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    Favorite Son

    3.6 (92 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Favorite Son Photos

    FAVORITE SON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Favorite Son

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    Reviews With Photos

    Cheryl D.

    Conveniently connected to The Ambassador Hotel this restaurant and bar has quick drinks and bites for guests and those in Waikiki walking past. Dining is not limited only to hotel patrons. The breakfast options are an array of decent sandwiches, fruits and yogurts, with lunch and dinner options also being comparable for the area; poke, seafood, etc. The servers and staff are friendly.

    Jillian T.

    Went here on a Friday night, made reservations beforehand via Open Table, though when I got there, it took a moment for someone to help me at the host stand. Didn't seem as if he checked any books for reservations and told me to sit anywhere I wanted. So I grabbed a seat at one of booths inside. It took quite a bit for a server to come around to ask if I've been helped, though by that time, I've already looked over the menu and knew exactly what I wanted. When we received the food, some items were a hit and some a miss for me. Such as the hummus with the pita, the hummus was way too salty for my liking. As for the Diavola pinsa (flatbread pizza), they ran out of Italian sausage and replaced that with pepperoni. I appreciated the gesture, though now I have to go back to see what it tastes like with the Italian sausage instead. The tiramisu was a healthy serving, super tasty. Overall, this place was such a vibe. Live music outside, along with a full bar/countertop seating indoors, with various 4-tops and booth seating spread throughout. Lots of space for small or large party gatherings.

    Lily D.

    finally got to try out favorite son - but did i bring my favorite son with me to lunch (that is still yet to be determined). They are located in Ambassador Waikiki - on the corner of the hotel. Not sure if they validate parking for the restaurant tho. I actually called in the morning to check to see if they allowed dogs on the patio and they said yes! yay! I had this spot bookmarked forever and wanted to try out their restaurant week menu. Checking in took awhile - i did not want to bring the dogs inside to wait with me so we kinda stuck out by the door for a bit until someone came over to the host stand. We had a female server at first - i had to ask her for the RW menu since it wasn't originally offered to us, but she also said we can sit anywhere we wanted outside. The most shady spot was already taken, so we got the next best thing that was a little near the street since none of the umbrellas were open. I originally wanted the meatballs as our starter but she said they were all out (but i litterally came an hour after opening). I opted for the Hummus instead. It was ok - little bit on the tangy side. the entree i chose was the pizza which was decent, and i took the tiramisu to go which i enjoyed. it wasn't bitter and was perfectly balanced. towards the end i had a male server who i think probably picked up my call earlier. He was really nice. Only downside is service is really slow. i must have been there for over 2 hours just for lunch. I actually wanted to get going already since the amount of birds outside kept lingering and it was making one of my son's pretty crazy. Otherwise - its a nice spot and the RW menu was a great way to see what they offered.

    half of each
    Oracle 8.

    Be prepared to wait a long time for expensive, disappointing food. The service was highly uncoordinated; half our table got their food in 20 minutes, while the rest of us waited 45 minutes for basic items. The food itself was "meh" across the board. The $20 avocado toast was a ripoff--just a thin smear of avocado and overly citrusy. The salmon lox came on a soft, warm croissant, creating a very weird, mushy texture compared to a classic bagel. Two people got the breakfast burritos and noted they were completely bland and lacking spice, and the coffee was just strong and bitter. I wouldn't recommend it.

    Kula greens
    lauren n.

    Amazing breakfast burritto so yummy and the new menu is amazing the loco moco is sooo good along with the garlic noodles a place that has something for everybody

    Poke Bowl

    Second time to visit. Loco Moco was amazing and the wife had the poke bowl. This is local food!!!! Will be back for Prime Rib night!

    Courtney F.

    We were looking for some quick food on our way back from the main strip, and this spot looked interesting enough. It was late as well, we were still adjusting to the time, and they were one of the only spots with a kitchen still open, so it was perfect. The bartender was fantastic and super helpful the whole nice. The cocktails were amazing. Pizza was okay, but the spinach dip was super delicious. It was a perfect meal for my husband and I. I honestly could have sat and drank here all night if the drinks weren't insanely priced, because they were some of the best cocktails we had in the area. I'm not sure if they have happy hour, but if they do, I highly suggest stopping in for some great drinks!

    Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
    Lori S.

    We enjoyed many meals at Favorite Son during our stay at The Ambassador in Waikiki. The service and ambiance are amazing! We loved the avocado toast and BEC sandwich for breakfast. Dinners were full of flavors and local music on the patio provided the perfect ending to our days. My favorite meal wast the Chicken Teriyaki bowl, Dukes Sunset mocktail and the artichoke dip- fabulous meal! I also recommend the strawberry guava gelato for dessert!

