This place is located inside the Outrigger on Waikiki. We made a reservation, which I suggest doing for better seating. The place was packed on a Sunday night and the inside is HUGE. It accommodates a ton of people but they have beautiful seating on an outside awning area. There is also a huge inside and bar area, but not as good of a view for a date night. Our waiter was super responsive and helpful. He took our photos, suggested good drinks and food, and was prompt. The drinks were okay, definitely nothing I was wowed over. I did quite enjoy their twist of the Mai tai, it was sweeter with a pineapple like foam on top. We started with the shrimp gyozas. They were not fried but were slightly crispy. The bottom was more like a natural rice paper and soft. The meat was good and it was more like a dumpling. I thought they were delicious. For dinner I had the gnocchi. This is NOT typical gnocchi. The pieces were large and definitely made in house. They were fluffy and more on the mushy side but still very yummy. The pesto was light and airy, not too heavy. It paired really well. I added chicken and I was impressed at the quality of the chicken. It was soft, well cooked, tender, and no sketchy pieces. It paired well with the pesto. My only critique is the obnoxious amount of vegetables. It was overpowering to the pasta. My husband had the Mahi Mahi crusted with macadamia nuts. The fish was delicious and the crust was perfect. This is a HI staple and they did it well. I loved the sauce underneath paired with the jasmine rice and the pineapple pico de gallo. I would choose this over the gnocchi. He also had the banana cream pie, which he said was to die for! The place is quite pricy, but it was overall yummy. Good service, good food, decent drinks, and a great location! read more

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My family and I used to go to Monkeypod so much when visiting Hawaii and I was super excited it was located in our hotel. When we had the opportunity to go here on our last night, I had to put our name down. It was about an hour wait for us because it was at peak hours. The vibes were immaculate with dimmed lighting and an amazing live singer that was belting songs. It definitely set the vibes listening to Hawaiian tunes. I ordered the cheeseburger and it was pretty good, the aioli was flavorful and memorable. Why I gave it 3 stars is the service was so bad. We couldn't ever get ahold of the waiter and they never stopped by. I would say this is a tourist trap and would rather go to Duke's instead. read more

The food is great, seafood is fresh. Lived the pizzas and desserts. The ambience is great read more

If you're in Waikiki, Monkeypod Kitchen is an absolute must. The food, drinks, and vibe are all next-level. We stopped in for dinner and I'm still thinking about it -- the Mai Tais are easily the best I've ever had (perfectly balanced and dangerously good). We tried the seared ahi tuna, Jawaiian jerk chicken, and a cheeseburger, and every single dish was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. The atmosphere hits that sweet spot between casual and romantic -- whether you're on a date night or just out with friends, it's the perfect place to unwind, listen to good music, and enjoy amazing food. Trust me, go to Monkeypod. You'll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit. read more

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Gnocchi anyone ? Potato magic!! The most pillowy, freshly rolled potato gnocchi than any Italian restaurant I've had. They almost floated off the plate, but still had satisfying little chew. This will be the first place I'm go, next time back to Oahu. read more

Not for big groups vacationing who require reservations 2 weeks in advance. Told to come half hour earlier than rest of group to get seated in 30 minutes. When arrived told another 60 to 90 minutes. After 2 hours got a call but too late waste of time read more

I really wanted to give this place a 5 star review based on the ambiance but I just can't. I absolutely loved the dim lighting at night and the live band was ONE of NONE! Sooo good! The ambiance actually brought me to tears at one point- it was just such a beautiful evening, the band was on point, the aiur felt great, the company was wonderful- I just had a moment. The reason I give 3 stars is bc I really did not enjoy the food at all. I just think the menu needs to be completely revamped. Just wasn't pleased with the options or taste. Server was very kind. Be sure to make a reservation so you can try to sit along the water- the sunset was beautiful! I would return for drinks and the 'feels' but not pressed about the food. read more

