Postcards Restaurant

Easily the best restaurant we went to while in Kauai and my favorite meal of 2025. 5/5 recommend. Super cute restaurant, lovely atmosphere that’s relaxed yet upscale. Welcoming and attentive service. Here’s what we ordered and tried. We shared everything. 1) crispy leek salad (our server pointed it out, do not skip this) 2) ahi tartare with caviar (has a beautiful ginger shoyu on the base) 3) coriander crusted ahi 4) wagyu NY strip (it may seem basic to order a steak, but WOW it was the best steak I’ve had in years) 5) chèvre cheesecake — I can’t speak for the other items on the menu. But if you order these items, I guarantee that you will love your meal.

Reservations are advised. This place appears to serve primarily upscale clientele, didn’t have much of a local vibe. Food was fantastic! Lots of flavor, creative dishes, a bit pricey. Two people, one drink, dinner, dessert, $250 - Well worth it for delicious food. If you’re super hungry, keep in mind, portion sizes are moderate.

Came here on our Honeymoon. The service was all business not friendly but efficient. The cocktails were nothing special but reasonably priced considering. The appetizer - Ahi Tartar was crazy good and our favorite item with the caviar. The lamb and swordfish were also very good. Really enjoyed our dinner

Unbelievable!! One of the best meals my wife and I have had ANYWHERE in the world.. PERIOD! We shared the Hamachi, the Crispy Leek Noodle Salad, Wild Mushrooms and the Coriander Crusted Ahi. Every bite was better than the next.. We're going back again tomorrow night. The ambiance and service is equal to their incredible menu.. DON'T MISS THIS PLACE

A table on the screened in porch watching the sunset behind green cliffs mountains, and one of the best steaks we’ve ever had: Wagyu NY strip with perfect savory seasoning over a tangy carrot fondant (thick sauce). Also, generously portioned lamb shank as tender as short ribs, over a saffron polenta. The culinary skill and artistry of these dishes made the evening special! The only drawback was the unavailability of any cocktails (only beer and wine) because they lacked a bar tender. Get the first seating at 5:30pm, because even with a reservation, when we finished, there were perhaps 20 guests waiting for their tables—which shows you how worth the wait is!

The beauty of the restaurant was not enough to overcome the poor service and the quality of the food. My wife had great memories of Postcards, and we had a fantastic experience there in 2022, but that was erased after our recent visit. First, I ordered a Bleeker Old Fashioned, which was undrinkably bitter. I returned it and received a new cocktail that was only marginally better. Our pasta was boring and bland; I couldn't add enough red pepper to make it enjoyable. However, what truly ruined the experience was the service. Our server was outright rude and even made an underhanded comment due to our indecision over our order as she walked away from the table. We were with my brother and his wife, who were visiting from Massachusetts. We had an 8pm reservations and finished our meal around 9:30 PM. For the last half hour, I wathed a different server casting dirty looks toward us as she sat at a table nearby. When paying a bill that topped $350, you would expect to feel more welcomed. Instead, we felt the opposite, and consequently will never give this establishment our business again. To make matters worse, we were charged for the returned undrinkable Old Fashioned. Overall, I would rate this experience a D-. Get it together Postcards and train your servers about service.

the gnocchi was undercooked, and the sauce was bland and also appeared to be overcooked almost burnt. swordfish was great, cauliflower was undercooked and bland. the ahi fish was not as fresh as expected. the server was spectacular, and appreciated. knowing it's a tourist destination, repeat customers may not be their focus... building looked great, outside arrangement was appealing. I've been told it has been better. sorry for the review, but wanted to be honest.

Wonderful shot for island cuisine with attention to detail. The chef's creativity was on full display and the bartender had island twists on some favorites. It's cute and quaint for both indoor and outdoor seating options. Portions were modest but filling (and definitely uniquely crafted).

Fantastic meal and cocktails. Service was excellent too. We had a large party and so we got to try almost everything on the menu and nothing disappointed. Highly recommend.

