Norio’s Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Fairmont Orchid,1 N Kaniku Dr, Kohala Coast, HI, 96743
Norio’s Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar Menu
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Address :
Fairmont Orchid,1 N Kaniku Dr
Kohala Coast, HI, 96743 - Phone (808) 887-7368
- Website https://www.fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii/dining/noriosjapanesesteakhousesushibar/?genid=yelp_orc_norios_yelp_basic&utm_source=yelp&utm_medium=paid_referrer&utm_content=orc_norios&utm_campaign=yelp_basic
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Meg V.
We went here during our stay at the Fairmont Orchid. We ordered steak, the fairmont roll, fried tofu, the ahi tuna, and a few side dishes. All of the food besides the asparagus was delicious. However, prices are very high (per normal hotel restaurants). I would say the only negative was that they knew we were celebrating my dad's birthday (and we are part of the president's club) yet they failed to send us any Birthday dessert or do anything special. Other than that, the service and food was excellent!
(4)stephanie p.
another hit or miss restaurant on our trip. We went here our first night and my hubby had sushi, I had filet, son had teriyaki chicken and little had edaname, food and service was great. went there another night and all the meats were way over cooked, to the point they couldn't be eaten. Service was still great but again, not consistent with the food.
(3)M T.
Went for the sushi and fell in love with the truffle fries! The fries were really amazing, totally worth getting. Ambiance is a little funny because the sushi restaurant is in a hotel lobby that also doubles as a continental breakfast area? Getting seated for our reservation took a little while but the service once we were at our table was lovely!
(4)Jennifer B.
Attentative, pleasant, and fast service. Ribeye was cooked perfectly to order and had the perfect about of char. The nigiri was delicious and the server explained each piece well.
(5)E F.
Absolutely fabulous. From the grill Hawaiian Ono/Wahoo with the chili sauce was one of the best dishes I've had in a long time.
(4)John P.
Really impressed. Went there with a party of seven adults. The night started with the best margarita I've ever had. (Three others in my party concurred). The fish was dynamite. (Stuck with straight nigiri). Perfect rice, portions just right. Sake flight was great. Lots of varieties, our server got my requests just so. Ordered "something special" from the chef and he came up with raw octopus. Wow. Impressive sweetness, albeit a bit chewy. Still, something I've never tried, so good for me. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Conrad M.
Our server had a good personality but did not pay attention to us. We were trying to get a simple refill of that great Hawaiian tap water and neither the busser or server could remember to fill us up. After 2 attempts she brings our bill and said "oh that's right you wanted a refill of water" I should of forgot to pay my bill.
(3)Alex V.
If you are looking for good sushi, look elsewhere. Not fresh, lacking flavor. For the exorbant price per piece I was expecting at least fresh fish. Guess I'll have to stick to the mainland.
(1)Jen G.
A-OK is about right. That was definitely the longest wait for sushi ever (about 30-40 min from ordering to getting the food). The sushi itself was A-OK. It was definitely good but not the best that i've had. the hamachi/avocado was pretty sloppy (different size hamachi slices). the scallop hot app was very good. they had a couple interesting specialty rolls.
(3)Kyle F.
Last night the conference we came to Hawaii for had a picnic basket dinner, which in its own right was good, but when given the chance to eat sushi here again I will pick that every day of the week...and if you don't well you may not be my friend haha. We wanted to make a resv for a little bit later in the day so that my dad could make the rounds at the conference, and they told us that they were all booked up. Remembering that we had met the head sous chef Steve of the entire resort the first night we went there, and that he gave us his business card, we called him up and asked if he could help us get a table for 9 people in about 1 hour. He said he would be glad to help, and that he would stop by and say hi when we got there...I mean if you can find me better customer service or a nicer set of staff than this I would be amazed. We started off as two parties, a party of 4 and a party of 5, and they where nice enough to put 3 tables together and give us a table a 9! We started off with some sake and then went right into the good stuff...the sushi! We got a few rolls from last time, the red dragon roll and the spicy yellow tail roll, but we knew we had to try some new things. The yellowtail and avocado hamachi with ponzu sauce rivals that of Nobu. Then we also got the scallop napoleon, which was a seared scallop on top of what can only be called a japanese potatoe latke, and it was super tasty, plus it had this citrus sauce on top which made it that much better! The last thing we got, as if we werent stuffed enough was some fatty tuna, which the chef saved for us since he knew we where coming. Oh good god this was like melt in your mouth goodness, teh fish was so clean and fresh that Im surprised it didnt still swim. I hope that we get another chance to go here before we leave!
(5)Kathy Z.
The food here is truly lovely. Fairmont roll: amazing! good balance between the fish and green onion Spicy Scallop roll: couldn't taste any spiciness but rather a light, smooth roll Ikura nigiri: my all time favorite sushi that I get at all sushi restaurants. the ikura tasted different than ikura in Houston. this one was sweet and pops easily (vs in Houston it's salty and a little big slimy). I enjoyed it nonetheless Ika nigiri: very fresh, just the right amount of chew We would have come back the next night, but they were closed (boo!). Great choice if staying at the Fairmont or neighboring restaurants. Service is prompt and courteous.
(4)Rich J.
This is the place that the sushi chef from Monstera used to work at. Very impressive menu. We started with edamame velvet soup with truffle oil, followed by a shared app of foie gras and unagi and for entrees we shared an Australian wagyu ribeye and sashimi platter, in essence creating quite an impressive gourmet surf and turf. For dessert I had a tasting of three desserts that were all very very good and involved the usual Japanese flavors for dessert- red bean and matcha- in the form of layered crepes and something else I can't quite recall....as well as tapioca in the form of bubble tea. The only bad thing about Norio's is that they use the space for the Fairmont's breakfast buffet so there is no Asian theme or decor except for a waterfall and koi pond near the entrance that we were lucky enough to get seated near.
(4)S K.
Supposedly the best sushi place on the Island but I found that it was WAY over priced and just ok. Great atmosphere in the post Fairmont Hotel in Wailokoa. Service was just ok for the price. The sushi items were nothing special. It was disappointed that they didnt have uni or amberjack and we were there at 6pm so not like they ran out. They did have some great items like the Hamachi with avocado and the carpaccio, both were delicious. The one shocker was that the amebi didnt come with the heads fried. What's that about??? Customers got freaked out so they dont serve it anymore??? Lame.
(3)Nish N.
Sadly, this was a disappointment. We perhaps had too high expectations for fresh fish but after waiting an hour for a table (while the place was not too packed?), our clueless waiter screwed up our order about five times over the course of our dinner. We tried some standard rolls like the Spider, Spicy Hamachi, also some maguro and kanpachi. I wasn't wowed by anything, and I guess that says it all. Oh well, go to Sansei instead, which I'll review soon!
(3)Brittany A.
This is part review and part BIG MAHALO to the staff and chef's at Norio's. I reserved a table online for our anniversary (5th!) and in the comments I told them that it was our anniversary and that I wanted us both to have the Chef's tasting menu and nothing was off limits except for fennel (WE HATE FENNEL). My hope was that when we sat down food would just appear and my husband would have a surprised look on his face :) From the moment we arrived we were made to feel so special it brings tears to my eyes to think of it. The hostess said happy anniversary and led us to our table. Only seconds later our waitress appeared with the Hamachi and avacado appetizer and told us she would take our drink order whenever we were ready. I had the strawberry and shiso sakatini and the husband had a mojito. Then Chef Darren Osagarawa came to the table and wished us a happy anniversary and wanted to tell us about the culinary adenture we were about to embark on. He also made the remark that there would be no fennel, knowing that the chef read my comments was so touching, I mean how does he have time for that? We had two other sushi dishes ( fatty tuna, scallop and something else. the fatty tuna was insane, it blew our minds!) which were spectacular, then came the mains- grilled bison with lobster AND tiger prawns and a plank grilled kampachi with sides of truffle oiled french fries and creamed corn. Now, I know me some creamed corn and this was out of this world. Fresh local corn still slilghtly crisp in a thick creamy goodness and a cracked pepper finish. The fries were golden goodness with herbs and truffle oil and a shaved pecarino (?) or ramano cheese. Oh Oh I almost forgot the sauces that we got to dip everything in, there was a chimichuri (how fashionable) a pate gravy (so good) a soy based yumminess and an herbed hollondaisey butter sauce. So at this point of the evening we've had basically 8 meals and the waitress comes over and let's us know that she will box anything we can't finish...so we didn't absolutely stuff ourselves and had her box a portion of the bison, fries and creamed corn. But I swear we could have finished it all. She then gave us little servings of the sauces we liked. How sweet is that?! Did I mention that even the guy filling our water said "Happy Anniversary." Now onto our final dessert- I asked to see the dessert drink menu and we both got a cold cappuccino which was out of this world. Then, we were brought a gorgeous plate of mini desserts on a plate that said Happy Anniversary. It was so cute! None of the desserts were on the menu :) We felt so special!!! ice cream mochi, a chocolate pastry lau lau, lava cake, chocolate covered strawberry. It was amazing and well worth the money. That night is one of the most memorable experiences :) Thank you to the entire staff that pulled off the behind the scenes magic that made the night possible. The sushi/sashimi was fresh and exquisetly presented, the mains were full of flavor with just the right amount of adventure and the dessert was a knock out. Chef Darren Osagarawa is a culinary treasure of the Big Island.
(5)Kylie L.
All around not a bad experience here but was expecting a little more from a restaurant in the Fairmont. The fish was fresh and tasty but the service was slow which was a disappointment due to the fact that we had a reservation that was early enough to miss the peak dining hours and the restaurant itself was not even close to full. Be prepared for a very expensive meal that may take a long time to get through if you dine here. If you are not in a rush and money doesn't matter than this will probably be a very enjoyable experience.
(3)Mandana N.
The freshest cuts of sushi I've had in a long time, exactly what I'd expect when eating sushi on the Hawaiian isles! Hawaiian fatty tuna was available and I'd highly recommend it! The scallop sushi melts in your mouth!! Specialty rolls were also notable. Eat at the counter, it's roomy and makes the experience more fun ... throw in some Sake too!
(5)Eric G.
Great food. Best sushi option on the island.
(4)Yan K.
Had 2 appitizer, sushi, some rolls and beers. Sushi was not fresh, roll was just okay. Good atmosphere earns two stars but it was way over priced. I do not consider this place as a sushi restaurant.
(2)Kari S.
The Fairmont grounds are beautiful, and the staff is all about great customer service, so your dining experience whereever you dine on this property is going to be special. Norio's is no exception. The night we ate here the restaurant was overbooked so the manager set up a special table for us outside on the patio. Our waitress was so friendly and so sweet! I wish I could remember her name...I'll update with a shout out if it comes to me. Skip the edamame velvet soup, sounds good but it's really strange tasting. The salmon tartare is delicious. Highly recommend the scallop Napoleon, the filet mignon, nigiri and sashimi sets. I was most impressed with the fresh delicious uni (this is how I rate all Sushi restaurants now, if you have good uni I love you!). All of the dishes were really well executed with beautiful presentation and the customer service I must mention again was impeccible. PS - Complimentary Valet! Explore the grounds while you are there. Lovely lovely place!
(5)Bob M.
Perhaps one of the finest meals I have ever enjoyed. There is a Chef's option where you tell the Chef your preferences and let him cultivate a meal for you. Chef Darren Osagarawa actually came out and was nice enough to discuss what we liked. We gave him a few ideas and put our pallets in his hands. OMG what a spectacular meal. Not only is Chef Osagarawa a master chef, he is also one of the nicest young men I have had the privilege to meet. To say we had a great dinner would be the understatement of the year. It was simple out of this world. As I read several of the other reviews it seems there is a pattern. Most people gave Norio's four stars because of the price. As my daughter would say, "Really!" What do you expect at the Fairmont. Their coffee prices make Starbucks look like a bargain. Really you should judge Norio's on the quality of the meal and the experience. Remember you picked the Fairmont for a reason. Thank you Chef Osagarawa and thank you Norio's!!! Simply a Five Star Experience!!!!!
(5)Paco R.
Good japanese food, but very expensive. But, hey - what did I expected at the Fairmont. Very fresh fish, some imported from Japan, and a nice ambience. The sushi bar inconvenient for a quick dinner when you forgot to reserve elsewhere.
(4)Rachel B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Pretty expensive, but SO. DELICIOUS. First off, they give you an appetizer and basically it's an assortment of japanese style bread and they give you this amazing. edamame hummus. It's so delicious. The sushi is really fresh and for me, who has never really gone to upscale sushi restaurants, I could definitely taste a huge difference. The taste and presentation were all perfect. My favorites were definitely any of the spicy rolls!
(5)Jacob F.
The service was definitely great, the food was fresh, and everything in that regard was Fairmont quality. Fairmont has excellent service and it's easy to be happy even at a bad restaurant like Norio's. Norio's felt like eating in a cafeteria (we were seated right across from where the Fairmont does a breakfast buffet), and the drinks were as bad (and as small) as what you get next to the swimming pool. I didn't see anything special about the menu and the food did not blow my mind. At this restaurant, the price is unfortunately just the result of resort convenience. They could at least decorate the place and add a little atmosphere, like Amasia or something over on Maui. Everything here was cheap and expensive at the same time. I ate some pretty amazing Japanese food at other resorts, at the same resort price, that had a solid atmosphere and were fun to eat at. Norio's just doesn't get it. Since you're reading this review on Yelp, look for other Japanese restaurants on Big Island and get out the rental car. There's a great one in Hawi.
(1)Casey H.
Was looking for some good sushi and found much more. The service and attentiveness of the whole staff are unmatched by anyplace we have been before. We had the Red Dragon roll and it was very good, but I do agree with others regarding being on the pricey side...but hey, it's Hawaii right? The property @ the Fairmont Orchard is exceptional as well, complete with Turtles and lovely grounds. If it weren't for the exceptional service provided by Chelsi and others I may have gone with four stars but superior performance should be recognized and rewarded...in this case with a five!
(5)tim k.
Umm...the best sushi ive ever had ! Love going to this place .
(5)Sara L.
I am pretty picky about my sushi and this place is great. Very fresh and very yummy! I would highly recommend it.
(4)Anthony Z.
