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Name: Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar
Address: 2253 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI, 96756
Telephone: (808) 742-2121
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.92

Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar

2253 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI, 96756

(808) 742-2121
Store is closed

Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar Menu

Salads

Caesar

Kailani Farms Mixed Greens

Arugula & Watermelon

Caesar

Kailani Farms Mixed Greens

Arugula & Watermelon
Todays Entrees & Fresh Sea Food

Seafood Lau Lau

Crusted Local Fish

Grilled Fresh Fish

Stir Fry

Smoked Quinoa Crusted Tofu

Grilled Pork Chop

St. Louis Style Ribs

Pot Roast

PG Burger

Dry Rubbed 12 Oz. Ribeye

Seafood Lau Lau

Crusted Local Fish

Grilled Fresh Fish

Stir Fry

Smoked Quinoa Crusted Tofu

Grilled Pork Chop

St. Louis Style Ribs

Pot Roast

PG Burger

Dry Rubbed 12 Oz. Ribeye
Pupus

Soup of the Day

Ahi Poke

Crab Rangoons

Vegan Summer Rolls

Pork Potstickers

Coconut Shrimp

Roasted Pork Belly Sliders

Orange Chili Glazed Chicken Wings

Soup of the Day

Ahi Poke

Crab Rangoons

Vegan Summer Rolls

Pork Potstickers

Coconut Shrimp

Roasted Pork Belly Sliders

Orange Chili Glazed Chicken Wings
Snacks for the Table

Sweet Potato Rolls (4)

Furikake Fries

Edamame

Sweet Potato Rolls (4)

Furikake Fries

Edamame
Desserts

Local Lilikoi Cheesecake

Island Haupia

Chocolate Decadence

Lapperts Ice Cream & Sorbet

Banana Fudge

Heavenly Hana

Love Potion

Luau Delight

Local Lilikoi Cheesecake

Island Haupia

Chocolate Decadence

Lapperts Ice Cream & Sorbet

Banana Fudge

Heavenly Hana

Love Potion

Luau Delight
Hand Crafted House Drinks

Sweet Li Hing Mui Margarita

Pacific Dragon

Hibiscus Cooler

Garden Island Tea

Cucumber Mojito

Moscow Mule

Lychee & Asian Pear Cosmo

Sun Burst Margarita

Lavender Pina Colada

Plantation Breeze

Sweet Li Hing Mui Margarita

Pacific Dragon

Hibiscus Cooler

Garden Island Tea

Cucumber Mojito

Moscow Mule

Lychee & Asian Pear Cosmo

Sun Burst Margarita

Lavender Pina Colada

Plantation Breeze
Non - Alcoholic

Tropical Smoothies

Lilikoi Lemonade

Garden Fresh Mint & Pineapple Cooler

Passion Fruit, Orange & Guava Juices

Hibiscus Tea

IBC Rootbeer

Tropical Smoothies

Lilikoi Lemonade

Garden Fresh Mint & Pineapple Cooler

Passion Fruit, Orange & Guava Juices

Hibiscus Tea

IBC Rootbeer

Healthy Meal suggestions for Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar

Salads

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kailani Farms Mixed Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arugula & Watermelon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kailani Farms Mixed Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arugula & Watermelon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Todays Entrees & Fresh Sea Food

Seafood Lau Lau [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crusted Local Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Fresh Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stir Fry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Quinoa Crusted Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Pork Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

St. Louis Style Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pot Roast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

PG Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dry Rubbed 12 Oz. Ribeye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Lau Lau [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crusted Local Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Fresh Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stir Fry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Quinoa Crusted Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Pork Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

St. Louis Style Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pot Roast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

PG Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dry Rubbed 12 Oz. Ribeye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pupus

Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ahi Poke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Rangoons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegan Summer Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Potstickers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Pork Belly Sliders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orange Chili Glazed Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ahi Poke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Rangoons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegan Summer Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Potstickers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Pork Belly Sliders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orange Chili Glazed Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Snacks for the Table

Sweet Potato Rolls (4) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Furikake Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Edamame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Rolls (4) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Furikake Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Edamame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Local Lilikoi Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Haupia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Decadence [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lapperts Ice Cream & Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Fudge [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Heavenly Hana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Love Potion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Luau Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Local Lilikoi Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Haupia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Decadence [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lapperts Ice Cream & Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Fudge [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Heavenly Hana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Love Potion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Luau Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hand Crafted House Drinks

Sweet Li Hing Mui Margarita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pacific Dragon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibiscus Cooler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Island Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cucumber Mojito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Moscow Mule [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lychee & Asian Pear Cosmo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sun Burst Margarita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lavender Pina Colada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plantation Breeze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Li Hing Mui Margarita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pacific Dragon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibiscus Cooler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Island Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cucumber Mojito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Moscow Mule [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lychee & Asian Pear Cosmo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sun Burst Margarita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lavender Pina Colada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plantation Breeze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Non - Alcoholic

Tropical Smoothies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lilikoi Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Fresh Mint & Pineapple Cooler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Passion Fruit, Orange & Guava Juices [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibiscus Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

IBC Rootbeer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tropical Smoothies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lilikoi Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Fresh Mint & Pineapple Cooler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Passion Fruit, Orange & Guava Juices [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hibiscus Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

IBC Rootbeer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Koloa for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( 5516 Koloa Rd )

Koloa Deli ( 5476 Koloa Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Koloa for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( 5516 Koloa Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Bob B.

Got Stomach Sickness We ate there in March, and the next morning we were really sick to our stomachs. It lasted about 4 hours, then we were OK, we rarely get sick. Decided to try it again about a week later, and the Matre D said we could not sit on the deck because they were short on staff because staff was sick. We immediately left and did not go back. We had friends just get back from Maui on 4/7 and the entire family got the noro virus, so I think the stomach flu must be making the rounds in Hawaii. Be sure to always wash your hands and use hand sanitizer, we did that, but the germs were probably on the plates or glasses.
(2)
Linh N.

Atmosphere: The grounds are beautiful and really does look like a tropical plantation house. This was the perfect place for the size of my wedding party (33 adults, 4 children). We had the West Lanai to ourselves which was perfect. But if you're looking for a beach view, this place doesn't have it. Service: Mona, the Special Events Manager was extremely helpful. She was informative, responsive and very sweet. From the start of our planning to the day of the wedding, she helped us all the way through. From creating our menu, to setting up our sign in table and place cards and such. She had to leave early so we were handed off to Joyce who seemed a little rough around the edges at first. Came off as, "I don't care to be here" attitude, but she warmed up to us towards the end, was able to crack a smile here and there. Drinks came out a little slow, we had to ask more than once and the food came out normal. Food: First Course: Kailani Farms Arugula Salad-good, Lobster bisque-good. Second course: Seafood Lau Lau-Decent, I only liked the scallops, but that's just me. Our guests said everything else was okay, nothing special. Grilled Rib-eye-Edible, My husband asked for more steak sauce which didn't do much he says. I tried it, I thought it was okay but I did like the onion rings more than the steak.. Sugarcane Skewered pork tenderloin- The only person who ordered this said it was good. Our last course was wedding cake by Sandy- amazing! We had three flavors, Lilikoi, Kona Mocha and Vanilla Mac Nut. The Mocha and Mac Nut were my favorites! My rating is based off of the food would get a 3.0 rating. The service, responsiveness, professionalism value and flexibility gets a 4.0 rating. Overall, 3.5.
(3)
Flash Z.

Great dinner... The lau lau was awesome. Drinks were great ... Cucumber mojito... Wish we got dessert there... Pleasant ans calm atmosphere.
(4)
Erin K.

This restaurant is so unique, a real Kauai experience. It's not on the beach, but it is on a lovely plantation, and the setting is that of a plantation style house. We sat outside on the balcony with a view of the gardens and little pond. It was magical. The staff were super friendly. The food was really good, as were the drinks. We ate salads and fish, and we got some really delicious drinks (I got the lavender pina colada and the mojito - both were really good).
(5)
Gail Q.

We came here for New Year's Eve dinner due in part to its proximity to Poipu Beach (and the Poipu Beach fireworks within, say, tripping distance). The garden itself is beautiful and worth seeing even minus the food part, which was solid. Even watching people watch the gardens is awesome! Which is a weird thing to say! The thing I remember most was the li hing mui margarita, and that I saw someone almost walk right into a really big cactus, which was also a bonus.
(4)
Amy A.

This was an amazing restaurant. We ate there our first night in Kauai and we could have gone back every night happily. I highly recommend.
(5)
Jason M.

Kylen, Brendan, and Brad were great at the bar. Fantastic fresh cocktails. Wonderfully friendly service. We decided to stay for dinner and the coconut curry and baked Alaska were great. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Andy S.

Loved the Cucumber Mojitos...uh, may I mamba dog face in the banana patch? The food was great. We started with a couple of seafood appetizers that were both great. I had pork tenderloin grilled on a sugar cane skewer. Another in my party had the seafood lau lau. We closed the meal off by sharing a slice of hula pie, which should never be eaten alone. Everyone agreed it was an outstanding meal. As good as the food was, the setting was even better. The gardens and fish ponds surrounding the veranda upon which we dined were very unique and created a perfect tropical setting. This place should not be missed. If your not hungry, then drop in to drain a mojito and enjoy the scenery!
(5)
Rachelle B.

On the night before our wedding, we decided that in lieu of a rehearsal dinner or something like that, that we just wanted to have a family dinner. About 6 weeks before our trip, we started brainstorming where to have dinner. Somewhere nice, but not too expensive. Good food, but not crazy food. Some place good for kids, since my nieces would be there. Our families are not huge, but there would be 13 people, so we needed a restaurant that could accomodate that. And it needed to be nearby where we were all staying in Poipu. After going through every restaurant we could think of in Poipu and doing some internet research, we finally decided that Plantation Gardens would be the perfect place. They could seat us all in an open-air area overlooking the gardens, the entrees were moderately priced and looked delicious, they even had a kids menu, and they were located within walking distance from where we were staying. Done and done. I made a reservation. So, we all met up at the restaurant that night. I already knew what I wanted to eat because I'd been studying the menu ahead of time! For pupus we ordered a few of the plantation-style samplers. This included a house-made bbq kalua pork manapua, shrimp spring roll, garden roll, and raw ahi tuna. For my entree, I got the chef's trio, which was seafood lau lau, peppercorn rubbed skirt steak, and haku, a Hawaiian swordfish. For dessert I had the baked Hawaiian, which was a play on a baked Alaska and was made of Lappert's chocolate and macadamia nut ice creams on a fudge brownie crust with toasted meringue. Plantation Gardens also had some really tasty and unique tropical drinks. I remember liking the Lavendar Pina Colada (Lavender Cruzan Estate Rum, Absolut Karunt, Coconut Syrup, Island Fresh Pineapple Juice) and the Plantation Breeze (Absolut Mandrin Vodka, CrÃ¨me de Banana, Peach Schnapps Passion Fruit & Guava Juice). Turned out, dinner was perfect.
(4)
E L.

Excellent ribs, well made Lau Lau and the best cookie plate I've had. Beautiful garden and setting.
(4)
Christina L.

Had restaurant reservations made in months advance for my Honeymoon. I received confirmation from the restaurant and when we arrived we were told we needed to wait at the bar. Now the entire restaurant is EMPTY. My husband and I ordered one drink each and saw other people walk into the restaurant who did not have reservations. They were seated promptly while we still waited at the bar. After waiting for about 45 minutes we walked out of the restaurant since walk ins were seated and we were left at the bar without a table for dinner. We ended up at Tidepools at the Hyatt instead and had a AMAZING dinner with zero wait and phenomenal service!
(1)
A. B.

Excellent meal, one of our bests in Kauai. I preferred it to Josselins which got so many rave reviews on yelp. we had the arugula salad & the fresh grilled fish special (bong chong was the name of the fish according to our server). the fish was buttery & just melted in our mouths...the red curry sauce gave it a nice kick. we had the lillikoi cheesecake but i preferred the cheese cake at RumFire in the Sheraton. btw the garden on the grounds is a site not to miss. it has beautiful orchids & birds of paradise & many many other flowers.
(5)
Melissa B.

Good food, but what brings this to 4 stats is a) the wonderful garden setting, and b) their FANTASTIC cocktails. Go here for drinks if nothing else!
(4)
Erin V.

The food and drinks were very good. Ambience was excellent. It was a little expensive and service was a bit casual.
(3)
Adrian A.

Lilikoi cheesecake...mmmm! Uku fish good but a bit overcooked. Stir fry was truly excellent! Has less swordfish than other dishes, but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for w/noodles, veggies, and a great broth. Nice lanai in back w/great garden/pond view. Wonderful service from the front desk to our server and the busboys/girls.
(4)
Cheryl R.

The setting is romantic and peaceful. The food was beautifully presented and the taste was terrific. Cucumber mojitos in a mason jar, YUM. Highly recommend.
(5)
Alissa R.

Party of 7 without a reservation - only waited 5 minutes. Service was pretty good - food was wonderful - although dessert was disappointing. Loved the atmosphere and the appetizers and entrees were beautifully presented. I would go back - but leave room for a shave ice for dessert!
(4)
Klaus P.

Above all, I loved the setting of this restaurant. The gardens are delightful and you will totally enjoy dinner on the comfortable patio overlooking the beautiful scenery. Service was excellent: low key but always attentive. I would give the restaurant 5 stars just for ambiance and service. Unfortunately, the food does not keep what the setting promises. Our cocktails were somewhat bland and not very inspired ( nor did they contain much alcohol, for that matter - but that seems to be an island- wide practice ). We had a plantation starter sampler: poke, corn fritters, pot stickers and crab Rangoon. Decent, but not exciting. The main courses, a grilled uku fish and pot roast, were both pleasant enough, but definitely nothing outstanding. The pot roast was the best tasting menu item we had, but definitely on the dry side. The island hash of sweet potatoes was definitely not to my liking, but many other Yelpers seem to love it. The dessert selection was particularly boring. They were out of the Baked Hawaiian, which seems a local favorite. The remaining choices, cheese cake or ice cream, are just very uninspired traditional menu items. We had the Lillikoi cheese cake and the ice cream sandwiches: filling but definitely not exciting. It's funny, we deliberately tried to avoid Roy's in order to pick a more "native" or local restaurant, but ultimately, the food is more dependable at Roy's. A few days earlier, we had a much more interesting meal and drinks at the Hukilau Lanai in Kapaa. I don't regret going to the Plantation Gardens one bit. The scenery made the evening special enough. However, some great food would have enhanced the evening even more.
(3)
Jeremy B.

Made a reservation on the recommendation of Yelpers, and we were not disappointed at all. Lovely setting in lush gardens, nice wraparound patio where we were seated. Service was great once it got going, but it was a solid 10 minutes before anyone came over to our table after we were seated. That said, it was toward the end of the evening, there appeared to be one server on duty and there were still quite a few tables running. Anyway, not an issue. Food was super -- my wife had the Ono special and I had the pot roast (I know, strange choice in a fish restaurant, but on the server's recommendation I was very happy with the choice). We started with the lobster spring rolls and finished with a bowl of local ice cream. Yum. Very enjoyable evening, would return again without hesitation.
(5)
Kari K.

An absolutely beautiful dinner! The ambiance was incredible. The restaurant is open air and you really feel like you are eating out on the porch of a plantation. You're surrounded by beautiful plants - orchids, plumeria trees, cactus trees - and there are pools all over that are filled with coy fish. Such a neat place! To start, we shared the pupu sampler - WOW. The ahi poke, the crab rangoon, and the pork bun were out of this world. For the main course, my husband had the sugarcane pork tenderloin (which he loved), and because I couldn't decide, I ordered the Trio. I was able to taste smaller portions of the lau lau, the grilled fish, and the pot roast. Y-U-M-M-Y. For dessert, we shared the passion fruit cheesecake, and both of us decided it was one of the best we have ever eaten. The waitress and staff were wonderful. We were enjoying ourselves so much that we lost track of time and ended up closing the place down! We can't wait to go back to Kauai and eat here again. Definitely 5 stars.
(5)
Anton E.

My experience here was just okay -- nothing to complain about, but nothing to brag about either. I started off with the Plantation Style Sampler which includes the Crab Rangoon, Ahi Tuna Poke, Corn Fritter, and BBQ Kalua Pork Manapua. This was a very fun and tasty sampler. The Crab Rangoon was crispy and delicious; the Ahi Tuna Poke was complemented well by the seaweed and seasoning; the Corn Fritter was my favorite as it had a nice kick to it with a zesty taste; and the BBQ Pork Manapua was just okay for me (tasted pretty boring). For entree, I tried the Seafood Lau Lau, which was mahi mahi that day. Everything was wrapped in a Ti Leaf that looked really interesting. Unfortunately however, there was no real flavor in my dish. It seemed like the fish, prawns, and scallops were quickly steamed in the Ti leaves and thrown on the dish without any kind of treatment ... so basically it tasted bland and dull. My companion tried the Sugercane Skewered Pork Tenderloin which I was lucky to try out as well -- now this was a tasty dish, as it was juicy, tender, and flavorful. I felt bad for ordering my tasteless dish. Overall, it was an okay experience. The grounds are beautiful with an amazing garden, and the restaurant building has a classical charm to it. Service was just okay too, while the prices seemed moderate for a place like this.
(3)
Bubbles T.

Had our wedding here on 6/23/12 with 28 guests. Food and service was awesome. Worked with Mona- very helpful and sweet. Food was really yummy and I had a certain picture of what I wanted for the dessert and they pulled through! The manager, Jeff, was so sweet to invite us for dinner on them. Very laid back feeling but really great on our event day!
(5)
Sarah Y.

Really nice atmosphere - wrap around porch lit with small, stringed, light bulbs (like old fashioned xmas lights), views out to garden with tiki torches and flowers, plants. peaceful and romantic. Loved the atmosphere, not crazy about the food. Got the chef's trio, and didn't like either of the fish dishes (but did like the meat dish) - normally I love fish! Wasn't crazy about how it was seasoned.
(4)
Matt B.

The cocktails and appetizers were good, and the setting and atmosphere was great, but we were disappointed with our main courses. Both myself and my wife had fish and both of us thought the they were over cooked and under seasoned. I had the special (macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi) which was almost burnt on the underside and my wife had the grilled fish (Monchong I think).
(2)
Matt W.

After making a reservation for dinner, we came by during the day to check out the garden since you can't see much of a garden at night. Honestly, I was tempted to look for another restaurant due to the neglected state of the garden. Luckily, the cosmetic effect of darkness helps spruce up the area around the restaurant at night. The restaurant itself is uniquely charming and romantic. And the food was tasty!
(4)
Lola K.

WOW, I just had my wedding here and I really don't have the words for how amazing Plantation Gardens, Mona and her staff were. For starters the place is gorgeous, the garden is very beautiful and a perfect place for a ceremony, easily accessible, but tucked away to provide a magical feeling of being away from it all, not the high rise resort feeling you might get at other venues. The food was INCREDIBLE! My husband and I LOVE food, we went there for dinner when we first got to the island a few days before the wedding and were very pleased with our choice of venue with our first bite. From the beginning of the planning process they worked with us to make a mostly vegan and completely vegetarian menu (they are well known for their fish, which they also do very well, but were totally willing to open up their options). They never raised an eyebrow and were totally happy to work with me as a vegan. And the food was so good that even our most carnivorous guests commented on how great it was. Mona went above and beyond, she was always available to answer questions, even made local activity suggestions, helped find certain vendors. She was easy to work with, totally professional, kind, calm, friendly and FUN, which is so important in planning the biggest celebration of your life right? Seriously, this one stop shop for your ceremony/reception is your best bet. I did a lot of research before picking my venue, and am so glad I found and went with Plantation Gardens!
(5)
laura g.

We have stayed on Poipu Beach next door to the Plantation Gardens 8 times over the past 8 years and have never dined here until this evening. The restaurant was highly recommended by our hotel this time and I am so glad we finally discovered this amazing restaurant. We've been on the island for almost two weeks and this is by far the best meal we have had. We have been to Merriman's upstairs twice, Merriman's downstairs twice, Dolphins, Jocelyn's, The Beach House and Brick House Pizza (obviously a different type of restaurant). We were told that Plantation Gardens hired a new chef about a year and a half ago and we have nothing to compare it to as this was our first time. The setting is absolutely lovely. Our two kids enjoyed playing in the garden and searching for lizards between courses. We started with three different pupus, crab rangoons, potstickers and orange chili chicken wings - all were delicious. We also had the lilikoi margarita and cucumber mojito - also terrific. For main course (there were 6 of us), two had barbecue ribs that were delicious (with or without the dipping sauce) - so tender the fell off the bone. I had an Opa fish and selected the miso broth preparation that included udon noodles. The fish was absolutely mouthwatering. My husband had ahi, which was also excellent. For desert, we had cookie sandwiches with three kinds of ice cream, an ice cream and meringue pie called "Baked Hawaiian" and chocolate pot de creme. All were incredible. We walked away from this meal saying this was BY FAR the best meal this trip. Last time we were here, we went to Merriman's at least six times. Now, we have a new favorite! Don't miss this special restaurant with amazing food, service and ambiance.
(5)
Sarah R.

I got married in Kauai in October and we decided to have our reception dinner at Plantation Gardens. It was just us and 9 of our closest family members & friends. We worked with Mona Gonzaludo for planning the dinner. She was really great to work with. She even waived the corking fee so that we could bring our own wine & champagne. We brought in the champagne, wine, cake, & decor the day before the wedding and everything was ready for us when we got there after the ceremony. My only gripes are that the food was not as great as I was hoping for. Some things were much better than others.. For example: the ribye was not good, but the ono was excellent. My other gripe is how hot it was in the Moir room during the reception dinner. I felt like a roasted turkey in there! But it's my fault for not asking if they had AC. The service was very good and one absolutely amazing thing they did was... after our reception dinner, our server let us know that we could go back in there during our honemoon and have dinner on them. So we did! We had an amazing dinner on their patio the last night of our honeymoon. They comped our entire meal! Plus, sitting outside is the way to go. The grounds are gorgeous and the air outside was comfortable. Plantation Gardens really made our reception dinner a very nice experience.
(4)
Dyan J.

We thought the food was fine and the atmosphere great. We liked our waiter who was attentive and pleasant (Justin). Honestly, I was under-impressed with most of the food on this island. The Beach House that took Congress to get a reservation was not as good as Plantation Gardens or Roys. The best meal was at Tidepools but it was the one place I didn't have fish.
(3)
Travis H.

3.5 stars. I thought the food was excellent, and the location was beautiful (but a haven for mosquitoes). I thought it was a bad value, however, because the portion of food did not justify the price. In particular, the vegetable side with the entree was practically non-existent, making for a poorly balanced meal. Food taste/quality: 4.5 stars Portion sizes: 2 stars Service: 4.5 stars
(4)
Missus L.

My husband I visited Plantation Gardens on Thanksgiving day. Since we were on our honeymoon and this was our first Thanksgiving just to ourselves, we thought we would go "fancy" and have a nice dinner in Poipu beach. We had reservations so we were seated right away and our host definitely had the Aloha spirit - great attitude in all. However, the food was just mediocre. I don't typically eat my entire meal so we usually split it. The restaurant didn't allow us to split our dinners so we opted for the Ono fish and the seafood lau lau. Both dishes were extremely dry and overcooked. It lacked flavor and we were extremely disappointed with our meals, considering everyone has raved about Plantation Gardens here on Yelp. I was all pau (finished) with my meal within two bites and didn't bother to take the left overs back to my hale. Beautiful facility, gorgeous setting, food overrated. Definitely not ono kine grinds to me.
(2)
Aaron R.

Our meal here was good but not great. As a quick disclaimer, this was our first dinner on the island, so with the full day of traveling and serious jet lag, I may not have been as attentive to the food as I'd usually like to be. We started off with a variety of appetizers. Two in our group got the tuna poke, which they said tasted wonderful, and looked great. My wife and I split a salad with fried goat cheese. Our appetizer did come out a bit later than the rest of the other apps, but they explained that they had to redo the goat cheese. I actually appreciated the honesty and thanked them for making sure everything came out just right...and it did. Very good salad! My wife's entree was much better than my lau lau. She had a wonderful piece of fish in a very flavorful broth. My lau lau was ok. There was a nice cut of fish but only two scallops and two shrimp included.....and they were overcooked at that. The flavor tasted like what I can do in my own stir fry pan at home (and I'm not trying very hard). We were all too exhausted to get dessert or order drinks, but service throughout the meal was very good. Additionally, the grounds created an excellent atmosphere. Overall, a nice place to eat, and if you get the right dishes, this could be an excellent meal.
(3)
L c.

Hair in my tofu Inari. So gross. It was blonde (or gray) and straight. And it definitely wasn't this brunette's hair. Disgusting. As other reviewers posted, the grounds are beautiful. But the food- eh. My husband order the fish in the banana leaf and said it was disappointing. And service was sloooooow. We waited forever for our meal. I was so excited to try this place, since it was our one splurge dinner, but now I wished we had tried red salt or even rum fire, instead.
(2)
Nancy G.

I worked with Mona at Plantation Gardens to plan a reception for my Wedding that took place on August 3, 2013. Everything went perfect. Mona immediately responded to all questions quickly and explained how everything would work very well. The food was delicious, ambiance amazing. This made my special day extra special. Thank you, Mona!
(5)
Jackie K.

I only rank this with 5 stars if you consider the mainland to have better food overall and that the food on Kauai is not the greatest. This was my best meal on Kauai. Our service was great. Prices are higher but it's an island. I had a ton of apps here to start. 1. Corn fritters=delicious, 2. Garden Roll: Best Garden roll I have ever had, 3. Ahi taro chip tacos-fresh and new. Main Course: Seafood lau-lau---good but I preferred the apps. They made a vegetarian stir-fry for my husband which was delicious. Too full for dessert. Worth a trip to the South Shore!
(5)
Seasons K.

This place is magical! From the amazing orchid filled entrance to the huge plantation porches & koi pond views. The food is also quite impressive, as is the service. The pork dish with sugarcane sauce my friend got had to be the most tender pork I have ever had & the sauce was delish. I had their signature Lau Lau with fish, scallops & prawns wrapped in a banana leaf & everything was light, delicious & cooked to perfection. This was my second time here & the first was equally impressive. This is now my go to place for a nice dinner out in Kauai.
(5)
M B.

THE GOOD: - ahi tuna plate - shrimp spring rolls - house made bbq beef sliders - pina colada - cucumber mojito - attentive service THE BAD: - located in a garden type setting so if you are prone to insect bites, you might want to wear some insect repellent before you head over - there were these 3 disgruntled female workers from Lava's that were making it difficult for patrons to enjoy their night out as they were being loud and obnoxious. I think they are regulars as they were calling the bartender by first name. Folks, pray that these gals are not there when you are visiting because it can make your evening unpleasant.
(4)
Joanne B.

Old style plantation home serves as the restaurant surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Quite peaceful. Food is excellent, probably one of the best finer meals on the island. Fish was light and prepared without a lot of the customary heaviness found at other restaurants. Service friendly and attentive.
(4)
Jenean H.

We just happened upon Roy's as we were walking around our hotel. What a treasure!! The food was outstanding, the service personal and the atmosphere fun and inviting. The filet mignon gyoza was mind blowing and the pesto lime fish ( can't remember the name but was the best fish ever!). Our waiter was funny as well as the people who filled our water and served our custom anniversary dessert!! We ate here twice in one week it was so good!!
(5)
Kate D.

I've been here a few times. Both times I've gotten the pot roast because it is just THAT GOOD! I was a little skeptical, because I thought "Eh, pot roast isn't all that special." The meal came and I was thinking like "Wow, this is a bit small for the price." DO NOT BE MISTAKEN! The purple mashed potatoes are so good and filling, the pot roast is just tender and the gravy with it is perfect. The staff is very welcoming and attentive. I've had a few desserts from here: ice cream cookie sandwiches--these were okay. They come with 3 flavors and they were good. The lilikoi cheesecake is very tasty. Baked Hawaiian was very nice. If I had to choose one, it would be the baked Hawaiian. The drinks I didn't really care for. They were a bit acidic, in my opinion but my boyfriend couldn't get enough of them. Overall, I will definitely be a repeat customer for years to come.
(5)
Jeff S.

Fish was dry, waitress was dry, very expensive.
(1)
Cat Q.

The restaurant looks tropical and the service is friendly. Me and hubby both ordered grill fish. It was fresh and tasty. The presentation looks fancy and clean. After the dinner, we were walking into their beautiful garden. I love those orchids and the water lilies in the small koi pound. I had another wonderful night;)
(4)
Tracy A.

My sister and I went out for our one and only dinner here on our recent vacation. She has been here before but this was my first time. While we were enjoying the garden outside before our meal, I got 2 mosquito bites. Beware! That encouraged us to check in for our reservation a bit early. We had a lovely table on the deck overlooking the garden. No more mosquito bites. The meal was beautifully presented and yummy too. We got out of there for about $100 including a shared salad and 2 drinks. I'd eat there again.
(4)
Loe B.

I had low expectations coming here (sorry Kauai but your culinary skills/variability are lacking). It seems like if you want a nice dinner in Poipu you have to spend $35+ a plate...well at least its more like $25 a plate here. First off the grounds are beautiful. It really does look like a tropical plantation house. To start we had the corn fritters which i thought were going to be like polenta but were actually corn kernals in some batter then fried. They were pretty good. Entrees-I had the mahi with fennel, tomato, and eggplant, and my man had the ahi in red curry sauce. They were both light and cooked perfectly. And ladies, get the cucumber mojito, it was very refreshing.
(5)
Scott W.

Completely tasteless overcooked fish. 5 of us were highly unimpressed. One had the lau lau: it was tasteless and rice was undercooked. My ono was terrible. Sorry guys but at this price try harder. An off night? Head chef off duty? Who knows, but I won't be going back. Go to Josselins, Tidepools, or Red Salt, in that order.
(1)
Kelli H.

During our whole trip, I'd say one of the best fish entrees I had was here. Our server was very "bro" but also very friendly. We were seated outside right away with no reservation which was nice. We all ordered fish and were very happy with it. The serving size was pretty small, and two of us were still hungry so we ordered 2 desserts which was HUGE, and quite tasty. If I come back to the island I would definitely come back here.
(4)
Ken C.

My wife and I have never given a restaurant 5 stars. We enjoyed the service and ambience so much that we didn't expect the food to be a priority. Much to our surprise- It was fabulous!
(5)
Roy A.

While I have to say that the setting was nice and the food good, the service was average. We watched as an entire room of tables who ordered after us was served before we got our meal. And we didn't order anything off menu. However, the food was good - my wife got the lau lau which was decent and I got the fish in curry sauce, which was really good. I'd go again, but this time my expectations on the service will be low.
(3)
Amy T.

The food is ok but not worth the prices. Our family of six went for a special dinner and it added up to a lot. Next time I would go for just cocktails and appetizers. A bit disappointed. The grounds and building are beautiful though.
(3)
Tony G.

My wife and I got married on April 18, 2011. The ceremony and reception was at Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar. We did a buyout of the entire restaurant so we could have the entire place to ourselves that night. So I am trying to figure out a way to rate the Restaurant since this is not a typical review. Most important to me and my wife is that we want to give credit to where its due, Mona Gonzaludo, the Event Coordinator and Jeff, (the manager never got his last name) and the staff that worked the night of our wedding were incredible. They all get 5 stars, more if possible. All these people helped make our wedding a spectacular and memorable time. First, let me say that Mona was extremely helpful, somehow I get the feeling, we may have been a bit annoying with all of our requests. First, we really wanted to have a roast pig. Mona was able to find someone to to procure the pig AND roast it for us. The person who did this was actually a staff member (very useful and multi-talented staff). She was accommodating in making any adjustments to the menu that we requested. On the day of the wedding and our reception, it rained right before the start of the ceremony. The rain left as quick as it came but what was amazing (at least to me) was seeing wait staff that was working that night lined up with towels in their had to wipe down all the seats as soon as the rain stopped. After the ceremony and the rest of the evening, the staff was on top of it. They were great at taking care of all of our guests needs. Mostly it was making sure that anyone who needed a fresh drink had one, which I think is awesome! And there were a few people who dropped their glass on the dance floor and the the staff was their right away to clean up. The manager, Jeff, was amazing all evening he even deflected one of the grumpy Outrigger guests who came by to complain about the noise which was kind of weird because we had to shut down by 10:00pm. But anyway, the staff was awesome and they even joined us on the dance floor to celebrate and enjoy themselves too. My wife and I didn't care, we pulled a few of them onto the dance floor with us. I am pretty sure the staff knew we weren't the kind of couple that would get weird about that kind of stuff. Bottom line, Mona, Jeff and the staff were stellar and amazing! So onto the food for our reception. The appetizers were phenomenal as were the drinks. I think the drinks for a wedding reception are a little lighter than they are when you have a drink on a regular night. At least I think it is and I was not concerned with that considering if the drinks were stronger, a lot of people would have been sick in the koi pond. The roast pig was delicious but I love pork so I may be biased. The rest of the food did not stand out in my memory. I don't think it was bad, I just don't remember it being great but I was also pretty intoxicated by then! On a caveat, my wife and I ate at the restaurant the night before we left Kauai and we both loved the food. So I am giving the Plantation 5 stars for the above reason. To Mona, Jeff and the staff that worked that night. Thank you so much, every single one you helped make that night incredible and we will always appreciate your work and dedication!
(5)
Alicia C.

You have to go to Plantation Gardens! I was on Kauai for 9 days, and one of the regrets we had was that it took us 3 days to hear about Plantation Gardens. It was recommended by our zip-lining guide for the best mojitos on the island. I don't even like mojitos, but their cucumber mojito is amazing. We went back 3 more times while on vacation and always sat at the bar, so I can't comment on the ambience of the restaurant...but the bar was fabulous. I'm not sure about the complaints about the food not warranting the price, it was fabulous! The skirt steak, and the stir fry - amazing! The crab rangoon- delicious! The ice-cream sandwich dessert and the baked Hawaii were fabulous as well. We tried restaurants in Princeville, and at the Grand Hyatt, and Sheraton in Poipu...Plantation Gardens has better food and a better value. The service was amazing. By the end of the trip we felt like we were genuinely friends with the staff! Ask Brad for his signature cocktail, you won't regret it. The Li Hing Moi margarita is awesome, and Justin was working on the ingredients for his own signature cocktail which I'll go ahead and recommend too even though it wasn't quite perfected yet. The manager, Jeff, was beyond great as well. Couldn't have been better! Are you still reading this review?? Really, you should be heading to Plantation Gardens already!!
(5)
EJ A.

The outdoor lanai was perfect for my small wedding reception - we had the entire outside to ourselves, including a small koi pond and private orchid garden. The food was amazing - we ordered quite a few appetizers (our favorite was the ahi tacos) and had several entree options for our dinner. While our guests were catered with drinks and apps, my husband and I walked across the street to the beach to have some photos shot at sunset. The event coordinator worked with us time and time again to create the menu and memorable experience we were looking to create for our guests. Working with Plantation Gardens was so much different than the many other hotels and restaurants I called (exorbitant minimums, hidden fees, etc.). I highly recommend this place for it's professional staff, wonderful food, and affordable prices!! p.s. Mona (the event coordinator) is the absolute best!
(5)
Tom L.

Great service, exceptionally delicious food. Try the lilikoi cheesecake.
(5)
Noor A.

OH. MY. GOD. Best meal I had in Kauai. And possibly best meal ever. I dined here last week to celebrate my 29th birthday and was really glad I had selected the Plantation Gardens to mark the occasion. The restaurant is really low key and casual. Something about the decor and atmosphere gave me a 70s Hawaii vibe (remember when the Brady Bunch vacationed in Hawaii?), which I actually found really cool and authentic. If you're staying at the Sheraton, it is actually right across the street from the beach/ocean wing. The address is actually for the front of the building so if you map it online, it looks much further than it really is. The service was great and the food was amazing and meticulously well-presented. The portion sizes were a bit too huge, though. I had the island stir fry, which came with really fresh and tasty swordfish and prawns. For dessert, I had the Baked Hawaiian, which was AWESOME (see photos). I can't wait to go back to Kauai just to have another meal here.
(5)
Jessica H.

Eat here. Because of what can only be described as laziness on the part of a few guidebook editors, we almost missed this gem because the descriptions of it seemed unremarkable. However, this was our best overall nice dining experience in Kauai. Dining on the covered porch of the converted plantation house was relaxing and enjoyable. The setting is lush and remarkable: An award-winning historic garden combines orchids and ponds with succulents and cacti to create a unique setting. When I asked about the house's history, the waitress shared a sheet about the history. The walls inside are also adorned with historic photos, including one of Hawaii's Queen Emma and Robert Louis Stevenson - clearly museum worthy - that's just popped on the wall by the bathrooms. While the house is old, the food was fresh. A lot of island cuisine has a dated over-reliace on heavy mac nut crusts and creamy sauces, but the take here was fresh and light, if not terribly creative. We had a bright salad with local greens, blue cheese, and pears. We then had my favorite poke of the trip, an ahi timbale topped with avocado slices, all atop perfect thin rounds of cucumber. A shared lau lau was generous with savory vegetables and fresh seafood. We also had a round of cucumber mojitos, served in cute jelly jars, that were not too sweet but plenty strong. The servers were friendly and attentive, and the whole evening was wonderful. If I were asked to only recommend one place on Kauai to eat, this would be it. But yes, to Leia's point, get here early enough to see the grounds. Arriving for dinner before dusk and departing in the glow of decorative lights, we saw the best hours of the evening in this spot.
(5)
Ezra B.

Giving this four stars for ambience and service. The meal hit high points with the PuPu Platter and dessert but the entree Seafood Lau-Lau and Ribs were just ok. Need to step it up to match the beautiful garden setting and the super friendly wait-staff.
(4)
Pao L.

Another great place for dinner. It's so peaceful here! There's no hula party here and it's kinda secluded.. hidden behind all these trees. Total ZEN! When you enter, you will see a beautiful orquid garden (OMG orquid heaven for me!) The restaurant looks like a house with opened doors.. there's a porch so they have tables there..make sure you get seated there and enjoy their mojitos or mai tai during sun down! I ordered the plantation special which was a pan seared local fish. You can go wrong ordered freshly caught fish or pork on the island.. that's what they are known for! I miss Kauai!
(5)
Jonathan L.

My wife and I have been there several times now. Last year, it was our favorite place and we went twice for dinner and once for drinks. The place seems to have gone downhill since last year. The service was terrible. We may have gotten a poor draw on the waiter because several tables who were seated around the same time as us faired much better. It definitely ruined the experience for us. That said, I was less happy with the food this time around. In the past, my favorite dish had been a pork tenderloin skewered on sugar cane strips served with a fried rice and a Hoisin sauce. It was fantastic. They've changed it now, the sauce is different and they're making it with a sweet potato hash medley that I was unimpressed by. This used to be my favorite place, but I doubt I'll return.
(2)
Tamera S.

We had reservations for the Beach House, but an afternoon coffee at the Garden at the Plantation was so enjoyable that we decided to change our plans and enjoy our last dinner of our Kauai vacation there. The vibe is genuine, with a casual elegance we found comfortable and inviting. The gardens were spectacular, and it seemed like a fantasy to be walking among so many perfect specimen orchids and ponds full of koi fish, lily pads and giant frogs(or were they toads?) Our two teen aged/twenty something daughters chose a crispy shrimp spring roll with sweet chili sauce and an ahi poke for appetizers. The roll was piping hot and crispy, and the poke was fresh and of a very high quality. My husband enjoyed a finely made mojito so much that he ordered a second. For salad course we chose the tomato and arugula salad with macadamia nut crusted deep fried medallions of goat cheese. The produce is locally sourced and that came through with flying colors on this dish. If you have ever picked a tomato and eaten it shortly after harvest then you understand the difference freshness makes in the taste of tomatoes. There was a hand made pesto and with the goat cheese standing in for mozzarella, it seemed like a Hawaiian twist on a caprese salad. All were impressed. For the main course my oldest daughter enjoyed the flavor of the pot roast she ordered, but could have done without the fat clinging to the meat, the purple sweet potato (she would have preferred a garlic mashed potato) and half of her pearl onions were sweet and cooked nicely, while half were raw. My younger daughter and I ordered Lau Lau, which I enjoyed but she felt had an odd almost smoky taste. I detected ginger and found the fish, scallops, shrimp and vegetables to be well cooled and visually appealing in their ti leaf pouch. My husband liked his sugar cane skewered cubes of pork with a potato hash. He was pleased with his choice. Even though no one was still hungry we ordered the Baked Hawaiian. One order for the table was sufficient. we strolled the grounds once more and headed home very happy about our choice.
(5)
Anna R.

Beautiful romantic setting, we had a lovely rainy evening which made it even more so. (we were there with our 4 year old but still managed to be romantic) I had a pina colada with essence of lavender. Some people might think that pretentious, I call it thoughtful. We had the appetizers and both had seafood which was fresh and well prepared. Dessert was disappointing and didn't taste fresh, but the coffee was good. I would definitely go back.
(3)
Al G.

The food was good, The appetizer sampler plate was ok. The fish was fresh. The service was below average especially for the high price they charge. People weren't that friendly -probably because servers were all Howlies not Hawaiians. My last vist was 4 years ago and I remember that the experience was better (food and service, etc...). I won't be going back there again.
(2)
Henry L.

The chefs here really know how to cook, but I think we went on an off night. The bread that was offered when we ordered arrived half way through the entrees AFTER we had asked for it 3 times. The actual taste of the food, however, was terrific. The green bean salad: yummy. Miso scallops: delish! Fish of the day: great! But somewhere between the head chef and our table something fell apart. The rice and sauce that came with the fish was cold (it's not suppose to be). We also ordered a seafood lau lau that lasted about 2 minutes on the table before it was sent back. It looked like it was sitting under the heat lamp for about the entire 40 minutes it took between the time we order to the time the food actually arrived. No doubt this place has the ambiance and ability to provide a 5 star Yelp experience. Alas, tonight was simply not the night. Disclaimer: The management and the waiter were INCREDIBLY nice and apologetic. They really tried to make us happy but by that point we were tired and just wanted to be done.
(3)
Christy L.

What an amazing place, tucked away in Koloa! This place was recommended to me by a coworker when I was talking about finding places in the area to have the rehearsal dinner for our wedding. Plantation Gardens, and their event manager, Mona, came highly recommended. We were not disappointed! We hosted a group of 22 and were accommodated on their private lanai. The service was exceptional and the food was delicious! We had a variety of dishes and appetizers that all of our guests raved about. Mona did a wonderful job of helping us find the right options and choices to work within our budget. And the drinks!!!!! Oh what wonderful concoctions they have to offer! I had a sip of this and a sip of that - some of my favorites were the Lychee Pear Cosmo, and the Plantation Breeze. Highly recommended for romantic dinners, and wedding receptions!
(4)
Sophie M.

We went to this restaurant twice. The breakfast was not spectacular. My eggs were greasy, and the potatoes were pretty good with some hot sauce and the fruit on the fruit plate wasn't totally ripe.... But all in all it was ok but not memorable in any way.....oh the view is nice. We had a late lunch here. The food was not good at all.....but there's are two things that saved it. The view is really nice and they had live Hawaiian music that was really nice. We might go again and just have a drink so we can listen to the music. Stay away from the food!
(3)
Bill M.

Love the atmosphere, history, and gardens. Good food.
(4)
Paula L.

What an exceptional place! The setting is simply beautiful, the old plantation house has been beautifully decorated, the garden is just breathtaking. The service was also top notch, not once were out glasses empty or we felt forgotten. Now the food: omg!!! We had the shrimp egg roll which was outstanding. The seafood lau lau was simply delicious. The passion fruit cheesecake was Amazing! The drinks were also perfect - I had the lemonade and never new a glass of lemonade could taste so good. Come to this place, u won t b disappointed!
(5)
Leia K.

I'll have to come back in the daytime the next time I'm on the island because the setting looked totally awesome. We were there in the evening, when it was too dark to appreciate the surrounding grounds. food - eh service - eh drinks - eh price - too much for "eh" food and service 4 out of 5 of us got fish/seafood. It was disappointing. 1 out out 5 of us got beef; it was by far more tasty than the fish. Maybe we all just ordered wrong. But from the cocktails, to the apps, to the main course, overall it was not a great meal. We were hoping it was a really great place because many other yelp reviews had said so, but nope, not for me. I will have to go to their "sister restaurant" here in SF - Paragon (which incidentally is a block away from my office and I've never had the tempation to go) to see how they stack up.
(2)
Teebs C.

Great venue. It is a plantation style house nestled in a lush garden that you have to walk through to get to the restaurant. Big white porch all around the house where you can sit on and enjoy the garden views. Definitely open air and not air conditioned so probably best to go on a day when the humidity isn't 100% as you will be eating al fresco. I had the lychee pear martini which was good but not as good as the hibiscus ice tea cocktail which was delicious. The cocktails are tasty and well mixed but not too heavy on the liquor so if you're looking to get a little tipsy you're probably better off with wine or hard alcohol. The food was good. They messed up the order for one of our friends and had to remake it. They then undercooked part of it in the rush to get it out again. They were quick to fix the error and they comped her dish. Not ideal but I respect that they took an interest in fixing the mistake and cared enough to make up for it. We got the sampler for the appetizer. I had the grilled Ono (catch of that day) for my main course. It was okay, a bit dry. It didn't blow me away. I had the passion fruit cheesecake for dessert which was also tasty and exceptionally sweet. All in all a very enjoyable experience. It wasn't the most amazing meal of my life but it was certainly above average and all of the ingredients tasted fresh and the flavors were all good. This is a great place for a romantic evening. I would recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy the lush beauty of Kauai and a well prepared, fresh meal.
(4)
Dan K.

The food quality and service were excellent. However, the portions were too small for our tastes. My wife had the grilled fish but there was no starch served with it. I had the fish special and thought portion was small. We also had the poke and that was excellent and the right portion. The atmosphere was excellent
(4)
April Rose D.

You have got to be kidding me! When dining in the gorgeous island of Kauai you expect fresh seafood. I ordered the seafood platter and the fish and scallops were both fishy! Very disappointing...The only reason I gave this place a two stars is because the grounds are beautiful.
(2)
Kimberly W.

This is a great place tucked away behind the Sheraton. I love the setting of the old plantation house and the gardens around it...felt like we were in a movie. We got a table outside overlooking the gardens, which was such a great setting for a wonderful meal. Started with drinks (the blended margarita, yum) and the big island tomato salad, which was basically the Hawaiian version of a capris salad. Sooo good. The menu is limited, there is enough variety that everyone should be happy. I had the pork tenderloin which was delicious. The rest of the table had post roast, the seafood lau lau, and fresh fish dishes that I can't recall. Everyone was extremely happy and we didn't have anything left once we passed plates around. I'd give it 5 stars except that I felt our server could have been a bit more attentive. Granted we went in towards the end of the evening (if you consider 8:00 to be late, which I'm finding on Kauai it is) but she just seemed sort of checked out for the night. The two guys who filled water glasses and brought out our food seemed to pay more attention to us than our waitress. Overall it was a great experience and a solid 4.5 stars (we really need the half stars yelp!!)
(4)
Martine M.

We had dinner here on our last night in Kauai. Our meal was delicious - we had a fish main dish and the marinated skirt steak. Both were excellent! Make sure to try the Hawaiian Pie for dessert :)
(4)
Joyce L.

Upscale dining in Kauai. If you were doing Kauai on a moderate budget, like us, this is a good opportunity to splurge. The portions are well prepared and very generous... even the seafood! Yay! I loved my Lau lau, and dinner buddy had the Ahi special (which was rare seared and was delicious). The dessert list is pretty standard (something chocolate, something fruity, something creamy) and wish they could have incorporated more of the local fruits. If my cocktail wasn't so bloody strong, to the point where the liquored fruits were bitter - and I'm not a light weight by any means - they would have gotten a 5 star.
(4)
Nick D.

My wife and I were looking for great place for dinner in the South shore area and had already broke the bank at Tidepools and Roy's (which was awesome, yet expensive). This place was excellent for food, ambience and drinks and our bill was within our budget. Great seafood entrees (roughly $20-30) and excellent cucumber mojitos.
(5)
Stephanie F.

I went here based on the average 4 start Yelp rating, but I think it was average. I would give it a 4 star on ambiance but the food itself was eh okay. We started with ahi tuna poke which was great probably our favorite dish we ordered. We also ordered the macadamia nut crusted goat cheese tomato salad, husband had the pork ribs, and I had the grilled fish over arugula mango salad. I liked the fish, but wasnt a fan of the salad or the dressing. It was very relaxing and love all the flowers.
(3)
John D.

Our best meal on Kaua'i, and yet not nearly the most expensive. Adult beverage options featured inspired combinations and were expertly prepared. Lively middle-aged waitress adroitly handled our boisterous group (wannabe manly men ordering frou-frou tropical blender beverages). Tasty bread, appetizers, & salads. The caesar dressing had a particularly unique and memorable bite (champagne vinegar, perhaps?), commingled in perfect proportion with generous piles of fresh romaine. The entrees were borderline sublime. I had fresh uku (gray snapper, a bit like mahi mahi) prepared "local" style (which isn't really local at all, but that's OK). It came with deliciously seared japanese eggplant chunks in a savory tomato coulis, with a few browned pepper slivers -- a unique and surprisingly tasty combo. I'm not usually much of a dessert guy, but the desserts were great too, particularly the double-stacked "ice cream sandwich" (more like mud pie?). If you're considering Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt (which was OK, but overpriced), don't: go to Plantation Gardens instead.
(5)
Lou S.

This was the best food we had in all of Hawaii, hands down. Their gardens are very well kept, and were probably the most colorful place we saw in all of Hawaii. Just spend some time walking around before/after dinner to take it all in. We started with the Ahi tuna poke. For main courses, we did the fish of the day (Ono) and the sugarcane skewered pork tenderloin. For dessert, we had the ice cream sandwich. I could fill the paragraph above with words like "awesome", "delicious" and "excellent", but I would just be using those words too much. The writer in me won't allow that. So, order what sounds good or follow our map above, and you will have an amazing time, too.
(5)
Anah G.

What a lovely surprise! We came to dinner here on our last night because it was in walking distance from our hotel and had a beautiful garden in front of it. We had mostly been eating at places that the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by Andrew Doughty had given an "Ono" (delicious) rating. This one didn't, but we all agreed it was the best place we had eaten (we had also tried the Beach House and Tidepools - all were great but this was better). We had the crab rangoons and pork pupusas to start and then we all had the grilled opa fish. Everything was seasoned very well and cooked to a perfect consistency. After dinner, we had a walk around the grounds and looked at the historical photos of the plantation. Doughty, in your next edition, give this place an Ono rating!!
(5)
Jen M.

Wowzers. We saved this restaurant for our last night on Kauai and couldn't believe we waited all that time to go. The setting is phenomenal - if you get a table outside, you can overlook the beautiful Kiahuna Plantation gardens as you eat. Service was very friendly, and our waiter explained all of the specials very well. We both got Cucumber Mojitos which was yummy and refreshing. I got the Fresh Fish of the Day, which was mahi mahi seared, then baked in the oven served over a bed of corn, red peppers and spinach. Phenomenal! Hubs got seared ahi over arugula with was served cold, but he said it was good and refreshing. For dessert, we got Hawaiian pie - kinda like hula pie but with meringue on top - yum-O!
(5)
Stephanie M.

It is hard being in Hawaii when you don't eat fish. Everyone seems to cater to fish lovers and I get stuck with dry chicken. For that reason I was happy to see that Plantation Gardens had options. We started with the arugula salad which was good but a little plain. For dinner I chose the Kim chee skirt steak which was great. We also ordered the pineapple upside down cake which I would not recommend. It was dry (it may have been stale) and flavorless. Nonetheless the service and location were great. We kept hearing a weird noise outside and overheard the waiter say that the sound were the bull frogs...and yes there was a pond full of bull frogs which was really cool.
(4)
Zac W.

As a chef who works on and island and cooks fresh fish everyday of the week at a restaurant that features fresh fish.. One would expect at the minimum that the fish would be properly cooked. 3 of 4 fish dishes were overcooked.. Totally unacceptable. Service was great, but that also at an expensive restaurant is to be expected like properly cooked fish!!!
(1)
Brent V.

I've ate her 3X now and its a roller coaster... Overall, it's just OK
(3)
Zuzzi E.

I loved sitting outside on the porch, being teased by the evening Hawaiian breeze. The food, however, was just okay. Things started off great, the tuna poke was fresh and delicate. But the stirfry tasted like a frozen meal. The best part was my smortini, so I suggest coming here for a drink and maybe dessert... but you can skip on dinner.
(3)
Daniel H.

Great service and amazing food. Had a fresh fish special in a curry sauce and it was superb. dessert was to die for, as well. Lilikoi cheesecake... Mmmmmm.
(5)
Jen K.

Just a beautiful place, nestled in the beauty of Kauai. I try to look for a place that offers a great ambiance and definitely, this place and the gardens were simply delightful. You could definitely feel the warm Hawaiian breeze as you walked through the gardens resplendent with orchids and other foliage to get to the restaurant. The plantation gardens is a restaurant that looks like a plantation house that offers the wraparound porch. We were promptly seated in the porch patio area after a couple of drinks in the lounge area. They definitely offer a number of refreshing cocktails using the various fruits in the area. FOOD We decided on the seafood lau lau that comes in steamed in a Ti leaf. The pouch is filled with shrimp, scallops, fish and a variety of vegetables. It is accompanied by white rice and a creamy sauce. The portion was pretty good. SERVICE The service was very accommodating. OVERALL The food wasn't the best meal that I have ever had, but the ambiance made up for the visit. The grounds are kept very well and offers a romantic choice for those who seek that sort of place.
(4)
Kristin A.

I really wanted to LOVE this place because the setting is fabulous! Whatever you do, even if you have night reservations, try and come when the sun is out, grab your camera and take pictures of the botanical stuff that surrounds the restaurant. I forgot my camera - my bad! The restaurant itself is basically a large plantation style home with a wraparound pation dining area, complete with indoor bamboo fans. It's so close to being fab, but well the food was just only okay. "Fine" dining on Kauai doesn't compare to what you can find in L.A. and things move a bit slower - island style of course. Service for me was great, but my friends thought the waitress was too snarky. I thought she was fab because she gave everyone in her area a round of shots on the house. NICE! Um food. Dang can't remember what I had. Oh wait a fish curry soup. Yah that was good. That's all I remember. I'll add more after perusing some notes! Onto the food:
(3)
Janky T.

Ah Tahoe, your jankyness pales in comparison to this abomination! Let me first get this off my chest. F@$k you Plantation Gardens! F@$k you and the horse you rode in on! There, I feel a little better, but allow me to continue the catharsis... Staying on the North shore, my sidekick and I decided to venture to the South for a drink and some pupus (appetizers to you mainlanders). Now, it is true, we only had some appetizers, but that is no excuse for assaulting us with the absolute sh*t they were trying to pass off as food. We ordered the sampler. This was the most disgusting collection of crap ever presented on an island. The nigiri was as thin as paper, tasted of crotch fish, and was tied down to rice so slimy that it was more like a paste ball. Speaking of balls, I am pretty sure that the 'pork' in the pot sticker was little more than a pigs testicle. One bite and I was done. Unfortunately, it was not in time to stop the misses from tasting the spring role; the vegetables were apparently marinated with a hobo's dick cheese. At that point I refused to even sniff the rangoon. It was one of those experiences where all you want to do is throw up the little bit of food you made the mistake of swallowing. I felt the immediate need to brush my teeth. Some of you will no doubt be able to relate. DO NOT EVER EAT HERE. Apparently, these people think it is funny to abuse their captive tourist population. Thankfully, we are not stupid tourists, but discerning professionals, and we will save you from the same fate by yelping the hell outta this crap hole. Stay janky Tahoe; at least you are not this bad.
(1)
Lyssa B.

5 stars for ambiance + 3 stars for food = 4 stars total (I know it doesn't add up but what are you gonna do!) Highlight of the evening: sitting at the bar before dinner trying different cocktails that were extremely fresh tasting and nibbling on a yummy shrimp spring roll. For dinner we were out on the patio which was beautiful and our service was great. I got the sampler, meh. My boyfriend got something with pork, meh. I've had better, especially for the price...but isn't that the norm on Kauai, all the touristy spots are meh on the food. We spent $250ish for 2 of us. Maybe if you live in a small town and don't have access to good restaurants you'll think this place is the bomb...but I don't.
(4)
Thomas D.

