Can Merrimans save The Beach House Restaurant Kauai? We welcome the news that Merrimans is among two recent buyers of the iconic Poipu Beach establishment. Known for a drop dead oceanfront location, The Beach House in our opinion has excelled in apathetic treatment of guests while serving mediocre food at top prices.
They recently reached an even lower point when they roped off their grassy oceanfront area that was popular with visitors who must now stay on the paved path (see photo above).
Problems at The Beach House Restaurant
The restaurant gets 3 1/2 stars on Yelp and even otherwise enthusiastic visitors have a hard time seeing past a dirty restroom in addition to the issues we raised and the big one you’re about to read….
Recently your editors both became ill after eating at The Beach House with Beat of Hawaii fans Allan and Judy, which put the kibosh on any likelihood of returning again soon until today’s news.
The Beach House has suffered for years from inconsistent service, poor quality food and a lack of value. Making up for its shortcomings has been a very lively bar and lounge and the most spectacular Kauai sunsets possible from its incomparable oceanfront location at Lawai Beach.
Competition with  Merriman’s Fish House Poipu
One is left to wonder if the ownership of three restaurants within walking distance of one another will in part cannibalize profits. Merriman’s has two other locations at The Shops at Kukuiula. If anyone can make this work, however, it’s Peter Merriman.
The good news at The Beach House Restaurant
As you can see from our photo above, the views are for us, the best you’ll find at any Kauai restaurant. We suggest taking some time before or after a meal to take advantage of the Kauai photography opportunities.
We plan to give the reincarnation of The Beach House a try soon and let you know how it goes. With Peter at the helm it can’t get worse, and there will likely be a big improvement.
Do you have any experiences at The Beach House Restaurant you’d like to share?
I have been going to the Beach House for years and found the food to be good. I have always enjoyed the service provided. While I will agree it is expensive it is a better value than what you get from Merriman’s.
Merriman’s offers small portions and the most expensive on the island. I think the Beach House is in trouble if they end up like Merriman’s.
Kind of having a mild panic attack right now. While the service at the Beach House was not five star, I will say, I was a huge fan of the macadamia nut carrot cake for dessert. Could never finish it…but the few bites I had were always tasty. We are headed to Poipu in two weeks and I think I have mentioned this dessert to my family…say 50 times in the past 18 months.. that I am going to “eat the whole thing.” Dear Lord…or in this case, Dear Beat of Hawaii…where am I going to find a comparable piece!? HELP! Mahalo!
Been going to Kauai every year now for twenty one years. The Beach House the worst tourist trap of all, but Merrimans not much better. Poipu tends to attract the LA crowd with California suburban overkill , bad taste and and/or excessive expense account excess which all foster nada bargains for the $$. North of the island is dominated by Princeville with nearly equal overpriced
environs, but at least far better views; sorry better sunsets than Beach House with Na pali in background-if only ther were some restaurants other than the stuffy hotel.
I hate to give away the true gems of the island , the “kick back” real Hawaii places, but Kintaro with real Japanese-Hawaiian faily run great food-and the best sushi is an annual must for us. Same chef and waiters,etc there every year, and real local patrons not just tourists. Many little Thai and other ethic and island food places are the real gems. Hell’s bells , we don;t go to Kauai to eat overpriced hotel or pompous Italian restaurants-kauai is not the Jersey shore!