Carte Blanche

We came here for breakfast almost every day during our trip to Oahu, especially because we got an…read more$80 credit each day while staying at the Ritz! Lots of delicious options, no reservation required, but it does fill up quickly so either go early or make one. We tried something new almost every day, & they were very accommodating with our vegetarian diets! The food was fresh, scrumptious, & came quickly. We loved that it was opened up to let the morning breeze in, & views are lovely. I didn't get pictures of everything we had, but one morning, I ordered the "Lox Bagel Spread" but substituted the lox for veggie patties. He ordered the breakfast Bahn mi, but substituted the meat for veggie patties as well! Their bar is also pretty awesome, though we only got to stop by once.

Fire time back since the name and concept change from La Vie…read more Conveniently located just downstairs so we swung by for breakfast. My Japanese breakfast was delicious - well marinated salmon with crispy tempura. This meal set was excellent and would order again. The açaí bowl, however, was lacking. It didn't have a smooth consistency texture wise and was flavorless. Hard to describe but it was lumpy and off. Service was great per usual.

Open-Air Dining Room

Torched Hamachi Crudo

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Champagne & Caviar

La Mer

4.4(553 reviews)

2.1 mi•Waikiki

An Evening I Will Remember for a Lifetime…read more La Mer was not simply dinner. It was gastronomy, hospitality, and atmosphere orchestrated into an experience I will remember for a lifetime. I celebrated my birthday here and chose the vegetarian tasting experience. I wondered whether choosing vegetarian at a restaurant celebrated for French cuisine might mean experiencing a secondary expression of the kitchen. I could not have been more wrong. The opening beet course immediately dismantled my expectations. I have never particularly loved beets, yet paired with beet purée, basil oil, and an ethereally crisp tapioca, it completely transcended my palate. The earthiness, acidity, fragrance, and texture seemed to reveal different dimensions of an ingredient I thought I already understood. It became one of my favorite courses of the evening. The Chef's Five Way Carrot Expression followed and was perhaps the most refreshing. Exceptionally fresh carrots appeared through contrasting preparations alongside carrot, passion fruit, and ginger sorbet. Sweetness, acidity, and ginger danced around one another beautifully. Every preparation remained unmistakably carrot without becoming repetitive. The zucchini course was another standout. Delicately sliced zucchini was arranged concentrically and paired with basil and green zucchini purée. Its brilliance was restraint. Basil can easily dominate a dish, yet neither ingredient overpowered the other. They simply existed in equilibrium. It had less complexity than some of the other courses, but it did not need it. Texture, precision, balance, and purity were the point. I also surrendered one beverage decision completely. I asked my waiter to choose whichever nonalcoholic drink he believed belonged with the next course. He brought the Chang Apana, made with watermelon, olive oil, and cracked pepper. I expected something fruity and sweet. Instead, it was aromatic, savory, peppery, and remarkably complex. The closest comparison I can make is the way a fine cigar unfolds across the senses, not because the flavors were similar, but because the experience developed rather than simply presenting one identifiable taste. It genuinely left me searching for words. The Onion Purse with Onion Consommé and the Vegetable Plate with Garlic Edamame Mousseline continued demonstrating that the vegetarian menu was never an accommodation. Vegetables were being treated as protagonists. Then came dessert. Silky custard, brittle pecan and toffee-like textures, shortcake, grapes, and herbs somehow made every bite a different composition. One tasted almost like an extraordinary pie. Another became herbaceous and fresh. Another emphasized custard, shortcake, and warm spice. It was rich without becoming excessively sweet and easily ranked among my favorite courses. And somehow, the food was only part of the experience. From the dining room, Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head stretched before me while live music drifted upward from below. I arrived in daylight and watched the entire landscape change. When daylight disappeared, the view did not. It simply transformed. Waikiki illuminated itself, and the atmosphere became increasingly intimate as evening settled over the ocean. But perhaps La Mer's greatest luxury is its hospitality. I spent more than five hours there celebrating my birthday, enjoying every course slowly, appreciating the view, taking photographs, and simply allowing the evening to unfold. Eventually, I realized I was the last guest remaining. At many restaurants, that realization changes everything. Chairs begin moving. Subtle signals appear. You suddenly become conscious that everyone would like you to leave. I never felt that once. As I finally departed, members of the staff wished me happy birthday again and shook my hand. The manager personally came to speak with me and wish me well. After more than five hours, I was never made to feel like I had overstayed my welcome. That is hospitality at its highest level. True luxury is not gold leaf, expensive ingredients, white tablecloths, or even a spectacular view. Those things can be purchased. True luxury is someone's time, attention, and hospitality being given so naturally that you never become conscious of their cost. The cuisine was extraordinary. The vegetarian menu felt deliberate rather than adapted. The setting was magnificent. The service was immaculate. I went to La Mer to celebrate another birthday. I left with a memory. There is a difference.