This was our second time visiting Monkeypod Waikiki and it was a very pleasant experience! Last December my family was visiting Oahu and found Monkeypod nearby out hotel and it had great reviews and highlighted their delicious cream pies, so we were excited to check it out. We were seated right next to the ocean view and got to watch the sunset while enjoying some delicious food including a banana cream and strawberry pie, the hype is real! This year my family and extended family and friends ended up visiting the same area so we booked another reservation for Monkeypod and requested an ocean view for the first time guests and birthdays. The view was gorgeous despite the little bit of construction to our left, and the food was just as good as last time! Between pizzas, sandwiches, and of course pie options for the table everything was just as delectable as before. We will be making this a go to every visit to Waikiki! read more

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Always a nice place to get a drink and pupus whenever you're in Waikiki. Extensive variety of food, all very tasty. Service is excellent; friendly and always checking if you need anything. The atmosphere is very comfortable, a good place to get together with friends. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen - Nice place to have a beer, sit back, and enjoy the view! - Tacos Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We walked in on a busy Friday night and the staff was so kind and able to seat us almost instantly! Kaya was our server and she was so great! She offered us some recommendations; the fish tacos and truffle fries were a favorite! Overall nice, clean, and Hawaiian vibe, definitely a must try if you are in Oahu read more

Monkeypod is great place to take folks that are new to visiting Waikiki! It has a great selection of food and if you can get in before it gets dark you are right on the water read more

Starting off with the best part, ambience! 5/5 stars - most amazing location literally right on the water. Can't beat the views. Service 5/5 stars - we had Garen (spelling?) who helped us celebrate a birthday. He was very attentive and kind. Took time out to chat and take photos for us. Food 4/5 stars - overall Poke tacos (starter) - 3.5 not as great as I'd hoped. They're not bad but not amazing either Taro ravioli (starter) - 4 these were better than I expected! The chili garlic oil was pretty good Lobster deviled eggs - 4 if you're a fan of deviled eggs, then you can't go wrong with these House cut fries - 3.5 these were just ok. Nothing special about the ketchup either. The fries were soggy too Kalua pork and pineapple pizza - 3.25 this was a let down. The pork was so dry and it lacked any flavor. Mai tai - 5 their best seller and was good according to my husband *we went during happy hour which in my opinion is the best time to take advantage of the lower prices! Grant it you won't see the sunset , but the view no matter what time is outstanding. read more

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Daily happy hour is 3:30 to 5 pm. They have certain appetizers at half price. Cocktails were $4 off. The Mai Tai was amazing with Pineapple foam topping. Very tasty We ordered the Kailua Pork and Pineapple pizza appetizer which was only $15 for happy hour. The garlic truffle fries were also very delicious with a large portion. We could not eat all the food They have live music starting g at 3 pm. Fantastic views of surfers and Diamond Head. read more

The view is 10 stars at this restaurant IF you are lucky enough to be by the windows facing the ocean and the look at Diamondhead is phenomenal, a full 10 stars. BUT OTHERWISE -it's another cute noisy beach bar with food, in my opinion Food: 3/5 Fish tacos were good. Hamburgers are ok, Our Saimin, unfortunately, was a big disappointment. The broth was very salty with noodles and basically raw broccoli. Their drinks with froth are creative. Service 5/5-our server was friendly and checked on us frequently. Facility-Clean, nicely decorated for the season and cheerfully beach oriented, but VERY NOISY. Location-downtown in a hotel -valet parking $15 if you get your ticket validated at the restaurant. GPS has trouble finding it sometimes -watch for the Outrigger hotel sign on the left when you are near the military museum. read more

