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    Kapa Hale

    4.3 (657 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Kapa Hale Photos

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    KAPA HALE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Kapa Hale

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    6/2026 menu
    Liane U.

    We've been wanting to check out Kapa Hale for a while now and they have really good reviews, but unfortunately we weren't sarisfied with the dishes. When we first walked in no one was to be seen in the kitchen or at the host stand, we thought it was closed but then saw a couple sitting in the dining room to the left. Took a few minutes to be greeted and seated. We ordered what the waitress suggested. Appetizer - $8 for 2 pieces of corn bread, corny bread , one came out overly grills so tasted burnt and pretty much overpowered any flavors of the butter/ honey. And the larger piece was the burnt one. Entrees- Keakas Fried chicken , comes with rice and very little pickles, $20. The chicken had a good crisp to it and was nice and juicy but the sauce was disappointing. Sauce on the menu says soy, honey, garlic. The soy sauce tasted really dark, didn't taste any garlic or honey and pretty much ruined the taste of the dish. KH burger- $20 burger was odd shaped and bigger than the bun, which was impressive at first but it was ordered medium and when cut open it was more like a rare to medium rare. Very red inside and due to the size of it seemed even more rare. It would also look way better with green or butter lettuce. Maybe it was just an off day or we ordered the wrong items...

    Desserts
    Dee T.

    One of our favorites for their Happy Hour! We love that the chef comes to your table to check on you . . The menu items are fun and the happy hour choices are so Ono!!! Our favorite is the KH Burger and KFC . . Everyone there is so nice!

    Okonomiyaki and Chicken & Waffles.
    Jackie K.

    Kapa Hale is an award winning restaurant nestled in the Kahala neighborhood of Honolulu, HI. Chef-owner Keaka Lee has an extensive culinary experience. To name a few: 3660 on the Rise, Alan Wong's Restaurant, and Gramercy Tavern (New York). Today, he and his wife, Heather Smith Lee are the backbones of KH. The menu options are in constant updates. Today, we settled on three KH favorites. The Okonomiyaki Omelette, Da Weekender Burger and KFC Chicken and Waffle. Our awesome server Ethan explained each dish and what dishes were the most popular. Chef Lee was so kind to visit our table to check on us! Really great personality and he even took a picture with us! Now onto the dishes: The Okonomiyaki (Japanese translation is "grilled to your liking") omelette was filled with tasty and chewy noodles, cheddar cheese, lomi lomi ( Hawaiian word meaning "to knead or rub") tomatoes, shredded cabbage, aioli and bonito flakes (paper-thin shavings of dried, fermented, and smoked skipjack tuna ). This dish is savory and sweet, filled with chewy noodles. 4/5 stars. Da Weekender Burger is a local grass fed beef patty, teriyaki glaze, cheddar omelette, bacon, tomato, garlic aioli and chips combo! Local teriyaki flavor with unique cheddar omelette is a a foodie's delight. You will not leave hungry. 5/5 stars The KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) and Waffle is a bestseller here at Kapa Hale. Crispy on the outside and moist tender meat on the inside. Waffles were delicious. This combination of savory and sweet will fill your happy tummy. No wonder it's a favorite here. 5/5 stars Bathrooms are available inside the restaurant. Handicap toilet is also available here. A small free parking lot with handicap parking is also available at Kahala Korner. I used a credit card and I did not observe any cc surcharges or kitchen fees. I provided cash for the tip. Thank you Ethan! Five star service here. Update: I visited here again on 04/12/26 with my daughter who was visiting us from California. We ordered the pancake of the month (Haupia/coconut sauce, toasted coconut flakes and whipped butter ). 4/5 stars. Although this item may look super sweet and decadent, the Haupia/coconut sauce was not overwhelmingly sweet! The toasted coconut flakes gave the pancakes a nice layer of crunchy texture. Pancakes are fluffy and soft. 4.5 stars. Arancini-3 pieces of fried risotto balls, Mozzarella, Basil, Parmesan cheese and spicy tomato. 3/5 stars. Not my favorite. Somewhat bland and I did not care for the texture and taste. Other family members enjoyed this dish. Green Eggs & Ham. Kole's Farm Green Garlic Verde, Soft scrambled eggs, Grilled pork belly & white rice. This was delicious! A five star dish. Pork belly was cooked to perfection. Crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. Not over seasoned and although the eggs looked runny and unusual, it was eggcellent! Can I give extra stars?! Enjoyed strong coffee and unsweetened Plantation Iced tea with our meals. Coffee is refilled. We lucked out with a repeat 5 star service from Ethan! Thanks again!