Postcards Cafe in Hanalei is not listed on Kauai's top restaurants. Too Bad! The food is outstanding, casual Kauai dining with top notch chef inspired cuisine. Maybe let's keep it a secret and low key. Best restaurant on Kauai in my opinion.

Enjoyed a delicious dinner in a calm and quaint dining room served by a friendly local. Over the past ten days Bambie & I have pretty much done the culinary tour of the bigger restaurants in Hanalei. Ama and Bar Acuda were quality stand outs, but you know what? I think I like the food and ambience of Postcards the best. I've been a glutton this past week so I decided to tone it down with portions and wine guzzling. My dinner selections were the Postcards signature crispy leek salad, a small dish of hamachi sashimi and the ice cream pie. It was plenty to eat. Bambie had the swordfish. Every bite was a delight. Price wise Postcards is in the upper tier of Hanalei restaurants. I think it is a better value than Bar Acuda. If you're in Hanalei for a few days I encourage you to eat at both places. Dress nicely for the occasions. The places are not tank-top, board shorts, bikinis and flip flops in the dining rooms.

Came here for a lighter dinner, we had made reservations ahead of time. The food was overall good - super fresh and seasoned well. We really enjoyed the Crispy Leek Salad and would highly recommend it. Keep in mind any modifications will be quite limited with their menu as we advised we weren't able to add any protein to the salads. Although the food was good; we had a less than great experience upon arrival. We were early for our reservation and waited to be greeted but only got blank stares by the staff and no one acknowledged us until someone came over and said "Are you together?" Followed by you're early for your reservation ... we had no hello or we'll be with you in a moment after waiting for about 10 mins. While I can appreciate the staff being busy - would have been nice to be acknowledged. Otherwise, when we did get seated the server we had was great.

What a charming little spot! Located in a historic cottage building this restaurant serves up ambiance along with great food. We sat in a tiny screened in porch that felt private and allowed some nice views of the sky during sunset. My husband really enjoyed the vintage Mai tai (it was very good, and I'm not a big Mai tai fan like he is). We split the roasted Brussels sprouts, I had the pasta for my entree and he ordered the chicken special. Both were fabulous and perfect portions! Service was attentive and friendly. Will definitely be back on our next visit to Kauai !

what a treat. i've always driven past this place on past trips to the island, and im so glad i was finally able to get in here. we walked in without a reservation on a thursday and were able to get seated on the patio. food was so flavorful. my boyfriend who loves cooking was in awh the whole time. not to mention the drinks were yummy and the staff was super helpful and attentive. definitely one of the nicer dinners we had on the island

Postcards Restaurant is another must-stop to enjoy a world-class meal while in Kauai. Located in Hanalei, I recommend reservations. There is a mix of seating inside, partial deck, full deck, or on the lawn. While the windows and doors are wide open, the restaurant runs fans and air conditioning to keep the temperature cool, making the dining experience enjoyable. We were promptly greeted and seated. The selection of entrees has something for everyone. I enjoyed the verde risotto with a light spoonful of ricotta, adding a creaminess to each bite. Our party also enjoyed the Wagyu NY steak, the Corriander Crusted Ahi, and appetizers like the Yellowfin Tartar and Crispy Leek Salad. Each dish was a surprise and delight with each bite. The food was scrumptious. Our friends return here year over year during their stays, and we will be adding it to our tradition as well.

I chose to eat at Postcards for my birthday & i do not regret it! The Gnocchi was so fluffy and soft with the right amount of cheese on it ! The stake was cooked to perfection sitting on top of amazing sweet potatoes that complimented it. The dessert was soo creamy & rich. The drinks were great! 100% recommend coming to this cute little restaurant! Make reservations!!

