1 Kitchen — Restaurant in Kauai

I really help someone saves this place. The setting is unbeatable but it's almost laughable how bad the service, food, and communication are. Not just at 1 Kitchen but at Welina Terrace too where the last two times we've dined, we waited legitimately over 45 minutes for TWO drinks to arrive to our table. Twice this has happened. But this review is just for our latest experience at 1 Kitchen because I really hope management reads these from time to time and maybe puts in a little effort to make change.

We booked a reservation for Mother's Day online. Their brunch buffet is typically $52 per person. We've never actually gotten the buffet, we usually just order off the menu but that is the price listed on their website. It didn't occur to me when I made the reservation that there would be special pricing for Mother's Day. I also didn't see anything that said it would be. I follow them on Instagram but never saw anything about it. Apparently when I booked the reservation, if I scrolled to the very bottom of the page, instead of just clicking on a time to book (which is the very first thing anyone sees) I would have found a small sentence that told me Mother's Day brunch was $125 per person. My fault for not doing so.

Anyways, we arrived and were sat at our table. No one handed us a menu or said a word about any special event. Our server just said "the doors would be opening soon" implying the area for the brunch buffet would open soon. I asked if the buffet was the only option for Mother's Day as they usually have other options to which the server responded, yes, they were only doing the buffet. Luckily, I then thought to ask him if the price was different than normal. He replied- um, yes I think it is, let me check. He then came back and told us the buffet was $125 per person because, well it was Mother's Day and all. I asked if that came with anything extra. It did not. Nothing different than their usual brunch. $125 per person for everyone over 12 at the table. Alcohol not included.

Again, arriving to the restaurant, no one said a word about any sort of special event. There was no menu or graphic on the table talking about this extra special, definitely-not-your-normal brunch experience we were so lucky to be at. We checked their Instagram page, to see if maybe we missed something. Not a word about it.

If you want to charge that much for a brunch, all good! Please just make sure people are aware. We've been a few times and the food and service are always horrible but it's worth the occasional splurge just for the view and vibe alone. Not sure it's worth dropping $600 after tip on eggs and waffles for a family of 4 without even catching a buzz, but hey, that's just my opinion. Charge what you like, please just make sure things are communicated between marketing, management, staff, etc.

Every holiday and special event they've hosted since opening has been an absolute fiasco. Seems to me like you really shouldn't be rolling out these special events if you don't have your day-to-day operations dialed in. The hotel is beautiful. I really do hope it stays, but I think they're going to need a savior to make that happen. Every single person I've spoken to has pretty much the same impression. After taking in the undeniably mind-blowing views, you taste the food and experience the horrendous service, and the wow factor really just dissipates. Pick this same concept up, drop it in a different location and they'd be out of...

I came here to celebrate my fiancé’s birthday, my soon-to-be mother-in-law beating cancer, and our recent engagement, truly a night meant to be special. Unfortunately, the experience was anything but. I work in restaurant management myself, and I can confidently say the customer service here was shockingly poor in so many ways.

They ask when you book if you’re celebrating anything, but they don’t actually acknowledge it in any way. The prices are already out of control, so you’d at least expect some level of thoughtful service or hospitality yet we received none.

Before dinner, my fiancés mom and I were seated on a bench in the waiting area, just to the left of the host stand — a spot we had just seen other guests using. Without warning, a large sign from behind the bench fell and struck me hard on the head and neck. The impact left me in pain the next day. Two nearby guests rushed to check on me, but not a single staff member did so immediately. Instead, a man I believe to be a manager walked up and said, “Oh yeah, you’re not supposed to sit there. This bench isn’t for sitting.” No warning signs, no barriers, no indication it was off-limits — and absolutely no concern for my well-being in that moment. No apology, no urgency, no professionalism. He walked away and returned several minutes later to seat us, offering only an ice pack later on.

This was a clear safety hazard, and the handling of it was unacceptable. If this had happened to an elderly guest or a child, it could have been far worse. Even after the incident, nothing was done to prevent another guest from being hurt aside from him just adjusting the sign.

Not a single complimentary gesture was offered beyond the ice pack — no drink, no dessert, no acknowledgment that our special night had been ruined. Instead, I still ended up spending hundreds of dollars trying to salvage the evening for my family.

As someone in the industry, I know the difference between a team that truly cares about its guests and one that goes through the motions. We had even considered staying at the hotel for our honeymoon, but after this, that is no longer an option with that kind of hospitality.

If you value safety, hospitality, or basic respect for your celebration,...

1 Kitchen Hanalei Bay offers a truly unforgettable dining experience nestled within a luxurious hotel resort overlooking the breathtaking Hanalei Bay. While the $50 valet fee might be a deterrent for those not staying at the resort, the stunning views and delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine make it well worth the extra cost. If you want to avoid the valet parking, then you can find parking someplace else and walk to the restaurant.

The restaurant's ambiance is nothing short of spectacular. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas provide panoramic views of the bay and mountains, creating a truly magical atmosphere. The bar, located adjacent to the infinity pool, offers a relaxed and inviting setting to enjoy a refreshing drink while taking in the scenery.

1 Kitchen's menu features a delectable array of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, with a strong emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The open kitchen allows diners to witness the culinary artistry up close. Every table offers stunning views, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch or dinner. I'd recommend visiting the restaurant for breakfast buffet or lunch so you get to enjoy the views. Also, morning breakfast and lunch options don't require a reservation, so it may be easier to get seated.

One of the highlights of our visit was the exceptional service. Our server was friendly, attentive, and provided excellent recommendations. The non-alcoholic drinks, while refreshing, were a bit on the sour side and lacked a strong fruit flavor.

The appetizers, including the guacamole, crudité, and chips, were delicious and satisfying. The taro and sweet potato chips added a unique touch, and the guacamole was fresh and flavorful.

The 1 Kitchen Burger was a standout dish. It was generously sized, with a juicy patty, crispy fries, and flavorful toppings. The za'atar fries and housemade ketchup were the perfect complements to the burger.

While the restaurant lacks air conditioning, the stunning views and delicious food more than make up for it. Overall, 1 Kitchen Hanalei Bay is a highly recommended dining destination for those seeking a luxurious and memorable...