Ken Lund/Flickr. 409 West 15th St, New York. No frills, working-class and all about the ramen? Which Hawaiian island has the most tourists? Without further ado, here are 13 of the least touristy destinations youll find in Hawaii. ), Merrimans is an award-winning modern Hawaiian gastropub, helmed by Peter Merriman, a locavore chef who helped pioneer Hawaii Regional Cuisine as we know it. omg, it would be so great to go every year. We love the crispy-skinned pork belly, the Brisket Pho French Dip sandwich with clams, and the seasonal King Salmon dish. 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. For Valentines Ill do dulce de leche-stuffed strawberries dipped in white chocolate. In the article re 10 best non-touristy restaurants in New York. And of course Matsumoto Shaved Ice the BEST! That means a lot to me.. It offers elevated Hawaiian and New American menus in an urban refined atmosphere. Rves De Paris Rpublique. Though the business now includes five locations, a seat at the counter of the original Liliha on Kuakini Street is still the best move. The food menu includes an excellent poke bowl as well as Hawaii Island clams steamed in white wine. Today, Helenas is one of Honolulus most prized restaurants. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Mariposa also recently introduced Sunday Haute Tea, which quickly became daily Haute Tea due to popular demand. Hawaii has plenty of gorgeous coastline, considering its made up of a series of beautiful small islands. that shave ice, if only they could make it like that in the mainland! In general, Mud Hen Water is walk-up friendly, as long as youre willing to sit at the bar or a high top. Oahu has a collection of hidden gems and places that are off the beaten path that only locals know. Even the scones here are also super inventive. 1. Quimet d' Horta. The seasonal fare focuses on highlighting whatever local produce and veg looks good to the chef at the time. Fresh fish and tropical fruits are readily available, as are an increasing number of international cuisines. Prices are usually between $15-17 per person. 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. More paper lanterns. Today, there are dozens of Roys around the islands and on the mainland. Lunch only, closed on Sunday. Zigu Tommasi Rafal, Rib-eye steak . In fact, many people choose to make repeat visits. Though Kahana Bay Beach Park is found off the highway, the remote location on Oahu's northern windward coast makes this a secluded spot perfect for a beach day. Theres also an Island Vintage in Ko Olina. Hi! Amazing. They won a James Beard award in 2000 for outstanding regional cuisine, a distinctive award that designates them as serving truly authentic cuisine of a place. Scarpetta. The building at 424 Walina St. isnt a storefront; its OCallaghans home office. The bartenders know what they're doing, especially with bourbon, and the basement bar below jumps after dark with live music. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Press on and order anyway. Goofy Cafe & Dine: A strange name, a hidden location, but so worth finding. 1. Just like in the name of the business, Matsumoto Shave Ice.. There is a free performance every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (6:30-7:30 p.m // 6:00-7:00 p.m. Nov-Jan) at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound. Come evening, they are known for their delightful ocean breeze and iconic mai tai cocktails. Lucky for us! The small paper lantern to the left of Tsunamis bar on Khi Avenue will show you where to enter. I have done an eating vacation in Hawaii, in Hilo for a week! When you go up to the house, theres a hedge on one side and a fence on another, and a gate, OCallaghan recalls. Waikiki Beach is the premier surfing site in Oahu that made its debut in 1955. We also have spotlights on Oahus Best Coffee Shops and a guide to the Best Breakfast [], [] free to check out our American Cities travel index, which features destinations from Pittsburgh to Honolulu and [], Your email address will not be published. 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. It features traditional, well-made salads and tapas like croquetas, jamn ibrico and dados de fuet. Now, I know what youre thinking: How good can a restaurant inside a department store be? Located in a working-class neighbourhood, Trattoria Alla Rampa is a popular lunch spot for the residents who live in this neighborhood. Oddly enough, hayashi rice is made with beef, onions, mushrooms and demi-glace. [$$$$], Tokyo meets the tropics at Pau Hana Base. xo! [] more food reccomendations on Oahu? 6 6. :) ive heard so much about Kauai, and im putting it on our list. Waikks Heavenly and Goofy Caf & Dine are on the list as well. It was incredible. I had no idea how much fun, Dropping this Foolproof Moist #SourdoughDiscard Ba, Quick tip! The half-moon empanadas ($3 each, four for $10) come out crunchy and piping hot. It's one of the best places to eat when you're coming from the airport and don't have a reservation anywhere. The shrimp is incredibly juicy and flavorful. But heres the third thing: Like Tampopo, Pau Hana Base is all about the food. Answer (1 of 3): Check VRBO.com. 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). We love the Burmese Salad and the creative Pho 75 (the signatures signature pho). 4. Their wallet-friendly "worker's menu", which consists of pasta, main course, wine and . 