Baci Bistro

It was my birthday and my husband surprised me coming here as we have wanted to try for a while as I read the reviews of authentic Italian food. We are frequent travelers of Bologna, Firenze, Roma, Regione di Toscana and Regione di Veneio. Let’s say there will not be a return visit. Food: The bread was stale and just bad. Definitely not fresh. Carpaccio di manzo was average but overpriced for only 4 slices of thin deli meat portions. Gnocchi con salsiccia was average but the best tasting item for the night we had but the tomato sauce had too much sugar added. (Not my meal) Spaghetti tutti mari. (My dish) Horrible and all wrong. No sauce but a watery broth with a hint of tomato, onion and garlic. Overcooked and rubbery seafood. When I got my dish I de-shelled all seafood before trying. I took my first bite which was the pasta and “sauce” and only tasted tomato water. The waitress came over after a few minutes and I asked if I could have more “tomato sauce.” I poured out the watery broth and just thought I just need more sauce. She brings me a tomato sauce that was basically sugar with tomato. Then I started to eat my seafood and it was all rubbery, I couldn’t even chew the squid/mini octopus and spit it out. I keep looking for my waitress and then she never looked over or came back until she saw my husband finished his meal. The food took 15-20 minutes. I wasn’t going to wait for another mediocre meal on my birthday while then my husband watches me eat. I told her of the issue, she took my dish away and she asked if I wanted another one. I told her no because my husband was already done eating then she asked if I wanted seafood pasta TO GO. I declined. Service: The waitress didn’t even ask if we wanted dessert and she knew it was my birthday. Then gave us the check and my $36 meal was still on the bill after I obviously didn’t eat the meal outside of tasting and it was obviously taken away because it was bad. She seemed shocked when we said the meal was still left on the receipt. The gentleman who brought out the food was very friendly and hospitable. We had a pleasant short conversation about him working he for several years. Atmosphere: I know we are in Hawaii but this is restaurant gives off, dress up not coming in your beach gear and was very warm to dine in (80 degrees+). Definitely was sweating and regretting dressing up. I don’t know if all the positive reviews are of people who have never had a true authentic Italian meal or we just got very average and bad items. I’m not going to gamble with $35 dishes to find out. And a birthday meal I won’t want to remember.

I was very disappointed in the dining experience at Baci Bistro on May 7, 2026. Our waiter was very young and inexperienced. He seemed nervous. My partner ordered a cocktail. A man behind the bar with a baseball cap and casual T-Shirt made the drink which took a long time to be served. We told the waiter we wanted to enjoy the cocktail first. The soup and salad came before the cocktail. I was eating my salad and I found a long hair in the salad. The waiter asked if I wanted him to take the salad away. I said yes I could not eat it anymore. He did not offer me another salad or refund. My partner ordered Saltimbocca Di Vitello for $40. He said the veal was very thin and there was hardly any cheese in the entree. I had a Fusilli Vegatables for $25. Both meals were over priced. We were still enjoying our meals with a pause in eating and another waiter asked if we wanted a box. We said we were not finished eating. The waiters rushed the entire dining experience. When the bill came the prices did not match the prices on the menu. We told the waiter and he said he would tell the manager. The food is overpriced and the service was very poor. Baci Bistro is not an experience in fine dining. A very unpleasant dining experience for a Birthday celebration dinner.

We spent around $300 for a dinner for four and several servers were gathered at the bar eating and drinking, loudly singing along to country music. The food was underwhelming. The service lacked basic professionalism. As we left, no one acknowledged us—no “thank you,” no “good night,” nothing. Definitely not somewhere we’d return to or recommend.

Reservation worked out. Server Chanelle was awesome. Lobster Mac special of the day was great. Was our first time and will be back. Atmosphere was eclectic and cozy. Plenty of wine to choose from, a lot of seafood items, with fresh tomato. Ceaser salad is perfect and the garlic shrimp was amazing.

Hubby loved the sausage rigatoni and Caesar salad. I had the green salad which was ok. I also Had the spaghetti lobster special. Waitress described it as "chunks" of lobster. The chunks were snaller than small shrimp and looked machine made. Had tiramisu for dessert. Was ok but had much better. Hubby was happy. I was disappointed.

We dined via takeout at Baci Bistro in Kailua, and unfortunately our experience was very mixed, leaning disappointing overall. We spent $164 for four meals and three desserts, and only one entrée was truly enjoyable. We were told our food would be ready at 5:45 pm. We arrived slightly late at 6:05, but the food was still not ready and wasn’t completed until 6:20, which made it feel like some items were rushed or not fully prepared. To make matters worse, I had asked for bread, which was either not included at all or consisted of a few tiny slices—especially frustrating given the prices. It felt like an afterthought and honestly a bit of a joke. The seafood ravioli was especially disappointing—five very small raviolis for $33 felt unreasonable for both portion and value. The fettuccine Alfredo with chicken had almost no sauce, as if it had been completely absorbed by the pasta. The chicken was tough, unseasoned, and difficult to eat, making the dish unappetizing overall. The mushroom risotto was a total letdown—bland, undercooked, not creamy, with very few mushrooms. It lacked flavor entirely and was not worth the price. The one bright spot among the entrées was the rigatoni alla rosa, which my daughter-in-law really enjoyed. The sauce was spot on and well executed. Desserts were hit or miss. The cheesecake with berries was delicious, and the chocolate decadence was very good (though quite small). The tiramisu, however, was a soggy, wet mess with an unpleasant flavor. Overall, for the price point, we expected much better execution, portion size, and consistency. Sadly, the experience didn’t live up to the menu or the cost.

Pro: osso bucco was good, it was the special of the day. As soon as I heard that, I was like yup I'm getting that. The bone marrow added a buttery layer to the dish. It's in the price range of a treat to too expensive for me. I paid $42.95 I came in at 5:00pm so the service was fast I think there was one other maybe two tables. I feel like it's busier later during the day but it's a holiday. Cons: Their olive oil and balsamic container was messy. I wiped so my oil off my fingers Everytime. One spout is the vinegar, the other is the olive oil. I would like to have at least warm bread. Fresh hot bread would be better. The bread was a bit on the drier side too. Employees were friendly and nice.

Place has potential. Food isn't awful, but it isn't great, however, prices are insane for below average food. Tiny portions, crazy high price, plus there was a medium length black hair in my food. Seafood pasta had minimal seafood *two shrimp* and maybe 4 mouthfuls of pasta and this place wants $35 bucks for it. The chicken. Was nothing special, but it was drowning in tomato sauce. I would guess the bread that comes out before the meal comes straight from foodland or something similar. Won't be back unless prices match quality. Dishes are worth $12- $18. Not $30-$40.

Been going to Baci Bistro forever but first time reviewing this excellent neighborhood restaurant. Always great service, friendly and casual with terrific food and wine selections. Montepulciano is a favorite! Nice outdoor lanai with fun vibe and traditional and cozy interior. Make reservations as restaurant is intimate although there is bar seating. Parking easy in back .

Love this place! Excellent food, atmosphere and service (and I’m from the northeast!) Easily the best gnocchi I’ve had - they were like pillows! I had an inkling that the pasta was freshly made based on the great taste / texture but I had to ask to confirm. The only recommendation I could make would be to state this on the menu - such a strong selling point to have fresh pasta made in house!