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    Ray's Café

    4.4 (965 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Ray's Café Photos

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    RAY'S CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Ray's Café

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    Grilled pork chops and mushrooms.
    Leland N.

    Even though this place is small and there's no ac it still was a nice place to eat. I ordered the grilled pork chops with mushrooms. I'm kind of skeptical about ordering grilled pork chops because I had some bad experiences with it being too hard or too chewy like I'm eating gum. But Rays one was prefect I was really surprised the only thing was the mushrooms was a little salty but other than that everything on my plate was yummy. Definitely plan on coming back here to try other food on the menu. They had some really friendly severs one of them actually told us some stories about back in the day and how much construction workers got paid it was real interesting to hear the stories.

    Dolan T.

    Rays cafe is an old school restaurant with the best food really first time I went there , side street parking, never asked if they had bathroom not wheelchair accessible but but you can take out had so much people coming to pick up the take out food so you know they good, service great The food was amazing I going back there. Restraunt is mellow and clean with a old school style vibe if you never been there before you need to go and see what I talking about

    Massive 24oz Prime rib $29- unbeatable.
    Russel M.

    Been going to Rays for 15 years. It started with the fried chicken then fish and shrimp. Nowadays it's all about the Prime Rib. 24 oz for $29- is amazing. Don't forget Cash Only!

    Corned beef hash and eggs.
    Mikey H.

    I belong to this local food group and people raved about the prime rib here. I would've gotten it, because I saw a woman eating it for breakfast, and she couldn't finish it all. I had lunch plans later so too heavy, but it sure looked good! This is an old school, down to earth cafe, with a cozy dining room. A friendly good morning and he told me to have a seat. Lots to choose from and I decided on the corned beef hash and eggs. It came with two scoops of rice and buttered toast. This really hit the spot! The men working here are really nice! Please keep in mind, it's cash only. Parking is a challenge. It's also in an area that's locals heavy, so no ack high maka maka...LOL! But once you're in, get ready for some real local kine cookin!

    Interior of Ray's Cafe.
    Dan A.

    I think I've been to this longtime ( but it may have been too long or a false memory ) local eatery on North School Street. Ray's Cafe is known for their prime rib. So, that is what I got for takeaway. Open daily, from 600a to 500p...I went for the Prime Rib Plate at $28+ ...a decent price...no general excise tax tacked on. Thiccc ( with three c's ) slice...done medium as requested. It came with two scoops of rice, au jus ( aurite ), and a choice between greens or mac salad. If you are hungry, this meal will satisfy. Excellent signature dish. Well seasoned. Parking: street metered stalls are nearby and in front of the cafe. Old school interior...service...so old school, they only accept cash.

    Where the magic happens
    debi k.

    Ok 1st time at Ray's cafe - parking very limited so we did takeout instead! They will do phone order which is something to consider- it's cash only but at these price it's not a dealbreaker! Seating is limited to 6 tables so it's another good reason for takeout! We got the prime rib for $28.95 w/ rice - green salad and horseradish! Can't wait to get home to dig into it! The cut is generous for the 2 of us to share ! The wait for food is fast considering only Uncle and one other are taking orders and doing kitchen work. The prime rib was perfectly Med-rare loved our meal! Got to get back for the fried chicken and other specials! It was easy to find but parking is very limited but the folks are nice and the food great! So maybe uber to the restaurant and not worry about out parking! The food is worth it prices are awesome

    Hamburger Steak plate with an added bonus from owner, a piece of his delicious fried chicken.
    Emma C.

    The owner/Felix always friendly and welcoming...a very generous human...I ordered 3 Ray's Special plate consisting of home made, tasty hamburger steak and 2 pcs fried chicken, rice and mac salad & 1 hamburger steak plate, which Felix, as a bonus, added a pc of fried chicken to the plate. He didn't charge for it! I picked up a to go order and when I entered the little cafe, every seat was occupied...great local/family style ambiance!

    Stan M.