Had a positive experience visiting Norio's last year, so returned. Had a couple of appetizers, plus maki and sushi. Quality of fish is mediocre at best. Toro was just okay. Uni was similarly just ok. None of the specialty maki were anything unique, and assembly was a little sloppy. Hamachi and avocado appetizer was the stand out. Service was Disneyesque, with our server quickly changing out of "character" as soon as she left our table. Ate here on a Friday night and it was DEAD....and although there were many Japanese guests at the hotel, NONE of them were dining at the same time we were. Cost was 120 per person. This place would never make it in Chicago.
(2)Beverly P.
We went here one night on a random trip to the Big Island, and I would have to say that this place could beat out many of the fancy sushi bars on Oahu! We started off with a bottle of sake and went on with the appetizers. We ordered the 69 Roll (an original creation by Chef Norio) and a sashimi combo. The fish was as fresh as it could be and the wasabi was deliciously strong. We then ordered the Tuna Tataki, the Ali'i Soup, and the Seafood Papaya. And if you have to order only one thing from this place, make sure it's the seafood papaya...so original, so delicious! The ambiance of the place was a little too bright for night, but the decor or this extravagant hotel made up for it. The service was friendly and quick. Basically, if you're ever on the the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, make sure you make a reservation at Norio's!
(5)Ryan W.
This is one of the best sushi bars I have even visited, and I eat sushi a few times each week. The miso soup was delicious, the hamachi, spicy hamachi, and toro were exceptional, the seafood papaya was the most creative dish, and the misoyaki was a treat. We sat at the bar and watched the chef's (including Norio) work their magic. Total for 2 adults who ate their weight in fish was $155.21, plus tip. Well worth it at twice the price!
(5)Pam H.
My husband and I dined here our first night at the Fairmont Orchid. We had made reservations for 8pm and realized after sunset that with our time change that we'd be lucky to still be awake, we were able to move it up to 730pm. They were very nice about trying to get us in earlier. Our service was fabulous. my husband's sushi was very, very good- he enjoyed every bit of it. He did have a misdelivered salad- he ate it & by the time the server came to check on us and we asked about the salad- it was the wrong one, so she brought the correct one. I didn't have a first course, but did order a rib-eye steak which was very good and I ordered the side dish of mashed potatoes with bacon in it. They described it so wonderfully, but it really wasn't that good. We both ordered dessert, although now a week later, I can't quite recall what we had- but I know both were very good. Overall, the dining experience was nice. The food was mostly good, just the one issue with my potatoes and the ambiance was lovely. They also have a resident kitty cat named "Sushi" who will happily take handouts, but is awfully cute and a little bit entertaining too.
(3)Stephen S.
Great atmosphere, great food. Dining staff is very friendly and actually gave me advice on what to do while on the islands along with hand written directions for the best routes to take. Miso soup is nothing special, the spicy tuna roll is VERY spicy(has habanero pepper in it which I somehow didn't read). The Fairmont roll is one of the best sushi rolls I have EVER had and I'm an avid sushi eater. The restaurant is expensive especially if you get drinks, but that's to be expected. If you're here at the Fairmont, hands down best place to eat
(5)Asuka N.
Faced with a decision on where to eat dinner late and having not made any plans, we decided to stay on-campus (we were staying at the Fairmont) and go to Norio's, having dined at Brown's the night before. Doing a last-minute reservation on Open Table was surprisingly easy, but post-8 PM, there's plenty of seating available. While the interior looked nice, we chose a table outside to enjoy the post-sundown breeze. Our waitress was a little too enthusiastic, but overall, the service was pretty solid. Although Norio's bills itself as a sushi restaurant - and I know there are a lot of fresh fish caught just off the coast here - it's not anywhere near the upper end of sushi that I've had elsewhere, and certainly not the price that the tasting menus go for. While 10 nigiri for $50 isn't all that bad, I could definitely tell that the fish here wasn't the same kind of quality that you'd necessarily expect at that price. It is better than your average run-of-the-mill sushi joint, but not by the same price difference. I had better luck with one of the specials of the day, a top-cut sirloin done in a soy sauce marinade. The Asian influence on the marinade worked quite well, given the steak a fusion-esque flavor without overdoing it. Dessert, just like at Brown's, was a bit on the creative side - they did a version of strawberry spongecake here that focused much more on the fresh strawberry side of the dish, as opposed to the very creamy frosting that's present in many Asian dessert shops. It was good, but not quite up to the same standard that Brown's does. In all - Norio's overlaps a bit in terms with the other higher-end restaurant at the Fairmont, as their non-sushi dishes are both geared more towards Hawaiian-inspired fusion dishes. That said, if you're a discerning sushi eater, you probably won't find the sushi here spectacular. I would come back to try some of the other dishes they have from the kitchen, though.
(3)Sharon C.
Last time we were at Norio's (Spring 2013) we vowed to never go back - terrible service and food poorly prepared: pork belly over done, black cod dry and overcooked, sushi tough and not fresh) Very sad for a place that was a favorite for years and particularly distressful with Norio's name still attached. I'm happy to say that we went with friends who swore it was now greatly improved. They were right. The service was excellent, wait staff knowledgeable and courteous (last time the hostesses in particular were extremely rude) and the food was wonderfully prepared (black cod is to die for and pork belly perfectly done with a little crispness along with the tenderness). Seems a lot of the right changes have been made in a year!
(4)Jeff T.
Everything was so yummy!!! We had the calamari app, Cesar salad, shrimp tempura, the wagu beef with dipping sauces (the best steak!!), mac nut asparagus, truffle fries, and the apple tart. One of the best meals on the island and Brianne our waitress was so knowledgeable about the menu and extremely helpful!! Awesome food and great service don't miss eating at Norio's
(5)Eladio S.
We stopped by here on the last night of our stay at the Fairmont Orchid. What a beautiful hotel!! I went in to Norio's with high expectations considering the reviews on Yelp. First, I was taken back with the setting. The restaurant was very bright and a lot smaller than I expected. The service was great. The server was very attentive and considerate. However, when it came down to food, I had to order the Butterfish to compare to those I had at Roy's and other places on the island. I have to say, the fish was great. It wasn't cooked in the same style I'm used to (Misoyaki), I believe this one was Hawaiian style. It has accents of fruit and was more broiled than grilled. I would've given this place 5 stars, but the prices and the food did not meet my expectations.
(4)Terri M.
Food was excellent. Would have rated it a 5 had food not been so slow.
(4)Mark H.
Decent sushi. Restaurant is inside the Fairmont Orchid, where we stayed. Staff was friendly, attentive, and efficient. We sat at the sushi bar, which was comfortable. We would have gone again had we stayed longer. Thumbs up.
(4)Brian T.
Try the signature Fairmont Roll! The Ono was amazing and the flavors melted like warm herb butter. Better yet, start with their scallop appetizer or get two as they would make Gordan Ramsey proud! We're from Seattle (stayed at the Fairmont Orchid on vacation); we love Sushi and get some of the best in Seattle. You probably won't be disappointed at Norio's. That said, I don't know that I would make a special trip to Norio's as there are probably other/better Sushi restaurants on the Big Island... maybe not. We didn't love the Red Dragon roll and were also a little disappointed that Norio's shares the same location as the Orchid's breakfast buffet. The dual use is clever but the ambiance is definitely lacking especially as a kid friendly resort. I was hoping for a quiet ocean view but got something more like a hotel lobby with spoiled kids. If you want an ocean view try Brown's Beach Resort Restaurant. Our service Norio's was great and we were very comfortable in the open air. Seriously, go and enjoy yourself. It's a vacation so don't worry about the small stuff. If you really want 5-start dining go to a different island or stay home in NY or LA.
(4)David J.
The most horrible meal I ever had in Hawaii. I never had bad food in Hawaii in the 5 years in a row that I have been vacationing in Hawaii, but sadly Norio's fell in that "bad meal" category. I dined at Norio's last year and it was fantastic. But it went down the tube since then. While the service was very friendly, it was slow and completely disorganized. The fish was definitely not fresh, and was actually quite smelly - the same horrible smell that was hanging around the sushi bar, where I dined. I consider myself very fortunate that I didn't get sick. In addition to the poor quality of the fish, the portions were ridiculously small, especially for the price being charged. I also overheard a lady at the other end of the sushi bar complaining to the waiter about the shrimp tempura being soggy. How is it possible to mess up a tempura dish? Pretty telling about the poor quality of this restaurant! In summary, please avoid this place at all cost.
(1)Derek S.
I was pleasantly surprised by the sushi. It was fresh and very good. The service was also very great and quick. The spicy tuna and Red Dragon rolls were fantastic. The setting at the Fairmont is really nice as well...especially outside on the patio. Overall it was really good sushi but of course expensive. But on a quality of food and dining experience, it deserves 4 stars.
(4)Elisa F.
My husband and I had dinner here 3 times during our vacation. The food was absolutely amazing each time. We tried several nigiri combos and their tasting menu. The fish is very fresh and everything is carefully prepared. Dessert was also great!
(5)Michelle G.
This is by far the best sushi we've found on the Big Island and perhaps, anywhere! The Maguro sashimi is so incredibly fresh that it essentially melts in your mouth. I will actually go so far as to say that this is the best Maguro that I've ever had and we've definitely eaten at our fair share of sushi restaurants. The selection of rolls is also stellar and there are plenty of selections available that contain only fresh fish, not the deep-fried fare that typifies American sushi. The Fairmont roll was our favorite, but everything that we had was delicious and superbly presented. We also had the Hamachi avocado sashimi appetizer during a few of our visits and again, the fish was so incredibly fresh and high quality that combined with the incredibly flavorful and light sauce, it was amazing! Even the miso soup which I'm not usually much of a fan of due to the boring nature of it, had great flavor. The prices are also very reasonable, particularly given the unbelievable quality of the fish. Norio's will definitely be top on our list of restaurants to visit when we return next year.
(5)Zackery F.
Went to Norio's b/c we couldn't get into anywhere else. Once we got there with a group of four, we were told that we had to sit at the bar, even though there were three vacant tables. The sushi bar appetizers and entrees were phenomenal but the other food (truffled ramen) left much to be desired. One person in our party also got the truffled ramen with a side of "shrimp" and vegetable tempura. For $12 dollars she got no shrimp. Service fixed it, but it took a longtime. I give it two stars b/c the sushi chefs were very polite, fast and talented, even though my kitchen entree was amiss.
(3)E.B. G.
Norio's is my all time favorite restaurant to go to. The food is ALWAYS delicious. My family goes here for special occasions, and we have always left happy and full! The staff is wonderful, Brad is our personal favorite. Ask for him when you go, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Art T.
I wanted to enjoy a nice dinner with my friend for our weekend getaway at Fairmont Orchid without having to struggle with restaurant choices and wait time. I made a reservation ahead of time to ensure that we did not have to wait for a long time for dinner. Service: The service was very disappointing considering the restaurant on the Fairmont property. Overall, the service was very slow. We ordered a shared appetizer and two entrees. The appetizer came pretty quickly, but after that. It was a wait of our life time. In addition, we were not offered with water after we sat down, not until I asked for it. Finally our salad came, and it was another long wait before our main entrees came. My friend specifically ordered the Nigiri Tasting menu, but when his entrée came, it was just the standard one. By then I told my friend, I would not ever come back to this restaurant. When I ordered my sashimi entrée, she did not give me my bowl of rice. And again, I had to ask for it. Food Quality: We ordered the Calamari appetizer to share. The calamari was rubbery and salty. The nigri and sashimi were nothing special. Unless what the menu described with variety of fish, most of them were the same type of fish for my sashimi entrée. When I had my dessert, my cake was so dry even with some chopped fresh fruit in it. Honestly I can bake a better sponge cake than that. The worst part was both of us suffered from diarrhea after we went back to our hotel room. It was simply awful! Noise Level: Even though the restaurant was not filled, it was very noisy. I could not talk in the normal level with my friend across the table. If I stay at Fairmont Orchid again, I won't go back to this restaurant for sure.
(1)Sue L.
Judging from the reviews - I had high expectations about this restaurant. Interestingly, Norio is named after the chef Norio Yamamoto who went onto open Monstera. We shared the Fairmont Roll -it was ok. I had the 10 piece sushi meal -the rice was mushy! My husband had the 15 piece sashimi and he said the fish was fresh and tasty. Next time I should stick with sashimi. The seaweed salad and the lemon pudding dessert were delicious.Our waitress was really nice and efficient. And the bread they gave you is yummy.
(3)Greg H.
This place is NUTS!!! Order the calamari, best I have ever had! It's a little pricey but some of the best sushi I have had. If your on the big island, make this a stop. As usual at any quality resort the prices are not cheap
(4)B L.
Really hungry for sushi, came at about 6:20 and we did not get our sushi till 7:15. I ordered the red dreagon which wass very small for 24$ and also had a miso soup which was so hot it burnt my tounge... All in all the sushi was ok but for a 5 star hotel i would have expected it to be better..
(2)Rollin R.
Excellent food. Tuna tataki was delicious. Sushi was fresh and the price fixed menu for $45 was a great deal. Definitely recommend and it's the best Japanese food (authentic too) in Kohala. Only issue is the number on Yelp is wrong and it's hard to get a reservation. Not enough tables.
(4)Jeannanicole D.
The sushi at Norio's is the best i've had outside of Asakusa. We sampled a lot of their sushi selection, hamachi, spicy hamachi, unagi, tobikko, ikura, uni and a few others. The fish is incredibly fresh, and simply prepared to showcase the fish. Their unagi was perfectly sauced and baked. We enjoyed a few different beers and sake's as well, their sake selection is the best i've experienced from Ali'i Dr. to Waikoloa.
(5)Matthew W.
Wow. I've eaten at lots of sushi restaurants including some of the 'famous' ones and this was the best I've ever had. All of the sushi was amazing. We also had the Asian fried chicken which was unbelievably flavorful and crisp. Also, the miso-marinated grilled butterfish was outstanding. The setting is OK (not as nice as many other restaurants in the area) and the service was fine, but not outstanding. But, the food, oh the food. So good.
(5)Nicholas H.
Tuna tataki was a great appetizer. Sashimi well cut and good serving sizes. Overall food was excellent. Interesting desserts. Ambiance pretty average. Service very attentive.
(4)T R.
