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    Howard’s

    5.0 (32 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Seafood and sausage gumbo!
    Lauren M.

    Located in Alakea Plaza (on Alakea and Hotel, next to AC Hotel), Howard's has delicious lunch specials! It used to be a small convenience store, but they took over that space. My favorites? Seafood Gumbo (normally Wednesdays) and Taco Salad (normally Fridays)! Be sure to call ahead to see if they have! You can call after they open at 8am and then pickup your food between 11am- 1pm. They also have some snacks as well as a fridge of grab-and-go sandwiches and salads. Cheers to Howard's!

    Chinese chicken salad
    Angela W.

    I haven't actually been to Howard's in person but we have been ordering lunch from them recently because it's so good and affordable. From whatvI understand this is a hole in the wall under the escalator. Parking is basically non-existent as this is downtown and they probably rely on foot traffic from the offices during the weekday only. Every day their menu is different but there is some kind of rotating schedule of specials. For instance, they only have nachos every 3 weeks. I wait with baited breath until then as the last time I tasted my co-worker's nachos it was amazing. Very homemade, large portions. I've had 4 salads and all were super yummy: Italian, beet, and Chinese chicken salad and taco salad. The portions are huge. Just wish they could post their daily menu on Instagram or a website.

    Portuguese bean soup
    Crystal R.

    Tucked away in a little corner of the Alakea building is this amazing little shop. I have heard of this place from my fellow colleagues multiple times but never had the chance to try their meals out until recently and now I begin to regret not going here sooner! Their menu always changes daily and depending on what is on the menu and the time you head over there, you might miss out as they make only a limited amount. And that is what makes this place so good. The owners definitely take pride in putting out their meals as you can taste it in every bite. I had the chance to try out their Portuguese Bean Soup and their famous Seafood and Sausage Gumbo (both times I ordered, I was the last one to get it). Both dishes were jam packed with savory flavor with a medium to hot kick of spice. I'm all for the spice so that definitely made my taste buds go crazy! Service is amazing too! They are super friendly to everyone and welcome all to a friendly atmosphere. Since this is a small little shop in an office building, there isn't a place to dine in. But luckily you can either eat outside or take it back to the office for you to indulge. As mentioned, their menu changes daily so it is best to check out their Instagram page for their menu. If there is something you really want, I suggest you either go early or phone it in to secure your order. Overall this is a great find and I can't wait to go back to try out what other home cooked meal they will be offering.

    Beef Stew
    Cassandra H.

    I've had this place on my lunch list for a while since I work downtown but it's rare that I actually go out to eat. I finally got to try so I checked their IG first like other Yelpers suggested and their special was beef stew and clam chowder. Since I take a late lunch around 1 pm I called ahead to make sure that they had beef stew left. The man who answered said they only had minis which was fine with me. I took a short walk there and it was a really tiny store in the lobby of the Alakea Corporate Tower. For the mini it came out to just under $15. I believe the only difference between a mini and regular from pictures I've seen is that the regular comes with a side of corn and Mac salad. The mini portion was very generous and I was able to make 2 meals out of it. The stew was flavorful and the meat was fall apart tender. It looked like they do have some ready made items and drinks for sale as well. They also open for breakfast. They do have some seating outside of the building but I decided to go back to my office to eat. I will be back to try their other items in the future.

    Beet Salad
    Lily F.

    I love this place which serves great food with good portions and affordable prices. My favorite is beet salad with pieces of chicken. I haven't been able to try some of their daily specials which are posted weekly on their IG page but I hope to.

    Seafood and Sausage Gumbo
    Justin R.

    23AUG2023 I got "Seafood and Sausage Gumbo" from Howard's. I believe it's the best "Gumbo" on island. It reminded me of how SF food truck gumbo use to taste before it started tasting like cigarettes. I told my wife I wouldn't be too critical despite coming from a place that is very famous for the dish. I was actually pretty impressed with the the thickness and color of the roux. It was almost like a gravy. There is no right way to make gumbo (inside joke) so I was delighted to see they DID NOT include tomatoes in theirs, but it does have okra. Once again the portion was generous and I was happy with the offering. Their Gumbo definitely put the other area Gumbos to shame (easily). P.S. I hear they run out pretty quick, so if you are interested it's probably a good idea to call ahead of time and make sure they still have it before you make the frustrating trek through the city in vain.