La Mer was the most beautiful place to celebrate my birthday! From the moment we arrived, the…read moreservice was impeccable and made the evening feel incredibly special. The ocean views were absolutely stunning, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable celebration. One of our favorite touches was the variety of bread rolls to choose from, all freshly baked at the Halekulani bakery. Paired with their specialty butter, it was such a lovely complement to the meal. For my entrée, I ordered the Filet de Boeuf, which was cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. We also enjoyed a variety of desserts, and every single one was exceptional. The combination of outstanding service, breathtaking views, and incredible food made this a birthday dinner I'll never forget. We loved everything and can't wait to return!

Restaurant inside.

Vanilla Soufflé, Spiced Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Banana Cream Sauce $40

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Cold soup with lobster pure

Duc's Bistro

4.5(437 reviews)

4.5 mi•Chinatown

Great atmosphere here. Family owned and ran, they took their time explaining the menu and giving…read morerecommendations. We got a handful of items off the menu. Standouts were the scallop in curry (special) and eggplant. Will be back!

Blast from the past! Have not been to Duc's Bistro in maybe... 10 years? maybe more!!!! I…read moreremember well the food being outstanding and the service was more than what I had then expected.... Here is my story: Located in the same place for 35 years plus. Duc opened his restaurant in the 1980's. Duc's Bistro is one of the original ethnic Vietnamese restaurants who opened in the 1980's and still continues to serve our community. Do not leave without bidding aloha to Duc who today is in the kitchen with his wife who both prepares all the food. His son now runs the front of the house along with staffers who have been there for years on end. The food is French Vietnamese. Of their slim clear concise menu, my favorite is their Roast Pork and Duck Pate. While all the dishes are good, those two stand out for me. And be sure you save room for their desserts. Their dishes are prepared and served such that if you choose to dine "family style" you have definitely sat at the right Establishment. The location remains the same. First Establishment on the westside of MaunaKea and Beretania Streets. Validated parking if you can get a staff in the lot across the street from Duc's. Bright Pink and Green Neon Sign for Duc's Bistro. You cannot miss it! Full bar or $25 corkage if you bring your own wine. Soft drinks and Vietnamese Hot or Cold coffee available also. Price point is approximately $50 per head from start to finish. Plan to have a meal there! You will not be disappointed.

Vanilla creme brulee and affogatto

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Peppercorn prawns (Tom Rang Muoi).....32 Large Tiger Prawns sautéed with red sea salt and roasted black pepper

Farmhouse Cafe

4.3(498 reviews)

2.9 mi

•$$

The Signature Burger arrived, and it was so beautiful I didn't even pause to take a breath before…read moretaking my first bite! I am absolutely certain my husband and I were transported to another planet by the flavor. The burger was hot, juicy, and utterly extraordinary. And the au jus on the side? Incredible! Then there were those slender, oven-browned potatoes, also known as possibly French fries... which were absolutely extraordinary. A can of Big Island Beer from Kamuela was the perfect beverage to enjoy alongside it. Every bite was an experience. Simply put: WOW. Bottom line... next time, I'm having my own burger. We decided to have the apple tart dessert. It was a perfectly delightful finishing piece. Sorry, no photos! Lost my mind in scrumptiousness! Can barely wait to return!

To call the food AMAZING would be an understatement!!! The atmosphere is quaint but so inviting…read more The entire staff just desired to serve and care for us during our time; explaining the locally sourced honey wine, the in-house made ketchups and jams. You could really taste the difference. We thought the candied bacon was a little expensive until we tried it. So yes, spend the extra few bucks and get the bacon & the ketchup! The Wagyu burger was one of the best I've ever had! I added some Swiss and requested just a little blue cheese instead of their normal amount.