I didn't realize when I planned my four meals in Princeville, that my final meal would be the best. Tonight we dined at Postcards and it was amazing. It was better than Bar Acuda or 1 Restaurant, which we dined at on this trip. Rather than waiting in line for Bar Acuda, I was able to secure a reservation at Postcards without worrying about making it 30 days in advance. Postcards Mai Tai with Mango was super delish. Better than anything I've tried on this trip. The Golden Eye Martini was equally unique with gold color and a big ice cube. The Moloa'a Greens was an incredible salad. I loved the chia-lilikoi dressing. The Corlander Crusted Ahi was lightly seared. The presentation was spectacular with the ahi on top of a layer of green cabbage and daikon. My wife's Wagyu NY Strip was perfectly grilled and I got to eat half of it. Loved the flavor and tenderness. We finished the evening with Chevre Cheesecake which was totally unique. It started with a coconut crust and a dense and intricate body. Truly devine. Incredible meal, service and ambiance.

This is the best place to eat on Kauai in my opinion. The food is phenomenal. The soba noodles leek salad with asparagus is the perfect blend of flavors and textures. The fish is always well cooked, never dry, and again, the perfect mix of flavors. We also had the risotto which was light and delicious. Our 4 year old had butter noodles with cheese and these are the best butter noodles I've ever had. The servers are always very attentive. It's located in an old cottage for nice ambiance. We go here every time we come to Kauai for a reason. Highly recommend!

We were so excited about going here. We were a party of 4 and we were all shocked by how bland and honestly not great food. Very strange menu too. There was a strange vibe as well. I would add the pasta literally tasted like chef boyardee. The ambience was strange inside as well. It is over priced and not worth the price. We would recommend Bar Cuda or Dolphin- both are fantastic and great vibe!!! Very disappointing!

Delicious! Parents live here, we live in LA. Always love a restaurant here that takes their food serious ;) Swordfish was unreal. So moist and delicious. Ahi with caviar- yum. Duck was great. Felt like we were at a 5 star restaurant in LA. Service was wonderful!!! Can't wait to come back.

We loved this place! The menu is small but delicious. Everyone was very nice and the service was great. We started with the traditional Mai Tai, that they are famous for. Not as sweet as some, which was really nice. Also, they used a nice rum and it was so smooth. Probably the best Mai Tai I have had. We both got the market fish, which was a grilled Mahi. It was perfectly grilled and seasoned, so juicy and falling apart. The cauliflower purée was so delicious, a little garlicky. The roasted cauliflower was just okay but dip it in the purée and it's really good. For desert, we had the vegan chocolate something. It was like a chocolate cheesecake with a coconut macadamia crust. There was a raspberry reduction. Soooo good! We sat inside because it was a little breezy but they have a nice porch (sunny) and also a covered porch. Inside was nice, not too loud. Would definitely return!

Such a gorgeous experience!! We tried to book online but we were met with "unavailable" for the times we could go. I decided to call the restaurant and see if there was a "waitlist for cancellations but the phone just rang. Much to my surprise, a day later Joe called me back and apologized for missing our call. So, I called back and voila!!!! We got a reservation and we were in for dinner @ 6. Free m the first greeting to the final check, everything was top notch, professional and a very pleasant experience. My husband had the most amazing swordfish. The thickest cut we'd ever seen. I had the Golden Cauliflower and the entire plate, presentation and taste was pure heaven! Too bad we had to leave the North Island before they open again. The food, drinks and desert were perfectly perfect and patience wins all the time. Thank you Joe, Greco and all the staff for your professionalism and hospitality. Aloha until next time.

**Absolute Perfection-- A Kauai Must-Visit!** We visited Postcards Cafe three times during our stay on the North Shore, and every single experience was unforgettable. This gem isn't just a restaurant--it's a warm, welcoming haven where every bite feels like love on a plate. The Wagyu steak (Rangers Valley Australia with carrot-ginger fondant, glazed Ali'i mushrooms, and Hibiscus Dolce Forte) was hands-down the best we've ever had--tender, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish we tried was divine, from fresh appetizers to decadent desserts. You can tell this place puts intention and heart into every detail. All the dishes were absolutely delicious!!! Special shoutout to Alexis and Merari, who made us feel completely at home with their warmth, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality. Merari would remember our names and is so kind and wonderful. Alexis also crafted a chocolate martini that was out of this world--easily the best I've ever had. All the drinks she made were excellent! Alexis is such an incredible soul and we're so happy we got to meet her! Postcards Cafe is more than a meal--it's a whole experience. We're already dreaming of coming back. If you're in Kauai, do not miss this place!

