) was a bit overcooked and the pineapple sauce was kinda one note. My girlfriend really enjoyed her vegetarian spanish rice dish, though the rice seemed kinda under-cooked to me. I suspect she liked it because she was drunker than I (I know I probably should never question my girlfriends taste but...). This brings us to the saving grace of this evening and it was the pitcher of sangria. I'm used to the San Francisco pitchers of sangria which are wimpy, maybe 4 glasses. This pitcher was more like 7 full glasses, an excellent value if you want to get bombed, and it tasted pretty good too. It definitely helped take me back to the proper vacation mindset. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
(3)david m.
By far my favorite meal during my week stay in Kauai. Postcards cafe truly lives up to their motto--"superb seafood and natural cuisine". I couldn't resist ordering the Postcards platter for appetizers mostly to satisfy my culinary curiosity for taro fritters. The whole platter was well thought out with all of the exotic flavors. I had the blackened monchong with garlic mashed potatoes and peppered pineapple sage sauce. it was a nice sweet compliment to the lightly spiced fish. Serving sizes were quite generous. Must try the coconut caramel sundae--how do they get it crispy?! Yes, it is crazy good!
(5)Caleb F.
Overall, we loved this place! Appetizer plater was amazing...and so was the Chocolate Volcano! Although still very good, the entrees left just didn't add up :( Staff and Service was fantastic!
(4)N F.
Ran off to the island for a dream vacation by myself (highly recommend THAT, too!) and I cooked a lot for myself during the trip, so I wanted to treat myself to dinner out at least once. Postcards Cafe: perfect! I phoned ahead to ask about how busy they get, and if it would be weird sitting at a table for one (depends on restaurant ambiance). Quite the contrary to weird: I felt pampered the whole time! The staff were very accommodating, friendly, and attentive. I had the freshly caught island fish (ono!), grilled, rice, macadamia butter. Truly gourmet! Every bite was heavenly. I sipped a luscious glass of Napa Valley Pinot Noir throughout. All this on their screened patio with fresh island breezes providing the natural air conditioning. If I get to Kauai again, Postcards Cafe is on the list for a must-re-do!
(5)Kelly C.
Postcards is a wonderful little spot for dinner with inventive food inspired by local ingredients and friendly, relaxed service. While some diners have complained that the restaurant is expensive, I think that for the quality of the food it is on target. We started with the crab cakes which were some of the best I've ever eaten - nice fresh lumps of crab meat and delicious sauces (I never would have thought a tomatillo salsa would go so well with them!). I ordered the special of the day which was a seared tuna with a crusted pesto served with a mushroom ragout and delicate squash which was very yummy. My husband ordered the monchong fish Indian style which I would not recommend as much since the indian spices overpower the freshness of the fish and its natural flavors. There aren't any landscape views from the restaurant, but the food is great and therefore worth your time during your stay on the north shore. Reservations, especially during the high season, are worthwhile and if you can't find a place to park right beside the restaurant you can find somewhere nearby. Fish is the specialty with some vegetarian, so don't expect beef and chicken.
(4)Brent F.
Great food. Really interesting ingredients well executed. Would go again.
(5)El W.
The poor service at Postcards overshadowed the delicious food. As a haole on the island, I have come to terms with the overpriced dining options. It's pretty well understood that a sit-down dinner will set a family of five back $250. This kind of price point, however, comes along with a commensurate rise is service. This was not the case at Postcards. In fact, we nearly walked out it was so abysmal. The hostess could not reseat us and made excuses for seating up us out on the deck. She acknowledged that she herself had complained about the small; however, she could do nothing to reseat our party. Luckily, one of the servers stepped in and got us a new table. The food was truly amazing. But I couldn't get over the lack of service.
(2)shopaholic v.
