“Mud Hen Water had one of the more unique menus out of all the places we ate in Hawaii, with dishes that were an interesting fusion of Japanese, traditional Hawaiian, and many other cuisines.My favorite dish was the handmade pasta with venison, which was absolutely delicious and caused my wife to almost abandon her meal to try and eat mine. Hers was also fantastic, a crispy chicken dish that was tender, well-seasoned and really juicy.With excellent service, great food, and a laid-back atmosphere, Mud Hen Water is a strong recommendation for anyone in the Honolulu area looking for a unique dinner spot.“
“I've been wanting to try this place for over a long time now and FINALLY got a chance a chance to go!! Luckily it was early on a Wednesday night and we were able to walk in without reservations. But with only two guys working they limited the seating. Located in the a tiny intimate space with a bar and some tables I heard that the best seats are at the bar with front row seats so you can see the bartenders do their thing. We were seated on a table where we couldn't see but it's ok because we were engaged in conversation all night. Love that we all got different things and got to try each other's drinks. Everything was crafted with excellent care and beautifully and articulately presented with a short narrative about each drink. The starred ones were my faves. Round 1: ***E ho'o pau mai tai-12 year rum, spices: orgeat, fig lime, absinthe, keawe wood smoke. My friend said this was the world's best mai tai. I always wonder how anyone can make that claim unless they have literally travelled the world and tasted every maitai. They might not be wrong though, because this award winning drink was one of the best maitais I've ever had!!! Not too sweet, much more complex than your typical beach drink, and full of wonderful flavors! Masterfully made! **Kisetsu Sour/ lilikoi - changes seasonally - Nikka Coffey gin, mason pepper, yuzu, bergamot, lilikoi, lemon, tonic . This drink changes with the "seasons". Beautiful, refreshing and too easy to drink! Espresso martini- haku vodka, pandan, cynar, sesame, cold brew, whole egg. They smoke the espresso beans in front of you. My friend liked his drink more than I did. Round 2: Red Shiso smash- (not on the menu)-Toki, red shiso, lemon, yuzu, wasabon sugar, soda. Good but not my favorite. ***El Umami- tequila, mezcal, bergamot, strawberry, tomato, bergamot- lovely in looks and taste! A little sweet, a little smoky. Roma Norte- mezcal, chile verde, grapefruit, honey, black pepper, frozen apple. Super cool presentation. Good if you like smoky. ***Smoked salmon- bourbon smoked salmon, wasabi, dill oil, smoked trout roe. Soooo good! Great for sharing. Excellent servers knew we'd need more bread. Complimentary: Rice ball snacks Dessert: Ganache with yuzu- a perfect ending! Service by the guy in the leather apron and hat (sorry didn't catch his name ) was top notch. We were very well attended to. Love that they fill chilled water without having to be asked through the evening. I can see why people love this place and why it's James Beard worthy! Drinks nowadays are pricey everywhere. Theirs come with creativity, care, craftsmanship and class which give them more value than those at most other bars.“
“This place is fantastic! Food tasted amazing, drinks are creative, service excellent, enjoyed sitting at the street bar, watching everyone walk by. I'm so confused why this place isn't busier. We loved the shiitake bao buns, poke, and tempura cauliflower. It was too much food for 2 people and the bill was under &100 with drinks. I wish we could return but we have to leave Hawaii and go back to reality.“
“Stopped by this British-influenced bar and restaurant upon a recommendation on my last night in Honolulu. The service was a bit cold but the drinks definitely delivered. The cheeseboard-inspired blue cheese washed cocktail was unlike anything I’ve had with a deep savouriness balanced by the pleasant tart-sweetness of pickled grapes. It’s a showstopper. I also loved the alcoholic tepache, which is pleasantly fermented and not too sweet. Didn’t try any food but it sounded good too.“
“This place is amazing! A hidden gem. the drinks give speakeasy vibes which is awesome and the bartenders I had were amazing!! Dylan and Bre were so great, they work almost every day so ask for them and take care of them!! They a masters behind the bar, and were so great! We went in a little “earlier” in the night and there was live music which was fantastic but as the night went on it got busier but not in a bad way! Definitely check it out.“
“I believe this restaurant is best for two things... their renown drinks and deserts. I found their dinner menu to be significantly underwhelming and flavorless.l which came as a shock as their drinks spoke volumes. Would only come again for drinks and desert...“
“The walls! The walls are alive! Love it. It works. The music is a vibe. The staff is a vibe. The hand roll I ordered was foodgasmic. If I wasn't trying to kill time for dinner at another restaurant, I could've eaten 15 of these. My apologies as I do not remember what I ordered. This was 2 months ago in January. I have a pic if you can tell what it is by looking. The drinks were so decorative and nostalgic! The white bunny candy was part of the drink. Y'all know what it is. Look at pic. Cute right?“
