What are Our Favorite Honolulu Restaurants and Why
Honolulu restaurants reflect countless styles of cuisine: Continental, Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Steak & Seafood, Philippine, Thai, Italian, Vegetarian, Vietnamese... Fondly described as an ethnic melting pot, Honolulu’s charm lies in its multicultural mix which has produced some of the best and most interesting food.
You can go posh and dine on Hawaiian regional cuisine at swanky restaurants in Waikiki, or dive into family-friendly and affordable ethnic food just a few blocks away. You can also play safe with well-known national chains such as Senor Frogs and the Cheesecake Factory - Honolulu restaurants caters to all appetites!
Honolulu residents love to eat out because they are too busy to cook at home, and because it is hard to reproduce the wonderful ethnic tastes at home.
A family-friendly restaurant earns its reputation not just through the presence of good food and high chairs, it also offers inexpensive dining in a friendly atmosphere and an extensive menu that appeals to all generations of diners.
Duke's is just such a place.
Here are a few family-friendly Honolulu restaurants:
Genki Sushi: freshly made delicate pieces of sushi on bamboo boats float by on conveyor belts, a sight which should delight the kids. Those too slow on the draw get their chance on the next go-around. The spicy tuna roll and spicy tuna bowl are crowd favorites. Dishes are color-coded so you know how much you are paying for each plate you are grabbing off the belt. You can also order from the menu.
Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch and Crab: be prepared to loosen your belts at this spacious eatery owned by larger-than-life celebrity chef Sam Choy. Portions are equally awesome with huge servings of local specialties such as fried noodles. Even ever-hungry kids may be daunted by the loco moco, which is a plate of three hamburger patties with generous servings of gravy. And that is only for breakfast! Diners enjoy fresh crab and some of the best micro brews in the city.
Zippys: an icon among family-oriented Honolulu restaurants, you can have classic American fare such as sandwiches and burgers or opt for island-style comfort food such as sweet and sour spareribs, beef curry, kalua pig or saimin.
Their signature Original Recipe Chili is so popular they sell 110 tons every month through their various branches and retail outlets.
For a night out on the town, tantalize your taste buds with the unusual and innovative flavors of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine. Any of the restaurants owned by the talented twelve celebrity chefs who started this culinary movement will fit the bill. Here are some of the Honolulu restaurants owned by award-winning chefs:
Alan Wongs: Named top Hawaii restaurant by Zagat Hawaii 2009, here you can enjoy award-winning dining in a formal, yet relaxed setting at the restaurant on King Street or at the Pineapple Room at the Ala Moana Center.
Roys: His places in Waikiki, Diamond Head and Ka Olina are three of the 26 restaurants around the world serving bold Asian spices, European sauces and freshest local ingredients.
Chef Mavro: Award-winning French with an island touch, this is impeccable dining with a focus on ocean fresh seafood and service to match.
Whether you are feeding two or twenty, you can find many Honolulu restaurants for every palate and pocketbook size. Be willing to get off the beaten track and you will discover foodie heaven in Honolulu.
How about a romantic diner on the water?
Infuse your island vacation with romance - enjoy a stunning sunset at sea with delicious food and exotic cocktails aboard Navatek or Star of Honolulu.
Or, take a romantic sunset sail and enjoy glittering Waikiki, the city scape of Honolulu and spectacular volcanic views aboard the luxurious catamarans Maita'I or Makani.