    Kona Kanpachi Crudo
    Greg G.

    Favorite Son revamped their menu. This is the Kona Kanpachi Crudo - a fruit dish that surprisingly offers a fish feel. This is an example how the new menu offers hidden surprises. It doesn't stop there. Highly recommend!

    Hulu Chicken Sandwich
    Stephanie V.

    OMG!! This place is bomb! My girlies and I tried all the sandwiches & they were all amazing! But the chicken sandwich was the BEST! Also, shout out to Mia for being so sweet! Def, gunna try this place for Happy Hour!

    Cute atmosphere
    Darlene T.

    As Hilton Diamond members, we were very disappointed. The good: Our server was an absolute gentleman--patient, attentive, and the best part of the meal. The bad: * The bartender was incredibly rude. When I asked about changing an order, she gave me an awful look. I then overheard her complaining about other guests, which is highly unprofessional. If the service for ordering drinks is this poor, I won't be ordering any. * The menu was extremely limited, and they were out of several items, including pasta sauce. * The food took an unacceptable amount of time to arrive, especially when clearly in my video no one was there. Overall, I would not return. This is an embarrassing representation of customer service and quality for a brand like Hilton, and it requires major management attention.

    Pog star martini
    Naima C.

    This restaurant was located right by my hotel and when we checked in it was recommended we try it because they had just opened. One our first day we stopped by and had a slice of pizza and a pog star martini! Both were extremely delicious and we ended up coming here almost every day for a slice of pizza before we hit the beach. On my last day before I went to the airport I decided to try the vodka penne pasta to eat before I boarded my flight. Not sure if it was because they had just opened but the dish was very salty and the sauce was thick and created this unpleasant texture. I was disappointed since the hotel staff recommended this dish and I just expected more since it was almost 30 dollars for the pasta. Nonetheless I had great experiences besides the pasta and would still go back for the pizza and drinks. Hopefully within time I am able to go back and I would love to try the vodka penne again! Staff and ambiance wise everyone was really nice and I loved how there was outdoor and indoor seating! If you're in the area give this spot a try :)

    Nanea L.

    First review of 2025! The Favorite Son at Romer Waikīkī is an absolute gem! From the moment I walked in, I was charmed by the adorable ambiance and thoughtful details throughout the space. The atmosphere feels both welcoming and vibrant, perfect for a casual hangout or a relaxing meal. We ordered the pepperoni pizza, and it did not disappoint! The crust was perfectly crisp, the toppings generous, and the flavors well-balanced. Alongside the pizza, mushroom & orzo, and Tricolore Chicory salad, we enjoyed their signature non-alcoholic drinks, Arnold Palmer and Lilikoi Faux Mojito, were equally delightful--beautifully crafted, refreshing. We ended with the tiramisu to share which was just what we needed to complement our meal. Everything came out to about $100 with good portion sizes! The staff were attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. Their warmth and efficiency created an environment where we felt truly cared for. They validate parking for up to 3 hours for free which is a great amount of time to nibble, chat, and enjoy. Overall, Favorite son is so cute. I'm coming back for more delicious food on there, great drinks, and excellent service.

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    5 months ago

    Excellent food excellent service Great bar and there is a hotel connected if you get bombed and can't get your car hahaha

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    6 months ago

    Great food with a variety,friendly service, clean dining area. Great choice when in the area for sure!

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    5 months ago

    Poor quality food at Waikiki prices. Your dollars are better spent literally anywhere else.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Favorite Son

    Vintage Books

    Vintage Books

    4.4
    (190 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$
    Gluten-free friendly
    Romantic vibe

    I love finding places that feel like a hidden discovery, and the speakeasy inside Vintage Books…read moreHawaiʻi is exactly that. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm, intimate, and welcoming. There's something special about enjoying a thoughtfully crafted cocktail surrounded by books, vintage décor, and a neighborhood vibe that feels completely different from the typical bar scene. Everyone from the host to the servers, treat you like you are a VIP... What I appreciated most was how relaxed everything felt. It wasn't overly crowded or loud, making it easy to have a conversation and actually enjoy the experience. The cocktails were well-balanced, creative, and clearly made with care. This is the kind of place that's perfect for a date night, catching up with friends, or simply unwinding after a long week. It feels like one of those hidden gems that locals hope stays under the radar, but is too good not to share. If you're looking for something unique and a little different from the usual nightlife options, I highly recommend checking it out. I'll definitely be back.

