It is said that there are no victims, only volunteers. In life this may be generally true, but my wife, friends and myself were sorely victimized by our experience at La Mer in 2020. At the risk of sounding like the Ancient Mariner, let me attach myself to your electronic sleeve and regale you with a tale so appalling as might chill your very marrow. I hope this may save you, as I wish someone had us. First red flag: our first warning sign was that upon arrival at the restaurant, which is extremely capacious, only a few tables were occupied. (Suggestion: in future, if you ever encounter this, RUN). Our friends did not care for the table at which we were first seated, and so we were moved to a private room, for the stated reason that all of the other tables were reserved. Over the course of the evening (which went by very slowly, due to the abysmal service) it became apparent that this was untrue - at most the restaurant was 1/3 full. Second red flag: the menu was all prix fixe and was about $130 for three courses and $150 for four. Third red flag: literally nothing on the menu appealed to me. I'm not the most adventurous eater, true, but I'm not a meat and potatoes only guy either. To find absolutely nothing was, for me, a first. Fourth red flag: the amuse bouche was some sort of semi-liquid concoction which had absolutely no flavor whatsoever. Neither my bouche nor any other part was amused in the least. Well, at this point our goose was surely cooked, so to speak. Every main course was a disaster, to wit: My fish was small, fishy, none too hot and horribly unappetizing. My wife had a fish which measured maybe four inches long; it looked like the kind of fish a small child might catch and then throw back in. It was strongly recommended as one of the chef's specials. Not only was it small, but tasteless. Her appetizer was both small and inedible. The other couple had a calamari dish - with two pieces of calamari each measuring maybe an inch and a half across - and a steak, which had to be ordered a la carte. That was ok, as I recall, but small. I chose cheese for dessert. A very impressive cheeseboard was rolled up to the table and I was given a plate upon which five diminutive, not to say Lilliputian, pieces of toast were arranged. The waiter then cut five pieces of cheese of my choice, each of which was precisely hewn to the same tiny dimensions. It was made clear that this was all I was entitled to. My wife's dessert was a soufflé, which wasn't too bad. The bill for this farcical semblance of a meal was staggering. We had been truly reamed, creamed and dry-cleaned. Please do yourself a favor - stay well away from this place.

In the midst of a Hawaiian paradise sits La Mer, an upscale French dining destination with amazing views of Waikiki Beach. This fine dining locale delivers an immersive culinary experience that beautifully merges the brilliance of French cuisine with an enchanting Hawaiian backdrop. Starting with an array of breads served with sweet butter and tomato butter, we were set on an exciting gastronomic path. The foie gras, delicately wine-infused and paired with coconut mousse and pineapple chutney, was a delightfully sweet and creamy affair. The roasted scallop bathed in lobster consommé was a masterstroke, with the seafood flavors accentuated by the subtle umami of caviar. On the other hand, the steak, paired with a unique potato soufflé, slightly missed the mark with its overcooking. The foie gras also added a tad excess of grease to the otherwise satisfactory combination. The cheese cart offered an old-school charm, with a fine selection of cheeses alongside dried apricots and figs, making for a pleasant segue into desserts. The Apple Brandy Mousse made a delightful pre-dessert with its cold, brandy-infused sweetness. However, the pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the Mousse Glacé au Miel et Crème Fraîche, an irresistible blend of honey ice cream and cream. Light and subtly sweet, it was a delightful finale to our meal. Service, as anticipated from a French fine dining restaurant, was impeccably professional and courteous. As a lovely gesture, we were presented with a selection of sweet treats to take home. La Mer is a stellar choice for celebrating special occasions, and I highly recommend arriving early to take full advantage of the beautiful sunset from the balcony. Each dish was a work of art, thoughtfully composed and beautifully presented, reflecting the epitome of contemporary French cuisine.

