Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

4.9

210 Reviews

$50 and over

Japanese

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 22, 2024

8:00 PM

Booked 4 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Innovative
Healthy

Welcome to Engawa, a small restaurant limited to 20 guests per night, where we offer an exquisite experience of Japanese cuisine. We invite you to indulge in a memorable dinner experience. Our menu is a celebration of traditional Japanese cuisine, featuring an array of exquisite dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients. From fresh sushi and sashimi to hearty tempura and other savory dishes are crafted to bring out the authentic flavors of Japan. Enjoy a unique culinary journey with chef & brew master Chiaki Takahashi, where each dish complemented by our award-winning hand-crafted sake, designed to enhance your dining experience.
At Engawa, we pride ourselves on providing not only exceptional foods but also an inviting atmosphere and impeccable service. To ensure you have a wonderful evening with us, we recommend making a reservation. Our attentive team is here to accommodate your needs and preferences, making your visit truly special.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Japanese, Brewery, Creative Japanese
Hours of operation
Daily 5:30 pm–7:15 pm Daily 7:30 pm–9:15 pm
Phone number
(808) 517-8188
Website
http://www.islandersake.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Dr. Chiaki Takahashi

Location
62-100 Kaunaʻoa Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Neighborhood
Kohala Coast
Cross street
Hapuna Golf Course
Parking details
Private Lot
Public transit
Hotel shuttle van, Walk from Hotel
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

A Japanese-Style Christmas on the Big Island
$170.00 per person
Prepaid
Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 25, 2024
This year, why not celebrate Christmas with a touch of Japanese elegance? At Hawaii’s only sake brewery-owned restaurant, our small yet dedicated team is ready to welcome you with warm hospitality, exquisite Japanese cuisine, and the finest sake that will make you feel as if you’re in Japan. Enjoy the healthy and flavorful delights of fermented foods made with sake and koji—perfect for those who appreciate nutritious and delicious dining. Celebrate the season with us in a truly special way! Price $170 (A glass of sake, Tax, Gratuities are included.) *Price is composed of Omakase-style, chef’s choice of assorted plates and a Fresh Sake brewed in Hapuna. *Guests must inform event hosts of any allergies before service.

Omakase Dinner$95.00
August Dinner menu: White tiny fish and Cucumber. Fried Eggplant topped with Chicken sauce, a Tofu salad with soy sauce, Koji, and truffle oil. Carpaccio of Kona Kanpachi with Hawaiian lime sauce and island fruits. Savory Steamed Egg Custard, Chawanmushi, Sushi, Sake Kasu Ice Cream. Contents may change depending on availability of ingredients. One glass of Islander Sake Junmai Daiginjo, the highest grade of sake Included.

What 210 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.6Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Hawaii
Best Overall
Hawaii
Best Value
Hawaii
Innovative
Hawaii
Japanese
Hawaii / Big Island
Best Overall
Hawaii / Big Island
Best Food
Hawaii / Big Island
Best Service
Hawaii / Big Island
Best Value
Hawaii / Big Island
Innovative
Hawaii / Big Island
Healthy
Hawaii / Big Island
Romantic
Hawaii / Big Island
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery offers a "truly wonderful" Omakase dining experience with expertly paired sake, garnering praise for its "delicious and inventive" dishes. Guests enjoy learning about sake production in a "warm and friendly" setting. This "hidden gem" promises a remarkable meal, complemented by attentive service and exquisite presentation.

210 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Phoenix
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
Went in with excitement, walked out with regret (that we didn’t keep our reservation at Cipriano’s in Kawaihae). We were expecting an authentic experience, what we received was a dispassionate money grab that included being seated in the bar area facing a wall, the food delivery was sporadic with no interaction with the chef (who was supposed to explain the preparation), the sake “expert” actually delivered the dishes. The final blow, the owner asked us what kind of sake we would like as the evening wound down , apparently we picked a premium brand that he didn’t want to pour and he substituted that for a lesser product. We enjoyed the sushi, but we were looking for the “omakase” experience that was advertised but not delivered.
Is this helpful?
S
Sarah
VIP
Anchorage
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We’ve traveled all over the world to eat. This place could compete with any of the best places. The sake was extraordinary. Even the rice - the rice was the most delicate and silky rice I’ve ever had. If you miss this place, it’s on you. You’re not really living and you’re missing out on something very special. You owe it to your palette. The service was impeccable as well. Just go.
1 person found this helpful
J
John
Hawaii
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I used to have a Japanese girlfriend, and I have been to Japan numerous times. Obviously, I know a thing or two about Japanese food. This restaurant is absolutely awesome! Real Japanese food, not the kind of American-Japanese food that most restaurants serve. As an added bonus, we learned a lot about sake making, and had a chance to sample most of the sake they have on their menu. None of them are industrial sakes, so I highly recommend the order their sake sampler. We certainly will be back!
Is this helpful?
J
James
Seattle
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
It was very quiet on our visit. In fact, we were the only table inside and maybe 4 tables seated on the patio. The service, food, and sake, were excellent.
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J
Johnny
Toronto
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing presentation of all the dishes. The sake was the highlight of the night. The portion is small so if you are looking to fill up this is not the place.
Is this helpful?
A
Amir
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was a unique and great experience. The food was delicious, authentic and healthy.
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L
Lisa
Hawaii
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent dining experience. Food was amazing. The host was welcoming and very knowledgable about sake.
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E
Ellen
VIP
Seattle
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This restaurant was a one of a kind experience with the sake brew mistress also our chef for the evening. The ambiance, food and optional sake pairing menu really defined our meal as one of the most special I have ever experienced in Hawaii. This is a standout experience that really demonstrates the depth of the Hawaiian multicultural experience and the international standing Hawaii holds with our neighbors in the far east. All within the intimate setting of the restaurant above the sake brewery. The word special is an understatement.
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e
eileen
VIP
Vancouver
22 reviews
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on November 21, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The food was delicious. This was a hidden gem on this side of the island. The hotel is quiet. We dined out in the patio overlooking part of the golf course.
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D
Dallin
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
I was there to celebrate my Birthday with my son and everything was wonderful even though we were in the clubhouse bar area which kind of took away the feel of being in Japan everything else was great and will not deter me from going back again!!
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FAQs

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery is rated 4.9 stars by 210 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 22, 2024

8:00 PM

Booked 4 times today

Experiences are available.

Google Map for Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

62-100 Kaunaʻoa Dr, Waimea, HI 96743

Additional information

Cross street
Hapuna Golf Course
Neighborhood
Kohala Coast
Hours of operation
Daily 5:30 pm–7:15 pm Daily 7:30 pm–9:15 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Japanese, Brewery, Creative Japanese
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Private Lot
Public transit
Hotel shuttle van, Walk from Hotel
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Dr. Chiaki Takahashi
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.islandersake.com/
Phone number
(808) 517-8188

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

Make a reservation

Additional information

Experiences

A Japanese-Style Christmas on the Big Island

Menu

Omakase Dinner

Omakase Dinner$95.00

What 210 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery restaurant rated?

Is Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information