I seriously have issues with some of the Yelp reviews on the island of Kauai. The husband says it must be based in context with only other restaurants on the same island. Meh. Postcards Cafe is rather quaint and charming with a very nice island ambiance, but the food is really nothing to write home about. We sat outside on the patio facing the highway, and that in itself was a high point. It was nice that they had screened it in as well, so we didn't get bit by mosquitoes. Service was really good for Kauai. We always had drinks refilled and the waitress came by plenty. Generally I'd want to give this place 3 stars, but MY dish was really quite bad. I ordered one of the specials of the night: Diver Scallops in Citrus Herbs with Cheddar Mashed Potatoes. For $36 or $38, I was expecting a very fine dish. Instead I got 3 scallops that seemed SOAKED in saltwater! From the very first bite, where I bit down on a chunk of sand, to the last piece of cauliflower, every bite was salty, salty, salty! I think I drowned every bite I took with a big gulp of water. Needless to say, I didn't finish my dish. I also must add, the presentation was sorely lacking...my "herb citrus sauce" looked like a big, green, congealed puddle. J ordered the Thai Coconut Rice Noodles with Shrimp Broth ($19). Sounds delicious right? Well, the "broth" was really more of a thick sauce, and nothing you could slurp up, as one would imagine a broth-y noodle dish. It arrived covered in bean sprouts and I could hardly tell where the noodles were amongst all the sprouts. I then learned it was "vegetarian" since any shrimp or meat would have to have been an "add-on". No beer on draft - I put that in for the guys who find that important (like mine). I think generally this place has been over-hyped because it really is a cute place to eat, and one of the nicer establishments in Princeville/Hanalei, but seriously over-priced and over-seasoned. Would not recommend.
(2)Denielle J.
We had a great experience at Postcards Café. Went there for dinner and had the PuPu Platter, the tapenade trio, and the Portobello mushroom (all appetizers) and the molten chocolate cake for dessert. It was all very good - the mushroom in particular was excellent! Our server was very sweet - overall the service and food were great and I'd go back again.
(5)Elissa D.
I really wanted to like this place more. It's such a cute building, and the service was really good. It's no longer a vegetarian restaurant, seems like they actually concentrate mostly on seafood now. And it was fine. Nowhere near as good as Bar Acuda. I had the Paella, which was overly salty. My boyfriend had something a bit like a mexican lasagna, with tortillas instead of noodles. It was fine, neither of us were crazy about it. The food was just kind of lackluster. The wine list was ok. It's at least another pretty good option in Hanalei for dinner that's not inside a fancy hotel.
(3)Ren M.
If you are ever in Hanalei, Kauai check out Postcards Cafe. Great cuisine, vegetarian and excellent desserts. You should make a reservation and book it early, parking is a little tight. For those of you who visit Kauai often you know that most places don't pack in a full house like this little place can. Friendly cats roam free on the premises, not in abundance, but you might see one strolling through while you are enjoying your delicious meal. They offer seating inside and out, grow much of their own vegetables in the garden and are organic. Go for local fish, makes for a wonderful meal. I had the Chefs Special served by Michelle a wonderful young lady! Grilled Mahi with lemon basil and avocado sauce and spiced sweet potatoes with fennel, cherry tomatoes and a salad tossed with red wine vinaigrette! It was spicy hot and excellent. I finished with the sherbet drizzled with fruit sauce. My auntie had the crab cakes, said they were the best she had ever had! About $150.00 for 4 of us to eat, one had a glass of wine. f you are Kauai, Postcards is a must visit! Always Organically Yours, Renay
(4)Cindy C.
Homerun! A friend who had been to Postcards, recommended it when we were visiting Kauai for our honeymoon and let me tell you this place was unbelievable! There was a slight wait for a table but it was without question 100% worth it. We both enjoyed our dinners and the waitstaff was bubbly and sweet. We would without question dine there again next time we visit Kauai!
(5)Bob M.
Brought my family of four here primarily because two are vegetarians. Food was good, but overpriced. $200. meal, and they charge you for bread. My wasabi ahi was just OK. Had better in Chicago! Way better options in Kauai. I'll pass next time.
(2)Stephanie C.
I was really excited to try this restaurant. I came in knowing you would have to spend a bit more, but I'd have to leave it at just three stars... which means... "A-OK". It wasn't exceptional.... its like eating in someone cute little house. Nice service, food portions not bad. IF you are in the area, sure come by and try it.. its not bad... their Ahi IS one of the best I've ever had... but everything else.. really is just OK.
(3)Ray K.
Well worth every penny spent!!! I strongly recommend that anyone visiting Hanalei Bay splurge at Postcards at least once during their stay. It's located toward the eastern entrance to town on the south side of the road. The menu was creative and inspiring. The service impeccable. The staff charming. The restaurant itself was cozy -- both inside and out on the patio. We just went with the chef's specials...and never regretted our decisions for a moment. They have this chocolate torte made with tofu...don't let the "t" word scare you...try it...if you have a sweet tooth, you'll be glad you did.
(5)Kara C.
Definitely a solid choice for a nice dinner if you are staying in Hanalei. I wasn't in love with what I ordered, but I think I may have just picked kind of a weird dish (noodles in coconut milk with tofu). They were pretty busy when I was there on a Friday night, and I had to wait a little while before being seated. I'd recommend making a reservation in advance if you'd like to eat there.
