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It's always a blur when I'm at Blind Ox. I don't think I came here sober once lol. This had to change that so I came here for dinner sober. Blind Ox is on Kapahulu Ave across Sushi Ginza Onodera and Running Room. They offer valet parking or you can search for street parking in the residential area. Safeway does occasionally tow so if you plan to park there, do it at your own risk. They offer seating inside and outside. Both are good options but it's slightly cooler inside. This past experience I dined inside and stayed sober so I could finally review them. We arrived and the hostess greeted us immediately. Our table was ready as we had reservations. It was honestly odd to come and not drink but I sucked it up and focused on the food. We ordered a bunch of items to share. The items we ordered were Bone Marrow, King Crab Tempura, 24 K Gold Popcorn Chicken, U-10 Scallops, Bourbon Crème Brûlée, Tokyo Nights (I had to and it came with a gold crane on top of the ice) & a custom mock tail from the bartender. The kitchen didn't take long to get our orders out and the bartender was quick as a whistle. The food was good and I particularly liked the King Crab Tempura because the sauce reminds me of the Chinese soy based sauce with sizzling oil drizzled on steamed fish. U-10 Scallops we're my next favorite as the scallops were seared perfectly. The Bone Marrow was good but it was quite rich since I was tasked to eat most of it. Their 24 K Gold Popcorn Chicken was better than expected and they were tender. Keep in mind it's quite dim inside so it's not the easier to get amazing photos of the food or of people. Overall, it was a good meal with a memorable ending at the valet stand. Poor guy must have ran to Kahuku to get my car because we were there a long time. During the long wait, a homeless guy who was clearly not in his right mind approached us and cussed at me out of the blue. He also asked offered us weed lol. At least we weren't attacked and he didn't throw anything at my car when it finally arrived. The valet did leave my car unlocked the entire time it was parked wherever it was parked though (my app notified me). I'm so glad nothing was stolen. Valet needs to fix this issue going forward for other customers. But...I finally have a night I recall at the Blind Ox ;p
A bartender in Waikiki tipped me off that Blind Ox was worth the hike, and I absolutely loved everything I had! The Love Potion #829 and Tokyo Nights were both interesting, complex, and beautiful to boot! My only note would be that the floral rim on the former is a little much; maybe mix the flower petals with sugar to make it a bit less aggressive. The drinks were great, but the food may have been even better. The octopus and French onion soup were both perfectly executed, but my favorite had to be the blue cheese mac and cheese balls. So so so delicious! I could have eaten about 20 more.
Everything about Blind Ox met our expectations. We had the private room, that also came with our own bathroom. Lighting was great, not too bright & not too dim. It was adjustable which was nice for when we took our pics. Our waiter was really awesome! He conversed with us, and even laughed at our jokes. He did videos with us, & even took our photos. The food was all delicious. Not all the dishes we had is pictured, but we definitely was full. It was all shareable for us girls. We even had oyster shooters which was delicious. The presentation of all the dishes was beautiful, and I like how our waiter explained all the dishes. He was very knowledgeable about each dish. He also made great drink recommendations for us ladies. Everything about Blind Ox was perfect for my sister's birthday. We definitely plan on coming here again!
Came here for a surprise dinner for myself and a few friends. There are two dining areas. One where the check in is and on the right side after some stairs is a fancier dining area which will make you say wow! Parking may be a little tough especially during peak hours but they do offer valet service if you prefer not to find street parking. Staff are friendly and actually very engaging which is nice when you're out drinking with friends. Food here is actually really good. Here's the breakdown of what we ordered. We got the blind ox blue balls ($16) which is crispy mac cheese balls, bone marrow ($28) which comes with bread that you can put the bone marrow on. Defiently recommend! The blind ox french fries ($16) which is great to share. The truffle oil and garlic taste made the fries so tasty! Their special dipping sauce was also a plus!. The blind ox steak ($38) is an 8oz NY strip, very tender, juicy and flavorful steak which I also recommend! Lastly, we got the the A-5 Wagyu Katsu Sando ($52). Probably my favorite of all the foods. The wagyu is so rich and literally just melts in your mouth. A must try! Overall, a very good experience. Little on the pricey side but for the quality of the food, i'd say it's worth it. We did order a few drinks/shots but the food is the main event here at Blind Ox.
I had been looking forward to coming to the Blind Ox. It's advertised as a speakeasy type restaurant with a hidden entrance and a focus on unique cocktails and intentional bites. Overall, I'd say it was a fine experience. Not quite what I was expecting and I don't feel a need to go back, but it was still good. Food: The food was overall good. No jaw dropping stand outs. It was all relatively tasty. We enjoyed the salad, fries, uni pasta, bone marrow, fries and steak. Drinks: I did enjoy my matcha cocktail. It was unique and the whipped foam at the top was thick and interesting. Ambiance: We were seated inside. The interior area is small with small booths and a bar area. The seats were small and tight so prepare to get cozy with your party. There is also outdoor seating but it seems if you're going to spring for this experience, you should request inside.
