Red Salt — Restaurant in Kauai

Overall Experience: 4.3 / 5 Recommended For: Intimate dinners, special occasions, fine dining with a laid-back island touch

For our final evening in Kauai, we wanted a memorable yet relaxed fine dining experience—and Red Salt delivered. We made a reservation for a Wednesday night and were greeted warmly by the host, who set the tone for a smooth and pleasant dinner. The restaurant was an hour from closing, giving us a peaceful, intimate atmosphere with dimmed lighting and quiet surroundings—perfect for a romantic or low-key farewell dinner.

Despite the ample seating, I’d recommend making a reservation, especially on weekends or during the busy summer months.

Shortly after being seated, a server assistant welcomed us and offered water options (ice, sparkling, or still), which was a nice touch. Our primary server was friendly, attentive, and well-paced throughout the meal—never making us feel rushed, yet always available when needed.

Drinks We tried two lemonades:

Strawberry Guava Lemonade: Lightly sweet, refreshing, and subtly fruity. A definite yes if you want something tropical but not sugary.

Lavender Mint Lemonade: A more complex flavor profile, but the mint was a bit lacking and would have benefited from being muddled or pressed. The lavender note was faint, making this one less balanced overall.

Appetizers Coconut Curry Bisque: Rich and creamy, a comforting start to the meal. The flavor leaned mild, so if you're expecting a spicy, traditional curry kick, you might be left wanting. The shrimp, while tasty, seemed boiled and could be elevated with a quick sauté for better texture and flavor. Still, a solid and filling starter.

Entrees Madagascar Vanilla Bean Seared Mahi Mahi: Beautifully plated and cooked. If you're a fan of soy-forward dishes, this is for you. The fish was fresh, and according to my partner (who polished off the plate), it’s a strong recommendation.

Hoisin Braised Short Ribs: The star of the night. These were fall-off-the-bone tender, rich in red wine and herb flavor, and generously portioned. The mashed potatoes were creamy, and the roasted carrots and mushrooms brought depth and sweetness. Absolutely worth ordering.

Dessert Hawaiian Bread Pudding (complimentary surprise): A lovely gesture from our server to end the meal. The texture was reminiscent of gooey banana bread, but the caramel sauce was a bit overpowering. If you’re not a caramel lover, this may not be the dessert for you—but the ice cream was a nice, cooling balance.

Final Thoughts: Red Salt offers a wonderful blend of island charm and upscale dining. The ambiance is perfect for a quiet, memorable night out, and while a few elements could be refined (like the drink balance and shrimp prep), the overall experience—from the attentive service to the well-executed entrees—makes this a restaurant worth visiting. Ideal for date nights, celebrations, or simply ending your trip on...

I was staying in the Koa Kea’ hotel with my wife, and we had read online that Red Salt was one of the best restaurants on the island, so we decided to go. We were vastly disappointed.

Hawaii, in general, has an issue with the way it serves food. Everything comes very fast, and before you are finished your dessert, the bill is being dropped off. This was no different at Red Salt. My wife and I ordered salads to start, they came out very quickly, before we received our wine order. I had the tomato and burrata salad, which was quite tasty. My wife ordered the mixed green salad, which was like they made a normal salad and topped it with 3 cups of mixed greens. Literally all the other ingredients were on the bottom because the barely there dressing was very lightly drizzled on top. At least, it would have satisfied Elaine’s need for a big salad on Seinfeld. The waiter stopped by twice to see if she needed more dressing as people often complained it didn't come with enough.

Before we finished our salads, our entrees came out. It seemed odd as we had only been at the restaurant about 20 minutes so far. My wife had ordered the snapper and I ordered a steak, medium rare.

It was evident immediately that our food had not been adequately prepared. The fish was under seasoned and served with bland overcooked jasmine rice. There was a sauce on the side but it was not apparent if it was for dipping or to be over the dish. (In which case, why wasn't it served that way?) My steak was a solid well done and piping hot, obviously, neither of our meat dishes had been rested and had just been plated sent out immediately off the grill .

We must have looked unhappy as the manager came over immediately, he was very ready to help fix the problem. Our waiter was very apologetic even though it was not her fault. They took our food away and remade it, topping off our wine in the meantime.

They offered my wife a different fish dish, the macadamia crusted mahi mahi which was generally good though the forbidden rice was frunchy . My steak came back half medium, half rare, and I guess medium crust. I guess that could be considered medium rare if you split the difference. It was clear they still had not allowed to rest. I would expect a little more skill from a restaurant charging $50 for a steak.

The reason my review isn't a 1 Star is that of the excellent wait staff. The manager and our waiter were terrific, but that is the beginning and the end of my positive words for Red Salt.

Overall, this was not a great experience, and at the price point, I would expect the kitchen to properly know how to prepare the main dishes...

Best restaurant on Kauai. Be willing to spend more than $100 easily for a dinner for two. Valet parking only, so be prepared to tip the valet upon retrieval of your vehicle. Additionally, call ahead for a reservation.

Service was pristine & impeccable! I am huge on service and all of my servers were friendly and very informative about the dishes. A+ service.

Onto the food.

I had breakfast here every day. Lobster Benedict was my favorite (on the savory side), but I also enjoyed their version of lox & bagel (smoked ahi in place of salmon - a very sweet breakfast). Steak & eggs were good too, but it was my final breakfast there so I just wanted something I hadn't already tried. Continental is fine if you're in a hurry and just want a quick bite.

For appetizers, I thought the lamb was just ok. But the shrimp skewers were unbelievable! Each piece its own flavor, each flavor mouth watering. I nibbled on my fiancee's Baby Romaine salad, it was also a very notable dish and very sweet.

For dinners, I enjoyed two of their most acclaimed dishes. First, I enjoyed the Seven Spiced Seared Ahi. Several thick planks of Ahi served upon a pile of edamame. A savory dish that had me full to the brim! If you have no idea what to order, fall back on this for a savory entrée. Secondly, I enjoyed the Madagascar Vanilla Bean Seared Mahi. Get this dish if you're feeling adventurous and want something on the sweet side. I highly recommend either dish; it really all depends on your palette.

For my one dessert, I enjoyed a thick, rich chocolate torte. Big enough for two, I (we) couldn't finish it after our appetizers and entrées, and I wanted to cry for leaving two bites on the plate (it seemed ridiculous to ask for a box to go for such a little bit of left over dessert. If I had to do it over again, I would take it to go so as to not live with this regret!).

Dress is informal, it is Hawaii afterall. However, I recommend wearing pants with short sleeved button down shirt for guys, and a sun dress for the ladies. Something light for the warm air, nothing too stuffy. Jeans are ok too. Shorts and a tee shirt won't get you turned away, but would appear tacky in this environment. Enjoy Red...