Dining
Nā Hale ‘Āina (Restaurants)
Bishop Museum Employee Picks:
= Vegetarian-friendly
Helena’s Hawaiian Food (Hawaiian)
1240 North School Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 845-8044
For a taste of authentic Hawaiian fare visitors to the islands can not miss Helena’s. This “hole in the wall” is best known for its pipikaula style short ribs (a local favorite) but for a true Hawaiian experience order the laulau, lomilomi salmon and a side of poi. Ono! Helena's is open Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Little Village Noodle House (Chinese)
1113 Smith Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 545-3008
Appropriately located in Honolulu’s Chinatown district, Little Village Noodle House serves their delicious entrées family style. Although they are known for their honey walnut shrimp, personal favorites include the steamed basa fillet and the Mongolian beef.
Kaiwa (Japanese)
226 Lewers Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 924-1555
This ultra-chic new restaurant located on the revitalized Beach Walk (Lewers Street) is a Tokyo-based favorite specializing in teppan fusion and sushi rolls. The food here is refreshing and the service is great.
Izakaya Nonbei (Japanese)
3108 Olu Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 734-5573
Located off Kapahulu Avenue, this authentic Japanese pub is just far enough out of Waikīkī for the locals to frequent it. Eating here one will feel as though they’ve taken a short trip to Japan, as traditional Japanese antiques lend to the ambiance. Suggestions are karei karage (deep fried flounder) tori karage (fried chicken) and buta no kakune (simmered shoyu pork.)
Bangkok Chef (Thai)
1626 Nu‘uanu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 585-8839
Housed in what looks like a converted garage, Bangkok Chef is one of Honolulu’s hidden delights. What once began as a small produce market has since become a popular place for locals to enjoy Thai cuisine. Prices are very reasonable (within the $5 to $8 range) and they are known for their pad thai and yellow curry.
Hale Vietnam (Vietnamese)
1140 12th Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 735-7581
Possibly the best place in town to get a hot bowl of Pho! Located in what has become Honolulu’s culinary district, Kaimukī, Hale Vietnam is one of several restaurants in the area to get a good meal.
Town (Organic)
3435 Wai‘alae Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 735-5900
Owner and chef Ed Kenney opened Town (and subsequently Down Town, in the Hawai‘i State Art Museum) just as the local/organic food movement arrived in Honolulu. Featuring fresh, locally grown and organic ingredients, Town quickly became a local favorite. Try the grass fed beef burgers with their specialty fries.
Olive Tree Café (Greek)
4614 Kīlauea Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 737-0303
This outdoor dining restaurant is small and quite popular with the locals, so arrive early, BYOB and be ready for a unique Greek dining experience. A personal favorite is the lamb souvlaki. Prices are very reasonable (you can eat dinner for less than $20) but bring cash as they don’t accept credit cards.
Soul de Cuba Café (Cuban)
1121 Bethel Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 545-2822
Founded by brothers Robert and Jesus Puerto, Soul de Cuba offers Hawai‘i’s only traditional Cuban dining experience. Located in Honolulu’s revitalized arts district, this restaurant is right at the center of many exciting weekly events. A personal favorite is the picadillo and don’t forget to finish the meal with a delicious mojito!
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine (Pacific Rim)
226 Lewers Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-7697
Tokyo-born chef Roy Yamaguchi coined the term “Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine” and today is Hawai‘i most famous chef. Having appeared on the Food Network’s Iron Chef series, Roy has become somewhat of a local celebrity. But, before the celebrity, his restaurants were always known for high-quality food and great service. His Waikīkī location is the newest of Roy’s restaurants and great place to experience the flavors of Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine.
12th Avenue Grill (Pacific Rim)
1145 12th Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 732-9469
The brain-child of local chef Kevin Hanney, 12th Avenue Grill features haute comfort food – Hawaiian style. Must haves are the smoked ‘ahi spread as a starter and the menu almost always has an excellent fresh fish special. Cozy, with a definite neighborhood feel, 12th Avenue Grill features Honolulu’s “most exclusive” happy hour – only 6 people can fit at the bar and there is almost always a line.
Nico’s at Pier 38 (Fresh Fish)
1133 North Nimitz Hwy.
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 540-1377
Definitely off the beaten path, Nico’s is a lunchtime favorite for locals who work in the area. Located on the docks, Nico’s is an outdoor dining venue featuring fresh fish and a delightful view of the Honolulu Harbor. Open for breakfast and lunch, the ‘ahi salad is a must!
Side Street Inn (Local-Style)
1225 Hopaka Street
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 591-0253
Within walking distance of the Convention Center, this local favorite is the place where Hawai‘i’s chefs come to eat. Known for their pork chops and ‘ahi belly, Side Street in has the ambiance of a sports bar, but features valet parking. If you are looking for a truly local experience, don’t miss Side Street Inn.
Mexico Restaurant (Mexican)
1247 North School Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 845-9059
As far as Hawai‘i residents are concerned, if the Mexican food is better than Taco Bell, it’s good Mexican food! This place isn’t known for having the best, most authentic Mexican food, but it does have a great atmosphere and serves gigantic margaritas! Plus it’s located just a few blocks from Bishop Museum, making it a convenient place to get a pau hana (end of the work day) cocktail.
JJ Dolan’s (Pizza)
1147 Bethel Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 537-4992
JJ Dolan’s is an Irish style pub, serving authentic, hand-made New York style pizza in Honolulu’s Chinatown. You can’t get a more unique dining experience than that! The pizzas here are fresh and delicious (you can watch the chefs spin the dough in the air through a window into the kitchen), the beer selection could be better, but the ambiance, the service and the other diners make up for that.
V Lounge (Pizza)
1344 Kona Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-4521
(808) 941-4641
Recently founded by a former Nobu Waikiki pastry chef, V Lounge has quickly earned the admiration of pizza enthusiasts in Honolulu. V Lounge’s pizzas feature imported Italian flour, homemade mozzarella cheese, and locally grown toppings such as Hamakua mushrooms. This hole-in-the-wall spot is located on a side street just mauka of Ala Moana Shopping Center.
India Café (Indian)
1016 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816-1353
(808) 737-4600
India Café, located in Kilohana Square just off of Kapahulu Avenue, specializes in the cuisine of South India. Try the pancake-like dhosa—a South Indian alternative to the familiar naan—or idli, delicious rice dumplings served with curries and fresh chutneys. While there are plenty of meat and seafood dishes on the menu, India Café’s real strength is its extensive vegetarian offerings.
This is It! Bakery & Deli (Bagels/Deli)
443 Cooke Street
Honolulu, HI 96813-5320
(808) 597-1017
Searching for the best bagels on O‘ahu? Look no further than Kaka‘ako, Honolulu’s dockside industrial district, where This is It! Bakery & Deli serves up fresh, authentic bagels (and tasty deli sandwiches) daily. This is It! also has a satellite location in downtown Honolulu.
Michel’s (Romantic)
2895 Kalākaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-6552
Located at the far (Diamond Head) end of Waikīkī in the Colony Surf Hotel, Michel’s has long been known as Hawai‘i’s most romantic restaurant. Reservations for tables near the ocean at sunset are hard to come by, so your best bet is to call several months in advance. Even if you don’t get a sunset dining reservation, Michel’s has plenty to offer. Enjoy the lobster bisque, fresh island fish and the entertainingly prepared (and sumptuous) cherries jubilee while the surf rolls in on the white sand beach directly outside.