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    Genius Lounge

    4.1 (648 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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    GENIUS LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Genius Lounge

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    Ahi Steak Lightly Seared
    Scott L.

    Genius Lounge is a hidden restaurant and bar located up two flights of external stairs to a not really identifiable doorway. No external awning or sign to tell you that a restaurant was located way at the top of the stairs. There is a beautiful mural to entertain you as you walk up the stairs though. The place is also one of the few restaurants that opens late for food but is on a not very well traveled Waikiki side-street. So you could easily miss the establishment by thinking....dark and not busy side street - sketch, two flights of stairs with no elevator in sight - how am I going to drink and navigate the stairs?, do I walk up two flights, look around, and turn around and walk back down if I don't like the looks of the place? What to do? What to do? Well, it's late and they have decent drink prices and serve food til 11pm. Thus, walking up and up and up and in. Greeted, walked past the nice looking bar, and seated on the external patio. Big menu, so it took some time to peruse in the dark. Finally selected edamame, drinks, ahi steak lightly seared, and a poki bowl. The fish was fresh but a bit pricey, but hey, you're in pricy Waikiki and not paying more for a RT Lyft or rental car & hotel parking to get you out of the area for less expensive food. At least not late tonight. So overall, food was decent, not mind blowing but you are getting fresh fish. Service was attentive and people were super nice, but it's just those external stairs.... Can't drink a lot and make it down those steps....

    Flaming ribeye
    Rachel C.

    A friend brought me here for the flaming ribeye, he said it was good! He was so right!!! From the moment we walked in, service was great, the menu was extensive, and the drinks are reasonably priced. We ordered the flaming ribeye and garlic shrimp. It was such a good meal, with a great vibe.

    Yuzu chicken
    Sarah S.

    Finally made it up the stairs to this cute cozy Japanese Hawaiian fusion bar in Waikiki. Got there in time for their Happy Hour from 5-6:30 which includes various drink options, appetizers, and a few protein dishes offered at about $2 off. We started with draft beers.My Japanese friend got the Kirin ($5) and I got the Coco Weizen which I preferred to the P-ssy Grabs Back both from the Honolulu Beer Company ($7). Taught the friend a new slang word when she wondered why our server was blushing and laughing when she delivered my drink. The tomodachi liked the kalua pork nachos which came with crispy fried wonton type chips and a cheese that resembled Velveeta. I prefer corn chips and shredded cheese but the flavor of the the pork was good. She also liked the curly fries with garlic ($1 more) which came with a glaze that made it look oily. Again the taste was good but I prefer my fries dry. My favorite dish was the yuzu chicken which tasted "sappari" (fresh) and flavorful with the citrus sauce which complemented the chicken while still allowing the flavor of the meat to come through. I was impressed that it was a whole chicken cut up into pieces bones in. We also got a green salad for a healthful element. Simple and served its purpose. All in all pretty good but I would have had a better dining experience if the AC worked better. A bit difficult since the doors are open and it was a hot day. A number of couples sat outside on the lanai which could be cute and romantic in cooler weather and later in the evening. If I return I want to try the poi noodles.

    Nancy L.

    The food here was decent -- if I were rating based on that alone, it might've been a 3 out of 5. Unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired. When we were asked about drinks, we opted for water for the whole family since we had elders and kids with us, and it was very hot seating outside. In response, the two Asian women serving us exchanged glances and rolled their eyes -- completely unnecessary and unprofessional. When we asked for recommendations, one of them dismissively replied, "I don't know what you like, so..." which felt rude and unhelpful. Thankfully, we later had a much better experience with a different server -- the one with the beautiful flower tattoos (a fellow Jersey girl!) -- who was friendly, attentive, and made the rest of our visit more pleasant. I left a 25% tip just because of her. Still, the initial treatment soured the experience enough that I wouldn't return or recommend this place to others.

    Menu - more specials
    Simon K.

