Cancel

Open app

Search

Install the Yelp app
Continue your search on the app. It’s easier!

Taco Rice

4.6 (47 reviews)
Closed • Closed
Updated a few days ago

Order Taco Rice Takeout or Delivery

Taco Rice Photos

Business Info

TACO RICE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Taco Rice

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Inside
Sydni K.

This review is long overdue, and I just saw that taco rice closed! It was such a bummer because they had a solid taco rice bowl. Meat was seasoned well, and I loved all the toppings, especially sour cream. I hope they reopen one day!

Cute decor and condiment section
Irene M.

Haisai... I never knew that Taco Rice was a Okinawan thing and later came to understand it and fully embraced it but as I wanted to visit some biz for the AAPI Month what better reason than that to show some love. Though they seem to be closed only on Mondays the few times I did try to visit they were closed only time listed that it was open which is quite disappointing and wished they advised days that they would close for a heads up but finally the time had arrived and here I am and what a cute and cozy spot. As they're located right on busy Kalakaua near South King Street area it can be nerve racking but they do have parking in the back with the entrance right beside the restaurant. As you enter it's basically just a service counter and shelf for condiments a small spot no seating but very easy to order as you just choose your size and protein and comes with the basic (lettuce, cheese and tomatoes) with a list of toppings for additional price which as that wouldn't make it for me lol...so I added corn, jalapenos and olives...yum! What they also had to make a complete feast is their Shikuwasa Honey drink a refreshing drink you can enjoy as water or soda is what i did and the gentle tangy of the Shikuwasa which paired perfectly with my Taco Rice and though the plate comes with sour cream and salsa (which is mild) the staff suggested some hot sauce to top it off which is nice that they have a huge variety to choose from so it was Valentina and Cholula for me which really elevated it further. Loved it as it was nice and hearty along with fresh toppings made it a perfect combination for a yummy Okinawan bite. Thank you!

Beef Taco Rice
Josh O.

Parking: Lot located behind the restaurant Service: take out only Ambiance: casual Food: taco rice is an Okinawan comfort food resembling a taco bowl. Great for a quick simple meal. A simple offering, would rec trying at least once.

Outside
Nadine C.

Lunch in Honolulu, Hawaii... I saw "Taco Rice" and wondered what it was. I thought: "I should try it, even though it sounds a bit weird, but you never know..." It's supposed to be Okinawan comfort food... I've never heard of it before... Let's go... First of all, there's a small, free parking lot behind the building. Look for the sign on the wall and drive carefully through the narrow driveway. Taco Rice Hawaii is where Do-Ne used to be. It's now a cozy takeout place with friendly, helpful staff. One guy said that Taco Rice is like a Chipotle... hmmm... I think it's more like a taco salad on a bed of rice. Another guy pointed out the bottles of hot sauces. Ummm... I'll pass! It had enough kick to me! I selected the Combo Meal because it included a canned drink and tater tots! It seemed like a good deal for just $3.29 more! I chose beef instead of Tofu and rice instead of salad. It came with a side of housemade salsa and sour cream. It was great with shredded cheese topping, fresh lettuce, and cherry tomatoes! I was gonna take my meal into the movie theater, but ended up parking on the side of a road and gobbling it all up! Haha! It might have been too messy in the dark...

Jess V.

The Taco Rice was such a taste of home reminiscing back on our Oki days. My husband put me onto taco rice when I used to visit him out in Okinawa - we're so grateful to have this amazing local spot to enjoy this delicious dish!! Service was incredible and the outdoor seating was perfect. Cannot wait to return!

Patrick H.

Taco Rice Hawaii is one of those places that instantly feels like home. Serving up the Okinawan/TexMex fusion staple "Taco Rice" the plates are a heaping portion of nostalgia. The dish is simply, white rice topped with taco spiced ground beef (tofu option is available), shredded lettuce, cheese, chopped tomato, salsa and sour cream. Multiple add-ons are available. The space is quaint and charming. The beef is perfectly seasoned and delicious. Counter service only with a walk up window option as well. Fast, friendly and efficient! Located on the section of Kalakaua NOT in Waikiki...they have ample parking behind the shop. This is great comfort food at a very affordable price. Highly recommended!