The food is superb, the service is most excellent and the atmosphere delightful!!! We've visited Kauai several times and try to get to Postcards each time!!

Meh. I wanted to like this place but the food was not my fave, our waitress was lovely though! We did wait a bit to be seated and then they forgot about us when we finally were given a table. However our waitress took care of our first round of drinks which was really nice. Ambiance was fine, I guess bc we're so close to the ocean I was bummed there wasn't a view. I got the crispy leek salad and if you order anything, get that, it was my favorite dish of the night. We ordered hummus which was really spicy and I didn't like it at all. Then we split the lamb shank and it was really salty but the polenta was decent. You win some you lose some!

We have driven past this place several times, saying we should try it out. Saw it in the movie Descendants, so I thought it was a breakfast joint. Wow it was I wrong amazing food, great choices for vegetarian and Mediterranean diet folks. Now keep in mind it's on island time and personality. Our server AJ was awesome. And kept the pace we wanted ( we just arrived from the mainland and we were beat). This has moved up on our list of favorites.

We were looking for an excellent meal. Restaurants in the princeville neighborhood close early and forget delivery. We got reservations same day. We sat at the bar because we arrived early. The staff, especially the bartender, Leah, who ended up helping us the rest of the night was friendly and shared some great dinner suggestions. A+ experience, food was fantastic and very unique.

Charming little restaurant with tasty food. I ordered the catch of the day, which was swordfish (mild and not too fishy). My family got the NY Steak and gnocchi - by far my favorite dish there.

Easily the best restaurant we went to while in Kauai and my favorite meal of 2025. 5/5 recommend. Super cute restaurant, lovely atmosphere that's relaxed yet upscale. Welcoming and attentive service. Here's what we ordered and tried. We shared everything. 1) crispy leek salad (our server pointed it out, do not skip this) 2) ahi tartare with caviar (has a beautiful ginger shoyu on the base) 3) coriander crusted ahi 4) wagyu NY strip (it may seem basic to order a steak, but WOW it was the best steak I've had in years) 5) chèvre cheesecake -- I can't speak for the other items on the menu. But if you order these items, I guarantee that you will love your meal.

This cute and quant restaurant was one of my favorite places to eat on the island. The food was phenomenal! My husband and I shared the gnocchi and waygyu steak which was perfection. One nice thing about the service is that we ordered the Brussels sprouts that had macadamia nuts. I did not properly read that the appetizer included macadamia nuts and our server was very nice about sending it back and getting us a re-order without the nuts.

This is a great higher end restaurant for dinner. We had the fresh swordfish and it was delicious. If the weather is nice, sit outside on the porch. Service was excellent. We highly recommend.

Food was very tasty - loved the crusty savory ahi tuna. Nice ambience in the evening and seating out on the lanai but honestly the service was not it. They took a while to get us seated (had a reservation) and after taking a while to get our order in they didn't come check in on us once. Mind you they weren't even that busy. We had a late lunch so we ordered a very light dinner so maybe we weren't considered prime customers? It was low key rude.

Wow! What an amazing culinary experience! Starting with an excellent Tropical Mai Tai, followed by mouth watering hummus, crispy leeks and Marlin Tiraditos and finishing with a tasty Risotto with macadamia cream cheese! And although we thought we were not able to take one more bite, we still had the Chocolate Marquesa and mango sorbet for desert! Compliments to Chef Javier for a delicious dinner! The service provided by our hostess, Natalia and our server, Carly was top notch! We also had a very nice conversation with Merari about the restaurant's history and culture. Fantastic experience! We hope to come back!

Food, service and ambiance were as promised. We the crispy leek, gnocchi and the rather pricy but good cauliflower with a refreshing glass of sauvignon blanc. A nice evening in Hanalei.