    V is for Vegetable Trio: Gazpacho, Falafel, Croquette
    Crystal R.

    I heard great things about Kapa Hale from my friend, so the boyfriend and I decided to give it a try. The experience had some high points, but the food was a hit-or-miss for me. FOOD: I ordered the Spring Tasting Menu curated by chef. The first course, "V is for Vegetable Trio" consisted of gazpacho (a bit tart but somewhat expected from the mango, though I couldn't detect jalapeno), falafel made from edamame (crispy on the outside and moist/dense on the inside but the tzatziki lean more tart than what I personally enjoy), and croquette (nice and crispy, which ended the course on a high note). The second course was "Alfredo Pasta La Vista, Baby". After a few bites, the dish was a little too salty for my taste. I was hoping the mushrooms, broccolini, and pasta would help balance things out, but the saltiness remained dominant flavor throughout. Even the recommended wine pairing didn't seem to complement the dish. The third course (dessert), "Let's Get Nutz" was probably my favorite as it had a great balance of sweetness and texture. My boyfriend ordered "Naan Ya Business" for his appetizer and enjoyed it. Though the naan was thinner than what I'm used to, the tikka masala was bold, colorful, and packed with flavor. The entree he selected was "You Chick'n Me Out." The chicken itself could have benefitted from a few more minutes of roasting. As for the calamansi malunggay salsa verde, it didn't quite work out for either of us. Having grown up with both calamansi and malunggay, I'm familiar with their flavors, but the interpretation felt a bit overly tart and didn't quite hit the mark. SERVICE: Service was excellent. Our server was attentive, friendly, and helpful in guiding us through the menu since it was our first visit. They checked in regularly and geniuinely seemed to care about our experience. When I informed the server that I wasn't thrilled about my entree, he offered a complimentary dessert, which I didn't expect and was a thoughtful gesture. One of the owners stopped by our table to discuss our feedback. I appreciated and respected that they took the time to engage with us directly. AMBIANCE: Kapa Hale does a nice job in creating a cozy setting. The lighting is dim enough for a date night while still feeling welcoming for small family gatherings. I also enjoyed the open kitchen concept and watching the team work behind the scenes. PARKING: It's a small lot shared with other neighboring businesses. One small tip: avoid parking under the trees unless you don't mind unexpected surprises from the birds. Overall, I can see the creativity and ambition behind the menu and the staff clearly cares about the guest experience. While a few dishes missed the mark for me personally, there are enough positives that I'd be open to give this place another try in the future.

    Kapa-Kahi Salad
    Connie S.

    Kapa Hale is located down the road from Kahala Mall, but fair warning: the entrance to the parking lot is very easy to miss if you're not paying attention. Learn from my mistake! If you turn the corner on Pahoa Avenue like most people do and head into the lot, you're actually going the wrong way. Parking is also limited and shared with other businesses, so please plan accordingly. I made reservations for 12:00 pm and was seated right away. My friend and I chose to sit outside since the weather wasn't too hot, which ended up being a great choice. And better yet, we had the area all to ourselves! We were served water promptly and took our time looking over the brunch menu. Honestly, everything sounded so good that we couldn't decide, so we asked our server for recommendations. We were told the pancake of the day (blueberry), chicken & waffles, and the Kapa-Kahi salad were popular choices especially the salad if we wanted something lighter. We ended up sharing the pancakes and the salad, and wow the salad completely stole the show. It was absolutely delicious, made with fresh (and crunchy!) local greens, pickled turnips, roasted beets, and tossed in a cider vinaigrette. Every bite was so good that I honestly wished I had ordered my own plate. The pancakes were just okay in comparison. They were nice and fluffy, topped with blueberries, crumble, whipped butter, and maple syrup, but if I had to choose, I'd pick the salad every time. This was my fourth time eating here, and service and food wait times have always been on point. Would I come back and support this company? Absolutely!

    Josh O.

    2024, 2025 Open Table Diners' Choice for a reason Parking: small lot in front, can opt for street parking or nearby kahala mall if full Service: table service. Chef-Owner Keaka Lee made rounds to each table which really elevated and personalized the experience Ambiance: family dinners, date night, dinner with friends Food: all are excellent. would recommend the Where's Da Beef pasta and their signature Lei Po'o salad

    Julie U.

