1. And of course, the coffee is always excellent. I'm Amanda, founder and creator of Heartbeet Kitchen. On Sundays, the crop of vendors moves to the Mililani Farmers' Market. Inspired by the rich history of Pier 38, Upstairs at Pier 38 is a place to gather that encompasses locally caught seafood, sourced by the renowned Honolulu Fish Auction, featuring USDA Prime Steak. Locals who know how it works love it. Our Waikk: Meet the Hawaii Beachboys Keeping the Tradition Alive, Our Waikk: The Stories Behind Four Longtime Waikk Holdouts. My vote is Sam Choy's (on Nimitz).. However, this is not usually the case at other Morimoto restaurants.). Must-visit restaurant:Louie Bossi. At lunch and dinner, many tables order kamameshi, iron pots of rice simmered with seafood such as crab or abalone (and in the fall, matsutake mushrooms). After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. Not willing to change her identity to be part of the industry, Mahina Florence is at the height of her career because of her flawless Hawaiian complexion, strong athletic build, and friendly aloha spirit. November 3, 2022 by Molly Beauchemin 11 Comments. Our favorite authentically local restaurants in Florence For appetizers, you cant go wrong with the purple sweet potato bisque and a few fresh salads. The stylish waterfront restaurant inside the Kahala Hotel offers a delicious, elegant dinner menu. Explore menu, see photos and read 1455 reviews: "10 " Pop into the boutique next door to pick up beans to brew at home. Usually, I don't eat at malls but this place was off by the parking lot and the long line of locals waiting to get in caught my . You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Surrounded by the stunning Ko'olau Mountains, this stretch of sand is backed by ironwood trees and you will find an ancient Hawaiian fishpond on the south side of the bay. In the early mornings, the restaurant serves a traditional Japanese breakfast teishoku (set meal) of broiled fish, rice, pickles, and natto. I know I didnt cover everything, but this is what we were able to make it to in 7 days. Tips from our local restaurant spotters in Brussels! Others offer a uniquely Hawaii experience, offering tastes and ambiance you cant find anywhere else. 7 Non-Touristy Places to Eat Near London Bridge That You'll Love Pull up to the stand and youll see a few Vitamixs, fresh fruit, and coffee accessories ready to make you something deliciously healthy. And of course Matsumoto Shaved Ice the BEST! With an engaging staff and a family-friendly atmosphere, this restaurant is perfectly balanced. Whoops, thats my bad. If you want an unforgettable (maybe a little forgettable) vacation, head to Nashville. At night they operate this tiny takeout counter, where youll find impeccably fresh fish in poke and donburi, with most items under $15. A tofu salad dressed in sesame-miso and topped with crispy fried lotus root. This time, serving refined but accessible upcountry cuisine by Peter Merriman. But never mind authenticity, Im here for the loco moco ($19). that shave ice, if only they could make it like that in the mainland! (And Mimi Mendoza, a notable Filipino chef on the island, currently helms the dessert menu and makes the most dazzling, beautiful treats.). What are people saying about tuscan restaurants in Honolulu, HI? (Then check out our list of top dining destinations in Waikk, which includes many tucked-away spots.). Even the scones here are also super inventive. The cave is dark and wet, so bring sturdy shoes and a flashlight. This picturesque spot can be found past mile marker 16 on the Hana Highway, below the bridge that crosses Palauhulu Stream. These come in a variety of flavors like banana and coconut, as well as seasonal flavors like gingerbread around the holidays. Starting at 1:30 a.m., chef Jonathan Mosley fries panko-crusted furikake chicken, which . They presented him with an album of sortsphotos of them with OCallaghan at his farmers market booth in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. I miss it too! It worked: Aloha Tables Japanese website lists about 20 Aloha Tables in Japan, four in South Korea and a slew of other Hawaii-themed restaurants serving malassadas, beer, barbecue and something called Hawaiian-Mexican food. Source: Photo by Flickr user Steve Bozak used under CC BY 2.0. Garlic butter fried rice in a bento tin. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Kaneana Cave, Oahu. Today, there are dozens of Roys around the islands and on the mainland. And what I really, really look forward to. Most of the small plates are in the $5 to $8 range; only our spicy mabo tofu ($8.50), Kewpie mayo-and-ketchup-drizzled omelet rice ($8.50) and menchikatsu meat croquettes (three for $9.50) cost more. 342 E 11th St . You may also see a food tent for The Pig and The Lady at many Oahu area farmers markets, like KCC or KailuaTown. This is one of the, Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA), 900 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA, Situated on Hawaii Island's southeastern coast, Kamehame Beach is one of the country's foremost nesting sites for the Hawksbill turtle and honu. [$], During the day, Junichiro and Ryojiro Tsuchiya, who used to buy fish at Tokyos Tsukiji Fish Market, serve food out of a stall in Chinatown. Thank you! But heres the third thing: Like Tampopo, Pau Hana Base is all about the food. lol THANKS!! Dean & Deluca: Definitely not a local restaurant, as Im sure many of you know of them here on the mainland, but their prepared foods, cheeses, and deli are amazing. 