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    Roy's Hawaii Kai

    4.3 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

    Roy's Hawaii Kai Photos

    Business Info

    ROY'S HAWAII KAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale
    Moderate noise

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    Reviews With Photos - Roy's Hawaii Kai

    Cindy B.

    Mahalo piha, Roy's Hawaii Kai, for the lovely thoughtfulness imbued into our anniversary dinner. We appreciate the handwritten card, every staff member who came to wish us a happy anniversary, the complimentary pannacotta, and a gift certificate to use for a return visit! I also noticed at the table next to us, a party hat was placed prior to arrival of the little birthday girl! The expansive wraparound windows afforded us sunset ocean views and a game of guess-the-cloud-shape. Food is delicious and beautifully plated. We started with house edamame and HK crab cakes. Husband's 14oz medium rare ribeye was perfectly cooked. I ordered the macadamia crusted fish, which was incredibly meaty. Parking is free. Looks like they have a great happy hour menu and live music. I'm definitely putting that gift certificate to use!

    Hot Iron Seared Misoyaki Butterfish
    Alex C.

    We had a wonderful dinner at Roy's in Hawaii Kai. It was to celebrate my birthday and retirement. The servers Cal and Tehana were so accommodating and helpful, and really made our dinner memorable. The view from Roy's in Hawaii Kai overlooks a bay and has a perfect vantage point for a beautiful sunset. There's ample dining space on two floors and a cool koi pond in the lobby. For dinner we ordered a Japan Hamachi Crudo to start and a fish trio, seared butterfish and a Keiki grilled chicken for a main courses. We completed the meal with a chocolate soufflé and they provided two different Panna cotta desserts to celebrate my birthday and retirement! If that wasn't enough, the kitchen prepared a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich for my daughter! It was an amazing meal with a spectacular view and the best service one could ask for. This was the most memorable meal for our trip to Oahu. I would certainly recommend Roy's in Hawaii Kai over the one located in Waikiki. BTW, they all have different menus because the chefs are allowed to develop different menus for the various locations. There are a few items that are standard for all locations. Kudos to the chefs, servers and the manager for an outstanding experience and providing superb service tonight!

    Complimentary bowl of spicy edamame
    EM H.

    On our last night of our August-September, 2023 Oahu vacation, DJ and I dined at the original Roy's Restaurant, Roy's Hawaii Kai, the first location of Chef Roy Yamaguchi's high-end chain serving Hawaiian fusion fare in a casually modern setting. Via OpenTable, we made reservations for Saturday evening, September 9, at 9:00 PM. Easy peasy. Booking reservations via the online restaurant reservation service was super convenient. After easily finding parking in the lot, we walked through a finely landscaped front yard and, upon entry through the front door, were welcomed by a serene koi pond at the bottom of the stairs that led us up to the main dining room. The comfortable open kitchen dining room provided panoramic views of Maunalua Bay and Diamond Head. We were seated at a white linen clothed table nearby the bar at the top of the staircase. Roy's offers a culinary journey in fine dining with a menu focused on fresh seafood and some steakhouse dishes, blending Hawaiian and Asian flavours in contemporary style of cooking. Below is what we had for dinner: In lieu of a complimentary basket of bread and butter to kick off our meal, we were served a nice bowl of spicy edamame, which I found to be a fitting prelude to the eclectic blend of Hawaiian, Japanese, and Classic French cuisine that we were about to enjoy. Tempura Shimeji Mushroom ($17) - For a starter from the Vegetarian Menu, we shared this delicious appetizer of golden crispy fried mushrooms that were drizzled with spicy aioli. YUM! Mongolian Style Vegetable Stir-Fry with Crispy Tofu ($20) - Also from the Vegetarian Menu, for his main dish, DJ had this plate of fried cubes of tofu mixed with a small medley of veggies. The mixed vegetables were mostly onion slivers, a few slices of green bell pepper and zucchini, shoestring carrots and very little bean sprouts, topped with a small handful of micro greens and a nicely uniformed mound of white rice. Misoyaki Butterfish ($56) - I ordered this signature, world renowned dish for my entrée - a tender and rich fish dish, marinated in miso and served over forbidden black rice and a sweet ginger wasabi butter sauce. The silky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth black cod was sophisticated and oh, so ono! Roy's Signature Chocolate Soufflé ($14) - We were served this decadent dessert on the house. This chocolate SWEET TREAT was rich in flavour and airy in texture. Service was exceptional. Right from our arrival, we were greeted with warmth and friendly hospitality. As the night went on, it was becoming apparent that I was not feeling well. Our waiter was so caring that he even brought out a few different bottles of fever reducers to offer medication to me. He was very sweet. An unforgettable dining experience we enjoyed at Roy's Hawaii Kai. The restaurant was a perfect setting for an onolicious meal with stunning views and exceptional service.