Beignets with strawberry sauce

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Po local honey wine

Mugen

4.5(151 reviews)

1.6 mi•Waikiki

10/10/26 We were invited for Birthday Dinner here tonight. I…read morehad no idea what to expect. As you come down Kalakaua Avenue just past Kaiulani. There will be a valet on the left side of Kalakaua that will take your car. Mugen is located inside the Espacio Hotel. The dinner tonight was very special. Each dish was artfully presented, and very carefully prepared. The restaurant is beautiful and although fully seated, nice and quiet. Service is impeccable. I apologize if I have this wrong, but I think our server was Sheri. She was so sweet, attentive and professional I highly recommend Mugen for that special night out

Mugen is an upscale fusion restaurant in the middle of Waikiki. As expected, the place is super…read moreclean and very well presented. The staff, especially our server (Eduardo), were exceptional. All were extremely attentive and efficient. They take very good pictures as well. The food is fantastic. My favorites are: 1) the A5 Wagyu just melts in your mouth. It's incredibly well prepared and has a great balance of flavor. 2) the amuse bouche (poke rice cake) was very fresh and flavorful. 3) the summer chill dessert was refreshing and delicious at the same time. Honorable mention goes to the lobster (I usually don't like lobster much) as it was tender and well presented. The risotto was amazing. The lamb was good but slightly chewy. The Kinmedai was probably just not my thing. It was probably the weakest dish we got. Overall I love the place and will definitely return. $150/pp is a good deal for this level of quality especially in Hawaii.

Interior

Afternoon Tea Spring 2025 - "De Pattie" - Oxtail and curried channa aloo

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Afternoon Tea Spring 2025 - Ashwaganda beet root cured king salmon w/ avocado, blood orange in filo nest)

natuRe waikiki

4.4(246 reviews)

1.7 mi•Waikiki

Date of Visit: 5/25/2026 We picked natuRe Waikiki as my…read morebirthday celebration dinner during our trip to Waikiki in May. We visited at around 8pm and chose the Chef's Table. There were two selection of tasting menu, which is the classic tasting menu Hale $130 and vegetarian option Aina $110. We picked Hale $130 and my husband added the wine pairing for $75. There were six glasses of wine selection included in the wine pairing, starting with brut, rose, and sake from Hawaii, and other whites, with the last one finally the red from France. Sitting at the chef's table was great, which we can see the chef's preparation of the dinner with open setting. There were a total of 6 courses, staring with Venison Tart & Shrimp Toast, and then the Ahi Poke, Eggplant. In the middle we had the bread with kelp butter to pair with the smoky Abalone Risotto. After the risotto, the Ayu Galette was amazin. The main courses were the Kona Kampachi Poele and Kiawe Filet Mignon. And we ordered a sorbet and another birthday celebration sorbet.

Stopped by to try the hale course which had a bit of everything. Was super easy to make a…read morereservation on opentable, since it's more upscale they're not fully booked out all the time it's more hole in the wall for sure. But they absolutely crushed and delivered on that $130 meal. I left feeling absolutely full and feeling like I had eaten some of the best food Hawaii has to offer. Each course is presented by an amazing server, for us that was Travis and he did such an amazing job explaining everything and entertaining all of my silly questions, of which there were many. We saw and were able to talk to everyone involved in making each dish including the head chefs, who clearly love and care so much more about food than any of us mere mortals ever could.

Charcoal battered heart of palm beignet

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Fish en croute (fish of the day was amberjack)

Michel's At The Colony Surf

4.1(901 reviews)

1.9 mi

Best food, best dessert, best service…read more Nice location right on the beach, Enjoy our sunset.we love it and willing to come back

We came here for a birthday celebration. We all ordered the tasting menu. So I was able to try a…read morevariety of things; the lobster bisque, tuna tartare and filet. Everything was lovely. They had table side Caesar salads, which were delicious. The dessert was just ok. The view is amazing!! We were able to watch the sunset from our table. Service was good, a bit slow...probably because they had so many tasting menus and had to cook table side constantly. On the bright side, it gave us time to relax and catch up with one another.

Tableside bananas foster!

