4. Restaurants

Mermaids Cafe

1384 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI, 96746
  • (808) 821-2026
  • Store is closed

Mermaids Cafe Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Visit below restaurant in Kapaa for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 4-1105 Kuhio Hwy,Ste E20 )

Visit below restaurant in Kapaa for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 4-1105 Kuhio Hwy,Ste E20 )

  • Kate M.

    Perfection. Loved the ahi cilantro wrap and fish tacos. Price is excellent- you get a lot of high quality food (think lots of fresh fish and healthy sides of greens with entrees) for about $12 a plate. This was one our favorite places we dined at- and we ate at a lot of fancy restaurants! Casual, beachy environment. We sat at one of the picnic tables out front, with great people watching as it is in the adorable town of Kapaa. We really enjoyed eating here after a kayak up the wailua river. This is a must if you are in the area!

    (5)

  • Marika K.

    Small hole in the wall.. Friendly enough service and really really yummy food. Got the chicken tacos... Filling but doesnt make you feel super full and bloated. Came here twice...second time they were out of their special aloha sauce and black beans. Disappointing but seems like a lot of these smaller places run out of things from time to time. Cant get super mad because they are so small and just seems to be quite common.

    (5)

  • Christina M.

    This place is probably the best option if you are vegan in Kauai. I had a few different dishes (see photos) that were quite good, and the ambiance was great. However, while the milk tea can be made vegan, I did not care for it at all. I will be back next time I am in the area.

    (5)

  • Ian L.

    First time trying this place and was pleasantly surprised! I had the tropical tacos (ahi) and it was awesome. They have a friendly staff and we will be back again for sure.

    (5)

  • Kara P.

    Don't trip... This is easily one of the best places on the island... I will quickly attain the status of "regular"...

    (5)

  • Blanca D.

    amazing food, amazing place and amazing people!!!! 100% recommended!!! Good sandwiches, tacos, veggie food! A lot of different Drinks and now breakfast too!!! So good!

    (5)

  • Leah S.

    Mermaids was the very first food, actually the very first stop that we made in Kauai once we landed in Lihue. They were located at a convenient stop near our first hotel, and had parking at the time right outside. The cafe itself is closer to a shack than a restaurant, but what they lack in square footage, they make up for in quality many times over. We were one of maybe four other couples dining there when we arrived, and were the only ones waiting to order. The team behind the counter were two wonderfully friendly ladies who both took orders, served, cooked, and cleared. On our first visit, I ordered the Ahi Nori wrap, but they were out of Ahi at the time, so they substituted Ono (wahoo), which made me sad until I tasted it and it was AMAZING. Darling man ordered the Sesame Noodles, and we split a Coconut Milk Thai tea. My Nori wrap was a beautiful seaweed nori, spread with brown rice, avocado, cucumber, Ono, and wasabi sauce, all wrapped in a spinach tortilla. This came with a side of pickled ginger, but I was so engrossed in the delight I was savoring with each bite, I wholly forgot about the ginger. The Thai tea was creamy, strong, and just a touch sweet, and a perfect pairing for the spicy wrap. Sesame noodles, though very generously portioned, were to me a little on the boring side. Darling man enjoyed the noodles, took the rest to the hotel, and had leftovers enough for a few snacks. On my last day in Kauai, I though it poetic to return to Mermaids for one last hauntingly delicious wrap in hopes for it to come this time with ahi, and I was in luck. I had the wasabi nori wrap with ahi this time, and it was just as good as the tender Ono, if not better. This was absolutely one of my top ten favorite foods on the whole island, and we definitely ate our way through most of Kauai. Mermaids brings island flair with a multicultural approach, blending ingredients and flavors as diverse and delicious as Kauai itself. This cafe isn't just good in comparison to the rest of the island, or even compared to the rest of Hawaii, but I could see it thriving in other places and holding its own in virtually any popular California coastal town. Delicious, and I will absolutely return when I come back to Kauai, because Mermaids is not to be missed.

    (5)

  • Rachel C.

    Healthy, filling, and local. This is exactly what I needed after eating salty, heavy foods for a week. SERVICE I went when there were two tiny girls running the register AND acting as cooks. So cute! They were super nice and patient with us. When we first got there around 1:30, they had run out of ahi and told us to come back around 3. I guess they get it ready again for the dinner rush? The line is kinda long for such a small store (which is always a good sign) and each customer doesn't get helped immediately cause there are two people running the kitchen and register at the same time. This was OK cause it was fun to watch. :) FOOD I got the Ahi Nori Wrap - which is the local favorite here. It's filled with brown rice, seared ahi, cucumbers, and sauce. It's wrapped with seaweed and spinach wrap. It tastes pretty similar to sushi, except in wrap form. If you order to eat there, they give you ginger! And you can use their hot sauces. This was really good and definitely met my expectations, but I could've done with less wasabi and more raw fish. The fish was too well done, unfortunately. I also ordered the Thai iced tea with coconut milk - soooo good! I can't believe I've never had this in LA. More restaurants need to do this. Would definitely come back if I'm ever back in Kauai, but I would ask for the fish to be extra raw.

    (4)

  • John H.

    The Mermaids are great! My wife and I ate here many times during our Kauai vacation and the food quality and preparation was always top notch. If there is a custom way you want breakfast, lunch or dinner they will accommodate. Broccoli and Portuguese sausage with hash browns? - no problem! Meals take around 20 minutes to prepare, but it is worth the wait. Trying to stay as true to the Paleo diet as possible, this is one of the few places we found on Kauai that help us do that, with a variety of veggies and meats that leave us satisfied. Seating is all outdoor or in the little covered area near the kitchen. There are colorful and sexy mermaid murals on the walls inside the kitchen and outside on the walls. The happy vibe of the place makes it a fun place to hang out and fuel up. Aloha!

    (5)

  • Tempie J.

    Everything they do here is made from fresh ingredients and while you wait. It's always crowed but worth the wait! I feel good after I eat here! Get the #1 fresh fish, brown rice, cucumbers and wasabi in a spinach wrap. I have to try this when I get home! Yummy.

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    One of the best places to stop in and get a quick bite for breakfast or lunch on your way to the Na Pali coast.

    (5)

  • Ariana M.

    I love Mermaids Cafe almost as much as I love its next door neighbor, Java Kai. A visit to Kauai just wouldn't be complete without eating here. The laid-back island attitude at Mermaids reminds me I'm no longer on the Mainland. And the food...definitely island delicious! I think of the ahi nori wrap as one super-sized sushi roll dressed in a spinach wrap. The wasabi cream sauce on it will cure any possible nasal congestion. Then again, my penchant for spicy is near non-existent. So judge for yourself. Oh, I should also mention the wraps are huge! Your best off either splitting it with your favorite dining partner or saving half for another meal, unless you're like me and can't resist its scrumptiousness. Time for another run along the coast?? You betcha.

    (5)

  • Justin S.

    Ahi nori wrap - I can see why this is famous! Fresh fish, crisp cucumbers, nice wasabi zing and brown rice. Very ono. Not sure why this place is lower rated than Tiki Tacos. Enjoyed my meal here much more.

    (5)

  • Shruti J.

    Amazing Tacos except the waitress was was really grumpy and seemed angry at the universe!!! Go there for the their speciality tacos!

    (5)

  • Antaash U.

    Totally unassuming, low key cafe. I understand why it can be difficult to get seating here, because it is extremely limited. My friend and I were lucky to stop by at a time that wasn't busy at all. When you get to Mermaids, you go up to the window and patiently wait for someone to take your order. Once you do that, your meal will be cooked to order, which is awesome. Mermaids is known for their fresh fish and plethora of vegetarian options, which is spot on. The Ahi Cilantro wrap was flavorful and really, really, really delicious. The portions here are also really large, so you do get a bang for your buck if you've come with an appetite or feel free to share with a friend. After eating here, it makes sense why so many people have raved about Mermaids and claim that it is a must visit if you're driving through or near Kapaa.

    (4)

  • Danielle M.

    On our way to the airport after a week in Kauai, we drove past this tiny gem and turned around to give it a shot. Boy am I glad we did! From the first impression, my husband was a little unsure what to make of it. Only outdoor seating, menu precariously perched, half naked mermaids painted on the walls. I was hopeful. Two ladies running the place, Kylee and Maria welcomed us with smiles and suggestions. Off to a great start! I ordered the chicken tacos, my husband had the Nori wrap (#1) and my son had the bean burrito. We also ordered a fresh lemonade. The food comes out on paper plates, which is great when you have kids! Every single thing was incredibly tasty! The chicken was tender and seasoned perfect. My son (celebrating his 5th birthday) devoured his spinach tortilla wrapped burrito in about 3 minutes flat. We ordered him a guava flow as his "birthday dessert" and started to sing happy birthday and Maria and Kylee chimed right in! He wasn't a fan of the guava flow, so Kylee quickly switched it out for some orange juice that was the freshest I have ever tasted. I just can't say enough about the friendly staff, excellent food, and reasonable prices. We dined at many places on the island, and Mermaids Cafe will be the first place I stop on my next visit.

    (5)

  • Natalie S.

    It's a cute little walk up restaurant with outdoor seating. We ordered the satay burrito and while description on the menu sounded amazing, I found the flavor very light and a bit lacking. If they could amp up the flavored a few notches, this place would be five stars in my book.

    (3)

  • mookie b.

    Somebody that works Here woke up on the wrong side of the mattress with their thong panties in a wad. After the initial attitude problem there was another attitude problem ... But I ain't sweatin the bad vibes. Food is ok .good menu

    (3)

  • Sammie B.

    Delicious ahi nori wrap. Inside is seared ahi, brown rice, cucumber slices and wasabi cream. The thing that makes this wrap so good is the wasabi cream! I knocked off one star because I would like less rice and more ahi!

    (4)

  • Eric N.

    I ordered the obvious ahi nori wrap and it was delicious! Never thought I looked that much wasabi flavor but it really matched well with the ahi and rice. Be careful, you might bite into too much wasabi towards the end and you'll know what happens next. My wife preferred the stir fry noodles. This was a very healthy and light dish. Again the portion is huge so bring your appetite or take leftovers home. Compared to other meals we had on Kauai, this was one of the best... Although this is no accolade since food here is average at best. Island is beautiful but food is okay.

    (4)

  • Angela A.

    I ordered the ahi nori wrap, which was very delicious. Each bite had flavor, and was a very large portion. It's even made with brown rice, which is sometimes hard to make taste good (lol). Island tacos were.. Meh. We had tacos from "island taco" on the west side which were bomb so our expectations were high. They were good, but not as good as the tacos at "island taco" The coconut Thai tea- different taste but very good. Has the flavor of Thai tea, with the coconut flavor not being too powerful. Not too sweet either. Only complaint and why it's 4 stars: too expensive!

    (4)

  • Dan K.

    We have been on Kaua'i for 5 days and have eaten breakfast , lunch and dinner here. The food is just amazing! Sad we are leaving tomorrow and today was the last chance to eat here! Staff is great, atmosphere is just chill and the food is the best we had in Kapa'a!! Had the kapa'a tacos, she had the Ahi Nori wrap and today the tropical tacos! The breakfast was amazing too. We had the Mermuffin and the Breakfast Burrito! If you are here even for just the day, it's a must stop and eat. You won't be disappointed!!!

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    Boyfriend picked this place out based on yelp reviews and when we saw an old friend had given a yelp tip on it, that sealed the deal. Great ambiance. We sat in their little "lounge" area while waiting and watched the girls in the kitchen making our food, kind of mesmerizing. The aromas wafting from this place are to die for, I'd love it if my house could smell that way all the time! But oddly my tofu coconut curry seemed to lack a bit of punch/flavor (maybe my tasters were off...) Still very good, and very big portions. In Hawaii, for the price you pay for food, I love when you get more than one meal out of your dish! If I were a local I'd eat here regularly.

    (4)

  • Geoff And Jenni G.

    This is a very casual environment, but the food is amazing... we found a lot of locals eat here, which is always a good sign. We ate here twice during our stay and both times the food was excellent... they offer veggie/vegan options as well as fish... The portions are enormous, so you could easily share a dish if you weren't starving! They have no liquor license, so make sure you bring your own... This was our favorite food on Kauai and we have no hesitation recommending.

    (5)

  • Destiny G.

    Really good food, very healthy and fresh. The hibiscus ice tea is delicious as well as the peanut satay wrap. The person who took our order wasn't friendly, but the other lady was nice. Service could be a little better so that's why I am giving 4 stars instead of 5.

    (4)

  • Kip F.

    It's a little hole in the wall, right on the main drag in Ka'paa, with children sized picnic table and benches for sitting right outside the ordering window, which was recommended by our guide book. We walked up with no one else there to order from two very laid back women, who were in no hurry to stop their chat to take our order, but the order was deliciously prepared. The menu on the wall had 14 choices, 11 of which looked very enticing. My spouse had the Tropical Tacos, two tacos of ahi cubes in a spicy tropical sauce, black beans and cheese and some lettuce and rice on the side ($12.95), all of which he enjoyed. I tried his ahi cubes, and they were nicely prepared, tho the spiciness sort of took away the tropical flavor. He also had the fresh lemonade which was very nicely tart. I ordered the Peanut Satay bowl ($13.95) with numerous steamed cooked veggies, ahi cubes, two scoops of brown rice, and a delicious peanut sauce. This entrée was big enough that I ended up taking it home and had enough food left for two more meals. I also had the Hibiscus Lemonade which tasted faintly of hibiscus and was otherwise bland, so I would stick with their fresh lemonade if you order a drink there. The drinks were slightly overpriced for the size ($3.50 for 12 ounces) considering how inexpensive the dishes were. The temperature of the food was very hot and stayed that way throughout our meal. As it was still hot and humid outside where we were eating, I recommend taking it home to eat in A/C comfort.

    (4)

  • Jules F.

    It's pretty good food, for what it is. The paintings of the mermaids are neat. There's a lot of local ingredients and the food is usually good, but with different cooks it's a bit hit or miss. I often go for the coconut curry (the only gluten free option) and it's a stand out for everything else there, which I have only tasted. The service varies with the person on duty, as well. It can often seem like forever to get your order, even when there's nobody in line. The little picnic benches are okay, sometimes clean and they are functional. I bumped this place from 3 to 4 stars because there's sometimes local produce you can buy, as well. Avocados, lemons, etc. But I will probably be back because there aren't many options around, and because other people will want to go.

    (4)

  • Brandon P.

    Love the tropical fish tacos!!!!!! So good, their black beans are just ok, being married to a Latina I know what I'm talking about :)(plus being a surfer from LA helps) . A lot of the local spots try to infuse mexican food, but stick to what makes you unique, Tropical Fish!!!! Oh the salad was tasty, sweet and spicy! I never had anything like that before. We really enjoyed Mermaids Cafe.

    (5)

  • Krissie B.

    Ordered the much-recommended nori wrap and was overwhelmed by wasabi; it basically overpowered all the other flavors. I'd order it again but ask for easy wasabi next time. The brown rice was also a bit over cooked. Lots of interesting stuff on the menu to try at a later date.

    (3)

  • James S.

    This place is the bomb Nori wraps are excellent. I like local places some times they are out of certain veggies that way you always know it's fresh. Highly recommend this place last time we were here it was just luck and dinner now they are open for some good breakfest

    (5)

  • David W.

    Sweet baby Jesus; the ahi nori wrap is heavenly. Unbelievably delicious; the wasabi cream is breath taking.

    (5)

  • Ellie B.

    Mermaids is a really cute spot. I tried the fish tacos and my husband got the peanut satay. I think both could have used a good punch up in the flavor department but it all was healthy and decent. Prices are good and the service was friendly and fast.

    (4)

  • Margaret K.

    OMG! What a great place this is! Me and by BF was visiting Kauai for the first time.. Our time share was really close to this tiny gem! We almost missed it driving by, though we walked by when we were in town and didn't even think twice to check it out until I ran into a local person who recommended! Honestly best advise ever!! First day I ate the Ahi Nori Wrap!! The bomb.. Very flavorful and if you like that wasabi kick this is for u!! My BF had the Kapa'a taco, chicken season perfectly and the black bean.. Speechless good with sprinkle of cheese on top! This tiny gem had open kitchen concept so you can view how they are prepping your food you are about to put it to your tummy! Next day we had to go back and try their breakfast.. On our last night we went back for late lunch.. OMG the best food (taco, wrap) in town! I was sad that I wasn't able to try their salad and bowl! Next time.. Reason to come back to Kauai!'

    (5)

  • Reed N.

    Cool little kitchen pumping reggae music and ahi tacos. Plenty of cilantro in a delicious sauce a browned/toasted flour tortillas were loaded up with that and cubes of tasty ahi. Good stuff.

    (4)

  • J F.

    I guess to each their own, as my husband liked his curry. I found the curry to be totally flat and bland, the curry alone tasted like dirt. The chicken in it was cooked well though, as were the veggies. The sauce killed it though. Such a bummer.

    (3)

  • Llima B.

    First place we went to in Kauai. Small with not many seats. The 2 girls inside were friendly and helpful. I had the ahi nori wrap which was good but had a bit too much wasabi for my taste. The last 2 bites of each side were almost inedible because of it. Hubby had the cilantro ahi wrap which he didn't feel had much cilantro. My friend had the keiki wrap which was basically rice, beans and cheese. Last friend had the tropical tacos which she said tasted like fresh poke. The fresh teas were delicious BUT they had no ice so we had to drink them hot which did not help when you're sweating your butt off. Might give it another chance before I leave but I'm not going to go out of my way.

    (3)

  • Ben S.

    After so much hype and rave reviews from locals and fellow tourists alike, I was thoroughly disappointed by the food here at Mermaid's. First off, they ran out of chicken and only had Ahi for meat on a Thursday lunch period. So the only thing we really could order were the Ahi (Nori) wraps. Seared or Medium they ask. The rice and tortilla wrap really dominated the wrap. It made the Ahi almost an afterthought.As I tried the piece of ahi by itself, it really did get treated as an afterthought. Just a bland flavor that didn't taste anything like fresh fish. Overall, I was displeased with the lack of care for the mighty Ahi and carb to meat ratio on my wrap. What I will compliment though, is that cucumber filling and that wasabi aioli. For a lot of people, that wasabi will be overpowering, but I felt like it add another cool v. hot dimension to the wrap. Plus on that. On another note, the hibiscus lemonade just tasted like watered-down hibiscus water. VERY disappointed. I unfortunately couldn't try anything else, because my party just went next door and got sandwiches, but from what I ordered and gave the benefit-of-a-doubt to, I was just mehh about it all.

    (2)

  • Nic J.

    After working up an appetite hanging out in the sun at the beach all day we decided to eat here to satisfy said appetite. We ordered the ahi cilantro wrap and the tacos, thought both were pretty good, but... The warp was tiny and was about $13. I could have eaten three of these wraps. It's Hawaii so you expect to pay more but I'm not a fan of leaving a restaurant hungry, that's just ridiculous/preposterous. We had to go next door to get more food. Food was fresh and tasted good though.

    (3)

  • Joe R.

    This is where the locals eat. Everyone we come to Kauai we eat here. Wife and I personal favorite is the ahi cilantro wrap.

    (5)

  • Timothy K.

    Affordable Nice Setting Great Food!! Great Tacos!!! Friendly Staff Great price for Value!!

    (5)

  • Tim K.

    On my return trip to this island, this was the first place I wanted to eat. So awesome.

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    We ate at this restaurant this last visit to Kauai and we had eaten here ten years back or so when we first visited the island. The ambiance is fun and the food is pretty good. It used to be very reasonably priced, but it has increased in expense along with its popularity. Loved the wraps and the salad. Had wonderful tea as well. Outside - fun - and very hip with a lot of young folks, many locals, there.

    (4)

  • Hungry G.

    Disappointment! We were on vacation in Kauai & decided to stop here for lunch. The hours are 9am-9pm. We went around 3pm & the worker popped her head out & said, "we are out of chicken & ahi, all we have is tofu." What??? At 3pm?? That's not good business. Sooooooo, we waited a couple of days & went back because it looked so good & worth it. Well, guess what?! When we walked up, there was a hand written sign on a paper plate that said, "CLOSED, sorry for the inconvenience". What??? I don't understand how a business can stay in business this way!!!!!!!! Ugh :(

    (1)

  • Dax S.

    Love the focaccia chicken sandwich! The prices are very reasonable for the area. Good vibe, great food!

    (4)

  • Tarheelfoodmonste R.

    Really enjoyed this lunch. The Ahi nori wrap was as good as promised. Good balance of flavors and a filling, healthy meal. The hibiscus lemonade was also nice. I have not tried anything else here.

    (5)

  • Krissy M.

    The food was not BAD, but it definitely was not GOOD. Certainly not worth the 4 star rating it has. There was a very long wait for our food, however, the staff was very nice. I got the coconut curry with chicken and all I have to say about it is "meh"...the sauce was bland, there were too many veggies (tho the veggies were cooked well), and both my husband and I only received about 7 small chunks of chicken in a very large dish. Overall, it's not worth the money or the long waits.

    (2)

  • Denis D.

    Nice sidewalk cafe. No indoor seating, just two tables on the sidewalk. A small operation, but with good food and friedly service. Sesame noodles were good. Coconut curry very good. Chose this place over all others in town and wasn't disapponted.

    (4)

  • Anita L.

    #NAME?

    (5)

  • Wayne S.

    Nouveau-soul food??? Delightful roadside snack shack offering healthy and wholesome meals with a local flair. Great selection of healthy teas. Fresh, organic ingredients. Come hungry, leave nourished. Delightful murals to muse over while you munch. Love this place.

    (4)

  • No S.

    great food at a casual, laid-back cafe with friendly staff. menu offers a good variety of vegetarian/vegan options, although our favorite was the ahi nori wrap. wrap and taco choices were all quite tasty! not fancy, but good food prepared to order, and a nice departure from typical tourist fare. definitely worth a stop in Kapa'a!