“Best drinks Ive had all vacation. Best drinks ive had out of all my trips to Hawaii. Yes, that sounds more like it.Dessert was epic (brulee) goat cheese dip and coconut shrimp were very very good. The starter bread and butter was very unique and delicious. Would return in a heartbeat. The entrance is located in the clothing store (mid store) so it throws people for a loop when trying to find the restaurant. (Its also located upstairs for those who may find stairs challenging. I cannot confirm where the elevator is, sorry)“
“This was my first time here. The service was phenomenal. None of the drinks seemed appealing but all looked tasty. The ahi cigar and the mushroom and cheese tart were a must try. Worth every bite. And unfortunately that is where it ends for me. I shared the beef cheeks and pureed potatoes. They were underwhelming. I unfortunately don't see a need to return. I don't think the flavors and the dining experience is wort the price paid“
“Had an incredible dinner experience at Arancino di Mare. I didn’t have a reservation on a Sunday night, but I was able to get seated immediately at the bar. I was served by Christin who was so kind and lovely to chat with. I would definitely recommend the calamari fritti as a starter and the spaghetti ai ricci di mare (uni spaghetti) is to die for. The sauce was luxurious - very rich and creamy, and there are even small chunks of uni. If you love uni, you will love this pasta.“
“Went to have lunch with my daughter. It was my first time there, she's been there multiple times so I let her do the ordering. Our server Tammy, was very attentive. Filled out Plantation Iced Tea a lot ?. We had the Tomato Basil soup, Crusted Chicken salad and the Turkey and Avocado sandwich.“
“Amazing experience! The food and the service was on point!To drink I had the pink Cadillac which tastes great! We started with a wedge salad, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail and the fried rice. Our entrees were the lobster pan roast, prime rib petite filet with taro dinner rolls. We ended the meal with the taro bread pudding and ice cream which paired well together. So I highly recommend getting the 2. All in all 5 ⭐️ meal!“
“A local foodie took me to Redfish after claiming it's the best Poke on the island. It was definitely the best Poke Ive ever had. The ordering system is clear and diverse as well. So many choices for the protein and toppings! Something for everyone and fairly priced.“
“Past this place a couple of times visiting my sister and knew I had to visit before I headed back to the mainland. Customer service is excellent! Clean and fun atmosphere…throw back to the 50’s that definitely keep your eyes busy. Food was really good and the root beer float I recommend!“
“A fun, hipster bar - especially perfect for audiophiles. Ambiance: This bar is definitely a "chill" spot. The lighting, interior, and song choices were all a 10/10. Drinks: My friends commented that the drinks were creative, delicious, and worth the wait. I would expect to spend around $30-50 per person if you were to order a few drinks and snacks. Parking: Since this spot is located in Chinatown/Downtown, parking is a little tricky. If street parking is not an option, the municipal lot is nearby with parking being a a few dollars. There is also a lot next to the restaurant, but parking prices I believe, are just under $10.“
“We went early to enjoy happy hour prior to dinner. We had a delightful cocktail and Poke snack at the bar. The cocktails were well crafted and tasty and the Poke was exceptional. We seated for dinner and had a shared meal. We had a fois gras mouse appetizer that was truly exceptional. We ordered the evenings special of a Tonkatsued pork chop and a couple of sides. The pork was well fried but a bit under seasoned. It came with a small side of pineapple mustard the helped the flavor and made the dish much more than just acceptable. Service was prompt and warm. All in all a very enjoyable ecvening“
“Typical local bar serving local style Japanese food. Great happy hour specials. The place does get really loud so if you want to come for an intimate conversation not the police I would go. Great to bring groups of friends over. Best hidden gem on the menu is the garlic bread and garlic cream sauce.“
“Want some live music and a chill place to eat and drink? The atmosphere was so Aloha, very relaxing. Our bartender Matt was so polite and really helped to bring the whole experience together. Glad I stopped by ? Will definitely be coming back!“
“This restaurant was amazing!! The food, atmosphere and wait staff were top notch! I was definitely pleasantly surprised. We were a large party of 14 and the staff seemed to handle our large party very cool and calmly and with everything coming out at the right time and the right temperature. I will definitely go back!“
“Usually, the wait is so long that I couldn't even think about it.As I was passing by, there were no customers so I went in^^After a while, there was a huge waiting line.I tried the French toast and it was sweet and delicious :)But it tasted ordinary so I guess it was a good thing I didn't have to wait!!“
