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    Insomnia

    4.7 (473 reviews)
    Open • 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Insomnia Photos

    Business Info

    INSOMNIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Insomnia

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    Visited this place since we happened to ve in the area. It is small and with seating inside and outside. The place was bright and energetic since it was close to lunch. The older male server is very polite and courteous. I ordered a pho while my son's ordered the steamed fish fillet and saute chicken. We also ordered fried spring rolls on the side. The fish fillet was really good since it was placed on rice drizzled in sauce. However, the saute chicken is excellent! The mixture of its "special" seasoning made it very flavorful. They did forget my pho that came late; but with the other dishes and the friendly customer service this can be thrown on the side. Additionally the prices were reasonable. Overall...do recommend to stop by!

    Toan D.

    Formerly a cozy coffee house, Insomnia Café has reinvented itself as a Vietnamese restaurant under the same name , and it has quickly become my favorite go-to whenever I'm craving Vietnamese food. After multiple visits, I can say the food is consistently excellent, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and the husband-and-wife owners are some of the warmest people you'll ever meet. He handles the front of the house, she cooks everything fresh in the kitchen, and together they create the kind of hospitality you normally only find in small towns. The Beef Pho is outstanding. Clean, well balanced broth with generous slices of tender sirloin steak. The Lemongrass Chicken (served on freshly baked bread) is packed with flavorful chicken , julienne of pickled carrots, daikon and fresh herbs. The Pork Chop is another standout. A generously sized chop with great seasoning and a caramelized crust. They also have a surprisingly broad menu for such a small operation, including spring rolls, a great Mongolian beef plate, and several salad and sandwich options. Even their breakfast menu looks great. A thoughtful touch I really appreciate: when you sit down, they bring out a complimentary plate of fresh fruit. It's simple, kind, and sets the tone for the whole experience. Street parking is available, or you can use the garage next door. If you're looking for delicious Vietnamese food served by genuinely kind people, Insomnia Café is a gem. Happy Eating!!

    Kathy L.

    Friendliest and sweetest Vietnamese couple who own and run their quaint and charming little cafe. They're always so welcoming and kind. The pho with brisket and meatball is hot and tasty, perfect for a cold & rainy day. Their pork chop plate is delicious. All the dishes they serve with meat are very healthy, lean cuts with little to no fat. Love that they always offer some complimentary fruit with your meal too. Only gripe is parking might be tricky during lunch hour unless you can get in and out within the first hour of structure parking.

    Lemongrass chicken plate
    Alisa B.

    The owners have had this restaurant for a while and are one of the few tried and true restaurants that continue do well, stay in the neighborhood, and are very consistent in their friendly service and fresh food! The couple that owns the restaurant are so warm and welcoming and make you feel like you're dining at home. They are running the restaurant completely by themselves and totally kicking butt because this place can get very packed during lunch. You can tell they put a lot of love and labor into this spot. I've dined here and gotten takeout countless of times and can't see any cons, my only wish is that they were open longer hours. They did a great job at decorating the place, the decor gives a woodsy, naturesque, but modern feel - making the restaurant feel relaxing to dine in. It's always clean and inviting. I've tried the Mongolian beef dish and the lemongrass chicken plate. My go to is the lemon grass chicken plate as it has all that you need - protein, carbs, vegetables, and they even throw in a cute little orange as dessert. I'll continue to support this place as they are here. Truly one of the few places that hit the nail on 5 stars in all categories. Definitely one of my favorite lunch spots!

    DELICIOUS complimentary fruit with every meal!!!
    John L.

    Back again after several years and still the best chicken bahn mi on the whole freaking island! I dare to say the best anywhere! I absolutely love the food here and the best complementary drink is the Vietnamese coffee. I've been all over and it's the best here! Strong and sweet!

    Fresh fruit
    Winton F.

    Insomnia has become one of those rare places that feels like a second home. Every time I walk in, I'm greeted with a warm "friend" from the gentleman running the floor and a sweet "dear" from his wife. They even remember my family -- it's the kind of thoughtful service that sticks with you. The space is always spotless, and the Vietnamese music playing softly in the background gives off spa-like vibes. Calming, inviting, never rushed. They always start by giving some fresh fruit - on the house. Super sweet gesture. I always order the beef pho, and they've perfected every part of it. The broth is piping hot -- hotter than most places -- and packed with flavor. Before the bowl even hits the table, they bring out a little plate of fresh fruit (a small gesture, but one that makes a big impression). Basil and lemon are crisp and fragrant, and they ask how I want the bean sprouts -- on the side or in the bowl. The attention to detail is unreal. Even the noodles seem cut just right; no long, awkward slurping required. What stands out most, though, is the energy. It doesn't matter if you're a regular or a first-timer -- everyone is treated with genuine warmth and care. I've watched them interact with other diners, and it's always the same: cheerful, present, and real. If you're looking for comfort food with comfort service, Insomnia is it.