Absolutely four stars. Came here after reading the reviews and wanting something a little different on the island. The restaurant itself is super cool, old hawaiian style with super cool fans and beach pictures on the wall. Started the meal off with gardner roll, corn fritters and pulled pork buns. Everything was delicious. No complaints at all. All of us got pear salads with walnuts and gorgonzola cheese. Good size portion with nice flavor. For the main course I got the pork tenderloin which was delicious. Tender and juicy and paired with an awesome fried rice. Great all around dish. I also tried the ono topped on udon noodles which was also good. Not to mention the service was outstanding. For dessert we got the cookie and ice cream with chocolate espresso sauce and a lilikoi cheesecake. Both were good. All in all, good food and awesome service. One of my fav places for dinner on the island for sure.
(4)
Benson C.

Overpriced. Weird service. Our reservation is 830p but we didn't get seated until 850p when the restaurant was only half full. I ordered the chef trio with Lau Lau, three pieces of steaks and a small piece of opah. Both fishes and steaks were overcooked. The sauce overpower the taste of the fish. I only had this kind of cooking when the fish was not good and need taste masking. Six of us were very very disappointed with our food. None of our foods were prepared right. Fishes were DRY, no moisture at all. Think about this, you are going to Denny's but paying the price of Ruth Chris.
(1)
Geoff K.

While staying at the Kiahuna Plantation Resort I asked one of the employees where a good place to eat was. They sold out their own restaurant and told me I should go to Roy's. After a hard days work I was too lazy to really go anywhere so I headed over to my hotel restaurant; the Plantation Gardens Restaurant. At first I was a little disappointed because there weren't that many items on the menu. I ended up ordering this really good salad. It was a regular green salad with these really thick pieces of seared ahi on top. Underneath the ahi were pieces of avocado and mango. On top of the ahi was this creamy whipped guacamole. It had a texture like cool whip. It paired well with the ahi. The fish was really really fresh. That fresh fish award they have is well deserved. Although I'm sure Roy's is good, I'm glad I decided to eat here.
(4)
Chinita C.

Made reservations but didn't need them as it was half empty. Service and food were great. The cucumber pinneaple cooler drink was very refreshing. Much better experience than the un-named hyped up place down the road with a view.
(4)
T D.

Reliable fantastic gem. Set on an old plantation house, this place rocks. Setting is beautiful and there is always the same high quality food coming out of this kitchen. From salads (using local greens), fresh squeezed juiced added to drinks, meals for all tastes of perfection and awesome desserts please do go here, for your own good! Jeff is the manager of the restaurant and is a fabulous guy who makes sure everyone is enjoying their dinner while on island. Should anyone have a problem, just communicate it to this staff. All great people here to serve. Been here now about 10 times and never left unhappy! Aloha.
(5)
Sandra B.

Tone is set the moment you walk up to the restaurant, through a phenomenal orchid garden. Restaurant itself is simple and beautiful, playing up the ambiance of the surrounding gorgeous tropical grounds. Classy without being stuffy. Food was excellent - well prepared with great flavors. Our group had the fish of the day with tropical salsa, baby back ribs and portobello mushroom with quinoa and edamame puree (vegetarian entree). We don't tend to order ribs at a nice restaurant that is well known for their seafood, but these were fantastic - perfectly tangy sauce, the meat was moist and fell off the bone. The vegetarians raved about the edamame puree with quinoa and portobello. The fish was moist and lightly seasoned, with a tropical salsa that rounded out the flavors. Great drinks - we had excellent bar drinks and non-alcoholic smoothies. Attentive service, excellent food, good value. This is a special place. We wish we had come here earlier on our vacation, but we'll be back!
(5)
Marc K.

good food in a great garden setting.
(4)
Mitzi Y.

Great service by Leina...had the pot roast which was awesome..soft and tasty, and the ribs..fall off the bone...the shrimp rolls were great! The lilikoi lemonade was the bomb! Will go back!
(5)
Amy T.

This restaurant is beautifully decorated and you definitely feel like you're in a tropical plantation paradise with beautiful gardens surrounding you. Eating on the lana'i with views of the gardens and ponds, hearing the chirps of the geckos and the croaks of the frogs, is fantastic. Our waiter was higher than a kite, so much so, that he looked like he couldn't even open his eyes all of the way. But he was a good waiter, friendly and attentive, so no complaints. Or maybe he was just really sleepy? Ha ha ha. I had a seafood lau lau that was absolutely fantastic and I wanted to eat the entire thing even though it was huge! Generous portions of fresh shrimp, ono (one of the fresh fish of the day) and vegetables with jasmine rice. Everything we ate tasted delicious and I love that they use locally grown produce. Fantastic atmosphere, decent service and excellent food.
(4)
Kelly M.

The atmosphere is fantastic. Cucumber mojito did not disappoint. However, don't get the lychee and pear cosmo as it tasted like iced cranberry juice. Appetizer sampler was tasty but very small portions for 4 of us. The wine list was average but our server recommended a reserve bottle that they had limited supply of (not on the menu). It was amazing. Entrees were good but not amazing. The rib eye was smothered in sauce but the potato au gratin was really tasty. Overall, good dining experience. The ambiance makes it worth while.
(3)
Wayne E.

This restaurant was recommended to me more than a few times on the island first on the merits of its bartenders and again on the food. Almost everyone seemed to point me to Cucumber Mojito's and Seafood Lau Lau. As others have said, the restaurant is pleasant in atmosphere, and the gardens around it are beautiful. The bar held up to its reputation with friendly service and unique cocktails (lavender pina colada's, cucumber mojitos, ginger tini (like a ginger lemon drop), and our favorite, the "plantation breeze". Dinner was very pleasant, with good service that bordered on being almost too relaxed....meaning a bit slow at times and very casual. As I like to gab it up a bit, this suited us fine as we really weren't in any hurry. We had to try the seafood lau lau, but also had the fish of the day. The food was very fresh, moist, well prepared...and the sauces were excellent. While others have complained that the prices were a bit high, they were significantly lower or on par with restaurants across the main road and in my opinion, served much better food and cocktails. We enjoyed this meal a great deal..enough to come back another night just for appetizers and a quick drink. We tried the pot stickers and a simple pork and rice dish which was excellent. I highly recommend the plantation garden as a place for a well prepared meal in an unpretentious, and beautiful, atmosphere.
(4)
Lane M.

As others have written, the best part about Plantation Gardens is the scenery. This was a very nice place to have dinner outdoors at sunset. The food was also good, but in light of the price I can only score it 3 stars. I had the seafood lau lau, which was heavily recommended on this site. It was good (if you like fish, scallops, and shrimp you will enjoy it), but not enough to be worth the $25 price tag. My wife had the baby back ribs, which fell off the bone and were covered in a delicious house-made barbecue sauce. I would definitely recommend them. The cucumber mojito was unique and also something I would recommend if you do decide that value takes a back seat to atmosphere. Overall a fun dinner, but not somewhere I would return while on the island.
(3)
Emily C.

One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The atmosphere is perfect, the service is impeccable, and the food is exquisite. Can't go wrong, love this place. Oh and I recommend getting their cucumber mojito, it is so refreshing!
(5)
Jamie Y.

Great ambiance. Excellent service. Beautiful and unique orchid garden. But the food was just ok. The ahi tuna had a gelatinous texture. Our entrees could've used more seasoning. And it's a little overpriced for what you get.
(3)
Jane L.

We had the pleasure of dining at the Plantation Gardens Restaurant and Bar on Friday, July 6, 2012. The atmosphere was beautiful greeting you with an orchid garden as you enter the establishment. Service was amazing and the food was incredible. We enjoyed the Pork Pot Stickers and Shrimp Spring Rolls as appetizer. Then we enjoyed the arugula salad and then the main course of Pork Tenderloin and the Lau Lau both were very good. We ended with Lapperts ice cream and sorbet. Our server, Cherisse was amazing -- she served six tables and kept all diners happy with her exceptional service. We highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
S H.

It does have a nice atmosphere. There are a lot of plants and ponds in front of the restaurant that you wind through on the way in. We ate here twice, both times in the patio table seating at the bar without a reservation. For appetizers, we tried the sashimi platter and the szechwan green beans. The sashimi platter comes with three kinds of ahi, only the plain one was edible. The green beans were good and we finished those. On day one, I tried the Island Stir Fry, with fish/shrimp/vegetables. The veggies were really good, shrimp was ok (I'm not a huge fan of shrimp anyways), and the fish was tolerable when eaten with the veggies -- on its own it was kind of tasteless. The rice was too mushy and flavorless for me and I gave up after two bites. Portions were fairly big and we didn't feel the need for dessert -- although they looked good.. On day two, I tried the fresh fish of the day. There appear two be two listed on the menu, but the second is a salad with pan seared fish on it. I thought I was ordering the other grilled (on that day it was Uku), but it came soggy and falling apart. It was over udon noodles which were much better than their rice. It wasn't bad, but overall it was on the bland side again. Drinks were good. Total came to $85 with 2 drinks, 1 app, 2 entrees. Again the yelp maps are always just a bit wrong in Kauaui, the restaurant is on the other side of the main Po'ipu road and set pretty far back -- you would have to enter one of the Plantation resort driveways and go a bit. My best guess would put it at the corner intersection formed by Hoonani Rd and Po'ipu Beach road, if you zoom way in on google maps. We found it by following their torches. My rankings for Kauai: Red Salt, Beach House, Tidepools, Plantation Gardens.
(3)
Bobo Y.

Food: Delicious, fresh seafood. Vibe: Romantic in a garden. There are a lot of orchids. Reservation: Yes Service: very nice Location: near beach, but it is in a garden. We had our last meal there before we left the Island. It was our best restaurant in Kauai. We really enjoyed our food. We would recommend this place for a nice romantic dinner.
(5)
max f.

One of the better dining choices in the area. Why not more than 3 stars? Yes, the atmosphere is good, food quite decent, prices OK, but the service tends to be spotty. The place is usually quite busy, so even with a reservation you might end up waiting for the table longer than you should. Other than that, recommended.
(3)
David S.

I rarely ever post any kind of review, but there are too many good people out there not to be forewarned by such mediocrity and rude behavior, especially when it comes from the manager (Jeff) who is supposedly in the service industry yet has no idea what that really means. I live literally two minutes from the restaurant and have eaten here numerous times over the years--it has never been amazing but has never before been disappointing either, until now. Jeff's ego will be the death of this place! The place was empty yet he wouldn't allow us to sit with our friends at the table next to us stating that the kitchen could not handle two more people on that table and that we would have to sit outside (It wasn't the warmest of nights outside, by the way). Our waitress was great and tried to save face but he left such a bad taste in our mouths and it didn't help when our uncooked rice and overcooked fish arrived. There are so many great options in Poipu (red salt, tide pools, keokis, beach house, Merriman's, Josselin's, etc) so don't waste your time at Plantation Gardens until management changes...
(1)
Nancy W.

If you happen to purchase wine from The Wine Shop the corking fee is waived! The experience was amazing Josh was on point, very friendly, and knew the menu! I would highly recommend this place. It's a must when in Poipu.
(5)
Nicole B.

I had high hopes for this place. I loved the choices on the menu (via yelp) and was really looking forward to eating here our last night in Kauai. Made reservations a few days prior thru OpenTable. Got to the restaurant a few mins early and the hostess was no where to be found. There were 2 people that acknowledged us and said the hostess would be with us shortly. It was about 10 minutes before she was there. Sat down. We were given water and our waitress appeared shortly after. She was pleasant but right away asked us if we wanted to order. We started with drinks and our order. We had to ask about menu items (salad, catch of the day). We ordered the greens salad to split. Very good and fresh salad. I ordered the chefs trio. My boyfriend had the curry stew. My meal came. The fish was tough in both of the dishes (lau lau and fresh catch). The stew was delicious as were the mashed sweet potatoes. That's about the only good thing I can say about my dish. My boyfriends stew had great flavor but the potato to fish ratio was slightly off. I'd say the service was poor. Not at anytime was our water refilled. We were never asked if we wanted another drink or a refill. We opted to get bread. Good, warm bread but I don't agree with having to pay $5 for it. I'd never go back or recommend this place to anyone else. Food was disappointing as was the service.
(2)
Susan M.

Closed until the end of June 2015! New Chef and inside completely re-done! I can't wait!
(4)
Jim M.

Beware the restaurant is closed thru June 2015 for remodeling. Ate there on our last visit and enjoyed it very much. Will be back next time.
(4)
Aaron H.

So i haven't posted to yelp in several years because unfortunately mediocrity has become the new norm in the restaurant business. However, the service at this restaurant was so poor it had motivated me to come out of my Yelp hiatus and write a review. For a point of reference, i brought my company here for a meal...all 16 of us from Santa Cruz on a retreat. Our reservation was for 15 and we had a last minute addition. We arrived and the restaurant and it was pretty empty at 6:00 for our reservation. The manager (Jeff) proceeded to inform me that they couldn't accommodate the one addition to our party. I told him we could squeeze in and it wouldn't be a problem. He proceeded to inform me the "kitchen couldn't handle a table of 16". I said that didn't make sense to me. If one of our party was to sit at a different table and we all order at the same time that they couldn't accommodate? He said that was correct. I then asked him if he was willing to risk out entire party leaving because we couldn't squeeze in one more? He said "well then i guess your gonna have to leave then." (For the record, at this point, being a business owner focused on customer service, I was ready to leave but it was one of our team members birthdays and i didn't want to cause a scene and risk her happiness). Long story short, we sat three from our party at an adjacent table. We all ordered and didn't break the kitchen. The food was mediocre and drinks extremely slow to come ( my ribeye was 1/2 finished before my wine came out). My wife and i split a ribeye and no second plate was ever offered ( we shared off one plate the whole time). Will never ever go back and I hope this review (especially of Jeff's rude handling of the situation) makes it back to the owner. Best, Dr. Aaron Hinde, owner LifeAID Beverage Company, Inc.
(1)
Patrick M.

We were staying at the Sheraton across the way, and stumbles upon Plantation Gardens. It was a nice surprise. Service was very attentive, and the waitress was very nice. They were super accommodating to our 10 month old child. The food was very good. I got the pork and my wife had the fish special. The sauce with the pork was very good, but a big salty. I gave my son some of my dishes, and the guy was not able to get enough water for the rest of the night. My wife thought that her fish was a bit dry. I'm not a big "fish" guy, so it is hard for me to comment on it. I thought it tasted "OK." Overall, it is a nice dinner. A good place to have a "nice" meal in Hawaii. Prices are average for the area.
(4)
Ipek S.

Started with two tropical cocktails (sun punched was really delicious, with a hint of spice) and continued with coconut curry soup -amazing, corn cakes -it grows in you, interesting taste, and Bok choy- very fresh, grilled w/ a smokey taste. I had noodle salad -it was pretty good, and we shared a lau lau fish plate (first time eating that fish, a bit of different than the usual ones, not my favourite but was prepared nicely). Overall, a good Hawaiian feel, nice service.
(4)
Meghan K.

Came here for Christmas dinner and we were really excited because well...we just got to the island and we had reservations at this gorgeous restaurant. I realized I was hungry early and our reservations weren't until 7:30. I went to the hostess and she said she couldn't seat me. Fine. I get it. But your restaurant looked dead at 5:30. We got back at 7...drank a few drinks at the bar and by the time we went back to the host at 7:30, she said to wait. We waited a whole 20 minutes. I was famished at this point. Keep in mind, my body is running on California time...it's damn near 10pm California time at the point we started eating. Nothing much for vegetarian fare. I had a salad which wasn't memorable, but I ate it all because I was famished. I ordered a side of the sweet mash potato. I should have read it carefully. It was purple, super sweet and NOT AT ALL what I was craving for. I took two bites and just sat there and cried internally. My boyfriend wasn't impressed with his entree either, we don't even remember because we wanted to block out the bad experience out of our heads. We didn't stay for dessert because the food wasn't already scaring the shit out of us. Expect to shovel out some dough here for food that's lackluster. Great ambiance and awesome location...but I wouldn't go back. I don't suggest you should either.
(1)
Dana F.

We were on our way across the street to keokis and stopped in here because it looked nice. It felt like we wandered into another world. Absolutely beautiful setting and delicious, fresh, locally sourced food. Waitstaff was delightful, helpful and friendly. If you are looking for a quiet dining experience with exceptional food then Plantation Garden is the place.
(4)
Tiffany C.

My husband and I consider ourselves to be quite spoiled in the food department, as we live in San Francisco and can walk to some of the greatest restaurants in the country. We made a reservation here, expecting a relaxing dinner, but maybe not the best cuisine, as a result of reading some mixed reviews. We are still curious what exactly could have led to any negative comments. It was OUTSTANDING. our server Joshua talked us through the menu and not only got us excited about our dinners, but more than exceeded our expectations. The coconut curry stew and the seafood lau lau completely wowed us. We will probably go back on this very trip. That's what you want to eat in Kauai. Authentic seafood dishes. It was incredible. And the service, absolutely amazing. Joshua is one of the best servers we have ever had.
(5)
Kimberly F.

This lovely restaurant sits amid lush gardens and serves delicious Pan-Asian inspired dishes. We started with two fabulous cocktails, spicy glazed edamame, and fish lumpia. The cocktails were the best I've had on the island so far-- a lychee and Asian pear cosmo and a refreshing green tea mojito. For dinner, we each chose the fresh catch of the day, which was both generously portioned and deliciously prepared. Service was great and the wine list, while not extensive, offered some of my favorites. Unlike many of the more popular high-end restaurants at this end of the island, Plantation Gardens' atmosphere was quiet and intimate. I highly recommend this overlooked gem.
(5)
Mariko C.

Amazing food and awesome staff! We loved everything from the drinks to dessert! One of the best meals we've had on Kauai. Staff was very friendly and accommodating! Love this spot will visit next year and recommend to all of our friends!
(5)
Trina D.

I wanted to say thanks to the staff at Plantation Gardens, especially Mona, Joyce and Golden... We held our wedding here in November 2014 and the service was excellent. Joyce and Golden were amazing and the whole family loves them. They catered to our every need. The food was delicious. I would recommend having your wedding here as the gardens are beautiful and the beach is just steps away. Living in Los Angeles and planning a wedding was a scary thought but Mona and Kaye from Kauai Events were just awesome. They both put our wedding together beautifully. No worries and totally stress free. Just put your trust in them and you will enjoy your wedding day. I recommend the private lanai it is perfect for an intimate wedding on a beautiful island. I almost forgot to mention the cake made by Sandi, Plantation Gardens official cake baker. Sandi's cakes are delish... I especially enjoyed the Hawaiian Carrot Cake. All the best to the staff at Plantation Gardens and I hope to see you all soon, perhaps on our anniversary All the best. The Davies Wedding date: 11-06-14...
(5)
Peter G.

This is the place you dress up for. (I didn't, but I should have) The ambiance is wonderful. Although, what is with the parking? Anyway, beautiful surrounding. Delightful menu. Prepare to drop some coin. Seared and grilled fish were very, very nice. Sorry to hear that they no longer source their meat locally. Left here feeling good; something I like to do when I spend that much.
(4)
Billy W.

We found this place by chance. As we were walking into the restaurant we discussed how the elegance and beauty of the place made it a prime spot for a wedding :-) The food was great and the service very friendly. The ambience of the restaurant also made the visit very enjoyable. Will definitely be back again!!
(4)
Ambrish V.

On the expensive side but definitely not that high quality. For less money you can find much better options right next door at Roy's or Keoki's . Good: Turkey dinner was good. Ambience was also pretty good as the gardens are indeed quite picturous. Not-so-good: other dishes as well as service was just okay.
(2)
Robin K.

My daughter and I both ordered the Lua Lua and it was not good. I ate the shrimp and scallops out of it because I was starving but my daughter took one bite and couldn't eat it. It was all the same flavor and not cooked right. Maybe it was just that item, the cocktail and desert was good. But for the price everything should have been awesome. When they took our full plates away they didn't even ask why we didn't eat it. We had to ask for a salad because we were so hungry and didn't want to go to another place. Even after that we had to explain our dislike and ask for money to be taken off the bill. How embarrassing... They gave us 30$ off and a free desert. So I guess we were only 20$ in the negative on that experience.
(2)
Cindy M.

I had the thai seafood dish. It was very good and I had the cheese cake for dessert. Great place to meet my co workers for a quiet dinner and conversation.
(4)
Joshua R.

Nice restaurant to grab dinner at if you are staying near Poipu. The atmosphere of the restaurant can't be beat, its a very open and welcoming space surrounded by lush gardens and plants. The food is also quite good. I got the pot roast which was great, really love the purple sweet potatoes they get around Kauai and washed it down with a flavorful pacific dragon. The main downside (and why this review has 3 stars) is that they are slow, theres no real other way to stay it. Everyone there is calm and very polite, but it seems like everything takes forever from getting seated to getting your food. Don't go if you are on a tight timetable.
(3)
Maren T.

My husband and I just had our wedding dinner here. Not only was the food delicious, but I can't say enough about the service from Mona and her staff. They set up our table (for 20, 16 adults & 4 children) EXACTLY how I requested and envisioned. They treated our guests wonderfully and were attentive and available at all times during the evening. Our menu, cocktail hour with open bar, STARTERS: arugula salad or lobster bisque MAIN: mac-nut crusted fish, beef tenderloin or pork chops, with option to add lobster to any dish, KIDS: Kid menu anything they would like, DESSERT: Wedding Cake by Sandi plus option to add ice cream. Let me say, I was a little wary of getting a wedding cake through the restaurant, but when I saw it, it blew me away!! I was expecting just a plain cake with some flowers (cause it wasn't that big of deal to me), but when I saw it, I couldn't believe it, it was gorgeous!! Then I tasted it (vanilla macadamia nut) and it was delicious. Sandi, you are the BEST and I can't thank you enough for the beautiful and tasty cake. I have loaded a picture of it, entitled Thompson Cake if you all want to take a look. We had dinner again here before we left Kauai. The food just got better and better, and the service was just as superb as it was on my wedding night. We went to a few "top" restaurants on the island, including Brunch at the St. Regis, and this place topped them all. HUGE MAHALO!! Can't wait to visit again!!
(5)
Surfdawg M.

This is one of my wife's and I fave spots to dine in Poipu. Laid back atmosphere in a lush tropical setting....We love it. The menu is normally excellent. I was a bit disappointed this time though. Our waitress Danielle was professional & competent. The Caesar's salad was good (as usual). The sampler plate excellent. But....my chef's fish special was a small piece ($35) and then they us charged for bread. With a bottle of wine and desert + tip, everything totaled we spent $200. Not sure why they got so chintzy? I'll give it another shot next visit and hope for the best
(3)
Jayme N.

I was quite disappointed with our experience here. Should've taken the somewhat empty restaurant as a sign. Not sure if this was an "off night" for the crew, but we were let down by almost all of the food that our party of eight ordered. Two of us ordered the Plantation Garden Special -- tonight it was advertised as a seafood pasta with scallops, squid, and lobster with fettuccini in a tomato and kaffir lime sauce. It sounded delicious when the waiter described it, but turned out to be overly sweet. A friend ordered the baby back ribs. They also turned out to be somewhat sweet -- off-balance in a way -- and they were certainly less than fall-off-the-bone... Actually quite chewy. Several in the party ordered the chef's trio... A lot of food; questionable quality. Sadly, the theme of the night was that the dishes had potential in theory; the execution was certainly "off." The dishes lacked the finesse of a well-trained chef... Maybe he was off for the holiday weekend. I certainly had higher expectations.
(1)
CM P.

Stunning grounds and beautiful setting here on their wrap-around porch overlooking the garden. The wait staff was super accommodating of us with our two young girls and a plate that got knocked off the table killing the mood for other diners. The food was delicious and on the healthier side. We will definitely be back (if they will have us!).
(4)
Jake S.

The first bite I took of the skirt steak felt as if I were biting into a habanero....it was soooo spicy. The following bites were fine and the steak was pretty good. Parts were a little chewy, some tender, but all in all I liked it. We didn't get dessert and all the plants surrounding the restaurant provided a nice atmosphere.
(4)
Patrick L.

We went to Plantation Gardens Restaurant for my father-in-laws birthday. The location / atmosphere was amazing. 5 stars We sat on the side porch and couldn't have been happier. My wife got the fish of the day special (don't remember what they called it). 3 stars The lemon-grass beurre-blanc was a bit too well "lemon-grassey" (the server specifically said you wont even taste the lemon but he was wrong). It still was an amazing piece of fish. I got the ribeye. 5 stars It was simply fantastic.
(4)
Aaron M.

The Plantation Gardens Restaurant was absolutely incredible! My wife and I had our wedding reception there on August 18th and the entire process from the planning to the actual event was as painless as it gets. The Special Events coordinator Mona Gonzaludo is utterly amazing! She made our wedding experience timeless and is truly a lifesaver....more on that in a minute. The menu at the Plantation Gardens is to die for and the cocktails look almost too good to drink! We were married overlooking the beach on the lawns at the Kiahuna Plantation only a short walk from the Plantation Gardens Restaurant. We had a cocktail hour outside the restaurant prior to the reception and all the drinks, pupus and decorations were perfect. The grounds surrounding the restaurant are absolutely beautiful.....packed with natural color from the thousands of orchids and lush vegetation. A wonderful compliment to our wedding decorations. The staff at the restaurant were attentive and quick to clean up empty drinks and then provide another as quickly as possible. We had the entire restaurant to ourselves.....our wedding group was about 90 people...and we never felt as if our needs were not being taken care of. There was plenty of room for our DJ to setup and our guests to break it down on the dance floor! We honestly could not have asked for a more perfect location and event. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to Mona Gonzaludo who I mentioned earlier. Her professionalism and the level of attention she gave us truly displayed how much she was concerned for our happiness. We had a minor catastrophe the day before the wedding when our preplanned rehearsal dinner at Keoki's Paradise (across the street from the Kiahuna Plantation) was canceled due to an out of control brush fire that eventually lead to the evacuation of the entire shopping center where Keoki's Paradise is located. This all took place about 30 minutes before the dinner was supposed to take place. Needless to say it was a hectic situation, but when I approached Mona and asked if she could accommodate a group of 45 for our rehearsal dinner she didn't even hesitate. She just smiled and said "Give me 45 minutes." She setup a secluded area on the patio and the dinner went off without a hitch. She and the staff truly saved the day.....and as to be expected, the food and drinks were delicious. Words cannot express our gratitude to how Mona treated us and the overall experience we had at The Plantation Gardens Restaurant. We are looking forward to returning on our anniversary and enjoying a wonderful dinner again. Mahalo!
(5)
Chris D.

Very pretty restaurant. Romantic in the evening. I thought the food was okay. The service the night we were there was not so great. They messed up our order and the kitchen was slow, especially for raw fish. I enjoyed the poke.
(3)
Melissa W.

My husband and I ate here one night during our week stay in Kauai. We were both pleased with the food and service. The only downfall, which I do not hold the restaurant responsible for, is that we were seated next to a wedding reception. The wedding party was very loud, obnoxious, and clearly inebriated.... That being said it was very difficult to talk and hear my hubby who was less than a foot away from me. Apart from that, we were seated on the patio overlooking a pond, tiki torches, and a garden so the ambience was beautiful.... I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and would definitely eat here again if I had the opportunity!!
(4)
Kathleen B.

Plantation Gardens was the first place that we had dinner upon arriving in Kauai. We saw a preview of their Christmas Dinner menu which included herb-roasted prime rib, and we immediately booked a reservation here. The waitress explained to us that all of the meat that they use at Plantation Gardens (and on most of Kauai) is farmed on the island and sent to Maui to be butchered. I ordered a cucumber mojito (delicious!) and the fiancee ordered a beer. We had the arugula salad to start, and the prime rib for dinner for us both. The arugula salad was good, but the prime rib was out of this world! Neither my fiancee nor myself had ever tasted a jucier, more rich piece of meat than what we ate that night. After this night, we went to all of the major restaurants in the Poipu area and ordered prime rib, and they were all just as good as this first meal. A lot of people come to Kauai and expect great fish here, but the star of the show is the beef.
(5)
Maureen F.

Beautiful setting. Service was excellent at the table. Food: Curry was unique - the green onion adding a perfect tang to the soup. Lau lau was disappointing: it was a bunch of seafood steamed in a leaf. The spices/leaf did little to enhance the dish. Unique things: At night, you can hear some strange bullfrogs croak while you eat. All the ladies get an orchid to place in their hair.
(3)
Myle S.

We had to hunt to find this restaurant in the dark. Kauai has little light pollution which is great, but it took some driving around to find this one. The atmosphere is beautiful and enchanting with the lights all over leading up to the plantation house all around veranda. Their passion fruit smoothie was to die for and the food was pretty good. The khalua pork manapuas were the best item we had there.
(4)
Ryan P.

Stopped here with my wife on our vacation to Kauai. I think we had higher expectations given the prices on the menu, but the food simply didn't live up to the prices that they charged. The Ahi sashimi that we started with had a different texture and was a little thick for my liking. Having a craving for Ahi before this meal, I was excited. However, I left unsatisfied with their preparation of it. For the main course I had the Lau Lau with the fish of the day (Ono). The preparation of it was nice, but I have had better Ono than what was served on this night. It might have been an off night for this place, but given its close proximity to our hotel (Sheraton) we'd hoped for better. I'd pass on this place next time we are back on Kauai. On the plus side the service was attentive and our waitress was great at keeping the wine flowing and the water full all night.
(3)
Kristoffer P.

really nice place to take a date. They have a orchid garden right before you enter the restaurant. Kind of pricey, for normal sized portions. Our service was good, and food was alright, I wasn't too impressed (especially for the price we paid) however the decor and landscaping around the patio made up for it.
(3)
hallie f.

Excellent!! If you are in the area, check it the Plantation Gardens and you won't be disappointed. I first heard about Plantation Gardens when my husband and I decided to get married in Kauai and we were looking for somewhere for our rehearsal dinner. We were getting married at The Grand Hyatt and wanted a different vibe for the rehearsal dinner. On our first visit we know we picked the right restaurant. The food was incredible and the service was top notch. Planning a destination wedding and various events can be challenging but Mona, the event coordinator, was wonderful to work with. Very friendly and made the planning process very smooth. We had close to 50 guests and started out with cocktails and drinks in their gardens, which were beautiful. The area was very private and the service was excellent. We had returned the West Lani, in the back of the restaurant which was very private. We had several options for our guest to choose from and there was something for everyone. The vibe was exactly what we wanted and truly enjoyed the yummy food, tasty drinks, awesome dessert, great service and wonderful environment. We had a lot of feedback from our family & friends who thought everything was excellent. Martin Roberts as our florists and Mona customized menu's for our event. Overall, a wonderful evening and there is nothing we would have done different. We can't wait to come back and have another amazing meal!!!
(5)
Judy P.

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner last week. The quinoa/edamame entree was one of the best vegetarian meals I have ever tasted. All meals were superb. Our waitstaff was very attentive, the ambiance inside and the garden outside was charming. The only disappointment was a screaming kid. The parents were not phased, too bad the other patrons had to listen to the screams!
(5)
M C.

Crab rangoon appetizer, Lau lau entree, chef trio entree, baked Hawaiian dessert, ice cream sandwich dessert were all good! The garden environment around the restaurant grounds are so lush and pretty! Customer service is great here and they are friendly!
(5)
Teena S.

Gorgeous gorgeous place for a romantic dinner in Kauai! Me and my husband went here for dinner our first night in Kauai and it was a wonderful experience. The ambiance is tropical yet romantic. We were seated at the patio facing their beautiful tropical garden. We started with cocktails, mine was lychee based and my husband's cucumber based and both were quite good. As entree, I had the island stir fry and my husband had the Seafood stew. Both dishes were delicious and the portion was quite good. We finished off dinner with a slice of their passion fruit cheese cake... it melts in your mouth!!! Yummmm. I can see why they were voted best restaurant of 2010.
(5)
Peter B.

Very good food and very good service. The Caesar salad was really special, I only wish they hadn't run out of Monchong for the grilled fish entree. They substituted mahi mahi, which was very good, but I was hoping to try something different. The sauteed Ono my wife ordered was very good. The pineapple upsidedown cake was excellent. I'd go again.
(4)
Sarah L.

Plantation Gardens is amazing and was hands down the BEST dinner we had during our 2wk honeymoon in October. The entrance is beautiful, especially close to sunset time. Orchids and exotic flowers take over the walkway and koi ponds full of fish greet you along the way. We had a drink at the bar before our table was ready, tried a few fun martini's and chatted with the bartender about our surroundings. We got seated outside on the deck under twinkle lights looking at old banyan trees and more orchids. It was such a beautiful atmoshphere and you felt like you were at an old plantation house with the wood, rocking chairs and shutters. The food was just divine. Great portions-everything is local and the herbs, tomoatoes, veggies come from their garden and you can tell. It's just so fresh! Once we finished our large dinner we thought we'd try the Ice Cream sandwich for dessert. This sandwich is HUGE-it's so good we didn't want to waste it being homemade and all. Macadamia nut ice cream with fudge and between two chocolate chip cookies-WOW! We told everyone we met after this dinner to go here while in Kauai. It's for sure the best local food and service with an amazing atmosphere to add. Love this place!
(5)
Gina T.

We read other positive reviews so went there and had difficult time finding it because of lack of signs and it was tucked behind the buildings. But the ambiance, service, and the food was great. We had the poke appetizer and it was the best poke ever! We both had the Quinoa dish and it was very filling and delicious! Good service but the tap water in chill bottle did not hide the taste of the tap water.
(4)
Barb B.

Had great mon chung fish dish. Great flavors and textures. Restaurant is surrounded by beautiful gardens and lots of orchids. There were several kids present but they were able to let off steam by running around on the grass, so this somewhat upscale place worked for everyone.
(5)
Josh L.

Decided this trip for our "nice" dinner to try Plantation Gardens. The location and the outdoor garden is amazing. Our son enjoyed running around looking at the flowers and the ponds. Service was great. Our son got brown rice and stir fry which he ate up. They brought it out first for him. We tried the sampler which had ahi sashimi, spring roll, sushi roll and a pull pork bun. The pull pork bun was pretty amazing, nothing like a chinese pork bun which is way too sweet. The spring roll was really good, it had some stir fry inside. We both got the trio entree which included a skirt steak, seafood lau lau and local fish (ono). Hands down the best lau lau I've ever had with the best scallop I've ever had. It was a huge scallop which was sweeter and steamed with the veggies and other seafood. Amazing stuff. We ended the meal shared their baked hawaiin which was like a mud pie with lapperts ice cream over a brownie crust. We liked this place more than the Beach House.
(5)
Christianna W.

Eat at the bar if Brad is bartending, you won't be sorry! Perfectly concocted cocktails, and the food is pretty good too.
(5)
Matt P.

Definitely our favorite dining experience while in Kauai. We had no particular expectations, which may have allowed more room to be impressed, but nonetheless we were impressed. First and foremost, fantastic service. The best we had on the island. Just the right amount of attention, great attitudes and very helpful with recommendations. The grounds were pleasant and provided a nice view from our outdoor veranda table. As with many places in Kauai, we had some geckos visit which is always entertaining. Drinks were pretty impressive. They have some house specialties that the waiter recommended and we both enjoyed quite a bit. I had the Sweet Li Hing Mui Margarita and my wife had the Cucumber Mojito. Food was delicious. Perfectly sized portions, well cooked and quite tasty. We started with the Kalua Pork Lettuce Wraps - phenomenal. My wife had the Curry-Coconut Seafood Stew for her entree and I had the fresh fish daily special. Both were fantastic. Highly recommended if you are in the area for dinner. Not as well known or obvious as some of the other locations, so use your map.
(5)
Cindy C.

The food here had great flavors. We may have gone on an off night, from reading all the other good reviews here. But from the moment we sat until we ordered (a long time) and from the moment we were promised bread until we got it (after we asked multiple times) and from the fact that my fish was hot but the sides were cold and my friend's dish looked like it had sat under the heat lamp for at least 30 minutes... our night was ruined. The wait staff really tried to make it up, the manager came out and really worked on making everything better (re cooked the dishes, gave us extra drinks, etc.) Definitely with a 5 star attitude, but still, at this point, I would have rather had a perfect night out. I'd like to believe that it was an off night. We may try them again.
(3)
YC L.

My boyfriend and I came here on our first night at Kauai. The guide book recommended this place and we were close by. It took awhile for us to get seated but I'd say the food is well worth the wait. We were first pleasantly surprise by the cocktail. Cucumber mojito was fabulous and the mai tai was yum. The waiter recommended the garden island tea. Both my bf and I were impressed~!! The high light was my boyfriend's seafood lau lau with fish of the day, ono. The ono was seasoned perfect. The scallop was cook to perfection, not too raw, not too well done. The next high light was the passion fruit cheese cake. Caramelized sugar on top, with passion fruit flavored cream and cheese cake on the bottom. Yum yum yum.,... I'd say one of the best cheese cake. As the guide book "Kauai Revealed", stick to the seafood here and you will be pleasantly surprise.
(5)
Triple Threat T.

A lovely place for romantic dinner; a calm, pretty ambiance sitting on the porch overlooking the pond & garden :) Try the Crab Rangoon appetizer then for entrees the Fresh Catch Grilled Fish & Quinoa Crusted Fish (that was our favorite.) For drinks you gotta stick with their delicious Cucumber Mojito! And the amazing cheesecake will blow your mind! :O Decent price for a memorable meal: $124 for 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, 4 cocktails and 1 dessert.
(5)
J W.

We walked out. If I could give less than one star I would. Had a reservation, they made us wait 10 minutes for a table, even though the place was half empty. Waiter was high as a kite, didn't write anything down. He took our drink order and told us about the specials. We waited, he came back and said he forgot what kind of beer was ordered, told him it was Bourbon, then he tried to tell us the specials again. The potstickers arrived, barely warm and flavorless. Finally the entrees came - one was the wrong dish (ordered pot roast got seafood) we had had enough, didn't want to wait for a correction while the other entree was getting cold. So we left and won't recommend this restaurant, even though we didn't get to eat an entree.
(1)
McKenzie M.

This restaurant was recommended to us by two different friends. Maybe we went on an off night. Three out of four of us had overcooked fish (all ordered different plates). The fourth one of us just had kinda gross fish. The ambiance is nice. Service was good. Appetizers were good and drinks were fine. But we felt like we wasted $25 on entrees.
(2)
Chip J.

Friendly staff. Beautiful setting. Not impressed with the food.
(3)
K G.

This place was kind of a mixed bag. The grounds are beautiful. The restaurant has a lot of unused space, which makes it feel awkward. Our sever was very friendly. The cocktails were great (moir margarita and cucumber mojito). The caesar salad was delicious. I ordered ono that came on a bed of sauteed corn and spinach. The flavors weren't quite right. Something was a little burned. The fish was very tough and boring. The steak with pineapple salsa and quinoa was good. The lau lau was yummy. The red curry with eggplant was not good. Don't think I'd go back but it's a perfectly fine place.
(3)
Neil S.

As we entered, I felt like we were in the Tiki Room at Disneyland. Very tropical! The girls ordered the Sashimi Platter for an appetizer. It was good I think because it was gone before I knew it was on the table. For dinner we had filet, ahi, mahi mahi, and the Thai soup. We finished with the Hawaiian special. Generally good flavor. All was good. We each had specific improvement ideas (i.e. Add rice to curry; cook mahi a little longer; more fish to Thai dish). The reviews are a little overrated. Good family environment that will not be too fancy. For Hawaii tourist attraction, not bad.
(3)
Erika C.

Beautiful, romantic ambiance. We came here twice - once for cocktails and tasty BBQ sliders. We came back a couple nights later and enjoyed a great dinner. I ordered the seafood Lau Lau which was moist and flavorful. Will definitely come back the next time we're on this lovely island.
(5)
Jedd J.

Beautiful place, great food, although the ahi tuna was overdone.
(4)
Michael H.

I ate here for my birthday and was very happy with the choice that my girlfriend had made. We picked it based on the reviews here and it just happened to be in the same complex that we were staying in. The food was excellent and very fresh. Our service was very good too. As with anywhere that can be hit or miss on any night or with any server so I try not to base too much of any review on service. Based on the reviews here I'm sure it's good a lot more often than it's bad. I would have liked to give it 4.5 stars but couldn't quite give it 5 stars because the food just wasn't quite there. That's not to say it wasn't very good. We've eaten at Roy's and Casablanca and It's probably as good or better than either of those. We got the the sampler app and the pot stickers and rangoons were fantastic. The sushi roll was a bit mushy and the spring roll was a bit greasy but still tasty. Both our entrees were very good but not quite worthy of 5 stars. The desert was a bit plain too. I'm hoping to get back before we leave to try another item on their menu I was interested in.
(4)
M L.

Food: Tasty and definitely gourmet in nature, but the pupu appetizer was a bit greasy and bland. Ambience: Orchid garden, which is dimly lit and difficult to enjoy at night. I kinda felt we were overlooking a small minature golf course dotted with tiki lanters. Meh. Staff: Hostess was charming and gave me an orchid to wear in my hair upon our arrival. However, waitress was stiff and made me a bit uncomfortable. All told, I probably wouldn't come back again. For the money, I would rather go to Tidepools @ the Hyatt, which is just up the street and offers better food, service, and ambience.
(4)
Michael H.

The best food I have had in Kauai. Original, inventive and so very fresh. The Crab Pu Pus were amazing and the fresh fish excellent. A beautiful setting as well.
(5)
Kyle G.

This review is only for the bar, as we didn't actually eat dinner here, just came for drinks. The bartender was friendly and knew what he was doing. Tried the cucumber mojito which was very refreshing and tasty, and the sun burst margarita which was definitely my favorite and equally as refreshing (which was good considering it was 80 degrees out). We also ordered the pork sliders, delicious Fun little spot with friendly environment and good drinks.
(5)
George T.

This place was just exquisite! From the service to your dish everything was executed on queue! Our waitress Emily was super awesome! She made us feel welcomed and really elevated our experience. The food was top notch, just a work of art if you ask me. Seriously the food was a masterpiece carefully crafted by their master chef. Every bite was well balanced with the perfect blend of ingredients. If you want your pallet to feel like it experienced the Phil harmonic orchestra you should make a reservation here. This is by far the best restaurant in all of Kauai. Yes there are other places but just grab and go. This is a full dining experience.
(5)
Brendon C.

This place is located on the same property is the condo / vacation rentals. you can hear the ocean crashing in the distance and the gardens are quite lovely that's around the building. The couple times I was here we were seated immediately and the service was excellent. I really enjoyed the appetizer poo poo platter and the crab rangoon was amazing. They also have several types of gluten free vodka and make excellent martinis. the only drawback is that they close fairly early and that includes the bar. It seems it seems to depend on how many people are in the building.
(4)
Northofthirty D.

We treated ourselves to a fancy dinner on our last night in Kauai, in lieu of a touristy luau, and I'm so glad we did. The food was phenomenal and the prices, while pricey, were reasonable, considering we're in a very touristy area eating at a restaurant located on the grounds of a resort. I had the grilled Uku fish that came with shitake mushrooms and some onions. My hubby had the pot roast that was super tender and came with this amazing molokai sweet potato mash (we also now fondly refer to as: purple decadent goodness). Oh, and the kids menu was pretty fancy, including a kids portion of the grilled Uku fish that was also served witht he purple decadent goodness, which my daughter had. We devoured our dinner and wrapped up the left overs to take back to our condo...it was too good to pass up. The server also generously comped a dessert for us, as we were celebrating our anniversary. We chose the lilikoi cheesecake and we ate every last bit of it. Even my son, who doesn't like cheese in general, couldn't stop eating it. I would definitely come back next time we have the good fortune to be in Kauai again.
(5)
Gayle L.

Dinner was delicious! Entrees were delicious creative and presented beautifully! Fabulous and fresh salad starter, extremely creative sautÃ© fish entree, wonderful wine selection and very knowledgeable, friendly, caring but not polished service. Seating on the patio was very lovely and authentically Hawaiian! We will always go back every year!
(4)
Danielle T.

Really wanted to like this place, made a reservation in advance of arriving to the island. Nice ambiance, especially if seated outside near garden area. Ordered the crab rangoon to start - very tasty, nice touch with Dijon dipping sauce Main entrees ordered were short ribs and quinoa crusted fish special with asparagus... both sub-par. The blend of fish with the asparagus lacked flavor. Money was not well spent here - disappointed. Wait staff was wonderful though and easy to make reservation.
(3)
Robin W.

Our party of 12 had a beautiful dinner celebrating an 85th bday. This truly was our nicest dining experience in Poipu. The freshest and most delicious meals served in an exquisite setting out on the veranda of this historic property by very friendly and helpful waiters. There are a lot of new places in Poipu to try but don't forget about this tried and true classic.
(5)
Samantha D.

WEDDING REVIEW We had our destination wedding at Plantation Gardens and it was PERFECT. We had 100 people there (I think you can have 120) and everyone raved about how much fun they had and how good the food and drinks were. We bought the place out because that's what worked for us and our guests. The cocktails, appetizers, and meals were all amazing. I would suggest the coconut prawns, cucumber mojito, lilikoi martini, and truly all the main courses you have to choose from are delicious. Really can't go wrong. The only issue we had was that the party had to end at 10pm on the dot! Everyone wanted to keep partying so we went across the street to another bar :) The cost of a wedding at PG is really not that much more than any other venue, in fact it seems to be somewhat less, and you get a lot for what you pay for. The planners are incredibly helpful and make the process very smooth. PG is highly recommended for a wedding venue!
(5)
David C.

Nestled in a world famous garden, we peasants have a chance to revel in a once hallowed high end socialite eatery. Plantation is full of history and luckily, good food! We had some very tasty mojitos and yummy super fresh fish, tastefully done but not overpowered by the seasoning.
(4)
Ryan S.

I rarely rate 5 stars, but this was like they came to your home. If you wanted to you could have a conversation with the waiters. The food was absolutely excellent. The drinks were awesome also with all the choices. This is defiantly a place to go if you have a lot of time because they will give you a nice slow meal that lets you complement not only the food, but the scenery. The restaurant is built from the home of the sugar cane plantation owners and gives you that home feel that we all ask from a restaurant. I would go everyday.
(5)
Rachael S.

Had the catch of the day fish with crusted quinoa. Absolutely delicious dish. Highly recommend
(5)
Jow H.

Four of us dined this evening. Appetizers, salads, fresh fish and fish stew were among our choices. The waitress was okay. The rest if the staff were truly awful. From serving us warm water to nearly shoving the food in our faces they were inept, lacked any modicum of professionalism and we're even to some degree surly. Unfortunately the food was well paired with the staff. Nothing interesting, tasty,creative or well prepared. Barely Dennys quality at ridiculous prices. Give me a break. Embarrassing and disgusting both. Not our first time there but definitely our last. And lastly the restsurant had a birthday event on the grounds outside below where we were sitting. It would have been nice to know there would be defening noise when we made the reservation.
(2)
Thomas H.

We came here last night (5/7/15) during our honeymoon and had a great experience. We sat outside in the porch area overlooking over the garden. The cucumber mojito was a delicious cocktail. We highly recommend the crab rangoon for an appetizer. Seafood stew was great but a little too rich for one person to eat the entire meal. We ordered one seafood stew and then one Monchong sautÃ©ed and split it half way through each dish! My only slight disappointment was that the hostess never told our waiter that it was our honeymoon. It came up in conversation as we were about to get the bill and he offered us a dessert on the house. We had the Hawaiian pie or something like that. Extremely nice gesture of Brendan!! I would definitely recommend this place if you're staying in the south part of Kauai.
(5)
Jung L.

5/13/15 Wife and I both got the ribeye. Quality was not up to par with other steaks (slightly on the salty side due to sea salt) we had but the twice baked potato was amazing with the steak. She had the cucumber mojito( could use more lime) and I had the plantation breeze (we both thought this was better). For dessert the cheesecake was very delicious and well worth it. Service was decent but slightly on the slower side. Overall atmosphere was nice.
(4)
F F.

Wedding Review!!! Plantation Gardens was an amazing location for our destination wedding!!! Mona their event coordinator have exceptional customer service. The grounds are beautiful with the orchard garden. During our wedding we choose to have a semi private room so we picked the west lani. It was the perfect size for our party of 30 but you can fit up to 40. There was plenty of room for the little kids to run around without us having to worry about them because it's blocked off from the rest of the restaurant. The wait staff was on point! They made their rounds and tried to keep the drinks full. The food is mouthwatering delicious. Several of our guest commented that their meals were amazing. Started with pupu platters, wild mushroom spring rolls, crab rangoon, pot stickers, corn fritters and fruit skewers during cocktail hour. First Course- we had the lobster bisque or local mixed green salad with pears. Second Course- Fresh local fish, tomato & lobster salsa mash potato's, Grilled pork tenderloin with black forest rice or Beef tenderloin & lobster tail. Then we ended the night with wedding cake (cakes by Sandy). We had the carrot cake and kona cake, super moist and fluffy. Over all they did an amazing job, it's a beautiful venue and I'm sure you'll be extremely satisfied.
(5)
Rebekah C.

This place is awesome, for the gardens and for the service. Everyone here is super friendly and accommodating. Over the years, they have cut back (no more beautiful boxed matches, pretty coasters, and now they charge you $4 for bread and butter!) to be more profitable and the food isn't always superb. However, the cucumber mojitos are to-die-for (and I'm not usually a fan, but these are incredible, and the lilikoi cheesecake is a MUST. Wish management / ownership would be less stingy, but still I highly recommend.
(4)
Connie A.

the seafood lau lau is a must!
(5)
Yelper P.

Just ok. Flavores could have been much better. For the price rum fire at the Sheraton is much much better.
(3)
Vivian K.

Beautiful grounds... Nelson was a great waiter. He had great recommendations on the menu, and the food was delicious. If you ever dine there, ask to have Nelson be your waiter for the evening. He is awesome. *Kalua Pork Manapuas were great *Chef's Trio was enough to share, came with Seafood Lau Lau, Skirt Steak & Fish, served with brown rice. Try the Lavender Pina Colada while you are at it....don't forget to eat the pineapple garnish or you will regret it.
(5)
Dane W.

Best meal and service that we had during our 2 week stay in Kauai! We hit all of the major "best" restaurants in Kauai and none were close to this! Enjoy! Oh yeah, drinks were great too!
(5)
.Hon H.

Coming to Plantation Gardens restaurant for the last night of our vacation was a great idea! After we parked we walked through winding pathways to get to the place itself, which is in the midst of gorgeous gardens with sweet smelling flowers - orchids, plumeria, ginger, cactus (huh?) and koi ponds. The hostess was very gracious and brought us to our table on the terrace right away. As other Yelpers mentioned, there was a short wait for our server, but once he got there our evening went swimmingly. We began with cocktails - I had a couple of cucumber mojiros which were absolutely delicious and my hon of hons husband had a dirty martini. We started with the pupu platter which was a perfect way to try out a bunch of appetizers. I think my favorite was the corn fritter - delectable fresh corn in a light batter. I decided to have the seafood lau lau for my entree. I had tried it once before on Maui, and loved the way the spices, ti leaf wrapper and steaming process infused the seafood. It was spot on - so tasty, fresh and healthy, which was something I needed after pigging out for the previous 7 days! My HOHH went with the fresh fish of the day, that was served in a special preparation that I can longer remember - sorry! But he really enjoyed it. All in all, a wonderful evening that was enhanced by the beautiful surroundings, fantastic service and great food. Highly recommended!
(5)
Marty C.

My wife and I had a wonderful time and experienced outstanding hospitality and service, not to mention delicious food at the Plantation Gardens Restaurant and Bar. In particular, I would like to recognize Jeff the general manager, Leilani the hostess, Brendan the bartender, and Ky our wait person. Each could not have been more personable and gracious. We can't wait to return!
(5)
Alan T.

We just visited the Island of Kauai and while there we visited the Plantation Restaurant and Bar. My mother in law had a wonderful meal years ago in Kauai at a restaurant with a similar name and she thought this may have been the same place. Unfortunately, our meals where not as she remembered. Location: Although we visited at nighttime and we were not able to really see the setting but you can just feel the history and it really did feel like it was once a working plantation. Restaurant: I ordered the Sauteed Ono which looked more like fish soup. I thought I was going to get Ono that was sauteed in a nice sauce but instead it came in a bowl of liquid. And it was TERRIBLY under seasoned. My wife decided to have the Grilled Ono which came on a plate that was about 14 inches long and the fish was all the way on the left side and the other 2/3's of the plate had a BIG swatch of curry type sauce. Again, the fish was under seasoned and the only thing that made her dish taste "OK" was the curry sauce.... but in opinion, why do you get all this curry sauce if you ordered a grilled fish...?? My group ordered two Cucumber Mojito drinks and all though they looked and smelled wonderful... they were a big disappointment. I don't even think they had any simple syrup in them (and Mojitos are one of my wife's favorite beverage). The place was very nice with a lot of interesting old photographs hanging around the restaurant. Waiter gets a "B" and the busboy gets and "A" for doing an excellent job. Obviously, the visit was a let down because the place has so much potential and we wanted to like it. Sadly, we will NOT be returning.
(1)
Ryan Y.

Eating on all the islands, I have high standards for 5 star Hawaiian cuisine. This place missed the mark. The best place I have eaten out of all the Hawaiian islands is Mama's Fish House in Maui. Second would be Roy's on the Big Island. I agree with Leia K. Food was truly disappointing. There was nothing that shocked my taste buds. I could find better food at some small restaurant. Service was really bad. Drinks were good, but overpriced at $9. I had the sampler, which I would suspect be enough for at least three people. It was only enough for two people. We had the Chef's Trio with the seafood lau lau, ono fish, and some other fish dish. The lau lau was bland and didn't seem even close to a traditional lau lau. It just seemed like steam seafood in a Ti leaf. No flavor. We didn't have dessert. The bill end up being about $120 after tax and tip. Next time, I should have gone with my gut feeling and go to Roy's. It was right next store to the Sheraton Hotel where we were staying.
(2)
David C.

One of the best-kept secrets in Kauai. Fabulously consistent great food & service in a peaceful garden setting. We visit Kauai once a year and wouldn't think of missing another opportunity to visit Plantation Garden again. Favorite appetizer is the Ahi Poke and the curried fish entrees are marvelous. And their specials are always just that. Very special!
(5)
April J.

the food was great. the service was a little off. I hope this place isn't on a slippery slope down hill. we are coming back sept 2014 for 2 weeks. will give it another go. still better than most area restaurants. still can't convince myself to go to the Beach House which is right across the street from our hotel. husband got food poisoning from beach house restaurant so we are so very hesitant to go back there. would go back to plantation.
(4)
Nazanin S.

The plantation Garden is beautiful with a great atmosphere and great service but the food is just ok and nothing extraordinary.
(3)
Thao V.

Went here for a wedding reception. Had rib-eye steak and lobster bisque. Food was a disappointment, especially after a long day. Place had spectacular views and ambiance though--would try to come again for a regular dinner night (maybe wedding food is not as good as their typical dinner food?)
(2)
John S.

A little old school, but there's nothing wrong with that. If you want stylish, trendy food, this isn't for you. But it's GOOD food in a fantastic atmosphere that shows off the beauty of Hawaii. A little kitschy, true. But excellent service, stellar atmosphere and very reasonable prices.
(4)
M+J K.