“I'm so glad that they do reservations now making it much more accessible. Plus no need for a nickel or having to call and get a code! They are located in Hawaiian Brian's on the right before the pool hall. I really like the ambiance in there and how they have almost a different theme for the sections. The orange tree in the middle is a cool piece right in the middle. We sat behind the speakers in a little corner that had a Korean bar feel. Our servers Wes and Lindsey were super on it and came by often, explained the menu really well and all around on top of things. We went on a Saturday and unfortunately they had run out of a couple dishes, btw they are all vegan or mostly vegan as some dishes have honey in it. What you're really coming here is for drinks tho, they have lots of specialty cocktails which are unique to them, I like the flavors and how they section them off on the menu by types. Drinks run about $15 each and they have a variety of sippy shots at $10. If you like the shot they can turn it into a full cocktail if you want. I'd definitely want to come back and try other drinks on their menu!“
“Hana Koa was great as always. Really glad I made a reservation for this date because it was especially crowded (I forgot it was Song Contest night and they are right down the street from Blaisdell). Traffic was really bad but luckily they saved my reservation even though I was a little later than the 15 minute grace period. I was seated immediately and greeted with a smile by the hostesses and my server Calvin (who is always the best!). The beers were awesome and I will definitely be back.“
“Great experience! The food was great and they had several options for the kiddos if your kids are picky. Drinks were fantastic and our server, Kendall, was really good. She had great recommendations from the menu and was really attentive, despite have 2 other large tables, aside from ours.“
“Beautiful restaurant. Service was great and the food was excellent. Our table had the pork chop and the Butter Fish, both perfect. Only negative comment, there was no one there. Our dinner from 6pm to 8pm on a Saturday night and the restaurant never was at half capacity so no buzz, some may like that.“
Cafe • $
“Located in the lobby of the Beachcomber hotel in Waikiki, the Hawaiian Aroma Caffe is a solid breakfast option that opens early and has plenty of variety on the menu.The acai waffle with mixed berries was delicious, as was the sunny side waffle, although there are a ton of other waffle flavors we didn’t have time (or room) to try. The best part about this place is the coffee, especially the caramel macchiato.Try and get here early as it does get fairly crowded and seating space is limited; or just grab a coffee and waffle to go and enjoy it right on the beach, which is just a short walk away.All in all, I would definitely recommend the Aroma Cafe if you’re looking for a breakfast place that opens early and has great coffee and tasty waffle options.“
“Mai Tai bar wow what a view, you walk in through the halls of the hotel and then you find this Mai Tai bar down where the beach is, the view is mesmerizing, you hear the waves hitting, the breeze and the sound of the trees swaying, there's this peacefulness when you sit down and you take in the incredible scenery it captivates me. My sister and her kids and my daughter and I stayed at the Royal Hawaiian, so when we arrived we were all starving and her kids and my daughter and everyone was hangry lol! I walked down with the kids to get us a seat, as you can imagine it was super busy but the line actually went pretty quickly. We sat down and the ambiance and the pink lights everywhere and just the atmosphere with the reggae music and hearing my favorite Jboog song Let me love you, just was such a Hawaiian vibe and made me feel at peace even though there was quite a lot of stress to deal with. The last time I visited my home in Honolulu we stayed at the Royal Hawaiian. But I don't remember this restaurant. I ordered the lobster roll which was fantabulous if I must say so myself lol, so buttery and the bread they put it on was delicious. I had to order a Mai Tai of course, it was delicious yes lol! My sister ordered the Mahi Mahi, we also had the parmesan fries those were delicious, the kids had the tenders with fries. Those were good, the batter on the tenders were so crispy and the chicken was juicy, the fries were a bit salty but crispy I liked them a lot and they are pretty generous with the portions. My lobster roll which was amazing, came with these healthy chips I think you can but at sprouts but I really enjoyed them a lot! The service was great once they got to us since it was so busy. The girl that helped us gosh I forgot her name but she was a wonder server, remembered our order and got our food and drinks quickly it was a pleasant experience. We actually came here a few times for the tenders and fries, I also really enjoyed their drinks I didn't drink a lot of alcohol though which is fine cause I don't drink a lot, but their Mai Tai was pretty strong and delicious. I would recommend coming here it's beautiful the view and the food is delicious and the service is awesome they have live music sometimes too! I love the color pink it was so beautiful the little pink lamps they put on the tables it just looks so tropical. I give it 5 stars for delicious food, amazing service, incredible view and for the beautiful ambience! Have a beautiful day :) Aloha“
