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Genius Lounge

4.1 (651 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
Updated 1 week ago

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GENIUS LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Genius Lounge

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Kahlúa pork nachos (Happy Hour)
Ethan T.

Solid place to visit and the staff is wonderful. Side street from the main road and up a flight of stairs above an oyster restaurant. Came in during happy hour and the dishes were excellent. Clearly smaller than their normal sizes, but ordering a couple of dishes to try new things. They will let you know happy hour is ending and once 6:30 will grab the menu. The Poke was very refreshing, nice amount of heat for the spicy. The Karaage was tasty, just a little over cooked for me. The sauces added a different level of flavor to include heat. It did not come with rice, ordered a side for the chicken. Kahlúa pork nachos were ok, the best part was the fried chips. The negatives was the bland pork and the fake cheese The facility places music but it does not drown out the ppl walking by that are loud or large vehicles. There is bar sitting with a TV on playing a local sport. Overall, highly recommend and if you come during happy hour, the prices seem to save you $2-3 per item.

Michelle M.

Don't let the dumpy looks of this hidden gem fool you... I heard so much chatter about Genius Lounge that I knew we had to try it. When we walked up for our reservation, I told my husband, this place looks kind of sketchy. His immediate response: "the best places are always the ones that look like a dump." So, up the dirty staircase up to the 3rd floor we went. Upon entering, we were warmly greeted and brought to our table on the street side facing lanai. There were several other parties already seated enjoying their yummy smelling good. By the time we left around 8:15ish, the place was packed. We started off with cocktails (lemon drop for me and The Duke signature cocktail for my husband). Both delish! Going in though, we already knew we wanted to try a few different items from the menu (pickled veggies, spam katsu, Caesar salad, and the ribeye skewer). Everything was SO YUMMY! We of course ended our night with the Hawaiian brownie. I honestly could have eaten my own. It was SO GOOD! The prices are reasonable, and the service is outstanding. Genius Lounge from the outside looks very deceiving, but you will not be disappointed.

Ahi Steak Lightly Seared
Scott L.

Genius Lounge is a hidden restaurant and bar located up two flights of external stairs to a not really identifiable doorway. No external awning or sign to tell you that a restaurant was located way at the top of the stairs. There is a beautiful mural to entertain you as you walk up the stairs though. The place is also one of the few restaurants that opens late for food but is on a not very well traveled Waikiki side-street. So you could easily miss the establishment by thinking....dark and not busy side street - sketch, two flights of stairs with no elevator in sight - how am I going to drink and navigate the stairs?, do I walk up two flights, look around, and turn around and walk back down if I don't like the looks of the place? What to do? What to do? Well, it's late and they have decent drink prices and serve food til 11pm. Thus, walking up and up and up and in. Greeted, walked past the nice looking bar, and seated on the external patio. Big menu, so it took some time to peruse in the dark. Finally selected edamame, drinks, ahi steak lightly seared, and a poki bowl. The fish was fresh but a bit pricey, but hey, you're in pricy Waikiki and not paying more for a RT Lyft or rental car & hotel parking to get you out of the area for less expensive food. At least not late tonight. So overall, food was decent, not mind blowing but you are getting fresh fish. Service was attentive and people were super nice, but it's just those external stairs.... Can't drink a lot and make it down those steps....

Yuzu chicken
Sarah S.

Finally made it up the stairs to this cute cozy Japanese Hawaiian fusion bar in Waikiki. Got there in time for their Happy Hour from 5-6:30 which includes various drink options, appetizers, and a few protein dishes offered at about $2 off. We started with draft beers.My Japanese friend got the Kirin ($5) and I got the Coco Weizen which I preferred to the P-ssy Grabs Back both from the Honolulu Beer Company ($7). Taught the friend a new slang word when she wondered why our server was blushing and laughing when she delivered my drink. The tomodachi liked the kalua pork nachos which came with crispy fried wonton type chips and a cheese that resembled Velveeta. I prefer corn chips and shredded cheese but the flavor of the the pork was good. She also liked the curly fries with garlic ($1 more) which came with a glaze that made it look oily. Again the taste was good but I prefer my fries dry. My favorite dish was the yuzu chicken which tasted "sappari" (fresh) and flavorful with the citrus sauce which complemented the chicken while still allowing the flavor of the meat to come through. I was impressed that it was a whole chicken cut up into pieces bones in. We also got a green salad for a healthful element. Simple and served its purpose. All in all pretty good but I would have had a better dining experience if the AC worked better. A bit difficult since the doors are open and it was a hot day. A number of couples sat outside on the lanai which could be cute and romantic in cooler weather and later in the evening. If I return I want to try the poi noodles.

Flaming ribeye
Rachel C.

A friend brought me here for the flaming ribeye, he said it was good! He was so right!!! From the moment we walked in, service was great, the menu was extensive, and the drinks are reasonably priced. We ordered the flaming ribeye and garlic shrimp. It was such a good meal, with a great vibe.

Nancy L.

