Postcards Restaurant

Favorite meal on the island by far! Alexis was our server for our table of 5. We called ahead to reserve a table but there was a mix up and we ended up having to wait, but they were very apologetic and made up for it in the end. I had a perfectly concocted cocktail called Take a Hike while we waited. We started with the Kauai hummus which was really unique and beautifully presented. For my entree I had the lamb and a side of the mushrooms, again top notch presentation with tons of flavor and perfectly cooked. Finally, the mango sorbet was the perfect way to end our night as it was bursting with flavor. Alexis was very welcoming and attentive. We were pleased with all the vegetarian options as well.

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.

Authentic charm, with a decades-long dedicated owner. Arugula salad and mushrooms were fresh and perfect. Pasta could have used a little less salt and added protein, especially since it was one of two vegetarian entrees. Bartender was knowledgeable and helpful. Server was very warm and friendly. The building is a nicely preserved and updated plantation home from the 1800s. If I could only go to one restaurant in Hanalei, I would go here.

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).

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

My wife and I tried this place out in January 2025 and we still talk about it a year later. The next time we are visiting Kauai, we will make it a point to try this place again. We live in Seattle and have a high bar when it comes to food. This place beats many of our favorite places at home. I had the rack of lamb, and my wife ordered the cauliflower steak (which was AMAZING). I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. We can't wait to come back!

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.

This was my favorite meal on our Kauai trip. The restaurant is very cute and cozy with French patio chairs and warm wood interior. We ordered the tropical sangria, sesame seared hamachi, and the 10oz Wagyu NY Strip to share. Everything was delicious! The hamachi dish reminded me of the crudo I have had at Nobu and Catch 🤤 (but might be better??) The wagyu was very flavorful and I really enjoyed the sauce that reflects the Asian flavoring in many Hawaiian dishes. The roasted vegetable and purée sides were amazing as well. Would definitely make it a point to visit here again next time we are in Kauai.

My husband and I visited this place on our last night in Kauai and it was a little of a disappointment to end our trip, especially it being a nicer place to have dinner. We had a reservation and arrived a bit early so we waited and when we got seated our server seemed a bit annoyed with our presence. I ordered the scallops which were good compliments to the chef and my husband originally ordered the pasta but she brought him a plate of the market fish which he just ate with no complaints. Then as I finished my Mai-tai I wasn't asked if I wanted another beverage so we stuck with water. Overall our server wasn't as attentive to our table and she took a bit of time to get our drinks and order placed. The restaurant was a bit noisy with a lot of echoes. For the prices of the menu I would suggest another spot to spend your money and time.

Cute gem! Smallish menue with amazing flavor. Ambiance - 5/5 Make reservations. Its small but you still feel intimacy with your table and eating while having conversations and not yelling over each other. If that makes sense. Service - 5/5 Incredibly friendly and attentive. Food - 4/5 Flavors that will have you coming back for more. We had the hummus to start. Do not pass on it. So good. Its just enough to split for 2. My husband had the lamb dinner and I ended up ordering the tuna tartar. We ordered an additiobal brussel sprouts (couldve been a starter too so good) We both loved our food and honestly everything on the menu would satisfy your hunger. We paired it all with s few cocktails. Nothing special but went well with our meals. Probably couldve skipped it and I wouldnt feel like we missed out if you want to save a few $$. Check them out next time youre in Princeville. Much love for this cute little spot.

The food was just okay but the service was awful. I don't recommend this place at all. They bring the dishes and kind of just throw it at you. They don't really present what they're serving you. The waitress with the glasses barely checked in on us. I still had food on my plate and the waitress with the glasses and braid on Tuesday night 11/25 took our plates immediately and didn't even ask if I was done. She asked if we wanted dessert and didn't even say anything like thanks for coming in etc. Just overall terrible service that is rushing you out the door. They didn't explain their menu or what made each dish unique or special. Postcards, is a name that suggest it's a blend of different cuisines. They didn't even discuss the salad dressing or any sauces so how can you pride yourself and uphold your own restaurants name. I would not be back. For a place that prides itself on taking inspiration from different cuisines around the world they have no pride in the culinary dishes they are serving and no customer service.

Service perfect Great and awesome food Beautiful atmosphere and vibe Yes will go again !!

So far our favorite tasty food higher end restaurant in this area. They make great but expensive food. Example scallops were 5 of them over puréed carrots for $48. But it was delicious and almost worth $48. Everything we had was tasty and the table was nicely decorated and it felt good to sit in this place.

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.

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.

Pulled up to a cute converted, well preserved 1864 plantation house which is now Postcards restaurant. We arrived slightly late for our reservation by like 7 minutes due to rain but were seated right away on the screened in lanai porch. Paul was our server. He was nice, gave us recommendations when asked and took our orders! Wait times were fairly quick for the food. I had the coriander crusted ahi with the polanquito to drink and my husband had the market fish which was swordfish and an old fashioned to drink. For dessert we had the chèvre cheese cake garnished with butternut squash! Everything was super delicious and extremely fresh! Portions were on the smaller side and my husband's drink was made incorrectly which they fixed immediately, no problems. There was also an extra unidentifiable charge when brought to Paul's attention he promptly removed so no issues there either! We made small talk with a lovely friendly couple at the neighboring table who happened to be from California like we were but on vacation. Their food looked amazing too (seed crusted rack of lamb and 10 oz. Wagyu N.Y. steak) and they said both were very tasty! Would most definitely come back here and highly recommend it to others!

