Amazing Omikase experience! A friend and I did the sake pairing as well. Heavy pours and amazing quality sake. We both requested to not have any fruit sake samples so the host had other options to try, some which were made by friends back in Japan! I would recommend to any sake lover who also wants to have a great meal!
Erik Lee
Best meal I've had in my life, the sushi and sake pairing is a must have. Not only was the food amazing, the service was impeccable. They told us the stories about all the different sakes we were drinking which was such a unique experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
Meghan Gary
Amazing! Best meal we had in Hawaii - if not our life. We did the same pairing and omasake menu. The sushi was fresh and the food was beyond incredible. The server explained the history of each sake. Atmosphere is absolutely incredible. We bought a bottle to go and will definitely revisit next time we’re in Hawaii.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Sashimi, Japanese Salads, Sushi
Chang Park
Food was ok. Service on the other hand was really bad. We did sake pairing, which was supposed to pair 5 different sake with our food. We were given 2 different sake before our meal ended. When asked what happened to our pairing, the server/manager brought two more sake AFTER our entire meal was done. Then after they brought out our dessert and the server confirmed that our meal was over, I told him that he only gave us 4, not 5 different sakes. He did not even know how many he gave. When I asked if it was normal to provide majority of sakes after the meal was over (weird given that it is called sake ‘pairing’), he gave excuses and started arguing on how he cannot control how fast or slow customers drink etc… What a bunch of nonsense and not sure why that was relevant. My sake glass was empty for most of my meal and the server did not even stop by to ask if we were ready for the next pairing etc… He ended up not charging for sake pairing but what a horrible experience as we spent $250 and feeling angry at the end of the meal. I would suggest that people don’t go and waste money at this place. Far better places to go where they will treat you better, not ignored and not given lame excuses.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Dan Petz
We were lucky enough to be seated without a reservation for the sake tasting and omakase dinner. A reservation is almost a must, but the hospitality was above and beyond. We recommend anyone visit for the beyond tasty food, amazing sake, and wonderful environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel Enright
The omakase was fabulous. The service was amazing. The restaurant was spotless.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aloha Mama
I had popped in to buy some bottles of sake and loved the way I was treated. Tonight, we are enjoying one of the 3 lovely bottles for Hannukah??
Service: 5
Anika Aftab
We tried Omakase at the counter with the sake pairing options - 15 course + 4 sake tasters.Pros: The service was fantastic and the ambiance of the place was peaceful, clean and wonderful. The sake was amazing! Especially the ones made in house.Cons: I’ve tried quite a bit of omakase both on island and on the mainland and this was okay. The appetizers and desserts were flavorful and fresh, the sushi itself was just okay. The options were fresh but limited for the cost.I would definitely go back here for the sake and to do a la carte but I wouldn’t do omakase again based purely on cost and options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Ben Hurwitz
Incredible. Fewer courses than some other omakase I've had, but the combinations of flavors and textures were excellent. The sake, too, were really fantastic. They also sell the bottles there. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TC721
Seriously the best Omakase in town. This was my 3rd time and they never disappoint. Great servide, great ambience, and of course sushi is very fresh. Definitely do the sake pairing! They make their sake on the big island (they used to have a machine in the old location that they said they moved everything to the big island). I have brought friends from mainland to this place when they came visit, and also I always recommend this place to my clients too.
The omakase dinner and sake tasting was so phenomenal, I left feeling super satisfied. The staff were really attentive and friendly, and explained each sake and dish. The sake and appetizers complemented each other perfectly, neither overpowering the other. The sushi chef was absolutely amazing! I have never had such perfect sushi rice (so airy and yet well formed that the sushi melts in your mouth, rice and all) on island and even in Japan. Loved the ambience and wouldn't hesitate to go back! Thank you for the wonderful dinner!
Andrew Sendra
The fact that I have to log this review is insane. This place has to be one of the best dining experiences I have ever been to. The staff is very accommodating and the food is out of this world delicious. Price point is incredibly affordable for what you get. Amazing experience that EVERYONE on Honolulu should know
Food: 5
Service: 5
JonathanW
Great kaiseki dinner with paired local made sake. Good value. Owner/manager/brewer is the host; super conversation about the sake. Chef is from a Tskuji Market restaurant; calls friends there for shipments. Exacting and innovative.
Irene M.
Their Kaka'ako Farmers Market booth is a must stop... Loved finding Islander Sake Brewery here bringing not just their Amazake drinks but their Panna Cotta and Lilikoi Cheesecake using sakekasu which is what's left after producing sake and having an abundance of it which you do find in Japanese markets are the normalcy and what I've seen my mom who makes tsukemono using them. Though the market opens at 8am I did arrive early to scan and stopped in my tracks as soon I got here the cutest jar instantly drew my attention and had to see what they had. Panna Cotta it was...this stunning instagramable dessert are sold in the cutest glass jars that are totally reusable and the three flavors are Matcha, Lilikoi and Fresh Strawberries initially I was gonna get one to try but decided to get all three to take home which then decided to get the cheesecake as well. Honestly don't ask me how they were as mom claimed it all and shared it with her friends which loved it all so I'm gonna have to return to grab some for myself lol! The staff there was just a delight describing the process of brewing Sake and using what's left making various items including desserts and with tables provided by the market is just steps away making it super easy to enjoy this special treat in a chill and relaxing vibe...check them out here every Saturday 8am-12pm love it! Thank you!
Islander Sake is truly one of the finest places. The sake is amazing (I dont drink much so it's got to be good), the food offered is great, and the owners are true artists in their craft. When we saw Allen Wong eating there with friends at their old location, I knew that my instinct and taste buds were correct.