    (5)

  • Grace H.

    We were attracted by the colorful mural of the cafe in the morning when we drove by. Decided to drop in for lunch for a light salad - as stated in the menu. There was no salad. So we both ordered an Ahi Tuna Nori Wrap, I must say, it is a large wrap. The tuna is a bit blend and most of the wrap is made up of rice rather than tuna. The Thai Tea with Coconut milk did not materialize either, because they have no coconut milk. To top it off, we paid for it and it was not until we inquire that the refund was made. There is a couple of bench where you can sit by the stand, water is free. Other people's tacos looks good, but I had not tried it. To give it a 3 stars on my experience is stretching it a little already.

    (3)

  • Beth I.

    Seared. Ahi. Nori. Wrap. That's the thing to get at this Kauai gem! A generous serving of fresh seared ahi with brown rice and topped off with a wasabi mayo aioli in a spinach tortilla. Mermaids has got it going on with this item! There are also a handful of other stellar items on their menu, but if you've got to pick one...then ahi wrap it is. Do it.

    (5)

  • Veggie B.

    Several vegan options at this spot. We tried two dishes and they were both a solid B+. The prices are a little on the high side but it seems like everything in Kauai is a bit more expensive. Very generous portions. We will be back this week!

    (4)

  • Jet T.

    Maybe it was an off day, but came on a Saturday afternoon. Small crowd. Ordered the ahi salad and tropical tacos. Waited 20 minutes to see people that ordered after me get their food. Ask what's up, they said my ticket got mistakenly placed in the served pile. Was told I'm up next. Ok no prob, mistakes happen. Wait another 10 min, see more people get their food. Ask again... Cook runs in to back and never returns. Cashier confused. Ask for water. No more water. Another 10 min go by, nothing. Finally ask a 3rd time. Was told they ran out of oil. Can't grill the ahi. Can't make tacos. Ask if there are anything else they can make. Out of chicken too. Wait some more then cashier tells us they'll have to give refunds. 40 min since I ordered and nothing. The same items for customers after us were made and served. At least they didn't charge us for the 3$ 8oz lemonades. There's a sign above the order window that says they'll charge 10$ extra if they have to put up with you. How ironic. Edit. Just realized they open at 12. My order was placed at 12:28. To not have water, oil and chicken just 30 minutes after opening is ridiculous.

    (1)

  • Kristen A.

    Order the Ahi Nori Wrap! (I had to ask...Nori is seaweed). We went back twice to this stand for it. Comes with brown rice, spinach tortilla, cucumbers, and a pretty strong wasabi aioli (if you can't handle spicy, you might want to request they go easy on the wasabi). As with most places in Kauai, they do not have hours posted - they tend to open around 11:30 AM. They do run out of ahi occasionally, as it is fresh, so arrive promptly if possible.

    (4)

  • David D.

    Food was good people were nice. I had a couple of health concerns. A kitchen assistant after cutting herself on a blowfish continued to serve and prep food without medical aid. It took near 30 minutes to get our food, which did not look complicated to prepare. This seemed a little ridiculous as there were only two customers. Nevertheless less it was a friendly atmosphere with well priced and flavorful food.

    (3)

  • R K.

    Went to this restaurant for dinner since it's open till 9pm and according to reviews, their Ahi is good. We wanted to be some what healthy that evening. We got there around 8pm and were told they are out of Ahi. Ok, fine, we were too lazy to search for another place. I just ordered garden salad. She asked if I want Tofu or chicken on it. I just ordered Tofu. Then, later I realized she charged same price of $13 as Ahi for Tofu. Nowhere on the menu, it says they charge for Tofu. Just says extra $4 for chicken and Ahi. So I paid $4 extra for Tofu, fine. I was still ok with it... I get it for to-go and I bring it back to the hotel to eat it. I open the foil that was over the plate. Then I see this fly walking all over my salad. It was almost buried in pile of tofu. I don't know how long it's been walking all over my salad under the foil so I just had to toss it.... Very disappointing experience....

    (2)

  • Oscar R.

    The food was drop dead delicious! The Kapaa tacos were the highlight of my day, packed with so much flavor. The two wonderful ladies working behind the counter were so nice and looked like they were having a great time with their job. I'm definitely coming back here the next time I stop by Kapaa!

    (5)

  • Jim R.

    A tiny food stand selling hippie dippie good for you food -gluten free, no GMO etc.- like many spots in Kauai, your food comes with a social agenda. The place itself is wedged into a small alley like space and you order at a little window. The entire staff consisted of a person to cook and a person to take the order. We stopped by around noon on a weekday and ordered 2 focaccia sandwiches with chicken (nice toasty bread and a creamy garlic sauce) and some tacos (soft shell with fish and sauce) as there were 5 in our group. There were out of tortillas so wraps weren't an option but they sounded interesting too. It took nearly 40 minutes to get the food as there were 2-3 orders ahead of us. Luckily we scored a spot on one of the two picnic tables set up out front. For drinks we all ordered the fresh squeezed lemonade which was fantastic. If you are looking for a healthy, save the earth lunch and are not in a rush, give the a try. You can find some parking in the back too.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    Ahi Nori Wrap was excellent. Everyone in our group enjoyed lunch as the locals do. Friendly service. A must for traveling up the east coast.

    (5)

  • Linda B.

    Cute place. The ahi fish wrap was delicious. Mike had the chicken tacos. They give you enough for two people! Outside seating only.

    (4)

  • Kathryn P.

    I was sooo disappointed by the service. I used to love this place, well at least just the ahi nori wrap. My husband and I are from Seattle and drove all the way to kapaa from poipu to go to mermaids. We got there at 10 and they weren't open yet, so we went further north to kill time, came back around 3:30 and the girl working behind the counter told us they were "closed for a shift change" and that she was just making food for herself before She left..... We explained how we came all the way twice today and she still didnt help us. Who closes for a shift change? And what kind of place denies the customer when the open sign is still on and it's the middle of the day. I'm so mad.i hope her boss reads this.

    (1)

  • Christo R.

    Expensive-food-tube. Staff was nice.

    (3)

  • Jennifer H.

    We ate at Mermaids on a rainy day and sat at the counter between the buildings (a good spot to hide from the rain). We had an ahi tuna wrap 13.99ish (**4 stars**) the wrap was good, but we were spoiled by Kilauea Fish Market. The service was very good here though (***5 stars**). A good stop for a local staple!

    (4)

  • Jane M.

    It's a smelly, flavorless establishment. As a large group of six we all ordered different dishes and the salad was the only good one but let's be real you can't mess that up. The two stars are for the two very nice girls working there and the great artwork.

    (2)

  • Connie K.

    ... You could easily walk by and miss this place. We got the chicken tacos and fish tacos and split them (one of each for both of us).. Not bad.. I can't say it was my favorite thing to eat in Kauai, it was just different for us.. Really enjoyed the organic black beans and that the fish didn't taste like fish (whew!)

    (4)

  • Laura S.

    I finally got here the last day of my vacation and I'm super glad I did! I was craving thai food and their coconut curry is incredible. They cook it on a stove right in front of you. It was so fresh and delicious. Service was great and the food was amazing. I will definitely go back next time I visit.

    (5)

  • Sean L.

    This place is bombbbbb! Me and my girlfriend just landed and got into town. She had a few places that she wanted to check out. This was one of them. As we drove past mermaids cafe, this place was pretty packed. We drove to far past our hotel, so as we turned around we stopped for lunch. We were starving. Definitely a local spot as I watched the helpful chef talk with a couple of locals about their day and what they wanted. The chef helped us out and made our meal before we paid. Awesome dude. Laid back employees that were very nice and helpful. Seriously cant go wrong with most of their items on the menu. I got the black bean burrito with ahi and my gf got the kapa'a tacos. They were so good!! The wrap looked amazing too. I would suggest this place to anyone and everyone. Their drinks are also made there as well. Get the hibiscus lemonade!

    (5)

  • Nishad J.

    Mermaid's cafe can make things vegetarian with tofu and vegetables instead of meat but unfortunately we went on a day they ran out of tofu and peanut satay. I got the Tofu Noodle Plate except without the tofu ("extra vegetables" as a concession) since they were out. It was okay, but I suggest waiting until they have all the ingredients to go if you're a vegetarian like me. The $14.95 dish just wasn't filling enough without the tofu!

    (3)

  • Joseph A.

    Ahi nori wrap. It's the bomb. Parking is sometimes hard to find because of all the tourists in the area. Also has a reaaaaalllyyyyy long wait to order food. So it might be best to call in. It could take up to half an hour just to order. But well worth it. Wish it wasn't so busy all the time..

    (4)

  • M A.

    This place was great. It's made to order, so not fast because there is one cook in a tiny kitchen. But the food was great. Got the noodles dish and split with husband, portions generous. No hesitation, will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Tossama C.

    We came here on our way back from spending the day in Hanalei Bay. We ordered the cilantro ahi wrap and tropical tacos which were both delicious but deducted one star due to its portion size. We were still hungry after eating there we had to go next door and eat more.

    (4)

  • Aliya W.

    Good beach food in a very relaxed outdoor atmosphere. Had the tofu peanut satay wrap and Thai iced tea with coconut milk. They are very coconut-heavy in flavor, which is not for all, but we enjoyed it. Nice staff, quick service.

    (4)

  • George M.

    The food is good but the sanitary conditions of the kitchen are suspect. The cook did not seem the most sanitary either, but was nice enough to ask if everything was good with our order, and it was.

    (3)

  • Robert C.

    I had 2 very good dinners at Mermaids. The Coconut Curry and the Black Bean Burrito were very tasty, fresh and well done. The second time I went the service was not super friendly and the local girl working there was cranking gangsta rap with the "N" word be said over and over in the rap song. I thought that was really in bad taste for an nice establishment serving food. And there was no effort to turn the music down as I approached to order. I lived in the islands previously and remember similar bad service often from bad attitude locals. I also has a similar bad experience with service in Waikiki the other day at a restaurant with some totally stoned out of their mind rude locals who ignored me and other customers and cranked thug music. I think this is just par for the course on the islands in terms of service though unfortunately.

    (4)

  • Joyce L.

    On our last night in Kauai before heading to the airport, we wanted to grab something quick that we can eat at the hotel so we stopped at Mermaids Cafe. They ran out of quite a few things like Cilantro and Chicken but we were able to order their Ahi Nori Wrap and the Black Bean Burrito with Ahi. The Ahi Nori Wrap is what gave this place its four star rating. The wasabi sauce made this wrap different in a great way! However, it is a strong flavor so if you dislike wasabi, don't order it. The Black Bean Burrito was standard and nothing too special in my opinion. I would probably come back for the Ahi Nori Wrap though if I come back to Kauai.

    (4)

  • Steve M.

    Don't even bother. What a colossal waste of time. Showed up at 1:15 for lunch only to be told "We're out of food, maybe in 30-45 minutes?". Assuming that meant the ahi, I asked about the organic green salad and was told "No, we're out of greens, too". What a joke. Avoid at all costs.

    (1)

  • Matt L.

    This place is right next to Java Kai in case you're having trouble finding it. It doesn't have a good sign but it's the place with the wood picnic tables. Had the Kapa'a tacos and burritos and both were good. Fresh ingredients and lightly seasoned chicken was very good. Much better than the other Taquerias around. They take cash and credit.

    (5)

  • Quimily Q.

    If you are looking for a quick quality bite at walk-up cafe in Kapaa, Mermaids is a great choice. A bit pricey but still quality. We had the Ahi wrap and a bean burrito with chicken (ask for them to kick it up a notch if you want it spicey) and it was very good, not great. All seating is outside but they have a nice vibe and good service.

    (4)

  • Alan R.

    Love this place, I have sent more people to it since my last love fest... ok I could eat there every meal everyday and be in straight heaven... If you are on Kauai, there is no doubt it is worth the drive. It's even worth paddling from another island, but I'm guessing you wont believe me. Check it out!!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Kaytlin G.

    I don't know how this place got so many good reviews. We went here and wanted to get 2 ahi nori wraps and a keke black bean burrito and Thai teas. They were out of all fish, weird but ok, so they supplemented shrimp and we still got the kids bean burrito, and they were out of Thai tea too. Our wraps were not even edible due to wasabi heat. Even the kids bean burrito was too spicy for our daughter. We went to bed hungry. The next day went to just get some Thai teas, to see if they would redeem themselves. Nope! They were awful! A total waste of $45

    (1)

  • Adam D.

    I just finished, so maybe I'll still a little amped, but holy smokes- that ahi nori wrap was one of the most delicious things I can remember eating. Everything complemented the fresh seared ahi; the wasabi was great, the rice was too. There was soy sauce on my picnic table and siracha. This is a counter service food stand, mind you, and it easily rivals the most upscale fish joints. We also got the ahi cilantro wrap, which was phenomenal. My apologies for what may appear to be hyperbole, but the Mermaid is for real.

    (5)

  • Oleg H.

    No white tablecloths (or any for that matter), airconditioned rooms, or fancy drinks. Mermaids wraps just might be the best thing you end up eating on the island, or at least in Kapaa. Tried 2 of the wraps (Ahi Cilantro and Ahi nori) and both were excellent - and not just "good for Kauai" but good more or less objectively. Both featured generous amount of tasty fish and other ingredients (including brown rice) and excellent sauce. The closest thing in flavor and approach that I've ever tried was sushirrito in SF, and the Mermaids did not disappoint. I wish i had more time to try their other items.

    (4)

  • K K.

    The staff was really nice about changing a dish to make it gluten-free. Everything was fresh and I was impressed how many vegetables were on the plate! I added them to my list of gluten-free options in Kauai. raeraegoesreal.wordpress…

    (4)

  • B B.

    Used to REALLY love this place. On my more recent visits, I witnessed someone drop broccoli on the floor then pick it up and use it in a dish. There was also naked babies crawling around on the floor. I hope it can step it up but recently, it has let itself go.

    (1)

  • Shana G.

    OMG you have to try the peanut satay wrap with Ahi!! It was huge! My husband and I split it and we were totally stuffed. Happy panda! They staff were awesome and the other food looked and smelled great. Give it a go!!

    (5)

  • Kate G.

    Hubby and I stopped here for a quick mid afternoon bite. The entire experience was super low key and laid back. Simple menu with fresh tasty ingredients. Reggae music, colorful decor, and a chicken to keep you company. Watch the fingers! She almost took a bite outta mine. Order at the window with seating outside. There were free bananas on the table and friendly service. Portion was large so we split the curry dish. ($14)

    (4)

  • Ilya Y.

    Mermaids - Meagan is the sweetest liveliest happiest and most kind and helpful chef here! They even opened the kitchen early for our starving bellies. We were so made welcome to the island as well. The freshest fish and they customize the orders for us!

    (5)

  • Kristina R.

    Came here spontaneously looking for some local healthy food. I ordered the peanut satay w/ veggies, tofu & brown rice. My husband ordered the black bean burrito with chicken in a spinach tortilla. Mine had a perfect taste to it, although next time I would ask for more sauce. The brown rice soaks it right up. My husband was looking for some salsa- as his was a little dry as well. For salsa they had a pico de gallo type or a SUPER hot sauce. All in all cooked well, great flavors. Would definitely stop by again.

    (4)

  • Jonathan W.

    The Ahi Nori Wraps are the bomb. We decided on take out today so we could enjoy lunch near the ocean.

    (4)

  • Rico V.

    We cooked at our cottage. This was the only Eat out. For our one week trip. Ordered fish tacos and Ahi salad on first visit. Very good Noticed that "wraps" dominated orders. Don't do wraps usually. Went back and got " Ahi Nori Wraps " for the flight home. So good hot wasabi.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth A.

    We stumbled upon this place while driving through Kapaa. After eating fried fish tacos and hotel food for a week it was refreshing to find this healthier and delicious option. I had the salad with Ahi which was hearty enough to make me full (when most salads can't.) It was also packed with other goodies besides just lettuce. My husband had the Ahi wrap which also satisfied him and his big appetite. It's great for a quick and casual lunch since seating is outside and limited. All in all, I'd recommend this for a quick & delicious lunch spot.

    (4)

  • Sherita N.

    Delicious! Found this spot on yelp while driving around Hawaii starving. They had vegetarian options for my Mom and Nana which was great so we stopped. There's not a lot of seating options (alfresco) but we only had to wait a short time for all of us to sit. We all ordered Burritos and mine had Ahi tuna in it. Amazing! I would also recommend the Thai ice tea.

    (4)

  • Leah S.

    Had a bomb kale salad with ahi because they were out of lettuce! I added sriracha, it was very satisfying :)

    (4)

  • M J.

    The ahi nori wrap is awesome and so unique. We went back again a couple of days later to get another one, and they were out of (and waiting on) fish and didn't have satay sauce for our second choice. We got the cilantro ahi wrap with chicken instead of ahi, and it was still fantastic. The girls who work here are so friendly and cute and the outdoor seating is great. We're passing through Kapa'a on our way down the island in a couple of days and will be stopping there again!

    (5)

  • Iris L.

    Honestly, I was so excited to try this. We were in line, had seats saved, and knew what we wanted to order. This place looked cool and a really cool dude had recommended it. But they literally made us wait there for 30 minutes. Just standing there. Staring at them, waiting to just give our order. So we said never mind and went across the street to get an amazing burrito at Taco Feliz. The food is probably super good, but I never got a chance to try it because of their terrible costumer service.

    (2)

  • Amanda C.

    While in town visiting a friend took us to this cafe. The appearance is very inviting and I enjoyed the open table seating. It is walk up ordering. Upon ordering and watching the cook, everything looked like it was cooked to order. I ordered the Peanut Satay which was very tasty. It comes like a curry with broccoli, mushrooms, and onions served with brown rice. There was plenty of food to share for a small meal for two. I would recommend this place to check out.

    (4)

  • Elisa G.

    This was ok. We got a chicken wrap and a fish wrap. Chicken was tough and the fish was strong. Over priced for the quality. Thai tea was from a mix and at an increased price compared to others. There is a wait because they have a small stove that's ok if it was worth the wait. Don't recommend this place even when comparing it to other overpriced restaurants which use tortillas, chicken or fish and some "special" sauce on Kauai.

    (2)

  • Christine O.

    Order the Ahi Noir Wrap if you want a tasty meal! It's what they're known for! The wasabi cream sauce was a little much for my husband who is particularly sensitive to wasabi, but it was just right for me! Husband ordered the tropical tacos and thought they were tasty! The beans were a little bland but that's ok, because the main part of the meal was spot on!

    (4)

  • John N.

    Placed an order at the window... Paid... Waited 20 minutes for 2 nori wraps to go for our flight home, checked up on our order after seeing hordes of people get their order before us, only to find they didn't even take down our order. Now we're running late for our flight. What you get when you get your order taken by beach bums. Lame

    (1)

  • Ty J.

    Really good fresh food. I ordered the ono fish taco plate that I split with my wife. It was plenty of food for the both of us. The fish taco was AWESOME. They put some black bean/rice/cheesy goodness in the bottom of the taco which was amazing. The fish was cooked well and tasted pretty good but it was pretty light on fish. Four stars for the food, one less for the bad service. What I didn't like is that I am pretty sure both of the employees seemed stoned. They weren't very friendly or helpful. They make great food but a good restaurant comes with good service.

    (3)

  • Brenna C.

    After reading the other Yelp reviews, my husband and I decided to give this place a try for dinner during Saturday night's Art Walk. He ordered the cilantro ahi wrap and I had the tropical tacos. Both were bland in flavor and left a lot to be desired. Also, the prices listed on the menu didn't match what was actually charged.

    (2)

  • Kim D.

    You are doing yourself a serious dis-service if you do not eat here. Beautiful service, fresh food made with love (you can taste the love) we have been here every day of our vacation. Do it.

    (5)

  • Sandy N.

    Great outdoor seating place to have dinner. The food is really great! I had the Ahi nori wrap. It doesn't sound too appetizing but it is really good. the ahi is seared and has a fresh taste. The hubby ordered their chix focaccia sandwich which neither one of us really liked. We both liked the nori wrap. I ordered the Thai iced tea which was way too sweet for me. The hubby had their Hibiscus tea, which I loved, it was very fragrant and refreshing. The value for the food is surprisingly a great. You get a good portion for what you pay for. One downer is, self busing (not a big deal to us) but many people lack the etiquette of cleaning up after themselves.

    (4)

  • Kristin R.

    When you're on the Hawaiian Islands, you cannot be in a rush to get your food. If you are, there are plenty of fast food joints for tourists. In the case of Mermaids Cafe, the food is worth the wait. It's a very small place... just a window into a small kitchen with seating around the outside... and all the food is made fresh as you order, so there's no heat lamps involved. We visited the cafe on our way home from the North shore one rainy afternoon last week. The menu is nice and easy and they accommodated our requests for a few changes to make plates gluten-free. The coconut curry chicken bowl came out piping hot and it was so much food! Really fresh veggies and a tasty (yet very mild) coconut curry sauce. The chicken burrito (sans wrap) was also very good and a little on the spicy side (which I enjoy). It's a totally laid back kinda place and feels very local. The perfect place for lunch or an easy dinner!

    (5)

  • Megs H.

    I think I would've been more impressed if I were a vegetarian (who seem to have the greatest reviews of this place)... but I found it just OK. Service was friendly despite running out of several lunch items, the alternative menu items were good, fish tacos were ok. Meh. Wanted to love it more... Wished I did. Glad it floats some people's boats because I do love a good hole-in-the-wall place like this.

    (3)

  • Yunkyung C.

    Be prepared to wait a long time. They do not like to be rushed in any way and they don't care if people leave because of it. I was the first one in line at 11:30am and it ttok over 30 minutes to get my food. It was pretty tasty, but there was too much rice and not enough meat, for my liking. People raved about the thai iced tea so we splurged and got that plus two fresh squeezed lemonades and they were watered down and totally not worth it. I also read raving reviews about the ahi nori wrap, but I personally liked the fish tacos better. For 3 burritos and 3 drinks, it was $48.

