Sensei by Nobu

Restaurant · Lanai City ·

Sensei by Nobu

Restaurant · Lanai City ·

Glass pavilion dining overlooking reflecting pond and gardens

Information

1 Keomoku Highway, Lanai City, HI 96763 Get directions

$100+

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

This Remote Hawaiian Island Has No Stoplights, No Crowds, and Two Ultra-luxe Hotels

"Tucked within Sensei Lanai, this collaboration between Dr. David Agus and Chef Nobu Matsuhisa shines with a four-course (plus dessert) omakase that’s a must at least once on the island, while the à la carte side keeps the greatest hits—like the black cod and yellowtail jalapeño—within easy reach." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/lanai-hawaii-travel-guide-11845239

Sensei by Nobu

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

Tracee Ellis Ross on Why Solo Travel Is the Highest Form of Self-care

"I shot Ross on the ivy-covered veranda of Sensei by Nobu at the resort; during the cover shoot the space felt upbeat and fun, buoyed by her energy and the energetic music playing around the property." - Bethany Heitman Bethany Heitman Bethany Heitman is a journalist who specializes in entertainment, wellness, and travel. Her work has appeared in Oprah Daily, Health, Cosmopolitan, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/tracee-ellis-ross-sensei-porcupine-creek-7970158

Sensei by Nobu

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

How a Personalized Hawaiian Wellness Retreat Helped Reshape My Lifestyle Back Home

"Dining at Sensei by Nobu took place in a lovely glass pavilion above a reflecting pool with indoor and outdoor seating; menus leaned on ingredients from nearby sustainable Sensei Farms and featured creative cocktails and outstanding wines. I enjoyed generous service (my glass of bubbly was often graciously refilled) and five-course dinners with choices that included lobster, scallops, finfish, beef, or lamb, each dish beautifully prepared and presented, so I was never hungry." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/yoga-wellness/wellness-retreat-four-seasons-hotel-lanai-at-koele

Sensei by Nobu

@ellens

14 Postcards · 9 Cities

There are dozens of Nobu outlets around the world; this one is scaled back, sleek and whisper quiet, befitting its retreat location. The menu includes a sampler of Nobu classics like miso cod and yellowtail jalapeño, alongside a surprisingly delicious and inventive spa menu. Definitely try the Japanese breakfast bento, flaxseed pancakes, and the melt in your mouth shabu shabu. A half dozen tables are arranged outdoors by the koi pond if you prefer open air dining, but bring a sweater or jacket at night. The retreat is the near the ridge line of a small mountain and nights can be brisk.

Away from it all in Lana’i

Sensei by Nobu

Maria E.

Google

We have been here many many times. It's ok but when you are on lanai, there are not many options. The mushroom soup was fine, nothing to write home about. The miso cod was good but cold, would have been better warm. The burger was hammered (way over cooked!). I wish they had more options here. The filet was great!

Bon A.

Google

Our 1st and 2nd dinner in Nobu of Sensei of four seasons! Strongly recommended! Recommend eat in the garden accompanied by the golden fish and birds!

Scott S.

Google

The meal was spectacular and our server was amazing.

Jeff

Google

Absolutely delicious food in an unforgettable setting. Lovely, attentive, and kind staff. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can't go wrong with a meal here.

Anni B

Google

Amazing!!! Thank you Charita for taking amazing care of us!

Bonnie W.

Google

Gorgeous restaurant with extensive varied menu. Portions and options are on the light side, and veggie centric. The home grown blistered cherry tomatoes are exceptional. Breakfast is five star although look at the ingredients closely to see if the typical ingredients are vegan. The bagel with salmon didn’t have cream cheese, it may have been vegan.

Jason T.

Google

Wonderfully delicious. The black cod was succulent and flavorful. Lamb chops tender, moist, and nicely done.

Sway G.

Google

Food and staff were great! Super healthy and flavorful food.

Steve L.

Yelp

One of the all time best hotel restaurants we have been to. Went there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes, you are a captive audience since this is really the only dining choice outside of the bar and the pool. Excellent and attentive service. Everyone from the hostess to all of the servers to the manager are nice. The aloha hospitality tenfold! The breakfast choices are outstanding from my favorite Japanese breakfast which has tasty salmon and miso soup. But if you want traditional, they can make the best eggs fried perfectly. Even the avocado toast is done beautifully. Let's not forget the healthy açaí bowls. Lunch has wonderful options to include their mouth watering burger with crispy fries. Get the udon though. Perfectly made. For dinner, you have the Sensei twist on Nobu. Whitefish tempura with the matcha salt was my favorite. The Okinawa potatoes were a nice balance and I am craving the spicy tomatoes which were juicy! One the best restaurants we have ever been to. Thanks to the entire staff.