    Hawaiian Japanese fusion! What a splendid change from all the touristy restaurants in Honolulu. Our server Lisia was so friendly and helpful with many great suggestions from the huge menu that was also reasonably priced. The red mochiko chicken nanban was great and reminded me of a quality General Tso Chicken. If you like Orange Chicken then try this, it has a more refined flavor profile. We yearned for some rice to go with it so Lisia suggested we try their special Waianae Shaka Moa Egg Over Rice. First let me tell you that they pride themselves on using island eggs, apparently safer to consume raw than than mainland eggs. The dish is a mix it yourself bowl of rice with a side of raw egg and white soy sauce. We were a bit scared and only used the yolk, but overall it was wonderful. The tan-tan poi pasta tsukemen with island egg (soft poached) was awesome with homemade noodles, and mix it yourself soup broth of white sesame flavor and ground pork. Next time I'd like to try their Pasta Carbonara with Kalua pork soup broth. The original jumbo garlic shrimp came in a hot skillet with garlic butter. However we didn't like that we had to peel the shrimp. Also it was a rather muted flavor profile. Perhaps they should have added a splash of white wine while cooking. Anyway it's tough to beat the garlic shrimp that you can find all over the island. I wouldn't get this dish again. The Poke Nachos were wonderful and came with homemade wonton crisps as the chips. It was served in a large bowl with that island egg again. They told us to break the egg and toss the nachos around. It was great! I love it that they have Honolulu Brewery beers. The Coco Weizen beer was awesome! Unfortunately they don't have Sauvignon Blanc wine. Be sure to arrive between 5pm to 6:30pm to do Happy Hour! Overall adorable ambience on the 3rd floor of a small building. Like a residential premises. It feels like somebody has warmly invited you into their home.

    Poi noodle tsukemen
    Joe W.

    This hidden Gem is located on the third floor, with two cozy balconies or an inside Izakaya bar feel inside. They have friendly staff, like you would expect from a neighborhood bar, but you really go here for the food and drinks Genius Lounge is where Japanese-Hawaiian fusion comes together. You're getting crispy mochiko chicken, Kalua pork nachos, garlic shrimp, and drinks that hit just right -- all in a chill third-floor hideaway perfect for date night or drinks with the crew.

    Sangria
    Krysta W.

    Cute upstairs place with an awesome atmosphere. Very friendly people and food was really fantastic. Must get the Caesar salad. A little too much onions on the sushi roll but still very good

    Lovina A.

    I don't know why there's not more hype on this place! This restaurant is located on the 3rd floor and is pretty hidden, but they serve amazing food and drinks! Service was also really good and fast and they helped give us suggestions on what to order. We ordered a bunch of food and they were all delicious, but the poi noodles with poke was the highlight of our meal. It was so unique and different, but it was also really tasty. I ended up finishing up the whole meal to myself!! The steak were really juicy and tasty too. They also had a salmon and tuna carpaccio with tofu suace and that was amazing too! There's so many drink options so be ready to have a good time! Definitely check them out when you're in Waikiki!

    Sushi with Ahi
    Ben C.

    This restaurant is amazing. Every dish is absolutely amazing! The nigiri, sushi, short rib, gyozo, and more! Definitely tru this out if visiting or if you are a local!

    Dinning area
    Leah H.

    We can to genius lounge back in December, I have been debating to review it as I was waiting for so long to go. I had heard about it and seen it on social media. Maybe we just hit an off night. IDK but I was thinking it would be so much more. Good but nothing amazing. Food was ok, ambience felt a little dingy, maybe due to sitting right next to kitchen Window, and entrance door. Service was great. They were fast and kind.

    Ahi & Salmon Carpaccio
    Michelle S.

    Cocktails were smooth -- perhaps a little too smooth, I could've gone stronger. Ahi and salmon carpaccio came through savory and filling, but I liked the ahi a bit more (sorreh salmon). The beef tongue? Rich, juicy, and living rent-free in my head. Perfect portion, perfect sauce -- took me straight back to Japan. Service was amazing, balcony seating was perfect for people-watching, and the whole vibe reminded me of sipping coffee at a tiny café in Vietnam.

    Brenda J.

    yum! Strong drinks and good food! Our waiter was very attentive and made sure we where well taken care of.

    100% loco moco
    Yong C.

    My family and I decided to have dinner at Genius lounge as it was always coming up on tik tok for us. The food was average and basic. The staff was very friendly and attentive of our table. We were lucky to make it in time for their happy hour before it ended at 6:30 pm . I wouldn't pick this place as my first choice to go to for dinner but I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a nearby happy hour spot!