Came here for a nice dinner for our 3rd night in town. Hands down our server was outstanding and helpful/ very attentive. But the food fell short and left much to be desired. I do not mind spending money on quality enjoyable food. The food was just flat unfortunately. Amazing ambiance and atmosphere. The food just took away from the experience

Excellent food and charming atmosphere. Service was fine. Shrimp cocktail with horseradish panna cotta was outstanding. I had the scallops in curry, again outstanding. My date had risotto with a macadamia nut cream and loved it. Loved this dining experience and would highly recommend.

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.

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 !

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.

So bummed to give this 3 stars, but on one of our frequent trips to Princeville we visited this restaurant last year and had a wonderful experience all around. So we were excited to share it with our friends this year. However, when the four of us arrived 3 minutes ahead of our reservation time, the staff took our name, looked surprised and shut the lower door on us so we would not enter. We actually thought we had arrived prior to the restaurant opening, but when we were seated, a couple of tables were already occupied. Drinks were okay, food disappointed. In particular the ahi was bland, brussel sprouts not flavorful, pasta was good, no bread options. During dinner, a large reservation party was seated and then departed, who knows why. What did happen is it seemed to turn staff into a bit of a tizzy with manager on her laptop incessantly looking at yelp reviews (why are you wasting energy on this effort when you should be welcoming to those guests who stayed???) More bummed to say we won't be going back. And my gut says this review, like others (good and bad) that don't have replies, won't have one either.

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!!

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!

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

Definitely one of the best meals I've had in our 2 months in Maui and Kauai. Rack of lamb (photo) was out of this world and I'll be dreaming of it for a while. Crusted seared ahi was good too (in the back of the photo). Drinks were good. Leek salad is great - not a salad. It's noodles under fried leeks. Jay was great and we had a fun time talking with him. Very cozy/cute space in Hanalei. The 3.9 is unfair to how great this place is. Also, shoutout to Kauai Backcountry Adventures for listing this in one of their recommendations from locals.

This restaurant was great the menu was spot on. Our waitess Carley answered any any all questions She was great

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.

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 very much enjoyed our time at Postcards. We sat outside and the food and service was excellent. We're going back for my wife's birthday on Saturday!

**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!

Food was very good. I would come back. Would give it 5 stars but my duck was cooked a little beyond medium rare; I still enjoyed the dish.

The atmosphere is nice but the food and the service were lacking. The menu was very limited with a lot of strange combinations. Our server was disengaged and clearly didn't want to be there. The salad we shared was the highlight of the meal. The scallop entree set up was good but one of the four scallops was under-cooked and inedible. The market fish was ono and it was over cooked, but after we asked for the buerre blanc that goes with it, the flavor improved. Not the best choice for our last night here.

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 went here for years and on our honeymoon too. Lovely setting, delicious food, a delight

Postcards was quite noisy, the pricing was expensive and the portions were petite. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant and we were able to make a reservation.

Excellent food, great Hanalei service! And great to visit with Joe Pascal again...what a special gentleman!! This was the perfect place to celebrate our 45th anniversary!

Highly recommend. We were a party of 7 and fit a table great. It was for a 20th anniversary celebration and the food was incredible. Everything looked fresh, healthy, and delicious. The service was wonderful and our server went above and beyond to make sure we were well taken care of, even helping us celebrate the anniversary! Definitely looking forward to coming back someday.

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!

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.

What a treat! Postcards exceeded all expectations. Food, service & ambience were great. Despite being out of a couple of things, AJ helped out with fantastic suggestions from the leek salad to scallops and chèvre cheesecake! All were amazing and some kind of blew our minds.

We have been going to KAUIA and the Postcard Cafe for 10 years for our Anniversary Dinner. The food was always excellent but tonight it was nothing to write home about. We started with the shrimp cocktail which was tasty but drowned in sauce. Then we moved on to the salad which was more bean sprout than farm greens with a lovely dressing. Then we sat for over 50 minutes waiting for our entrees. I chose the scallops with the puree of carrots. And my husband had the Ahi Tuna which was slightly over done. He asked for the sauce on the side. My scallops were barely tan and the center was still under cooked and mushy. The waitress apologized three time for the tardiness of the kitchen. Her service was excellent but the kitchen was excessively slow and one dish was under cooked and the other overcooked. And there were maybe 12 tables in the entire restaurant. As we were waiting for our dinner we asked the waitress for some bread. She politely explained that "Chef doesn't believe in serving bread in his establishment." When asking questions about the choices of entrees we were told, "Chef is very particular and doesn't do any substitutions." Well Chef I believe that you need to something especially since there was only one other couple before us to be served entrees and we waited more than 50 minutes to be served our entrees and they were anything BUT EPIC. I asked the waitress for our check when they finally brought our dinners out. The hostess brought our check she became offended and handed my American Express and basically escorted us out. I explained to the waitress that we left a tip on the table for her and that it wasn't her fault. But after the hostess RUDE BEHAVIOR. We will NEVER RETURN. Especially AFTER SUCH A SUBPAR DINNER.

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.

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.

Worth the price of admission. Cozy spot with an elegant menu. We ordered the ceviche, scallops, chicken, and sorbet. While all the dishes were delicious, the chicken was worth a return visit!

The two best meals my wife & I had when staying @ Princeville & Lihue were both enjoyed @ Post Cards. The weather was nice & warm so we ate outside, we were well served & the ambiance is Kauai!

Wonderful dinner here. Such an inventive menu with fresh ingredients. Lovely and attentive staff. We regularly eat at premier restaurants in San Francisco and found this spot exceptional. Very cute decor inside as well!

Great vegan options, a bit pricey but definitely worth it. The good was very tasty, server AJ is the best, but all around amazing service and very accommodating. Beautiful ambiance, especially in the front room. Highly recommend

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Limited menu with many " not available " entree and desserts makes this a less than desirable experience