Gelato: Dark Giandui Hazelnut Chocolate + Tahitian Vanilla

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French Inspired Aesthetic

Margotto Hawaii

4.2(157 reviews)

3.1 mi•Ala Moana

Shawn is amazing super knowledgable and gracious the food was outstanding from…read moreThe Caccio Pepe to the Beef Cheek to the truffles and on and on coming back next week to try the duck. The Tomato on the pork Milanese were worth their weight in gold beyond outstanding. Will be back next week

At Margotto, they made it rain--rain shaved truffles. While they have other menu items, they are…read moreknown for their seasonal truffle menus and having well priced truffles which they source themselves from Italy. Under Chef Shiori Okuya, their tasting menu, was a nice way to experience the French-Japanese flavors of the restaurant. First we chose the amount of truffle we wanted for our meal. Then those truffles were shaved over multiple elegant appetizers; a Pot-au-Feu soup; a lobster fish course; oyster pasta; duck for our main; in Asian-style, a comforting rice bowl to end the savory courses; and finally even the dessert. Henry was an amazing server with flair and passion for the menu and we even took a little bit of truffle home to enjoy on soft scrambled eggs the next day. If you want to experience another side of Margotto, there is also Margotto E Baciare in Japan.

We are waiting for truffle loves!

White truffle October~January

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Our multiple award winning group executive chef Kenta Kayama

El Cielo

4.6(272 reviews)

1.8 mi•Waikiki

If you are ever in Wakiki, please visit this quaint and cozy spot! A short walking distance from…read morehotels in the Hilton Hawaiian Village... it is worth it! Food was excellent, service was impeccable and the vibe was chill. It did not disappoint... will stop by next time we visit for sure. Aloha..

We celebrated my partner's birthday here and had high expectations because of the positive reviews…read more The interior decor was fabulous, and our server was attentive and friendly. We started with cocktails, and I really enjoyed my Nueva España. For pinchos, we ordered the Empanada, Boquerones & Guindilla, and Croquetas de Jamón. The Empanada was our favorite dish of the night. The Boquerones & Guindilla were tasty, but the Croquetas were bland, even with the sauce. Next, we had the Seafood Paella. In hindsight, we probably shouldn't have mixed all of the aioli into the paella because it made the dish feel quite heavy. The rice was also firmer than I prefer, although the seafood was fresh and delicious. For our mains, we ordered the Lamb Chops and the Amadai. The lamb chops were quite lean and didn't particularly stand out. The Amadai had an interesting texture, but it was too salty for my taste. The clams served with the fish also didn't appeal to us, so we left them untouched. The restaurant surprised us with a complimentary dessert for the birthday celebration, which was a very nice gesture and much appreciated. Overall, it was a decent dining experience with excellent service and a beautiful atmosphere, but the food didn't quite live up to our expectations.

Gorgeous setting

Octopus ala Gallega

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Charcuterie

Taormina Sicilian Cuisine

4.1(1k reviews)

2.0 mi•Waikiki

UnI pasta was amazing! Burrata app was light and tasty. My friend had the duck which was great too…read more Creative cocktails, great wine list. Service excellent. Atmosphere was nice but noisy. Saturday night and restaurant was full. I went there on a weeknight once before and it was much quieter. I will be back! Note they validate parking at Wyndham valet but it's a small lot and fills fast. Also it's $8 with validation. Better to park at Royal Hawaiian Center and buy something for free parking.

Good date night spot, super expensive though for no good reason. Food was good…read more beef carpaccio dish should not be $45. The margins on that must be crazy. The duck dish was a bit lackluster with no carbs. The pasta dish was good.

Interior

Taormina Sicilian Cuisine - Beef Carpaccio
パルメザンをたっぷりのせたビーフカルパッチョ
Thinly sliced Beef Tenderloin with parmesan, arugula, EVOO and our house-made caper　vinaigrette

Beef Carpaccio パルメザンをたっぷりのせたビーフカルパッチョ Thinly sliced Beef Tenderloin with parmesan, arugula, EVOO and our house-made caper　vinaigrette

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Granchio pasta

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Melvin D.