You are going to Monkeypod for those incredible views and vibes. Basically, on the water, if you can snag a table or bar seat looking over the water, woo hoo. Know for their famously sweet mai-tai with lilikoi foam, it was good, but too sweet for me. A gentleman at the bar, my dude Daniel, bought me a 2nd, and I couldn't finish it. The food ranged from decent to pretty good. While I didn't try the pizzas, we sampled a few dishes: the taro ravioli were tasteless, but the ahi poke tacos were delicious. The fish tacos were solid and the fish & chips were good. Prices weren't ridiculous for Waikiki and the views. Happy hour was slammed with $4 off those cocktails and some pu-pu discounts as well. Overall, vacation vibes, solid food, reasonable prices makes it a win! Try to get there on the earlier side of happy hour, if you can! read more

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We went for happy hour and were expecting more based on the raving reviews. Ordered wings, margherita pizza and fries. Wings were not good at all and fries overdone. Pizza was tasty but overpriced even with happy hour pricing. Service was just ok. The beer was cold though. read more

I was looking forward to try monkeypod for awhile. When I got there, I was greeted by a kind hostess lady and she gave us a seat by the ocean which we requested. Our server Kaya recommended mushroom pizza and some others. The pizza was decent but the other dish was meah. But we were able to enjoy the view and I was really happy with our server. She made my mom and me feel really welcomed. So the 4 star goes all to Kaya! Thank you for treating us with Aloha. read more

You gotta go here for the view. It's right on the ocean with a 10 star ambiance going on. The service is friendly and efficient. No complaints there. The lamb pizza is excellent. The flavors of lamb, mint and cheese perfectly complement the well prepared pizza crust. That said, I'm rounding up here due to the above. The fish tacos were just so-so. The tortillas were tasteless and chewy, as was the fish. I was really hoping for better. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen - Lamb sausage pizza - Tacos Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Our family enjoyed a Mother's Day Eve lunch earlier today at Monkeypod Waikiki, and we were not disappointed. The food was terrific and the service was outstanding! Shout out to Zoe, our awesome server! She was cordial & quick, and brought her "A" game today. As a result of the above, we would highly recommend this restaurant (and particularly Zoe). read more

You can't go wrong with Monkeypod. This location has incredible views. Service was good. Started with the taro ravioli. The flavor on this was so good with the chili oil at the bottom giving it just enough heat. Then I got the kale salad and had them put some pork on the side which I then put on my salad. It was great. We came back here right before we left for the airport and I got exactly the same thing. I was also very fond of the Lilikoi lemonde seltzer they had. read more

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This place is super busy. Hard to get same day reservations. We showed up 15 mins early and saw that it was pretty hectic at the reception desk. I can tell it's the blind leading the blind there. No one seems to know anything! Our group arrived 15 mins early to our 715pm reservation. Girl told me they are running behind on reservations. Now if you're going to tell a customer that then be prepared to answer their next question......how long is the wait (I asked)? She didn't even know. She asked the girl next to her and I can tell she didn't know either. So they tell me its going to be 40 mins. I'm fine with that since we were 15 mins early anyways. They actually sat our group down after 20 mins which wasn't bad at all. Our server was Nicholas. I think that's his name since thats the name on the bill. He was great. Very thorough and attentive. Always checked on us as busy as he was. The drinks were ok. Nothing to rave about. I had the fresh island fish sandwich which was good but small and not filling. No comments on all the other dishes except for the Saimin. The Saimin was horrible!!! Super salty!! It wasn't my entree but I had a taste. Yuck!! I would have sent it back. Not sure if I would go back. They have a lot of good reviews here but it really isn't all that considering all the restaurant options in Waikiki. read more

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This place is amazing!! On my last trip to the island, I visited this place more than once either for dinner or simply just sipping on their delicious Mai Tai at the bar while watching the ocean. This place truly knows how to make some great cocktails and the food was delicious as well. They have great happy hour menu and live music at the certain time as well. I'm a repeat customer when I'm back again to the island read more

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This restaurant was a whole experience. In addition to amazing service, the restaurant has live musicians playing at different times throughout the day. The environment was lively, and the decor and beach front dining area were striking. The food was also really good. We got gluten-free chicken wings and Bulgogi pork tacos. The tacos were especially good because the spice from the meat was balanced with the tangy kimchi and the sweet Asian pear. Definitely recommend! read more

