Keoki's Paradise — Restaurant in Kauai

I recently visited Keoki’s Paradise after reading numerous glowing reviews online, but unfortunately, my experience was far from what those reviews led me to expect. The restaurant's ambiance was mediocre at best, it gives off the impression of being an upscale tropical dining experience, but in reality, the setting felt quite dated and underwhelming. The lighting and décor lacked any real charm or atmosphere, and it just didn’t feel like the special dining spot it's made out to be online.

I ordered the Panko and Macadamia Nut Crusted Fish, which was priced at $39. For that cost, I was expecting a flavorful, well-balanced dish with a decent portion size. What I got instead was a dish that was almost half the portion you’d expect, dripping in oil, and completely lacking in freshness or finesse. The excessive oil overpowered any taste the macadamia crust might have had, and it left a heavy, greasy aftertaste that made it difficult to enjoy. It felt more like an overpriced tourist trap item than a thoughtfully prepared entrée.

My friends also ordered cocktails, hoping to enjoy some tropical blends to enhance the evening. To our disappointment, the cocktails were among the worst they’d tried on the island, tasting watered down, unbalanced, and far from the craft-level drinks you’d expect at a supposedly popular local spot. Every drink seemed rushed and flat, definitely not worth the price or the hype.

Overall, my experience at Keoki’s Paradise was extremely disappointing. The ambiance, food, and drinks all fell well below expectations, and I honestly feel like I was misled by the overly generous online reviews. If you're planning a nice dinner or looking for quality food and drinks on Kauai, I strongly advise skipping this place. There are far better restaurants nearby that offer a much more authentic, enjoyable, and reasonably...

We had a fantastic dining experience at Keoki Paradise, and the service played a big part in that. Our waiter, Alana, was friendly and efficient, ensuring that our meals were served promptly. The atmosphere was lively, and the late closing time (10 pm) is a big plus, though I recommend arriving by 9 pm to fully enjoy your time there. The beer selection is impressive; the Hop Island IPA stood out with its hoppy, fresh, and bitter profile. Cocktails like the Pina Colada, which was perfectly smooth and not grainy, and the Pog Slushie, which stayed true to its canned flavor, were refreshing. We started with the Poke Stack, which was fresh, with well-seasoned avocado and crispy chips that complemented the dish perfectly. The calamari strips were delightfully meaty, and the accompanying sauce, especially with a squeeze of lemon, made it even better.

For the main courses, the Duroc Pork Ribs were a standout, with tender meat that melted in your mouth, paired wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes. The Guava Barbecue Chicken had a nice balance of crispy skin and juicy, sweet meat. The Prime Rib was another highlight, incredibly juicy and best enjoyed medium-rare, complemented by bok choy and mashed potatoes. The Hand Crafted Nachos were a massive portion, ideal for sharing, though I found the olives a bit overwhelming; however, the fresh guacamole and soft pork were excellent. For dessert, the Hula Pie was enormous and delicious, with hard chocolate, peanuts, and cold ice cream. The Taro Coconut Bread Pudding was a unique treat, exactly as you would imagine. Overall, Keoki Paradise is highly recommended, and I’d gladly give it five stars. The only minor quirk was the sporks, which weren't the best for stabbing food, but they worked well...

It’s a beautiful restaurant, but the staff alone is kinda terrible. Walked in with no reservations but we already expected a wait for a table no issues. I placed my name with the host, afterwords we saw a few barstools open at the bar so my party and I jumped on it. Best way to wait for a table is to have a drink in your hands waiting patiently. We sat down at the bar there was three people inside the bar who didn’t not greet us, didn’t smile nor offer us a menu, a couple next to us actually gave us their menu, I understood it’s a weekend seemed busy when I walked in but it’s hospitality make your guest feel welcome. It took about five minutes until someone to actually greeted us. We order our drinks and proceeded with our conversation. Got a text stating our table is ready. Got the bill and payed. When walking back to the host to retrieve the table I can hear the bartender say something about my party and started to laugh with the other guy in the bar. It was bizarre to me when we’ve been respectful the entire time, left 20% on bad service. Love killing people with kindness.

Walked back to the host, stated I got a text the table is ready, she told us to wait on the side. We waited an additional 10 minutes or so before actually getting sat.

The server was actually nice, she recommended some apps, entrées etc. She was definitely the highlight of the night.

Only leaving a three star was because the server, or else I would’ve left one star.

I don’t mind spending money on good quality, but the service has to match the price tag. Unfortunately it did not in...