This was disappointing. I wanted fresh sushi during our stay on the Big Island. This was the one (out of three) that the concierge at another hotel recommended and I was really looking forward to it. My husband had the prix fixe menu - which was a good deal and seemed to be a lot of food. It started with edamame, miso soup, tuna tataki -which was good, a sushi combination of a roll and a couple nigiri, sauteed fish with teriyaki sauce and stir fried vegetables and dessert. The first problem is the service. Slow. The server delivered the tuna and the sushi delivered to my husband at the same time. When I looked at other tables, these courses were served separately. The fish, while fresh, was ok. The teriyaki sauce was flat. I ordered the Omakase deluxe sushi. My understanding of Omakase is the chef selects special courses. What I got was 9 pieces of sushi - a roll and nigiri sushi. Nothing Omakase about it. The fish was okay - it didn't strike me as particularly fresh or memorable. The service was still very slow - I think the server knew this as he brought us the chocolate fondue to share - even though we did not order it. It was tasty but couldn't make up for the food and service. Later, when talking with the hotel concierge, mentioning how disappointed we were, we learned that Norio had left this restaurant to open his own. I wish I had known this earlier. I say - don't go.
(2)Emily Y.
Located at the Fairmont, so expect to pay a little more than usual. But the price for fresh sushi isn't terribly much more than what you'd expect to pay for sushi. The fish was very fresh. The Udon noodles were also quite fresh. If you're staying at or near the Fairmont, and are craving good sushi, then this is a great place to go. P.S. try the homemade tropical fruit sorbets!
(4)Rachel L.
The Big Island gives me something to YELP about!! Norio's Sushi Bar is probably the best or second best sushi I have ever had. Master sushi chef Norio Yamamoto brings such an elevated level of experience and quality that your next sushi experience might be a disappointment. Yes, you have to be in Hawaii to enjoy this place, but if you get the chance, you must check it out! Norio delivers the sushi right after he makes it, right out of the ocean! My favorite was the Tuna Tataki (Seared tuna with daikon, Maui onion, Wakane seaweed) each bite was... "oh my G-d!!" Second best was the soft shelled crab appetizer, third was the chefs choice sashimi plate... salmon... melts in your mouth!! Then the 69 Roll (California roll with unagi sauce and tobiko, yum yum!! The wait staff is super friendly and will help you make the right decisions depending on your desires.. We tipped over 20%... trust me this place is unforgettable!
(5)Susan L.
This was pretty damn good sushi. While I can't find any obvious negatives, I don't feel the overall dining experience blew me away enough to grant 5 stars. I think the biggest thing was ambiance - it was blah. Granted it's a hotel restaurant but still no excuse. If the ambiance matched the sushi, then hot damn we have a winner! Everything we ate was fantastic - we had hamachi kama, an assortment of nigiri, rolls, and katsu. Paired with a local brew, you have a pretty fantastic meal. If you stay at the Fairmont, this is a must eat.
(4)Russ C.
Their sunset menu is unbelievable. Between 5-6 (at least in the off season when we visited) they serve the fresh catch of the day ($39 by itself) along with Edamame, salad, or miso soup, two nigiri sushi, two maki rolls, vegetable side, and individual desert for $38, which is an incredible deal on the resort laden Kohala coast. The menu includes many non-sushi options (fresh fish, chicken, steak, etc). Kids under 5 eat free which was very refreshing when other resorts charge up to $15 for a kids meal, kids under 12 eat for for around $10 off the kids menu or 50% off the full menu. The salad was very good, with miso dressing. The sushi was very good, although wasn't the freshest I've had, which is disappointing given the ocean is less than 50 yards away. The fish (opakapaka) had perfect preparation and presentation. The side vegetables were prepared perfectly. The service was very good although subtle. Great view of the sunset, although all seating was indoors despite plenty of seating outside, apparently reserved for breakfast, which was disappointing. Great saketinis (try the Melemele saketini). Free validated parking.
(5)Jenny V.
It helps that the Fairmont Orchid is a lovely resort... so lush and tropical with just a hint of glamour. My husband and I took my parents here for an early mother's day dinner on their last night on the Big Island. What the restaurant lacks in ambiance, it surely makes up for in flavor and presentation. The small restaurant is in a little area tucked away near what we presumed was the breakfast buffet for the hotel. While the buffet is curtained off, you can see and hear the hotel staff setting things up for the next day. That was a little off putting when we first got there, but we quickly forgot about it once the first roll was served. The quality of the dish was really good and the chef did not muddy the waters with a lot of unnecessary sauces. It was pure heaven. We enjoyed everything we ordered and were happy when the waiter was able to suggest a few dishes we wouldn't have normally tried. The only thing that would have made this experience better was if the restaurant had a view of the lovely grounds!
(4)Suepattra M.
Food and Wine magazine declared this the best sushi restaurant in all of the Big Island, and I couldn't agree more - perhaps even the state. The sushi and sashimi is - as my dear friend Terri said after several bites of the most sublime offerings ever: "orgasmic". Every time she took a bite, she had to put her chopsticks down and savor the flavors while experiencing the sensory aftershock. Having been here before, I promised her the best sushi experience of her life, and Norio delivered. This is a must visit destination each time I visit the Big Island, and it doesn't hurt that I stay at the hotel! Norio is a gracious sushi master, and knows his fish. Make sure to sit at the counter and you will learn all about Norio's penchant for surfing and golf, world travels and most importantly some secrets to his fine art. And if you think that all raw fish is the same, it's not. The temperature of the sea and the time to flash freezing and transport totally effect quality. Other must knows: the abalone in the shell, the hamachi kama and the oyster martinis are requisite for any visit. Enjoy!
(5)L Z.
My husband and I tried this place and were glad we didn't miss it. The pricing is high but you are paying for quality and decor/environment. I am not from the area so I don't have other restaurants to compare it to. We ordered a roll and their Chef special. Each had extremely fresh fish that melted in your mouth. We decided to go with their calamari as our appetizer. I think it was good but not worth the 18 dollar price. But then again, the average price for this appetizer is 12.00. We also ordered to sake's that I believe were around 8-10. We had another meal at another restaurant at the fairmont but wish we came here twice instead.
(4)Vicki D.
This restaurant is quiet and tucked away in the Fairmont. We had sashimi which was so fresh and amazing. Toro and salmon especially. They have other sushi rolls that are also great. We tried the Fairmont roll which was excellent, and also the Unagi (eel). I was hoping for an awesome dessert and wasn't totally pleased but still ate all my souffle! Excellent sake and drink selection too. My saketini was yummy to the core. Valet parking is "at your discretion". Beautiful sunsets can be viewed from the lobby. Also you may want to make a rezzie since it's pretty small.
(4)Dan P.
The sushi here is pretty good. If you go during 7:30-8:30, they have a special where it is 50% off their rolls and sushi. Notable sushi items were the scallop, toro, amaebi, yellowtail, and amberjack. They have uni on the menu but the 2 times that I went there, it wasn't available. Amaebi also wasn't available but the waiter was able to get the sushi chef to get it for me anyway. They actually have both of these but it's reserved for guests who order the omakase. They also have cooked food as well if you have friends who aren't into sushi. If you have kids, the nice hostess (Claire) will give you some fish food to feed the fish in the koi pond.
(4)Matthew C.
Descent sushi at extraordinary prices. They are certainly proud of their dishes and the pricing makes you realize that you are at a resort. I would not go out of your way to visit. Nothing remarkable here... if this were in the bay area, it would not survive... But on the bright side... if you are from the midwest and do not have access to descent sushi... give it a try.
(3)Ali L.
don't listen to any of the stupid negative reviews here. Anyone who says anything bad about Norio's at the Fairmont doesn't deserve to visit the Fairmont! This is a special restaurant with EXCELLENT service and EXCELLENT Chefs. It's an honor to eat here. THe Fairmont ROLL is OUTSTANDING and the red dragon roll is OUT OF CONTROL!! and the ONO CEVICHE? Oh YES!!! enjoy your dinner here as I am a repeat customer all the way from Miami, Florida. I come here just for sushi b/c Miami sushi doesn't compare! Many Mahalos to Norio's!
(5)Ella B.
They offered me bread. At a sushi restaurant. You know its not authentic when they ask if you want BREAD! The sushi was pretty fresh, but the drinks were horrible. I kept wondering if I was drinking a glass of syrup with lemon juice.
(2)Stef M.
Solid sushi at the Fairmont Orchid. I will definitely be back next time I'm visiting, but I've also heard that Norio himself has now left and opened Monstera, another nearby sushi restaurant. So I will be trying that one, too! The omakase (chef's choice) is so great - just let the chef take care of you, it is so good! They don't have many mayo-infused American-style rolls which may be what some people here are complainaing about. It's really catering toward the large numbers of Japanese tourists who stay at the Fairmont - the menu is even in Japanese and English! Our omakase came with tuna rolls, unagi, yellowtail, etc. - typical, but the fish is just so fresh and good that it really elevates the meal. Simple and delicous, nothing fancy. There are many Japanese dishes on the menu as well as sushi. We also tried the creamy seared scallop roll (guilty pleasure!) which was perfectly seared! The tuna tataki was, too - there will be no overcooked fish here, you can be sure. There was a delicious chocolate mousse cake with green tea creme anglais for dessert, oh my god! make sure you try a dessert here. I also tried the coconut dessert (like a flan or creme brulee) which was great - creamy and luscious and tropical coconutty. The space is kind of disappointing compared to the grandeur of the rest of the Fairmont Orchid. It used to be a Ritz Carlton, so it is OVER THE TOP, with chandeliers everywhere and beautiful sweeping views of the ocean all along the front of the hotel. Make sure you check the place out while you're there if you aren't already staying there. Norio's itself, however, is in the corner of this very large room which also doubles as the breakfast area in the mornings. They clearly tried to make it a little more cozy, but it's definitely not as nice as it could be, design-wise. What it does have going for it is that there are some shutters open on one side of the room so if it's not dark out, you get a peek outside at the grounds and ocean. I will post a couple of photos here so you can see how good the food looks!
(4)Mandana N.
The freshest cuts of sushi I've had in a long time, exactly what I'd expect when eating sushi on the Hawaiian isles! Hawaiian fatty tuna was available and I'd highly recommend it! The scallop sushi melts in your mouth!! Specialty rolls were also notable. Eat at the counter, it's roomy and makes the experience more fun ... throw in some Sake too!
(5)Elisa F.
My husband and I had dinner here 3 times during our vacation. The food was absolutely amazing each time. We tried several nigiri combos and their tasting menu. The fish is very fresh and everything is carefully prepared. Dessert was also great!
(5)Eric G.
Great food. Best sushi option on the island.
(4)tim k.
Umm...the best sushi ive ever had ! Love going to this place .
(5)Sara L.
I am pretty picky about my sushi and this place is great. Very fresh and very yummy! I would highly recommend it.
(4)Anthony Z.
Had a positive experience visiting Norio's last year, so returned. Had a couple of appetizers, plus maki and sushi. Quality of fish is mediocre at best. Toro was just okay. Uni was similarly just ok. None of the specialty maki were anything unique, and assembly was a little sloppy. Hamachi and avocado appetizer was the stand out. Service was Disneyesque, with our server quickly changing out of "character" as soon as she left our table. Ate here on a Friday night and it was DEAD....and although there were many Japanese guests at the hotel, NONE of them were dining at the same time we were. Cost was 120 per person. This place would never make it in Chicago.
(2)Beverly P.
We went here one night on a random trip to the Big Island, and I would have to say that this place could beat out many of the fancy sushi bars on Oahu! We started off with a bottle of sake and went on with the appetizers. We ordered the 69 Roll (an original creation by Chef Norio) and a sashimi combo. The fish was as fresh as it could be and the wasabi was deliciously strong. We then ordered the Tuna Tataki, the Ali'i Soup, and the Seafood Papaya. And if you have to order only one thing from this place, make sure it's the seafood papaya...so original, so delicious! The ambiance of the place was a little too bright for night, but the decor or this extravagant hotel made up for it. The service was friendly and quick. Basically, if you're ever on the the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, make sure you make a reservation at Norio's!
(5)Ryan W.
This is one of the best sushi bars I have even visited, and I eat sushi a few times each week. The miso soup was delicious, the hamachi, spicy hamachi, and toro were exceptional, the seafood papaya was the most creative dish, and the misoyaki was a treat. We sat at the bar and watched the chef's (including Norio) work their magic. Total for 2 adults who ate their weight in fish was $155.21, plus tip. Well worth it at twice the price!
(5)Michelle G.
This is by far the best sushi we've found on the Big Island and perhaps, anywhere! The Maguro sashimi is so incredibly fresh that it essentially melts in your mouth. I will actually go so far as to say that this is the best Maguro that I've ever had and we've definitely eaten at our fair share of sushi restaurants. The selection of rolls is also stellar and there are plenty of selections available that contain only fresh fish, not the deep-fried fare that typifies American sushi. The Fairmont roll was our favorite, but everything that we had was delicious and superbly presented. We also had the Hamachi avocado sashimi appetizer during a few of our visits and again, the fish was so incredibly fresh and high quality that combined with the incredibly flavorful and light sauce, it was amazing! Even the miso soup which I'm not usually much of a fan of due to the boring nature of it, had great flavor. The prices are also very reasonable, particularly given the unbelievable quality of the fish. Norio's will definitely be top on our list of restaurants to visit when we return next year.
(5)Zackery F.
Went to Norio's b/c we couldn't get into anywhere else. Once we got there with a group of four, we were told that we had to sit at the bar, even though there were three vacant tables. The sushi bar appetizers and entrees were phenomenal but the other food (truffled ramen) left much to be desired. One person in our party also got the truffled ramen with a side of "shrimp" and vegetable tempura. For $12 dollars she got no shrimp. Service fixed it, but it took a longtime. I give it two stars b/c the sushi chefs were very polite, fast and talented, even though my kitchen entree was amiss.
(3)E.B. G.
Norio's is my all time favorite restaurant to go to. The food is ALWAYS delicious. My family goes here for special occasions, and we have always left happy and full! The staff is wonderful, Brad is our personal favorite. Ask for him when you go, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Yan K.
Had 2 appitizer, sushi, some rolls and beers. Sushi was not fresh, roll was just okay. Good atmosphere earns two stars but it was way over priced. I do not consider this place as a sushi restaurant.
(2)Rollin R.