“We always enjoy Happy Hour at Wai'Olu Ocean Cuisine, and this time the service, ambiance and the setting were all excellent. The food was also excellent, except for one item. The Shrimpburger has always been one of my favorites, but it would appear the new ownership overlooked the need for shrimp in the sandwich, as they were not there. The sandwich did have a shrimp paste of sorts, but was lacking taste and, as I indicated, shrimp. Overall experience was good, and Kelly was outstanding, but .........“
“A chill sports bar with Hawaiian bar food for your next pau hana. The place is no frills, casual place to get together with friends and watch the game. They also show UH games if they're on. I liked the vibe so I came two times in one week.If you don't drink, my favorite is the virgin strawberry margarita with li hing powder on the rim of the glass, paired with fish tofu patties. I had the poke but it's not my favorite. The fish and chips were super generous.The downside is the extremely limited parking. The free parking lot could accommodate probably less than 10 cars and the rest would need to find street parking (which is also hard since it's close-ish to town by a busy road)Vegetarian options: Minimal vegetarian optionsParking: The free parking lot could accommodate probably less than 10 cars and the rest would need to find street parking (which is also hard since it's close-ish to town by a busy road)Wheelchair accessibility: It's pretty accessible - there's disabled parking, no stairs etc to get to the establishment.“
“This is a different take on this famous spot in Waikiki. The food is good, the drinks are good, the atmosphere is good, the service is excellent, but there isn't an outstanding trait which would make me go back on the same trip. So yeah, it's a place not to miss around Waikiki for the experience, but don't go if you are looking for excellent food or an outstanding atmosphere. You'd still like the overall experience.“
“All things just about right, nothing more, nothing less. Atmosphere, service, presentation, flavour of the food, price. Recommend trying it out.It will be perfect without this crazy 65km/h wind gust and rain.I wish I can come back again in the daytime to enjoy the ocean view next time.“
“Agave & Vine is a must visit local sports bar with amazing staff. Location at Macy's side food court, The food court has a wide range of food and the best cocktails or beer provided by Agave & Vine in the inside food court or at the bar.“
“Love how you stay at a certain place and then there's like a hidden speakeasy that's part of it. We didn't know about this place but did hear music every time walking by. Found out that it's a little hidden behind the bamboo Wall where the door was. There's no door knob so you have to know where it is to enter. Once inside, it's a dark but very lively place. A cool vibe with great music and cocktails. There's also an outdoor patio area that's was happening as well. Service was good, even busy they came around to check us if we needed to order. Drinks are good and strong. I believe it's only open in the evening. Also there's two nights when they close but not sure when.“
“The Hale Koa Barefoot Beach Bar boasts an excellent array of drinks at reasonable prices, complemented by outstandingly awesome service. It's my go-to spot for unwinding, engaging in conversation with the friendly bartenders and fellow patrons, and soaking in the delightful ambiance. Situated conveniently close to the beach, it offers the perfect opportunity to take a leisurely stroll along the calm waters after enjoying a few drinks.“
“Tatiana, Bella and all staff we came in contact with were amazingly and joyful, they have a great caring and positive attitude!Parking: This place is the place to go, excellent views friendly birds small and big greeting you ♤♡◇This place is the place to go, excellent views friendly birds small and big greeting you ♤♡◇“
“Business with a heart - their business practices employ marginalized communities, providing food assistance and many more. The ambience is cosy and intimate, the staff are super sweet. The food and drinks - you can't go wrong with choosing anything because they all will turn out good. My personal favorite is the scallop risotto and truffle fries. Crab cakes and seafood medley is good too. There are enough options for a pescatarian like me despite its name.For parking there is a paid parking lot nearby, I do wish we could have parking validated and if you want to make a reservation they'd ask your credit card details and charge $60 if you don't show up which discourages me from making a reservation and showing up during less busy times instead.Dietary restrictions: The place is meat heavy but there are still seafood and small vegetarian optionsWheelchair accessibility: The seating is upstairs. Not sure if there are elevators but we mostly use stairs“
“Phenomenal. I hadn’t ate there in a couple years. It was solid before and now it’s amazing. Party of 13, amazing food. Chicken, soup dumplings, larb, all on point. We got the 9 course meal. - every course was delicious. Highly recommend this place. Only negative is the parking, everything else is awesome.“
