Aloha, I’m Mirae Yi and I’ve been living in Hawaii since 2019. I’m a big foodie who used to live in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and I prepared this post to share my recommendations for restaurants and interesting spots on the island of Oahu. Hope this post helps you to enjoy your time in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Coffee
Honolulu Coffee Experience Center
https://www.yelp.com/biz/honolulu-coffee-experience-center-honolulu-3
Pro: Great ambiance, abundant parking spots (free), great for coffee and food.
Tip: I don’t recommend walking into this coffee place because you can use the “Toast Takeout” to order for pickup and save around 20 min of your time waiting in the queue.
Kona Coffee Purveyors
https://www.yelp.com/biz/kona-coffee-purveyors-honolulu-26?osq=kona+coffee
Pro: Located in Waikiki, great for takeout coffee
Dior Cafe
https://www.yelp.com/biz/dior-cafe-honolulu?osq=dior+cafe
Pro: located in the Ala Moana Mall, great for Instagram photos.
Island Vintage Coffee
https://www.yelp.com/biz/island-vintage-coffee-honolulu-4
Pro: Located in Waikiki, everything tastes good
Tip: Island Vintage Coffee opens at 6 am, and even from 6 am you will see a very long queue, 30min+ wait. My tip as a local is to go to the “Island Vintage Wine Bar” which I will be covered in the next section.
Brunch
Island Vintage Wine Bar
https://www.yelp.com/biz/island-vintage-wine-bar-honolulu?osq=island+vintage+wine+bar
Pro: Located in Waikiki, everything tastes good
Tip: This wine bar is literally on the left side of “Island Vintage Coffee”, and they share the same kitchen even though they look like independent businesses from the outside. There are multiple reasons I prefer this wine bar over “Island Vintage Coffee. First, the wine bar not only serves everything that’s on the “island vintage coffee” menu but also provides an extra menu of its own (try out their lilikoi mimosa!). The wine bar opens at 7 am and always has a shorter line than the cafe; you have to scan the QR code to be in line, so I suggest you scan the QR code first and then check out the surroundings while waiting. Based on my experience, although the QR code says the waiting is 30 min, it normally took 10min less than what it says.
Basalt
https://www.yelp.com/biz/basalt-honolulu
Pro: located in Waikiki, most time no line
Tip: It serves the most beautiful “avocado toast” which is delicious as well. Its black-colored pancake aka charcoal pancake is also famous. In October, the charcoal pancake gets its special Halloween decoration that’s super cute.
Moke’s Bread and Breakfast – Kaimuki
https://www.yelp.com/biz/moke-s-bread-and-breakfast-kaimuki-honolulu
Here is not a touristy place, but it’s a cute local breakfast spot. It’s famous for lilikoi pancakes and loco moco with fried rice.
Liliha Bakery
There are 4 locations of Liliha Bakery. The one in Waikiki has good outdoor seating. My favorite spot is the one in Ala Moana Mall (Tip: Park in front of Macy’s) because of the parking and this place serves OX TAIL SOUP (+saimin) which is perfect on a chilly day.
Afternoon Tea
The Beach House at Moana Surfrider
https://www.yelp.com/biz/moana-surfrider-a-westin-resort-and-spa-waikiki-beach-honolulu-2
Pro: the only beachfront afternoon tea on the island located in Waikiki #BeachfrontView
Tip: Reservation is a must. You can use OpenTable or call the restaurant to book an “afternoon tea session”. Only available on the weekend afternoon.
Moana Surfrider is an iconic hotel located in Waikiki that provides a great beachfront view from the restaurant. Based on my and friends’ multiple experiences, the dining experience here is so-so; it’s a hotel price but the food isn’t that impressive. BUT, their afternoon tea is legit.
Restaurants with Views
Michel’s At The Colony Surf
https://www.yelp.com/biz/michels-at-the-colony-surf-honolulu-2
Tip: Reservation is a must. Try to book a timeslot when the sunset happens. #French #BeachfrontView
Deck
https://www.yelp.com/biz/deck-honolulu
The view isn’t as mindblowing as my other recommendations, but it has the diamond head view, serves delicious food with decent pricing, and offers a relaxing ambiance. #American #Cocktails
SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sky-waikiki-raw-and-bar-honolulu-2?osq=sky+bar
One of my favorite places where has a #HighFloorView located in Waikiki. In my opinion, this place is ideal to get some small bites with drinks and enjoy the view instead of getting a big proper meal.