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These restaurants and cafs hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision. Some of the best Luaus on Oahu are actually located outside of Waikiki. Get ready for some Hawaii-style portions!). The decadent foam on top is expertly cradled in a fresh pineapple slice. Alan Wong has permanently closed. Japanese are crazy about loco mocos. . Owner Eric De Mendonca, known for his role on Terrace House: Aloha State, serves siphon coffee brewed exclusively from Hawaii-grown beans. Were so sorry to hear this and have updated the guide accordingly. As a result, both food snobs and even the tackiest tourists love eating here. These 8 Incredible Oahu Breakfast Spots People on all the major islands rent out their homes and condos throughout the year. Its so, so good. I'd recommend the wait and ask for outside seating. (Unless you visit a local natural foods store like Down To Earth, youre unlikely to be able to try this unique native food at any other restaurant on the island!). support by foodie digital Duke's Waikiki (For Local History and Fresh Ahi) Duke's is another Waikiki classic that's right on the beach. (PSA: All restaurants in Waikiki are pretty chill about the dress code. 2. Its reminiscent of fluffy snow, super soft and icy. [$$], Even when its warm out, locals say bring it on to hot pot. I know I didnt cover everything, but this is what we were able to make it to in 7 days. Legal Rental in Resort Zone. Island Vintage Coffee is one of the best restaurants in Honolulu and Waikiki, and should be on any tourists itinerary. For an ideal dining experience, make a reservation around sunset. Or, opt for the Bag o Biscuits served with fresh honey butter. Enjoy! Korean food lovers should be sure to get the Breakfast Bibimbap, which consists of bacon, Portuguese sausage, heritage ham, soy-mirin shitake mushrooms, on choy, sesame carrots, bean sprouts and sunnyside up eggs served over crispy garlic rice in a skillet. Despite their location inside the new Alohilani Resort, both restaurants draw a casual, mixed crowd. Of course! thank you so much for this tip and your local insight! After an hour, a bowl of free shave ice, packed as joyfully as an unbridled hot pot, is plunked in front of you. But while the bigger kitchen lets him dish up such specials as arroz con pollo and Cuban-style pulled pork, it doesnt allow for the easy chitchat of his one-man trailer. We loved The Coconut dessert so much it will be missed. Kamehame Beach, Hawaii 96777, USA. For the record, Honolulu wasnt always such a foodie-friendly city. We also enjoyed dinner, but I preferred the breakfast. This is a great, Kaiwi Shoreline Trail, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA, Kauais secluded Waimea Beach is, quite simply, the stuff dreams are made of. The area was once fertile with rice paddies, taro patches, and fish ponds, until territorial governor Lucius Pinkham organized an effort to drain the wetlands in the 1920s, controlling mosquitoes and laying the literal groundwork for a century of resort and hotel development. In the end, the bill for four after 13 dishes, three grapefruit chuhais, two glasses of shochu and one draft Asahi is $131.94. Book now at Arancino di Mare - Marriott in Honolulu, HI. Web Visit website. [$], Its hard to find a more maximalist shave ice than halo halo from Magnolia, a chain from California known for its Filipino flavors. (We also love the Brownie Bread at the Halekulani Bakery across the street, but thats a different story for another time. Explore menu, see photos and read 1455 reviews: "10 " The Beet Box Cafe is a vegan restaurant. Others offer a uniquely Hawaii experience, offering tastes and ambiance you cant find anywhere else. Families, business lunchers, and tourists from all over Waikiki dine here. This time, serving refined but accessible upcountry cuisine by Peter Merriman. If the police were watching it would look dodgy, but its very legitimate., When he bought the rights to Hawaiian Happy Cakes from Dick Rodby, son of the founders of Kemoo Farms, Rodby told him how hed leave cakes on his front porch in Kapahulu for people who didnt want to drive to Wahiaw. My vote is Sam Choy's (on Nimitz).. Aloha Tables twin beef patties are rimmed in a sea of mushroom-and-onion demi-glace that fills the entire plate. Whether youre looking for breakfast in the cafe, or dinner that their newly-expanded wine bar, the food never disappoints. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. We love Judd Trail, definitely located in a, Meandering across the northern tip of Hawaii Island from Waimea to Hawi, Kohala Mountain Road will transport you to another place. When you think about Japanese train travel, you might think about speeding to or from Tokyo on a high-speed Shinkansen, rocketing at up to 200 mph (320km/h) through tunnels and over elevated concrete viaducts. four. Cash only, most likely a wait. so simple, so good. OPT FOR HALAU HULA VS A LUAU Luaus are one of the most popular things to do in Oahu, but they also can be mega touristy. It leaves you wanting more. Its easy to pull up a stool. will keep you full and satisfied all day. Answer 1 of 13: Hi folks - I know I may be asking for an oxymoron, but does anyone know of a good, small, non-touristy dinner restaurant in Waikiki? Even in one of the most touristed places in the world, there are still hidden corners among the highrises and hotels to discover, thanks in part to a slew of Japanese restaurateurs who operate everything from imported Tokyo chains to steakhouse franchises to surf shack cafes. Including the most amazing roasted vegetable plate ever. With surprises around every turn, the entire family is sure to fall in love with this one-mile hike that is home to one of the best swimming holes on the island and a local hangout. Aloha, you may want to update your article. They also serve a Wagyu beef burger that is one of the best on Oahu. Eating House 1849 is another one of Chef Yamaguchis creations, serving haute Hawaiian plantation cuisine inspired by Hawaiis past. The restaurant offers a more formal