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    Monkeypod Kitchen

    4.3 (2k reviews)
    Open • 7:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Monkeypod Kitchen Photos

    MONKEYPOD KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Hipster
    Casual
    Touristy

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    Recommended Reviews - Monkeypod Kitchen

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    Jerk Chicken
    Kaitlyn P.

    I was so excited to try out this restaurant after seeing positive reviews on social media. I will have to warn that there is barely any A/C in the restaurant since it's an open view of the beach. Everything that I ordered was delicious and I would highly recommend all 3 dishes. The fish tacos were so fresh, the jerk chicken was so tender, and the fries are deliciously crispy. Overall, I would highly recommend!

    Poke tacos - good
    Jessica W.

    Food: virgin mai tai, poke tacos, and shrimp and mushroom potstickers. I searched for the best mai tai and this place was one that came up, but I thought it was just ok. The one I had at Hideout before was better. Tacos were ok, but the potstickers were salty. Service: very friendly service. Ambiance: I was hoping for a prime spot closer to the view, but where we sat was ok. It was a bit close to the bar area so a little noisier. Given all the great places in Waikiki, we probably will not repeat this one.

    Poke tacos
    Norma D.

    Great place for lunch. Right on the beach at the Outrigger Hotel. Our server was very friendly. We had the fish & chips, Margarita pizza & the poke tacos. The crust on the pizza wasn't crispy. The poke tacos were delicious. The chips with the fish & chips were warm. Would have liked them hotter. Overall experience was good. No where to park. I recommend uber'ing.

    Quick happy hour refresher before heading back to the beach.
    Robyn M.

    Easy access Beautiful view Breezy Live music Cool happy hour After spending the early afternoon on the beach this was the perfect stop in for a cocktail and some low key vibe time. Our bartender helped me pick the perfect ale to refresh from the heat. Yummy local beers in a wide variety here.

    Berry Good Thyme
    Vicky V.

    We went here on our very first night in Honolulu. My husband said it was the best meal of our trip. He got the ahi tuna and he said it was the best tuna he's ever had. I agree - it was cooked to perfection and flavor was delicious. I got the fresh catch which also melted in my mouth. For drinks my husband got the manfuego and berry good thyme. He enjoyed both. I got a virgin mai Thai which I could tell was fresh squeezed juice. Since it was our honeymoon, they gave us a complimentary dessert. We got the coconut cream pie which was also very good but nothing extraordinary. Service was AMAZING. Our waiter had so many tables but still made us feel special. Atmosphere was great. I made a reservation in advance (I highly recommend making a reservation) and requested an ocean side table. The hostess told me they couldn't accommodate ocean side but gave us a table as close to the ocean as possible It was a wonderful dinner to start our vacation and honeymoon

    Blue crab cakes
    Mina D.

    Beautiful restaurant inside a beautiful hotel! We were sat right by the water and saw Manta Rays as we ate dinner! The service was wonderful with such a great waiter who gave great recommendations. I had the Chefs special blue crab cakes that were the BEST we've had! Like ever! They were sooo full of fresh crab meat and the thickest we've ever seen! Paired with the garlic green beans and corn bread. I also had the mushroom truffle pizza, which I felt could've had more truffle flavor, but still decent, especially for the late night happy hour price.

    Brichard G.

    WOW. I have been looking for this experience since I moved here last year. Absolutely beautiful ON-THE-WATER views. Limited foot traffic. Exceptional drinks. Great, friendly service. I had the ube drink, my friend had the mai tai. Just phenomenal. Nothing food-wise struck our fancy, but we'd do the entire experience again just for drinks on the water. Beautiful. So glad we found it. Also, the guy they had singing (the 3:30 slot on Saturday 9/12) was just wonderful. A beautiful medley of popular songs. He was really good. My friend thought it was a recording or something. Pic for reference on how close we were to the water.

    Seared Ahi steak
    Cynthia P.

