Great service and high quality food. Hamachi was amazing and the butter mochi bunnies were cute and…read moredelicious! Would highly recommend

If you live on this island and haven't eaten here yet, you are missing out. And if you are visiting…read moreOʻahu, skip the tourist traps in Waikīkī and drive 10 minutes to this incredible local gem. Trust me, just go! Everything about our experience was exceptional. From the warmest hospitality to the best food we had in Honolulu, XO completely exceeded our expectations. We only wish we had a restaurant like this back home in Chicago. Every dish was memorable. The Hamachi Crudo was the best we had on the island, fresh, vibrant, and perfectly citrusy balanced. The fried chicken absolutely lived up to the hype and then some. My personal favorite was the perfectly seared scallop with crusted shrimp, an unforgettable combination. My husband and I also decided to add the salmon, and we were so glad we did. Every bite was plump, fresh, and beautifully blackened. What truly blew us away was the value. We've been fortunate enough to dine at Alinea and EL Ideas in Chicago, and XO reminded us of what those restaurants might have inspired at a fraction of the price. The level of creativity, execution, and care that goes into every plate is extraordinary, yet the experience is incredibly approachable. We left completely satisfied, already talking about when we could come back. One bonus, if it's your thing! It's currently BYOB while awaiting their liquor license renewal in August, so if you enjoy pairing your own wine or drinks with dinner, take advantage of it while you can. And do not even think about skipping dessert. The Brown Butter Bunny Mochi was the single best sweet bite of our entire trip, even edging out the delicious malasadas we raved about all week. Whether you take an Uber, rent a car, or make the short drive from Waikīkī, it's worth every minute. This is the kind of place locals should be proud of and visitors will never forget. If you want to eat like a local while treating yourself to one of the best meals on the island, XO is the place. Just go!

Went here for my birthday dinner. Thoroughly surprised at how good the food was and the service…read more Beautiful, modern interior and the atmosphere was chic. The menu has changed to a more tapa style. We went with our two young children & they were very accommodating. We ordered a bunch of stuff but most notable was the Ensalada Salad, Croquette Cordero, Taco Raisu, Karaage Pollo, and for dessert, the Piña Borracha. We ordered some pork and steak skewers. These were ok, I would skip these next time. A little burnt. My favorite was the Ensalada Salad. The crab was sweet and the salsa opaca was so refreshing with the apple foam. Was told to smash the crisp on top and combine it with everything and that took it to another level! So good that we ordered another one. The price of this was so affordable too! The Croquette Cordero was like a mini curry ball with chimuchirri sauce. A little heavy but if you love curry, this is for you! The Taco Raisu surprised us. The taco mean was so flavorful!! Even though we were stuffed, we kept going back for more. It's like a deconstructed taco & you use the lettuce as a wrap. The Karaage Pollo came with a Cucumber Escabeche. It was so tangy and refreshing, which perfectly cuts through the rich, savory oiliness of the fried chicken. We got the Piña Borracha for dessert and that had a coconut cake, coconut lime mousse, banana lilikoi curd, and pasted pineapple on top. Amazing!! Great way to end the night. Everything was top notch. You can tell they put a lot of effort into each dish. Can't wait to go back!

I go here on occasions. I've made to brunch a couple times but typically I make it to the…read moreevenings. The restaurant hours are relatively calm, but switches gears when it becomes a nightclub. Restaurant-wise, I believe the menu had a recent change-up to further explore fusion possibilities. I've been going down the list and the dishes have been pretty good so far; I haven't made it to the taco raisu yet, but I do need me some desserts. The picarones is like a peruvian andagi, which was pretty cool. The miso cream brûlée was from the prior menu, but also a Yes. The bar is knowledgeable and innovative their mixology- I've had the shizuku garden and that was amazing.

4.5 stars rounding to 5 for the incredibly attentive service and wonderful dining experience…read moreespecially catered to kids -- they brought 2 kids small quesadillas to the table immediately when we sat down. And had lots of kids crayons, coloring pages and options Food here was fresh and tasty, loved the grilled salmon and seared tuna --- especially that they could accommodate dietary restrictions of not spicy, no dairy and no tree nuts. I have GERD, so the tuna was fresh and well cooked, with none of the spice it normally comes with. A bit pricey, but solid find for the Waikiki area!

