Tropical Taco

Tropical Taco has memories for me and my kids. We lived on Kauai for 6 months when they were very young. I always got them the baby bean and cheese burritos. Back here now as adults, they loved them just as they had before. Located in the most quaint and my favorite town of Hanalei.

I ordered the tropical fish taco (see picture), which costs $20 for a single tiny taco that was not very good. How these people can justify charging $20 for 1 lousy taco and a few chips is crazy. The only saving grace was that the gal working the register was friendly and they provided a $3 off coupon for the next taco (ie, $37 for two tacos). They used very inexpensive ingredients as well (e.g., iceberg lettuce, bulk shredded cheese, processed salsa, etc.). Their profit margin per taco must be like 85-90%. Highly discourage you from making my mistake. Go eat elsewhere!

Taste like gross air no flavor no seasoning.. they said it was a burrito, but there was nothing about it. That was a burrito. There was no flour tortilla shell no shelling at all. It was just a pile of beans covered in shredded lettuce with some cheap cheese from big save and then I had to pay extra for the sour cream on it and I had no taste. No flavor at all. It taste like I was eating gross air. The fish was fried, but it wasn’t any good had no taste and then I’d try the sauce came with the sauce had no taste like zero I was like what is it, like sour cream would have tasted better than that sauce they made and then the salsa, no seasoning you can’t salsa just say you want some diced tomatoes. We just cut up and don’t charge me extra for it and chips. Thanks a lot 25 bucks. … sorry for any misspelling I didn’t want to waste any more time with this BS! so I used my talk text. I’m a business owner in a heavily saturated tourist area and I will let people know to stay away. They probably don’t care about this business at all they definitely don’t put time into the recipes or flavors and they just rip tourists off just another way to make money some big tourist trap on Kauai

We usually come here at least once per trip. The fried fish tacos are good and it’s usually pretty chill out on the deck, watching people drive by. That being said, I feel like their prices went up at some point in the last year or two and they were already pretty steep to begin with. Hence, the single visit per trip. I think it’s a little bit of Hawaii pricing and a little bit of Hanalei Bay pricing. Good stuff, but not good enough for more than once a trip!

Great spot for lunch while visiting Hanalei Bay. The fish tacos were great, and the burritos were huge! For those complaining about the price go to taco bell. The food here is quite tasty, large portions, and worth every penny! I am a big fan of ahi for the tacos and burritos! We will be back!!

Got the Baja plate, which came with choice of a combination of grilled and fried fish tacos, refried beans and rice. Love the grilled tacos. A surprising lunch around a beautiful place.

Stopped here for lunch on our trip to Kauai. My husband and I got the grilled fish tacos. They came with a side of slaw, rice, refried beans and a few tortilla chips. Our meals came to $40. Very pricey, in my opinion. The tacos were good, but very messy! The chips seemed stale to me. The rice was a little undercooked as it was crunchy. The beans were good. Friendly folks.

The beef tacos were great, but the veggie burrito was extremely bland and plain. $17 for rice, beans and cabbage? Not even some extra sauteed veggies? Bit of a rip. Better Mexican restaurants in the area!

Soooooo good! Never had a fish burrito before but it was so good. The fish was crispy golden fried, mixed with a sauce, slaw and waffle fries. The waffle fries were seasoned good too. Would go back.

The three stars are for the food only. The staff and service was on point. I ordered the taco plate which comes with two tacos, rice and beans. Unfortunately nothing tasted fresh. The grilled fish taco was super dry and had no flavor. The fried fish taco was a bit better but both tacos were packed with cabbage and it was just overkill. The rice and beans tasted like out of a can. We were a bit disappointed as the food looked so good and isn't exactly cheap either. I truly believe though, that if the chef tweaks his recipes a bit Tropical Taco has a lot of potential!