Tip: This one place operates in 2 different ways. I recommend doing the walk-in for drinks because all their seatings have good views and you can still order food from the same kitchen. For walk-in, you may get a small standup table seating though. For dine-in, you must make a reservation at least a month in advance, which you can check OpenTable to see if there’s any opening spot. Based on my experience booking here for dine-in around 10 times through Opentable, you have to be quite lucky to get good seating with good views.
Japanese Cuisine
Sushi Sho
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-sho-hawaii-waikiki-beach
the Top Japanese sushi omakase that’s most famous here
Maru Sushi
https://www.yelp.com/biz/maru-sushi-honolulu?osq=sushi+maru
Top Japanese sushi omakase, recommended by the chef who works at Restaurant Suntory
Restaurant Suntory
https://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurant-suntory-honolulu
One of my favorite restaurants at Royal Hawaiian Mall in Waikiki. I think the restaurant has a connection to the Japanese whiskey brand Suntory. It operates in 2 dining sections: teppanyaki and regular dine-in. On weekend nights, making a reservation is a must but on weekdays I normally do walk-in.
Rokkaku Hamakatsu
https://www.yelp.com/biz/rokkaku-hamakatsu-honolulu-2
Located in Ala Moana mall; if you park near Long’s Drug, you will find it easily. Foods are top quality and it’s famous for tonkatsu (pork cutlet). This place gives a feeling like you’re eating at a 5 stars business hotel in Japan lol I think this place is better for lunch than dinner because it closes early at 8 pm.
TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tsurutontan-udon-noodle-brasserie-honolulu
An Udon restaurant located in Waikiki at Royal Hawaiian Mall.
Pro: NO WAITING, offer lunch deals, parking, nice ambiance.
In Waikiki, Marugame Udon is the restaurant that seems to have the longest line all the time. Marugame Udon is a big franchise known for its economic pricing point. TsuruTonTan Udon is also an udon franchise but it provides higher quality with a higher pricing point than Marugame Udon. Honestly, I think going to TsuruTonTan is way better because it has no waiting, a big dining space that’s decorated, more variety of foods, etc. If you go for lunch, you can enjoy their meal at a discounted price.
FYI, if you want to try their Nabe Udon because the photo looks good, order sukiyaki udon instead. Nabe udon was the only disappointing dish I had there.
If you’re a big fan of Marugume Udon, I recommend you to check out the downtown location because it won’t have a long line like the Waikiki location.
Sushi ii
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-ii-honolulu-2?osq=sushi+ii
This place is not a touristy place. The interior decor is so-so, nothing fancy. I’m only sharing this place because it serves foie gras. As a person who moved from California, I was surprised to find out that some restaurants here serve foie gras. I only know 3 locations that serve foie gras in Oahu, and the other two are Restaurant Suntory and Michel’s at the Colony Surf, which I listed above.
Han No Daidokoro
https://www.yelp.com/biz/han-no-daidokoro-honolulu
a fancy Japanese kbbq
Premium Matcha Cafe Maiko
https://www.yelp.com/biz/premium-matcha-cafe-maiko-honolulu-3
a very legit Japanese match dessert store located in Waikiki
Hawaiian
Kono’s
https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Kono%27s&find_loc=Honolulu%2C+HI
It’s originally from North Shore, but there are a few more locations including Waikiki on this island. Its salad version “Pig on Grass” is my favorite.
Giovanni’s Garlic Shrimp
https://www.yelp.com/biz/giovanni-s-honolulu?osq=Garlic+Shrimp
Giavanni is the most famous garlic shrimp truck in Oahu, and you don’t need to go all the way to North Shore and wait for 30 min+ to enjoy this delicious dish. Go to the 2nd floor of the Hmart in Kaka’ako (10min driving distance from Waikiki). Finding the staircase to the 2nd floor inside of the Hmart is a small challenge, but once you find the staircase it will lead you to the food court area where you can find Giavanni’s booth there. The building is very new, so the interior is very clean and well decorated. No Line.