    Poke nachos

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    Fantastic flavors and interesting mix of Japanese and Americans tastes. Quick service and decent prices.

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    Page 1 of 17

    Genius Lounge Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Genius Lounge

    Is happy hour every day?

    Yes it is. Mahalo

    Where's the best place to park?

    We walked there, but there is a hotel with a garage across the street. I'd avoid driving unless coming for a great distance. Downtown Waikiki parking is miserable.

    What're your current hours? I swung by at 10pm on a Thursday to a closed Genius Lounge :(

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    Helena's Hawaiian Food

    Helena's Hawaiian Food

    4.4(4.5k reviews)
    4.2 miKalihi
    $$

    As part of our recent vacation to Hawai'i, we stopped by Helena's Hawaiian Food to get a taste of…read moretraditional, authentic Hawaiian cuisine. Parking was scarce, but we managed to find a spot nearby in the neighborhood. It was a Saturday around lunchtime, and we were able to be seated immediately. We didn't really know what we were doing with the menu, so our server ordered whatever she thought we would like. She did a great job. We got the Pipikaula short ribs, kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, poi, mac salad, and fried butterfish collar.  Everything was so good! My favorite two items were the short ribs and the butterfish collar. The short ribs were so meaty with a nice firm texture and had a yummy sweet marinade. The fried butterfish collar was crispy and dripping with buttery goodness.  Trying poi for the first time was such an interesting experience as well. I had always wondered what it tasted like. I had always thought it was going to be like a sweet taro paste dessert, but it's actually more like a starch and serves the same role as rice! Its neutral flavor allows you to pair it with your proteins. It adds a bit of texture and helps you feel full. I was really grateful for finally getting to try it and loved learning something new! I had a great time at Helena's. The food was delicious, and I got to learn more about traditional Hawaiian cuisine. I totally recommend it. Great vibes.

    Best place for authentic Hawaiian food for sure. Great service, even if they get tired of repeating…read morethemselves and could write it out, I really appreciate them explaining to newcomers every time what to eat and how to eat it to get that authentic experience. We went with what's recommended for first timers - laulau pork, you eat the leaves everything and it's filling and delicious - short ribs, some might say it's overcooked but I think it's just a different way of cooking and eating it, the pieces were thick and high quality, comes with 4 - Loki salmon, it's cured and this reminds me of ceviche or pico de gallo and salmon, it was flavorful, juicy and refreshing - comes with onions and salt to add to the complexity of the flavors - we ate it with poi, which they use as the starch to replace the rice. It's made of taro, I say give it a try for that unique and authentic experience - coconut jelly was yummy They accept cash and card Limited parking in the front, come in right before 5:30 on a weekday to beat the crowd Small family business vibes The experience lives up to the hype!

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    New larger inside dining area

    Helena's Hawaiian Food - Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs

    Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs

    Helena's Hawaiian Food - A walk back into those days gone by.....

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    Side Street Inn - Our Poke Combo (Fresh Ahi Poke & Spicy Kajiki Poke) paired with Side Street's Rogue Beer!

    Side Street Inn

    4.1(2.5k reviews)
    1.0 miKaimuki
    $$

    OMG! This was a dining experience! So, the restaurant was closing so my friend said we should eat…read morethere! I didn't know that the servings were group sized!! I found so many things that looked great on the menu, to include fried gizzards, boneless Kal Bi ribs, fully loaded fried rice, Mac salad and other stuff I can't recall! So the TWO of us ordered way too much! We tried to eat as much as we could and ended up taking the rest home! Everything we ordered was delicious, so we knew we were going to eat good leftovers! The restaurant was a great place to go with a group to eat and watch sports! Our Waitress (I have to remember to get names) was a track star, she was running to and from several tables of groups to deliver food! I will go again if they reopen!