Ok in a pinch when I say pinch I mean if there's nothing else around. Let's face it Kauai is not known for their great cuisine. What they're known for is mediocre, overpriced food served on a beautiful island with stunning views. This place is no exception. I had the extremely overpriced fish "Burrito" that came with a few tortilla chips. The only thing I can say about the taste was I haven't eaten all day, and it was still just ok. PS it's more of a wrap than a burrito. BB

Tropical Taco was disappointing... the Fish Tacos are what attracted us this restaurant. Our family ordered the Fat Jack, Fish & Chips and Fish Taco Platter. We enjoyed the fried fish and sauce it was served with, but the Mexican part was a miss! The salsa, cheese, Spanish rice, beans and all other fixings that make it 'Mexican' was not good. On the Fish Taco, the cabbage ratio in the taco was just too much or maybe if it was under the fish maybe it would have been better, also I think the tortilla needed to be warmed up. I did however, really like the taro fries and the dip! Service was friendly and the food came out promptly.

Don't waste your money here. Nothing tasted fresh. The cheese looked like bulk shredded cheese, the beans were most likely canned, the salsa tasted like it came from a cheap jar and the fish was very mediocre. Very overpriced and underwhelming food.

Was pleasantly surprised by how much I truly liked the fish burrito I had from Tropical Taco! I asked the guy up front what he would recommend and it was either this, fish tacos, or the fish and chips. Since I was kind of in a rush, I wanted something that could be eaten fairly quickly and was good on the go, but also filling. Any one of those options would have been great and all sounded amazing. Went with the fish burrito which came w/ a side of wonderfully seasoned perfectly crispy waffle fries, thick crunchy lightly salted tortilla chips, a wedge of lime, a nice creamy sauce to pair with the fish and salsa for the tortilla chips on the side. I offered to share some of my fries and chips w/ the fam (but did it out of courtesy, haha). The burrito was great! Would get again! The sauce and salsa were perfect pairings to my food - so much flavor and while most of the items were fried, after consuming my meal I did not feel weighed down. Order up front, they'll give you a number or in my case a buzzer for when your order is ready. They have seating for guests indoor and outdoor. The outdoor seating is both on the deck and below on the street level. Nice spot to grab something to eat and continue walking around the area to shop.

The Catch of the Day Fish Taco at Tropical Taco deserves a standing ovation! I thought I knew good fish tacos, but this surpassed all expectations. The freshness of the catch is unparalleled, each bite delivering a burst of ocean flavors that dance on your taste buds. The fish is expertly seasoned and grilled to perfection, showcasing the chef's mastery. The toppings are a symphony of textures and tastes, complementing the star of the show without overpowering it. The tortilla, a humble yet crucial element, is soft and pillowy, providing the perfect vessel for this culinary masterpiece. I've traveled far and wide in search of the ultimate fish taco, and I can confidently say that this one is in a league of its own. It's not just a meal; it's a transformative experience for your taste buds. On a scale from 1 to 10, this fish taco breaks the scale - 100/10. If you're a fish taco enthusiast, go here! Came here two days in a row

Wow - Worst fish taco I've ever had and most over priced. Just imagine a basic piece of fish with no seasoning and a LOT of lettuce. Additionally my girlfriend ordered a bean burrito that tasted like evil. Wish we looked at the yelp reviews before going here. Best part was when our food was ready, I saw it sitting there in the window for 5 mins while the girl working there went through the instagram feed on her phone.

They were good. Service was quick and friendly. Restaurant was clean. Great stop on the scenic drive.

Had the fried fish tacos combo, huge portions of fish, tacos were good, kinda wish I had a little bit more sauce on them. The rice was a little dry, but the beans with cheese were good along with the chips as I ate bites of fish taco. Service was fine, basically just deliver the food to you but that's about it, didn't really expect much more.

Had been a favorite and it is $$ for a taco. Big portions but their fish quality tastes not fresh. Cute place with new outdoor tables but there is way better fish on the island. Think they have gone cheap now on fish as it tastes frozen or simply not good quality. No more:(

Four of us ate there this week. The tacos were good but the rest of the plate (beans and rice) were a let down. Service was OK but not great.