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The food, service, and oceanside location all won me over at this spot. Our server was incredibly friendly, pointed out the happy hour specials, and gave great recommendations. One helpful tip: although online reservations showed no availability for our party of five, we walked in around 4:30 PM and were seated right away. It seems they prioritize walk-ins, so don't be discouraged by what you see online! read more

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We are long time fans of Monkeypod, but this was the first time checking out the Waikiki location. Of course we came for the famous Monkeypod Mai Lai (with Lilikoi foam) and to sit by the water during sunset, then dine. Food was good, but I can't say the quality lived up to the other location TBH, and our neighbors got a pizza that came out room temperature. read more

Our friend took us here after hyping it up as one of her favorite spots on the island - and I can certainly see why - it lived up to said hype. It's got the perfect ocean-side location with an expansive menu and dining room - and literally EVERYTHING we ate was incredible. But first let's highlight what we DRANK. Those Mai Tais are special. Seriously - the golden honey-lilikoi foam crowned with a thin sliced pineapple shaving made for such a fun decorative coronation to such a flavorful drink. Likely my second favorite Mai Tai of the whole trip - only to be surpassed by one I had on Kauai. As for entrees, everything was immensely sharable - generous portions (reflected in the prices $$$) with some terrific apps on Happy Hour (as for the drinks too). We ordered the Garlic Truffle Oil Fries and Taro Ravioli - highly recommend for your starters, but if you have to pick one, the Taro Ravioli is super unique and hearty. My partner ordered the Organic Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish - yes, it is pricey, but it was outstanding. One of very few items I would purchase for that same price again, no questions asked. Perfectly flaky and complimented well with a pile of greens, salsa, and rice. My entree was one of the specials - and I cannot for the life of me remember the kind of fish it was - but it was incredible (see pictured) - generously perched atop a seat of rice with some wonderful veggie swirls atop it. Our eyes were much bigger than our stomachs, which led us to also order the Kalua Pork & Pineapple Pizza which... in retrospect... was the perfect snack later on in the night after a few more drinks :) Our service was impeccable - the server remembered our friend from her few previous trips there with her family and treated us to a wonderfully flavor-packed coconut cream pie for dessert. So generous, attentive, and polite. If I'm back in Hawaii, I'm back here in a heartbeat. Thanks for a brilliant experience. read more

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Made reservations and they wished us a happy anniversary and threw in a dessert on the house, both classy moves that were well received. The selection was great and the food was top tier. Flavorful and filling, I was extremely satisfied with the presentation, taste, and portions. Lastly, the service was great, and the view is incredible. We were seated right by the ocean and could hear/see the waves crashing as we enjoyed our meal. The menu had keiki options and we plan on bringing the whole family so that they can run around the beach while we enjoy the view and some drinks. read more

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We came here with out of town guests for the mai tais (so excited they're in town now to avoid the drive to kapolei)! Definitely make a reservation if you can, as our wait was about 40 min for 4 of us walking in at 6pm on a Friday evening. Views of the beach were absolutely spectacular, but the ambiance was comfortable and not overly pretentious despite it being nestled in the outrigger hotel. We enjoyed our maitais, tempura green beans and garlic truffle fries, and a fabulous conversation with our bartender and server, Kyle, from a high top. It was one of our party's birthdays as well and upon mention, Kyle comped us with a delicious strawberry-whipped cream-cheesecakey pie goodness, which was highly appreciated! Definitely drop in for a special occasion or date night, or to impress mainland guests!! read more