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
https://www.yelp.com/biz/helenas-hawaiian-food-honolulu
The most famous and authentic Hawaiian restaurants. The only problem here is that the owner opens this place only 4 times a week lol So please check their store hours before heading there. I highly recommend ordering the SET menu because it’s a Hawaiian tradition to eat all kinds in one meal.
If you don’t have a chance to swing by here but still want to try very authentic Hawaiian food, I recommend checking the food court in Ala Moana Mall.
Leonard’s Bakery
https://www.yelp.com/biz/leonards-bakery-honolulu
This place is really famous for selling malasadas, Portuguese fried dough. I think you have to order a minimum of 6 malasadas to get the box packaging and if you order less, your donut will be packaged into a plastic bag. I prefer getting the box packaging because it’s photogenic and create less mess.
Dole Plantation
https://www.yelp.com/biz/dole-plantation-wahiawa?osq=dole+plantation
Try their pineapple ice cream! You don’t need to buy tickets for their tourist attractions to taste the ice cream. The ice cream booth is open to the public; just park your car and find the ice cream booth.
Korean & Chinese Cuisine
I’m going to be honest. Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas have better Korean and Chinese restaurants than Hawaii. Down below, here are some Korean and Chinese restaurants that are approved by real Korean and Chinese living on the island.
Seoul Tofu House
https://www.yelp.com/biz/seoul-tofu-house-honolulu-4
An authentic Korean soon tofu soup that most Koreans would enjoy. I like how it’s very standard, which you don’t find so easily in Hawaii. The restaurant is located in Waikiki and has a clean modern look inside.
Jagalchi Korean Restaurant
https://www.yelp.com/biz/jagalchi-korean-restaurant-honolulu-4
Their Bossam (braised pork belly) and Soondae (Korean blood sausage) are good. Hanbang (Chinese medicine herb) Bossam does not have a strong scent of pork nor a Chinese medicine smell, which is a very good thing. For Soondae, they make their own traditional Soondae! This is a super cool thing to Koreans because you rarely find a restaurant that makes soondae in a traditional way these days. The traditional soondae uses a real intestine cage instead of an artificial one and fills the inside with a mix of pork blood, vermicelli, and a lot of vegetables. Besides Bossam and Soondae, I tried many of their dishes and I don’t recommend ordering soup here. Their Soondae Soup and Samgyetang (Chicken Ginseng Soup) were fine, but most of their soups taste bland with overpowering MSG flavor.
Lobster King
https://www.yelp.com/biz/lobster-king-honolulu-3
a Korean Chinese restaurant that also serves Cantonese food. It runs by a family (Korean mom, Cantonese dad, and their daughter) so it serves many kinds of cuisine. It’s basically a Korean Chinese restaurant that serves jjambbong and jjajangmyeon, but also serves legit Chinese food as well. This place serves all kinds of fresh seafood that you can enjoy as sashimi or cook into a Chinese dish. Honestly, the taste is not a mind-blowing level. Their strength is using fresh seafood and offering many kinds of dishes.
Honolulu Skewer House
https://www.yelp.com/biz/honolulu-skewer-house-honolulu?osq=skewer
a Chinese YangRouChuang (lamb skewer) place that’s legit.
Volcano Skewer House
https://www.yelp.com/biz/volcano-skewer-house-honolulu-2?osq=skewer
Pro: You can park at Walmart and walk over, normally no waiting
Another good Chinese skewer house. If you have a weak digestive system like me, always order “normal spicy” and try to eat a small amount. To me, I don’t find it spicy in my mouth, but I always get a stomach ache the very next day.
Tim Ho Wan
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tim-ho-wan-honolulu-2
a dim sum franchise located in Royal Hawaiian Mall at Waikiki. They don’t offer that many dishes, but the food quality is fine. Their milk tea is surprisingly good.
Chengdu Taste
https://www.yelp.com/biz/chengdu-taste-honolulu-10
Chengdu Taste is a super famous Sichuan restaurant in the Los Angeles San Gabriel area, and they opened a location in Hawaii as well. Honestly, I think the LA location tastes better and has more dish options, but here is good enough to fulfill the urge.