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

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).

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!

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 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.

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.

**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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

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

Best meal of the week. Food was delicious. Don't miss it. Not sure why ratings are not higher. Blows the whole area away with quality and flavor

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

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.

Outstanding food and service in an awesome setting. Recommend any of the fish dishes. Good selection of drinks as well

A very disappointing dining experience. Our server was a sour lady, not friendly or helpful with the menu. Very limited choices of wine and food. We ordered two appetizers, which were okay, the swordfish was the daily catch, overcooked and bland. We will not return.

My wife and I dined at Postcards for our 8th Wedding Anniversary. We showed up on time for our 5:30pm reservation and were seated shortly thereafter. About 15 other people showed up shortly after us and some were sat on the patio. The inside is nice and cool, so I would recommend showing up a few minutes early to your reservation if you'd like to sit inside. Our server was very pleasant and recommended the Leek Salad, Wagyu Steak and Crusted Ahi. My wife opted for the Swordfish and I had the Wagyu, we split the Leek Salad. For drinks ordered an Old Fashioned and a "Take a Hike." The Leek Salad was incredible, refreshing and light. The Wagyu was very tender with a nice sauce but the mushrooms were a bit flavorless. I took my time with it and really savored every bite. It came with a mashed squash or sweet potato which paired well. My wife enjoyed the swordfish but preferred the Wagyu, which was really a large portion, so she had about 1/4 of it. The "Take a Hike" was light and refreshing but everyone else seemed to be drinking fine wine. My Old Fashioned was potent and paired EXCEPTIONALLY with the Wagyu. For desert, we had the Chevre Cheesecake and Valhrona Chocolate Marquesa. The cheesecake was delicious with the lilikoi. The Marquesa was interesting with a nutty crust that I thought was a bit overpowering. Overall, this was a fantastic meal, with everything rating at least an 8/10 and the Steak and Leek Salad rating an 11/10. The Cheesecake 10/10.

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

Excellent meal and service. My husband had the wagyu beef and it was the best. Sat on the terrace, was a bit warm but manageable.

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).

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!

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

Best food we have had in our 4 trips hands down! Service is attentive, I would not say that his is an all ages spot, but if you love all flavors give it a try!

The food and service were perfect. The ambience and furniture made you feel like you were in a brand new restaurant. We'll be back!

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.

Get the Mongchong.100% the best fish I have had in my life! I will never go back to Kauai without going to the Dolfin and getting the Mongchong!

We routinely include Postcards Cafe in our visits to the North Shore. It's in a simple building on the road into town, but don't let that fool you. There's nothing simple -- or ordinary -- about the food. The Wagyu beef and lamb shank are delicious and next-level. Actually, everything, from cocktails to dessert, is of the highest quality. World-class food in an informal, comfortable Hanalei setting. Can't beat that.

Ambience is really beautiful, whether you sit outside , inside or on the porch (my favorite spot). The porch is open air but covered so if it rains you are still dry. The food was all very good. Pricey and a small menu that didn't change while we were there for 2 weeks. Not on the menu- but they made a past with butter and cheese for the kids. It was delicious and I definitely finished my kids as it was a big plate too. They had a wagu Goyza as a special that was yummy with a great sauce. I also really liked the fried spicy shrimp with mushrooms. Cocktails were great but sometimes it's just wine available if the bartender is out. Loved the wagu steak , the chimichurri was different then I've had more chunky veg less herbs but decent . Didn't care for the cheesecake as it was made with goat cheese- gave it a slight goaty flavor. Also the chocolate seed cake was just ok- it tasted very healthy though.

Love this place. A must do if you are on the island and particularly on the Princeville side. Great fresh beautiful food in a charming location.

We have been here several times for dinner and the food is fantastic and our waiter AJ was also very good. We will be back again.

For food alone I would give Postcards three stars, but with ambiance and quality of service, I give it the bump. The space and atmosphere are phenomenal and feel like an escape from reality in the best way. The food is ambitious and has hints of greatness but ultimately falls flat. The flavors of the leek salad have promise but leave much to be desired.

Visited with friends based on reviews. We were all very disappointed after being seated then having to wait for our server. Very limited menu, with very small portions. However the restaurant made up for the small portions with very large costs. Don't waste your money and ignore the 5 star reviews unless you have money to burn. Will avoid this establishment.

All good service .After going for 7 years menu changed is badddd very disappointed. Always enjoyed except today !!!

Ooooh boy. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had! We were able to get a reservation the same night which was awesome. We were looking for a room on the patio but when we got there, that room was pretty hot so they put us inside. That was great. Started out with an Empress, lemon drop. I didn't even know that was a thing. OMG! We tried several entrées at our table. The seafood is absolutely fantastic. Service was fantastic and our waiter was very helpful in staring us into exactly the right dish and drink. This was one of the best meals we had on the island, and I highly recommend it!

Went to the bar once and ate once here. Beautiful ambiance and one of the classier places on the island. They care about the quality and presentation of their food and cocktails. The fresh swordfish was outstanding. So was the coffee ice cream cake. LOVE Cacio e Pepe but would skip this dish here. It was watery and needs refining. Loved sitting at the cute bar and chatting with the staff.