Shari T.

NEW HAWAII OKINAWAN OWNED RESTAURANT ALERT: Taco Rice Hawaii! Taco Rice Hawaii opened up recently at 1614 Kalakaua Avenue (at the old Do-ne location). Nick, the owner, grew up eating this Okinawan comfort food and wanted to open a restaurant that could introduce his favorite small kid time meal to folks in Hawaii. WHAT IS TACO RICE? Taco Rice is a super popular fusion dish created in Okinawa in the 1980s that has Tex-Mex taco fillings (seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, salsa) on rice. Obviously, this dish was influenced by the presence of the U.S. military but has become a staple for locals in Okinawa. I'm surprised at how many Hawaii Okinawans have never heard of or tried Okinawan Taco Rice. Here's your chance! REVIEW: Nick's version is done right and he saves you from having to fly to Okinawa. He prepares his own seasonings for the ground beef and makes his own salsa. I appreciate these kinds of details. You can go with the "classic" Taco Rice or add on extra toppings like cilantro, avocado, boiled egg, Doritos, jalapenos, etc. I'm all about texture, so I'm glad there is an option to add in Doritos for cheesy crunch! Would like to have other chip options like Fritos and Tortilla strips in future. I'm impressed that the focus of this business is Okinawan Taco Rice and that they are constantly striving to perfect the dish. This is the only Okinawan-owned restaurant making Taco Rice on Oahu since Ethel's Grill has shut their doors. The other versions around (Izakaya Naru, Kotetsu Chaya, Minatoku Kitchen, and Joy Cup Noodle Mean) are Japanese. All are pretty good (Naru's version is in a Korean hot stone bowl) but I'm glad we have another option on Oahu! Marina, the other owner (and Nick's wife), is currently working on Vegetarian and Vegan versions of their Taco Rice. The menu is limited for now but will expand in the future. Follow them on IG for updates: https://www.instagram.com/tacoricehawaii/ IMPORTANT INFO: This location is not in Waikiki, but closer to Don Quijote side of Kalakaua. There is parking located in the back. They are take out only. Hours are currently Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 2:30 pm. Phone: (808) 992-2992 Btw, Nick has roots in Ginowan, Naha, and Okinawa City.

Taco rice with Doritos, boiled egg, salsa, sour cream and tatotots.
Lori F.

I came across this place on instagram and decided to try for lunch. There hours at 1130-230; then 530-7. Parking is easily located in the back, soon after the restaurant on Kalakaua Avenue. Place is very clean and the owner and his worker are very nice. This will be my go to place for Okinawan soul food reasonably priced. I would go definitely return.

Damian M.

This new restaurant highlighs fusion comfort food created in Okinawa. The food is exactly what they advertise, and it's delicious! They offer plenty of add ons like jalapenos and free hot sauce, and even plan on adding meat alternatives to the menu. To add, the owners are very friendly and their service was quick!

Dan A.

Taco Rice Hawaii has their soft opening start this Tuesday.16.December.2025. Situated on Kalakaua Avenue, directly across from Palama Market. Tiny space with an ordering window. Beef Taco Rice is the only item offered for now. Taco ( lightly ) seasoned ground beef over rice and topped with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a shredded cheese blend. Taco rice is an Okinawan/Tex-Mex fusion. Thankfully, they do not add dashi to their taco rice recipe. Order was received within five minutes. Good for $12. It also comes with a mild salsa and sour cream. Customer can add avocado or jalapenos for an extra $1 to $.50. Open daily from 1100a till 700p, except for Sundays when they are closed. Parking is in the back...drive thru the alleyway that leads to a small lot. A signboard is just in front of the entrance/exit.