    Met my girlfriend here for lunch. She always recommends places to go I haven't tried before and when I read the reviews, it looked interesting. Surprising I haven't seen it before since its near Kahala Mall but its a few streets back from the mall, on the same street as the Kahala Post Office. There is parking in front of the restaurant. We shared three dishes. We thought we might order more dishes later or have dessert but we had more than enough to eat and some to take home too! Appetizer was Naan Ya Business, fresh garlic nann and tikka masala curry. The naan bread was crispy, almost like a cracker and both the naan and the curry were delicious. We also had the Kapa-Kahi salad, a colorful mix of local greens, with pickled turnips, and roasted beets, and a side of garlic shrimp. The salad was refreshing. The shrimp was tasty but a little messy since it had the shell on. After reading other reviews jI wanted to try KFC Keaka's Fried Chicken with soy honey garlic and rice. The chicken was kind of like karaage chicken but the sauce was a bit salty for my taste. Our waitress was friendly and gave us good service. I liked the ambiance, the place had a cozy feel to it. The menu had lots of interesting dishes I want to try when I come back.

    Take
    Kelly S.

    Got some HH and drinks on a Monday night. Made reservations, but it wasn't that busy so I think we could've done without. We had: 1) garlic noodles - 3/5. Good flavor, but too salty! 2) grilled tako - 4/5. Tender and I liked the pico degallo take on it. 3) poke - 3/5. Still trying to decide if I liked the curry base. I'm gonna go with not. 4) fried chicken - 4/5. Probably the best dish of the night. Crunchy, but not dry. 5) haku lei po'o - 4/5. salad looked like a lei, thus the name of this dish, and it was both pretty and good to eat. 6) sunchoke - 3/5. Interesting and decent flavor, but I wouldn't get it again. 7) fried cauliflower - 3/5. I'd rather that it was battered and fried. Wasn't crunchy, just greasy. Overall, a 3.5 experience, but our server Malia was a delight so I rounded up.

    Haupia sorbet was yummy!
    Carrie G.

    I went here for a work lunch a while back and again for 2025 Restaurant Week. I was surprised to find out they only serve brunch menu for Restaurant Week on the weekends. But they also serve the regular lunch menu if you don't do the restaurant week special. This wasn't clear online and for the record, I HATE brunch. I know it goes against my demographics but why would I overpay for some gussied up eggs when my hubby makes them better at home? But anyways... The food was really good so I'm glad we went. The hostess/ server has a weird vibe. Kind of stand-offish and definitely not welcoming but she made a good mango mezcal margarita. I got the restaurant week menu and LOVED the pumpkin muffin with guava butter and the cranberry scone. Their corn bread is greasy but it must be popular because it's on the regular menu. I also had it during my working lunch and it triggered heartburn. Their brunch burger was delicious. The gravy was a game changer. I don't like eggs on my burger but the rest of the components were great so it worked flavor-wise. It's definitely a fork and knife burger. The salad and chicken were mediocre at best for a $20 salad. The dressing had too much vinegar and the portion size was skimpy. The haupia sorbet with crunchy toasted coconut shavings was delicious. I loved their naan and curry and the cauliflower the other time I went there. The avocado toast was mid. Overall this is a great local eatery with some hits and misses but their menu is definitely interesting!

    Claire H.

    This is our first time trying the Noodle Bar event and it was delicious!! We started with the Brussel Sprouts with pickled cranberries and it was so ono!! Who knew Brussel sprouts could be this good!?!? For our lunch my son and I had the Duck Ramen and it was delicious! The broth was so tasty with the fresh ginger scallions that really stood out and added so much flavor and depth to whole dish! Definitely a good choice! We also tried the Pork Bulgogi Tagliatelle which was so yummy and did not disappoint. The table next to us had the Oxtail Pho (my second choice) and it looked really really good so I will have to try that next time. As always service was good, pleasant and everything ordered was delicious! I can't wait for the next Noodle Bar Event.

    Haku Lei Po'o
    Janette F.