    If you're visiting Hawaii with a big group, 100% recommend taking them here…read more We initially were a party of 16, and showed up without a reservation at 6pm on a Saturday. The staff was super nice about it and was able to accommodate us, with only a small request that we be out by 8pm since there was another big party with a reservation coming in. Absolutely reasonable. They sat us right away at three large tables, which gave us plenty of space for food and didn't force us to sit super close together. Menus, waters, plates, napkins, and forks were all brought out immediately, and our waiter was quick to take our order. We started with the prix fixe menu for 8-10 guests and were going to add other items à la carte, but a handful of our group accidentally went to the other Side Street location (make sure your group is all on the same page), so what we ordered ended up being more than enough. We left stuffed and with 5 boxes of food still. Edamame was nice and steamy, and large enough to easily pop the beans out with your mouth. Wish there was a bit more salt though. The farmer's salad had everything going on from citrusy to salty to crispy. Avocado had a little bit of oxidation but the capers, dressing and potato curls provided plenty of reasons to overlook it. The fried rice came in a hefty portion, with sizable pieces of bacon and sausage. The chicken I didn't realize was boneless based on the shape of the deep fry, but it was nice to freely bite into it without worrying about hitting anything with my teeth. Probably a bit too much on fried bits but still good. Pork chops had a better meat to crisp ratio in my opinion, as well as juiciness. They even came with ketchup on the side, which I love as a pairing but don't see much of at restaurants. My favorite meat item was definitely the sizzling boneless kalbi. The presentation on the sizzling plate with a side of kimchi was spectacular, and the meat was full of flavor. We also ordered yakisoba, which wasn't part of the prix fixe. Tasted good but nothing past standard expectations. We let the waiter know we had a 30th birthday at the table, and they brought a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream with a candle, and did a decent job getting the whole room to participate in the singing. It could also be the type of crowd this place attracts, since it seemed that everyone was so friendly and approachable. Thanks to the quick and consistent service, we were out in a little over an hour with no complaints.

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    Side Street Inn - Our Chef Colin's Classics Menu feeds 3-4 guests for $105.00!

    Our Chef Colin's Classics Menu feeds 3-4 guests for $105.00!

    Side Street Inn - Oodles of Noodles! Try our Yakisoba! You can also add Kim Chee for extra flavor.

    Oodles of Noodles! Try our Yakisoba! You can also add Kim Chee for extra flavor.

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    Waiahole Poi Factory - Fresh, hand pounded poi, traditional staple of the Hawaiian people

    Waiahole Poi Factory

    4.5(1.6k reviews)
    13.9 mi
    $$

    No idea why but my wife was absolutely set on trying out Poi while we are here visiting. Everyone…read morewe asked Reccommended the Waiahole Poi Factory and I would certainly agree with them! We pulled up and were greeted by the cashier who was friendly and answered lol of our questions. We decided on a combo of Kalua Pig and Laulau along with Poi. First off, turns out that I do not care for Poi! This restaurant cooks it well and it is absolutely not their fault but what a boring food! The Pork was outstanding and the Taro Leaves on the Laulau were outstanding. We also had the Ho'io Salad which was a great addition with outstanding flavor. We finished with the dessert Sweet Lady of Waiahole which was super tasty and not to be missed. There is decent parking and several picnic tables outside. I thought the entire experience was super fun, you just may want to swap your Poi for Rice. :)

    Finally got to try this place after visiting the island so many times! My husband and I shared a…read morelunch plate with the beef stew and kalua pork, and everything was so flavorful and satisfying. We also tried their famous "Sweet Lady of Waiahole," which definitely lived up to the hype--so delicious. There's convenient parking available, plus seating if you want to stay and enjoy your meal. Really glad we stopped by!

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    Waiahole Poi Factory
    Waiahole Poi Factory - Amazing food. Ho'io salad is a must. Fresh poi is tops. You can't go wrong at Waiahole Poi Factory.

    Amazing food. Ho'io salad is a must. Fresh poi is tops. You can't go wrong at Waiahole Poi Factory.

    Waiahole Poi Factory - The Ohana at Waiahole Poi Factory with members of One Groove.

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    Guava Smoked - Smoked Butterfish Collars grilled to perfection...you can't get this anywhere else!!