    (3)

  • David B.

    Imagine a sunny Thursday afternoon in old town Kapa'a and you're hungry for something good, but different; maybe a little seafood with an Asian bent would work. You see a cute hole-in-the-wall kind of place and you step up to the window to order a Chicken Satay Plate. What could go wrong? Then the owner says, "We're not doing any plates today." No "sorry." No explanation. No food. Just the wacky, laid back Hawaiian attitude. Well, no review. Thank you very much.

    (1)

  • Kaileen Y.

    This little hole in the wall eatery is one of the best. After many years of driving past this place & feeling hesitant to try it, about 3 yrs ago I finally did. And, I don't regret it. The menu is limited, but everything on it is definitely worth trying. Prices aren't that bad either. I really love the focaccia sandwich & the ahi cilantro wrap. At first glance this place may seem a little sketchy, but trust me you won't be disappointed. Take it from someone who had that exact initial reaction!

    (5)

  • William W.

    This place was a wonderful find. I had tropical tacos. Must say that I really loved it. My wife had a coconut curry tofu dish. We endorse this place totally.

    (5)

  • Seth M.

    Ahi nori wrap. Unbelievable. It's a sushi burrito. Who would have thought it was possible...

    (5)

  • Dusty B.

    I stopped into this little spot before heading out of town on the recommendation from a local. Wow, what a fresh take on fish tacos! So tasty, served with perfectly cooked black beans and a very small (but delicious) side salad dressed with a fresh tomato salsa. I was really impressed. The blue corn tortillas were baked crispy (not fried) and the fish inside was in a light sauce. Really delicious, healthy and fresh. Oh, and the music they play seemed to come directly from my reggae collection including lesser known Marley hits and Sublime. Would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Amy K.

    My husband and I went to Mermaids two nights in a row on our recent trip to Kauai. I wish we had a place like this at home! We were feeling bloated and unhealthy after several days of hamburgers and fried fish, so Mermaids was such a delicious and refreshing change from the standard fare in Kapaa. Everything we had there was delicious, from the stir-fry noodles to the coconut curry to the black bean burritos. Great food, very healthy but incredibly tasty, cool beachy vibe, friendly outdoor seating where you can enjoy the ocean air. We didn't think it was overpriced at all given the large portions and organic healthy ingredients. And you can BYOB, no problem. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Josephine L.

    The perfect spot for a quick bite to eat of fresh, made-to-order food. The chicken stir fry noodle was delicious and loaded with fresh vegetables and thick noodles.

    (4)

  • H U.

    VEGAN REVIEW: one star off because the first time we went they were out of all vegetables, and given that's pretty much all we eat, we were disappointed. But we tried again and it was delicious! I had the satay plate and my husband the stir fry, both with tofu. They were excellent, fresh, flavorful and affordable. Plus, the portions are HUGE! They also let us drink our own beer at their tables. Highly recommend this place, just don't go right before closing or they may not have any food left.

    (4)

  • D L.

    and now..... HIGHER PRICES and LESS FOOD! (see my previous review) So my boyfriend was picking up food for us and decided to give Mermaids another go as there's just not that many quick veg/gf options in town. I'm going to make sure he doesn't go back. Now, not only have they raised all of their prices by a dollar, their portions are even smaller!!! $13 for this plate in the photo I am uploading... (count 'em: 9 small cubes of ahi, a scoop of rice, some sprouts, and some sauce (in the containers)) Mermaids: if you're going to raise your prices because your ingredients have gone up in cost, then give your customers an effing discount when they order a "wrap" with no tortilla!! Or give me some more rice that costs practically nothing and will at least fill up your customers. Oh, and I just went to their website to check their touted ingredients for what was ordered (because after eating it I'm still starving and pissed) and this is what it says: Tofu or Chicken Satay Wrap (I got Ahi instead - every ahi item has gone up $1) Grilled chicken or tofu wrapped in our tortilla with rice, peanut satay sauce, ginger soy sauce, and a light crunchy salad of mungbean sprouts, green onion and cilantro with a fresh squeeze of lime. Where's the cilantro and green onion? Where are the limes that usually come on the side? And the ahi definitely wasn't seasoned with "ginger soy sauce" (the containers only had their peanut satay sauce in them) -- the ahi wasn't seasoned with anything. I'm sorry, but even having someone else cook for you isn't worth $13 when they just throw a scoop of rice and a pile of sprouts on a plate with 2 pre-packed sauce containers and take mere seconds to sauté up some lightly-seared ahi.

    (1)

  • Jon E.

    My favorite spot on Kauai. Ahi nori wrap almost every other day for me when I'm on Kauai. Great value. Fresh ingredients. Salads are huge. One trip I had ahi nori wraps for 5 straight days. No joke.

    (5)

  • JJ H.

    We tried the nori wrap and the ahi cilantro wrap. They both didn't taste that great. Not worth it at all.

    (1)

  • Tonya A.

    Solid, well prepared vegan options. You will freak with the flavor explosion of the sambal. And it won't break the bank!

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    Ate here the first time based upon another visitor's recommendation and approached the small store front with a bit of apprehension - but was won over by the ahi black bean burrito. The entire family enjoyed it so much we made sure to come by again another night for dinner. Not one item disappointed - tacos (mahi), foccacia sandwich (mahi). Everything was very fresh, the folks there were extremely friendly, and everything was very relaxed and low key - no feeling of over the top touristy-type restaurant at all. After dinner - head over to Java Kai next door for a dessert, or go up the street there is a fruit stand that sells great pineapple and rambutan.

    (5)

  • Jade M.

    MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM­MMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!! YUMYUMYUMYUMYUMYUMYUM!!!!!!! Yup. That's exactly how I felt when I got my food. I probably had an O-face while eating - you know like how on Food Network whenever people taste something then roll their eyes into their head and go "OOooohohhhh YEEEAAaaaa, that's goooooood!" and it totally looks like they're faking it... but NOW I KNOW! It was a total foodgasm. I ordered the tofu satay plate because I'm not a huge fan of wraps (way too starchy for me). My first impression when I picked up my plate was "WHOAH, I need to work out more because I think I almost broke my arm trying to pick this plate up!". When people talk about there being leftovers, they're right! They put TWO piles of rice on either side of my plate, and inbetween the fluffy mountains of goodness was a valley of yummy vegetables and tofu swimming in a delectable river of peanut sauce. Every bite was heaven. SO GOOD. I could TASTE every item. Sometimes with dishes there is only one flavor that stands out, but in this one that was not the case at all. I could taste the sauteed mushrooms, the spinach, the sweet carrots, the savory tofu, everything! I wish I had a chance to eat here more when I was in Kauai. Big mistake. My boyfriend got the tofu in coconut curry which I was not a huge fan of. It wasn't *bad*, but I am veryvery picky about my curries. Not a huge yellow curry fan. But I do believe if someone likes yellow curry that they would enjoy this. Prices seem kinda steep at first, but I made the mistake of not sharing a plate. If I had done so then the price would work out to be really decent for the quality of food you're getting. GO HERE! NOW! I DON'T CARE IF IT'S MORNING AND NOT OPENED YET, GO WAIT OUTSIDE UNTIL THEY OPEN AND PROCEED TO ORDER DELICIOUS FOOD AND GOBBLE IT DOWN!

    (5)

  • Anna M.

    Nice, inexpensive place to eat on the island. All seating is outside. Walk up counter, nothing fancy, but food is good. Enjoy the chicken satay with brown rice!

    (4)

  • Andre K.

    Amazing good and fresh food for an affordable price. The beverages were also nice. I got an iced Thai tea with coconut milk and my wife an hibiscus lemonade. Really delicious. If you search for good food and all the creepy stuff in Hanalei seems to you much too expensive drive to Kapaa!

    (5)

  • Terra H.

    Only ate here once, found it on Yelp. Had the chicken peanut satay wrap. It was delicious. Definitely would go back again. Only outdoor seating.

    (5)

  • Rahul D.

    Ahi Nori wrap!! Loved it!

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    Found this place on our first day in Kauai. Been back twice since. When we walked up to order the nice guy working the counter told us they were known for the Ahi wrap. Well deserved. The wrap is amazing: fresh Ahi, cucumbers, brown rice and the wasabi dressing makes the sandwich. A must have --- many times.

    (4)

  • Alexandria B.

    Perfect for a quick and cool lunch, Mermaid cafe is basically a small shack in downtown Kappa where you order at the counter & eat outside. I had the fish tacos, a little bit spicy and generously portioned. Mermaid Cafe can be a little bit expensive ($10 for the fish tacos +beans and $2.50 for drinks), but you'll be full when you leave. Cashier was helpful, and the food only took about 5-7 minutes to prepare. Try the thai tea with coconut milk for an island treat.

    (4)

  • Andre B.

    I ate at the Mermaid's Cafe twice recently. I had the phad thai with tofu (as spicy as they could make it) and then I came back and had the stir fry. Other members of my party had the tacos. Good food, friendly service, and relatively low prices considering that it is on the island. The outdoor seating is a bit grungy and it can get windy or rainy at times but you know that as you make your order. They could do with a repainting of many exterior parts of the building if they wanted to create a nicer atmosphere. The food was tasty (well spiced) the heat level is a bit inconsistent. Two times I ordered food as spicy as they could make it and the second time was much hotter. They do a good job with noodles. Portions are generous and most entrees could probably feed two comfortably. The hibiscus lemonade is also totally worth checking out.

    (4)

  • Cy C.

    Men have searched the seas to find the elusive mermaids, who knew you could find them in Kapaa, Kauai When you check out Yelp on Kauai one of the most highly anticipated locations is at Mermaids Cafe in Kapaa. Now to see if it was worth the hype. We decided to pick up lunch for a bike ride along the Kapaa coast. The place looked pretty busy, but definitely a lot of tourist. I'm not a big fan of tourist traps, so this place better be good. The menu looked very appealing with wraps and curry dominating the menu all around $10. Now if you are in Kauai try anything with fish, most places in Kauai provide fresh fish. So I decided to get the Ahi Nori Wrap and my wife got the ahi cilantro wrap. Let just say this was by far the best meal I had on this trip. Best way to describe it is a huge wrap filled with rice and fresh ahi like poke bowl in a wrap. The freshness and the flavors of the fish stood out. The ahi cilantro was with seared ahi and cilantro goodness oozing out. We were pleasantly surpised and another reason to thank yelp. Another gold mind was discovered in Kauai. I've been to Kauai many years and yet we always find something new. People don't realize but Kauai is mecca of island delicacy and Mermaids is a great example of that. We will be back again and again. They are also known for their thai iced tea, so we definitely need to try that. Definitely worth the hype. Throw me over board so I can swim with the mermaids.

    (4)

  • Tadd T.

    If there were any dish in which I most love cilantro, after a bowl of pho I'd choose Mermaids for their 'ahi cilantro wrap. It's like sushi on crack: a spinach tortilla stuffed to bursting with seared fresh 'ahi, brown rice, sliced cucumber and a potent, garlicky cilantro pesto. Whether it serves as a hangover cure, a restorative meal after a day of surfing, or everyday noshing, this wrap satisfies. I burped cilantro for days afterward, so you may want to carry a travel-size Scope should you select this menu item. Props to the friendly girls who work in the cramped, sweaty, open-air kitchen. Good Lord, was it a blazer on Kaua'i when I ate here.

    (4)

  • Stephen P.

    My sister wanted to stop here to grab a sandwich to go - something quick and easy since we were trying to get to a tourist boat before it left the dock. You would've thought that would've been pretty straight forward, but no. Mermaids Cafe must be staffed by mermaids with fins and fish tails instead of hands and feet! Service was soooo s-l-o-w. Four sandwiches here took as long as ordering, paying *and* eating lunch at some other spots?! I'm sorry I don't even remember what the food was like...

    (3)

  • Lindsey J.

    Starving and tired, my boyfriend and I had just arrived on the island. The mermaid cafe was like a siren. The best food we've had on the island so far, and definitely worth a stop. We got the nori ahi wrap and the chicken satay plate. Fresh veggies, yummy peanut sauce, yummy in my tummy! We will go back here before our time is up on the island.

    (5)

  • Fork In The Road E.

    I dream of the Ahi Nori Wrap...one of the best things to do on Kauai is eat one. Spicy wasabi mayo doused on fresh beautiful ahi, and packed into a spinach tortilla with brown rice and crunchy cucumbers..,,It's decadent, but healthy.... I love it almost as much as the island itself.

    (5)

  • Annie F.

    Don't be afraid of that hot kitchen at Mermaids! It produces solid, yummy food. As always, the folks are super-friendly. I, for one, would NOT be "friendly" working in that heated room. So I applaud the staff! Get the "special" ono burrito or ahi nori wrap. Both are magically delicious. My only knock is that the menu is pretty small. You have to be in the mood for a wrap or some standard asian dish. Expand, Mermaids!!

    (4)

  • Nimmi O.

    Got the veggie coconut curry with rice .. I could hardly taste the coconut .. All it had was loads of curry powder and no salt at all .. Bleh

    (1)

  • Neha G.

    This place was perfect for what we were looking for. They operate from a tiny little window by the Hwy. It took us 5 minutes to actually locate this place. Seating is outside, on the chairs and you place you order on the window and wait. We are veggies, so we had a few options, but they were good. We ordered Tofu stir fry noodle plate and it was quite good. It looked so appetizing that the couple who had just walked in, asked us what we had ordered and I think they too ordered the same dish. They were out of lemongrass Iced tea, so we ordered homemade lemonade which was also quite good.

    (4)

  • zee w.

    YUM! This was our very favorite food on Kauai during our honeymoon. They do a lovely fresh and healthy blend of Mexican and Asian... I especially recommend the Ahi Nori Wrap. I wish I was back in Kauai eating that for dinner!

    (5)

  • Eug H.

    Get the Ahi Nori Wrap. Fresh, and filling. Service is a little slow, so if you're in a hurry, you might want to go elsewhere.

    (4)

  • F. P.

    Couldn't help but have high expectations after all these Yelp reviews (at least a lot for Kauai) recommended the Ahi Nori Wrap, which is even touted on the menu as the local favorite. Uh ... really? I'll admit that green tortilla and nori combination is unique and added much needed flavor. But I had a couple of issues: 1. I was specifically asked how I liked my seared ahi. I said rare. It came out medium well (I'm not a fan of cooked tuna). 2. WAYYY too much rice. Literally could have done with a third of the rice. 3. Distribution of sauce and toppings. The wasabi cream sauce was excellent. Unfortunately, I didn't get to taste it until the fifth bite (there was no sauce on the end I started from but by the time I worked my way to the middle, I discovered almost too much of the gooey stuff. Also, cucumbers were overloaded in the middle but lacking at the end. Cash only.

    (3)

  • Rami D.

    I love the food here. It is facing the main street in Kapaa- very small, but worth it. Fresh food here.

    (3)

  • Emily O.

    Skip this place and go to tiki tacos or Kilauea fish market. Better food and better service at either.

    (1)

  • Amy X.

    This place is a hidden treasure! You can easily miss it driving by. Literally a hole-in-the-wall type of joint. You order from a window (the hole) and you eat your food outside. We actually sat on the seats RIGHT outside on the side facing the kitchen so when our order was ready, they called our name, and they just opened the screen window and handed it to us right there. No need to pick it up from the front. Haha, I'm lazy. Me and my best friend ordered the Chicken Stir Fry and the Ahi Foccacia Sandwich. The Sandwich was definitely the best. The bread they use tastes heavenly. And there's avocado in it!!! Actually I think we had to add the avocado for extra $$, but totally worth it! The stir fry was alright but you are definitely not missing out. Kinda wished I tried the Ahi Nori Wrap since everyone seems to be raving about it. And thai iced tea ... SKIP ... its super watered down ... I'd say 3.5 stars but I'll round up (:

    (4)

  • Bart W.

    We've been loyal patrons of Mermaids since 2006. This was once one of our favorite spots on the East side. But I'm sad to say that the food preparation and service have declined significantly over the last 2 years. My wife and I have had several bad experiences fairly recently.

    (2)

  • Shari D.

    My sister, mom, step-dad & I came here for lunch, because I looked up places to eat on my phone via Yelp. (Of course!!) Since we were in Kapa'a, Mermaid's Cafe came up as a winner... and we were not disappointed!! Their Ahi Nori Wrap was delicious! Got it seared (they ask you how you want it) and it was perfection.... they have some hot sauce behind the counter, too, which tastes AMAZING on these wraps! My mom & step-dad got their Pad Thai, which they liked a lot. I was too busy with my wrap to try theirs... also, the wrap is big enough for two people, so the next time my sister & I went there, we just ordered one and split it. Believe me, unless you're famished, you'll stuff yourself with one. I got the hibiscus tea, which is tart and refreshing! They got the Thai iced tea, and it was very good... like what I'd expect at a Thai restaurant, actually. They use local produce and locally caught fish, so you can't go wrong for freshness or seasonal goodies. YUM!!!! It's da kine!!

    (5)

  • Melanie C.

    Totally fresh and delicious vegetarian paradise. And cute little front patio area to eat and people-watch.

    (5)

  • Jesse D.

    I had the ahi cilantro wrap. I would have previously rated 4-4.5 stars but I find it sometimes hit and miss these days. Brown rice a little over cooked and hard. Still recommend but not as much.

    (3)

  • Tracy H.

    We were on vacation in Kauai and just happened across this very quaint takeout place on Kuhio Highway. There is a counter and tables on the sidewalk. We had the Ahi Nori and the Chicken Curry. Both items were fantastic. While the Mermaid Cafe does not serve beer or wine, they do allow you to pick up a bottle of something at the nearby liquor store and enjoy it with your meal. We did try to go back for breakfast on Saturday, but they weren't serving that day. We would definitely go again to this delightful place.

    (5)

  • Samantha J.

    Ok little place to grab lunch during the day. I order the Satay Chicken Wrap and it was just ok and nothing to write home about. Cash only and please greet the cashier with a smile... she seems a little grumpy.

    (3)

  • Daniel T.

    Wife and I shared a chicken foccacia sandwich. It was greasy and doesn't hold the chicken well at all. It also wasn't cheap... about $10. It wasn't satisfying at all and wasn't made to be shared since it was fairly small.

    (2)

  • Napoleon R.

    This is my first trip to Kauai, and I've been mostly underwhelmed by the food. My lunch just now at Mermaid's Cafe, however, was exceptional. I had the Ahi Nori Wrap, which was seared ahi tuna, brown rice, cucumber, nori and wasabi cream sauce wrapped in a green tortilla. Fucking yum. The wrap was big enough for two, so my partner and I shared it. That means $9.58 fed both of us, which is a steal on this island. I also had the Thai Iced Tea ($2.50), which they sweeten with coconut milk instead of the usual sweetened condensed milk. It was delicious. Mermaid's Cafe is basically a walk-up window with a few outdoor tables for seating. It's located right next to Java Kai, which has the best coffee we've found on the island so far. Mermaid's is open until 9pm, which means we'll probably have it for dinner one night soon. I'm looking forward to trying their Tofu Coconut Curry Plate and their Tofu Stir Fry Noodle Plate. I saw two other patrons noshing down on these today, and their food looked awesome.

    (5)

  • Mahealani G.

    Went to mermaids at 7PM on a Friday night. They were out of tofu & ahi! Ordered the salad from past experiences the salad was usually huge! On this night it was small! At $9 it was pretty pathetic! The cashier girl forgot our bread & midway thru the salad passed it to us thru the window using her hands!!!! Ewwwww I'm sure she didn't wash her hands before that!!! Gross! We tossed the bread! There was several younger people hanging out at the counter they were drinking & loud looked like friends of the workers.. Mind you Mermaids does not serve alcohol.. Overall Mermaids cafe was once a place I'd recommend but over time it has become inconsistent expensive & dirty. Will not be returning again!

    (1)

  • laura m.

    If you're okay with super casual this is a hit. The seating is limited, but you can take it to go, call ahead. The ahi nori roll is to die for.

    (5)

  • James H.

    Best f@ckin chicken tacos I have ever had. Amazing place. Looking forward to coming back next time I'm in Kauai!

    (5)

  • Juan C.

    This place was just what we were looking for. Nothing fancy just awesome food and friendly service.

    (5)

  • Shazeen N.

    Ahi Nori Wrap was amazing, its a small spot but amazing food... I would go again any day... :)

    (5)

  • Mattie C.

    Yum! I had the ahi nori wrap without the wasabi sauce. It was DELICIOUS. The place is really cute, tucked away between larger shops and easy to miss. Outdoor seating only. They have an icy free water cooler as well which was nice because it was boiling the day we went there. Chickens like to hang out in the seating area, and we met a nice hippie man there who chatted with us while we ate. Not sure what to say other than we all enjoyed our food. Boyfriend's parents got the wasabi wraps and loved them, and both boyfriend and I loved our ahi nori wrap though boyfriend could have used more soy sauce on his. Portions were perfect. Basically, the place was very delicious and cute, though Pono Market remains my favorite in this area.

    (4)

  • Patrick W.

    Great food and great prices! Choice of well-done or seared ahi, and the chicken tacos are delicious. The staff is friendly, and the service is quick. Outdoor seating only, at three tables. Their food travels well, so takeaway is a great option. Try the hibiscus lemonade!

    (5)

  • Danielle M.

    They have good options I had the kapaa tacos if I went back I'd get the aloha sauce on the side it was a little overwhelming and the service took 30 min a little longer than I expected but it was all fresh! My grandma and mom got the ahi tacos and burrito those were good!

    (3)

  • Meha M.

    We were told that we had to try Mermaid's Cafe. I will never be going back. I got the blackened chicken tacos, and it came with black beans and salsa. There was NO salt in the black beans it seemed, everything was completely bland. There were flies inside the shack that would constantly end up landing on someone's food. Not enough seating, and some seats were right next to a stereo, so it was hard to hear people talk. Also, they only take cash, which is inconvenient, especially because everything was so overpriced. There are a lot better food places in Kappa, and i'm sad that we ended up eating here instead of somewhere else.