2301 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815. Show more. A recent Kimchee Bacon Cheddar Scone, for example, was served with sour cream and chives. It is two miles to get to Hanakapiai beach from the start of Kalalau trail to get to this 300-ft (91.44-m) waterfall, and it is worth every moment. Bartenders and chefs abuzz in the joint bar and kitchen. Taking the slow train Hida from Nagoya to Toyama - Lonely Planet Best Place to Live in Every State | Stacker Located in Kapaa and within a few steps of Papaloa Beach, Islander on the Beach 157 features a garden, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. This is my favorite restaurant on Oahu that I come to about once a week. Lunch only, closed on Sunday. (Theyre excellent.). And I finally found gluten-free poke! Related: The 8 Best Breakfast Spots on Oahu. Stop by nearby Lucky Belly for happy hour ahead of time (we love the San Francisco-inspired cocktail menu). 14 Tourist Trap Restaurants in NYC That Are Actually Good CMJ's trade publication, compiles playlists for college and non-commercial stations; often a prelude to larger success. We recommend sharing one of their pizzas as an appetizer; if youre going to get Hawaiian pizza in Hawaii, this is the place to do it. Fresh fish and tropical fruits are readily available, as are an increasing number of international cuisines. We also enjoyed dinner, but I preferred the breakfast. Not sure when. I guess it suits my taste, too. From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. Goofy Cafe & Dine:A strange name, a hidden location, but so worth finding. And the constant line of people is there to prove it. This, McBryde Garden, 4425 Lawai Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA, You will be surprised to find very few people on this stunning beach, which is the longest white sand beach throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Island Vintage Coffee is one of the best restaurants in Honolulu and Waikiki, and should be on any tourists itinerary. The menu consists mostly of upscale seafood but what youre really paying for here is the view of the beach. Brussels. The biscuit + mapo gravy is a delicious brunch item they feature, and their version of a charcuterie plate called a Seaboard, featuring an assortment of locally caught fish. Waikks Heavenly and Goofy Caf & Dine are on the list as well. You can order matcha soft serve literally draped in gold leaf, but the real golden item is the matcha parfait, which consists of mochi, azuki beans, chestnuts, matcha chiffon cake, cornflakes, and matcha soft serve all jammed into a plastic cup. The exact contents rotate, but you might find rolls stuffed with unagi, shrimp, and tamago as fluffy as sponge cake, accompanied by hearts of palm grown in Hawaii. Cheap and delicious: Padella. Head to the one at the Ritz-Carlton, which offers bento boxes made to order by Sushi Sho, the 10-seat restaurant a few floors up, where sushi master Keiji Nakazawa presides. Best Non Touristy Things To Do In Honolulu Hawaii Hawaiian Dishes, the hand-lettered sign says. Honolulu Tourism Honolulu Hotels Honolulu Bed and Breakfast Honolulu Vacation Rentals Honolulu Packages Flights to Honolulu Honolulu Restaurants 92-1048 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA. It is easily one of the best places to get breakfast or brunch in Honolulu, but its open until 2:30 PM so its a great option for lunch, as well. Monkeypod Kitchen is named after the iconic Hawaiian monkeypod tree, which is endemic to Hawaii. For Halloween I did a black dough and on the inside I had peanut butter, toasted coconut and pumpkin, Arango says. The seafood is excellent and as fresh as it gets, the bar is lively, and the view is incredible. Ahi Poke. Thats what youll find at 424 Walina St. At Mamis Empanadas, the flavors of the dumplings convey the exuberance of Alex Arangos island-hopping. Giovannis Shrimp Truck: Garlic.Scampi.Shrimp and rice. Mariposa also recently introduced Sunday Haute Tea, which quickly became daily Haute Tea due to popular demand. Zigu Tommasi Rafal, Rib-eye steak . With a little digging, I think I found several local restaurants hidden within those blocks (we walked a lot and used our Fitbit for tracking steps), and many of the others on my best places to eat in Oahu list were just a short drive away from where were staying. (And us, too. It is believed that food made with love and passion is the best! Piggy Smalls, as the excellent pun entails, is all about good pork. Naval Air Museum Barbers Point. The one thing I couldnt find much information on was how gluten-free friendly restaurants were, and I was a little worried knowingsoy sauce is used in many traditional Hawaiian dishes (poke, marinated meats, salad dressings). Located in a working-class neighbourhood, Trattoria Alla Rampa is a popular lunch spot for the residents who live in this neighborhood. (They also have air conditioning when its extra hot outside.). White Plains Beach. - Population: 63,063 - Median home value: $334,300 (71% own) - Median rent: $1,325 (29% rent) - Median household income: $104,281. Traveling to other islands? Hi! Run by celebrity chef Lee Anne Wong, Koko Head Cafe is an ideal place to get brunch in Kaimuki, which has a few cool local, hipster-leaning shops that are worth exploring. 5. 