This dinner was especially meaningful because it was my husband and I’s 7-year anniversary.
He simply told me we had dinner reservations at 6 PM but refused to tell me where we were going. I had absolutely no idea what to expect, which made the surprise even more exciting.
When we arrived at El Cielo, I immediately loved the atmosphere. We were warmly greeted by both the servers and chefs, and the first thing that caught my attention was the open kitchen. It instantly made the restaurant feel welcoming and full of life.
Walking further inside, I fell in love with the Spanish-inspired interior, warm lighting, beautiful chandelier, and cozy ambience. It felt elegant without being intimidating.
When our server asked if we had any questions, we asked for his recommendations. Without hesitation, he suggested the Shrimp Ajillo, Paella, and Empanada, so we trusted him and ordered those, along with the calamari and a sangria to share.
The Spread
What We Ordered
Drinks
Sangria
We started with a house sangria, and it was exactly what I wanted on a warm evening.
Light, refreshing, and not overly sweet, with subtle notes of cinnamon that made it incredibly fragrant. It paired beautifully with every dish throughout the night.
Starter
Empanada
It was good, but not necessarily the standout of the evening.
My favorite part was actually the chimichurri sauce. It added a bright, fresh flavor that paired really well with the filling.
I only wished it came with two instead of one.
The Standout
Shrimp Ajillo
This completely stole the show.
The shrimp arrived at the table still sizzling in garlic oil alongside warm homemade baguette. The first bite instantly made me understand why our server recommended it.
The shrimp were incredibly fresh, and soaking the warm baguette into the garlic butter sauce was honestly unforgettable. We loved it so much that we ordered another baguette just so we could finish every last drop of the sauce.
If I had to recommend just one dish at El Cielo, this would easily be it.
Starter
Calamari
The calamari was fresh, lightly fried, and perfectly crispy without feeling greasy.
It came with a subtle tomato sauce underneath that paired nicely with the seafood. Nothing overly fancy, but a solid appetizer that I’d happily order again.
The Main Event
Main Courses
Mains
Seafood Paella
The seafood tasted incredibly fresh, especially the shrimp, and the rice had the perfect texture with just enough bite.
The paella came with saffron aioli on the side. Personally, I found the aioli a little stronger than the seafood itself. Next time, I would probably enjoy a few bites without mixing it in so I can appreciate the natural seafood flavors first.
It was still a delicious dish overall.
Mains
Lamb Chops
The lamb chops were cooked medium exactly as requested. They were incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful.
Paired with the roasted potatoes and rich Rioja red wine sauce, every bite felt comforting and balanced. It was one of those dishes that didn’t try too hard — it was simply executed really well.
The Verdict
Final Thoughts
Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, but what really made the evening memorable was the overall experience.
The service was outstanding from the moment we walked in until we left. Everyone was genuinely welcoming, and it made our anniversary feel even more special.
This is exactly the kind of restaurant I’d recommend for anniversaries, birthdays, or a nice date night in Waikiki.
Huge kudos to my husband for finding this place. It ended up being one of my favorite dinners we’ve shared together.
Huge kudos to my husband for finding this place. It ended up being one of my favorite dinners we’ve shared together.
— JenniferAfter Dinner
A Sweet Ending
After dinner, we walked over to Il Gelato and finished the evening with Dubai Chocolate and Strawberry Gelato.
There are multiple Il Gelato locations throughout Waikiki, and they’re easily some of my favorite gelatos in Hawaii.
They remind me a lot of the gelato I had while traveling through Europe — creamy, flavorful, and not overly sweet. It was the perfect way to end an already memorable anniversary.
El Cielo · Waikiki, Honolulu
Jennifer’s Take
Perfect For
Find It
El Cielo
El Cielo
346 Lewers St #1F
Honolulu, HI 96815
Tapas & Wine by Chef Masa · Waikiki
Il Gelato
2309 Kūhiō Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
Gelato · Waikiki
Have you visited El Cielo? Or do you have a favorite date-night restaurant in Honolulu you’d love to share?
Leave a comment below — I’d love to hear your recommendations.
Curated by Jennifer 
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