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    Prime Roast Cafe

    4.4 (134 reviews)
    ModerateCafes, French, Caterers
    Closed 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Services - Prime Roast Cafe

    Allergy-friendly catering

    Catering

    Gluten-free catering

    4 More Services

    Kosher catering

    Organic catering

    Vegan catering

    Vegetarian catering

    Prime Roast Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    PRIME ROAST CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Prime Roast Cafe

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    French dip, just ok
    Robert S.

    Well I hate to criticize a small business with very nice owners but I guess I should keep things real. I've had french dips all over Cali including Cole's in LA where they invented it. Anyway, the good is that the potato salad was tasty but I feel like an authentic french dip has to be served with fries. Sadly, the au jus lacked enough saltiness. I understand they are being health conscience but in light of eating fatty red meat I'm not sure it makes sense to sacrifice traditional au jus. Also, the sliced meat had big chunks of white fat I had to pick out. The roll was nicely toasted tho. Overall, for $26 it was dissapointing.

    Kurobuta braised pork belly $18
    Wina G.

    Made it for dinner finally! It's been a hot minute! They're open for dinner service Friday and Saturday 5-7, reservations only. Not much foot traffic in the evening being located in downtown understandably but don't miss out on this gem. The Merchant St entrance closes late afternoon but you can access it on King St. ( nearer to Alakea). We park at the USPS building lot. We came for the duck confit $40 (I know they specialize in prime rib which totally tender but we hooked on the duck. Chef is classically trained so the prep reflects that. But I was pleasantly surprised by the use of five spice which really added depth to the flavor. Came with saffron rice, roasted vegetables. Skin was light & crispy and the meat was so moist and flavorful. As an appetizer we had the braised Kurobuta pork belly with cardamom pineapple chutney ($18). It came served on toasted pieces of bread. Loved the crispy crust and the smoky flavor and the tart sweet chutney paired perfectly. Yum! For dessert we had the Grand Marnier chocolate soufflé. $14 Dang! It was the best chocolate soufflé ever!! Beneath the light crust was the most lightest mousse - like eating a cloud. Omg! Why didn't we have these before. It's going to be def a repeat dessert. Make sure you order it early because it takes about 20 minutes Chef Ernesto and Chef Celeste are wonderful warm people. We got to chat with them and they had very interesting stories. They treated us like VIPs but like family at the same time. Check it out for dinner and support a local family business!

    Nice, clean, and cozy inside
    Shannon H.

    I came here for the salmon, which I absolutely love. But they didn't have it that day. I got the philly cheesesteak sandwich instead which was still pretty good. I like this place. It's nice and clean and orderly inside. The staff are always, always very kind and friendly. The chef always comes out to thank you personally before you leave. It's a little pricey, but the food is very good and worth it when I feel like treating myself.

    Ada H.

    Prime Roast Cafe is a small family owned business and the owners are absolute sweethearts! I adore their kindness and love how passionate they are about their food. My boyfriend got the prime rib and the prime rib was seasoned well. The meat was juicy and was delicious with the au jus. The French onion soup was my favorite part of the meal. The soup was umami bursting with flavors. The toasty cheesy bread was divine and held up well even when I drenched it into the soup. Great spot for a relaxed breakfast/lunch meal.

    They even have a holiday cooking & baking workshop!
    Cecily C.

    Prime Roast Cafe - A Hidden Gem in Downtown Honolulu Just when I thought I was running out of sit-down meal options in downtown Honolulu, Prime Roast Cafe came into my life--and what an introduction it was! Tucked away at 212 Merchant Street, this cafe may seem casual at first glance, but don't be fooled. The warmth and hospitality Celeste and her husband, Ernesto (the chef), extend make you feel as though you've stepped into their home. Their graciousness and pride in serving every dish truly stand out, making the experience more than just a meal--it's like having your own personal chef. One of the first things that struck me is how versatile their menu is. Serving all three meals daily, you can enjoy anything from a breakfast bento of the day, candied rosemary bacon with garlic fried rice and eggs, to a prime rib loco moco. For lunch, my friend opted for the Sterling Silver Prime Rib Panini--melt-in-your-mouth tender, with arugula and Swiss cheese. After trying a bite, I knew their prime rib was the star of the show. I, however, indulged in the fresh Atlantic salmon with a miso caper cream sauce, served with saffron lemon rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables. The salmon was perfection, with every bite melting in my mouth, and the vegetables were seasoned with such care that the flavor lingered long after I'd finished. Speaking of prime rib, they offer a dazzling array of options, from a 10 oz portion to a show-stopping 16 oz Sterling Silver Prime Rib of Beef, complete with port wine bone marrow au jus and creamy horseradish. With sides like garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly seasoned vegetables, you won't leave disappointed. And then there's dessert. Oh, the dessert! Their French-style Apple Tarte Tatin is something to be savored, caramelized in butter and sugar to perfection. I would happily return just for that sweet delight. Prime Roast Cafe feels like a well-kept secret. Though parking downtown is scarce (understandable for the Central Business District), it's a spot well worth the journey for workers, residents, and any lucky visitor. The impeccable service, food, and overall experience make it feel like you're enjoying five-star dining without the sky-high prices. Celeste even capped off our meal by treating us to some delicious crème brûlée tarts and sugared orange peel, a lovely touch of gratitude that made the meal feel even more personal. Prime Roast Cafe is now a must-visit spot for me, whether for breakfast, lunch, or their exclusive Friday-Saturday dinner service (which I plan on booking soon). Truly a gem in Honolulu's heart, I cannot wait to return!