    Amazing Food at a Hidden Gem! I was in Hawaii for my birthday and came across Ray's Cafe on Yelp -- the reviews were glowing, so my wife and I decided to check it out. We grabbed an Uber from the Hilton Hawaiian Village (it's too far to walk) and headed over. The hotel front desk guy even confirmed what I'd read: Uncle Ray is known for his Prime Rib, and the rib-eye and fried chicken are also must-tries. When we arrived, it was definitely a hole-in-the-wall spot, maybe 18 seats inside, but don't let that fool you. This place is all about incredible food and hospitality. I ordered the Prime Rib ($27.75), and it was cooked to perfection -- tender, flavorful, and the crust was absolutely delicious. The cut was about 1-2 inches thick and came with two scoops of rice and a choice of mac salad or green salad (I went with the mac salad). The best part? When I finished my rice, Uncle Ray himself asked if I wanted more! Who does that anymore? He truly wants to make sure you leave full and happy. My wife went big and ordered the Rib-Eye and Lobster Tail combo ($56.75). What she got was incredible: a perfectly cooked rib-eye (medium, just as she likes it) and not one, but two large lobster tails, cooked to perfection and served with melted butter and lemon. She also had two scoops of rice and a scoop of mac salad. Everything was amazing -- the portions, the quality, the service. I was so impressed that I'm telling everyone: this is the spot. It's absolutely worth the Uber ride to get there. Next time we're in Hawaii, we'll be back for sure. Mahalo, Uncle Ray!

    Don G.

    Dine in the Local way, at Ray's Cafe! Parking is a challenge but the reward is Ray's local home cooking! Today my inner carnivore cravings had me focused on Ray's Special Prime Rib plate! This local hole in the wall cafe has a consistent menu of delicious food with portions that satisfy the biggest appetites! Ray's slow cooked Prime Rib is da meal deal of DEALS! This melt in your mouth, perfectly cooked prime rib comes with 2 scoops rice and a scoop of Mac Salad. Bonus! Slice of Custard Pie to make this epic meal complete! Nothing fancy here but plenty of old school Aloha flowing from Rays attentive servers that make you feel at home. CASH ONLY! Five Fabulous Stars for Authentic Small Local Business, Homemade Delicious Grinds, Great Value, Service with Aloha and Generous Portions!

    Mahi-mahi plate broke the mouth
    Joey S.

    Awesome whole in the wall in kalihi , Hawaii And I strongly recommend it to anyone that is on a budget friendly meal

    $29 Prime Rib - medium rare, horse radish given upon request.  Got exactly what we were craving.  Perfect.  As of Dec 2025.
    Teri C.

    Sunday lunch hunger. Husband was craving Prime Rib. Called around a couple places near Waipahu... sold out or prices are high. Drove all the way to Kalihi for Ray's Cafe... open every day and they always have prime rib. Found street parking and modest Cafe was filled with diners and lots of take-out. Lots of regulars. Ordered their prime rib and opakapaka (another diner recommended the pork chop for next time). Our meals included a small salad. Food came out timely and was delicious... everything cooked perfectly. Cravings filled and left super satisfied... headed home for a nice Sunday afternoon nap. Thanks, Uncle Felix! Your cafe continues to provide tasty food at reasonable prices... giving me the biggest bang for my buck. Check out his Facebook page for weekly menu specials and pricing.

    Prime rib, steak and shrimp, fried chix plates. Crazy goodness
    John N.

    Don't let the location or appearance of this place fool you. It's probably one of best places in Kalihi for great food. You will find the owner Mr. Ray to be one of the most humble business owners you will ever meet. The prime rib plate and the steak and shrimp 10/10. The fried chicken, better than Zippy's. Probably top 3 on this island. Very moist, huge, flavourful to the bone. Great employees as well. Support this place and give it a try. You will definitely make it ur regular eating place. Aloha

    Butterfish
    Chad K.

    The food was not to shabby very nice portions for the price. The only thing I thought needed some help was the tartar sauce to butterfish ratio maybe having a little bit more would have been great but all in all it was a good experience. Keep in mind they do only accept cash so keep the credit card in the car haha. Service was great parking is a bit tough to find In this part of town and the inside atmosphere was quite homey. Very great people mahalo to the crew here at rays cafe. Next time I'll come to try their prime rib & lobster tail, I've heard a lot of good things about it.

    Specials on 12/2/25

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    Ray's Café Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ray's Café

    4 of us retirees want to sit in for brunch. Is 9am good time?

    Earlier the "BETTER" especially when there's "Prime Rib / Lobster or King Crab Legs" ~ CALL AHEAD to make sure and to check the daily menu ~ Felix never serves the same food week to week so it's worth checking.

    Is Ray Cafe fried chicken thighs good? Meaning seasoned well and crunchy?

    Yes it is crunchy, juicy and seasoned well. Similiar to Z...y's.

    Do they still sell the whole prime rib and how much?

    They still sell the whole prime rib, however I forgot for how much. I think it was roughly $250-275

    It's 5:40 PM, and the door is closed. Open sign is turned off, are they taking a break or are they done for the day?

    Possibly could be done for the day (at times hours varies) best to call before heading down to Rays cafe imo it's the best thing to do

    Yelp shows they don't accept credit cards, are the really cash only or do they except other forms, like PayPal or Venmo?