    We booked a late night reservation for Monkeypod Kitchen on a Friday. It's right by the beach where you can watch the Friday night fireworks. We were told by staff that we were going to have to wait 30 mins if we wanted a table next to the ocean. We were okay without a table by the ocean, but they ended up giving us a table there anyways (within less than 10 min wait). We were greeted by our server, Adam, who was incredibly knowledgable and friendly. We ended up ordering the poke tacos as appetizer and the jawaiian jerk chicken, ahi steak as the main dishes! The food was incredible!!! Everything was so yummy. Poke tacos were a good starter. Tuna was fresh. Flavor of the jerk chicken dish is sooo good! The pineapple salsa was such a yummy side. Seared ahi steak was pretty decent! Taste was great. Jalepeno mash potatoes were absolutely delicious! They also comp my beer since we came to celebrate my birthday! Usually they give free dessert but we were wayyyy too full to eat more haha ! Overall, food and service were 10/10!!

    Potstickers
    Jeff A.

    Solid 4 maybe 4.5 stars The food is really really good considering is a big touristy restaurant on the beach. We got a bunch of stuff to share. The garlic truffle fries are amazing. Worth the $14 or so they charge. Shared the potstickers. It was also excellent although pricey for 5 pcs. The gnocchi was among the best I've ever had and that includes some pretty amazing Italian restaurants in SF and Napa. The poke sampler was good but apart from the Ahi I didn't like the protein choices. Not their fault. The Ahi was excellent. The chocolate cream pie was great and I don't even like chocolate pie. The prices here aren't outrageous. This is really really excellent food at decent prices that you would expect to pay at a normally place that's not on the beach. View was amazing. Server was good but definitely I could see the young staff being not up to the same level as the food

    Potato's for breakfast
    Bill K.

    The corn chowder is excellent as is the corn bread. The mushroom pizza with truffle oil is wonderful. Breakfast here is also great. You simply cannot go wrong. Ask for a table along the glass. Wonderful views of the ocean. We saw a monk seal on the beach.

    Debbie P.

    I came to monkey pod for my daughter's wedding reception. It was a small group of us, but they were very accommodating with a reservation. The food was amazing. It was a little loud, but very fun and popular place.

    kalua pork pizza
    Rachel B.

    We came during happy hour and had about a 10 minute wait for a table, even though we arrived right at the start of happy hour. Honestly, the wait was completely worth it. We ordered the Ube Rey, Mai Tai, taro ravioli, Kālua pork pizza, Hamakua mushroom pizza, and coconut cream pie. There were so many things we wanted to try that it was hard to narrow it down! The pizzas were definitely the standout. The first pizza was so good that after finishing it, we immediately decided we had to order another one just to try a different flavor. Both the Kālua pork and Hamakua mushroom pizzas were packed with flavor, and I loved the combinations. The menu does a great job of taking familiar ingredients and putting them together in ways that feel a little different and unique without being weird. The taro ravioli was another favorite. Everything we tried had really good flavor and felt thoughtfully put together. Our server was also quite personable and fun and the view is fantastic! You get to see both Diamond Head and the water (you might even get some ocean waves sprinkling the air with spray if you're near the window). The happy hour pricing is also fantastic, especially for the quality and portion sizes. It makes it much easier to order a bunch of different things and share, which is exactly what I recommend doing here.

    Pete's Benedict and Farmer's Benedict
    Sharona M.

    Monkeypod had such flavorful food! We came here for breakfast a couple times and were delighted by their dishes. We ordered the Pete's Benedict and Farmer's Benedict. Farmer's Benedict was my personal fave, that green sauce is amazing! Jalapeno is a great touch. For the side, I tried both with greens and potatoes. Honestly, I recommend getting the potatoes as they are so good! Hot, fresh, crispy, and flavorful. We both loved their Pog juice, as well. They also make a great iced coffee. The views from the tables are gorgeous! The waves are literally crashing up against the restaurant. Service was always top notch here too.

    Lobster Deviled Eggs

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    26 days ago

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    1 month ago

    The food is good I love the steak and rice and the water was very refreshing and ice cold

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    14 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    15 days ago

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    19 hours ago

    Beautiful restaurant with a nice ambiance. Mai tai is delicious and the fish sandwich is super solid!

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    Monkeypod Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Monkeypod Kitchen

    Is there take out?

    Yes , you can take-out but the View of the Ocean is worth the price. Just ask for a Ocean View Table

    Where do we park and do you accommodate for handicap parking?

    They have valet parking service at the hotel.

    Is there happy hour on Memorial Day?

    How much is valet parking?

    Do you need a reservation?

    Walk-ins are welcome, but I would highly recommend reservations as it can be busy during peak eating times.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes

    Where's the best or least expensive place to park? I don't mind walking some .