    Caroline F.

    I come here due to its proximity to my house. It is located right on the side side of salt in kakaako. This small little eatery is open for a pretty short time so try and get in there while they are open as each day they're only open from 8 AM to 2 PM. I come in here and I'm greeted quickly by a "hello friend" .It takes a little bit of time to be order but the people that run the café are very cute older Vietnamese couple, so please give them grace--they do it all! Serve you, cook, and clean! Once you order, they often bring out a plate of fruit while you were waiting for your food. However, you're not really waiting that long because of food comes out quite quickly! The food is hot and flavorful and everybody is delicious. I typically come here for pho, but everything else I've tried. Here has been very good. But please note that if you come later in the day, closer to closing, they might run out of food. Today they ran out of spring rolls with about an hour left in their workday. The atmosphere is wonderful here as, again, the couple that owns the place are a delight. They always make jokes about people who order coffee later in the day saying that they'll be up for days. I agree. Their Vietnamese coffee is strong! But while strong, it's very delicious. All in all, eating here is like eating at a friends house. You just sit back and relax and enjoy your food. I really like this place and I really like the owners. I'm so happy to support it.

    Kayla N.

    The cutest mom & pops shop that offers really good Vietnamese cuisine and coffee (if I do say so myself) I was greeted with such warm and welcoming energy. I ordered their Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi, it was full of flavor, and packed with extra veggies hehe.

    Summer roll love the peanut sauce
    Nicole C.

    My only complaint is they arent open longer! But the charm of the owners that will greet you as "my friend" makes you feel right at home in this little location in SALT off of auahi st. They have a restroom located inside (perfect!) and all the chili sauce u may need to compliment your meal. That vietnamese coffee is no joke and aunty will ask if you need more condensed milk cause it is STRONG. I love my coffee but it is potent and legit gave me insomnia one day. Now I know better and only drink half and save the other half for the next day. The beef pho is so delicious. Not oily and very clean broth with the most tender brisket ever!!! I wanted to try the summer rolls which were also good but would be better if I had been with company! If youre looking for an early morning or lunch viet spot or some delicious coffer stop in! You wont be disappointed

    The French Vietnamese Sandwich Combo includes a side salad with choice of dressing, fruit, chips, and a drink for $13.65.
    Shawn C.

    Today I discovered a true gem in SALT at Our Kaka'ako - Insomnia! So many times I walked past this little Vietnamese coffee house, and I've been wanting to try it. I say little, but there are several tables on the sidewalk outside as well as inside. The ambiance is surprisingly charming, nicely decorated with soft mood music in the background. There's a large menu on the wall offering a decent selection of teas, espresso drinks, Thai iced tea, boba. Not very extensive but certainly enough choices. I walked up to the counter and an elderly lady asked what I would like. I selected the French Vietnamese Sandwich Combo for $13.65. The combo includes a side salad, chips, and a soft drink. An older gentleman I assume was her husband came out from the kitchen and asked if I wanted chicken or pork. I chose the pork. There was a display case with the usual Coke, Sprite, and Mountain Dew. She could tell I wasn't really interested so she suggested iced tea. I selected a bag of chips and found a table. The gentleman brought out a tray with a small plate of strawberries and cherries, a garden salad, and a glass of unsweetened tea. The fruit was excellent - perfectly ripe - and the salad was fresh and crisp. A few minutes later he brought out my sandwich; a pork and pate Bánh mì with fresh cilantro and the usual veggies on a warm baguette. Everything was good, and the price was almost too good to be true. I have had better Bánh mì around the island, but the overall experience was outstanding. In a neighborhood where it's hard to find a sandwich for less than $16, it's a rare find to get an entire meal for less than $14. I plan to go back there soon to try the coffee.

    Lemongrass chicken Vietnamese sandwich

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    9 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Excellent place! Great quality food and good prices. I had the mongolian beef and it was amazing. The owner is very friendly too!

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    9 years ago

    Love coming to this place. Very friendly, great food and affordable!

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    12 years ago

    The service is very friendly and the banana-strawberry smoothy I'm drinking here may be the best I've ever had! Very reasonable prices too.

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    15 years ago

    nice peeps. very friendly atmosphere. the spring & summer rolls are ono! tuna in croissants roll is a winnah! :D

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    11 years ago

    Great food! Great coffee! Great price! Great people! Will definitely be coming back again and again. You gotta try it!