    Yup. Cash only. Many of the specials are less than $20 but have huge portions!

    Do they serve prime rib every day?

    No. Mostly on Fridays, and subsequent days until he runs out. Best thing to do is check his daily menu specials that morning on IG or FB.

    Do they offer take out?

    Yes they do! The place is really small and unless you want to wait for a seat, your best option is to take out.

    Do Ray delivery?

    No they do not have a delivery service last I checked.

    Does anyone know if Ray's will be offering whole prime rib for Christmas?

    Is Ray's closed? Haven't answered phone in more then two weeks.…

    Heard he was sick, though not covid. They're open again.

    Where is parking?

    Street parking only, which can be very difficult to find in that area. Suggest you go with another person and be dropped off. Also, phone in your order so you don't have to wait long.

    How often do they have prime rib?

    Friday-Monday. Just ate there last week. Enjoy!

    Anyone know why Ray's was closed today 5/22/19???!!!

    Did you try calling the Restaurant?? Maybe it was Felix = you know "Ray's Cafe" owner, Happy Birthday?? Lol! Nah I don't know, but it's always good to just call them, right. Aloha!

    What days you guys serve prime rib?

    For sure * FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS, Sundays possible * go get emmm

    Did the former owner retire?

    Same owner. Felix his real name had his restaurant in Downtown Honolulu in the day but relocated to King/Gulick in Kalihi.

    I saw they are on Bitesquad now, but I don't see the specials on the Bitesquad menu. Does anyone know how to put a special on your Bitesquad order?

    Not to sure about this one

    Anyone know their Monday night specials?

    If you have Instagram. Follow his page at @rayscafehonolulu where he posts his everyday daily specials.

    Is this the same Ray's Cafe that used to be located on smith street in chinatown ? Im talking like back in the 90's..

    Same one and Felix is still in the kitchen! Bento, ham steak and eggs and of course Prime Rib still winnahs!!!

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    Hello Again

    Hello Again

    4.4
    (92 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    Hello Again will have me coming back again! My friend Li Y. recommended we stop by here so I could…read moretry their matcha. I'd been curious about trying their matcha offerings, so I was excited. We came on a holiday morning, and there wasn't anyone inside. The cafe is cute and vibey! Love how pet-friendly it is with the polaroids--I'd definitely bring my pup here. There's also a decent amount of seating to hang out or work at. Service was fine. I ordered at the register, and she made my drink immediately. I was intrigued by their Haupia Matcha Latte. I love all things Haupia, so it seemed like the perfect match. I got the Haupia Matcha Latte with Oat Milk, and it was superb. I loved how creamy it was, how the sweetness of the haupia shone, but the earthiness of the matcha was still there. I'd definitely recommend this drink and am curious about their others. Hello Again is a nice cafe addition to Chinatown. With all the cafes in the area, it's worth a visit if you're a matcha lover like me. Find the cafe off Nuuanu Ave., unassuming on the outside but nicely sized once you go in! Parking is limited to the street or nearby municipal parking.

    Yes please! Enjoy the comfy cozy sitting area. Hello Again is tucked away downtown. Parking can…read morebe a challenge tho there are metered spaces just outside door and municipal parking lots not far away. The drinks are heavenly. I enjoyed a coconut matcha. Can't wait to return and repeat!

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    Inside the shop
    Inside the shop
    Haupia Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)
    Haupia Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)
    Haupia Matcha Latte is yummy!

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    Haupia Matcha Latte is yummy!
    Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu

    Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu

    4.7
    (400 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Ali'i Coffee is such a cute little spot in downtown Honolulu. There's paid parking nearby, and they…read morealso offer online ordering, which is great if you're in a hurry. The café itself is on the smaller side, but the menu has a great selection of drinks and food options. I ordered the Royal Ube Matcha Latte over ice, and it was delicious. It's actually one of my favorite places on Oʻahu to get an ube latte--the flavors are balanced well, and you can still taste both the matcha and the ube. What really stood out to me was the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly and personable. At one point, I genuinely thought a customer was a friend of one of the employees because their conversation felt so natural and welcoming, but they had actually just met. That's the kind of atmosphere they create. The whole shop has a warm, bubbly energy and feels very much like a neighborhood coffee spot where people know each other and enjoy being there. If you're looking for great coffee, friendly service, and a cozy local vibe in downtown Honolulu, Ali'i Coffee is definitely worth checking out.

