Papa Nalu Aloha Grill — Restaurant in Florida

My family went to this restaurant, (group of five), the staff was nice at first and brought us to a table in the back of the restaurant by the window. There was a football game on so we wanted to move to a different table by the ONE television they had. We asked to sit at the big table but the hostess said she could not let us sit there because there might be a "larger party" coming in. She would not let us sit there and our only option was a tiny squaller table with FOUR chairs! We still wanted the big table by the TV and did not understand why they wouldn't let us sit there because there wasn't a SINGLE CUSTOMER IN THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT! Tne hostess, "Nicole", went to ask her boss if we could sit there and another girl, NOT THE BOSS; came out and said "it's our policy we can't let you sit there," she kept stating, "it's our policy" over and over even though the restaurant was empty... My mother promptly said to the woman, "Well it's OUR POLICY, that we do not put up with petty service cause this is ridiculous!" She was very sarcastic then we proceeded to leave, and now I know why that restaurant was EMPTY......

After living in Hawaii for eight years, we’ve developed a deep appreciation for authentic island cuisine—and let me tell you, Papa Nalu Aloha Grill in Gulf Breeze absolutely nails it. This hidden gem delivers the kind of local flavors and aloha spirit that immediately transported us back to the islands.

The poke was fresh, vibrant, and seasoned just right—exactly how it should be. The Huli Huli Chicken Plate, paired with a creamy, spot-on mac salad, was a standout. The chicken was tender, smoky, and glazed with that perfect sweet-savory balance that’s so hard to find outside of Hawaii.

And the blackened fish tacos? Insane! Bursting with flavor, perfectly cooked, and layered with fresh toppings, they were easily some of the best we’ve had—even compared to what we enjoyed back in the islands.

These are serious local kine grinds that hit all the right notes. Whether you're a longtime fan of Hawaiian food or just discovering it, Papa Nalu Aloha Grill delivers an authentic experience that’s sure to please every palate. For us, it wasn’t just a meal—it was...

We were looking for some place we hadn't gone in our area before, read some of the reviews and tried Aloha Grill. After experiencing it this evening, we are wondering why we never came here before! Seated promptly, met D our server and shared that it was our first time there and we desired food that we wouldn't get elsewhere. She guided us through the menu making some suggestions. We started with the Aloha Platter for an appetizer which could easily be a nice meal in its own right. Everything was tasty...some spice effect but not blazing. Though we were told some people have that and share a plate, we opted for our own plates - my wife had the Kealoha which was teriyaki steak and pineapple chicken...she loved it and brought some home. I ordered the grilled Mahi Mahi-excellent...both dishes came with broccoli, rice, and macaroni salad. Never rushed though a number of people came in while we were there as well as a number of to go meals were served. Fairly priced, excellent food and service. We...