Honolulu features some of the best Japanese cuisine in the United States.
Waikiki
Stix Food Hall – contains a number of excellent casual Asian eateries for ramen, udon, tempura, soba, and sushi. In particular we like Honolulu Noodle Co, Ramen Bario, and Sushi Matsuri.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UEWRqtWzzgBthskS7
Marugame Udon – a busy udon tempura chain in Waikiki that is good but can be crowded, I like the cold niku udon with a side of tempura from the cafeteria style counter.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KKtcfaW8iLTv8prA9
Tonkatsu Bairin – Japanese Tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlet) of an exceptionally delicious nature. If you like fried and you like pork, you will like this. I used to eat here twice on a one week business trip!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PKKi8H4CTM2dpa246
Michel's – find beautiful waterfront sunset views at this time capsule of a white table cloth 80s French restaurant, a healthy beachfront walk from Waikiki. Get the table side Caesar salad and Bananas Foster. I'd stick with the steak for your main.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VDy7JsZ65mvtYKKu8
Tanaka of Tokyo East - a teppanyaki place a cut above the ones you’d find at a suburban strip mall
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNkyRnhfautfpczy6
Liliha Bakery - A local style diner with nice ambiance on the top floor of Internatonal marketplace. They got a little of everything and can seat large parties when your looking for something easy.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tdZRC4n9eQdVF8GU6
Tim Ho Wan - I’m told the NYC location of this Dim Sum restaurant has a Michelin Star. It’s good for all the Dim Sum standards: Ha Gow, Shumai etc. I like their Steamed Garlic Shrimp on Vermicelli dish.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pGsqF9U8vhfBUwaFA
Ramen Nakamura - It’s not on my below list of best Ramen in Honolulu, but it’s decent and it’s an option if you are in Waikiki, though not over Ramen Bario close by in the Stix foodhall.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fTJzKLiLKXgGbhr67
Waikiki Bars
Duke's – A crowded beach bar with a great Maitai, one of few places in Waikiki liked by both locals and visitors. I might skip the food.
Lulu's – a spacious open air bar down toward Diamond Head with a view of the beach, also a great Maitai, happy hour specials.
Lanai at Moana Surfrider hotel – just walk through the lobby to the Lanai in the back by the beach and grab a table. Overpriced drinks but nice atmosphere in the shade of a giant tree on the beach.
Maui Brewing – a huge bustling 2nd floor space with some great microbrews
Harbor Pub & Pizza - a friendly divey pub close to the Hilton Hawaiian Village with live music. They have a decent Maitai for $6 during Pau Hana (happy hour).
Chinatown and Downtown
Honolulu's historic Chinatown district, close to Downtown where our wedding events are located.
Pig and the Lady - One of Honolulu's culinary stalwarts, 25 for food; their kitchen has been becoming stronger year by year, with a family friendly casual atmosphere and an inventive, well priced Vietnamese based menu. Vegan friendly. The Ahi Toast appetizer and Pho (vegan option) are superb. Check out the "Big Trouble in Little China" film themed restroom including a photo of Kurt Russell when he dined there.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YYKAaWRJhtPcoQLRA
Murphy's Irish Pub and Black Shamrock - Murphy’s is a classy Irish pub with fine carpentry, good company, pub favorite foods, and nice bartenders (closed on the weekends...). Across the street is Black Shamrock, which is a similarly nice Pub with good pizza.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pi5FA5Tqw8BZhbun7
Fete - Farm to table with a locally based and inventive menu with an excellent bar program. One of Honolulu’s hottest restaurants.
Sing Sing Thai – Walk-in only, BYOB, tasty Thai street food bites. Go for the Moo Deng jelly dessert.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mquNez1aSwSjfeqb6
Olay’s Thai Lao - casual BYOB with a large, buzzing outdoor courtyard
Pizza Mamo - my favorite Pizza in Honolulu, with both thin crust and Chicago style. Beer and shots of Fernet available.
The Daley - classic, satisfying smashburger with beers.
Kamana kitchen - inexpensive, delicious hole in the wall Indian cuisine. Very good. Safiya craves it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tVK1c7nRWhSTXMtG6
Chinatown Bars
Skull and Crown - Elaborately decorated Tiki Bar with headshrinking alcoholic potions to drink.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8KpQJqgt6n1f3VvYA
Hanks - the leading dive bar of Honolulu.
Kaka'ako / SALT Neighborhood
(walking distance from downtown)
Highway Inn - a casual diner with all the local Hawaiian standards. Loco Moco on the menu of course.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XuvyYzL8esMUH2Yt5
Pioneer Saloon - A 25 for food hole in the wall with sensational local style grilled and Katsu style Ahi tuna and other local favorites. A few small tables inside and out.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/C9CmD83PUe4VWLgf8
Rinka - a large, upscale Japanese restaurant with fabulous Tei-shoku set meals (bento boxes). They do many things well.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zJCTyjdDkboCSf9w6
Nori Bar - a casual, modern sushi handroll destination, good for a light lunch or dinner. High quality and affordable omakase option.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GfQBY7TvWwVLoNcT8
Side Street Inn - This Anthony Bourdain celebrated landmark is still bringing the heat with ludicrously large portioned local hits such as a Fried Porkchop, Beef Kalbi, Fried Rice, and Furikake Fish. Recently renovated during covid. Live music tue-fri (5-8pm). There is a second location close to Waikiki on Kapahulu, but this original location is the one to choose.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XHK48AQQsqSjbfNm9
Bars / Breweries
Village Bottle Shop - a beer focused, well lit bar at Salt including many German selections and some outdoor seating.