    Located downtown near the corner of S. Beretania and Bethel St., directly across the street from…read moreKukui Plaza. Metered street parking or there's a paid parking lot right across the street on Bethel. There's also paid public parking jn Kukui Plaza. Clean shop. My drink and food were made fast. Got The Queen- I liked the toasted coconut topping. The espresso wasn't overpowering. Get an extra shot if you like that coffee taste. Wasn't too sweet. I just wish the drink was hotter. It was warm. The breakfast burrito was good. I would definitely try it. It was pricey- $15. There's a lid station. You put your own lid on your drink.

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    Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu
    Mouth is watering just taking this photo. This is the egg sandwich with everything bagel absolutely delicious. Great breakfast.
    Mouth is watering just taking this photo. This is the egg sandwich with everything bagel absolutely delicious. Great breakfast.
    Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu

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    Local Joe

    Local Joe

    4.6
    (626 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Did my research to find Kona coffee for my upcoming visit to Vancouver, so I walked from home and…read moretook shelter in Local Joe's to cool off and order some 100% Kona Mauna Kea Estate coffee and have it ground. Liv was so delightful and clearly the right person for the job so I knew I was in the right place. In the meantime I ordered an iced coffee (which was delicious!!!!) and sat down and watched folks come and go. This is clearly a popular local coffee and snack shop so I will keep this place in mind since it's locally owned and operated and their decaf is processed via osmosis, not chemicals. That's a big plus.

    I honestly don't understand the hype surrounding this place, the reality is completely misleading…read more I called 15 minutes ahead to place an order. The employee took it and immediately hung up on me--no name taken, no "thank you," no "goodbye." When I arrived, the parking was a mess, so I had to be dropped off. Inside, the food display looked sad, and the cashier looked completely miserable and unpresentable. While waiting patiently on the side for 15 minutes, I watched the kitchen staff preparing food. Red flag: they literally microwave their eggs instead of cooking them fresh. After 30 minutes of total waiting time, I finally went up to check on my order, only to find out the cashier hadn't even handed my ticket to the kitchen yet. She sent it back right in front of me without a single word of apology--just a blank stare. I cancelled my order on the spot. Horrible service, zero management, and low-quality food prep. Save your golden time & money and go somewhere else. Definitely not a place where I'd want my food prepared!

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    Counter
    Counter
    Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito
    Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito
    Thai latte

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    Thai latte
    Panday Coffee

    Panday Coffee

    4.3
    (9 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    I visited Panday at the Kailua mini swap meet. It was a small, kind of random event that…read moresurprisingly didn't have any other food or drink vendors. I felt kind of bad because it was a one person show and the owner guy had to accommodate a lot of customers by himself! It was a hot day and a cold drink sounded great. I heard someone mention there was a coffee vendor but the person made it sound like they were only selling cups of hot or iced coffee. Then someone walked by with a matcha drink and I knew I needed to check out Panday's booth. There was a small line of customers and the guy was working hard to chat with people, collect payments and make drinks. When it was my turn, I ordered the "Biko" coffee which is their special Filipino rice/coconut/condensed milk coffee. He said he probably didn't have enough and I should look over the menu to see if I had a second choice. I chose the banana matcha and he said he didn't have any banana syrup. I mean maybe the event was so popular that he ran out of drinks quicker than expected. I guess he was the only food/drink vendor at the event and it was a hot day.... In the end, he had enough Biko for my drink and everything was fine. It was a good latte and flavorful, but idk if I'd go out of my way to find it in the future. I do want to try the banana matcha still though. For a one man operation, this guys is killing it. He makes the espresso shots to order, so drinks may take a little while to get made. He was good at chatting up people in line while we waited though. Hopefully I'll see panday coffee at another event soon!

    Stop and smell what's brewing…read more.. That's exactly what I did as soon as I saw the sidewalk sign right outside of Fishcake in Kaka'ako and I'm so glad I did ;) checking out their menu you can find the usual espresso, latte and americano and now for the fun stuff...their "Specialty Drinks" from Monkey Coffy which has house made banana syrup, Biko which is a Filipino rice milk coffee and even the newest The Panday Pandan Latte! I really was intrigued by their Monkey Coffy but really wanted to try their Matcha when they said that I could combine it for "Monkey Matcha" whaaaaaaat!!!! Their only concern is that the banana syrup could overpower the matcha so they weren't confident to put it on the menu but I tell you it was yummy and yes the syrup was very flavorful as I was told it is made with real bananas and has the equivalent of two bananas in each cup...incredible. The staff is amazing and informed me of the wait with several orders already in the works but I do love the creativity as they bring in the culture crafted in each cup is unique and "sip"ly delicious. Thank you!

    Photos
    Monkey Matcha
    Monkey Matcha
    Pandan Latte
    Pandan Latte
    Panday Coffee

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    Ray's Café - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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