My husband and I were married at Plantation Gardens Restaurant on 4.5.14 and PG and staff (especially MONA!!!!!) were nothing short of amazing and professional. My husband proposed to me last year at Kiahuna Plantation and we sort of jokingly made an appointment while we were there to meet with Mona about potentially using their site and restaurant for our ceremony and reception. We never thought we'd actually do it, but once we got home to San Diego, we decided WHY NOT?!?! I'm so glad we had that initial consultation with Mona because it ended up being the only one we ever needed. Mona was not pushy or "sales-y" and simply explained how their wedding process works and listed out all our options and list of recommended vendors (several of which came in handy... see other reviews). Once we actually pulled the trigger and decided Kauai was the place, we contacted Mona and she reserved our spot. Over the next 8 months Mona kept in close contact with us via phone and email. She was always quick to respond and answer questions. What is also great about Mona and her staff is that even though they are not "wedding planners" per se, they definitely act as unofficial ones and are quick to help in any way whether its setting up or simply keeping people on task and on time. They worked closely with our actual day-of coordinators (Legacy Events) and everything went off perfectly. **AS FOR THE FOOD AND DRINKS.... Like many other reviewers, we received numerous comments from our guests that it was the best meal they had on the island. I hate to say that they said it was the "best wedding food" they ever had (since I think that has a negative connotation) but those words were also definitely uttered. During our cocktail hour we opted for several tray passed pupus including potstickers, kalua pork sliders, crab rangoons, lobster spring rolls, coconut prawns, and ahi tacos. We ordered several plates of these items and I almost wish we didn't just because our guests stuffed themselves on all the yummy apps that most of them barely put a dent in their dinners later on. We chose the Kamuela tomato salad and the Crab & Avocado salad as our two first course options... both were delicious. If I had to choose one over the other I'd pick the tomato salad first. For our three dinner options we chose the Grilled Ribeye with Lobstertail, Seafood Curry, and the local fish with lobster salsa. All three were insane! We had asked Mona for her recommendations and the Seafood Curry was one of her top picks... it wasn't even on our radar at first but I'm soooo glad we opted for it at the last minute because I think that was the top favorite for all our guests. My husband and I went back a few nights later for dinner again (courtesy of PG as our wedding gift... so thoughtful!!) and I chose that dish for myself! Another dish that Mona recommended that we got another night was the Pot Roast. My husband absolutely LOVED that dish and wished we would have chose that for our wedding too. Since wedding cake was included in our deal, we opted for the Kona Mocha and Hawaiian Carrot Cake. We LOVE carrot cake and I really wish we would have done the whole thing in that flavor. It was moist and slightly spicy... so delicious! For drinks we chose the top package mainly because we are obsessed with PG's cucumber mojito. I told Mona beforehand to make sure her bartenders are prepared to make hundreds of those because it could single-handedly be one of the top reasons we chose that restaurant. I think she thought I was joking, we weren't, I'm pretty sure their bartenders hated us by the end of the night (joking). Every mojito I saw looked just as good as the last one that had come out... so consistency and presentation never suffered in my opinion. Service was spot on and the food and drinks surpassed our expectations. Overall, I would highly recommend PG for dinner but even more so for weddings! I know how challenging it can be to plan a destination wedding, I really wish I would have "let go" and trusted my coordinators and PG a little more because there literally was NO reason to stress as much as I did. Everything ran smoothly (and if it didn't I never knew about it). We never even had a pre-wedding tasting of our dinner options or cake since we live in CA, and I still can't believe how perfect everything was. I really cannot say enough about our experience at Plantation Gardens. There were no hidden costs or last minute surprises and a great time was had by all. Destination brides: quit wasting your time and just choose PG and enjoy your engagement... no reason to stress once you choose them. Side note: I'd like to also recommend some vendors who don't have Yelp accounts but did an amazing job... Paul Togioka (slack key guitar), Kauilani Kahalekai (officiant), Jack Murray ("plein air" artist). Wallis Punua (hula show/entertainers). All A+.
(5)
A T.

This place is just great. After not having many enjoyable , successful meals this trip The Plantation was a real treat. The staff was so friendly and full of aloha not just to us but to each other. Very impressed. Tonight we decided to sit in the bar and have heavy ( a lot ) pupus and drinks. So Ono to the last bite of lillikoi cheese cake. Thanks guys. A hui ho.
(5)
Nadine F.

We came here for drinks and pupus, and I really liked it. The bartender was nice, service was fast-ish, and they had a really interesting and original drink menu. I wish we'd had time to come back for a full dinner. The ambiance was interesting, kind of dark and classy, which is nice and has an intimate feeling. The location is kind of sketchy and poorly marked, inside a large condo complex. We walked there, and when we couldn't find the restaurant, we asked one of the residents in the parking lot, and she claimed it didn't exist, which either indicates how poor their signage is or that the condo owners don't like outsiders at their restaurant.
(4)
Ajay N.

The coconut stew was outstanding but the drinks were meh. Ambiance was nice but the sautÃ©ed quinoa crusted fish lacked some flavor.
(4)
Anja P.

The ambience is captivating old world charm at this former planation estate and our server was very attentive. The wine selection was very good and we enjoyed that night's appetizer special of fresh ahi poke. For an entry we chose the coconut curry stew with calamari, lobster, shrimp, scallops, roasted potatoes, grilled crostini in coconut curry broth. It was absolutely divine - the complex flavor, textures - and each piece of seafood was cooked to perfection! This was our very best meal during our entire stay on Kaua'i! It simply doesn't get any better than this!
(5)
Wayne K.

I hate to give PGR&B a two but it was disappointing. The seafood laulau and the lemon caper monchon were not very good. Both lacked flavor. The seafood laulau was terribly bland and even with additional salt and soy sauce, it was still boring. The monchon was dry and bland as well. Laulau should have taro leaves and some porkbelly as two of the essential ingredients; adding some butter fish kicks it up a notch. I like steamed fish but it has to have a lot of seasoning, some soy sauce, oyster sauce, green onions, cilantro, grated ginger, and hot sizzling oil. Otherwise, even quality fresh seafood is pretty bland when steamed. The best part of the meal was the chicken wing appetizer. Service was excellent and the setting beautiful. Maybe I just should of ordered something else.
(2)
Thomas A.

Lavender PiÃ±a Coladas. Enough Said.
(5)
Laura G.

My husband and I enjoyed our wedding dinner (just the two of us) here after getting married on the North Shore. The location is gorgeous, the service is friendly, and the food and cocktails are amazing. It's extremely affordable in comparison to other restaurants on island and we couldn't have been happier with our choice. We ended up going again during our 9-day stay on island. Their poke appetizer is delicious and you can't go wrong with their fish specials. I really love their curry sauce. They don't offer a happy hour but their drinks are well made and super fresh---worth the non-discounted price. My only complaint is the weird manager.... He gave us such a hard time about using a pre-paid OpenTable gift certificate because I had it on my phone and not printed out. All they need is the code, but he insisted they needed a piece of paper. He eventually led me into the back office to use their computer and printer (thank you!), but he made such a scene about it. So awkward. It was our wedding night. Give the newlyweds a break?!
(5)
Donna A.

Booked a party for our Condo Association--over 50 people. Everyone of those 50 people commented on how good the food was at our passed pupu party. We were well taken care of, no one was left wanting for drink or food. Highlight for me were the lilikoi cheesecake bites. My husband and I went back two nights later for a bigger piece. Only thing we could have wished for was warmer weather and a few more seats. We will be back next year! Thanks Plantation Gardens for a successful party. D. Alongi President, Poipu Kapili AOAO
(5)
Elizabeth S.

A beautiful oasis, with Asian & Hawaiian inspired dishes. Stroll through the garden while there's still sunlight, if you can - it's lovely. Drinks: -handcrafted -Included a lychee option (always a plus) -the lavender piÃ±a colada was subtle and delicious Cuisine: -mongchong was quite tasty -ribs were a little sweet for my taste -the sampler was worth it - 4 tastes of things I might'n't have tried, like the corn fritters, which rocked Decor: -waving Japanese fans -elephant heads on the bar on the bar (double bar? Handrail for when you're too sloshed to sit up?) One of the best restaurants at this price point on the south shore, I think.
(5)
Michael H.

Great food. Great service. Golden was our server. The food and setting was great. This was actually our third choice for dining. The first two were sold out so we came here. Parking is weird but the did and service worth the short walk from the upper lot to the restaurant. The Maui onion soup was the best onion soup I have ever had! Try it during your stay in Kauai. You will be glad you did.
(5)
Lenny G.

I was very disappointed with food. I felt like the food went down a lot. the food was really blan the meat was very tough. I came here 3 years ago for a wedding and food was amazing. Desert was on point. The flowers were beautiful. I wanted to take my wife here for our honeymoon and told here that we had to go here. When we got there the plants were not as I expected it look like the plants were dying. They did not look the same the flowers changes a lot not mention the food. Felt really sad that i couldn't really enjoy this special moment with my wife:( I hope the next time i come back. If there is a next time the food will taste better.
(2)
Jasmine G.

Love Love Love this place! I had my wedding here exactly a month ago and I can NOT say anything negative about the venue, staff, location, and food. Everything was absolutely perfect and to top it all, the food was delicious! FOOD: Our guests loved the food and we were so happy because we didn't get a chance to taste any of the food before our wedding. The fish was to die for and the steak was melt in your mouth tender and juicy. As a gift they gave us a free dinner to have after the wedding. When we tried the food then, we were very impressed as well. VENUE: For our wedding we had the lawn and the south lanai for about 40 guests. The beautiful gardens and koi pond was the perfect backdrop for our wedding pictures. It was nice that we were outdoors but still in a covered lanai which had a formal dinner setting. STAFF: Mona the events coordinator is simply the best. She is the sweetest and most sincere person. She knows how to direct you and help you with all the information you need. She is very easy to get a hold of and has great communication. I now miss our daily emails to each other. The waiters and waitresses were great during the wedding. They made sure appetizers were always out and that everyone was not without a drink. LOCATION: The location is very convenient if you are staying in Poipu. We stayed at the Plantation but my entourage got ready at the Marriott next door (because they have air conditiong). But it was very easy to find and there is plenty of parking. The next time we go to Kauai we definitely will be visiting Plantation Gardens again. Not only because of our wonderful memories but for the food and ambiance as well :)
(5)
Charlotte O.

So glad we came. We have been staying on the Plantation for several days now and came for the first time tonight. Wish they would serve breakfast! The grounds are incredibly well maintained. Such beautiful gardens and water features as you walk up...very romantic at night. The service is wonderful, friendly and helpful. We ordered the Plantation Sampler Platter. Considering what it included, there wasn't an drop of grease to the whole plate. So good..... It came with their chicken wings, Fresh Crab Rangoon, coconut carrot soup and pork pot stickers, all with it's own sauce and plating design.....very well made. Definitely coming back for the soup! (so creamy...mmmm) My partner ordered the Seafood Coconut Curry Stew (was to DIE for!) It had about 5 different types of fresh fish and the portion size was substantial for the amount of fish it contained. I ordered the Pot Roast. It came with purple potato mash, green beans that tasted like they were picked that day, and the meat...my goodness the meat melted in your mouth. So delicious! We are coming back again before we leave for sure.
(5)
Dziabek A.

Nice restaurant , good food , service a little slow , but it's Hawaii , overall great atmosphere
(4)
Raina S.

This is my favorite restaurant on Kauai, and that's saying a lot, since there are so many great ones. Don't miss Plantation Gardens if you're looking for a special place for dinner. Try to arrive early so you'll have time to look around the gardens. There are winding pathways, beautiful plants and pretty spots to sit and contemplate life. The restaurant itself is inviting indoors and out, but try to get a table on the veranda if you can. Plantation Gardens has creative cocktail and food menu. I started with a li hing mui margarita, which was delicious. If you're not familiar with li hing mui, it's made from salted, dried plums. The powder from this concoction was used to salt the margarita glass, and it adds a sweet/salty/sour flavor that complements a margarita perfectly. We had a party of eight, so we ordered a couple of appetizer sampler platters. These came with pot stickers, corn fritters, ahi poke, and crab rangoon. We loved all of these, but I could have eaten an entire order of the fritters on my own. We also tried the kalua pork sliders. There were 3 or 4 to an order. The asian-inspired slaw that topped the sliders went nicely with the salty pork. For dinner, I had some sort of fish fillet over potatoes and other veggies. I can't recall what kind of fish it was, but I polished off every last bit of it. Others at our table tried ribs, pork, seafood curry, and lau lau. I didn't try all the dishes, but everyone seemed happy with their choices. Service was friendly and at just the right pace. We were all too full for dessert, but maybe we can save room for some next time.
(5)
Lisa G.

This was our last dinner on the island and it was a perfect one to end on. I had the special of the day. The texture of the seasoning of the fish was spot on! The grounds of the restaurant was beautiful. Excellent and fast service. We brought a 6 month old baby. They were accommodating with a high chair. We saw a wedding that was ending on the lawn. It seemed like a great place for a wedding and reception.
(5)
Chris P.

The Ono was amazing and so was the Rib eye! Bountiful portions of love on a plate! Definitely come here for an amazing meal if you are close! Well worth the price!!
(5)
Jana B.

Favorite restaurant on the island. We've been 5 times now and they never disappoint. Super unique cocktails that aren't overpriced, and the food is always superb. The prices are equal to the quality.
(5)
Dana B.

We made reservations for New Years Eve, which was a good thing because they did not appear to be taking walkups for dinner. We had a nice, leisurely dinner and the restaurant never felt crowded. The food (mahi and pork chops) was fantastic...great taste and beautiful presentation. The lavendar pina colada was also good. The Baked Hawaiian dessert was huge, but very tasty. We never felt rushed and the manager walked around to each table making sure diners were having a good time. Definitely recommend and make sure to take time to enjoy the wonderful gardens.
(4)
G L.

This is a semi-hard review to write. My wife and I went here for a special occasion, and looked forward to a special meal. The restaurant was fairly empty on a Saturday night at 6pm, which should be indicative that something is wrong. 1) Food - I ordered a fish dish (that the waiter suggested). The fish was actually quite tasty, I'd rate it 4/5. Probably one of the better fish dishes I ate in Hawaii. So what's wrong then? 2) Bread - My wife wanted some bread and "ordered it" for $5,95 (I think it was). We were served the equivalent of 6-8 small pieces of French Bread that didn't even taste fresh. I mean a restaurant that charges $32 for dishes, charging $6 for bread? It wasn't even focaccia, or a mixture of breads or even fresh. I went to only one restaurant before that charged for bread (that was a full loaf of bread), and that was only if you didn't order a full entree. I told the hostess about this, it's very gouging and shows no class. 3) The hostess greeted us (and noted our special occasion) and mentioned she told the waiter. He never acknowledged it, nor offered us anything for dessert. Not that this is a requirement, or expectation, it would have been a nice thing. 4) We never were asked if we wanted anything to drink, and had to ask the waiter if we could order a drink. On the above, despite the food being good, I'd give it 3 stars. However, even at 3 stars, I wouldn't return. I think #2 is absolutely unacceptable, and cheapens a restaurant. Gave me very bad vibes, and when return to Hawaii, won't go back. I had been there before, and had a positive experience, but won't be heading back.
(3)
Emilio M.

Great dinner experience, all of the food was superb, the atmosphere was so nice and calming. The plantation house was a really neat place to be in, the whole grounds was beautiful and interesting. Overall phenomenal dinner, would love to return.
(5)
Marian M.

Five of us had a lovely dinner here last night. Service was excellent and we got a beautiful sunset view from our lanai table, even tnoug staff and warned us we might have to sit inside when we made the reservation. My pork tenderloin with black rice and edamame was to die for; the other mains were good but not fantastic (ribs, quinoa, curry fish stew.). The pupu sampler was good but a bit overpriced considering quantity and quality (corn fritters were the surprise standout). All in all, a very enjoyable evening.
(4)
Jennifer G.

We loved the Plantation Restaurant, it was surrounded by a gorgeous Hawaiian garden with open air outdoor seating wrap around. Pure Hawaiian surroundings, yet homey, and upscale. There is even a large grassy area where the little ones can play. Our waiter was so wonderful and attentive, made the whole dinner so relaxing. The food was wonderful, so delicious. They even had a kids menu for the little ones which was great. It was also a romantic spot if you would like it to be, just so serene.
(5)
Brandy V.

Love this hidden gem! We lived here for almost a year before discovering this place. Always quality food & drinks. It's tucked away beneath large trees, lots of plumeria, and an orchid garden. We always sit at the bar with great service. Love the old plantation home feel. If you'd like a table on the south lanai (best location), call ahead & make a reservation. Even when it's empty, we never get to sit out there...not sure why, but they'll seat you on the east lanai. Best cucumber mojito ever! Crab rangoons are amazing. Mashed molokai sweet potatoes are as well. Fish special is always awesome...especially if they have monchong.
(5)
Sarah T.

Are we missing something here? We decided to come here on a "nice restaurant evening out" on our vacation to Kauai and were highly disappointed. When we arrived, we were impressed by how beautiful the restaurant was with the tiki torches and garden surrounding this restaurant. We (the girls) were also presented with flowers upon arrival. This is where the nice stops. The four of us ordered the Plantation Style Sampler, which for $22 was totally not worth it. Each of the four appetizers were almost bite-sized and frankly, not that tasty. Nothing stood out more than something you could get off the side of the road. Two of us ordered the Seafood Lau Lau. It was presented beautifully, but I was told they were both just "ok." I ordered something like a stir-fry with noodles and fish. And it was pretty taste-less. I had to force myself to finish the dish. Overall, we were pretty disappointed in the food here since we expected with the prices we were paying, we could get something better.
(2)
Joe B.

Stopped by at 11:15 AM on February 19th 2015 to look at the menu as we were scouting out a spot for our family reunion dinner for 8. As we strolled into the restaurant we were rudely informed that the restaurant was closed. I asked if we could take a look around. No, was the answer. That made our decision a little easier.
(1)
Sarah C.

Our first dinner on the island. We were staying at the Castle Plantation resort so it wasn't much of a walk. The garden outside is quite interesting. A hodgepodge of plants. Check it out! We came here for an earlier dinner fearing that it'll get crowded. It wasn't though but it was a Wednesday evening during off season. We were given a seat in the far back overlooking a garden where a wedding was taking place. Those Hawaiian weddings sure are quiet! SAUTEED FRESH FISH Kabayaki Glazed Fish, Root Vegetables and Miso Broth 24.95 - It was delicious and presented very beautifully. The broth was very flavorful that I dipped the complementary bread in to enjoy. The fish was light and yummy. The roots were good but some were too crunchy that they were inedible. =/ I thought the quantity was perfect. Not much greens though. It was really good and the atmosphere was really peaceful. It never got loud. I definitely wouldn't mind coming back!
(5)
Justine K.

My wife and I could not have had a better experience! The atmosphere on the patio is romantic, our server was very patient, attentive and provided good recommendations, the food was local, fresh, and delicious, and the dishes were beautifully prepared. Prices are reasonable if you look at the menus of other similar restaurants. $99 bill including two cocktails, two main courses, one desert, and one digestive. Would definitely return!
(5)
Liane C.

I am not coming back to this place again. It wasn't close to any of the reviews posted here on yelp. Very very disappointed, should have cooked at home for what I paid for. I should have known when we walked in, there wasn't one single local in the restaurant excepted for us, the servers, and host. Who knew. For one thing, there is no AC. The name kind of states it all. Decided to start off with an appetizer, I had the burger slider and that was the best thing out of all the other selection. My friend decided to get the corn fritter and that was crap. Also tried the Rangoon from another friend and it was too rich. As for my dinner I couldn't decided since I read the reviews on yelp, don't trust everything you read. Read carefully before deciding. So, I ended up getting the sampler, which had fish, the seafood Lau Lau, and pot roast. On yelp, Lau Lau was recommended. And you know what, it was not good at all. It had lots of vegetables which was very overwhelming and I could not get over the flavor. Something about it was not right. My fish was dry but surprisingly the pot roast was good. However, they weren't consistent because my other three friends got the same thing as me and well, everyone had something dry. Our server was not always there, we did see him talking to the table next to us a lot. Overall, I am not going back and don't recommend anyone to go.
(1)
Lona B.

Waiter's shirt was badly torn. Both the fish & the scallop in my lau lau were partly raw. On the other hand, the carrot soup was delicious.
(2)
Nicola B.

Came here for dinner on Christmas day and had a wonderful experience. (Note: the menu was the same, with additions.) The food, drinks and service were all outstanding. This was definitely one of our best meals out of multiple trips to the Hawaiian islands. Plantation Gardens has a distinct charm and atmosphere that makes you feel like you've stepped into a bit of Kauai history (not in a cheesy way). The food was amazing and had a unique twist, one that I can't quite put my finger on. The staff was very friendly and the service is pretty quick. Highly recommend getting a table outside on the veranda. Definitely a way to escape the resort frenzy just down the road!
(5)
Samantha L.

We went to plantation gardens to celebrate my 30th birthday and it was a GREAT meal! I don't think there was anything that we ordered that missed the mark! The standout from the appetizers were the sliders. They were probably the best I've ever had! For my entree I had the Monchong fish that came with crab meat on top. It was great. Almost like ordering fish and a crab cake for dinner. My mom got the trio sampler which was also great. The standout on that dish was the entree that comes wrapped in a Tee Leaf. If i went back, I'd order the full-size version for my entree... It was spectacular! They also gave us a free dessert with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate in honor of the occasion. Staff was very helpful, friendly, and service was great!
(4)
Nicole F.

Spotty service....but decent food. The mango salad was delicious. The seafood laulau wasn't completely to my taste as it was a bit on the bland side. The real disappointment was our waiter was hardly to be seen. Thank goodness for the bussers who were outstanding. While the prices are less than other upscale restaurants the ambience was sorely lacking. Would not return based on that and service.
(3)
betty l.

We recently got married in Kauai and held our reception at the restaurant!! It was such a beautiful and gorgeous place!!!We WERE SOOO HAPPY with the service and food!!! Especially Mona, Event Coordinator. She made it so easy from afar!! We give a thumbs up to the chef for the most amazing food they cooked at our wedding !! Sandi your wedding cake lilikoi with vanilla buttercream icing was the BOMB!!! EVERYONE is still talking about it!!! Thank u for making our wedding the most memorable moments !!!! Mahalo!!! Betty &Russell NYC 2014
(3)
E L.

My husband and I ate dinner here on Sunday night because of all the great reviews.. Well, let me tell you my experience here. The waiter came and took our orders. Another waitress delivered our Crab Rangoon without the drinks. 15 min later, then our 2 glasses of wine were delivered by another waiter. The dinner menu was limited. Only 6-8 entree. So I ordered the Seafood Lau Lau. If you want bland stir fry in a ti leaves, order it. What's inside my Lau Lau ? stir fry w/ a piece of fish, 2 reg shrimps & scallops tied in ti leaves. Serve with a dash of furikaki on a scoop of brown rice and a bottle of soy sauce. It's a joke! Worst than my cooking! Lol. My husband ordered the baby back ribs, it was tender and tasty! After 2 hrs later, our dinner was done! Of course, the bill was $150.00 for two .. Not worth it!! Go to Merriman or Dondero's!!
(2)
C N.

My review might be skewed because I come from San Francisco, and I used to work in fine dining, including a serious seafood restaurant. With that said, I'm used to paying through the nose for good food, but I expect the quality to match the price. My husband and I went here for dinner during our honeymoon. Service was definitely on the slow side, but our server was very personable. We went right to entrees. My husband had the ribs, and I had the seafood curry. The barbecue ribs needed more "barbecue-ness" to them. Additionally, we both suspected these were cooked in a "cheater"/quick method: boiled/steamed first, and then grilled or broiled with the glaze after. Why do I say this? There was no pink "smoke ring" on the meat, which is a telltale sign of slow smoked meats, and it lacked the inherent internal smokey quality. The tangy coleslaw that came with it was also *just* OK. It was rather one-dimensional: it lacked something besides the tang/sour quality. Sweet? Spicy? Salty? None of the above. It also just went overboard on the tangy dressing. I had the seafood curry. The flavor was quite tasty! This was very decent in my opinion, although a bit lacking in salt and spiciness: if I see "Thai yellow curry" on a menu, I sort of expect a bit more kick. The fish was cooked nicely (i.e. not overdone). It was a little skimpy on shrimp (I received exactly two). Same for the mussels (again, just two). I actually take significant issue with the mussels: I didn't eat them. Why, you may ask? Because one was not open, and the other one's shell was cracked in half and was badly mangled. These can be signs of poor handling in the kitchen, and the fact that the cook didn't eliminate these either before putting them in the pan OR before sending that out to the customer really was shocking to me in an upscale place like this. Unopened mussels and those with damaged shells can indicate death of the mollusk; dead mollusks can actually cause severe food poisoning. This is super basic cooking knowledge. I left feeling rather disappointed in the experience, especially such an expensive experience. While we still have another week here, and this is the closest restaurant to where we are staying, we will not return. I can't say I'd recommend this place, unless I knew the chef was aware of the issues with the seafood handling.
(2)
Mary P.

The food here is ammmmmazing! Hands down best on island. The Lau Lau and the Chef's Trio are beyond!!!!!!!' Priced super reasonably, tons of seafood, great value. Skip the soba noodle salad its pretty blah. Tartare is ok, but Lau lau lau lau lau is to die for!
(5)
Elizabeth M.

The cucumber mint mojito was DELICIOUS! My husband and I came here on our honeymoon to celebrate our marriage. The ambiance was romantic and very calming. We sat outside and enjoyed dinner by the garden with some lit tiki lights. I had the seafood curry, which was absolutely delicious and my husband couldn't get enough of the seafood lau lay! A little rough on the wallet but completely worth it.
(5)
j w.

I recently had my small (22 guest) destination wedding at Plantation Gardens and am so happy we chose to have our special day here. Food and Drinks-Wonderful! My friends all flew in from NYC and LA and are a tough crowd to please. Everyone raved about the specialty cocktails and food. Everything I tried was delicious. I had read some ho-hum reviews and am not sure why, we loved it! Grounds- Our wedding looked like a tropical fairy tale wedding. The ceremony site was lush and gorgeous. We had beautiful soft light floating through the tress and the garden was gorgeous. The children were able to look at plants and fish and were thoroughly entertained. Service- Great and prompt with everything. Very nice bartenders and wait staff. Wedding Coordinator- MONA!!!! Absolutely the best. Prompt replies to all my emails (not typical for Kauai). Took all the stress out of planning a destination wedding. Day of I didn't have a care in the world. I was able to show up and celebrate with my friends and family. If you are considering a destination wedding in Kauai on any budget, I highly recommend PG
(5)
Kathleen D.

The food was great and the service was even better. This was my second time visiting the island and my second time at the restaurant and I would return again.
(5)
Ashley R.

Went here with a big group for dinner. The service was mediocre but the food was delicious. High prices items but very flavorful and big portions. If I were to go back to Kauai this would not be on my list of places to go back and eat again.
(3)
Cindy N.

I expected better quality food from a place that looks as nice as this one. We've been having poke all over Kauai and Oahu and Plantation's poke was the least impressive. It lacked seasoning that poke normally has. It was good quality fish, just not much flavor. We has the corn fritters, crab Rangoon, and pot stickers also, which were unremarkable. The seafood curry stew was the one bright spot, however. Service was unremarkable also.
(3)
Juan D.

High price for not so fantastic food. Nice setting, beautiful orchid garden, but food is a let down. Save your money and vacation time for a different restaurant.
(2)
Tom M.

The food and atmosphere was great! We should have gone here for our anniversary and not Roy's that is across the street.
(4)
Kraig S.

Excellent food and service but the best was the beautiful gardens and the serenading by the frogs during dinner. Created a quite lovely atmosphere. We had potstickers, Seafood Lau Lau and curry seafood which were all very good.
(5)
Jason A.

Great romantic setting. Ambience is unlike other places on the island but gives you that true plantation feel. We tried a few dishes and all of the fish was great, and crab Rangoons were great. Other appetizers weren't on the same level. Drinks are creative and very good as well.
(5)
Vy D.

Sunday night 8:30, this place was a short walk from the Sheraton. Restaurant looked lovely by the light of the tiki torches. W and I sat outside and could hear the frogs croaking periodically. We had a cucumber mojito and plantation breeze to start, tasty with a strong kick of alcohol. The crab Rangoon is a deep fried wonton filled with snow crab and cream cheese--wasn't expecting a deep fried app to start but we ate it up. Nice tangy chillie sauce to accompany. For the main course, we split the trio: included the sea food lau (shrimps and scallops were cooked right and veggies savory), the curried fish (our favorite of the three) and the pork with sweet potatoes. Jake the server was friendly and upbeat. A nice way to end a day spent mostly in the beach.
(4)
Alex O.

This place is great. Small menu, but really wonderfully crafted food in a beautiful location. We both had the "chef's trio". Also the cucumber mojitos are really a hit. Skip the resort restaurants and get out to some real food.
(4)
Layla J.

This place is really beautiful but the service was lacking. We waited 20-30 min for our waiter to show up and take our orders. Neither of our dishes were anything to write home about and our server failed to come back and check on us. We were both really disappointed as this restaurant was suggested by a local. If you do decide to go the lavender pina colada is pretty tasty and they have other interesting cocktails.
(2)
Kathy I.

This place absolutely exceeded our expectations. Excellent food and fun, timely service. Make sure to request open air seating as the gardens are beautiful. We will return here again later in the week. And don't forget to order a mojito as they are amazing.
(5)
M H.

We recently had our wedding and reception at Plantation Gardens. Mona made planning this event completely stress-free, and the entire PG staff was professional, friendly, and surpassed all expectations. The drinks, food, and wedding cake were all beautifully made and absolutely delicious - and as a former pastry chef, I am kind of picky about such things. My husband and I recommend Plantation Gardens without hesitation. Thank you, Mona & staff, for a perfect evening!
(5)
Karla B.

We came here for our first dinner on the island. Surprisingly, we had several vegan options! We ordered the tofu inari app, Yamaimo noodle salad and the veggie quinoa bowl (sans Parmesan cheese), and mango sorbet. Everything was outstanding! Oh, and we even were entertained by the bull frog in the pond!
(4)
Anna G.

After spending some time exploring the amazing grounds surrounding the restaurant, we were seated outside overlooking the gorgeous garden. We enjoyed very tasty and creative cocktails. Our Plantation Style Sampler appetizer was really good (crab rangoon!), and our Local Lilikoi Cheesecake was simply delicious. However, my husband's seafood lau lau was pretty mushy and tasteless, and my skewered pork tenderloin was just pork on a stick slathered in heavy sauce. So, in summary: go for the beautiful garden setting, the cocktails, the appetizers, and the desserts. Skip the entrees.
(3)
Erin C.

Our best meal on the island this trip (went to Merrimans, Brennekes, Hanalei Dolphin, Beach House). Casual, non-pretentious, lovely atmosphere. No hassle getting reservations same day and getting seated right away. Service was fabulous, food was excellent. Beautiful grounds. A wonderful romantic dinner and would definitely go back.
(5)
Gigi S.

Outstanding! We tried Tidepools and were so disappointed. Everything except the soba salad was stellar and I mean stand out! We had the tomato/goat cheese salad, pot roast and grilled fish (mongchong). Drinks were all abover par too. So far, best restaurant experience we've had on Kauai.
(5)
Pam W.

Four of us for dinner---2 had seafood stew (in yellow curry sauce), 1 lua lua, and 1 grilled fish (monchong). All were delicious and excellent. It was early, so it was quiet--we were on deck outside--and the wait staff were very friendly and efficient. Definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Sandra H.

The menu looked interesting but portions were small and not tasty. The kids' meals were ridiculously small - even for kids! I would recommend coming here for the beautiful setting - truly Hawaiiana! - and enjoying drinks and tapas. Skip the dinner. Desserts were a bit better. The service was friendly - but very, very slow. Faster service, better food, bigger portions would help improve this restaurant.
(2)
Amanda C.

The grounds make the meal worth the price. You'll find in the resort restaurants and in any of the upscale places that aren't local stands/store-fronts that meals will range in the $28-40+ range. Here the average was $30 pp. I got the Chef's Trio and it was the best value. You get to sample the Lau Lau (my favorite) and the pot roast and the fresh fish. Everything was hot and cooked perfectly. The flavor on the Lau Lau was wonderful and that leaf was packed full of crisp vegetables scallops, shrimp and fish. MMMMMMMM! The grounds are gorgeous - weaving winding paths filled with orchids and flora and lit with delicate lights along the way. It's charming and delicious.
(4)
Meli N.

I had the grilled opah which was just ok, tad over cooked. LOVED the chicken wings with the lilikoi aioli. My friends had the shrimp rolls, Caesar salad, & quinoa and liked it. Drinks were good as well but our mojito seemed to be missing simple syrup. Once we had some to add to it, it was better although they should mash the mint to get the flavors out.
(3)
Ty M.

Lovely spot. ''Twas dark when we arrived so we didn't get a good look at the gardens but they seem very nice. Good food, terrace dining, good service, very elegant. We would do it again.
(4)
Jeff C.

On our trip to Kauai, we chose to eat here for one of our "nice" dinners on the recommendation of friends who have eaten here before. We were seated immediately on a Tuesday night around 7:30, which was a pleasant surprise. We started off with the Kailani Farms Arugula Salad, which was a definite hit. The sweetness of the onion and mango and the crunch of the almonds complimented the taste of the arugula and the slight sourness of the orange sesame vinaigrette perfectly. A wonderful salad! For the main dish, I had the seafood lau lau and my wife had the braised baby back ribs. The lau lau was very tasty with the sauce inside even penetrating the veggies well. However, the fish was a little overcooked inside but the shrimp and scallops were just right. The baby back ribs were awesome, the meat was literally fall off the bone tender. We weren't so crazy for the Hawaiian cole slaw, but overall, our main dishes were great. We also ordered a guava smoothie with our dinner that was absolutely fantastic. Such great fruit flavor and so creamy as well. Mmm. For dessert we had the Lilikoi cheesecake. I have to say we were a little disappointed as we thought the lilikoi flavor was a bit too subtle and the "sun baked creme fraiche" was a little too burnt on the top- so much so that we scraped it off to just enjoy the cheesecake. I've heard good things about the baked Hawaiian, maybe you'd want to go with that instead. Overall, a solid dinner.
(4)
Peiran S.

The food we had worth a 4 minor star review. I had sea food Lau Lau. Would say its not as good as a street vendors pork Lau Lau. But it satisfied me by the amount of vege in it. Baked Hawaiian cake was good but not impressive. What makes it a 3 star review is the service being slow. We were tired after a good day of hiking and would like to head home ASAP. When our waitress came to ask if we were interested in desert menu without bringing one meanwhile, I was annoyed a bit. Overall, there are better places than this one in walk distance. For a serious dinner, go Merrimen, Jossilins or even Roy's on the other side of the road.
(3)
Sherrie L.

We got married here in May of 2013 and had an absolutely magical day. Everything was fantastic. Venue We had our dinner reception on the West Lani and it comfortably seated 36 guests. It was a perfect size for our reception and I liked how we had more privacy since that lani is tucked out of the way from the main dinning areas. PG is very beautiful and inviting inside. We lucked out on the our wedding night because the restaurant was unusually slow, so we felt like we had our own private plantation home to ourselves. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the sweet, pleasant sounds of birds chirping during the afternoon and the comforting bellow of the bullfrogs at night were a lovely accompaniment to our Hawaiian outdoor garden wedding. Food & Drinks We offered a fish, pork, and chicken dish. By far, more guests ordered the fish entree. I guess when in Hawaii, do what the Hawaiians do and eat fresh local fish. All the food was amazing as well as the presentation. I also have to give them a thumbs up for the lavender pina colada~not too sweet, not too tart, not too much pineapple, and not too much lavender~just oh so right. Cake The cake was absolutely delicious. My only regret from the evening is that I didn't finish the whole slice of my wedding cake because I was very full from dinner. (Oh, what I wouldn't do to get another slice of the coconut, vanilla bean, and macadamia nut cake right now!) The cake was not really decorated to what I had envisioned, but I can't fault the cake designer~I think I was just too picky and did not communicate my vision to her well enough. I had asked for lavender with lambs ear and white or cream colored flowers. All I got was lambs ear, so the cake looked a little strangely fuzzy and plain looking, but where it lacked in design, it made up for in flavor. Staff & Service All the staff at PG were professional, thoughtful, and spot-on. For example, as bride and groom, of course we had no time to actually enjoy the pupus (appetizers) that we ordered for the cocktail hour since we were busy socializing. But when we got back to our tables for dinner, the staff had set up two of each pupus for us to snack on before dinner. How thoughtful! They were also very professional and helped us to keep on track with our schedule. I never once felt rushed throughout the night...even when some guests were still lingering after closing to sign the guestbook. They were very friendly and patient. Mona She gets her own heading here because without Mona we would not have had such an amazing wedding. She IS what has put PG on the wedding grid. Given that we had a destination wedding AND that I am extremely detailed-oriented, I asked a lot of questions. I mean, A LOT of questions. She was prompt with emails and phone calls, always helpful, kind, and she sent me almost as many photos as I had questions to help me get a better feel for the venue. If you are thinking about hosting your wedding here, I highly recommend PG. After our wedding, we had dinner just the two of us and enjoyed it as much as the first time. PG really embodies the aloha Hawaiian spirit and our guests, as well as ourselves, left with warm hearts, full bellies, big smiles, and cherished memories. We shall be back for our anniversaries.
(5)
Oliver M.

First of all, I have to mention that I don't like fish, so this review won't be relevant for the seafood. Our waitress set us at a nice table outside with a nice view over the garden, which we couldn't see, couse the sun had already set. But still the ambiance was very nice and relaxing. As a starter we had two different salads from the menu. Both very good and made of fresh ingredients from the island, which is the motto of this place (like many others have...) For main course we tried the tenderloin pork, very tasty and tender and the right portion for an average hungry person. The other entree was the vegetable-bowl, which was very well cooked and prepared. Resumee: a highly recommended place for guest who doesn't look for the ultimate in-spot of the island.
(4)
S S.

A hidden little restaurant tucked away in paradise! The bar serves specialty drinks with house infused liquors. The food is nothing short of amazing. When ever I stay at Kiahuna I tend to forget I'm at a resort until I step into Kiahuna Plantation bar and grill! They service is impeccable, the food is fresh and elegant and the drinks are carefully crafted. I was debating to post a review since I love this place so much and want it to always stay my secret hideaway.... Not sure I would recommend this place for families with young uncontrollable children. The atmosphere is quiet, unique and garden like. It's a great place to take your wife, husband, lover, mother, grandmom or special someone
(5)
Andrea R.

A lot of mixed reviews, but our experience was great. After a long and lazy day during our honeymoon, we were looking for a restaurant near our hotel for a late dinner, so we showed up at Plantation Gardens pretty late at night. There was hardly anyone left at the restaurant! The building was lovely - the garden outside, the lights, etc. We sat on the outside patio, with a view of the gazebo area. Their specialty drinks were very tasty - I'm not a big drinker, but I ordered two drinks just because of the more exotic flavor pairings. Both my and my husband's drinks were great. We shared the Plantation Style Sampler - everything was good, though my favorite was the Corn Fritter. We also shared the Chef's Trio; I wasn't a big fan of the seafood lau lau, but I loved the pot roast (I'm a sucker for the Molokai sweet potato mash). Our seafood was cooked perfectly. The menu is heavily influenced by Asian flavors, so if that's not your thing, be warned. For dessert, we had two scoops of Lappert's ice cream (oh mocha lava java, how I love you). The portions aren't huge here, but we left pretty stuffed. Our waiter mostly left us alone to enjoy the meal, which allowed us to have a more intimate, romantic dinner in the gorgeous setting. No complaints from us! We were pleasantly surprised and glad we gave it a shot despite the multiple bad reviews here. The only off thing I noticed was the HUGE silverware. I don't know if my husband and I have been eating with miniature utensils all these years, but I've never eaten with such big utensils...
(4)
Sly C.

We ate here as a large, disorganized group (about 9 people) for a pseudo-rehearsal dinner. Service was excellent and really gracious and patient with the various diners' different expectations. Despite our haphazard ordering, everybody got their food as ordered and in a timely manner. Drinks are the highlight here. When we arrived, we had to wait a while for the rest of our party, so we hung out in the bar. The bartender was very friendly and eager to talk about crafting cocktails, and even gave us some samples to try. We ordered a few different drinks and they were creative and delicious. Of course, the setting is very nice. The decor is gorgeous and the garden is beautiful. The only weak spot is the food itself. It was fine -- not bad or anything -- but nowhere near worth the price, and just not interesting. I can't speak for the meat dishes, but the vegetarian dishes we ordered were pretty uninspired. (Although I'll note that my meat-eating companions did not do a ton of raving about their dishes.) I had a very decent arugula salad to start, but the quinoa bowl I had as my main was pretty boring. I'd recommend coming here for drinks, but looking for dinner elsewhere.
(3)
Emily J.

I really didn't expect to give this place five stars but it turned out to be amazingly good! My family has a ton of dietary preferences/restrictions so going out to eat can really be a challenge and frustration. My parents are vegan by choice and my sister has a gluten and dairy allergy, not by choice. Regardless, it can be a drag to go out to eat. Our server Justin at Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar did a superb job handling everything, even my mother creating a completely new and original dish. I ordered the special which was opah on a bed of sweet potatoes and pickled vegetables, absolutely fabulous. We were even treated to the festivities of a wedding being celebrated on the grounds surrounding the restaurant. We got to see fire dancers, hula dancers, and traditional Hawaiian singers, it really added to our dining experience. I would get their passion fruit lemonade-to die for!
(5)
Valerie R.

For our first night on Kauai, we wanted to eat somewhere delicious that we could walk to from the Sheraton. Plantation Gardens fits the bill! Seriously, it's only a stone's throw away from where we were staying, but it's tucked away from the road and with the amazing gardens it feels like you have been transported to another time. Someone said it looked neglected - not the case. They have enormous, towering cacti, and thousands upon thousands of orchids. If I could get my orchids to bloom like that, I'd consider myself a master in the gardening realm. It took me an extra 10 minutes to get to the hostess because I couldn't stop looking at everything! Even though we didn't have a reservation, we were seated promptly. When you walk in, there's a cute bar to the right, and on the left there's a waiting area with comfortable sofas. The decor was not over the top, in fact, I'd say it was casual plantation chic. The real focal point is the garden, so if you can get a view of it while you eat, do! I also walked by a number of large groups eating dinner, and they have a lanai where private parties (like rehearsal dinners?) can enjoy cocktails. Since I didn't have to drive back, I figured it was my opportunity to try a few of their cocktails. The cucumber mojito was light and refreshing, but still with all that great lime flavor. The pomegranate drop was another good choice - zingy, but with a sugar rim to counteract the tartness. Yay for good drinks!! Dinner was delicious as well. I had the pork tenderloins skewered on a piece of sugarcane. They were indeed tender, but very flavorful and the sauce was nice and salty. My side dish was a hash of three types of sweet potato, butternut squash, apple and bacon. What a combination of flavors - and unlike any other side dish I've had. I really enjoyed it - made eating vegetables a pleasure, haha! I would have no problem coming back here - and with a glass of wine, two cocktails, an appetizer, two entrees and dessert, the bill only came to $100 - what?? (I live on Oahu so yeah, this is a deal for me!).
(4)
Kira G.

The atmosphere was marvelous, and the meal was outstanding. The service could have been a tad better. We ordered the ahi poke for an appetizer & two seafood dishes for an entree that were to die for. The drinks & wine were great as well.
(4)
oren k.

Excellent seafood with a slight pan asian flare. We had the Ahi tuna salad fresh fish of the day. It was really tasty. The seafood stew in coconut sauce. Really delicious. Good strong drinks too. It doesn't hurt that the place is in a orchid garden surrounded by ponds with lotus flowers and lily pads. What a great place. Try the vanilla macadamia nut ice cream cake for dessert. It is just behind the Sheraton hotel at Poipu beach.
(5)
Deirdre M.

We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation so we felt we needed to check out the restaurant that shares a parking lot with it. I loved the cocktails I had, the service was great and attentive. We had the sushi appetizer... it was ok. I would definitely check it out while visiting, but it wasn't my favorite. Try and snag a table outside.
(3)
Lauren C.

We wanted to like this place - actually expected to like it based on the favorable comments here. However, it was not a wonderful experience. Granted, once a few things happen that move things downward, it's hard to be optimistic about the remainder of the meal even if it's not awful. Our waiter was our biggest concern. (Alfred? or similar name.) A young man, not very Hawaiian in a stereotypical manner of speaking. He was not laid back, not friendly, no/few smiles - I actually made it a personal challenge of mine to get a smile from him when I'd gotten none, but only at the end upon check presentation, was there a smile. Coincidence? We arrived through the garden as another writer noted, from the Sheraton nearby. It's a beautiful garden scene, and a very attractive building. The were several torches burning in the garden - pretty - but also several were out probably due to the high winds. The result was a gas smell as you approached. The interior of the restaurant was very attractive - the small bar, the restrooms, the entry, the private dining room, the interior common dining area, and the porch - all attractive. Even the areas where one can see the kitchen - very nice looking, and clean - cleaner than Roy's even, (and Roy's wasn't bad - this was just cleaner). We were first offered a table on the side walkway of the porch, but asked for another more in amongst others. The side tables might be nice for a more isolated dinner. The cocktail list was interesting and very appealing. I had a cucumber mojito - very good, simple but refreshing. The waiter's first hello was quick, unsmiling, rushed - but helpful w/ the drink order recommendation. Bread seems to be something you ask for. Some tables had it, some didn't - so when our pupu of duck spring rolls arrived - not very warm, but good, we asked the runner (or was he another waiter? or manager? - don't know who he was) for bread. He said he'd get it, then disappeared. Later, the waiter checked on us, and we mentioned we'd requested bread from another. He said that then it must be on its way, but apparently didn't follow up - still no bread for some time. Then our pupu plates were cleared, still no bread. So we grabbed a busboy and asked him, and he finally brought it. My husband had an iced tea. The waiter said he'd get a refill. It didn't come, and didn't come, so he asked the busboy who refilled it immediately. Finally, the waiter came over to refill it - but too little too late. Sounds minor, but this took a long time. Shiitake mushrooms and mushrooms in general appear on this menu a little more than most. Good if you like them. I'm not so fond of them - but I realize they're a pricey mushroom, liked by many. My husband had the Garden Isle Bouillabaisse - the mild curry flavor was the only flavor according to him. Only 2 shrimp. He would have liked a little more fish/seafood in it. The presentation was attractive, but he wouldn't get it again. He said it was bland overall. I had the hoison glazed pork tenderloin. Another nice presentation, but the hoison sauce, which I like, was WAY too overpowering. I wiped off each piece of pork on the plate so as to have a more balanced taste experience. The fried rice with it was great - I could have eaten a bowl of that alone - skip the pork. Although, to be honest, it wasn't very fried. Some of the rice was still very white. But, I liked the flavor a lot. Throughout this, interaction with our waiter was absent when we needed him, and indifferent when he was around. His biggest fault - EYE CONTACT - almost none. We're nice, friendly people who eat out a lot. We don't mind a chatty server, or a good friendly but professional one who goes about his business but doesn't chat - either way. But, this guy was aloof (not stuck up - just would rather be elsewhere I think), and not on top of things. Oh - when we paid the bill, he brought back another table's credit card slip, not ours - it belonged to another server too. Don't know if that was our server's mistake, someone elses. He rectified that. To be fair, we overheard an older couple commend our waiter for his service. (We looked at each other wide eyed and mouths agape.) Do they not dine out much? Was he better and nicer with them for whatever reason? We don't know. We were not impressed. We would have returned to this restaurant to try other dishes, but the negative service experience really set us off. Too bad, 'cause the chef(s) deserve better representation. We would be more forgiving overall of the place if the service had been better. Oh - my husband wanted to give it just two stars - he *really* couldn't stand the waiter, but I felt the surroundings and food took it up a notch.
(3)
Benjamin W.

We had our wedding ceremony and reception here for 30 people after reading the reviews. I'll break down the important parts: Service The service was great for a party of our size. The servers were prompt, polite and very accommodating. Food We really enjoyed the food and had a lot of feedback from our guests that it was great. I personally enjoyed the grilled beef tenderloin-top notch. We also has some appetizers that we heard were good, but were a little too busy to get a chance to taste. Drinks We had a lot of drinks. The bartender really impressed even some of our high brow friends making almost every one of their requests. Ceremony We worked with Mona (PG's wedding coordinator) to prepare a simple ceremony in their gardens. The ceremony site was not entirely private as there are some tables that look out over the area and some walkways nearby, but was not a big deal as the ceremony was before dinner. There is a beautiful tree that the ceremony was in front of, but unfortunately during season (Feb) we were there it was only just starting to bloom. We attempted to have drinks & appetizers in the gardens after but it was raining slightly so we moved to the reception site without issue. Reception The reception dinner was in the West Lanai which is in the back of the restaurant and more secluded then the other spots seemed. Our wedding coordinator took our decorations and setup the tables before the dinner which looked fantastic. There is a slight eye sore near the entrance to the West Lanai from the gardens. All in all, we had a great experience, would give a 4.5 star rating because of the minor things but worth a round up as it wasn't anything major.
(5)
Shawn B.

This place borders on 2 stars for me, but I've only been here once, so I rounded up. Nothing on the menu struck me as particularly original. The fish with a curry sauce that I ordered wasn't very well executed either. I was expecting some flair, a la Mama's Fish House (our favorite spot on Maui). Sadly there was none. The gardens are pretty, and our table actually had a view of them. Our seats looked out upon a pond that had a couple frogs. The inside surfaces of the pond were painted blue, and reminded me of a kitschy '70s apartment complex.
(3)
Hunter O.

this place is very great..the staff was nice. and the little garden view is very pretty even at night. the wife and i came here on our honeymoon thanks to our super fantasic friend paula.. one thing i realy enjoyed was the corn fritter thing it was super good. also a great thing to this place was they had a sampler plate of diffrent kinds of local seafood dishes. and being that i dont live in HI i thought this was a nice cause i was able to try 4 diffrent dishes.. ok and the reson this place gets 4 stars is cause it is a pain in the rear to find..they need to invest in some signs...
(4)
Jamie G.

This restaurant did everything right. Everything! We were in the mood for some asian food but noticed that mainly the appetizers were asian and the main entrees were seafood. Because we were in the mood for Asian food and not super hungry, we didn't order off of the entree menu at all. (Though we were tempted by the special of the day!) Here is how our order looked: Started with a beer at the bar for my husband and an Arnold Palmer with mint leaves for me. Yum! Appetizer at our table of crab rangoon - SO good. They are different from the crab rangoon I am used to but in the best way possible. My meal consisted of the shrimp spring rolls (appetizer) and the Yamaima Soba Noodle salad. I had no idea what the Yamaima Soba Noodle salad was but decided to give it a shot. It was SUPER good! The spring rolls were equally as delicious. My husband's meal consisted of the Orange - Chili Glazed Chicken (appetizer) and the Kailani Farms Arugula salad. I tried both of these things and they were really yummy. Our server was friendly and attentive but never disruptive. He wasn't sucking up to try and get a good tip by any means. His timing was great and he did a wonderful job. Even though this restaurant has 4 stars, I was a bit hesitant because I read some of the few bad reviews. I'm really glad I came and formed my own opinion. Our meal was perfect and it makes us wonder how good the other items on the menu are. We will definitely come back before we leave town! ------------------------ Back for a second night and again, this food is just mouth watering. We ordered the crab rangoon again (too good to pass up) and I ordered the Seafood Lau Lau. I was considering ordering this the first night but wasn't that hungry. Thank goodness I ordered it this time around, it was DELICIOUS! Highly, highly recommended! Seriously, check this place out.
(5)
Adam S.

Great service, atmosphere and food! This restaurant can stand up to most top "local" spots across the USA. The food was well plated and incorporated local ingredients perfectly. Thank you for a great meal!
(5)
Agnes C.

Beautiful gardens in romantic surroundings for our favorite dinner spot. our first night in Hawaii. We love to feed each other the island stir fry! Don't miss coming here.
(5)
Joseph G.

Stay away! This was our last night on Kauai and we wanted to try something new. Our little son is a fish lover. He ordered the Ono. Overcooked & all but tasteless, he refused to eat it. My wife had the seafood curry. She reported that the flavor was good but the seafood was overcooked and tough. On the plus side the service was good. Both the waitress and bus person were on the ball and attentive. That is the only reason this place received even a single star.
(1)
Serena S.

5 stars for service. 4 stars for the ambiance and gardens. Food is 3 stars - but appetizers are better than entrees so maybe just come for drinks and pupus. Restaurant is an old plantation-style home with a wrap-around veranda and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and fish pond. Kids will love to look for fish and tadpoles and discover different nooks of the garden. It's a great place for large groups as there is a lot of space to spread out and they are very welcoming to families. Our server was a wonderful person who was attentive to not just the adults but also the kids. We loved all the appetizers - we ordered the Plantation sampler which came with crab won tons/ raviolis, dumplings, corn fritters and spring rolls. We loved them so much we ordered a second plate. The only exception were the corn fritters - they were served with some sort of soy sauce drizzled on top which made them soggy (weird). They would have been better if the soy sauce was served was a dipping sauce or even better, instead of soy sauce, drizzle with a wasabi aioli. Drinks were excellent. We had the cucumber mojitos which were served with a lot of fresh cucumbers and mint. We also had a pina colada that was perfectly done. For entree, my husband ordered the ribs. The portion is large. The BBQ sauce was solid but won't blow you away. I had the chef's trio - seafood lau lau, fish and pot roast. Sadly, the pot roast was the tastiest - it was super tender, moist and perfectly seasoned. The lau lau was tasteless and the fish dry and overcooked. Prices are a bit high - you're paying for the ambience and the service. Not a fancy place per se but everyone is dressed up just a bit nicer than your typical restaurant. Also a good place for romantic dinners - ask to sit on the veranda with a spot overlooking the gardens.
(4)
Rebecca L.

The food is really good! We stayed at the nearby Grand Hyatt and decided to come visit this place which according to Yelp, has 4 stars. I ordered a passion fruit smoothie and it was soooooo good! The chef's trio that I ordered was very delicious with Laulau, fresh caught monchong and. I took a bite of the sugarcane skewed port chop that my husband ordered. It was very juicy and flavorful. Would definitely come again!
(5)
Caroline G.

This is the only non-ocean side dining where the atmosphere was still transformative for me. The Plantation Gardens is a plantation style house where you really feel you are in someone's home--for me it was George Clooney's in The Descendants The food was pretty good, maybe it good be better, but hey I was eating in George Clooney's house! We had an appetizer sampler but to be honest you could skip the small portions and instead get a whole plate of corn fritters. They were the best and I never would have ordered them on their own. For my entrÃ©e I had the Seafood Lau Lau, which is a selection of fresh fish steamed inside a Ti Leaf with brown rice and a tasty aioli. I know I've had a good dish when I can still taste it two weeks later, so be sure to have a Seafood Lau Lau while you are in Hawaii--if you don't have it a Plantation Gardens. @eatdrinkla
(4)
Marian C.

We have frequented this restaurant off and on for 30 years when we vacation in Hawaii, and have always really liked it. Because it had a special place in our hearts, we had our daughter's wedding reception here, and it was fantastic! Since it was a good sized destination wedding, we had almost all the appetizers along with many of their other dishes. The food was great and the portions plentiful. The service was outstanding; we were very impressed by their consistent attention to detail both in planning the event and during the event itself. They even went out of their way to accommodate special diets of some of our guests. Mona was the best -- a pleasure to deal with, very responsive, and always looking out for what worked well for us. We thought the restaurant buy-out package was a bargain, and really liked the choices it offered. And the setting is amazing. We would use them again in a heartbeat!
(5)
Paul W.

Came on a busy New Year's Eve and had a wonderful dinner. The service, ambiance and cocktails were all top notch. The food came close but missed the mark. Everything was good but not 5-star great.
(4)
Tom K.

They need to upgrade their website menu prices. It shows the local fish as costing $24 but when you get there it's $32. All items are more expensive than on website. Food was good. Bread costs extra. Beautiful garden .
(3)
Irene P.

Service was spotty (they delivered wrong dishes, for example). The food was good, not great. The Lau Lau seafood signature dish was forgettable. The daily fish special was ok. The live music a tad too loud and not the greatest voice either. But the cocktails were good and the crab appetizer more than amazing.
(4)
Ashley M.

We came here on a Sunday night at 8pm. There were only 2 other tables with people at them, so it was quiet. We came here for a fancy meal, but there was a large group with kids next to us who looked like they all came from the beach. It didn't make it feel romantic at all, but I can looked past that. Our server was friendly and helpful with explaining each fish. My husband liked his Panko Crusted Mahi Mahi, but I severely disliked my Braised Baby Back Ribs. The slaw salad was really dry and I just didn't like the sauce on the ribs. I couldn't eat more than two. The dessert was awesome, we shared the cheesecake. The price was around 30 dollars per person for an entree, but no more pricey than most of the nicer restaurants on the island. However, our bill came out for way more than what we owed. It took them 15 minutes to fix it and they never came by and told us what was going on. They just took the bill and came back 15 minutes later with the adjusted price, not explaining what happened. I would not go here again, just because I didn't like their food.
(3)
Kevin F.

