top of page
Food Spread

RESTAURANT PICKS

Honolulu's dining scene is rich and reflects the diverse culture of the islands. Jack and May love taking friends to their go-to spots and sharing their favorite dishes, as well as trying what's new in town! 
Read more for their restaurant picks in Honolulu.
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH 
Fruits and Nuts Yogurt

​

  • Plumeria Beach House - Enjoy open-air dining in a beautiful setting. Kahala Hotel, Call 739-8620 for dining reservations. Breakfast buffet and ala carte are available daily.

  • 53 By the Sea - One of the most iconic dining experiences in KakaÊ»ako, the menu features the finest seafood and meats combined with locally grown ingredients. Open for weekend brunch. Call 536-5353 for dining reservations.

  • Mud Hen Water - Local ingredients with a modern twist in a hip setting. Brunch on Sundays only. Visit website for online reservations.

  • Orchid's  - Fresh food in an elegant setting. Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki. Open for breakfast Monday - Saturday, and our favorite Sunday Brunch. Call 923-2311 for a dining reservation.

  • Tango Contemporary Cafe - Inspired by Scandinavian and Asian flavors. Ground floor of Hokua in East KakaÊ»ako. Open for Saturday and Sunday Brunch - arrive early! Walk-in or reservations for parties over 6. Call 593-7288 for more information.

  • Panya Bistro - Southeast Asian comfort food with a great bakery. Ground floor of Hokua in East KakaÊ»ako. Walk-in or online reservations are recommended. Open Tuesdays through Sundays, closed on Mondays.

  • Kalapawai Cafe - Great for casual or on-the-go breakfast. Various locations in Kailua, Waimanalo, and Kapolei, hours vary. 

  • Eggs & Things - Casual and popular breakfast and brunch. Ala Moana location. Open for breakfast and brunch daily. Highly recommend online reservations or getting on the waitlist.

  • Bogart's Cafe - Longtime favorite for casual breakfast. Great after a swim in the ocean or walk at Kapiolani Park. Open daily for walk-ins.

LUNCH
Eating Lunch

​​

  • Mariposa -  Laid-back luxury with a classically delicious menu. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Located in Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana Shopping Center. Call 951-3420 for dining reservation.

  • Orchid's - Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki. Open for lunch Monday - Saturday, and Sunday Brunch. Call 923-2311 for a dining reservation.

  • Bernini - Refined Italian food and amazing wines in a sophisticated setting. Open from Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Reservations are made online or on the phone at 591-8400. Will be temporarily closed in April 2022 for renovations.

  • Artizen by MW - Unique local flavors and espresso/coffee bar. Open daily for lunch, walk-in available. Located on the ground floor of Velocity luxury car dealership along Kapiolani Boulevard 

  • Uncle's Fish Market - Extremely fresh seafood and high-quality meats in a casual setting at Pearlridge. Open for lunch daily. Call 275-0063 for reservations or walk-ins accepted.

  • Istanbul Hawaii - High-quality Turkish food in a modern setting at Anaha, Ward Village. Highly recommend online or phone reservations, as this is a very popular spot in Ward Village! Open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

  • Merriman's - Elevated local dishes in a bistro setting at Anaha, Ward Village. Open daily for lunch. Call 215-0022 for reservations.

  • Rinka - Authentic and high-quality Japanese food located on the ground floor of Ae'o at Ward Village. Lunch specials available daily. Call 773-8235 for reservations or also great for take-out.

  • Tango Contemporary Cafe - Ground floor of Hokua in East KakaÊ»ako. Open Monday to Friday for lunch. Walk-in or reservations for parties over 6. Call 593-7288 for more information.

  • Panya Bistro - Ground floor of Hokua in East KakaÊ»ako. Walk-in or online reservations are recommended. Open Tuesdays through Sundays, closed on Mondays.

  • Nalu Health Bar & Cafe - Casual and fresh smoothie and sandwich shop, great for to-go or quick dine-in. Located at South Shore Market at Ward Village. Open for walk-ins daily.

