ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image

ULU Sushi Lounge

0.0(0 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover ULU Sushi Lounge, offering the best Japanese experience in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Coastal Escape for Sushi Lovers

Positioned right along the breezy Kailua-Kona coastline, ULU Sushi Lounge offers a front-row seat to the Pacific. The atmosphere leans toward high-end tropical relaxation, characterized by open-air seating that lets in the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the seawall. It is the kind of place where the humidity feels like part of the décor, and the dress code is refreshingly 'island casual.'

Ocean-to-Table Craftsmanship

The kitchen centers its menu around the day's local catch. You will find sashimi-grade ahi and moonfish handled with precision, reflecting the deep-rooted fishing culture of the Big Island. The signature rolls here aren't buried in heavy sauces; instead, they emphasize the clean, buttery texture of fresh-caught yellowfin tuna. If you visit, look for their specialty rolls that incorporate local ingredients like avocado and Kona-grown greens, providing a sharp contrast to the salty tang of the sea air.

The Local Rhythm

While the service is attentive, the lounge operates on 'Hawaii time,' which is perfect if you are looking to linger over a glass of chilled sake or a tropical cocktail. Be prepared for the space to get lively as the sun begins to set; the transition from daylight to twilight creates a buzz that fills the room. Parking in this part of town can be a bit of a puzzle during peak dinner hours, so arriving slightly early gives you a better chance to snag a spot near the waterfront. It is a refined yet unpretentious spot for anyone craving authentic island seafood without the distraction of tourist traps.

Photos

ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image
ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image
ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image
ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image
ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image
ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image
ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image
ULU Sushi Lounge - Kailua-Kona Restaurant Image

Amenities & Features

Location

72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 0 community reviews
J

Joyce LangGoogle Maps

Recently

An Absolute Masterclass in Seasonal Hawaiian Dining Our dinner at 'ULU Ocean Grill was nothing short of spectacular. Experiencing their seasonal "Summer is Served" pre-fixe menu proved to be an unforgettable culinary journey that perfectly celebrates local island ingredients. In addition, we also ordered the poke, king crab noodle and tuna Wellington. The Highlights The Appetizer (Kona Kanpachi Crudo) from the pre-fix menu: The absolute star of the first course was the Hayden Mango Salad. The local mango possessed a distinctive, outstanding tropical floral aroma that completely elevated the dish. Paired with the fresh crudo, Kekela Farm greens, and a bright green yuzu kosho dressing, it was an incredibly vibrant and aromatic start to the meal. The Poke "HAPA" (Bigeye & Kanpachi): it was absolute perfection. Incredibly savory and perfectly balanced with soy sauce, sesame oil, crisp green onions, and seaweed. It’s a beautifully executed, fresh take on a traditional Hawaiian staple. Bigeye tuna has a gorgeous, deep red color and a higher fat content than Yellowfin. This gives it a rich, buttery, and savory flavor with a firm yet melt-in-your-mouth texture. It holds up beautifully to bold poke marinades like soy sauce and sesame oil. KANPACHI features a beautiful translucent white or pale pink flesh. It is incredibly clean, crisp, and mildly sweet with a rich, fatty richness. Texture-wise, it provides a wonderful, slightly firm "crunch" or snap when you bite into it, creating a perfect textural contrast to the softer tuna. Love the dish. Tuna Wellington was a masterfully executed twist on a classic technique. The tuna Wellington was a triumph—perfectly seared, beautifully encased, and incredibly rich in flavor. The foie gras was perfectly balanced and didn’t overpower the rare tuna. My only critique is that the moisture from the mushroom and luau leaf filling made the inside of the pastry a bit soggy. Gordon Ramsay’s The River Restaurant at The Savoy solves this in their beef Wellington by using a thin savory crepe layer to protect the pastry. Implementing a similar technique here would keep the crust beautifully crisp and make this dish truly spectacular! The Rapoza Mango Mille-Feuille is an absolute triumph of a dessert. It beautifully layers a light Mango Chantilly and a vibrant Mango Compote, but the real star is the genius addition of Pickled Mango Sorbet. It brings a brilliant brightness that balances the entire plate. It’s remarkably light, incredibly pleasant, and the perfect finale to a wonderful meal. Amazing service at Ulu! The service didn’t just match the world-class food—it exceeded it. The lead server knows the menu inside and out. She broke down the ingredients for every dish so beautifully that we couldn't wait for the food to arrive. We had a family member with severe food allergies with us, and the staff's handling of the situation was flawless. After letting them know, every single server who brought out a dish was fully aware of the allergy, and every item that could contain nuts was clearly and properly marked. The level of care and cross-contamination awareness gave us total peace of mind. To top off an already perfect evening, we were celebrating my husband's birthday, and the staff went above and beyond by surprising us and removing the soufflé charges from our bill. It is exactly this kind of thoughtful, genuine hospitality that elevates 'ULU from a great restaurant to an unforgettable experience. From the very first bite to the last, the execution was flawless. If you have the chance to experience this seasonal menu, do not hesitate. It is definitely a pleasant addition to the classic menu. Overall is a true 5-star dining experience.