Not sure if it's worth $18 IMO... but it's Kauai and located right before Hanalei Beach so whatevs. First off, the kid at the front counter was a sweetheart and had amazing customer service. He was friendly, patient, and gave great recommendations. We got the: Baja Plate- The boy ate it all sooo quick I didn't get any lol Shrimp Tacos Special- Had a light batter, perfect crunch and the cabbage went well with it Hot Sauce- they only have a couple bottles on the patio to share so.. not very COVID friendly lol but hot sauce is a must with tacos... Side of Taro Fries- These were pretty thick. Personally prefer skinny and crunchy taro chips over these but it was aiight. **NOTE** They don't have a liquor license and therefore do not serve beer, but were sweet enough to recommend the liquor store just next door and you can enjoy the beer on their patio with your meal :)

Absolutely skip. This place is not good, at all. You would think a taco place next to the beach would make a good fish taco. Disgusting. The fish was dry and not seasoned, the tortillas weren't even heated and straight out the bag. The beans were bland, dry, and tasted like they came out of a can. Rice was tasteless and mushy. Not sure how this place is in business. Skip at all cost.

Horrible the worst taco i have ever had. I had eaten here over one year ago and it was a great experience. Today the fish was not fresh tasted dry and previously frozen. The corn tortilla was old and tasted like it had reached way beyond its expiration date. The rice and side of beans were tasteless to the point that they were not worth eating. I was so looking forward to eating here again but after this extremely bad experience i will never return. You really have to work at making a bad Mexican dish like this. This is not that difficult to produce a good taco.

It tasted like the frozen fish was straight out of a Costco bag. We actually took one bite, had a bite of one stale chip and threw out our entire lunch and had to go find something else. It's embarrassing that these companies allow this kind of meal and sell it and take advantage of the tourists not having many options. We live here and people should know what's good and what to avoid. If restaurants can't do things well, why be in business?

Just awful. Ye be warned. Fish tacos were no bueno. I've had much better in Colorado. And if you're not geographically inclined that's a long, long, long way from the ocean. My wife's beef burrito was more like a bean burrito. Canned refried beens too I'm sure. It's almost like they want to go out of business. Try harder.

always is so good, i'm sure I have been eating there longer than most. I do have one gripe, that I rarely eat anywhere else in Hanalei, which, by the way, have a Lotta great places. because I'm always happy with what I get there. thanks Roger and Barb. Paul and his family has been making you and all of us proud, for putting out such great food and service for the North Shore. Lots of aloha.

Decent place to get fish. There is a large parking lot behind the building. No public bathrooms. There is a bathroom but apparently isn't working. Few tables outside to eat at but they were all taken. Tried the fish and chips with the fish being grilled (option of fried available) and taro chips. I was a little taken back by the small size of food you get for the price. Few strips of fish and free strips of fries. But at least the quality was good. The sauce (mayo and hot sauce?) was good on the fries and the fish. You definitely get more for your money with the burrito. There was just a spoonful of cabbage under my fish. Would've really liked a little more. I've made taro chips at home but never this thick taro chips. It was amazing that they got it to cook all the way in the middle without burning the outside. Definitely liked that.

Stopped by to get the Baja Plate, which consisted of two fish tacos (I picked beer batter fried, but you can opt for grilled). It's loaded with Baja sauce, cabbage mix, and salsa. On the side were Spanish rice, beans, and corn chips. It was quite tasty and the ingredients were fresh. The cabbage salsa really kicked the fish up a notch. You order in the store and take a number out to one of the tables. A server will bring the food to you. They were friendly and efficient. I would definitely visit again. You pay when you order, so don't forget to tip the staff.

Tacos had very little fish and were overstuffed with cabbage. I love cabbage, but it was so much I couldn't even find the fish. Also, not very flavorful.

I was in Hanalei around lunch time and we decided to go to Tropical Taco. They have been in business here on Kauai for many years and was always excellent. They had the best fish tacos on the island and the fresh homemade tortilla's really made it extra good. We were so disappointed with our tacos. They were smaller with store bought tortilla's and not that special and for $12? We'll never be back or recommend.