    Prime Rib, ready to serve!
    Alex O.

    I often walk by this spot near my workplace and motice is has varying crowds throughout the daytoodecided to try them out on a whim. Thing to note, they have prime rib and almost every dish is prime rib. I went with the prime Rib French Dip. Prime Rib French Dip: 8/10. This is their prime rib sliced up on a nice bread, with their Au Jus, and a tossed salad with a vinegarette. The prime rib is great but isn't a grilled with cheese and onions type. The Au Jus soaks up nicely and definitely adds to the flavors. My picture doesn't capture how satisfied I was for lunch. This first visit was quite good and now I'm wondering what to try next (and when). Give them a try and support local!

    Prime rib loco moco
    Jeremiah U.

    Prime Roast Cafe utilizes prime rib in their menu. From Prime rib loco moco to Prime rib Ruben sandwich, Chef Robert is creating delicious meals using top-quality ingredients. Celeste provided excellent service with a friendly and welcoming attitude throughout the interaction. The interior is a small seating area that's nicely organized and clean. #top-tier #primerib

    Acai bowl
    Candace F.

    Who knew that a nice prime rib centric restaurant could be located downtown. From the outside you would think this is another plate lunch place but it's definitely not your average lunch joint. Stepping inside the cafe is an oasis away from the hubbub of the outside traffic. Cool, air conditioning and quiet with the main focus..prime rib. After a year of passing this nondescript restaurant there there is a pleasurable dining experience. The cashier was new however super nice trying to explain the menu. The owner came out from the back to greet me. Super nice lady. Her husband prepared the prime rib French dip sandwich. I also ordered an açaí bowl. I sat at a table and waited while they prepared the foods. It was a nice relaxing wait and i didn't mind sitting in cool muted silence. The French dip sandwich came out and it was hearty! Good too! So much meat! The bread nicely toasty and fresh. The açaí bowl was good! Fresh granolas and berries. Yummy! Everything was good. Food, service, ambiance - five stars! Nice lunch date place or place to meet a friend to chat.

    Rainbow Sprinkles cookies
    Leiko T.

    The Rainbow Sprinkles cookies are a perfect blend of chewy and crunchy! It is not too sweet and tastes just right the sprinkles adding the right amount of sweetness! It's a must try cookie that will you keep you coming back for more!!!

    8 oz Prime Rib ($27) Lunch Menu
    Suri S.

    This place is delicious for their prime rib and various sandwiches. Only been here for lunch time, however, the prices keep increasing. I understand since inflation and but it is on the pricey for a lunch. Quality over Quantity here though. Dine in --I would prefer to cut my prime rib with a real knife not the plastic kind. The takeout containers could be better especially for the price. I will still come back to support, but not as often due to price increases. Service has always been nice and friendly! I also do like that there's a slight discount if you pay with cash.

    Prime rib station
    Jerome C.

    Cute little place tucked into the corner. Service was very prompt, and attentive. Meals were all delicious, I had the prime rib french dip, full on slices of real prime cooked perfectly. Combo came with a nice little salad and the desert was the matcha with strawberry, very tasty. Would 100% come back.

    8 oz. prime rib with roasted veggies and mashed potatoes
    LL A.

    The restaurant was quaint and the service was good, I was the only one there on weekday during lunchtime. I ordered the 8 oz. Prime Rib with roasted veggies and mashed potatoes; the Prime Rib & mashed potatoes were cold, but the roasted veggies were hot. Hadn't I been on my lunch break, I would've asked for the prime rib to be put on the pan for a couple minutes, but I was on a time limit. The food was bland and I had to add a good amount of salt for the food to be eaten. It's sad, the staff are real nice, but I don't recommend eating here.

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    26 days ago

    Best prime rib ever made by the nicest people ! Easy to do take out anytime or special occasions.

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    4 months ago

    Prime rib panini was great (really enjoyed the potato salad that came with) and the service was amazing. Will be back soon!

