Merrimans - Kauai in Koloa, HI, is a place that knows how to craft an unforgettable evening. Before our dinner reservation, we made a beeline for the bar to catch happy hour. Starting with a Mai Tai and the Kalua Pig Quesadillas, I was immediately reminded of why Monkeypod's signature Mai Tai has such a devoted following. No surprises here--the Mai Tai was just as exceptional, a perfect blend of flavors that set the tone for the night. The Kalua Pig Quesadillas were near perfection, a delectable start that left us eager for more. Dinner began with a classic Caesar Salad, which my wife and I shared. She went for the Bone-in NY Steak, cooked to medium with a perfect sear and flavor that hit all the right notes. I chose the Venison and Shrimp Kabobs--a dish that took me by surprise. I'm not usually one for venison, but this was prepared with such finesse that I found myself savoring every bite. The shrimp, too, was executed beautifully, creating a harmonious plate that was both satisfying and delightful. Per our waiter's recommendation, I also tried the Awayuki Negroni--a cocktail featuring Awayuki Strawberry Gin, Apertivo Nonino, and La Fuerza Vermut. It was an intriguing mix that complemented the meal perfectly. And then came dessert: Pineapple Bread Pudding. Absolutely divine. To top it all off, we were treated to a perfect sunset, the kind that paints the sky adding the final touch to an already memorable evening.

Exceptional spot for a fancy dinner. It's rare for the food to be so good that even a Yelper forgets to take enough pictures! We started with the octopus and tartare--both exceeded our expectations. For the main course, we had the macadamia nut-crusted dish (the best on the island) and the fish duo. The dessert--a strawberry pie--was good but not mind-blowing. Tip: Book well in advance. They're incredibly popular, especially around Christmas time.

it's worth revisiting this place. Even if it meant pricier menu. The service is top notch. If you are visiting during vacation / holiday season don't forget to reserve a table. The baby was already down so we could enjoy our three course meal! Holiday spirit is everywhere. The outdoors were noisy but as it was past 8 pm the noises died down and we could savor our entrees. Definitely should be on your list if you are a couple( honeymooning/ revisiting/ babymooning)

Spent Thanksgiving in Hawaii, and it was also my boyfriend's birthday! My friend recommended this restaurant . Let's just say - that's why we're friends! The food, vibez, atmosphere, service and DRANKS were top notch!!! We will definitely be visiting again when we return! It was six of us. Some of them were picky eaters, but they were all expressed with everything! We ordered the steak, fish, crab cake and desserts. We all shared the meals. Small portions, but worth every bite! This place is perfect for large parties, date night or work besties. It's conveniently located upstairs a shopping plaza on the island. PS If you're unable to walk up the stairs, there's a elevator too! As always, I'll be back in my Arnold Schwarzenegger voice!

Located in The Shops at Kukui'ula, Poipu Our dinner at Merriman's located in The Shops at Kukui'ula, Poipu was absolutely unforgettable! From the stunning ocean views to the delicious island-inspired dishes, it was a perfect evening from start to finish. We were lucky enough to be served by Ely, a lifelong Kauai resident whose warmth and local knowledge added a special touch to our experience. Ely's genuine hospitality made us feel so welcome and truly enhanced our night. The food? Incredible! We savored every bite of the venison and shrimp kabobs, and the grey snapper catch of the day ("Ma Kai"), along with perfectly prepared ahi and mahi mahi. Each dish was expertly cooked and bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. The island cocktails and local beers complemented the meal perfectly--refreshing and full of character. To top it off, we had the best seat in the house: right on the ocean side of the open-air second story. Watching the sunset while enjoying such a phenomenal meal was pure magic. If you're in Poipu, Merriman's is a must-visit for an extraordinary dining experience. We can't wait to return! Highly recommended!

Returned for the famous lilikoi foam mai tais that we enjoyed on our last trip to Kauai. This time we balanced sweet with savory by sampling their amazing tako a la escargot, or octopus prepared in an escargot pan with parsley butter. The tako definitely retains its tako-ness in texture and flavor, though we enjoyed this inventive preparation. The tako is a great example of the way to do happy hour as a means of whetting appetites for a full dinner, meaning I don't like when restaurants offer an alternate/simplified HH menu. Allow guests to try some signature items and hook us in for more, which is exactly what we did two nights later. We both went for the makai special, ono fish and shrimp in a totally decadent macadamia nut butter risotto. Probably too decadent - it felt like the butter overwhelmed, though the shrimp were perfectly fine swimming in it. The fish was also a bit dry and small, maybe 3 ounces. The concept of this dish was great and I ate as much as I could, but the execution could use some tweaking. The feel of the restaurant is great, upstairs with open shutters and an afternoon view of the green valley, ocean, and setting sun, or a more intimate feel in the evening with nature quietly observing in the dark. Service top notch.

Beautiful location, great attentiveness and service and of course the food is top notch. We had Ono appetizers, truffle fries, biscuits, NY, steak, ono, Makai, Macadamia Nut Fish, shared it around and all amazing.

Family of four (adult children) enjoyed a wonderful evening at Merriman's Kauai last night. The first - and continuous - highlight was the staff. From the moment we climbed the front steps, through the starter cocktails and eventually our main meal - everyone was very welcoming, had great suggestions and were attentive without being bothersome (a rare skill in restaurants lately). We started with cocktails at the large monkey pod table. Two had the Mai Tai's (best on island in our opinion with the honey-lilikoi foam), a Coco Loco (substitute Hanalei Liquor Tutu's Gin) and an Alani Spritz. All were gorgeous and delicious. For dinner we moved to our table inside. Such a stunning view. We timed it perfectly to enjoy a gorgeous sunset during our meal. Appetizers were the daily special Tahitian ceviche (yowza!) and truffle Parmesan fries (also excellent). Dinners (all from the regular menu): Wok Charred Ahi Chateaubriand NY Strip Steak Hanalei Taro Falafel All were amazing but the Ahi stood out. The best fish dish we have had on island. No room for desserts - just enjoyed the glorious colors of the sky following sunset and were grateful that we got to spend an evening at Merriman's with each other. A special evening indeed.

I've been to Merrimans in Maui and always enjoyed their food and service. Our dinner didn't disappoint! Service was attentive and amazing! We shared an appetizer, salad and entree. Everything was delicious, flavors married well together and perfectly cooked. Even my daughter was skeptical about the meal, really enjoyed everything. The view was to die for. We lucked out with the timing. We were seated by the "window" (no window, it's open air) and the sun was setting about 10 minutes after we sat down.

We found it! The perfect Mai Tai! The French fries are amazing and the service is superior. Our bartender, Kai, was fabulous! We couldn't get a table without a reservation however, we were able to sit at the bar! Highly recommended!