We have eaten here several times over the past 20 years and were excited to eat here again. Unfortunately things have changed. The menu was very limited and the food was just ok. The hummus dish was inedible and looked awful. Highly disappointed after having such wonderful memories eating here.

Food is incredible. Fish is expertly prepared with natural flavors intact. Perfectly prepared with medium inside. Sauces are very complimentary to each fish taste. Presentation is beautiful and almost makes you want to wait a bit before eating the art ;) you will need reservations, but they are flexible if you arrive a bit too early and there is space. Quite friendly service. Overall just a happy friendly affair.

Amazing service and food. Ahi tartar and crusted ahi entree made us wanting to come back for more. Too bad they were closed Sunday and Monday!

Food and service were very good. Drinks were ok but not great. Disappointed that they did not recognize our anniversary which was on our reservation request.

Lamb Chops 5 medium rare, pistachio crusted, tomato sauce, medium juicy, flavorful Ahi Yellowfin 5 seared medium rare, wasabi cream sauce, bread crumb crust, carrot-ginger sauce, tender, flavorful Chevre Cheesecake 5 goat cheese, butter cookie & coconut crust, passion fruit gel, apple-pear jam, soft creamy texture Pina Colada 5 coconut milk, pineapple juice, not too sweet

Such an odd vibe... the owner is intimidating and just getting to our table felt like talking to a school principal. The food was meh for the prices. I got the salad which was shocking for $19! The watermelon tasted old and mushy and it was basically lettuce and bean sprouts. Then I got the beef of the day. The beef (short ribs) was pretty good, but the sides were disgusting. The carrot purée tasted like baby food that had been taken out of a jar and warmed up. The veggies were not seasoned or cooked well- I usually love all veggies but I couldn't stomach these. My husband had a better experience with the fish. He enjoyed it, but the pea puree on that was weird too. Overall we had 2 apps, 2 entrees, and 2 glasses of wine and paid $215. The overall vibe was so weird and we were in and out in under an hour. Won't be returning.

A lovely fine dining experience for two our last night in Hanalei. Hamachi and Marlin crudos. Fresh catch and coriander encrusted ahi. Delicious bottle of sancerre. Yummy desserts. Expensive but did not disappoint.

The atmosphere is perfect for any time or a special occasion! The wait staff was excellent! Food was good...but not spectacular. We went for the atmosphere! Would definitely go back!

The food was delicious. Defineteliy high quality ingrediants. This was the best meal we have had so far on the Island. The ambiance is quite cozy and as cute as a postcard! Service was very good too.

Special! Go! Hanalei is nestled in my favorite part of the North shore of Kauai. Not long ago this area was a sleepy little outpost on a narrow road. No more. The world has discovered this area and it can get very crowded during the day. I bookmarked Postcards years ago and finally,got around to enjoying a spectacular meal there last night . The space is an updated version of vintage Hawaii. Come here to enjoy truly island fresh. The flavors are created with a less is more intention. A tad of onion relish here a smidge of ginger salsa there . Just enough to complement the simple fresh dish. A simple menu that covers most taste including vegetarian. We went for the tempura battered vegetables to start. Fresh and perfectly cooked, zucchini, broccoli,carrot, mushrooms provided great munchies to enjoy with our drinks. Speaking of drinks. I enjoyed a fantastic Golden Eye Martini. Hendricks Gin,Dolins Dry and Sweet Vermouth and a single ice cube. The cube seems counterintuitive but, trust me,kept the drink perfectly cool while I drank it. The Mai Tai,which is always a staple for me in Hawaii, was Fab. Local ( Lahaina) Rum Fresh Kauai Lime,Koleana White Rum and Orgeat perfectly prepared. Hamachi Sashimi- So fresh I swear I saw it twitch! It's amberjack season in Hawaii and tonight I was the beneficiary..superb! Swordfish- Hawaiian Island line caught. With Napa cabbage and ginger Salsa, is enough to spoil you. Wagyu Beef Coulotte- Now we're talking. Served with roasted wild mushrooms and truffle puree, with Yuzu-Kosho chimichurri,made my day. Top it all off with a leisurely desert of Valrhona Chocolate Marquesa, Chevre Cheese cake and I'm happy. Don't miss a cup of the local coffee with desert...1+1=3