    (1)

  • Deb M.

    We were excited to try out Mermaids on our recent trip to Kauai.... we had read a lot about it ! Ahi wrap.. Eh.. No ! And to make matters worse, they were taking money from customers and then turning around and making wraps without washing their hands.. Eh ! No thank you !

    (1)

  • L L.

    Mermaids is as delicious as it is inconsistent. I have been a loyal customer since it first opened its window and continue to enjoy its heavenly fish wraps and satay plates, the ahi nori wrap being my absolute favorite. Eating tasty fresh seafood without having to deal with a fine dining atmosphere is often a plus for me, and at this beach shack eatery in Kapaa, that is exactly what you get. Usually. The downside of Mermaids is their inconsistence. The staff is fickle and whether your dish is dripping with flavor and cooked to perfection or overcooked and tasteless depends on who is in the kitchen. That being said, I still recommend chancing it because when they do it right, your taste buds will thank you. Just be sure to go during off hours when they are not so busy as things can get hectic and mistakes do happen. Bottom Line: Take a chance

    (4)

  • HM H.

    We came here specifically for the ahi nori wrap based on yelp reviews, but we didn't even get to try it because they didn't have ahi! What's that about?? It was already an hour after they had been opened. We decided to try their other items - black bean & Brown rice burrito and a noodle plate with chicken. How utterly, utterly disappointing!! Both were bland and the wrap was soooo dry.

    (1)

  • Ray B.

    I hope this isn't an example of Kauai food. They were out of everything at 10 AM and extremely overpriced. Too many outdated signs boasting breakfast when there was none. I'm sure there are much better places on the strip, but this isn't one of them. The person who suggested this place in his guide book should be ashamed, and now I'm second guessing everything he wrote.

    (1)

  • Manoj N.

    Way too over-priced for the quality of food. The wait is always long because only 2 girls work at a time. One of the younger one at the counter seems to have a little attitude. You have to ask for everything including plastic cutlery, napkins etc. If you don't ask you don't get it. The food was nothing extra ordinary. It lacked salt and was tasteless initially. After adding a few sprinkles of salt it was okay.

    (2)

  • Lily B.

    SO GOOD!!. Had the Ahi Nori wrap. I was so impressed by the flavors. Friendly staff. A little on the spendy side for such a small place tucked away, but worth it. I hope this business prospers.

    (5)

  • Errol B.

    After enjoying my first meal here so much, I realized I hadn't even ordered what they are really known for: the Ahi Nori Wrap. It incorporates every condiment you'd find if you ordered a tuna roll - the soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi - in just the right measure giving the flavor combination you don't get just dunking it yourself. And the quality of the tuna is incredible - ordered mine rare, just lightly seared, and it was the best quality (better than the ahi I was to have at Beach House Restaurant later that evening). Big enough to share but I think you'll want a whole one for your self.

    (5)

  • Gopi V.

    Awesome 3$ fish taco. Very island style and authentic.

    (5)

  • Tina B.

    Plenty-O-food. Cheap prices (for the island) Friendly service. You won't regret eating at this special little place. Fish tacos are one of the best that I had on my trip. Got it to go and it fed me for days. Great Hawaiian food.

    (5)

  • Christian D.

    Driving back from our trip on the North Shore we stopped by this little gem on the side of the road. We'd heard about it on the radio as 'the place the locals go to eat' and we almost passed it by! It's a tiny place wedged in between two larger businesses so you need to keep an eye out. The food is not to be missed. You walk up to order at the window and although you might get a bit of sticker shock from the prices, it's still reasonably priced in comparison to the rest of the island and the portions are pretty generous. We paid $12 for a sandwich and $11 for a couple of tacos with beans. Not bad considering just down the road we'd have to spend twice that for some homogenized dinner with half the portion of food. It's the ultimate stop after a long day's journey. We ordered the Ahi Tacos and the Focaccia Seared Ahi Sandwich (though, as others have pointed out - you can have the Ahi cooked however you like). Both were amazing though I think we fell in love with the tacos more. The two tortillas packed with tuna and a generous helping of salsa and greens plus the black beans on the side were more than enough to fill our stomachs. Oh, and not to mention that the fish is FRESH. The literally cut the filets on site. Made to order! Seating is entirely outside but this wasn't an issue on such a beautiful night as the one we visited on. The staff is laid back, helpful and super nice and definitely worth all the tips you can spare! We will definitely be coming back!!

    (5)

  • Tami C.

    Amazing food! The cilantro pesto is sooo good. Very friendly staff. So glad we stopped here.

    (5)

  • Kelly G.

    Get the Ahi! Yes the service is not exactly fast, but you're on island time. Relax and enjoy the view while you wait- its worth it!

    (5)

  • Rosa G.

    Not the cheapest, but definitely worth it, they really pack the wraps for sure. Ok, so it might be a little on the bland side, but I don't really mind.. add a little of their hot sauce and you are set... yummy! There is no going wrong with this place. My husband and I always like going to the local small businesses and this one did not disappoint ;).

    (4)

  • michelle r.

    We were recommended to come here by a friend who is a local so we thought lets give it a shot ... Ohh man were we disappointed . I ordered the ahi cilantro wrap and my partner ordered the coconut curry ... I ordered the ahi seared and got it fully cooked wtf? Do you know what seared is ? My partner dish I tried if and couldn't believe it the balance of curry powder and coconut was way to strong ... Not spicy strong just not right ..., we eat spicy curry all the time ... Fix the balance!!!

    (1)

  • Jackie O.

    I was excited to eat here after reading a few reviews. The place always looked busy and I was starving. We ordered the tacos and ahi wrap. The wrap was full of rice and not much ahi. I asked for seared ahi, as recommended by the guy at the counter, but what I got was overcooked, dry ahi. The tacos were a bit bland and the beans tasted like nothing. Basically just ate it because we were so hungry and paid $20+ for it. Skip this place if you can.

    (2)

  • Rashmi V.

    A local spot, a hidden gem, a hole in the wall..whatever you want to call it..IT SERIOUSLY IS THE BOMBBBB..It gets 2 thumbs up in my booook...Our Kayak tour girl told us about this place so on our way back we spotted it and decided to check it out..it was superrr packed and this place is super small.. I ordered the Chicken Focaccia..it was served on a freshly baked focaccia with pesto aioli, cucumber, organic greens and red onions..and this suckerrr was hugeee and not to mention to dieee for..the pesto aioli and focaccia was sooo good..and the chicken was melt in your mouth hot..you can defintely tell that this place uses fresh ingredients, everything tasted delicious!! I wish we could've came back another time but it was already time to go...I wish we had one in California..would definitely go back in a heartbeat..shooot would eat here everyday next time I'm in Kauai. :)

    (4)

  • Duc N.

    A lot of the reviews cite an inconsistent experience. If that's true, we went on one of their more horrible nights. A request to exclude cheese on one dish was ignored, I got the wrong beverage, and my wife's burrito was forgotten completely. They ran out of rice in the middle of making our order so we just accepted their offer to add more lettuce (we were hungry and it was nearing 9 pm, when nearly all restaurants in the area close). The ahi in my wasabi bowl was bland. It needed some kind of seasoning or marinating. The tacos were much better, somehow, as those pieces of tuna had flavor and a little charring from being cooked in a pan. There were generous quantities of fish in the wasabi bowl and tacos, at least. My wife's black bean burrito was skimpy on beans, which given the lack of rice (again, they ran out) made for a boring meal.

    (2)

  • Zen T.

    I am still in Kauai and am actually take a few moments out of my holiday to say that my spouse and I had a BRUTAL lunch there today. I felt sick after I ate my curry, which had to have been the worst I've ever had in my life. It has now been seven hours after I've eaten it and I can't get the taste out of my mouth and can feel the food still sitting in my stomach. I'm worried that I might get food poisoning in bed tonight. We ordered the tofu curry rice bowl and chicken stir-fry on noodles. Both dishes were disgusting. My spouse's stir fry was essentially a plate of fettucini pasta... not Asian noodles. Who does that? My curry dish had heaps of brown rice drowning in coconut curry sauce that was just awful. There was hardly any vegetables or protein on both dishes and the service was "curt" to say the least. For $12-13 per dish and only outdoor seating, we had higher expectations. We live in Vancouver where we have a preponderance of topnotch Asian, Indian, seafood and vegan/vegetarian restaurants -- admittedly we have been spoiled with great restaurants at reasonable prices. If you must go to Mermaid, bring cash as they don't accept debit or visa. The ahi tuna dishes seem to be a favourite to order here, but they didn't have tuna that day so the dish wasn't available. Where would I eat in the area next time? Definitely go next door to Java Kai - excellent. Also about a block north are a series of food trucks that sell incredible BBQ chicken plates and fish tacos, made with TLC right in front of you. Cheaper than Mermaids so give it a shot. There is also a raw food / vegan cafe in behind Mermaids - I didn't eat here but went inside to check it out and the dishes look quite good.

    (1)

  • Audree G.

    We were impressed by that little place that was a Top Choice in our travelling book. We'll they were right, very homy, very tasty! How can you make a simply burrito as tasty? Well they got the secret :)

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    Mermaids Cafe has some of the best thai iced tea I've ever had -- we had it last time we were on Kaua'i and had been missing it ever since. Get the one with coconut milk! The ahi nori wrap was also surprisingly delicious -- I'd been turned off by bad wasabi cream sauces elsewhere, but this one was great, and the wrap as a whole was tasty and well balanced. It's also enormous -- we split one between the two of us and it made for a good light lunch. Note that this is a takeout counter with three tables out front -- don't plan on being able to eat here.

    (4)

  • Kala S.

    We went there to grab a "quick bite"....we ordered the ahi nori wrap and the black bean burrito with chicken. Our food finally came out 45 minutes later, and oh my bland! It was the most bland tasting food I've had on the island. Definitely not worth the wait, definitely will never come back and definitely will NOT recommend to anyone.

    (1)

  • Yumi R.

    Nice tender fish, nice people, relaxed but unimpressive atmosphere at the side of the road. ( if lots of traffic, then you'll hear the traffic!) The food unfortunately did not meet my expectations for the high praise other yelpers gave. I thought the rolls to be fairly bland and even the added pesto sauce wasn't very helpful (fresh &green but needs at least a few pinches of salt.) I like that it is healthy and brown rice lovers will rejoice, but i wasn't fully enthralled with either the Mahi Nori Wrap nor the Mahi Cilantro Wrap. A bit heavy-handed on the rice portions, which was too filling. Thai Iced Tea was a winner, with coconut milk! Very lovely, friendly young staff. It seems they really like what they do. CASH ONLY

    (2)

  • Kristin W.

    I've been hearing about this place forever and finally went. I got a salad with Ahi, which turned out to be okay. I mean, I don't know what I was expecting out of a salad. And they gave me the wrong dressing, but it's my fault for not checking before leaving. It was filling though, and really fresh ingredients. I should've tried something that would be more flavorful. Oh well, maybe I'll try again.

    (3)

  • Miss J.

    YUM YUM YUM.. Ahi Nori Wrap- best burrito I've ever eaten. The wasabi aoli is pretty much amazing and the wok'd fresh ahi is so yummy! Remember to bring your cash, this place doesn't take cards! :) Ah I wish I was back there right now!

    (5)

  • Greg A.

    Ordered the most delicious food: Ahi Cilantro Wrap. Amazing food to eat in Kauai. This place is cute and very mellow. Great reasonable price, I feel. Go and try their foods. Yum.

    (5)

  • Regina S.

    I got the Ahi Nori Wrap and thai iced tea and I think you should too. I've never tasted anything like it. The ingredients were so fresh, i felt healthy eating it. No doubt I would eat here again and order the exact same thing.

    (4)

  • Yves B.

    Great and heahlty food! Fresh homemade drinks and very friendly staff! Definitly worth a visit when in kapaa! Tried various meals and all were just great and really fresh!

    (5)

  • Gupta J.

    Just awesome and wholesome food. Everything freshly prepared.

    (5)

  • Sondra H.

    Went there in May, this is my review I wrote then, that I'm just posting now.. The flavors were just ok, so the last two days of pure torture were not worth the food. I have never been so sick! This is food poisoning at its worse. I Think it was in the chicken becouse nobody else got sick. Really unfortunate. Will not go again! I ended up puking for the better part of 3 days, recovered for another 2. The Chicken wrap was not worth it!

    (1)

  • Amanda R.

    I had dreamed about this place for nearly three years! I was in Kauai for work in 2009 and had the opportunity to try the ahi nori wrap. I had never had anything quite like that before. Mermaids was my first stop on vacation this past year to see if my wrap had changed or maintained. I was not disappointed. The wasabi was still piquant, the ahi still fresh and delicious. I also tried the tropical tacos on another visit and they were good, but, I will definitely be sticking to the ahi nori wrap. It's a winner!

    (5)

  • Ali Z.

    My wife and I on our honeymoon decided to head over to this sandwich shop and glad we made the decision. Afterwards, it was one of those meals that made you feel good at the end. I got the Cilantro ahi wrap and my wife got the ahi tacos. The wrap while healthy tasted very bland in my opinion and didn't have any spice or jazz to it. The tacos my wife got were delicious. I would definitely recommend this place. Nice small little sandwich shop right on 56. The food was a bit pricey but given the fact that everything is fresh, wholesome, and organic I'd say it was worth it.

    (5)

  • John K.

    I think these were the worst tacos I've ever had at a restaurant. The seasoning tasted like it was straight out of an El Paso packet. The tacos were greasy, had no acid to compliment the meat, and were very much "blah." The black beans had no salt and were very plain. They forgot to give us the rice. The Thai tea wasn't bad. Overall = Meh.

    (2)

  • Jessica W.

    Nearly a year since I ate the ahi nori wrap, and I still dream about it!!! THE best wrap I have ever eaten in my life. Must go back to Kauai. First stop, last stop, and many stops in between: Mermaids Cafe!

    (5)

  • Angela S.

    Drove past and saw a huuggee line so we circled back when it was lunch time. I had the ahi cilantro wrap and a hibiscus lemonade. Really good wrap and super filling. I'm going to go ahead and call this "healthy" too because it had brown rice and fish. I think some avocado would've helped, but otherwise- it was perfect. Small menu, but everything looked good. You better like garlic because that cilanto sauce is gar-lic-y. whew!

    (5)

  • Meme M.

    The Ahi Nori Wrap, Chicken Satay Plate, and the Chicken Noodle Plate are all excellent. The fish is super fresh, as are the veggies. This place exudes charm and the food is outstanding (for Kauai). My only gripes would be the long wait time (they are super popular) and their Thai Iced tea is not very good (they use coconut milk). It's a great lunch or dinner spot. There is ample parking (street or parking lot) and its conveniently located in downtown Kapaa. This place is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Feel free to call your order in ahead of time if you are in a hurry!

    (5)

  • Nuttybits W.

    The good part : The lemonade was beyond delicious and my 8 year old loved seeing the paintings of the mermaids on the walls. The bad part: The cook's attitude (seemed like a punk 20 something who hated everything) was atrocious and claimed that he did not know how to make a cheese quesadilla. (lazy!) The girl working was clearly done with his attitude and was trying to make it all work out (she made the quesadilla). The food was ick, his attitude was horrible and rude and it costs too much for what you get. The little sitting area was unclean and sticky. Ick. Ick. Ick.

    (2)

  • Akire C.

    This spot was a surprising good find in Kauai. It's well priced and those corn tortilla (not the flour ones) fish tacos have made it to the top of my list of favorite fish tacos ever! So well flavored and fresh. Just delish!

    (4)

  • sheri d.

    I really wanted to like this place. We ordered the cilantro ahi wrap and although there was an abundance of cilantro pesto and rice, there was a minimum amount of ahi. Possibly ten small squares and that is being generous. The tables were not clean and I asked for something to wipe the table with and was tossed a wet rag. Mermaid Cafe is an exceptionally busy place and it appears to have quite the following. We may take a pass next time.

    (1)

  • Betty C.

    Thanks to Yelp for this delicious lunch! After a most enjoyable bike ride with Coconut Coasters we were in the mood for a tasty and nutritious lunch. Headed down to Mermaids Cafe, literally a tiny window stand. Service: super friendly Food: so fresh and delicious. Loved the special of the day, seared ahi wasabi wrap. The fish tasted so fresh! We also got the ahi tacos which had a nice sauce. Drinks: Coconut milk thai iced tea...awesome!! could drink one right now if they had it here in SF Seating: quite a few small tables all around Tips: Cash only! We saw a couple of people walk away because they didn't have any Phone ahead if you want take out or if you are super hungry. They make everything fresh and even though it looks like fast food, it still took them 15-20 minutes to make our food. Would definitely recommend this place especially for the ahi wrap =)

    (4)

  • Kimmy K.

    Mermaids Cafe is a counter service food stand located on the side of the road. After you place your order, grab a seat to watch the ebb and flow of visitors and locals to this island community. The way to go at Mermaids Cafe is their Ahi Nori Wrap. With perfectly seared ahi wrapped in a green tortilla with rice, cucumber, nori, wasabi cream sauce, pickled ginger, and soy sauce, it's easy to see why this is a local favorite. It could end up being one of the best things you eat on Kauai.

    (4)

  • A B.

    A must-visit lunch spot every time we are in Kaua'i! Love their Ahi Wraps. Ahi Nori Wrap is great for wasabi-lovers and the Ahi Cilantro Wrap is a "calmer" version. Both are packed with flavor and will fill you up for the day. If the tables & bar are packed, just take a quick stroll makai and you'll find some nice shade under palm trees.

    (5)

  • Kinga H.

    Located in Kapa'a on Kauai is this local favorite made tourist attraction. It's a order at window and sit or grab it to go type of place. There are a few tables curbside. A real 'hole in the wall' gem of a place. Service, ehhh it's whatever. The girls could plaster a smile on their face. Vegan, Vegetarian, and meat-friendly items available. Food is good but overrated from all the raves I heard about it. *AHI NORI WRAP: Seared ahi (got it rare) is delish. Stuffed with too much rice, that and the creamy wasabi sauce made my wrap fall apart. Yummy green tortilla. *TOFU SATAY WRAP: Once again the yummy tortilla enclosed the huge wrap stuffed with tofu (mmm) and rice (too much again). A fork is recommended. 3.5 stars. Open 11-9 every day. CASH ONLY.

    (4)

  • Ashley L.

    The Poke Wrap was sooooooooooooooooooo good! I guess they only make it on certain days since we went back the next day for round two and the chef that knows how to make it wasn't there. The poke was tender and it tasted like it had been deliciously marinated in some kind of sauce that was accented with a wasabi cream all wrapped inside. I can't stress how good it was. Ask if they have it since it's not on their menu! The cafe itself is tiny. It reminded me of a dock near the ocean since the whole area is made of wood. They only have outdoor seating.

    (5)

  • April S.

    Love the fresh organic soon here! Our fish tacos were great! My sister's burrito was good too, but after a while the wasabi cream gets too heavy. Wish they had some hot sauce there! Very good food though- just short of 5 stats because the service is not friendly, cash only, and they didn't have any hot sauce for tacos!

    (4)

  • Vandana M.

    The food was pricey, as per usual on Kauai. Good vegetarian options but I can't say it was totally delicious. Decent, but not mind-blowing.

    (3)

  • Beverly T.

    I know people get the wraps, but I wanted the sandwich. I can't eat seared ahi because I'm pregnant. Based on the sandwich, it seems like the person behind the kitchen lacks finesse in technique and execution. But I just got back from this place and have to help about it right now so I don't forget why I hated the chicken foccacia sandwich. 1. The bread. It has this red oil on top with herbs so whenever you pick it up you have to either wipe or lick your hands clean. 2. Bread flops around and holds nothing inside the sandwich so everything falls out. 3. Veggies like tomato, cucumbers and onions are cut really thick. Thinner slices of each would help the sandwich be easier to eat. Large onion rings are also probably not the best to eat in a bite. Super annoying. 4. Chicken was cut in cubes so when you pick the sandwich up they all fall out... maybe slices of chicken breast would have helped. 5. Needed more pesto sauce. Altogether, certainly not worth the $13 we paid for the reasons above... made with less effort than someone at Subway. Maybe I'll get the tofu and bean wrap next time if I want to fart the night away.

    (2)

  • Mike M.

    We really liked this place. As many others have noted, the ahi wrap is a must order. It was simple, healthy, and delicious -- make sure to use generous amounts of the wasabi aeoli sauce. We also had a stir fry chicken noodle dish which was quite scrumptous. The restaurant is a little difficult to spot, but once you do, head to the back where there is offstreet parking.

    (5)

  • JJ H.

    If I were only there now...eating freshly made ahi cilantro wrap. Ah. Bliss. Read the reviews. Decide if you like eating casual-style and you're not easily offended or nitpicky. Just relax and enjoy your food! Maybe some of the cooks here are better than others? The times we went it was perfectly good. Lots of fresh seared ahi chunks nestled in delicious cilantro/lemongrass/garlic sauced rice wrapped in green tortilla, for all that, the price is reasonable!

    (5)

  • jenn w.

    The ahi nori wrap .... makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

    (5)

  • andrii v.

    This place became our favorite healthy food eatery since we've got on Kauai. Staff is friendly, there is a plenty of dishes to choose from and chicken curry plate became our favorite! 5 stars all the way!

    (5)

  • Russel M.

    Very disappointed! After being recommended by one of my good friends who lives in Princeville we couldn't wait to try it. Boo, Hiss! Ordered the FROZEN AHI nori Wrap with a ton (not requested) of rice inside. After a couple of bites my wonderful wife and I set it down looked at each other and said this is BLAND! Fortunately I hadn't ordered anything else and we just left and went to our new favorite find, VERDE just down the street. Their Ahi Tacos were sublime. Lunch saved.

    (2)

  • Susanna W.