Monkeypod Kitchen - Tacos Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We visited Monkeypod Kitchen as a group of 5 and really enjoyed everything from the gorgeous view, to the food, to the happy hour prices! VIEW: We were seated outside on a perfectly warm and breezy day. The beautiful view of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach made such a stunning backdrop that is the stuff that dreams are made of. DRINKS: We all got a mixture of alcoholic and virgin drinks around the table, and everyone was super happy with their choices. I got the mai tai and it was topped with delicious foam. It was frothy, cold, and strong! FOOD: Between the HH appetizers and the fish tacos I got, I was such a happy camper! All of the food was delicious! SERVICE: Our servers were super friendly and prompt. They refilled our water and continued to check on us throughout our meal. HAPPY HOUR: As of November 2024, happy hour is 3:30PM - 5:00PM and appetizers are 1/2 off (with the exception of seafood items.) Pizzas are $14 with the exception of the bourgeois. Draft Beers - $2 off Wines by the Glass - $3 off All Handcrafted Culinary Cocktails - $4. We got truffle fries and pizza to take advantage of the pries, and also enjoyed $4 off our cocktails too! All in all, this is a great spot with a fantastic view, great food, and good deals. What more could you ask for?? read more

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I visited Monkeypod Kitchen in Waikiki and it turned out to be one of the more enjoyable casual dining spots in the area, especially if you are looking for a lively restaurant with a strong local Hawaii influence. The atmosphere immediately stands out. The restaurant has an open-air design with high ceilings, natural wood accents, and a relaxed island vibe that fits perfectly with the Waikiki setting. The space feels energetic without being overwhelming, and the live music adds to the overall experience. The menu focuses on locally inspired dishes that blend Hawaiian ingredients with modern American comfort food. One of the highlights for me was the balance of flavors throughout the dishes. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared without trying to be overly complicated. Another standout is their bar program. Monkeypod is well known for its craft cocktails and local beers, and the drinks are presented with a lot of attention to detail. The cocktails pair well with the food and contribute to the social atmosphere of the restaurant. Service was friendly and attentive, which is something I always appreciate in busy Waikiki restaurants. Despite the crowd, the staff kept things organized and the pacing of the meal felt smooth. Overall, Monkeypod Kitchen delivers a great combination of atmosphere, well-executed food, and a strong local identity. It is a great place to relax with friends, enjoy live music, and experience a modern take on island cuisine while in Waikiki. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort was, hands down, one of the best dining experiences we had in Waikiki--and honestly, one of the best anywhere. From the moment we walked in, the service was next-level exceptional. Not just friendly or efficient, but genuinely warm, thoughtful, and above and beyond in every sense of the phrase. You could feel that customer care here isn't a script--it's a culture. A huge, heartfelt thank you to Mitchell, Jocelyn, Tori, and Marci, who absolutely set the gold standard for hospitality. Their attention to detail, kindness, and ability to anticipate needs before we even asked made us feel like VIPs the entire time. Every interaction felt personal, effortless, and joyful--and that kind of service is rare. And major shoutouts to Kyle, Yukie, Shawn, Shayla, and Nicole as well! Each of them contributed to an atmosphere that was seamless, upbeat, and incredibly welcoming. It truly felt like a team that loves what they do--and it shows. The food and drinks were fantastic (as expected at Monkeypod), but what really made this experience unforgettable was the people. The care, the smiles, the check-ins, the little moments of extra effort--this is hospitality done right. If you're in Waikiki and even thinking about Monkeypod, don't hesitate. Come hungry, stay happy, and know you're in the hands of an outstanding team who will make your meal something special. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen - Epics ocean views - Tacos Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Fun open air concept restaurant located off the water in Waikiki. Service was quick and efficient after an hour wait for a table. The food for the children came out quickly - cheese pizza and fish with note of the allergens. Adults had the monkeypod mai tai in both its cocktail and mocktail versions with delicious honey-likikoi foam. My favorite item was the lamb and an additional side of the jalapeño mash. Also I was able to order the purple sweet potato pie off the menu and it was delicious. read more