Hemang S.

Yelp

Reviewing this place only for the food that we ate at the restaurant and the ambience and not for the property. Overall, we had a fun time enjoying our dinner at the restaurant, but overall the food was a bit lackluster and hard for vegetarians to eat. We did not order their Vegetarian dinner menu because it was pretty expensive so we ordered a la carte and had a few items that were tasty, but most were unforgettable. The venue feels like you're in a large banquet hall facing the property grounds but at night it just turns into a dark wall of glass so that was a little disappointing. Not sure if I'll ever come back.

Derek W.

Yelp

First came to Lāna'i for a golf trip last May and my cousin suggested we dine here since we were staying at the beach resort. Arrived early so that we could explore the garden as guests at the beach resort were not allowed at this property unless you were dining at Sensei. I do agree the garden area is beautiful but be aware there are tons of mosquitos here. Plan accordingly as it is 5-10 degrees cooler here than it is at the beach resort. The first thing I noticed was the amazing kitchen as we were shown our table. Loved the dining room and never felt busy though it was the only restaurant at this property. We all decided on the omakase which we were allowed to pick our various courses. Not sure if the menu has recently changed a tad bit but it does look slightly different than when we dined here. First course - 3 small plates of tuna tartare, some sort of salad and a cold gazpacho (iirc). Everything was tasty and really enjoyed the tuna tartare. Second course - lobster salad which had a pretty generous amount of lobster which sat on additional garden vegetables. Third course - whitefish tempura. Perfectly fried whitefish served with a calamansi vinegrette. Wasn't a huge fan of the vinegrette as it was a bit too tangy for me. I believe this is a signature dish at all of the Nobu restaurants. Fourth course - beef shabu shabu. Probably my favorite course for the night. I did enjoy the various dipping sauces that came with the course. Fifth course - I ended up choosing the prime ribeye instead of the wagyu which I think was a mistake. The ribeye was cooked to a perfect medium rare but was just ordinary in my opinion. The wagyu is served with a hot stone which allows you to cook the beef tableside. Dessert - I ended up requesting the mille feuille which wasn't on the omakase menu which was just ok in my opinion. Definitely not as good as Chef Daniel Calvert's seasonal mille feuille in Tokyo. My Dad did enjoy the bento box. Service was fantastic though I can't say the meal lived up to the hype as a few friends always rave and dine at the both the Malibu and Vegas locations. At least I can say I've had the opportunity to dine here.

Tara C.

Yelp

Absolutely incredible experience. From the moment we walked into the hotel I felt more relaxed and refreshed. Dinner at Sensei was the highlight of my trip. The menu had many options (including GF, DF, Vegan, Soy free, etc). Staff were very accommodating and understanding. I will definitely be going back.

Maria E.

Yelp

The food at Nobu was incredibly delicious! Stunningly beautiful too! However, don't stay at the spa. The grounds and spa areas were stunningly beautiful! However, my spa services were just ok. I had 3 massages while we stayed there and only one was great. One was probably the worst massage I have ever had so you can imagine how disappointed I was considering it was the most expensive massage I've ever had. And if you want a ride to the beach, it cost $200 there and another $200 to get back! The air conditioning never worked in our room so sleeping was difficult. Overall, it was a neat place to see, but I'd never want to come back.

Martin L.

Yelp

Came here for a late breakfast snack. Staff was friendly and very accommodating. We ordered shrimp tacos. A petite trio of street tacos on a hard taco shell. Good flavor and plating. The best part was the outside ambiance. Eating area seems to float above a massive koi pond. Fish slowly swim as you dine. Huge garden surrounded by tall trees provides a tranquil zen like environment. Great place to slow down.

Ilene T.

Yelp

We stayed here while on vacation and the whole experience at the resort was amazing, including this main restaurant onsite. We ate breakfast, lunch, dinner here and- all were fantastic. As vegan and gluten free, eating here was easy and delicious. Many vegan options and accommodations for gluten free that did not detour from the flavors of the food. Dessert option "pineapple gold" was out of this world.

Stacie H.

