Namaka Restaurant N Bar

My wife and I really wanted to enjoy this place but so many things are just off. First, I had the surf and turf which is $90. The steak and sides were excellent but the crab was bitter and tasted off. They replaced it with a nice small piece of fish but it took a good 20 minutes and they only adjusted the price by $10. The fried inoki mushroom appetizer was greasy and mushy. I would have returned it too but my wife had already said it was good. Until she ate more. Then it was like ugh. Overall the service was slow (only two people handing all the tables and one was also the bartender). What pushed our buttons was the mandatory 10% service charge (undisclosed) and the 4% credit card charge on a $300 dinner (also undisclosed). Great job guys. Way to make customers feel satisfied. Finally, the atmosphere is actually upscale strip mall. Designer minimalist chic. If the location was on the beach or had a view, I would feel better about the final bill. Bottom line, lower the prices or improve the food, service and atmosphere. Sorry guys, we will not be back.

10% MANDATORY service charge is absolutely insane. I felt bad for the servers here because the owner basically claims most of their tips. Still, takeout box is not free. Not a fancy restaurant but charges fancy prices. Overpriced dishes given mundane tastes. Seared steaks were too thick to chew as they were pretty raw at the center. Cornish hen is just so so. My first napkin had so many stains on it, before I had to ask for a new one. DON’T recommend.

I went to Nāmaka for a mellow midweek birthday dinner with my husband - it was perfect. My husband said he had one of the best Caesar salads ever. I enjoyed the Catch of the Day. The lilikoi butter sauce was little on the tart side, but I love those flavors. It paired very well with a sweet martini. :) Our server Lark was fun and high-energy. (She also offered tartar sauce for the fish. I declined, but nice to know it was an option). I felt appreciated on my bday. We sat outdoors and the temperature was ideal. So many restaurants are too noisy and you can’t hold a conversation. The live band was lovely- a guitar and bass player duo. This is an excellent choice for a date night or a fun girls’ night for drinks & appetizers. I’m reading the negative reviews. Every fine dining experience on Kauai is going to be expensive! The portions are good here. The flavors are yummy. There is restaurant competition on island for sure, but I would return to Nāmaka, especially to try some fun cocktails.

What a treat. The food was absolutely delicious. Bone marrow starter, burrata puff pastry and an amazing fish sauté. If only I could prepare fish that way. Our waitress was lovely and the owner/chef came to our table for a quick greeting. Mahalo for a perfect meal and evening. I forgot to mention the great drinks served in just the right glasses!!

A totally enjoyable evening! Very welcoming and friendly greeting when we arrived for dinner. Impressed with the menu. The salad bar was fresh and the ranch dressing is a must! We had a delicious brie appetizer. Glasses of wine. The ono was delicious and the beef brisket done perfectly. We saved room for brownie dessert!The manager, Lilo was our server and treated us as old friends. Very enjoyable. And the owner, Aurora came to the table and greeted us and introduced herself. The hostess was very sweet as well. There was live music that night...we sat outside and could hear the music perfectly while we dined. A totally enjoyable and delicious dinner!

This was the 1st restaurant we tried on the island and it was a great experience and help set the vibe for our vacation. It was a Friday evening and there was no resetvations needed, we just stopped in and got seated right away. The food options are great and the bone marrow appetizer is a must. We struck up a convo with a local, listened to live music, and the chef even stopped by our table to say hello. Don't hesitate and give them a try.

Got to give this place a solid 5 stars. The place.was.very clean and tidy. The receptionist was polite and kind. My waiter was great, very attentive. Now the food, the food was OUTSTANDING. the price is up there, but in my opinion, well worth it. The portion size and wonderful taste for the dishes I ordered was worth the cost. I will visit this spot again before I leave.

We are adventurous when it comes to food, and asked Brittnee and Lilo to “surprise us” with every course. We were not disappointed, and don’t think we could’ve been because the menu is incredible. The bartender’s drinks were fantastic, and the chef and crew served beautiful creations. Highly recommend Namaka for the food, service, and atmosphere. A little off the strip in Kapaa, but a worthy find. We will be back again soon! Thank you Namaka! Stefanie & Robert

Absolutely phenomenal experience! The lamb rack was out of this world, perfectly cooked, juicy, and packed with flavor. The seared steak was something I’ve never had anywhere else: so original, creative, and pure culinary perfection. Every dish felt intentional and beautifully presented. The cocktails were just as impressive — balanced, refreshing, and the perfect complement to the meal. Service was friendly and attentive from start to finish, and the atmosphere was warm, elevated, and perfect for both a special occasion or a relaxed date night. Even the desserts were incredible, the kind you don’t want to share. 🍸🍰 Highly recommend stopping by for drinks and dessert at the bar or a full dinner if you really want to treat yourself. Everything here is 10/10!