An absolutely perfect evening. I was blown away by the service my girlfriend and I received. The wine was incredible. For food we both ordered the menu dégustation to capture the full experience of La Mer. It was the best meal I've had in my life. Having a dress code really helped set us up for the whole experience, it felt nice knowing that I was dress appropriately for the occasion. I know the food portions look small but I'm 210 lbs and I was stuffed by the 6-7th course. If you're passionate about food and haven't experienced anything this fancy I recommend going at least once. If I could add anything to the restaurant it would be a Michelin Star but unfortunately that's not my call.

We had the most beautiful dinner here to celebrate our baby moon and recent engagement. The food was unique and delicious! Service was amazing! They acknowledged our celebrations and put in extra efforts to make the night special including giving us an extra desert plate. If you’re an open foodie and have a love for quality service, i’d recommend this place to celebrate something special. Be sure to request the window seat and check sunset times for a stunning view.

Hands down the best meal in Oahu. It’s a five diamond AAA rated and 5-star Forbes restaurant. The service is utterly outstanding and pays attention to the slightest detail to make it an incredible experience. Spectacular views of Diamond Head, Waikiki, and the sunset every night. One of the best meals you will ever eat.

Very good food. Excellent service. The plates are delicately made with the best ingredients. Only 4 stars bc the food could be better for the price. Atmosphere and incredibly attentive service make it worth every penny.

We went for a special birthday for my husband. We had an early start dinner (tasting menu, regular and vegetarian) at a waterview table (reserved by OpenTable few weeks before). Our special requests were all fulfilled. The food was great and the views are unmatched. The service was absolutely outstanding and of the highest quality and standard. A great thank you to La Mer servers and chef(s) for making this a memorable and a priceless experience for us.

Took my mother to this restaurant to celebrate my 40th birthday. Atmosphere was to die for. Food was soo good it was hard to stop even though I was stuffed. Staff seated us right away and even brought little stools for our purses to sit on! They gave me a rose and a birthday treat on the house😍🫠! We ordered the 7 course meal and I had several glasses of red wine, bill was over $700. If you order Ala-carte, you wouldn't need to spend near as much. I just really wanted to try all the courses as the Chef is brill!!! I would recommend this place to anyone for a romantic evening or special occasion.

It’s an absolute pleasure to have had the opportunity to dine at this prestigious fine dining restaurant on Oahu, Hawaii. La Mer is located at the popular 5star Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu. This restaurant is gorgeous. Love the decor and the ambience. Classy and sophisticated. We were very fortunate to have been seated at the table with the stunning ocean view right in front of us. We had an exclusive culinary experience with the elegant 7 course French degustation menu. Food was amazing. Customer service was impeccable. Everything is top notch! The whole experience was a mind blowing. I would give it a 7 star if I could!

Excellent waiters and exquisite French food. Lovely views of the ocean. Romantic setting. What more could you ask for 💛

Only 6 weeks open and the service and food was exquisite. Attention to detail was jaw dropping when I could not read the menu and the staff brought me a box with Reading Glasses with optional strengths. The food was great and the view even better.

I have been going to few French restaurants in Hawaii, and I would say this is one of the better ones. Service is as normal and staffs are very friendly. Price and quality are very balanced. The only awkwardness is it wills like it is it feels like high end Chinese restaurant... but that’s an other story. Do try and must try.

I’ve wanted to come here for years and I had high expectations that were exceeded on every level. The food was so good that my girlfriend and I forgot to take a picture of every course because we were so excited to eat it! Best of all was the service, every member of the team took care of us with grace and precision. The restaurant overlooks the ocean and when another table got up that had the best view we were asked if we would like to move there for our final course, much to our delight. By far the best meal I’ve ever had

Celebrated a memorable first meal in Hawaii with this fine dining experience. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean the open view and ambiance felt dreamlike. Unparalleled and attentive waitstaff to every detail. Each dish from the tasting menu is elegantly prepared and artfully presented.

We both had the seasonal 4 course menu, but I swapped 2 of the dish from their signature 7 course, which you can, with a small fee. So I got scallop and beef instead of poached oyster and lamb and oh my I am so glad I did, because those 2 dishes were my favorites. My husband was really happy with his lamb until he tried my beef 😆 Everything was cooked to perfection and the service was top notch. During our second course, a table next to the balcony became available and we were offered to move to the table. It was really nice since we were able to enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean and live music from the down stairs. I would like to thank every staff al La Mer who made our anniversary night so special.

