Guidebook for Honolulu
Food Scene
Homemade gelato in unusual and unique flavors. Salted caramel with coffee crumbs is my favorite.
18 locals recommend
Via Gelato
1142 12th AveHomemade gelato in unusual and unique flavors. Salted caramel with coffee crumbs is my favorite.
Best teriyaki burger in town! Famous family secret sauce makes this burger joint the best place to get a burger. No place to sit or eat, but lots of lines. Call ahead to skip the lines.
12 locals recommend
W & M Bar B-Q Burger
3104 Waialae AveBest teriyaki burger in town! Famous family secret sauce makes this burger joint the best place to get a burger. No place to sit or eat, but lots of lines. Call ahead to skip the lines.
Really good breakfast at reasonable prices. Long lines is hit or miss, but food is always good. Lines go fast and so does the food.
47 locals recommend
Koa Pancake House
46-126 Kahuhipa StReally good breakfast at reasonable prices. Long lines is hit or miss, but food is always good. Lines go fast and so does the food.
Sweet E's Café
1006 Kapahulu AveGet the everything mix. I get that all the time.
World famous malasadas doughnuts. Be sure to take a picture in front of the sign!
230 locals recommend
Leonard's Bakery
933 Kapahulu AveWorld famous malasadas doughnuts. Be sure to take a picture in front of the sign!
There's always lines but I like Sweet E's and Koa Pancake House better.
28 locals recommend
Café Kaila
2919 Kapiolani BlvdThere's always lines but I like Sweet E's and Koa Pancake House better.
Franky Fresh
3040 Waialae AveNever ate here but been wanting to. They got great reviews on Yelp.
World famous local plate lunch joint. Get the boneless chicken and slush float. Visit "Hawaii's Favorite Kitchens" behind Rainbows (same owner I think) for famous waffle dog and ono ono shake.
85 locals recommend
Rainbow Drive-In
3308 Kanaina AveWorld famous local plate lunch joint. Get the boneless chicken and slush float. Visit "Hawaii's Favorite Kitchens" behind Rainbows (same owner I think) for famous waffle dog and ono ono shake.
World famous Hawaiian food. Tourist and local favorite place for Hawaiian food. Check out all the celebrity pictures on the wall. Be sure to order haupia dessert.
49 locals recommend
Ono Hawaiian Foods
726 Kapahulu AveWorld famous Hawaiian food. Tourist and local favorite place for Hawaiian food. Check out all the celebrity pictures on the wall. Be sure to order haupia dessert.
My sister and lots of friends love it here. I think it's okay. Maybe they got drunk here and that's why they really like it.
105 locals recommend
Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar & Grill
559 Kapahulu AveMy sister and lots of friends love it here. I think it's okay. Maybe they got drunk here and that's why they really like it.
Famous for their fresh poke (raw fish with seasonings) and local dishes. I'm not a big poke fan, but my friends like it here.
45 locals recommend
Fresh Catch Kaimuki
1113 Kapahulu AveFamous for their fresh poke (raw fish with seasonings) and local dishes. I'm not a big poke fan, but my friends like it here.
The Fat Greek
3040 Waialae Avepretty good greek food walking distance
Kaimuki Superette
3458 Waialae AveUnique farm to table food with interesting sides.
12th Ave Grill
1120 12th AveMy sister-in-law's favorite restaurant. I like their pork chops.
Known for their breakfasts. Higher end and more expensive than Koa Pancake, but unique dishes.
85 locals recommend
Koko Head Cafe
1120 12th AveKnown for their breakfasts. Higher end and more expensive than Koa Pancake, but unique dishes.
Cheap local food. I don't usually eat here, but used to go to the okazuya (japanese delicatessen) next door ever since I was a kid. Good place to get food to go like for a picnic, hike or beach.