Went for happy hour - got the sushi roll, dumplings and the ribs…read more The ribs and sushi roll were covered in a sauce that was absurdly salty. Inedible salty. The dumplings were fine but not special. I mentioned it to the waiter - that the chef should really taste the sauces - but he didn't say anything, didn't seem to care and didn't offer to do anything for us like get us something else. So we paid and left - leaving most of the food still on the table. Very disappointing experience. Went to monkey pod - across the street - for their happy hour and had a totally different experience. The food was excellent and the waiter much friendlier. Avoid Roy's...

Absolutely amazing service, food, and ambience. We ordered drinks, the appetizer platter, filet…read morewith orzo (best orzo I've ever had- it was like Mac and cheese with bacon), and the pineapple upside down cake. We came here to celebrate our anniversary and they made us feel special in every way- from congratulating us when we walked in, when we were greeted by our server, complimentary chocolate cake dessert, and the manager when we left. There was also live music. Will definitely return when we come back to Waikīkī.

Has its own gluten free and dairy free menu, all though there separate! and food is bomb! i have a…read moregluten and dairy allergy and everything went well!

Took our friend here for her birthday and what a hidden gem this place was. Tucked away in the…read moreheart of Kaimuki, Carte Blanche was definitely a delightful surprise! When our party first walked in, we were a tiny bit skeptical because of the empty room (which was beautifully decorated). However as each course came out, we were blown away and didn't know how the restaurant was not way busier for a Saturday night! Each dish/course was well thought out and prepared to perfection. We were all taken by surprise in a great way. The head chef Anthony was very passionate and excited about his work and that was very refreshing! Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back!

If you're looking for Kaimuki's most romantic date night spot, look no further than Carte Blanche…read more We recently experienced their summer prix fixe menu (which changes twice a year), and it was one of those meals you remember long after the plates are cleared. The progression of dishes felt thoughtful and creative-- * Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin (the perfect starter crunch) * Soupe de Poisson (deep, comforting flavors) * Pina Colada Granita (a refreshing palate cleanser) * Pan Seared Scallops (my personal favorite--perfectly caramelized and tender) * Double Cut Rack of Lamb (succulent and cooked to perfection) * Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart (a sweet, bright finish) Every plate was elegant, well-executed, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere strikes a balance between sophisticated and welcoming. Dim lighting, intimate tables, and quiet elegance make you feel like you've stepped into a hidden gem in the middle of Kaimuki. Honestly, I felt like a celebrity dining here. Service was polished but never pretentious--our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the courses, and kept the pacing of the meal just right. For the level of creativity and execution, Carte Blanche feels like an affordable luxury in Honolulu's dining scene. Perfect for anniversaries, date nights, or anytime you want an elevated experience without flying to the mainland. Highly recommend booking a reservation--you'll want to savor every moment here.

Beautiful food, prix fixe menu that delivers texture, creativity and luscious flavor…read more Unexpected gem in a cute Honolulu neighborhood.

Been to Miro twice. I'm moving off island and it's the only place I want to visit again before I…read moreleave. The service was flawless, the food was the best i've ever had, and the drinks were stellar. Restaurant ambience is a little weird. I prefer the bar to the tables. But who cares - everything else is incredible. I'm booked in for this Wednesday and I can't explain how excited I am.

Morimoto Asia Waikiki was the perfect way to end my Hawaii trip, and it absolutely delivered. I…read moremade a reservation for a tuesday at 5:30 PM, and it wasn't busy at all -- which made for a relaxed, enjoyable experience and easy conversation. I was seated on the lanai with a beautiful ocean view and had the privilege of watching the sunset while dining, which truly elevated the entire evening. Sky and Ke-Von took exceptional care of me -- both were incredibly friendly, attentive, and thoughtful. My sparkling water was constantly refilled, service was prompt, and I never once felt rushed or overlooked. Dining solo felt completely comfortable and not awkward at all, which I really appreciated. I started with the lilikoi mocktail with tequila added, which was refreshing and well balanced. The hamachi tacos featured extremely fresh fish -- clean, high quality, and delicious, though I felt it could have used a bit more "oomph," but still very enjoyable. The sticky ribs, however, were absolutely phenomenal. Perfectly seasoned, unbelievably moist, and falling off the bone -- I was genuinely blown away and in disbelief at how good they were. Easily one of the standout dishes of the night. I ordered the hot and sour soup as a palate cleanser and to help with digestion, and it was excellent -- flavorful with a satisfying burn. The highlight of the entire meal was the A5 Ishiyaki Wagyu (3 oz). You're served 4-5 pieces; the first slice is cooked for you, and you cook the rest yourself (about 15-30 seconds). It's accompanied by chimichurri, sea salt, sweet ginger soy, and ponzu, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Mine was A5 Miyazaki, Japan (Quality Grade 5) -- the real deal. I truly thought I'd had great Wagyu before, but this completely blew me out of the water. The richness, texture, and flavor were unreal, and it paired beautifully with the sweet ginger soy. Absolutely worth the splurge. For dessert, I ordered the malasadas (5 pcs) served with bananas foster and whipped cream. They were unbelievably light, fluffy, and served fresh -- perfectly sweet without being overly sugary or bitter. An absolutely delightful dessert and a flawless way to end the meal. Overall, this was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Beautiful ambiance, excellent service, world-class food, and a stunning lanai sunset view. I highly recommend making a reservation, as I hear it books up quickly. If you go, don't miss the sticky ribs, malasadas, and Wagyu. I was looking to end my Hawaii trip with a bang, and Morimoto Asia Waikiki exceeded every expectation. I'll definitely be back soon.