221

652

1012

3 years ago

Having dined at Carte Blanche in Honolulu, I am compelled to award it a meritorious five-star rating due to my profound admiration. This establishment provides a unique dining experience that surpasses the mere enjoyment of delicious food, making it a culinary marvel. The chef's proficiency and ingenuity are immediately apparent in each course. The culinary selection combines indigenous Hawaiian components with global gastronomic methods and is inventive and irresistibly delicious. Every course is meticulously crafted, featuring harmoniously balanced and robust flavors, resulting in a lasting sensory experience. Carte Blanche exhibits exceptional skills in the presentation of its dishes as well. The meticulousness is exemplary, as evidenced by the artistic arrangement of each plate, which elevates each course to a visual delight. This promotes the dining experience to the level of an artistic creation rather than merely a repast. Furthermore, the atmosphere of Carte Blanche significantly enhances its allure. The intimate and sophisticated ambiance provides the ideal setting for a momentous evening. The ambiance is perfect, whether it be a special occasion, a romantic dinner, a celebration, or a night out for fine dining. Additionally, the service at Carte Blanche is noteworthy. The staff is well-informed, cordial, and vigilant while avoiding any sense of intrusion. They create a warm and inviting atmosphere, guaranteeing that each patron feels esteemed and attended to. In conclusion, Carte Blanche is an exceptional dining destination in Honolulu. It provides a memorable culinary experience, including inventive and delectable fare, exquisite presentation, beautiful ambiance, and outstanding service. It is a dining establishment I would enthusiastically endorse to any individual in Honolulu seeking a beyond-ordinary dining experience. read more

Chase N.

3 years ago

We came here to celebrate a milestone in my career as well as treat my girlfriend to a well needed experience. We bought pretty much the entire menu and similar to XO and AV - we were not disappointed. The wine menu takes an interesting approach. Instead of just the set 2-5x mark up on bottles, they allow you to buy a one time membership(only for this meal) to their CB wine "club". It is $30 per person, but after that - all wines are basically at cost value. So there is a CB wine price of $30 for a cab and then there is the non member price of $80 as an example. We bought the CB membership which allowed us to buy 6 bottles to enjoy throughout dinner. Highly recommend since we likely would of just bought one bottle for the whole meal at normal mark up prices. Food. Amazing. The prices for the starters were so reasonable we just got them all. Which is recommend. Each one is so different and crafted beautifully. I suck at food reviews so just go look at their menu and expect them all to be IG beautiful with the taste to follow. Atmosphere. Gold. Trump meets Martha Stewart meets Top Chef. My only complaint is the bathrooms are very much exposed to the eating environment which makes it feel both homely (not a bad thing) but exposed. Staff. They believe in not hiring wait staff so you will be interacting with the owner, gm, and everyone who is involved in making your food. This resulted in great discussions, laughter, and sharing of wine. Great intimate feel. Cost. You could totally do this for $150 for two but i recommend going in with $300-400 budget if you want to experience a lot and $800 if you want to experience it all. Overall, great new addition to the area and highly recommend read more

Jackie G.

1 year ago

We had the pleasure of dining at Carte Blanche for our anniversary, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere felt exclusive and upscale, and our waiter was friendly, attentive, and provided excellent service throughout the evening. The Prix Fixe menu was thoughtfully curated, with each dish beautifully presented and well balanced in flavor. 1. Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin with Trout Roe - An elevated take on salt and vinegar chips, with the rich crunch of chicken skin and a touch of briny saltiness from the roe. 2. Soupe de Poisson with Grilled City Bread - Deep, well-rounded flavors that paired perfectly with the smoky grilled bread. 3. Piña Colada Granita - A refreshing and playful palate cleanser between courses. 4. Pan-Seared Scallops with Corn Béchamel, Polenta, and Fresh Relish - My favorite dish of the night. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and every component complemented each other beautifully. 5. Rack of Lamb with Charred Cabbage & Miso Red Wine Sauce - I'm usually not a fan of lamb, but this preparation completely changed my mind. The meat was tender, and the combination of the cabbage and sauce was simply delicious. 6. Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart with Berry Jam - A lovely finish to the meal, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. Overall, it was an amazing dining experience-- elegant, flavorful, and memorable. I would absolutely recommend Carte Blanche to friends and family for any special occasion. read more

Michelle N.

2 years ago

My husband, grandma and I had a fantastic time at Carte Blanche! The food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. Our friendly server even knew how to use my grandma's digital camera and helped us take great photos-such a fun and memorable touch. Highly recommend! read more

Curtis L.

