Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image
#63 of 108 Restaurants in Kailua Bar

Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge

3.7(3 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge, offering the best Bar experience in Kailua. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Modern Twist on Kailua Coastal Dining

Stepping into Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge feels like an extension of the laid-back Kailua lifestyle. Located within the Windward Mall area, this spot shifts away from the traditional, sleepy island cafe vibe, opting instead for a polished, open-air aesthetic that draws in locals looking for a reliable post-surf or post-shopping meal.

Island-Inspired Plates and Handcrafted Pours

The kitchen leans into a fusion approach, bridging the gap between familiar comfort food and elevated pub fare. You will find that the menu highlights locally sourced ingredients, with signature items like their take on fresh catch sliders and hearty grain bowls that satisfy without weighing you down. The bar program is a significant draw, focusing on botanical-forward cocktails that pair surprisingly well with the salty breeze of the Windward side.

The Atmosphere and Neighborhood Feel

The space is built for lingering, featuring wide wooden tables and high ceilings that keep the noise level manageable even during the bustling lunch hour. You’ll notice the clinking of glasses against the sound of upbeat background tracks, creating an energetic flow that suits both solo diners catching up on emails and groups sharing a round of appetizers.

While finding a parking spot in this popular district can occasionally require a few laps around the lot, the effort is justified by the attentive service and the consistency of the flavors. It’s an unpretentious environment where you are just as likely to see flip-flops as you are professional attire, perfectly capturing the multifaceted identity of modern Kailua living. If you are seeking a reliable spot that understands the pulse of the community, this lounge is a staple of the local dining scene.

Photos

Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image
Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image
Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image
Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image
Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image
Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image
Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image
Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge - Kailua Restaurant Image

Location

32 Maluniu Ave, Kailua, Hawaii, 96734

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 3 community reviews
C

Caroline RiegertGoogle Maps

Recently

My husband and I went for Valentine’s Day and found it was a fixed menu. From appetizer to entree we waited over 65 minutes. It was not very busy, and there were only 3 entree options, so this wait made no sense. One appetizer was listed as “beef tataki,” but when the waitress gave it to us she said it was VENISON tataki? We determined it was most likely beef. They also ran out of one of the (3) dessert options within the time we were eating, or waiting to eat, rather. This left us with the “no bake cheesecake” or chocolate covered strawberries. I’m not a picky eater, but that “cheesecake” was terrible. It tasted like freezer or some kind of plastic. The waitress didn't seem to care if we lived or died, and didn’t acknowledge the wait or apologize for running out of what we ordered. The meal was set at $75 a person, STEEP for hummus, 3 coconut shrimp, fish and strawberries. Between the insane wait, ambivalent service, and kinda gross food it was just a laughably terrible experience. We would not recommend. Oh, and they also kept taking my fork and not replacing it.

T

Timothy GoshornGoogle Maps

Recently

Awesome Brunch, great drinks, and the food is massive so come with an empty stomach. The chorizo gravy fried chicken and Biscuits were absolutely delicious.

B

BA PaulGoogle Maps

Recently

You need to go here! Local or tourist this is the spot for dinner and brunch. Local chef made cuisine with custom pairings and delicious cocktails and mocktails, fresh juices, etc. Make a reservation. You'll need it. Generous portions! My brunch chicken sandwich was the size of my hand and we had possibly the best potatoes I have ever eaten for an appetizer.

K

Kenny WalkerGoogle Maps

Recently

Holy moly. I can't belive this place. So amazing. Banyon trees inside and available to sit close to. So many phot ops. Only 10 minute drive from the city with no traffic. So worth it. What an amazing menu, steak was insane, pasta, meatballs were crazy good. All the appetizers, the venison from the island is a real treat and super yummy. Everything prepared with a touch of the islands and a real local feel while being happy for our tourist visit. Guitar player was great and not in your face, very mellow atmosphere with all the staff in attendance and very nice. Parking was easy, always get a res, but if you're an adult you know this. Full bar and amazing wines nicely priced from around the world. Definitely elevated our oauhu experience.