The food is good - not "knock-your-socks-off", but good. You pay a bit for the location and the upscale plantation house feel, but not as much as many of the resort locations nearby. If you've been hitting the low-priced yummy bites around Kauai (saimin, plate lunch, fish tacos, etc.), then Plantation Gardens is a decent switch for the night out date location. The cucumber mojito was outstanding and the li hing margarita was delicious. We had the corn fritters which were nice, although soft. The Rangoon was good as well. I can't complain with my order of ribs - the portion was unexpectedly big and the meat was delicate. My wife was satisfied with the lau lau she ordered.
(3)
Joshua B.

WOWW!! We had read about this place when planning our honeymoon, but weren't sure we'd have an opportunity to have dinner here. We're sure glad we made the time to come as it was the best food we had on the island. The atmosphere is amazing, serene garden island jungle (with the requisite wild chickens of course). The service was attentive, friendly, and professional. The food was flawless. We had lots of similar food while in Kauai (fish with fruit based sauces, a starch, and a veggie), but Plantation Gardens was by and far the best. Flavors were balanced and not over- or underwhelming, and the fish was cooked to perfection. If you are a true foodie and are looking for the best food on the island, look no further. Highly Recommend.
(5)
Jeff H.

We have been going to Plantation Gardens for many years. Am a huge fan!
(5)
Krista M.

I would say this is the best meal of our trip. The setting is beautiful, a plantation style house that is surrounded by an outstanding orchid garden. Like most in Kauai it is an open air restaurant with lots if fresh air and breezes. We started off with a couple of their signature drinks which were delicious. We opted for the Ahi Tuna appetizer which included sashimi, a spiced ahi and an ahi sushi roll. It was good but not excellent. It tasted a bit bland to me, but it was all uphill from there. For the main course I had the pan seared mahi-mahi, with a light buerre blanc over white rice, it was excellent! My fiancÃ© ordered the traditional lau lau, which is seafood wrapped and cooked in a banana leaf, it was also very good. Now for dessert, O-M-G, this was unbelievable! It was an ice cream sandwich, sounds ordinary, but it was no such thing! It was macadamia caramel ice cream inside 2 slices of chocolate cookie with a side of espresso hot fudge; it was one of the best desserts I've ever had! The service was also wonderful; everyone from the hostess to the bus boy was super friendly and accommodating. We loved Plantation Gardens and hope to go back some day.
(4)
Van D.

Place is a bit hidden within a resort in Poipu. Went here for dinner with family and got seated at an outdoor table. The restaurant has a beautiful orchard garden surrounding it. Tried the combination dinner which was average. Had a small portion of the seafood luau luau, fish of the day, and steak. Seemed like the chef was trying to put a more elegant/different spin on traditional hawaiian dishes but results were so so. Waitress seemed a bit grumpy but got better as the night went on. Hostess gave us only 5 menus when we had a party of 6. Took awhile to get our food (although waitress did warn us). 4 stars for view/atmosphere, 3 stars for food, 2 stars for service.
(3)
Mary S.

Great restaurant, nice atmosphere, relaxing. Food is perfect. Fresh fish dishes. We tried several cocktails, the best one was their cucumber mojito. Kailani farms arugula salad was perfect, so as the plantation special with Ono fish. Service was also very good. I can not say anything bad about the place. We will definitely go back.
(5)
LuckieMaounds P.

This is a beautifully decorated restaurant in a gorgeous garden setting. Tiki torches added to the ambiance of the garden with small ponds complete with lilypads and bellowing frogs. Good-sized frogs, too... bigger than my hand. Because I overdid it the night before, I skipped cocktail hour and ordered an iced tea, which came in a giant mason jar. I thought that was kind of tacky. I mean, I get it, "plantation," okay, but the mason jars were large and awkward on the small, elegant table setting. But it was good tea and there was so much of it I didn't need a refill. We shared the Tuna Platter app which was a few pieces of seasoned rare ahi, a few sashimi, and some sushi. All were good. The sushi rice was seasoned and flavorful and that one had a sprinkling of orange or green smelt on top. Caesar salads were next. I personally don't like it when it comes to me in the form of giant leaves that I must cut myself. I am more of a person who just wants to get down with my food and when it's given to me and I have to start working, it slows down my relentless shoveling into my face and that just gets me all mixed up. But keeping it in whole-leaf form makes for a very classy and pretty presentation on the plate. Long thick slices of parmesan and the dressing was light and delish. One of the better caesar's I've had. For dinner, he had the stir-fry and I had the stew. Stir-fry was fish and prawns and veggies over rice. It was topped with crispy won-tons, and not won-ton strips but big'uns. I snuck a bite and it was good. You can really taste how fresh the ingredients are. I had the curry-coconut seafood stew. It was served in a huge bowl with a toasted baguette floating on the top. You could taste every flavor - mussels, shrimp, fish, coconut, curry. It had a nice balance to it - no one flavor washed any others out. I am a huge eater but I tend to skip dessert and this restaurant was no exception. I will say that everything from start to finish was very, very good. But if I gave a five-star rating I would be absolutely raving about something and recommending others to go here. I'm not NOT recommending this restaurant, as I believe many people will enjoy a lot about it. I just dont have that "it-knocked-my-chonies-off-excellent" vibe. But I would come back if I was, say, treating my parents to dinner. It is a lovely setting, a bit of a drive to get here from Kapaa, but an enjoyable one.
(4)
Dick C.

We wanted a special place for seafood dinner to celebrate our wonderful vacation nearing an end. We used our trusted Yelp to research options in Poipu. We were pleased with the many reviews and chose this restaurant. It was challenging to find even though we had the address. The restaurant signage is not very visible at night. The grounds surrounding the restaurant are very beautiful. We went on a Wednesday night in late January. We were seated on the open air porch with the few other diners on this quiet evening. Unfortunately, one dining couple had a very young child with no toys and distractions and he screamed occasionally. At last, they left early with their dinners in boxes. That was just the beginning of the somewhat disappointing dining experience. Our server was below average and must have either been very new or not trained properly for this quality restaurant. Her remarks and occasional check-ins reminded me more of a low budget establishment rather than the well reviewed Plantation Gardens. The food was interesting and tasty, but not spectacular for the price and did not fit the overall ambiance of the restaurant. It seemed a little like a clash of new age Asian Pacific food meets Hawaiian plantation with southern theme and a server better employed at Denny's. Overall, it was OK, but I would not go back unless I heard sensational improvements.
(3)
Laur T.

They have a really beautiful garden but alas, it was all dark and rainy(?) at 730pm when we were here for dinner. We requested for outdoor seating and were taking the night breeze in as we sipped our drinks. I think I had the lychee and pear cosmo? For my entree, I went with the seafood lau lau which blew my mind and was just oooh so good! Actually this was one of the first meals we had in Hawaii... later on I realized that the lau lau is usually a pork dish and boy was I glad to have had the seafood version here. It came in a wonderful presentation and you uncover a variety of seafood within the wrapped leaf that contained all the aroma and flavor within. Guess I lucked out with my seafood lau lau because apparently my friends thought their entrees were only ok. One of them went with the fresh fish of the day and the other tried swapping the fresh fish into one of the other dishes (and as you can guess, the taste wasn't fab)... lesson learnt... when in Hawaii, leave it to the chef to decide how best to prepare a fish ;p
(4)
Christine K.

My couples love going to the Plantation Gardens for dinner after I marry them or renew their wedding vows. It is a beautiful restaurant and the food is delicious.
(5)
Richard A.

Fairly limited menu, but the items we tried were very tasty. The coconut stew special that my wife tried was the highlight of the meal. The lau-lau was good, with the fish staying moist in spite of the steaming and the steamed vegetables very tasty - but the slightly spicy stew was better. Beautiful orchid gardens that warrant arriving early to view them with a bit of daylight. I would have liked the water to have been a bit clearer to see the koi better though.
(4)
Maureen S.

I have been here twice now and continue to look forward to going back. The servers are friendly, especially since pretty much everyone there is on vacation! You have to sit on the veranda to get the full experience. When we went it was pouring buckets outside and we never felt a drop, because the veranda is covered. It's such an experience! Everyone's food was very good, curry, tuna, fish, lau lau. The menu is short, but it definitely gives you a little of everything. Someone complained about mosquito bites, and they should go to Maui and eat on the strip of restaurants they have there. Kauai is about being outside, with everything it has to offer, even if it's a few bugs!
(5)
stacey t.

We had our wedding reception here and I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome! We had a private lanai to ourselves and an open area near the koi pond where we had a champagne toast and pupus before hand. We are "foodies" so our expectations were high. Every pupu was amazing and came out hot. Our sit down dinner was great, but the highlight was our wedding cake. The flowers on it were gorgeous and it was the best cake, honestly, we have ever had. We all agreed. We worked with Mona at Plantation Garden ahead of time to plan out our evening and our food and beverage selections and she always responded back promptly, was helpful and we got exactly what we had asked for. We also thought the cost was very reasonable for what we got. The gardens also provided a nice background for additional photos. I would not hesitate to recommend Plantation Garden for dinner or a special event.
(5)
Scott M.

We had our wedding and reception dinner at Plantation Gardens. The food was spectacular, the service was stellar and the overall experience was wonderful. Mona, the special events coordinator, was extremely helpful. Although Mona was off the island on the actual day of our wedding, she really went the extra mile to make sure everything went smoothly for us. Our only gripe was the General Manager, Jeff, who didn't bother to introduce himself, congratulate us or even say "hello" to us the entire evening (we were there for over 6 hours). Considering the amount of money we spent, a simple "hello" would have been appreciated. Don't let this discourage you from visiting, it's really a fantastic place, just make sure that Mona is ON the island if you're planning a wedding or any other type of special event because the G.M. has all the personality of a lava rock.
(4)
Peter D.

Did not know how to cook fish. Overcooked and under seasoned. Lots of pretension, not enough focus on their cooking.
(2)
Sarah Z.

went for a friend's wedding. loved their mai tai and another fruity drink called something breeze. food was good for wedding food. :-)
(4)
S K.

Awesome place to dine. Great atmosphere on the patio and great service. The hostess had a bit of a "tude" in the beginning when we got there but then turned out very nice later when she seated us. You have to go to this place during the sunlight hours so you can see the hundreds of beautiful orchid plants out front. The Kalua pork lettuce wrap appetizers were awesome, the shredded pork strips are placed in a lettuce cup along with onions, carrots, unidentified greens and some kind of spicy vinegary sauce that left me licking not just my fingers but my whole hand. (dont know how I can complain that the portions are too big but it was the size of an entree). The sashimi platter had pieces of regular ahi, seared lava spice ahi and a spicy tuna roll, all excellent. For the main course, we had the seafood lau lau which had fresh local fish, scallops, prawns, and veggies stewed in it juices and all wraped in a Ti leaf. The curry-coconut seafood stew was also scrumptious, with fresh local fish, prawns, scallps, mussels, potatoes and tomatoes all in a tasty curry-coconut broth. I was going to ask for a straw to finish off the rest of the broth that I couldnt mop up with the grilled crostinis that comes with but thought better of it. The appetizers were about $15 each and the main courses were about $30. I would definitely make reservations.
(5)
Harry G.

A true plantation house dating from the 1920s/30s. Wrap-around porch for outdoor dining framed by flowering plants and ancient cactus. Food: excellent nouvelle American with Hawaiian flavors. Faves: crab rangoon, lobster rolls, fresh fish grilled, the ribs (wow) and lavender coladas. Correction to Sophie M: it's only open for dinner, don't know what she is reviewing.
(5)
Yuan W.

Gorgeous setting. Inconsistent service. Good food. EIGHT mosquito bites. I'm scarred for life.
(3)
Sidney P.

For many years this was my favorite restaurant on Kauai. Although the food is still good, on a visit there in early July, we were sorely disappointed in the lack-luster service. For the price, no one really seemed to give a damn. Making matters worse was the fact that we were seated next to a partition that seperated the main restaurant from an event area where a loud wedding celebration was taking place. The noise level was amazingly high....made it impossible to have much of a conversation and was really aggravating. I will give this place one more shot on my next visit, but the competition on Poipu has increased and Plantation Gardens needs to step it up if they are going to survive.
(3)
Amy D.

We spend quite a few nights in the bar here over our vacation. The service was very friendly and top notch, the food was awesome and the drinks were unique, filled with fresh ingredients and very delicious. It definitely gave us some much needed company after the sun went down. We also met so many very nice people there. Definitely a place to visit again!
(5)
Shane P.

We really liked everything about our experience here (3/8/10). I thought that the scenery was amazing and though we were there just after sunset, it was still wonderful. I thought that the prices were fair considering the location and really the prices of all the other restaurants in the area. In the end, it cost us about $50 per person, but all the other meals we had in the area were just okay and this one was very good (special was mahi mahi and it was not only very good, but prepared in a healthy way). This was definitely one of the healthiest and more flavorful restaurants of our entire vacation. Dessert was the lilikoi cheesecake and it was delicious!
(4)
Lisa W.

Very good fish, nice setting, good service. Thought the dessert selections were a little limited (3 of 5 choices were ice cream).
(4)
Michael V.

Cocktails were delish if you don't mind fruity stuff. I agree with Jen, the server was cool. Appetizers were mostly bleah but entrees were pretty good, which is weird as usually there is a better correlation. Oh well. Pretty gardens too.
(4)
Neil E.

We're running out of places to eat on Kauai, and somehow keep forgetting about the Plantation Gardens even though it's right on the property where we're staying. We booked tonight, after vaguely recalling it being tasty last year, and after reading reviews here. It was actually quite good. We got there right when they opened at 5:30 and had our pick of tables on the porch. The grounds are beautiful to look at while eating. We knew from the reviews here to skip all the pupus, so instead we ordered the pear salad to split. It was delicious. Great pear and really good blue cheese. The bread was also very nice, a crispy baguette (although the butter was very cold and hard to spread). I had the special: ono with truffle mashed potatoes, a seared scallop, and a few snap peas in an orange tarragon sauce. Overall the dish was very tasty (although it's hard to screw up ono :). I passed on the scallop since I don't like 'em anyway, but the peas were great and the potatos damn tasty. Downsides? The ono was a teensy bit overcooked, and one of the peas still had its top on. Our other dish was the ribs, again based on reviews here. It's the third ribs we've had on the island (Scotty's and Duke's being the others). The best of the bunch in terms of the ribs themselves, but the worst of the bunch for the BBQ sauce applied. Still, very tasty overall. And they came with brussel sprouts! Service was actually excellent, the best we've had on the island. Our server (Cherisse) was quick, attentive, and friendly.
(4)
missy s.

Very good, but a bit pricey. Nice ambiance and great for a romantic night out!
(4)
Tara M.

Plantation Gardens' ambiance is perfectly tropical. The restaurant's located in an old plantation building surrounded by cacti, orchids, and other foliage. We sat on the porch, in front of a set of small ponds around a plumeria tree, enjoying the cicadas and geckos. As I'd already consumed several cocktails earlier in the day, I didn't indulge again, although many of the libations looked downright tasty. The salad was good, nothing special by San Francisco standards, kinda "gourmet" by Kauai ones. Likewise, the green beans weren't any better than those we'd get at our local Cal-Chinese joint, but they provided some much-needed fiber after days of rice and meat. The stir-fry, alas, was middle-of-the-road -- not bad, not great. Two thumbs up, though, for the Baked Hawaiian, the layered crust/ice cream/meringue dessert. Go for the atmosphere. It's gorgeous.
(4)
Scilly I.

So I came to Kauai ready to completely suffer (as far as dining) and to my suprise, it wasnt so bad, it was actually even good! This was the first place on the island we ate (not counting the Lihue farmers market) and I was quite impressed. When your in Kauai you have to train yourself not to look at menu prices and just hope your credit card doesnt bounce when its time to pay the bill. I got the stir fry which came with a wonderful mix of vegetables, ono, and a very generous amount of shrimp. The sauce it was cooked in was great and was in just the right amount, just enough to be tasteful but not dripping or soggy at all! The only thing I could've asked for was brown rice instead of white but w/e it was really really good!
(4)
F. R.

We dined at Plantation Gardens on Valentine's Day, our first day in Kauai. We were staying at the Sheraton across the street, but this place would have been worth the drive from Princeville. We had an early reservation so that the gardens were still visible, and despite arriving early were seated immediately outside per our request. Our waiter, Ace, was very attentive. We had the manapuas as an appetizer, which neither of us had ever eaten before. They were delish. We were both eying the Lau Lau, but the man a few tables over had the ribs and they smelled so good that we decided to go for Lau Lau and ribs. Both very good. The highlight of the meal was definitely the Passionfruit Cheesecake. Quite possibly the best dessert I've ever had. This is a great, romantic setting, with wonderful food and service. With the fairly limited number of quality dining options on Kauai, this place is a must try!
(5)
Jonny H.

We came here for dinner on our second night. We ended up just walking by and it looked like a nice place. During dinner they must have dad three weddings going on because we saw three different brides. For dinner we had the Lau Lau ($23.95) and the Chef's Trio ($28.95). The food was really good (4 stars), the atmosphere was also great (4 starts), and the service as nothing special (3 stars). Overall we'll give it a 3.5 to 4.0.
(3)
Kiki S.

I'm really torn about this place. I went here with my dad and two brothers for a nice, late dinner. The atmosphere and the service are awesome - 4 and 1/2 stars. Drinks coming out of the bar are a bit too slow. But I give them an A++ on timing when the food comes out. The appetizers, the entrees, coffee, then dessert... You'll be surprised at how well they time and space out the arrival of the components of your meal. Our waitress was so sweet, even after sending back one of our entrees. Great, friendly service. For our appetizers, we got the ahi poke sashimi over seaweed salad. Delicious! Also, we got the corn fritters which were tasty as well. One of my brothers got the chow fun stir-fry, I believe, which he enjoyed but said it wasn't spectacular. My dad got the sampler plate, which at $30, came with samples of four different entrees. My other brother and I both got grilled Opa fish, which was dry as can be. The other way the fish can be prepared is the sautee style, but our waitress recommended we get ours grilled--that was her preference. It was super-dry and came with this nondescript red curry sauce. I felt bad for sending it back, but it really was awful. The appetizers and bar drinks were killer. Entrees were a big thumbs down, and the dessert was average. Overall, I'm a fan of the service, atmosphere, the drinks and appetizers that we ordered, but the entrees were a big disappointment.
(4)
Erin S.

This place was OK. The pork dish I had was EXTREMELY salty but the Lau Lau was good. Typical Kauai prices and the service was just OK.
(3)
Meg C.

We went here for a bachelorette party for my cousins wedding 15 ladies, it was beautiful and the food was perfect! Cocktails are good, the grounds are beautiful!!! would recomend this to ANYONE!
(5)
Ivan D.

I really like the Plantation Gardens. I docked it a star for mediocre service. It also wasn't busy and it took close to 20 minutes to get a drink after ordering it(this happened for all 3 rounds of drinks we had). The place is uniquely done and the gardens are awesome. Check out the orchid gardens and the really old cacti in back. Kids love it. Food is consistently very good. The menu is very short, but covers a nice range. I like that. I've been here twice now and both times the fish i had were prepared fabulously. Appetizers are great also. Check this place out.
(4)
Matthew H.

Went here for a wedding reception while in Kauai. The place is really beautiful for wedding pictures. However, the food was really terrible. I had the ribeye and my wife had the seafood lau lau. We thought the food needed extra flavoring cause it was really bland. Our waiter seems to be high on something. She couldn't remember what we ordered and seem unsure of what to do. If you come here for the beauty then this is the place for you. But if you come here looking for good food, I suggest somewhere else.
(2)
Lauren P.

Plantation Gardens is amazing!! The atmosphere is incredibly romantic, set in the middle of a botanical garden with outside seating and tiki torches. It was right across from our resort (the Sheraton) which was a big plus. I had the pomegranate drop to drink--delicioso! Like a lemon drop but 20 times more delicious. My BF and I then shared a Caesar salad and 2 appetizers--crab rangoons & kalbi beef sliders, all of which was awesome. We then shared the pork tenderloin for our entree which was cooked perfectly. For dessert we got the ice cream cookie trio---we loved 2 out of the 3. The coffee ice cream sandwich was a little too strong for us. Tasted more like straight up espresso than ice cream. We are also not coffee drinkers and were extremely full by then, so might be a little biased. Our waitress was very good and super nice--ask for Cherisse! I guarantee you'll have a fantastic dinner :)
(5)
Jay E.

We really enjoyed this place for authentic Hawaiin food. The fish was very fresh and prepared perfectly. We got the lau lau and it was perfect. The crab rangoons were a great starter. The size of the dishes were good, atfter we finished we weren't to full and not hungry. Prices are good for the quality of food. Try this place out for some good grub.
(5)
J P.

Favorite restaurant in Hawaii. The grounds are amazing, people amazing, food amazing. Go early so you can walk around the gardens. It is a cornerstone of history on this island that has been converted into something beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for a very special night.
(5)
K W.

I give this three stars only because the service was decent.. Server was attentive and water/bus'ing was quick. The food is mediocre. I had the pork tenderloin which looked great on the plate, but was just okay. The skewers were undercooked... Instead of providing a new skewer, they actually took the undercooked skewer off my plate, recooked it and brought it back... Doesn't that violate some health code??? I had a small taste of the other dishes from the other folks in my party. The seafood stew was a little bland and one of the fish dishes was overcooked... too dry. For the money, I would try something else.
(3)
megan b.

my husband and i had a great meal here on our honeymoon. absolutely beautiful and romantic. pretty garden scenery and torches to look out at. and lots of seating available on the porches, almost no one was seated inside the restaurant. the drinks were great. my husband had a local brew and i had the cucumber mojito - so refreshing! we had the pork dumplings as an app, very tasty. i had the rib eye, which was honestly, nothing too special, but still yummy. and the goat cheese potato gratin was great. i'm a sucker for cheese and potatoes! and he got the seafood lau lau, slightly under-seasoned, but very fresh tasting. then we finished with the baked kauai for dessert. the macadamia nut ice cream was my favorite part! the service was phenomenal. our waitress was very friendly and never made us feel rushed at any point, even though we were one of the last tables to leave the restaurant. overall really solid experience.
(4)
Jessica D.

What an awesome meal! The lanai is beautiful and looks out over amazing orchid gardens and manicured ponds. Our waitress, Laena, was perfection. She was polite, interested but not overbearing, and knew everything about anything. We started with the shrimp tempura which was roughly 400 degrees and burned both our mouths, but hey, it was fresh right? The shrimp were so plump and tasty, and the tempura battered shitake mushrooms were a nice touch. My boyfriend had the braised ribs and he loved them. He said they fell off the bone and the flavor was perfect. I had the curry-coconut seafood stew. It looked just like a cioppino and contained the same basic ingredients except they were in the most amazing soup. I could smell it coming down the hall and it was honestly one of the most flavorful dishes I have had in a while. The curry and coconut milk blended effortlessly and the scallops were the best dressed in the sauce. We sadly didn't have room for dessert because we both inhaled our meals. Highly recommended because of their staff and their food.
(5)
Emily A.

Just had dinner there and was very disappointed. Very limited menu.. Nothing was very memorable. Not worth the money. Service was great, decor and location were also vey nice. Food did not live up to what I expected.
(1)
Dean M.

Overall a very pleasant experience. We were looking for a last minute dining spot and ended up here. Turned out to be a great choice. The atmosphere is perfect. We were seated on the porch overlooking the beautiful gardens. The menu is very creative although somewhat limited. My wife had the Ono special which she was thrilled with. I started off with the pot stickers which were about what you would expect. For my dinner I had the pork tenderloin which was cooked perfectly although I wasn't wowed by the sauce. I would recommend this place enthusiastically. We were staying at the Sheraton right around the corner so it was a nice choice for one night.
(4)
kahau m.

had an odd experience here for dinner. reservations? check! table ready? check! drinks ordered? check! drinks delivered? 40 minutes?!?!?! really! it didn't seem that busy. i guess it was busy enough. dinner for 7..... 2 1/2 hours. did i mention that the apps seemed ok. sampler seemed small to me for $21. entree of seafood laulau came out raw.... i do mean raw. fish, scallop, vegetables. the saving grace was the cucumber mojito.... damn tasty. all 4 of them. i would probably go back and sit at the bar, drinks were excellent.
(2)
Little Tuna's Mom X.

Overall it was really good.... except for one dish which was AWFUL. The setting is beautiful... it is in a plantation style house with a big back porch overlooking some nice gardens. Try to ask for a table out on the porch when making your reservation. The drinks were creative and yummy. They have a signature cucumber mojito which my husband liked. (I don't like cucumber, so no thanks!) We ordered the sampler appetizer which was yummy... and perfect for two people since you got two pieces of four items. The spice tuna roll was yummy, the crag ragoon was delicious, the duck spring roll was also great. The only shortfall on that plate was the potsticker... just OK. We also ordered the tomato salad with goat cheese. It was very good... but as always, I wanted more goat cheese. Nothing against Plantation Gardens, it seems that ALL restaurants skimp on the goat cheese. (Either that or I am a goat cheese fiend!) Anyhow, my husband ordered the special of the day... the seared ahi on a bed of lettuce, mangos, avocados, etc. He LOVED it. I was not so hungry so I ordered an appetizer as my entree.... I ordered the lettuce cups. They were GROSS. Overall, this place is awesome..... just DO NOT order the lettuce cups. Yuck, yuck, yuck. I don't even want to explain why I hated them so much, because I don't want to relive it. I would say go here, just do not order the pork lettuce cups.
(4)
Don H.

Wonderful food, great service, marvelous atmosphere. Not cheap, but a great value for Kauai.
(5)
Katie M.

Had the Seafood Lau Lua, and it was amazing! Staff was very polite and helpful. Got carry-out tonight...Pork Tenderloin entree...yum, yum! It was a little pricey, but we're on vacation! What the hay! Mahalo Plantation Gardens! Don't forget to walk through the garden; it's lovely.
(4)
Alice S.

Went for our Last Dinner of Vacation last night and were not disappointed. We had the Chef's Trio and the baby back ribs. Both dishes were beautiful, super delicious, and loaded with food. Our drinks, salads and desserts were also exceptional. The atmosphere was lovely, as usual. The service was excellent. The garden is VERY well-tended, as are the rest of the grounds at here at Kiahuna Plantation, where we stay. No complaints, whatsoever.
(5)
Francis C.

Came here for Christmas Eve dinner for party of nine. Service was great. Food was delicious. Cocktails were yummy. It's also a very kid friendly place - we had three kids ages range from 7 to 12. Thee only minor complain that I have is that the portions for appetizers are fAirly small, including the sampler plate. Portions for entries were just fine though. I would recommend this place.
(4)
Ryan B.

Great atmosphere and good food. The lettuce wraps were good and my wife really enjoyed the stir fry. My fish was a bit over cooked for my taste but I like my fish raw whenever possible. The cucumber mojito was tasty as well.
(4)
Neuro G.

The lack of mention of Plantation Gardens in the Kauai Guidebook, The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed now comes as no surprise given the consistently inaccurate judgments this book offers. (Except the author is right - Jo-Jos is a shack, but makes the best Shave Ice on the Island of Kauai). Back to PG. This is a Piatti under the hood, which I have eaten at quite a bit in Palo Alto (before the location at the Stanford Shopping Mall closed) and it was decent, upscale bistro food. On Kauai, all things being relative, this isn't decent, it's the BOMB! It is a Foodie Oasis, or Foodasis in a sea of generic, mediocre grub washing over the island. Given this is Kauai, Hawaii, you have to have the Hoisen-Glazed Pork Tenderloin. It is Kiawe (Hawaiian version of 'Mesquite' wood)-grilled, and incredibly succulent. We had a delectable Luau at Smith' s Family Lua (supposedly the best on the Island per guidebooks), but the kalua pig could not match the incredible roasted, succulent, delicate flavor of this tender morsel at PG. As per my other review - Umami!! You cannot miss out on the other Hawaiian specialty, the Seafood Lau Lau - outstanding. This is local mahi-mahi, jumbo scallops, large shrimp, and julienne veggies, wrapped in a Ti leaf and steamed, with rice and wasabi aoli. The lanai dining in the garden setting, the hardwood floors and open bay windows, the slow-spinning overhead fans, and the best table service (we ate there a lot) on the island conspire to make this the best restaurant we ate at (by a long stretch) during our lengthy stay on this small island. Per the PG website: "Plantation Gardens is located in a beautifully restored 1930 Plantation Manor House which is a sprawling historical marvel surrounded by the world famous Moir Gardens. The gardens include several koi ponds, shade-giving coconut and kou trees and an extensive collection of rare orchids." This is not hyperbole. Make reservations if you go on Fri or Sat and enjoy!
(5)
C G.

My wife and I recently had dinner here and were generally under-impressed. The waitress was friendly once she finally paid attention to us (we sat at our table over 10 minutes before we were greeted and offered a drink). My cesar salad was terribly bland and my rib eye was a terrible cut of meat and cooked well when I ordered medium rare. My wife's entree (seafood stir fry) was pretty tasty. The orchid garden surrounding the restaurant is absolutely amazing and the hostess was very friendly. I'd probably go for a drink in the bar and to check out the orchids and save your hard earned money for a better meal elsewhere.
(2)
Helen W.

i would give this place a 4 except for one little thing. this is a very pretty restaurant. it has a great laid back ambiance and the servers are all really friendly. i ate outside and everything was great. my bf had an amazing seared ahi tuna salad. it was HUGE and really really fresh. only thing is, we got the sampler and our "duck spring rolls" didn't contain any duck. probably a fluke but it was pretty strange. otherwise, this place is really lovely and i will probably go back one day. *sad face.
(3)
Lindsay H.

We got married on Shipwreck beach this past August and had a dinner after to celebrate with our family. Since we were staying at the Sheraton, Plantation Gardens was perfect! You can walk right across the road into the gardens surrounding the restaurant. My mother-in-law organized the dinner and worked with Mona at the restaurant. She loved working with her, and everything about the dinner was perfect. We had a private dinning room all to ourselves. The staff was amazing and the food was delish! We had two small cakes made from someone Mona used regularly. Not only did they taste amazing, but the baker did such a great job decorating them. It was truly a perfect day for us, and having our reception dinner at Plantation Gardens was a huge part of it!
(5)
Colie J.

I was just unimpressed. Husband didn't care for his beer (not their fault). I thought my pear cosmo lacked a punch (again could be my fault as I asked for a splash of pineapple instead of the lime as written). My island stir fry was just okay, again can't put my finger on it but it just lacked the taste. Husband ordered the seafood stew in a coconut curry and it lacked something as well. I am sorry I can't be more specific but it just didn't impress me. I have had a better curry at hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurants. The specials sounded good, maybe I would have been better off with one of those.
(2)
Jamie W.

Slim pikin's in Kauai, but this place is a hidden gem! If your'e a foodie, this is the best place one the island for superb food and a romantic dining experience-nothing else beats it! Although it doesn't have an ocean view, the food "Reigns supreme". Must have pupus are the prawn and scallop ceviche and marinated pork pot stickers. Must have entrees are the baby back pork ribs, the Kiawe grilled tiger prawns, and the pan roasted scallops. It was so good we went back later that week! Also ask to be sat on the Lanai.
(5)
Jaimee J.

Best dinner on the island three years running! I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Beth L.

With all the great reviews of Plantation Gardens, i was excited to have dinner here with my husband while vacationing in Kauai for our honeymoon. The menu sounded amazing and upon arrival, we both declared that the grounds were absolutely stunning. After standing at the hostess podium for approx 10minutes without greeting, we were finally greeted and seated immediately for our reservation. We looked at the menu for at least another 10minutes before water was brought to us and at least another 5 minutes before our waiter finally came over. We placed drink, appetizer, and salad order immediately. The cosmo was awesome, the appetizer was horrific (pork somethiing or other - way too bready, not enough pork, and hardly any flavor). We never received the salad. The entree that we shared - a trio of different entrees was pretty good. We really liked the skirt steak. The scalloip tasted fishy and the fish was overcooked. We were going to get dessert, but at this rate, decided against it. Our waiter did make very attempt to win us over, provided a round of drinks on the house and sent us with our salad to go even though we told him we were all set with it. Unfortunately, by that point, the damage had been done. We waited and waited and waited some more throughout our dinner and it just wasn't an enjoyable experience. The atmosphere and the menu have so much potential and we were so disappointed that this was the worst meal we have had during our 2 week Hawaiian vacation.
(2)
Honey O.

AMAZING place in every way! Everything was as fresh as it could get, and tasted great!! If you are in the area and you don't come here, you are missing out! Sure it may be a little expensive, but you definitely get your money's worth. Even the desserts tasted amazing! Everyone that works there is so nice, attentive, and always smiling! We were lucky that we were staying in the Kiahuna Plantation resort. We could walk to this lovely restaurant! I loved this place! I will definitely go back to this restaurant when I go to Kauai again. Even if I end up staying on the other side of the island!
(5)
W Q.

great atmosphere, excellent food here. if you are staying in poipu beach, this is the best restaurant around within walking distance. the pork ribs here are amazingly good, better than the best ribs i've had in the midwest. all of the seafood is topnotch. this is a fusion restaurant, very interesting flavors. one of my top 10 favorite restaurants anywhere.
(5)
Veggie J.

everything seems to close early around near where we stayed at. but we managed to schwoop in here on time, before they closed, and thank god 'cause this place is beeeeauuutiful. we sat at the outdoor patio, and it overlooks this gorgeous garden. plus, in hawaii, all warm with the moon right above us, it's absolutely perfect. i had some kind of japanese eggplant thing. verrry good, and displayed very nicely. probably the only vegetarian entree, but they did it perfectly. for dessert, we had to try a baked hawaiian: chocolate and macadamia nut ice cream on a brownie crust with a toasted meringue. oh yes. it tastes as good as it sounds. great service, great atmosphere, great food, although not quite a cheap eat. everything else makes up for it though.
(5)
S T.

Great fish,good service and pleasant atmosphere
(4)
Krystal F.

Using my Frommer's guide thoroughly, I was recommended with slight reservations to this place. Frommer's said it was a great place, highly recommended, but that it was expensive and that the portions were small. Boy were they wrong. We had a reservation at 8pm, and arrived at 7:15 knowing we would want to stroll through the gardens, and enjoy the sunset. We did so for a few minutes, took a few photos, and decided to let them know we were there just in case they were able to take us. We walked in and to the right was the chic, super cute bar, to the left a comfy lounge area along with an indoor and outdoor restaurant area, and a room that could hold a large party. We let them know we were there, and they said they could seat us whenever we were ready. We decided to take their offer, were handed fresh orchids, and were seated in the outside porch area. It was adorable--perfectly warm, great atmosphere, and we could hear the bullfrogs! We were greeted by our server, Brandon, who was flawless from start to finish. We ordered a bottle of St. Jean California Chardonnay (very, very reasonably priced). Then we had the lettuce wraps and green bean appetizers. The portions were great, and the flavors bold and delicious. The service was great and unlike all of the other highly recommended restaurants in this area, felt truly Hawaiian. Complete with fresh fish, Hawaiian flavors, and locals, we were so impressed! For entrees, we had the Ono special, and the seafood curry stew. Unlike other yelpers, I didn't think the seafood was overcooked AT ALL, and trust me, I'm picky about that! The curry was delicious, and the seafood of the day was cooked in the traditional Hawaiian style (steamed in the leaf) to perfection. We enjoyed a long dinner, and were just so happy with everything, we couldn't wait to yelp about it! So get out there and enjoy...but this place has an endearing quality about it that makes you feel like not everyone knows about it...=)
(5)
Arthur y.

Service was slow despite the restaurant being less than half full. Both my wife and I had food that was overcooked - mahi mahi for me and pork for her. Flavors were just fine. Nothing at all to rave about. Presentation was nice, but really it's the taste that matters, no? We decided to go elsewhere for dessert. On our way out we walked beside to another couple who had just finished dinner, and I overheard the girl say "Let's go get dessert, I'm still hungry..." Guess we weren't the only ones! We ended up running into them again at Tidepools for dessert - a restaurant in the Grant Hyatt hotel just West on Poipu road about a mile. This rating is based largely on the food prices. For $25 plates, you'd expect very good food and service.
(2)
Jason H.

Five stars for ambiance - three stars for food = solid four star restaurant. First, loved our server. i had the feeling he stepped right off his surf board to arrive at our table. He did a great job and steered me in the direction of the fantastic cucumber mojito. Definitely one of the best cocktails I have had. We had the steamed koloa pork dumpling. I wasn't a big fan. Not much flavor and the accompaniments of mango were bland as well. Might be just the way koloa pork tastes but I'd avoid it if you like pronounced flavor. We had the special of the evening which was mahi-mahi in a lemon crust on a sweet potato mash with a lemon butter sauce. I thought it was good but fell short of excellent. It was hard to taste the lemon crust and both the mash and lemon butter sauce were luke warm. One of my dining companions had the grilled fish on bok choy with red curry and it was much better. The grounds are beautiful and I loved the open air dining. I would go back but choose differently off of the menu.
(4)
Mike R.

Pros - ambiance, green tea cocktail and service was solid Cons - the food. I've taken restaurant recommendations from other Yelpers quite often but haven't posted too often myself. The food at Plantation Gardes was awful. The plantation sampler platter - rice under tuna nigiri was ice cold and hard and felt like it was in the fridge for two days. Pot stickers were dense and tough like they were cooked the day before and reheated under a heat lamp. Crab rangoon was OK at best. Wife had signature lau lau dish and had to spit out a scallop it was so bad. I had curry and every piece of seafood was tough. Curry was flavorful but fish was overcooked. All scallops tasted out of the can. The location and ambience was great but I would only go for drinks. When you go to a restaurant you go for the food and you definitely don't get what you pay for.
(1)
Val M.

Disgusting! Tables are dirty, no table cloth. The bread was served in a plastic basket (no any napkin under). We ordered a roll for the appetizer and specials of the day. They brought the roll which apparently was a leftover from the other day - it was cold as hell from the fridge, ugly rice (nothing like what you see in good sushi restaurants) and we couldn't identify what was inside it - just all tasted like "something" in vinaigrette and held in the fridge for couple of days. After such a beginning - we just cancelled the rest of our dinner. We didn't tell about the roll - but anyway they reimburse it themselves (I suspect they knew how it should taste before serving it). I don't understand all this five and four stars reviews - how is it possible for the restaurant that pretends to be a classy place, to be good on some days and disgusting on other days. I don't accept an argument that we were unlucky. By the way, the sauvignon blanc should be something between 43 to 50 degrees, not 60 - as a restaurant of a such kind - they probably should be aware of this. We don't have any claims to the servant - she was kind. But whoever manages this place - had better to try some other job (better not in the food service).
(1)
Mary Ellen T.

Great atmosphere and food!
(5)
Laura Q.

So nice, we went twice!! The food was unreal. The fish special I had at our first dinner there was one of my favorite meals of all time. The combination of flavors and textures was to die for. You could tell a lot of time and effort goes in to thinking about the dishes. Also, everything was perfectly cooked. For appetizers, we had a tomato and goat cheese thingy the first night (yum!) and the pork lettuce wraps the second night (double yum!). Both are worth giving a try. The atmosphere is wonderful. You can sit on a wrap around porch overlooking the garden and, on both nights were there, frogs were hopping around on the law, which was fun to watch. Arrive before sunset if you want to see the orchid garden that surrounds the restaurant. Food on Kauai is expensive, but this is the one restaurant where I felt like we were getting more than we paid for.
(5)
Sandra M.

The cucumber mojitos were excellent!
(4)
Alan L.

Went back here for our last meal on Kauai and it was great. We were able to sit on the porch overlooking the gardens. Started w/ pork potstickers which were just ok; then v. good pear and lettuce salad. Both of us had the seafood lau-lau --shrimp, mahi-mahi, scallops, veggies all steamed in a ti leaf. It was wonderful! Service attentive. Good way to end our Kauai vacation
(5)
Toni M.

The last time we were here was several years ago. It was Piatti and it was good. Now it's owned by Piatti and is called Plantation Gardens. We walked over from the Sheraton w/ our friends. The approach is through the gardens, which we could see only dimly but what we saw was stunning, a multitude of orchids in bloom. Alan saw it this morning on his walk and reports it's phenomenal. We were seated on the veranda. Alan and I shared a salad w/ pears, greens and gorgonzola. Sally and Mike shared a salad of organic greens w/ goat cheese and watermelon. They agreed the watermelon was too sweet for the salad. Alan ordered the pork tenderloin accompanied by a mixture of local vegetables, which was very tasty. I ordered the seafood laulau, which was accompanied by rice w/ furikake and wasabi aioli. It was amazing. Sally and Mike each ordered the island stir fry w/ local fish, prawns and vegetables. We were all pleased. Bread was hot and carried a hint of garlic. It was served w/ butter. Alan had a dark beer and I had a Pomegranate Drop w/ Vodka, Limoncello and something pomegranate. It was delicious and reasonably priced at $7.75. It was a beautiful spot, w/ tasty food and exemplary company.
(5)
Sarah A.

We LOVED this place! Just back from 5 fabulous nights in Maui and 5 in Kauai - dinner at Plantation Gardens was the highlight for us (we enjoyed it more than Mama's Fish House, Merriman's, Tidepools, Sea House, Huma Huma, Josselin's, etc.). Not pretentious in the least and only a sneak-peak-of the-ocean view. But the unique setting in a lovely orchid garden, a wrap around porch that encircles at least half the restaurant, food that "wowed" us at every turn, and the fabulous Monica - our server - who made the whole night perfect. If you can't eat outside before sunset, come back another time. You must eat on the patio and you have to arrive in daylight to appreciate the magnificent gardens. We had the yummy corn fritter and the crab cake appetizer - both out of this world. Both of our fish dishes were delish and the desserts were as large and delicious as could be. We had the ice cream/brownie/meringe dessert and the ice cream sandwich. We thought we couldn't possibly finish one and we ate them both. Just a lovely night. If you had only one night left to live on Kauai, this is where you'd want to have your last meal.
(5)
Danie B.

I had my wedding reception here with 20 guests. It was magical, beautiful, and perfect. Mona, the coordinator, listened to our needs and followed through perfectly. The service was professional and on top of it! My father in law who grew up on the island said that he had not had Ono this good since he was a little kid. Try the seseme encrusted shrimp. The whole party was so impressed. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone with a large party. It is worth every penny!
(5)
Kristy F.

I had my 60-person wedding at Plantaton Gardens, and I'm so happy that I did! I cannot say enough positive things about Plantation Gardens. Mona and the team at PG worked extremely hard to make my wedding reception a perfect evening, not only for me, but for all of my guests. After the wedding, many guests came up to me and raved not only about their food and cocktails, but especially how helpful the service staff at PG was. The food at PG was WONDERFUL! Guests kept talking about how amazing every dish was. I would also like to comment on how amazing Mona, the wedding coordinator, was. She spent lots of extra time shopping for unique items for my candy bar. Mona shopped online and all around the island until she found the items that we needed. This took a huge amount of stress off of my to-do list. She always communicated quickly with me, and she was very positive. I enjoyed working with Mona. I could go on for much longer about how beautiful the grounds were, how much I appreciated the upgraded design inside, and how I'm dying to go back. I would ABSOLUTELY suggest that other brides do their wedding with Plantation Gardens.
(5)
Sarah J.

Great Restaurant with an easy walk from the Marriot in Poipu. I had the Lau Lau and it was perfectly prepared. We also had the scallops with a tropical salsa on top as an app. our waitress left something to be desired but the ambience and food more than made up for her attitude.
(4)
B C.

4 stars for Kauai where most food is overpriced and under-delicious. I had hesitated to go here since our guidebook panned it, but I was really glad I looked on Yelp and saw the good reviews so we didn't miss this place. We had a lovely romantic dinner on the porch overlooking the garden. My seafood stir-fry made usually tough Wahoo fish soft and flavorful. Can't remember what my husband got, but he really enjoyed it. The pineapple upside down cake was a little sweet for me, but I think that is just how good pineapple upside down cake is. It's expensive, but most restaurants in this area are, and it was not exorbitant and we left feeling like we got our money's worth for the meal. (We didn't feel that way in many places in Kauai). Service was friendly and prompt. It's a big restaurant with lots of space, so if you are with a big group I think that they could handle it well. It was very quiet the night we were there. No loud conversations or music. My husband and I thought it would be a great place for a small wedding or rehearsal dinner.
(4)
Jennifer D.

The food is mostly a hit with some misses. In general, I didn't like the appetizer sampler featuring 4 of their appetizers. Their lobster fried ravioli had a pretty nice taste. The duck eggroll was meh. The sushi "thing" was TERRIBLE. It was premade and served cold and mushy. The fourth appetizer was completley unmemorable. For over $20 for that plate, I expected better. The main entrees were better, rainging from good to heavenly. The veggie udon was al dente and hearty. The seafood curry was flavourful. The ono fish special was fabulous. The fish was in a cauliflower sauce and was a perfectly balanced in terms of flavour. The liliqoi cheesecake rocked! The passionfruit is a great balance to the sweet cheese flavour. The tri of creme brÃ»lÃ©e was too small--too much sugar crust to creme base as they were cooked on porceline spoons. This also made this dessert too warm. Entrees were in the $25-35 range. The server was great with a good pallet and good description of dish tastes. She could probably work as a food critic.
(4)
Tiffany B.

awesome escape. it's a restaurant nested in a vast orchid garden. epic and upbeat. cucumber mojitos come in a glass jar. SO ONO! I love their pupus and the bar is my fav. So i would recommend you go to sit at the bar, eat a few apps.
(4)
Allison G.

Finally!! A really nice place for dinner with KILLER Ribs! That's right Tender Killer bbq ribs that make you smile. Comfy seats with a beautiful view all around you. My last meal on the island before heading back to Los Angeles. What a joyful way to end a magical week on this beautiful island. A must try!!!!
(4)
Mimi D.

This place came highly recommended from many different sources such as Yelp, locals, and magazines and all I can say is that it was highly disappointing. The presentation was awful, boring, and plain - they did not use the plate space well at all. The way the food was placed made the plate look empty and really lackluster. It was like having a date with a super model and you show up to pick her up and she has no makeup on and is wearing a potato sack. The food was worse. There was not one thing that I enjoyed here. We got the sampler which sucked. The sushi was awful. The stir fry was something you could get at a typical Chinese place. The dessert was a mud pie that looked pretty, but tasted bleh. The worst part is that the prices are outrageous for all this mediocrity. Our server was a so cal hater. She said that she used to live in SD and said she couldn't handle it anymore and had to move back to Kauai. Why the F would you say this to so cal residents? Lame. That must be why she is still waiting tables after graduating college. The ambiance is like eating at someone's plantation home set in a garden that sounded way better in print than real life.
(2)
S. H.

Great restaurant and dining experience. Sitting on the porch overlooking the garden...wow! We ended up cancelling other reservations (at an over-rated place on the beach you may hear about) to come here a 2nd night in a row. It is not cheap but once adjusted for Hawaii prices, it is a great value. Only reason I can't give it 5 stars (I'd give 4.5 if possible) was a couple things on the menu were ok and there was 'potential' for service to be a little slow... food was fast and hot etc. but it might take 10 min to get your first drink, but in island style I guess.
(4)
Heather K.

The location is great - converted plantation house surrounded by a beautiful orchid garden. My mojito was nice with a really pretty cucumber garnish on top. The first course was good - dh liked his potstickers and my salad was tasty. The second couse was mixed - dh liked his meat, but my pasta had a sauce that tasted exactly like my salad dressing (and the noodles were overcooked). The service was good until our waittress' boyfriend sat down with his friends and she proceeded to ignore us - turning our dinner into a 3 hour marathon.
(3)
Cruz R.

Our usual dining experiences in the past have been very good here. This last visit though, it was very disappointing. Our dinner started with sashimi that was maybe a day or two old. It was not the usual fresh & tasty ahi that should be served at such an upscale restaurant . We decided in the future at all restaurants, that we should ask if the ahi is "fresh that day". If not, then asking to return it should not be a problem. To continue with the current "theme", our salad was also bland and not fresh. Our main entrees though were very good & was consistent with our past experiences. We will not return here as we have decided that there are other options in the area, such as Merriman's & Josselin's.
(3)
Jen S.

I just spent a week on Kauai and this was by far our best meal on the island! The setting is very relaxing with friendly service. The menu is well thought-out and the presentation of the food was lovely. We ordered the crab rangoons for an appetizer, which were delicious and served piping hot. For dinner we had the mahi-mahi with roasted potatoes and pork tenderloin with fried rice. Both dishes were plated with care and they were so good we ate every last bite. What made this dinner stand out from others we had on the island? A few things: Really fresh ingredients, including produce (which I didn't see much of elsewhere). Terrific, carefully prepared menu. It is short but sweet. I think there would be something there for everyone. We were not the only diners impressed. We overheard two other tables raving about the experience and both tables said it was the best meal they had on the island. Try to get a seat on the terrace. I will definitely return and only regret that we didn't discover this until the end of our trip!
(5)
Abeethousand H.

Let me start by saying the Plantation Gardens Restaurant is very beautiful. The orchid pathway, plantation-style architecture, open atmosphere, breezy lanai...all great. The Koi looked a little sad in their obviously poorly filtered small pond, but this review isn't about the fish...well, actually it is. The food at the restaurant is, unfortunately, poor as well. I guess I should preface this review by saying I'm from Oahu and I'm no stranger to island food...so this isn't a tourist review. When I order island-style dishes, I'm expecting a lot. I love trying new variations of traditional island style dishes and I will sample a poke whenever given the chance! Our wait for a table (with reservation) was 1 minute...good so far. Our waiter was at tableside in under two minutes...also a great start. We started with drinks. My husband got a basic Grey Goose and soda, I got excited by a Li Hing Mui Margerita on the menu, so I asked for that. We had already checked out the appetizer menu as well, so we ordered the Pork Pot Stickers and Poke (which was a special appetizer of the day...oh boy, I was excited!). Drinks came out fast and I was a happy camper. The Li Hing Mui Margerita was AWESOME! One of these stars is just for that. Our waiter said they put the Li Hing Mui seeds in the tequila and let them sit for a few days and then use the Li Hing infused tequila for the margeritas (why didn't I ever think of doing that!?) plus they salt the rim of the glass with a mixture of Li Hing Mui powder and salt....yum. So I'm happily sucking away on my margerita when the appetizers arrive (also incredibly quickly). The Pot Stickers are pretty yummy, until my husband cuts one open and it's red. He jokingly says, "You know what you get when you eat raw pork? Ecoli." Gross. So we quit eating the Pot Stickers. Now the Poke. It looked decent enough. No Limu, but the Green Onions, Chili Flakes, Ahi, everything else looked right. I tasted it and immediately was disappointed. Not cold enough, too much Sesame Oil and not nearly enough Soy Sauce...plus you really miss the Limu (seaweed) when it's not there. Unfortunately this Poke isn't even close to as good as the Poke you can get at Safeway. To make myself feel better, I ordered another yummy margerita. Next we ordered a Caesar Salad to split. It arrived quickly as well and looked proper. Three uncut leaves of Romaine on the plate with two croutons and all covered with dressing. I thought the leaves were fine, my husband (the chef) said they used way too much anchovy in the dressing. Both of us thought the croutons were stale and way over-garlic'd. On to entrees. I had read all these great reviews about the Seafood LauLau, so I ordered that. My husband stuck with the Kiawe-Grilled Ribeye. It took a little longer for these dishes to arrive, but no longer than expected. I took one look at my LauLau and knew I wasn't going to like it. Let me explain...LauLau is a traditional Hawaiian Luau dish. You take Pork or Fish and wrap it up in Spinach and then wrap that up in Ti leaves. Then you stick the whole thing in a steamer (or on top of your pig in your imu/roasting pit) and let them steam for a while. When they're done, you can peel away the Ti leaves to reveal a nice little spinach package with yummy fish or pork inside. This LauLau was basically steamed stir fry mix with fish, scallops and shrimp on top...all placed in a couple of Ti leaves for presentation. So right off the bat, it's not even a LauLau. I got over that and tried the food to see if it was saved by tastiness. Nope. The fish was dry, the shrimp were tough and the scallops were ordinary, plus the stir fry mixed veggies underneath it all were soupy and sorta mushy. My husband said his Ribeye was decent. "Nothing to write home about" he said....a steak is a steak. Hmmm...maybe I should order another margerita? Nah, moving on to dessert. We got a slice of the Lilikoi Cheesecake to split, again, I always gravitate towards the island dishes (plus I LOVE Lilikoi/Passion Fruit). It came out quick and it looked like a little round creme brulee...all crunchy on top from the Lilikoi sauce being burnt. It tasted good. It had a nice hint of Lilikoi taste in the cheesecake itself, plus the Lilikoi sauce was drizzled all over the plate and I sopped it up with each bite. Very yummy. Too bad it couldn't save the other dishes. One thing I should add: our waiter was great. He was fast and informative and helpful and even noticed when we didn't finish things and asked if they were badly cooked (maybe he's gotten good at noticing because it happens a lot??). He did comp us the undercooked Pot Stickers, which was nice. So the other star is for the waiter and the ambiance and, well okay, the cheesecake too. I know this is a long review, but I just gotta warn you if you're looking for REAL island style food, don't bother here. BUT! Definitely come here for drinks one night...the Li Hing Mui Margerita is DA BOMB!
(2)
Al K.

Gorgeous setting and very good seafood meal on the south shore. Worth a trip just to see the orchid garden. Best spot in Poipu for that 'special dinner' on your vacation.
(5)
pam w.

We planned our dinner because our daughter and her boyfriend had thought it to be their favorite place when they were on Kauai. The setting is absolutely magical and we were able to sit on the porch which was lovely. But the food was HORRIBLE!!!!! We each had a different dish, and not one of us liked our food. Way too much salt on everything, overcooked wontons, laulau that tasted like it had been pulled directly from the sea and put into the oven. Our server was very understanding and did give us a credit on our bill, but it certainly was a disappointment. And I am afraid we will not return.
(1)
Sarah C.

Fabulous food, lovely garden-side ambience, great service -- definitely 5 stars. The best was the fresh fish (caught daily by local fisherman) and served to perfection -- at a reasonable cost for Kauai. Pupus and desserts were good but not as fabulous. We returned to eat here 3 times. 'Nuff said.
(5)
James P.

Four of us ate here in December. We were initially seated in the back area, very crowded and noisy, kids running around (not that I have a problem with kids, just a fact), and we asked if we could move to the beautiful front porch, which was served by the bartender. Great move for ambiance, bad move for service. The bartender was a nice guy, and made awesome drinks- mojito, lychee cosmo- but kept dropping the ball. No drinks for 15 minutes after ordering, no water until asking the 3rd time, took a full 30 minutes to get our appetizers, two of the sushi plates, which got us a bit worried. It was okay, and didn't taste or feel like it had been sitting under the heat lamp for that whole time... Entrees took another 30 to get there after app. plates were cleared. Second drinks slowly arrived one by one at 5 minute intervals. Lau-lau seafood ordered by two was okay, not great, seafood stew ordered by 1 was good, and my steak was the best dish. Not what I ever expect on Kauai, but I wanted a steak and got lucky... After the abuse we weren't going to stick around for dessert. They did comp us a fair amount, almost making up for it, but overall didn't have a good time. I'd go back to give them one second chance, but prepared to raise hell at the first sign of a mis-step...
(3)
Brian C.

Top notch spot. Great menu with plenty of diversity. The sauce on the pork was first rate with just the right mixture of savory and spice. Attentive service with very accomodating host for our special occassion. Trendy drinks from the bar. If you can get a patio/deck table you'enjoy one of the best views of any restaurant around. Don't let the location near a hotel fool you into thinking this is a hotelish restaurant. Couldn't be further from it. Definitely a must try for a special night out. Lastly, the prices aren't casual cheap, but are certainly reasonable given the ambiance and quality of food.
(5)
Chris P.