  • Maile's Thai Bistro - Authentic Thai dishes in the heart of Ward Village. Open for lunch Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only. Call 591-2488 for reservations or reserve online.

  • Wolfgangs - Upscale chophouse chain in the Waikiki Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Open daily for lunch. Call 922-3600 for dining reservations.

DINNER
Gourmet Meal

​

  • Senia - Refined New American fare led by an outstanding culinary team. Located in trendy Downtown Chinatown and open from Tuesday to Saturday. Reservations made online or by calling 200-5412.

  • Stage - Featuring over 80 wines from all over the world and locally-inspired food in a modern ambiance. Located on the second floor of the Honolulu Design Center on Kapiolani Blvd.  Open Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are required by registering online or calling 237-5429.

  • Wolfgangs - Upscale chophouse chain in the Waikiki Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Open daily for dinner. Call 922-3600 for dining reservations.

  • House Without a Key - Before your dinner, enjoy cocktails and classic Hawaiian entertainment in an elegant setting. Entertainment is nightly from 5:30-8:30 pm. Online reservations are recommended.

  • Orchid's - Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki. Open for dinner, Monday - Saturday. Call 923-2311 for a dining reservation.

  • Tango Contemporary Cafe - Ground floor of Hokua in East KakaÊ»ako. Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Walk-in or reservations for parties over 6. Call 593-7288 for more information.

  • Mariposa -  Laid-back luxury with a classically delicious menu. Open daily for dinner. Located in Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana Shopping Center. Call 951-3420 for dining reservation.

  • Bernini - Refined Italian food and amazing wines in a sophisticated setting. Open from Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Reservations are made online or on the phone at 591-8400. Will be temporarily closed in April 2022 for renovations.

  • 53 By the Sea - One of the most iconic dining experiences in KakaÊ»ako, the menu features the finest seafood and meats combined with locally grown ingredients. Great for special occasions. Call 536-5353 for dining reservations.

  • Istanbul Hawaii - High-quality Turkish food in a modern setting at Anaha, Ward Village. Highly recommend online or phone reservations, as this is a very popular spot in Ward Village! Open from Wednesday to Sunday for dinner, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

  • Merriman's - Elevated local dishes in a bistro setting at Anaha, Ward Village. Open daily for dinner, with live music nightly from 5:30-7:30 pm. Call 215-0022 for reservations.

  • Better Bites Thai - Opened in 2023, Better Bites offers delicious and fresh traditional Thai food. Open for lunch and dinner. Call (808) 889-2991.

  • MW - Modern Hawaiian fare with locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Located within Velocity Honolulu. Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Call 955-6595 for reservations or reserve online.

  • Rigo Hawaii - High-quality Italian and Spanish fusion served in a modern setting. Reservations made online or by calling 735-9760. Located in Kapahulu near Diamond Head. Open daily for lunch and dinner, but we find the dinner ambiance to be special!

  • Hoku's - Sophisticated dining featuring locale fare in the Kahala Hotel. Also available for brunch. Reservations made online or by calling 739-8760.

  • Arancino  - Elevated, modern take on Italian food located in the Kahala Hotel. Open daily for dinner. Call 380-4400 for reservations

  • Rinka - Authentic and high-quality Japanese food located on the ground floor of Ae'o at Ward Village. Lunch specials available daily. Call 773-8235 for reservations or also great for take-out.

  • Maile's Thai Bistro - Authentic Thai dishes in the heart of Ward Village. Open for dinner daily except for Tuesdays. Call 591-2488 for reservations or reserve online.

  • Baci Bistro - Italian food in a charming neighborhood setting. Located in Kailua, and open daily for dinner. Reservations online or by calling (808) 262-7555.

  • Hy's Steakhouse - Old-school fine dining experience with class tableside service and Prime dry-aged steaks. Reservations required, and can be made online or by calling 922-5555.

bottom of page