    Guava Smoked

    4.5(601 reviews)
    1.0 miKaimuki
    $$

    I loved it here. Truly a hole in the wall. Parking is really tough so street parking is usually…read moregonna be the norm unless you get lucky in their tiny shared parking lot. The guava bar was delicious and flavorful and just crumbles in your mouth! Definitely one of the better guava bars I've tried. Love how crumbly it is. The salmon belly was delicious OMFG. It looks so simple and straightforward but that sht is so flavorful. It is crispy and yet soft on the inside. The salmon belly is cut into bite-sized pieces so I didn't have to worry about using a knife to cut it. I usually try salmon belly where it is usually seasoned lightly to bring out the natural flavor of the salmon, but Guava Smoked's salmon belly is just grilled in a way that makes the salmon sweet/crispy and still get traces of the salmon taste as well. It's definitely not your traditional Japanese-style way of cooking salmon belly but really just their own. I'd go back and get this again. Another thing too. I'd get this with beer. This would hit very hard with alcohol but because I don't drink I need a kombucha. The grilled salmon belly would go perfect with it. Cheers! Uncle was very helpful and kind when serving and if you dine-in he brings it to your table.

    WHY WE WENT HERE: - dinner…read more THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located on the 2nd floor of a plaza off Kapahulu Ave and Campbell Ave - entrance to the the restaurant is accessed through the parking lot off Campbell Ave patio seating available overlooking Kapahulu Ave THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - indoor seating is comprised of high chairs and tables or booth seating - order and pay at the register; help yourself to the drink fountain; seat yourself - single person restrooms THE MENU: - plate lunches - burgers & sandwiches - dessert - bowls - pupu bowls - frozen to go... WHAT WE ORDERED: - Smoked Chicken with Kahumana Greens - Spicy Smoked Pork with Kahumana Greens - Smoked Kalbi Short Ribs with Kahumana Greens - Guava Slush THE TASTE: - kahumana greens was essentially a side salad; the dressing was like a lemony/tangy ranch, pleasant surprise and good - smoked chicken was a bit dry, but almost like a teriyaki chicken - spicy smoked pork wasn't spicy, moreso peppery; this was pretty good - smoked kalbi short ribs were both tender and chewy and just a LOT of meat in general CUSTOMER SERVICE: - we came for dinner but this is definitely more of a lunch place

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    Guava Smoked
    Guava Smoked - Smoked Pork Smoked Loco Moco

    Smoked Pork Smoked Loco Moco

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    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

    3.9(294 reviews)
    0.9 miKaimuki
    $$

    3.5 stars We wanted…read moreto try authentic Hawaiian food and came across this spot. The owner was very friendly and took the time to recommend dishes for us, including the laulau and lechon kawali. We also ordered the BBQ short ribs. Overall, it was a good experience trying Hawaiian food, but it's just not really our type of cuisine. The laulau was quite dry, and the preparation felt more like meat that had been boiled or cooked in liquid, which isn't something I usually enjoy. The lechon kawali had a crispy pork belly texture, topped with something similar to a salsa, but it didn't suit our taste either. Unfortunately, the cabbage served with it also had some black spots, which was off-putting. The BBQ short ribs were the highlight of the meal and the dish we enjoyed the most. We appreciate the experience and the hospitality, but the flavors just didn't quite match our personal preferences.

    1. The hours posted on Yelp was incorrect. They open from 12:00 pm…read more A group of us ordered food the night before for pickup at 12:30pm, on Thursday. Then someone wanted to change from rice to poi. I tried many times and no one answered. Their voice mailbox was full. We e ended going there to make the change. He gentleman looked like he was working be himself. We bads to wait almost a half hour for him to finish the order. 2. Price - the prices were higher than expected. All the plates were $26.00 and up. 3. Food - The poi was very tasty and fresh, although a bit watery. The lau lau had a lot of lean pork filling, not a lot of leaves. The long rice didn't have much chicken and was a bit watery too. We enjoyed the sweet potato. There was also lomi salmon, haupia onion and chili pepper water. 4. As mentioned before there isn't much parking. The restaurant wasn't busy when we got there. Overall the food and service was OK. The price was a bit high.

    Photos
    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Menu

    Menu

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Short Ribs Plate

    Short Ribs Plate

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods - Menu

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    Genius Lounge - japanese - Updated May 2026

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