Excellent food. Tuna tataki was delicious. Sushi was fresh and the price fixed menu for $45 was a great deal. Definitely recommend and it's the best Japanese food (authentic too) in Kohala. Only issue is the number on Yelp is wrong and it's hard to get a reservation. Not enough tables.
(4)Emily Y.
Located at the Fairmont, so expect to pay a little more than usual. But the price for fresh sushi isn't terribly much more than what you'd expect to pay for sushi. The fish was very fresh. The Udon noodles were also quite fresh. If you're staying at or near the Fairmont, and are craving good sushi, then this is a great place to go. P.S. try the homemade tropical fruit sorbets!
(4)Russ C.
Their sunset menu is unbelievable. Between 5-6 (at least in the off season when we visited) they serve the fresh catch of the day ($39 by itself) along with Edamame, salad, or miso soup, two nigiri sushi, two maki rolls, vegetable side, and individual desert for $38, which is an incredible deal on the resort laden Kohala coast. The menu includes many non-sushi options (fresh fish, chicken, steak, etc). Kids under 5 eat free which was very refreshing when other resorts charge up to $15 for a kids meal, kids under 12 eat for for around $10 off the kids menu or 50% off the full menu. The salad was very good, with miso dressing. The sushi was very good, although wasn't the freshest I've had, which is disappointing given the ocean is less than 50 yards away. The fish (opakapaka) had perfect preparation and presentation. The side vegetables were prepared perfectly. The service was very good although subtle. Great view of the sunset, although all seating was indoors despite plenty of seating outside, apparently reserved for breakfast, which was disappointing. Great saketinis (try the Melemele saketini). Free validated parking.
(5)Eladio S.
We stopped by here on the last night of our stay at the Fairmont Orchid. What a beautiful hotel!! I went in to Norio's with high expectations considering the reviews on Yelp. First, I was taken back with the setting. The restaurant was very bright and a lot smaller than I expected. The service was great. The server was very attentive and considerate. However, when it came down to food, I had to order the Butterfish to compare to those I had at Roy's and other places on the island. I have to say, the fish was great. It wasn't cooked in the same style I'm used to (Misoyaki), I believe this one was Hawaiian style. It has accents of fruit and was more broiled than grilled. I would've given this place 5 stars, but the prices and the food did not meet my expectations.
(4)Terri M.
Food was excellent. Would have rated it a 5 had food not been so slow.
(4)Mark H.
Decent sushi. Restaurant is inside the Fairmont Orchid, where we stayed. Staff was friendly, attentive, and efficient. We sat at the sushi bar, which was comfortable. We would have gone again had we stayed longer. Thumbs up.
(4)Jeannanicole D.
The sushi at Norio's is the best i've had outside of Asakusa. We sampled a lot of their sushi selection, hamachi, spicy hamachi, unagi, tobikko, ikura, uni and a few others. The fish is incredibly fresh, and simply prepared to showcase the fish. Their unagi was perfectly sauced and baked. We enjoyed a few different beers and sake's as well, their sake selection is the best i've experienced from Ali'i Dr. to Waikoloa.
(5)Matthew W.
Wow. I've eaten at lots of sushi restaurants including some of the 'famous' ones and this was the best I've ever had. All of the sushi was amazing. We also had the Asian fried chicken which was unbelievably flavorful and crisp. Also, the miso-marinated grilled butterfish was outstanding. The setting is OK (not as nice as many other restaurants in the area) and the service was fine, but not outstanding. But, the food, oh the food. So good.
(5)Nicholas H.
Tuna tataki was a great appetizer. Sashimi well cut and good serving sizes. Overall food was excellent. Interesting desserts. Ambiance pretty average. Service very attentive.
(4)B L.
Really hungry for sushi, came at about 6:20 and we did not get our sushi till 7:15. I ordered the red dreagon which wass very small for 24$ and also had a miso soup which was so hot it burnt my tounge... All in all the sushi was ok but for a 5 star hotel i would have expected it to be better..
(2)Jenny V.
It helps that the Fairmont Orchid is a lovely resort... so lush and tropical with just a hint of glamour. My husband and I took my parents here for an early mother's day dinner on their last night on the Big Island. What the restaurant lacks in ambiance, it surely makes up for in flavor and presentation. The small restaurant is in a little area tucked away near what we presumed was the breakfast buffet for the hotel. While the buffet is curtained off, you can see and hear the hotel staff setting things up for the next day. That was a little off putting when we first got there, but we quickly forgot about it once the first roll was served. The quality of the dish was really good and the chef did not muddy the waters with a lot of unnecessary sauces. It was pure heaven. We enjoyed everything we ordered and were happy when the waiter was able to suggest a few dishes we wouldn't have normally tried. The only thing that would have made this experience better was if the restaurant had a view of the lovely grounds!
(4)Suepattra M.
Food and Wine magazine declared this the best sushi restaurant in all of the Big Island, and I couldn't agree more - perhaps even the state. The sushi and sashimi is - as my dear friend Terri said after several bites of the most sublime offerings ever: "orgasmic". Every time she took a bite, she had to put her chopsticks down and savor the flavors while experiencing the sensory aftershock. Having been here before, I promised her the best sushi experience of her life, and Norio delivered. This is a must visit destination each time I visit the Big Island, and it doesn't hurt that I stay at the hotel! Norio is a gracious sushi master, and knows his fish. Make sure to sit at the counter and you will learn all about Norio's penchant for surfing and golf, world travels and most importantly some secrets to his fine art. And if you think that all raw fish is the same, it's not. The temperature of the sea and the time to flash freezing and transport totally effect quality. Other must knows: the abalone in the shell, the hamachi kama and the oyster martinis are requisite for any visit. Enjoy!
(5)T R.
This was disappointing. I wanted fresh sushi during our stay on the Big Island. This was the one (out of three) that the concierge at another hotel recommended and I was really looking forward to it. My husband had the prix fixe menu - which was a good deal and seemed to be a lot of food. It started with edamame, miso soup, tuna tataki -which was good, a sushi combination of a roll and a couple nigiri, sauteed fish with teriyaki sauce and stir fried vegetables and dessert. The first problem is the service. Slow. The server delivered the tuna and the sushi delivered to my husband at the same time. When I looked at other tables, these courses were served separately. The fish, while fresh, was ok. The teriyaki sauce was flat. I ordered the Omakase deluxe sushi. My understanding of Omakase is the chef selects special courses. What I got was 9 pieces of sushi - a roll and nigiri sushi. Nothing Omakase about it. The fish was okay - it didn't strike me as particularly fresh or memorable. The service was still very slow - I think the server knew this as he brought us the chocolate fondue to share - even though we did not order it. It was tasty but couldn't make up for the food and service. Later, when talking with the hotel concierge, mentioning how disappointed we were, we learned that Norio had left this restaurant to open his own. I wish I had known this earlier. I say - don't go.
(2)Rachel L.
The Big Island gives me something to YELP about!! Norio's Sushi Bar is probably the best or second best sushi I have ever had. Master sushi chef Norio Yamamoto brings such an elevated level of experience and quality that your next sushi experience might be a disappointment. Yes, you have to be in Hawaii to enjoy this place, but if you get the chance, you must check it out! Norio delivers the sushi right after he makes it, right out of the ocean! My favorite was the Tuna Tataki (Seared tuna with daikon, Maui onion, Wakane seaweed) each bite was... "oh my G-d!!" Second best was the soft shelled crab appetizer, third was the chefs choice sashimi plate... salmon... melts in your mouth!! Then the 69 Roll (California roll with unagi sauce and tobiko, yum yum!! The wait staff is super friendly and will help you make the right decisions depending on your desires.. We tipped over 20%... trust me this place is unforgettable!
(5)Susan L.
This was pretty damn good sushi. While I can't find any obvious negatives, I don't feel the overall dining experience blew me away enough to grant 5 stars. I think the biggest thing was ambiance - it was blah. Granted it's a hotel restaurant but still no excuse. If the ambiance matched the sushi, then hot damn we have a winner! Everything we ate was fantastic - we had hamachi kama, an assortment of nigiri, rolls, and katsu. Paired with a local brew, you have a pretty fantastic meal. If you stay at the Fairmont, this is a must eat.
(4)Stephen S.
Great atmosphere, great food. Dining staff is very friendly and actually gave me advice on what to do while on the islands along with hand written directions for the best routes to take. Miso soup is nothing special, the spicy tuna roll is VERY spicy(has habanero pepper in it which I somehow didn't read). The Fairmont roll is one of the best sushi rolls I have EVER had and I'm an avid sushi eater. The restaurant is expensive especially if you get drinks, but that's to be expected. If you're here at the Fairmont, hands down best place to eat
(5)Jeff T.
Everything was so yummy!!! We had the calamari app, Cesar salad, shrimp tempura, the wagu beef with dipping sauces (the best steak!!), mac nut asparagus, truffle fries, and the apple tart. One of the best meals on the island and Brianne our waitress was so knowledgeable about the menu and extremely helpful!! Awesome food and great service don't miss eating at Norio's
(5)Brian T.
Try the signature Fairmont Roll! The Ono was amazing and the flavors melted like warm herb butter. Better yet, start with their scallop appetizer or get two as they would make Gordan Ramsey proud! We're from Seattle (stayed at the Fairmont Orchid on vacation); we love Sushi and get some of the best in Seattle. You probably won't be disappointed at Norio's. That said, I don't know that I would make a special trip to Norio's as there are probably other/better Sushi restaurants on the Big Island... maybe not. We didn't love the Red Dragon roll and were also a little disappointed that Norio's shares the same location as the Orchid's breakfast buffet. The dual use is clever but the ambiance is definitely lacking especially as a kid friendly resort. I was hoping for a quiet ocean view but got something more like a hotel lobby with spoiled kids. If you want an ocean view try Brown's Beach Resort Restaurant. Our service Norio's was great and we were very comfortable in the open air. Seriously, go and enjoy yourself. It's a vacation so don't worry about the small stuff. If you really want 5-start dining go to a different island or stay home in NY or LA.
(4)David J.
The most horrible meal I ever had in Hawaii. I never had bad food in Hawaii in the 5 years in a row that I have been vacationing in Hawaii, but sadly Norio's fell in that "bad meal" category. I dined at Norio's last year and it was fantastic. But it went down the tube since then. While the service was very friendly, it was slow and completely disorganized. The fish was definitely not fresh, and was actually quite smelly - the same horrible smell that was hanging around the sushi bar, where I dined. I consider myself very fortunate that I didn't get sick. In addition to the poor quality of the fish, the portions were ridiculously small, especially for the price being charged. I also overheard a lady at the other end of the sushi bar complaining to the waiter about the shrimp tempura being soggy. How is it possible to mess up a tempura dish? Pretty telling about the poor quality of this restaurant! In summary, please avoid this place at all cost.
(1)Rachel B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Pretty expensive, but SO. DELICIOUS. First off, they give you an appetizer and basically it's an assortment of japanese style bread and they give you this amazing. edamame hummus. It's so delicious. The sushi is really fresh and for me, who has never really gone to upscale sushi restaurants, I could definitely taste a huge difference. The taste and presentation were all perfect. My favorites were definitely any of the spicy rolls!
(5)Asuka N.
Faced with a decision on where to eat dinner late and having not made any plans, we decided to stay on-campus (we were staying at the Fairmont) and go to Norio's, having dined at Brown's the night before. Doing a last-minute reservation on Open Table was surprisingly easy, but post-8 PM, there's plenty of seating available. While the interior looked nice, we chose a table outside to enjoy the post-sundown breeze. Our waitress was a little too enthusiastic, but overall, the service was pretty solid. Although Norio's bills itself as a sushi restaurant - and I know there are a lot of fresh fish caught just off the coast here - it's not anywhere near the upper end of sushi that I've had elsewhere, and certainly not the price that the tasting menus go for. While 10 nigiri for $50 isn't all that bad, I could definitely tell that the fish here wasn't the same kind of quality that you'd necessarily expect at that price. It is better than your average run-of-the-mill sushi joint, but not by the same price difference. I had better luck with one of the specials of the day, a top-cut sirloin done in a soy sauce marinade. The Asian influence on the marinade worked quite well, given the steak a fusion-esque flavor without overdoing it. Dessert, just like at Brown's, was a bit on the creative side - they did a version of strawberry spongecake here that focused much more on the fresh strawberry side of the dish, as opposed to the very creamy frosting that's present in many Asian dessert shops. It was good, but not quite up to the same standard that Brown's does. In all - Norio's overlaps a bit in terms with the other higher-end restaurant at the Fairmont, as their non-sushi dishes are both geared more towards Hawaiian-inspired fusion dishes. That said, if you're a discerning sushi eater, you probably won't find the sushi here spectacular. I would come back to try some of the other dishes they have from the kitchen, though.
(3)Sharon C.
Last time we were at Norio's (Spring 2013) we vowed to never go back - terrible service and food poorly prepared: pork belly over done, black cod dry and overcooked, sushi tough and not fresh) Very sad for a place that was a favorite for years and particularly distressful with Norio's name still attached. I'm happy to say that we went with friends who swore it was now greatly improved. They were right. The service was excellent, wait staff knowledgeable and courteous (last time the hostesses in particular were extremely rude) and the food was wonderfully prepared (black cod is to die for and pork belly perfectly done with a little crispness along with the tenderness). Seems a lot of the right changes have been made in a year!
(4)Sue L.
Judging from the reviews - I had high expectations about this restaurant. Interestingly, Norio is named after the chef Norio Yamamoto who went onto open Monstera. We shared the Fairmont Roll -it was ok. I had the 10 piece sushi meal -the rice was mushy! My husband had the 15 piece sashimi and he said the fish was fresh and tasty. Next time I should stick with sashimi. The seaweed salad and the lemon pudding dessert were delicious.Our waitress was really nice and efficient. And the bread they gave you is yummy.
(3)Art T.
