Top Restaurant Choices in Honolulu

Honolulu is a cosmopolitan city with cuisine to match.  You’ll find food available from every ethnicity including mainland fast food restaurants.  As with any island around the world, prices are generally a bit more expensive but with choices like these two top restaurants in Honolulu, you’ll be sure to enjoy the amazing service as well as the to-die-for cuisine.

Alan Wong’s Restaurant in Honolulu serves up unique cuisine along with its unique location on the third floor in an office building.  Alan Wong’s Restaurant doesn’t offer parking and it doesn’t offer ocean views while you dine – but what it does offer keeps guests coming back time after time.

As one of the most recommended restaurants on Oahu, Alan Wong’s Restaurant offers an array of mouth-watering cuisine plus an extensive wine list by which to choose an accompaniment for your dinner.  Serving up Hawaiian regional cuisine with an Asian flare, favorites at Alan Wong’s Restaurant include Mochi Crusted Opakapaka (snapper) and the Local Beef Tasting selection featuring meat from Kuahiwi Ranch and the Maui Cattle Company.

Other popular choices at Alan Wong’s Restaurant include either the five or seven course tasting menu which comes complete with wine pairing choices.  Top off your dinner with a scrumptious dessert like The Coconut (sorbet) or Five Spoonfuls of Brulees; you can also choose from an assortment of Hawaiian coffees to compliment your dessert.

Chef Roy Yamaguchi serves up his creations of Asian and Hawaiian inspired cuisine at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine on Waikiki Beach.  Known for their fresh ingredients and a combination of European and spicy Asian flavors, Roy’s is also known for their impressive wine list and refreshing cocktails (try their Vanilla/Pineapple Martini).

With locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, Texas, Japan, and Guam (31 locations worldwide), the original Roy’s was started with their first restaurant in Honolulu.  The concept was simple – to provide a dining experience with spacious and comfortable seating arrangement, plus a generous sized lounge, where every guest could enjoy a view of Roy’s signature kitchen in action.

A popular choice at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine is the four course dining menu paired with wines at around $70 per person.  Other sure to please menu items include the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi or the delicious Butterfish; for dessert, Roy’s signature sweet dish is their Classic Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: DSC02295 by Takaokun

The Perfect Hawaiian Mai Tai

There are several versions as to how the Mai Tai drink was developed but admittedly it seems to be a token Polynesian drink that all visitors to Hawaii will enjoy.  A concoction of rum, fresh lime juice, and orange Curacao liqueur, the Mai Tai (meaning ‘good’) dates back to the 1930’s and 40’s.

Finding a classic place to enjoy one has become somewhat of a struggle between fast-paced tourism and keeping a handful of thatched-hut beach bars that serve up a consumer version of the Mai Tai which can be extremely sweet and extremely strong.  Consider these locations around Oahu where you can indulge in a more authentic tasting Mai Tai sure to refresh on a warm afternoon on the island.

Royal Hawaiian
The beautiful Royal Hawaiian has been a Waikiki Beach icon since it was built back in 1927.  The bright pink coloring, architectural style, service and amenities, have kept travelers to Oahu coming back year after year.  The Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar is known for both their authentic Mai Tai’s (rumoured to be the best on the island) and the stunning views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head provided by their oceanfront setting; consider checking out these amazing views (and photo ops) at sunset.

Halekulani
The Halekulani resort has been a staple for tourists to Waikiki Beach for almost 100 years.  One of the resorts most sought out features is the House Without A Key bar which was mentioned in a Charlie Chan novel back in 1925.  Ever since, visitors have flocked to House Without A Key in order to try one of the islands most delicious Mai Tai drinks which are accompanied by a delightful Hawaiian orchid garnish.  Providing both an indoor and outdoor seating area, House Without A Key offers up picturesque sunset views and nightly evening entertainment.

New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel
Located on the lobby level of the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel is the Sunset Lanai Lounge where you’ll find great Mai Tai’s and live music every Friday and Saturday evenings, plus those lovely Hawaiian sunset views.

Jameson’s By The Sea
Located on the north shore of Oahu is Jameson’s By The Sea where you’ll find tiki torches, fresh Hawaiian flowers on every table, and those adorable little umbrellas in every tropical drink including their famous Mai Tai’s.  Enjoy the sunset views or a delicious seafood dinner as you relax and soak in the breathtaking waves that only Oahu’s north shore can provide.

Top Hotel Choices on Oahu

Consistently receiving rave reviews from guests, these Top Hotel Choices on Oahu offer good value, location, and amenities.  These four and five-star hotels range in price from $124 standard rooms to $739 per night for a deluxe suite.  But don’t let that deter you; many offer specials, packages, and internet only discounts to help make your accommodation choice on Oahu more budget-friendly.

