Wahoo Seafood Bar and Grill is next to a coconut tree-covered field on Kuhio Highway in Kapaa. For more than 10 years, the restaurant has been serving Kauai’s community. With a view of Sleeping Giant mountain as well as the
Wahoo Seafood Bar and Grill is next to a coconut tree-covered field on Kuhio Highway in Kapaa. For more than 10 years, the restaurant has been serving Kauai’s community. With a view of Sleeping Giant mountain as well as the open fields in front of it, the place has a great location. The view toward the mountain from the lanai is beautiful, especially during sunset. The day I went it was raining, which gave it a romantic feel, with the tables tucked in and protected.
Owner John Borales and also lead chef has been perfecting his culinary craft for more than 30 years. His unique style features the best recipes for you to enjoy.
The name Wahoo is the name of the king mackerel fish, which in Hawaii is also known as ono. Ono in Hawaiian also means good to eat or delicious.
“We’ve been here a while, are from Hawaii and we take care of business,” Borales said proudly. He is originally from the Big Island and has been in the restaurant business for more than 45 years.
As you might have guessed, the restaurant specializes in sea food, however, there is many choices for all appetites.
For lunch, you can enjoy a burger with fries, local-style pupus, soup, salads and more. The dinner menu consists of starters, burgers, pasta, steaks, ribs and, of course, fish.
The dish I enjoyed was from the fresh island fish specialties part of the menu: the Kona Kampachi (Big Island grown) pan fried, then stuffed and baked with a bay shrimp, cheese and spinach filling, finished with a port wine bordelaise ($30). It was an interesting mix. The fish was a bit fatty like a catfish, but I was told that’s the type of fish the kampachi is.
An interesting item from the starters menu is the coconut crusted crab cakes with pineapple-papaya relish, Thai chili sauce and a doubled-garlic mushroom sweet cream, $16.
Another eye-catcher, from the dessert menu is the baked papaya that’s prepared with caramelized sugar, cinnamon and butter and filled with vanilla ice cream caramel glaze.
The restaurant has a classy feel to it with beautiful table arrangements, candles and soft music coming from the bar.
Wahoo tries to stay local with produce and beef, and their fish is from the Hawaiian islands as well. If you are food sensitive, such as gluten free or vegetarian, they can accommodate you, but prefer some advanced notice.
Wahoo is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch, 4 to 6 p.m. for happy hour and 5 to 9:30 p.m. for dinner.
There are also daily drink specials, such as, Margarita Monday and Smirnoff Saturday.
Join them for live Hawaiian music of Troy Waialeale and Jess Montgomery on Mondays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and live Jazz from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday with performances by Greg Yost and Friends.
Dinner reservations are recommended. Call 822-7833.