Yelp

Delightful! I had several meals at Sensei by Nobu throughout my stay. Thankfully the one restaurant on site is stellar for breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. Much like the entire Sensei experience, the service at the restaurant is above and beyond. Definitely snag a table outside in the shade for a comfortable and scenic breakfast. Evenings can be cooler but blankets are graciously provided. Anytime I see a Japanese breakfast on a menu, it's a hands down must order for me. I particularly enjoyed the onsen egg and simmered vegetables. The poi donut was also a tasty treat. One thing that Sensei by Nobu does really well is flavorful broths. I was smitten with the shabu shabu although it is a smaller portion. The whitefish tempura with the calamansi sauce was also a standout.

Emily F.

Yelp

Exquisite. Beautiful experience. I loved every second. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner at Sensei by Nobu. It's also super beautiful inside, with live trees growing in the center. It also feels so quiet and peaceful. I can hear myself think. The staff was SO nice, polite, and understanding. They make you feel at home and comfortable. The meal tasted so fresh... reading the pamphlet they stated the farm-to-table was within footsteps away. I find that so impressive! For breakfast we enjoyed a multitude of samplings from the Japanese Breakfast set. From miso to salmon, everything was delicious. We ended up having two desserts for dinner. Both equally as good. The second dessert had this incredible and brittle crunch which was complimented by creamy ice-cream and filling in-between the layers. My friend ordered these veggies and tofu pieces for dinner and the dish came with a small skillet where the veg/tofu could be cooked. And of course the presentation of the meal was beautiful. Do not come to Nobu to save money! Stay away if you're on a strict budget... I feel like it's virtually impossible to stay under at-least $20 dollars unless you're just ordering a dessert or a small drink. Our order totaled over $70 each time we dined. Very worth it for the expensive though! It's serene. ALSO the interior... oh my goodness. It's absolutely breathtaking, I felt as if I was dining inside a magazine spread. Thank you Sensei Nobu!!

Michelle T.

Yelp

The food was for the most part very good. Even though we had reservations, We dined here 2 mornings in a row and I would have to say, both mornings the service was very slow, so do take time to account for this. Without a doubt the surroundings are beautiful. Having floor to ceiling window views of Sensi's incredible gardens cannot be beat. Most of the food was great, especially the local honey served with toast. Pretty much everything we ate on both mornings was great, but I would steer clear of the Hawaiian Smoothie as it had an ingredient that reminded me of horseradish and was really off putting. Because there are limited options for dining on Lanai, be aware that you are paying a premium for the food and there is little incentive to provide fast service. Also, some of the portions were just out-of control large and it felt wasteful (especially anything with fruit). Overall, I'm happy to have dined here because of how stunning the surroundings are. The food for the most part is good (not quite superb) but there are a few items that were a bit off.

Monica O.

Yelp

We stayed at the beautiful Sensei and had the privilege of dining here daily for breakfast and twice for dinner. Breakfast favorites include the Lanai breakfast, Salmon and Flax seed pancakes! Dinner highlights were the lamb, wagyu, yellowtail and beet salad. Service was exceptional. Special shout out to Ada! She is so sweet and was a joy to speak with throughout the stay. The ambience is beautiful with wood accents and floor to ceiling windows. It is also surrounded by a koi pond! A stunning location and delicious food!

Zachary S.

Yelp

A very different Nobu that centers its cuisine around health and wellness, but keeps the amazing flavors we expect from such a well known name brand. Service is usually very good and I've never eaten in a more relaxing and zen like space.

Jon C.

Yelp

I've been to Nobu in Waikiki, Kakaako, and California and I can say that Sensei by Nobu is a very different (and surprising) restaurant. There are a couple of Nobu staples such as the Miso-Marinated Black Cod and Yellowtail (hamachi) sashimi with jalapeno but there isn't a full sushi menu. What is different is Sensei by Nobu is collaboration between world-renowned Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Sensei co-founder Dr. David Agus (along with hotel and landowner Larry Ellison). As mentioned in a previous review, this is the only restaurant located on property and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you order room service, it seems like 90% of the menu can be delivered to your room thus I assume its coming from the same kitchen. I've been to the Lodge before and this is a new addition to the existing building. It is a glass pavilion, which also includes a glass atrium and sits upon a reflecting pond, offering indoor and outdoor tables. For breakfast, it seems the choice to eat is outside; however, given that it was quite sunny, we chose to do breakfast inside. With the glass atrium, it is still very bright and has airy feeling. Every morning I had the Japanese breakfast, which was quite delicious and filling. My wife had the Lanai breakfast both days. Everyone was quite good; however, the highlight was the bread with jam and local white honey and the sensei salad greens with a delicious yuzu vinaigrette (wish they sold this on Oahu). For dinner, the mood is entirely different. Very nice dim lights and the oak paneling really is accentuated. The dishes are pretty price, $15-25 salads, $35-50+ entrees, and $16 desserts so with drinks, expect to pay $250+ for dinner. I would say it's a bit overpriced but it is a Nobu and at a Four Seasons so not completely surprised. One of the highlights was all the staff, many of whom have been with the property for years (before the renovation). Everyone greets you by name and they are very gracious. I can't wait to return to Sensei!