(3)chelsa v.
excellent!! we arrived a little later in the evening around 8:30- scored a perfect table for two outside and enjoyed taking in the surroundings. our waitress was good- but this review is 5 stars for the food! we shared the sampler for 2- that was almost a meal within itself- so good. the taro fritters and ahi were my favorites from the platter. the servings for the main course were huge- we took home over half of our meals and couldn't resist taking home dessert too- hey it's our honeymoon!! the pineapple upside down cake with the passion fruit sorbet is the bomb! to top it off - the hostess, erica, was super super sweet and friendly and we really enjoyed talking with her as we were departing. mahalo!!!
(5)Donna B.
We noticed this quaint little restaurant housed in an authentic Kauai cottage in Hanalei while we were having lunch across the street at Tropical Taco, so we decided to try it for dinner. I checked out the menu on their website and read the good and bad reviews here on Trip Advisor, so I wan't sure it was exaclty our cup of tea since it seemed to be more of a vegetarian restaurant. We were, however, quite impressed with the wines they listed on their webpage. We called to make a reservation, but they only do that for parties of four or more, so we were a little concerned we might have a long wait. We arrived at around 7:30 on a Saturday night and found a parking place right in front. The seating on the front porch was full, but once we stepped inside we saw there were several empty tables. That surprised us a little since it was a weekend night, but we were glad to be seated right away. The server came up right away and welcomed us, showed us the menu, told us the specials, and took our wine order. He also took the time to explain some of the menu items and answered our questions. We found him to be extremely helful and knowledgeable. We started with a salad and an order of the taro fritters, their house specialty. Covered in a delicious pineapple/ginger chutney, we found these six fritters quite good. It was a perfect starter dish to share. I ordered the Wasabi Crusted Ahi, and my husband ordered the Grilled Ono, which was their fish of the day. My ahi was a nice-sized steak cooked just right (I don't like my fish rare) and covered with a scrumptious wasabi sauce that was not too spicy as to overwhelm the tase of the fish. My husband's ono was served with a peppered pineapple sage sauce, which was tasty, but could have have been better with a little less sage. All in all we had a very nice dinner at Postcards. The atmosphere was casual but charming and the service was very good. We'd definitely go back!
(4)Tobin S.
Yum - really good food that isn't steeped in touristy crap and isn't hotel pricey. Must have: the deep fried taro dumpling. so flipping good and served with mango chutney and a ltitle red chile sauce. Fabulous. Wine list is nice and encompassing. Service is good and Hawaii mellow. They have a great wrap around porch to allow for outdoor seating. Do yourself a favor and go.
(4)Sammy Z.
Boo Hiss........third time to visit is NOT the charm in this case. The food is just average. Cold in the middle entree (not fresh but frozen?) The waitresses and hostess are the worst. Sitting on the screened porch (yuck) we got bombarded with the fuel smell of the lanterns they burn outside. Not a pleasant situation. The rudeness ruined all 3 of our visits over the past 10 years. Never again!
(1)C M.
What a great find. Not a lot of options in Hanalei but this little place was great. Had the Ahi special with Forbidden rice. Server was very attentive and made the evening very enjoyable. Best meal we've had on Kauai. Note: despite seafood on the menu, this is primarily a vegetarian restaurant. All entrees are available without the seafood.
(5)Louis S.
Great experience with friendly staff, creative fish dishes. We had the taro fritters, which were great, followed by the fresh Opah with a curry sauce. The portions were quite generous. We recommend the awesome white wine sangria, but it made us both sleepy, so be careful! 4 stars for the price to awesome ratio.
(4)Pete S.
I'm assuming the high reviews are coming from the vegan & vegetarian crowd. The local population has it figured out- every other place in town was full except here- for a reason. Our meal (appetizer platter, sorento, drinks, and chocolate lava cake) was less than mediocre- (if mediocre is equivalent to anything from frozen food section in the grocery store). Not to mention the exorbitant prices they charge for boxed spiral pasta ($26) and lava cake ($12)! I definately would not recommend. If that's what you are looking for stay home, open some canned vegetables, poor them on noodles, and save the $85! If that's the four star standard for vegan/veg, count me out.
(1)Tyson G.
Cute place in Hanelei. We actually originally started at Bouchons at a shopping area just down the street but the service, food and drink were less than desirable. So we yelped and found Postcards Cafe. The decor was cozy, service was attentive and food presentation and taste was good. Parking was sparse.
(4)Markus K.
Not bad - but not as good as bar acuda next door. Pasta is very good. Nice fresh fish. Good service.
(4)Davey K.
Really good food, really good service, about $25-$35 a plate. Just not happy that the menu at restraunt didn't match up with the online menu we viewed earlier today. The reservation for parties of four is pretty lame too. I really like how theres no chicken, beef or pork, just seafood and veg options.
(4)laura m.
The food, the service, and the casual friendly atmosphere are all well worth a visit to this treasure of a restaurant. Living in the bay area I'm used to good food, and Postcards delivers. I had the polenta cakes and the wasabi ahi both were AMAZING.
(5)G O.
Such a charming little place with really flavorful foods! Atmosphere was warm and inviting. Waitstaff were prompt, friendly,and personable. We had the chef's special, which was a mahi mahi served with a vegetable rice and grilled asparagus. I'd definitely come back if in the area.
(4)Kong T.
Really bad service. Even if the food was decent the poor service just kills it. Unfortunately, the food wasn't up to par to what anyone else raved about. I will give them this, the crab cakes were great!!! Both the salsa and raspberry chutney that came with them were great. Too bad this was the appetizer and it went downhill from there. Here are some other things I noted: 1. No bread. Everyone else got some, except our table. Maybe cause were Asian? If that was the case, bring us some rice. 2. Ahi over cooked. They asked how I wanted it, here is what I said, medium-rear, in fact, barely touch the fish on the grill. How did it come? Close to medium. It was cooked all the way through and no cold or uncooked sections. No pink, nothing. The fish had no flavor. If this was a "vegan" type place, then I know why I am not vegan. No need to mix in some salt, but when you over cook fish to begin with, the flavor of the fish is gone, you need to throw some seasoning on it. 3. No cleaning of tables. Send someone over with a towel please!!! Supposedly this is "fine" dining. Wipe off the water off the table. Worse, when desert came, they put the new utensil right on the table into the spilled water or drinks. I am not a clean freak, but it was kind of disgusting. 4. No thank-you or any politeness. I think I said thank-you or your welcome more than the staff. Nuff said. 5. Ice cream with the lava cake came hard as ice. Also, the cake wasn't all that. Lastly, I was forced to give it one star. If it was up to me, I would have given zero.
(1)Senator B.
My Mother and I joined them for dinner last night and the results were decidedly mixed. I get the sense that this establishment aspires to provide (and bill you for) a fine dining experience but, sadly, their execution leaves one feeling only like they just ate at a cafe. Food: 3.5. I had the Ono with mac nut butter, good but not great; my Mother the seafood pasta which was also nice but bland. Service: the receptionist, Robin?, was top notch... She was the high point. Our waitress, not so much. While very sweet, she forgot numerous items and repeatedly abandoned us for swaths of time reaching up to 15 minutes! (at one point, it got so bad, I had to get help from another server). Lastly, special mention of the napkins... They were of the thinnest paper, (think KFC)?! When I enquired why a place charging up to $30/plate would go so cheap on this amenity, I was told,"Oh!, can you believe it we ran out! Of all times, on Father's Day!" Actually, yes, I can....
(3)Ryan E.
Postcards Cafe is located in Hanalei on the north side of Kauai. If I remember correctly it's the first restaurant (converted house) on the left when driving in. Walking into the restaurant we received a very warm greeting and seated right away. The restaurant has a screened in lanai. It reminded me of Fried Green Tomatoes sort of a family/welcoming feeling. The appetizers were great especially the crab cakes, and the fish was very fresh. I would suggest trying something with their macadamia nut butter so delicious. I would recommend trying this restaurant if you are traveling to Kauai.
(4)Laura J.
This place was delicious! We enjoyed some excellent local fish and fantastic desserts. Yelp says it's not good for children but on a local's advice, we took our 8-month-old daughter there and it was no problem. There were other families with children there as well. We sat out of the deck which I highly recommend. The service was prompt, the atmosphere quaint and beautiful. Don't miss it!
(4)Michelle T.
We really enjoyed this place! This place was recommended by a friend of ours who's living in Kauai, so we stopped in for dinner during our visit to Kauai. First of all, we'd arrived straight from snorkeling, so although we had dried off, my hair was a mess. I figure that's probably par for the course in Hawaii. Anyway, it was maybe 20 min before opening time, but we asked if we could sit on the patio, order a beer, and wait. They said, "Sure!" and were really nice and friendly. We were off to a great start already, and we hadn't even eaten yet! The patio is really nice and relaxing. It's covered, so you don't get baked in the sun, but you can look out on the trees and plants while you enjoy your meal. For our first dinner there (yes, we returned on the last night of our trip since we enjoyed it so much!), we had: 1. bread and hummus, $2 Nice herb bread with yummy hummus. Great starter. 2. Postcards Platter (2 seafood rockets, 2 taro fritters, seared ahi, one crab cake, pineapple chutney, various sauces), $18 Seafood rocket (minced shrimp/fish/coconut with curry, wrapped in eggroll wrapper and deep fried, drizzled with sweet chili sauce) was very good! Taro fritter (polenta-crusted taro) was also quite good, as were the seared ahi and the crab cake. The pineapple chutney was interesting, but not outstanding, I think. Also, the other accompaniments were ok (shredded cabbage, oil-roasted cashews). 3. Porcini-crusted scallops with salad (baby greens, onions, mushrooms, cranberries, cashew-date dressing), $14 Four large scallops, very good! Salad had too much dressing and too many cranberries (too sweet) on it. 4. Lilikoi mousse, $7 Wow! Fluffy, light mousse with intense lilikoi flavor, great balance of tart and sweet. Drizzles of lilikoi sauce on top, delicious raspberry around the mousse, chunks of pineapple and a few grapes. We devoured this! For our second dinner: 1. bread and hummus, $2 Still good! 2. Striped marlin special, $30-something (I think)? Marlin with giant portobello mushroom The fish itself was excellent, but too much going on with lots of sauces on the fish, and too many seasonings/sauces on the mushroom. 3. Local color salad (organic greens, sprouts, pumpkin seeds $11) with grilled fish (add $12) Delicious and a good deal! You get a huge grilled fliet of fish (I chose opah), simply grilled without sauces or toppings (great this way because of the quality of the fish!). The salad is delicious too, and I loved the lilikoi vinaigrette (you can choose lilikoi or balsamic). 4. Coconut sorbet with lilikoi swirl, $7 Two scoops of delicious coconut sorbet with thin ribbons of lilikoi swirled inside, sitting on lilikoi sauce, surrounded by raspberry sauce, accompanied by fresh blueberries and melon balls. Really good! A great restaurant with friendly service, lovely patio, great food!
(4)Lisette R.
Postcards is a charming restaurant in a cute house in Hanalei. This fantastic restaurant has a great selection of gluten-free and vegetarian meals to suit a wide variety of diets. We tried the lobster tail and Ahi tuna - which were both completely fantastic. The lobster tail was in an asparagus puree that was utterly unique and the presentation was gorgeous. Service was very good and the selection and quality was the best we had during our stay on the north side of Kaua'i.
(4)S. I.
Postcard Café offers a perfect mix of everything we were looking for during our trip in Kauai, great ambiance, beautiful outdoor seating area overlooking the courtyard as well as the indoor space that feels like a place back in time, a great selection of wine, and most importantly, delicious food! We had the appetizer sampler plate, paella and seafood sorrento ... the piece de resistance, the desserts! The service was impeccable ... unlike other restaurants in Hanalei who haven't quite figured out that with high prices one must also deliver high standard of service. The hostess was absolutely delightful, and the wait staff was very attentive. We loved it so much we ended up going back twice during our 8 day stay, and each time we were met with the same wonderful service.
(5)Tricia D.
Delicious! We attended Postcards for my cousin's birthday and had a wonderful meal. The wasabi ahi was great - highly recommend. Served as requested and huge portion. We also had the lava chocolate cake which was delicious.
(5)Sam A.
Great news! If you are looking for that cafe that is pretentious and trys to be more than a local dive I have found it! Appetizers and drinks were the goal and we found a Cesar salad that tasted like the industry average minus croutons, as there were none. The sampler was middle of the road too. Bottom line: no regrets just no recommendations either. Milk toast.
(3)Jeannine R.
Great food and atmosphere. Blackened fish is recommended. Great service from Niki and the manager, Sarah was attentive, as well.
(5)Ellen S.
Ick. So disappointed in the yelp community! 4/5 stars for that was way off. Poor service and a hodge podge of food on a plate describes our experience tonight. And hardly a vegetarian's culinary hope. If you do go, don't have the lobster. It took almost 40 minutes for them to rubberized and over-sauce. And skip the coconut noodle dish - what it had in number of ingredients, it lacked in any seasoning or flavor. When I said I needed salt, the server brought out 3 sauces and said,"try these and maybe you'll find the right combination." Left with a lot less cash and promising to go back to Bar Acuda and the Lighthouse Bistro.
(1)Cory L.
Great ambiance as the sun was setting. Quaint with an island casual feel. We started with the Sampler and it was amazing. Highly recommend it. My wife is a vegetarian and the Sombrero, a mexican lasagna that offered a sizable portion and was satisfying, but not quite earth shattering. I had the fish special which was cooked nicely, not overdone, and chose garlic mashed as my side which was the right choice. Service was excellent, wine choices were plentiful, and overall we were very happy with our dinner. Buyer Beware, you can spend $100 here in a heartbeat but if you're not overly concerned it's a great spot for dinner.
(4)AL Y.
Good food, very good service. No additional comments from other reviewers
(4)E T.
This is our 3rd or 4th time visiting Postcards. Before returning to the Island when I made my list of restaurants to visit, this was on the maybe list. We have always liked the food, but there were some mixed reviews lately, so it wasn't a "must go back to" place for us. We tried another restaurant that was full, so we called ahead to see what the wait time was for Postcards, they had a table waiting for us. Great! We have 2 hungry kids so didn't want to wait! They have a kids menu (Yay!) and they have pasta on that menu (BONUS!). So far so good! We started with the The Pupu Platter, great sampler platter including a crab cake, taro fritters, seafood rockets and seared ahi...all were fantastic (the sauce & chutney, yum!)! Kids didn't partake, but more for us! I had the Wasabi Crusted Ahi, my husband had the fresh fish meal (forget what it was). His meal was very good, but I certainly had the star meal of the table! The crust and the amount of Wasabi was perfection! Any more would have been too spicy, any less, not enough spice. It was melt in your mouth perfect every bite! We also had the Chocolate Volcano Souffle which was wonderful and the kids did help us with that! Over all it was a great evening and we are sooo happy that we went here! We love the atmosphere too, like being in someone's home. Also, we asked for a wine pairing recommendation and our server was very honest to admit that she was a bit new so she was going to check with the kitchen to see what the chef recommended for pairing. Kudos to her for not trying to fake it and just recommend anything. Bonus point for her. A couple of notes, they don't have a liquor license so wine & beer only. Parking was pretty full, but we were able to park across the street (be careful crossing the road!) and they don't have any milk in the restaurant (relevant for kids). We recalled last time that we went to a grocery store near by to buy a bottle of milk for our son (back then we only served him milk!), now with child #2 and they are a little older (and we are a little more relaxed) let them have juice. Ha! They were happy.
(5)Sara R.
This is a definite must for those staying in Hanale'i or Princeville. The restaurant boasts a warm, casual environment, but don't feel uncomfortable wearing nice dinner attire. The food was incredible with the freshest of ingredients; this coupled with the attentive, friendly staff makes this a must.
(4)Jonathan L.
My wife and I went here for dinner on our vacation. We had a very nice meal. The service was excellent, I loved the food choices, we both enjoyed our dinners and dessert. I highly recommend the green salad with the goat cheese, it's simply fantastic. All in all, a very refreshing take on a meal, especially in light of north shore dining being a bit limited.
(4)Lenny G.
For the exception of the old fart that decided to yell at us because our group was too loud, we had a fabulous time. Food was great, service was even better and we even saw an appearance from Charo. She was personable and even did a farewell "cha, cha cha" for us! ;) Awesome place!
(4)Janet D.
Postcards Cafe is one of a few fine dining restaurants in the North Shore. It's best feature is its ambiance...whitewashed wood beam ceiling and walls, soft lighting, and outside dining on the front and back covered patios. Service was excellent...very friendly and prompt. If you're looking for a juicy steak, you're not going to find it here...they specialize in gourmet vegetarian and seafood dishes. My friend and I shared their house salad (with a lightly sweet and delicious lilikoi dressing) and the appetizer platter (with seared ahi, spring rolls, crab cakes, and taro patties). For dessert, we indulged in the lilikoi mousse...at the moment the spoon entered my mouth, I became passionate about lilikoi. Everything was very, very good...I'll definitely be back!
(4)Samantha T.
My boyfriend and I went here for dinner thinking it might be one of the better restaurants on the island. The menu made everything sound awesome, but it was far from it. First of all, their service was very uninviting. When we walked in I could hear a waitress at her side station complaining about how, "haoles with money think they can get anything they want," which I thought was funny since she looked pretty haole to me. I ignored it and instead tried to stay positive and focus on the quaint interior and ambiance of the restaurant, which was really one of it's only good points. The second star goes to the hostess, who seemed to be the only friendly person in the restaurant and gave us an option of where to sit. However, the rest of the staff, including our server, acted like they didn't want us there. Secondly, the food was subpar. If you go to the Taro Shack across the street you can get better food for a third of the price. We ordered two appetizers, the "Seafood Rockets" and a scallop dish I can't remember the name of. The rockets tasted like ground seafood stuffed into small fried egg roll wrappers. It was served with sweet and sour sauce, similar to the kind you get from Panda Express. The scallops were undercooked and had a similar sauce over it. For our entree we shared their special, which was sea bass served with a rice pilaf and veggie concoction. It tasted like a watered down Indian/Mexican fusion mess...and again the fish was undercooked. I think I have had better Lean Cuisine microwave dinners. Also, the sauces on everything had this artificially sweet taste to it. I typically like a mix of sweet and savory in my meals, but this was just sweet...and not the good kind of sweet. On top of that we ordered their white sangria, which we couldn't even finish because of the sugar overload. Overall, I think this place is way overrated. If you are looking for good food I would try Infigos in Princeville. Their service is pretty slow, but everyone there is friendly and the food is fantastic. Either that or Bouchons (where we had their sushi, which for the most part was pretty good). Aloha!
(2)Sarah P.
Delicious. Be sure to try the taro fritters.
(5)Milton S.
Great local organic produce. Order salad n sea bass. Over cooked Lobster n pasta
(3)D F.
Exceptional all around but their local color salad with their passionfruit based salad dressing and the goat cheese crustini was the best salad I have ever had. Great local food with fresh fish made for our nest dinner yet in Kauai!
(5)J K.
Ambiance is great and the dishes are pretty --- I think that's why people rate it a 4. The food is so-so at best. The curry we had a few nights back was terrible (worth of a 1), but he Taro Frtters and atmosphere make the place worthy of a 3.
(3)Alex G.
Solid four stars - friendly service, fresh fish, and tasty preparations. The positives included a terrific paella, with perfectly cooked seafood and rice; and a pink snapper with a light pineapple sage sauce (under, not over, the fish), served with black rice and three other veggie servings- wow! The wasabi crusted ahi tuna was tasty, but we ordered it medium rare and it came out much closer to well done - slightly disappointing. Taro fritters with pineapple chutney was crazy delicious, and the fresh baked bread and hummus was a solid choice. Wine list is fairly priced and well designed. Overall, a casual place with excellent food (really fresh fish) and polite service.
(4)Lisa Q.
Had the most amazing dinner at Postcards...portobello mushroom, fresh island green salad, taro fritters w/pineapple chutney and cashews, and homemade bread with macadamia but butter. It was divine...and very reasonable for a classy North Shore restaurant. Deserves a Michelin star.
(5)Fhk G.
I'm torn about this one: The service was impeccable! Our waiter's name was Jordan I believe and he was friendly, knowledgable and his timing was perfect. His joy of food was palpable! However, he should probably find a better place to live out that passion. Two salads as appetizers: Nothing remarkable there, solid but not great, definitely overpriced. Two fish dishes as entrees, one of which was the Chef's special ('specially bad) and what a disappointment! First, they arrived less than 10 minutes after we had ordered. Bad sign for grilled fish, which was grilled earlier that night and appeared reheated. To cover up the poor quality, the fish was smothered in sauce which actually spread all over the plate. To make things worse, the sauce totally overpowered everything else that was going on on the plate - it was too sweet! Also, do not order the white wine sangria! It tastes like stale seven up that's been left in the sun. After that we skipped desert and got the hell out! Needless to say, totally overpriced! I wouldn't eat there again if they paid me! Hanalei features such great restaurants that I am really surprised this place is still around. Tourists who don't know better I guess. Now, you know better. Thanks for reading and go to the Bar Acuda down the street or to The Tavern in Princeville.
(1)Julia J.
Been coming to Kauai now for 10 yrs. and Postcards is a must dine place for us. The food is always excellent - although I would probably pass on the dessert.
(4)Cav M.