    CASH ONLY. This place is hippie heaven. J and I shared Chicken curry and a Cilantro Ahi Wrap. Everything tasted very HEALTHY... which also meant it was a tad on the bland side. All dishes are also served with brown rice; I wish they had a white option, since I'm not a fan of hard chewy brown. Overall a decent meal that wasn't too heavy, either on the stomach or the wallet (total came out to a little over $20).

    (3)

  • Thu N.

    Horrible customer service. We go to Kauai every year and one of our first stops is the Mermaid. This year we stopped by on the first day of our vacation and after they take our order they said they were out of ahi. After five minutes of talking we realized it wasn't because they were out of ahi, they just had to cut more. Who runs out of ahi at 2pm on a weekend, when your staples is ahi, chicken, and tofu? We said we would wait for them to cut some more up. Food was great as usual. We just visited again and my husband ordered an ahi cliantro wrap. The same lady (working by herself) gave us an ahi nori wrap. My husband has never ordered a nori wrap. He hates nori. When he went to return it to get the cilantro wrap she gave him an attitude and said he ordered a nori wrap and it said so on his recipe. She definitely ran up the order incorrectly as she had lots of phone orders and taking everyone orders and cooking! So after awhile she said fine, $13 for a cliantro wrap! I can't believe it. I have never in my life had someone do this. I probably won't be giving them my business again, no matter how good the food. The long wait and attitude is not worth my hard earned money.

    (2)

  • Mike W.

    Dear food explorers, After visiting Kauai 3/2/13-3/8/13 my girlfriend and I stopped at a local hole in the wall that we had read reviews on for Mermaids Cafe. Most reviews seemed to say you must order the ahi nori wrap and unfortunately they were out of ahi, so we never had a chance to taste what other reviewers say "is a very dry ahi nori wrap" taste like. Fortunately they replaced it with Mahi Mahi (yum). We proceeded to order the Mahi Mahi Nori wrap, Mahi Mahi tropical tacos and two Thai Iced Coffees. We were amazed at the creativity of both the Mahi Mahi Nori wrap and the Mahi Mahi Tropical Tacos. The Mahi Mahi Nori wrap had of course Mahi Mahi, Cucumber, Rice, a wasabi type of secret sauce wrapped with seaweed and a tortilla. I felt the Mahi Mahi was cooked perfectly and went well with our Thai iced coffee. The Mahi Mahi tacos, not your ordinary baja type of tacos. I thought were ok in comparison to the wrap but my girlfriend loved them. The tacos had Mahi Mahi, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, another secret sauce sitting on top of a corn tortilla. With a side of black beans that were good (maybe needed a little bit of salt). The two Thai Iced Coffees were really good, so good in fact that we ordered two more to-go. I think stopping by just for that will help your voyage to Hanalei or Poipu. Cashier: After she took everyone's order was really friendly... and might be lying about how many Thai Iced Coffees she drinks per day. Mahalo

    (4)

  • Rebecca T.

    Crack Ahi Burrito. Seriously. That wasabi cream sauce had me oohing and ah hing and munching down. I order the Tofu veggie dish which was yummers but I just could not resist the burrito, good thing my boyfriend is generous. The Hibiscus tea was a little different but in a good way. I found the service to be fine considering the location. It is basically just a cute little outdoor style cafe. I loved it because everything tasted fresh and healthy. For the price, portions were very large.

    (4)

  • Cedric L.

    I always look for "local" food when visiting a place to discover authentic new flavors. By "local" I don't mean getting to those places that are features everywhere and will server you local food which usually are somehow "customized" for tourists and of couse include a premium because local people don't go there and you can afford it :D That being said, Mermaids Cafe isn't that way. People might argue that it's a bit on the pricey side ($12 for a wrap), but putting things into context: you're on Kauai, it's made with local and fresh ingredient, you definitely get a very good value for your bucks. Portion are pretty big, so if you are looking to refuel after a long and very active day on the island, this is a good deal actually. I did tried their Ahi Nori Wrap, Black Bean Burrito (with Ahi) and their tofu Stir-Fry noodle plate. They were all good but my favorite was their Ahi Nori Wrap. With seared Ahi (you can have it cooked the way you want actually), Nori (seaweed sheet), Wasabi among the ingredients it's just so good :-) I went there three times (in a row) and each time the people working there (basically a cook and a waitress) were different. Those folks were young so it seems that the place is being run by local student. What I'm telling you that? It's because some people have complained about the fact that they found the food greasy or not very flavorful. I would guess th. I being said, I've got a good experience every time but I guess that depending on the cook, you might get different experience (this is to echo the fact that some people were saying that some of their dish were stalled).

    (5)

  • Meg S.

    Great healthy, organic option for the island. The black bean burritos are really good. I did have a bad experience when I ordered the chicken tacos and the chicken was very HOT! I informed them and they said it was mis-seasoned and apologized. The aloha sauce was really good but didn't cool down that chicken.

    (4)

  • T W.

    Ooooo me likey. Got the ahi nori wrap with EXTRA wasabi cream sauce because people said the sauce was so awesome and I loooove sauce. It was awesome. However, it does taste a LOT like a tuna roll like very sea-ish and kinda fishy due to the seaweed. If you like cilantro as I do, I would go for the cilantro ahi wrap. I don't know why I didn't get this, I wish I did because I like cilantro so much. Chicken Coconut Curry place---hubby was obsessed. It was a huge heavy plate with curry sauce spilling out of it and he is obsessed with curry so I don't know how we could've gone wrong here. Black Bean Burrito--- got this for my son. Total waste of $9 dollars, don't come here and waste your money on this. 9 dollars for beans, lettuce, onion tortilla and cheese is kinda ridic. Girls who worked there were def stressed and overwhelmed but still pretty nice to me which I appreciated. ****Yelp address takes you to the back of the store**** I also couldn't drink their hibiscus tea, it was too strong for me. If I had put some Splenda in it I'm sure it would've been great.

    (4)

  • Jack P.

    Can't beat Kauai fish! My wife and I split the Ahi Nori Wrap, which contains seared ahi wrapped in a green tortilla with rice, cucumber, nori, wasabi cream sauce, pickled ginger and soy sauce. We also had a focaccia sandwich with avocado, ahi, pesto aioli, tomato, cucumber, organic greens and red onions. Both were unbelievable! Cute little place on the main highway in the tiny little town of Kapaa.

    (5)

  • Dan W.

    Blink and you miss it! Mermaids Cafe is a tiny little place in Kapaa Town that can most easily be identified by the small gathering of hungry patrons surrounding it; and rightfully so. Ahi Nori Wrap, Fish Tacos, Seared Ahi Salad all appear and taste so fresh you'd think they had an ocean in their kitchen!

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Decided to come here on my day off for lunch. I ordered the Ahi Nori Wrap which everyone on yelp raves about my bf ordered the Chicken Satay Noodles. Also got a hibiscus iced tea and a spearmint ice tea to go with our food. The ahi wrap, which I ordered medium rare came out medium well but I didn't really mind because it tasted delicious. I only ate half of the wrap because I was already stuffed by eating the half and saved the other half for later. My bf's chicken satay noodles was pretty good as well. He ate the whole thing even though he complained about being full half way through it. We both agreed that our food was very tasty and delicious however we didn't really enjoy our teas. Perhaps we were just not use to the taste of hibiscus and spearmint ice tea but that was just not our cup of tea. Overall this is a definite must go to if you are around this area but it can get pretty expensive for a wrap ($12.95), a noodle ($12.95) and 2 drinks (2.00 each). We paid about $32.00 for the both of us. P.S. Seating is outdoors only so expect to share you food with flies. If you are ordering take out, they do not have lids for the drinks which they serve in plastic tumbler cups.

    (4)

  • Angela C.

    We came here after discovering that Pono Market was out of their lau lau's and kalua pork. It's a hole in the wall (literally) - you order through a window and then you find seating outside. We ordered the: Ahi Nori Wrap ($9.45) - they ask you how you want your ahi cooked, then wrap it in a 12' green tortilla with rice, cucumber, nori, wasabi cream sauce, pickled ginger, and soy sauce. My husband got the ahi medium, so it was cooked all the way through. The flavors of this wrap were really tasty and the flavor combinations worked well together. It's no wonder it's considered "the local favorite". Chicken Satay Wrap ($9.45) - it's seared chicken in a tortilla with rice, peanut satay sauce, ginger soy sauce, mung bean sprouts, green onion, cilantro, and fresh squeezed lime. The peanut sauce was soo overpowering and drenched everything inside the wrap. After a few bites I got really sick of the peanut taste. This place didn't impress me too much, and the staff wasn't very friendly either. Next time, I'd pass on this place.

    (3)

  • Jocy C.

    Ahi Nori Wrap (rare) and the hibiscus lemonade was really good. Pictures: Ahi Nori Wrap - yelp.com/biz_photos/g9-v… Hibiscus Lemonade - yelp.com/biz_photos/g9-v…

    (4)

  • Celia L.

    This is a casual and vibrant spot for grabbing quick bites! The space and menu items are both limited, but the food was so fresh and tasty, and you can see the live actions in kitchen, and smell the food from the stir-fry woks. Yum!

    (4)

  • Veronica D.

    I got the tofu satay plate here, the veggies and the sauce were pretty good. The tofu was kind of medium firm and fell apart a little. I am not really a fan of huge pieces of tofu (as they lack flavour and are gelatinous) but if you like tofu you will like this too. My husband got the tofu noodle plate and did not like it as much. It was REALLY oily and greasy, and he hates oily food, so he was quite disappointed. He would get the plate next time with rice instead. There's not a lot of great vegetarian options in Kapaa. There are some, but most of it is ok to good. We don't have high standards when going to Hawaii and looking for this fare. I think the food could be a little bit tastier if it wasn't so oily. I really hate having to wipe oil off of my lips and face when eating veggies.

    (3)

  • Susan S.

    Ahi tuna wrap a must have! Special fish tacos were also a big hit with the group of waterfall hikers. Affordable, fun atomsphere, a really hippy place! Can't wait to go back for more!

    (5)

  • Chuck B.

    Great food with large servings at a reasonable price and a no-frills approach to seating. This little hole in the wall is not easy to see from the street but well worth looking for. All sidewalk seating area very small but you can get it to go as well. Have a coffee next door at Java Kai for dessert!

    (5)

  • Greg E.

    Casual outdoor seating only eatery featuring healthier than average ingredients. Many fans of the Ahi Nori wrap, but lots on the menu worth exploring. I have not experienced any issues with the cooks that other reviews have noted, but I'm on Kauai every three months or so and perhaps there was a bad apple I never met. I often stop in about 8:30 and have run into the issue of items being sold out, but the freshness of the ingredients makes up for this in my mind. I feel if they are out of something I try something new and have always left happy.

    (4)

  • Jason J.

    Dropped by Mermaids after a recommendation from a local. It's wicked small, with a patio and bar type area around a small shack of a kitchen. But it screams "island-style" to most mainlainders, I'd assume. It's very cute, sparsely decorated, and concentrates more on its food than its image, and this is a wonderful thing. The ladyfriend ordered the Ahi-Nori wrap which she ADORED, though felt had maybe a tad too much wasabi mayo on it. I tried a few bites and loved it as well, and I don't even like ahi all that much. I had a chicken stir fry plate and was wowed by its size. It forced me to be hungrier than I was, and that was just fine! It was an absolutely delicious plate with plenty of veggies, noodles and chicken. It lacked in no area whatsoever. The iced team & Lemonade combo I had was a touch sweet, but pretty tasty. Service was great, with a friendly young woman taking orders and helping the "chefs" make the food. The ladyfriend and I sat on some barstools looking in some sliding windows on the side, and we were able to look right in and watch them make our food, help each other out, and even chat with them a bit. On top of that, I really enjoyed when we opened the sliding window and they handed our plates right out to us. Why? No idea. It's just a dorky kitschy thing that I dug. Definitely a great lunch place with tasty food and reasonable prices. When I'm back on the island there's no way I won't drop back in to Mermaids. It's the perfect place for lunch!

    (4)

  • Chieko H.

    While taking our time during our drive from Poipu to Hanalei, we stopped by to grab a shaved ice a couple blocks from this place (south), and I decided to check out yelp to see if there were any notable fooderies in the area, and found the Mermaids Cafe. Its a hut that serves pretty yummy Ahi Nori Wraps. Just make sure to order w/ half rice, because it can be too much. Also, get extra sauce.

    (5)

  • Erica L.

    It was ok. It's quite possible our experience was over-shadowed by the fact that we had waited entirely too long to find something to eat (it was about 1PM when we strolled up to Mermaids, after hiking 8-miles on the Kalalau Trail with only an apple and a granola bar in our tummies since 6AM). We (my husband and I) were tired, dirty, blistered, hungry, and trying not to strangle each other in public because of said circumstances. It's cash only, which only exacerbated our bad moods when we walked up to the window. Had to walk over to the bank to grab some cash, fine, whatever. I ordered the focaccia sandwich with ahi, she asked me how I wanted my ahi cooked and in my zombie-like state I just asked her "Ahi should be kind of rare, right?", to which she shrugged "I don't know, seared, I guess". Ugh, whatever, I just want food. My husband ordered the tropical tacos, and we took our order to go to eat back in our hotel room just a couple minutes down the road. I basically inhaled my sandwich, it was quite good and hit the spot. My husband, however, was less than thrilled with his tacos. They were sopping wet and soggy and he said they were definitely missing some zest...like a little cilantro or something. So, eh, it got the job done.

    (3)

  • Gabrielle C.

    Stopped in for a meal on our way to the airport, headed home. Pleasantly surprised at the fresh Ahi Salad and Ahi Nori Wrap. Service was friendly, food was delicious, and the price was fair. A great find!

    (5)

  • Djuna M.

    When we got to the island, I knew I wanted fresh fish and plenty of fruit. I planned to eat nothing else throughout the trip. Obviously, this would not be difficult. We ate at a number of restaurants on the island. This was my favorite. The ahi wrap with satay sauce was great. (I had it with tofu too. Fantastic. We ate here several times.) The first time, we walked in the back of Mermaids and accidentally stumbled into the kitchen. Two guys were listening to Reggae music and cutting piles of fish, and in an friendly way, they directed us to the front of the restaurant. (So, the food here is definitely not frozen. And the staff is definitely casual.) When we came down the gangway to the front of the cafe, we noticed the small seating area and the girls in bikini tops shoving food through the small windows of a hut, like it was a Tastee Freeze. The side of the building has a mural of disproportionate mermaids presumably swimming, but actually floating above a fisherman. Not inspiring or transportive fine art. And, your'e eating outdoors, feet from the wafting grill smoke. This is a relaxed atmosphere that may be described as hippie-organic-healthy. This is not the place to dine in (you can't) and have everything well-plated by slightly obsequious wait staff while someone plays a slack-key softly behind you. This is a food stand, where you have amazing wraps and hibiscus tea, served by friendly people, and then go on your way. That people would be surprised by the casual way their food is cooked or served is curious. You just ordered your food through a small sliding window in a garishly painted hut. Presentation is not Mermaid's strength, but you're on a beautiful island. You should eat good food and go enjoy the Na Pali Coast.

    (5)

  • Tyson G.

    We have been in Kauai this time for day 7 of our 10 day mini honeymoon after getting married on the Northshore of Oahu. We've become quite the conneseurs of island restaurants of all types and Mermaids was our favorite thus far. The combo fish tacos were awesome- highly recommended. Mermaids is a cute simple place on the highway in Kapaa which is a fun place to stroll through shops, bars and restaurants.

    (5)

  • sharbo e.

    This place is so yummy! It is a very chill little place with gourmet food! Everything we ordered was delicious. It was way better than the expensive restaurant we went to last night! We will be back!

    (5)

  • Regina C.

    Found this precious place on Yelp and I was really excited to take my 4 year old who dreams of being a mermaid. We had lunch here on our way to Baby Beach up the road. This is a little hole in the wall kinda place we drove right by it. Just look for all the people chillin' at the sidewalk tables. I shared a Ahi Nori wrap and i am so happy I did the best part of it was the wasabi sauce. Wish I would have got one all to myself. My kiddos had the chicken satay wrap. This was equally delicious. Prices were very reasonable for the food. By far it was the healthiest meal we ate on our whole trip to Hawaii. I LOVE this place.

    (5)

  • A S.

    Nori wrap. End of story. It's a good size, made fresh, and relatively quick to order. Makes a healthy meal, or split it with a friend as a holdover snack. Order it, enjoy it!

    (5)

  • Astrid O.

    Visited this twice in two days. Ahi roll was good-get it cooked med.rare. spicy dash of wasabi. very vegetarian friendly. Tofu satay was flavorful. Order at window and they'll call your name. Quick and fresh ingredients.

    (4)

  • Jen P.

    This place was recommended to us by a friend and what a good recommendation it was. A healthy little hole in the wall on the main road in Kapaa. You walk up to the window and order. Food is fresh, reasonable, and the portions are pretty good size. The tofu/chicken plate with the peanut satay sauce was very good with lots of flavor. Ahi tuna wrap was also large and very good. The Wasabi cream sauce is pretty tasty. Also try the hibiscus lemonade. Very refreshing and different. Cons: Not a lot of seating.

    (4)

  • Mayu H.

    Ahi Nori Wrap is very good. I liked pouring the extra wasabi sauce on my wrap. Very filling as the brown rice fills you up. I like the milk ice tea the best. p.s. my ahi was a bit on the more raw side.. but stil it was great. i'm a big sushi fan so it's all good. Very healthy and perfect to eat on the beach to go. :-)

    (4)

  • Angela W.

    Awesome food! Cooked fresh & to order. Interesting concoctions: had the Seared Wasabi cream wrap which was fantastic- tasted a lot like a giant roll of sushi. I noticed in Kauai that the food is inversely proportionate to it's ambiance, & the Mermaid Cafe is a prime example. Don't expect cloth napkins or crystal votives, instead walk-up, pay cash only, & receive a delicious FRESH meal that's prepared right in front of you. I am a serious stickler when it comes to fresh ingredients & TASTY food; I could eat here everyday!

    (5)

  • Katie M.

    Wasn't bad, but wasn't great, either. We had the fish tacos-- tiki tacos was better- and ahi cilantro wrap- fish market was better. It didn't taste like the fish was all that high quality, and it seemed like a bunch of heavy sauces were being used to cover it up. Not a bad option, but like I said, way better places nearby. Oh also- the teenagers working there were kind of weird and rude.

    (2)

  • Ali W.

    A great place for lunch! I usually don't like wasabi, but the wasabi dressing in my seared ahi tuna and nori wrap was delicious. My palate was ecstatic to get a mixture of ahi tuna, nori seaweed, brown rice, creamy wasabi, and spinach tortilla in one bite. The hibiscus lemonade is a nice cool summer treat to accompany the wraps, too. One of my friends loved Mermaid's so much that she went there everyday. The cafe is located along the side of Kuhio Highway in an old shack. It's really more like a food stand. There are only 2 tables in front, so be sure to grab one of the cheapo, plastic patio chairs and claim your territory as soon as possible. Since it is right along the highway, cars drive by and interrupt your lunch every 2 minutes. Just don't get splattered on a rainy day. 1 star off: I got splattered

    (4)

  • Nick S.

    Great spot in Kapa'a and probably my favorite meal on the island. Going here was worth the (multiple) trips from Princeville. Mermaids is located on the Kuhio Highway in the middle of Kapa'a. It is a small storefront with outside seating and friendly staff. It's also a place where you can get excellent fish for less than 25 bucks (unlike most other places on the island). It was amazing to find a place that served great food and wasn't there to rip you off. On a whim (and because the guy in front of me ordered it) I got the ahi nori wrap. Best move ever. The wrap was a green tortilla with nori (seaweed) on the inside layer of the tortilla filled with rice, cucumber slices, grilled ahi and wasabi sauce. It was delicious. Plus, the people at the table next to us were locals and told us we'd found one of the best spots on the island. Score one for the yelper tourist! Save some cash and eat like a king. This place is great.

    (5)

  • Monica K.

    This place was so good! I wish I could go back again, but alas, I'm back on the mainland. Craving vegetables after a long flight, I had the chicken satay plate. Delicious! It was also so big I had to get some to go, and I'm a hearty eater. The thai iced tea made with coconut milk was also delicious. I had to go back one afternoon just for that. Also, if they have pad thai, order it. I didn't, while my boyfriend did; I had a bit and it was delicious! I'm generally a bit skeptical with pad thai, but this may have been the best I've ever had. I'm just sorry I didn't get to try the coconut curry chicken. Guess I'll have to go back to Kauai someday...

    (5)

  • Sally M.

    Awesome Thai-inspired wraps. I had the Thai chicken while my husband had the Ahi wrap and both were delicious. Friendly service and large portions. Not a lot of seating but you can take it to go and just go eat on the beach or the park nearby. We ate here twice during our vacation.

    (5)

  • Kori M.

    During my short visit to Kauai, this was my favorite restaurant I stopped at. It's a cute hole-in-the-wall place, with only a handful of employees working at one time. Expect a lot of super healthy options, with plenty of fresh veggies on the side. I ordered the tuna tacos, which came with a small side salad. Everything from the fish to the pineapple chucks on my salad was extremely fresh - no canned goods to be found anywhere. Accompanying my meal was their Thai Iced Tea - yum! Not too sweet like a lot of other places. There isn't a lot of seating, so be prepared to take your food to go.

    (5)

  • Kat L.

    This was probably our favorite place on the island for vegan options. The Tofu Satay plate was really good. We ate here a few times, so we also tried the tofu wrap, noodles, and a fried rice special, which were also all pretty good. It's also right next door to Java Kai, where you can score vegan desserts.

    (5)

  • Leilani M.