My bad review is entirely based on how terrible the food was. For context, we ordered Tonkatsu…read moreramen and Tsukemen dipping ramen. Ramen, according to the server, was the most popular thing on the menu, so how likely could it get messed up? Tonkatsu: Rich, but lacked any salt or had very little. We requested some salt and that instantly made the ramen better. The noodles had enough salt to carry it, but the broth was not great. It tasted like the broth was watered down or reconstituted, however no seasoning was added to re-adjust the broth. Broth: Had little salt and lacked punch, umami, and was brown instead of white. Noodles: Had enough salt to taste good, but was slightly overcooked Pork: Extremely bland. Tasted like zero salt was added during cooking. Toppings: Greatly lacking in toppings Tsukemen: The Tsukemen had a lot of the same issues. Now being a dipping ramen, the broth should be even richer and more flavorful than any normal ramen. Tsukemen -- no matter where you have it in Japan, should be richer and saltier than most broths, but the broth here was severely lacking. For $26 a bowl this was worse than your DIY frozen ramen packs. Now I'm not asking for Japan-level of ramen mastery here, this is after all, just a tourist spot -- but if your Tonkatsu is the best selling item, you have to step it up. Our server did mention that some people complained about the amount of salt in ramen, so they adjusted it. But dare I say, instead of diluting the normal salt/seasoning amount for everyone, couldn't you just add a separate, flavor-light version for people inexperienced with ramen, instead of diluting the original for everyone else? If you're reading this Mr. Morimoto, I would highly encourage you to fly here and order the ramen. I think you and I would share the same opinions. P.S. I've also been to your other Morimoto spots and it was not this bad.

So glad we ate here! Looks like there are lots of hip options in Chinatown, and we would have…read morewalked around and tried even more if we had had more time. We had a 4 hour layover in Honolulu and it was a quick 15 minute Lyft ride here to Lucky Belly. We were the only party here right at 5:30 pm. Loved the art and clean simple elegance of the exposed brick wall and wood tables. We were greeted and served by a very friendly host. We had the duck tacos, plus the special dim sum appetizer combo of pork belly bao, lobster dumplings and oxtail dumplings. We could not pick a favorite. The variety of textures was fantastic and each of the meat fillings were perfectly seasoned and tender, delicious! Each had a different sauce- just enough, not too much. Nothing was spicy but there was chili oil on the table if you wanted to add more heat. We got 2 nonalcoholic spritzers, one lilikoi and one hibiscus, which were each refreshing and complimented the meal. Since the service was so efficient, after eating, we still had time to zip over to Magic Island to stroll around, take in the scene and enjoy the sunset before heading back to the airport. Our last evening in Hawaii was really special thanks to this delightful restaurant!

Service is always top notch with helpful and friendly people always on hand. The ambiance is pretty…read morenice, with paneled walls and nice spacious seating. The A/C was blowing on our table intermittently, but it was okay because the heat from the sun through the glass front windows at 5:30 PM was intense. I think the shades could be drawn down a bit more. The bi bim bap bowl was very substantial and the meat was nicely flavored, albeit a bit on the spicy side. Chicken and beet salads were also cool and refreshing, with the layered goat cheese and beet terrines being a nice touch. Karaage chicken on the salads was also nicely cooked and moist. The wafu stake was tasty and tender and with a side of rice it made a complete meal (well, no veggies, but...). Parking is available nearby at the lot on the corner of Smith and Pauahi or the underground lot with an entrance on Beretania near Nu'uanu.