So while I wait on friends I decided to sit at the bar and have a cocktail... very nice ambience, beach vibes but up a scale. Very nice size and popular, there will be a wait, especially for a They make their own ginger beer and I must say 10/10; you have to try the Makawao Ave (mule like drink). Our bartender (Kimmie) and server (Megan) were nice and offered options. The food was really good, the jalapeño potatoes had good taste but purée texture, just unexpected but good! The ribeye was cooked perfectly with lots of flavor! Highly suggest going here. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen - Ribeye and jalapeño potatoes with bokchoy - Tacos Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Great service, friendly staff. The food was very delicious, got the fish tacos and truffle garlic fries. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen - Truffle garlic fries - Tacos Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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OMG the best Mai Tai's on the island. They use Organic Rum from a local distillery and a lychee mousse. The is spot gets busy with live music offerings as well. Make sure you make a reservation and are ready to wait because service gets pretty busy. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen - Mai Tai - Tacos Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Although I was upset because we called to make reservations but they said walk in welcome. Ehen we got there They did accept reservation. And walk ins have long wait But all turned ok because of the bartender "Jeffrey" who setved us drinks and we decided yo eat at the bar. He nade6my dissapointmeny disappear read more

I didn't realize that Monkeypod was located in a hotel, so here's a heads up about that. We made reservations for my birthday dinner because the restaurant is baby-friendly. The view was amazing; although we weren't seated outside (which was fine since it was a bit windy), we were close enough to enjoy a nice view of the ocean. We ordered their seafood special, which was pink snapper with papaya salad, along with macadamia-crusted mahi mahi and a fish sandwich. Everything was delicious, and my daughter even enjoyed her cheesy pasta and broccoli. The service stood out to me the most and was exceptional. Our waitress was super friendly, helpful, and quick. There was also another waiter who played with my 1-year-old, which made the experience even more enjoyable. This restaurant is definitely baby-friendly, and it would encourage me to return. Since the restaurant is located in a hotel, parking is valet only, and the fee is about $15. read more

Monkey pod kitchen is one of our favorite places to have our company dinners at. We always get reservations, but unfortunately, this time we ended up waiting about 20 minutes past our reservation to be seated. We immediately ordered appetizers which included the truffle fries and potstickers. Both were delicious and the potstickers we were extra amazing because they had a lot of sauce to go with it. I ordered the lobster and fish pasta, but I wanted to get it without fish because I am not a fan of fish and they were able to accommodate that request. The waitress did offer to substitute the fish for chicken, but I thought I would just be best with only lobster. The pasta was amazing because it was handmade fettuccine noodles topped in a spicy tomato sauce with half a lobster Tail and claw. I wish there was more lobster to go with the dish. I requested an old-fashioned drink topped with their lilikoi foam and when it came out, I was a little disappointed to see how flat the foam was. It wasn't whipped enough to get those nice peaks when dealing with egg whites. So I decided to change up my drink just a little bit and asked if I could get the pumpkin foam, which is a seasonal item on the menu on top of my old fashion. She recommended that I use macadamia nut syrup instead of simple syrup in my old-fashioned and I thought that was a great variation to the drink. When it came out, it was super festive, and it really felt like fall in a drink. We decided to get some dessert and chose a couple of their pies: strawberry, pumpkin, banana, cream, and coconut. My favorite was a strawberry because I love fresh fruit pies. The pies were large enough for us to share with our table and everyone got to try a piece. Parking is valet only at the outrigger reef. There's also street parking, but that is always crowded so you have to be lucky to get one of those stalls. If you can stomach the price of this place, it is really a great family-friendly, fun friendly, and picture worthy dining location. read more

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The pizza was so small yet so expensive. Tasted like chuck-ee-cheese. The service was rude and we weren't attended to. Ambiance was good, they had live music. The Mai tai was also good. So were the roasted chicken wings. read more

Delish! So strong! Favorite drink so far in Hawaii! Just and FYI this restaurant is in the Outrigger Hotel in the back behind the pool. We opted to sit at the bar which was quicker and we were helped and served fast! Its beach side so enjoying this drink while listening to the waves was sheer perfection. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen - MonkeyPod Kitchen didn't come to play when it comes to the Mai Tai - Tacos Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii