Both places serve the same menu of empanadas, Colombian-style open-face arepas and Cubano sandwiches with house-made bread. . Historically, people came for the beach, not the eats. And dont miss the Miso Butterscotch Rice Pudding! Garlic butter fried rice in a bento tin. Whether you simply live in Hawaii or worse, work at an establishment inundated with tourists from across the world sometimes you just need an escape. The half-moon empanadas ($3 each, four for $10) come out crunchy and piping hot. Get the Chambord sangria and try one of their excellent salads for a perfect light lunch. Sidekrock on keamokuthey have several locations shabu shabu all you can eat mests with side veggies is also bomb. Book now at Arancino di Mare - Marriott in Honolulu, HI. It is one of two beach parks that allow camping on Molokai, and the swimming can be extremely dangerous unless the ocean is completely flat and calm. Call 912-232-4286 for reservations. The location, first: Its down a narrow alley that doesnt promise much. (Unfortunately, Waikiki is a difficult place to eat out if you have something like a gluten allergy.). Waialua Sugar Mill. [$$$$], Tokyo meets the tropics at Pau Hana Base. just perfect. Also, around 5:30 PM each night, live ukelele musicians begin playing a long set accompanied by a professional hula dancer, who usually performs just after sunset. And, the Waikiki location has the best view of Diamondhead and Waikiki, right on the beach! We loved The Coconut dessert so much it will be missed. Check out our dining guide to the Best Restaurants in Honolulu. This quaint eatery boasts a magnificent array of cakes, pastries, breads, sandwiches, tarts and much more - everything is made fresh daily and literally flies off the shelves. Tour the city from the comfort of a classic red double-decker hop-on, hop-off bus tour. After this succeeded an array of variations including bacon, ham, tofu, kalua pork, teriyaki beef or chicken, shrimp, oysters, mahi-mahi i.e a dolphin fish. Its all short vowel sounds in the Hawaiian language. Owner Jack Koeppler and San Francisco Chronicle columnist Stanton Delaplane created the recipe here in 1952. Thanks for doing recon for us all! Without further ado, here are 13 of the least touristy destinations youll find in Hawaii. Validity period starts at first use. You go in the gate, and in front of the house theres a table. Goofy Cafe & Dine:A strange name, a hidden location, but so worth finding. Stop by nearby Lucky Belly for happy hour ahead of time (we love the San Francisco-inspired cocktail menu). Overlooking the beach, with a stunning contemporary alfresco area, The Veranda is Honolulu's living room of the stars with live music, handcrafted cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. From Russian roulette spicy takoyaki at an alleyway izakaya to grocery-store bento boxes from an elite sushi chef, heres where to eat without crowds in touristy Waikiki. Some of eateries like Giovanni shrimp truck & Matsumoto shave ice are over rated. After dining, you can shop for aloha shirts in the nearby Ward Village Shops, or head across the street to Merrimans for a late-night cocktail. Signs exactly like the ones you see at Japanese cafeterias and street food stalls advertising grilled squid, omelet rice and fresh beer. Some wait times are as long as 2 hours, but my advice get in there, set a time for your reservation, then grab a drink on the bar and go outside, sit in the sand, listen to some of the locale band music or watch a sunset. Hours: 9AM - 3PM, daily. But even when traveling, I know that 90% of the time there are several choices on every menu that are naturally gluten-free. No frills, working-class and all about the ramen? Tender pork belly fired on skewers. xo. Bills Hawaii: With an Australian vibe, this restaurant was very modern, fresh and unique. There are all sorts of options out there. It makes OCallaghan happy to talk about Rodby, the way it makes him happy to talk about his customers. Hawaii is on my list so Ill be bookmarking these places <3 xoxo. There are also great Happy Hour specials. Get ready for some Hawaii-style portions!). Our Waikk: King Tides, Beach Erosion and Water PollutionCan Waikk Be Saved? From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. Fifty years after the first Happy Cake came out of the kitchen at Kemoo Farms in Wahiaw, its OCallaghan who keeps the tradition going. It offers elevated Hawaiian and New American menus in an urban refined atmosphere. Right down the road from there is a cafe called Kings Pizza Cafe.they have huge slices of pizza for cheap! Yum! Accordingly, youll likely see its picture in every thread about the best restaurants in Honolulu. Ive been to a few of those places, loved Leonards Bakery a classic. (Such is the resort experience in Waikiki!). Local-style restaurants like Helena's Hawaiian Food on North School Street in Honolulu serve such favorites as bento plate lunches, loco moco breakfast, Portuguese sausage, kalua pig, macaroni . We ate there several times. Its deliciousvery similar to hayashi rice, a Japanese man whos scraped the last smears off his plate agrees. This is my favorite restaurant on Oahu that I come to about once a week. Inspiring Wonder. (And weve tried all of them, so we can say that confidently.). Your email address will not be published. Basically, this entry on our list of the best non touristy things is going to make all you foodies lose your minds. You cant go wrong with any of Zettons restaurants, which include Aloha Table, Heavenly, Aloha Steak House, izakaya Zigu, and Paris.Hawaii (another restaurant on this list). (Think elevated biscuit with a Pacific Rim influence.) Keep reading to learn about the best non-touristy things to do in Oahu, Hawaii. 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. Touristy: Camp Nou. The vibe at Dukes is super casual, so its great for families and those eating on a budget. The Beet Box Cafe. The shrimp is incredibly juicy and flavorful. Waikk has long fed Oahu. The Lighthouse Pier, St. Augustine's Most Secluded Tourist Attraction. They know the best non-touristy restaurants. From $169.50 per night. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. Explore The Best Of Upcountry Maui On This Hawaii Day Trip That Leads To A National Park, Farms, And A Winery, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Hawaii Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, The Perfect Haleiwa Day Trip Itinerary Not Your Average Bucket List Episode 15, This Rustic Barn Restaurant In Hawaii Serves Up Heaping Helpings Of Fresh Cooking, 15 Incredible And Underrated Places In Hawaii To Visit That Arent On Oahu, The 16 Coolest Attractions In Hawaii That Not Enough People Visit, 17 Crazy Beautiful Landscapes In Hawaii You Need To See To Believe, 12 Hidden Attractions Locals Keep To Themselves In Hawaii. Thats what the izakaya Pau Hana Base reminds me of. [$$] Open in Google Maps. 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. Required fields are marked *. Well was for me anyways. Monkeypod Kitchen in Ko Olina is another Peter Merriman restaurant great for families, cocktail lovers, and people who want to experience classic farm-to-table and ocean-to-table food on Oahu. Leisure time in Barcelona with its unending choice of museums, galleries, and cafes. Here, Lonely Planet's resident Japanese train expert John Walton takes us across the Japanese Alps from Nagoya to Toyama by train. You probably wouldnt expect to find a slice of food history at 424 Walina St., site of a modest five-story building behind TR Fire Grill on Khi Avenue. We recommend getting the excellent short rib or the Misoyaki butterfish as entrees. Reservations are recommended for both restaurants, but if you walk up to either restaurant last minute and you cant get a table, you can always try the other.). that shave ice, if only they could make it like that in the mainland! 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. These 8 Incredible Oahu Breakfast Spots Hokus is a side of the island that most people dont usually get to see unless theyre staying at the Kahala. They pull up in their car and we pass the cakes through the car window. In the article re 10 best non-touristy restaurants in New York. But never mind authenticity, Im here for the loco moco ($19). I dont know why I find seeing all of what you ate in Hawaii so much fun, but I do. Mariposa has a beautiful lanai overlooking Ala Moana Beach inside the Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana Center. Whether youre a local or a tourist, these are the Honolulu restaurants you shouldnt miss. We love the Kiawe Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs and the Ahi Kale Salad. After an hour, a bowl of free shave ice, packed as joyfully as an unbridled hot pot, is plunked in front of you. Theres also an Island Vintage in Ko Olina. In the early mornings, the restaurant serves a traditional Japanese breakfast teishoku (set meal) of broiled fish, rice, pickles, and natto. Just a heads up. tag @heartbeetkitchen on instagram and hashtag it #heartbeetkitchen, Your email address will not be published. In addition to seafood, they also do excellent steak and have a great wine list. In general, Mud Hen Water is walk-up friendly, as long as youre willing to sit at the bar or a high top. 3. Far from Waikk, Paradise Cove in Ko Olina hosts a memorable lau on a 12-acre beachfront estate. For dessert, try their famous fluffy coconut cake, another local favorite. I just think that the restaurant will soon become a touristy one. When it comes to the king of rib-sticking dishes across the state, Im pretty sure food-obsessed Japanese have left no patty unturned. Families, business lunchers, and tourists from all over Waikiki dine here. For appetizers, you cant go wrong with the purple sweet potato bisque and a few fresh salads. And of course, the coffee is always excellent. Address. 10 min walk to the beach, restaurants, and all happenings. Dukes is named after the famous surfer, Duke Kahanamoku, who invented surfing as we know it. They offer an abridged version of the same menu they offer in the restaurant, so if you cant make it to the brick-and-mortar location, you can still experience the food in a more casual setting. Uncushioned chairs. Really great article, so many good recs. 92-1048 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA. Throughout the years, Helenas has stayed true to their purist roots, never straying from tradition to follow trends. However! The seafood is excellent and as fresh as it gets, the bar is lively, and the view is incredible. 1., On the second floor of a nondescript building on a tiny side street, Aloha Table is the kind of restaurant locals barely notice. 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. The cave is dark and wet, so bring sturdy shoes and a flashlight. 515 N Kuakini St, Honolulu, HI 96817 . The iconic Hawaiian Happy Cake lives hereor rather, owner and baker Owen OCallaghan does. I'm Amanda, founder and creator of Heartbeet Kitchen. As a result, the dress code is pretty lax. The taste is marvelous to try. For the best morning brunch experience, I recommend going here after hiking Koko Crater.