The food here was decent -- if I were rating based on that alone, it might've been a 3 out of 5. Unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired. When we were asked about drinks, we opted for water for the whole family since we had elders and kids with us, and it was very hot seating outside. In response, the two Asian women serving us exchanged glances and rolled their eyes -- completely unnecessary and unprofessional. When we asked for recommendations, one of them dismissively replied, "I don't know what you like, so..." which felt rude and unhelpful. Thankfully, we later had a much better experience with a different server -- the one with the beautiful flower tattoos (a fellow Jersey girl!) -- who was friendly, attentive, and made the rest of our visit more pleasant. I left a 25% tip just because of her. Still, the initial treatment soured the experience enough that I wouldn't return or recommend this place to others.

Menu - more specials
Simon K.

Hawaiian Japanese fusion! What a splendid change from all the touristy restaurants in Honolulu. Our server Lisia was so friendly and helpful with many great suggestions from the huge menu that was also reasonably priced. The red mochiko chicken nanban was great and reminded me of a quality General Tso Chicken. If you like Orange Chicken then try this, it has a more refined flavor profile. We yearned for some rice to go with it so Lisia suggested we try their special Waianae Shaka Moa Egg Over Rice. First let me tell you that they pride themselves on using island eggs, apparently safer to consume raw than than mainland eggs. The dish is a mix it yourself bowl of rice with a side of raw egg and white soy sauce. We were a bit scared and only used the yolk, but overall it was wonderful. The tan-tan poi pasta tsukemen with island egg (soft poached) was awesome with homemade noodles, and mix it yourself soup broth of white sesame flavor and ground pork. Next time I'd like to try their Pasta Carbonara with Kalua pork soup broth. The original jumbo garlic shrimp came in a hot skillet with garlic butter. However we didn't like that we had to peel the shrimp. Also it was a rather muted flavor profile. Perhaps they should have added a splash of white wine while cooking. Anyway it's tough to beat the garlic shrimp that you can find all over the island. I wouldn't get this dish again. The Poke Nachos were wonderful and came with homemade wonton crisps as the chips. It was served in a large bowl with that island egg again. They told us to break the egg and toss the nachos around. It was great! I love it that they have Honolulu Brewery beers. The Coco Weizen beer was awesome! Unfortunately they don't have Sauvignon Blanc wine. Be sure to arrive between 5pm to 6:30pm to do Happy Hour! Overall adorable ambience on the 3rd floor of a small building. Like a residential premises. It feels like somebody has warmly invited you into their home.

Poi noodle tsukemen
Joe W.

This hidden Gem is located on the third floor, with two cozy balconies or an inside Izakaya bar feel inside. They have friendly staff, like you would expect from a neighborhood bar, but you really go here for the food and drinks Genius Lounge is where Japanese-Hawaiian fusion comes together. You're getting crispy mochiko chicken, Kalua pork nachos, garlic shrimp, and drinks that hit just right -- all in a chill third-floor hideaway perfect for date night or drinks with the crew.

Sangria
Krysta W.

Cute upstairs place with an awesome atmosphere. Very friendly people and food was really fantastic. Must get the Caesar salad. A little too much onions on the sushi roll but still very good

Lovina A.

I don't know why there's not more hype on this place! This restaurant is located on the 3rd floor and is pretty hidden, but they serve amazing food and drinks! Service was also really good and fast and they helped give us suggestions on what to order. We ordered a bunch of food and they were all delicious, but the poi noodles with poke was the highlight of our meal. It was so unique and different, but it was also really tasty. I ended up finishing up the whole meal to myself!! The steak were really juicy and tasty too. They also had a salmon and tuna carpaccio with tofu suace and that was amazing too! There's so many drink options so be ready to have a good time! Definitely check them out when you're in Waikiki!

Sushi with Ahi
Ben C.

This restaurant is amazing. Every dish is absolutely amazing! The nigiri, sushi, short rib, gyozo, and more! Definitely tru this out if visiting or if you are a local!

Dinning area
Leah H.

We can to genius lounge back in December, I have been debating to review it as I was waiting for so long to go. I had heard about it and seen it on social media. Maybe we just hit an off night. IDK but I was thinking it would be so much more. Good but nothing amazing. Food was ok, ambience felt a little dingy, maybe due to sitting right next to kitchen Window, and entrance door. Service was great. They were fast and kind.

Ahi & Salmon Carpaccio
Michelle S.

Cocktails were smooth -- perhaps a little too smooth, I could've gone stronger. Ahi and salmon carpaccio came through savory and filling, but I liked the ahi a bit more (sorreh salmon). The beef tongue? Rich, juicy, and living rent-free in my head. Perfect portion, perfect sauce -- took me straight back to Japan. Service was amazing, balcony seating was perfect for people-watching, and the whole vibe reminded me of sipping coffee at a tiny café in Vietnam.

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Genius Lounge Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Genius Lounge

Is happy hour every day?

Yes it is. Mahalo

Where's the best place to park?

We walked there, but there is a hotel with a garage across the street. I'd avoid driving unless coming for a great distance. Downtown Waikiki parking is miserable.