This is the first Michelin star restaurant that I have eaten at and didn't get full. The food was fabulous, and the service was even better. Great views. The portions are extremely small. Like sample size portions. I would recommend eating before you go. Otherwise, the only way you are going to get full is through the bread and desserts they pump out to you. I hope this helps you out and have a great day

My Maid of Honor took our bridal group to celebrate at La Mer. It was the perfect place. The service is top notch. Food was great! We had an amazing time!

La Mer is top-notch! Service, settings, seating, food, and beverages were outstanding. A huge thank you to our server Taylor and everyone else for such a warm welcome and for making our first time at La Mer such an amazing experience. We couldn't have picked a better restaurant to celebrate my birthday. We can't wait to go back. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a great place to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. Book a table with a view for ambiance and enjoy an ocean view whilst sipping an island cocktail. They have a delicious menu with top quality ingredients. I really enjoyed the cheese cart which was brought out tables side.

Came here for a dinner it was a great experience to check out. Made reservations a couple months ahead of time. The presentation of all the food was so beautiful, we didn't want to eat it. The souffle was the perfect end to the meal and should not be missed. Definitely worth the supplemental charge to get it. The waiters were very patient with us while we decided what to order, we couldn't decide what we wanted. They had tasting menus or ala cart from the menu it was a little confusing but we got through it. *This is a formal restaurant gentlemen are required collared shirt and jacket, or aloha shirts , dress slacks (non jean or sweatpants), and closed toes.

First of all the service was unbelievable, from friendly staff to great service. I did the chefs picks 8 course. The food and variety was really tasty and well presented. Probably one of the best restaurants experiences.

This really is five star all the way. For a special night out, as good as it gets. Fine dining at its best and service was impeccable. Don't forget dress pants and aloha shirt or similar, although they will assist there if needed. Believe the chef earned a Michelin star whilst in France. Well on his way here. Smaller serves serves as expected but flavour was enormous and left feeling full. Well worth the experience. Happy birthday Kerry. Xx

This is one of the most beautiful Restaurants I have ever been to. Our table was right in front of the ocean, service was Superb! Food was SUPERB! I mean you will not regret it. You must definitely go and have dinner here!

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here, impeccable service and a wonderful meal overall. No pressure on anything and they were willing to chamge a course for my wofe so we could do the tasting menu together. On top of that it was like our own personal dining room with just the two of us looking out onto the ocean from a side room.

Beautiful restaurant with amazing food. We enjoyed the prix fixe menu. Every course had it's own quality from the amuse bouche to the main course and double dessert. Will have to return when we can afford it again.

The gem of Waikiki...impeccable service, beautiful interior & view, and a divine menu. The chef hails from La Tour d'Argent in Paris and he has definitely brought decadent gastronomie with him to the shore of Oahu! The lobster bisque is DIVINE...absolute best I've ever had. Michelin...where ya at? I think this place needs a star or two!

A culinary delight! The service is impeccable and attentive without being intrusive. We felt like we were the only guests and each of our three courses were simply fabulous. What a delightful fine dining experience!

What a wonderful place, make me feel so comfortable, all dishes were fantastic.

This was a special evening at a special venue. We had an amazing dinner set atop the Hawaiian waves brushing the Waikiki shore. The Halekulani is special to begin with. Place a French restaurant on top of the shore with windows looking out onto the beach and you have the set up for an AMAZING restaurant. To start it off, the service was on par with THREE STAR MICHELIN restaurants. Our waiter (Chuck?) was a local who had been there for years and was the best. No lack of timing in this place where each dish is served impeccably timed after the next. The food is on par with the best restaurants in the world. Why they have not been lauded elsewhere is beyond me. We had an amazing evening and would recommend the experience to anyone else traveling in the area. They bring true high class standards to the islands while still making you feel like your on island time (without sacrificing the wait)!