This Outstanding Wine Bar in Old Kōloa Town is a Pleasant Surprise
The Tasting Room on Kauaʻi is a family-run business serving unique wines and more. And wine lovers should bookmark it.

With a revolving menu of both wine offerings and delicious food pairings, The Tasting Room on Kauaʻi never gets stale.
Wine and spirit lovers familiar with Kauaʻi’s south side have most likely met Dan and Ellen O’Connell, owners of The Wine Shop—a fixture in Kōloa Town for nearly 20 years. As a natural extension, “Dan-o” and Ellen’s daughters, Megan and Dani, opened The Tasting Room right next door.
The vision for The Tasting Room was simple: It would be an extension of the O’Connell ʻohana Sunday dinners. For years the family has gathered on Sundays to enjoy 2-ounce “taster” pours of the latest wines to come through The Wine Shop, discussing favorites over a delicious dinner with extended family. Dani prefers the taste of old-world French and Italian wines, while Megan leans toward sauvignon blancs and crisp whites. So, it makes sense this sister team brings such a lovely balance of flavors to the table.

The 2-ounce flight is a popular choice.
Photo: Courtesy of The Tasting Room
The Tasting Room opened as a “bites and sips” tapas and family-style spot in 2019. Since then, the 2-ounce flight has become the most popular choice on the beverage menu. “We like to give guests the option to explore their commitment level by trying a few different options,” Megan O’Connell Ganzagan explains. “It’s a fun way to try something new or decide on a new favorite without having to commit to a full glass.”
The combination of recognizable and obscure wines means a wide range of options for seasoned wine lovers and those looking to dip their toes in for the first time.
Don’t like wine? The Tasting Room also has a full bar with exquisitely curated cocktails and craft beer. All the sipping spirits are smooth and of the highest quality and its signature barrel blended whiskey and old-fashioneds are favorites among regulars.
As the Tasting Room’s popularity rose, so did demand. But then the pandemic hit. The resulting shutdown gave the owners time to adapt and rework their menu to include full meals for those looking to spend the entire evening at the restaurant, rather than just trying a wine flight and having a small bite to eat. “We wanted to be the destination rather than a stop on the way to dinner,” explains O’Connell Ganzagan.

The Tasting Room in Kōloa, Kauaʻi.
Photo: Courtesy of The Tasting Room
The menu and wine selections change every four or five months, which keeps the ingredients fresh, the pairings new, and the kitchen creative, and the staff is ready with recommendations based on your preferences. With a familiar warmth and welcoming spirit, The Tasting Room ʻohana takes pride in what it serves, and the carefully crafted menu speaks for itself.
Deep natural wood tones set this place apart and contribute to its understated edgy-intimate setting. Here the ambience matches the culinary experience. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available, along with cozy date night corners, and if you’re in the mood for some lively conversation, pull up a seat at the bar. Just be sure to make a reservation as the place tends to fill up quickly.

The French onion soup is a favorite.
Photo: Courtesy of The Tasting Room
Guests often begin with the French onion soup made with housemade bone broth, sweet onions, Gruyere cheese and croutons. Other popular starters are the signature charcuterie boards with changing imported cheeses, cured meats, delicious spreads, olives and other small bites.
The Tasting Room salad and hamachi crudo are also fresh, light options to start the evening. To fine-tune the experience, the Tasting Room offers a beautiful balance of imported and locally sourced options . While it’s not always on the menu, when it is, the braised beef chef special is a must-try. The short-rib entree is served with creamy parmesan polenta and garlic green beans, and finished with a veal demi-glace. You can finish the evening with one of the restaurant’s in-house panna cotta desserts (our favorite is the ube).
5476 Kōloa Road, Kōloa, tastingroomkauai.com.
Allison Frascatore is a contributor to HAWAIʻI Magazine.