Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

Review summary

1. D

   David

   Portland

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 30, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a great experience dining at Engawa. The atmosphere is welcoming and very relaxing. The service is top notch and the food is some of the best I have ever experienced. And the Sake was delicious! Visiting Engawa was one of my top dining experiences and I’m having a hard time thinking of a better experience anywhere on the Big Island.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. j

   joe

   VIP

   Minneapolis

   46 reviews

   5.0

   46 reviews

   Dined on January 24, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Fantastic intimate experience at the Westin Hapuna Bay. The sake is brewed onsite. Prix fixe menu only so no decisions ahead of you. Just relax and enjoy.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. M

   Megan

   Minneapolis

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 17, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Dining at Engawa is akin to dining at the owners’ home. They take so much care of their guests. Food and drinks were beautifully presented and tasted delicious. There was a lovely melding of Hawaiian and Japanese ingredients. I was grateful for the chef’s willingness to accommodate my gluten restriction. We enjoyed learning about the sake brewing process and tasting several different ones. The golf course at sunset provided a beautiful backdrop. The pacing is relaxed. It is dinner as an experience and is likely best for diners willing to try new things and savor them.
   

   Is this helpful?

4. J

   John

   VIP

   Philadelphia

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful dining experience from start to finish. We learned so much about sake and Japanese culture, the sakes were outstanding and the food delicious and beautifully presented.
   

   • 
   • 
   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

5. L

   Leesa

   Hawaii

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 14, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Delicious food and sake right here in Waimea! Brought family from out of town and they enjoyed it as well.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. S

   Shari

   Seattle

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on December 29, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Absolutely wonderful experience, I got to share with my husband and son. Loved almost everything, but the host and server were delightful. Definitely would recommend, prepare for a lovely night out with some good food and sake. Can’t wait until my daughter visits the island again so I can take her here. Mahalo
   

   • 
   • 
   • 
   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

7. r

   richard

   Washington DC

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on December 26, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   One of a kind Christmas holiday experience. Very exclusive and one of a kind. The four courses were all designed to pair well with well with sake. The optional sake pairing was super interesting. I was surprised by how different these sakes were, though maybe that has to do with the host making suitable choices for my western tastebuds. Took a bottle of "Anna" home. It was well sealed and packed in bubble wrap, and arrived well as checked luggage (can't take this onboard).
   

   Is this helpful?

8. S

   Stephen

   Portland

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on December 25, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   It was very small groups of tables of 4’s and 2’s. Main server and helper were very nice and explained the various sake we were being served, aging and taste variants. Very informative as I’m not a sake drinker so I learned quite a lot. Food was good and plentiful. Overall a very relaxed pleasant dinner
   

   • 
   • 
   • 
   • 
   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

9. Z

   Zenobia

   Atlanta

   26 reviews

   4.0

   26 reviews

   Dined on December 24, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Amazing food and service. Every dish was delicious and well thought out. Server was knowledgeable and delightful. Be a bit careful about sitting outside…when the sprinklers go on, if the wind is blowing you will get a bit wet. And the wind can get extremely cold.
   

   Is this helpful?

10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2024

    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.
    

    2 people found this helpful