    Best to Uber. Less hassle.

    Do they have any gluten-free pasta or gluten-free pizza?

    As of springtime 2024, there's no mention of gluten-free options. Italian Tipo 00 flour is specified for their pizzas. Sorry.

    Is it dog friendly?

    I had dinner here on 3/17/24 and the table next to us had a dog. It barked every couple mins for a half hour and the restaurant did nothing. I'd say that's pretty dog-friendly.

    Is it possible for 8 people to have an ocean view seat?

    Most of the restaurant is ocean view so there's lots of seats to fit 8 people. If you're asking about beach front ocean views, it's possible to get two 4 tops, but I'm sure the wait will be long. Everyone wants those seats and it's way easier to… 

    How can I get a copy off a receipt?

    If you go into the restaurant I believe they will be able to reprint a copy for you.

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    Alejandros Mexican Food - Three taco plate (carnitas and two asada tacos)

    Alejandros Mexican Food

    4.3(1k reviews)
    5.4 mi
    •$$

    I drive a little distance to come here to eat and enjoy the cantina next door. Today a new…read morebartender named Jackie waited on me I had a fantastic experience with her and my lunch... very friendly and very aware of all the customers in bar. I ordered food ahead for dinner to go. Highly Recommend this Establishment!!! I drive a little distance to come here to eat and enjoy the cantina next door. Today a new bartender named Jackie waited on me I had a fantastic experience with her and my lunch... very friendly and very aware of all the customers in bar. I ordered food ahead for dinner to go. Highly Recommend this Establishment!!!

    Such a great find for Mexican food on the island! Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and…read morereally hit the spot--but the bean and cheese burrito deserves a special shoutout. It was simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious. My son, who's from California and very serious about his Mexican food, said it was the best bean and cheese burrito he's ever had--which is definitely saying something! The portions are generous, so you definitely get your money's worth, and the spicy sauce has the perfect kick with amazing flavor that takes everything to the next level. If you're craving satisfying, authentic-tasting Mexican food, this place is a must. We'll definitely be back!

    Photos
    Alejandros Mexican Food - Love the ambiance !

    Love the ambiance !

    Alejandros Mexican Food - Lunch@Alejandro Mexican Food 2/9/2024.I ordered Beef Nachos,Da Chips comes on da Side.U could share this Meal.I liked it,No can eat 'em all!

    Lunch@Alejandro Mexican Food 2/9/2024.I ordered Beef Nachos,Da Chips comes on da Side.U could share this Meal.I liked it,No can eat 'em all!

    Alejandros Mexican Food - Margarita during happy hour which is 11am to 5pm

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    Margarita during happy hour which is 11am to 5pm

    Aloha Mamacita - Banana Pudding

    Aloha Mamacita

    3.8(632 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    •$$

    We came in excited to try Lushly Margaritas and support an Asian-owned business, and we really…read moreappreciate the effort and concept. However, the margaritas felt a bit too light and mostly tasted like melted ice, which was a little disappointing. The food was okay overall, but there's definitely room to improve consistency and quality across the menu. We truly love supporting local spots, and hope they can fine-tune the drinks and food so the experience matches the great idea behind the business. Wishing them growth and better consistency moving forward.

    It's really disappointing to write this, as my husband and I were huge fans of Aloha Mamacita when…read morethey first opened at their original location. The food was incredible, and the staff was always warm and welcoming. Even when prices were on the higher side, it was worth every penny. The last time I visited it was 8/12/26: Unfortunately, the quality has noticeably dropped over time. I recently brought a coworker here, promising her a great meal, and it was honestly embarrassing. I spent $75 on two Birria taco sets and two drinks. I understand inflation and price increases, but the experience was nowhere near the cost: Service: The employee behind the counter didn't greet us and stayed on his phone while two of us waited to order. He moved incredibly slow, forgot our drinks, and then brought out the wrong ones. Another table mentioned waiting 45 minutes for their food in an otherwise empty restaurant. He also kept going in and out of the bathroom. While we ate our take out order there, he probably went to the bathroom 5 times in 45 minutes. And the worst part was he was the only one working the counter. Food Quality: The $25 Birria plate came with three very small tacos--smaller than the palm of my hand. The tortillas were soggy as if undercooked, the meat lacked seasoning, and the consommé had no flavor. The drinks were so overly sweet they were hard to finish. It's sad to see how much things have changed. Between the lack of customer service, high prices, and poor food quality, I won't be returning.