This is our fourth time back to Kauai, and for anyone looking for an island with everything... warm clean water, clean air, hot sun or shade, snorkeling/surfing anything water, Kauai is truly an island paradise. We stay every year at Kiahuna Plantation, and can only offer five stars, its perfect. Plantation Gardens is the restaurant within Kiahuna. We have eaten all over the island, at many high priced restaurants. Without hesitation, PG is one of the best Kauai has to offer. We have yet to visit the famed Beach House, but it is on our short list as well. Our visit to PG included the pork tenderloin and Ahi special for the evening. The drinks delicious, fresh Keokis beers on tap and the service attentive and nearly perfect. Fish is a specialty, but I also make a point to eat pork when in HI, as pork is a traditional Hawaiian dish and is usually superbly done. Coming from NYC it was refreshing to eat without bumping chairs and elbows with someone, but still retain the attentive service and excellent food preparation we have come to love in NYC. Sit outside in the garden, next to a stone garden with amazing tropical plants worthy of the National Tropical Botanical Garden two miles up the road. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of the high volume chains like Roys and try Plantation Gardens, you will not go wrong.
(5)
Wayne E.

Had dinner here our last night at the end of a great week and high expectations. Unfortunately it turned out to be our most disappointing meal in Kauai. On the plus side it is a beautiful restaurant located in a beautiful setting but the food and service were disappointing. It is pricey and my wife and I both picked their Seafood Lau Lau which the waitress said was their signature dish and it was not very good. It was a mixture of shrimp, scallops, their catch of the day mixed with rice and vegetables. It had little flavor, the catch of the day was tough and it was not enjoyable. We split a salad and a crab rangoon appetizer that were okay but the main course was a disappointment. As for the service, the waitress was a nice young girl but she disappeared after we were seated, then 10 minutes later took a dring order, then disappeared again for a long time, then took our food order, then disappeared again etc. etc. The only thing I would say is that we both felt we just ordered the wrong thing BUT this is their signature dish so I doubt we would go back there. The rest of Kauai was incredible.
(2)
Rosie P.

This restaurant is a favorite whenever my husband and I go to Kauai. We brought our 4-year-old with us this time and had a wonderful family dinner. They have a special menu for the kids and a beautiful garden with ponds and fish that you can bring your child to if they are getting restless. My husband and I both had their special pork tenderloin served with fried rice. This was awesome! Food and atmosphere are both spectacular!
(5)
Robin K.

My daughter and I both ordered the Lua Lua and it was not good. I ate the shrimp and scallops out of it because I was starving but my daughter took one bite and couldn't eat it. It was all the same flavor and not cooked right. Maybe it was just that item, the cocktail and desert was good. But for the price everything should have been awesome. When they took our full plates away they didn't even ask why we didn't eat it. We had to ask for a salad because we were so hungry and didn't want to go to another place. Even after that we had to explain our dislike and ask for money to be taken off the bill. How embarrassing... They gave us 30$ off and a free desert. So I guess we were only 20$ in the negative on that experience.
(2)
Cindy M.

I had the thai seafood dish. It was very good and I had the cheese cake for dessert. Great place to meet my co workers for a quiet dinner and conversation.
(4)
Joshua R.

Nice restaurant to grab dinner at if you are staying near Poipu. The atmosphere of the restaurant can't be beat, its a very open and welcoming space surrounded by lush gardens and plants. The food is also quite good. I got the pot roast which was great, really love the purple sweet potatoes they get around Kauai and washed it down with a flavorful pacific dragon. The main downside (and why this review has 3 stars) is that they are slow, theres no real other way to stay it. Everyone there is calm and very polite, but it seems like everything takes forever from getting seated to getting your food. Don't go if you are on a tight timetable.
(3)
Maren T.

My husband and I just had our wedding dinner here. Not only was the food delicious, but I can't say enough about the service from Mona and her staff. They set up our table (for 20, 16 adults & 4 children) EXACTLY how I requested and envisioned. They treated our guests wonderfully and were attentive and available at all times during the evening. Our menu, cocktail hour with open bar, STARTERS: arugula salad or lobster bisque MAIN: mac-nut crusted fish, beef tenderloin or pork chops, with option to add lobster to any dish, KIDS: Kid menu anything they would like, DESSERT: Wedding Cake by Sandi plus option to add ice cream. Let me say, I was a little wary of getting a wedding cake through the restaurant, but when I saw it, it blew me away!! I was expecting just a plain cake with some flowers (cause it wasn't that big of deal to me), but when I saw it, I couldn't believe it, it was gorgeous!! Then I tasted it (vanilla macadamia nut) and it was delicious. Sandi, you are the BEST and I can't thank you enough for the beautiful and tasty cake. I have loaded a picture of it, entitled Thompson Cake if you all want to take a look. We had dinner again here before we left Kauai. The food just got better and better, and the service was just as superb as it was on my wedding night. We went to a few "top" restaurants on the island, including Brunch at the St. Regis, and this place topped them all. HUGE MAHALO!! Can't wait to visit again!!
(5)
Surfdawg M.

This is one of my wife's and I fave spots to dine in Poipu. Laid back atmosphere in a lush tropical setting....We love it. The menu is normally excellent. I was a bit disappointed this time though. Our waitress Danielle was professional & competent. The Caesar's salad was good (as usual). The sampler plate excellent. But....my chef's fish special was a small piece ($35) and then they us charged for bread. With a bottle of wine and desert + tip, everything totaled we spent $200. Not sure why they got so chintzy? I'll give it another shot next visit and hope for the best
(3)
Jayme N.

I was quite disappointed with our experience here. Should've taken the somewhat empty restaurant as a sign. Not sure if this was an "off night" for the crew, but we were let down by almost all of the food that our party of eight ordered. Two of us ordered the Plantation Garden Special -- tonight it was advertised as a seafood pasta with scallops, squid, and lobster with fettuccini in a tomato and kaffir lime sauce. It sounded delicious when the waiter described it, but turned out to be overly sweet. A friend ordered the baby back ribs. They also turned out to be somewhat sweet -- off-balance in a way -- and they were certainly less than fall-off-the-bone... Actually quite chewy. Several in the party ordered the chef's trio... A lot of food; questionable quality. Sadly, the theme of the night was that the dishes had potential in theory; the execution was certainly "off." The dishes lacked the finesse of a well-trained chef... Maybe he was off for the holiday weekend. I certainly had higher expectations.
(1)
CM P.

Stunning grounds and beautiful setting here on their wrap-around porch overlooking the garden. The wait staff was super accommodating of us with our two young girls and a plate that got knocked off the table killing the mood for other diners. The food was delicious and on the healthier side. We will definitely be back (if they will have us!).
(4)
John S.

A little old school, but there's nothing wrong with that. If you want stylish, trendy food, this isn't for you. But it's GOOD food in a fantastic atmosphere that shows off the beauty of Hawaii. A little kitschy, true. But excellent service, stellar atmosphere and very reasonable prices.
(4)
M+J K.

My husband and I were married at Plantation Gardens Restaurant on 4.5.14 and PG and staff (especially MONA!!!!!) were nothing short of amazing and professional. My husband proposed to me last year at Kiahuna Plantation and we sort of jokingly made an appointment while we were there to meet with Mona about potentially using their site and restaurant for our ceremony and reception. We never thought we'd actually do it, but once we got home to San Diego, we decided WHY NOT?!?! I'm so glad we had that initial consultation with Mona because it ended up being the only one we ever needed. Mona was not pushy or "sales-y" and simply explained how their wedding process works and listed out all our options and list of recommended vendors (several of which came in handy... see other reviews). Once we actually pulled the trigger and decided Kauai was the place, we contacted Mona and she reserved our spot. Over the next 8 months Mona kept in close contact with us via phone and email. She was always quick to respond and answer questions. What is also great about Mona and her staff is that even though they are not "wedding planners" per se, they definitely act as unofficial ones and are quick to help in any way whether its setting up or simply keeping people on task and on time. They worked closely with our actual day-of coordinators (Legacy Events) and everything went off perfectly. **AS FOR THE FOOD AND DRINKS.... Like many other reviewers, we received numerous comments from our guests that it was the best meal they had on the island. I hate to say that they said it was the "best wedding food" they ever had (since I think that has a negative connotation) but those words were also definitely uttered. During our cocktail hour we opted for several tray passed pupus including potstickers, kalua pork sliders, crab rangoons, lobster spring rolls, coconut prawns, and ahi tacos. We ordered several plates of these items and I almost wish we didn't just because our guests stuffed themselves on all the yummy apps that most of them barely put a dent in their dinners later on. We chose the Kamuela tomato salad and the Crab & Avocado salad as our two first course options... both were delicious. If I had to choose one over the other I'd pick the tomato salad first. For our three dinner options we chose the Grilled Ribeye with Lobstertail, Seafood Curry, and the local fish with lobster salsa. All three were insane! We had asked Mona for her recommendations and the Seafood Curry was one of her top picks... it wasn't even on our radar at first but I'm soooo glad we opted for it at the last minute because I think that was the top favorite for all our guests. My husband and I went back a few nights later for dinner again (courtesy of PG as our wedding gift... so thoughtful!!) and I chose that dish for myself! Another dish that Mona recommended that we got another night was the Pot Roast. My husband absolutely LOVED that dish and wished we would have chose that for our wedding too. Since wedding cake was included in our deal, we opted for the Kona Mocha and Hawaiian Carrot Cake. We LOVE carrot cake and I really wish we would have done the whole thing in that flavor. It was moist and slightly spicy... so delicious! For drinks we chose the top package mainly because we are obsessed with PG's cucumber mojito. I told Mona beforehand to make sure her bartenders are prepared to make hundreds of those because it could single-handedly be one of the top reasons we chose that restaurant. I think she thought I was joking, we weren't, I'm pretty sure their bartenders hated us by the end of the night (joking). Every mojito I saw looked just as good as the last one that had come out... so consistency and presentation never suffered in my opinion. Service was spot on and the food and drinks surpassed our expectations. Overall, I would highly recommend PG for dinner but even more so for weddings! I know how challenging it can be to plan a destination wedding, I really wish I would have "let go" and trusted my coordinators and PG a little more because there literally was NO reason to stress as much as I did. Everything ran smoothly (and if it didn't I never knew about it). We never even had a pre-wedding tasting of our dinner options or cake since we live in CA, and I still can't believe how perfect everything was. I really cannot say enough about our experience at Plantation Gardens. There were no hidden costs or last minute surprises and a great time was had by all. Destination brides: quit wasting your time and just choose PG and enjoy your engagement... no reason to stress once you choose them. Side note: I'd like to also recommend some vendors who don't have Yelp accounts but did an amazing job... Paul Togioka (slack key guitar), Kauilani Kahalekai (officiant), Jack Murray ("plein air" artist). Wallis Punua (hula show/entertainers). All A+.
(5)
A T.

This place is just great. After not having many enjoyable , successful meals this trip The Plantation was a real treat. The staff was so friendly and full of aloha not just to us but to each other. Very impressed. Tonight we decided to sit in the bar and have heavy ( a lot ) pupus and drinks. So Ono to the last bite of lillikoi cheese cake. Thanks guys. A hui ho.
(5)
Nadine F.

We came here for drinks and pupus, and I really liked it. The bartender was nice, service was fast-ish, and they had a really interesting and original drink menu. I wish we'd had time to come back for a full dinner. The ambiance was interesting, kind of dark and classy, which is nice and has an intimate feeling. The location is kind of sketchy and poorly marked, inside a large condo complex. We walked there, and when we couldn't find the restaurant, we asked one of the residents in the parking lot, and she claimed it didn't exist, which either indicates how poor their signage is or that the condo owners don't like outsiders at their restaurant.
(4)
Ajay N.

The coconut stew was outstanding but the drinks were meh. Ambiance was nice but the sautÃ©ed quinoa crusted fish lacked some flavor.
(4)
Anja P.

The ambience is captivating old world charm at this former planation estate and our server was very attentive. The wine selection was very good and we enjoyed that night's appetizer special of fresh ahi poke. For an entry we chose the coconut curry stew with calamari, lobster, shrimp, scallops, roasted potatoes, grilled crostini in coconut curry broth. It was absolutely divine - the complex flavor, textures - and each piece of seafood was cooked to perfection! This was our very best meal during our entire stay on Kaua'i! It simply doesn't get any better than this!
(5)
Wayne K.

I hate to give PGR&B a two but it was disappointing. The seafood laulau and the lemon caper monchon were not very good. Both lacked flavor. The seafood laulau was terribly bland and even with additional salt and soy sauce, it was still boring. The monchon was dry and bland as well. Laulau should have taro leaves and some porkbelly as two of the essential ingredients; adding some butter fish kicks it up a notch. I like steamed fish but it has to have a lot of seasoning, some soy sauce, oyster sauce, green onions, cilantro, grated ginger, and hot sizzling oil. Otherwise, even quality fresh seafood is pretty bland when steamed. The best part of the meal was the chicken wing appetizer. Service was excellent and the setting beautiful. Maybe I just should of ordered something else.
(2)
Thomas A.

Lavender PiÃ±a Coladas. Enough Said.
(5)
Dziabek A.

Nice restaurant , good food , service a little slow , but it's Hawaii , overall great atmosphere
(4)
Brandy V.

Love this hidden gem! We lived here for almost a year before discovering this place. Always quality food & drinks. It's tucked away beneath large trees, lots of plumeria, and an orchid garden. We always sit at the bar with great service. Love the old plantation home feel. If you'd like a table on the south lanai (best location), call ahead & make a reservation. Even when it's empty, we never get to sit out there...not sure why, but they'll seat you on the east lanai. Best cucumber mojito ever! Crab rangoons are amazing. Mashed molokai sweet potatoes are as well. Fish special is always awesome...especially if they have monchong.
(5)
Laura G.

My husband and I enjoyed our wedding dinner (just the two of us) here after getting married on the North Shore. The location is gorgeous, the service is friendly, and the food and cocktails are amazing. It's extremely affordable in comparison to other restaurants on island and we couldn't have been happier with our choice. We ended up going again during our 9-day stay on island. Their poke appetizer is delicious and you can't go wrong with their fish specials. I really love their curry sauce. They don't offer a happy hour but their drinks are well made and super fresh---worth the non-discounted price. My only complaint is the weird manager.... He gave us such a hard time about using a pre-paid OpenTable gift certificate because I had it on my phone and not printed out. All they need is the code, but he insisted they needed a piece of paper. He eventually led me into the back office to use their computer and printer (thank you!), but he made such a scene about it. So awkward. It was our wedding night. Give the newlyweds a break?!
(5)
Donna A.

Booked a party for our Condo Association--over 50 people. Everyone of those 50 people commented on how good the food was at our passed pupu party. We were well taken care of, no one was left wanting for drink or food. Highlight for me were the lilikoi cheesecake bites. My husband and I went back two nights later for a bigger piece. Only thing we could have wished for was warmer weather and a few more seats. We will be back next year! Thanks Plantation Gardens for a successful party. D. Alongi President, Poipu Kapili AOAO
(5)
Elizabeth S.

A beautiful oasis, with Asian & Hawaiian inspired dishes. Stroll through the garden while there's still sunlight, if you can - it's lovely. Drinks: -handcrafted -Included a lychee option (always a plus) -the lavender piÃ±a colada was subtle and delicious Cuisine: -mongchong was quite tasty -ribs were a little sweet for my taste -the sampler was worth it - 4 tastes of things I might'n't have tried, like the corn fritters, which rocked Decor: -waving Japanese fans -elephant heads on the bar on the bar (double bar? Handrail for when you're too sloshed to sit up?) One of the best restaurants at this price point on the south shore, I think.
(5)
Michael H.

Great food. Great service. Golden was our server. The food and setting was great. This was actually our third choice for dining. The first two were sold out so we came here. Parking is weird but the did and service worth the short walk from the upper lot to the restaurant. The Maui onion soup was the best onion soup I have ever had! Try it during your stay in Kauai. You will be glad you did.
(5)
Lenny G.

I was very disappointed with food. I felt like the food went down a lot. the food was really blan the meat was very tough. I came here 3 years ago for a wedding and food was amazing. Desert was on point. The flowers were beautiful. I wanted to take my wife here for our honeymoon and told here that we had to go here. When we got there the plants were not as I expected it look like the plants were dying. They did not look the same the flowers changes a lot not mention the food. Felt really sad that i couldn't really enjoy this special moment with my wife:( I hope the next time i come back. If there is a next time the food will taste better.
(2)
Jasmine G.

Love Love Love this place! I had my wedding here exactly a month ago and I can NOT say anything negative about the venue, staff, location, and food. Everything was absolutely perfect and to top it all, the food was delicious! FOOD: Our guests loved the food and we were so happy because we didn't get a chance to taste any of the food before our wedding. The fish was to die for and the steak was melt in your mouth tender and juicy. As a gift they gave us a free dinner to have after the wedding. When we tried the food then, we were very impressed as well. VENUE: For our wedding we had the lawn and the south lanai for about 40 guests. The beautiful gardens and koi pond was the perfect backdrop for our wedding pictures. It was nice that we were outdoors but still in a covered lanai which had a formal dinner setting. STAFF: Mona the events coordinator is simply the best. She is the sweetest and most sincere person. She knows how to direct you and help you with all the information you need. She is very easy to get a hold of and has great communication. I now miss our daily emails to each other. The waiters and waitresses were great during the wedding. They made sure appetizers were always out and that everyone was not without a drink. LOCATION: The location is very convenient if you are staying in Poipu. We stayed at the Plantation but my entourage got ready at the Marriott next door (because they have air conditiong). But it was very easy to find and there is plenty of parking. The next time we go to Kauai we definitely will be visiting Plantation Gardens again. Not only because of our wonderful memories but for the food and ambiance as well :)
(5)
Charlotte O.

So glad we came. We have been staying on the Plantation for several days now and came for the first time tonight. Wish they would serve breakfast! The grounds are incredibly well maintained. Such beautiful gardens and water features as you walk up...very romantic at night. The service is wonderful, friendly and helpful. We ordered the Plantation Sampler Platter. Considering what it included, there wasn't an drop of grease to the whole plate. So good..... It came with their chicken wings, Fresh Crab Rangoon, coconut carrot soup and pork pot stickers, all with it's own sauce and plating design.....very well made. Definitely coming back for the soup! (so creamy...mmmm) My partner ordered the Seafood Coconut Curry Stew (was to DIE for!) It had about 5 different types of fresh fish and the portion size was substantial for the amount of fish it contained. I ordered the Pot Roast. It came with purple potato mash, green beans that tasted like they were picked that day, and the meat...my goodness the meat melted in your mouth. So delicious! We are coming back again before we leave for sure.
(5)
Raina S.

This is my favorite restaurant on Kauai, and that's saying a lot, since there are so many great ones. Don't miss Plantation Gardens if you're looking for a special place for dinner. Try to arrive early so you'll have time to look around the gardens. There are winding pathways, beautiful plants and pretty spots to sit and contemplate life. The restaurant itself is inviting indoors and out, but try to get a table on the veranda if you can. Plantation Gardens has creative cocktail and food menu. I started with a li hing mui margarita, which was delicious. If you're not familiar with li hing mui, it's made from salted, dried plums. The powder from this concoction was used to salt the margarita glass, and it adds a sweet/salty/sour flavor that complements a margarita perfectly. We had a party of eight, so we ordered a couple of appetizer sampler platters. These came with pot stickers, corn fritters, ahi poke, and crab rangoon. We loved all of these, but I could have eaten an entire order of the fritters on my own. We also tried the kalua pork sliders. There were 3 or 4 to an order. The asian-inspired slaw that topped the sliders went nicely with the salty pork. For dinner, I had some sort of fish fillet over potatoes and other veggies. I can't recall what kind of fish it was, but I polished off every last bit of it. Others at our table tried ribs, pork, seafood curry, and lau lau. I didn't try all the dishes, but everyone seemed happy with their choices. Service was friendly and at just the right pace. We were all too full for dessert, but maybe we can save room for some next time.
(5)
Lisa G.

This was our last dinner on the island and it was a perfect one to end on. I had the special of the day. The texture of the seasoning of the fish was spot on! The grounds of the restaurant was beautiful. Excellent and fast service. We brought a 6 month old baby. They were accommodating with a high chair. We saw a wedding that was ending on the lawn. It seemed like a great place for a wedding and reception.
(5)
Chris P.

The Ono was amazing and so was the Rib eye! Bountiful portions of love on a plate! Definitely come here for an amazing meal if you are close! Well worth the price!!
(5)
Jana B.

Favorite restaurant on the island. We've been 5 times now and they never disappoint. Super unique cocktails that aren't overpriced, and the food is always superb. The prices are equal to the quality.
(5)
Dana B.

We made reservations for New Years Eve, which was a good thing because they did not appear to be taking walkups for dinner. We had a nice, leisurely dinner and the restaurant never felt crowded. The food (mahi and pork chops) was fantastic...great taste and beautiful presentation. The lavendar pina colada was also good. The Baked Hawaiian dessert was huge, but very tasty. We never felt rushed and the manager walked around to each table making sure diners were having a good time. Definitely recommend and make sure to take time to enjoy the wonderful gardens.
(4)
G L.

This is a semi-hard review to write. My wife and I went here for a special occasion, and looked forward to a special meal. The restaurant was fairly empty on a Saturday night at 6pm, which should be indicative that something is wrong. 1) Food - I ordered a fish dish (that the waiter suggested). The fish was actually quite tasty, I'd rate it 4/5. Probably one of the better fish dishes I ate in Hawaii. So what's wrong then? 2) Bread - My wife wanted some bread and "ordered it" for $5,95 (I think it was). We were served the equivalent of 6-8 small pieces of French Bread that didn't even taste fresh. I mean a restaurant that charges $32 for dishes, charging $6 for bread? It wasn't even focaccia, or a mixture of breads or even fresh. I went to only one restaurant before that charged for bread (that was a full loaf of bread), and that was only if you didn't order a full entree. I told the hostess about this, it's very gouging and shows no class. 3) The hostess greeted us (and noted our special occasion) and mentioned she told the waiter. He never acknowledged it, nor offered us anything for dessert. Not that this is a requirement, or expectation, it would have been a nice thing. 4) We never were asked if we wanted anything to drink, and had to ask the waiter if we could order a drink. On the above, despite the food being good, I'd give it 3 stars. However, even at 3 stars, I wouldn't return. I think #2 is absolutely unacceptable, and cheapens a restaurant. Gave me very bad vibes, and when return to Hawaii, won't go back. I had been there before, and had a positive experience, but won't be heading back.
(3)
Emilio M.

Great dinner experience, all of the food was superb, the atmosphere was so nice and calming. The plantation house was a really neat place to be in, the whole grounds was beautiful and interesting. Overall phenomenal dinner, would love to return.
(5)
Marian M.

Five of us had a lovely dinner here last night. Service was excellent and we got a beautiful sunset view from our lanai table, even tnoug staff and warned us we might have to sit inside when we made the reservation. My pork tenderloin with black rice and edamame was to die for; the other mains were good but not fantastic (ribs, quinoa, curry fish stew.). The pupu sampler was good but a bit overpriced considering quantity and quality (corn fritters were the surprise standout). All in all, a very enjoyable evening.
(4)
Jennifer G.

We loved the Plantation Restaurant, it was surrounded by a gorgeous Hawaiian garden with open air outdoor seating wrap around. Pure Hawaiian surroundings, yet homey, and upscale. There is even a large grassy area where the little ones can play. Our waiter was so wonderful and attentive, made the whole dinner so relaxing. The food was wonderful, so delicious. They even had a kids menu for the little ones which was great. It was also a romantic spot if you would like it to be, just so serene.
(5)
Sarah T.

Are we missing something here? We decided to come here on a "nice restaurant evening out" on our vacation to Kauai and were highly disappointed. When we arrived, we were impressed by how beautiful the restaurant was with the tiki torches and garden surrounding this restaurant. We (the girls) were also presented with flowers upon arrival. This is where the nice stops. The four of us ordered the Plantation Style Sampler, which for $22 was totally not worth it. Each of the four appetizers were almost bite-sized and frankly, not that tasty. Nothing stood out more than something you could get off the side of the road. Two of us ordered the Seafood Lau Lau. It was presented beautifully, but I was told they were both just "ok." I ordered something like a stir-fry with noodles and fish. And it was pretty taste-less. I had to force myself to finish the dish. Overall, we were pretty disappointed in the food here since we expected with the prices we were paying, we could get something better.
(2)
Joe B.

Stopped by at 11:15 AM on February 19th 2015 to look at the menu as we were scouting out a spot for our family reunion dinner for 8. As we strolled into the restaurant we were rudely informed that the restaurant was closed. I asked if we could take a look around. No, was the answer. That made our decision a little easier.
(1)
Sarah C.

Our first dinner on the island. We were staying at the Castle Plantation resort so it wasn't much of a walk. The garden outside is quite interesting. A hodgepodge of plants. Check it out! We came here for an earlier dinner fearing that it'll get crowded. It wasn't though but it was a Wednesday evening during off season. We were given a seat in the far back overlooking a garden where a wedding was taking place. Those Hawaiian weddings sure are quiet! SAUTEED FRESH FISH Kabayaki Glazed Fish, Root Vegetables and Miso Broth 24.95 - It was delicious and presented very beautifully. The broth was very flavorful that I dipped the complementary bread in to enjoy. The fish was light and yummy. The roots were good but some were too crunchy that they were inedible. =/ I thought the quantity was perfect. Not much greens though. It was really good and the atmosphere was really peaceful. It never got loud. I definitely wouldn't mind coming back!
(5)
Justine K.

My wife and I could not have had a better experience! The atmosphere on the patio is romantic, our server was very patient, attentive and provided good recommendations, the food was local, fresh, and delicious, and the dishes were beautifully prepared. Prices are reasonable if you look at the menus of other similar restaurants. $99 bill including two cocktails, two main courses, one desert, and one digestive. Would definitely return!
(5)
Liane C.

I am not coming back to this place again. It wasn't close to any of the reviews posted here on yelp. Very very disappointed, should have cooked at home for what I paid for. I should have known when we walked in, there wasn't one single local in the restaurant excepted for us, the servers, and host. Who knew. For one thing, there is no AC. The name kind of states it all. Decided to start off with an appetizer, I had the burger slider and that was the best thing out of all the other selection. My friend decided to get the corn fritter and that was crap. Also tried the Rangoon from another friend and it was too rich. As for my dinner I couldn't decided since I read the reviews on yelp, don't trust everything you read. Read carefully before deciding. So, I ended up getting the sampler, which had fish, the seafood Lau Lau, and pot roast. On yelp, Lau Lau was recommended. And you know what, it was not good at all. It had lots of vegetables which was very overwhelming and I could not get over the flavor. Something about it was not right. My fish was dry but surprisingly the pot roast was good. However, they weren't consistent because my other three friends got the same thing as me and well, everyone had something dry. Our server was not always there, we did see him talking to the table next to us a lot. Overall, I am not going back and don't recommend anyone to go.
(1)
Lona B.

Waiter's shirt was badly torn. Both the fish & the scallop in my lau lau were partly raw. On the other hand, the carrot soup was delicious.
(2)
Nicola B.

Came here for dinner on Christmas day and had a wonderful experience. (Note: the menu was the same, with additions.) The food, drinks and service were all outstanding. This was definitely one of our best meals out of multiple trips to the Hawaiian islands. Plantation Gardens has a distinct charm and atmosphere that makes you feel like you've stepped into a bit of Kauai history (not in a cheesy way). The food was amazing and had a unique twist, one that I can't quite put my finger on. The staff was very friendly and the service is pretty quick. Highly recommend getting a table outside on the veranda. Definitely a way to escape the resort frenzy just down the road!
(5)
Samantha L.

We went to plantation gardens to celebrate my 30th birthday and it was a GREAT meal! I don't think there was anything that we ordered that missed the mark! The standout from the appetizers were the sliders. They were probably the best I've ever had! For my entree I had the Monchong fish that came with crab meat on top. It was great. Almost like ordering fish and a crab cake for dinner. My mom got the trio sampler which was also great. The standout on that dish was the entree that comes wrapped in a Tee Leaf. If i went back, I'd order the full-size version for my entree... It was spectacular! They also gave us a free dessert with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate in honor of the occasion. Staff was very helpful, friendly, and service was great!
(4)
Nicole F.

Spotty service....but decent food. The mango salad was delicious. The seafood laulau wasn't completely to my taste as it was a bit on the bland side. The real disappointment was our waiter was hardly to be seen. Thank goodness for the bussers who were outstanding. While the prices are less than other upscale restaurants the ambience was sorely lacking. Would not return based on that and service.
(3)
betty l.

We recently got married in Kauai and held our reception at the restaurant!! It was such a beautiful and gorgeous place!!!We WERE SOOO HAPPY with the service and food!!! Especially Mona, Event Coordinator. She made it so easy from afar!! We give a thumbs up to the chef for the most amazing food they cooked at our wedding !! Sandi your wedding cake lilikoi with vanilla buttercream icing was the BOMB!!! EVERYONE is still talking about it!!! Thank u for making our wedding the most memorable moments !!!! Mahalo!!! Betty &Russell NYC 2014
(3)
E L.

My husband and I ate dinner here on Sunday night because of all the great reviews.. Well, let me tell you my experience here. The waiter came and took our orders. Another waitress delivered our Crab Rangoon without the drinks. 15 min later, then our 2 glasses of wine were delivered by another waiter. The dinner menu was limited. Only 6-8 entree. So I ordered the Seafood Lau Lau. If you want bland stir fry in a ti leaves, order it. What's inside my Lau Lau ? stir fry w/ a piece of fish, 2 reg shrimps & scallops tied in ti leaves. Serve with a dash of furikaki on a scoop of brown rice and a bottle of soy sauce. It's a joke! Worst than my cooking! Lol. My husband ordered the baby back ribs, it was tender and tasty! After 2 hrs later, our dinner was done! Of course, the bill was $150.00 for two .. Not worth it!! Go to Merriman or Dondero's!!
(2)
Elizabeth M.

The cucumber mint mojito was DELICIOUS! My husband and I came here on our honeymoon to celebrate our marriage. The ambiance was romantic and very calming. We sat outside and enjoyed dinner by the garden with some lit tiki lights. I had the seafood curry, which was absolutely delicious and my husband couldn't get enough of the seafood lau lay! A little rough on the wallet but completely worth it.
(5)
Vy D.

Sunday night 8:30, this place was a short walk from the Sheraton. Restaurant looked lovely by the light of the tiki torches. W and I sat outside and could hear the frogs croaking periodically. We had a cucumber mojito and plantation breeze to start, tasty with a strong kick of alcohol. The crab Rangoon is a deep fried wonton filled with snow crab and cream cheese--wasn't expecting a deep fried app to start but we ate it up. Nice tangy chillie sauce to accompany. For the main course, we split the trio: included the sea food lau (shrimps and scallops were cooked right and veggies savory), the curried fish (our favorite of the three) and the pork with sweet potatoes. Jake the server was friendly and upbeat. A nice way to end a day spent mostly in the beach.
(4)
C N.

My review might be skewed because I come from San Francisco, and I used to work in fine dining, including a serious seafood restaurant. With that said, I'm used to paying through the nose for good food, but I expect the quality to match the price. My husband and I went here for dinner during our honeymoon. Service was definitely on the slow side, but our server was very personable. We went right to entrees. My husband had the ribs, and I had the seafood curry. The barbecue ribs needed more "barbecue-ness" to them. Additionally, we both suspected these were cooked in a "cheater"/quick method: boiled/steamed first, and then grilled or broiled with the glaze after. Why do I say this? There was no pink "smoke ring" on the meat, which is a telltale sign of slow smoked meats, and it lacked the inherent internal smokey quality. The tangy coleslaw that came with it was also *just* OK. It was rather one-dimensional: it lacked something besides the tang/sour quality. Sweet? Spicy? Salty? None of the above. It also just went overboard on the tangy dressing. I had the seafood curry. The flavor was quite tasty! This was very decent in my opinion, although a bit lacking in salt and spiciness: if I see "Thai yellow curry" on a menu, I sort of expect a bit more kick. The fish was cooked nicely (i.e. not overdone). It was a little skimpy on shrimp (I received exactly two). Same for the mussels (again, just two). I actually take significant issue with the mussels: I didn't eat them. Why, you may ask? Because one was not open, and the other one's shell was cracked in half and was badly mangled. These can be signs of poor handling in the kitchen, and the fact that the cook didn't eliminate these either before putting them in the pan OR before sending that out to the customer really was shocking to me in an upscale place like this. Unopened mussels and those with damaged shells can indicate death of the mollusk; dead mollusks can actually cause severe food poisoning. This is super basic cooking knowledge. I left feeling rather disappointed in the experience, especially such an expensive experience. While we still have another week here, and this is the closest restaurant to where we are staying, we will not return. I can't say I'd recommend this place, unless I knew the chef was aware of the issues with the seafood handling.
(2)
Mary P.

The food here is ammmmmazing! Hands down best on island. The Lau Lau and the Chef's Trio are beyond!!!!!!!' Priced super reasonably, tons of seafood, great value. Skip the soba noodle salad its pretty blah. Tartare is ok, but Lau lau lau lau lau is to die for!
(5)
Alex O.

This place is great. Small menu, but really wonderfully crafted food in a beautiful location. We both had the "chef's trio". Also the cucumber mojitos are really a hit. Skip the resort restaurants and get out to some real food.
(4)
Layla J.

This place is really beautiful but the service was lacking. We waited 20-30 min for our waiter to show up and take our orders. Neither of our dishes were anything to write home about and our server failed to come back and check on us. We were both really disappointed as this restaurant was suggested by a local. If you do decide to go the lavender pina colada is pretty tasty and they have other interesting cocktails.
(2)
j w.

I recently had my small (22 guest) destination wedding at Plantation Gardens and am so happy we chose to have our special day here. Food and Drinks-Wonderful! My friends all flew in from NYC and LA and are a tough crowd to please. Everyone raved about the specialty cocktails and food. Everything I tried was delicious. I had read some ho-hum reviews and am not sure why, we loved it! Grounds- Our wedding looked like a tropical fairy tale wedding. The ceremony site was lush and gorgeous. We had beautiful soft light floating through the tress and the garden was gorgeous. The children were able to look at plants and fish and were thoroughly entertained. Service- Great and prompt with everything. Very nice bartenders and wait staff. Wedding Coordinator- MONA!!!! Absolutely the best. Prompt replies to all my emails (not typical for Kauai). Took all the stress out of planning a destination wedding. Day of I didn't have a care in the world. I was able to show up and celebrate with my friends and family. If you are considering a destination wedding in Kauai on any budget, I highly recommend PG
(5)
Kathleen D.

The food was great and the service was even better. This was my second time visiting the island and my second time at the restaurant and I would return again.
(5)
Ashley R.

Went here with a big group for dinner. The service was mediocre but the food was delicious. High prices items but very flavorful and big portions. If I were to go back to Kauai this would not be on my list of places to go back and eat again.
(3)
Cindy N.

I expected better quality food from a place that looks as nice as this one. We've been having poke all over Kauai and Oahu and Plantation's poke was the least impressive. It lacked seasoning that poke normally has. It was good quality fish, just not much flavor. We has the corn fritters, crab Rangoon, and pot stickers also, which were unremarkable. The seafood curry stew was the one bright spot, however. Service was unremarkable also.
(3)
Juan D.

High price for not so fantastic food. Nice setting, beautiful orchid garden, but food is a let down. Save your money and vacation time for a different restaurant.
(2)
Tom M.

The food and atmosphere was great! We should have gone here for our anniversary and not Roy's that is across the street.
(4)
Kraig S.

Excellent food and service but the best was the beautiful gardens and the serenading by the frogs during dinner. Created a quite lovely atmosphere. We had potstickers, Seafood Lau Lau and curry seafood which were all very good.
(5)
Jason A.

Great romantic setting. Ambience is unlike other places on the island but gives you that true plantation feel. We tried a few dishes and all of the fish was great, and crab Rangoons were great. Other appetizers weren't on the same level. Drinks are creative and very good as well.
(5)
Kathy I.

This place absolutely exceeded our expectations. Excellent food and fun, timely service. Make sure to request open air seating as the gardens are beautiful. We will return here again later in the week. And don't forget to order a mojito as they are amazing.
(5)
M H.

We recently had our wedding and reception at Plantation Gardens. Mona made planning this event completely stress-free, and the entire PG staff was professional, friendly, and surpassed all expectations. The drinks, food, and wedding cake were all beautifully made and absolutely delicious - and as a former pastry chef, I am kind of picky about such things. My husband and I recommend Plantation Gardens without hesitation. Thank you, Mona & staff, for a perfect evening!
(5)
Karla B.

We came here for our first dinner on the island. Surprisingly, we had several vegan options! We ordered the tofu inari app, Yamaimo noodle salad and the veggie quinoa bowl (sans Parmesan cheese), and mango sorbet. Everything was outstanding! Oh, and we even were entertained by the bull frog in the pond!
(4)
Anna G.

After spending some time exploring the amazing grounds surrounding the restaurant, we were seated outside overlooking the gorgeous garden. We enjoyed very tasty and creative cocktails. Our Plantation Style Sampler appetizer was really good (crab rangoon!), and our Local Lilikoi Cheesecake was simply delicious. However, my husband's seafood lau lau was pretty mushy and tasteless, and my skewered pork tenderloin was just pork on a stick slathered in heavy sauce. So, in summary: go for the beautiful garden setting, the cocktails, the appetizers, and the desserts. Skip the entrees.
(3)
Erin C.

Our best meal on the island this trip (went to Merrimans, Brennekes, Hanalei Dolphin, Beach House). Casual, non-pretentious, lovely atmosphere. No hassle getting reservations same day and getting seated right away. Service was fabulous, food was excellent. Beautiful grounds. A wonderful romantic dinner and would definitely go back.
(5)
Gigi S.

Outstanding! We tried Tidepools and were so disappointed. Everything except the soba salad was stellar and I mean stand out! We had the tomato/goat cheese salad, pot roast and grilled fish (mongchong). Drinks were all abover par too. So far, best restaurant experience we've had on Kauai.
(5)
Pam W.

Four of us for dinner---2 had seafood stew (in yellow curry sauce), 1 lua lua, and 1 grilled fish (monchong). All were delicious and excellent. It was early, so it was quiet--we were on deck outside--and the wait staff were very friendly and efficient. Definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Sandra H.

The menu looked interesting but portions were small and not tasty. The kids' meals were ridiculously small - even for kids! I would recommend coming here for the beautiful setting - truly Hawaiiana! - and enjoying drinks and tapas. Skip the dinner. Desserts were a bit better. The service was friendly - but very, very slow. Faster service, better food, bigger portions would help improve this restaurant.
(2)
Amanda C.

The grounds make the meal worth the price. You'll find in the resort restaurants and in any of the upscale places that aren't local stands/store-fronts that meals will range in the $28-40+ range. Here the average was $30 pp. I got the Chef's Trio and it was the best value. You get to sample the Lau Lau (my favorite) and the pot roast and the fresh fish. Everything was hot and cooked perfectly. The flavor on the Lau Lau was wonderful and that leaf was packed full of crisp vegetables scallops, shrimp and fish. MMMMMMMM! The grounds are gorgeous - weaving winding paths filled with orchids and flora and lit with delicate lights along the way. It's charming and delicious.
(4)
Meli N.

I had the grilled opah which was just ok, tad over cooked. LOVED the chicken wings with the lilikoi aioli. My friends had the shrimp rolls, Caesar salad, & quinoa and liked it. Drinks were good as well but our mojito seemed to be missing simple syrup. Once we had some to add to it, it was better although they should mash the mint to get the flavors out.
(3)
Ty M.

Lovely spot. ''Twas dark when we arrived so we didn't get a good look at the gardens but they seem very nice. Good food, terrace dining, good service, very elegant. We would do it again.
(4)
Jeff C.

On our trip to Kauai, we chose to eat here for one of our "nice" dinners on the recommendation of friends who have eaten here before. We were seated immediately on a Tuesday night around 7:30, which was a pleasant surprise. We started off with the Kailani Farms Arugula Salad, which was a definite hit. The sweetness of the onion and mango and the crunch of the almonds complimented the taste of the arugula and the slight sourness of the orange sesame vinaigrette perfectly. A wonderful salad! For the main dish, I had the seafood lau lau and my wife had the braised baby back ribs. The lau lau was very tasty with the sauce inside even penetrating the veggies well. However, the fish was a little overcooked inside but the shrimp and scallops were just right. The baby back ribs were awesome, the meat was literally fall off the bone tender. We weren't so crazy for the Hawaiian cole slaw, but overall, our main dishes were great. We also ordered a guava smoothie with our dinner that was absolutely fantastic. Such great fruit flavor and so creamy as well. Mmm. For dessert we had the Lilikoi cheesecake. I have to say we were a little disappointed as we thought the lilikoi flavor was a bit too subtle and the "sun baked creme fraiche" was a little too burnt on the top- so much so that we scraped it off to just enjoy the cheesecake. I've heard good things about the baked Hawaiian, maybe you'd want to go with that instead. Overall, a solid dinner.
(4)
Peiran S.

The food we had worth a 4 minor star review. I had sea food Lau Lau. Would say its not as good as a street vendors pork Lau Lau. But it satisfied me by the amount of vege in it. Baked Hawaiian cake was good but not impressive. What makes it a 3 star review is the service being slow. We were tired after a good day of hiking and would like to head home ASAP. When our waitress came to ask if we were interested in desert menu without bringing one meanwhile, I was annoyed a bit. Overall, there are better places than this one in walk distance. For a serious dinner, go Merrimen, Jossilins or even Roy's on the other side of the road.
(3)
Oliver M.

First of all, I have to mention that I don't like fish, so this review won't be relevant for the seafood. Our waitress set us at a nice table outside with a nice view over the garden, which we couldn't see, couse the sun had already set. But still the ambiance was very nice and relaxing. As a starter we had two different salads from the menu. Both very good and made of fresh ingredients from the island, which is the motto of this place (like many others have...) For main course we tried the tenderloin pork, very tasty and tender and the right portion for an average hungry person. The other entree was the vegetable-bowl, which was very well cooked and prepared. Resumee: a highly recommended place for guest who doesn't look for the ultimate in-spot of the island.
(4)
S S.

A hidden little restaurant tucked away in paradise! The bar serves specialty drinks with house infused liquors. The food is nothing short of amazing. When ever I stay at Kiahuna I tend to forget I'm at a resort until I step into Kiahuna Plantation bar and grill! They service is impeccable, the food is fresh and elegant and the drinks are carefully crafted. I was debating to post a review since I love this place so much and want it to always stay my secret hideaway.... Not sure I would recommend this place for families with young uncontrollable children. The atmosphere is quiet, unique and garden like. It's a great place to take your wife, husband, lover, mother, grandmom or special someone
(5)
Melissa B.

Good food, but what brings this to 4 stats is a) the wonderful garden setting, and b) their FANTASTIC cocktails. Go here for drinks if nothing else!
(4)
Erin V.

The food and drinks were very good. Ambience was excellent. It was a little expensive and service was a bit casual.
(3)
Adrian A.

Lilikoi cheesecake...mmmm! Uku fish good but a bit overcooked. Stir fry was truly excellent! Has less swordfish than other dishes, but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for w/noodles, veggies, and a great broth. Nice lanai in back w/great garden/pond view. Wonderful service from the front desk to our server and the busboys/girls.
(4)
Sherrie L.

We got married here in May of 2013 and had an absolutely magical day. Everything was fantastic. Venue We had our dinner reception on the West Lani and it comfortably seated 36 guests. It was a perfect size for our reception and I liked how we had more privacy since that lani is tucked out of the way from the main dinning areas. PG is very beautiful and inviting inside. We lucked out on the our wedding night because the restaurant was unusually slow, so we felt like we had our own private plantation home to ourselves. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the sweet, pleasant sounds of birds chirping during the afternoon and the comforting bellow of the bullfrogs at night were a lovely accompaniment to our Hawaiian outdoor garden wedding. Food & Drinks We offered a fish, pork, and chicken dish. By far, more guests ordered the fish entree. I guess when in Hawaii, do what the Hawaiians do and eat fresh local fish. All the food was amazing as well as the presentation. I also have to give them a thumbs up for the lavender pina colada~not too sweet, not too tart, not too much pineapple, and not too much lavender~just oh so right. Cake The cake was absolutely delicious. My only regret from the evening is that I didn't finish the whole slice of my wedding cake because I was very full from dinner. (Oh, what I wouldn't do to get another slice of the coconut, vanilla bean, and macadamia nut cake right now!) The cake was not really decorated to what I had envisioned, but I can't fault the cake designer~I think I was just too picky and did not communicate my vision to her well enough. I had asked for lavender with lambs ear and white or cream colored flowers. All I got was lambs ear, so the cake looked a little strangely fuzzy and plain looking, but where it lacked in design, it made up for in flavor. Staff & Service All the staff at PG were professional, thoughtful, and spot-on. For example, as bride and groom, of course we had no time to actually enjoy the pupus (appetizers) that we ordered for the cocktail hour since we were busy socializing. But when we got back to our tables for dinner, the staff had set up two of each pupus for us to snack on before dinner. How thoughtful! They were also very professional and helped us to keep on track with our schedule. I never once felt rushed throughout the night...even when some guests were still lingering after closing to sign the guestbook. They were very friendly and patient. Mona She gets her own heading here because without Mona we would not have had such an amazing wedding. She IS what has put PG on the wedding grid. Given that we had a destination wedding AND that I am extremely detailed-oriented, I asked a lot of questions. I mean, A LOT of questions. She was prompt with emails and phone calls, always helpful, kind, and she sent me almost as many photos as I had questions to help me get a better feel for the venue. If you are thinking about hosting your wedding here, I highly recommend PG. After our wedding, we had dinner just the two of us and enjoyed it as much as the first time. PG really embodies the aloha Hawaiian spirit and our guests, as well as ourselves, left with warm hearts, full bellies, big smiles, and cherished memories. We shall be back for our anniversaries.
(5)
Andrea R.

A lot of mixed reviews, but our experience was great. After a long and lazy day during our honeymoon, we were looking for a restaurant near our hotel for a late dinner, so we showed up at Plantation Gardens pretty late at night. There was hardly anyone left at the restaurant! The building was lovely - the garden outside, the lights, etc. We sat on the outside patio, with a view of the gazebo area. Their specialty drinks were very tasty - I'm not a big drinker, but I ordered two drinks just because of the more exotic flavor pairings. Both my and my husband's drinks were great. We shared the Plantation Style Sampler - everything was good, though my favorite was the Corn Fritter. We also shared the Chef's Trio; I wasn't a big fan of the seafood lau lau, but I loved the pot roast (I'm a sucker for the Molokai sweet potato mash). Our seafood was cooked perfectly. The menu is heavily influenced by Asian flavors, so if that's not your thing, be warned. For dessert, we had two scoops of Lappert's ice cream (oh mocha lava java, how I love you). The portions aren't huge here, but we left pretty stuffed. Our waiter mostly left us alone to enjoy the meal, which allowed us to have a more intimate, romantic dinner in the gorgeous setting. No complaints from us! We were pleasantly surprised and glad we gave it a shot despite the multiple bad reviews here. The only off thing I noticed was the HUGE silverware. I don't know if my husband and I have been eating with miniature utensils all these years, but I've never eaten with such big utensils...
(4)
Sly C.

We ate here as a large, disorganized group (about 9 people) for a pseudo-rehearsal dinner. Service was excellent and really gracious and patient with the various diners' different expectations. Despite our haphazard ordering, everybody got their food as ordered and in a timely manner. Drinks are the highlight here. When we arrived, we had to wait a while for the rest of our party, so we hung out in the bar. The bartender was very friendly and eager to talk about crafting cocktails, and even gave us some samples to try. We ordered a few different drinks and they were creative and delicious. Of course, the setting is very nice. The decor is gorgeous and the garden is beautiful. The only weak spot is the food itself. It was fine -- not bad or anything -- but nowhere near worth the price, and just not interesting. I can't speak for the meat dishes, but the vegetarian dishes we ordered were pretty uninspired. (Although I'll note that my meat-eating companions did not do a ton of raving about their dishes.) I had a very decent arugula salad to start, but the quinoa bowl I had as my main was pretty boring. I'd recommend coming here for drinks, but looking for dinner elsewhere.
(3)
A. B.

Excellent meal, one of our bests in Kauai. I preferred it to Josselins which got so many rave reviews on yelp. we had the arugula salad & the fresh grilled fish special (bong chong was the name of the fish according to our server). the fish was buttery & just melted in our mouths...the red curry sauce gave it a nice kick. we had the lillikoi cheesecake but i preferred the cheese cake at RumFire in the Sheraton. btw the garden on the grounds is a site not to miss. it has beautiful orchids & birds of paradise & many many other flowers.
(5)
Emily J.

I really didn't expect to give this place five stars but it turned out to be amazingly good! My family has a ton of dietary preferences/restrictions so going out to eat can really be a challenge and frustration. My parents are vegan by choice and my sister has a gluten and dairy allergy, not by choice. Regardless, it can be a drag to go out to eat. Our server Justin at Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar did a superb job handling everything, even my mother creating a completely new and original dish. I ordered the special which was opah on a bed of sweet potatoes and pickled vegetables, absolutely fabulous. We were even treated to the festivities of a wedding being celebrated on the grounds surrounding the restaurant. We got to see fire dancers, hula dancers, and traditional Hawaiian singers, it really added to our dining experience. I would get their passion fruit lemonade-to die for!
(5)
Valerie R.

For our first night on Kauai, we wanted to eat somewhere delicious that we could walk to from the Sheraton. Plantation Gardens fits the bill! Seriously, it's only a stone's throw away from where we were staying, but it's tucked away from the road and with the amazing gardens it feels like you have been transported to another time. Someone said it looked neglected - not the case. They have enormous, towering cacti, and thousands upon thousands of orchids. If I could get my orchids to bloom like that, I'd consider myself a master in the gardening realm. It took me an extra 10 minutes to get to the hostess because I couldn't stop looking at everything! Even though we didn't have a reservation, we were seated promptly. When you walk in, there's a cute bar to the right, and on the left there's a waiting area with comfortable sofas. The decor was not over the top, in fact, I'd say it was casual plantation chic. The real focal point is the garden, so if you can get a view of it while you eat, do! I also walked by a number of large groups eating dinner, and they have a lanai where private parties (like rehearsal dinners?) can enjoy cocktails. Since I didn't have to drive back, I figured it was my opportunity to try a few of their cocktails. The cucumber mojito was light and refreshing, but still with all that great lime flavor. The pomegranate drop was another good choice - zingy, but with a sugar rim to counteract the tartness. Yay for good drinks!! Dinner was delicious as well. I had the pork tenderloins skewered on a piece of sugarcane. They were indeed tender, but very flavorful and the sauce was nice and salty. My side dish was a hash of three types of sweet potato, butternut squash, apple and bacon. What a combination of flavors - and unlike any other side dish I've had. I really enjoyed it - made eating vegetables a pleasure, haha! I would have no problem coming back here - and with a glass of wine, two cocktails, an appetizer, two entrees and dessert, the bill only came to $100 - what?? (I live on Oahu so yeah, this is a deal for me!).
(4)
Kira G.

The atmosphere was marvelous, and the meal was outstanding. The service could have been a tad better. We ordered the ahi poke for an appetizer & two seafood dishes for an entree that were to die for. The drinks & wine were great as well.
(4)
Benjamin W.

We had our wedding ceremony and reception here for 30 people after reading the reviews. I'll break down the important parts: Service The service was great for a party of our size. The servers were prompt, polite and very accommodating. Food We really enjoyed the food and had a lot of feedback from our guests that it was great. I personally enjoyed the grilled beef tenderloin-top notch. We also has some appetizers that we heard were good, but were a little too busy to get a chance to taste. Drinks We had a lot of drinks. The bartender really impressed even some of our high brow friends making almost every one of their requests. Ceremony We worked with Mona (PG's wedding coordinator) to prepare a simple ceremony in their gardens. The ceremony site was not entirely private as there are some tables that look out over the area and some walkways nearby, but was not a big deal as the ceremony was before dinner. There is a beautiful tree that the ceremony was in front of, but unfortunately during season (Feb) we were there it was only just starting to bloom. We attempted to have drinks & appetizers in the gardens after but it was raining slightly so we moved to the reception site without issue. Reception The reception dinner was in the West Lanai which is in the back of the restaurant and more secluded then the other spots seemed. Our wedding coordinator took our decorations and setup the tables before the dinner which looked fantastic. There is a slight eye sore near the entrance to the West Lanai from the gardens. All in all, we had a great experience, would give a 4.5 star rating because of the minor things but worth a round up as it wasn't anything major.
(5)
Shawn B.

This place borders on 2 stars for me, but I've only been here once, so I rounded up. Nothing on the menu struck me as particularly original. The fish with a curry sauce that I ordered wasn't very well executed either. I was expecting some flair, a la Mama's Fish House (our favorite spot on Maui). Sadly there was none. The gardens are pretty, and our table actually had a view of them. Our seats looked out upon a pond that had a couple frogs. The inside surfaces of the pond were painted blue, and reminded me of a kitschy '70s apartment complex.
(3)
Cheryl R.

The setting is romantic and peaceful. The food was beautifully presented and the taste was terrific. Cucumber mojitos in a mason jar, YUM. Highly recommend.
(5)
Alissa R.

Party of 7 without a reservation - only waited 5 minutes. Service was pretty good - food was wonderful - although dessert was disappointing. Loved the atmosphere and the appetizers and entrees were beautifully presented. I would go back - but leave room for a shave ice for dessert!
(4)
Jamie G.

This restaurant did everything right. Everything! We were in the mood for some asian food but noticed that mainly the appetizers were asian and the main entrees were seafood. Because we were in the mood for Asian food and not super hungry, we didn't order off of the entree menu at all. (Though we were tempted by the special of the day!) Here is how our order looked: Started with a beer at the bar for my husband and an Arnold Palmer with mint leaves for me. Yum! Appetizer at our table of crab rangoon - SO good. They are different from the crab rangoon I am used to but in the best way possible. My meal consisted of the shrimp spring rolls (appetizer) and the Yamaima Soba Noodle salad. I had no idea what the Yamaima Soba Noodle salad was but decided to give it a shot. It was SUPER good! The spring rolls were equally as delicious. My husband's meal consisted of the Orange - Chili Glazed Chicken (appetizer) and the Kailani Farms Arugula salad. I tried both of these things and they were really yummy. Our server was friendly and attentive but never disruptive. He wasn't sucking up to try and get a good tip by any means. His timing was great and he did a wonderful job. Even though this restaurant has 4 stars, I was a bit hesitant because I read some of the few bad reviews. I'm really glad I came and formed my own opinion. Our meal was perfect and it makes us wonder how good the other items on the menu are. We will definitely come back before we leave town! ------------------------ Back for a second night and again, this food is just mouth watering. We ordered the crab rangoon again (too good to pass up) and I ordered the Seafood Lau Lau. I was considering ordering this the first night but wasn't that hungry. Thank goodness I ordered it this time around, it was DELICIOUS! Highly, highly recommended! Seriously, check this place out.
(5)
Adam S.

Great service, atmosphere and food! This restaurant can stand up to most top "local" spots across the USA. The food was well plated and incorporated local ingredients perfectly. Thank you for a great meal!
(5)
Thao V.

Went here for a wedding reception. Had rib-eye steak and lobster bisque. Food was a disappointment, especially after a long day. Place had spectacular views and ambiance though--would try to come again for a regular dinner night (maybe wedding food is not as good as their typical dinner food?)
(2)
Bob B.

Got Stomach Sickness We ate there in March, and the next morning we were really sick to our stomachs. It lasted about 4 hours, then we were OK, we rarely get sick. Decided to try it again about a week later, and the Matre D said we could not sit on the deck because they were short on staff because staff was sick. We immediately left and did not go back. We had friends just get back from Maui on 4/7 and the entire family got the noro virus, so I think the stomach flu must be making the rounds in Hawaii. Be sure to always wash your hands and use hand sanitizer, we did that, but the germs were probably on the plates or glasses.
(2)
Jason M.

Kylen, Brendan, and Brad were great at the bar. Fantastic fresh cocktails. Wonderfully friendly service. We decided to stay for dinner and the coconut curry and baked Alaska were great. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Serena S.