Sadly, another one bites the dust. We live in the area and Postcards was our go-to for great food every time. The last time we went will be the last time we ever go. If MJ, the manager, had been in attendance that night, we feel certain we would not have left with the bitter taste in our mouths that we did... things run smoothly when she is present. My husband used to work in the kitchen there and was always so impressed at the owner's attention to detail, always buying the highest quality organic ingredients, no matter what the cost... so everything would be fresh and delicious. We wonder if maybe Postcards has been sold, as the past couple of times we went, things seemed a little off. We always like to share at Postcards. First, the crab cakes... then the house salad with goat cheese crostini (according to the menu, it has sprouts, which we haven't seen in a long time)... and then the fresh fish (Opah was always amazing). The past few times, the servers have brought the crab cakes first, and then the salad and the entree at the same time. Having worked in the restaurant business for years, my husband says that you are to always time the firing of the entree so it doesn't overlap with the salad... you want the guests to have time to enjoy their salad, and the entree hot when the guests are ready to eat it. We shouldn't have to train the wait staff, but apparently these days, it's all about high turnover of tables: get 'em in, get 'em fed, get 'em out. The time before last, when the waitress brought the salad and entree together, we told her we wanted time to enjoy our salad and then our entree. She was very apologetic and the kitchen re-fired our meal appropriately. This time, our waitress (a different girl altogether, who shares her name with a bird who shall remain nameless), brought our salad and entree together. If we had known ahead of time that she would do this too, we would have told her, but we didn't know we needed to. When we told her that we wanted salad first and then the entree, she said she could just put the fish back in the window until we were ready. What would be the point of that? Letting it get cold in the window where we can't even shoo flies off it while it chills? For dessert, we ordered our favorite Lilikoi mousse which was always served in a margarita glass on a saucer, garnished with crystallized lavender and mint. It was a heavenly nectar of the gods. This time, it was slung sloppily (not scooped) into a cup and garnished with a chopped up green grape on top... and no saucer, just the cup. It looked more like something an uncoordinated child might prepare to impress the adults, but it did not impress us (at least, not in a GOOD way). During the course of the evening, both my husband and I had 2 mineral waters. Once the bill arrived, it stated an elevated price (50 cents more per bottle than what the menu stated). When I asked the girl about it, she said she would go check. Upon returning, she stated that the price had gone up and we had gotten a menu that hadn't been changed. "Just know that NEXT time, you'll have to pay the higher price," she stated haughtily. What's with the unnecessary attitude? I don't mind paying what the menu says, but make sure your menu says what you'll be charging! I am not a big fan of the ol' bait-n-switch. Let's at least be honest and respectful of your guests! To paraphrase an old story from my childhood: "When it is good, it is very very good... and when it is bad, it is HORRID!" Aloha, Postcards! We will miss you!
(3)Iain T.
Took the girlfriend here for her 40th birthday and was very impressed. While many of the dished are veggie-based, fish is an option on most dishes. The starter of crab cakes was stupendously good and the fish of the day was fresh and tasty. To finish we shared a passionfruit mousse that was nothing short of divine, and it came with a candle which was a lovely touch on the GF's birthday. This is superb cooking , with a lot of attention to detail (the wasabi snake, dotted with seeds, was a beautiful touch with the seared tuna). The staff are friendly and service is quick. We got there around 7pm and had no problems getting a table outside (but behind a screen - mossies here are a killer). So, after all this praise, why only four stars I hear you ask? Well, it's down to the one sour note of the evening. My main course dish was $25, or $20 for the vegetarian option sans prawns. The plate came with two (admittedly fat and juicy) prawns, and charging an extra $5 for that seemed a little steep. Nevertheless I would highly recommend the restaurant as the place to eat in town if the budget isn't too tight.
(4)Joel C.
Found this restaurant through our guide book and had a great experience. Great atmosphere - we sat on the porch with gas lanterns nearby and christmas lights. We were served amazing warm and gooey bread with homemade hummus for only $2. I had the mong chong fish with macadamia nut butter - it was flaky and delicious with creamy, rich mashed potatoes. My wife had the goat cheese salad and taro fritters. Though the chutney was a bit sweet for our taste, the fritters were fried to perfection and otherwise very tasty. We didn't have room for dessert. Service was quick and very friendly. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Linda L.
it is good.
(3)Karen C.
Appealing location and decor. Many rave reviews, but not this one. Their known for their fish (they were out of everything on the menu) and had a chef's special. But it was mediocre at best. Very disappointing.
(2)Mr C.
I was really surprised after reading some of the bad reviews on this place. We had an outstanding meal here with exceptional service. We sat outside on the patio, where it had a very romantic feel and were able to take in the warm tropical air. We both had fish. The Ono and the Ahi were simply amazing. Our waitress recommended these two items and she was right on the money. For dessert we shared the pineapple upside down cake with coconut ice cream. I would go back just for this dessert!
(5)Pinguino K.
Postcards was awesome. It's a cute restaurant with great food, but is very expensive for what you get. I got the mong chong fish. It was really tasty. My boyfriend got the paella and I kept stealing bits of it cuz it was so good! The place accommodated our large group very well, and the wait staff were super friendly and gave us tips on places to check out. Lava cake was good but tiny. The cat outside was very cute and friendly.
(4)