    I love places that use fresh local ingredients and make everything to order. A tiny sidewalk cafe with brisk takeout and a handful of tables on Kapaa's main drag next to other vegetarian options, Mermaids uses organic herbs and fresh fish when possible, to make the sauces and beverages that go with all their great dishes. I love the AHI NORI WRAP -The fresh-squeezed lemonade is made daily, and you can choose white or organic brown rice. Mermaids 4-1384 Kuhio Hwy Kapaa, HI 96746 (808) 821-2026

    (5)

  • M J.

    Five star meal in a wrap! Fresh ingredients and excellent combination of favors. Ahi cilantro wrap to die for :) Definitely worth the visit! Would go back again and again.

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    My husband really wanted to here for lunch because it was highly recommended. It's a very cute small, hole in the wall place, you could miss very easily. My husband had the Ahi tacos and I had the chicken tacos. My husband loved his Ahi tacos, very fresh and made to order. I wasn't thrilled with my tacos, I just wasn't grooving over the sauce as I felt it over took the other flavors. Excellent customer service and seems to be a popular place for the locals. Would go back and try something else. Note- They only accept CASH!

    (4)

  • Chandler P.

    Very fun, local food shack type of vibe. Only outdoor seating. I had the mahi mahi fish tacos and tried the nori wrap off my friend's plate. All delicious.

    (4)

  • Mary Jane H.

    I had the Special of the day: Ahi Tostada. Black beans Tostada shell Cheese Organic local greens Guacamole Salsa fresco Spicy seasoned Ahi on top I highly recommend eating here.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Flat out the best curry sauce I've ever tasted. I'm a vegan, so I had the Curried tofu and vegetables. My daughter had the Ahi Nori Wrap. The gal who took our order was patient. The cook gave me his recipe and we can't wait to go back again on the day we leave the island. If I could give it 6 stars for flavor, I would!

    (5)

  • Clementine R.

    hmmmm, could have sworn I reviewed after the Kauai trip.....oh, well...I've been there twice, and will definitely go back, if ever in Kapaa again. I had a wrap both times. All was fresh, tasty, and at just under $10, the hunger was MORE than satiated. I was disappointed a lot in Kauai...this place nourished me...what can I say?

    (4)

  • Lulu B.

    We come here every visit to Kauai and love it every time. Ahi nori and cilantro wraps are my favorite. So yum and good for you. The thai tea is also great! I couldn't leave the island without having eaten here.

    (5)

  • Iain T.

    So we arrive at the island, pick up the car and then eight hours of travelling hit us across the back of the head like a lead baton. Time for food and bed. We had seen this place recommended in the guide book and it was on the way so decided to stop off for a bite to eat. The selections are small, maybe ten things to choose from, but the food itself is cooked in front of you and is so good you're stomach will thank you. The cilantro ahi wrap was huge; imagine a wrap the size of a super burrito stuffed full of seared tuna, spicy cucumber, herbs and spices. My partner had the satay chicken plate, which was so big it did her for a midnight snack as well. For around $9 a plate this was both excellent value and tasty too, and the Thai iced tea hit the spot perfectly. We're already planning on going back.

    (5)

  • Kevin C.

    This is a hole in the wall. Literally. A little walk up place to order and some tables almost on the sidewalk. But it is exactly what we were looking for. We had ahi wraps - I a nori wrap and she the cilantro/pesto variety. Think Chipotle burrito, but much better. Fish was cooked perfectly and these things were huge. We both certainly could have gotten by on one. The hibiscus lemonade was also very nice. This is truly one of those places you might walk right by unless you were really hungry or someone pushed you into it, but it truly a place to go find if you are in Kapaa.

    (5)

  • Sangeetha S.

    After getting drenched while kayaking on the Wailua River, changing into dry clothes and then getting drenched all over again as soon as we thought the fickle rains were gone, and a disastrous cooler experience that lead to two soggy, inedible sandwiches and two famished stomachs, Mermaid's Cafe served as a gustatory saving grace at the end of a very long, wet day. We had the ahi cilantro wrap, which was beyond delicious. The wrap comes with chunks of cucumber, which I thought were a perfect cool, crispy complement to the warm chunks of ahi. We also had the tropical tacos, which comes with salsa, beans, and organic lettuce on the side. The beans were totally flavorless to me and the salsa so-so, but the ahi in the tacos was great, so overall the dish was still really good. We were fortunate enough to take a wrong turn and end up in a quiet part of the restaurant not commonly frequented by customers. There we had a nice, quiet sit-down meal and even got to chat with one of the owners, Randy, who was super friendly and told us all about realizing his dream of moving to Kauai. After we had finished our wrap and tacos, I spotted some brownies sitting on the counter and asked Randy how much they cost, to which he replied "these aren't for sale, they're for enjoyment" and gave them to us for free. And these brownies were ridiculously, insanely good--my boyfriend, who adamantly refuses to eat sweets, ate the substantial lot of them in probably two minutes. Definitely check this place out (and see if you can get the brownies) while on Kauai!

    (5)

  • Jeff J.

    Their chicken satay was very refreshing...light and delicious..would definitely come back. Sit on the side, you can watch the chefs create your dish...enjoy.

    (5)

  • Crystal P.

    I have an undying love for Mermaids Ahi Cilantro wrap. While living on the island, I ate here many, many times. My only issue is the staff changes hands a lot (oh, island living) and it could be inconsistent at times. But this will always be one of my favorite places on the island. Get the ahi cilantro wrap, add salsa and shriacha and enjoy! Grab a Thai ice tea while you are at it too.

    (4)

  • Kimber C.

    red hibiscus tea-lemonade. yummy. I would be satisfied with just that. chicken foccacia sandwich...absolutely good everytime. completely way too much for me to finish. it makes a good meal, or three, for me. fresh ingredients, easy location, friendly service. what's not to like?

    (4)

  • Michael G.

    amazing ahi wrap

    (5)

  • Amy K.

    OVERALL:4.1 FOOD:4 SERVICE:4.5 AMBIANCE:4 VALUE:4 Fast, fresh, friendly & flavorful. Great place to catch a quick bite on the way to/from the beach. Mostly shaded outdoor seating is good for Kapaa people-watching, catching the ocean breeze, and hanging out over some quality food. Steady stream of locals throughout the day, and that's as legit as it gets. Plus, they often have complimentary seasonal fruit (lychees!!) to nibble on. If you're looking for simplicity and don't need the blended bar drinks or TVs, skip Olympic Cafe for some mermaid action. *Fish Tacos: Ran outta seared ahi, so subbed in mahimahi: a bit tougher texture, but still delish, and still tasty. Slice of fresh papaya. *Thai Chicken Wrap: Yummy, tangy, peanutty sesame dressed chicken breast...verrry satisfying and amazingly snug wrapwork, considering the abundance of stuffing.

    (4)

  • John P.

    A classic spot in Kapaa town. This place closed for a while and that would be a tragic loss. It's good: but in my opinion it depends a lot on what you order. To my tastes, some of the food here is really good and some is not so much. For example - I really like the foccia sandwich with either ahi or chicken, but the ahi wrap that they make has too much brown rice on it for me. Their satay sauce is just all right, but their wasabi cream sauce and pesto are killer. Also the lemonade here is off-the-charts good. But add hibiscus tea at your own risk... Can get crowded between 12-2 and 6-8; so it's more enjoyable at non-peak times for sure.

    (4)

  • Jana C.

    5 Star Mermuffin..... 3 Star establishement consistency. MERMUFFIN... with chevre is the best brekkie sandwich EVER. So... I sent some friends there last week and they were told that they don't serve breakfast any more, well maybe sometimes, but that it just depended because the owners were flaky. And that made me sad. So don't get excited. But if it's open for breakfast do get the mermuffin and let your mind get blown.

    (3)

  • Laura S.

    Came here twice and was very pleased with the flavorful nori wrap and tofu curry. I also had a thai iced tea with coconut milk which was very good. The food is very flavorful and the portions are huge while maintaining an affordable price. Without hesitation, I can say this was the most delicious place I ate during my trip to the island of Kauai. It is a must visit- don't save it for the end because you will probably want to go more than once after you taste this food.

    (5)

  • papaya s.

    BEWARE the Ahi Nori Wrap. It should really be called the WASABI wrap because it was drenched in that stuff. Although it was tasty, the wasabi flavor was overwhelming -- it definitely cleared the sinuses! (And we are generally fans of wasabi) We also tried the vegetarian bean burrito, which was flavorful and hearty. It was not worth the $9 price tag, though. Overall, I think the cafe is overpriced and I probably won't back unless it's a Sunday and it's the only "open" option. (Many food joints in the area are closed on Sunday.)

    (2)

  • Daphne J.

    Mermaids has a super laid back surfer vibe complete with a sweet and colorful mural. It's roadside in Kapa'a, so traffic passes by. The food is ono: I've had great breakfasts and lunches. In the morning, our order took a while (20+ minutes)--I think the cook had to prep everything and make our stuff. The hibiscus lemonade is very refreshing.

    (3)

  • S M.

    The trash was over-flowing with food dropping all over the place and none of the staff seemed to care despite telling them. The wraps were rather bland.

    (2)

  • Alan C.

    We were looking for a place to eat and just happened to walk by this place and it smelled amazing. We looked at the menu and some of the people other people had been ordering and we were sold. The Ahi wrap with wasabi sauce was really really good. Just wish they didn't put so much rice in it. Glad we found this place though.

    (4)

  • Adam N.

    I had the Ahi Nori Wrap - tasty, flavorful and wonderfully fresh. We sat right against the windows to the kitchen and watched them prepare our food. Things were fresh, local, and no canned or pre-prepared stuff in the kitchen. The place is basic, just a little hole in the wall, but seems to be popular with locals and tourists alike. I wish we had gone back a second time during our trip so I could sample some more options.

    (4)

  • Patricia S.

    I was in Kauai all last week and besides not taking dramamine before a choppy catamaran ride, my regret is not going to Mermaids more often. Now that I'm home, I'm dreaming about that lovely med-rare Ahi Cilantro wrap with sushi rice I had just the day before I left the island. It was a little over $9 and plenty enough for two people to share for lunch. I'm sure I'll try, but I will never be able to match that recipe at home. This is a definite must when visiting and obvious favorite among the locals who recommended this spot to us.

    (5)

  • Lisa M.

    Food was eh... I was excited as a vegetarian to try this place. What disappointed me most was the lack of flavor... The tofu wrap needs seasoning!

    (2)

  • Tracy A.

    I am sure it was just me and not them. I had an off day here. It didn't hit the spot and worse than that both my sister and I got a little ill. It might have been coincidence but my stomach turns just thinking about it.

    (2)

  • Dominic B.

    Definitely Woohoo! As good as it gets I was just doing an airport pick-up and I stopped on the way to the visitors' destination to pick up " basic necessities" with the passengers. At 7:30 am, we got ahi-wraps! Awesome freshness and service! They didn't even ask for money! - We left $30.00 on the counter...

    (5)

  • Erin T.

    We were starving around 3:00 after our day of kayaking and hiking and just wanted some lunch. This place had pretty good reviews and we were in the area, so we decided to just go with it. My husband and I had the ahi nori wrap - which is basically a huge sushi roll except with little salt/flavor/or tuna. It did however have a lot of rice. I had the chicken tacos. They were Ok at best but again needed salt and had waaaaay too much sauce on it. If we weren't so hungry there is no way we would have eaten it. It still cost about $28 which is too much for bad food, no atmosphere, no service, and just water from the cooler. I think there are MUCH better options in the area.

    (2)

  • Shun S.

    The food here was disgusting! On our way back to the hotel from princeville to Lihue, we stopped by here to pick up dinner. Since I can't eat raw fish right now being pregnant, I had the chicken with peanut sauce wrap with hibiscus ice tea. I'm a huge tea person and usually like my tea without sugar. I love all teas, but the hibiscus ice tea here was very sour and gross. I couldn't even drink half of it. My husband and I tried to dilute it with water and it still tasted nasty, so we threw it away. The chicken with peanut sauce wrap was not too good either. Too much brown rice, too much bean sprouts, and the chicken was too dry. The green spinach wrap was the only good thing in this wrap. The peanut sauce was gross as well. I had acid reflux for the rest of the night after eating this. My hubby had the ahi nori wrap. He says it was edible and ok. He liked the wasabi cream sauce. While we were waiting for our food here, we saw the cashier guy touch money then went straight to taking bean sprouts out of a big container with his dirty bare hands. The bean sprouts in the wraps were raw so basically everyone was eating all the germs from the money that he touched. Gross! I will never eat here again if I'm in Kapaa. I would've given it one star but my hubby wouldn't let me since it was edible for him. So 2 stars it is, but we will never go back to mermaid's cafe.

    (2)

  • Christin V.

    While my wife and I were in Kauai for our honeymoon we ate at a lot of places in the Kapa'a area. It was interesting to find that the quality of food seemed to be completely uncorrelated with the price and 'curb-appeal' of any given place. Mermaids is a perfect example of this. Mermaids cafe was suggested to us by our tattoo artist as a great place to grab a bite to eat as we were waiting for her to draw up a sketch. Were we ever happy with her suggestion. I ate the special of the day which was an ahi taco with a papaya salsa and my wife ordered the chicken foccacia sandwich. She proclaimed it as the best meal she had on the island and it was very hard to argue with her proclamation. The food was hearty and delicious, the pricing was reasonable, and you could just tell that the food was prepared in a healthy and eco-conscious manner. The only downside is that since it is a 'hole-in-the-wall' sort of place there were not a lot of places to sit, basically just a few picnic style tables outside, but I would suggest getting it to go and eating down by the beach anyway. All in all one of our favorite meals on the island for a fraction of what we payed at some other more touristy places.

    (5)

  • kahau m.

    tried both the ahi nori wrap and the ahi cilantro wrap on two occasions. also had the hibiscus tea both times. trip #1- ahi nori wrap. so so. ordered it rare and it came out well done. wasabi cream was heavy on the wasabi thus basically killing the cucumbers and ahi. hibiscus tea was really good. trip #2- cilantro wrap was really good. rare- med rare ahi, cucumbers, brown rice, cilantro pesto. good balance. hibiscus tea is a must. overall i get the feeling that the quality of food and service depend on who is working. would go back and cross my fingers!

    (3)

  • Sue L.

    Thought this was a decent bite to eat. We ordered the ahi nori wrap and chicken coconut curry. I ordered the ahi rare but it came more medium rare. I liked how there was a piece of nori inside because it gave it some extra flavor. Ate it with some sriracha sauce. I was sad about the chicken coconut curry. I couldn't taste even a hint of coconut. We waited for a long time for our meal to come out. There was only one cook but I guess we couldn't get too mad since he was working as fast as he could. I know this because I was starving and staring at him very intently hoping every dish he finished cooking was MINE! Also, I wish their bathroom was cleaner. I saw a huge dead cockroach in the corner and was truly disgusted.

    (3)

  • Susan S.

    I visited Mermaids Cafe last month when we were on Kauai. Had the Ahi Cilantro Wrap which was fantastic. I promised to come back for the curry and today had the Tofu curry which was wonderful. Huge potion with two scoops of brown rice. Could not eat all of it at one sitting but still tasted great cold! This place is a gem.

    (5)

  • Benny L.

    My wife and I ate here today. I got the ahi cilantro wrap, which consisted of rice, ahi tuna, cucumbers and some cilantro sauce of theirs. Very simple, yet very well done and put together. It really was good, and this is a little out of my wheelhouse. I was surprisingly full after eating it. My wife ordered the special of the day, which was a mahi wrap, which consisted of mahi, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and walnuts. I had a few bites and it was very good. My wife loved it. Both wraps were wrapped in a green tortilla. The place is really small, their kitchen is smaller, but it's not a bad place to grab a quick bite to eat. Be warned though, their menu is small and not exactly wide-ranging.

    (4)

  • Arianna P.

    It's a little shack with only a few seats. Seared tuna and tofu were fresh. Rather unimpressive atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Kim B.

    This place is ridiculously good. I crave their nori ahi wrap. It is so freaking good. I wish they delivered.....to NYC :)

    (4)

  • Mike R.

    I had the fish tacos, which were AMAZING! Best place on the island! Very little seating. We found out about it by asking a local merchant where a good place was. The locals know!

    (5)

  • Myle S.

    We trekked it a few blocks from Ono Ono Shave Ice after reading other yelp reviews. Husband had the seared Ahi Tuna salad and I had the chicken satay plate with peanut sauce. Both were really tasty and the portions were huge! We met some locals there and if the locals are eating there......that says a lot!!

    (4)

  • Lani Y.

    I had the Tropical Tacos. Was okay. Here's the deal: Mermaids is inconsistent,, like one reviewer said, and I use to love eating there...you could depend on that place to deliver a delicious meal...felt you got your money's worth with their healthy helpings. BUT, things change, and the rumor is that the wahine that owned it left on a long vacation, left her kids in charge, and it's been hit and miss since then. I stopped by yesterday at 10:30am --the sign said they opened at 10:30am--and was told they won't be open for another 20 minutes. Then, in about 20 minutes, some tourists arrived and placed their orders, and the line started forming, so I just waited. People who ordered chicken were told "we don't have any chicken." Someone asked if they had avocados, "no, we are out of avocados". They just opened! And don't have half the stuff on the menu! You want to order a sandwich, you have menu choices of chicken, ahi or avocado...so they start the day with not a lot of options! So I ordered the "Tropical Tacos" with ahi. It was tasty enough, but greasy, and not the large portions they use to serve. Another reviewer mentioned that they take money when you order and then don't wash their hands, just go back and continue prepping food...yep, they do that. They also greet you a sigh of agitation, like they want to say, "what do you want...hurry up, I don't have all day"--no smile, no thanks for waiting, have a good day...nuttin. Use to be waayyyyy better. But like I said, it's hit or miss. Maybe Ma will return and take over the reigns. There is a sign posted, "Mermaid Wanted". Know of any mermaids who are nice and can cook? Spread the word...Mermaid Cafe needs a Mermaid!

    (1)

  • Rachael T.

    With out a doubt I have had the very best pancakes of my life at Mermaids Cafe, which unfortunately they do not often serve. At the same establishment I have also had the worst Huevos Rancheros of my life. Ultimately they try for fresh and wholesome but are sorely under seasoned and slightly pretentious with the whole hippie vibe going on. It takes a lot more than brown rice and fish in a whole grain tortilla to make delicious food. Except the pancakes.... cheehu!

    (2)

  • Whitney G.

    During our honeymoon in October, my husband and I were interested in trying out some local cuisine with a casual atmosphere. A bellboy recommended that we try Mermaids Cafe in Kapaa. We enjoyed it so much we proceeded to eat here four more times during the course of the week. I loved their fish tacos -totally fresh and covered in a delicious paprika sauce. My husband loved their Nori Wrap (think burrito meets sushi roll) and tried one of their chicken curry specials. Their Hibiscus iced tea is the perfect lunchtime accompaniment. This place epitomizes the Hawaiian feel -casual, beach side, and laid back. If you want a sit-down and stay awhile kind of meal, this isn't the place. But if you're looking for a quick lunch break from the beach, this is a great place to try.

    (4)

  • Lucas T.

    Awesome food and they have gluten free options

    (5)

  • Colleen H.

    It was hot with nowhere to go but crammin it in at the sidewalk cafe/ Mermaid cafe.. rumor had it that it was a local favorite.. I would agree with the other person that wrote about the AHI Tuna CILANTRO wrap... OOOOOOOH MY... Wonderful with the lemonade tea... A place that we had to visit twice because we liked it so much.. I had to take a star away for the crabby wait staff that gave me a lid that was too big for my cup and a 'whats your problem' attitude to go with it.. Fun to watch them working in that little kitchen!

    (4)

  • George P.

    Went here three times. Each time I ordered the ahi nori wrap. Very very tasty! Wasabi sauce has a lot of kick. Very good with slices of ginger and soy sauce. The only downside to the ahi nori wrap is that the flavor gets a little monotonous after awhile. It's good to share with another person w/a different order. Portions were large-- too big to finish in one sitting. I also noticed that the ahi nori wrap is really good cold, straight from the fridge as a leftover snack. The chicken satay wrap is good too :) Well-priced, good portions, and delicious. Definite five stars.

    (5)

  • Rahul P.

    This is a great spot for good food after a day at the beach. The veggie options are all tasty - yellow curry dish and foccacia sandwich with tofu were both delicious. Also, don't forget to try out the thai iced tea, with coconut milk instead of cream! The traffic in Kapaa area can be a bit crazy at times, so be aware of traffic jams driving in. Parking is usually not hard to find - several street spots as well as a large parking lot in back. Also, the location is not too far from the airport for a quick to-go order before flying back home!

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    I had the ahi cilantro wrap which was delicious and my husband had the ahi nori wrap which was like a huge sushi burrito. This was some of the freshest ahi we had on the island and it was only slightly grilled so still raw inside and delicious. We called in our order and took it to go which worked well.

    (4)

  • Michele N.

    Ahi nori wrap, ahi focaccia sandwich and chicken black bean burritos were all incredible. Healthy portions and ingredients. The only drawback was the extremely negative order taker, a smile goes a long way in customer service based businesses. We were made to feel as if we were imposing on her time. No aloha here.

    (4)

  • D T.

    OH-MY-GOD. I just got back from Kauai and I could not for the life of me remember the name of this place from the last time I was here. I landed after an EXHAUSTING shit trip from Chicago trying to come up with the name of this place the entire time. Nope. I figured I'd come across it somehow. Nope. Might I fly right back for an ahi nori wrap? Yep. Do note the warning...It's bit much on the spice, but I know that so I say easy on the sauce and easy on the rice. The rice can over power the deliciousness of the tuna. Go! Run!!

    (4)

  • Jessica F.

    After a week and a halp of traveling I was getting quite tired of eating out but this place restored my faith. One of the best salads I've ever had for sure. All organic and perfectly fitting for this hippy sort of town.

    (5)

  • A B.

    Mermaids use to be tasty & wonderful. Now everytime I eat there, I'm disappointed. The nori wrap and chx satay wrap were mostly brown rice & both have no flavor. Im not sure what changed, but it's never worth the money spent anymore. I ate 1/2 and threw the other 1/2 away.