Amazing Omikase experience! A friend and I did the sake pairing as well. Heavy pours and amazing quality sake. We both requested to not have any fruit sake samples so the host had other options to try, some which were made by friends back in Japan! I would recommend to any sake lover who also wants to have a great meal!
Best meal I've had in my life, the sushi and sake pairing is a must have. Not only was the food amazing, the service was impeccable. They told us the stories about all the different sakes we were drinking which was such a unique experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
Amazing! Best meal we had in Hawaii - if not our life. We did the same pairing and omasake menu. The sushi was fresh and the food was beyond incredible. The server explained the history of each sake. Atmosphere is absolutely incredible. We bought a bottle to go and will definitely revisit next time we’re in Hawaii.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Sashimi, Japanese Salads, Sushi
Food was ok. Service on the other hand was really bad. We did sake pairing, which was supposed to pair 5 different sake with our food. We were given 2 different sake before our meal ended. When asked what happened to our pairing, the server/manager brought two more sake AFTER our entire meal was done. Then after they brought out our dessert and the server confirmed that our meal was over, I told him that he only gave us 4, not 5 different sakes. He did not even know how many he gave. When I asked if it was normal to provide majority of sakes after the meal was over (weird given that it is called sake ‘pairing’), he gave excuses and started arguing on how he cannot control how fast or slow customers drink etc… What a bunch of nonsense and not sure why that was relevant. My sake glass was empty for most of my meal and the server did not even stop by to ask if we were ready for the next pairing etc… He ended up not charging for sake pairing but what a horrible experience as we spent $250 and feeling angry at the end of the meal. I would suggest that people don’t go and waste money at this place. Far better places to go where they will treat you better, not ignored and not given lame excuses.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
We were lucky enough to be seated without a reservation for the sake tasting and omakase dinner. A reservation is almost a must, but the hospitality was above and beyond. We recommend anyone visit for the beyond tasty food, amazing sake, and wonderful environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The omakase was fabulous. The service was amazing. The restaurant was spotless.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had popped in to buy some bottles of sake and loved the way I was treated. Tonight, we are enjoying one of the 3 lovely bottles for Hannukah??
Service: 5
We tried Omakase at the counter with the sake pairing options - 15 course + 4 sake tasters.Pros: The service was fantastic and the ambiance of the place was peaceful, clean and wonderful. The sake was amazing! Especially the ones made in house.Cons: I’ve tried quite a bit of omakase both on island and on the mainland and this was okay. The appetizers and desserts were flavorful and fresh, the sushi itself was just okay. The options were fresh but limited for the cost.I would definitely go back here for the sake and to do a la carte but I wouldn’t do omakase again based purely on cost and options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Incredible. Fewer courses than some other omakase I've had, but the combinations of flavors and textures were excellent. The sake, too, were really fantastic. They also sell the bottles there. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seriously the best Omakase in town. This was my 3rd time and they never disappoint. Great servide, great ambience, and of course sushi is very fresh. Definitely do the sake pairing! They make their sake on the big island (they used to have a machine in the old location that they said they moved everything to the big island). I have brought friends from mainland to this place when they came visit, and also I always recommend this place to my clients too.
Restaurantji Recommends
The omakase dinner and sake tasting was so phenomenal, I left feeling super satisfied. The staff were really attentive and friendly, and explained each sake and dish. The sake and appetizers complemented each other perfectly, neither overpowering the other. The sushi chef was absolutely amazing! I have never had such perfect sushi rice (so airy and yet well formed that the sushi melts in your mouth, rice and all) on island and even in Japan. Loved the ambience and wouldn't hesitate to go back! Thank you for the wonderful dinner!
The fact that I have to log this review is insane. This place has to be one of the best dining experiences I have ever been to. The staff is very accommodating and the food is out of this world delicious. Price point is incredibly affordable for what you get. Amazing experience that EVERYONE on Honolulu should know
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great kaiseki dinner with paired local made sake. Good value. Owner/manager/brewer is the host; super conversation about the sake. Chef is from a Tskuji Market restaurant; calls friends there for shipments. Exacting and innovative.
Their Kaka'ako Farmers Market booth is a must stop... Loved finding Islander Sake Brewery here bringing not just their Amazake drinks but their Panna Cotta and Lilikoi Cheesecake using sakekasu which is what's left after producing sake and having an abundance of it which you do find in Japanese markets are the normalcy and what I've seen my mom who makes tsukemono using them. Though the market opens at 8am I did arrive early to scan and stopped in my tracks as soon I got here the cutest jar instantly drew my attention and had to see what they had. Panna Cotta it was...this stunning instagramable dessert are sold in the cutest glass jars that are totally reusable and the three flavors are Matcha, Lilikoi and Fresh Strawberries initially I was gonna get one to try but decided to get all three to take home which then decided to get the cheesecake as well. Honestly don't ask me how they were as mom claimed it all and shared it with her friends which loved it all so I'm gonna have to return to grab some for myself lol! The staff there was just a delight describing the process of brewing Sake and using what's left making various items including desserts and with tables provided by the market is just steps away making it super easy to enjoy this special treat in a chill and relaxing vibe...check them out here every Saturday 8am-12pm love it! Thank you!
Islander Sake is truly one of the finest places. The sake is amazing (I dont drink much so it's got to be good), the food offered is great, and the owners are true artists in their craft. When we saw Allen Wong eating there with friends at their old location, I knew that my instinct and taste buds were correct.