Kirsten C.

Yelp

I feel so fortunate to have spent time here, enjoying the exquisite and intentional menu, as well as all the beautiful souls there creating the magic. An incredible dining experience that I so look forward to experiencing again. Thank you so very much.

Dee G.

Yelp

We stayed at the resort for our baby moon and everything about it was rejuvenating and relaxing! The food here is fresh, locally grown and simple. You can taste the freshness and your body feels how clean the food is! The service was wonderful and our food came out in a timely manner! The views indoor and outdoor are exceptional! Wonderful place ( we only had breakfast here for our stay but I'm sure dinner is fantastic as well)

Kaile H.

Yelp

This place is fancy! From their bottled water to the chop stick holders! Very fancy and you pay for what you get! If you are staying at Sensei this restaurant is your go to! They have a good breakfast / brunch menu and a fantastic dinner menu. It is VERY pricy! So be prepared to spend $50 or more on breakfast and $100 or more on dinner! That being said the staff is extremely friendly and I loved talking to them about the inspiration behind the dish and how the food is paired with the sides. My husband and I stayed at sensei for our anniversary and the dinner staff gave us a complimentary dessert! Food is definitely yummy (but very pricey) and the atmosphere doesn't get any better! During the day I'd suggest sitting outside by the koi pond and during the evening sit inside.

M L.

Yelp

Sensei by Nobu is the ONLY restaurant at the Sensei Lanai resort. We came here for one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner. What I love about Sensei is that all the produce is locally grown on Lanai - the lettuce, berries, cauliflower, calamansi, all the fruits and veggies you see in the photos. Although it's a bit controversial having one rich guy actually owning the island and having a monopoly over literally anything that makes money on Lanai, I do appreciate how he is pushing towards being a self-sustaining island with the farms, water & renewable energy. And the fruits and veggies are delicious. Japanese breakfast: simple, healthy & each small dish was delicious. My favorite meal I had here. Veggie cold udon: citrusy & flavorful. I noticed they really like using yuzu & calamansi in a lot of the dishes here Kampachi tempura, lobster, A5 Japanese wagyu: these were all good, but nothing special. I expected a lot more creativity and artistry in their dishes because it's Nobu. These three dishes were all prepared pretty basically (fried, poached, grilled plainly) & each served with 3 dipping sauce options. I feel like I could've prepared these myself at home if I had the proteins, added a side of yuzu ponzu, and it would've been pretty comparable. The most memorable thing we ate here was actually the jam & honey that came with the breakfast toast (weird, I know. Of all things I could rave about at a Nobu's). The jam is made of their locally grown berries, and the local raw honey was just perfect. If they bottled it and sold it, I'd buy so much to take home.

Tori R.

Yelp

One of my favorite restaurant! Everything is so fresh and delicious!! Best Nobu location!

Jennifer J.

Yelp

During our stay at the Sensei, we had the opportunity to dine here for breakfast lunch and dinner. For breakfast we tried the continental breakfast and Hawaiian fruit plate, as well as the poi donut and bagel and lox. The fruit and continental breakfast were teeming with fruit and were so delicious. So was the yogurt and local honey. The bagel and lox was a bit disappointing - the hydroponic vegetables were beautiful and fresh but had absolutely no flavor and the bagel looked and tasted like something from the local supermarket - come on Nobu - for $25 you can do better. We had the roasted beets and quinoa salad and roasted vegetables for dinner one night with the black cod as an appetizer. The salad and roasted veggies were delicious - keep in mind the vinaigrette for the salad trends sweet. The cod was also a very nice piece of fish - well prepared - the sauce was a bit too sweet for my taste. Finally our big dinner consisted of hearts of palm to start, and one tofu hot pot and one seafood shabu shabu, both of which were good. We had the millefuille for dessert and the Nobu bento box. The chocolate and hazelnut millefuile was really unique and delicious and the cake and matcha gelato that came in the bento box were also delicious.

Kathleen C.

Yelp

beautiful restaurant, amazing service and great food. Honestly no complaints. Highly recommend

Kenneth J.