space with just eight counter seats fronting the kitchen. Traveling to other islands? Going to Hawaii in 2 weeks, thank you for the guide ! (And Mimi Mendoza, a notable Filipino chef on the island, currently helms the dessert menu and makes the most dazzling, beautiful treats.). Its deliciousvery similar to hayashi rice, a Japanese man whos scraped the last smears off his plate agrees. We think these less touristy places in Hawaii are truly magical and need to be on your upcoming bucket list! Paradise Cove Lau. In 2021, for instance, Honolulu had 11 homicides. Devotees of the bakery know to grab a table under the stained glass ceiling just before Veniero's closes (midnight during the week, and 1 a.m. on weekends). Breakfast options. Luckily for us, most tourists don't go to art museums on a beach vacation. Tips from our local restaurant spotters in Brussels! Go here around 5 or 6 PM for happy hour and live music. As a result, the dress code is pretty lax. Piggy Smalls, as the excellent pun entails, is all about good pork. Use a shower cap to keep your. Today the area is home to a California Pizza Kitchen and a Cheesecake Factory that was the highest-grossing location in the country at one point, and it has become a no-go zone for many locals who avoid the crowds of tourists and parking hassles. The Bishop Museum (Hawaii's nation museum of cultural and natural records) 2. Made with avocado, charred corn, spinach, local goat cheese and served with greens + brown rice. We stayed on Waikiki Beach, and because its the main spot for tourists, I wasnt surprised to see chain restaurant after chain restaurant (think Cheesecake Factory, Benihana, Hard Rock Cafe) around that area. 3. 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. Here, Lonely Planet's resident Japanese train expert John Walton takes us across the Japanese Alps from Nagoya to Toyama by train. Their menu is feel-good healthy without being boring. Waimea Beach is one of our favorite, Waimea Bay Beach, North Shore, HI 96712, USA, Combine vibrant sapphire pools with some stellar spots for cliff jumping, and youve got one of Mauis local hangouts. [$$], In the spectrum of Italian-American cuisine, theres restrained California-Italian, red-sauced New York-Italian, and then theres Hawaii-Italian, which at Arancino means a lot of seafood pastas. Leonards Bakery (pictured at top of this post): The famous home of the Portuguese donut, a soft and puffy Malasada. String lights and bistro seating beckon guests to its courtyard terrace. With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. For a perfect diners night out, head next door to Butterfly Creamery for some Poi Banana Bread, Black Sesame, or Kona Coffee ice cream after dinner. Its the perfect combo with a doughnut. Thank you! For the best morning brunch experience, I recommend going here after hiking Koko Crater. Starting at 1:30 a.m., chef Jonathan Mosley fries panko-crusted furikake chicken, which . You left out Eggs & Things. Guests are greeted with aloha and mai tais, but it won't be long before the hands-on activities begin. Duke's is one of few Waikiki restaurants that sit right on the beach, and worth the visit! In 2020, for example, Honolulu's violent crime rate was lower than the national rate. They retired the restaurant November 2020. Many of the areas best hidden restaurants are reminiscent of a different era in Waikks history or a different country entirely. Inspiring Wonder. [$$$$], Many of the Japanese restaurants in Waikk are new outposts of chains from Japan, but Yoshitsune is an old-school, independent holdout tucked into the back of Park Shore hotel. I'm Amanda, founder and creator of Heartbeet Kitchen. Please check the attraction's direct website for the most up-to-date operating schedule. 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. Remember the ramen shop in the movie Tampopo? An omakase there starts at $300, but you can taste a bit of the chefs exquisite precision with the bento box ($16), which includes oversized but meticulously crafted maki rolls. The restaurant was founded by the same group behind The Pig and the Lady, which is why the dishes feel similarly modern. If you love craft beers from light to dark, then this is your place. House Without A Key is a Waikiki staple that even locals go to when they want to watch the sunset over drinks. there's been amore, This place is where locals go so just be aware that its not a chain restaurant with tourists, but that only means its 10x better than any other spot around town! It makes OCallaghan happy to talk about Rodby, the way it makes him happy to talk about his customers. Ahi Poke. Sharks Cove. 2301 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815. 03 February 2023. 5. Your email address will not be published. It had cauliflower, brussels sprouts, corn, peppers, butternut squash. Be sure to save room for Mud Hen Waters famous Pineapple-Polenta Upside Down Cake. Aloha and enjoy! A 5 minute walk to the Convention Center and 10-15 min walk to Ala Moana mall. Best Dining in Honolulu, Oahu: See 243,914 Tripadvisor traveler reviews of 2,343 Honolulu restaurants and search by cuisine, price, location, and more. Its shave ice. 22 December 2022. This way, you can watch the dolphins do tricks in the hotels private salt-water pool afterward. 515 N Kuakini St, Honolulu, HI 96817 . 23 December 2022. Owner Jack Koeppler and San Francisco Chronicle columnist Stanton Delaplane created the recipe here in 1952. The seafood specials are also reliably divine, and the signature smoked oysters (when available) are some of the most unique youll ever try. (Then check out our list of top dining destinations in Waikk, which includes many tucked-away spots.). 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.