5 stars for service. 4 stars for the ambiance and gardens. Food is 3 stars - but appetizers are better than entrees so maybe just come for drinks and pupus. Restaurant is an old plantation-style home with a wrap-around veranda and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and fish pond. Kids will love to look for fish and tadpoles and discover different nooks of the garden. It's a great place for large groups as there is a lot of space to spread out and they are very welcoming to families. Our server was a wonderful person who was attentive to not just the adults but also the kids. We loved all the appetizers - we ordered the Plantation sampler which came with crab won tons/ raviolis, dumplings, corn fritters and spring rolls. We loved them so much we ordered a second plate. The only exception were the corn fritters - they were served with some sort of soy sauce drizzled on top which made them soggy (weird). They would have been better if the soy sauce was served was a dipping sauce or even better, instead of soy sauce, drizzle with a wasabi aioli. Drinks were excellent. We had the cucumber mojitos which were served with a lot of fresh cucumbers and mint. We also had a pina colada that was perfectly done. For entree, my husband ordered the ribs. The portion is large. The BBQ sauce was solid but won't blow you away. I had the chef's trio - seafood lau lau, fish and pot roast. Sadly, the pot roast was the tastiest - it was super tender, moist and perfectly seasoned. The lau lau was tasteless and the fish dry and overcooked. Prices are a bit high - you're paying for the ambience and the service. Not a fancy place per se but everyone is dressed up just a bit nicer than your typical restaurant. Also a good place for romantic dinners - ask to sit on the veranda with a spot overlooking the gardens.
(4)
Rebecca L.

The food is really good! We stayed at the nearby Grand Hyatt and decided to come visit this place which according to Yelp, has 4 stars. I ordered a passion fruit smoothie and it was soooooo good! The chef's trio that I ordered was very delicious with Laulau, fresh caught monchong and. I took a bite of the sugarcane skewed port chop that my husband ordered. It was very juicy and flavorful. Would definitely come again!
(5)
Caroline G.

This is the only non-ocean side dining where the atmosphere was still transformative for me. The Plantation Gardens is a plantation style house where you really feel you are in someone's home--for me it was George Clooney's in The Descendants The food was pretty good, maybe it good be better, but hey I was eating in George Clooney's house! We had an appetizer sampler but to be honest you could skip the small portions and instead get a whole plate of corn fritters. They were the best and I never would have ordered them on their own. For my entrÃ©e I had the Seafood Lau Lau, which is a selection of fresh fish steamed inside a Ti Leaf with brown rice and a tasty aioli. I know I've had a good dish when I can still taste it two weeks later, so be sure to have a Seafood Lau Lau while you are in Hawaii--if you don't have it a Plantation Gardens. @eatdrinkla
(4)
Marian C.

We have frequented this restaurant off and on for 30 years when we vacation in Hawaii, and have always really liked it. Because it had a special place in our hearts, we had our daughter's wedding reception here, and it was fantastic! Since it was a good sized destination wedding, we had almost all the appetizers along with many of their other dishes. The food was great and the portions plentiful. The service was outstanding; we were very impressed by their consistent attention to detail both in planning the event and during the event itself. They even went out of their way to accommodate special diets of some of our guests. Mona was the best -- a pleasure to deal with, very responsive, and always looking out for what worked well for us. We thought the restaurant buy-out package was a bargain, and really liked the choices it offered. And the setting is amazing. We would use them again in a heartbeat!
(5)
Paul W.

Came on a busy New Year's Eve and had a wonderful dinner. The service, ambiance and cocktails were all top notch. The food came close but missed the mark. Everything was good but not 5-star great.
(4)
Tom K.

They need to upgrade their website menu prices. It shows the local fish as costing $24 but when you get there it's $32. All items are more expensive than on website. Food was good. Bread costs extra. Beautiful garden .
(3)
Irene P.

Service was spotty (they delivered wrong dishes, for example). The food was good, not great. The Lau Lau seafood signature dish was forgettable. The daily fish special was ok. The live music a tad too loud and not the greatest voice either. But the cocktails were good and the crab appetizer more than amazing.
(4)
Ashley M.

We came here on a Sunday night at 8pm. There were only 2 other tables with people at them, so it was quiet. We came here for a fancy meal, but there was a large group with kids next to us who looked like they all came from the beach. It didn't make it feel romantic at all, but I can looked past that. Our server was friendly and helpful with explaining each fish. My husband liked his Panko Crusted Mahi Mahi, but I severely disliked my Braised Baby Back Ribs. The slaw salad was really dry and I just didn't like the sauce on the ribs. I couldn't eat more than two. The dessert was awesome, we shared the cheesecake. The price was around 30 dollars per person for an entree, but no more pricey than most of the nicer restaurants on the island. However, our bill came out for way more than what we owed. It took them 15 minutes to fix it and they never came by and told us what was going on. They just took the bill and came back 15 minutes later with the adjusted price, not explaining what happened. I would not go here again, just because I didn't like their food.
(3)
Kevin F.

The food is good - not "knock-your-socks-off", but good. You pay a bit for the location and the upscale plantation house feel, but not as much as many of the resort locations nearby. If you've been hitting the low-priced yummy bites around Kauai (saimin, plate lunch, fish tacos, etc.), then Plantation Gardens is a decent switch for the night out date location. The cucumber mojito was outstanding and the li hing margarita was delicious. We had the corn fritters which were nice, although soft. The Rangoon was good as well. I can't complain with my order of ribs - the portion was unexpectedly big and the meat was delicate. My wife was satisfied with the lau lau she ordered.
(3)
Joshua B.

WOWW!! We had read about this place when planning our honeymoon, but weren't sure we'd have an opportunity to have dinner here. We're sure glad we made the time to come as it was the best food we had on the island. The atmosphere is amazing, serene garden island jungle (with the requisite wild chickens of course). The service was attentive, friendly, and professional. The food was flawless. We had lots of similar food while in Kauai (fish with fruit based sauces, a starch, and a veggie), but Plantation Gardens was by and far the best. Flavors were balanced and not over- or underwhelming, and the fish was cooked to perfection. If you are a true foodie and are looking for the best food on the island, look no further. Highly Recommend.
(5)
Jeff H.

We have been going to Plantation Gardens for many years. Am a huge fan!
(5)
Krista M.

I would say this is the best meal of our trip. The setting is beautiful, a plantation style house that is surrounded by an outstanding orchid garden. Like most in Kauai it is an open air restaurant with lots if fresh air and breezes. We started off with a couple of their signature drinks which were delicious. We opted for the Ahi Tuna appetizer which included sashimi, a spiced ahi and an ahi sushi roll. It was good but not excellent. It tasted a bit bland to me, but it was all uphill from there. For the main course I had the pan seared mahi-mahi, with a light buerre blanc over white rice, it was excellent! My fiancÃ© ordered the traditional lau lau, which is seafood wrapped and cooked in a banana leaf, it was also very good. Now for dessert, O-M-G, this was unbelievable! It was an ice cream sandwich, sounds ordinary, but it was no such thing! It was macadamia caramel ice cream inside 2 slices of chocolate cookie with a side of espresso hot fudge; it was one of the best desserts I've ever had! The service was also wonderful; everyone from the hostess to the bus boy was super friendly and accommodating. We loved Plantation Gardens and hope to go back some day.
(4)
Nazanin S.

The plantation Garden is beautiful with a great atmosphere and great service but the food is just ok and nothing extraordinary.
(3)
Linh N.

Atmosphere: The grounds are beautiful and really does look like a tropical plantation house. This was the perfect place for the size of my wedding party (33 adults, 4 children). We had the West Lanai to ourselves which was perfect. But if you're looking for a beach view, this place doesn't have it. Service: Mona, the Special Events Manager was extremely helpful. She was informative, responsive and very sweet. From the start of our planning to the day of the wedding, she helped us all the way through. From creating our menu, to setting up our sign in table and place cards and such. She had to leave early so we were handed off to Joyce who seemed a little rough around the edges at first. Came off as, "I don't care to be here" attitude, but she warmed up to us towards the end, was able to crack a smile here and there. Drinks came out a little slow, we had to ask more than once and the food came out normal. Food: First Course: Kailani Farms Arugula Salad-good, Lobster bisque-good. Second course: Seafood Lau Lau-Decent, I only liked the scallops, but that's just me. Our guests said everything else was okay, nothing special. Grilled Rib-eye-Edible, My husband asked for more steak sauce which didn't do much he says. I tried it, I thought it was okay but I did like the onion rings more than the steak.. Sugarcane Skewered pork tenderloin- The only person who ordered this said it was good. Our last course was wedding cake by Sandy- amazing! We had three flavors, Lilikoi, Kona Mocha and Vanilla Mac Nut. The Mocha and Mac Nut were my favorites! My rating is based off of the food would get a 3.0 rating. The service, responsiveness, professionalism value and flexibility gets a 4.0 rating. Overall, 3.5.
(3)
Flash Z.

Great dinner... The lau lau was awesome. Drinks were great ... Cucumber mojito... Wish we got dessert there... Pleasant ans calm atmosphere.
(4)
Erin K.

This restaurant is so unique, a real Kauai experience. It's not on the beach, but it is on a lovely plantation, and the setting is that of a plantation style house. We sat outside on the balcony with a view of the gardens and little pond. It was magical. The staff were super friendly. The food was really good, as were the drinks. We ate salads and fish, and we got some really delicious drinks (I got the lavender pina colada and the mojito - both were really good).
(5)
Gail Q.

We came here for New Year's Eve dinner due in part to its proximity to Poipu Beach (and the Poipu Beach fireworks within, say, tripping distance). The garden itself is beautiful and worth seeing even minus the food part, which was solid. Even watching people watch the gardens is awesome! Which is a weird thing to say! The thing I remember most was the li hing mui margarita, and that I saw someone almost walk right into a really big cactus, which was also a bonus.
(4)
Amy A.

This was an amazing restaurant. We ate there our first night in Kauai and we could have gone back every night happily. I highly recommend.
(5)
Andy S.

Loved the Cucumber Mojitos...uh, may I mamba dog face in the banana patch? The food was great. We started with a couple of seafood appetizers that were both great. I had pork tenderloin grilled on a sugar cane skewer. Another in my party had the seafood lau lau. We closed the meal off by sharing a slice of hula pie, which should never be eaten alone. Everyone agreed it was an outstanding meal. As good as the food was, the setting was even better. The gardens and fish ponds surrounding the veranda upon which we dined were very unique and created a perfect tropical setting. This place should not be missed. If your not hungry, then drop in to drain a mojito and enjoy the scenery!
(5)
Rachelle B.

On the night before our wedding, we decided that in lieu of a rehearsal dinner or something like that, that we just wanted to have a family dinner. About 6 weeks before our trip, we started brainstorming where to have dinner. Somewhere nice, but not too expensive. Good food, but not crazy food. Some place good for kids, since my nieces would be there. Our families are not huge, but there would be 13 people, so we needed a restaurant that could accomodate that. And it needed to be nearby where we were all staying in Poipu. After going through every restaurant we could think of in Poipu and doing some internet research, we finally decided that Plantation Gardens would be the perfect place. They could seat us all in an open-air area overlooking the gardens, the entrees were moderately priced and looked delicious, they even had a kids menu, and they were located within walking distance from where we were staying. Done and done. I made a reservation. So, we all met up at the restaurant that night. I already knew what I wanted to eat because I'd been studying the menu ahead of time! For pupus we ordered a few of the plantation-style samplers. This included a house-made bbq kalua pork manapua, shrimp spring roll, garden roll, and raw ahi tuna. For my entree, I got the chef's trio, which was seafood lau lau, peppercorn rubbed skirt steak, and haku, a Hawaiian swordfish. For dessert I had the baked Hawaiian, which was a play on a baked Alaska and was made of Lappert's chocolate and macadamia nut ice creams on a fudge brownie crust with toasted meringue. Plantation Gardens also had some really tasty and unique tropical drinks. I remember liking the Lavendar Pina Colada (Lavender Cruzan Estate Rum, Absolut Karunt, Coconut Syrup, Island Fresh Pineapple Juice) and the Plantation Breeze (Absolut Mandrin Vodka, CrÃ¨me de Banana, Peach Schnapps Passion Fruit & Guava Juice). Turned out, dinner was perfect.
(4)
E L.

Excellent ribs, well made Lau Lau and the best cookie plate I've had. Beautiful garden and setting.
(4)
Christina L.

Had restaurant reservations made in months advance for my Honeymoon. I received confirmation from the restaurant and when we arrived we were told we needed to wait at the bar. Now the entire restaurant is EMPTY. My husband and I ordered one drink each and saw other people walk into the restaurant who did not have reservations. They were seated promptly while we still waited at the bar. After waiting for about 45 minutes we walked out of the restaurant since walk ins were seated and we were left at the bar without a table for dinner. We ended up at Tidepools at the Hyatt instead and had a AMAZING dinner with zero wait and phenomenal service!
(1)
Klaus P.

Above all, I loved the setting of this restaurant. The gardens are delightful and you will totally enjoy dinner on the comfortable patio overlooking the beautiful scenery. Service was excellent: low key but always attentive. I would give the restaurant 5 stars just for ambiance and service. Unfortunately, the food does not keep what the setting promises. Our cocktails were somewhat bland and not very inspired ( nor did they contain much alcohol, for that matter - but that seems to be an island- wide practice ). We had a plantation starter sampler: poke, corn fritters, pot stickers and crab Rangoon. Decent, but not exciting. The main courses, a grilled uku fish and pot roast, were both pleasant enough, but definitely nothing outstanding. The pot roast was the best tasting menu item we had, but definitely on the dry side. The island hash of sweet potatoes was definitely not to my liking, but many other Yelpers seem to love it. The dessert selection was particularly boring. They were out of the Baked Hawaiian, which seems a local favorite. The remaining choices, cheese cake or ice cream, are just very uninspired traditional menu items. We had the Lillikoi cheese cake and the ice cream sandwiches: filling but definitely not exciting. It's funny, we deliberately tried to avoid Roy's in order to pick a more "native" or local restaurant, but ultimately, the food is more dependable at Roy's. A few days earlier, we had a much more interesting meal and drinks at the Hukilau Lanai in Kapaa. I don't regret going to the Plantation Gardens one bit. The scenery made the evening special enough. However, some great food would have enhanced the evening even more.
(3)
Jeremy B.

Made a reservation on the recommendation of Yelpers, and we were not disappointed at all. Lovely setting in lush gardens, nice wraparound patio where we were seated. Service was great once it got going, but it was a solid 10 minutes before anyone came over to our table after we were seated. That said, it was toward the end of the evening, there appeared to be one server on duty and there were still quite a few tables running. Anyway, not an issue. Food was super -- my wife had the Ono special and I had the pot roast (I know, strange choice in a fish restaurant, but on the server's recommendation I was very happy with the choice). We started with the lobster spring rolls and finished with a bowl of local ice cream. Yum. Very enjoyable evening, would return again without hesitation.
(5)
Kari K.

An absolutely beautiful dinner! The ambiance was incredible. The restaurant is open air and you really feel like you are eating out on the porch of a plantation. You're surrounded by beautiful plants - orchids, plumeria trees, cactus trees - and there are pools all over that are filled with coy fish. Such a neat place! To start, we shared the pupu sampler - WOW. The ahi poke, the crab rangoon, and the pork bun were out of this world. For the main course, my husband had the sugarcane pork tenderloin (which he loved), and because I couldn't decide, I ordered the Trio. I was able to taste smaller portions of the lau lau, the grilled fish, and the pot roast. Y-U-M-M-Y. For dessert, we shared the passion fruit cheesecake, and both of us decided it was one of the best we have ever eaten. The waitress and staff were wonderful. We were enjoying ourselves so much that we lost track of time and ended up closing the place down! We can't wait to go back to Kauai and eat here again. Definitely 5 stars.
(5)
Anton E.

My experience here was just okay -- nothing to complain about, but nothing to brag about either. I started off with the Plantation Style Sampler which includes the Crab Rangoon, Ahi Tuna Poke, Corn Fritter, and BBQ Kalua Pork Manapua. This was a very fun and tasty sampler. The Crab Rangoon was crispy and delicious; the Ahi Tuna Poke was complemented well by the seaweed and seasoning; the Corn Fritter was my favorite as it had a nice kick to it with a zesty taste; and the BBQ Pork Manapua was just okay for me (tasted pretty boring). For entree, I tried the Seafood Lau Lau, which was mahi mahi that day. Everything was wrapped in a Ti Leaf that looked really interesting. Unfortunately however, there was no real flavor in my dish. It seemed like the fish, prawns, and scallops were quickly steamed in the Ti leaves and thrown on the dish without any kind of treatment ... so basically it tasted bland and dull. My companion tried the Sugercane Skewered Pork Tenderloin which I was lucky to try out as well -- now this was a tasty dish, as it was juicy, tender, and flavorful. I felt bad for ordering my tasteless dish. Overall, it was an okay experience. The grounds are beautiful with an amazing garden, and the restaurant building has a classical charm to it. Service was just okay too, while the prices seemed moderate for a place like this.
(3)
Bubbles T.

Had our wedding here on 6/23/12 with 28 guests. Food and service was awesome. Worked with Mona- very helpful and sweet. Food was really yummy and I had a certain picture of what I wanted for the dessert and they pulled through! The manager, Jeff, was so sweet to invite us for dinner on them. Very laid back feeling but really great on our event day!
(5)
Sarah Y.

Really nice atmosphere - wrap around porch lit with small, stringed, light bulbs (like old fashioned xmas lights), views out to garden with tiki torches and flowers, plants. peaceful and romantic. Loved the atmosphere, not crazy about the food. Got the chef's trio, and didn't like either of the fish dishes (but did like the meat dish) - normally I love fish! Wasn't crazy about how it was seasoned.
(4)
Matt B.

The cocktails and appetizers were good, and the setting and atmosphere was great, but we were disappointed with our main courses. Both myself and my wife had fish and both of us thought the they were over cooked and under seasoned. I had the special (macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi) which was almost burnt on the underside and my wife had the grilled fish (Monchong I think).
(2)
Matt W.

After making a reservation for dinner, we came by during the day to check out the garden since you can't see much of a garden at night. Honestly, I was tempted to look for another restaurant due to the neglected state of the garden. Luckily, the cosmetic effect of darkness helps spruce up the area around the restaurant at night. The restaurant itself is uniquely charming and romantic. And the food was tasty!
(4)
Lola K.

WOW, I just had my wedding here and I really don't have the words for how amazing Plantation Gardens, Mona and her staff were. For starters the place is gorgeous, the garden is very beautiful and a perfect place for a ceremony, easily accessible, but tucked away to provide a magical feeling of being away from it all, not the high rise resort feeling you might get at other venues. The food was INCREDIBLE! My husband and I LOVE food, we went there for dinner when we first got to the island a few days before the wedding and were very pleased with our choice of venue with our first bite. From the beginning of the planning process they worked with us to make a mostly vegan and completely vegetarian menu (they are well known for their fish, which they also do very well, but were totally willing to open up their options). They never raised an eyebrow and were totally happy to work with me as a vegan. And the food was so good that even our most carnivorous guests commented on how great it was. Mona went above and beyond, she was always available to answer questions, even made local activity suggestions, helped find certain vendors. She was easy to work with, totally professional, kind, calm, friendly and FUN, which is so important in planning the biggest celebration of your life right? Seriously, this one stop shop for your ceremony/reception is your best bet. I did a lot of research before picking my venue, and am so glad I found and went with Plantation Gardens!
(5)
laura g.

We have stayed on Poipu Beach next door to the Plantation Gardens 8 times over the past 8 years and have never dined here until this evening. The restaurant was highly recommended by our hotel this time and I am so glad we finally discovered this amazing restaurant. We've been on the island for almost two weeks and this is by far the best meal we have had. We have been to Merriman's upstairs twice, Merriman's downstairs twice, Dolphins, Jocelyn's, The Beach House and Brick House Pizza (obviously a different type of restaurant). We were told that Plantation Gardens hired a new chef about a year and a half ago and we have nothing to compare it to as this was our first time. The setting is absolutely lovely. Our two kids enjoyed playing in the garden and searching for lizards between courses. We started with three different pupus, crab rangoons, potstickers and orange chili chicken wings - all were delicious. We also had the lilikoi margarita and cucumber mojito - also terrific. For main course (there were 6 of us), two had barbecue ribs that were delicious (with or without the dipping sauce) - so tender the fell off the bone. I had an Opa fish and selected the miso broth preparation that included udon noodles. The fish was absolutely mouthwatering. My husband had ahi, which was also excellent. For desert, we had cookie sandwiches with three kinds of ice cream, an ice cream and meringue pie called "Baked Hawaiian" and chocolate pot de creme. All were incredible. We walked away from this meal saying this was BY FAR the best meal this trip. Last time we were here, we went to Merriman's at least six times. Now, we have a new favorite! Don't miss this special restaurant with amazing food, service and ambiance.
(5)
Sarah R.

I got married in Kauai in October and we decided to have our reception dinner at Plantation Gardens. It was just us and 9 of our closest family members & friends. We worked with Mona Gonzaludo for planning the dinner. She was really great to work with. She even waived the corking fee so that we could bring our own wine & champagne. We brought in the champagne, wine, cake, & decor the day before the wedding and everything was ready for us when we got there after the ceremony. My only gripes are that the food was not as great as I was hoping for. Some things were much better than others.. For example: the ribye was not good, but the ono was excellent. My other gripe is how hot it was in the Moir room during the reception dinner. I felt like a roasted turkey in there! But it's my fault for not asking if they had AC. The service was very good and one absolutely amazing thing they did was... after our reception dinner, our server let us know that we could go back in there during our honemoon and have dinner on them. So we did! We had an amazing dinner on their patio the last night of our honeymoon. They comped our entire meal! Plus, sitting outside is the way to go. The grounds are gorgeous and the air outside was comfortable. Plantation Gardens really made our reception dinner a very nice experience.
(4)
Dyan J.

We thought the food was fine and the atmosphere great. We liked our waiter who was attentive and pleasant (Justin). Honestly, I was under-impressed with most of the food on this island. The Beach House that took Congress to get a reservation was not as good as Plantation Gardens or Roys. The best meal was at Tidepools but it was the one place I didn't have fish.
(3)
Travis H.

3.5 stars. I thought the food was excellent, and the location was beautiful (but a haven for mosquitoes). I thought it was a bad value, however, because the portion of food did not justify the price. In particular, the vegetable side with the entree was practically non-existent, making for a poorly balanced meal. Food taste/quality: 4.5 stars Portion sizes: 2 stars Service: 4.5 stars
(4)
Missus L.

My husband I visited Plantation Gardens on Thanksgiving day. Since we were on our honeymoon and this was our first Thanksgiving just to ourselves, we thought we would go "fancy" and have a nice dinner in Poipu beach. We had reservations so we were seated right away and our host definitely had the Aloha spirit - great attitude in all. However, the food was just mediocre. I don't typically eat my entire meal so we usually split it. The restaurant didn't allow us to split our dinners so we opted for the Ono fish and the seafood lau lau. Both dishes were extremely dry and overcooked. It lacked flavor and we were extremely disappointed with our meals, considering everyone has raved about Plantation Gardens here on Yelp. I was all pau (finished) with my meal within two bites and didn't bother to take the left overs back to my hale. Beautiful facility, gorgeous setting, food overrated. Definitely not ono kine grinds to me.
(2)
Aaron R.

Our meal here was good but not great. As a quick disclaimer, this was our first dinner on the island, so with the full day of traveling and serious jet lag, I may not have been as attentive to the food as I'd usually like to be. We started off with a variety of appetizers. Two in our group got the tuna poke, which they said tasted wonderful, and looked great. My wife and I split a salad with fried goat cheese. Our appetizer did come out a bit later than the rest of the other apps, but they explained that they had to redo the goat cheese. I actually appreciated the honesty and thanked them for making sure everything came out just right...and it did. Very good salad! My wife's entree was much better than my lau lau. She had a wonderful piece of fish in a very flavorful broth. My lau lau was ok. There was a nice cut of fish but only two scallops and two shrimp included.....and they were overcooked at that. The flavor tasted like what I can do in my own stir fry pan at home (and I'm not trying very hard). We were all too exhausted to get dessert or order drinks, but service throughout the meal was very good. Additionally, the grounds created an excellent atmosphere. Overall, a nice place to eat, and if you get the right dishes, this could be an excellent meal.
(3)
L c.

Hair in my tofu Inari. So gross. It was blonde (or gray) and straight. And it definitely wasn't this brunette's hair. Disgusting. As other reviewers posted, the grounds are beautiful. But the food- eh. My husband order the fish in the banana leaf and said it was disappointing. And service was sloooooow. We waited forever for our meal. I was so excited to try this place, since it was our one splurge dinner, but now I wished we had tried red salt or even rum fire, instead.
(2)
Nancy G.

I worked with Mona at Plantation Gardens to plan a reception for my Wedding that took place on August 3, 2013. Everything went perfect. Mona immediately responded to all questions quickly and explained how everything would work very well. The food was delicious, ambiance amazing. This made my special day extra special. Thank you, Mona!
(5)
Jackie K.

I only rank this with 5 stars if you consider the mainland to have better food overall and that the food on Kauai is not the greatest. This was my best meal on Kauai. Our service was great. Prices are higher but it's an island. I had a ton of apps here to start. 1. Corn fritters=delicious, 2. Garden Roll: Best Garden roll I have ever had, 3. Ahi taro chip tacos-fresh and new. Main Course: Seafood lau-lau---good but I preferred the apps. They made a vegetarian stir-fry for my husband which was delicious. Too full for dessert. Worth a trip to the South Shore!
(5)
Seasons K.

This place is magical! From the amazing orchid filled entrance to the huge plantation porches & koi pond views. The food is also quite impressive, as is the service. The pork dish with sugarcane sauce my friend got had to be the most tender pork I have ever had & the sauce was delish. I had their signature Lau Lau with fish, scallops & prawns wrapped in a banana leaf & everything was light, delicious & cooked to perfection. This was my second time here & the first was equally impressive. This is now my go to place for a nice dinner out in Kauai.
(5)
M B.

THE GOOD: - ahi tuna plate - shrimp spring rolls - house made bbq beef sliders - pina colada - cucumber mojito - attentive service THE BAD: - located in a garden type setting so if you are prone to insect bites, you might want to wear some insect repellent before you head over - there were these 3 disgruntled female workers from Lava's that were making it difficult for patrons to enjoy their night out as they were being loud and obnoxious. I think they are regulars as they were calling the bartender by first name. Folks, pray that these gals are not there when you are visiting because it can make your evening unpleasant.
(4)
Joanne B.

Old style plantation home serves as the restaurant surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Quite peaceful. Food is excellent, probably one of the best finer meals on the island. Fish was light and prepared without a lot of the customary heaviness found at other restaurants. Service friendly and attentive.
(4)
Jenean H.

We just happened upon Roy's as we were walking around our hotel. What a treasure!! The food was outstanding, the service personal and the atmosphere fun and inviting. The filet mignon gyoza was mind blowing and the pesto lime fish ( can't remember the name but was the best fish ever!). Our waiter was funny as well as the people who filled our water and served our custom anniversary dessert!! We ate here twice in one week it was so good!!
(5)
Kate D.

I've been here a few times. Both times I've gotten the pot roast because it is just THAT GOOD! I was a little skeptical, because I thought "Eh, pot roast isn't all that special." The meal came and I was thinking like "Wow, this is a bit small for the price." DO NOT BE MISTAKEN! The purple mashed potatoes are so good and filling, the pot roast is just tender and the gravy with it is perfect. The staff is very welcoming and attentive. I've had a few desserts from here: ice cream cookie sandwiches--these were okay. They come with 3 flavors and they were good. The lilikoi cheesecake is very tasty. Baked Hawaiian was very nice. If I had to choose one, it would be the baked Hawaiian. The drinks I didn't really care for. They were a bit acidic, in my opinion but my boyfriend couldn't get enough of them. Overall, I will definitely be a repeat customer for years to come.
(5)
Jeff S.

Fish was dry, waitress was dry, very expensive.
(1)
Cat Q.

The restaurant looks tropical and the service is friendly. Me and hubby both ordered grill fish. It was fresh and tasty. The presentation looks fancy and clean. After the dinner, we were walking into their beautiful garden. I love those orchids and the water lilies in the small koi pound. I had another wonderful night;)
(4)
Tracy A.

My sister and I went out for our one and only dinner here on our recent vacation. She has been here before but this was my first time. While we were enjoying the garden outside before our meal, I got 2 mosquito bites. Beware! That encouraged us to check in for our reservation a bit early. We had a lovely table on the deck overlooking the garden. No more mosquito bites. The meal was beautifully presented and yummy too. We got out of there for about $100 including a shared salad and 2 drinks. I'd eat there again.
(4)
Loe B.

I had low expectations coming here (sorry Kauai but your culinary skills/variability are lacking). It seems like if you want a nice dinner in Poipu you have to spend $35+ a plate...well at least its more like $25 a plate here. First off the grounds are beautiful. It really does look like a tropical plantation house. To start we had the corn fritters which i thought were going to be like polenta but were actually corn kernals in some batter then fried. They were pretty good. Entrees-I had the mahi with fennel, tomato, and eggplant, and my man had the ahi in red curry sauce. They were both light and cooked perfectly. And ladies, get the cucumber mojito, it was very refreshing.
(5)
Scott W.

Completely tasteless overcooked fish. 5 of us were highly unimpressed. One had the lau lau: it was tasteless and rice was undercooked. My ono was terrible. Sorry guys but at this price try harder. An off night? Head chef off duty? Who knows, but I won't be going back. Go to Josselins, Tidepools, or Red Salt, in that order.
(1)
Kelli H.

During our whole trip, I'd say one of the best fish entrees I had was here. Our server was very "bro" but also very friendly. We were seated outside right away with no reservation which was nice. We all ordered fish and were very happy with it. The serving size was pretty small, and two of us were still hungry so we ordered 2 desserts which was HUGE, and quite tasty. If I come back to the island I would definitely come back here.
(4)
Ken C.

My wife and I have never given a restaurant 5 stars. We enjoyed the service and ambience so much that we didn't expect the food to be a priority. Much to our surprise- It was fabulous!
(5)
Roy A.

While I have to say that the setting was nice and the food good, the service was average. We watched as an entire room of tables who ordered after us was served before we got our meal. And we didn't order anything off menu. However, the food was good - my wife got the lau lau which was decent and I got the fish in curry sauce, which was really good. I'd go again, but this time my expectations on the service will be low.
(3)
.Hon H.

Coming to Plantation Gardens restaurant for the last night of our vacation was a great idea! After we parked we walked through winding pathways to get to the place itself, which is in the midst of gorgeous gardens with sweet smelling flowers - orchids, plumeria, ginger, cactus (huh?) and koi ponds. The hostess was very gracious and brought us to our table on the terrace right away. As other Yelpers mentioned, there was a short wait for our server, but once he got there our evening went swimmingly. We began with cocktails - I had a couple of cucumber mojiros which were absolutely delicious and my hon of hons husband had a dirty martini. We started with the pupu platter which was a perfect way to try out a bunch of appetizers. I think my favorite was the corn fritter - delectable fresh corn in a light batter. I decided to have the seafood lau lau for my entree. I had tried it once before on Maui, and loved the way the spices, ti leaf wrapper and steaming process infused the seafood. It was spot on - so tasty, fresh and healthy, which was something I needed after pigging out for the previous 7 days! My HOHH went with the fresh fish of the day, that was served in a special preparation that I can longer remember - sorry! But he really enjoyed it. All in all, a wonderful evening that was enhanced by the beautiful surroundings, fantastic service and great food. Highly recommended!
(5)
Marty C.

My wife and I had a wonderful time and experienced outstanding hospitality and service, not to mention delicious food at the Plantation Gardens Restaurant and Bar. In particular, I would like to recognize Jeff the general manager, Leilani the hostess, Brendan the bartender, and Ky our wait person. Each could not have been more personable and gracious. We can't wait to return!
(5)
Alan T.

We just visited the Island of Kauai and while there we visited the Plantation Restaurant and Bar. My mother in law had a wonderful meal years ago in Kauai at a restaurant with a similar name and she thought this may have been the same place. Unfortunately, our meals where not as she remembered. Location: Although we visited at nighttime and we were not able to really see the setting but you can just feel the history and it really did feel like it was once a working plantation. Restaurant: I ordered the Sauteed Ono which looked more like fish soup. I thought I was going to get Ono that was sauteed in a nice sauce but instead it came in a bowl of liquid. And it was TERRIBLY under seasoned. My wife decided to have the Grilled Ono which came on a plate that was about 14 inches long and the fish was all the way on the left side and the other 2/3's of the plate had a BIG swatch of curry type sauce. Again, the fish was under seasoned and the only thing that made her dish taste "OK" was the curry sauce.... but in opinion, why do you get all this curry sauce if you ordered a grilled fish...?? My group ordered two Cucumber Mojito drinks and all though they looked and smelled wonderful... they were a big disappointment. I don't even think they had any simple syrup in them (and Mojitos are one of my wife's favorite beverage). The place was very nice with a lot of interesting old photographs hanging around the restaurant. Waiter gets a "B" and the busboy gets and "A" for doing an excellent job. Obviously, the visit was a let down because the place has so much potential and we wanted to like it. Sadly, we will NOT be returning.
(1)
Yelper P.

Just ok. Flavores could have been much better. For the price rum fire at the Sheraton is much much better.
(3)
Vivian K.

Beautiful grounds... Nelson was a great waiter. He had great recommendations on the menu, and the food was delicious. If you ever dine there, ask to have Nelson be your waiter for the evening. He is awesome. *Kalua Pork Manapuas were great *Chef's Trio was enough to share, came with Seafood Lau Lau, Skirt Steak & Fish, served with brown rice. Try the Lavender Pina Colada while you are at it....don't forget to eat the pineapple garnish or you will regret it.
(5)
Dane W.

Best meal and service that we had during our 2 week stay in Kauai! We hit all of the major "best" restaurants in Kauai and none were close to this! Enjoy! Oh yeah, drinks were great too!
(5)
Connie A.

the seafood lau lau is a must!
(5)
Ryan Y.

Eating on all the islands, I have high standards for 5 star Hawaiian cuisine. This place missed the mark. The best place I have eaten out of all the Hawaiian islands is Mama's Fish House in Maui. Second would be Roy's on the Big Island. I agree with Leia K. Food was truly disappointing. There was nothing that shocked my taste buds. I could find better food at some small restaurant. Service was really bad. Drinks were good, but overpriced at $9. I had the sampler, which I would suspect be enough for at least three people. It was only enough for two people. We had the Chef's Trio with the seafood lau lau, ono fish, and some other fish dish. The lau lau was bland and didn't seem even close to a traditional lau lau. It just seemed like steam seafood in a Ti leaf. No flavor. We didn't have dessert. The bill end up being about $120 after tax and tip. Next time, I should have gone with my gut feeling and go to Roy's. It was right next store to the Sheraton Hotel where we were staying.
(2)
David C.

One of the best-kept secrets in Kauai. Fabulously consistent great food & service in a peaceful garden setting. We visit Kauai once a year and wouldn't think of missing another opportunity to visit Plantation Garden again. Favorite appetizer is the Ahi Poke and the curried fish entrees are marvelous. And their specials are always just that. Very special!
(5)
April J.

the food was great. the service was a little off. I hope this place isn't on a slippery slope down hill. we are coming back sept 2014 for 2 weeks. will give it another go. still better than most area restaurants. still can't convince myself to go to the Beach House which is right across the street from our hotel. husband got food poisoning from beach house restaurant so we are so very hesitant to go back there. would go back to plantation.
(4)
Tamera S.

We had reservations for the Beach House, but an afternoon coffee at the Garden at the Plantation was so enjoyable that we decided to change our plans and enjoy our last dinner of our Kauai vacation there. The vibe is genuine, with a casual elegance we found comfortable and inviting. The gardens were spectacular, and it seemed like a fantasy to be walking among so many perfect specimen orchids and ponds full of koi fish, lily pads and giant frogs(or were they toads?) Our two teen aged/twenty something daughters chose a crispy shrimp spring roll with sweet chili sauce and an ahi poke for appetizers. The roll was piping hot and crispy, and the poke was fresh and of a very high quality. My husband enjoyed a finely made mojito so much that he ordered a second. For salad course we chose the tomato and arugula salad with macadamia nut crusted deep fried medallions of goat cheese. The produce is locally sourced and that came through with flying colors on this dish. If you have ever picked a tomato and eaten it shortly after harvest then you understand the difference freshness makes in the taste of tomatoes. There was a hand made pesto and with the goat cheese standing in for mozzarella, it seemed like a Hawaiian twist on a caprese salad. All were impressed. For the main course my oldest daughter enjoyed the flavor of the pot roast she ordered, but could have done without the fat clinging to the meat, the purple sweet potato (she would have preferred a garlic mashed potato) and half of her pearl onions were sweet and cooked nicely, while half were raw. My younger daughter and I ordered Lau Lau, which I enjoyed but she felt had an odd almost smoky taste. I detected ginger and found the fish, scallops, shrimp and vegetables to be well cooled and visually appealing in their ti leaf pouch. My husband liked his sugar cane skewered cubes of pork with a potato hash. He was pleased with his choice. Even though no one was still hungry we ordered the Baked Hawaiian. One order for the table was sufficient. we strolled the grounds once more and headed home very happy about our choice.
(5)
Anna R.

Beautiful romantic setting, we had a lovely rainy evening which made it even more so. (we were there with our 4 year old but still managed to be romantic) I had a pina colada with essence of lavender. Some people might think that pretentious, I call it thoughtful. We had the appetizers and both had seafood which was fresh and well prepared. Dessert was disappointing and didn't taste fresh, but the coffee was good. I would definitely go back.
(3)
Al G.

The food was good, The appetizer sampler plate was ok. The fish was fresh. The service was below average especially for the high price they charge. People weren't that friendly -probably because servers were all Howlies not Hawaiians. My last vist was 4 years ago and I remember that the experience was better (food and service, etc...). I won't be going back there again.
(2)
Henry L.

The chefs here really know how to cook, but I think we went on an off night. The bread that was offered when we ordered arrived half way through the entrees AFTER we had asked for it 3 times. The actual taste of the food, however, was terrific. The green bean salad: yummy. Miso scallops: delish! Fish of the day: great! But somewhere between the head chef and our table something fell apart. The rice and sauce that came with the fish was cold (it's not suppose to be). We also ordered a seafood lau lau that lasted about 2 minutes on the table before it was sent back. It looked like it was sitting under the heat lamp for about the entire 40 minutes it took between the time we order to the time the food actually arrived. No doubt this place has the ambiance and ability to provide a 5 star Yelp experience. Alas, tonight was simply not the night. Disclaimer: The management and the waiter were INCREDIBLY nice and apologetic. They really tried to make us happy but by that point we were tired and just wanted to be done.
(3)
Christy L.

What an amazing place, tucked away in Koloa! This place was recommended to me by a coworker when I was talking about finding places in the area to have the rehearsal dinner for our wedding. Plantation Gardens, and their event manager, Mona, came highly recommended. We were not disappointed! We hosted a group of 22 and were accommodated on their private lanai. The service was exceptional and the food was delicious! We had a variety of dishes and appetizers that all of our guests raved about. Mona did a wonderful job of helping us find the right options and choices to work within our budget. And the drinks!!!!! Oh what wonderful concoctions they have to offer! I had a sip of this and a sip of that - some of my favorites were the Lychee Pear Cosmo, and the Plantation Breeze. Highly recommended for romantic dinners, and wedding receptions!
(4)
Sophie M.

We went to this restaurant twice. The breakfast was not spectacular. My eggs were greasy, and the potatoes were pretty good with some hot sauce and the fruit on the fruit plate wasn't totally ripe.... But all in all it was ok but not memorable in any way.....oh the view is nice. We had a late lunch here. The food was not good at all.....but there's are two things that saved it. The view is really nice and they had live Hawaiian music that was really nice. We might go again and just have a drink so we can listen to the music. Stay away from the food!
(3)
Bill M.

Love the atmosphere, history, and gardens. Good food.
(4)
Paula L.

What an exceptional place! The setting is simply beautiful, the old plantation house has been beautifully decorated, the garden is just breathtaking. The service was also top notch, not once were out glasses empty or we felt forgotten. Now the food: omg!!! We had the shrimp egg roll which was outstanding. The seafood lau lau was simply delicious. The passion fruit cheesecake was Amazing! The drinks were also perfect - I had the lemonade and never new a glass of lemonade could taste so good. Come to this place, u won t b disappointed!
(5)
Leia K.

I'll have to come back in the daytime the next time I'm on the island because the setting looked totally awesome. We were there in the evening, when it was too dark to appreciate the surrounding grounds. food - eh service - eh drinks - eh price - too much for "eh" food and service 4 out of 5 of us got fish/seafood. It was disappointing. 1 out out 5 of us got beef; it was by far more tasty than the fish. Maybe we all just ordered wrong. But from the cocktails, to the apps, to the main course, overall it was not a great meal. We were hoping it was a really great place because many other yelp reviews had said so, but nope, not for me. I will have to go to their "sister restaurant" here in SF - Paragon (which incidentally is a block away from my office and I've never had the tempation to go) to see how they stack up.
(2)
Teebs C.

Great venue. It is a plantation style house nestled in a lush garden that you have to walk through to get to the restaurant. Big white porch all around the house where you can sit on and enjoy the garden views. Definitely open air and not air conditioned so probably best to go on a day when the humidity isn't 100% as you will be eating al fresco. I had the lychee pear martini which was good but not as good as the hibiscus ice tea cocktail which was delicious. The cocktails are tasty and well mixed but not too heavy on the liquor so if you're looking to get a little tipsy you're probably better off with wine or hard alcohol. The food was good. They messed up the order for one of our friends and had to remake it. They then undercooked part of it in the rush to get it out again. They were quick to fix the error and they comped her dish. Not ideal but I respect that they took an interest in fixing the mistake and cared enough to make up for it. We got the sampler for the appetizer. I had the grilled Ono (catch of that day) for my main course. It was okay, a bit dry. It didn't blow me away. I had the passion fruit cheesecake for dessert which was also tasty and exceptionally sweet. All in all a very enjoyable experience. It wasn't the most amazing meal of my life but it was certainly above average and all of the ingredients tasted fresh and the flavors were all good. This is a great place for a romantic evening. I would recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy the lush beauty of Kauai and a well prepared, fresh meal.
(4)
T D.

Reliable fantastic gem. Set on an old plantation house, this place rocks. Setting is beautiful and there is always the same high quality food coming out of this kitchen. From salads (using local greens), fresh squeezed juiced added to drinks, meals for all tastes of perfection and awesome desserts please do go here, for your own good! Jeff is the manager of the restaurant and is a fabulous guy who makes sure everyone is enjoying their dinner while on island. Should anyone have a problem, just communicate it to this staff. All great people here to serve. Been here now about 10 times and never left unhappy! Aloha.
(5)
Kimberly W.

This is a great place tucked away behind the Sheraton. I love the setting of the old plantation house and the gardens around it...felt like we were in a movie. We got a table outside overlooking the gardens, which was such a great setting for a wonderful meal. Started with drinks (the blended margarita, yum) and the big island tomato salad, which was basically the Hawaiian version of a capris salad. Sooo good. The menu is limited, there is enough variety that everyone should be happy. I had the pork tenderloin which was delicious. The rest of the table had post roast, the seafood lau lau, and fresh fish dishes that I can't recall. Everyone was extremely happy and we didn't have anything left once we passed plates around. I'd give it 5 stars except that I felt our server could have been a bit more attentive. Granted we went in towards the end of the evening (if you consider 8:00 to be late, which I'm finding on Kauai it is) but she just seemed sort of checked out for the night. The two guys who filled water glasses and brought out our food seemed to pay more attention to us than our waitress. Overall it was a great experience and a solid 4.5 stars (we really need the half stars yelp!!)
(4)
Martine M.

We had dinner here on our last night in Kauai. Our meal was delicious - we had a fish main dish and the marinated skirt steak. Both were excellent! Make sure to try the Hawaiian Pie for dessert :)
(4)
Joyce L.

Upscale dining in Kauai. If you were doing Kauai on a moderate budget, like us, this is a good opportunity to splurge. The portions are well prepared and very generous... even the seafood! Yay! I loved my Lau lau, and dinner buddy had the Ahi special (which was rare seared and was delicious). The dessert list is pretty standard (something chocolate, something fruity, something creamy) and wish they could have incorporated more of the local fruits. If my cocktail wasn't so bloody strong, to the point where the liquored fruits were bitter - and I'm not a light weight by any means - they would have gotten a 5 star.
(4)
Nick D.

My wife and I were looking for great place for dinner in the South shore area and had already broke the bank at Tidepools and Roy's (which was awesome, yet expensive). This place was excellent for food, ambience and drinks and our bill was within our budget. Great seafood entrees (roughly $20-30) and excellent cucumber mojitos.
(5)
Stephanie F.

I went here based on the average 4 start Yelp rating, but I think it was average. I would give it a 4 star on ambiance but the food itself was eh okay. We started with ahi tuna poke which was great probably our favorite dish we ordered. We also ordered the macadamia nut crusted goat cheese tomato salad, husband had the pork ribs, and I had the grilled fish over arugula mango salad. I liked the fish, but wasnt a fan of the salad or the dressing. It was very relaxing and love all the flowers.
(3)
John D.

Our best meal on Kaua'i, and yet not nearly the most expensive. Adult beverage options featured inspired combinations and were expertly prepared. Lively middle-aged waitress adroitly handled our boisterous group (wannabe manly men ordering frou-frou tropical blender beverages). Tasty bread, appetizers, & salads. The caesar dressing had a particularly unique and memorable bite (champagne vinegar, perhaps?), commingled in perfect proportion with generous piles of fresh romaine. The entrees were borderline sublime. I had fresh uku (gray snapper, a bit like mahi mahi) prepared "local" style (which isn't really local at all, but that's OK). It came with deliciously seared japanese eggplant chunks in a savory tomato coulis, with a few browned pepper slivers -- a unique and surprisingly tasty combo. I'm not usually much of a dessert guy, but the desserts were great too, particularly the double-stacked "ice cream sandwich" (more like mud pie?). If you're considering Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt (which was OK, but overpriced), don't: go to Plantation Gardens instead.
(5)
Lou S.

This was the best food we had in all of Hawaii, hands down. Their gardens are very well kept, and were probably the most colorful place we saw in all of Hawaii. Just spend some time walking around before/after dinner to take it all in. We started with the Ahi tuna poke. For main courses, we did the fish of the day (Ono) and the sugarcane skewered pork tenderloin. For dessert, we had the ice cream sandwich. I could fill the paragraph above with words like "awesome", "delicious" and "excellent", but I would just be using those words too much. The writer in me won't allow that. So, order what sounds good or follow our map above, and you will have an amazing time, too.
(5)
Anah G.

What a lovely surprise! We came to dinner here on our last night because it was in walking distance from our hotel and had a beautiful garden in front of it. We had mostly been eating at places that the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by Andrew Doughty had given an "Ono" (delicious) rating. This one didn't, but we all agreed it was the best place we had eaten (we had also tried the Beach House and Tidepools - all were great but this was better). We had the crab rangoons and pork pupusas to start and then we all had the grilled opa fish. Everything was seasoned very well and cooked to a perfect consistency. After dinner, we had a walk around the grounds and looked at the historical photos of the plantation. Doughty, in your next edition, give this place an Ono rating!!
(5)
Jen M.

Wowzers. We saved this restaurant for our last night on Kauai and couldn't believe we waited all that time to go. The setting is phenomenal - if you get a table outside, you can overlook the beautiful Kiahuna Plantation gardens as you eat. Service was very friendly, and our waiter explained all of the specials very well. We both got Cucumber Mojitos which was yummy and refreshing. I got the Fresh Fish of the Day, which was mahi mahi seared, then baked in the oven served over a bed of corn, red peppers and spinach. Phenomenal! Hubs got seared ahi over arugula with was served cold, but he said it was good and refreshing. For dessert, we got Hawaiian pie - kinda like hula pie but with meringue on top - yum-O!
(5)
Stephanie M.

It is hard being in Hawaii when you don't eat fish. Everyone seems to cater to fish lovers and I get stuck with dry chicken. For that reason I was happy to see that Plantation Gardens had options. We started with the arugula salad which was good but a little plain. For dinner I chose the Kim chee skirt steak which was great. We also ordered the pineapple upside down cake which I would not recommend. It was dry (it may have been stale) and flavorless. Nonetheless the service and location were great. We kept hearing a weird noise outside and overheard the waiter say that the sound were the bull frogs...and yes there was a pond full of bull frogs which was really cool.
(4)
Zac W.

As a chef who works on and island and cooks fresh fish everyday of the week at a restaurant that features fresh fish.. One would expect at the minimum that the fish would be properly cooked. 3 of 4 fish dishes were overcooked.. Totally unacceptable. Service was great, but that also at an expensive restaurant is to be expected like properly cooked fish!!!
(1)
Brent V.

I've ate her 3X now and its a roller coaster... Overall, it's just OK
(3)
Zuzzi E.

I loved sitting outside on the porch, being teased by the evening Hawaiian breeze. The food, however, was just okay. Things started off great, the tuna poke was fresh and delicate. But the stirfry tasted like a frozen meal. The best part was my smortini, so I suggest coming here for a drink and maybe dessert... but you can skip on dinner.
(3)
Daniel H.

Great service and amazing food. Had a fresh fish special in a curry sauce and it was superb. dessert was to die for, as well. Lilikoi cheesecake... Mmmmmm.
(5)
Jen K.

Just a beautiful place, nestled in the beauty of Kauai. I try to look for a place that offers a great ambiance and definitely, this place and the gardens were simply delightful. You could definitely feel the warm Hawaiian breeze as you walked through the gardens resplendent with orchids and other foliage to get to the restaurant. The plantation gardens is a restaurant that looks like a plantation house that offers the wraparound porch. We were promptly seated in the porch patio area after a couple of drinks in the lounge area. They definitely offer a number of refreshing cocktails using the various fruits in the area. FOOD We decided on the seafood lau lau that comes in steamed in a Ti leaf. The pouch is filled with shrimp, scallops, fish and a variety of vegetables. It is accompanied by white rice and a creamy sauce. The portion was pretty good. SERVICE The service was very accommodating. OVERALL The food wasn't the best meal that I have ever had, but the ambiance made up for the visit. The grounds are kept very well and offers a romantic choice for those who seek that sort of place.
(4)
Kristin A.

I really wanted to LOVE this place because the setting is fabulous! Whatever you do, even if you have night reservations, try and come when the sun is out, grab your camera and take pictures of the botanical stuff that surrounds the restaurant. I forgot my camera - my bad! The restaurant itself is basically a large plantation style home with a wraparound pation dining area, complete with indoor bamboo fans. It's so close to being fab, but well the food was just only okay. "Fine" dining on Kauai doesn't compare to what you can find in L.A. and things move a bit slower - island style of course. Service for me was great, but my friends thought the waitress was too snarky. I thought she was fab because she gave everyone in her area a round of shots on the house. NICE! Um food. Dang can't remember what I had. Oh wait a fish curry soup. Yah that was good. That's all I remember. I'll add more after perusing some notes! Onto the food:
(3)
Janky T.

Ah Tahoe, your jankyness pales in comparison to this abomination! Let me first get this off my chest. F@$k you Plantation Gardens! F@$k you and the horse you rode in on! There, I feel a little better, but allow me to continue the catharsis... Staying on the North shore, my sidekick and I decided to venture to the South for a drink and some pupus (appetizers to you mainlanders). Now, it is true, we only had some appetizers, but that is no excuse for assaulting us with the absolute sh*t they were trying to pass off as food. We ordered the sampler. This was the most disgusting collection of crap ever presented on an island. The nigiri was as thin as paper, tasted of crotch fish, and was tied down to rice so slimy that it was more like a paste ball. Speaking of balls, I am pretty sure that the 'pork' in the pot sticker was little more than a pigs testicle. One bite and I was done. Unfortunately, it was not in time to stop the misses from tasting the spring role; the vegetables were apparently marinated with a hobo's dick cheese. At that point I refused to even sniff the rangoon. It was one of those experiences where all you want to do is throw up the little bit of food you made the mistake of swallowing. I felt the immediate need to brush my teeth. Some of you will no doubt be able to relate. DO NOT EVER EAT HERE. Apparently, these people think it is funny to abuse their captive tourist population. Thankfully, we are not stupid tourists, but discerning professionals, and we will save you from the same fate by yelping the hell outta this crap hole. Stay janky Tahoe; at least you are not this bad.
(1)
Lyssa B.

5 stars for ambiance + 3 stars for food = 4 stars total (I know it doesn't add up but what are you gonna do!) Highlight of the evening: sitting at the bar before dinner trying different cocktails that were extremely fresh tasting and nibbling on a yummy shrimp spring roll. For dinner we were out on the patio which was beautiful and our service was great. I got the sampler, meh. My boyfriend got something with pork, meh. I've had better, especially for the price...but isn't that the norm on Kauai, all the touristy spots are meh on the food. We spent $250ish for 2 of us. Maybe if you live in a small town and don't have access to good restaurants you'll think this place is the bomb...but I don't.
(4)
Thomas D.

Absolutely four stars. Came here after reading the reviews and wanting something a little different on the island. The restaurant itself is super cool, old hawaiian style with super cool fans and beach pictures on the wall. Started the meal off with gardner roll, corn fritters and pulled pork buns. Everything was delicious. No complaints at all. All of us got pear salads with walnuts and gorgonzola cheese. Good size portion with nice flavor. For the main course I got the pork tenderloin which was delicious. Tender and juicy and paired with an awesome fried rice. Great all around dish. I also tried the ono topped on udon noodles which was also good. Not to mention the service was outstanding. For dessert we got the cookie and ice cream with chocolate espresso sauce and a lilikoi cheesecake. Both were good. All in all, good food and awesome service. One of my fav places for dinner on the island for sure.
(4)
Benson C.

Overpriced. Weird service. Our reservation is 830p but we didn't get seated until 850p when the restaurant was only half full. I ordered the chef trio with Lau Lau, three pieces of steaks and a small piece of opah. Both fishes and steaks were overcooked. The sauce overpower the taste of the fish. I only had this kind of cooking when the fish was not good and need taste masking. Six of us were very very disappointed with our food. None of our foods were prepared right. Fishes were DRY, no moisture at all. Think about this, you are going to Denny's but paying the price of Ruth Chris.
(1)
Geoff K.

While staying at the Kiahuna Plantation Resort I asked one of the employees where a good place to eat was. They sold out their own restaurant and told me I should go to Roy's. After a hard days work I was too lazy to really go anywhere so I headed over to my hotel restaurant; the Plantation Gardens Restaurant. At first I was a little disappointed because there weren't that many items on the menu. I ended up ordering this really good salad. It was a regular green salad with these really thick pieces of seared ahi on top. Underneath the ahi were pieces of avocado and mango. On top of the ahi was this creamy whipped guacamole. It had a texture like cool whip. It paired well with the ahi. The fish was really really fresh. That fresh fish award they have is well deserved. Although I'm sure Roy's is good, I'm glad I decided to eat here.
(4)
Chinita C.

Made reservations but didn't need them as it was half empty. Service and food were great. The cucumber pinneaple cooler drink was very refreshing. Much better experience than the un-named hyped up place down the road with a view.
(4)
Tom L.

Great service, exceptionally delicious food. Try the lilikoi cheesecake.
(5)
Sandra B.

Tone is set the moment you walk up to the restaurant, through a phenomenal orchid garden. Restaurant itself is simple and beautiful, playing up the ambiance of the surrounding gorgeous tropical grounds. Classy without being stuffy. Food was excellent - well prepared with great flavors. Our group had the fish of the day with tropical salsa, baby back ribs and portobello mushroom with quinoa and edamame puree (vegetarian entree). We don't tend to order ribs at a nice restaurant that is well known for their seafood, but these were fantastic - perfectly tangy sauce, the meat was moist and fell off the bone. The vegetarians raved about the edamame puree with quinoa and portobello. The fish was moist and lightly seasoned, with a tropical salsa that rounded out the flavors. Great drinks - we had excellent bar drinks and non-alcoholic smoothies. Attentive service, excellent food, good value. This is a special place. We wish we had come here earlier on our vacation, but we'll be back!
(5)
Marc K.

good food in a great garden setting.
(4)
Mitzi Y.