    (1)

  • Sarah L.

    This cafe was recommended to us by one of the locals as a great sandwich/salad spot in Kapaa- and he was right. Mermaids has great selections for vegetarians and meat eaters too. I had a huge salad with avocado and goat cheese while my husband had the ahi nori wrap. The portions are great and the service is very friendly. The reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because there's only about 4-5 tables to sit at outside. While we shared with another couple and had fun meeting them-for such a popular spot they need to expand on their seating. Cash only too so go prepared or call in your order so it's ready when you get there. Walk up and order at the window and try one of their sweet flavored iced teas like Hibiscus Mint. It's in the cute old town of Kapaa with lots of shops and cafe's around-fun to walk and window shop in this town.

    (4)

  • Kyle M.

    One of the best places on Kaua'i for wraps. Ahi anything ftw. Prices are reasonable.

    (4)

  • Kyle W.

    Best place we found on the island! 3 times for dinner and probably again tonight. Yum!

    (5)

  • Anelya S.

    Loved the Ahi Nori wrap with wasabe -- get it with avocado -- that's the way. One wrap is too much for one eater, split one for two, however my fiancee thinks that he never felt full after the half of it :)

    (5)

  • AsianRunningDiva S.

    Got this tip to check this place out from our guide Johnny at Ali'i Kayaks. FRESH, TASTY, AFFORDABLE! Pulled up there Saturday night and just 2 other couples were there, one waiting for take out and another eating. We ordered the Ahi Nori Wrap (as per Johnny's suggestion) and the special fajita tacos (tuna)--seared tuna, of course! Both together came out to $20 even! Perfect since we had just spent a fortune at 22 North the night before. The wrap was huge! Filled with seared tuna, brown rice, cuks, avo, nori, and a wasabi sauce! The special fajita tacos (seared tuna with onions, pepps, and shrooms) came with black beans and homemade salsa! It was soo good! My taste buds were so happy!!!!!!! :)

    (5)

  • Amy B.

    Really tasty wraps and an interesting selection of lunch options. We had the Tofu Satay Wrap and the Ahi Nori Wrap. The tofu was a little soggy, but well seared on one or two sides. The sauce was very peanutty and creamy. Brown rice made the texture really hearty. The satay wrap did fall apart quite catastrophically and required a fork. Not much seating, but we got a table on the sidewalk. Food came out fairly quickly - not super speedy, but not obnoxiously slow. One complaint: we ordered Thai iced tea with coconut milk and that was kind of gross. The milk just sort of sat on top and was kind of curdley. They offered it the usual way, too, with evaporated milk, but we thought coconut milk sounded good. Not good. But the tea, aside from the milk, was tasty.

    (4)

  • Angela F.

    Two of the best meals we had on the island were at Mermaids. The tuna wrap is amazing. Amazing!! This is a great place to stop for a bite if you are sandy from the beach and just want a casual meal. We ate here twice on the second time we took our food to go and went to the lookout a little ways up the road and ate while we watched a storm come in from the comfort and safety of our car. It was fantastic.

    (5)

  • Natalie D.

    We gave this place a shot for a couple reasons: it received an "ono" in our Kauai travel book; it was local; and it claimed to be healthy. The outdoor seating is small, but a nice alternative to indoor. The staff seemed friendly enough. My husband ordered the ahi tuna wrap and if you like sushi rolls, you'll likely enjoy this- we both thought it tasted just like a roll wrapped in a tortilla. I ordered the curry plate and wasn't too thrilled. I LOVE curry and had pretty high hopes; this was extremely mild (though to their credit, it does state "mild" on the menu) and just lackluster. I doubt we'd return.....unless we've tried all the other restaurants in the area and I didn't feel like cooking in the condo!

    (3)

  • April B.

    this place is AWESOME! My husband and I stayed on the island 4 years ago for our honeymoon and still talk about this place in fact we're thinking about a special vacation just so we can eat here again! i wish i had a mermaid burrito right now ... ummm seared tuna with cilantro rice, creamy avo and wasabi mayo! Mouth Watering and Dreamy Delicious!

    (5)

  • Kira S.

    The seared ahi cilantro wrap and the avocado foccacia are amazing. Incredibly delicious, healthy, and fresh. We will miss this place when we go back home to CA! We've already gone twice in two days--highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Leilani M.

    AHI NORI WRAP I LOVE YOU!!! There is nothing better for lunch than a fresh, delicious Ahi Nori Wrap...if you're on Kauai, this is a MUST!

    (5)

  • D W.

    Id give the ahi wraps a solid B rating. I need a little soy sauce for my liking. They were out of lemonade and two other teas we wanted, but the lemongrass was good. All in all it wasn't horrible, but i doubt we'd go back.

    (3)

  • Luke S.

    One of the first places I ever found using Yelp. The seared tuna wrap is one of my favorite lunch meals ever. A must visit place - I would also visit the island just to eat here.

    (5)

  • J L.

    Delicious fish taco/burrito thingy. The sauce with the rice was delish! Limited menu but tasty options. Had the rice and black bean burrito on another occasion and the flavor was nice. (Walk Up Window ordering) Limited seating out front and a few stools along the side. They can make a quesadilla for the kids if they don't like the other options. It's so small of a place that you practically miss it. It's between the ABC Store and Bubba's Burgers. They were out of the homemade lemonade at 12 noon on a Monday - I found that odd.

    (4)

  • Juliana C.

    I ordered the Ahi Nori wrap which was probably 3 stars. I went there a few times when I was living on the island a couple years ago and remembered the food tasting a little better. The place itself is SUPER cute though with the mermaid and sea life paintings. I would have left 4 stars but the girl working the counter was pretty rude =/

    (3)

  • Baby C.

    This place is not what it used to be. They don't even take cash anymore. The last few times I got the ahi nori wrap it just taste bland and the ahi isn't very good. I used to be so satisfied when I came here for lunch and now it just leaves me hungry for something else but too broke because I had just spent $11 something on that and a drink. 2 stars because of what they used to be and their lemonade is okay. If I want an ahi wrap that's a little different but 10x better id get the seared ahi tacos from verde up the road. Mmm so good

    (2)

  • willy j.

    Kauai's best place to eat! its a bold statement but its true. Get the Ahi cilantro wrap, or the Ahi salad, or Ahi stay plate. To drink get the Thai ice tea. must try here before you leave the island. Also Ahi focaccia sandwich

    (5)

  • mike l.

    There's only one thing on the menu you need to be concerned about when coming to this place: Ahi Nori Wrap. Order it and have them sear the ahi--then enjoy one of the best fast food meals you'll ever have. It's been a week and I'm still dreaming about my experience at this dive.

    (5)

  • Julie U.

    Our first time at Mermaid's was pretty good. How can you ask for a better wrap than one loaded up with sushi rice, lightly seared Ahi, and cilantro sauce wrapped into a green tortilla? Either I was really hungry or it was really good... or maybe both. Our second trip, though, absolutely sucked. We couldn't eat it. I suppose it's due in part to the fact that I subbed the rice for black beans (because I don't like eating a whole bunch of rice). Aside from that, though, the Ahi in my second wrap was cooked to the core. NOT okay. Ahi is one of those fish that is fantastic totally raw, pretty good seared, and utterly tasteless when it's cooked. Why would you do this to a fish? The poor thing died for this! I attribute the vastly different experience with the fact that there was a totally different cook working on the second visit. We probably wouldn't go back, mostly because it's a touch to pricy to be worth the gamble.

    (3)

  • Stell L.

    Their wasabi sauce in the ahi wrap is amazing! Ice tea is pretty typical, but still good

    (5)

  • RJ P.

    Awesome food stand. The special of the day was perfectly seared ono encrusted in wasabi on a tostada. Amazing. I also tried the Ahi wrap, less impressive, but I can't complain about quality of ingredients or value.

    (4)

  • Suzanne S.

    Our friends stopped by Mermaids on their last trip to Kauai and highly recommended it as a pit stop after a day at the beach. We were so happy that we stopped in! Everything is made fresh to-order, the portions are generous ... and you just can't beat their options for ahi. The wrap is delish ... I have no idea what they put in the Wasabi sauce, aside from Wasabi, but it is amazing. I wish they bottled it! Drink choices were inspired teas ... interesting, but limited. I was able to pop next door for an iced Kona coffee. The seating is limited as well, but if you snag a table, you get a great view of the beach traffic coming and going on the main drag.

    (4)

  • Valerie R.

    My husband has converted me to vegetarianism full time! I had the stir fry noodle plate with tofu and my husband had the tofu coconut curry - both were very flavorful and huge portions! The two types of noodles in my stir fry were whole wheat and spinach, and the veggies were fresh. Also a plus - swiss chard in the veggies! We also had the lemonade which was good and not too sweet, and the tropical hibiscus tea - yum! Be warned, however, it's a tiny space with not a lot of seating. Service was also great. Note: they are cash only! A new fave for when we are in Kaua'i :)

    (5)

  • mindy y.

    good stuff. local frequent this place. a hidden gem. (the first time around) we had the ahi nori wrap and tropical tacos. these people know how to deliver good food and really hustle to cook up the food right before your eyes. it's a small but cute place. i want to go back tomorrow for round . so round 2 the following day didn't meet expectations. the nori wrap this time was full of rice with about 4 pieces of ahi. and the special plate (taquitos) wasn't even as good as the ones i buy from costco and heat up in the oven... not sure which day is more representative of the usual food fare at this place. service was always good though.

    (3)

  • Heather T.

    Just returned from a week in Kauai and wanted to write a review about this place. The food here was so amazing!!!! I had the ahi nori wrap and my husband had the tropical tacos- both were delicious! Can't wait to return to Kauai and eat at this place again!!!! Don't forget to get a Thai Iced Tea when you are there- YUMMY!

    (5)

  • Marion G.

    Best was the curry. Wraps in general feel huge to me, these are no exception.

    (4)

  • Joyce Y.

    This small little hole in the wall was a good find! We found it on yelp and it was good...and "healthy"! We tried their special - ono cilantro wrap with rice, lettuce, tomatoes, walnuts, cucumbers, red onion, feta, mahi mahi or ono fish, with cilantro pesto. Price was about $10 +. It is made to order and fresh. It was delicious! I wanted mahi mahi but they were already sold out. The ono wasn't bad. The walnuts gave it a good contrasting texture and the cilantro pesto was yummy! Service was nice and friendly. Tables are pretty limited. Good find in Kauai!

    (4)

  • Jason M.

    I almost always get the Ahi Nori wrap at Mermaid's whenever in Kauai, but I broke down and had the daily special, the Gangsta Wrap (mostly based off name alone). Super delicious, super fresh.

    (5)

  • Sharon R.

    I'm a health food fanatic and I was really excited to eat here because their food is organic and made fresh. I ordered the tofu coconut curry with brown rice and I was not disappointed! It was that good! Not bad for my first lunch on my first day in Kaua'i. I also found out that this place is known for their Ahi Nori wrap and I really wished that I came back to try it. It's all good though...I'm definitely making another trip to the island, hopefully sooner rather than later, so I can try it. Not only was the food good, but I really liked the atmosphere. Mermaids is a small food shack with some tables and chairs in the front. I enjoyed eating here, listening to the reggae music and people watching and just feeling the laidback, island vibe.

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    Maggie at Outfitters Kauai mentioned this place to us. We decided to check it out. It's a very small hole in the wall and if you don't pay attention you will drive right by it. Ordered the Ahi Nori wrap that ish was the bomb! If you are not a fan of wasabi tell them to go easy on the sauce.

    (5)

  • Mary K.

    I am never disappointed here. The Ahi wrap, cilantro and wasabi are my fav's but recently had the fish taco's and they were good too. After you are done, go next door to Java Kai for a cookie....yum

    (5)

  • Tony N.

    I always eat the ahi nori wrap with the ahi being seared and extra wasabi,the cilantro wrap is also good,maybe I'll try the cilantro with wasabi on the side,and my drink of choice is hibiscus lemonade

    (5)

  • Maple C.

    You have to come here if you're in Kauai. Have to, have to, have to. The ahi nori wrap was so freaking good. One bite, and I literally thought, "okay. yep. five stars on yelp." My fiance had the focaccia sandwich which was also delicious. We like to argue about who's meal was better tasting. Obviously I think the wrap was better, but if we both thought our meal was five star good, you can't go wrong!

    (5)

  • Nurse R.

    Be careful or you'll walk right by it! Loved the staff ( 3 or 4 ladies who know what they're doing in the kitchen), as well as the food. We had thai iced tea with coconut milk, chicken curry stir fry with rice, and the daily taco special (some kind of amazingly well-seasoned fish). There are only a few tables right out front on the sidewalk, and they only take cash. Also, as with many locally-run restaurants on the island, don't expect them to kiss your butt or bus your table. Just enjoy your food, and maybe give a handout to one of the chickens :-)

    (5)

  • Paige G.

    Great little place, a lot of locals eat here. I had the nori ahi wrap, super fresh fish, delicious spicy wasabi cream and a lot of fresh cucumber. Come early, they run out of items on the menu starting around 8 and it's cash only!

    (4)

  • John C.

    Great spot. Above average food with reasonable prices. Basically a taco shop layout with outside patio dining only.

    (5)

  • Eugenie P.

    Great food and ambiance! Try the hibiscus tea, it's to die for!

    (5)

  • Bryce R.

    Stopped for lunch here after reading the good reviews. This is a small little storefront with a few seats out front. I got the ahi nori wrap and my wife got the chicken foccacia sandwich washed down with hibiscus lemonade. The food was really quite good. The prices were pretty reasonable. I might like a bit larger menu, but what they do, they seem to do really well.

    (4)

  • Pebble L.

    HUGE wraps made fresh as you order, very reasonably priced, incredible service. Stop by here for a wrap... It is literally a hole in the wall, takeaway only, but they are rolling out some great food.

    (4)

  • Bert S.

    Hawaiian taco stand feel. Fish super fresh. Great portions. Awesome combinations. Try the ahi nori wrap for great local flavor.

    (4)

  • Kelly G.

    Great wrap!

    (4)

  • Armen S.

    We've stopped in twice for lunch. Tropical Tacos and Ahi Wrap are both great. I especially like the Thai Iced Tea with coconut milk. The service is quick and friendly. It's fun to look into the tiny kitchen and see the gals cooking up a storm!

    (5)

  • Cindy Lou W.

    We dined at Mermaids to try the Hibiscus Lemonade, which was fantastic! We shared the fish taco plate. The fish was perfectly cooked, and our food was prepared as soon as we ordered. The service was fine- this is a stand, not a fine dining establishment- not sure why other reviewers complain so much about the service. For me, Yelp is about the food- if the food's not good, all the service in the world can't change that. The food here was very good, including the side of rice and beans.

    (4)

  • Robert C.

    I had the tropical tacos for lunch today. I was eager to come back here and try it. These were ahi tacos with a special sauce. That sauce an off tan color seemed to contain sour cream. Although I liked the sauce it really obscured the ahi. It made me wonder what really was in this taco. The two generous taco were accompanied by organic lettuce with a salsa fresca and side order of black beans. 3 1/2 stars for originality.

    (3)

  • Dean I.

    Food here is excellent, and cool little, rustic patio area to eat. Ladies working here were a little cranky, but this place is pretty much grab and go, so not cranky enough to ruin the experience.

    (4)

  • Becha H.

    I had the Ahi Nomi wrap. It was huge and I could only finish half but it was terrific. You choose the way u want Ur fish cooked and I had mine seared. It tasted like a giant sushi roll! My boyfriend had the fish taco of some sort and it was fantastic as well. With our 2 large meals and 2 lemonade it came out to about 24$. Good choice but heavy pricing.

    (4)

  • Dawn S.

    We just happened upon this place and loved it! Both of us got the ahi wrap with nori (fav among the locals) - it was like eating a great big sushi roll. Fabulous! Very filling. Tiny little place tucked with a few tables out front and some stools along the side (much cooler there). Definitely a lunch stop when in Kapaa. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Elisa L.

    We have visited the island numerous times and this is always a must for lunch or snack a few times while we are there. I think this past trip we ate here 3-4 times. Everything on the menu is good and very filling. We usually share a wrap and are good till dinnertime. The lemonade is very tasty! We love this place and the staff is friendly and very quick. We love this place!

    (5)

  • B S.

    Amazing lunch after a kayaking adventure down the wilua river.

    (5)

  • Kent H.

    This place is great. My wife and I came here after a few hours at the beach and were famished. I had the black bean burrito, she had the stir fry. Both dishes tasted exactly how we wanted, and the folks working there were friendly. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Kristine R.

    My husband and I went here for lunch yesterday and we are so glad we did. He got the ahi wrap with cilantro, cucumber, and rice. I got the chicken satay wrap with bean sprouts, rice, and peanut sauce. They were both absolutely delicious. I ate way too much because it just tasted so good. The wraps were definitely a good size for their price, you won't go home hungry.

    (5)

  • Scilly I.

    First I want to say for anyone who hasnt eaten here, there are other items on the menu than the ahi nori wrap! Fellow yelpers may lead you to believe otherwise. This is definitely the best deal on Kauai (or the best we found) as you can get a large portion for 10 or less. Mermaids definitely has a healthier menu and is very accomodating for vegetarians! I got a stir fry with tofu, which was very filling and mixed with good veggies. Although it wasnt the tastiest I've ever had and was a little on the greasy side. I should've gotten what my brother ordered, the peanut satay which was much much better. With Blossoming Lotus no longer around this has to be one of the best bets in Kapaa and Kauai as a whole.

    (4)

  • Jon M.

    I was looking for a vegetarian option so I tried the tofu wrap. It was just ok. It lacked a little flavor, but I would try it again to see if I might have just got there on an off day.

    (3)

  • Ahonui B.

    I've eaten here only twice. The first time, I got the tofu satay wrap and it was amazing. It was sooo tasty and the tofu was cooked so that it was nice and crispy, but not hard. It justified the slightly high price sticker. The next time my boyfriend & I went there, my mouth was watering in anticipation of my wrap. He got the ahi nori wrap and paid about $5 extra for the fresh-caught local ahi they were featuring that day. Not bad, really, for supporting local fishermen and getting absolutely fresh fish. Well...the wrap was awful. There was loads of sauce on it, but it didn't taste like anything. All I could taste was tofu. I can go to the store and buy a block of tofu & eat it for much less, if that's what I wanted. My boyfriend's ahi wrap was seriously lacking in the ahi. I mean, if they didn't have enough ahi to give a good portion to people paying a serious deal extra, then they shouldn't offer it. It's a big waste of people's money, the fish, EVERYTHING when you can't taste the skimpy portion of fish in your fish wrap. It might have been an off day, but I'm not willing to go back and see if the chef is having a good day....

    (2)

  • MyBabyLove R.

    The Mermaid Cafe is just a little foodshack in the quaint town of Kapa'a. Fresh Ahi tuna caught that day, seared up and served within nori in a wonderful wrap filled with a wonderful wasabi sauce and greens. Yes, it's the famous Ahi Nori Wrap that this place is reknowed for (mentioned in the book "Hidden Kauai"). Wow. For $8 you are filled up and not without an explosion of taste. Try the Hibiscus Lemonade with your wrap. Also, this is a place where you can get an amazing salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a pesto dressing that is just way too healthy and tasty to believe. This place is situated in downtown Kapa'a right next to the Blossoming Lotus lunch outlet, another favorite of mine. There are a few tables right out front for you to sit and convene at. I'd have to say that if you are choosing to stay at either Poipu or Kapa'a, make sure you make the trek to this place-- it makes any food and service on the north end of the island (eg: hanalei bay, princeville) seem ridiculous. Of course, Princeville and Hanalei really are quite ridiculous.

    (5)

  • C K.

    Ahi Nori roll (local favorite) + spearmint/lemongrass iced tea = Awesome!

    (5)

  • Tavis C.

    You'll detect a pattern with the reviews for Mermaids and it starts with three words: ahi nori wrap. Fish tacos and the cilantro wrap were also solid; however, the weakest link has to be the hibiscus iced tea. Honestly, if you think that liquifying a Glade Plug-In over some ice cubes qualifies as a good idea, I suggest you order a pitcher of this stuff...

    (3)

  • Michael S.

    Great healthy food at a good price, good approach to sustainability. I recommend

    (4)

  • Tiffany B.

    hmmm hmmm hmmm! i had an ahi wrap well done with a thai iced tea and Kahla had a chicken sautee wrap. The wraps are about 11 bucks but the are huge, very filling, and oh so ono! their freshly sqeezed lemonade is dank toO! perfect for a lunch date with a bestfriend

    (5)

  • Sandra M.

    Not my cup of tea! The flavors are missing so the food is a bit bland.

    (1)

  • Serina T.

    This is a hole in the wall place in downtown Kapa'a. There's usually about a 20 minute wait to order and get your food since they usually only have about 2 people working there. You can call ahead with your order though and pick it up when you get there. I ordered the chicken satay dish and the stir fried noodle dish. Both were decent but nothing really extraordinary. The good thing is that they supposedly use organic ingredients. Entrees are about $10 each. You can sit at one of the outdoor tables or by a little tiny bar where you can watch them cook your food.

    (3)

  • Taryn S.

    I love the facacia sandwich with ahi and black bean burrito with a tai ice tea...their food is always fresh and tasty. One of my favorite places to eat on island.

    (5)

  • Satoru Y.

    This is what good island food should be. I love deliciously filling healthy food like this. To me, this reminds me of the country sides of Hawaii; away from the accustomed 'plate lunch' style. The ingredients are fresh. The flavors are so comforting and filling at the same time. My Focaccia sandwich was made with great fresh bread. The pesto was to die for. Usually I would like some kind of chips or fries with a sandwich, but it was so good that it didn't need it. I had a taste of the Ahi-Tuna Wrap. The ahi was local and seared. The wrap was just as good as my focaccia. I only wish I could've tried more of the menu. One of the gems of Hawaii if you ask me.

