The Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant

An Island Favorite for Over 30 Years

Since the early 1970’s The Dolphin Restaurant has welcomed visitor and local alike to its pristine Hanalei riverside location. Know for the freshest cuts in seafood, second-to-none service and ambiance, one can enjoy a peaceful riverside meal on umbrella shaded tables, outstanding dinner fare in a tropical, romantic setting or just hang out in the stylish world class sushi lounge.

To this day that spirit has not changed. Your culinary experience at The Dolphin will include the freshest local produce, fruits, vegetables, seafood and steaks as we are committed to supporting the small Island growers, farmers and fishermen.

The First AND Last Stop in Hanalei

The Dolphin is a non-smoking restaurant and does not take reservations – operating on a first come, first served basis. You are welcomed to enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine in the garden. So, whether you are just arriving on Kauai’s fabulous north shore or saying goodbye to it, be sure to make the time to enjoy Hanalei’s premier dining establishment.

We look forward to serving you. The Dolphin Restaurant accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Traveler’s Checks and Cash. No off-island checks please. A 20% gratuity will be added for parties of 6 or more.

Dining on the Banks of the Hanalei River

Enjoy lazy afternoon cocktails, pupus and the freshest fish and sushi on Kauai on the banks of the idyllic Hanalei River. Spend some time sampling the creative genius of a master sushi chef at The Dolphin’s world class sushi lounge or plan on a dinner that might include a fresh charbroiled catch-of-the-day, sautéed Calamari, Scallops, Broiled Shrimp, Crab Legs, Lobster or choose from chicken dishes or the finest cuts of Filet Mignon and New York steak.

The Dolphin features Kailani Farms locally grown organic greens and serves them with The Dolphin’s own homemade dressings. The choice of roasted veggies, baked potato, seasoned steak fries or steamed white rice accompanies every meal. The Dolphin provides an extensive selection of fine wines and sake to compliment your meal selection.

The Dolphin Fish Market

Both of our locations feature an in-house Fish Market offering a large selection of local Hawaiian Fish, cut daily by our master fish cutters, a variety of seafood & choice cut steaks, sushi rolls, local organic greens, gourmet accouterments and a fine selection of specialty cheeses.

The Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant
The Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant
The Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant

HAWAIIAN FISH LIST

The Dolphin features an incredible selection of fresh fish from local waters and local fishermen. Each variety has its own unique and delicious flavor and the master Chefs at The Dolphin Restaurant feel the best way to experience these tastes is to refrain from “drowning” the fish in sauce, but rather to prepare it simply and deliciously broiled. The following is a list of the varieties of fresh fish typically available at The Dolphin Restaurant.

Ono

ONO

Also known as Wahoo or King Mackerel. White meat, mild flavored and firm textured.

Ahi

AHI

Yellow fin tuna. Red meat, lean firm and flaky.

Onaga

ONAGA

Red Snapper. This deep-water fish yields a very light meat, delicate in flavor and texture.

Shutome

SHUTOME

Broadbill Swordfish. Mild, moist and slightly oily white meat.

Mahi-Mahi

MAHI-MAHI

Also known as Dorado. Mild tender, moist, white meat.

Opakapaka

OPAKAPAKA

Pink Snapper. Opakapaka is a moist, delicate white meat.

Monchong

MONCHONG

Sickle Pomfret. Mild, sweet and flaky white meat.

Opah

OPAH

Moon Fish. Orange color meat, moist, mild and flaky.

Uku

UKU

Grey Snapper. Firm in texture -mild white meat.

Hapuu

HAPU

Hawaiian Black Sea Bass. It is said to have the flavor and consistency of “Spiny Lobster” firm white meat.