309

4 months ago

what a great meal and experience. I made a reservation a week ahead of time and got the duck wellington. Great communication as this dinner was my wife's birthday. all dishes were new to us and it was nothing be spectacular read more

Carte Blanche - asianfusion - Updated November 2026

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Giovedi

4.3

(210 reviews)

Giovedi delivered an exceptional dinner for our group, seamlessly blending interesting flavours…read morewith flawless execution. We started with pillowy soft HOKKAIDO MILK ROLLS alongside the refreshing SCALLOP CARPACCIO. The pasta courses each stood out on its own right. DAN MIEN VIETNAM-ATRICIANA, deep and rich savoury sauce on egg noodles was so comforting and delicious we ordered a second one. CAPELLINI GRANCHIO was another crowd favourite. The thin capellini were perfect strands for this dish. It could use more crabmeat though. GNOCCHI MABOLOGNESE, this was a clever fusion of mapo tofu with gnocchi mimicking tofu in a hot sauce. I'm not a fan of gnocchi much more tender gnocchi in this dish. Two Donburi dishes - Veal and Mushroom - stood out with the addition of pop rice. Grated truffle was very generous. We ended with both desserts on the menu. Every single dish hit the mark, and sharing everything family-style across six people was the perfect way to experience the menu. Fantastic cooking, great atmosphere, and an absolute must-visit.

Three Visits and Still Impressed…read more I've been to Giovedi three times now and have been impressed every time. The small plates are meant to be shared, which is perfect because it means you get to try more bites. Their cuisine is creative, with interesting flavors and combinations that make the meal fun to explore. I loved their Crystal Tiger cocktail. Lychee goodness. The foie gras spread with toasted bread was divine, but my favorite bite was the scallop carpaccio. Fresh, delicate, and delicious. And all their pastas are fire. Seriously. Service has always been great. The tables are close together and it can get a little noisy, but honestly, that is part of the ambiance and vibe. Three visits in, and Giovedi continues to impress.

SERA

3.9

(105 reviews)

Lovely setting for celebrations with a menu that offers something for every appetite and dietary…read morepreference. My companions chose pasta, pizza and burgers, while I selected the Mediterranean appetizer combo and marveled at the pretty colors and accompanying bread with a smattering of Zaatar spice blend. For dessert, the Greek yogurt and sorbet were the perfect light end to the meal. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. Free valet parking. I'd come back!

I love love love the food and ambience. Service is terrible for some reason. This is the second…read moretime I've dined here in the past two months and I honestly thought the first time was a fluke with the service and decided to try again. Surprise surprise it wasn't a fluke lol. On Monday I made reservations via phone call. Everything confirmed. I received two texts during the week my reservation for Friday at 7 was confirmed. Great! I called Friday to add three more guests to our dinner reservation of 6. Immediately she said I didn't have a reservation booked. I tried to clarify with a phone number but she said it was only by name. I spelt my name twice and no. I asked her if she had any reservations for a party of 6 at 7pm. Yes but for xxxxx. And I told her that was me!!! And she finally repeated my name back to me with my last name - I felt so gaslight/mindblown. Never mind I was driving so I said ok glad we have our reservation but she said we couldn't add anyone. Ok that's fine. We show up party of 6 to this enormous table clearly big enough for three more. Ok. Service is sloowwwww. Our drinks took at least 20mins. And our second round was beat by our entrees. Server said the bar was behind - got it. 20mins for a beer is wild! Anyhow, bill comes and mind you we've been begging for water all night (on top of our slow drinks) and it's ridiculous to expect an included 20% gratuity when there was not even toilet paper in the restrooms. I have no problem showing appreciation when it's earned but expecting it when it's not is shameful. Just saying. You've been warned. The food is but the service is questionable.

Mugen

(151 reviews)

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter

(422 reviews)

Became a fan of Chef Kajioka after dining at Cafe Miro in January. As we were planning a trip back…read morein August for the wifey's bday, I definitely wanted to head back and made reservations for The Counter as I saw pics on IG of their meal here. We lucked out and found street parking nearby. As we walked into the restaurant, we were quickly greeted by the host/server who showed us to our seats along the U shaped counter. Loved the clean and modern decor inside the restaurant. As we sat down, our water cups were quickly filled and the only few questions they had for us was whether we wanted the wine pairing and we wanted to add the caviar toast and shaved truffles. We opted for the wine pairing, caviar toast and truffles. The meal was fantastic from start to finish. The most notable dishes for me were the ahi and caviar toast, cold corn soup, the lobster and the dessert. Sadly the portion of the toast here was about 1/2 the size of what we had at the cafe and unfortunately they didn't have uni for the night (maybe don't go on a Tuesday). Service was fantastic but they did have a few hiccups which were tolerable as the food was amazing. The wine pairing was also good and paired well with the dishes. As we are currently planning our trip back later this year, we will definitely head back to either the cafe (if the remodel is completed) or back to the counter for another meal. This is likely the best meal we've had in HNL in quite some time and highly recommend it.