Menu as of May 14, 2026
Cherish N.

Super friendly & quick service, with ample parking in the back. The taco rice is really good & authentic, but the shikuwasa honey beverage is REALLY good. And I love how customizable a bowl can get! The interior is small, but well-kept and enough space to wait for your food and add any hot sauces. Highly recommend phone or in-person ordering to save on fees.

Hours
Harlan K.

Happy Taco Tuesday! Trying out Taco Rice Hawaii at 1614 Kakalaua Avenue. Taco Rice is a beloved Okinawan comfort food created to satisfy the American military personnel with a food they were familiar with and affordable. There is now a shop near Palama Market that just makes this dish. I got the standard ground beef version as well as a tofu one for Monster. Both were delicious and I upgraded to the combo that also comes with tater tots and a drink. There are many add-ons that you can customize it and don't forget to check out their hot sauce selection. There are containers for you the add the sauces to take home. No real space to dine in, but there is a lot of parking in the rear of this shop. Enter the alleyway that is just past the restaurant and be careful, it's a one lane in and out. The gentleman behind the counter was very helpful being that it was the first time being there and even hinting that they may bring chicken as an option.

Outside
Yasneen M.

A little expensive for what it is but it tasted good! Took a little bit of time to receive our order which is okay because that means it's fresh. I would go again and try some of the customization options they offered.

beef taco rice

See all

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 2
Love this 11
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 26
Thanks 10
Love this 27
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

10 months ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 2
Love this 4
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 2
Love this 6
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 1

12 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Lisa W.
7
98
73

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ryan S.
0
183
575

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Daniel K.
8
120
13

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

If you are in Honolulu and craving Okinawan Taco Rice, this is the place to go. Small place and very friendly.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Loosey B.
5
173
141

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of L H.
40
28
43

11 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 2
Photo of Wow G.
0
18
16

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Rei J.
0
62
20

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Great food, vegan option was very flavorful; friendly and fast service! Will be returning soon.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kj G.
0
16
0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Simplicity acts its best. Rice, meat, cheese and all your other taco additions make up a simple but underrated lunch.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of b r.
0
3
0

7 months ago

Great food, low price, awesome value and friendly staff. Good location and plenty parking.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Taco Rice

You might also consider

Chao - Crab Pasta

Chao

4.4(473 reviews)
2.0 mi•Punchbowl
•$$

Nice and chic restaurant. It's easy to find. They have a whole parking lot shared with other…read morebusinesses but it fills up quick. Soft Shell Crab Pasta: OMG LOOOOVVVEEEE. I've never tried soft shell crab before and theirs was good! The pasta was amazing and flavorful. I wanna go back just to order it again!! Definitely a must try. Coconut Matcha Cloud: sooooo refreshing. Loved it so much I tried recreating it at home lol. Emphasis on the "try." Flan: I love flan so I was happy to see it on the dessert menu. It was so yummy and the right amount of sweetness.

Came here on two different occasions, once for lunch and once for dinner. The service was very…read moreinteresting, it wasn't pushy, but it wasn't passive either. The best way that I can describe it, was that our servers were always a little socially awkward. Not to mention on both occasions, we arrived before the tables to the immediate left/right from us, but got served after them. And when I had looked over, the tables nearest us had ordered similar items, maybe it's just a coincidence that it happened both times? Nevertheless, aside from that, the dining room and bar are clean. Depending on what you order, and how much you order, the 2-tops may not feel big enough, but if you do a little Tetris, it always works out in the end. The crab pasta dish is one of the items I tried first, with the pasta sauce being very rich. I would've preferred the crab to be on the crunchier side, or placed on the edge of the bowl, instead of on the pasta, as it turned soggy towards the end, sort of like an after thought as opposed to complimenting the dish. As for the Vietnamese beef stew that was delicious. It automatically came with a warm baguette, which was very crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I chose to add rice noodles inside the stew, to which it did not disappoint. Their spring rolls were ok, though it felt like they were previously frozen and reheated as opposed to made fresh. Only 2 options for dessert, thus, we opted to grab the dessert course elsewhere down the street. Overall, the flavors are there, hoping that the service is a little better the next time around.

