Big Island Restaurants|Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States

'Ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge

Name: 'Ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge
Telephone: 808-325-8000

A breathtaking table for regional cuisine

VERIFIED LUXURY

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ʻUlu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge is nestled amid the beautiful grounds of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel on Hawaii Island. Offering exceptional regional cuisine just steps from the warm Pacific Ocean, this stylish restaurant has become a destination in its own right.

In Hawaiian, ulu means “breadfruit,” a vitally important food staple to Hawaiians and their Polynesian ancestors. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the region’s history, when the land was first planted with the green treats.

Sunsets are legendary along Hawaii’s Kohala Coast and ʻUlu provides you with a front-row seat in a luxurious setting. After the sun sets, you can relax around the beach terrace fire pits while sipping an Asian Pear Saketini, Kona Lime or any of the other signature libations.

Our Inspector's Highlights

Designed to be fun not formal, ʻUlu puts more than half of its 200 seats outside on the beach terrace.
The Kailua-Kona restaurant elegantly blends Hawaiian indoor/outdoor architecture with a modern flair, and ocean views are available from nearly every seat in the house, including the Sushi Lounge.
Partnering with more than 160 island farmers and fishermen, executive chef Massimo Falsini creates mouth-watering entrées showcasing the best of Hawaii Island’s seafood and local livestock.
The combination of natural beauty and inventive cuisine make ʻUlu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge a sought-after choice for discerning diners on the Big Island.
Don’t despair if you’re unable to secure one of the ocean-side tables, though; the full dinner menu is also available at the bar, a lively spot that provides spectacular ocean views in its own right.

Things to Know

Reservations are strongly recommended for the 184-seat ʻUlu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge and they should be made at least a few weeks in advance in order to guarantee a table.
Resort guests can make reservations through the hotel’s concierge. Those staying elsewhere on island can also make reservations by calling the resort directly at 808-325-8000.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s oceanfront ʻUlu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge offers a sumptuous à la carte breakfast, while dinner is offered nightly in the restaurant and its Sushi Lounge.
There’s no official dress code for Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s ʻUlu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge, however, as the resort’s signature restaurant, the atmosphere is more stylish than beachwear. Casual resort attire is fine for breakfast, but you’ll want to don something a bit dressier for dinner.

The Food

Using what’s referred to as a “regional, seasonal, artisanal” approach to fine dining, at least 75 percent of ’Ulu’s cuisine is grown on the island.
Expect to find innovative entrées from the mountains (mauka), like Big Island wild boar with poha berry chutney, and ocean (makai) dishes, such as the ʻUlu Sushi Lounge’s signature ahi sashimi served on a block of pink hued salt to bring out the flavor of the fish.

The Design

The ambience at ʻUlu is stylish and modern yet unapologetically informal. The focus is on fun here, enjoying exceptional food while sitting around the rock fire pit and watching the sunset.
Savor one of the Big Island restaurant’s many boutique wines while listening to the waves break along the shore under a tropical full moon. Spotlights even shine along the shoreline so you can watch the dancing waves even when the moon is hiding.
The natural beauty of Hawaii’s Kohala Coast is drawn indoors by the use of sand-colored tile throughout the restaurant while glass bubble partitions and the mother of pearl ceiling add ethereal touches.

Amenities