In the grand scheme of Honolulu spots, this gets a solid "mediocre" from me (which is my definition of a middle of the road venue...50% of things I enjoyed and 50% need some work). It definitely attracts a crowd in search of a cool, hipster, unique setting. I do like the secretive, darkened ambiance that this place has. It is a bit hidden, the windows are curtained off and the faux front door has a phone box to look like you need to speak to an operator for entry. The entry is actually on the side street with a valet parking stand which brings me to the first subpar issue: On the night I had a reservation, the valet told me he was full so there was no customer dedicated parking left. I circled the neighborhood x 5 and could not find any street parking. I told the hostess that we were just going to cancel and go somewhere else due to lack of parking and they told me to park in the Safeway lot across Kapahulu. The signage there warns of towing for non-customers so I was not really cool with parking there but the restaurant staff assured me that their own employees do it all the time. For a somewhat haughty spot, I was unimpressed with this recommendation but had no choice. If this is their solution, The Blind Ox should really negotiate something with the lot managers so that customers know they will really turn a Blind Eye to using their lot in this manner. I did not like spending my evening in a hidden, sequestered speak-easy without windows not knowing if my car was going to be there when I got done. The ambiance works by having a cool bar, lots of premium booze available, and a life-sized bull in the middle of the room with fully unadorned gonads on display. There are some nice custom house-made cocktails available with great menu descriptions of expensive ingredients and pricing to match (most of the cocktails on the menu are at least $20!). The service was about what you would expect from a bar setting (friendly if a little understated, but perfectly adequate. The 2nd issue that did not impress was the food. The menu descriptors sounded great but the deliverables were pretty average. The most notable items for my party were the Scotch Eggs which were tasty and on par with many I've had in Europe. But, the Oyster Shots and Gold Popcorn Chicken, were both less tasty than anything I've had anywhere (ingredients seemed of good quality but both screaming for salt). Overall, I'm glad I got to check this place out despite leaving with testicle envy. But after this visit, my recommendation would be: Take an Uber and leave your car at home, come for a cocktail or 2 and then go elsewhere for dinner.
A night at Blind Ox is like transporting to a NY/LA style bar. I came here with friends from the mainland and for a moment, I forgot that I was in Hawaii. For locals, this can be a fun experience that mimics a night out at a bougie bar on the mainland. Here's the 4-1-1: Valet parking is available for $5 or there is limited neighborhood street parking. You enter through the outdoor space. We made the mistake of walking past that area and trying to get in using the main doors that face the street. Since it's a "speakeasy" we thought we needed to use the phone that's on the wall to get in... but no, you just walk up to the host stand in the outdoor area. Drinks are $17-$27. Definitely on the pricier side but delicious nevertheless! Here's what we ordered: Viva La Matcha ($22) with Jasmine Infused Tequila, matcha, honey, elderflower, lemon, coconut foam and a green tea pocky on top! Mr. Crack Seed ($17) with Li Hing Mui Infused Bourbon, honey, lemon. These two drinks were my favorite!! I've had a few matcha and li hing mui drinks before but these two were my favorite of these pairings. The Jasmine infused tequila was one for the books. I've had a few infused tequilas in my day, but this one was floral and perfectly paired with the matcha. The plum flavor of the Li Hing Mui brought out the best flavors in the bourbon- simply a great pairing. The Madrid ($19) with Vanilla Infused Rye Whiskey, pickled chili pepper, elderflower, honey, lime, tamarind rim. I had just a sip of this from my friend, but he really enjoyed it- especially the tamarind rim. Tokyo Nights ($19) with Japanese Whisky, orange cognac liqueur, italian bitter, rhubarb bitter, yuzu, black lava salt. I've always been a fan of Japanese whiskey but I would say that this drink caters to someone with a different palette to mine. For food we ordered the: Blue balls (mac & cheese balls) Nori Shrimp Truffle fries. The Nori shrimp and truffle fries were the most notable. If I was to come again, I would probably just order the fries! Overall, it was a really great experience but the price point of $17-$22 for a cocktail is too high.
So far so good. LOVE the ambiance!! There's several entrances. The outside seating was closed due to the weather. Love love love it. Let's see how the food is...! Service was great! Very attentive and knowledge on the menu! Definitely coming back! Loved what we ate but I want to try EVERYTHING!!!
We stopped by for a drink and I tried the El Chapo, which they set on fire before serving! It was interesting, and they had a lot of other cocktails that I wanted to try. However, for $20 per cocktail, we would rather eat. I would have given 4 stars but the service was pretty bad. A server introduced herself to us then disappeared to go chat behind the bar for the rest of the night. Someone else finally took our order after like 30 minutes. I guess the $20 paid for the cool, imprinted ice cube.
If you want a very intimate spot for some drinks I recommend coming here! They have a really nice outdoor seating area and a very interesting setup inside their establishment. ***What I ordered **Viva La Matcha (7.5/10) I wasn't too impressed by the drink, but it was definitely different. I liked the floral notes in the drink, but I thought it would be a little more earthy. Although, I did love matcha stick garnish! That was a cute touch to the drink. Overall, I wouldn't mind coming back, although it is a little pricey. The staff was really professional and nice! The parking situation isn't too bad too. You can park on the street or do valet!
We arrived and were sat in a tiny cramped table. I'm 5'9" and about 165lbs, I was struggling to sit comfortably and was sitting upright the whole time. Not sure how plus sized guests are supposed to sit at these tables unless they get a booth? Waitress was nice! The two drinks we got were the tequila machata one (ok) and the miso shitake drink (ok). Overpriced craft place what do you expect. I am not much of a drinker so I can't elaborate on cocktails. The lobster roll. Don't get it. Smells super old and fishy. The buns were your store bought Hawaiian rolls not toasted or buttered or anything. They take this limp frozen lobster and place it on top and give you with a side of this special clear sauce which tasted like tap water. How about butter and garlic ?! Pretty gross, you're in Hawaii go to a local poke place instead or how about they fish for local lobster? Hm.. there's an idea! The tacos with the raw fish. It was so bland. Needs a sauce or marinade, maybe a citrus marinade? The avocado smash was that of Albertsons guac. Unseasoned and no flavor throughout these overpriced tacos. Bland at best. At least the shell was crispy. The chicken nuggets with gold flakes. Go to Carl's Jr and get their chicken stars. Seriously, tough chicken and unseasoned. A complex looking dish only to be disappointed. I dipped them in my Mac and cheese ball sauce dip (very good). They give you honey and corn flakes on the size. Maybe the chef and owner were stoned when they came up with it? The bull balls (Mac n cheese)... best part. I mean you get Mac n cheese and you deep fry them and put a good sauce on them. Of course it'll taste good. But not $20 good for 5 balls. The real hero tonight....! Overall this was a recommendation from a guide so shame on us haha. Save yourself the $150+ meal and go get a poke bowl, shrimp plate, or anything else. Don't try and impress your date with this place. Looks cool, but the chef needs to step it up with the basics.
Blind ox was on my bookmarks for a long time as i've never gone to a speakeasy before. Reservations are easy on Open Table - You can reserve up to 10 guests online, but you'd have to sit outside. Smaller parties can be indoors. 20% gratuity is also added to your bill for parties 6 or more. I was excited to go but upon arrival - the entrance with the phone was broken. You had to go around the building and towards the back to enter. Kind of a bummer cause we had to sit outside too so we didnt get the full experience. It was also a hot summer night so if you do dine outside then you should also dress accordingly. There are fans but there isnt enough to keep you cool through the night. Blind ox is really great for larger parties only because everyone can order something and you can try different things on the menu. I enjoyed the food, but most importantly the company made the difference as well. We had two different occasions that night. We had 2 birthdays and 1 celebration of life. They do provide a cake for your celebration too. Service was super friendly and attentive. There was apparently a sign that no phones are allowed inside the bar area. I would definitely go back again to try other things.
Speakeasy. Definition: an illegal nightclub or liquor establishment. I've never been to such a business like this before so I didn't really know what to expect. Last month a good friend had reached out to me to get together to celebrate as both of us are born in August. I'm pretty much game to try new places so I agreed. Located on the corner of Kapahulu Ave and Paliuli Street, which is just across the street of Kapahulu Safeway, Blind Ox opened their doors for business in August 2020. How would I describe this place.......feels like I'm going back in time to the 1920's during the Prohibition where people would sneak into illegal establishments for alcohol and entertainment. The ambiance of Blind Ox I find is unique - - dark, somewhat naughty and you're walking into a place for a good time. Although it was very bright outside when we arrived at our 530pm reservation, we were seated inside where the lights were dim with shades of red and fuchsia. To fit the name, we saw many figurines of ox wearing a blindfold on the floor and on the wall. It was difficult to pursue the menu as it was quite dark so we allowed our friend, who previously came here, to take lead with ordering. I am not knowledgeable with my liquor so I took our server's recommendation and had the Playa Del Sangre (smoked agave, hibiscus, chocolate orange, vanilla and cherry). This drink was quite strong as I took sips here and there. We also ordered an array of Tapas, where we took our friend's suggestions as well as ordered a few new ones that appealed to us. I hate to be brutally honest but I really didn't care for them, with the exception of Nori Shrimp and the U-10 Scallops. I found their Blind Ox Steak, Spanish Octopus and the Charcuterie Board are underwhelming - - overpriced and of undesirable quality. Service was above average. Our server was very cordial and patient with our group. She took the time and initiative to explain the drinks and food offerings and came to check up on us multiple times. Overall, this was an experience I am grateful to have spent quality time with good friends. However, this concept is very new to me and did my best to embrace this type of business. Although on the pricey side, this is a great addition to Oahu's scene which caters to a certain audience. NOTE: No private parking lot and street parking very limited and tricky here. Valet parking available at $5. read more
An exotic speakeasy in Kapahulu, Honolulu, Hawaii.. I saw that my friend, Lyla, checked in at The Blind Ox - so - I asked her about it. I was intrigued - especially because she wrote a five-star review for this place! She said that she wouldn't mind going back and I let her know that I wanted to go! She made reservations on Open Table which is very convenient! Parking was challenging. I didn't want to go with the $5 valet, so, I parked about a block away in the residential area for free. There is outdoor seating and a dark, air conditioned indoor plushy area. Even though the convenient restroom is outside, I'm glad that we were inside because it was a relatively warm August evening. I passed on the fancy adult beverages because I was dehydrated, was the designated driver, and am going to donate blood soon... Haha! I just wanted the food! Presentation is outstanding! Everything looked too beautiful to eat - the octopus, nori shrimp, charcuterie board, steak, and scallops were impeccable! However, for the amount of food, the price is shocking. For example, the steak was $44. I expected an entire steak - not just a portion. Hmmm... Well, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to experience The Blind Ox for myself. I was surely happy to be with my friends again! The company, the conversations, and our friendship are priceless! read more
Visiting Hawaii for the first time and decided to see what bars are a must to checkout. The Blind Ox came up as a must visit. Highly recommend to do valet parking as parking is scarce and decently priced $5. As you want towards the bar there is an outside restaurant, but the bar is inside to the left. The bar is BEAUTIFULLY decorated with a huge ox at the entrance that has a blindfold. The bar is known for their whiskey selection, but also for their cocktails. So many good options that I had a hard time deciding which one. I ended up ordering the Kapahulu Sunrise (the mojito's cooler older brother). It was so refreshing and light, but generous with the liquor. The caption did not lie about it being the mojito's cooler older brother lol. All the other drinks my friends ordered tasted delicious and beautifully decorated as well. We did order a charcuterie board. Such a stunning charcuterie that was presented in a glass dish turntable in instead of the board. The board came with some fruits, jelly, Spanish chorizo, salami, bread, a sauce, cheeses, pickles, pickled onion and candied pistachios. We also ordered garlic truffle fries that had the whole garlic. The garlic itself tasted so delicious! The fries too with the aioli sauce, but the garlic heads stood out. Highly recommend this bar. Our server was funny, helpful and patient with all our questions and how long it took us to pick a drink lol. read more
3 years ago
I really wanted to love the Blind Ox. Coming form NY, I wanted to visit another place with a speakeasy type vibe. I will admit: vibe on point, drinks on point, service on point, but food misses the mark completely. Maybe my expectations were a little high, but I definitely would not order food here again. We had the oyster shooters, lobster rolls, steak (I forget the name but not the a5), Caesar salad, and uni carbonara. Oyster shooters had too much ponzu. So overwhelming that I forgot it was an oyster shooter. Lobster rolls were decent, but just not worth the price point. I'm probably just spoiled. Steak was just salty. I did not taste any truffle or any other flavors besides salt. Caesar salad had way too much dressing. If I had to do a blind taste test with a salad from a chain restaurant I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Uni carbonara just tasted like pasta and carbonara sauce from a jar. Again totally come here for everything else but the food. read more
My friends and I were looking for a fun spot to grab drinks that wasn't too crowded and we were suggested to head to the Blind Ox. Far from all the fuss of Waikiki, the Blind Ox can be found very close to Leonard's Bakery. Be wary for parking can be limited as this is nestled between some residential areas, but they do offer valet. We had a group of 6 and so they had split us between 2 tables seated right across from each other. Their menu includes both drinks and tapas-style sharable foods. As we had eaten shortly before arrival, our table decided mainly try out the drinks. The drinks list is extensive...and a little overwhelming! Ultimately, we had landed on a beer and two cocktails. One cocktail was so interesting--we hadn't heard anything like it before! With such an interesting mix of tequila and matcha, we HAD to get it! As the night progressed, we also decided to split an affogato and it was absolutely delicious! It definitely satisfied a nice sweets craving. A few things to note: - Space can fill up! Our party of 6 was seated outside on a day with on-and-off light showers. At one point, the drizzle had picked up a bit and so the hosts had said that they'll see what they can do for us if the rain picked up. - The bathrooms outside are just single users so there can be a bit of a wait. - While this spot is definitely less crowded (which is what we were hoping for), this wasn't what I would consider a "local" spot. It seemed very popular for visitors or transplants to Hawaii, but wouldn't say it has the same casual and relaxed vibes as other local spots. read more
3 years ago
Amazing dinner here! We had been recommended this place by friends. It was very intimate and quite. The service was excellent, the food was superb Our cocktails were great quality as well. For tapas, we got the mushrooms, bone marrow, tofu, waygu, lobster roll, quail egg. All were amazing! For dessert we got the Affogato, and Crème Brûlée. My husband said the Brûlée was too salty but I'm sure that's just a personal preference. I would highly recommend this place! read more
3 years ago
We like Japanese whisky. But holy moley not for 2gs lol It's a vibe here for sure and the food is pretty good. I couldn't eat anything with seafood but this Caesar salad is TO DIE FOR and I will never turn down crème brulee or key lime pie. Beware of the habanero (green) dipping sauce that comes with the fries .. it's actual F I R E read more
This place is the literal definition of BOUGIE; you honestly wouldn't expect much looking on the outside. How many times have I drove past this place but never noticed? It blends in and unless you're actually trying to find the restaurant, it goes over your head. It's a little past Leonard's if you're coming from UH side and the valet is right in front of the restaurant so it's a quick left turn in. They have indoor/outdoor dining but the vibe for the outside dining is WOW; I really loved how they set it up. The only two downsides was that the seating area was pretty tight -- it was a struggle trying to scooch our booties into the booth....and because we had the corner booth, the fans weren't even hitting up so it got pretty hot.... They told us that we only had two hours from the time of reservation to stay but for the first hour, no one came by to take our food orders....only drinks were ordered from when we first got seated. I don't know if it's because we're outside but we were barely checked on and trying to flag someone was a bit difficult when all we saw was the hostess. We ended up staying for three hours so that kind of made up for our time but for the amount of food you get for the price? It's definitely not my cup of tea. The food taste wasn't too bad but I would consider this to be luxury eating. Nothing exactly blew me away so I don't see myself coming back anytime soon read more
If An Ox Is Blind, It Can't Hurt You, Right?! Well, I'm Not Gonna Find Out And I'll Just Start Writing This Review Of The Blind Ox. lol Getting There Was A Snap. Typed In Their Address On Waze And Boom! We Were There. I'll Be Honest, I Couldn't Have Found This Place Without It. It's On The Corner Kapahulu & FindMe Street. Hardly Any Signage, But, I Get It, We Going For That Speakeasy Vibe... Well, It Worked... We Had Reservations At 7pm For 2! We Were Sat Immediately And Had A Table Inside Next To The Blind Ox! This Statue Took Up Maybe 2 Table Spaces Enough For A Party Of 4 Each Table. The Decor Is What You Would Expect During The Prohibition Period. Our Table Was Pre-Set For The Amount Of People In The Party! Water Glasses Filled And We Needed Time To Look Over Their "Pupu-Style" Menu! Don't Come Hungry Or You'll Be DISsatisfied And Want To Go The McDonald's After! lol. It's Mainly And Drinking Spot And Boy Are Their Drinks Amazing, Unique & Delicious! For A Party Of 2, We Ordered A Lot Just To Try Everything. All The Drinks Had Their Own Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve & Talent. See What I Did There?! Thanks Ru! lol. For The Food, We Ordered The Octopus, Tofu, Escargot, Bone Marrow, Scallops And That Got Us Stuffed. We Had About 2 Types Of Drinks Each Times 2 Of Those. Not Gonna Lie, We We're Lit! This Place Is Definitely BUSSIN' And When You Have Great Company, It Just Makes This Place That Much Better. One Thing I Would Take Away From This Experience Would Be The Prices. Maybe Cut Prices By 10-15% And This Place Would Be Cherry Like Auntie Mary! read more
Quiet, speak easy ambiance. Overpriced for its location and ambiance. We went on a Wednesday night so there were only a few other people in the restaurant. We didn't need a reservation, which was nice. Service was quick! The drinks were beautifully crafted but overpriced. The food was a delicately balanced mix of flavors, but also overpriced. We ordered a huge selection: nori shrimp, carbonara, bone marrow, lobster rolls. The carbonara was the best! Bone marrow lacked flavor and was a flakey consistency, which is a little different than we've previously had. Lobster roll was a little plain too. read more
If you're looking for a sexy spot for date night or just a swanky place for a girls or guys night out, this place should fit the bill. Outfitted with a cute patio, Blind Ox is a speakeasy complete with a handsome interior design and well-stocked bar. We ate outside and enjoyed cocktails and a number of their small plates including a couple of orders of fries with white truffle oil and crispy garlic, blue balls with macaroni and blue cheese, 24k gold popcorn chicken, crispy pickled trio (pickles, onions, banana peppers), petite lobster rolls, and a couple of steaks that were topped with white truffle butter . Aside from the chicken being very salty, the food was of good quality, which was great given the high costs! We really enjoyed the lobster rolls, which were literally bite sized, and the steaks. This was a great first night dinner in Honolulu as we were looking for a cool spot with good food and great drinks. read more
This place was awesome! Love the vibes although I wouldn't really call it a speakeasy or hard to find. I mainly came for drinks for date night but really enjoyed snacking on the octopus! All three drinks we had were fantastic (Viva la Matcha, Playa del Sangre, and a coconut-infused bourbon old fashion special). Honestly, prices were steep but I was surprised to find they were actually warranted for the quality of the drinks. read more
5 years ago
I know everything costs more in Hawaii but the food here is really pricey especially for the portion size. The menu has some very creative and good tasting dishes but nothing that I definitely needed to order again or come back for. Loved the ambiance though. Dined in the speakeasy part of the restaurant where I loved the decor and the vibe. Staff is very friendly and they have valet. Maybe come here for some appetizers and drinks but don't come hungry. You'll either leave hungry or have a very large bill and might still be hungry. read more
A few friends and I wanted to try this place out, since we heard such great things about the restaurant. We made reservation for 6pm on a Friday night and they let us know that we had 2 hours to hit with them. When I first looked at the place, I thought we had to call from the phone line that was outside, but later was told that the entrance was by the parking area...silly us. We had the French fries, blue balls, scallops, the caviar flight, A5 Wagyu Katsu Sando, and the bourbon flight. The Blind Ox is known for their bourbon and it is a must try! The portion are small for all the dishes, but it was expected from a fancy place like this. We all loved the Scallops and the Caviar Flight. All the food and drinks we had were amazing! The atmosphere was interesting. There is outside and inside dining and we were in the inside part. When we first sat down, our eyes needed adjustment as it was pretty dimmed. The wait staffs were nice and gave us great recommendation on what kind of dishes we should try. I would probably come back to this place on special occasion such as Anniversary and Birthday, but not a place to go on a regular basis. read more
I've been wanting to try this speakeasy for a while. I heard great things! They are located across from Safeway and across the street from Rigo. Valet parking is $5 or you can try to find street parking, though limited. The entrance is not the front but the side, you walk around to the left and you will see the Valet. We came at 5 when they opened. Which was nice because it wasn't busy or loud. They have both inside and outside seating. For the experience I recommend sitting inside. I felt like I was in Chicago. The decor is very Spanish with reds and golds and you can't forget the blind OX. They also have a photo op with a red chair and crowns you can wear. Dimmed lighting set the mood. I loved the decor, the little chandeliers above the bar, the booths, and the doors. This place is definitely not like other establishments in Hawaii. The drinks are pricey but good. They have small bites and salads. We ordered the French onion soup, which is one of the best I've had! It was topped with lots of cheese and a baguette, plus it wasn't too salty. I also ordered the golden nuggets. They are like popcorn chicken fried to a golden brown. They are served with edible gold, honey, and corn flakes. Definitely good for sharing. My friend ordered their Ceasar and she enjoyed it. For my drink, I ordered the Mr. Crack seed which was $20. It was topped with li hing mui and served with a lovely glass and a giant cube of ice. Everything was good, except our server. She was very stoic, and didn't really have any emotion. She didn't ask if we wanted to order more drinks. When we requested something she said "no problem". This outing was for my birthday as I mentioned on my open table reservation. I didn't get a happy birthday or anything. Hopefully next time we can get a fun server who would recommend some items and enhance the experience. read more
Looking for a place away from the resort and saw my way to the Blind Ox. Thinking it was primarily a red meat establishment, I was pleasantly surprised to see the depth and variety of proteins, vegetarian and seafood offerings. The menu is simple, elegant and yet has as much depth as the taste of the food. From wagyu beef to scallops to delicately prepared mushrooms every plate was perfect. Sitting inside is highly recommended as you also get a bit of a show at the bar and the opportunity to take a pic with the near life size Ox! Service was great and not pushy as well as prompt when needed. The bar menu was varied and complex and the choices of liquor are vast! This was the culinary highlight of a business trip to Oahu and I look forward to May next visit! read more
3 years ago
Upon walking up, the hostess was away from the desk and there wasn't anyone outside so we were a little confused/lost. Ambiance was nice, you can tell that they definitely try to create a space however there is a big delta in the outdoor and indoor areas. The inside is super super dark which might be your vibe but if it isn't the outdoor booths are also a great choice which is where we sat. Service was okay, server was enthusiastic but felt a little rushed and would splash water every time he poured, talk very fast, etc. Drinks were great, we got the Thyme Out and another that was a version of a mojito that I forgot the name. We ordered a lot of food Carbonara - 10/10. This is a must. Creamy, thick, and the egg on top is such a nice touch. Lobster rolls - 8/10. I understand they are supposed to be small but they were very very tiny with not a lot of filling and haphazardly plated. New York Steak - 9/10. Fabulous, potatoes were great. The fries, Mediterranean salad, Katsu were not standouts. Overall I would recommend if you like a lot of variety. We would come back. read more
I've been wanting to check this spot out for awhile now since I first moved back. Luckily I was able to meet up with a friend for some adult beverages and pupus here about a month ago and was the Ox did not disappoint. We both began the night with two Mr. Crack seeds that were amazingly tasty. The Li Hing Mui infused Bourbon with honey and lemon was fresh and tangy and went down easy. My friend also got to sample the Playa del Sangre and while it as ok, paled in comparison to the first drinks that we had. We ordered some of their Blind Ox fries to munch on between sips and they were good. Truffley, garlicky, parmesan-y goodness that disappeared within minutes of arrival. We finished the eats with dessert and the Bourbon Creme Brulee and the Key Lime Pie which were tasty but not especially memorable. All in all it was a great experience at the Ox. Parking is valet only unless you are able to find parking in the Kapahulu residential areas. Service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. If you are looking for a sweet place to hang and have some tasty cocktails, look no further than this trendy speakeasy. read more
5 years ago
Saturday 7pm outdoor seating Our party of five rolled into the valet and made our way to the upper portion of outdoor seating. We were immediately struck by the festive yet somber ambiance and themed decor. Dress ranged from classy to neat casual. One of our party wore sandals and refused to be shamed. He kind of fit in. We tried a whole slew of menu items. They were arranged beautifully and tasty to boot: - Kapahulu Sunrise: I usually get the sweetest item on the menu but this wasn't quite sweet enough for my immature palate - Charcuterie Board: One friend deemed this the best charcuterie board he's had on island - Blind Ox Blue Balls: Balls of mac and cheese with a kick of spiciness. Delicious! - 24k Gold Popcorn Chicken: This was a winner. Not only was it gorgeously arranged, the sweet and salty flavors were a delightful combination. We ended up ordering another round. - Bourbon Creme Brûlée - Spanish Octopus - Crispy Pickled Trio - U-10 Scallops - Affogato Next time I would like to try the french fries, escargot, steak, bone marrow, and lobster rolls. Blind Ox is great and I can't wait to be back! read more
4 years ago
Excellent place to get some well crafted cocktails. The exterior has like a speakeasy vibe. The patio area was nice and the inside had more of dark black and red theme to it. The Boca Del Toro - Old fashioned was very well made. The Viva La Matcha was hands down delicious and refreshing. The quality of drinks here are definitely top notch. We didn't eat any food as we just had dinner. Our server was also pretty responsive and friendly. read more
Incredible, unique, and delicious dining experience at Blind Ox! The decor alone - from the stunning mural outside to the lifesize blindfolded ox inside to the chandeliers - is enough to bring me back time and time again. But thank god their food matched the decor! Such a variety of dishes too to make everyone happy. We ordered the blue balls (blue cheese Mac and cheese balls), the scotch eggs, the smoked octopus, the Wagyu steak, and the salmon mousse. All beautifully presented, and flavorful. And can we talk about the cocktails?!? I ordered some kind of Matcha martini with coconut foam and it was the perfect balance, not too sweet. My friend is a whiskey lover and got the whiskey flight. All in all, such a great experience and I can't wait to come back and take more friends here! read more
I had a special evening planned and wanted a place that was new to both my girlfriend and I, especially since covid has made so much unaccessible. We chose to try out the Blind Ox for post dinner drinks and dessert and we're incredibly happy with everything. Parking in the area is awful, but the valet immediately took our car and made it carefree, the hostess checked us in (we were a little early for our reservation) and we were seated promptly. The cocktails were fantastic, the desserts are absolutely delicious (we couldn't decide which to get so we did the grown-up thing and got all of them). I can't even pick a favorite, the gelato was absolutely perfect, the little key lime tarts are the perfect sweet/sour blend, and the creme brulee was amazing. I would say it was the highly of our night, but I ended up proposing shortly after leaving, and she said yes, so the Blind Ox will forever be in our hearts. read more
The food and drinks are amazing! The presentation is super on point and all the menu items are well thought out and creative. The Sol y Paz and any of the bourbon cocktails are refreshing. Most of the dishes are best shared with a group. We got the french fries and blue balls to split with the table. The blue balls tasted amazing and we had to stop ourselves from ordering a 2nd serving so we could try other dishes. The 24k popcorn chicken is very Instagram able and good but nothing to write home to. read more
4 years ago
We had a reservation for the outside dining experience. The outside is beautiful and worth sitting in when the weather is nice and not too hot. I recommend this place to people who enjoy the craft of cocktails and are looking for someplace to try new and adventurous drinks. The server was very knowledgeable in the menu and had great recommendations. The only down side is the price is a little much to enjoy on a weekend basis. Mr. Crack Seed is a whiskey with a li hing mui kick and was definitely one of our favorites. We only got a few dishes to snack on while trying the drinks. The food was okay, nothing really special about the dishes. Our blind ox fries with Parmesan and truffle were soggy and mostly burnt. It was kinda sad for the price we paid for it. The desert that was provided for us on the house due to our anniversary did make up for it. We got the key lime pie cheesecakes. They were very light and great in flavor. I do not usually like key lime pie, but we couldn't stop eating them. Nice experience if you are able to splurge read more
I really like this place a lot!!! First off, recommendations are highly recommended with inside seating. They accommodate large groups, but with outside seating. There is valet outside the establishment or street parking if you are lucky. I sat inside and I love the whole vibe of this place. It is quiet inside and the huge ox is a great touch to the environment. It is a restaurant and bar, but I just had drinks here. I had Thyme Out and Kapahulu Sunrise. Both drinks wee both refreshing and have bubbly. Just, oh-so-perfect for me. They put a good amount of alcohol in the drinks. This was definitely one of my favorite places while visiting in Honolulu. read more
Definitely one of the coolest places on island. Total NYC vibes. I love that it's one of the few places to dress up and experience the delicacies and unique flavors that are hard to find on island. Every single item that we've tried off their menu has been perfection. Some of our favorites are the duck prosciutto, escargot, and even the truffle fries are amazing! Service is always wonderful. Make sure to come here ready to treat yourself. I highly recommend that you save Blind Ox for a special occasion. Grant was an awesome bartender. He made so many awesome, creative cocktails and provided great service throughout the entire night! read more
3 years ago
Excellent drinks, refreshing and balanced. Tapas are amazing outside of the bar is very low key and interior warm and cozy. read more
3 years ago
We had a great dinner here a few nights ago! The drinks are soo strong, but so tasteful and unique. We had a great meal, as we ordered one of everything. Everything was great quality & the ambience was fantastic. We had an Irish waiter & he was awesome. So polite & worked with all of our requests. read more
The World Food Tour continued at The Blind Ox! Wow, what an eclectic space inside an unassuming building on Kapahulu Avenue. Step inside and you're transported into another world ... the world of the Blind Ox! Your greeted by a large ox with a red blindfold, red drapes, a wonderful tin roof, a large bar to the left, a mechanical clock and booths covered in red surrounding the bar. The atmosphere is intoxicating! We started with two signature cocktails, the Sol Y Paz, Suntory Roku gin, sparkling wine, strawberry, bitter orange and peppercorns, and the Bull & The Whip, Hayden's Bourbon, saffron, rosemary, topped with a candied piece of bacon. I wanted an order of the bacon! To accompany our cocktails we had the Charcuterie Board; the highlights for us were two of the three cheeses; I forget the name but not the intense flavor ... heaped onto a slice of sourdough bread, I was in cheese heaven. We ordered the rest of our food and a bottle of 2017 Shafer TD-9, a red blend from Napa. I prefer blends over varietals from California; they come closer to wines from Bordeaux to me. In any case, we let it sit for a while to open up. I am going to see if I can find it locally. We ordered the Bone Marrow, Duck Prosciutto and the Blind Ox Steak to accompany the wine. The steak was flavorful and tender and came with these delicious little potatoes. The duck was interesting; a sliver of duck (like Prosciutto) atop a round (seemingly deep fried) piece of bread, with a dollop of caviar. I liked it, although the intensity of the caviar overpowered the duck; it was more texture than complexity of flavors for me. The Bone Marrow was slightly disappointing ... it was our fault, we didn't read the menu closely. We like our marrow unadulterated; this one was mixed with bacon, duxelles with pieces of snap peas atop. It was good, but we missed the decadence and richness of pure marrow. We finished our meal with one Affogato; if I see it on the menu I order it, regardless of how satiated I am from our meal. It did not disappoint, the intense bitterness of the espresso complimented the vanilla bean gelato. FYI, the valet parking is extremely limited; cars are moved to two nearby lots as there are only two spaces in front. We didn't use it, preferring to park elsewhere (I won't say where, but it was across the street :p). To me, the Blind Ox is similar to Heiho House, great drinks accompanied by an eclectic mix of foods. We loved the experience; recommended though it can get to be a very expensive outing. read more
2 years ago
Service was amazing! Drinks were definitely worth it! We didn't get to try much of the menu but the creme brûlée stole my heart and I would come back for that dessert alone. The ambiance of this location is on point, private, loved the decor and the people were all mellow. Valet parking was available just out front. We took a ton of great pics! Try this place for drinks and tapas, you won't be disappointed. Great experience. read more
3 years ago
The Blind Ox is slowly becoming my go-to spot when I take friends out. Its a nice place that offers indoor and outdoor seating. The cocktails are always good but a little pricey. Honestly I haven't tired too much of the food yet, but you can never go wrong with the truffle fries! I highly recommend making reservations, its a decent size spot but it fills up quickly. read more
More info about Blind Ox
829 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
Kaimuki
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Ask the Community - Blind Ox
Bar seat Reservations?
I loved the bar seating! If you book a 'bar' reservation, you will literally be seated at the bar. Great opportunity to chat with the bartender about their cocktails.
Im trying to book a resevation but dont understand what "standard" seating means. What is "standard" seating?
It means seated at a table and not the bar or outside patio
Is there some good music playing in the outdoor area?
Yes we have speakers in our outdoor area.
Since the safe access has been lifted, does anyone know if they still required vaccinated cards/covid tests?
Is this place appropriate for kids? I'll be traveling with my 13 and 10 years old. Would love to try this place if it is.
This place is very laid back. When I dined there, I sat inside and no one bothered. Everyone minded their own business and went about their day. The only thing that wouldn't make this place kid-friendly would be the fact that it's a speakeasy… Read more
Is this place only 21+?
No it is not, but they will card for alcoholic beverages.
Do they accept discover credit cards?
Yes. Blind Ox takes Visa,Mastercard,Amex and Discover.
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Blind Ox - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026
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