Photos
Chao - Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting

Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting

Chao - Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi

Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi

Chao - Ube Dream

See all

Ube Dream

Ki Club - NastyNate Djing our RnB night

Ki Club

4.5(137 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$$
Locally owned & operated
Women-owned & operated

Went here for my birthday dinner. Thoroughly surprised at how good the food was and the service…read more Beautiful, modern interior and the atmosphere was chic. The menu has changed to a more tapa style. We went with our two young children & they were very accommodating. We ordered a bunch of stuff but most notable was the Ensalada Salad, Croquette Cordero, Taco Raisu, Karaage Pollo, and for dessert, the Piña Borracha. We ordered some pork and steak skewers. These were ok, I would skip these next time. A little burnt. My favorite was the Ensalada Salad. The crab was sweet and the salsa opaca was so refreshing with the apple foam. Was told to smash the crisp on top and combine it with everything and that took it to another level! So good that we ordered another one. The price of this was so affordable too! The Croquette Cordero was like a mini curry ball with chimuchirri sauce. A little heavy but if you love curry, this is for you! The Taco Raisu surprised us. The taco meat was so flavorful!! Even though we were stuffed, we kept going back for more. It's like a deconstructed taco & you use the lettuce as a wrap. The Karaage Pollo came with a Cucumber Escabeche. It was so tangy and refreshing, which perfectly cuts through the rich, savory oiliness of the fried chicken. We got the Piña Borracha for dessert and that had a coconut cake, coconut lime mousse, banana lilikoi curd, and pasted pineapple on top. Amazing!! Great way to end the night. Everything was top notch. You can tell they put a lot of effort into each dish. Can't wait to go back!

I go here on occasions. I've made to brunch a couple times but typically I make it to the…read moreevenings. The restaurant hours are relatively calm, but switches gears when it becomes a nightclub. Restaurant-wise, I believe the menu had a recent change-up to further explore fusion possibilities. I've been going down the list and the dishes have been pretty good so far; I haven't made it to the taco raisu yet, but I do need me some desserts. The picarones is like a peruvian andagi, which was pretty cool. The miso cream brûlée was from the prior menu, but also a Yes. The bar is knowledgeable and innovative their mixology- I've had the shizuku garden and that was amazing.

Photos
Ki Club - Gogo dancers

Gogo dancers

Ki Club
Ki Club - Frankie J hosting at Ki Club

See all

Frankie J hosting at Ki Club

Eating House 1849 - Waikiki - Seafood paella stew

Eating House 1849 - Waikiki

4.1(1.6k reviews)
1.3 mi•Waikiki
•$$$

Located on the 3rd floor at the International Market Center, this restaurant is a must visit. The…read morebar staff was excellent, not sure which tap beer you want, sample away. They are friendly and will help make your life easier if you transition from the bar to a table. I was there with a small party, staff were friendly and informative. Unsure what to get, asked the waitress to surprise me based off a couple of items I could not decide on. She did not disappoint and after talking with kitchen, she brought out the Braised Beef Noodles. The meat was tender and noodles good perfectly. My understanding is that this is a newer dish and hope it stays. The tomatoes were cold, which was a initial surprise but nice compared to the hot dish. I will be returning and highly recommend. Be ready to spend $40-$60 per plate. Ordered a Caesar salad that is big enough for 2 ppl to share. Couple of appetizers included sushi rolls & grilled brussels sprouts that were also excellent.