    I decided to pop in and try their brunch menu. There is validated parking in the building it's…read morelocated or you can do street parking. I was a little surprised when I entered, it's very cute and it looks like a book shop. The hostess walked us through into the hidden bar and then into the hidden restaurant. The ambiance is very vintage LOL. We ordered a bunch of items off the menu because we observed the food coming out for other tables and the portions looked small. And honestly, they are small for the price you pay. They all tasted amazing, but it didn't blow me away enough for me to say I'd go back for the brunch. The service was also subpar because they barely checked in on us and we had to wait the longest time to get a water refill. I may go back to try the dinner and maybe the drinks and hopefully it will be better.

    Photos
    Bar & lounge
    Bar & lounge
    Flight of three tacos: kalua pig, suadero, and tako
    Flight of three tacos: kalua pig, suadero, and tako
    Crispy Lamb Ribs

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    Crispy Lamb Ribs
    Bar Leather Apron

    Bar Leather Apron

    4.5
    (476 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Date night? Hanging with friends? Pau hana with colleagues? Just want your own moment but you also…read moreenjoy history and well made drinks and pupus? This is your stop. Plan for reservations well in advance because you're going to want to sit at the bar. That's where the storytelling is center stage. From the outside, you'd easily miss it. But once you step inside, you realize you're stepping into an experience. Every drink comes with a unique story and the bartender is not simply a storyteller but an artist as well.

    Months before my trip to Oahu, I tried to book a reservation to Bar Leather Apron but was unable to…read moredo so because the reservations were immediately scooped up right as they were released. To my surprise, on a Sunday evening after having dinner nearby at Maze, my wife and I walked over to Bar Leather Apron and we were able to get seated right away! In fact, around 7:30 p.m. when we stopped by, there was actually a ton of seating available in the bar. Who would've guessed. If you're in the same boat as me and are unable to find a reservation for your upcoming visit, I would encourage you to stop by and try a walk-in. The first page of the menu lists a wide variety of whiskey based cocktails. Most -- if not all, of the cocktails are pre-fixed with BLA (Bar Leather Apron), and represent a collaboration with the named distillery. If you're fan of whiskey, you'll definitely have a difficult time picking only one. I ultimately ordered their "Take Warning" -- 2021 BLA Knob Creek BLA Single Barrel, Cynar, Carpano Antica, Mezcal, Bergamot Salt. Drinks here are not cheap -- averaging $20 to $25 per drink. Although my drink was very spirit forward, it still felt very well balanced. I appreciated the hint of smokiness from the mezcal that rounded out the end of a sip. Service here quick and friendly. When we received the check, a cute small chocolate snack was brought over as well, borrowed from the menu at Maze. Overall, I can see why Bar Leather Apron has earned so many accolades in its field. Definitely worth a stop by if you enjoy the art of mixology.

    Photos
    View from our seat
    View from our seat
    Matcha old fashioned
    Matcha old fashioned
    Japan

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    Japan
    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge

    430 Pkwy Cocktail Lounge

    4.5
    (48 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Some places you find, others you have to earn, and 430 Parkway is one you'd miss if you weren't…read morelooking for it. Tucked on the second floor of a Piikoi Parkway building, it feels like stepping back in time, a true bespoke bar with vintage art, moody lighting, and comfy couches that make it perfect for couples or a night out with friends. We sat at the bar, which was a highlight, Michael and Tony were welcoming, easy to talk story with, and clearly know their craft. I went with the Barreled Old Man, a smooth, layered mix of bourbon, rye, and brandy that just worked, while my wife's Sesame Veil brought a nutty, balanced flavor that stood out. For round two, the Espressing My Love was a great take on an espresso martini, and Michael built my wife a custom drink off her favorite flavors and nailed it again. We paired it with the smoked mozzarella and salami grilled cheese and Ho Farms tomato soup, and this is where it really hit. The sandwich came out hot and crisp, and when you took a bite the cheese pulled away just right, that perfect melt, with the salami adding a savory kick. The tomato soup was fresh, bright, and made for dipping you didn't want to stop. We were welcomed with a table that had our name on it, a small touch that goes a long way. Prices are on point for the quality and experience you're getting. It's a bit of a hidden, hip spot, not for a quick drink but for when you want to sit, relax, and enjoy it. Parking is tight, but you can park at Ala Moana and walk over, and it's worth it. Next time we're coming back for Grandma's Old Fashioned and the pork belly bao buns. This isn't a bar you stumble into, it's one you come back to.