J

Jennifer MandelGoogle Maps

Recently

We celebrated our anniversary here and enjoyed the unique flavors, the atmosphere, and the great view from our table right by the beach. A wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion! All of the employees we interacted with were friendly and personable.

A

AudreyGoogle Maps

Recently

We recently dined at Ulu at the Four Seasons on the Big Island to celebrate my partner’s birthday, and overall, the food was incredible. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The pork belly bao was rich and perfectly balanced, the tableside poke was a fun and delicious experience, and the fresh catch was cooked to perfection. The only miss was the crab noodles, which were unfortunately too salty for our taste. Our server, Doug, was polite and soft-spoken. He started out attentive, but once a large party arrived after us, the service slipped — we weren’t checked on again for the rest of the meal, which was disappointing given the setting and price point (we spent $370 total). One bright spot was the complimentary chocolate soufflé for my partner’s birthday. It was a lovely gesture, and another staff member (not our server) kindly brought it out and even sang happy birthday, which made the evening special despite the hiccup in service. Unfortunately, even though I made the reservation quite early and noted the birthday in special requests, our table did not have a good view. In short: the food at Ulu is exceptional, the oceanfront setting is stunning, and it’s a great spot for a special occasion — I just wish the service had matched the quality of the cuisine.

P

Paul LeeGoogle Maps

Recently

Delivered on every front, and rly made our anniversary feel special! Beautiful ocean view, great food, and service that struck exactly the right balance between attentive and unobtrusive. The tableside poke presentation was great, even if the seasoning was a little salty for our taste. Still, quality was top notch across everything we ordered, and we seriously loved the banana soufflé. Our server also made the evening feel genuinely special without being over the top. Defo 5/5 and would totally recommend - can’t wait to go back!

김경화Google Maps

Recently

I’m honestly very disappointed. What happened to my beloved Ulu? I have stayed here for one week every January and February for years, and Ulu used to be one of the highlights of my stay. It felt special, elegant, and thoughtfully curated. After the renovation, however, it now feels like a generic hotel breakfast restaurant with no character or charm. This time, I ordered the crab noodles. For a dish that cost over $60, it was shockingly underwhelming. It was served in what looked like a small side-dish bowl. The presentation used to be beautiful and intentional — now it feels careless and uninspired. The previous dishware was far more elegant and made the experience feel worth the price. Worse, the noodles were unbearably salty. It honestly tasted like an entire container of salt had been poured into the dish. As a returning guest who has looked forward to dining here every year, this change is truly disappointing. I sincerely hope the restaurant can bring back the quality and character that once made it so special.

J

James KregnessGoogle Maps

Recently

We've been coming to Ulu for many years and it is always a top shelf experience. We had our anniversary dinner last night and, as per usual, everything was exemplary. Our servers Lilly and Izzy took such good care of us and made us feel like family. We love Ulu and their entire staff.

V

VictorGoogle Maps

Recently

Had a great dinner here and enjoyed all the dishes. The Ahi Tuna Wellington is a standout option. Hokkaido scallop was good. View was great to watch the sunset on the beach.

E

Edward ChenGoogle Maps

Recently

Tldr; Incredible atmosphere but a little underwhelming food. We ordered the Kanpachi and the Crab noodle main dishes with a scallop appetizer. First, the Crab noodles were a little too salty, which overwhelmed the other profiles of the dish. Also, there were crab shells still in the dish. The Kanpachi was ok, although the fish was slightly over cooked, leaving a rather odd texture taste in the mouth. No critique for the scallops; the passion fruit sauce balanced the scallops well. A big critique was the water served, which had a strong chemical / chlorinated taste. We had to order bottled water as it was simply unpalatable. The cocktails were well made, probably some of the best I've ever had. Overall, for the price point, the food was a little underwhelming while the beach front atmosphere and environment were quite enjoyable. Great for a romantic evening but don't expect too much in terms of food.

M

Matthew CallawayGoogle Maps

Recently

Easily one of the most amazing meals I've ever had. Their oysters are grown on site and are truly delicious. The lobster and frites are served with a perfect hollandaise. The crab noodles are made of a mochi and have the most incredible texture. Everything was exceptional. Get the chocolate souffle. We were served by Lee and she had every great suggestion we needed and took incredible care of us. We will never forget this anniversary meal.

N

Nohe SearsGoogle Maps

Recently

Ulu Ocean Grill at the Four Seasons is absolutely outstanding. From the moment we arrived, the service was warm, attentive, and flawless. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of fresh island flavors, you can really taste the quality and care in every bite. The oceanfront setting is breathtaking, especially at sunset, creating the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable dining experience. Truly one of the best restaurants in Hawaii and worth every moment.

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Frequently Asked Questions about ULU Sushi Lounge

Common questions from diners about ULU Sushi Lounge in Kailua-Kona.

The restaurant is open for dinner.

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