    Signature cocktails June 2026
    Rani R.

    We went for Father's Day's/Birthday and the service was really good. They are very attentive. My brother and I had the lamb /lobster combo. The lobster was a little salty and I couldn't cut the lamb with the knife. Neither could my brother. His lamb was undercooked cooked and mine was good. The taste was good I just couldn't get over neither being able to cut with the knife. It's a great environment for parties or a romantic dinner. The place can get loud if it's busy but you can manage. I've eaten here before but never had the lamb. Not sure if I would try the lamb again.

    Infamous Melting Dark Chocolate Souffle
    Jillian T.

    Always enjoyed coming to this location over the years. Though this particular time had 2 misses that would've made this a 5-star experience. It was mom's birthday, and they had a little birthday hat in the middle of the table to signify this occasion. The server and food runner/busser attending our table were both very polite and efficient. The first mishap was with the tasting menu. The great part is that, not everyone on the table needs to partake in this menu, though 2 out of the 6 people in our party wanted to try it. About 5 minutes after taking our table's order, the server comes back to mention that the chef is not making that tonight, so that they would need to try something else. Perhaps flipping over that menu in the book, or mention of it not being available in pre-shift to communicate down to the rest of the staff, to then advise the customer before ordering would prevent a little bit of disappointment. Nevertheless, the food for the table came out in a timely manner. As the years have gone by, I've noticed that the dishes are all very brown in color. Brown protein, brown rice, brown sauce. There's a pop of color here and there but I personally would like my food to be a little more colorful in presentation. Dessert course came around and our table ordered pretty much 1 of each on the menu. Know that the hot items on the dessert menu take about 30 minutes, so you may want to order that when your dinner entree course is dropped on the table. The same 2 people who had ordered the tasting menu in the beginning, then decided to order the Halo-Halo because they wanted something cold and refreshing. To their disappointment, the server brought the items, mentioned that they ran out of ube ice cream and proceeded to drop the check at the same time so its like there was no opportunity to rebuttal or complain. Again, a little bit of communication beforehand would've set the expectations up a little better. All in all, a great location, with great views of the sunset. This experience just needed a little bit of fine-tuning to be a 5-star.

    Menu
    Mike Y.

    Last night celebrating our daughter's birthday we haven't been here in a while but place was Busy as usual and had early Set menu dinner was very delicious and rewarding Everyone of the staff was very cordial and friendly atmosphere was lovely as always thank you so much we'll be back again soon

    Appetizer sampler
    Maile K.

    So late w the review, so sorry! I haven't been here in many years as I only come here for special occasions. This time, I came for my cousin's wedding reception. Very small, intimate gathering of family & close friends. Everything tasted so good. My favorite has to be the crabcake in the appetizer sampler. So flavorful inside and crispy outside. Not fishy at all. Sister had the lamb chops while nephew had the surf & turf. Mom & I had the tiger shrimp w grits. Fabulous. The waitstaff were very attentive and quite funny at times. It made for a very enjoyable evening. Congrats to David & Sayaka! Lots of parking in private lot. Same lot as Hawaii Kai Satellite City Hall. Private room upstairs. Restrooms located upstairs and down. Elevator and stairs.

    Day 2 on the menu!!! Lobster  scallop noche.
    Tammy R.

    Exceptional experience start to finish! My husband and I went to celebrate our 10th anniversary while visiting the island Roy's made it very memorable. From the hostess to the water server, server, and GM....everyone recognized our special day. The food was spectacular as usual. And we received a complimentary dessert. Highly recommended!

    Julie C.

    We had an excellent anniversary dinner at the original Roy's in Hawaii Kai! It's been a little while since we came out to this Roys, the location in Waikiki is actually closer to us, but I just hate dealing with a parking situation in Waikiki. Dinner reservations were made for four (the kids tagged along). We had to wait a few minutes after we checked in, but we enjoyed looking at the Koi at the bottom of the stairs. The host then took us upstairs to our table. Our server was Brandon who was excellent and very knowledgeable. We ordered the crabcake appetizer to start out, tasty but slightly under seasoned. Both my husband and I ordered the butterfish with the forbidden black rice, my daughter ordered the blackened Ahi and my son ordered from the kids menu the teriyaki chicken. The food was well prepared, the butterfish was excellent, moist and very tasty. I always enjoy the black forbidden rice, which you actually cannot get at the Waikiki location. The blackened ahi is also an excellent choice as well. Lightly seared, sashimi style inside with a butter sauce. The kids entrée was teriyaki chicken with rice, celery, stick, and carrot stick with a square cheese quesadilla to start. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate lava cake x2 which does take 30 minutes to prepare so it needs to be ordered in advance. We got a Matcha Panna cotta complementary for our anniversary. My son had a vanilla ice cream sandwich. Exquisite dinner with the family with amazing food and service!

    dim sum style canoe for two
    Angel H.

