Upstairs at Pier 38

Review summary

1. D

   Dai

   San Francisco

   7 reviews

   2.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Beautiful views, staff are so nice but honestly the quality of service is not great and food was fair at best. Honestly for that price tag, I expect a lot more attention to detail and better trained staff and def better food. Dishes were not cleared, food came out without serving utensils, long wait for our entrees, we ordered a seafood tower means our fingers got very sticky and dirty. No extra napkins, we had to ask for wet wipes. The uncooked (raw oysters) and cold sea food tower was.very fresh. Sea Bass dish was very good, but sauce at bottom was so salty. Most cooked food was overcooked (steaks, baked seafood) was dry, over done. Really unfortunate, beautiful place, nice but lacking high service training, food disappointing- not worth the money
   

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2. K

   Karla

   Hawaii

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   We had a beautiful view of the ocean. With that being said, the service was not as great. I truly believe that this place could be a 5 star rating but our visit was a bit disappointing. I ordered the oysters, New York steak, Caesar salad, and lemon drop drink. My oysters and steak were great. My daughter ordered the French onion soup, fish, and a cheesecake. The server forgot to enter her order. By the time he realized, I was done eating. My daughter decided to skip the entree and order cheesecake. We received a dessert that was not cheesecake. We let the person that brought it to the table that we did not order that but ordered cheesecake. She went to go talk to the server and let us know he sent it as an apology for forgetting to place the entree order. The cheesecake never arrived. My daughter did express that her soup was very good. Unfortunately, that was the only thing that arrived for her.
   

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3. K

   Kelly

   Hawaii

   8 reviews

   3.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on January 13, 2025

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

   The food was ok. The lack of choices got me on this one. No mocktails/virgin coladas because there's no blender on site. Not a variety of drinks such as sweetened ice tea, juices, etc. The appetizers were ok; baked Brie didn't make sense, the Ahi Tartar was the best of the dishes. The Kona Kenpachi was dry, the seared Ahi was ok. The Chef's cut was loved by the person who ate it which included a rare Porterhouse steak over Truffle smashed potatoes. The other had a Filet Mognon which was REALLY like a meatball...not worth it. The others ate Ribeye steak and seemed to be satisfied. An overall rating is a 3 and I wouldn't recommend this place.
   

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4. e

   evbj

   VIP

   Hawaii

   5 reviews

   2.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 12, 2025

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

   They had a special appetizer - lechon kawali. It was so tough and chewy. When we told the server, he said nothing, just shrugged and took the remaining lechon kawali.
   

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 12, 2025

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

   This was our first experience and a special event (72nd birthday!). We had heard many good things about the restaurant and enjoy the downstairs restaurant Nico's Pier 38 with the same chef. A couple of hours before our reservation we were called by the restaurant inquiring if we would like a special seating at the Chef's Counter overlooking the kitchen. We accepted as we enjoy cooking. We were greeted by the bar staff who took great care of us throughout the meal. The executive chef came out to greet us and presented us an amuse bouche of a grilled pork belly with a wonderful sauce and charred leek - it was superb. Our cocktails included A Girl Named Ginger which was very tasty and refreshing, and a traditional mai tai, also delicious. The Spanish octopus as an appetizer was portioned generously enough for sharing. We had the Kona Kampachi and the fish of the day (Mongchong), both done perfectly and excellent choices. Before the entrees, the executive chef brought us a uncooked cacao pod to savor the sweet seeds. Then after the entrees, he returned with what looked like two uncooked, inverted cacao pod halves, but flipped them over to reveal a chocolate mousse inside that tasted decadent. Overall, a memorable evening , meal and experience. Typically, a meal like this would cost a fortune, but the food and drinks seemed very affordable leaving me room for a generous tip to the staff.
   

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6. J

   Jean

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 11, 2025

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

   Excellent experience, food and service was beyond excellent.
   

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7. J

   John

   Wilmington

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on January 5, 2025

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

   Great setting and environment. Away from the tourist hustle of Waikīkī.
   

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8. K

   Kate

   VIP

   Orlando

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 1, 2025

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

   I am not sure I can even begin to do justice to how incredible our meal at Upstairs at Pier 38 was tonight at the chefs counter. The hospitality, food, guidance, wine selections and joy this staff brings to the table are unparalleled in Honolulu. Not only was every bite delicious and well paired with impressive wines. The service and love of both the house and kitchen staff made this a meal I will be thinking about for a long time. They truly spoiled us and made our new years one to remember. I cannot wait to come back and eat with them again.
   

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9. W

   Wesley

   VIP

   Hawaii

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on January 1, 2025

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

   Everything about our experience at Upstairs at Pier 38 was great!
   

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10. B

    Bryan

    Nashville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2024

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

    Really over the top service by Chef Nico and the GM Jessica. They came out to our group, really got involved and asked us lots of questions, my group felt really included and so so welcome. It was a true delight and honor to be able to be served at Nico's. Thank y'all hope to come back again.
    

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