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    5 months ago

    There are not enough words to describe how amazing the food and service were. I highly recommend Prime Roast Cafe to anyone in the area!

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    5 months ago

    Incredible food and service. Ernesto is an amazing chef. Highly recommend! The prime rib and apple pie were so delicious.

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    Ask the Community - Prime Roast Cafe

    Do they have a wine list or are they BYOB?

    Be aware that BYOB has a $10 corkage fee PER PERSON.

    Where is the best place to park?

    There's some metered parking in the back (in Merchant St) but there's not much. You can also go further down Merchant St and infront of the Post Office is a metered parking lot.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    $$$$

    Outstanding meal with the beautiful warm view...our servers MaryAnn and Keeton just made our…read moreevening...Always smiling and very attentive...loved the lavosh and she gave me plenty...the duck l' orange egg soup was so cutely prepared but oh so much flavor...loved the cleansing sorbet was perfect...while our server Keeton was so attentive I got to know him and just can't wait til he becomes the waiter...he's gonna be so great! So we had a delicious onion soup and lobster bisque...our hostess flamed our lobster and it was quite the cool presentation...she's good! Our entrees were seafood bouillabaisse and salmon a with pasta...oh my goodness my salmon had a sauce to die for and the small teeny capers made the presentation beautiful. Best salmon I've had...so darn delicious! All the while we enjoyed sparkling water, sunset daiquiri, and sweetened plantation iced tea... We finished it off with our celebration and having presented the cherries jubilee...yum yum. As always we love seeing Phillip; he's a beautiful soul and is very personable. Also shot out to Kerwin who helped us with our car! Great night!

    I had a terrible experience with Michel's and would not recommend them based on how this was…read morehandled. I purchased a nice bottle of wine for my dad and his wife's 10-year anniversary because I knew they were dining there. I triple-confirmed with the staff ahead of time that the bottle had been purchased, that it would be delivered to their table, and that the server would be aware of the arrangement. Not only was the message never relayed internally, but it created an incredibly awkward and embarrassing situation. The server apparently believed I had paid for the entire dinner rather than just the bottle of wine. My dad and his wife were under the impression that the whole meal had been taken care of. To make matters worse, the restaurant initially charged my card and then later canceled the charge. Instead of contacting me to clarify the situation, they called my dad after he and his wife had already left the restaurant to inform him that they still owed money and requested his credit card information over the phone to process the payment. Imagine celebrating your 10-year anniversary and then getting a call afterward saying you "forgot" to pay your bill. That is incredibly awkward and unacceptable. At no point did the restaurant proactively reach out to me... the person who coordinated and paid for the wine to explain the internal miscommunication. There was no accountability until I called to address it myself. Only then did they apologize and offer a future credit for them. What should have been a thoughtful anniversary gesture turned into an unnecessary embarrassment due to poor internal communication and lack of ownership. Extremely disappointing.

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    Michel's At The Colony Surf - Tableside bananas foster!

    Tableside bananas foster!

    Michel's At The Colony Surf - Gelato: Dark Giandui Hazelnut Chocolate + Tahitian Vanilla

    Gelato: Dark Giandui Hazelnut Chocolate + Tahitian Vanilla

    Michel's At The Colony Surf - French Inspired Aesthetic

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    French Inspired Aesthetic

    Margotto Hawaii - Top 100 best restaurant in the world, Romantic dinner, anniversary dinner, truffle and caviar in Honolulu

    Margotto Hawaii

    4.2(157 reviews)
    1.3 miAla Moana
    $$$$
    Fine dining
    Luxury

    At Margotto, they made it rain--rain shaved truffles. While they have other menu items, they are…read moreknown for their seasonal truffle menus and having well priced truffles which they source themselves from Italy. Under Chef Shiori Okuya, their tasting menu, was a nice way to experience the French-Japanese flavors of the restaurant. First we chose the amount of truffle we wanted for our meal. Then those truffles were shaved over multiple elegant appetizers; a Pot-au-Feu soup; a lobster fish course; oyster pasta; duck for our main; in Asian-style, a comforting rice bowl to end the savory courses; and finally even the dessert. Henry was an amazing server with flair and passion for the menu and we even took a little bit of truffle home to enjoy on soft scrambled eggs the next day. If you want to experience another side of Margotto, there is also Margotto E Baciare in Japan.