What're your current hours? I swung by at 10pm on a Thursday to a closed Genius Lounge :(

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I'm upset. Why have I not come here sooner and why is this place not buzzing with people?! Amazing…read morefood, beautiful ambience and great service. This is the trifecta people want when they go to a restaurant and Herringbone has exceeded my expectations. I had the potato crusted tuna and I devoured every last crumb on my plate. The fish was cooked to perfection so much so that it melted in my mouth. It was amazing. I do not say the lightly because just two nights ago I had an "organic macadamia nut crusted fresh catch" at a ward restaurant and the fish was dry which left me disappointed. I highly recommend you try this restaurant. Trust me and if you don't, it's your loss.

I'll start with the good... the food is delicious. The drinks are also great, so I like this as a…read morebrunch spot. Unfortunately, the service was horrible. There was one other table when we arrived, so busy-ness was not an excuse. We stood at the front while the servers talked and ignored us. After being seated, it took about 10 min for the server to greet us, another 20 min to get drinks, and then about 20 more min for the food. No sense of urgency, minimal concern for taking our order or greeting us, and he had to be reminded about a few items we ordered or asked for. It's a beautiful spot, but the service is why I likely won't be back.

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Dining area behind host podium
Dining area behind host podium
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Royal Lobster

Royal Lobster

4.7
(997 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$$
Free parking
Locally owned & operated

This restaurant is located inside the mall, where maguro brothers and nana greens are. Excellent…read morelocation and highly recommend walking there if you are staying close by the Kalākaua Ave. There are very limited dining area so we decided to order to go. We were also able to order online and the process was seamless. We have ordered the most expensive lobster roll, which I believe has 1/2 pounds of lobster. The lobster itself was super fresh and the texture is great. You can taste the freshness from the food and you know that the lobster is not previously frozen. Although the price is close to $80 for one lobster roll, the portion is huge. It can easily feed 2 adults. We enjoyed our experience overall but will opt for the smaller option next time haha

Note: The prices listed are from May 23, 2026. The prices appear to fluctuate based on market…read moreprice. All rolls are served with following sides: crinkle cut potato chips, melted butter, house coleslaw, garlic mayo, lemon wedge, and Old Bay seasoning. The meat is served chilled in the bun. They have 4 "sizes" that they serve on a toasted brioche bun (~6 inch bun): - The Regular (3.5 oz)**: $36.99 - The Popular (5 oz)**: $49.99 - The Big One (7 oz)**: $62.99 - The Maine Event (1/2 lb (8 oz)): $74.99 **You can also ask for extra 1.5 oz lobster meat to this size for $13.99. You can also buy just the cooked lobster meat: 1/2 lb (8 oz) for $75.00 They have can drinks such as sodas (including Hawaiian sodas) and beer. The roll was actually quite tasty! I was able to experiment with different flavors with the Old Bay seasoning, garlic mayo, lemon, and butter. The garlic mayo was surprisingly good with the lobster. You can also throw the Old Bay seasoning on the chips if you're in the mood. The price is pretty steep which was my mistake. I don't know what I was expecting when ordering lobster in Waikiki. The lady at the cash register was less than pleasant and helpful so it makes spending that money feel a little more painful. If you can afford it and are really craving a lobster roll, this should satiate you. I didn't feel like I needed more to eat after finishing my meal. Location: The store is located in the Royal Hawaiian shopping center. You have to take a staircase from the first floor to a lower floor to get to it. You may need to ask around for directions. The restaurant is super small. Maybe two or 3 small tables that can fit no more than 6-8 people.

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7oz Full of 100% Fresh Lobster Meat!
7oz Full of 100% Fresh Lobster Meat!
Winter 2026 Limited Ordering
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Great place, friendly workers. I got a beer and because it was a 20oz I got to keep the cup. If you…read morecome back with the cup you earn discounted refills. At 10PM full food menu is closed but you can get apps. It is open until 12AM. We were just there for drinks so we got to just sit at the bar, unfortunately did not get food, so unsure how long wait is. Final thing was I am unsure if it is every night our just the night we went (Friday) but they had live music playing. She took requests and tips. She allowed my wife to take a video and photo of her. No matter if you are staying at "The Twin Fin" or not, if you come out to Honolulu, give this place a try. Affordable prices.

We had such a great lunch at Tiki's thanks in huge part to the staff, in particular our server…read moreLucy. She was a gem! She made us feel so welcome and made great recommendations. I would go back and request her as my server every time. The host was also lovely and friendly and sat us at a perfect table outside overlooking the ocean. I can't say enough great things about the service we had at Tiki's. To drink, I had a Lava Flow (I had to) and my husband had the most delicious Painkiller - it even came with an actual syringe of rum to add to it, which he loved. I would go back for the Painkiller alone! For food, we shared a kalua pork quesadilla - very tasty - and their house salad which had a delicious passion fruit dressing and mandarin slices which was really refreshing. We wanted a nice light lunch and this hit the spot. Highly recommend Tiki's if you are in Waikiki and want a relaxing meal with a great view and terrific service!! Ask for Lucy!

Photos
Interior
Interior
Chicken & Taro sample
Chicken & Taro sample
Tropical ice tea

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Tropical ice tea

Genius Lounge - japanese - Updated July 2026

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