Was bumming around Hanalei today and stopped in here for a quick bite. I have to say, these were the best fish tacos I have ever had. The batter was crisp and light and crunchy and the toppings were excellent. We ate inside and enjoyed it. The service here was great with friendly young family members manning the place. They told us about how they survived COVID and the new food truck mart put right next door. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and I would plan on going here again should I be in the area and need some lunch!

I wouldn't repeat going to this taco restaurant. The fish in my Baja taco plate was overcooked and bland. The deep fried fish taco was better!

Huge wait for fish tacos, which were basically fish and a ton of shredded lettuce. Very dry and boring. They ran out of food after us and closed for the afternoon.

Was expecting a little more. The person who took the order had major attitude. His "you're welcome" was completely insincere. So I was ready to dislike this place. Then $18 for two tacos with rice and beans, and $11 for one!! Geez. Pretty much thought this set the deal for one star. However the taco was pretty good. Just think my Latino ancestors would be turning in their graves considering an $11 taco! In a nutshell, taco good (not sure it's worth the price, though) but service is poor.

Nope. Not good. Taco Bell would compete. No a la cart crispy fish tacos. When they say beef they mean ground beef. Nope.

This used to be such a great place. Now you have to wait forever even though there are plenty of staff and very few customers.

Ok , I had to write a review on this place which I almost hesitated but needed to express my experience. My wife and I walked by this place,as it was just closing ,and spoke with a very friendly worker and said come back if you want a killer taco or burrito. Several day later we decided it could be a great spot to try out , as we both live Mexican food. So sorry to say it was absolutely awful. 18 dollars for a taco or burrito we thought should be over the top. I'm far from cheap and don't mind the price but the food was bland and full of refried bean with ground hamburger on my wife's taco and the grilled fish was tasteless. Hope it was just a bad day for the place but Taco Bell would have been a better choice. Sorry Tropical Taco it would be so easy to step up your game so hope you rethink your offerings.

Freshest and best fish tacos I've ever had, amazing customer service. Family owned and ran business! Support local

Hubby and I shared the fish and chips with waffle fries and also got the side of the taro fries. The ahi fish and chips were some of the best we've had. Very fresh and super moist with a perfect crunch on the outside. And definitely try the taro chips. They are nice and thick, also with a perfect crunch on the outside and they have a really yummy dipping sauce.

Who puts refried beans with fish? I ordered a grilled fish burrito and as listed on the menu, it comes with beans, cheese, flour tortilla, lettuce and salsa. And a big fish fillet in the middle. No mention of refried beans, and it was so sloppy I couldn't pick it up. The fish was chewy and I kept dumping salsa on it to make edible. Wish we had read others reviews before coming here.

We did a foodie tour in Hanalei and one of the stops was here at Tropical Taco. I would consider myself a taco guy, fish tacos, steak, pastor... The list goes on and on, like the Bubba Gump of tacos. I only say that to try and set the stage for what I am about to tell you. The Battered Mahi Mahi Tacos at Tropical Taco paired with the Mango Habanero Sauce is hands down the best fish taco I have ever had... You may be wondering when I am going to pump the breaks on this review and bring the level of excitement back into the 1-10 acceptable range, but that is not going to happen. Someone turned the amps to 11 at this taco show because it all married so perfectly. The batter was light, not greasy, the slaw and sauce on the tacos worked perfectly with the fish and the addition of the Mango Hab just sent it over the top. I am ready to head to our airport and take the 5 hour flight over so I can make it in time for dinner.

The handmade chips and salad was the best thing about this place. Tacos were good the batter tasted too much like beer for my taste but over all not too bad.

Food was awesome. We had the Baja plate with the fried fish option. Tacos were overflowing. The pieces of fish were large and cooked just right. This was the best fish that I have had in the island so far. My only knock is I would have liked to have seen a couple more local beer options.

The fried fish tacos are amaaaazing!! Ate here three times in one week. Nice friendly staff and good vibes!

Great place, but be prepared for no seating. Portion sizes are huge. Their grilled fish was amazing. (Fish of the day was ahi.) Their fried ahi taco though was very dry. Get your fish grilled. Will be coming back here next time we're in Hanalei.