    My hubby made reservations for our anniversary dinner here on 7/7. We arrived promptly at 6:30 and were seated right away on the second floor. The view was spectacular, especially at sunset. On one side of the room is the open kitchen. On the other side are views of the ocean. Things didn't start out smoothly. He ordered a Local Kine Mule $17 (vodka, mango syrup, ginger beer, lime juice, mint), but they brought him a Lychee Sake-Tini instead. We notified our waiter and he brought us the correct drink. They started us off with complimentary seasoned soy beans. We ordered the Dim Sum Style Canoe for Two $42 (Szechuan pork ribs, chicken spring rolls, seared shrimp sticks, tempura spicy ahi maki). For our entrees we got the Crispy New Zealand Tai Snapper $55 (crown noodle yakisoba, tomato sambal) and Yama's Mama's Beef Meatloaf $37 (tempura onion rings, dashi mushroom gravy). For dessert we got the Banana Sweet Bread Pudding "Panipopo" $15 (haupia sauce, caramel). It takes half an hour to make the Panipopo, so put in the order ahead of time. They also gave us a free anniversary dessert, strawberry flan. Dessert was the best part of dinner. Both desserts were exceptional. The meatloaf was good and the tai snapper was ok. The fish was firm and flaky, a little dry. The sauce was a little vinegary for my liking. Service was on par for fine dining. They kept the water glasses full and the floor manager stopped by a few times to see how everything was going. They gave us an anniversary card and a $25 gift card to use the next time we're there. A very nice touch.

    Rebecca T.

    Came to this OG Roy's for my birthday celebration. What a nice treat! Food was amazing, service was attentive, and the ambiance was nice and relaxing. Although it's not right by the ocean, you can still see the water on the other side of the road. Miso butterfish can't be beat. It's their signature dish of the restaurant. It's cooked to perfection. Definitely worth it to get the larger portion because you'll be wanting more if you get the smaller size. The Mac nut crusted fish was equally delectable! The portion size was pretty good considering the price and the quality of the food as well. Try their rolls too. Fresh fish with yummy fixings. And don't forget to get their chocolate lava cake! Wonderful dinner and evening at Hawaii Kai. It's a great spot to celebrate a special occasion. They always have a happy hour menu that I'm very curious about!

    Lava cake
    Emile T.

    Food was absolutely delicious. The lamb roast was cooked perfectly and the seafood trio tasted fresh and vibrant. The famous lava cake was very tasty. Service was excellent. We were checked on regularly and always had whatever we needed. We had reservations and were seated immediately with the ocean view. Having dinner by the beach with the sun setting was maybe one of the happiest delights of our entire stay in Oahu. Along with great food, drinks and a view, this experience was incredible. Thanks!

    The view from the restaurant is incredible!
    Garret O.

    My wife and I enjoyed our experience at Roy's to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Everything went well, from our waiter, who provided great tips on the menu and was very polite and patient, to the young ladies who refilled our water and took our plates, to the fellow who brought the food to the table, the fantastic ocean view and, of course, the food...five stars all the way. You can tell this is a place where people take pride in their work because everything runs like a well oiled machine and everyone has a smile on their face and is so accommodating. If you want a fine dining experience where all your expectations are met, look no further. We will definitely be back again!

    Halo Halo $16 * On the menu, it says Ube Ice Cream, but ours was Vanilla Ice Cream without informing us

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    OMG - just amazing! Excellent food, great atmosphere, outstanding service. This is more than fine dining...it's an experience!

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    Page 1 of 40

    Roy's Hawaii Kai Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Roy's Hawaii Kai

    Is the bar a walk in or do I need reservations?

    Walk in. It's downstairs and about half of it is outside

    Does Roy's have live music?

    Yes

    Is the restaurant accessible for wheelchairs?

    Yes! They have an elevator

    Senior menu Available for older patrons with small appetites?