Yelp

Good food all day long. Nice environment. Always good service. We tried almost every item during our stay, no bad luck.

Sue S.

Yelp

We ate multiple dinners and breakfast here during our stay. The food quality was outstanding. My favorite breakfast was egg white scramble with island fruits and coconut yoghurt. My favorite dinner appetizer was Roasted Lobster salad.

Naman M.

Yelp

I am disgusted at the very poor customer service for four seasons and Nobu - asked for the server to be able to be accommodating to my parents who are 70 years old and celebrating their birthday and a special gift from me and the answer I get when I call to give the hotel a heads up that I would like the chef or server to come out and offer that we can do x, y, and z to accommodate your needs - the answer I get is the hotel will acknowledge dietary needs and point out in the menu what they can eat. So to all the vegetarian and dietary restricted individual worldwide who may read this review and consider the four seasons or Nobu please chose to spend your money at other places. This is from an individual and his spouse that eat everything and have actually stayed at the four seasons lanai (beach) in Feb end this year and enjoyed our vacation to the utmost, thus decided to gift my parents with a belated birthday vacation to sensei due to hearing all its good aspects - what a mistake. My suggestion would be to look at alternatives #relaischateaux at least never been disappointed there. This will be my last time ever booking at a four seasons or Nobu restaurant. This is what happens when you lose sight of the customers. Not an anonymous poster. Feel free to reach out to me. Naman Mahajan 832-962-0487

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

This Remote Hawaiian Island Has No Stoplights, No Crowds, and Two Ultra-luxe Hotels

https://www.travelandleisure.com/lanai-hawaii-travel-guide-11845239

Sensei by Nobu

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

Tracee Ellis Ross on Why Solo Travel Is the Highest Form of Self-care

https://www.travelandleisure.com/tracee-ellis-ross-sensei-porcupine-creek-7970158

Sensei by Nobu

@travelleisure

28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

How a Personalized Hawaiian Wellness Retreat Helped Reshape My Lifestyle Back Home

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/yoga-wellness/wellness-retreat-four-seasons-hotel-lanai-at-koele

Sensei by Nobu

@ellens

14 Postcards · 9 Cities

Away from it all in Lana’i

Sensei by Nobu

Maria E.

Google

Bon A.

Google

Our 1st and 2nd dinner in Nobu of Sensei of four seasons! Strongly recommended! Recommend eat in the garden accompanied by the golden fish and birds!

Scott S.

Google

The meal was spectacular and our server was amazing.

Jeff

Google

Absolutely delicious food in an unforgettable setting. Lovely, attentive, and kind staff. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can't go wrong with a meal here.

Anni B

Google

Amazing!!! Thank you Charita for taking amazing care of us!

Bonnie W.

Google

Jason T.

Google

Wonderfully delicious. The black cod was succulent and flavorful. Lamb chops tender, moist, and nicely done.

Sway G.

Google

Food and staff were great! Super healthy and flavorful food.

Steve L.

Yelp

Hemang S.

Yelp

Derek W.

Yelp

Tara C.

Yelp

Maria E.

Yelp

Martin L.

Yelp

Ilene T.

Yelp

Stacie H.

Yelp

Emily F.

Yelp

Michelle T.

Yelp

Monica O.

Yelp

Zachary S.

Yelp

Jon C.

Yelp

Kirsten C.

Yelp

Dee G.

Yelp

Kaile H.

Yelp

M L.

Yelp

Tori R.

Yelp

One of my favorite restaurant! Everything is so fresh and delicious!! Best Nobu location!

Jennifer J.

Yelp

Kathleen C.

Yelp

beautiful restaurant, amazing service and great food. Honestly no complaints. Highly recommend

Kenneth J.

Yelp

Good food all day long. Nice environment. Always good service. We tried almost every item during our stay, no bad luck.

Sue S.

Yelp

Naman M.

Yelp

Sensei by Nobu

Information

Postcards

Media

This Remote Hawaiian Island Has No Stoplights, No Crowds, and Two Ultra-luxe Hotels

Tracee Ellis Ross on Why Solo Travel Is the Highest Form of Self-care

How a Personalized Hawaiian Wellness Retreat Helped Reshape My Lifestyle Back Home

You might also like

This Remote Hawaiian Island Has No Stoplights, No Crowds, and Two Ultra-luxe Hotels

Tracee Ellis Ross on Why Solo Travel Is the Highest Form of Self-care

How a Personalized Hawaiian Wellness Retreat Helped Reshape My Lifestyle Back Home