LUNCH MENU

The Dolphin Restaurant

SANDWICHES

Add Cheese Option

  • *Fin Burger
    Your choice of Ahi or Fresh Fish of the Day, charbroiled or Cajun with homemade tartar sauce, organic greens, tomato & onion
  • *Hamburger
    1/2 LB Black Angus burger with mayo, organic greens, tomato & onion
  • Calamari Burger
    Calamari steak, breaded, deep fried, with homemade tartar sauce, organic greens, tomato & onion
  • Feather Burger
    Teriyaki marinated chicken, charbroiled, with homemade thousand island, organic greens, tomato & onion
  • Chilled Fish Burger
    Teriyaki marinated Ono, charbroiled and made into a chilled fish salad served with tartar sauce, organic greens, tomato & onion
  • Homemade Veggie Burger
    Vegan Gluten Free, made with Black Bean homemade Sriracha Aioli, organic greens, tomato & onion

OFF THE HOOK

  • Beer Battered Fish N’ Chips
    Fried fresh local white fish, french fries and homemade tartar sauce
  • Seafood Chowder
    Our own creation of shrimp, scallops, clams, potatoes, bell peppers, and onion in a creamy white sauce
  • Shrimp Cocktail (6pcs)
    Served with house made cocktail sauce

SALAD

Served with your choice of one of the following:

Papaya Seed, Ranch, Thousand, Blue Cheese, EVOO & Vinegar

  • Dolphin Salad
    Local organic mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and house made croutons
  • *Add Fresh Local Fish
    Charbroiled or Blackened Cajun
  • Add Chilled Fish Salad
  • Add Teriyaki Salad

SIDES

  • Fries
    Local organic mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and house made croutons
  • Onion Rings
    Charbroiled or Blackened Cajun
  • Frings
  • Homemade Side Sauces

FISH MARKET

Upon Availability

SASHIMI

Our Top Grade Fish served over organic greens with sesame seeds, Ponzu sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi

Ask your server about the fish of the day

POKE BOWLS

  • *Sashimi
    Our Top Grade Fish served over organic greens with sesame seeds, Ponzu sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi

    Ask your server about the fish of the day

  • *Poke Bowls
    Served over Sushi Rice (or Organic Greens) with Unagi Sauce and Wasabi aioli
  • *Avocado Ahi
    Roasted Kukui nut, avocado, sea asparagus, white and green onions, Hawaiian sea salt and sesame seeds
  • *Rainbow
    Ahi, Salmon, White Fish, sesame oil and seeds, green and white onions, Hawaiian sea salt
  • *Sesame Ahi
    Hawaiian sea salt, furikake, sesame oil and seeds
  • *Spicy Ahi
    Sriracha, sesame oil and seeds, Hawaiian sea salt, green and white onions
  • Tako (Octopus)
    Hawaiian sea salt, dashi, green onion, Ogo, sesame oil and seeds

SUSHI ROLLS

All rolls include tobiko, avocado, cucumber and green onion

  • Soft Shell Crab
    Tempura battered crab fried and wrapped in white seaweed
  • *Ahi
    Sashimi grade Ahi Strip
  • *Spicy Ahi
    Sriracha, sesame oil and seeds, Hawaiian sea salt, green and white onions
  • *Dolphin (Spicy Tuna and Snow Crab)
    Ahi mixed with Sriracha, dashi, sesame oil, Hawaiian sea salt, and real snow crab mixed with mayo
  • Spicy Shrimp
    Cooked shrimp chopped and mixed with mayo, cayenne and sesame oil
  • *Spicy Scallop
    Fresh sashimi grade Hokkaido scallops mixed with mayo, cayenne and sesame oil
  • *Spicy Salmon
    Spicy salmon, mixed with mayo, sesame oil and sriracha
  • *Salmon
    Sashimi grade New Zealand Ora King Salmon strip

