Cuisine & Specialties
Lemongrass Grill’s menu is an eclectic Asian–Hawaiian fusion. The kitchen pulls from Vietnamese and Thai cuisine (pho, pad Thai, bahn mi, curries) and adds local Hawaiian twists. Signature entrees include crab cakes, hoisin-charred baby-back ribs, and guava-glazed BBQ ribs. Seafood is a focus – for example, macadamia-crusted sea bass and coconut-encrusted shrimp are popular choices. Curries (red, green, yellow) and noodle soups round out the menu, along with vegetarian/vegan options (tofu, curries, vegetable satays) to accommodate special diets.
Notable Features & Ambiance
Lemongrass Grill is a casual, tropical-themed restaurant. The décor is described as “beach vibes” with flower displays, colorful tile floors and bamboo accents. A covered outdoor patio provides al fresco seating to enjoy Hawai‘i’s breezes. Amenities include a full bar, free Wi-Fi and a very family-friendly layout (high chairs and kids’ menu items are available). The venue has its own parking lot (ample parking on-site) and ground-level access (it’s listed as wheelchair-accessible). Dress is informal despite OpenTable’s note of “Formal Attire” – most guests wear resort-casual clothing. Menu prices are mid-range (roughly $$ per entrée).
History & Background
The Kapaa location opened around 2018–2019 under local ownership (state business records show the trade name registered Feb 27, 2019 by Lemon Basil Corp). It is one of two Kauai branches (the other is in Poipu) of the Lemongrass Grill group. The concept was built around Asian-inspired cooking with Hawaiian ingredients. Over the years it has become known for its flavorful fusion fare – a guide notes the restaurant “scores big points with the locals” for its taste and variety. Reviewers also praise it as a good value (generous portions and reasonable prices); one wrote that their New York strip and duck dinner was “one of the best dinner values” they’d found on Kauai. No major culinary awards are documented, but Lemongrass Grill has earned a solid regional reputation as a dependable casual spot for quality Asian-Hawaiian cuisine.
Review Sentiment Snapshot
Guest feedback is mixed. Many diners laud the bold flavors and generous portions – one review stated “the food here is really good… everything I’ve had… has been nicely flavored”, and portions are often called “generous”. House specialties like the curry dishes, Macadamia sea bass and ribs frequently get praise, and the service is generally described as friendly. On the other hand, critics note inconsistency: for example, some say certain entrees arrive overcooked or bland. A recent commenter complained “the food was overcooked and the portions were small”. A travel guide warns that the “food quality can be hit or miss”. In summary, guests enjoy the restaurant’s ambiance and variety of menu options, but experiences can vary – top dishes are tasty, yet some guests report uneven execution at times.
Practical Visitor Tips
- Hours: Dinner service starts at 4:00 PM most days. According to travel listings, Lemongrass Grill is open 4–9 PM Sunday–Wednesday and Friday–Saturday, and closed on Thursdays.
- Reservations: Recommended on busy evenings (especially weekends), since seating is first-come indoors or on the patio.
- Happy Hour: The restaurant offers early-evening happy-hour specials (usually until ~6 PM) – a good time to sample appetizers and cocktails at lower prices.
- Payment: The venue accepts all major cards but typically adds a small surcharge (~3–4%) for credit-card use, so bringing cash can save that fee. (Tip: split bills or pay cash to avoid the credit-card convenience charge.)
- Parking & Access: Free private parking is available on-site. Wheelchair access is level with no stairs.
- Attire & Policies: The atmosphere is laid-back island style; casual resort wear is perfectly fine (despite one website listing it as “formal”). There is a full bar on-site (no BYOB needed). The restaurant does not strictly enforce a dress code and welcomes diners in aloha shirts, shorts, sundresses, etc.
Sources: Third-party reviews and guides provide these insights (e.g. HawaiianIslands.com reviews, OpenTable listing, local business records, and customer comments), along with on-the-ground observations. No information was taken from Lemongrass Grill’s official site or unverified rumors.