#waikikidining Open patio dining at its best! Here is my…read morestory: In celebration of my friend's birthday, we chose dining at eating house 1849. A change for me because I rarely head to Waikiki for a variety of obvious reasons. This meal, we tried their prefix menu which comprise of three courses and appetizer, entrée and a dessert. The appetizer was straightforward no choices. It was a chicken filled spring roll and pretty darn good. The entrées, we had a choice of either of two which was a chicken and a miso butter fish. Both were good. And the dessert we had a choice of Panna cotta or some sort of sorbet. And an option to upgrade to Roy's infamous chocolate soufflé. We also had the option to pair our meal with some neat and tasty wines, which, of course, we did The cost of the prefix meal was $55 added on a $30 additional cost for wine pairing so we got a wonderful meal and wine for less than $100 Footnote, we sat at the bar, which was actually pretty nice ceiling fans were close by which kept us cool. Our server, coupled as our bartender, was one of the best at this location. Eating House is located in the international marketplace. Parking is validated for the first two hours. With the many eateries, you can find in Waikiki and with the mini establishments open and owned by Roy Yamaguchi, I put eating house as one of my top six eating places in Waikiki for quality, ambience, and price

Photos
Eating House 1849 - Waikiki
Eating House 1849 - Waikiki - Soufflé lava cake

Soufflé lava cake

Eating House 1849 - Waikiki - Kale salad

See all

Kale salad

Carte Blanche

Carte Blanche

4.5(81 reviews)
2.5 mi•Kaimuki
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Luxury

Wow!! I really loved this restaurant. We had a big group in our reservation. My boyfriend and I…read morehave many dietary restrictions and the chef accommodated even though we told the chef about our dietary restrictions only when we got to the restaurant. Service is amazing and everyone was very nice. The restaurant is so cute and I really liked the decor. The food was INCREDIBLE! I would come back to Hawaii just to eat here again. Thank you so much!

An evening to remember. Tonight's Prix Fixe Menu at Carte Blanche was nothing short of excellence…read more Each course was crafted with such creativity and balance: * Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin with Smoked Trout Roe & Herbs: Each little section had its own unique flavors. * Soupe de Poisson with grilled City Bread from The Breadshop & Rouille: Sean said this was his favorite. He literally was wiping up the soup with his fingers. Haha! * Pina Colada Granita - the perfect palate cleanser! * Pan-Seared Scallops with Corn Béchamel, Polenta & Fresh Relish: Amazing texture and flavors. Scallops were super fresh and cooked to perfection. * Double Cut Rack of Lamb with Charred Savoy Cabbage & Miso Red Wine Sauce: I was thiiiis close to licking my plate. Super YUM! * Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart with Summer Berry Jam: There's nothing like pairing lemon and berries... but to brûlée the top, oh man!! And as a special treat, we even got to pre-sample the dessert for the upcoming November menu - such a sweet sneak peek of what's to come! + Hint: Favorite Local Snack. Grateful for this beautiful dining experience where every bite told a story in this beautiful atmosphere. 10/10 Highly recommended. 5 Stars!

Photos
Carte Blanche
Carte Blanche
Carte Blanche

See all

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter - WESTHOLME RIBEYE (16 oz).

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter

4.5(422 reviews)
2.5 mi•Kaimuki
•$$$$

Became a fan of Chef Kajioka after dining at Cafe Miro in January. As we were planning a trip back…read morein August for the wifey's bday, I definitely wanted to head back and made reservations for The Counter as I saw pics on IG of their meal here. We lucked out and found street parking nearby. As we walked into the restaurant, we were quickly greeted by the host/server who showed us to our seats along the U shaped counter. Loved the clean and modern decor inside the restaurant. As we sat down, our water cups were quickly filled and the only few questions they had for us was whether we wanted the wine pairing and we wanted to add the caviar toast and shaved truffles. We opted for the wine pairing, caviar toast and truffles. The meal was fantastic from start to finish. The most notable dishes for me were the ahi and caviar toast, cold corn soup, the lobster and the dessert. Sadly the portion of the toast here was about 1/2 the size of what we had at the cafe and unfortunately they didn't have uni for the night (maybe don't go on a Tuesday). Service was fantastic but they did have a few hiccups which were tolerable as the food was amazing. The wine pairing was also good and paired well with the dishes. As we are currently planning our trip back later this year, we will definitely head back to either the cafe (if the remodel is completed) or back to the counter for another meal. This is likely the best meal we've had in HNL in quite some time and highly recommend it.