I wanted to enjoy a nice dinner with my friend for our weekend getaway at Fairmont Orchid without having to struggle with restaurant choices and wait time. I made a reservation ahead of time to ensure that we did not have to wait for a long time for dinner. Service: The service was very disappointing considering the restaurant on the Fairmont property. Overall, the service was very slow. We ordered a shared appetizer and two entrees. The appetizer came pretty quickly, but after that. It was a wait of our life time. In addition, we were not offered with water after we sat down, not until I asked for it. Finally our salad came, and it was another long wait before our main entrees came. My friend specifically ordered the Nigiri Tasting menu, but when his entrée came, it was just the standard one. By then I told my friend, I would not ever come back to this restaurant. When I ordered my sashimi entrée, she did not give me my bowl of rice. And again, I had to ask for it. Food Quality: We ordered the Calamari appetizer to share. The calamari was rubbery and salty. The nigri and sashimi were nothing special. Unless what the menu described with variety of fish, most of them were the same type of fish for my sashimi entrée. When I had my dessert, my cake was so dry even with some chopped fresh fruit in it. Honestly I can bake a better sponge cake than that. The worst part was both of us suffered from diarrhea after we went back to our hotel room. It was simply awful! Noise Level: Even though the restaurant was not filled, it was very noisy. I could not talk in the normal level with my friend across the table. If I stay at Fairmont Orchid again, I won't go back to this restaurant for sure.
(1)Casey H.
Was looking for some good sushi and found much more. The service and attentiveness of the whole staff are unmatched by anyplace we have been before. We had the Red Dragon roll and it was very good, but I do agree with others regarding being on the pricey side...but hey, it's Hawaii right? The property @ the Fairmont Orchard is exceptional as well, complete with Turtles and lovely grounds. If it weren't for the exceptional service provided by Chelsi and others I may have gone with four stars but superior performance should be recognized and rewarded...in this case with a five!
(5)L Z.
My husband and I tried this place and were glad we didn't miss it. The pricing is high but you are paying for quality and decor/environment. I am not from the area so I don't have other restaurants to compare it to. We ordered a roll and their Chef special. Each had extremely fresh fish that melted in your mouth. We decided to go with their calamari as our appetizer. I think it was good but not worth the 18 dollar price. But then again, the average price for this appetizer is 12.00. We also ordered to sake's that I believe were around 8-10. We had another meal at another restaurant at the fairmont but wish we came here twice instead.
(4)Derek S.
I was pleasantly surprised by the sushi. It was fresh and very good. The service was also very great and quick. The spicy tuna and Red Dragon rolls were fantastic. The setting at the Fairmont is really nice as well...especially outside on the patio. Overall it was really good sushi but of course expensive. But on a quality of food and dining experience, it deserves 4 stars.
(4)Jacob F.
The service was definitely great, the food was fresh, and everything in that regard was Fairmont quality. Fairmont has excellent service and it's easy to be happy even at a bad restaurant like Norio's. Norio's felt like eating in a cafeteria (we were seated right across from where the Fairmont does a breakfast buffet), and the drinks were as bad (and as small) as what you get next to the swimming pool. I didn't see anything special about the menu and the food did not blow my mind. At this restaurant, the price is unfortunately just the result of resort convenience. They could at least decorate the place and add a little atmosphere, like Amasia or something over on Maui. Everything here was cheap and expensive at the same time. I ate some pretty amazing Japanese food at other resorts, at the same resort price, that had a solid atmosphere and were fun to eat at. Norio's just doesn't get it. Since you're reading this review on Yelp, look for other Japanese restaurants on Big Island and get out the rental car. There's a great one in Hawi.
(1)Vicki D.
This restaurant is quiet and tucked away in the Fairmont. We had sashimi which was so fresh and amazing. Toro and salmon especially. They have other sushi rolls that are also great. We tried the Fairmont roll which was excellent, and also the Unagi (eel). I was hoping for an awesome dessert and wasn't totally pleased but still ate all my souffle! Excellent sake and drink selection too. My saketini was yummy to the core. Valet parking is "at your discretion". Beautiful sunsets can be viewed from the lobby. Also you may want to make a rezzie since it's pretty small.
(4)Dan P.
The sushi here is pretty good. If you go during 7:30-8:30, they have a special where it is 50% off their rolls and sushi. Notable sushi items were the scallop, toro, amaebi, yellowtail, and amberjack. They have uni on the menu but the 2 times that I went there, it wasn't available. Amaebi also wasn't available but the waiter was able to get the sushi chef to get it for me anyway. They actually have both of these but it's reserved for guests who order the omakase. They also have cooked food as well if you have friends who aren't into sushi. If you have kids, the nice hostess (Claire) will give you some fish food to feed the fish in the koi pond.
(4)Stef M.
Solid sushi at the Fairmont Orchid. I will definitely be back next time I'm visiting, but I've also heard that Norio himself has now left and opened Monstera, another nearby sushi restaurant. So I will be trying that one, too! The omakase (chef's choice) is so great - just let the chef take care of you, it is so good! They don't have many mayo-infused American-style rolls which may be what some people here are complainaing about. It's really catering toward the large numbers of Japanese tourists who stay at the Fairmont - the menu is even in Japanese and English! Our omakase came with tuna rolls, unagi, yellowtail, etc. - typical, but the fish is just so fresh and good that it really elevates the meal. Simple and delicous, nothing fancy. There are many Japanese dishes on the menu as well as sushi. We also tried the creamy seared scallop roll (guilty pleasure!) which was perfectly seared! The tuna tataki was, too - there will be no overcooked fish here, you can be sure. There was a delicious chocolate mousse cake with green tea creme anglais for dessert, oh my god! make sure you try a dessert here. I also tried the coconut dessert (like a flan or creme brulee) which was great - creamy and luscious and tropical coconutty. The space is kind of disappointing compared to the grandeur of the rest of the Fairmont Orchid. It used to be a Ritz Carlton, so it is OVER THE TOP, with chandeliers everywhere and beautiful sweeping views of the ocean all along the front of the hotel. Make sure you check the place out while you're there if you aren't already staying there. Norio's itself, however, is in the corner of this very large room which also doubles as the breakfast area in the mornings. They clearly tried to make it a little more cozy, but it's definitely not as nice as it could be, design-wise. What it does have going for it is that there are some shutters open on one side of the room so if it's not dark out, you get a peek outside at the grounds and ocean. I will post a couple of photos here so you can see how good the food looks!
(4)John P.
Really impressed. Went there with a party of seven adults. The night started with the best margarita I've ever had. (Three others in my party concurred). The fish was dynamite. (Stuck with straight nigiri). Perfect rice, portions just right. Sake flight was great. Lots of varieties, our server got my requests just so. Ordered "something special" from the chef and he came up with raw octopus. Wow. Impressive sweetness, albeit a bit chewy. Still, something I've never tried, so good for me. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Conrad M.
Our server had a good personality but did not pay attention to us. We were trying to get a simple refill of that great Hawaiian tap water and neither the busser or server could remember to fill us up. After 2 attempts she brings our bill and said "oh that's right you wanted a refill of water" I should of forgot to pay my bill.
(3)Alex V.
If you are looking for good sushi, look elsewhere. Not fresh, lacking flavor. For the exorbant price per piece I was expecting at least fresh fish. Guess I'll have to stick to the mainland.
(1)Matthew C.
Descent sushi at extraordinary prices. They are certainly proud of their dishes and the pricing makes you realize that you are at a resort. I would not go out of your way to visit. Nothing remarkable here... if this were in the bay area, it would not survive... But on the bright side... if you are from the midwest and do not have access to descent sushi... give it a try.
(3)Ali L.
don't listen to any of the stupid negative reviews here. Anyone who says anything bad about Norio's at the Fairmont doesn't deserve to visit the Fairmont! This is a special restaurant with EXCELLENT service and EXCELLENT Chefs. It's an honor to eat here. THe Fairmont ROLL is OUTSTANDING and the red dragon roll is OUT OF CONTROL!! and the ONO CEVICHE? Oh YES!!! enjoy your dinner here as I am a repeat customer all the way from Miami, Florida. I come here just for sushi b/c Miami sushi doesn't compare! Many Mahalos to Norio's!
(5)Ella B.
They offered me bread. At a sushi restaurant. You know its not authentic when they ask if you want BREAD! The sushi was pretty fresh, but the drinks were horrible. I kept wondering if I was drinking a glass of syrup with lemon juice.
(2)Kyle F.
Last night the conference we came to Hawaii for had a picnic basket dinner, which in its own right was good, but when given the chance to eat sushi here again I will pick that every day of the week...and if you don't well you may not be my friend haha. We wanted to make a resv for a little bit later in the day so that my dad could make the rounds at the conference, and they told us that they were all booked up. Remembering that we had met the head sous chef Steve of the entire resort the first night we went there, and that he gave us his business card, we called him up and asked if he could help us get a table for 9 people in about 1 hour. He said he would be glad to help, and that he would stop by and say hi when we got there...I mean if you can find me better customer service or a nicer set of staff than this I would be amazed. We started off as two parties, a party of 4 and a party of 5, and they where nice enough to put 3 tables together and give us a table a 9! We started off with some sake and then went right into the good stuff...the sushi! We got a few rolls from last time, the red dragon roll and the spicy yellow tail roll, but we knew we had to try some new things. The yellowtail and avocado hamachi with ponzu sauce rivals that of Nobu. Then we also got the scallop napoleon, which was a seared scallop on top of what can only be called a japanese potatoe latke, and it was super tasty, plus it had this citrus sauce on top which made it that much better! The last thing we got, as if we werent stuffed enough was some fatty tuna, which the chef saved for us since he knew we where coming. Oh good god this was like melt in your mouth goodness, teh fish was so clean and fresh that Im surprised it didnt still swim. I hope that we get another chance to go here before we leave!
(5)Kathy Z.
The food here is truly lovely. Fairmont roll: amazing! good balance between the fish and green onion Spicy Scallop roll: couldn't taste any spiciness but rather a light, smooth roll Ikura nigiri: my all time favorite sushi that I get at all sushi restaurants. the ikura tasted different than ikura in Houston. this one was sweet and pops easily (vs in Houston it's salty and a little big slimy). I enjoyed it nonetheless Ika nigiri: very fresh, just the right amount of chew We would have come back the next night, but they were closed (boo!). Great choice if staying at the Fairmont or neighboring restaurants. Service is prompt and courteous.
(4)Greg H.
This place is NUTS!!! Order the calamari, best I have ever had! It's a little pricey but some of the best sushi I have had. If your on the big island, make this a stop. As usual at any quality resort the prices are not cheap
(4)Kari S.
The Fairmont grounds are beautiful, and the staff is all about great customer service, so your dining experience whereever you dine on this property is going to be special. Norio's is no exception. The night we ate here the restaurant was overbooked so the manager set up a special table for us outside on the patio. Our waitress was so friendly and so sweet! I wish I could remember her name...I'll update with a shout out if it comes to me. Skip the edamame velvet soup, sounds good but it's really strange tasting. The salmon tartare is delicious. Highly recommend the scallop Napoleon, the filet mignon, nigiri and sashimi sets. I was most impressed with the fresh delicious uni (this is how I rate all Sushi restaurants now, if you have good uni I love you!). All of the dishes were really well executed with beautiful presentation and the customer service I must mention again was impeccible. PS - Complimentary Valet! Explore the grounds while you are there. Lovely lovely place!
(5)Rich J.
This is the place that the sushi chef from Monstera used to work at. Very impressive menu. We started with edamame velvet soup with truffle oil, followed by a shared app of foie gras and unagi and for entrees we shared an Australian wagyu ribeye and sashimi platter, in essence creating quite an impressive gourmet surf and turf. For dessert I had a tasting of three desserts that were all very very good and involved the usual Japanese flavors for dessert- red bean and matcha- in the form of layered crepes and something else I can't quite recall....as well as tapioca in the form of bubble tea. The only bad thing about Norio's is that they use the space for the Fairmont's breakfast buffet so there is no Asian theme or decor except for a waterfall and koi pond near the entrance that we were lucky enough to get seated near.
(4)S K.
Supposedly the best sushi place on the Island but I found that it was WAY over priced and just ok. Great atmosphere in the post Fairmont Hotel in Wailokoa. Service was just ok for the price. The sushi items were nothing special. It was disappointed that they didnt have uni or amberjack and we were there at 6pm so not like they ran out. They did have some great items like the Hamachi with avocado and the carpaccio, both were delicious. The one shocker was that the amebi didnt come with the heads fried. What's that about??? Customers got freaked out so they dont serve it anymore??? Lame.
(3)Brittany A.
This is part review and part BIG MAHALO to the staff and chef's at Norio's. I reserved a table online for our anniversary (5th!) and in the comments I told them that it was our anniversary and that I wanted us both to have the Chef's tasting menu and nothing was off limits except for fennel (WE HATE FENNEL). My hope was that when we sat down food would just appear and my husband would have a surprised look on his face :) From the moment we arrived we were made to feel so special it brings tears to my eyes to think of it. The hostess said happy anniversary and led us to our table. Only seconds later our waitress appeared with the Hamachi and avacado appetizer and told us she would take our drink order whenever we were ready. I had the strawberry and shiso sakatini and the husband had a mojito. Then Chef Darren Osagarawa came to the table and wished us a happy anniversary and wanted to tell us about the culinary adenture we were about to embark on. He also made the remark that there would be no fennel, knowing that the chef read my comments was so touching, I mean how does he have time for that? We had two other sushi dishes ( fatty tuna, scallop and something else. the fatty tuna was insane, it blew our minds!) which were spectacular, then came the mains- grilled bison with lobster AND tiger prawns and a plank grilled kampachi with sides of truffle oiled french fries and creamed corn. Now, I know me some creamed corn and this was out of this world. Fresh local corn still slilghtly crisp in a thick creamy goodness and a cracked pepper finish. The fries were golden goodness with herbs and truffle oil and a shaved pecarino (?) or ramano cheese. Oh Oh I almost forgot the sauces that we got to dip everything in, there was a chimichuri (how fashionable) a pate gravy (so good) a soy based yumminess and an herbed hollondaisey butter sauce. So at this point of the evening we've had basically 8 meals and the waitress comes over and let's us know that she will box anything we can't finish...so we didn't absolutely stuff ourselves and had her box a portion of the bison, fries and creamed corn. But I swear we could have finished it all. She then gave us little servings of the sauces we liked. How sweet is that?! Did I mention that even the guy filling our water said "Happy Anniversary." Now onto our final dessert- I asked to see the dessert drink menu and we both got a cold cappuccino which was out of this world. Then, we were brought a gorgeous plate of mini desserts on a plate that said Happy Anniversary. It was so cute! None of the desserts were on the menu :) We felt so special!!! ice cream mochi, a chocolate pastry lau lau, lava cake, chocolate covered strawberry. It was amazing and well worth the money. That night is one of the most memorable experiences :) Thank you to the entire staff that pulled off the behind the scenes magic that made the night possible. The sushi/sashimi was fresh and exquisetly presented, the mains were full of flavor with just the right amount of adventure and the dessert was a knock out. Chef Darren Osagarawa is a culinary treasure of the Big Island.