    Seafood Gumbo...
    Henry R.

    Have eaten here a few times...it's one out go to places when we are at work. I usually get the same stuff, that's my downfall...they chicken salad and taco salads are pretty darn good but my favorites here are the chowders and the seafood gumbo...both are full of delicious ingredients that just make it feel like a home cooked meal. The gumbo has lots of sausage, shrimp and okra....it's just damn delicious. They only have daily specials so sometimes they sell out...but the chowder and gumbo are worth it!

    Avocado toast (before 10am) and yogurt parfait (greek yogurt, strawberries and blue berries and honey by choice).
    Pua S.

    Avocado toast is my favorite they also make great salads and have great healthy Snack options. Every Now and again I treat myself to their Desserts when they have it i love lemon bars and theirs is good. Prices are so good for being in town!

    Strawberry Ice Cream Slushy, Grilled Cheese, Salad, & Tomato Bisque
    Kyle M.

    O'ahu is filled with amazing eats and hole in the walls. However, inch for inch, all things considered, Howard's tops them all. COVID-19: Traci and Troy wear masks at all times, and keep Howard's clean and tidy. SERVICE: Traci and Troy, the owners, are the nicest, friendliest, and warmest people you can come across. They are so welcoming, they make friends with everyone in the building. RESTAURANT: Howard's is a tiny, unassuming spot. It is located on the ground floor (NOT lobby floor) of 1100 Alakea Street, a high rise business building in Downtown Honolulu. It is easy to miss because it is tucked in a corner on the side of escalators, opposite the elevators and to the left of the escalators when walking in the front doors of the building. Howard's is take-out only without any seating, but you can sit outside in the building's courtyard or at tables down the block. FOOD: The menu changes every day. It typically includes salads, sandwiches, a daily soup, and a daily main entree. All of the salad dressings are homemade and amazing. My favorite is the blue cheese. The soups range from lobster bisque to clam chowder to seafood gumbo. They are thick, earthy, and soul-warming. The entrees range from furikake salmon to chicken luau to kalua pork nachos. Every dish is homemade and reminds you of eating at your mom's house. You can taste the love and care in every bite, including the side dishes. The preparation and execution is spot on. The portions are generous and leave you feeling happy and satiated. OVERALL: I've eaten Howard's around fifteen times and I've loved every dish! I love supporting these locals and feeling their love. Stop by Howard's for your lunch hour in Downtown or to grab food for the beach. They also provide catering, which is just as quality as the regular menu!

    Thursday Lunch Special!
    Mikey K.

    Never disappoints always Yummo's & Onolicious great amount of food for the price awesome place & great service

    Corn Chowder
    Sheryl S.

    Corn Chowder on Mondays... delicious! This was a $6 size. They also have a $7 and $14 size. The larger one is great to take home and will feed 2 people easily.

    Hamburger steak
    Mark S.

    Nice little lunch spot inconspicuously located in an office building. All the entrees I've tried has been good and the portions are generous. There's usually a few entrees of the day and they post their menu weekly. I like the panini's and soups they often have and the spaghetti salad that comes instead of mac. The family that runs it is also really nice.

    Taco salad with pico de gallo and tortilla chips

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    5 months ago

    'Ono food! Great price and good quantity! Love it! You're missing out if you don't try their specials!

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    3 years ago

    The service and the food is good. The workers there are really nice. I come here when I'm working around the area.