Pitch - upstairs at Salt, a sports bar with good sushi and handrolls? What is this place! Awesome happy hour deals.
Howzit Brewing - a local micro brewery with superior beers. IMO the best beer in town.
Honolulu Brew Works - a large open air brewpub with some good snacks and a solid lineup of beers.
Aloha Beer - a brewery with outdoor seating, cool atmosphere and serviceable pizza, nice merch too.
Casual Around Town
Tori-Ton Izakaya - a cozy, fun izakaya, perfect for the intended purpose of relaxing Japanese style to great food and a few drinks. Try the anchovy french fries, Kamameshi, and Yakitori (of course) reservations are hard to get.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bmpdA1cNaqLQL53b6
Yanagi Sushi - This all encompassing divey 1st wave Japanese place has everything, Tempura, Sushi, even great Sukiyaki and Shabu with no advance notice. The walls are filled with celebrity photos including Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger. 9pm onwards the late night menu has great food and drink specials.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/H26ohHmony2pbwZc8
Kyung's Seafood - local style Korean with the best Meat Jun I've ever had, and try the parfait like spicy tuna. Kalbi, Chigae, all are simply exceptional.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PKmeb9K4ZKfcQhxL7
Korea House - the Korean BBQ place Wellington prefers. There are dozens of yaki-niku and korean bbq restaurants, this one wins for its old school atmosphere, large portions, and good quality. Big tables.
Ramen/Noodles
Honolulu is unique to the USA in that you will find Ramen that would be considered oishii in Japan, with balanced flavors, imported Japanese noodles, and complex broths.
These places are good:
Golden Pork - Has several balanced styles of Tonkatsu ramen and Tsukemen, as well as a full menu of small dishes. Also, the grilled char-siu appetizer offers thinly sliced and perfectly seasoned pork, also add the cold spicy cucumber app. We like it for dinner as it's not as busy, and has a full menu. Veg/Vegan friendly.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xW5WNrC65oWKyqkv7
Menya La Nood - Known for a hearty Tsukemen with chewy noodles and thick, sweet charsiu pork, reminiscent of a braised Chinese TePong pork shank. Vegan friendly black sesame ramen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qumxQ2z3dudT36NS9
Komitoku Ramen - A Tokyo chain, known for a rich beef based ramen broth. The beef fried rice is a must do as well.
Kamitoku Ramen Ward Center - Google Maps
Tanto Ramen - A Tokyo chain, a good choice for the Japanese Ramen snob looking for a refined tonkatsu or miso ramen with excellent Gyoza. Some Veg options.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KKtcfaW8iLTv8prA9
I-Naba - Locally made Soba restaurant, with a full sushi menu. I order the cold soba with a mini Uni & Ikura don on the side. A traditional Japanese highlight here in town.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MEtYaCSt531p2Pvt8
Ramen Bario - A Tokyo chain's Honolulu satellite, known for their Spicy Tsukemen. Thick chewy Noodles with an intense vinegar, garlic, chili broth. Portions are huge. Inside of STIX Food Hall.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gxD5bEVnw2QcdsLL8
Honolulu Noodle Company - Also inside Stix, is the Taiwanese beef noodle shop right next to Bario. One of my favorite restaurants in Honolulu. They also have exceptional Gyoza, Shrimp Fried Rice, and Katsu.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gxD5bEVnw2QcdsLL8
Fine Dining Around Town
Miro - 27 for food. A little further away in Kaimuki, this contemporary French fine dining prefix defies all expectations with its fantastic execution. I would go as far as to say the food is reminiscent of a certain Eric Ripert restaurant in NYC. It's sensational and I don't even like this style of restaurant (says Wellington)
@SUSHI - a small personal sushi counter omakase, BYOB. Our favorite omakase, advanced reservations required.
Sushi Izakaya Gaku - A higher end sushi and Izakaya with a diverse menu. Try the Negitoro roll, spicy tuna hand roll app. and special Nigiri on the menu that day.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7gxzYTZw9kP6H7zx5
Sushi Sasabune - It has the reputation of the "sushi nazi" amongst locals. Reservations are easy on Opentable to get and if you need Omakase in a pinch, I'd say do it. The rice is served delightfully warm. but I'd skip the lobster nigiri. You will struggle to finish the omakase course so go extremely hungry.
There are many excellent Sushi Omakase around town, we just haven't been to all of them...
A couple other highlights:
La Mariana Sailing Club - this out of the way old-timey tiki bar is right on a yacht harbor close to the Airport good for lunch or pau hana (happy hour). Perhaps the best Maitai on Oahu, the ahi sashimi is unusually fresh.
Don Quijoite - not a restaurant, but a Japanese Walmart with a large prepared food section. One location in Honolulu and another in Ewa (west side if you are out there). Great Onigiri and sushi, best price on bluefin o-toro nigiri anywhere. Good for grabbing food on the way to the beach. Worth a visit just for the kitchy items for sale, also nice souvenirs. A few food vendors outside including a good Ramen place.