This hybrid bar and grill is set in downtown Honolulu and is a favorite hang-out for the business and media communities and one of the only places in the Hawaiian Islands where you can get a pint of Guinness from the tap. While the bar roars with excitement, the restaurant serves great salads, steaks and other fare at decent prices. The food is fresh, and the service is congenial.
Set in one of the nicest hotels on Waikiki Beach, this is a great place to start or end a day in paradise. The breakfast buffet is huge and lavish. A la carte lunch and dinner menus offer a variety of tasty sandwiches, salads and hot dishes. You'll dine al fresco under the shade of a native Kiawe tree, enjoying picturesque ocean views. Needless to say, the sunsets here are exquisite. Live Hawaiian music at sunset is a long-standing tradition.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this place offers good food in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant takes its name from a huge Hau tree that grows out of Waikiki Beach and shades the beachfront terrace. This is a great place to take in the sunset while enjoying a wide variety of seafood and other well-prepared offerings at moderate prices. Mai Tais here are large and make a great view even better. The Hau Tree has live slack-key guitar music on weekend nights.
While the competition for "Best Luau" is tough in the Hawaiian Islands, this spectacular event might deserve the title. It takes place on 12 acres of gorgeous beachfront property in Western O'ahu. Guests are shuttled to the cove during the day and, upon arrival, are invited to participate in authentic Hawaiian games and activities. At sunset the roasted pig is brought forth, and guests can heap their plates and settle down to watch the show. Hawaii's history is told through music and dance. Call or check the web site for prices and reservations.
The "Aloha Spirit" is very much in evidence at this friendly, entertaining luau. On Germaine's strip of beach, guests can dance the hula, sip free-flowing Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians, and stuff themselves on a sumptuous buffet of Hawaiian and American favorites. At the dinner show, performers from varied South Pacific islands entertain the crowd with displays of skill and dexterity.
A favorite local stop since 1952, this bakery, less than a mile outside Waikiki, is famous for its malasadas. These pastries are a local favorite, similar to doughnuts only without the holes. They're best eaten hot, leaden when cold. Another specialty is pao doce (Portuguese sweet bread). Danish pastries, cookies, breads and specialty wedding and birthday cakes are also available. This is take out only; there is no place to sit. Parking is available.
Whether a lavish breakfast or tasty dinner, Blazin' Steaks is the best place to be. This casual restaurant offers a variety of dishes with focus on American as well Asian fusion; you can savor pancakes, omelets along with coffee. If you are in for lunch, try their steak, shrimp dishes like Grilled Steak, Acai Beach Bowl, Duke Burger and so forth. All in all, Blazin' Steaks is all about a hassle-free dining experience that is light on your wallet too. Check website for details.
As the name suggests, Frostcity is all about serving cool and frozen delights. It serves delectable desserts like Snow Ice with fresh fruits, ice creams, frozen yogurts and so forth. You can either sit down and enjoy your treat or avail the takeaway service and savor your favorite ice cream in the comfort of your home. For flavors and other details, call ahead.
Casual and comfortable, this coffee shop has the ambitious goal of making itself the new hot spot in the university area. Luscious and stylish lattes along with live entertainment and free WiFi attract the studious and the soon-to-be studious. The shop strives to replicate of some of Seattle's more interesting cafes with its delightfully unique, worldly atmosphere. However, the parking is more than a challenge. With neighboring businesses that include a paint supply store and more than one local eatery, it's better to arrive on a moped, bike or by foot.
As the name suggests, Sushi King is all about tasty sushi and other Japanese delicacies. At this local restaurant, you can enjoy a pleasant and hassle-free dining experience and that too with a moderately priced menu. One can order sushi varieties like Chu Toro - Tuna Belly, Hamachi – Yellowtail, lkura - Salmon Roe, Otoro - Fatty Tuna and so forth. And, if you have an appetite for a complete meal, then combination platter served along with rice and soup is perfect for you. Along with this culinary treat, you can order sake, sapporo or local wines here. Check website for more details.
With the vast options listed on the menu at Cafe Maharani, you are sure to dine like a royal. The Indian Cuisine is one of the most authentic in the world with dish types like curries, bread, gravy and dry dishes. A few of the recommended dishes on the menu include Boti Lamb Kebab, Chicken Saag and Fish Masala Curry which can be paired with Indian bread such as Chapati or Naan. They also have a vegetarian listing. Other options include Biryani, a popular Indian dish that is a fusion of colored rice, gravy, and meat. Indulge in traditional desserts like Halva and Ras Malai. The interiors have Indian inspired seating as well as accents lending a traditional appeal to the restaurant.
In the same spot for more than a generation, this is the place where folks on the way to the beach will stop in for a create-your-own bento box filled with yummy treats like spam musubi, island style sushi, shrimp tempura, shoyu chicken and chow-fun noodles. Lines will start forming early during the holiday season where specialty items are most in demand for parties and family gatherings. Parking is limited, so bring your patience along with your appetite.