Cafe Portofino

We ate here while we were on vacation and staying at Royal Sonesta in Kauai. It’s right on the ocean and you can see the water, hear the waves, watch the sunset, and enjoy the tropical atmosphere while eating. We absolutely LOVED it! The food was phenomenal from the minestrone soup, entrees, dessert, and wine! We had chicken Marsala, lasagna, and fettuccine bolognese…each one was incredible and so tasty and delicious! We also tried 3 different desserts including tiramisu, chocolate mousse cake, and the profiteroles which was cream puffs with ice cream and chocolate and almonds…all were absolutely amazing! Nicole was our server and she was outstanding and treated us like family and even called us ma familia each time she came to check on us…her attention to detail and care was absolutely fantastic and she made the dinner even better! We highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely go again when we return to Kauai! Thank you Cafe Portofino and Nicole for the amazing experience! It truly was delicious!

I recently dined at this extraordinary restaurant where the experience surpassed all expectations. The culinary delights were complemented by exceptional service—my waiter went above and beyond, not only ensuring my dining pleasure but also surprising me with a foot massage during the meal. To top it off, they even co-signed a house payment for me, demonstrating an unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction. As if that weren't remarkable enough, they astonishingly agreed to give me their first-born child, solidifying this restaurant as a truly unique and unforgettable destination.This establishment truly offers a dining experience like no other, combining exquisite cuisine with service that goes beyond the ordinary.

We were looking forward to our dinner at Cafe Portofino as we have visited the restaurant many times in the past during our visits to Kauai. We were not disappointed! From the moment we entered the restaurant we were greeted warmly, and were seated at a wonderful table on the outside patio. Our server (Petra) was a delight from start to finish. She has a wonderful personality and immediately made us feel welcome and like old friends. Our drinks and food were brought promptly with warmth and professionalism. Besides the great food, she made our evening so enjoyable. Many thanks again to Petra and the whole Team who created a lovely experience. We'll see you all again soon!

Cafe Portofino brings real Italian to Lihue. They use real ingredients and legit recipes. The bread was well made but lacked flavor. My wife had the ravioli, which was good but not outstanding. She also has a side of meatball, which, in out opinions, were rolled too tight. I had the lamb. They cooked the whole 4 rib rack, then cut it, and served it, leaving the outer two chops overcooked and the inner two raw. I didn't mind the raw ones because I did ask for it as rare as they'd served it, but I terribly minded the out two being cooked medium. They also knocked off most of the crust, which was a shame because it was delicious. The highlight of the meal was my wife's chocolate mousse cake.

We were quite apprehensive to try this restaurant after reading so many negative reviews but at the hotel we were staying there was very little choice of restaurants with which to have dinner. Bottom line, we were very glad we did. My wife had a special Seafood pasta of the day which is not on the menu; you have to ask for it, a pasta dish with mussels clams fish and shrimp which was absolutely delicious. I had one of my favorites which is also a tell-all of how good a restaurant is-- pasta carbonara. They used pancetta and after requesting to have it prepared crispy rather than undercooked as a lot of restaurants serve, it was one of the best carbonara dishes I've had anywhere. Another departure from all the reviews was the time of preparation. After ordering, the dishes actually came almost too fast, but they were piping hot and freshly prepared. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant and to try it again if ever I were to visit this area of Kauai.