(5)Kylie L.
All around not a bad experience here but was expecting a little more from a restaurant in the Fairmont. The fish was fresh and tasty but the service was slow which was a disappointment due to the fact that we had a reservation that was early enough to miss the peak dining hours and the restaurant itself was not even close to full. Be prepared for a very expensive meal that may take a long time to get through if you dine here. If you are not in a rush and money doesn't matter than this will probably be a very enjoyable experience.
(3)Bob M.
Perhaps one of the finest meals I have ever enjoyed. There is a Chef's option where you tell the Chef your preferences and let him cultivate a meal for you. Chef Darren Osagarawa actually came out and was nice enough to discuss what we liked. We gave him a few ideas and put our pallets in his hands. OMG what a spectacular meal. Not only is Chef Osagarawa a master chef, he is also one of the nicest young men I have had the privilege to meet. To say we had a great dinner would be the understatement of the year. It was simple out of this world. As I read several of the other reviews it seems there is a pattern. Most people gave Norio's four stars because of the price. As my daughter would say, "Really!" What do you expect at the Fairmont. Their coffee prices make Starbucks look like a bargain. Really you should judge Norio's on the quality of the meal and the experience. Remember you picked the Fairmont for a reason. Thank you Chef Osagarawa and thank you Norio's!!! Simply a Five Star Experience!!!!!
(5)Paco R.
Good japanese food, but very expensive. But, hey - what did I expected at the Fairmont. Very fresh fish, some imported from Japan, and a nice ambience. The sushi bar inconvenient for a quick dinner when you forgot to reserve elsewhere.
(4)Nish N.
Sadly, this was a disappointment. We perhaps had too high expectations for fresh fish but after waiting an hour for a table (while the place was not too packed?), our clueless waiter screwed up our order about five times over the course of our dinner. We tried some standard rolls like the Spider, Spicy Hamachi, also some maguro and kanpachi. I wasn't wowed by anything, and I guess that says it all. Oh well, go to Sansei instead, which I'll review soon!
(3)Jen G.
A-OK is about right. That was definitely the longest wait for sushi ever (about 30-40 min from ordering to getting the food). The sushi itself was A-OK. It was definitely good but not the best that i've had. the hamachi/avocado was pretty sloppy (different size hamachi slices). the scallop hot app was very good. they had a couple interesting specialty rolls.
(3)Meg V.
We went here during our stay at the Fairmont Orchid. We ordered steak, the fairmont roll, fried tofu, the ahi tuna, and a few side dishes. All of the food besides the asparagus was delicious. However, prices are very high (per normal hotel restaurants). I would say the only negative was that they knew we were celebrating my dad's birthday (and we are part of the president's club) yet they failed to send us any Birthday dessert or do anything special. Other than that, the service and food was excellent!
(4)stephanie p.
another hit or miss restaurant on our trip. We went here our first night and my hubby had sushi, I had filet, son had teriyaki chicken and little had edaname, food and service was great. went there another night and all the meats were way over cooked, to the point they couldn't be eaten. Service was still great but again, not consistent with the food.
(3)M T.
Went for the sushi and fell in love with the truffle fries! The fries were really amazing, totally worth getting. Ambiance is a little funny because the sushi restaurant is in a hotel lobby that also doubles as a continental breakfast area? Getting seated for our reservation took a little while but the service once we were at our table was lovely!
(4)Jennifer B.
Attentative, pleasant, and fast service. Ribeye was cooked perfectly to order and had the perfect about of char. The nigiri was delicious and the server explained each piece well.
(5)E F.
Absolutely fabulous. From the grill Hawaiian Ono/Wahoo with the chili sauce was one of the best dishes I've had in a long time.
(4)Pam H.
My husband and I dined here our first night at the Fairmont Orchid. We had made reservations for 8pm and realized after sunset that with our time change that we'd be lucky to still be awake, we were able to move it up to 730pm. They were very nice about trying to get us in earlier. Our service was fabulous. my husband's sushi was very, very good- he enjoyed every bit of it. He did have a misdelivered salad- he ate it & by the time the server came to check on us and we asked about the salad- it was the wrong one, so she brought the correct one. I didn't have a first course, but did order a rib-eye steak which was very good and I ordered the side dish of mashed potatoes with bacon in it. They described it so wonderfully, but it really wasn't that good. We both ordered dessert, although now a week later, I can't quite recall what we had- but I know both were very good. Overall, the dining experience was nice. The food was mostly good, just the one issue with my potatoes and the ambiance was lovely. They also have a resident kitty cat named "Sushi" who will happily take handouts, but is awfully cute and a little bit entertaining too.
(3)Stephen S.
Great atmosphere, great food. Dining staff is very friendly and actually gave me advice on what to do while on the islands along with hand written directions for the best routes to take. Miso soup is nothing special, the spicy tuna roll is VERY spicy(has habanero pepper in it which I somehow didn't read). The Fairmont roll is one of the best sushi rolls I have EVER had and I'm an avid sushi eater. The restaurant is expensive especially if you get drinks, but that's to be expected. If you're here at the Fairmont, hands down best place to eat
(5)Jeff T.
Everything was so yummy!!! We had the calamari app, Cesar salad, shrimp tempura, the wagu beef with dipping sauces (the best steak!!), mac nut asparagus, truffle fries, and the apple tart. One of the best meals on the island and Brianne our waitress was so knowledgeable about the menu and extremely helpful!! Awesome food and great service don't miss eating at Norio's
(5)Brian T.
Try the signature Fairmont Roll! The Ono was amazing and the flavors melted like warm herb butter. Better yet, start with their scallop appetizer or get two as they would make Gordan Ramsey proud! We're from Seattle (stayed at the Fairmont Orchid on vacation); we love Sushi and get some of the best in Seattle. You probably won't be disappointed at Norio's. That said, I don't know that I would make a special trip to Norio's as there are probably other/better Sushi restaurants on the Big Island... maybe not. We didn't love the Red Dragon roll and were also a little disappointed that Norio's shares the same location as the Orchid's breakfast buffet. The dual use is clever but the ambiance is definitely lacking especially as a kid friendly resort. I was hoping for a quiet ocean view but got something more like a hotel lobby with spoiled kids. If you want an ocean view try Brown's Beach Resort Restaurant. Our service Norio's was great and we were very comfortable in the open air. Seriously, go and enjoy yourself. It's a vacation so don't worry about the small stuff. If you really want 5-start dining go to a different island or stay home in NY or LA.
(4)David J.
The most horrible meal I ever had in Hawaii. I never had bad food in Hawaii in the 5 years in a row that I have been vacationing in Hawaii, but sadly Norio's fell in that "bad meal" category. I dined at Norio's last year and it was fantastic. But it went down the tube since then. While the service was very friendly, it was slow and completely disorganized. The fish was definitely not fresh, and was actually quite smelly - the same horrible smell that was hanging around the sushi bar, where I dined. I consider myself very fortunate that I didn't get sick. In addition to the poor quality of the fish, the portions were ridiculously small, especially for the price being charged. I also overheard a lady at the other end of the sushi bar complaining to the waiter about the shrimp tempura being soggy. How is it possible to mess up a tempura dish? Pretty telling about the poor quality of this restaurant! In summary, please avoid this place at all cost.
(1)Derek S.
I was pleasantly surprised by the sushi. It was fresh and very good. The service was also very great and quick. The spicy tuna and Red Dragon rolls were fantastic. The setting at the Fairmont is really nice as well...especially outside on the patio. Overall it was really good sushi but of course expensive. But on a quality of food and dining experience, it deserves 4 stars.
(4)Rachel B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Pretty expensive, but SO. DELICIOUS. First off, they give you an appetizer and basically it's an assortment of japanese style bread and they give you this amazing. edamame hummus. It's so delicious. The sushi is really fresh and for me, who has never really gone to upscale sushi restaurants, I could definitely taste a huge difference. The taste and presentation were all perfect. My favorites were definitely any of the spicy rolls!
(5)Jacob F.
The service was definitely great, the food was fresh, and everything in that regard was Fairmont quality. Fairmont has excellent service and it's easy to be happy even at a bad restaurant like Norio's. Norio's felt like eating in a cafeteria (we were seated right across from where the Fairmont does a breakfast buffet), and the drinks were as bad (and as small) as what you get next to the swimming pool. I didn't see anything special about the menu and the food did not blow my mind. At this restaurant, the price is unfortunately just the result of resort convenience. They could at least decorate the place and add a little atmosphere, like Amasia or something over on Maui. Everything here was cheap and expensive at the same time. I ate some pretty amazing Japanese food at other resorts, at the same resort price, that had a solid atmosphere and were fun to eat at. Norio's just doesn't get it. Since you're reading this review on Yelp, look for other Japanese restaurants on Big Island and get out the rental car. There's a great one in Hawi.
(1)Asuka N.
Faced with a decision on where to eat dinner late and having not made any plans, we decided to stay on-campus (we were staying at the Fairmont) and go to Norio's, having dined at Brown's the night before. Doing a last-minute reservation on Open Table was surprisingly easy, but post-8 PM, there's plenty of seating available. While the interior looked nice, we chose a table outside to enjoy the post-sundown breeze. Our waitress was a little too enthusiastic, but overall, the service was pretty solid. Although Norio's bills itself as a sushi restaurant - and I know there are a lot of fresh fish caught just off the coast here - it's not anywhere near the upper end of sushi that I've had elsewhere, and certainly not the price that the tasting menus go for. While 10 nigiri for $50 isn't all that bad, I could definitely tell that the fish here wasn't the same kind of quality that you'd necessarily expect at that price. It is better than your average run-of-the-mill sushi joint, but not by the same price difference. I had better luck with one of the specials of the day, a top-cut sirloin done in a soy sauce marinade. The Asian influence on the marinade worked quite well, given the steak a fusion-esque flavor without overdoing it. Dessert, just like at Brown's, was a bit on the creative side - they did a version of strawberry spongecake here that focused much more on the fresh strawberry side of the dish, as opposed to the very creamy frosting that's present in many Asian dessert shops. It was good, but not quite up to the same standard that Brown's does. In all - Norio's overlaps a bit in terms with the other higher-end restaurant at the Fairmont, as their non-sushi dishes are both geared more towards Hawaiian-inspired fusion dishes. That said, if you're a discerning sushi eater, you probably won't find the sushi here spectacular. I would come back to try some of the other dishes they have from the kitchen, though.
(3)Sharon C.
Last time we were at Norio's (Spring 2013) we vowed to never go back - terrible service and food poorly prepared: pork belly over done, black cod dry and overcooked, sushi tough and not fresh) Very sad for a place that was a favorite for years and particularly distressful with Norio's name still attached. I'm happy to say that we went with friends who swore it was now greatly improved. They were right. The service was excellent, wait staff knowledgeable and courteous (last time the hostesses in particular were extremely rude) and the food was wonderfully prepared (black cod is to die for and pork belly perfectly done with a little crispness along with the tenderness). Seems a lot of the right changes have been made in a year!
(4)Art T.
I wanted to enjoy a nice dinner with my friend for our weekend getaway at Fairmont Orchid without having to struggle with restaurant choices and wait time. I made a reservation ahead of time to ensure that we did not have to wait for a long time for dinner. Service: The service was very disappointing considering the restaurant on the Fairmont property. Overall, the service was very slow. We ordered a shared appetizer and two entrees. The appetizer came pretty quickly, but after that. It was a wait of our life time. In addition, we were not offered with water after we sat down, not until I asked for it. Finally our salad came, and it was another long wait before our main entrees came. My friend specifically ordered the Nigiri Tasting menu, but when his entrée came, it was just the standard one. By then I told my friend, I would not ever come back to this restaurant. When I ordered my sashimi entrée, she did not give me my bowl of rice. And again, I had to ask for it. Food Quality: We ordered the Calamari appetizer to share. The calamari was rubbery and salty. The nigri and sashimi were nothing special. Unless what the menu described with variety of fish, most of them were the same type of fish for my sashimi entrée. When I had my dessert, my cake was so dry even with some chopped fresh fruit in it. Honestly I can bake a better sponge cake than that. The worst part was both of us suffered from diarrhea after we went back to our hotel room. It was simply awful! Noise Level: Even though the restaurant was not filled, it was very noisy. I could not talk in the normal level with my friend across the table. If I stay at Fairmont Orchid again, I won't go back to this restaurant for sure.
(1)Sue L.
Judging from the reviews - I had high expectations about this restaurant. Interestingly, Norio is named after the chef Norio Yamamoto who went onto open Monstera. We shared the Fairmont Roll -it was ok. I had the 10 piece sushi meal -the rice was mushy! My husband had the 15 piece sashimi and he said the fish was fresh and tasty. Next time I should stick with sashimi. The seaweed salad and the lemon pudding dessert were delicious.Our waitress was really nice and efficient. And the bread they gave you is yummy.
(3)Stef M.
Solid sushi at the Fairmont Orchid. I will definitely be back next time I'm visiting, but I've also heard that Norio himself has now left and opened Monstera, another nearby sushi restaurant. So I will be trying that one, too! The omakase (chef's choice) is so great - just let the chef take care of you, it is so good! They don't have many mayo-infused American-style rolls which may be what some people here are complainaing about. It's really catering toward the large numbers of Japanese tourists who stay at the Fairmont - the menu is even in Japanese and English! Our omakase came with tuna rolls, unagi, yellowtail, etc. - typical, but the fish is just so fresh and good that it really elevates the meal. Simple and delicous, nothing fancy. There are many Japanese dishes on the menu as well as sushi. We also tried the creamy seared scallop roll (guilty pleasure!) which was perfectly seared! The tuna tataki was, too - there will be no overcooked fish here, you can be sure. There was a delicious chocolate mousse cake with green tea creme anglais for dessert, oh my god! make sure you try a dessert here. I also tried the coconut dessert (like a flan or creme brulee) which was great - creamy and luscious and tropical coconutty. The space is kind of disappointing compared to the grandeur of the rest of the Fairmont Orchid. It used to be a Ritz Carlton, so it is OVER THE TOP, with chandeliers everywhere and beautiful sweeping views of the ocean all along the front of the hotel. Make sure you check the place out while you're there if you aren't already staying there. Norio's itself, however, is in the corner of this very large room which also doubles as the breakfast area in the mornings. They clearly tried to make it a little more cozy, but it's definitely not as nice as it could be, design-wise. What it does have going for it is that there are some shutters open on one side of the room so if it's not dark out, you get a peek outside at the grounds and ocean. I will post a couple of photos here so you can see how good the food looks!
