Merriman’s Fish House on Kaua’i is a great example of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Hawaii’s own unique melding of ethnic flavors. With the leadership of great chefs, Hawaii Regional Cuisine was formalized in 1991. Twelve chefs met in Maui, agreed that dining in Hawaii could be more than continental or French haute cuisine, and the rest is history. One of them, Peter Merriman is still very active and influential in the Hawaii food scene.
Merriman’s Fish House menu reflects farm to table Hawaiian style. Along with tropical fruits such as pineapple, papaya, and breadfruit, tomatoes, purple sweet potatoes, and mushrooms are available. Chefs and home cooks also have access to taro, apple bananas, and avocados. There is an amazing variety of seafood including ono, monchong, ahi, opah, oysters, and lobster. Hawaii also has fantastic coffee, chocolate, onions, beef, and pork.
Located on the Poipu side of the island, the restaurant has views of the ocean. We enjoyed dining on the beautiful lanai. Many guests are celebrating something special, like a honeymoon or anniversary. I think I would have felt more comfortable if I had dressed up a little more.
Located on the second floor, Merriman’s has a large inviting dining room. Across the back is the covered lanai which gives you a ringside seat for sunsets over the ocean. Cocktails feature local distilleries and flavors such as lilikoi (passion fruit), macadamia, and lime.
Be sure to ask about specials which will feature the freshest of local ingredients. The menu includes local fresh seafood: lobster, oysters, shrimp, ono (wahoo), ahi (yellowfin tuna), and more.
Kaua’i map
Getting there
From Lihue, Kapa’a, and points north, take Route 56 then Route 50 south, Kaumualii Highway. Turn left on Route 520 Maluhia Road. From Old Koloa Town, go south on Poipu Road. Enter Kukui’ula Village Shopping Center at the traffic circle.
Resource links
- https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/fish-house/
- Merriman’s Fish House, Kaua’i
- http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/December-2018/35th-Hale-Aina-Winner-Peter-Merriman-is-Hawaiis-Restaurateur-of-the-Year/
- Peter Merriman profile from Honolulu magazine
- https://www.gohawaii.com/experiences/culinary/regional-cuisine
- Hawai’i Regional Cuisine from Go Hawaii
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Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared.
That sounds delicious! There is nothing I love better than fresh seafood with a beautiful view.
Hey Joanne, I hope you get to try Hawaiian seafood someday. Fortunately, sometimes these interesting fish appear on the mainland!