    (5)

  • Viv M.

    Nice taco shop style restaurant. Had the tofu stir fry noodles and it was pretty good. Like it for the casual feel and freshly cooked dishes.

    (4)

  • Veghead N.

    Back in Kauai after 5 years and took a drive from the north shore to have lunch here. Just as great as I remembered! Ahi wrap was delish and hubby had the ahi tacos and loved them. The only downfall about the experience was the lack of aloha spirit from the cashier. Waited a good 10min until one of the cooks actually stepped up and took our order. I waited a moment afterword to see if the cashier would ring us up and had to ask if I should pay now. I got a very rude response and negative tone of " I don't know what you ordered". The cook stepped up once again and got things straightened out. I hope this cashier was just having a bad day because I almost lost most patience and took my business elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Jessica G.

    ahi nori, ahi nori, ahi nori....oh and hibiscus iced tea....hit the spot right after a good Yoga workout...all the ingredients were SUPER fresh and didn't feel over stuffed afterwards...

    (4)

  • Shari D.

    A family friend that lives on kauai recommend this spot and the ahi nori wasabi wrap. Being a fan of all those things, I thought it was one of the most delicious things I had ever tasted especially after kayaking the wailua river. Some friends thought the wasabi was too strong but since I am a fan it was perfect for my taste buds. I didn't think the wait time was too bad, but there isn't too much seating so we had to wait for a table. But definitely worth it.

    (4)

  • Marc G.

    Based on a recommendation from one of the locals, I discovered Mermaids on my second trip to Kauai, and have gone there religiously each trip since. It is literally a small hole in the wall in Kapaa, surrounded by some pretty mediocre restaurants (Olympic Bar and Grill anyone?). You can watch the Herculean chef (usually there is only one) slaving away to make your meal, and in one point, seven others simultaneously when it was really busy. The service is brief but always stellar. Of course, on to the food. Everything here is fantastic. I mean that literally. They only have around ten items on the menu, and I've eaten all of them. My favorite is the chicken coconut curry and a Thai iced tea with evaporated milk. Good, good stuff. Very fresh, very flavorful, and they use local and organic produce, which is one of the most important aspects of dining out to these taste buds. Also fantastic is the bean burrito. Ask them to put chicken and avocado in it for you and you have borderline heaven on your plate. Highly recommended, and for the love of all things, please tip the chef generously.

    (5)

  • Tracy M.

    My husband got the Ahi Nori Wrap and I got the Curry Chicken Wrap. Initial taste of these wraps...DELISH...but after a few bites, everything kind of starts tasting the same and we both actually got sick of our wraps pretty quickly.

    (3)

  • Kate J.

    Delish and so fun! The lemonades are fantastic and the fish tacos are memorable.

    (4)

  • Kimi T.

    this place is absolutely amazing.. after a long afternoon of kayaking, this place hit the spot. i ordered the ahi cilantro wrap.. BOMB. it was probably the best thing i ate during my whole hawaii vacation! i am in the middle of planning another trip to hawaii and i can't stop thinking about mermaids....

    (5)

  • Jane M.

    Recommended by our kayak guide. We went for the Ahi Wraps and it was Da Bomb!! Huge burrito filled with brown rice, fresh perfectly cooked ahi, cukes and that Ono wasabi sauce. Yum Yum..

    (5)

  • Lexica B.

    We had the ahi wrap and the pesto mahi mahi focaccia sandwich and hibiscus lemonade. It was all soooo good, and very reasonably priced. It's a completely casual place, the person who took our order was friendly, quick, and the cook behind her was working away the whole time. If you happen to be a large group, or arrive at the same time as many others you may have to wait - it's not fast food a la McD's(thank dog!). Chill, you're in Kauai getting great local food at a good price (hard to find). Also - add avocado to whatever you order, the local avo's are tasty too.

    (5)

  • Paul Z.

    I was expecting Nirvana here. Ordered the Ahi Nori Roll and it was made per spec, they were huge but the hugeness was due to rice. The fish was good, the wasabi was hot and the rice was brown. I seriously expected more, but this was a fine lunch stop with a great funky feel.

    (2)

  • Corey B.

    Will I wake from a dream?. I WILL!! It was all wrong info! I had heard that Mermaid's Cafe had CLOSED and considered throwing in the towel on life - but ALAS! It's OPEN!!! Woooo HOOO!!!! The excitement stems from what a gem of a spot this is. When my husband and I hit Kauai we B-lined for Mermaid's, per our friend's deliberate instructions - from the fresh sushi "burrito" to the floral ice tea in a relaxed outdoor setting, it's - heaven.

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    My favorite place to eat, possibly in the whole world. I love the Ahi Wraps, and just about anything else. Reasonably priced, super fresh ingredients, and a laid back atmosphere. People complaining about the service need to chill out a little bit. The place is a little small (which I like) and it's pretty popular, so they can get backed up a bit, but they do their best and it's worth the wait. If you want crappy, pre-made food served instantly, go to McDonald's instead.

    (5)

  • Quel B.

    We were excited to find this gem of a restaurant that had really tasty vegetarian options for us. We tried a greek salad and tofu coconut curry the first time we went. We liked it so much we tried the avocado sandwich and the tofu coconut curry again the second time a few days later. The food is made fresh while you get serenaded by reggae music on the radio- it really gave a fun island feel. The food was fresh and delicious, full of flavor. The coconut curry had a great consistency and the tofu was well cooked to a nice texture. I enjoyed the greens in the salad as well. The whole restaurant was great and friendly. A nice gem along the highway in Kauai.

    (5)

  • Zé M.

    Very good, definitely a place to stop by on your way to or back from the North coast.

    (4)

  • jen t.

    This is exactly what I wanted! We drove up the canyon and came back down into Kapaa looking for a good healthy meal. We saw mermaids cafe and that they had Ahi burritos. I got the ahi burrito with cilantro, and he got the ahi burrito with nori and some yummy wasabi sauce. I think I liked his better but mine was really good, needed salt, but this place uses organic everything, brown rice and low sodium/sugars. I had the hybiscus tea and he the hybiscus lemonade, both where good, both low on the sugars. The burritos are big enough to share one, I stuffed myself because it was just that tasty!

    (5)

  • Wesley V.

    This place is great! Our first meal in Kauai, suggested to us by our skilled concierge, and just a few minutes up the road from our hotel. I got the Ahi Nori Wrap, which was amazing! 1/2 of it was eaten by my girlfriend, who wouldn't stop raving about the Wasabi Cream dressing inside. Perfectly seared Ahi, enormous portion, and a good price. She had the yellow curry vegetables, which were also good. Delicately spiced with enough curry kick to make them very good, just not as good as my "sushi burrito". Excellent iced teas too. I had the hibiscus tea w/lemonade. This should be on your list of "Don't Miss" places to eat while in Kauai.

    (5)

  • Shawn G.

    I almost want to deduct points because it hurts so much to think about how my wife and I were just there two weeks ago and now we're back in Chicago, where the weather is 17 below and the closest thing to seared ahi is the Chicago River's famous two-headed rainbow smelt. But I cannot. I can say that this place is a delight. We went on our last day in Kaua'i and that really topped it off. We were nearly broke and only had a rental car to drive the day away with. Mermaids is great for people-watching (or car-watching, but both are delightful in Kaua'i) and the prices are perfect especially when you compare your bill to, say, the night before. There aren't many tables, but, heck, it's Kaua'i so everyone's as friendly as the roosters at Coconut Marketplace. We sat with a woman who was a realtor and, after our meal, came pretty close to taking her card. The food was good. It may have been more creative than delicious, but sometimes that's all you need. I had the cilantro wrap, which was immense and filled with rice. I was worried it would be so cilantro-heavy I would smell like Chipotle the rest of the trip, but the flavors were well-balanced. The downside, though, is that it made the wrap slightly bland. Of course, that didn't stop me from devouring it all and nothing stopped my wife from being mesmerized by her tropical tacos. If you're reading this, Mermaids Cafe, perhaps you could open a franchise in Chicago? You might have to change it to Narwhals Cafe, though.

    (4)

  • Megan P.

    Some days the waitresses were a little grumpy, but every time the food was excellent. We went a few different days of our vacation and sampled a few different items, but all were fresh and delicious! One of the best eateries we went to in all of Kauai!

    (4)

  • Theresa F.

    As far as I'm concerned you don't come to kauai for fine dining. But you can get some amazing food here none the less. We got off the plane and headed straight to Mermaids for the Ahi Nori wrap. Mermaids is a hole in the wall serving up some incredible food. When I come to kauai, ahi just seems to be part of my everyday diet. The Ahi Nori is so savory, succulent and delicious.

    (5)

  • Bonnie A.

    Best ahi tacos and wraps! The best food we have had all week on Kauai!

    (5)

  • Natalie D.

    Roadside/sidewalk side small place with a few tables outside. Had the ahi nori wrap, which is basically a wrap with ahi (had seared), with creamy wasabi dressing. Tastes great with the ginger that comes on the side. Had with a Thai iced tea, which was ok. Nice place for take out or a quick lunch on a nice day. Fair prices, good service.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    Very small place that can be easily missed. Just like everyone else, I had the Ahi Nori Wrap. I was impressed. The ahi was cooked perfectly and the wasabi gives the wrap a nice kick. There is a lot of wasabi which can made the burrito very spicy but soy sauce can balance it out. I would eat it again. Also tried the hibiscus lemonade. Very interesting taste that kind of tasted like alcohol. I don't think I would order it again.

    (4)

  • ben A.

    We tried The cilantro Ahi wrap and the nori tuna wrap along with the properly made coconut thai tea all three were dead on delicious very expensive for a wrap. Its fresh ahi so what to you expect really stinking good.

    (5)

  • Pam D.

    My husband and I both loved the Ahi Cilantro Wrap and the hibiscus lemonade. We loved the wrap so much that we're trying to re-create it at home... It's crucial that you order the Ahi seared, rare in the middle. (I have never understood why anyone would order it cooked all the way through. It's best rare or slightly seared.) I agree with other reviews that say you have to wait a bit for your order. Yeah, this is not fast food, but why would you want fast food on Kauai??? In any case, it's worth the wait.

    (5)

  • trig v.

    omg! no joke! tuna wrap makes me want to move here um. like now!

    (5)

  • M J.

    Fresh and original. One of my favorites on the island. They are always busy which is a good sign, but the wait is not too long because the workers have an awesome system down. Try the ahi tuna nori wrap! Eat there or walk to the coastal bike bath makai. I rarely pass through Kapaa without stopping for Mermaids!

    (5)

  • Nathan P.

    The curry is flavorless, the kind of flavorless curry you get from using lots of curry powder and no curry paste. The wraps are 75% rice and fall apart when you eat them. The hibiscus tea tastes bad. The thai tea with coconut milk, however, was excellent!

    (1)

  • Kasey F.

    I always get the tofu satay wrap and eat it with symbal. The portions are huge so it can feed 2 unless your super hungry but I can never finish a whole one by myself one time. This is my favorite place to go wen I don't want to cook.

    (5)

  • Arielle S.

    Amazing little roadside cafe!! Was only in Kauai for a week, but we went there twice, and even though I wanted to try everything, I had the same thing (a chicken wrap) because it was so good!

    (5)

  • Davey K.

    nice big portions healthy vegan food Options, fresh food nice atmosphere, nice service with a smile, great for vega ns :-)

    (5)

  • Natalie G.

    This is place was beyond anything I have ever tasted!!!! All the locals know that this is the spot to be at around noon! Its the best lunch there is! There fresh lemonaid is to die for! I wish I was there now! I never liked black beans very much but hope to have them again!!!! Kauai I miss you!!!

    (5)

  • Brooke W.

    I spotted this gem as we were driving up to the Napali Coast... on our way back I made my husband stop for a quick bite to eat. I think this was the best decision we made on the island!!!

    (5)

  • Harald L.

    Great food. I had the ahi cilantro wrap. Good quality, tasty and reasonable. I highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    We really enjoyed our meal at Mermaids Cafe! It's just a little sidewalk cafe where you order at the window and grab a seat outside or take your food to go. We ordered the Ahi Nori wrap which was really good and highly recommended, and the stir fry noodles with chicken - my husband loved this, I found it a bit too salty. Awesome value for the price! We would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Johanna E.

    My boyfriend and I ate at this little hole in the wall cafe/restaurant after seeing it in a guide book. It's a tiny little cafe with limited seating. Service was only ok (pretty slow actually) and we were not impressed by the food. We ordered the Chicken Coconut Curry Plate, Chicken Satay Plate, and Thai Iced tea with Coconut Milk. Unfortunately, the food was bland and tasted nothing like what we expected of curry or chicken satay to taste like. Not a hint of coconut or curry flavors in the Coconut Curry, no pleasant peanut taste in the Chicken Satay, and only 4 small pieces of chicken in each of our dishes, drowning in a pile of vegetables with too much sauce. As for the Thai Iced Tea...not good. I felt like we got ripped off, honestly...the food is overpriced. I don't think we'll be going back again.

    (2)

  • Dan N.

    Yum, some good curry here. Made fresh. Friendly people. Tasty recipes. Reasonably price.

    (5)

  • S L.

    Great little cafe in Kapaa - it is 'a must' for locals and visitors! My boyfriend introduced me to this place and I will go back there anytime. Must try the Ahi (seared) wrap with brown rice and wasabi sauce. The wasabi sauce (if anyone has the recipe, please let me know - it is DELICIOUS) holds this whole wrap together nicely with a nice zing to the ahi, cucumber, nori, and the brown rice. All the flavors and ingredients are very complementing. Very hearty yet healthy. Goes well with a lemonade or Thai iced tea. Their salads are great too, their ingredients are fresh and usually organic. Great and friendly service.

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    The ahi nori wrap is delish. It's unique and tasty--mostly due to the nori and fresh fish. The curry dish is mediocre. It had lots of veggies (good), but the chicken was dry/tough (bad). Wraps and dishes are priced at around $10.

    (3)

  • Jen C.

    This place is a cute, little shack with a few tables in front. After having a couple disappointing dining experiences my first day on the island, I decided to try this place after reading all the positive reviews. To be fair, I don't eat meat so I can't attest to how delicious (or not delicious) their famous ahi cilantro wrap is; my review is for the vegetarian options. I had the tofu satay plate ($10.95), which consisted of tofu and fresh veggies stir-fried with peanut sauce and served with a side of brown rice (extra points for having brown rice!). There wasn't anything special about the dish, but it was fresh tasting and pretty flavorful. My partner ordered the tofu stir fry noodle plate (also $10.95), which was lacking in flavor. They get points deducted for using what looked and tasted like linguine noodles. Italian pasta and Asian stir fry do not mix well together! If they had used Asian-style wheat noodles or rice noodles, the dish would have had a much better texture and taste. The regular lemonade was not overly sweet and very refreshing; my partner thought the hibiscus lemonade tasted too syrupy. This place wouldn't be my first option of places to go eat, but given the lack of tasty, affordable places to dine out on Kauai (please note this is my third time visiting the island when I say this), I would go back.

    (3)

  • Marisa O.

    We happened upon this place because we were searching for a place to eat on a Sunday afternoon, which is nearly impossible to do in Kapaa! Apparently, nearly everything is closed! After walking a bit, we found the one place that was crowded! So we decided to give it a try. It's a tiny little area, with about three tables and a counter (pretty much all outdoor dining--the counter is "indoor" because it's under a roof). After checking it out a little, we decided to split an Ahi Nori Wrap (it was what nearly everyone was getting) and it was definitely big enough to split. We ordered the Ahi seared, but it was fully cooked, but DELICIOUS! Ahi, Wasabi cream sauce, nori, cucumber and brown rice. (Even if you don't think it sounds good, it IS! Try it) Served with pink pickled ginger. We also ordered the hibiscus tea lemonade, which is also good, but a little on the tart side. Definitely a gem in Kapaa town. Stop by for a small bit (split one) or a big bite (get one of your own) it's fabulous!

    (4)

  • Mari J.

    I liked Mermaids so much we ate there twice on our trip. I love the outdoor seating and they always have good music playing as well as a very friendly staff. For the food: I recommend anything with ahi. The ahi was absolutely delicious. I had the salad and the cilantro wrap on my two visits. I am craving some of the ahi right now! Beware of the wasabi wrap though, Lindsay M. can attest to the fact that although very delicious, it will definitely clear your sinuses.

    (5)

  • Kayt d.

    We enjoyed the Ahi Cilantro Wraps here (with the additional "local fish" option they were about $12 apiece). They weren't very big (I'm spoiled by San Francisco-style burritos), but just filling enough. When we were done we ordered two more lemonades to go-- it was tasty and full of tart lemon pulp. Yum.

    (4)

  • Ben B.

    A great find! Everything was fresh, healthy and delicious - looking forward to my next lunch at Mermaids!

    (5)

  • Sherry T.

    my bro and I split the ahi/nori wrap. adding a little shoyu at a time made this winnahs! felt pretty healthy eating it since there was brown rice inside and a spicy kick from the wasabi was yummy. Big wrap for like about $10bucks. good deal. we took back to the hotel to eat but you can also sit in their outdoor patio fronting the main road. right in Kapaa. so easy to find.

    (4)

  • Jen C.

    This was my first meal in Kauai, and it was recommended by "the Ultimate Kauai guidebook". I had the ahi nori wrap, and my BF had the tropical tacos. His tacos were so yummy. The nori wrap is unusual, and I ordered the ahi "well done", it was a unique taste, but i think it would've been better if it were "seared", so I want to go back and try it seared. Laid-back employees, and outdoor seating. I'd try it again and recommend it to friends.

    (4)

  • Aaron H.

    I love ahi, and after paying through the nose for virtually everything else, good raw tuna seems serenely inexpensive. Only here will you find a fresh ahi-tuna wrap with wasabi mayo for pretty much the same price as the veggie equivalent. Grab some to go as you're heading north/south towards a fun hike.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth W.

    When I go back to Kauai to see my brother, I love going to Mermaids. Delicious sandwiches, wraps and some of the best Iced Tea ever. It's a super tiny shake off to the side of Kuhio Highway and the perfect place to grab a healthy snack after a day at the beach.

    (5)

  • Molly H.

    So good!! Hubby had the Ahi Nori Wrap (rare) and I had the burrito (chicken). Both were excellent, as was the service. We got here at an uncharacteristic lull and only had to wait about 5 minutes for our food. Only drawback is no beer -- how good would that taste with their yummy wraps? Not fancy, just good food -- definitely our kind of place.

    (5)

  • Sammy D.

    When I finally get to Kauai (about 1 week out of every year), the first thing I do is head to Mermaids and get a seared ahi cilantro wrap and a hibiscus lemonade/ice tea combo. Soooooo good. Be warned: the cilantro in your teeth will be out of control. Avoid the temptation to smile after eating.

    (5)

  • Sau y.

    Alright... so 3 stars for a good reason, I swear! If I could give it 3.5 stars, I would, but 3 stars it is... The Ahi Nori Wrap was good... a bit too much rice for me and not enough fish, but hey- who can complain for $9.95, right? They offer locally caught Ahi for $2 more, but I don't understand-- what else would they serve if not locally caught Ahi? I imagine it'd be more expensive to get the stuff flown in from elsewhere??? I asked and she said "oh it was caught a few days ago vs. frozen..." I don't know how accurate that is since fish eaten raw is frozen at certain temperatures/ certain # of days according to FDA recommended guidelines. Anyway, the wasabi cream sauce had a good balance... we ordered one locally caught ahi and one regular ahi-- couldn't taste the difference really (or at all). Next, we had the sandwich with pesto on foccacia bread. They ran out of avocado, and the bread was amazingly HARD- foccacia bread shouldn't be rock hard, but ok I'll give it 3 stars for good flavors (minus 1 for hard bread and minus 1 for no avocados). Next we come to the Cilantro Wrap-- same as the Ahi Nori one, but without the nori and wasabi sauce... it was BLAND AS SAND! Actually sand has salt, so nevermind, but you get the point... I was sorely disappointed in this one... I kept putting in dabs of soy sauce, salt, pepper, hot sauce... ANYTHING just to get some flavor, but ultimately it was pointless... The fish itself (we asked for seared) came medium/ fully cooked... and was VERY bland on all 4 dishes. We also got Hibiscus Tea and Mint LemonGrass Tea. My friend who got the Hibiscus said it was so sweet she chucked it and went for the free water. I had the Mint LemonGrass... and it tasted like a regular old Mint Tea bag with ICE. Anyone who has ever had lemongrass would know-- Lemongrass is strong-- it has a strong and distinct flavor, and I got ZERO hint of it in this drink. Lastly, we had the coconut rice pudding. It was cold, thick and had a lot of raisins in it. I like raisins, just not in this dish (the sheer # of raisins overpowered the coconut flavor, maybe with a lot less raisins, it would've been much better)... and it needed to be warm. We went up and asked if they had a microwave, and he answered "no, but that would taste a whole lot better warm huh?" YEAH, IT WOULD! (hint to you: warm it up!) All in all, we spent $60 and left feeling a bit middle of the road... the only good thing was the ahi nori wrap, and even that could have used a little tweaking... I will say that compared to other places in Kauai, the food here at Mermaid's Cafe was good, which isn't saying a whole lot really.

    (3)

  • robert c.

    We ate here twice. The first time the food was really very good although they messed up the order - one of the dishes was served with noodles as opposed to rice and the other with neither rice nor noodles. This was really annoying as we didn't find out until we got the food back to the condo and then had to nip out to the local panda express to buy some rice. The second time the food was really bad - we actually ordered the same thing as the previous visit (satay chicken and a coconut curry). The service took forever also. We ordered the food for pick up and were told to be there in 25 minutes which we were, only to have to wait at least a further 1/2 hour. (the poor guy cooking only has one stove and seemed to be panicking and moving incredibly quickly around the kitchen without really getting much done)

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :9:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : No

Mermaids Cafe

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