(4)John P.
Really impressed. Went there with a party of seven adults. The night started with the best margarita I've ever had. (Three others in my party concurred). The fish was dynamite. (Stuck with straight nigiri). Perfect rice, portions just right. Sake flight was great. Lots of varieties, our server got my requests just so. Ordered "something special" from the chef and he came up with raw octopus. Wow. Impressive sweetness, albeit a bit chewy. Still, something I've never tried, so good for me. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Conrad M.
Our server had a good personality but did not pay attention to us. We were trying to get a simple refill of that great Hawaiian tap water and neither the busser or server could remember to fill us up. After 2 attempts she brings our bill and said "oh that's right you wanted a refill of water" I should of forgot to pay my bill.
(3)Alex V.
If you are looking for good sushi, look elsewhere. Not fresh, lacking flavor. For the exorbant price per piece I was expecting at least fresh fish. Guess I'll have to stick to the mainland.
(1)Casey H.
Was looking for some good sushi and found much more. The service and attentiveness of the whole staff are unmatched by anyplace we have been before. We had the Red Dragon roll and it was very good, but I do agree with others regarding being on the pricey side...but hey, it's Hawaii right? The property @ the Fairmont Orchard is exceptional as well, complete with Turtles and lovely grounds. If it weren't for the exceptional service provided by Chelsi and others I may have gone with four stars but superior performance should be recognized and rewarded...in this case with a five!
(5)L Z.
My husband and I tried this place and were glad we didn't miss it. The pricing is high but you are paying for quality and decor/environment. I am not from the area so I don't have other restaurants to compare it to. We ordered a roll and their Chef special. Each had extremely fresh fish that melted in your mouth. We decided to go with their calamari as our appetizer. I think it was good but not worth the 18 dollar price. But then again, the average price for this appetizer is 12.00. We also ordered to sake's that I believe were around 8-10. We had another meal at another restaurant at the fairmont but wish we came here twice instead.
(4)Vicki D.
This restaurant is quiet and tucked away in the Fairmont. We had sashimi which was so fresh and amazing. Toro and salmon especially. They have other sushi rolls that are also great. We tried the Fairmont roll which was excellent, and also the Unagi (eel). I was hoping for an awesome dessert and wasn't totally pleased but still ate all my souffle! Excellent sake and drink selection too. My saketini was yummy to the core. Valet parking is "at your discretion". Beautiful sunsets can be viewed from the lobby. Also you may want to make a rezzie since it's pretty small.
(4)Dan P.
The sushi here is pretty good. If you go during 7:30-8:30, they have a special where it is 50% off their rolls and sushi. Notable sushi items were the scallop, toro, amaebi, yellowtail, and amberjack. They have uni on the menu but the 2 times that I went there, it wasn't available. Amaebi also wasn't available but the waiter was able to get the sushi chef to get it for me anyway. They actually have both of these but it's reserved for guests who order the omakase. They also have cooked food as well if you have friends who aren't into sushi. If you have kids, the nice hostess (Claire) will give you some fish food to feed the fish in the koi pond.
(4)Matthew C.
Descent sushi at extraordinary prices. They are certainly proud of their dishes and the pricing makes you realize that you are at a resort. I would not go out of your way to visit. Nothing remarkable here... if this were in the bay area, it would not survive... But on the bright side... if you are from the midwest and do not have access to descent sushi... give it a try.
(3)Ali L.
don't listen to any of the stupid negative reviews here. Anyone who says anything bad about Norio's at the Fairmont doesn't deserve to visit the Fairmont! This is a special restaurant with EXCELLENT service and EXCELLENT Chefs. It's an honor to eat here. THe Fairmont ROLL is OUTSTANDING and the red dragon roll is OUT OF CONTROL!! and the ONO CEVICHE? Oh YES!!! enjoy your dinner here as I am a repeat customer all the way from Miami, Florida. I come here just for sushi b/c Miami sushi doesn't compare! Many Mahalos to Norio's!
(5)Ella B.
They offered me bread. At a sushi restaurant. You know its not authentic when they ask if you want BREAD! The sushi was pretty fresh, but the drinks were horrible. I kept wondering if I was drinking a glass of syrup with lemon juice.
(2)Kyle F.
Last night the conference we came to Hawaii for had a picnic basket dinner, which in its own right was good, but when given the chance to eat sushi here again I will pick that every day of the week...and if you don't well you may not be my friend haha. We wanted to make a resv for a little bit later in the day so that my dad could make the rounds at the conference, and they told us that they were all booked up. Remembering that we had met the head sous chef Steve of the entire resort the first night we went there, and that he gave us his business card, we called him up and asked if he could help us get a table for 9 people in about 1 hour. He said he would be glad to help, and that he would stop by and say hi when we got there...I mean if you can find me better customer service or a nicer set of staff than this I would be amazed. We started off as two parties, a party of 4 and a party of 5, and they where nice enough to put 3 tables together and give us a table a 9! We started off with some sake and then went right into the good stuff...the sushi! We got a few rolls from last time, the red dragon roll and the spicy yellow tail roll, but we knew we had to try some new things. The yellowtail and avocado hamachi with ponzu sauce rivals that of Nobu. Then we also got the scallop napoleon, which was a seared scallop on top of what can only be called a japanese potatoe latke, and it was super tasty, plus it had this citrus sauce on top which made it that much better! The last thing we got, as if we werent stuffed enough was some fatty tuna, which the chef saved for us since he knew we where coming. Oh good god this was like melt in your mouth goodness, teh fish was so clean and fresh that Im surprised it didnt still swim. I hope that we get another chance to go here before we leave!
(5)Kathy Z.
The food here is truly lovely. Fairmont roll: amazing! good balance between the fish and green onion Spicy Scallop roll: couldn't taste any spiciness but rather a light, smooth roll Ikura nigiri: my all time favorite sushi that I get at all sushi restaurants. the ikura tasted different than ikura in Houston. this one was sweet and pops easily (vs in Houston it's salty and a little big slimy). I enjoyed it nonetheless Ika nigiri: very fresh, just the right amount of chew We would have come back the next night, but they were closed (boo!). Great choice if staying at the Fairmont or neighboring restaurants. Service is prompt and courteous.
(4)Brittany A.
This is part review and part BIG MAHALO to the staff and chef's at Norio's. I reserved a table online for our anniversary (5th!) and in the comments I told them that it was our anniversary and that I wanted us both to have the Chef's tasting menu and nothing was off limits except for fennel (WE HATE FENNEL). My hope was that when we sat down food would just appear and my husband would have a surprised look on his face :) From the moment we arrived we were made to feel so special it brings tears to my eyes to think of it. The hostess said happy anniversary and led us to our table. Only seconds later our waitress appeared with the Hamachi and avacado appetizer and told us she would take our drink order whenever we were ready. I had the strawberry and shiso sakatini and the husband had a mojito. Then Chef Darren Osagarawa came to the table and wished us a happy anniversary and wanted to tell us about the culinary adenture we were about to embark on. He also made the remark that there would be no fennel, knowing that the chef read my comments was so touching, I mean how does he have time for that? We had two other sushi dishes ( fatty tuna, scallop and something else. the fatty tuna was insane, it blew our minds!) which were spectacular, then came the mains- grilled bison with lobster AND tiger prawns and a plank grilled kampachi with sides of truffle oiled french fries and creamed corn. Now, I know me some creamed corn and this was out of this world. Fresh local corn still slilghtly crisp in a thick creamy goodness and a cracked pepper finish. The fries were golden goodness with herbs and truffle oil and a shaved pecarino (?) or ramano cheese. Oh Oh I almost forgot the sauces that we got to dip everything in, there was a chimichuri (how fashionable) a pate gravy (so good) a soy based yumminess and an herbed hollondaisey butter sauce. So at this point of the evening we've had basically 8 meals and the waitress comes over and let's us know that she will box anything we can't finish...so we didn't absolutely stuff ourselves and had her box a portion of the bison, fries and creamed corn. But I swear we could have finished it all. She then gave us little servings of the sauces we liked. How sweet is that?! Did I mention that even the guy filling our water said "Happy Anniversary." Now onto our final dessert- I asked to see the dessert drink menu and we both got a cold cappuccino which was out of this world. Then, we were brought a gorgeous plate of mini desserts on a plate that said Happy Anniversary. It was so cute! None of the desserts were on the menu :) We felt so special!!! ice cream mochi, a chocolate pastry lau lau, lava cake, chocolate covered strawberry. It was amazing and well worth the money. That night is one of the most memorable experiences :) Thank you to the entire staff that pulled off the behind the scenes magic that made the night possible. The sushi/sashimi was fresh and exquisetly presented, the mains were full of flavor with just the right amount of adventure and the dessert was a knock out. Chef Darren Osagarawa is a culinary treasure of the Big Island.
(5)Kylie L.
All around not a bad experience here but was expecting a little more from a restaurant in the Fairmont. The fish was fresh and tasty but the service was slow which was a disappointment due to the fact that we had a reservation that was early enough to miss the peak dining hours and the restaurant itself was not even close to full. Be prepared for a very expensive meal that may take a long time to get through if you dine here. If you are not in a rush and money doesn't matter than this will probably be a very enjoyable experience.
(3)Greg H.
This place is NUTS!!! Order the calamari, best I have ever had! It's a little pricey but some of the best sushi I have had. If your on the big island, make this a stop. As usual at any quality resort the prices are not cheap
(4)Kari S.
The Fairmont grounds are beautiful, and the staff is all about great customer service, so your dining experience whereever you dine on this property is going to be special. Norio's is no exception. The night we ate here the restaurant was overbooked so the manager set up a special table for us outside on the patio. Our waitress was so friendly and so sweet! I wish I could remember her name...I'll update with a shout out if it comes to me. Skip the edamame velvet soup, sounds good but it's really strange tasting. The salmon tartare is delicious. Highly recommend the scallop Napoleon, the filet mignon, nigiri and sashimi sets. I was most impressed with the fresh delicious uni (this is how I rate all Sushi restaurants now, if you have good uni I love you!). All of the dishes were really well executed with beautiful presentation and the customer service I must mention again was impeccible. PS - Complimentary Valet! Explore the grounds while you are there. Lovely lovely place!
(5)Rich J.
This is the place that the sushi chef from Monstera used to work at. Very impressive menu. We started with edamame velvet soup with truffle oil, followed by a shared app of foie gras and unagi and for entrees we shared an Australian wagyu ribeye and sashimi platter, in essence creating quite an impressive gourmet surf and turf. For dessert I had a tasting of three desserts that were all very very good and involved the usual Japanese flavors for dessert- red bean and matcha- in the form of layered crepes and something else I can't quite recall....as well as tapioca in the form of bubble tea. The only bad thing about Norio's is that they use the space for the Fairmont's breakfast buffet so there is no Asian theme or decor except for a waterfall and koi pond near the entrance that we were lucky enough to get seated near.
(4)S K.
Supposedly the best sushi place on the Island but I found that it was WAY over priced and just ok. Great atmosphere in the post Fairmont Hotel in Wailokoa. Service was just ok for the price. The sushi items were nothing special. It was disappointed that they didnt have uni or amberjack and we were there at 6pm so not like they ran out. They did have some great items like the Hamachi with avocado and the carpaccio, both were delicious. The one shocker was that the amebi didnt come with the heads fried. What's that about??? Customers got freaked out so they dont serve it anymore??? Lame.
(3)Bob M.
Perhaps one of the finest meals I have ever enjoyed. There is a Chef's option where you tell the Chef your preferences and let him cultivate a meal for you. Chef Darren Osagarawa actually came out and was nice enough to discuss what we liked. We gave him a few ideas and put our pallets in his hands. OMG what a spectacular meal. Not only is Chef Osagarawa a master chef, he is also one of the nicest young men I have had the privilege to meet. To say we had a great dinner would be the understatement of the year. It was simple out of this world. As I read several of the other reviews it seems there is a pattern. Most people gave Norio's four stars because of the price. As my daughter would say, "Really!" What do you expect at the Fairmont. Their coffee prices make Starbucks look like a bargain. Really you should judge Norio's on the quality of the meal and the experience. Remember you picked the Fairmont for a reason. Thank you Chef Osagarawa and thank you Norio's!!! Simply a Five Star Experience!!!!!
(5)Paco R.
Good japanese food, but very expensive. But, hey - what did I expected at the Fairmont. Very fresh fish, some imported from Japan, and a nice ambience. The sushi bar inconvenient for a quick dinner when you forgot to reserve elsewhere.
(4)Nish N.
Sadly, this was a disappointment. We perhaps had too high expectations for fresh fish but after waiting an hour for a table (while the place was not too packed?), our clueless waiter screwed up our order about five times over the course of our dinner. We tried some standard rolls like the Spider, Spicy Hamachi, also some maguro and kanpachi. I wasn't wowed by anything, and I guess that says it all. Oh well, go to Sansei instead, which I'll review soon!
(3)Jen G.
A-OK is about right. That was definitely the longest wait for sushi ever (about 30-40 min from ordering to getting the food). The sushi itself was A-OK. It was definitely good but not the best that i've had. the hamachi/avocado was pretty sloppy (different size hamachi slices). the scallop hot app was very good. they had a couple interesting specialty rolls.
(3)Anthony Z.
Had a positive experience visiting Norio's last year, so returned. Had a couple of appetizers, plus maki and sushi. Quality of fish is mediocre at best. Toro was just okay. Uni was similarly just ok. None of the specialty maki were anything unique, and assembly was a little sloppy. Hamachi and avocado appetizer was the stand out. Service was Disneyesque, with our server quickly changing out of "character" as soon as she left our table. Ate here on a Friday night and it was DEAD....and although there were many Japanese guests at the hotel, NONE of them were dining at the same time we were. Cost was 120 per person. This place would never make it in Chicago.