Best Western Coconut Waikiki
Located on 450 Lewers Street, this recently renovated boutique hotel offers a fresh tropical decor along with a location that’s close to Waikiki beach and great shopping.  There’s a pool and sunbathing area, a fitness center, plus you get the added amenities of a deluxe continental breakfast and free WI-FI access in-room.

Hotel Renew
Another chic and funky boutique property is Hotel Renew located at 129 Paoakalani Avenue.  Offering stylish furnishings, concierge service, complimentary internet access and continental breakfast daily, Hotel Renew is a great place to unwind from the big city atmosphere of Honolulu.  Lounge Renew offers the perfect place to relax with a drink; plus this non-smoking hotel is also pet-friendly.

Halekulani Hotel
For almost 100 years, the luxurious Halekulani has been welcoming visitors to the splendors of Waikiki Beach.  This plush oceanfront hotel features 3 restaurants, 3 lounges, a pool, fitness center and spa, concierge service, plus a hospitality suite for guest use.  Each room at the Halekulani features a private lanai, complimentary bottled water, entertainment center, nightly turn down service, complimentary high-speed internet access, and an in-room safe.  One of the more expensive rooms at the Halekulani is a one or two-bedroom Vera Wang designed suite offered in a spacious 2,135 square foot setting complete with 24-hour butler service.

Outrigger Reef on the Beach
The welcoming open-air lobby at Outrigger Reef on the Beach exudes Polynesian style.  With rooms offering city views, spacious ocean views, or even luxurious oceanfront suites, Outrigger Reef on the Beach also offers a ‘Fee Free Escape’ by providing guests with these complimentary services and amenities: local and long distance calls to the U.S. and Canada; WI-FI access in-room and in public areas; in-room safe, tea, and coffee; plus daily interactive cultural activities.  The Outrigger Reef on the Beach also offers a complimentary Hawaiian Vow Renewal ceremony for those guests wanting to partake.  The hotel features three choices for dining – Kani Ka Pila Grille, Shore Bird Restaurant & Beach Bar, Ocean House Restaurant – plus they also have a Starbuck’s coffee outlet in their lobby.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: Halekulani by Alan Light

Free Activities on Oahu

Many visitors to the beautiful island of Oahu venture no further than Waikiki Beach.  With so much more to offer, consider renting a car or taking a bus and exploring all there is to see.  Here are some free activities on Oahu that you’ll be sure to enjoy.

Banzai Pipeline, North Shore

In Pupukea at stunning Ehukai Beach, you’ll find the world-famous Banzai Pipeline.  Here you can experience a glimpse into the surfing culture – you’ll see huge waves and buff surfer dudes – as they enjoy Oahu’s best surfing.  The waves can reach up to 20’ so be sure to bring your camera.

Old Pali Highway

Heading west bound from Waikiki on the H1, take Exit 61 turning onto the Pali Highway.  This will take you through the Pali Tunnels and offer stunning views of the valley below.  Take a right turn onto Nu’uanu Pali Drive where this short but amazingly picturesque tree-lined piece of road whisks you into the natural beauty of Oahu.

Byodo-In Temple
Since 1968 the Byodo-In Temple has provided one of the most serene settings on all of Oahu.  Built in honor of Japanese immigrants to the island, the Byodo-In Temple is a replica of Fuji Temple located in Japan.  With the Koolau Mountains as a back drop, the temple is set in the lush tropical valley below.  Visitors are able to venture inside the temple sans shoes, meander through the Japanese gardens, visit the koi ponds – or take advantage of endless photo ops.

USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor
This U.S. National Monument is dedicated to the almost 1,200 crew members who lost their lives while onboard the U.S.S. Arizona during World War II.  The memorial offers free tickets on a first-come first-serve basis for timed programs that offer more insight into this tragedy that occurred on December 7, 1941.

Local Entertainment
If you’d rather not buy pricey tickets to view the cultural side of Oahu, try these great alternatives.  On Friday nights, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa offers a fireworks display plus a nightly Torch Lighting Ceremony at sunset.  Take a quilt making, lei making, Hawaiian massage or ukulele class at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center; this shopping venue also offers free hula shows and music presentations including the Royal Hawaiian Band.

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
More commonly known as the Punchbowl cemetery, this unique location in a volcanic depression was formed an estimated 75,000 years ago.  Since 1949, visitors to this serene location are struck by the natural beauty of the area plus it also offers striking views of Honolulu and Waikiki in the valley below.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: IMG_7546 by TheGirlsNY