Great service by Leina...had the pot roast which was awesome..soft and tasty, and the ribs..fall off the bone...the shrimp rolls were great! The lilikoi lemonade was the bomb! Will go back!
(5)
Amy T.

This restaurant is beautifully decorated and you definitely feel like you're in a tropical plantation paradise with beautiful gardens surrounding you. Eating on the lana'i with views of the gardens and ponds, hearing the chirps of the geckos and the croaks of the frogs, is fantastic. Our waiter was higher than a kite, so much so, that he looked like he couldn't even open his eyes all of the way. But he was a good waiter, friendly and attentive, so no complaints. Or maybe he was just really sleepy? Ha ha ha. I had a seafood lau lau that was absolutely fantastic and I wanted to eat the entire thing even though it was huge! Generous portions of fresh shrimp, ono (one of the fresh fish of the day) and vegetables with jasmine rice. Everything we ate tasted delicious and I love that they use locally grown produce. Fantastic atmosphere, decent service and excellent food.
(4)
Kelly M.

The atmosphere is fantastic. Cucumber mojito did not disappoint. However, don't get the lychee and pear cosmo as it tasted like iced cranberry juice. Appetizer sampler was tasty but very small portions for 4 of us. The wine list was average but our server recommended a reserve bottle that they had limited supply of (not on the menu). It was amazing. Entrees were good but not amazing. The rib eye was smothered in sauce but the potato au gratin was really tasty. Overall, good dining experience. The ambiance makes it worth while.
(3)
Wayne E.

This restaurant was recommended to me more than a few times on the island first on the merits of its bartenders and again on the food. Almost everyone seemed to point me to Cucumber Mojito's and Seafood Lau Lau. As others have said, the restaurant is pleasant in atmosphere, and the gardens around it are beautiful. The bar held up to its reputation with friendly service and unique cocktails (lavender pina colada's, cucumber mojitos, ginger tini (like a ginger lemon drop), and our favorite, the "plantation breeze". Dinner was very pleasant, with good service that bordered on being almost too relaxed....meaning a bit slow at times and very casual. As I like to gab it up a bit, this suited us fine as we really weren't in any hurry. We had to try the seafood lau lau, but also had the fish of the day. The food was very fresh, moist, well prepared...and the sauces were excellent. While others have complained that the prices were a bit high, they were significantly lower or on par with restaurants across the main road and in my opinion, served much better food and cocktails. We enjoyed this meal a great deal..enough to come back another night just for appetizers and a quick drink. We tried the pot stickers and a simple pork and rice dish which was excellent. I highly recommend the plantation garden as a place for a well prepared meal in an unpretentious, and beautiful, atmosphere.
(4)
Lane M.

As others have written, the best part about Plantation Gardens is the scenery. This was a very nice place to have dinner outdoors at sunset. The food was also good, but in light of the price I can only score it 3 stars. I had the seafood lau lau, which was heavily recommended on this site. It was good (if you like fish, scallops, and shrimp you will enjoy it), but not enough to be worth the $25 price tag. My wife had the baby back ribs, which fell off the bone and were covered in a delicious house-made barbecue sauce. I would definitely recommend them. The cucumber mojito was unique and also something I would recommend if you do decide that value takes a back seat to atmosphere. Overall a fun dinner, but not somewhere I would return while on the island.
(3)
Emily C.

One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The atmosphere is perfect, the service is impeccable, and the food is exquisite. Can't go wrong, love this place. Oh and I recommend getting their cucumber mojito, it is so refreshing!
(5)
Amy T.

The food is ok but not worth the prices. Our family of six went for a special dinner and it added up to a lot. Next time I would go for just cocktails and appetizers. A bit disappointed. The grounds and building are beautiful though.
(3)
Tony G.

My wife and I got married on April 18, 2011. The ceremony and reception was at Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar. We did a buyout of the entire restaurant so we could have the entire place to ourselves that night. So I am trying to figure out a way to rate the Restaurant since this is not a typical review. Most important to me and my wife is that we want to give credit to where its due, Mona Gonzaludo, the Event Coordinator and Jeff, (the manager never got his last name) and the staff that worked the night of our wedding were incredible. They all get 5 stars, more if possible. All these people helped make our wedding a spectacular and memorable time. First, let me say that Mona was extremely helpful, somehow I get the feeling, we may have been a bit annoying with all of our requests. First, we really wanted to have a roast pig. Mona was able to find someone to to procure the pig AND roast it for us. The person who did this was actually a staff member (very useful and multi-talented staff). She was accommodating in making any adjustments to the menu that we requested. On the day of the wedding and our reception, it rained right before the start of the ceremony. The rain left as quick as it came but what was amazing (at least to me) was seeing wait staff that was working that night lined up with towels in their had to wipe down all the seats as soon as the rain stopped. After the ceremony and the rest of the evening, the staff was on top of it. They were great at taking care of all of our guests needs. Mostly it was making sure that anyone who needed a fresh drink had one, which I think is awesome! And there were a few people who dropped their glass on the dance floor and the the staff was their right away to clean up. The manager, Jeff, was amazing all evening he even deflected one of the grumpy Outrigger guests who came by to complain about the noise which was kind of weird because we had to shut down by 10:00pm. But anyway, the staff was awesome and they even joined us on the dance floor to celebrate and enjoy themselves too. My wife and I didn't care, we pulled a few of them onto the dance floor with us. I am pretty sure the staff knew we weren't the kind of couple that would get weird about that kind of stuff. Bottom line, Mona, Jeff and the staff were stellar and amazing! So onto the food for our reception. The appetizers were phenomenal as were the drinks. I think the drinks for a wedding reception are a little lighter than they are when you have a drink on a regular night. At least I think it is and I was not concerned with that considering if the drinks were stronger, a lot of people would have been sick in the koi pond. The roast pig was delicious but I love pork so I may be biased. The rest of the food did not stand out in my memory. I don't think it was bad, I just don't remember it being great but I was also pretty intoxicated by then! On a caveat, my wife and I ate at the restaurant the night before we left Kauai and we both loved the food. So I am giving the Plantation 5 stars for the above reason. To Mona, Jeff and the staff that worked that night. Thank you so much, every single one you helped make that night incredible and we will always appreciate your work and dedication!
(5)
Alicia C.

You have to go to Plantation Gardens! I was on Kauai for 9 days, and one of the regrets we had was that it took us 3 days to hear about Plantation Gardens. It was recommended by our zip-lining guide for the best mojitos on the island. I don't even like mojitos, but their cucumber mojito is amazing. We went back 3 more times while on vacation and always sat at the bar, so I can't comment on the ambience of the restaurant...but the bar was fabulous. I'm not sure about the complaints about the food not warranting the price, it was fabulous! The skirt steak, and the stir fry - amazing! The crab rangoon- delicious! The ice-cream sandwich dessert and the baked Hawaii were fabulous as well. We tried restaurants in Princeville, and at the Grand Hyatt, and Sheraton in Poipu...Plantation Gardens has better food and a better value. The service was amazing. By the end of the trip we felt like we were genuinely friends with the staff! Ask Brad for his signature cocktail, you won't regret it. The Li Hing Moi margarita is awesome, and Justin was working on the ingredients for his own signature cocktail which I'll go ahead and recommend too even though it wasn't quite perfected yet. The manager, Jeff, was beyond great as well. Couldn't have been better! Are you still reading this review?? Really, you should be heading to Plantation Gardens already!!
(5)
EJ A.

The outdoor lanai was perfect for my small wedding reception - we had the entire outside to ourselves, including a small koi pond and private orchid garden. The food was amazing - we ordered quite a few appetizers (our favorite was the ahi tacos) and had several entree options for our dinner. While our guests were catered with drinks and apps, my husband and I walked across the street to the beach to have some photos shot at sunset. The event coordinator worked with us time and time again to create the menu and memorable experience we were looking to create for our guests. Working with Plantation Gardens was so much different than the many other hotels and restaurants I called (exorbitant minimums, hidden fees, etc.). I highly recommend this place for it's professional staff, wonderful food, and affordable prices!! p.s. Mona (the event coordinator) is the absolute best!
(5)
max f.

One of the better dining choices in the area. Why not more than 3 stars? Yes, the atmosphere is good, food quite decent, prices OK, but the service tends to be spotty. The place is usually quite busy, so even with a reservation you might end up waiting for the table longer than you should. Other than that, recommended.
(3)
Jake S.

The first bite I took of the skirt steak felt as if I were biting into a habanero....it was soooo spicy. The following bites were fine and the steak was pretty good. Parts were a little chewy, some tender, but all in all I liked it. We didn't get dessert and all the plants surrounding the restaurant provided a nice atmosphere.
(4)
Jessica H.

Eat here. Because of what can only be described as laziness on the part of a few guidebook editors, we almost missed this gem because the descriptions of it seemed unremarkable. However, this was our best overall nice dining experience in Kauai. Dining on the covered porch of the converted plantation house was relaxing and enjoyable. The setting is lush and remarkable: An award-winning historic garden combines orchids and ponds with succulents and cacti to create a unique setting. When I asked about the house's history, the waitress shared a sheet about the history. The walls inside are also adorned with historic photos, including one of Hawaii's Queen Emma and Robert Louis Stevenson - clearly museum worthy - that's just popped on the wall by the bathrooms. While the house is old, the food was fresh. A lot of island cuisine has a dated over-reliace on heavy mac nut crusts and creamy sauces, but the take here was fresh and light, if not terribly creative. We had a bright salad with local greens, blue cheese, and pears. We then had my favorite poke of the trip, an ahi timbale topped with avocado slices, all atop perfect thin rounds of cucumber. A shared lau lau was generous with savory vegetables and fresh seafood. We also had a round of cucumber mojitos, served in cute jelly jars, that were not too sweet but plenty strong. The servers were friendly and attentive, and the whole evening was wonderful. If I were asked to only recommend one place on Kauai to eat, this would be it. But yes, to Leia's point, get here early enough to see the grounds. Arriving for dinner before dusk and departing in the glow of decorative lights, we saw the best hours of the evening in this spot.
(5)
Ezra B.

Giving this four stars for ambience and service. The meal hit high points with the PuPu Platter and dessert but the entree Seafood Lau-Lau and Ribs were just ok. Need to step it up to match the beautiful garden setting and the super friendly wait-staff.
(4)
Pao L.

Another great place for dinner. It's so peaceful here! There's no hula party here and it's kinda secluded.. hidden behind all these trees. Total ZEN! When you enter, you will see a beautiful orquid garden (OMG orquid heaven for me!) The restaurant looks like a house with opened doors.. there's a porch so they have tables there..make sure you get seated there and enjoy their mojitos or mai tai during sun down! I ordered the plantation special which was a pan seared local fish. You can go wrong ordered freshly caught fish or pork on the island.. that's what they are known for! I miss Kauai!
(5)
Jonathan L.

My wife and I have been there several times now. Last year, it was our favorite place and we went twice for dinner and once for drinks. The place seems to have gone downhill since last year. The service was terrible. We may have gotten a poor draw on the waiter because several tables who were seated around the same time as us faired much better. It definitely ruined the experience for us. That said, I was less happy with the food this time around. In the past, my favorite dish had been a pork tenderloin skewered on sugar cane strips served with a fried rice and a Hoisin sauce. It was fantastic. They've changed it now, the sauce is different and they're making it with a sweet potato hash medley that I was unimpressed by. This used to be my favorite place, but I doubt I'll return.
(2)
Noor A.

OH. MY. GOD. Best meal I had in Kauai. And possibly best meal ever. I dined here last week to celebrate my 29th birthday and was really glad I had selected the Plantation Gardens to mark the occasion. The restaurant is really low key and casual. Something about the decor and atmosphere gave me a 70s Hawaii vibe (remember when the Brady Bunch vacationed in Hawaii?), which I actually found really cool and authentic. If you're staying at the Sheraton, it is actually right across the street from the beach/ocean wing. The address is actually for the front of the building so if you map it online, it looks much further than it really is. The service was great and the food was amazing and meticulously well-presented. The portion sizes were a bit too huge, though. I had the island stir fry, which came with really fresh and tasty swordfish and prawns. For dessert, I had the Baked Hawaiian, which was AWESOME (see photos). I can't wait to go back to Kauai just to have another meal here.
(5)
S H.

It does have a nice atmosphere. There are a lot of plants and ponds in front of the restaurant that you wind through on the way in. We ate here twice, both times in the patio table seating at the bar without a reservation. For appetizers, we tried the sashimi platter and the szechwan green beans. The sashimi platter comes with three kinds of ahi, only the plain one was edible. The green beans were good and we finished those. On day one, I tried the Island Stir Fry, with fish/shrimp/vegetables. The veggies were really good, shrimp was ok (I'm not a huge fan of shrimp anyways), and the fish was tolerable when eaten with the veggies -- on its own it was kind of tasteless. The rice was too mushy and flavorless for me and I gave up after two bites. Portions were fairly big and we didn't feel the need for dessert -- although they looked good.. On day two, I tried the fresh fish of the day. There appear two be two listed on the menu, but the second is a salad with pan seared fish on it. I thought I was ordering the other grilled (on that day it was Uku), but it came soggy and falling apart. It was over udon noodles which were much better than their rice. It wasn't bad, but overall it was on the bland side again. Drinks were good. Total came to $85 with 2 drinks, 1 app, 2 entrees. Again the yelp maps are always just a bit wrong in Kauaui, the restaurant is on the other side of the main Po'ipu road and set pretty far back -- you would have to enter one of the Plantation resort driveways and go a bit. My best guess would put it at the corner intersection formed by Hoonani Rd and Po'ipu Beach road, if you zoom way in on google maps. We found it by following their torches. My rankings for Kauai: Red Salt, Beach House, Tidepools, Plantation Gardens.
(3)
Bobo Y.

Food: Delicious, fresh seafood. Vibe: Romantic in a garden. There are a lot of orchids. Reservation: Yes Service: very nice Location: near beach, but it is in a garden. We had our last meal there before we left the Island. It was our best restaurant in Kauai. We really enjoyed our food. We would recommend this place for a nice romantic dinner.
(5)
Patrick L.

We went to Plantation Gardens Restaurant for my father-in-laws birthday. The location / atmosphere was amazing. 5 stars We sat on the side porch and couldn't have been happier. My wife got the fish of the day special (don't remember what they called it). 3 stars The lemon-grass beurre-blanc was a bit too well "lemon-grassey" (the server specifically said you wont even taste the lemon but he was wrong). It still was an amazing piece of fish. I got the ribeye. 5 stars It was simply fantastic.
(4)
Jamie Y.

Great ambiance. Excellent service. Beautiful and unique orchid garden. But the food was just ok. The ahi tuna had a gelatinous texture. Our entrees could've used more seasoning. And it's a little overpriced for what you get.
(3)
Jane L.

We had the pleasure of dining at the Plantation Gardens Restaurant and Bar on Friday, July 6, 2012. The atmosphere was beautiful greeting you with an orchid garden as you enter the establishment. Service was amazing and the food was incredible. We enjoyed the Pork Pot Stickers and Shrimp Spring Rolls as appetizer. Then we enjoyed the arugula salad and then the main course of Pork Tenderloin and the Lau Lau both were very good. We ended with Lapperts ice cream and sorbet. Our server, Cherisse was amazing -- she served six tables and kept all diners happy with her exceptional service. We highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Kathleen B.

Plantation Gardens was the first place that we had dinner upon arriving in Kauai. We saw a preview of their Christmas Dinner menu which included herb-roasted prime rib, and we immediately booked a reservation here. The waitress explained to us that all of the meat that they use at Plantation Gardens (and on most of Kauai) is farmed on the island and sent to Maui to be butchered. I ordered a cucumber mojito (delicious!) and the fiancee ordered a beer. We had the arugula salad to start, and the prime rib for dinner for us both. The arugula salad was good, but the prime rib was out of this world! Neither my fiancee nor myself had ever tasted a jucier, more rich piece of meat than what we ate that night. After this night, we went to all of the major restaurants in the Poipu area and ordered prime rib, and they were all just as good as this first meal. A lot of people come to Kauai and expect great fish here, but the star of the show is the beef.
(5)
Maureen F.

Beautiful setting. Service was excellent at the table. Food: Curry was unique - the green onion adding a perfect tang to the soup. Lau lau was disappointing: it was a bunch of seafood steamed in a leaf. The spices/leaf did little to enhance the dish. Unique things: At night, you can hear some strange bullfrogs croak while you eat. All the ladies get an orchid to place in their hair.
(3)
Aaron M.

The Plantation Gardens Restaurant was absolutely incredible! My wife and I had our wedding reception there on August 18th and the entire process from the planning to the actual event was as painless as it gets. The Special Events coordinator Mona Gonzaludo is utterly amazing! She made our wedding experience timeless and is truly a lifesaver....more on that in a minute. The menu at the Plantation Gardens is to die for and the cocktails look almost too good to drink! We were married overlooking the beach on the lawns at the Kiahuna Plantation only a short walk from the Plantation Gardens Restaurant. We had a cocktail hour outside the restaurant prior to the reception and all the drinks, pupus and decorations were perfect. The grounds surrounding the restaurant are absolutely beautiful.....packed with natural color from the thousands of orchids and lush vegetation. A wonderful compliment to our wedding decorations. The staff at the restaurant were attentive and quick to clean up empty drinks and then provide another as quickly as possible. We had the entire restaurant to ourselves.....our wedding group was about 90 people...and we never felt as if our needs were not being taken care of. There was plenty of room for our DJ to setup and our guests to break it down on the dance floor! We honestly could not have asked for a more perfect location and event. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to Mona Gonzaludo who I mentioned earlier. Her professionalism and the level of attention she gave us truly displayed how much she was concerned for our happiness. We had a minor catastrophe the day before the wedding when our preplanned rehearsal dinner at Keoki's Paradise (across the street from the Kiahuna Plantation) was canceled due to an out of control brush fire that eventually lead to the evacuation of the entire shopping center where Keoki's Paradise is located. This all took place about 30 minutes before the dinner was supposed to take place. Needless to say it was a hectic situation, but when I approached Mona and asked if she could accommodate a group of 45 for our rehearsal dinner she didn't even hesitate. She just smiled and said "Give me 45 minutes." She setup a secluded area on the patio and the dinner went off without a hitch. She and the staff truly saved the day.....and as to be expected, the food and drinks were delicious. Words cannot express our gratitude to how Mona treated us and the overall experience we had at The Plantation Gardens Restaurant. We are looking forward to returning on our anniversary and enjoying a wonderful dinner again. Mahalo!
(5)
Chris D.

Very pretty restaurant. Romantic in the evening. I thought the food was okay. The service the night we were there was not so great. They messed up our order and the kitchen was slow, especially for raw fish. I enjoyed the poke.
(3)
Melissa W.

My husband and I ate here one night during our week stay in Kauai. We were both pleased with the food and service. The only downfall, which I do not hold the restaurant responsible for, is that we were seated next to a wedding reception. The wedding party was very loud, obnoxious, and clearly inebriated.... That being said it was very difficult to talk and hear my hubby who was less than a foot away from me. Apart from that, we were seated on the patio overlooking a pond, tiki torches, and a garden so the ambience was beautiful.... I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and would definitely eat here again if I had the opportunity!!
(4)
Myle S.

We had to hunt to find this restaurant in the dark. Kauai has little light pollution which is great, but it took some driving around to find this one. The atmosphere is beautiful and enchanting with the lights all over leading up to the plantation house all around veranda. Their passion fruit smoothie was to die for and the food was pretty good. The khalua pork manapuas were the best item we had there.
(4)
Ryan P.

Stopped here with my wife on our vacation to Kauai. I think we had higher expectations given the prices on the menu, but the food simply didn't live up to the prices that they charged. The Ahi sashimi that we started with had a different texture and was a little thick for my liking. Having a craving for Ahi before this meal, I was excited. However, I left unsatisfied with their preparation of it. For the main course I had the Lau Lau with the fish of the day (Ono). The preparation of it was nice, but I have had better Ono than what was served on this night. It might have been an off night for this place, but given its close proximity to our hotel (Sheraton) we'd hoped for better. I'd pass on this place next time we are back on Kauai. On the plus side the service was attentive and our waitress was great at keeping the wine flowing and the water full all night.
(3)
Kristoffer P.

really nice place to take a date. They have a orchid garden right before you enter the restaurant. Kind of pricey, for normal sized portions. Our service was good, and food was alright, I wasn't too impressed (especially for the price we paid) however the decor and landscaping around the patio made up for it.
(3)
hallie f.

Excellent!! If you are in the area, check it the Plantation Gardens and you won't be disappointed. I first heard about Plantation Gardens when my husband and I decided to get married in Kauai and we were looking for somewhere for our rehearsal dinner. We were getting married at The Grand Hyatt and wanted a different vibe for the rehearsal dinner. On our first visit we know we picked the right restaurant. The food was incredible and the service was top notch. Planning a destination wedding and various events can be challenging but Mona, the event coordinator, was wonderful to work with. Very friendly and made the planning process very smooth. We had close to 50 guests and started out with cocktails and drinks in their gardens, which were beautiful. The area was very private and the service was excellent. We had returned the West Lani, in the back of the restaurant which was very private. We had several options for our guest to choose from and there was something for everyone. The vibe was exactly what we wanted and truly enjoyed the yummy food, tasty drinks, awesome dessert, great service and wonderful environment. We had a lot of feedback from our family & friends who thought everything was excellent. Martin Roberts as our florists and Mona customized menu's for our event. Overall, a wonderful evening and there is nothing we would have done different. We can't wait to come back and have another amazing meal!!!
(5)
Judy P.

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner last week. The quinoa/edamame entree was one of the best vegetarian meals I have ever tasted. All meals were superb. Our waitstaff was very attentive, the ambiance inside and the garden outside was charming. The only disappointment was a screaming kid. The parents were not phased, too bad the other patrons had to listen to the screams!
(5)
M C.

Crab rangoon appetizer, Lau lau entree, chef trio entree, baked Hawaiian dessert, ice cream sandwich dessert were all good! The garden environment around the restaurant grounds are so lush and pretty! Customer service is great here and they are friendly!
(5)
Teena S.

Gorgeous gorgeous place for a romantic dinner in Kauai! Me and my husband went here for dinner our first night in Kauai and it was a wonderful experience. The ambiance is tropical yet romantic. We were seated at the patio facing their beautiful tropical garden. We started with cocktails, mine was lychee based and my husband's cucumber based and both were quite good. As entree, I had the island stir fry and my husband had the Seafood stew. Both dishes were delicious and the portion was quite good. We finished off dinner with a slice of their passion fruit cheese cake... it melts in your mouth!!! Yummmm. I can see why they were voted best restaurant of 2010.
(5)
Peter B.

Very good food and very good service. The Caesar salad was really special, I only wish they hadn't run out of Monchong for the grilled fish entree. They substituted mahi mahi, which was very good, but I was hoping to try something different. The sauteed Ono my wife ordered was very good. The pineapple upsidedown cake was excellent. I'd go again.
(4)
Dan K.

The food quality and service were excellent. However, the portions were too small for our tastes. My wife had the grilled fish but there was no starch served with it. I had the fish special and thought portion was small. We also had the poke and that was excellent and the right portion. The atmosphere was excellent
(4)
April Rose D.

You have got to be kidding me! When dining in the gorgeous island of Kauai you expect fresh seafood. I ordered the seafood platter and the fish and scallops were both fishy! Very disappointing...The only reason I gave this place a two stars is because the grounds are beautiful.
(2)
Joseph G.

Stay away! This was our last night on Kauai and we wanted to try something new. Our little son is a fish lover. He ordered the Ono. Overcooked & all but tasteless, he refused to eat it. My wife had the seafood curry. She reported that the flavor was good but the seafood was overcooked and tough. On the plus side the service was good. Both the waitress and bus person were on the ball and attentive. That is the only reason this place received even a single star.
(1)
Sarah L.

Plantation Gardens is amazing and was hands down the BEST dinner we had during our 2wk honeymoon in October. The entrance is beautiful, especially close to sunset time. Orchids and exotic flowers take over the walkway and koi ponds full of fish greet you along the way. We had a drink at the bar before our table was ready, tried a few fun martini's and chatted with the bartender about our surroundings. We got seated outside on the deck under twinkle lights looking at old banyan trees and more orchids. It was such a beautiful atmoshphere and you felt like you were at an old plantation house with the wood, rocking chairs and shutters. The food was just divine. Great portions-everything is local and the herbs, tomoatoes, veggies come from their garden and you can tell. It's just so fresh! Once we finished our large dinner we thought we'd try the Ice Cream sandwich for dessert. This sandwich is HUGE-it's so good we didn't want to waste it being homemade and all. Macadamia nut ice cream with fudge and between two chocolate chip cookies-WOW! We told everyone we met after this dinner to go here while in Kauai. It's for sure the best local food and service with an amazing atmosphere to add. Love this place!
(5)
Gina T.

We read other positive reviews so went there and had difficult time finding it because of lack of signs and it was tucked behind the buildings. But the ambiance, service, and the food was great. We had the poke appetizer and it was the best poke ever! We both had the Quinoa dish and it was very filling and delicious! Good service but the tap water in chill bottle did not hide the taste of the tap water.
(4)
Barb B.

Had great mon chung fish dish. Great flavors and textures. Restaurant is surrounded by beautiful gardens and lots of orchids. There were several kids present but they were able to let off steam by running around on the grass, so this somewhat upscale place worked for everyone.
(5)
Josh L.

Decided this trip for our "nice" dinner to try Plantation Gardens. The location and the outdoor garden is amazing. Our son enjoyed running around looking at the flowers and the ponds. Service was great. Our son got brown rice and stir fry which he ate up. They brought it out first for him. We tried the sampler which had ahi sashimi, spring roll, sushi roll and a pull pork bun. The pull pork bun was pretty amazing, nothing like a chinese pork bun which is way too sweet. The spring roll was really good, it had some stir fry inside. We both got the trio entree which included a skirt steak, seafood lau lau and local fish (ono). Hands down the best lau lau I've ever had with the best scallop I've ever had. It was a huge scallop which was sweeter and steamed with the veggies and other seafood. Amazing stuff. We ended the meal shared their baked hawaiin which was like a mud pie with lapperts ice cream over a brownie crust. We liked this place more than the Beach House.
(5)
Christianna W.

Eat at the bar if Brad is bartending, you won't be sorry! Perfectly concocted cocktails, and the food is pretty good too.
(5)
Matt P.

Definitely our favorite dining experience while in Kauai. We had no particular expectations, which may have allowed more room to be impressed, but nonetheless we were impressed. First and foremost, fantastic service. The best we had on the island. Just the right amount of attention, great attitudes and very helpful with recommendations. The grounds were pleasant and provided a nice view from our outdoor veranda table. As with many places in Kauai, we had some geckos visit which is always entertaining. Drinks were pretty impressive. They have some house specialties that the waiter recommended and we both enjoyed quite a bit. I had the Sweet Li Hing Mui Margarita and my wife had the Cucumber Mojito. Food was delicious. Perfectly sized portions, well cooked and quite tasty. We started with the Kalua Pork Lettuce Wraps - phenomenal. My wife had the Curry-Coconut Seafood Stew for her entree and I had the fresh fish daily special. Both were fantastic. Highly recommended if you are in the area for dinner. Not as well known or obvious as some of the other locations, so use your map.
(5)
Cindy C.

The food here had great flavors. We may have gone on an off night, from reading all the other good reviews here. But from the moment we sat until we ordered (a long time) and from the moment we were promised bread until we got it (after we asked multiple times) and from the fact that my fish was hot but the sides were cold and my friend's dish looked like it had sat under the heat lamp for at least 30 minutes... our night was ruined. The wait staff really tried to make it up, the manager came out and really worked on making everything better (re cooked the dishes, gave us extra drinks, etc.) Definitely with a 5 star attitude, but still, at this point, I would have rather had a perfect night out. I'd like to believe that it was an off night. We may try them again.
(3)
YC L.

My boyfriend and I came here on our first night at Kauai. The guide book recommended this place and we were close by. It took awhile for us to get seated but I'd say the food is well worth the wait. We were first pleasantly surprise by the cocktail. Cucumber mojito was fabulous and the mai tai was yum. The waiter recommended the garden island tea. Both my bf and I were impressed~!! The high light was my boyfriend's seafood lau lau with fish of the day, ono. The ono was seasoned perfect. The scallop was cook to perfection, not too raw, not too well done. The next high light was the passion fruit cheese cake. Caramelized sugar on top, with passion fruit flavored cream and cheese cake on the bottom. Yum yum yum.,... I'd say one of the best cheese cake. As the guide book "Kauai Revealed", stick to the seafood here and you will be pleasantly surprise.
(5)
Mary S.

Great restaurant, nice atmosphere, relaxing. Food is perfect. Fresh fish dishes. We tried several cocktails, the best one was their cucumber mojito. Kailani farms arugula salad was perfect, so as the plantation special with Ono fish. Service was also very good. I can not say anything bad about the place. We will definitely go back.
(5)
J W.

We walked out. If I could give less than one star I would. Had a reservation, they made us wait 10 minutes for a table, even though the place was half empty. Waiter was high as a kite, didn't write anything down. He took our drink order and told us about the specials. We waited, he came back and said he forgot what kind of beer was ordered, told him it was Bourbon, then he tried to tell us the specials again. The potstickers arrived, barely warm and flavorless. Finally the entrees came - one was the wrong dish (ordered pot roast got seafood) we had had enough, didn't want to wait for a correction while the other entree was getting cold. So we left and won't recommend this restaurant, even though we didn't get to eat an entree.
(1)
McKenzie M.

This restaurant was recommended to us by two different friends. Maybe we went on an off night. Three out of four of us had overcooked fish (all ordered different plates). The fourth one of us just had kinda gross fish. The ambiance is nice. Service was good. Appetizers were good and drinks were fine. But we felt like we wasted $25 on entrees.
(2)
Chip J.

Friendly staff. Beautiful setting. Not impressed with the food.
(3)
K G.

This place was kind of a mixed bag. The grounds are beautiful. The restaurant has a lot of unused space, which makes it feel awkward. Our sever was very friendly. The cocktails were great (moir margarita and cucumber mojito). The caesar salad was delicious. I ordered ono that came on a bed of sauteed corn and spinach. The flavors weren't quite right. Something was a little burned. The fish was very tough and boring. The steak with pineapple salsa and quinoa was good. The lau lau was yummy. The red curry with eggplant was not good. Don't think I'd go back but it's a perfectly fine place.
(3)
Neil S.

As we entered, I felt like we were in the Tiki Room at Disneyland. Very tropical! The girls ordered the Sashimi Platter for an appetizer. It was good I think because it was gone before I knew it was on the table. For dinner we had filet, ahi, mahi mahi, and the Thai soup. We finished with the Hawaiian special. Generally good flavor. All was good. We each had specific improvement ideas (i.e. Add rice to curry; cook mahi a little longer; more fish to Thai dish). The reviews are a little overrated. Good family environment that will not be too fancy. For Hawaii tourist attraction, not bad.
(3)
Erika C.

Beautiful, romantic ambiance. We came here twice - once for cocktails and tasty BBQ sliders. We came back a couple nights later and enjoyed a great dinner. I ordered the seafood Lau Lau which was moist and flavorful. Will definitely come back the next time we're on this lovely island.
(5)
Jedd J.

Beautiful place, great food, although the ahi tuna was overdone.
(4)
Michael H.

I ate here for my birthday and was very happy with the choice that my girlfriend had made. We picked it based on the reviews here and it just happened to be in the same complex that we were staying in. The food was excellent and very fresh. Our service was very good too. As with anywhere that can be hit or miss on any night or with any server so I try not to base too much of any review on service. Based on the reviews here I'm sure it's good a lot more often than it's bad. I would have liked to give it 4.5 stars but couldn't quite give it 5 stars because the food just wasn't quite there. That's not to say it wasn't very good. We've eaten at Roy's and Casablanca and It's probably as good or better than either of those. We got the the sampler app and the pot stickers and rangoons were fantastic. The sushi roll was a bit mushy and the spring roll was a bit greasy but still tasty. Both our entrees were very good but not quite worthy of 5 stars. The desert was a bit plain too. I'm hoping to get back before we leave to try another item on their menu I was interested in.
(4)
M L.

Food: Tasty and definitely gourmet in nature, but the pupu appetizer was a bit greasy and bland. Ambience: Orchid garden, which is dimly lit and difficult to enjoy at night. I kinda felt we were overlooking a small minature golf course dotted with tiki lanters. Meh. Staff: Hostess was charming and gave me an orchid to wear in my hair upon our arrival. However, waitress was stiff and made me a bit uncomfortable. All told, I probably wouldn't come back again. For the money, I would rather go to Tidepools @ the Hyatt, which is just up the street and offers better food, service, and ambience.
(4)
Michael H.

The best food I have had in Kauai. Original, inventive and so very fresh. The Crab Pu Pus were amazing and the fresh fish excellent. A beautiful setting as well.
(5)
Hunter O.

this place is very great..the staff was nice. and the little garden view is very pretty even at night. the wife and i came here on our honeymoon thanks to our super fantasic friend paula.. one thing i realy enjoyed was the corn fritter thing it was super good. also a great thing to this place was they had a sampler plate of diffrent kinds of local seafood dishes. and being that i dont live in HI i thought this was a nice cause i was able to try 4 diffrent dishes.. ok and the reson this place gets 4 stars is cause it is a pain in the rear to find..they need to invest in some signs...
(4)
Van D.

Place is a bit hidden within a resort in Poipu. Went here for dinner with family and got seated at an outdoor table. The restaurant has a beautiful orchard garden surrounding it. Tried the combination dinner which was average. Had a small portion of the seafood luau luau, fish of the day, and steak. Seemed like the chef was trying to put a more elegant/different spin on traditional hawaiian dishes but results were so so. Waitress seemed a bit grumpy but got better as the night went on. Hostess gave us only 5 menus when we had a party of 6. Took awhile to get our food (although waitress did warn us). 4 stars for view/atmosphere, 3 stars for food, 2 stars for service.
(3)
LuckieMaounds P.

This is a beautifully decorated restaurant in a gorgeous garden setting. Tiki torches added to the ambiance of the garden with small ponds complete with lilypads and bellowing frogs. Good-sized frogs, too... bigger than my hand. Because I overdid it the night before, I skipped cocktail hour and ordered an iced tea, which came in a giant mason jar. I thought that was kind of tacky. I mean, I get it, "plantation," okay, but the mason jars were large and awkward on the small, elegant table setting. But it was good tea and there was so much of it I didn't need a refill. We shared the Tuna Platter app which was a few pieces of seasoned rare ahi, a few sashimi, and some sushi. All were good. The sushi rice was seasoned and flavorful and that one had a sprinkling of orange or green smelt on top. Caesar salads were next. I personally don't like it when it comes to me in the form of giant leaves that I must cut myself. I am more of a person who just wants to get down with my food and when it's given to me and I have to start working, it slows down my relentless shoveling into my face and that just gets me all mixed up. But keeping it in whole-leaf form makes for a very classy and pretty presentation on the plate. Long thick slices of parmesan and the dressing was light and delish. One of the better caesar's I've had. For dinner, he had the stir-fry and I had the stew. Stir-fry was fish and prawns and veggies over rice. It was topped with crispy won-tons, and not won-ton strips but big'uns. I snuck a bite and it was good. You can really taste how fresh the ingredients are. I had the curry-coconut seafood stew. It was served in a huge bowl with a toasted baguette floating on the top. You could taste every flavor - mussels, shrimp, fish, coconut, curry. It had a nice balance to it - no one flavor washed any others out. I am a huge eater but I tend to skip dessert and this restaurant was no exception. I will say that everything from start to finish was very, very good. But if I gave a five-star rating I would be absolutely raving about something and recommending others to go here. I'm not NOT recommending this restaurant, as I believe many people will enjoy a lot about it. I just dont have that "it-knocked-my-chonies-off-excellent" vibe. But I would come back if I was, say, treating my parents to dinner. It is a lovely setting, a bit of a drive to get here from Kapaa, but an enjoyable one.
(4)
Agnes C.

Beautiful gardens in romantic surroundings for our favorite dinner spot. our first night in Hawaii. We love to feed each other the island stir fry! Don't miss coming here.
(5)
Deirdre M.

We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation so we felt we needed to check out the restaurant that shares a parking lot with it. I loved the cocktails I had, the service was great and attentive. We had the sushi appetizer... it was ok. I would definitely check it out while visiting, but it wasn't my favorite. Try and snag a table outside.
(3)
Lauren C.

We wanted to like this place - actually expected to like it based on the favorable comments here. However, it was not a wonderful experience. Granted, once a few things happen that move things downward, it's hard to be optimistic about the remainder of the meal even if it's not awful. Our waiter was our biggest concern. (Alfred? or similar name.) A young man, not very Hawaiian in a stereotypical manner of speaking. He was not laid back, not friendly, no/few smiles - I actually made it a personal challenge of mine to get a smile from him when I'd gotten none, but only at the end upon check presentation, was there a smile. Coincidence? We arrived through the garden as another writer noted, from the Sheraton nearby. It's a beautiful garden scene, and a very attractive building. The were several torches burning in the garden - pretty - but also several were out probably due to the high winds. The result was a gas smell as you approached. The interior of the restaurant was very attractive - the small bar, the restrooms, the entry, the private dining room, the interior common dining area, and the porch - all attractive. Even the areas where one can see the kitchen - very nice looking, and clean - cleaner than Roy's even, (and Roy's wasn't bad - this was just cleaner). We were first offered a table on the side walkway of the porch, but asked for another more in amongst others. The side tables might be nice for a more isolated dinner. The cocktail list was interesting and very appealing. I had a cucumber mojito - very good, simple but refreshing. The waiter's first hello was quick, unsmiling, rushed - but helpful w/ the drink order recommendation. Bread seems to be something you ask for. Some tables had it, some didn't - so when our pupu of duck spring rolls arrived - not very warm, but good, we asked the runner (or was he another waiter? or manager? - don't know who he was) for bread. He said he'd get it, then disappeared. Later, the waiter checked on us, and we mentioned we'd requested bread from another. He said that then it must be on its way, but apparently didn't follow up - still no bread for some time. Then our pupu plates were cleared, still no bread. So we grabbed a busboy and asked him, and he finally brought it. My husband had an iced tea. The waiter said he'd get a refill. It didn't come, and didn't come, so he asked the busboy who refilled it immediately. Finally, the waiter came over to refill it - but too little too late. Sounds minor, but this took a long time. Shiitake mushrooms and mushrooms in general appear on this menu a little more than most. Good if you like them. I'm not so fond of them - but I realize they're a pricey mushroom, liked by many. My husband had the Garden Isle Bouillabaisse - the mild curry flavor was the only flavor according to him. Only 2 shrimp. He would have liked a little more fish/seafood in it. The presentation was attractive, but he wouldn't get it again. He said it was bland overall. I had the hoison glazed pork tenderloin. Another nice presentation, but the hoison sauce, which I like, was WAY too overpowering. I wiped off each piece of pork on the plate so as to have a more balanced taste experience. The fried rice with it was great - I could have eaten a bowl of that alone - skip the pork. Although, to be honest, it wasn't very fried. Some of the rice was still very white. But, I liked the flavor a lot. Throughout this, interaction with our waiter was absent when we needed him, and indifferent when he was around. His biggest fault - EYE CONTACT - almost none. We're nice, friendly people who eat out a lot. We don't mind a chatty server, or a good friendly but professional one who goes about his business but doesn't chat - either way. But, this guy was aloof (not stuck up - just would rather be elsewhere I think), and not on top of things. Oh - when we paid the bill, he brought back another table's credit card slip, not ours - it belonged to another server too. Don't know if that was our server's mistake, someone elses. He rectified that. To be fair, we overheard an older couple commend our waiter for his service. (We looked at each other wide eyed and mouths agape.) Do they not dine out much? Was he better and nicer with them for whatever reason? We don't know. We were not impressed. We would have returned to this restaurant to try other dishes, but the negative service experience really set us off. Too bad, 'cause the chef(s) deserve better representation. We would be more forgiving overall of the place if the service had been better. Oh - my husband wanted to give it just two stars - he *really* couldn't stand the waiter, but I felt the surroundings and food took it up a notch.
(3)
Dick C.

We wanted a special place for seafood dinner to celebrate our wonderful vacation nearing an end. We used our trusted Yelp to research options in Poipu. We were pleased with the many reviews and chose this restaurant. It was challenging to find even though we had the address. The restaurant signage is not very visible at night. The grounds surrounding the restaurant are very beautiful. We went on a Wednesday night in late January. We were seated on the open air porch with the few other diners on this quiet evening. Unfortunately, one dining couple had a very young child with no toys and distractions and he screamed occasionally. At last, they left early with their dinners in boxes. That was just the beginning of the somewhat disappointing dining experience. Our server was below average and must have either been very new or not trained properly for this quality restaurant. Her remarks and occasional check-ins reminded me more of a low budget establishment rather than the well reviewed Plantation Gardens. The food was interesting and tasty, but not spectacular for the price and did not fit the overall ambiance of the restaurant. It seemed a little like a clash of new age Asian Pacific food meets Hawaiian plantation with southern theme and a server better employed at Denny's. Overall, it was OK, but I would not go back unless I heard sensational improvements.
(3)
Laur T.

They have a really beautiful garden but alas, it was all dark and rainy(?) at 730pm when we were here for dinner. We requested for outdoor seating and were taking the night breeze in as we sipped our drinks. I think I had the lychee and pear cosmo? For my entree, I went with the seafood lau lau which blew my mind and was just oooh so good! Actually this was one of the first meals we had in Hawaii... later on I realized that the lau lau is usually a pork dish and boy was I glad to have had the seafood version here. It came in a wonderful presentation and you uncover a variety of seafood within the wrapped leaf that contained all the aroma and flavor within. Guess I lucked out with my seafood lau lau because apparently my friends thought their entrees were only ok. One of them went with the fresh fish of the day and the other tried swapping the fresh fish into one of the other dishes (and as you can guess, the taste wasn't fab)... lesson learnt... when in Hawaii, leave it to the chef to decide how best to prepare a fish ;p
(4)
Christine K.

My couples love going to the Plantation Gardens for dinner after I marry them or renew their wedding vows. It is a beautiful restaurant and the food is delicious.
(5)
Richard A.

Fairly limited menu, but the items we tried were very tasty. The coconut stew special that my wife tried was the highlight of the meal. The lau-lau was good, with the fish staying moist in spite of the steaming and the steamed vegetables very tasty - but the slightly spicy stew was better. Beautiful orchid gardens that warrant arriving early to view them with a bit of daylight. I would have liked the water to have been a bit clearer to see the koi better though.
(4)
Maureen S.

I have been here twice now and continue to look forward to going back. The servers are friendly, especially since pretty much everyone there is on vacation! You have to sit on the veranda to get the full experience. When we went it was pouring buckets outside and we never felt a drop, because the veranda is covered. It's such an experience! Everyone's food was very good, curry, tuna, fish, lau lau. The menu is short, but it definitely gives you a little of everything. Someone complained about mosquito bites, and they should go to Maui and eat on the strip of restaurants they have there. Kauai is about being outside, with everything it has to offer, even if it's a few bugs!
(5)
stacey t.

We had our wedding reception here and I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome! We had a private lanai to ourselves and an open area near the koi pond where we had a champagne toast and pupus before hand. We are "foodies" so our expectations were high. Every pupu was amazing and came out hot. Our sit down dinner was great, but the highlight was our wedding cake. The flowers on it were gorgeous and it was the best cake, honestly, we have ever had. We all agreed. We worked with Mona at Plantation Garden ahead of time to plan out our evening and our food and beverage selections and she always responded back promptly, was helpful and we got exactly what we had asked for. We also thought the cost was very reasonable for what we got. The gardens also provided a nice background for additional photos. I would not hesitate to recommend Plantation Garden for dinner or a special event.
(5)
Scott M.

We had our wedding and reception dinner at Plantation Gardens. The food was spectacular, the service was stellar and the overall experience was wonderful. Mona, the special events coordinator, was extremely helpful. Although Mona was off the island on the actual day of our wedding, she really went the extra mile to make sure everything went smoothly for us. Our only gripe was the General Manager, Jeff, who didn't bother to introduce himself, congratulate us or even say "hello" to us the entire evening (we were there for over 6 hours). Considering the amount of money we spent, a simple "hello" would have been appreciated. Don't let this discourage you from visiting, it's really a fantastic place, just make sure that Mona is ON the island if you're planning a wedding or any other type of special event because the G.M. has all the personality of a lava rock.
(4)
oren k.

Excellent seafood with a slight pan asian flare. We had the Ahi tuna salad fresh fish of the day. It was really tasty. The seafood stew in coconut sauce. Really delicious. Good strong drinks too. It doesn't hurt that the place is in a orchid garden surrounded by ponds with lotus flowers and lily pads. What a great place. Try the vanilla macadamia nut ice cream cake for dessert. It is just behind the Sheraton hotel at Poipu beach.
(5)
S K.

Awesome place to dine. Great atmosphere on the patio and great service. The hostess had a bit of a "tude" in the beginning when we got there but then turned out very nice later when she seated us. You have to go to this place during the sunlight hours so you can see the hundreds of beautiful orchid plants out front. The Kalua pork lettuce wrap appetizers were awesome, the shredded pork strips are placed in a lettuce cup along with onions, carrots, unidentified greens and some kind of spicy vinegary sauce that left me licking not just my fingers but my whole hand. (dont know how I can complain that the portions are too big but it was the size of an entree). The sashimi platter had pieces of regular ahi, seared lava spice ahi and a spicy tuna roll, all excellent. For the main course, we had the seafood lau lau which had fresh local fish, scallops, prawns, and veggies stewed in it juices and all wraped in a Ti leaf. The curry-coconut seafood stew was also scrumptious, with fresh local fish, prawns, scallps, mussels, potatoes and tomatoes all in a tasty curry-coconut broth. I was going to ask for a straw to finish off the rest of the broth that I couldnt mop up with the grilled crostinis that comes with but thought better of it. The appetizers were about $15 each and the main courses were about $30. I would definitely make reservations.
(5)
Harry G.

A true plantation house dating from the 1920s/30s. Wrap-around porch for outdoor dining framed by flowering plants and ancient cactus. Food: excellent nouvelle American with Hawaiian flavors. Faves: crab rangoon, lobster rolls, fresh fish grilled, the ribs (wow) and lavender coladas. Correction to Sophie M: it's only open for dinner, don't know what she is reviewing.
(5)
Yuan W.

Gorgeous setting. Inconsistent service. Good food. EIGHT mosquito bites. I'm scarred for life.
(3)
Sidney P.

For many years this was my favorite restaurant on Kauai. Although the food is still good, on a visit there in early July, we were sorely disappointed in the lack-luster service. For the price, no one really seemed to give a damn. Making matters worse was the fact that we were seated next to a partition that seperated the main restaurant from an event area where a loud wedding celebration was taking place. The noise level was amazingly high....made it impossible to have much of a conversation and was really aggravating. I will give this place one more shot on my next visit, but the competition on Poipu has increased and Plantation Gardens needs to step it up if they are going to survive.
(3)
Amy D.

We spend quite a few nights in the bar here over our vacation. The service was very friendly and top notch, the food was awesome and the drinks were unique, filled with fresh ingredients and very delicious. It definitely gave us some much needed company after the sun went down. We also met so many very nice people there. Definitely a place to visit again!
(5)
Shane P.

We really liked everything about our experience here (3/8/10). I thought that the scenery was amazing and though we were there just after sunset, it was still wonderful. I thought that the prices were fair considering the location and really the prices of all the other restaurants in the area. In the end, it cost us about $50 per person, but all the other meals we had in the area were just okay and this one was very good (special was mahi mahi and it was not only very good, but prepared in a healthy way). This was definitely one of the healthiest and more flavorful restaurants of our entire vacation. Dessert was the lilikoi cheesecake and it was delicious!
(4)
Lisa W.

Very good fish, nice setting, good service. Thought the dessert selections were a little limited (3 of 5 choices were ice cream).
(4)
Michael V.

Cocktails were delish if you don't mind fruity stuff. I agree with Jen, the server was cool. Appetizers were mostly bleah but entrees were pretty good, which is weird as usually there is a better correlation. Oh well. Pretty gardens too.
(4)
Neil E.

We're running out of places to eat on Kauai, and somehow keep forgetting about the Plantation Gardens even though it's right on the property where we're staying. We booked tonight, after vaguely recalling it being tasty last year, and after reading reviews here. It was actually quite good. We got there right when they opened at 5:30 and had our pick of tables on the porch. The grounds are beautiful to look at while eating. We knew from the reviews here to skip all the pupus, so instead we ordered the pear salad to split. It was delicious. Great pear and really good blue cheese. The bread was also very nice, a crispy baguette (although the butter was very cold and hard to spread). I had the special: ono with truffle mashed potatoes, a seared scallop, and a few snap peas in an orange tarragon sauce. Overall the dish was very tasty (although it's hard to screw up ono :). I passed on the scallop since I don't like 'em anyway, but the peas were great and the potatos damn tasty. Downsides? The ono was a teensy bit overcooked, and one of the peas still had its top on. Our other dish was the ribs, again based on reviews here. It's the third ribs we've had on the island (Scotty's and Duke's being the others). The best of the bunch in terms of the ribs themselves, but the worst of the bunch for the BBQ sauce applied. Still, very tasty overall. And they came with brussel sprouts! Service was actually excellent, the best we've had on the island. Our server (Cherisse) was quick, attentive, and friendly.
(4)
missy s.

Very good, but a bit pricey. Nice ambiance and great for a romantic night out!
(4)
Tara M.

Plantation Gardens' ambiance is perfectly tropical. The restaurant's located in an old plantation building surrounded by cacti, orchids, and other foliage. We sat on the porch, in front of a set of small ponds around a plumeria tree, enjoying the cicadas and geckos. As I'd already consumed several cocktails earlier in the day, I didn't indulge again, although many of the libations looked downright tasty. The salad was good, nothing special by San Francisco standards, kinda "gourmet" by Kauai ones. Likewise, the green beans weren't any better than those we'd get at our local Cal-Chinese joint, but they provided some much-needed fiber after days of rice and meat. The stir-fry, alas, was middle-of-the-road -- not bad, not great. Two thumbs up, though, for the Baked Hawaiian, the layered crust/ice cream/meringue dessert. Go for the atmosphere. It's gorgeous.
(4)
Scilly I.

So I came to Kauai ready to completely suffer (as far as dining) and to my suprise, it wasnt so bad, it was actually even good! This was the first place on the island we ate (not counting the Lihue farmers market) and I was quite impressed. When your in Kauai you have to train yourself not to look at menu prices and just hope your credit card doesnt bounce when its time to pay the bill. I got the stir fry which came with a wonderful mix of vegetables, ono, and a very generous amount of shrimp. The sauce it was cooked in was great and was in just the right amount, just enough to be tasteful but not dripping or soggy at all! The only thing I could've asked for was brown rice instead of white but w/e it was really really good!
(4)
F. R.

We dined at Plantation Gardens on Valentine's Day, our first day in Kauai. We were staying at the Sheraton across the street, but this place would have been worth the drive from Princeville. We had an early reservation so that the gardens were still visible, and despite arriving early were seated immediately outside per our request. Our waiter, Ace, was very attentive. We had the manapuas as an appetizer, which neither of us had ever eaten before. They were delish. We were both eying the Lau Lau, but the man a few tables over had the ribs and they smelled so good that we decided to go for Lau Lau and ribs. Both very good. The highlight of the meal was definitely the Passionfruit Cheesecake. Quite possibly the best dessert I've ever had. This is a great, romantic setting, with wonderful food and service. With the fairly limited number of quality dining options on Kauai, this place is a must try!
(5)
Jonny H.

We came here for dinner on our second night. We ended up just walking by and it looked like a nice place. During dinner they must have dad three weddings going on because we saw three different brides. For dinner we had the Lau Lau ($23.95) and the Chef's Trio ($28.95). The food was really good (4 stars), the atmosphere was also great (4 starts), and the service as nothing special (3 stars). Overall we'll give it a 3.5 to 4.0.
(3)
Kiki S.

I'm really torn about this place. I went here with my dad and two brothers for a nice, late dinner. The atmosphere and the service are awesome - 4 and 1/2 stars. Drinks coming out of the bar are a bit too slow. But I give them an A++ on timing when the food comes out. The appetizers, the entrees, coffee, then dessert... You'll be surprised at how well they time and space out the arrival of the components of your meal. Our waitress was so sweet, even after sending back one of our entrees. Great, friendly service. For our appetizers, we got the ahi poke sashimi over seaweed salad. Delicious! Also, we got the corn fritters which were tasty as well. One of my brothers got the chow fun stir-fry, I believe, which he enjoyed but said it wasn't spectacular. My dad got the sampler plate, which at $30, came with samples of four different entrees. My other brother and I both got grilled Opa fish, which was dry as can be. The other way the fish can be prepared is the sautee style, but our waitress recommended we get ours grilled--that was her preference. It was super-dry and came with this nondescript red curry sauce. I felt bad for sending it back, but it really was awful. The appetizers and bar drinks were killer. Entrees were a big thumbs down, and the dessert was average. Overall, I'm a fan of the service, atmosphere, the drinks and appetizers that we ordered, but the entrees were a big disappointment.
(4)
Erin S.

This place was OK. The pork dish I had was EXTREMELY salty but the Lau Lau was good. Typical Kauai prices and the service was just OK.
(3)
Meg C.

We went here for a bachelorette party for my cousins wedding 15 ladies, it was beautiful and the food was perfect! Cocktails are good, the grounds are beautiful!!! would recomend this to ANYONE!
(5)
Ivan D.

I really like the Plantation Gardens. I docked it a star for mediocre service. It also wasn't busy and it took close to 20 minutes to get a drink after ordering it(this happened for all 3 rounds of drinks we had). The place is uniquely done and the gardens are awesome. Check out the orchid gardens and the really old cacti in back. Kids love it. Food is consistently very good. The menu is very short, but covers a nice range. I like that. I've been here twice now and both times the fish i had were prepared fabulously. Appetizers are great also. Check this place out.
(4)
Matthew H.

Went here for a wedding reception while in Kauai. The place is really beautiful for wedding pictures. However, the food was really terrible. I had the ribeye and my wife had the seafood lau lau. We thought the food needed extra flavoring cause it was really bland. Our waiter seems to be high on something. She couldn't remember what we ordered and seem unsure of what to do. If you come here for the beauty then this is the place for you. But if you come here looking for good food, I suggest somewhere else.
(2)
Lauren P.

Plantation Gardens is amazing!! The atmosphere is incredibly romantic, set in the middle of a botanical garden with outside seating and tiki torches. It was right across from our resort (the Sheraton) which was a big plus. I had the pomegranate drop to drink--delicioso! Like a lemon drop but 20 times more delicious. My BF and I then shared a Caesar salad and 2 appetizers--crab rangoons & kalbi beef sliders, all of which was awesome. We then shared the pork tenderloin for our entree which was cooked perfectly. For dessert we got the ice cream cookie trio---we loved 2 out of the 3. The coffee ice cream sandwich was a little too strong for us. Tasted more like straight up espresso than ice cream. We are also not coffee drinkers and were extremely full by then, so might be a little biased. Our waitress was very good and super nice--ask for Cherisse! I guarantee you'll have a fantastic dinner :)
(5)
Jay E.

We really enjoyed this place for authentic Hawaiin food. The fish was very fresh and prepared perfectly. We got the lau lau and it was perfect. The crab rangoons were a great starter. The size of the dishes were good, atfter we finished we weren't to full and not hungry. Prices are good for the quality of food. Try this place out for some good grub.
(5)
J P.

Favorite restaurant in Hawaii. The grounds are amazing, people amazing, food amazing. Go early so you can walk around the gardens. It is a cornerstone of history on this island that has been converted into something beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for a very special night.
(5)
K W.