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter: An elegant, intimate experience that, sadly, left a lot to be desired…read more The service was great but I had a few qualms which influenced my decision of probably not returning. A couple things about Miro: - You have to pre-pay via OpenTable (unsure how it works if you call ahead), but just be aware you will be fronting the cost. Also, there are two seatings, one at 5pm, and one at 7:30pm. The 5pm seating is $165 per person and the 7:30pm seating is $195. I'm not sure if there is a menu difference but just know there is a difference in price depending on the time you choose. - Upon arrival you have to wait outside before being let inside. The restaurant locks the doors while they are in service, so if you are the 2nd seating (which is what we were) at 7:30pm, you will have to wait outside. Honestly my girlfriend and I were pretty confused as we've never had this experience before. We even tried to message/call the restaurant but didn't hear from them so we were close to leaving, but luckily some people were leaving from the earlier seating and let us know to wait outside and that the servers would let us in when the time comes. Now onto the most important part- the food. The menu was 6 courses (not including the bread). We got all of the add-ons and I also did the wine pairing. There wasn't any menu available but here's what I got based on photos: - First Course: 4 starters which reminded me of Bar Maze. This was probably the best course for me. I really wish I knew the names of each dish but it was an oyster, salmon tart, another tart (I think this was tomato or something), and ikura toast. All of it was super tasty. - Second Course: Ahi, Caviar, and Uni all on top of their special toasted bread. Now I am a big proponent of all three toppings, but the bread was so rich and dense, it overpowered all of the toppings. I felt the uni went best with the toast, but definitely not my favorite to start a meal so heavy. - Third Course: Almost like a bacon carbonara but without any pasta? It was kind of like a custard texture. It was good but felt a little out of place in the whole grand scheme of the tasting menu. - Bread: I don't count this as a course but we were served this beautiful baked bread with honey butter. Super yummy. - Fourth Course: Lobster - which, of course was tasty but not memorable for me. - Fifth Course: I can't remember if this was wagyu but this was also pretty good. Pretty small for an entree but the meat was cooked well and the presentation was very nice. - 6th Course: There were two desserts and one complimentary dessert for my birthday. The orange creamsicle dessert was the best one. My girlfriend and I didn't like the gummies as they were a bit too sour/savory for our taste (it was li hing flavored which isn't my favorite so I could be biased). The birthday dessert which was a dark chocolate cake thing- it was OK. The cocoa was a bit bitter and was a little too unsweet for our taste. Overall, I think Miro was just okay. For the cost of $195 per person + the wine pairing (which I believe was another $95), and the add-on's for both of us (~$60-70?) plus my girlfriends mocktail, this came out to a very steep $550+ dinner. I feel for 6 courses this is pretty overpriced, especially because the portions are super small and I don't feel the tasting menu was very cohesive. I would definitely rather go to NatuRe, Mugen, or Senia as they are relatively close (or at times cheaper) in price to Miro. Don't get me wrong, the ambiance was beautiful and intimate, and I think it's worth trying at least once if you want to splurge, but sadly this won't be a restaurant I return to regularly, if at all in the future.

Duc's Bistro

(437 reviews)

Rigo

4.3

(1.2k reviews)

I'm an executive chef and this is a amazing place to eat, the food is phenomenal, our server was…read moreFuzuki, we've eaten here several times and the atmosphere is amazing the service is impeccable! Tapas, pasta, and pizza! Everything is fine dining worthy but at cheaper prices

My good friend took me to her favorite local spot last night... Rigo in Waikiki and it definitely…read moredelivered. The ambiance, service and food quality was 10/10. Our server Daniel was awesome. Super attentive and kind. All the dishes we had were some amazing but for me to standouts were the Caesar salad and the grilled shrimp appetizer with an extra garlic bread was chef's kiss. Highly recommend Rigo if you are looking for an elevated dining experience when you're next in Waikiki

Hy's Steak House

4.2

(2.1k reviews)

We celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary at Hy's, and once again, it did not disappoint. From…read morethe two young men at the valet stand to the welcoming hostess at the check-in desk, our evening got off to a wonderful start. Trevor and Mana along with a few other young men on the team, were amid the action. We were a table of two, yet we watched them seamlessly serve other tables including parties of 6, 9, and 10. It was amazing to see them move like a well-oiled machine while delivering such excellent service to everyone. Their teamwork, attentiveness, and professionalism truly stood out. And then there was the food! From the delicious cheese bread and French onion soup to the salad, Beef Wellington, and Delmonico steak, every course was a treat. Dessert was the perfect finale: chocolate flambe, along with a complimentary flourless chocolate cake. Hands down, it was a memorable dining experience from beginning to end. Thank you to the entire Hy's team for making our 36th anniversary so special. A special thank-you to Trevor for offering us a complimentary photo to commemorate our celebration. It was such a thoughtful gesture and a wonderful keepsake from our special evening. Your hospitality, outstanding service, and delicious food made this anniversary one to remember. We wish Hy's nothing but continued success and we look forward to returning!