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter: An elegant, intimate experience that, sadly, left a lot to be desired…read more The service was great but I had a few qualms which influenced my decision of probably not returning. A couple things about Miro: - You have to pre-pay via OpenTable (unsure how it works if you call ahead), but just be aware you will be fronting the cost. Also, there are two seatings, one at 5pm, and one at 7:30pm. The 5pm seating is $165 per person and the 7:30pm seating is $195. I'm not sure if there is a menu difference but just know there is a difference in price depending on the time you choose. - Upon arrival you have to wait outside before being let inside. The restaurant locks the doors while they are in service, so if you are the 2nd seating (which is what we were) at 7:30pm, you will have to wait outside. Honestly my girlfriend and I were pretty confused as we've never had this experience before. We even tried to message/call the restaurant but didn't hear from them so we were close to leaving, but luckily some people were leaving from the earlier seating and let us know to wait outside and that the servers would let us in when the time comes. Now onto the most important part- the food. The menu was 6 courses (not including the bread). We got all of the add-ons and I also did the wine pairing. There wasn't any menu available but here's what I got based on photos: - First Course: 4 starters which reminded me of Bar Maze. This was probably the best course for me. I really wish I knew the names of each dish but it was an oyster, salmon tart, another tart (I think this was tomato or something), and ikura toast. All of it was super tasty. - Second Course: Ahi, Caviar, and Uni all on top of their special toasted bread. Now I am a big proponent of all three toppings, but the bread was so rich and dense, it overpowered all of the toppings. I felt the uni went best with the toast, but definitely not my favorite to start a meal so heavy. - Third Course: Almost like a bacon carbonara but without any pasta? It was kind of like a custard texture. It was good but felt a little out of place in the whole grand scheme of the tasting menu. - Bread: I don't count this as a course but we were served this beautiful baked bread with honey butter. Super yummy. - Fourth Course: Lobster - which, of course was tasty but not memorable for me. - Fifth Course: I can't remember if this was wagyu but this was also pretty good. Pretty small for an entree but the meat was cooked well and the presentation was very nice. - 6th Course: There were two desserts and one complimentary dessert for my birthday. The orange creamsicle dessert was the best one. My girlfriend and I didn't like the gummies as they were a bit too sour/savory for our taste (it was li hing flavored which isn't my favorite so I could be biased). The birthday dessert which was a dark chocolate cake thing- it was OK. The cocoa was a bit bitter and was a little too unsweet for our taste. Overall, I think Miro was just okay. For the cost of $195 per person + the wine pairing (which I believe was another $95), and the add-on's for both of us (~$60-70?) plus my girlfriends mocktail, this came out to a very steep $550+ dinner. I feel for 6 courses this is pretty overpriced, especially because the portions are super small and I don't feel the tasting menu was very cohesive. I would definitely rather go to NatuRe, Mugen, or Senia as they are relatively close (or at times cheaper) in price to Miro. Don't get me wrong, the ambiance was beautiful and intimate, and I think it's worth trying at least once if you want to splurge, but sadly this won't be a restaurant I return to regularly, if at all in the future.

Photos
Miro Kaimuki - The Counter
Miro Kaimuki - The Counter - MIRO Sourdough. Furikake butter.

MIRO Sourdough. Furikake butter.

Miro Kaimuki - The Counter - Hamachi. Sun-Dried Tomato. Cucumber.

See all

Hamachi. Sun-Dried Tomato. Cucumber.

Morimoto Asia Waikiki - grilled miso black cod

Morimoto Asia Waikiki

4.1(1.2k reviews)
1.6 mi•Waikiki
•$$$

This place has amazing food, great views, excellent service, and delicious drinks but it has been…read moreCLOSED for months due to a pipe burst (?) or something.