    To celebrate my departed mother's 102nd birthday, my sister and I, with a friend, decided in Kapa Hale because of its vegan options for me but because my mother liked Kahala. Looking at the menu, though, I was a bit disappointed that many of the dishes I could not eat due to my allergies. The server came and got our drinks order. Once we got our drinks, she asked if anyone had any allergies. I raised my hand and proceeded to list what I could not ingest. I was looking at the beautiful salad which looked like a haku lei and asked about it and she said it included a lot of the things I was allergic to but would speak to the chef. She came back and, to my surprise, said the chef will make it work. So my sister and I decided to split it, she also ordered a smoked ahi dip, and my friend ordered the seafood risotto. The presentations were awesome which made every thing taste that much better. We finished it off with haupia ice cream which was actually very good because it wad not too sweet. All in all this was a success. Highly recommend giving this place a try.

    Kapa Hale kitchen

    First-time experience dining at Kapa Hale for lunch on Wednesday. PARKING: One-way parking entrance from Kilauea Ave., and took only parking spot available at Kahala Korner's lot when our party of 2 arrived for 11 am reservation. Guess others find parking at nearby Post Office or McDonald's? STAFFING/SERVICE: Observed 2 chefs in open kitchen, 2 servers who also worked bar. With only 3 other couples seated at tables, we were immediately seated and provided menus. Server did not volunteer information, but answered our questions about fresh catch of day and recommendations. Then as more diners were seated, service was spotty. Noticed other tables received appetizers, then main dishes. We waited and waited, then our appetizer and main dishes arrived at same time. Server never checked in; instead, I had to get up and find server to ask for water refill. Then we informed server that we needed to leave by 1 pm, so we ordered Da Kahala Shuffle dessert. Server dropped off our check, which showed Lemon Dream? Again, I got up to find server to correct dessert order. NOISE: Loud music more conducive to fast food restaurants that try to rush patrons out to boost table turnover. Not for calm, relaxing dining experience. FOOD: Attractive plating worthy of Instagram but taste did not measure up. Naan Ya Business ($12, extra charge for more naan) - torn pieces of thin garlic naan triangles (not detect any garlic flavor?), Sumida watercress namul sprinkled over tikka masala curry (very mild). Prefer naan with more fluffy, chewy texture. Great starter. Fresh Catch Marlin ($25) - overcooked to dryness, paired with bok choy for moisture. Holy Shiitake Risotto ($20) - salty, undercooked so more crunchy than chewy texture, also paired with bok choy but not enough moisture. Drank glasses of water to dilute saltiness. Da Kahala Shuffle ($13) - chocolate & Kahlua mud pie, Kona coffee syrup, Oreo crust was rich so recommend splitting this dessert. (note: Oreo cookies contain bioengineered ingredient) WOMEN'S RESTROOM: 2 stalls, functional and similar to public school or community park. OVERALL: Underwhelming experience. Be prepared to be proactive finding server to get what you need like water. Suggest Kapa Hale provide pitcher of water on table for self-service, especially for salty dishes like Holy Shiitake Risotto. Indeed site shows Kapa Hale looking to hire line cook ($18-$28/hour); perhaps dining experience will improve with increased staffing?

    Justin H.

    Kapa Hale is a must must try. Local fusion food, I must say it's the perfect and best food I've had. It's so good here , gotta make reservations, down side parking is very limited. Sometimes gotta park inside kahala mall by longs or street parking. Services are excellent, always coming by our table to see how was everything and everyone is doing. Clean restaurant. When a restaurant is clean, you know the foods are clean as well. Would definitely recommend it. We will be back for sure.

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    The food was amazing, service was excellent and the food was very creative and everything tasted sooo goood! Loved it all!

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    Kapa Hale Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kapa Hale

    Is there any Outdoor seating available?

    Aloha! We have a small lanai that allows for outdoor seating. Please call our team, 808-888-2060, if you have any questions.… 

    Attire for lunch?

    Hi I rr9e

    Do you have live music?

    I didn't see any live music in the restaurant when i was there.

    Y'all got happy hour?

    Yes they do! Call them for the exact time!

    Is there an outside area where dogs are allowed?

    We allow dogs in our outside patio area.

    Is it $12 for plantation ice tea? If so, does it have alcohol in it?

    Aloha, Our plantation iced tea is $6 & our regular iced tea is $5.… 

    Are there any gluten free options?

    We have many gluten free options. Chef does a really great job at tailoring to any type of restrictions.… 

    Is Kapa Hale still byob (August 2021)?

    Aloha Carley, We received our alcohol license in April 2021 and are building our drink menu with… 

    Is there a full bar?

    Yes, there is a full bar

    If we bring more than 1 bottle of wine do we get charged for each bottle per person? Ex. 6 people 3 bottles $180?

