‘Ama ‘Ama

Had a great time here. As with any restaurant in a resort… it was a bit pricey for a meal. We chose to come here to have at least one really nice meal while out on vacation.
The staff is incredible. We orders our food and my cousin hated the plate he got. Took two bites and just quit eating. The waitress came over and asked if everything was ok and noticed my cousin didn’t eat. He told her he was fine and will still pay for it but she would not have that. Asked him to order something else as she won’t have someone leave her restaurant hungry. What a class act!
I ordered the fresh catch which was Mahi Mahi and seared bacon wrapped scallops! YUM! The food was awesome! While enjoying our lunch, we witnessed a whale and her baby’s spray and poke their head out of the water. Truly a magical experience!

The restaurant has a beautiful, relaxed setting, with a great view of the ocean and palm trees. When I came with my parents for a weekday dinner, there were two people playing live Hawaiian music that really added to the ambience.
I got the Maui onion soup and the ahi tuna poke. The soup, which was basically French onion, was tasty and full of cheesy goodness, but a bit salty.
The poke appetizer was very small and definitely not among the best I’ve had, but it was fine. I do wish it had been larger and more flavorful. It came with three yuzu chips and a wasabi-​based sauce on the side. I enjoyed the complimentary sourdough rolls and butter sprinkled with black sea salt, though!
For dessert, we shared the «Chocolate with Aloha,» a very pretty dessert made with chocolate cake/​sauce/​pudding (the best way I can describe it!) and a perfectly shaped scoop of vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, and whipped cream. Again, this dessert was tiny, but delicious! I loved the edible flowers.
We had great service overall. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive to things we asked for or needed. We also came to the restaurant before our reservation and were seated about 20 minutes early, which was nice!
Overall, we had a great time. The food was not overwhelmingly amazing and the portions were fairly small for the price, but it was a peaceful and enjoyable experience in a lovely setting. I would probably give it 3.5 stars (subtractions for food quality and value) if I could, but I think the service and ambience really help it a lot.

Celebrated my son’s 12^th and my daughter’s 9^th bdays in this restaurant while vacationing in Aulani. In summary, we came in to have a nice dinner but came out of there feeling insulted.
The food tasted ok but definitely overpriced. The portions were small and the ingredients were ok. Wife had the Lau Lau Snapper ($ 44) and I had the Miso Seafood Ramen ($ 37). DO NOT GET THE RAMEN! NOT WORTH IT! The noodles had the texture of angel hair pasta. The kids had kid’s menu meals which were pretty sad.
The biggest disappointment for us was when it was time for us to sing «Happy Birthday» for both of our kids. The staff brought out the complimentary tiramisu slice with a lit candle for both kids. We thought they were going to sing with us with the ukulele players that were there walking around to sing for guests. But we were wrong!!! They dropped off the desserts then left without singing! My wife and I felt so awkward, but we just went ahead and quietly sang happy birthday for the kids. They blew their candles and we asked for our check. While waiting, we noticed the table infront of us were also celebrating a birthday. The staff brought out their complimentary dessert with the candle, but for them, they huddled around with the family, asked the ukulele AND guitar players to sing a festive and hawaiian happy birthday for them while we watched in disbelief. We felt so insulted! All we wanted was to have a video with the kids blowing out their candles and at least make them feel special. But it didn’t happen. My kids know we love them. And they’re fine. But as parents we felt very neglected, demeaned, and disregarded. And it was so disappointing because we had the same waitress!!! I don’t know why she didn’t provide the same service and enthusiasm towards us. But I can only assume it’s because we looked local. The other table surely looked more like vacationers.
So overall, I would not recommend this place because they are overpriced, quality is marginal, and the service is inconsistent. Don’t ruin your day! Pick another restaurant or go to McDonald’s.

Very disappointed after having a birthday dinner for two friends. I had heard many good things about the Ama Ama and I was able to experience some of them tonight.
Atmosphere: On the waterfront of the Aulani Disney Resort. Watching the sunset at our table was amazing. The parking is validated.
Service: I am very disappointed. Disney prides themselves on customer service but it went unseen. We waited over an hour until our order was taken and then after our table was unattended for the remainder of the night. Our waitress I believe was focusing on the other tables because ours had a larger party and a guaranteed 18% gratuity no matter her quality of service.
Food: We started with several appetizers seafood sampler, tuna tartar and chili shrimp. The appetizers were tasty. I also tried the salad and the seafood bowl and lobster mac and cheese. The seafood bowl was underwhelming and tasted bland and formulaic display in the bowl. The mac and cheese lacked cheesiness and no lobster flavor only bland pieces of tissue. Dessert impressed especially the mochi cake with azuki bean ice cream.
Intangibles: Service was very disappointing with mediocre food. Go to monkeypod if you’re in the area.

Listen, it’s Hawaii so they could dress up a quarter pounder and I’d probably give it three stars. I’m a believer that your state of mind has something to do with your dining experience. That said, and in the spirit of objectivity while in paradise, Ama’Ama was excellent. Drew, our server, was attentive and knew the menu well. Very good waiter.
For apps we had the lobster mac n cheese and the poke ahi (ahi tuna sashimi cubed and formed into a brick with some light ingredients mIxed in — very fresh and flavorful). For dinner we were carnivores — my wife had the pork chop on top of coconut rise and a Polynesian peanut sauce accenting the flavors. Really excellent. I had a huge filet mignon with braised short rib meat on top. Wow! Served with puréed potatoes, this was serious comfort food — more of what I’d seek on a winter’s day but it was great on this somewhat humid Oahu evening. We were pooped after a long day so we didn’t have dessert here. Next time!
If you’re staying at Disney Aulani resort in Oahu, definitely place this spot on your dinner list!

Made our lunch reservation about a month out. Then just two days before, I called to make sure our table for 2 was positioned with the best view of the lagoon and also mentioned we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. Our table did not disappoint!
For drinks, hubs went with a non-​alcoholic strawberry-​guava drink and I had the Tropical Mai Tai for $ 12. Woah! Stir it up well because it was a lil on the strong side (at least they don’t skimp out on the liquor).
For Starters, we had the Shrimp Ceviche and Kahuku Crab & Corn Chowder. Folks. Listen up. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE CHOWDER. It’s fabulously delicious!
For our entrees, we ordered the Angus Burger and the Catch of the Day. Plain and simple… nothing to pack up and bring home (or leave behind). So good! Fresh and delicious!
Lastly, in celebration of our 19^th Anniversary, we ordered the Mocha Chantilly Cake nicely decorated and on the house (yep, complimentary!). IT WAS SO GOOD! A must-​order if you still have room for dessert. Nah. Just make sure you you save room for dessert!!! You won’t regret it.
Since you’re probably stuffed by now, you can walk around the beautiful resort to burn off those calories!!! Enjoy!

Poke bowl is below average $ 22.00 — not so fresh
Kids menu $ 10 for grill chicken and rice with a milk and fruit cup. The chicken is completely dry and taste like sandpaper.
Our waitress was super nice.
Request for a banana milkshake but got a banana milk instead… had to return it since it was for our toddler. After speaking with the waitress with our concern. We NEEDED to ask for Real fresh banana in the milkshake. Lesson learned.
Love the view but no returning for the food anytime soon
The banana milkshake cost $ 10.00. by the way, it’s real BANANAS