Cactus is "a celebration of the cuisines of the new Americas with Aloha," transporting the flavors, culinary traditions and techniques from Central and South America as well as Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Offering the cuisines of the sun, land and sea, Cactus menu selections focuses on:
* Local produce from the islands * Shinsato Farms pork from Kahalu"u * Kulana and Kuahiwi beef, veal, wild boar from the Big Island * Sustainably caught or farmed seafood from the island chain
Drop-in or reserve a table in our casual, convivial environment with warm, engaging, professional service.
"The Cocktails were fabulous...The mix of sangria and margarita granita, to die for. The Shangri-la Martini outstanding. We had many things, The tacos, the Meet Platter, The Jidori Chicken, Masa Chicken, Quinoa, Risotto....all were a cut above. Great tastes, funky pairings all work. Good job!!"
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Tired of the old standbys when you read a menu? This is the place to go. The food here is wonderful! You can tell a lot of thought went into making this menu. Kudos to the owner and chef!"
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for outdoor dining
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"I went to Cactus for Cinqo de Mayo. While the food isn't traditional Mexican, it does offer some similar dishes. Their menu is a mixture of different Latin American dishes with interesting flavor combinations. It doesn't wow me, but it does have some good items. For the windward side, there are not many options so Cactus is a good one if you are in the mood for this type of cuisine"
Dined on 5/05/2013
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"A different menu for us, needed help with ordering as we were not familiar with the blend of Latin America and Mexican food. Kelly Ann, our fab Sicilian waitress added a lot of color to our great dining experience and did a great job on her recommendations - the braised short ribs and risotto with chicken and the wonderfully fresh and delicious guacamole. Yumm! It was a fun and gastronomically fulfilling evening."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"This was an overall wonderful experience. Great service and they accommodated both gluten free and vegetarian diets in our group. The food was wonderful."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"We really enjoyed our experience at Cactus. The food was high quality and flavorful. The wait staff was friendly and a pleasure to talk with. We had lunch and are planning to return for dinner."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Awesome as always, though we missed seeing Rey in the kitchen...happy he had a night off! My wife had her favorite Tostada while I had the specialty pork chop...it was wonderful."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"I truly enjoyed my dinner at the Cactus, the service from the hostess, to the waitress and bus boy, were fantastic. There was also (I assume) the owner's wife who came by our table to check in several times and offered great conversation to let us know about the "Cactus" and the food."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Fry bread! Cerviche! Taro fritters for dessert special! Yummy!! Last time we were there we had a great server, but this time....it wasn't bad, it just was off at times. We did enjoy the food, and bought a round for the kitchen because of it."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"For three of the people in our group of four this was a first time experience and everyone raved about the food. We are an investment club and have dinner out every four months. We usually try different restaurants each time but the group said they'd like to return to Cactus next time because the food was so good. Making reservations through Open Table was easy and convenient especially when I had to change the reservation twice when two members had to change plans."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Loved Loved Loved our dining experience! We will be back soon!"
Dined on 04/01/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The staff was really accommodating and the food was wonderful. Everything came well cooked and hot, and the margaritas are some of the best I've had in cute a while!"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"cindy was an excellent server, friendly, helpful and responsive. Great food, we did "sampling platters" which was a great way to show and share a new menu."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"When I walked in I did not recognize the usual staff. I had a unwelcomed greeting by the hostess. She told me I was early and that the kitchen was not ready. I had to ask if I could have a drink???? I also had a feeling that because I ordered happy hour it was okay to serve stale chips. The people next to me ordered dinner and I could hear their chips crunch unlike mine. The server was somewhat grumpy.