DINNER MENU

The Dolphin Restaurant

APPETIZER

  • SEAFOOD CHOWDER
    Our own creation of shrimp, calamari, scallops, clams, bell peppers and onions in a creamy white sauce!
  • SHRIMP COCKTAIL
    Served with our homemade cocktail sauce.
  • SASHIMI
    Ask your server what is fresh tonight.
    4 oz. of our Sushi Chefs top grade fish, served over organic greens with ponzu sauce and fresh wasabi.
  • ARTICHOKE
    Seasonal Fresh steamed artichoke served with drawn butter and mayonnaise.
  • ARTICHOKE CROWNS
    Stuffed with garlic, butter, bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
  • STUFFED MUSHROOMS
    Mushroom caps stuffed with garlic, butter, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
  • FRIED SHRIMP
    Four shrimp butterflied and breaded served with cocktail sauce.
  • CALAMARI APPETIZER
    Served with cocktail sauce.
  • DOLPHIN SALAD
    Kailani Farms organic greens, bean sprouts, tomatoes, homemade Thousand Island, Blue Chesse, Oil and Vinegar dressings and croutons.

ENTREE

Entrees are served with your choice of one of the following: roasted veggies, baked potato, seasoned steak fries or steamed white rice.

  • FRESH FISH
    Fish of the day from our Fish Market. Charbroiled or rolled in cajun seasonings and blackened served with drawn butter.
  • TERIYAKI AHI
    Our House Specialty for over thirty years. Ahi steak marinated in our homemade teriyaki. Charbroiled medium rare served with drawn butter.
  • BEER BATTERED FRESH FISH
    Fresh island fish, cut and skewered, then deep fried in beer batter, served with tartar sauce.
  • CALAMARI
    Breaded squid steak fillets from giant squid, sautéed and served with cocktail sauce.
  • SCALLOPS
    Baked in wine, smothered with mozzarella.
  • FRIED SHRIMP
    Butterflied and breaded, served with cocktail sauce.
  • HAWAIIAN CHICKEN
    Two 6 oz. boneless breasts of chicken lightly marinated in soy sauce and ginger, charbroiled, served with teriyaki sauce. Menehune portion – One 6 oz. breast.
  • HAOLE CHICKEN
    Two 6 oz. boneless breasts of chicken, breaded with seasonings and parmesan cheese, sautéed, served with side of sweet and sour sauce. Menehune portion – One 6 oz. breast.
  • BEEF TENDERLOIN
    8 oz. cut of midwestern grain fed beef.
  • NEW YORK CUT
    12 oz. cut of mid-western grain fed beef.
  • COMBO DINNERS
    LOBSTER AND STEAK
    FRIED SHRIMP AND STEAK
    FRESH FISH AND STEAK

DESSERT

  • HOMEMADE DOLPHIN ICE CREAM PIE
    Three flavors, Haupia, Oreo Cookie Crunch, Macadamia Nut on a Oreo cookie crust with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
  • LAPPERT’S VANILLA BEAN SUNDAE
    Chocolate, strawberry, or lilikoi topping and whipped cream.
  • HAWAIIAN BUTTER MOCHI
    Our home made mochi with a delicious chewy center and golden crispy crust topped with a Lilikoi glaze served with a scoop of Lappert’s Vanilla Bean ice cream.
  • MACNUT CHOCOLATE BROWNIE
    Our homemade rich, moist and chewy brownie served with a scoop of Lappert’s Vanilla Bean ice cream.
  • LAPPERT’S SORBET
    Light and refreshing island favorite.
  • LAPPERT’S GREEN TEA ICE CREAM
    Cool and satisfying flavor

THE HANALEI DOLPHIN

Hanalei Dolphin Center
5-5016 Kuhio Highway
Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 96714

Email: dolphinkauairestaurant@gmail.com
Phone: (808) 826-6113
Fax: (808) 826-6699

RESTAURANT

Open 7 Days a week

Lunch: 11:30am – 3:00pm
Dinner List: 4:30pm
Dinner Service:  5:00pm

Please Note:
• We operate on a first come first service basis
• No Reservations

FISH MARKET

Open 7 Days a week

10:00am – 6:00pm

All to-go options are available in the fish market.