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    Love this place! Traci and Troy are the best and everything is delicious

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    Livestock Tavern

    Livestock Tavern

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Didn't realize I never reviewed them. It's been a hot minute since I've been. They used to be…read moreopen lunch time, so was easy to go. Now only dinner. Baby and I had date night. Had a glass of wine and baby had watered down lemonade. Her drinks were put in plastic cups with covers and those horrible paper straws. Eyes always bigger than my stomach, we ordered: - Cornbread - when i grabbed it I thought would be super dense but really wasn't. I thought it was very corny and tasty. Lightly toasted. Honey drizzle which wasn't too sweet...or maybe I just ate the parts that didn't have. Baby ate almost 1.5 pieces and even liked the Jalapeno Butter that I just dabbed on her bread. She said wasn't spicy but think she just didn't have enough. - Bone Marrow - lit it on fire to burn off the alcohol. Pretty sure it ddin't get it all so I cut baby off once I realized it. Other than needing some salt, really good. Choke mushrooms on top. One half was scrawny, but hubs had the other half for leftovers and choke marrow. YUM. - Sunchoke and Brussels - YUM. Baby ate some but was not really thrilled about it. I loved it. - Scallop and Mushroom Risotto - YUM. Delish. Baby liked it too. So much leftovers of everything. Realized when we ate it for leftovers it was all pretty oily and needed a pinch of salt. But otherwise great. Staff really nice and helpful. Love that the place is spread out and open. Bathrooms are not assigned which I'm sure can get gross, but is great to not have to wait for just the women's. There is a big stall which was perf since baby is potty training and had to go #1 and #2! Only thing missing was a hook to hang my purse and her bag. Great dinner...but if anyone is listening...bring back the shrimp and grits!!!

    First time visiting to celebrate my friends birthday. Inside was nicely lit and clean. Our server…read morewas nice and introduced himself and mentioned specials and what they ran out of for the evening. However, his service was not great but not terrible. We ordered drinks and took around 15 mins to come, then we looked for our server to order our food. The appetizers cane out in a timely manner but our entrees took quite a while. The Duck Confit was yummy! I thought the duck was going to be super dry, but when you eat it with the jam that came with it, it's very good. I requested for a little bit more of the jam but was given just balsamic glaze... My friend said her scallop risotto was watery and not the same as the last time she went. My bfs prime rib was okay. Bone marrow was okay. The chicken pasta, octopus appetizer, salad, and mac n cheese were lacking flavor and tasted okay. I would recommend dining here if you do not have plans after.

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    Unclean bathrooms 0/5 stars
    Unclean bathrooms 0/5 stars
    Lobster moco
    Lobster moco
    Old fashion

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    Local Joe

    Local Joe

    4.6
    (626 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

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

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

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

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    Thai latte
    Liliha Bakery

    Liliha Bakery

    3.7
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Liliha Bakery had always been my goat ngl. I love their poi mochi donuts and their restaurant has…read moregreat staples done well. The clam chowder was a hidden gem, it was AMAZING! It reminded me of the chowder I had in Seattle, which is high praise. The salmon salad was also amazing, I couldn't stop eating it. The dressing on the salad was a nice sweetness to balance out the salmon.

    What can't you like? Simple, delicious, ono Hawaiian food with amazing pastries!…read more Get the guava plantation iced tea and if you don't order an entree (ie garlic fried rice, kimchi fried rice, etc.) you DON'T automatically get a butter roll, but you want one. Trust me. Get their jelly to go as well (by the pastries). Kitchen messed up our order. We got kimchi fried rice instead of the garlic but it was quickly fixed! Definitely get SPAM as your meat. It's quintessentially Hawai'i. For dessert, grab a coco puff or chocolate cream puff (or two, or three...) for to-go. Their other desserts are quite as exciting, imo. Overall, I think their breakfast is the best bet and their fried rice is also great. Huge bowls of saimin as well. Where they get iffy is lunch/dinner like fried chicken, prime rib, etc. They do make a good (and HUGE) BLT on a croissant. Can't miss this! In between East and westbound Nimitz next to Tokyo Joe's steakhouse. Parking is around all four sides of the building but can be hard to find a space during busy hours (9-11am).