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    10 years ago

    I love going there, the owners work the kitchen and welcome you as you walk in. Really good food and great energy.

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    10 years ago

    Food was delicious and the workers were extremely nice. Best soup I've tasted so far!

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Just off the cruise boat and looking for a recharge. Coffee is kick ass!! Very friendly folks. Highly recommend!

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    Page 12 of 12

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    Hello Again - Banana bread matcha latte

    Hello Again

    4.4(95 reviews)
    0.9 mi•Downtown

    Hello Again will have me coming back again! My friend Li Y. recommended we stop by here so I could…read moretry their matcha. I'd been curious about trying their matcha offerings, so I was excited. We came on a holiday morning, and there wasn't anyone inside. The cafe is cute and vibey! Love how pet-friendly it is with the polaroids--I'd definitely bring my pup here. There's also a decent amount of seating to hang out or work at. Service was fine. I ordered at the register, and she made my drink immediately. I was intrigued by their Haupia Matcha Latte. I love all things Haupia, so it seemed like the perfect match. I got the Haupia Matcha Latte with Oat Milk, and it was superb. I loved how creamy it was, how the sweetness of the haupia shone, but the earthiness of the matcha was still there. I'd definitely recommend this drink and am curious about their others. Hello Again is a nice cafe addition to Chinatown. With all the cafes in the area, it's worth a visit if you're a matcha lover like me. Find the cafe off Nuuanu Ave., unassuming on the outside but nicely sized once you go in! Parking is limited to the street or nearby municipal parking.

    Hello Again is a cute little spot in Chinatown that's perfect for a quick matcha pick-me-up,…read morewhether you need to get some work done or just relax after strolling the neighborhood. They have small tables and cubicle-style setups with charging ports, so it's easy to settle in, sip, and work if you want. I came mainly to unwind and try a few of their matcha drinks. The banana bread latte is one I personally like, and the haupia matcha has a nice coconut kick. The ube matcha latte was just okay--the matcha overpowered the ube and the flavor kind of drifted. Not sure if the powder was a bit heavy that day or if the water temperature played a role, but I wouldn't order that one again. There are still other flavors I haven't tried, plus milk alternatives like oat milk available. A fun touch is the cameras they place on the tables so you can snap photos of your drink, yourself, friends, or whatever. Just know they may post some of the pics on their social media from time to time--it's a cute way to bring the community together. Hours are short, so check their socials before heading over. Overall, I love the aesthetic of the café and the matcha is decent for a quick fix. I'd definitely come back.

    Photos
    Hello Again - Inside the shop

    Inside the shop

    Hello Again - Haupia Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)

    Haupia Matcha Latte (Oat Milk)

    Hello Again - Haupia Matcha Latte is yummy!

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    Haupia Matcha Latte is yummy!

    The Sunrise Shack - Menu September 2024

    The Sunrise Shack

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    2.6 mi•Waikiki
    •$$

    Such a nice treat after laying at the beach for several hours. I got the tropical bowl and it was…read moredelicious! Very refreshing. The staff is very friendly and ready to help with your order. I love the vibes from this place, vibrant colors and very much sun-kissed energy. I see this business is marked as temp closed -- it is very much open lol.

    Super late review -…read more I'm sad. I really wanted to love this place but I just couldn't. I don't want to be that person when this place has an overall rating of 4.5 but this is just my honest opinion. I got the blue dream and yes it was very ascetically pleasing, but it was just too icy. Before coming to this place i read a couple of reviews that also said the same thing and i didn't understand what that meant, but now I do. There are a lot of flavorless, just regular, small shards of ice in the bowl. On top of that, the moment I received my bowl, it was already borderline melted. So that got me thinking, how can it be melted and icy at the same time? The only explanation that I can think of is just ice additive/fillers. It's not pure cold acai or whatever is in the bowl you choose, but there's a mixture of ice in it too. Yes I understand, it's Waikiki, everything is more expensive, but the added topping prices on top of the already expensive bowl prices just don't make sense. You want a beautiful looking bowl with a lot of different toppings, yet some toppings can go up to 1 dollar PER topping. I don't know if I've just been spoiled by a couple places in SoCal, but at those places they have unlimited toppings and those bowls are the best that there is. I'm not bringing any bias from other locations, but this is just an honest review based on my experience today.

    Photos
    The Sunrise Shack - Papaya bowl

    Papaya bowl

    The Sunrise Shack - Tropical Smoothie

    Tropical Smoothie

    The Sunrise Shack - Açaí bowl

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    Açaí bowl

    Insomnia - coffee - Updated October 2026

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