November 2023 New Restaurants and Cafes in Hawaii
[Relocation] Waffle & Berry
Waffle & Berry, formerly located in Ohana Hale Marketplace in Waikiki, relocated to the lower level of Waikiki Shopping Plaza. While there are already lines waiting to get into Maguro Brothers for their popular poke and sashimi, one cannot help but to be entranced by the smell of freshly made waffles wafting in the air. Top them with a load of fruits and cream, and they make for a perfect breakfast or dessert, depending on the time of day since Waffle & Berry is open until 8:00 p.m. Or, opt for an acai bowl and get your daily dose of fruits.
The restaurant is so popular that it was awarded first place in the category of “Top Place to Eat” on Oahu by a review site. Waffle prices start at $12.00 for a half size and $15.00 for a full size, with a choice of classic or Belgian waffles.
Waffle & Berry
2250 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu HI
8 am – 8 pm
(808) 206-8272
https://waffleandberry.com/
The Happy Hawaiian Bakeshop
The Happy Hawaiian Bakeshop is now open in the Royal Hawaiian Dining Plaza, the hottest food court in Waikiki!
Originally a stall at the Hyatt Farmers Market, popularity for the delectable baked goods such as cookies, and its malasadas spurred the opening of a brick-and-mortar in Waikiki.
The Happy Hawaiian Bake Shop
2239 Waikolu Way, Honolulu, HI
https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhawaiianwaikiki/
The Blue Fish
The Blue Fish opened at the end of November on the second floor of Waikiki Beach Walk. Known to serve fine sushi, sashimi, and sushi rolls with an emphasis on quality and freshness, the Texas-based award-winning restaurant also offers a variety of Asian-inspired plates. The ambiance will establish a lively atmosphere that makes a dining experience there unforgettable.
The Bluefish
226 Lewers St, Honolulu, HI 96815
11:30am – 10pm
808-892-1115
https://www.thebluefishsushi.com/
Udon Gama-Dashi
Udon Gama-Dashi recently opened its location in a newly constructed building along Kapahulu Avenue.
The new building adjacent to the popular poke spot Ono Seafood offers a number of new dining options. But at Udon Gama-Dashi, diners will savor Japanese Hakata-style udon noodles possessing a soft and chewy texture.
Udon Kamadashi
755 Kapahulu Ave Honolulu, HI
https://www.instagram.com/udongamadashi/
ONAONA Cafe
Next to the Lanai Food Court by Macy’s in Ala Moana Center is Onaona Café, which gets its name from the Hawaiian word meaning “softly fragrant, gentle and sweet.”
This Korean cafe offers a full menu of bingsu (Korean shaved ice) and croffles (hybrid between a croissant and a waffle). The hearty croffle, like the one pictured, features a buttery, chewy texture and costs around $7. This charming café makes for a great reprieve from shopping.
Onaona Cafe
1450 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu, HI
8 am – 8 pm
https://www.instagram.com/onaonahawaiicafe/
Okayama Kobo
A Japanese bakery, “Okayama Kobo,” surfaced near the theaters in Ward Entertainment Center at Ward Village.
Lines quickly formed for its baked goods, including its pillowy and moist Japanese milk bread made from Hokkaido wheat. Besides the aromatic bread, there are a number of pastries that will tempt, including the Kobokuma (bear-face bun filled with vanilla custard), pictured, along with melon buns, S’mores Danish, strawberry milk cream croissant, and even savory bites, such as the mentaiko (spicy cod roe) buns. Expect to wait in line as you anticipate your breakfast or snack, but the lines do go fast.
Okayama Kobo
310 Kamakee St. Honolulu HI
Tue-Sun 8 am-4 pm
(808) 888-0724
https://www.okayamakobousa.com/honolulu
Straits Restaurant & Lounge
Hailing from San Jose, Straits Restaurant & Lounge opened a location in Honolulu on the first floor of the Ward Entertainment Center at Ward Village. The restaurant captures the vibrant flavors represented in founder/chef Chris Yeo’s hometown in Singapore.
Borrowing from fragrant Malaysian, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, and Nyonya culinary styles, Straits Restaurant & Lounge prepares a fusion of flavors via seafood platters, chicken satay, an Asian-inspired aguachile, ahi tartare, wok-fired salt spring mussels, Hainan chicken, laksa, mee goreng, and of course, the iconic sweet chili crab ($80).
Straits Restaurant & Lounge
1060 Auahi Street, Honolulu, HI
Sun-Thu 4 pm-10 pm, Fri-Sat 4 pm-0 am, Live DJ 9 pm-0 am
(808) 888-0683
https://www.straitshawaii.com/
Tadka Indian Cuisine
This restaurant actually opened in October, but gained incredible popularity among locals in a matter of a few weeks. Tadka Indian Cuisine features the brilliant flavors of India as expressed by Chef Ganesh Shrestha, who cooked in the kitchens of Bombay Palace and then Spice Up! House of Indian Cuisine in Honolulu. Start with crispy papadums and samosas, tadka wings marinated in a special house sauce, garlic sweet govi (battered coated cauliflower), and pani puri (deep-fried breaded spheres filled with potato, onions, and chickpeas.
Then, indulge in the momo, Nepalese style dumplings served with tomato chutney) before making your way to curries ranging from a variety of vegetarian curries, paneer curries, and protein-rich dishes as nutty korma, spicy vindaloo, fragrant Goan coconut, and tomato-based Kadai curries with chicken, lamb, or shrimp. Pair them with a biryani or fried rice dish or some bread, be it a naan, roti, or paratha. For heartier bites, have something from the tandoori oven, as the tandoori chicken is incredibly moist and tender and the lamb aromatic and savory.
Tadka Indian Cuisine
1960 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 109, Honolulu, HI
(808) 941-0414
Tue-Sun, 11am – 2pm, 5pm – 9pm
Many of these new spots made it in time for the holidays. Even if you cannot get a meal in before the end of the year, these spots are all receiving rave reviews so consider adding them to your New Year’s resolution to eat more in 2024!