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    Coco puffs, pastries
    Coco puffs, pastries
    Toasted roll with raspberry sweet spread
    Toasted roll with raspberry sweet spread
    That SMOKE PORK BELLY strips (so good and yummy) *2/15/23

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    That SMOKE PORK BELLY strips (so good and yummy) *2/15/23
    Sweet E's Cafe

    Sweet E's Cafe

    4.7
    (3.4k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    They were very nice and the service was quick. I like that you can take your coffee in a to go cup…read more The prices are very reasonable. As far as food goes, I found my scrambled eggs to be a bit dry. Nothing that my wife or I tried was particularly ground breaking, but overall the food was quite good. A great place to go for a solid, affordable breakfast.

    @fortunefoodfinds: "Words cannot EGGS-press how much I L.O.V.E. you! A Corned Beef Hash Eggs…read moreBenedict with Fried Rice n' a Stuffed Banana & Cream Cheese French Toast topped with Fruits from Sweet E's Café off of Kapahulu. After all these years since my last visit, they are still seriously so good. A great spot to have breakfast or brunch, oh how I've missed you so much!" SERVICE: fast, friendly, n' fully staffed INTERIOR: good amount of indoor n' outdoor seating. Chose indoor to stay in the AC. EXTERIOR: off of Kapahulu WAIT TIME: got on waitlist n' seated 10 mins later PARKING: very tiny free lot, this is the only downside OVERALL COMMENTS: the last time I went here was 9 yrs ago so I was way overdue. Picked a sweet dish n' a savory dish. The Corned Beef Hash Eggs Benedict with Fried Rice is bomb! Big enough to share. The corned beef isn't super crispy but it's all about the flavor. The way they seasoned the corned beef n' hash is so good. The eggs were cooked nicely with a runny yolk n' the fried rice was delicious. The Stuffed Banana & Cream Cheese French Toast topped with Fruits was soft, sweet, n' creamy. It complimented the savory dish so well. Place is kid friendly, my 1 y/o was crying n' a staff member brought out toys. I need to come back more frequently!

    Photos
    Inside seating
    Inside seating
    Corn Beef Hash Eggs Benedict with potatoes
    Corn Beef Hash Eggs Benedict with potatoes
    Hawaiian scramble with added spinach and hashbrowns and side of garlic fried rice... YUMMY!!

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    Hawaiian scramble with added spinach and hashbrowns and side of garlic fried rice... YUMMY!!
    Nami Kaze

    Nami Kaze

    4.5
    (801 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    It was so sad this business is closing down by Oct 31st. With rising food costs, inflation and…read morestaffing, it's understandable but I wish best endeavors for Chef Jason Peel and his staff. My fiance won a gift card actually 2 of them (from his coworker whom could not get a reservation secured), we knew we had to make the trip over before they officially close. We had multiple dishes, but staff made Kauai prawns and tomato miso black cod dishes on the house since they ran out the Hokkaido scallops. We ordered the short ribs, lobster appetizer, hamachi crudo and lastly sashimi moriawase to finish food palate. Lukki lemon dessert was great way to end to night. Ordered the Milk tea bouquet cocktail while my better half had water ( either way the food coma knock him out cold the rest of the night lol). To be honest, it was difficult to determine which dish was the best because the staff kept quality there despite it being busy every night since they announce the closure. Sashimi moriawase, fish was so fresh, reminded me of my time spent in Hokkaido and Sapporo. Short ribs was soft and rich in flavor. Both me and my fiance liked the lukki lemon dessert, like lemon meringue pie but broken down version. If you have a chance to dine here before closing and got a reservation, definitely will have a lovely dining experience and your stomach will be full by end of the night.

    Husband and I tried Nami Kaze in our recent trip to Hawaii. This place is huge! I was so glad to be…read moreseated in the side room because I found it to be a lot calmer, less people and no TV. The staff were friendly and very helpful with giving us recommendations. We ordered 3 appetizers and 2 entrees, and honestly it was too much food for us. We had leftovers for breakfast the next day! - For appetizers we got: Ulu Tots, Japanese Eggplant, and Corn Beignets. The Corn Beignets was the best. - For entree we got: Tomato Miso Black Cod and the Short Rib. Both were delicious and worth a try. Sad to see that this restaurant appears to be closing.

    Photos
    Nami bento
    Nami bento
    Nami Kaze
    Nami Kaze

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    Howard’s - desserts - Updated August 2026

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