    Though prone to hyperbole, please let me assure you that I am dead serious when I say I would give…read moreMargotto 10 stars if that were an option. I'm quite fortunate to have had many amazing dining experiences, more than a few of them of the fine-dining-persuasion and Margotto shook me to my core. Unforgettable and completely unlike anything I've had before. It's incredibly unassuming from the outside--like a secret or a speak-easy--elegant and understated on the inside. The staff are all so warm and welcoming and you'll want for nothing the entire time you're dining. It's a coordinated dance of service. Arrive hungry and ready to spoil yourself! Opt for The Grand Degustation and get the 15 grams of truffles. This is not the time to be stingy! In fact, you really need to get the Caviar Monaka and a glass of champagne to start--the crispy wafer is a nutty delight and a perfect compliment to little fishy pearls. THEN you can move onto the ten course meal. And since I'm telling you what to do, you'd be entirely remiss to skip the wine pairing. Chuck Furuya is a demigod with a palate that is twenty-seven steps ahead of us mere mortals. The wines on their own practically sing in their glasses but when paired with each dish? The transformation of flavors? Absolutely unreal. Let us not forget about the truffles. They're fruity and earthy and succulent, without being heavy or overbearing in any way. You WILL feel spoiled and you deserve it! If I lived here, this would be my go-to special occasion restaurant, no question. You must try it for yourself.

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    Margotto Hawaii - Top 100 best restaurant in the world! romantic dinner, anniversary dinner, truffle and caviar in Honolulu

    Top 100 best restaurant in the world! romantic dinner, anniversary dinner, truffle and caviar in Honolulu

    Margotto Hawaii - Truffle and old world wines. from the same soil, area, they pair fantastic!

    Truffle and old world wines. from the same soil, area, they pair fantastic!

    Margotto Hawaii - Our signature, beluga caviar with monaka(rice wafer)

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    Our signature, beluga caviar with monaka(rice wafer)

    El Cielo - Main Entrance

    El Cielo

    4.7(254 reviews)
    2.7 miWaikiki
    $$$
    Speaks Spanish
    Casual dining

    What a great experience we had tonight, celebrating our anniversary in Honolulu. We ordered the…read morepâté, beet salad, and octopus for starters. All were outstanding. I don't like pâté (my wife) but I'm now a fan. The grilled octopus was heavenly, like a steak, but more delicate. Our final main was the seafood Paella. Amazing. Tip: scrape that disk to get the burned bits of rice on the side. It really brings out the flavor. Service-wise - our server was amazing. Always there, but never intrusive. Thank you for a great meal, and great experience!

    What do you get when you have a mix of Spanish, Japanese, and Italian dishes all on one menu? Mixed…read moreresults, or a wonderful blend? You have all that at El Cielo! Located in Waikiki along Lewers Street near Kuhio Ave. It's on the first floor sharing the same building with Oyster Hale and Genius Lounge. They don't have any affiliation with any parking garages, you're on your own. The inside is surprisingly big and spacious with bar and outdoor seatings, and high ceilings in the main dining room. The main theme is Spanish Tapas with mostly small or bite size dishes with a few paella and main entrees. Everything sounded good! "Pinchos" dishes is really just one bite. The Smoked Salmon was nothing special. It ate like a normal salmon with cream cheese. The other flavors such as dill, pink peppercorn, and orange did not come out. The Buñuelos Butterfish Fritter were good. Light, airy, doughy! nicely fried and seasoned. Didn't really taste much butterfish. The Tapas were a generous amount! The Shrimp Ajillo was flavorful with paprika and garlic. Shrimp was cooked well. The spice didn't come out from the dried chili peppers. The best was the Housemade Baguette! Warm, soft inside, crunchy outside. Better than at Vietnamese restaurants! Unfortunately, the dish and sauce was too salty--even for a person who likes more taste. The Octopus Ala Gallega was very good. Nicely grilled octopus to tender with a nice charred taste. Just needed some salt. Potatoes were good. Chimichurri sauce was flavorful. Generous amount of olive oil. The Uni & Crab Pasta was all right. I've had better. The spaghetti was a touch too Al dente. The flavor was very one note with the rich cream sauce and uni. There wasn't the sweetness from the crab. The cherry tomato was just there to be there for a bite. Would have been nice to get some acidity and sweetness throughout the dish. The Seafood Paella was very basic. Very disappointed with zero char on the rice. What's the point of the pan? It definitely needed higher heat. Everything ate like it was covered and simmered on low heat until the seafood was cooked. Very simple. The Ube Basque Cheesecake was good. Not too sweet, not too much Ube flavor with a light custard-like interior. Overall, this was a decent meal. All the dishes were beautifully presented, but needed some seasoning adjustments. Don't think I'll order the same dishes next time. The service was excellent. Very friendly, information, and attentive server. Comfortable dining area. Unfortunate it has no parking affiliation. I'll definitely comeback for their Housemade Baguette!

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    El Cielo
    El Cielo
    El Cielo - How can you go wrong w a garlic shrimp paella!

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    How can you go wrong w a garlic shrimp paella!

    Prime Roast Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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