V

Violet LappGoogle Maps

Recently

We came here on a Saturday around noon and got to enjoy their brunch menu. Everything on it seemed delicious! We decided to go with the brekky sliders, kalua pig hash, and the hot honey chicken with malasadas. The food quality was excellent and portions were big. My husband said it was one of the best restaurants he has been to on the island! On top of this, the staff was friendly and the service was speedy. There was also some live music that was enjoyable but at the perfect volume so you didn't need to raise your voice to talk. We hope to come back again to try their other menus!

H

HealthByLeah LLCGoogle Maps

Recently

Amazing! Been wanting to try this place out since a friend (plays in a band here), invited us a month ago. I’ve also seen pictures of their new brunch items - personally, was hoping for that menu🤭 - but decided to come for lunch and let me tell you…Banyans did not disappoint 🤤 We ordered a variety of items and each one had its own distinctive flavor! Our waitress, Hannah, was very nice and informative regarding the menu and answered all of our questions. Chef Cid, came out to talk with the dining guests. She was very personable and down to earth. The manager also stopped by our table to see how things went. Overall, the atmosphere, people & food were spot on! I have to say, those potatoes with bacon (sorry forgot actual name🥴) were my absolute favorite 😋 Looking forward to coming back for dinner and brunch in the near future! Thank you for a great experience 👏🏽

J

Joe MacarenoGoogle Maps

Recently

My wife and I went here to celebrate my birthday and it did not disappoint! We had the lobster corn dogs, Tako Tacos, beer battered fish tacos, and 8 hr. oxtail pot pie. The flavors were on point, the presentation was bomb, and the atmosphere was super chill. Going to come back here for brunch one day, it's a tapas style restaurant so don't bring the kids it's a definite date night / friends night out kind of place. Drinks were good as well, Loved it! Thanks for a great experience!

H

Hana ChoGoogle Maps

Recently

The interior here is fun and quirky—definitely something different! While they do offer brunch, this place is actually better known for its bar, with a wide variety of cocktails and drinks, especially in the evening. The breakfast menu isn’t extensive, but it has a unique local twist that makes it feel special—though that also means it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. I personally enjoyed the oxtail soup—it was clean and light. On the other hand, the French toast was made with mochi-style bread, which felt a bit too chewy and rich for my taste. We tried some local fresh juices, and they were all great. The town itself is super charming, and there’s even a farmers market nearby on the weekends, so it’s worth checking out if you’re in the area.

L

Lee VierraGoogle Maps

Recently

Took my date, who is vegetarian here... Overall, I was disappointed in the experience. Our server greeted us by complaining that they started the day and already got thrown 3 tables at once, so I kind of figured we were not in for a great time. The server was still attentive throughout our dinning and did keep asking us if things were okay, so that was a relief. My main disappointment came with the food being less than room temperature when it came to our table. The dishes that were meant to be cold had great flavor and tasted like they were supposed to. My tacos were flavorful and had the most tender pieces of octopus (tako) I have ever had, but because they were less than room temperature it was not as enjoyable as it would have been fresher from the kitchen. The pasta and vegetable medley were the same as the tacos, had a good flavor profile, but because they were brought cold to us, the dishes were not enjoyable. Even my water, which was filled 3 times tasted like it was straight from a tap, which I don't mind, but it was never cold water and serious was like I drank from the hose outside my house. The shining star of the night came because our server made a mistake with a dish we ordered, so the dish was remade to our request and that dish came to us warm and tasted wonderful. I guess, if our server made more mistakes, I would not have ended up so disappointed. I hope others have a better experience than I just had. For reference, we ordered the dip trio, a beet and orange salad, the tako tacos, the vegetable medley, the potatoes with whipped goat cheese and no bacon, the meatball pasta without the meatballs and a recommended cocktail. I don't have photos of everything.

T

Tommy TangGoogle Maps

Recently

The oxitail smoked grits were absolutely delicious. We really enjoyed their cocktail and the food. They have such great atmosphere too. Servers were friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. They even had live music in the morning for brunch. The decorations were very nice and relaxing. I definitely recommend it if you ever in this area. And I suggest to make a reservation if you’re going for dinner. They get busy during the dinning hours.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge

Common questions from diners about Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge in Kailua.

Yes, it is open for dinner.

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