    Aloha Brian Yes I believe there is a corkage fee . Probably on each bottle of wine .… 

    Can we bring our own wine?

    Aloha Shawn , I believe yes you may bring your own wine . There is a… 

    No happy hour?

    Aloha! Thank you for reaching out. We currently do not have a happy hour. We are in the process of applying for our alcohol license and hope to launch a pau hana or happy… 

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    Helena's Hawaiian Food

    Helena's Hawaiian Food

    4.4
    (4.5k reviews)
    6.4 mi
    $$

    Born and raised Oahu and never stepped foot into Helena's, WHAT?!! They are serious about serving…read moreono tasting, authentic Hawaiian food. Brought BFF here for a celebration of her new job position and left with da Hawaiian paralysis AKA: wanted to get home and sleep it off it was just that GOOD! God blessed our entire time together, with a parking space, which is challenging during lunch hours. Had a hard time deciding the best way to get all my cravings fulfilled, so our helpful & friendly server recommended Menu C and add the chicken long rice ala carte, when I told her I was craving the pipikaula short ribs and kalua pig AND wanted chicken long rice. BFF ordered a laulau and the beef stew bowl and wanted rice, so I ordered Menu C with rice instead of poi. It came with 2 big ass balls of hot, sticky rice. Food came out pretty quickly, and she let me taste the laulau...mouthgasmic smoky flavor, soft pork, ah, ah, AAAHH...! Had to savor that bite with eyes closed to remember da feeling for when I need to go to my "happy place." I didn't know where to start on my lunch, everything was laid out in their own small plates and bowls. Had to cut into the ribs, and Lord have mercy, they were the perfect mix of salt, fat and just chewy enough meat! Kalua pig was smoky, savory, perfectly salted and just so good! Chicken long rice had bouncy, springy glass type noodles, coated in chickeny broth and chunks of chicken meat topped with a sprinkling of green onion, completely satisfactory! Lomi salmon tasted perfect as well, filling my mouth with that fresh cut tomato and bits of salted salmon we all love! Every table gets Hawaiian salt, onion slices and haupia coconut pudding desserts which only adds to the flavors you experience all mixing together. It was what everyone writes about, just about the best Hawaiian food made fresh and tasty! We got to pack up our leftovers, and I was secretly clapping in my head, knowing what my dinner would be! Because I requested a bag for the leftovers, my bill was recalculated as they add a small bag fee. By this time the restaurant was emptying out, so if you don't mind a later lunch, about 2:00 PM there lots of parking and practically no waiting for a table. By dinner time I was more than happy to relive my lunchtime experience, so glad we decided to celebrate my BFF at Helena's!

    I've been to plenty of local spots, and Helena's is one of those places that lives up to its…read morereputation. After hearing so many people say it's a must-try, I finally made the trip--and now I get it. We ordered the pork lau lau, fried butterfish, luau squid its like Daing filipino dish, short ribs, and macaroni salad. Every dish looks basic not something that needed color to make it look good. The pork lau lau was incredibly tender, the fried butterfish had a light, crispy coating without being greasy, and the luau squid was rich, creamy, coconut and The short ribs were packed with flavor and practically almost off the bone. Even the macaroni salad was the kind you keep going back for. The only thing I probably wouldn't order again is the lomi salmon. It wasn't bad--it just wasn't my favorite compared to everything else on the table. If you're visiting Oahu and only have time for a few local food spots, make Helena's one of them. It's the kind of place that reminds you why simple, traditional food never goes out of style. I'd honestly stop here one more time before heading to the airport if I had the chance. That's probably the best compliment I can give it. Fyi food portion are on the smaller side but trust me they will hit the spot.

    Photos
    New larger inside dining area
    New larger inside dining area
    Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs
    Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs
    Cashier counter

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    Cashier counter
    Highway Inn Kaka'ako

    Highway Inn Kaka'ako

    4.1
    (2k reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    I just finished a Yelp event nearby (she wasnt able to go) and we are starving, so we finally…read moredecided to check this place off our bookmark. Highway Inn is known for traditional Hawaiian food, but we ended up trying some of the local-style twists. The kalua pig quesadilla was really good, and the tacos were solid too. The surprise for me was the chicken from the kids menu. I ordered it anyway, and honestly, no regrets. It was juicy, flavorful, and better than a lot of regular chicken plates I've had. The Kaka'ako location is clean and modern, service was quick, and it was exactly what we needed after a long event. We would definitely come back to try more. The on-site music artist was good.