(2)Beverly P.
We went here one night on a random trip to the Big Island, and I would have to say that this place could beat out many of the fancy sushi bars on Oahu! We started off with a bottle of sake and went on with the appetizers. We ordered the 69 Roll (an original creation by Chef Norio) and a sashimi combo. The fish was as fresh as it could be and the wasabi was deliciously strong. We then ordered the Tuna Tataki, the Ali'i Soup, and the Seafood Papaya. And if you have to order only one thing from this place, make sure it's the seafood papaya...so original, so delicious! The ambiance of the place was a little too bright for night, but the decor or this extravagant hotel made up for it. The service was friendly and quick. Basically, if you're ever on the the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, make sure you make a reservation at Norio's!
(5)Ryan W.
This is one of the best sushi bars I have even visited, and I eat sushi a few times each week. The miso soup was delicious, the hamachi, spicy hamachi, and toro were exceptional, the seafood papaya was the most creative dish, and the misoyaki was a treat. We sat at the bar and watched the chef's (including Norio) work their magic. Total for 2 adults who ate their weight in fish was $155.21, plus tip. Well worth it at twice the price!
(5)Elisa F.
My husband and I had dinner here 3 times during our vacation. The food was absolutely amazing each time. We tried several nigiri combos and their tasting menu. The fish is very fresh and everything is carefully prepared. Dessert was also great!
(5)tim k.
Umm...the best sushi ive ever had ! Love going to this place .
(5)Sara L.
I am pretty picky about my sushi and this place is great. Very fresh and very yummy! I would highly recommend it.
(4)Michelle G.
This is by far the best sushi we've found on the Big Island and perhaps, anywhere! The Maguro sashimi is so incredibly fresh that it essentially melts in your mouth. I will actually go so far as to say that this is the best Maguro that I've ever had and we've definitely eaten at our fair share of sushi restaurants. The selection of rolls is also stellar and there are plenty of selections available that contain only fresh fish, not the deep-fried fare that typifies American sushi. The Fairmont roll was our favorite, but everything that we had was delicious and superbly presented. We also had the Hamachi avocado sashimi appetizer during a few of our visits and again, the fish was so incredibly fresh and high quality that combined with the incredibly flavorful and light sauce, it was amazing! Even the miso soup which I'm not usually much of a fan of due to the boring nature of it, had great flavor. The prices are also very reasonable, particularly given the unbelievable quality of the fish. Norio's will definitely be top on our list of restaurants to visit when we return next year.
(5)Zackery F.
Went to Norio's b/c we couldn't get into anywhere else. Once we got there with a group of four, we were told that we had to sit at the bar, even though there were three vacant tables. The sushi bar appetizers and entrees were phenomenal but the other food (truffled ramen) left much to be desired. One person in our party also got the truffled ramen with a side of "shrimp" and vegetable tempura. For $12 dollars she got no shrimp. Service fixed it, but it took a longtime. I give it two stars b/c the sushi chefs were very polite, fast and talented, even though my kitchen entree was amiss.
(3)E.B. G.
Norio's is my all time favorite restaurant to go to. The food is ALWAYS delicious. My family goes here for special occasions, and we have always left happy and full! The staff is wonderful, Brad is our personal favorite. Ask for him when you go, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Mandana N.
The freshest cuts of sushi I've had in a long time, exactly what I'd expect when eating sushi on the Hawaiian isles! Hawaiian fatty tuna was available and I'd highly recommend it! The scallop sushi melts in your mouth!! Specialty rolls were also notable. Eat at the counter, it's roomy and makes the experience more fun ... throw in some Sake too!
(5)Eric G.
Great food. Best sushi option on the island.
(4)Yan K.
Had 2 appitizer, sushi, some rolls and beers. Sushi was not fresh, roll was just okay. Good atmosphere earns two stars but it was way over priced. I do not consider this place as a sushi restaurant.
(2)Eladio S.
We stopped by here on the last night of our stay at the Fairmont Orchid. What a beautiful hotel!! I went in to Norio's with high expectations considering the reviews on Yelp. First, I was taken back with the setting. The restaurant was very bright and a lot smaller than I expected. The service was great. The server was very attentive and considerate. However, when it came down to food, I had to order the Butterfish to compare to those I had at Roy's and other places on the island. I have to say, the fish was great. It wasn't cooked in the same style I'm used to (Misoyaki), I believe this one was Hawaiian style. It has accents of fruit and was more broiled than grilled. I would've given this place 5 stars, but the prices and the food did not meet my expectations.
(4)Terri M.
Food was excellent. Would have rated it a 5 had food not been so slow.
(4)Mark H.
Decent sushi. Restaurant is inside the Fairmont Orchid, where we stayed. Staff was friendly, attentive, and efficient. We sat at the sushi bar, which was comfortable. We would have gone again had we stayed longer. Thumbs up.
(4)Rollin R.
Excellent food. Tuna tataki was delicious. Sushi was fresh and the price fixed menu for $45 was a great deal. Definitely recommend and it's the best Japanese food (authentic too) in Kohala. Only issue is the number on Yelp is wrong and it's hard to get a reservation. Not enough tables.
(4)Jeannanicole D.
The sushi at Norio's is the best i've had outside of Asakusa. We sampled a lot of their sushi selection, hamachi, spicy hamachi, unagi, tobikko, ikura, uni and a few others. The fish is incredibly fresh, and simply prepared to showcase the fish. Their unagi was perfectly sauced and baked. We enjoyed a few different beers and sake's as well, their sake selection is the best i've experienced from Ali'i Dr. to Waikoloa.
(5)Matthew W.
Wow. I've eaten at lots of sushi restaurants including some of the 'famous' ones and this was the best I've ever had. All of the sushi was amazing. We also had the Asian fried chicken which was unbelievably flavorful and crisp. Also, the miso-marinated grilled butterfish was outstanding. The setting is OK (not as nice as many other restaurants in the area) and the service was fine, but not outstanding. But, the food, oh the food. So good.
(5)Nicholas H.
Tuna tataki was a great appetizer. Sashimi well cut and good serving sizes. Overall food was excellent. Interesting desserts. Ambiance pretty average. Service very attentive.
(4)B L.
Really hungry for sushi, came at about 6:20 and we did not get our sushi till 7:15. I ordered the red dreagon which wass very small for 24$ and also had a miso soup which was so hot it burnt my tounge... All in all the sushi was ok but for a 5 star hotel i would have expected it to be better..
(2)T R.
This was disappointing. I wanted fresh sushi during our stay on the Big Island. This was the one (out of three) that the concierge at another hotel recommended and I was really looking forward to it. My husband had the prix fixe menu - which was a good deal and seemed to be a lot of food. It started with edamame, miso soup, tuna tataki -which was good, a sushi combination of a roll and a couple nigiri, sauteed fish with teriyaki sauce and stir fried vegetables and dessert. The first problem is the service. Slow. The server delivered the tuna and the sushi delivered to my husband at the same time. When I looked at other tables, these courses were served separately. The fish, while fresh, was ok. The teriyaki sauce was flat. I ordered the Omakase deluxe sushi. My understanding of Omakase is the chef selects special courses. What I got was 9 pieces of sushi - a roll and nigiri sushi. Nothing Omakase about it. The fish was okay - it didn't strike me as particularly fresh or memorable. The service was still very slow - I think the server knew this as he brought us the chocolate fondue to share - even though we did not order it. It was tasty but couldn't make up for the food and service. Later, when talking with the hotel concierge, mentioning how disappointed we were, we learned that Norio had left this restaurant to open his own. I wish I had known this earlier. I say - don't go.
(2)Rachel L.
The Big Island gives me something to YELP about!! Norio's Sushi Bar is probably the best or second best sushi I have ever had. Master sushi chef Norio Yamamoto brings such an elevated level of experience and quality that your next sushi experience might be a disappointment. Yes, you have to be in Hawaii to enjoy this place, but if you get the chance, you must check it out! Norio delivers the sushi right after he makes it, right out of the ocean! My favorite was the Tuna Tataki (Seared tuna with daikon, Maui onion, Wakane seaweed) each bite was... "oh my G-d!!" Second best was the soft shelled crab appetizer, third was the chefs choice sashimi plate... salmon... melts in your mouth!! Then the 69 Roll (California roll with unagi sauce and tobiko, yum yum!! The wait staff is super friendly and will help you make the right decisions depending on your desires.. We tipped over 20%... trust me this place is unforgettable!
(5)Susan L.
This was pretty damn good sushi. While I can't find any obvious negatives, I don't feel the overall dining experience blew me away enough to grant 5 stars. I think the biggest thing was ambiance - it was blah. Granted it's a hotel restaurant but still no excuse. If the ambiance matched the sushi, then hot damn we have a winner! Everything we ate was fantastic - we had hamachi kama, an assortment of nigiri, rolls, and katsu. Paired with a local brew, you have a pretty fantastic meal. If you stay at the Fairmont, this is a must eat.
(4)Emily Y.
Located at the Fairmont, so expect to pay a little more than usual. But the price for fresh sushi isn't terribly much more than what you'd expect to pay for sushi. The fish was very fresh. The Udon noodles were also quite fresh. If you're staying at or near the Fairmont, and are craving good sushi, then this is a great place to go. P.S. try the homemade tropical fruit sorbets!
(4)Russ C.
Their sunset menu is unbelievable. Between 5-6 (at least in the off season when we visited) they serve the fresh catch of the day ($39 by itself) along with Edamame, salad, or miso soup, two nigiri sushi, two maki rolls, vegetable side, and individual desert for $38, which is an incredible deal on the resort laden Kohala coast. The menu includes many non-sushi options (fresh fish, chicken, steak, etc). Kids under 5 eat free which was very refreshing when other resorts charge up to $15 for a kids meal, kids under 12 eat for for around $10 off the kids menu or 50% off the full menu. The salad was very good, with miso dressing. The sushi was very good, although wasn't the freshest I've had, which is disappointing given the ocean is less than 50 yards away. The fish (opakapaka) had perfect preparation and presentation. The side vegetables were prepared perfectly. The service was very good although subtle. Great view of the sunset, although all seating was indoors despite plenty of seating outside, apparently reserved for breakfast, which was disappointing. Great saketinis (try the Melemele saketini). Free validated parking.
(5)Jenny V.
It helps that the Fairmont Orchid is a lovely resort... so lush and tropical with just a hint of glamour. My husband and I took my parents here for an early mother's day dinner on their last night on the Big Island. What the restaurant lacks in ambiance, it surely makes up for in flavor and presentation. The small restaurant is in a little area tucked away near what we presumed was the breakfast buffet for the hotel. While the buffet is curtained off, you can see and hear the hotel staff setting things up for the next day. That was a little off putting when we first got there, but we quickly forgot about it once the first roll was served. The quality of the dish was really good and the chef did not muddy the waters with a lot of unnecessary sauces. It was pure heaven. We enjoyed everything we ordered and were happy when the waiter was able to suggest a few dishes we wouldn't have normally tried. The only thing that would have made this experience better was if the restaurant had a view of the lovely grounds!
(4)Suepattra M.
Food and Wine magazine declared this the best sushi restaurant in all of the Big Island, and I couldn't agree more - perhaps even the state. The sushi and sashimi is - as my dear friend Terri said after several bites of the most sublime offerings ever: "orgasmic". Every time she took a bite, she had to put her chopsticks down and savor the flavors while experiencing the sensory aftershock. Having been here before, I promised her the best sushi experience of her life, and Norio delivered. This is a must visit destination each time I visit the Big Island, and it doesn't hurt that I stay at the hotel! Norio is a gracious sushi master, and knows his fish. Make sure to sit at the counter and you will learn all about Norio's penchant for surfing and golf, world travels and most importantly some secrets to his fine art. And if you think that all raw fish is the same, it's not. The temperature of the sea and the time to flash freezing and transport totally effect quality. Other must knows: the abalone in the shell, the hamachi kama and the oyster martinis are requisite for any visit. Enjoy!
(5)Meg V.
We went here during our stay at the Fairmont Orchid. We ordered steak, the fairmont roll, fried tofu, the ahi tuna, and a few side dishes. All of the food besides the asparagus was delicious. However, prices are very high (per normal hotel restaurants). I would say the only negative was that they knew we were celebrating my dad's birthday (and we are part of the president's club) yet they failed to send us any Birthday dessert or do anything special. Other than that, the service and food was excellent!
(4)stephanie p.
another hit or miss restaurant on our trip. We went here our first night and my hubby had sushi, I had filet, son had teriyaki chicken and little had edaname, food and service was great. went there another night and all the meats were way over cooked, to the point they couldn't be eaten. Service was still great but again, not consistent with the food.
(3)M T.
Went for the sushi and fell in love with the truffle fries! The fries were really amazing, totally worth getting. Ambiance is a little funny because the sushi restaurant is in a hotel lobby that also doubles as a continental breakfast area? Getting seated for our reservation took a little while but the service once we were at our table was lovely!
(4)Jennifer B.
Attentative, pleasant, and fast service. Ribeye was cooked perfectly to order and had the perfect about of char. The nigiri was delicious and the server explained each piece well.
(5)E F.
Absolutely fabulous. From the grill Hawaiian Ono/Wahoo with the chili sauce was one of the best dishes I've had in a long time.
(4)Pam H.
My husband and I dined here our first night at the Fairmont Orchid. We had made reservations for 8pm and realized after sunset that with our time change that we'd be lucky to still be awake, we were able to move it up to 730pm. They were very nice about trying to get us in earlier. Our service was fabulous. my husband's sushi was very, very good- he enjoyed every bit of it. He did have a misdelivered salad- he ate it & by the time the server came to check on us and we asked about the salad- it was the wrong one, so she brought the correct one. I didn't have a first course, but did order a rib-eye steak which was very good and I ordered the side dish of mashed potatoes with bacon in it. They described it so wonderfully, but it really wasn't that good. We both ordered dessert, although now a week later, I can't quite recall what we had- but I know both were very good. Overall, the dining experience was nice. The food was mostly good, just the one issue with my potatoes and the ambiance was lovely. They also have a resident kitty cat named "Sushi" who will happily take handouts, but is awfully cute and a little bit entertaining too.
(3)