I was lucky enough to attend a business dinner at Morimoto. We had a private room off the lanai…read morethat allowed us to see the ocean and sunset from our space. The large dinning table easily fit 20 people. We had a prefix menu that was served family style. Course 1: house green salad, sticky ribs, and fish carpaccio Course 2: roast duck tacos, steamed pork dumplings, and spicy chicken wonton Course 3: house fried rice and garlic green beans Course 4: grilled miso black cod, grilled kalbi, and orange chicken Dessert: malasadas Everything was great and easily pleased most eaters. I really enjoyed how light the salad was. The steamed pork dumplings and spicy chicken wonton were similar appetizers. I'm not sure if there was a list of options or just these. I didn't think I would like the malasadas but with the whipped coconut cream it was amazing! Service in the private room was great! We had our own area that we could be loud but it also opened to the street so there were added noises from there. The space was big enough to allow mingling around the table. Parking is at the Alohilani resort and there is a valet service. But there is also a self parking option that morimoto will validate both.

Photos
Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Interior

Interior

Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Black pepper beef

Black pepper beef

Morimoto Asia Waikiki - Morimoto Asia Waikiki Ocean Front Lanai Dining

See all

Morimoto Asia Waikiki Ocean Front Lanai Dining

Lucky Belly - Shrimp Kim Chee Bowl

Lucky Belly

4.2(2.2k reviews)
2.0 mi•Downtown
•$$

So glad we ate here! Looks like there are lots of hip options in Chinatown, and we would have…read morewalked around and tried even more if we had had more time. We had a 4 hour layover in Honolulu and it was a quick 15 minute Lyft ride here to Lucky Belly. We were the only party here right at 5:30 pm. Loved the art and clean simple elegance of the exposed brick wall and wood tables. We were greeted and served by a very friendly host. We had the duck tacos, plus the special dim sum appetizer combo of pork belly bao, lobster dumplings and oxtail dumplings. We could not pick a favorite. The variety of textures was fantastic and each of the meat fillings were perfectly seasoned and tender, delicious! Each had a different sauce- just enough, not too much. Nothing was spicy but there was chili oil on the table if you wanted to add more heat. We got 2 nonalcoholic spritzers, one lilikoi and one hibiscus, which were each refreshing and complimented the meal. Since the service was so efficient, after eating, we still had time to zip over to Magic Island to stroll around, take in the scene and enjoy the sunset before heading back to the airport. Our last evening in Hawaii was really special thanks to this delightful restaurant!

Horrifying experience. We arrived to a nearly empty restaurant. The hostess asked if we had a…read morereservation. We arrived an hour or so before they were about to close. All of the window seats were empty. In fact the restaurant was nearly empty. We were told the only option for us was the inconspicuous booth at the back of the restaurant. Not a good start. The food was okay. There was more than we were expecting, however the short ribs were a little tough. The ambiance, it was nice and empty by the time we left. Overall, what had been something we'd been looking forward to for years turned out to be a dismal disappointment. The experience left us feeling unwelcome, particularly because it seemed the staff were uncomfortable with two men simply going out for lunch. Being a Black and Asian couple shouldn't have any bearing on how paying customers are treated, but unfortunately, that's how the experience felt to us. We can overlook mediocre food or service, but feeling judged or unwelcome is something we won't overlook. We were there as paying customers and deserved to be treated with the same courtesy and respect as anyone else. Unfortunately, this is a place we won't be returning to, and based on our experience, we would not recommend it to others.

Photos
Lucky Belly - Interior bar and dining room.

Interior bar and dining room.

Lucky Belly - Lobster Moco (Dec 2025 update)

Lobster Moco (Dec 2025 update)

Lucky Belly - Exterior front.

See all

Exterior front.

Taco Rice - acaibowls - Updated November 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...