El Cielo

Our first time in Honolulu and to come across this wonderful restaurant it was just a gem! Everyone was so excited to have us there, so welcoming! We had their beef empanadas with delicious chimichurri and amazing cocktails. So of course we had to return the next day for dinner and it was amazing. We had a fabulous wine flight selection more empanadas, croquettes, ham octopus and the jewel dish, the seafood paella!!!!!!!!! Katie and our friend from Waco Texas just friendly and attentive. Until next time.

My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at El Cielo. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the Shrimp Ajillo and the Seafood Paella, both of which left a lingering, delightful flavor. The Mont Blanc dessert after the meal was also truly impressive. In addition, the staff were very professional and friendly, and the dining atmosphere was excellent. Overall, it’s a restaurant well worth visiting again.

My wife and I had a fantastic night at El Cielo and really enjoyed the ambiance, food, and service. We were seated in the back near a large party, so it was a bit loud at times, but the overall atmosphere was lively and fun and didn’t take away from the experience. We shared a wide variety of dishes along with a bottle of Tromin Etxanit Txakoli from Getaria, which was crisp, refreshing, and the perfect pairing for the tapas-style menu. Standouts included the chicken liver pâté, rich and silky with truffle oil and housemade baguette, and the fried calamari, light and crispy with a flavorful romesco sauce. The Spanish-style fries with jamón serrano and a fried egg were indulgent and addictive. We also loved the marinated mushrooms, the garlicky shrimp ajillo (ideal for soaking up with bread), and the tender, well-seasoned octopus ala Gallega. We also tried the empanada, which was savory and comforting with a nice balance of spice and sweetness, and the croquetas de jamón, creamy and packed with flavor. The smoked salmon with dill cream and pink peppercorn was bright and refreshing, and the buñuelos—butterfish fritters with saffron aioli—were crispy, rich, and absolutely delicious. What truly elevated the evening was the service. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, offering great recommendations, checking in at just the right moments, and keeping everything flowing smoothly despite the busy atmosphere. We left happy, full, and already talking about what we’d order next time. El Cielo is a great spot for excellent tapas, wine, and a fun night out—we’ll definitely be back.

Off the beaten path spot for some great Spanish paella and tapas. Paella are good for two to three people and are incredible and worth an order. We had the salad as well as the jamon serrano chips. The fries were ordinary looking but had some of the best crunch I've ever tried. Great staff, very helpful and kind. A nice spot to eat dinner away from the tourist bustle of the main streets.

I ended up dining at El Cielo two nights in a week because the first experience was that good. Night one, I sat at the bar and had a front-row view of Chef Masa at work, which was such a cool part of the experience. I stuck with dishes I was already comfortable with, and everything was prepared beautifully. On the second night, I decided to try something new, and the amadai that Natalia recommended (she was my server the night before too) was incredible. Definitely one of the standout dishes of my trip. I also had a custom craft cocktail from Steve, which was perfectly balanced and clearly made with a lot of intention (watching him make an ube cocktail was impressive) — he really knows and respects the ingredients he works with. Not pictured: an ube cheesecake I took to go and thoroughly enjoyed later. Overall, El Cielo delivered on atmosphere, service, and food both nights. I’d absolutely recommend it if you’re in Waikiki.

I visited this place to celebrate my birthday, and I’m so glad I made the decision to come here! The food was fantastic, and every dish we ordered was absolutely amazing. Especially the shrimp ajillo — the house-made bread was so crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and it paired perfectly with dipping into the shrimp oil. The octopus was cooked beautifully, and the sliced potatoes added another layer of flavor to the dish. The main uni pasta was the highlight once again. The uni was super fresh and blended perfectly with the creamy sauce. They also had a seasonal wine selection when I visited, and all of the wines were excellent and paired very well with the food. If I had the chance to stay another week, I would definitely visit this place again. The food and wine were outstanding, and the service was beyond five stars. Thank you for giving me such an incredible memory at this restaurant!