    I went here for my birthday and didn't realize I should've made a reservation for a larger group,…read moreespecially since it was my first time. Thankfully, Michael and his team were able to accommodate us, which I really appreciated. From the moment we walked in, the place had a great vibe, the interior is beautiful. Throughout the night, the staff and Michael (the owner) were incredibly welcoming, funny and attentive. The cocktails were amazing. I had the expressing my love all night and even though the place was busy and there was a bit of a wait for food, it was honestly worth it. We had the crab dynamite, the ahi brioche, and the prosciutto and burrata. SO GOOD! My friends and I had such a great time and will definitely be back.

    Photos
    SPRING COCKTAIL MENU
    SPRING COCKTAIL MENU
    Crab Dynamite - Our Fave!
    Crab Dynamite - Our Fave!
    Bird on a Wire

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    Bird on a Wire
    Hideout

    Hideout

    4.2
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Great service and yummy food... Tucked away at the Laylow…read morehotel, is a chill restaurant with fun Hawaiian vibes. We started our vacation with dinner at the Hideout, and upon entering you could immediately hear live music. We received a warm welcome, and brought over to our booth where our server Kai was quick to greet us. We ordered cocktails (I don't remember the name of mine. It's something spritz, and my husband tried the banana bread old fashioned) and we shared the appetizer platter (brussel sprouts with pork belly, kalua pork egg rolls, poke tacos, and edamame)to share. We also ordered the garlic shrimp dumplings. Everything was super tasty. Lots of other items on the menu that I want to try during another visit to the island.

    Stressful from the start…read more I called to inquire about parking a week prior to my rsv and was told they were sold out for the night. I mentioned that it was just a general question and i wasn't coming that night. They informed me that it's validated for two hours and it's first come first serve. After the 2 hours its $14 an hour. Getting into the valet area was stressful enough as there was a car parked right before you turn and pedestrians that walk back and forth from their main driveway entrance. I also had to wait for valet for a bit too as there was 2 other cars in front of me and probably only 2 valet on duty trying to move cars forward. Reservations can be made on open table, but there was really no point to doing that since it's open seating during happy hour times. We ended up just picking a table that was in the shade, and noticed they only have their menu by QR code which is kinda annoying. The server was pretty nice tho and he brought my dog some water mid way. Their happy hour runs from 2-6 and the menu is slightly less expensive. The food was kind of standard hotel type of food and nothing really stood out. Otherwise the vibes at the restaurant was nice and i do like that they allow dogs to join you. it seems like they have live music after a certain time. I was even more annoyed and stressed with the valet when i went to pick up my car. They literally just handed me my keys. My car was parked along the wall probably 20 steps away, but they could have at least taken out my car cause it was so hard to get out, but i guess it's nice they trust that i wont bang the car in front of back of me i guess even tho im a pretty terrible parker. at the time they didn't look as busy as when i first arrived, so i dont know why they couldn't have just done the bare minimum with just pulling out my car from the stall.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Wonton Poke Tacos are great! Especially during happy hour.
    Wonton Poke Tacos are great! Especially during happy hour.
    Citrus Swell

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    Citrus Swell
    RM 38

    RM 38

    4.8
    (76 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    What we thought was a pawn shop turned out to be... a speakeasy?!…read more What a lovely surprise. A gem of a find! I will never forget this experience. I was just skipping around town exploring wanting to check-in to as many places as I could like the responsible Yelp elite that I am and then I find this amazing hole on the wall speakeasy. The lovely gentleman in the front welcomed us in to take a look around and I asked him if I could take photos for yelp and he told me that if I was going to write a review, I had to join them. So of course, I took the invite and decided to stay for a little while. We sat at a nice area. A perfect little place. I just want to take a snapshot and keep it in my memory so I can emulate it and turn it into my home study. I could stay here forever. The vibes were on point. The server recommended drinks that he thought we would like, and we loved both of them. I don't remember what the drinks were called, but mine had a blueberry taste to it, and my friend had a mock tail, but some sort of Yuzu to it. We also shared a $15 charcuterie graze. 10 out of 10 would recommend being curious and opening doors to finding out that there's a speakeasy randomly in an area you never thought would be there. What an amazing experience.

    This spot is the place to be in Waikiki! Definitely make a reservation because this place fills up…read morefast, especially later into the night. What surprised me most was how good the food was for the price. Usually spots with this kind of atmosphere rely on the drinks to carry the experience, but every dish actually delivered. The chicken karaage was crispy and packed with flavor, the beef takoyaki disappeared almost instantly, and the taro chips with mascarpone were such a unique combination. Between the cocktails, food, service, and atmosphere, everything just worked.

    Photos
    Lounge area
    Lounge area
    Ahi
    Ahi
    Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

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    Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

    Favorite Son - hawaiian - Updated July 2026

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