I wonder if this is the new norm......."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2012
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"The food at Cactus was excellent, we didn't taste a single thing that did not delight us. The service was a bit awkward. Our waitress was timely, but not very personable, and the manager seemed to scold/counsel her staff several times in view of the customers. I would return for the food, but would hope for a much different service experience."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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"The food here is excellent, if overpriced. The service is always very good and the overall ambiance is friendly and welcoming. Most times I have visited, the music, although pleasant, was much too loud."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2011
Special Features: great for lunch
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"This place is truly a gem in Kailua, away from the hustles of Honolulu. Chef John Memering's interpretation of local ingredients is unassuming yet bold, with a surprising twist of Latin American flair. My server, Cindy, was friendly and attentive, did an excellent job describing the meals. This place is now on my regular visit list on Oahu!"
Dined on 03/05/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"This was our second visit. We loved the selections each of us made the first time but this time the food was very disappointing. The vegetables on the duck carnitas were inedible and the duck was bland and didn't resemble anything like carnitas."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
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"We were there on a Friday night, our last night in Kailua. Started out with kind of a weird parking scheme as you essentially double park....I stuck my head in the restaurant and the Hostess walked out with me and told me the staff uses the spots that are essentially blocked in.....very kind of her as parking in Kailua can be challenging at times. Menu was superb.....my wife is vegetarian and had NO problem finding multiple dishes that appealed to her....she had the Kabocha pumpkin enchilada...really good. I had the Smoked Jidori Chicken Coyotas......awesome. We ordered bar drinks but did not use the extensive wine list. Bar was just a little loud but management curtailed that quickly and apologized to diners. We will go again!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"We had an exceptional meal. The waiter and chef did a great job of customizing a meal for a member of our party with several food intolerances. Great menu with lots of creative choices."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"We had a fine time. The place was busy, but we never felt rushed or ignored. The wait staff was courteous and helpful. The food was tasty, and the portions were just right. Glad to see there is someone attempting something different with mexican/ latin inspired food. Kailua did not need another run of the mill mexican place, but we do need a Target. Yes, I went there."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"The name Cactus made me think of a desert, but this place was far from barren. It was full of fresh and tasty delights. Nothing like it on the island as far as I know. Worth the drive to Kailua."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Creative Latin America tastes, fresh ingredients, nice portions. Good wine pour size. Freshly maid chips that came with the Guacamole we ordered were very greasy however. Good value overall for the price."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Tried something from a "Like Water for Chocolate" special menu and the Quail with Rose Petal Mole was great. The Beef Rib-eye I had would've been good as well had it come to the table hot. The waiter was very pleasant, and I don't know if she or the kitchen was the cause of the cold steak, but they need to fix that. The mixed drinks and wine list, which like the menu are S. American inspired, were really good."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"We went on Valentine's Day but had a reservation, were seated right away hardly any wait our server was wonderful so helpful and took time with us even tho they were crazy busy, and from what i could tell, they were handling it really well. The food was super tasty we tried a few things ....Fry bread, pumpkin enchiladas, carne tacos, and caesar salad, all so yummy and worth it, the only thing that was just average was tres leche cake, also I would definitely sit inside next time, the lighting is just so so outside and lots of cars going by.We loved this place and will be going back soon."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Delicious food; interesting menu. A good place for sharing plates. Very attentive wait staff. Their fried peppers are not to be missed! And the pumpkin mole enchiladas are wonderful. Good selection of local fish & local produce. A fun place to take visitors and for locals to return to."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Delicious gourmet Latin American flavors with Hawaiian ingredients - perfect combination! Ceviche tasted too fishy, wild boar empanadas and chicken coyotas are good starters, but the mains are what stood out. Brazilian mariscada with farofa dumplings - incredible! So many flavors and textures! Duck carnitas are also delicious, masa crusted chicken breast also good.Pisco sour is a bit strange tasting, but the staff replaced the drink with no questions asked. Other drinks were a hit (especially roasted pineapple mojito)."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Some of the most thought-dense gourmet cooking in town. Not too expensive for people who care about new wave cooking gourmet. all local produce and much of it organic. Daily specials even for lunch."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Food not very good, steak was so tough it was like chewing gum. Mole was very bitter. Almost sitting at the diners table next to you. Service was good but not a comfortable dining experience"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2006
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