    The internet told me if I wanted authentic Hawaiian food, this was the place to go, so of course I…read morehad to try it. Since it was our last meal before leaving Hawaii and there were still a few Hawaiian dishes I hadn't gotten around to trying, this felt like the perfect spot. What I really liked is that they have a sampler plate with a bunch of classic Hawaiian dishes, and the menu actually breaks down what everything is. Clearly this is something people come here for, because it makes trying a little bit of everything way less intimidating. I split the sampler with someone, and overall I was pleasantly surprised. Some of the items didn't look the most appetizing at first glance -- one especially because of the color -- but flavor-wise, everything was actually really good. One of the dishes reminded me of a comforting chicken soup situation, the clear noodles were good, some of the other items were more savory, and it all balanced together well. The lomi salmon was one of my favorites -- kind of like a light, fresh tomato salsa or pico de gallo situation that paired really well with the pork and everything else on the plate. I didn't finish it all because I was already full, but I genuinely liked the variety and thought the flavors were rich and comforting. So if you're curious about Hawaiian food but don't know where to start, this sampler is a great move. Don't let the appearance of some of the dishes scare you off. Service was quick and everyone was nice. At first I kind of wished someone had walked us through the food a little more, but honestly, the menu already does that for you pretty clearly. Overall, I'm glad we came. It was a fun way to try the Hawaiian dishes we hadn't gotten to yet, and I'd come back to try more.

    Photos
    Highway Inn Kaka'ako
    KALUA PIG NACHOS,FRIED RICE & SOUR CREAM
    KALUA PIG NACHOS,FRIED RICE & SOUR CREAM
    Fried Rice

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    Fried Rice
    Side Street Inn

    Side Street Inn

    4.1
    (2.5k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    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!
    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.
    Popcorn Chicken & French Fries

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    Popcorn Chicken & French Fries
    Musubi Cafe Iyasume

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume

    4.5
    (5.4k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $

    If you think 5,400 reviews are lying, let this one be the reason you make sure to visit this local…read morebusiness when you're in Honolulu. It was love at first bite for me with musubi and onigiri, so when I saw a spot dedicated to this deliciousness you better believe I made a point to go there! I ran even faster when StaciLei, Yelp Hawaii's amazing Community Manager, told me it's a must and gave me her list of greatest hits and must not miss items as a guide! Now I've had a lot of these in my life, and I must say, Iyasume are easily the best. See musubi and onigiri have humble origins as a quickly made homespun snack or on the go lunch, and when you spot them in the convenience environment they're often a giant ball of rice with a tinge of protein or seasoning for flavor. At Iyasume, these are culinary adventures, stacked with ingredients, all in handheld form, and the variety they offer is IMPRESSIVE! Of course musubi starts with the classic, SPAM. I had to order the kimchi + spam, shiso + spam, and unagi + tamago + spam, all of which were awesome (even the next day!). Onigiri here are actually layered with ingredients, so you get them in every bite, unlike the convenience store versions! They have a HUGE menu, and I went with spicy mentaiko and salmon, spicy mentaiko and ikura, ikura and salmon, and tuna mayo curry, all of which were great. I LOVE that they make these to order. You can see the line in the back hard at work, and they're very fast. You're sure to encounter a line when you arrive, but don't be scared, it moves quickly. I only had to wait about 5 minutes for mine to come up! Well worth it. Reasonably priced. Very filling. A taste of Hawaii and Japan in one place that'll have everyone smiling!

    Friend recommended this spot and I'm grateful she did. There were so many fresh and interesting…read moremusubis to choose from. I bought kimchi spam, eel spam, inari spam, and a furikake rice ball. Didn't really interact with staff as they didn't offer to help while I viewed the items and I selected my items fairly quickly. I found purchasing four musubis very affortable. Finding parking was tough and expensive in the area. Not the restaurant's fault and probably drivers are not the bulk of their business.

    Photos
    Inside the shop
    Inside the shop
    Teriyaki Spam & Rice with Hawaiian drink
    Teriyaki Spam & Rice with Hawaiian drink
    Black pepper spam musubi and inari-egg spam musubi

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    Black pepper spam musubi and inari-egg spam musubi
    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

    3.9
    (294 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    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
    Menu
    Menu
    Short Ribs Plate
    Short Ribs Plate
    Menu

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    Menu

    Kapa Hale - hawaiian - Updated July 2026

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