    Photos
    Aloha Mamacita - Valentines with Chinese New Year decor!

    Valentines with Chinese New Year decor!

    Aloha Mamacita - Single Aloha Puffy - Chocolate chantilly

    Single Aloha Puffy - Chocolate chantilly

    Aloha Mamacita - Valentines with Chinese New Year decor!

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    Valentines with Chinese New Year decor!

    Thyda's Tacos - Carnitas, barbacoa, and lengua tacos  IG: @fooddeclassified

    Thyda's Tacos

    4.7(543 reviews)
    1.7 mi•Kaka'ako
    •$$

    About a month ago I walked by a man eating a burrito at the beach and I couldn't help noticing that…read morethe tortilla looked better than any other I'd seen in Hawaii. I believe that Mexican food is only as good as the tortilla, so I asked him where he got it and he said "Thyda's - bro you have to go!" Well, today I finally went and let me tell you - that random beach man was absolutely right! I got the carnitas burrito and it was simply perfect. At $12, I'd say it was reasonably priced too. Service was fast and Thyda and Magid - the husband and wife owners - were so friendly and chill. You can tell they take a lot of pride in what they do and love whipping up great food with a great attitude. They talked to us while we ate and shared a little of their 10 year taco stand journey. I wasn't surprised to learn they spent years in LA. The food definitely holds up to LA standards. Head's up - there's no tables and not much seating or parking. We ate on a small step near where you order. Also note that they have Taco Tuesday deals. Can't believe I've been missing out on this place for so long and I can't wait to go back! Check it out

    I ordered the asada taco and asada mulita. I much preferred the mulita and would get it again. It…read morewas my first time having one. I also got the horchata. Service was nice. They have sauces out to pack with your food. I didn't see any tables to sit, but it's in the ward village area so easy to walk somewhere to sit and eat.

    Photos
    Thyda's Tacos - Taco Tuesday!

    Taco Tuesday!

    Thyda's Tacos - Sauces. Orange: very hot. Red: hot. Green: mild.

    Sauces. Orange: very hot. Red: hot. Green: mild.

    Thyda's Tacos - August 2025: $12 carnitas burrito. Delicious

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    August 2025: $12 carnitas burrito. Delicious

    Taqueria El Ranchero - Shrimp taco

    Taqueria El Ranchero

    4.0(2.4k reviews)
    19.5 mi
    •$$

    My foodie friends wanted to make sure we stopped here on our food adventure. I always love coming…read morehere because the Mexican food is pretty good! But what I didn't know was that they don't have a happy hour...they have a HAPPY DAY!!!!! 10-6 PM! So even though we were not really hungry cause we just had lunch, we ordered some crispy tacos...which are four minis. The day was getting happier and happier! The bartender was great! Friendly and attentive! And it still has the same great vibe to just relax and enjoy! Gracias and Mahalo El Ranchero!

    The food at Taqueria El Ranchero is still very good, and the prices are reasonable. I had the wet…read moreseafood burrito with shrimp, and as usual, it had an impressive amount of shrimp in it. Flavor was solid, portion was generous, and the food itself is the main reason I keep coming back. The ambiance is chill and local. Most of the afternoon crowd seemed to know each other, which gives the place a comfortable neighborhood feel. That said, the inside is a little dingy and could probably use a renovation. The issue on this visit was the service. When we got there, it was pretty empty, maybe 4 or 5 people sitting at the bar. The guy working behind the bar seated us, but then never brought menus, never brought water, and never came back to take our order. When my friend tried waving him down, he ignored us. Eventually another employee came in, and the bartender just told him, "Go take his order," without acknowledging us at all. I don't know if he was only working the bar that day, but he could have at least brought water, menus, or simply said someone would be right with us. Instead, the whole interaction came across as dismissive and unnecessary. Food was very good as always, but service matters too. Based on this visit, I'd call it 3 stars overall.

    Photos
    Taqueria El Ranchero - Tacos in the cantina

    Tacos in the cantina

    Taqueria El Ranchero - WATERMELON SANGRIAS

    WATERMELON SANGRIAS

    Taqueria El Ranchero - SEAFOOD WET BURRITO

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    SEAFOOD WET BURRITO

    Monkeypod Kitchen - tacos - Updated September 2026

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