Walked in with no reservation and got our pick of a very nice desk seat (bug screens so you are safe from bites). We started off with the crispy leak salad and marlin ceviche (yummm) and I had some Perrier to drink. The leak salad was absolutely delicious. The ceviche was very interesting and we both enjoyed it more with each bite. It was really a unique twist on a classic and the flavors were great. Main courses were the fresh fish (swordfish) and tofu dish. Both were really great. The tofu was baked with seaweed wrap, and had a wonderful mustardy sauce and cooked veggies. The swordfish was buttery and rich. The seasoning was perfect and the fish was cooked just right (very moist inside).

I'm going to make this very easy for you. If you come to Kauai and you love seafood, especially Ahi, it doesn't get any better than this. The fried leeks salad is very unique and excellent. My wife's swordfish was the best she's ever had also. Service is great. If you skip desert just have chocolate martini's. Addicting if you like chocolate. Good drinks and a very good wine list without being too large. If I were the owner I would add more selection of sparkling wine and champagne. They do go well with so many dishes. Bummed that we cant go back and try the meat dishes. Until next time.

The food, drinks and, ambience were wonderful. Our server was very attentive while we dined here.

Great food and drinks, awesome staff, love how they use local ingredients. We had a great family dinner and everyone enjoyed it.

Food is amazing. We went twice on our trip. I like the salad and swordfish special. Amazing! My whole family got it and also waygu steak if like steak. My one complaint is they give you a plastic straw! Come on! We are on an island. Maui and Honolulu have banned them. I assumed all islands had or would have requested no straw. 1. Only give straws if requested 2. If you give a straw, make it paper or something biodegradable. Food 5 stars Care for the environment and our health -one star

Postcards is a great choice for a more elegant and creative dining option on Kauai's north shore. We've dined there three times and every dish has been beautifully presented and perfectly prepared. And great cocktails round out a lovely and delicious experience!

The MaiTais were killer - my husbands fish was delish. My gnocchi was unique - good but wouldn't go back for it. Love the atmosphere and service was great as it should be for the cost of the meal.

We spent 9 days in Hawaii and on our last night we had the best meal and service. A beautiful restaurant with an attentive staff.

Best restaurant on the island! We had been avoiding postcards because it's listed as vegetarian. It is not vegetarian. They have seafood and lamb and steaks, etc. It's outstanding!

Unbelievable!! One of the best meals my wife and I have had ANYWHERE in the world.. PERIOD! We shared the Hamachi, the Crispy Leek Noodle Salad, Wild Mushrooms and the Coriander Crusted Ahi. Every bite was better than the next.. We're going back again tomorrow night. The ambiance and service is equal to their incredible menu.. DON'T MISS THIS PLACE

Food, service and ambiance was relaxing, delicious and thoughtfully presented by the server

Would rate this restaurant close to a 3.5. We weren't blown away by any of the dishes and would recommend other restaurants for the price point. We shared the blue marlin ceviche -- would recommend this dish based on the flavorful broth. We also shared the crispy shrimp -- after tasting morimotos version of this dish, it fell short for me. My husband ordered the steak which was a bit overcooked and tough and I had the tofu which I found to be pretty good. My husband got the ice cream cake for dessert. The macadamia nuts and brownie crust had a stale flavor to them. Service and ambiance were great, flavors were just lacking.

We have been passing by Postcards for many years but it was recently highly recommended and we are so glad we went! We loved the ambience like an old house converted to a cozy restaurant; our server, AJ, was wonderful as was the hostess and bussers! The food was outstanding starting with the unique and delicious crispy leek salad we shared followed by my ahi and my husband's lamb shank. The chèvre cheesecake was recommended so we split that and left feeling wowed by the entire experience!