5 Secluded and Non-Touristy Beaches in Hawaii - Explanders Some of the best Luaus on Oahu are actually located outside of Waikiki. This way, you can easily bookmark this list for easy reference when traveling around the city. The food menu includes an excellent poke bowl as well as Hawai'i Island clams steamed in white wine. xo! (808) 923-3383. There will come a time in your life when some out-of-towners ask you take them to the High Line and/or Chelsea Market. Days later, Im still reliving my moments of Kobe-Style Supreme Loco Moco. Despite their location inside the new Alohilani Resort, both restaurants draw a casual, mixed crowd. The Pig and The Lady has the best Bun Thit Nuong decorated beautifully with grilled pork, shrimps, fresh herbs and salad. The highly respected group is heavily involved in graduate medical education through the University of Hawaii School of Medicine . Sciascia il Caffe. [$$$], By submitting your email, you agree to our, 1831 Ala Moana Blvd #201, Honolulu, HI 96815, 234 Beach Walk unit f, Honolulu, HI 96815. Really great article, so many good recs. Ill admit that the eating part of vacation is what I plan first. Seek out local food, your tastebuds will thank you! (I highly recommend this for dessert. Zigu, which means, eat local in Japanese, advertises its fare as authentic Japanese cuisine inspired by Hawaiis fresh local ingredients., 413 Seaside Ave., (808) 212-9252,zigu.us. Best Dublin Pubs and Traditional, Non-Touristy Bars Besides - Matador Come evening, they are known for their delightful ocean breeze and iconic mai tai cocktails. This unique and delicious fish preparation is what made Wade famous and put the restaurant on the map. Though most focus on the beachs incredibly rich black sand, I am absolutely head over heels for the picturesque Waimea Pier, the embodiment of Old Hawaii. A great spot to disappear, in this, Nearly 100 feet high and 450 feet deep, Kaneana Cave is said to be the place where the shark man was said to leave his victims until he was ready to eat them. [$$], The freshest news from the food world every day. Its pricy, but a nice experience. They also spend a good portion of their visit enjoying Waikiki Beach. 10 Great Places Only Locals Know in Oahu - Discover Hidden - Hotels Overlooking the beach, with a stunning contemporary alfresco area, The Veranda is Honolulu's living room of the stars with live music, handcrafted cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Theyre also a great lunch spot because you dont need a reservation to enjoy their prix fixe menu. We call for more: Imo-mochi that tastes like a marriage of french fries and clouds. String lights . It offers elevated Hawaiian and New American menus in an urban refined atmosphere. As for dessert be sure not to miss their gluten-free chocolate souffl and the signature pineapple upside-down cake, which takes 30 minutes to make. 7 Unknown Restaurants Where the Locals Eat in Rome Our favorite authentically local restaurants in Brussels Everyone loves Island Vintages upscale poke and the hearty, robust salads. Here, the icy treat includes eight different ingredients, including banana, sweet red bean, jackfruit, and coconut, all topped with a vibrant purple scoop of ube ice cream. Its super popular with locals looking to get elevated New American eats with a view of the harbor. Youll find the Punchbowl Coffee truck sitting between a rental car parking lot and walk-up apartment building. Thank you for taking the time to write this post. The food and service are both excellent, if a bit pricey. 15 Restaurants You Must Try on the North Shore in Oahu Top Waikiki Restaurants - Best of Oahu And it has a very low murder rate, especially in comparison with other big cities. Beer Lab. omg, it would be so great to go every year. There are all sorts of options out there. Some wait times are as long as 2 hours, but my advice get in there, set a time for your reservation, then grab a drink on the bar and go outside, sit in the sand, listen to some of the locale band music or watch a sunset. Dine here for creative, vegan-friendly vegetable dishes and tasty Vietnamese spice combinations inspired by Hawaiian Regional cuisine. Martha Cheng is the food editor at Honolulu Magazine, the author of The Poke Cookbook, and a writer for national publications. Because finding parking in Chinatown is not easy (and its not very walkable from the rest of Honolulu) we recommend taking an Uber here. Found on a high plateau in central Oahu between the Waianae and Koolau mountain ranges, this enchanting 27-acre botanical garden features everything from taro to native Hawaiian ferns and everything in between. Ill just cut right to the chase: whether youre a foodie traveling to Oahu or someone simply looking for a good place to eat in Waikiki, you cant go wrong with anything in this guide to the Best Restaurants in Honolulu. They do excellent pizza, steak, and local fish specials, and are famous for their Kauai shrimp potstickers and homemade cream pies. While the Hawaii state capital still lags behind New York, Paris, London, and Los Angeles in terms of depth and variety of dining options, Honolulu is nevertheless emerging as a world-class food city and the restaurants below are leading the charge. Hawaii is on my list so Ill be bookmarking these places <3 xoxo. (Even the restaurant logo one fork facing up, another fork facing down symbolizes the yin-and-yang W and the M of their names.). 45 American Cities for the Ultimate Girls' Trip | Far & Wide