Hy's steak house more like overHYped steakhouse. This place came highly recommended via social…read moremedia and yelp reviews so we were soOooOo excited to come here as we are always looking for a good steakhouse and a nice dinner while on vacation. This place hit neither. Dress code enforced posted on their website and they remind you when they call about your reservation. That's fine bc we like to dress up for dinner while on vacation anyways. We each ordered filet mignon and you would have to pay me to eat that again. It was AWFUL. I mean look at the pictures does that even look like a filet mignon to you ?! It was thick and the texture was terrible. It tasted like a steak from Dennys. The baked potato was amazing and our (not) server, helper packed it with butter balls and sour cream which was really appreciated. Our server sat us and took our order and then the cool helper dude is the one who checked on us, brought our food, etc. he was way better than the server. I don't really understand the dynamic between the two. Anyways we left this place severely disappointed after spending hundreds of dollars. We sought out to redeem ourselves the next night on Oahu and found Aloha steakhouse on yelp. It was a million x better and one of the best steaks I've ever had. Do yourselves a favor, skip Hys and just go to Aloha. You might think at Hys you're "paying for the experience" but it will only be a disappointing experience at best.

Paris Hawaii

(32 reviews)

It is a shame that Michelin doesn't rate restaurants in Hawaii because Paris Hawaii would certainly…read moremake the list. From the food to the staff, everything was perfect. The pre-fixe menu was excellent. Chef Yamanaka certainly has a great menu design. His aji is on point and he used a variety of protein and vegetables. Perfection. The staff were highly attentive, friendly and helpful. Chef changes the menu every two months and I look forward to trying another menu.

I will talk about the exquisite food a little later; but first, THE SERVICE. You will not find…read moreservice anywhere in Hawaii like the service you get at Paris Hawaii. We had recently returned from a trip to Japan, and the service at Paris Hawaii felt like the Michelin star restaurants we dined at in Kyoto. Every staff member was so polite, attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and most of all- welcoming! The feeling of walking into this restaurant is that they really want you there. So hospitable without an ounce of the stuffiness and stiffness you find at many restaurants of this caliber. The food: Every plate was so thoughtfully curated. Every ingredient served a purpose. Every component designed to add texture, flavor, and tiny unexpected surprises. My wife's favorite course was the chilled sweet corn soup with a milk foam. She said it reminded her of her childhood. Mine was the poached salmon with stone fruit in a mushroom consommé. But all were exquisite. The wine list was fantastic and the atmosphere clean and modern with an open kitchen concept. If I could give more than 5 stars I would!

Botanico Waikiki

3.8

(73 reviews)

We were looking for a nice Italian place to help celebrate a birthday and Botanico was it! We were…read moreunsure how it would be - always iffy about heading into Waikiki not knowing what might be a tourist trap. We were pleasantly surprised by the food and drinks! We enjoyed the sangria (white was better than red to us) and the kids loved their mocktails too. The caesar salad was perfect and I loved my clam pasta. Another diner had the osso buco, which was a special, and it was really good and he polished it off. Service was really friendly and the ambiance was nice. The restaurant validated our parking for that building -I believe it's the Waikiki Shopping Plaza (about Stix Waikiki).

This place is pretty new so everything is clean and shiny. Service was fast, friendly, and mostly…read moreefficient (the server took the remainder of a dish for boxing and never brought it back). Cocktails were well done and interesting. The charcuterie board had "issues". It had no fruit or olives, two small pieces of cheese, and 3 different kinds of liver pâté. I don't dislike pâté, but RL does, and if we had known it was that pâté heavy, we would have passed on it. The entrees were quite good. I especially enjoyed the variety of fungi in mine. Sadly, they were out of the wine RL wanted. Validated parking is available in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza, which was very convenient.

PAI Honolulu

4.4

(342 reviews)