“This place feels like being at a party. Great food and hospitality! They made me and my wife feel so special. Try the shrimp bruschetta and the Hawaiian bacon with corn salsa. And have a Sous Vide Old Fasioned. If you're staying at the Ala Moana Hotel, it is a must visit.“
“I'm a fan of tiki drinks, so naturally I was drawn in by the name alone. However, the menu they offered was for the Mexican restaurant next door and included mostly margaritas. I asked if they could do a Mai Tai and the bartender said yes. The Mai Tai was a touristy type, sweet with fruit juice, but also strong and decently balanced. I liked it enough to get a second, and the bartender was super helpful and quick. However, I can't help but be let down there wasn't a list of tiki drinks to choose from, so I can't say it's recommended as a tiki bar despite the name. It's good for a quick drink, but ultimately you're sitting in a food hall and not a cocktail bar so there are definitely better options if that's what you want.“
“Last night was the first time we tried the lei stand since it opened last year and it somehow managed to get even better! The food was so good. We got ur shishito peppers, chicken karaage, misoyaki salmon, and the strip steak. The peppers were SO good! The sauce on them was perfect and I'm fairly sensitive to mayo sauces. The peppers themselves were not soggy but slightly charred and provided a crunch and great spice. The chicken karaage was lightly battered and crunchy but not scratch the roof of your mouth crunchy. The chicken was soft and moist. The salmon was amazing. The misoyaki was thick and well balanced. Everything here is so intentionally balanced and you can tell with every bite you take. The steak left me and my partner at an impassed. It reminded me of smoke meat or pulehu steak with the way it was seasoned and prepared, which I loved. For those expecting a strip steak from the grill it was a surprise. The drinks, as always, are so good and well balanced. Give it a try for dinner! Or pau hana for downtown workers.“
“Stopped in for a drink with good vibes and The Gallery did not disappoint. Very laid back and casual with live music, ambiance, and overall swag. The Gallery feels young and popping in an area, Waikiki, that often feels drastically over polished or other end of the spectrum and dive-ish. The gallery definitely came across as a local artist hub and their vitality came across within moments of walking through the door.“
“I absolutely adore this restaurant! The scallops were amazing! Cooked just right. I had the taro and lobster dish and I savored every bite. The truffle fries are just as amazing as I remember. I had more of an amazing time this time and I even did last time. The location is super cool too. We had a great view at sunset. I'm glad we came here!“
“We had a really nice, relaxing dinner here. It was a Wednesday and not crowded at all. The selection of really fun, unique cocktails was good and the small plates were very good (we had the chips/popcorn), asparagus and the salmon. It was a fun, quirky place. Our server was exceptional as well.“
“The best Thai restaurant I've ever tried in my life!! The pad Thai tastes like no pad Thai I've ever tried before from other Thai restaurants in Hawaii and their yellow curry is filled with many different spices and the mild version had just the right amount of kick. The tofu with the pad Thai was huge and super delicious, especially with the lime wedge. The seafood in the yellow curry included a couple of clams/oysters, which I've never seen before in curries but was very delicious! Their sticky rice is also quite good, all white rice unlike the purple grains other places sometimes offer. The staff is also extremely considerate, professional, and goes the extra mile. It's very clean and well-maintained inside with lots of tables. This is our new spot for Thai food!!“
“This is everything I imagine for a local brewery establishment. Very welcoming staff and super chill environment. The beers are solid, the 808 and Skinny Jeans are my faves but the English Brown and Hana Hou are on point too. Love the smash burgers, nachos and pretzels. Didn’t find a bad thing on the menu. Definitely worth checking out“
“This is a classy (and classic) bar located in Waikiki, Honolulu. It is an intimate listening lounge, where musicians play jazz numbers (and take requests) on a variety of instruments and using a number of arrangements. The cocktails were exquisite, and the selection of scotch was impressive. The bartender was knowledgeable and funny. Dress nicely.“
“I read quite a few reviews of eateries in Chinatown pushing a narrative that this is a scary or unsafe area, please don't let this deter you. Chinatown has some of the best restaurants on the island and Fete is one of them. Everything Ive had at Fete has been extremely fresh and made to perfection. I can't say enough good things about the chef and the friendly attentive staff. Do yourself a favor and make the reservation now, you'll thank me later!Vegetarian options: I had the risotto and fete salad both were incredibly fresh and delicious!“