    No they don't have a special menu for seniors or those with a smaller appetite! BUT- they have a great a expanded appetizer menu and they are great at special request. My suggestion is to call the restaurant to see what they might be able to… 

    Is there a kids' menu?

    Yes! It's great! I went in May 2022 and it was about $16ish dollars. Comes with an appetizer, entree and dessert. I can't remember all the details, but I believe it's something like the following:… 

    Is there a corkage fee? If so, how much?

    It is not BYOB! Are You asking for dinner or an event?

    Do you take reservations?

    Yes. Call the restaurant to make a reservation.

    Does anybody know when ROY's Hawaii Kai will re-open for business?

    Open

    View All 9 Questions

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    4.6
    (105 reviews)
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    Such a lovely experience!…read more My friend and I arrived at 6 pm on Saturday, with no reservation, but there were no other customers at the moment so it was all good. However, I noticed everyone else that arrived after us - 3 different groups, all had reservations, because it is in fact a very a small establishment, so I think in the future we would get a reservation! The servers/owners(?) were so nice, food came out relatively quickly, and it was so fresh and delicious, everything cooked to perfection! I ordered the cold soba (though this was kind of silly of me because I was already cold) and tempura plus salmon nigiri. Quite pricey (about $50 after tip) for a meal for one but I'm glad I tried it. My friend ordered the seared mackerel and honestly I was so shocked how delicious it was, just melts in your mouth! I would definitely go back :)

    A Cozy Spot for Japanese Brunch Cravings…read more We were craving a Japanese breakfast, and Koko Inaba was a great find. Tucked away in Koko Marina, it is a small, quaint space with a counter where you can watch the chef work and several tables for seating. Soba, udon, sashimi, tempura -- you pick what you are craving. I ordered the udon with assorted tempura, and everything was done well. The tempura had the perfect fry and crunch, and the udon had a satisfying bite to it. A quiet, welcoming spot for a comforting Japanese meal in East O'ahu.

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    Interior
    Kani, salmon and ikura bowl comes with choice of soba or udon
    Kani, salmon and ikura bowl comes with choice of soba or udon
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    Kona Brewing

    Kona Brewing

    3.8
    (2.2k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Good food, okay service. I stood at the host stand for quite a while with the rest of my party…read morewhile we waited for a host to ever notice us. Finally, got seated and a server eventually came by. The pepperoni rolls are delicious as always. We tried the paniolo burger (excellent) and the It's a Gouda burger (good, but I couldn't really taste the aioli or the Gouda). The mac salad on the side is fairly good although I prefer Zippy's because it's more flavorful. Kona's is a bit on the bland side. I got an itty bitty beer to go with my drink and didn't realize that the 5 ounce pour was basically the size of one of their little taster flight beers, but it's $4.25, where the 10 ounce is $6.25. Kind of wish my server had pointed out the 10 ounce is a better value, but they were extremely casual and seemed pretty distracted the whole time, so I don't think they thought to mention it. The 15% off for kama'aina makes the food a better deal. A nice place for a bite to eat and to try some interesting beers and seltzers on tap.

    My first visit to this restaurant was unfortunately a very disappointing experience from the moment…read morewe walked in. My partner and I had just finished a long hike and were excited to relax, enjoy a good meal, and watch the World Cup game. When we arrived, we approached the host stand to put our name on the waitlist. Instead of being greeted with a smile or any sense of hospitality, the host, Sarah, came across as very snarky, dismissive, and unwelcoming. She informed us there would be approximately a 45-minute wait, which we completely understood and were happy to accept. While waiting, we stood near the bar area so we could watch the World Cup match. Despite standing there for around 25 minutes, not a single bartender or employee acknowledged us, offered a menu, or even greeted us. Eventually, after about 30 minutes of waiting, a table in the bar area became available. Since it was empty, we sat down, assuming it was open. Within moments, the host approached us with the same rude attitude and told us that table was being held for another party. We politely asked to speak with a manager. Rather than responding professionally, she visibly rolled her eyes before going to get one, which only reinforced how unwelcome we felt. When the manager arrived, the interaction was equally disappointing. He never asked us what had happened or tried to understand our perspective. Instead, he immediately apologized and reiterated that the table was reserved for another waiting party. We didn't want to cause a scene, so we simply moved to another available bar table. What made the situation especially frustrating was that the original table they insisted was reserved remained empty the entire time afterward. No one was ever seated there while we watched. It left us questioning why such a rigid stance was taken over a seating arrangement that appeared easily manageable. The issue was never about having to move tables. We understand restaurants get busy and that hosts have to manage seating. The problem was the complete lack of hospitality, communication, and customer service. From the host's attitude and eye-rolling to the manager's unwillingness to listen before making a decision, we felt like an inconvenience rather than welcomed guests. As first-time customers, first impressions matter. We arrived excited to enjoy our evening, but instead left feeling ignored, dismissed, and genuinely unwelcome. A little kindness, professionalism, and a willingness to communicate could have completely changed this experience. Unfortunately, that's not what we received.