I give this three stars only because the service was decent.. Server was attentive and water/bus'ing was quick. The food is mediocre. I had the pork tenderloin which looked great on the plate, but was just okay. The skewers were undercooked... Instead of providing a new skewer, they actually took the undercooked skewer off my plate, recooked it and brought it back... Doesn't that violate some health code??? I had a small taste of the other dishes from the other folks in my party. The seafood stew was a little bland and one of the fish dishes was overcooked... too dry. For the money, I would try something else.
(3)
megan b.

my husband and i had a great meal here on our honeymoon. absolutely beautiful and romantic. pretty garden scenery and torches to look out at. and lots of seating available on the porches, almost no one was seated inside the restaurant. the drinks were great. my husband had a local brew and i had the cucumber mojito - so refreshing! we had the pork dumplings as an app, very tasty. i had the rib eye, which was honestly, nothing too special, but still yummy. and the goat cheese potato gratin was great. i'm a sucker for cheese and potatoes! and he got the seafood lau lau, slightly under-seasoned, but very fresh tasting. then we finished with the baked kauai for dessert. the macadamia nut ice cream was my favorite part! the service was phenomenal. our waitress was very friendly and never made us feel rushed at any point, even though we were one of the last tables to leave the restaurant. overall really solid experience.
(4)
Peter D.

Did not know how to cook fish. Overcooked and under seasoned. Lots of pretension, not enough focus on their cooking.
(2)
Sarah Z.

went for a friend's wedding. loved their mai tai and another fruity drink called something breeze. food was good for wedding food. :-)
(4)
Jessica D.

What an awesome meal! The lanai is beautiful and looks out over amazing orchid gardens and manicured ponds. Our waitress, Laena, was perfection. She was polite, interested but not overbearing, and knew everything about anything. We started with the shrimp tempura which was roughly 400 degrees and burned both our mouths, but hey, it was fresh right? The shrimp were so plump and tasty, and the tempura battered shitake mushrooms were a nice touch. My boyfriend had the braised ribs and he loved them. He said they fell off the bone and the flavor was perfect. I had the curry-coconut seafood stew. It looked just like a cioppino and contained the same basic ingredients except they were in the most amazing soup. I could smell it coming down the hall and it was honestly one of the most flavorful dishes I have had in a while. The curry and coconut milk blended effortlessly and the scallops were the best dressed in the sauce. We sadly didn't have room for dessert because we both inhaled our meals. Highly recommended because of their staff and their food.
(5)
Emily A.

Just had dinner there and was very disappointed. Very limited menu.. Nothing was very memorable. Not worth the money. Service was great, decor and location were also vey nice. Food did not live up to what I expected.
(1)
Dean M.

Overall a very pleasant experience. We were looking for a last minute dining spot and ended up here. Turned out to be a great choice. The atmosphere is perfect. We were seated on the porch overlooking the beautiful gardens. The menu is very creative although somewhat limited. My wife had the Ono special which she was thrilled with. I started off with the pot stickers which were about what you would expect. For my dinner I had the pork tenderloin which was cooked perfectly although I wasn't wowed by the sauce. I would recommend this place enthusiastically. We were staying at the Sheraton right around the corner so it was a nice choice for one night.
(4)
kahau m.

had an odd experience here for dinner. reservations? check! table ready? check! drinks ordered? check! drinks delivered? 40 minutes?!?!?! really! it didn't seem that busy. i guess it was busy enough. dinner for 7..... 2 1/2 hours. did i mention that the apps seemed ok. sampler seemed small to me for $21. entree of seafood laulau came out raw.... i do mean raw. fish, scallop, vegetables. the saving grace was the cucumber mojito.... damn tasty. all 4 of them. i would probably go back and sit at the bar, drinks were excellent.
(2)
Little Tuna's Mom X.

Overall it was really good.... except for one dish which was AWFUL. The setting is beautiful... it is in a plantation style house with a big back porch overlooking some nice gardens. Try to ask for a table out on the porch when making your reservation. The drinks were creative and yummy. They have a signature cucumber mojito which my husband liked. (I don't like cucumber, so no thanks!) We ordered the sampler appetizer which was yummy... and perfect for two people since you got two pieces of four items. The spice tuna roll was yummy, the crag ragoon was delicious, the duck spring roll was also great. The only shortfall on that plate was the potsticker... just OK. We also ordered the tomato salad with goat cheese. It was very good... but as always, I wanted more goat cheese. Nothing against Plantation Gardens, it seems that ALL restaurants skimp on the goat cheese. (Either that or I am a goat cheese fiend!) Anyhow, my husband ordered the special of the day... the seared ahi on a bed of lettuce, mangos, avocados, etc. He LOVED it. I was not so hungry so I ordered an appetizer as my entree.... I ordered the lettuce cups. They were GROSS. Overall, this place is awesome..... just DO NOT order the lettuce cups. Yuck, yuck, yuck. I don't even want to explain why I hated them so much, because I don't want to relive it. I would say go here, just do not order the pork lettuce cups.
(4)
Don H.

Wonderful food, great service, marvelous atmosphere. Not cheap, but a great value for Kauai.
(5)
Katie M.

Had the Seafood Lau Lua, and it was amazing! Staff was very polite and helpful. Got carry-out tonight...Pork Tenderloin entree...yum, yum! It was a little pricey, but we're on vacation! What the hay! Mahalo Plantation Gardens! Don't forget to walk through the garden; it's lovely.
(4)
Alice S.

Went for our Last Dinner of Vacation last night and were not disappointed. We had the Chef's Trio and the baby back ribs. Both dishes were beautiful, super delicious, and loaded with food. Our drinks, salads and desserts were also exceptional. The atmosphere was lovely, as usual. The service was excellent. The garden is VERY well-tended, as are the rest of the grounds at here at Kiahuna Plantation, where we stay. No complaints, whatsoever.
(5)
Francis C.

Came here for Christmas Eve dinner for party of nine. Service was great. Food was delicious. Cocktails were yummy. It's also a very kid friendly place - we had three kids ages range from 7 to 12. Thee only minor complain that I have is that the portions for appetizers are fAirly small, including the sampler plate. Portions for entries were just fine though. I would recommend this place.
(4)
Ryan B.

Great atmosphere and good food. The lettuce wraps were good and my wife really enjoyed the stir fry. My fish was a bit over cooked for my taste but I like my fish raw whenever possible. The cucumber mojito was tasty as well.
(4)
Neuro G.

The lack of mention of Plantation Gardens in the Kauai Guidebook, The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed now comes as no surprise given the consistently inaccurate judgments this book offers. (Except the author is right - Jo-Jos is a shack, but makes the best Shave Ice on the Island of Kauai). Back to PG. This is a Piatti under the hood, which I have eaten at quite a bit in Palo Alto (before the location at the Stanford Shopping Mall closed) and it was decent, upscale bistro food. On Kauai, all things being relative, this isn't decent, it's the BOMB! It is a Foodie Oasis, or Foodasis in a sea of generic, mediocre grub washing over the island. Given this is Kauai, Hawaii, you have to have the Hoisen-Glazed Pork Tenderloin. It is Kiawe (Hawaiian version of 'Mesquite' wood)-grilled, and incredibly succulent. We had a delectable Luau at Smith' s Family Lua (supposedly the best on the Island per guidebooks), but the kalua pig could not match the incredible roasted, succulent, delicate flavor of this tender morsel at PG. As per my other review - Umami!! You cannot miss out on the other Hawaiian specialty, the Seafood Lau Lau - outstanding. This is local mahi-mahi, jumbo scallops, large shrimp, and julienne veggies, wrapped in a Ti leaf and steamed, with rice and wasabi aoli. The lanai dining in the garden setting, the hardwood floors and open bay windows, the slow-spinning overhead fans, and the best table service (we ate there a lot) on the island conspire to make this the best restaurant we ate at (by a long stretch) during our lengthy stay on this small island. Per the PG website: "Plantation Gardens is located in a beautifully restored 1930 Plantation Manor House which is a sprawling historical marvel surrounded by the world famous Moir Gardens. The gardens include several koi ponds, shade-giving coconut and kou trees and an extensive collection of rare orchids." This is not hyperbole. Make reservations if you go on Fri or Sat and enjoy!
(5)
C G.

My wife and I recently had dinner here and were generally under-impressed. The waitress was friendly once she finally paid attention to us (we sat at our table over 10 minutes before we were greeted and offered a drink). My cesar salad was terribly bland and my rib eye was a terrible cut of meat and cooked well when I ordered medium rare. My wife's entree (seafood stir fry) was pretty tasty. The orchid garden surrounding the restaurant is absolutely amazing and the hostess was very friendly. I'd probably go for a drink in the bar and to check out the orchids and save your hard earned money for a better meal elsewhere.
(2)
Helen W.

i would give this place a 4 except for one little thing. this is a very pretty restaurant. it has a great laid back ambiance and the servers are all really friendly. i ate outside and everything was great. my bf had an amazing seared ahi tuna salad. it was HUGE and really really fresh. only thing is, we got the sampler and our "duck spring rolls" didn't contain any duck. probably a fluke but it was pretty strange. otherwise, this place is really lovely and i will probably go back one day. *sad face.
(3)
Lindsay H.

We got married on Shipwreck beach this past August and had a dinner after to celebrate with our family. Since we were staying at the Sheraton, Plantation Gardens was perfect! You can walk right across the road into the gardens surrounding the restaurant. My mother-in-law organized the dinner and worked with Mona at the restaurant. She loved working with her, and everything about the dinner was perfect. We had a private dinning room all to ourselves. The staff was amazing and the food was delish! We had two small cakes made from someone Mona used regularly. Not only did they taste amazing, but the baker did such a great job decorating them. It was truly a perfect day for us, and having our reception dinner at Plantation Gardens was a huge part of it!
(5)
Colie J.

I was just unimpressed. Husband didn't care for his beer (not their fault). I thought my pear cosmo lacked a punch (again could be my fault as I asked for a splash of pineapple instead of the lime as written). My island stir fry was just okay, again can't put my finger on it but it just lacked the taste. Husband ordered the seafood stew in a coconut curry and it lacked something as well. I am sorry I can't be more specific but it just didn't impress me. I have had a better curry at hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurants. The specials sounded good, maybe I would have been better off with one of those.
(2)
Jamie W.

Slim pikin's in Kauai, but this place is a hidden gem! If your'e a foodie, this is the best place one the island for superb food and a romantic dining experience-nothing else beats it! Although it doesn't have an ocean view, the food "Reigns supreme". Must have pupus are the prawn and scallop ceviche and marinated pork pot stickers. Must have entrees are the baby back pork ribs, the Kiawe grilled tiger prawns, and the pan roasted scallops. It was so good we went back later that week! Also ask to be sat on the Lanai.
(5)
Jaimee J.

Best dinner on the island three years running! I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Beth L.

With all the great reviews of Plantation Gardens, i was excited to have dinner here with my husband while vacationing in Kauai for our honeymoon. The menu sounded amazing and upon arrival, we both declared that the grounds were absolutely stunning. After standing at the hostess podium for approx 10minutes without greeting, we were finally greeted and seated immediately for our reservation. We looked at the menu for at least another 10minutes before water was brought to us and at least another 5 minutes before our waiter finally came over. We placed drink, appetizer, and salad order immediately. The cosmo was awesome, the appetizer was horrific (pork somethiing or other - way too bready, not enough pork, and hardly any flavor). We never received the salad. The entree that we shared - a trio of different entrees was pretty good. We really liked the skirt steak. The scalloip tasted fishy and the fish was overcooked. We were going to get dessert, but at this rate, decided against it. Our waiter did make very attempt to win us over, provided a round of drinks on the house and sent us with our salad to go even though we told him we were all set with it. Unfortunately, by that point, the damage had been done. We waited and waited and waited some more throughout our dinner and it just wasn't an enjoyable experience. The atmosphere and the menu have so much potential and we were so disappointed that this was the worst meal we have had during our 2 week Hawaiian vacation.
(2)
Honey O.

AMAZING place in every way! Everything was as fresh as it could get, and tasted great!! If you are in the area and you don't come here, you are missing out! Sure it may be a little expensive, but you definitely get your money's worth. Even the desserts tasted amazing! Everyone that works there is so nice, attentive, and always smiling! We were lucky that we were staying in the Kiahuna Plantation resort. We could walk to this lovely restaurant! I loved this place! I will definitely go back to this restaurant when I go to Kauai again. Even if I end up staying on the other side of the island!
(5)
Heather K.

The location is great - converted plantation house surrounded by a beautiful orchid garden. My mojito was nice with a really pretty cucumber garnish on top. The first course was good - dh liked his potstickers and my salad was tasty. The second couse was mixed - dh liked his meat, but my pasta had a sauce that tasted exactly like my salad dressing (and the noodles were overcooked). The service was good until our waittress' boyfriend sat down with his friends and she proceeded to ignore us - turning our dinner into a 3 hour marathon.
(3)
Cruz R.

Our usual dining experiences in the past have been very good here. This last visit though, it was very disappointing. Our dinner started with sashimi that was maybe a day or two old. It was not the usual fresh & tasty ahi that should be served at such an upscale restaurant . We decided in the future at all restaurants, that we should ask if the ahi is "fresh that day". If not, then asking to return it should not be a problem. To continue with the current "theme", our salad was also bland and not fresh. Our main entrees though were very good & was consistent with our past experiences. We will not return here as we have decided that there are other options in the area, such as Merriman's & Josselin's.
(3)
Krystal F.

Using my Frommer's guide thoroughly, I was recommended with slight reservations to this place. Frommer's said it was a great place, highly recommended, but that it was expensive and that the portions were small. Boy were they wrong. We had a reservation at 8pm, and arrived at 7:15 knowing we would want to stroll through the gardens, and enjoy the sunset. We did so for a few minutes, took a few photos, and decided to let them know we were there just in case they were able to take us. We walked in and to the right was the chic, super cute bar, to the left a comfy lounge area along with an indoor and outdoor restaurant area, and a room that could hold a large party. We let them know we were there, and they said they could seat us whenever we were ready. We decided to take their offer, were handed fresh orchids, and were seated in the outside porch area. It was adorable--perfectly warm, great atmosphere, and we could hear the bullfrogs! We were greeted by our server, Brandon, who was flawless from start to finish. We ordered a bottle of St. Jean California Chardonnay (very, very reasonably priced). Then we had the lettuce wraps and green bean appetizers. The portions were great, and the flavors bold and delicious. The service was great and unlike all of the other highly recommended restaurants in this area, felt truly Hawaiian. Complete with fresh fish, Hawaiian flavors, and locals, we were so impressed! For entrees, we had the Ono special, and the seafood curry stew. Unlike other yelpers, I didn't think the seafood was overcooked AT ALL, and trust me, I'm picky about that! The curry was delicious, and the seafood of the day was cooked in the traditional Hawaiian style (steamed in the leaf) to perfection. We enjoyed a long dinner, and were just so happy with everything, we couldn't wait to yelp about it! So get out there and enjoy...but this place has an endearing quality about it that makes you feel like not everyone knows about it...=)
(5)
Arthur y.

Service was slow despite the restaurant being less than half full. Both my wife and I had food that was overcooked - mahi mahi for me and pork for her. Flavors were just fine. Nothing at all to rave about. Presentation was nice, but really it's the taste that matters, no? We decided to go elsewhere for dessert. On our way out we walked beside to another couple who had just finished dinner, and I overheard the girl say "Let's go get dessert, I'm still hungry..." Guess we weren't the only ones! We ended up running into them again at Tidepools for dessert - a restaurant in the Grant Hyatt hotel just West on Poipu road about a mile. This rating is based largely on the food prices. For $25 plates, you'd expect very good food and service.
(2)
S. H.

Great restaurant and dining experience. Sitting on the porch overlooking the garden...wow! We ended up cancelling other reservations (at an over-rated place on the beach you may hear about) to come here a 2nd night in a row. It is not cheap but once adjusted for Hawaii prices, it is a great value. Only reason I can't give it 5 stars (I'd give 4.5 if possible) was a couple things on the menu were ok and there was 'potential' for service to be a little slow... food was fast and hot etc. but it might take 10 min to get your first drink, but in island style I guess.
(4)
Jason H.

Five stars for ambiance - three stars for food = solid four star restaurant. First, loved our server. i had the feeling he stepped right off his surf board to arrive at our table. He did a great job and steered me in the direction of the fantastic cucumber mojito. Definitely one of the best cocktails I have had. We had the steamed koloa pork dumpling. I wasn't a big fan. Not much flavor and the accompaniments of mango were bland as well. Might be just the way koloa pork tastes but I'd avoid it if you like pronounced flavor. We had the special of the evening which was mahi-mahi in a lemon crust on a sweet potato mash with a lemon butter sauce. I thought it was good but fell short of excellent. It was hard to taste the lemon crust and both the mash and lemon butter sauce were luke warm. One of my dining companions had the grilled fish on bok choy with red curry and it was much better. The grounds are beautiful and I loved the open air dining. I would go back but choose differently off of the menu.
(4)
Mike R.

Pros - ambiance, green tea cocktail and service was solid Cons - the food. I've taken restaurant recommendations from other Yelpers quite often but haven't posted too often myself. The food at Plantation Gardes was awful. The plantation sampler platter - rice under tuna nigiri was ice cold and hard and felt like it was in the fridge for two days. Pot stickers were dense and tough like they were cooked the day before and reheated under a heat lamp. Crab rangoon was OK at best. Wife had signature lau lau dish and had to spit out a scallop it was so bad. I had curry and every piece of seafood was tough. Curry was flavorful but fish was overcooked. All scallops tasted out of the can. The location and ambience was great but I would only go for drinks. When you go to a restaurant you go for the food and you definitely don't get what you pay for.
(1)
Val M.

Disgusting! Tables are dirty, no table cloth. The bread was served in a plastic basket (no any napkin under). We ordered a roll for the appetizer and specials of the day. They brought the roll which apparently was a leftover from the other day - it was cold as hell from the fridge, ugly rice (nothing like what you see in good sushi restaurants) and we couldn't identify what was inside it - just all tasted like "something" in vinaigrette and held in the fridge for couple of days. After such a beginning - we just cancelled the rest of our dinner. We didn't tell about the roll - but anyway they reimburse it themselves (I suspect they knew how it should taste before serving it). I don't understand all this five and four stars reviews - how is it possible for the restaurant that pretends to be a classy place, to be good on some days and disgusting on other days. I don't accept an argument that we were unlucky. By the way, the sauvignon blanc should be something between 43 to 50 degrees, not 60 - as a restaurant of a such kind - they probably should be aware of this. We don't have any claims to the servant - she was kind. But whoever manages this place - had better to try some other job (better not in the food service).
(1)
Mary Ellen T.

Great atmosphere and food!
(5)
Laura Q.

So nice, we went twice!! The food was unreal. The fish special I had at our first dinner there was one of my favorite meals of all time. The combination of flavors and textures was to die for. You could tell a lot of time and effort goes in to thinking about the dishes. Also, everything was perfectly cooked. For appetizers, we had a tomato and goat cheese thingy the first night (yum!) and the pork lettuce wraps the second night (double yum!). Both are worth giving a try. The atmosphere is wonderful. You can sit on a wrap around porch overlooking the garden and, on both nights were there, frogs were hopping around on the law, which was fun to watch. Arrive before sunset if you want to see the orchid garden that surrounds the restaurant. Food on Kauai is expensive, but this is the one restaurant where I felt like we were getting more than we paid for.
(5)
Sandra M.

The cucumber mojitos were excellent!
(4)
Alan L.

Went back here for our last meal on Kauai and it was great. We were able to sit on the porch overlooking the gardens. Started w/ pork potstickers which were just ok; then v. good pear and lettuce salad. Both of us had the seafood lau-lau --shrimp, mahi-mahi, scallops, veggies all steamed in a ti leaf. It was wonderful! Service attentive. Good way to end our Kauai vacation
(5)
Toni M.

The last time we were here was several years ago. It was Piatti and it was good. Now it's owned by Piatti and is called Plantation Gardens. We walked over from the Sheraton w/ our friends. The approach is through the gardens, which we could see only dimly but what we saw was stunning, a multitude of orchids in bloom. Alan saw it this morning on his walk and reports it's phenomenal. We were seated on the veranda. Alan and I shared a salad w/ pears, greens and gorgonzola. Sally and Mike shared a salad of organic greens w/ goat cheese and watermelon. They agreed the watermelon was too sweet for the salad. Alan ordered the pork tenderloin accompanied by a mixture of local vegetables, which was very tasty. I ordered the seafood laulau, which was accompanied by rice w/ furikake and wasabi aioli. It was amazing. Sally and Mike each ordered the island stir fry w/ local fish, prawns and vegetables. We were all pleased. Bread was hot and carried a hint of garlic. It was served w/ butter. Alan had a dark beer and I had a Pomegranate Drop w/ Vodka, Limoncello and something pomegranate. It was delicious and reasonably priced at $7.75. It was a beautiful spot, w/ tasty food and exemplary company.
(5)
Sarah A.

We LOVED this place! Just back from 5 fabulous nights in Maui and 5 in Kauai - dinner at Plantation Gardens was the highlight for us (we enjoyed it more than Mama's Fish House, Merriman's, Tidepools, Sea House, Huma Huma, Josselin's, etc.). Not pretentious in the least and only a sneak-peak-of the-ocean view. But the unique setting in a lovely orchid garden, a wrap around porch that encircles at least half the restaurant, food that "wowed" us at every turn, and the fabulous Monica - our server - who made the whole night perfect. If you can't eat outside before sunset, come back another time. You must eat on the patio and you have to arrive in daylight to appreciate the magnificent gardens. We had the yummy corn fritter and the crab cake appetizer - both out of this world. Both of our fish dishes were delish and the desserts were as large and delicious as could be. We had the ice cream/brownie/meringe dessert and the ice cream sandwich. We thought we couldn't possibly finish one and we ate them both. Just a lovely night. If you had only one night left to live on Kauai, this is where you'd want to have your last meal.
(5)
Tiffany B.

awesome escape. it's a restaurant nested in a vast orchid garden. epic and upbeat. cucumber mojitos come in a glass jar. SO ONO! I love their pupus and the bar is my fav. So i would recommend you go to sit at the bar, eat a few apps.
(4)
Allison G.

Finally!! A really nice place for dinner with KILLER Ribs! That's right Tender Killer bbq ribs that make you smile. Comfy seats with a beautiful view all around you. My last meal on the island before heading back to Los Angeles. What a joyful way to end a magical week on this beautiful island. A must try!!!!
(4)
Mimi D.

This place came highly recommended from many different sources such as Yelp, locals, and magazines and all I can say is that it was highly disappointing. The presentation was awful, boring, and plain - they did not use the plate space well at all. The way the food was placed made the plate look empty and really lackluster. It was like having a date with a super model and you show up to pick her up and she has no makeup on and is wearing a potato sack. The food was worse. There was not one thing that I enjoyed here. We got the sampler which sucked. The sushi was awful. The stir fry was something you could get at a typical Chinese place. The dessert was a mud pie that looked pretty, but tasted bleh. The worst part is that the prices are outrageous for all this mediocrity. Our server was a so cal hater. She said that she used to live in SD and said she couldn't handle it anymore and had to move back to Kauai. Why the F would you say this to so cal residents? Lame. That must be why she is still waiting tables after graduating college. The ambiance is like eating at someone's plantation home set in a garden that sounded way better in print than real life.
(2)
Jen S.

I just spent a week on Kauai and this was by far our best meal on the island! The setting is very relaxing with friendly service. The menu is well thought-out and the presentation of the food was lovely. We ordered the crab rangoons for an appetizer, which were delicious and served piping hot. For dinner we had the mahi-mahi with roasted potatoes and pork tenderloin with fried rice. Both dishes were plated with care and they were so good we ate every last bite. What made this dinner stand out from others we had on the island? A few things: Really fresh ingredients, including produce (which I didn't see much of elsewhere). Terrific, carefully prepared menu. It is short but sweet. I think there would be something there for everyone. We were not the only diners impressed. We overheard two other tables raving about the experience and both tables said it was the best meal they had on the island. Try to get a seat on the terrace. I will definitely return and only regret that we didn't discover this until the end of our trip!
(5)
Abeethousand H.

Let me start by saying the Plantation Gardens Restaurant is very beautiful. The orchid pathway, plantation-style architecture, open atmosphere, breezy lanai...all great. The Koi looked a little sad in their obviously poorly filtered small pond, but this review isn't about the fish...well, actually it is. The food at the restaurant is, unfortunately, poor as well. I guess I should preface this review by saying I'm from Oahu and I'm no stranger to island food...so this isn't a tourist review. When I order island-style dishes, I'm expecting a lot. I love trying new variations of traditional island style dishes and I will sample a poke whenever given the chance! Our wait for a table (with reservation) was 1 minute...good so far. Our waiter was at tableside in under two minutes...also a great start. We started with drinks. My husband got a basic Grey Goose and soda, I got excited by a Li Hing Mui Margerita on the menu, so I asked for that. We had already checked out the appetizer menu as well, so we ordered the Pork Pot Stickers and Poke (which was a special appetizer of the day...oh boy, I was excited!). Drinks came out fast and I was a happy camper. The Li Hing Mui Margerita was AWESOME! One of these stars is just for that. Our waiter said they put the Li Hing Mui seeds in the tequila and let them sit for a few days and then use the Li Hing infused tequila for the margeritas (why didn't I ever think of doing that!?) plus they salt the rim of the glass with a mixture of Li Hing Mui powder and salt....yum. So I'm happily sucking away on my margerita when the appetizers arrive (also incredibly quickly). The Pot Stickers are pretty yummy, until my husband cuts one open and it's red. He jokingly says, "You know what you get when you eat raw pork? Ecoli." Gross. So we quit eating the Pot Stickers. Now the Poke. It looked decent enough. No Limu, but the Green Onions, Chili Flakes, Ahi, everything else looked right. I tasted it and immediately was disappointed. Not cold enough, too much Sesame Oil and not nearly enough Soy Sauce...plus you really miss the Limu (seaweed) when it's not there. Unfortunately this Poke isn't even close to as good as the Poke you can get at Safeway. To make myself feel better, I ordered another yummy margerita. Next we ordered a Caesar Salad to split. It arrived quickly as well and looked proper. Three uncut leaves of Romaine on the plate with two croutons and all covered with dressing. I thought the leaves were fine, my husband (the chef) said they used way too much anchovy in the dressing. Both of us thought the croutons were stale and way over-garlic'd. On to entrees. I had read all these great reviews about the Seafood LauLau, so I ordered that. My husband stuck with the Kiawe-Grilled Ribeye. It took a little longer for these dishes to arrive, but no longer than expected. I took one look at my LauLau and knew I wasn't going to like it. Let me explain...LauLau is a traditional Hawaiian Luau dish. You take Pork or Fish and wrap it up in Spinach and then wrap that up in Ti leaves. Then you stick the whole thing in a steamer (or on top of your pig in your imu/roasting pit) and let them steam for a while. When they're done, you can peel away the Ti leaves to reveal a nice little spinach package with yummy fish or pork inside. This LauLau was basically steamed stir fry mix with fish, scallops and shrimp on top...all placed in a couple of Ti leaves for presentation. So right off the bat, it's not even a LauLau. I got over that and tried the food to see if it was saved by tastiness. Nope. The fish was dry, the shrimp were tough and the scallops were ordinary, plus the stir fry mixed veggies underneath it all were soupy and sorta mushy. My husband said his Ribeye was decent. "Nothing to write home about" he said....a steak is a steak. Hmmm...maybe I should order another margerita? Nah, moving on to dessert. We got a slice of the Lilikoi Cheesecake to split, again, I always gravitate towards the island dishes (plus I LOVE Lilikoi/Passion Fruit). It came out quick and it looked like a little round creme brulee...all crunchy on top from the Lilikoi sauce being burnt. It tasted good. It had a nice hint of Lilikoi taste in the cheesecake itself, plus the Lilikoi sauce was drizzled all over the plate and I sopped it up with each bite. Very yummy. Too bad it couldn't save the other dishes. One thing I should add: our waiter was great. He was fast and informative and helpful and even noticed when we didn't finish things and asked if they were badly cooked (maybe he's gotten good at noticing because it happens a lot??). He did comp us the undercooked Pot Stickers, which was nice. So the other star is for the waiter and the ambiance and, well okay, the cheesecake too. I know this is a long review, but I just gotta warn you if you're looking for REAL island style food, don't bother here. BUT! Definitely come here for drinks one night...the Li Hing Mui Margerita is DA BOMB!
(2)
Al K.

Gorgeous setting and very good seafood meal on the south shore. Worth a trip just to see the orchid garden. Best spot in Poipu for that 'special dinner' on your vacation.
(5)
pam w.

We planned our dinner because our daughter and her boyfriend had thought it to be their favorite place when they were on Kauai. The setting is absolutely magical and we were able to sit on the porch which was lovely. But the food was HORRIBLE!!!!! We each had a different dish, and not one of us liked our food. Way too much salt on everything, overcooked wontons, laulau that tasted like it had been pulled directly from the sea and put into the oven. Our server was very understanding and did give us a credit on our bill, but it certainly was a disappointment. And I am afraid we will not return.
(1)
Sarah C.

Fabulous food, lovely garden-side ambience, great service -- definitely 5 stars. The best was the fresh fish (caught daily by local fisherman) and served to perfection -- at a reasonable cost for Kauai. Pupus and desserts were good but not as fabulous. We returned to eat here 3 times. 'Nuff said.
(5)
Sarah J.

Great Restaurant with an easy walk from the Marriot in Poipu. I had the Lau Lau and it was perfectly prepared. We also had the scallops with a tropical salsa on top as an app. our waitress left something to be desired but the ambience and food more than made up for her attitude.
(4)
W Q.

great atmosphere, excellent food here. if you are staying in poipu beach, this is the best restaurant around within walking distance. the pork ribs here are amazingly good, better than the best ribs i've had in the midwest. all of the seafood is topnotch. this is a fusion restaurant, very interesting flavors. one of my top 10 favorite restaurants anywhere.
(5)
James P.

Four of us ate here in December. We were initially seated in the back area, very crowded and noisy, kids running around (not that I have a problem with kids, just a fact), and we asked if we could move to the beautiful front porch, which was served by the bartender. Great move for ambiance, bad move for service. The bartender was a nice guy, and made awesome drinks- mojito, lychee cosmo- but kept dropping the ball. No drinks for 15 minutes after ordering, no water until asking the 3rd time, took a full 30 minutes to get our appetizers, two of the sushi plates, which got us a bit worried. It was okay, and didn't taste or feel like it had been sitting under the heat lamp for that whole time... Entrees took another 30 to get there after app. plates were cleared. Second drinks slowly arrived one by one at 5 minute intervals. Lau-lau seafood ordered by two was okay, not great, seafood stew ordered by 1 was good, and my steak was the best dish. Not what I ever expect on Kauai, but I wanted a steak and got lucky... After the abuse we weren't going to stick around for dessert. They did comp us a fair amount, almost making up for it, but overall didn't have a good time. I'd go back to give them one second chance, but prepared to raise hell at the first sign of a mis-step...
(3)
Brian C.

Top notch spot. Great menu with plenty of diversity. The sauce on the pork was first rate with just the right mixture of savory and spice. Attentive service with very accomodating host for our special occassion. Trendy drinks from the bar. If you can get a patio/deck table you'enjoy one of the best views of any restaurant around. Don't let the location near a hotel fool you into thinking this is a hotelish restaurant. Couldn't be further from it. Definitely a must try for a special night out. Lastly, the prices aren't casual cheap, but are certainly reasonable given the ambiance and quality of food.
(5)
Chris P.

This is our fourth time back to Kauai, and for anyone looking for an island with everything... warm clean water, clean air, hot sun or shade, snorkeling/surfing anything water, Kauai is truly an island paradise. We stay every year at Kiahuna Plantation, and can only offer five stars, its perfect. Plantation Gardens is the restaurant within Kiahuna. We have eaten all over the island, at many high priced restaurants. Without hesitation, PG is one of the best Kauai has to offer. We have yet to visit the famed Beach House, but it is on our short list as well. Our visit to PG included the pork tenderloin and Ahi special for the evening. The drinks delicious, fresh Keokis beers on tap and the service attentive and nearly perfect. Fish is a specialty, but I also make a point to eat pork when in HI, as pork is a traditional Hawaiian dish and is usually superbly done. Coming from NYC it was refreshing to eat without bumping chairs and elbows with someone, but still retain the attentive service and excellent food preparation we have come to love in NYC. Sit outside in the garden, next to a stone garden with amazing tropical plants worthy of the National Tropical Botanical Garden two miles up the road. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of the high volume chains like Roys and try Plantation Gardens, you will not go wrong.
(5)
Wayne E.

Had dinner here our last night at the end of a great week and high expectations. Unfortunately it turned out to be our most disappointing meal in Kauai. On the plus side it is a beautiful restaurant located in a beautiful setting but the food and service were disappointing. It is pricey and my wife and I both picked their Seafood Lau Lau which the waitress said was their signature dish and it was not very good. It was a mixture of shrimp, scallops, their catch of the day mixed with rice and vegetables. It had little flavor, the catch of the day was tough and it was not enjoyable. We split a salad and a crab rangoon appetizer that were okay but the main course was a disappointment. As for the service, the waitress was a nice young girl but she disappeared after we were seated, then 10 minutes later took a dring order, then disappeared again for a long time, then took our food order, then disappeared again etc. etc. The only thing I would say is that we both felt we just ordered the wrong thing BUT this is their signature dish so I doubt we would go back there. The rest of Kauai was incredible.
(2)
Rosie P.

This restaurant is a favorite whenever my husband and I go to Kauai. We brought our 4-year-old with us this time and had a wonderful family dinner. They have a special menu for the kids and a beautiful garden with ponds and fish that you can bring your child to if they are getting restless. My husband and I both had their special pork tenderloin served with fried rice. This was awesome! Food and atmosphere are both spectacular!
(5)
Danie B.

I had my wedding reception here with 20 guests. It was magical, beautiful, and perfect. Mona, the coordinator, listened to our needs and followed through perfectly. The service was professional and on top of it! My father in law who grew up on the island said that he had not had Ono this good since he was a little kid. Try the seseme encrusted shrimp. The whole party was so impressed. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone with a large party. It is worth every penny!
(5)
Kristy F.

I had my 60-person wedding at Plantaton Gardens, and I'm so happy that I did! I cannot say enough positive things about Plantation Gardens. Mona and the team at PG worked extremely hard to make my wedding reception a perfect evening, not only for me, but for all of my guests. After the wedding, many guests came up to me and raved not only about their food and cocktails, but especially how helpful the service staff at PG was. The food at PG was WONDERFUL! Guests kept talking about how amazing every dish was. I would also like to comment on how amazing Mona, the wedding coordinator, was. She spent lots of extra time shopping for unique items for my candy bar. Mona shopped online and all around the island until she found the items that we needed. This took a huge amount of stress off of my to-do list. She always communicated quickly with me, and she was very positive. I enjoyed working with Mona. I could go on for much longer about how beautiful the grounds were, how much I appreciated the upgraded design inside, and how I'm dying to go back. I would ABSOLUTELY suggest that other brides do their wedding with Plantation Gardens.
(5)
Veggie J.

everything seems to close early around near where we stayed at. but we managed to schwoop in here on time, before they closed, and thank god 'cause this place is beeeeauuutiful. we sat at the outdoor patio, and it overlooks this gorgeous garden. plus, in hawaii, all warm with the moon right above us, it's absolutely perfect. i had some kind of japanese eggplant thing. verrry good, and displayed very nicely. probably the only vegetarian entree, but they did it perfectly. for dessert, we had to try a baked hawaiian: chocolate and macadamia nut ice cream on a brownie crust with a toasted meringue. oh yes. it tastes as good as it sounds. great service, great atmosphere, great food, although not quite a cheap eat. everything else makes up for it though.
(5)
S T.

Great fish,good service and pleasant atmosphere
(4)
B C.

4 stars for Kauai where most food is overpriced and under-delicious. I had hesitated to go here since our guidebook panned it, but I was really glad I looked on Yelp and saw the good reviews so we didn't miss this place. We had a lovely romantic dinner on the porch overlooking the garden. My seafood stir-fry made usually tough Wahoo fish soft and flavorful. Can't remember what my husband got, but he really enjoyed it. The pineapple upside down cake was a little sweet for me, but I think that is just how good pineapple upside down cake is. It's expensive, but most restaurants in this area are, and it was not exorbitant and we left feeling like we got our money's worth for the meal. (We didn't feel that way in many places in Kauai). Service was friendly and prompt. It's a big restaurant with lots of space, so if you are with a big group I think that they could handle it well. It was very quiet the night we were there. No loud conversations or music. My husband and I thought it would be a great place for a small wedding or rehearsal dinner.
(4)
Jennifer D.

The food is mostly a hit with some misses. In general, I didn't like the appetizer sampler featuring 4 of their appetizers. Their lobster fried ravioli had a pretty nice taste. The duck eggroll was meh. The sushi "thing" was TERRIBLE. It was premade and served cold and mushy. The fourth appetizer was completley unmemorable. For over $20 for that plate, I expected better. The main entrees were better, rainging from good to heavenly. The veggie udon was al dente and hearty. The seafood curry was flavourful. The ono fish special was fabulous. The fish was in a cauliflower sauce and was a perfectly balanced in terms of flavour. The liliqoi cheesecake rocked! The passionfruit is a great balance to the sweet cheese flavour. The tri of creme brÃ»lÃ©e was too small--too much sugar crust to creme base as they were cooked on porceline spoons. This also made this dessert too warm. Entrees were in the $25-35 range. The server was great with a good pallet and good description of dish tastes. She could probably work as a food critic.
(4)
Kyle G.

This review is only for the bar, as we didn't actually eat dinner here, just came for drinks. The bartender was friendly and knew what he was doing. Tried the cucumber mojito which was very refreshing and tasty, and the sun burst margarita which was definitely my favorite and equally as refreshing (which was good considering it was 80 degrees out). We also ordered the pork sliders, delicious Fun little spot with friendly environment and good drinks.
(5)
George T.

This place was just exquisite! From the service to your dish everything was executed on queue! Our waitress Emily was super awesome! She made us feel welcomed and really elevated our experience. The food was top notch, just a work of art if you ask me. Seriously the food was a masterpiece carefully crafted by their master chef. Every bite was well balanced with the perfect blend of ingredients. If you want your pallet to feel like it experienced the Phil harmonic orchestra you should make a reservation here. This is by far the best restaurant in all of Kauai. Yes there are other places but just grab and go. This is a full dining experience.
(5)
Triple Threat T.

A lovely place for romantic dinner; a calm, pretty ambiance sitting on the porch overlooking the pond & garden :) Try the Crab Rangoon appetizer then for entrees the Fresh Catch Grilled Fish & Quinoa Crusted Fish (that was our favorite.) For drinks you gotta stick with their delicious Cucumber Mojito! And the amazing cheesecake will blow your mind! :O Decent price for a memorable meal: $124 for 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, 4 cocktails and 1 dessert.
(5)
Brendon C.

This place is located on the same property is the condo / vacation rentals. you can hear the ocean crashing in the distance and the gardens are quite lovely that's around the building. The couple times I was here we were seated immediately and the service was excellent. I really enjoyed the appetizer poo poo platter and the crab rangoon was amazing. They also have several types of gluten free vodka and make excellent martinis. the only drawback is that they close fairly early and that includes the bar. It seems it seems to depend on how many people are in the building.
(4)
Northofthirty D.

We treated ourselves to a fancy dinner on our last night in Kauai, in lieu of a touristy luau, and I'm so glad we did. The food was phenomenal and the prices, while pricey, were reasonable, considering we're in a very touristy area eating at a restaurant located on the grounds of a resort. I had the grilled Uku fish that came with shitake mushrooms and some onions. My hubby had the pot roast that was super tender and came with this amazing molokai sweet potato mash (we also now fondly refer to as: purple decadent goodness). Oh, and the kids menu was pretty fancy, including a kids portion of the grilled Uku fish that was also served witht he purple decadent goodness, which my daughter had. We devoured our dinner and wrapped up the left overs to take back to our condo...it was too good to pass up. The server also generously comped a dessert for us, as we were celebrating our anniversary. We chose the lilikoi cheesecake and we ate every last bit of it. Even my son, who doesn't like cheese in general, couldn't stop eating it. I would definitely come back next time we have the good fortune to be in Kauai again.
(5)
Gayle L.

Dinner was delicious! Entrees were delicious creative and presented beautifully! Fabulous and fresh salad starter, extremely creative sautÃ© fish entree, wonderful wine selection and very knowledgeable, friendly, caring but not polished service. Seating on the patio was very lovely and authentically Hawaiian! We will always go back every year!
(4)
Danielle T.

Really wanted to like this place, made a reservation in advance of arriving to the island. Nice ambiance, especially if seated outside near garden area. Ordered the crab rangoon to start - very tasty, nice touch with Dijon dipping sauce Main entrees ordered were short ribs and quinoa crusted fish special with asparagus... both sub-par. The blend of fish with the asparagus lacked flavor. Money was not well spent here - disappointed. Wait staff was wonderful though and easy to make reservation.
(3)
Samantha D.

WEDDING REVIEW We had our destination wedding at Plantation Gardens and it was PERFECT. We had 100 people there (I think you can have 120) and everyone raved about how much fun they had and how good the food and drinks were. We bought the place out because that's what worked for us and our guests. The cocktails, appetizers, and meals were all amazing. I would suggest the coconut prawns, cucumber mojito, lilikoi martini, and truly all the main courses you have to choose from are delicious. Really can't go wrong. The only issue we had was that the party had to end at 10pm on the dot! Everyone wanted to keep partying so we went across the street to another bar :) The cost of a wedding at PG is really not that much more than any other venue, in fact it seems to be somewhat less, and you get a lot for what you pay for. The planners are incredibly helpful and make the process very smooth. PG is highly recommended for a wedding venue!
(5)
David C.

Nestled in a world famous garden, we peasants have a chance to revel in a once hallowed high end socialite eatery. Plantation is full of history and luckily, good food! We had some very tasty mojitos and yummy super fresh fish, tastefully done but not overpowered by the seasoning.
(4)
Ryan S.

I rarely rate 5 stars, but this was like they came to your home. If you wanted to you could have a conversation with the waiters. The food was absolutely excellent. The drinks were awesome also with all the choices. This is defiantly a place to go if you have a lot of time because they will give you a nice slow meal that lets you complement not only the food, but the scenery. The restaurant is built from the home of the sugar cane plantation owners and gives you that home feel that we all ask from a restaurant. I would go everyday.
(5)
Rachael S.

Had the catch of the day fish with crusted quinoa. Absolutely delicious dish. Highly recommend
(5)
Robin W.

Our party of 12 had a beautiful dinner celebrating an 85th bday. This truly was our nicest dining experience in Poipu. The freshest and most delicious meals served in an exquisite setting out on the veranda of this historic property by very friendly and helpful waiters. There are a lot of new places in Poipu to try but don't forget about this tried and true classic.
(5)
Jow H.

Four of us dined this evening. Appetizers, salads, fresh fish and fish stew were among our choices. The waitress was okay. The rest if the staff were truly awful. From serving us warm water to nearly shoving the food in our faces they were inept, lacked any modicum of professionalism and we're even to some degree surly. Unfortunately the food was well paired with the staff. Nothing interesting, tasty,creative or well prepared. Barely Dennys quality at ridiculous prices. Give me a break. Embarrassing and disgusting both. Not our first time there but definitely our last. And lastly the restsurant had a birthday event on the grounds outside below where we were sitting. It would have been nice to know there would be defening noise when we made the reservation.
(2)
Thomas H.

We came here last night (5/7/15) during our honeymoon and had a great experience. We sat outside in the porch area overlooking over the garden. The cucumber mojito was a delicious cocktail. We highly recommend the crab rangoon for an appetizer. Seafood stew was great but a little too rich for one person to eat the entire meal. We ordered one seafood stew and then one Monchong sautÃ©ed and split it half way through each dish! My only slight disappointment was that the hostess never told our waiter that it was our honeymoon. It came up in conversation as we were about to get the bill and he offered us a dessert on the house. We had the Hawaiian pie or something like that. Extremely nice gesture of Brendan!! I would definitely recommend this place if you're staying in the south part of Kauai.
(5)
Jung L.

5/13/15 Wife and I both got the ribeye. Quality was not up to par with other steaks (slightly on the salty side due to sea salt) we had but the twice baked potato was amazing with the steak. She had the cucumber mojito( could use more lime) and I had the plantation breeze (we both thought this was better). For dessert the cheesecake was very delicious and well worth it. Service was decent but slightly on the slower side. Overall atmosphere was nice.
(4)
F F.

Wedding Review!!! Plantation Gardens was an amazing location for our destination wedding!!! Mona their event coordinator have exceptional customer service. The grounds are beautiful with the orchard garden. During our wedding we choose to have a semi private room so we picked the west lani. It was the perfect size for our party of 30 but you can fit up to 40. There was plenty of room for the little kids to run around without us having to worry about them because it's blocked off from the rest of the restaurant. The wait staff was on point! They made their rounds and tried to keep the drinks full. The food is mouthwatering delicious. Several of our guest commented that their meals were amazing. Started with pupu platters, wild mushroom spring rolls, crab rangoon, pot stickers, corn fritters and fruit skewers during cocktail hour. First Course- we had the lobster bisque or local mixed green salad with pears. Second Course- Fresh local fish, tomato & lobster salsa mash potato's, Grilled pork tenderloin with black forest rice or Beef tenderloin & lobster tail. Then we ended the night with wedding cake (cakes by Sandy). We had the carrot cake and kona cake, super moist and fluffy. Over all they did an amazing job, it's a beautiful venue and I'm sure you'll be extremely satisfied.
(5)
David S.

I rarely ever post any kind of review, but there are too many good people out there not to be forewarned by such mediocrity and rude behavior, especially when it comes from the manager (Jeff) who is supposedly in the service industry yet has no idea what that really means. I live literally two minutes from the restaurant and have eaten here numerous times over the years--it has never been amazing but has never before been disappointing either, until now. Jeff's ego will be the death of this place! The place was empty yet he wouldn't allow us to sit with our friends at the table next to us stating that the kitchen could not handle two more people on that table and that we would have to sit outside (It wasn't the warmest of nights outside, by the way). Our waitress was great and tried to save face but he left such a bad taste in our mouths and it didn't help when our uncooked rice and overcooked fish arrived. There are so many great options in Poipu (red salt, tide pools, keokis, beach house, Merriman's, Josselin's, etc) so don't waste your time at Plantation Gardens until management changes...
(1)
Nancy W.

If you happen to purchase wine from The Wine Shop the corking fee is waived! The experience was amazing Josh was on point, very friendly, and knew the menu! I would highly recommend this place. It's a must when in Poipu.
(5)
Nicole B.

I had high hopes for this place. I loved the choices on the menu (via yelp) and was really looking forward to eating here our last night in Kauai. Made reservations a few days prior thru OpenTable. Got to the restaurant a few mins early and the hostess was no where to be found. There were 2 people that acknowledged us and said the hostess would be with us shortly. It was about 10 minutes before she was there. Sat down. We were given water and our waitress appeared shortly after. She was pleasant but right away asked us if we wanted to order. We started with drinks and our order. We had to ask about menu items (salad, catch of the day). We ordered the greens salad to split. Very good and fresh salad. I ordered the chefs trio. My boyfriend had the curry stew. My meal came. The fish was tough in both of the dishes (lau lau and fresh catch). The stew was delicious as were the mashed sweet potatoes. That's about the only good thing I can say about my dish. My boyfriends stew had great flavor but the potato to fish ratio was slightly off. I'd say the service was poor. Not at anytime was our water refilled. We were never asked if we wanted another drink or a refill. We opted to get bread. Good, warm bread but I don't agree with having to pay $5 for it. I'd never go back or recommend this place to anyone else. Food was disappointing as was the service.
(2)
Rebekah C.

This place is awesome, for the gardens and for the service. Everyone here is super friendly and accommodating. Over the years, they have cut back (no more beautiful boxed matches, pretty coasters, and now they charge you $4 for bread and butter!) to be more profitable and the food isn't always superb. However, the cucumber mojitos are to-die-for (and I'm not usually a fan, but these are incredible, and the lilikoi cheesecake is a MUST. Wish management / ownership would be less stingy, but still I highly recommend.
(4)
Aaron H.

So i haven't posted to yelp in several years because unfortunately mediocrity has become the new norm in the restaurant business. However, the service at this restaurant was so poor it had motivated me to come out of my Yelp hiatus and write a review. For a point of reference, i brought my company here for a meal...all 16 of us from Santa Cruz on a retreat. Our reservation was for 15 and we had a last minute addition. We arrived and the restaurant and it was pretty empty at 6:00 for our reservation. The manager (Jeff) proceeded to inform me that they couldn't accommodate the one addition to our party. I told him we could squeeze in and it wouldn't be a problem. He proceeded to inform me the "kitchen couldn't handle a table of 16". I said that didn't make sense to me. If one of our party was to sit at a different table and we all order at the same time that they couldn't accommodate? He said that was correct. I then asked him if he was willing to risk out entire party leaving because we couldn't squeeze in one more? He said "well then i guess your gonna have to leave then." (For the record, at this point, being a business owner focused on customer service, I was ready to leave but it was one of our team members birthdays and i didn't want to cause a scene and risk her happiness). Long story short, we sat three from our party at an adjacent table. We all ordered and didn't break the kitchen. The food was mediocre and drinks extremely slow to come ( my ribeye was 1/2 finished before my wine came out). My wife and i split a ribeye and no second plate was ever offered ( we shared off one plate the whole time). Will never ever go back and I hope this review (especially of Jeff's rude handling of the situation) makes it back to the owner. Best, Dr. Aaron Hinde, owner LifeAID Beverage Company, Inc.
(1)
Patrick M.

We were staying at the Sheraton across the way, and stumbles upon Plantation Gardens. It was a nice surprise. Service was very attentive, and the waitress was very nice. They were super accommodating to our 10 month old child. The food was very good. I got the pork and my wife had the fish special. The sauce with the pork was very good, but a big salty. I gave my son some of my dishes, and the guy was not able to get enough water for the rest of the night. My wife thought that her fish was a bit dry. I'm not a big "fish" guy, so it is hard for me to comment on it. I thought it tasted "OK." Overall, it is a nice dinner. A good place to have a "nice" meal in Hawaii. Prices are average for the area.
(4)
Ipek S.

Started with two tropical cocktails (sun punched was really delicious, with a hint of spice) and continued with coconut curry soup -amazing, corn cakes -it grows in you, interesting taste, and Bok choy- very fresh, grilled w/ a smokey taste. I had noodle salad -it was pretty good, and we shared a lau lau fish plate (first time eating that fish, a bit of different than the usual ones, not my favourite but was prepared nicely). Overall, a good Hawaiian feel, nice service.
(4)
Meghan K.

Came here for Christmas dinner and we were really excited because well...we just got to the island and we had reservations at this gorgeous restaurant. I realized I was hungry early and our reservations weren't until 7:30. I went to the hostess and she said she couldn't seat me. Fine. I get it. But your restaurant looked dead at 5:30. We got back at 7...drank a few drinks at the bar and by the time we went back to the host at 7:30, she said to wait. We waited a whole 20 minutes. I was famished at this point. Keep in mind, my body is running on California time...it's damn near 10pm California time at the point we started eating. Nothing much for vegetarian fare. I had a salad which wasn't memorable, but I ate it all because I was famished. I ordered a side of the sweet mash potato. I should have read it carefully. It was purple, super sweet and NOT AT ALL what I was craving for. I took two bites and just sat there and cried internally. My boyfriend wasn't impressed with his entree either, we don't even remember because we wanted to block out the bad experience out of our heads. We didn't stay for dessert because the food wasn't already scaring the shit out of us. Expect to shovel out some dough here for food that's lackluster. Great ambiance and awesome location...but I wouldn't go back. I don't suggest you should either.
(1)
Dana F.

We were on our way across the street to keokis and stopped in here because it looked nice. It felt like we wandered into another world. Absolutely beautiful setting and delicious, fresh, locally sourced food. Waitstaff was delightful, helpful and friendly. If you are looking for a quiet dining experience with exceptional food then Plantation Garden is the place.
(4)
Tiffany C.

My husband and I consider ourselves to be quite spoiled in the food department, as we live in San Francisco and can walk to some of the greatest restaurants in the country. We made a reservation here, expecting a relaxing dinner, but maybe not the best cuisine, as a result of reading some mixed reviews. We are still curious what exactly could have led to any negative comments. It was OUTSTANDING. our server Joshua talked us through the menu and not only got us excited about our dinners, but more than exceeded our expectations. The coconut curry stew and the seafood lau lau completely wowed us. We will probably go back on this very trip. That's what you want to eat in Kauai. Authentic seafood dishes. It was incredible. And the service, absolutely amazing. Joshua is one of the best servers we have ever had.
(5)
Kimberly F.

This lovely restaurant sits amid lush gardens and serves delicious Pan-Asian inspired dishes. We started with two fabulous cocktails, spicy glazed edamame, and fish lumpia. The cocktails were the best I've had on the island so far-- a lychee and Asian pear cosmo and a refreshing green tea mojito. For dinner, we each chose the fresh catch of the day, which was both generously portioned and deliciously prepared. Service was great and the wine list, while not extensive, offered some of my favorites. Unlike many of the more popular high-end restaurants at this end of the island, Plantation Gardens' atmosphere was quiet and intimate. I highly recommend this overlooked gem.
(5)
Susan M.

Closed until the end of June 2015! New Chef and inside completely re-done! I can't wait!
(4)
Jim M.

Beware the restaurant is closed thru June 2015 for remodeling. Ate there on our last visit and enjoyed it very much. Will be back next time.
(4)
Mariko C.

Amazing food and awesome staff! We loved everything from the drinks to dessert! One of the best meals we've had on Kauai. Staff was very friendly and accommodating! Love this spot will visit next year and recommend to all of our friends!
(5)
Trina D.

I wanted to say thanks to the staff at Plantation Gardens, especially Mona, Joyce and Golden... We held our wedding here in November 2014 and the service was excellent. Joyce and Golden were amazing and the whole family loves them. They catered to our every need. The food was delicious. I would recommend having your wedding here as the gardens are beautiful and the beach is just steps away. Living in Los Angeles and planning a wedding was a scary thought but Mona and Kaye from Kauai Events were just awesome. They both put our wedding together beautifully. No worries and totally stress free. Just put your trust in them and you will enjoy your wedding day. I recommend the private lanai it is perfect for an intimate wedding on a beautiful island. I almost forgot to mention the cake made by Sandi, Plantation Gardens official cake baker. Sandi's cakes are delish... I especially enjoyed the Hawaiian Carrot Cake. All the best to the staff at Plantation Gardens and I hope to see you all soon, perhaps on our anniversary All the best. The Davies Wedding date: 11-06-14...
(5)
Peter G.

This is the place you dress up for. (I didn't, but I should have) The ambiance is wonderful. Although, what is with the parking? Anyway, beautiful surrounding. Delightful menu. Prepare to drop some coin. Seared and grilled fish were very, very nice. Sorry to hear that they no longer source their meat locally. Left here feeling good; something I like to do when I spend that much.
(4)
Billy W.

We found this place by chance. As we were walking into the restaurant we discussed how the elegance and beauty of the place made it a prime spot for a wedding :-) The food was great and the service very friendly. The ambience of the restaurant also made the visit very enjoyable. Will definitely be back again!!
(4)
Ambrish V.

On the expensive side but definitely not that high quality. For less money you can find much better options right next door at Roy's or Keoki's . Good: Turkey dinner was good. Ambience was also pretty good as the gardens are indeed quite picturous. Not-so-good: other dishes as well as service was just okay.
(2)

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Address : 2253 Poipu Rd
Koloa, HI, 96756
Phone (808) 742-2121
Website https://pgrestaurant.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:30 pm - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar

2253 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI, 96756

Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar Menu

Salads

Todays Entrees & Fresh Sea Food

Pupus

Snacks for the Table

Desserts

Hand Crafted House Drinks

Non - Alcoholic

Healthy Meal suggestions for Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar

Salads

Todays Entrees & Fresh Sea Food

Pupus

Snacks for the Table

Desserts

Hand Crafted House Drinks

Non - Alcoholic

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