Dr. Drew's Guide to Honolulu Restaurants

Introduction

I've lived in Honolulu for a few years, and enjoy exploring town as time allows to find good affordable meals. I thought I would share this guide for visitors since I am asked for suggestions for time to time. I hope that others will also suggest other places. I hadn't updated this in three years, so I just made a few changes.

Eating is important in Hawaii. Here you can get everything from a very inexpensive plate lunch to very expensive 4-star gourmet meals. One local TV channel even features "cheap eats" each week during the nightly newscast. I have to agree with one food critic, though, that many people here prefer quantity over quality. There are many good places in town. Korean and Japanese foods are usually the best bets, in my opinion.

Japanese:

• Yohei Sushi (1111 Dillingham Blvd: 841-3773) Excellent sushi! (Reservations encouraged)
• Imanas Tei ( 2626 South King St: 941-2626) Excellent sushi! (Reservations encouraged)
• Hakone, Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, 944-4494) Excellent Weekend Sushi buffet (Reservations a must)
• Izakaya Nonbei (3108 Olu Street, Izakaya off Kapahulu, behind Genki Sushi), 734-5573

Korean (This is one of the safest bets in Honolulu). (The first one is open 24/7)

• Sorabol  (805 Keeaumoku St.): 947-3113
• Choi's Garden (1303 Rycroft St.): 596-7555
• Seoul Garden Yakiniku (for Japanese/ Korean Yakiniku), 1679 Kapiolani Blvd.): 944-4803
• Sogondong Restauraunt (1960 Kapiolani Blvd., 2nd Fl.): 946-206

Indian

• Bombay  (1778 Ala Moana Blvd., Waikiki): 942-3990
• Cafe Maharani (2509 S. King St.): 951-7447
• India Cafe (1061 Kapahula Ave.): 737-4600 (and many other locations)

Seafood:

Nick's Fishmarket at the Waikiki Gateway Hotel (2070 Kalakaua Ave.): 955-6333.
I haven't been there, but many people swear by it.

Thai:

• Singha (910 Ala Moana Blvd.): 941-2898
• Keo's ( 2028 Kuhio Ave.): 951-9355
• Pae Thai Restaurant (1246 S. King St.): 596-8106
• Siam Garden Café (1130 N Nimitz Hwy) (Near the airport, open late): 523-9338
• Chiang Mai Cuisine (2239 S. King St.): 941-1151

Greek (Informal Mediterranean meals around $10) (Don't miss the humus!)

• Olive Tree Café (4614 Kilauea Ave., Near Kahala Mall): 737-0303

Chinese: (In Chinatown).

• Little Village Noodle House (1113 Smith St.): 545-3008
• Mei Sum Chinese Dim Sum Restaurant (1170 Nuuanu Ave): 531-3268.

Vietnamese: (A Friend's suggestion).

• Hale Vietnam (1140 12th Ave., Kaimuki): 735-7581

French:

• Le Bistro (565 Halemaumau St.):373-2136 out in Niu Valley is excellent, but not so close, and priced like a gourmet meal.
• Japanese bakeries in town have the best French breads and pastries (Saint-Germain has many locations, especially in Waikiki, but my local favorite is the Manoa Bakery, located in the Manoa Shopping Center, 2752 Woodlawn Dr., in Manoa.): 988-5522 and Fendu Boulangerie in the same shopping mall.

Italian:

• Paesano's Ristorante Italiano. (Manoa Shopping Center, 2752 Woodlawn Dr., in Manoa.): 988-5932.

Pizza:

• Boston's North End Pizza. This local chain has several outlets, and is usually a good bet. The roughly $5 thin NY-style pieces are BIG and tasty, especially the Big Red.

Local Microbrewery Restaurant:

• Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. (1 Aloha Tower Market Place): 599-4877 (They also have jazz on some nights. Try the sampler of their fine microbrews.)
  

Middle Eastern:

• Pyramid (758 Kapahula Ave.):737-2900 is not exactly authentic and has belly-dancing (why?!) in evenings, but has an OK buffet. I take vegetarians there, although Honolulu now has as few options (Peace Cafe, Green Papaya, Legend Vegetarian Restaurant, etc). Carnivores also will find tasty options.
• Casablanca (19 Hoolai St) is in Kailua (262-8196) but has a nice prix-fixe Moroccan meal that seemed authentic and had nice atmosphere.

-- Last Updated: June 2010.