Ilima Terrace Restaurant — Restaurant in Kauai

I have two dietary needles to thread:

Gluten Free Vegan / Whole Food Plant Based

…and I can thread those needles at Ilima Terrace.

My wife and I are locals and we love Ilima Terrace’s buffet, so much so that we come back often. But when I was recently diagnosed as gluten-intolerant the whole prospect of eating out ANYWHERE became a challenge. Gluten-intolerance is the most “un-fun” medical diagnosis for a food-lover like me to navigate and is forcing me to completely recalibrate my perception of which restaurants in my community can give me enjoyable culinary experiences without causing me harm.

On my first visit since my diagnosis, I was still getting used to and learning how to dine out gluten free. Larry served us and it was Larry who told me of their gluten free options after I spoke up and asked as an afterthought just as we were finishing our meal. I should have spoken up earlier.

Larry told us that they can prepare gluten free pancakes which I learned today on our return visit are are ALSO vegan. ✅and ✅

I ordered the gluten free vegan pancakes and came out in a few minute. Top them with blueberry compote from the buffet - delicious.

I paired those up with several of the other gluten free and vegan options and had a full meal with lots of variety.

In the past asked if they could scramble some tofu with veggies at the eggs station - no problem. The waiter came out in a few minutes with diced tofu for me to take over the egg station to have them prepare it to my preference.

They even have a gluten free muffin among the pastries as well as a vegan option. Look for the muffin in white paper (gluten free) or red paper (vegan).

From their regular buffet offerings, my favorites to meet my dietary needs are:

Steel cut oats Fresh fruits - papaya, pineapple, blueberries, wholes apples and bananas Salad bar Avocado toast on gluten free bread topped with arugula, cherry tomatoes and capers Tofu with mixed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots) - they used to make these with soy sauce but I noticed they recently changed the recipe to omit the soy sauce presumably to keep it gluten free Country potatoes (a mix of small potatoes including purple okinawan sweet potatoes) My wife and my favorite - little shooters of power juices. Kale juice with apple, watermelon-grape-grapefruit, carrot juice with ginger, and kombucha.

There is also a small station with plenty of condiments so that you can add whatever you want to your meal. If you’re vegan but don’t have to avoid gluten, get the tofu mixed veggies and add soy sauce from the condiments. Make it the way you want it.

Since my wife doesn’t have to avoid gluten and eats meat and dairy she can enjoy whatever she wants including her favorite salmon with capers, various cheeses and charcuterie.

Everyone here can enjoy whatever they want and I will continue to come back knowing I can ENJOY eating a gluten free AND vegan at Ilima Terrace.

Only criticism - in our last two trips there, the country potatoes were replaced with tatter tots that were deep fried crispy. I much prefer the potatoes. Deep fried tatter tots feel like public school lunch to me and is just a lazy alternative to potatoes. I hope this was only a...

(Edit: changed from two stars to three stars. Multiple people from Hyatt contacted me and comped our meal. I appreciate the customer service that Hyatt provides. Even when things aren't right, they tend to make them right.)The breakfast buffet at Ilima Terrace was a top three experience for us the last time we were here at the Grand Hyatt. This trip it will go down as the most disappointing part of our trip almost certainly. We went into breakfast this morning understanding that covid would definitely change the way that the buffet worked (no more self service), but were wholly unprepared for how much the Hyatt had decided to pare down its offerings. There was MAYBE half the food and drink offerings that were available the last time we were here, and frankly, that's a generous estimate. It was bare bones, and what was left was the least interesting offerings available (think bacon, scrambles eggs, pre-made pancakes.) The buffet is still priced like it's an upper tier breakfast offering, a hundred bucks at least for two of you if you leave even a decent tip, but the quality of buffet is more in line with a Residence Inn or something comparable. If you've never been here before, it may not be QUITE as disappointing as it was for us, although you certainly won't be blown away, but if you've been to Ilima Terrace in the past, then you'll be sorely disappointed. Best to skip until Hyatt decides to return to pre-covid quality standards. Note: some of the stations were only sporadically staffed. I tried unsuccessfully to get a plate of charcuterie at the beginning of breakfast, a language barrier seemed to keep me from being able to communicate that I would like to be served, and then when I went back later there was nobody attending, and after a few minutes I gave up, paid my bill (wincingly this time) and left. If food offerings are going to be so severely scaled back, and the price is to remain the same, then goodness gracious, the service MUST be better than what it...

I have been to Ilima Terrace many times before for breakfast and it still is as amazing as ever (even with COVID restrictions). They had all of the options for the breakfast buffet that I have had before and even a few new items. We had Lydia this morning as our server and she is simply the best. So friendly, kind, and attentive. This morning they had many options to choose from in the buffet such as kalua pork hash, miso soup, eggs benedict, french toast, fruit, bacon, sausage, eggs, omelets, garlic fried rice, and many other options. The main difference now is that the buffet is no longer self service, but the staff is amazing and very helpful in getting your food. Two new things that I noticed in the breakfast buffet was the Hawaiian biscuits and gravy and then the fresh juice shots. I was worried at first after reading other recent reviews about the buffet and it seems like they have made a huge change to their buffet to bring it back to the amazing experience that it is. I'm looking forward to enjoying breakfast here every morning for the rest...