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    Kona Brewing
    Ahi Salad $29.00 (04/17/26). @KonaBrewingHawaii #HawaiiKai #Oahu #Hawaii #CraftBeer #Beer
    Ahi Salad $29.00 (04/17/26). @KonaBrewingHawaii #HawaiiKai #Oahu #Hawaii #CraftBeer #Beer
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    Post Diamond Head hiking.
    Carte Blanche

    Carte Blanche

    4.5
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    5.5 mi
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    Locally owned & operated
    Luxury

    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.

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    Carte Blanche
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    The Surfing Pig Hawaii

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    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
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    Full bar
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    Best service we have had on the island. Sidney was our server and she greeted us right away. She…read moretold us about the Sunday night special, Prime Rib, and that right there sold my dinner plan. The appetizer, cucumber salad was great. My husband got the ribs with the fired rice. We loved both. After dinner we had dessert in to Speakeasy and that was so romantic and fun. Sidney was amazing best service! We will be back again.

    We went shopping at whole foods at Kahala and wanted to enjoy an early dinner, so we asked Chat GPT…read morefor some recommendations and it suggested The Surfing Pig.... So glad it did! The moment that we walked in Ray greeted us with a smile he embodied the Aloha Spirit ...later found out he's the General Manager! The bartender Keone...what a guy! All of his drinks were amazing! We had the Smoking Pig which is a smoked old-fashioned that comes with a piece of BACON! Very easy on the sweetness. We also had the mezcal margarita and the smoked Manhattan... All the drinks were amazing!! If you like your drinks more on the sweet side just let him know and he'll make them sweeter but if you like em boozie and not too sweet he's your guy!! We also got to meet the chef James, he's originally from the west side of the island, so proud of him!! the food was amazing, we loved the dry rub ribs and the Sunday special brisket and the creamy Brussel sprouts as well as their Kalua Pig...bruh the buggah taste like came straight outta da imu! Broke da mouth kine!!! Was one beautiful Sunday that felt like we was wit ohana! We garanz goin be back!!

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    Hangang - Hawaii Kai/Niu Valley

    Hangang - Hawaii Kai/Niu Valley

    4.4
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    I been in Hawaii a lot of time for vacation but first time in this place ,it's fantastic! The food…read moresoooo good !! All the servers are so professional and friendly, next time I come to Hawaii I'll be come here again !

    When people talk about Korean food, they are either talking about Korean BBQ plate lunch places or…read morethey are talking about traditional authentic sit down restaurant style places. This place is the latter and is located in the Nui Valley Shopping Center. My mother-in-law wanted to take us out to eat and said that this place is a good restaurant to eat traditional Korean food. The only thing not traditional was their nice friendly staff from the hello, welcome to Hangang which you probably know, most Korean restaurants, including the ones we ate at in Korea, the staff isn't too friendly. We started out with at least 11different starters aka banchan. They have a nice selection of different sets like the A5 Wagyu set which is a serving for two. It came with A5 Wagyu brisket, chuck flap, ribeye, and bottom sirloin. You have a choice between Kimchi stew, soy bean paste stew, or soft tofu stew and dessert (ice cream or fresh fruit). To me, it wasn't enough meat for the price (we just came back from Japan and Korea where it's a better bang for your buck). I guess we are spoiled. We also got a beef bibimbap hot stone bowl, and short rib soup along with lettuce wrap. Loved how the rice becomes crispy from the hot stone bowl for the bibimbap. Everything was nicely seasoned and really tasty. The service was top notch. When we pressed the bell for service, they came right away. One thing to note, is they do have a private room which is nice as you can have private conversations with your family and friends and not have to be out with everyone else in the restaurant.

    Photos
    Hangang - Hawaii Kai/Niu Valley
    Hangang - Hawaii Kai/Niu Valley
    Hangang - Hawaii Kai/Niu Valley

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    XO Restaurant

    XO Restaurant

    4.6
    (2.4k reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Fine dining

    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!

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    XO Restaurant
    XO Restaurant
    XO Restaurant

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    Roy's Hawaii Kai - hawaiian - Updated July 2026

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