St. Louis Drive In
3145 Waialae AveCheap local food. I don't usually eat here, but used to go to the okazuya (japanese delicatessen) next door ever since I was a kid. Good place to get food to go like for a picnic, hike or beach.
My favorite high end restaurant. President Obama and family ate here last Christmas same day my sister was there. She "sat" next to Michelle Obama. LOL - more like behind her.
23 locals recommend
Alan Wong's Honolulu
1857 S King StMy favorite high end restaurant. President Obama and family ate here last Christmas same day my sister was there. She "sat" next to Michelle Obama. LOL - more like behind her.
The Cheesecake Factory
2301 Kalakaua AveLove to eat here even though it's in busy Waikiki.
Best shabu shabu in Oahu with 2 spaces and long lines to prove it. Go early and save room for their famous free taiwanese shave ice. I go just for the free dessert! :) BYOB
16 locals recommend
Fresh Cafe
831 Queen StBest shabu shabu in Oahu with 2 spaces and long lines to prove it. Go early and save room for their famous free taiwanese shave ice. I go just for the free dessert! :) BYOB
My kids favorite and to be honest, I love it here too. Inexpensive food coma. Not too bad if you eat it without rice, but not as fun :)
15 locals recommend
Curry House Coco Ichibanya
1960 Kapiolani BlvdMy kids favorite and to be honest, I love it here too. Inexpensive food coma. Not too bad if you eat it without rice, but not as fun :)
Parks & Nature
Pool is open to the public M-F 3:30 - 4:50; Tu/Th 6-7:50; Weekends/Holidays 1-5. Lap swimming M/Tu/F 11-12.
Also, sometimes you can find pick up soccer games here.
Kanewai Park
2695 Dole StPool is open to the public M-F 3:30 - 4:50; Tu/Th 6-7:50; Weekends/Holidays 1-5. Lap swimming M/Tu/F 11-12.
Also, sometimes you can find pick up soccer games here.
Public golf course. Call ahead for tee times or just show up to go to the range.
49 locals recommend
Ala Wai Golf Course
404 Kapahulu AvePublic golf course. Call ahead for tee times or just show up to go to the range.
I coach soccer here. Sometimes like to walk across the street and go swimming after soccer.
89 locals recommend
Kapiʻolani Regional Park
3840 Paki AveI coach soccer here. Sometimes like to walk across the street and go swimming after soccer.
Shopping
Hawaii's best and local grocery store serving local dishes as well as regular grocery needs.
183 locals recommend
Foodland
2939 Harding AveHawaii's best and local grocery store serving local dishes as well as regular grocery needs.
Sightseeing
Honolulu Zoo
151 Kapahulu AveGo early to see the sunrise and still have the day ahead of you.
You gotta do this at least once.
347 locals recommend
Diamond Head State Monument
Go early to see the sunrise and still have the day ahead of you.
You gotta do this at least once.
Entertainment & Activities
Stan Sheriff Center
1355 Lower Campus RdWalk to UH games
Drinks & Nightlife
Awesome local food in large sizes to share. Bring your appetite for this local favorite bar. The first side street near Ala Moana was so busy, they opened this one which is also super busy. Go early.
80 locals recommend
Side Street Inn Kapahulu
614 Kapahulu AveAwesome local food in large sizes to share. Bring your appetite for this local favorite bar. The first side street near Ala Moana was so busy, they opened this one which is also super busy. Go early.
Large selection of craft beer, awesome mixed drinks, and gastropub food. Love it here.
48 locals recommend
BREW'd craft pub
3441 Waialae AveLarge selection of craft beer, awesome mixed drinks, and gastropub food. Love it here.
Essentials
Been going to Dr. Kato since I was in the sixth grade and needed glasses. He's like family to me. He super nice and speaks Japanese too.
Kato & Shoji Optometrists - Kapahulu Office
449 Kapahulu AveBeen going to Dr. Kato since I was in the sixth grade and needed glasses. He's like family to me. He super nice and speaks Japanese too.