18% gratuity for just taking an order for 5 or more people. And when I asked what it was for I was looked at like I was crazy. At least be polite when you take 18% for doing your job.

This was a great find in Hanalei. They do mostly takeout with Covid, however there are a few tables inside and outside. It was awhile ago when I ate there but I remember the food was fresh and the staff were very friendly. They had daily specials.

Ordered fish tacos. They had trouble getting the order correct. The person taking orders had poor communication skills. The fish tasted fishy and was otherwise not very tasty. There are no utensils to eat with.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this place. My lovely friend took me here for lunch on my bday. I had the fish tostada and it was bomb. The chips that came with it were homemade and the corn tortilla on the bottom was as well. It had big strips of grilled fish on the bottom with all the normal tostada toppings. I can't wait to go back in October when I visit again

Ahi tuna taco!! The homemade chips are delicious . I loved the tacos. Still thinking about those homemade chips.

This is a fun little place right next to a food truck hub. The inside of the restaurant has a food truck on the wall so it looks like it fits in. It's cute. The employees were super nice and helpful in picking out lunch items. I got a burrito and hubs got fish tacos. One fried and one breaded. He said that his fish was dry. My food was good for about half of the burrito. Then it got super soggy and lost a lot of flavor. The salsa that comes in a bottle that you can add yourself is HOT! Use sparingly!! There is a lot of fun atmosphere here with an open bar seating area outside the front door. And fun music.

Tried their fish tacos and was honestly shocked by the quality and freshness. We checked out this place for a quick lunch since we were checking out the shops next door and were not disappointed. Their fish was fried well, light and crispy which went well with both the tacos and burritos. I also really enjoyed the taro fries which was I've never seen anywhere else. The price was a little pricy but the portions were big so it was worth it imo.

Compared to most other places on north shore , this spot feels like your getting your moneys worth. The fish was great in fish tacos and fish and chips yum yum. Almost all the places up there sell you 2 tacos for 20$ so I would recommend :)

That was the best fish burrito I've ever had. Super fresh fish, taro fries, slaw, flour tortilla, great sauce. I loved that it comes with an extra piece of fish so you can taste it by itself. I grabbed a beer from next door and listened to the locals talk surf. Everyone who came in was remarking how good the food was, I heard three different parties do it. I also heard the owner talking about some menu ideas and she seemed so nice and excited about her food.

Friendly, freshest fish & consistently high quality offerings! You cannot go wrong here, the Tropical Taco with beer battered fried fish is a huge and satisfying meal. Prefer to have an adult beverage with your meal? Place your order and go next door to Hanalei Liquor store and grab a cold beer or cocktail (fridge towards the rear of the store) and take it back to TT. Love hot sauce? Ask for the hot salsa

Food was delicious. That is the reason for 4 stars. I had the taco salad with grilled fish $26 bucks and my husband had a fish burrito $22 and chips and salsa $9. With 2 cans of soda our bill was $68 bucks for lunch. Probably won't be going back just due to the crazy high prices. I know things cost more but really?!

On our visit to Kauai we stumbled across this place while looking for trucking delicious and I'm so glad we did! First off there was a boy who helped us I didn't get his name, but excellent customer service and he gave us directions to where we needed to go. We ordered from them since we were there we got fish tacos there's a meal for it it's called Baja something. Omg these tacos were freakeN amazing! It had the lightest batter with the perfect crunch and yummy sauce and veggies!! It didn't make me feel lazy, after I ate the whole plate we went on a hike. I craved it the days following so we went back again two days later a lady helped us and again excellent customer service!! This place is a must try when in Hanalei.

Can't believe it took us so long to write this. We stumbled across this place exploring the island. During our 2 week vacation on two islands I had more fish tacos in the two weeks than I had in 47 years combined. This was the best fish tacos!! Meat was moist and flavorful, the balance of the flavors in the taco amazing. And the chips and salsa home made!! Im not a big bean fan but this family recipe rocked! Forget the hype of the food network places and try this place- seriously honest cooking made with heart.