Hotel restaurants are fantastic. They are convenient and many lean towards the more luxurious end with extensive buffets, some that offer so many tempting dishes, you may end up going back upstairs for a nap after. However, part of the adventure is heading out and discovering other local flavors, some iconically historical, others more contemporary. Here are a few places to check out in different parts of Waikiki, where we feel you won’t go wrong.
Area: Waikiki – Central
Island Vintage Coffee
While this cafe is located on the second floor of a shopping center in Waikiki, it is one you should not overlook. Established in 1996, this cafe on the second floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center’s Building C built its name on a fine selection of Hawaiian coffees and acai bowls. Almost three decades later, there are locations in Ala Moana Center, Haleiwa, and Kapolei on Oahu, as well as on Maui, the Big Island, and in Japan. Start with one of our favorites, a Hawaiian Honey Latte, and then consider having the Original Acai bowl, topped with strawberries, blueberries, local banana, a drizzle of Big Island honey, and layers of crispy organic granola. There are other varieties with different toppings too, such as lilikoi, haupia (coconut), cacao nibs, dark chocolate and coconut peanut butter, and pineapple mint sorbet with papaya, for a total of six different bowls. If you are seeking something more savory, the poke bowls and sandwiches are irresistibly good as well.
Island Vintage Coffee Waikiki
islandvintagecoffee.com
Location: 2301 Kalakaua Avenue #C215, Honolulu
Phone: (808)926-5662
Hours: 6am – 10pm daily
Heavenly Island Lifestyle
Local Beef, Eggs, and
Organic Ingredients make their Loco Moco and Eggs Benedict truly exceptional!
Operating under the philosophy of “Eat Local, Be Happy,” Heavenly Island Lifestyle on the first floor of the Shoreline Hotel Waikiki is committed to serving dishes with a spotlight on local and organic ingredients–especially vegetables, meats, and seafood. Sit back and relax in the relaxed, indoor vintage space or feel the gentle Hawaiian breeze on the outdoor terrace as you savor dishes including omelets, eggs Benedicts, French toasts, or the signature loco moco. With 100% local beef, local egg, and a ginger-soy glaze over multi-grain rice bursting with freshness from green beans, broccolini, organic carrots, lentil beans, and organic black beans, this is one loco moco you won’t find anywhere else.
Heavenly Island Lifestyle
Location: 342 Seaside Ave.
Phone: (808)923-1100
Hours: 7am-2pm, 4pm-10pm daily
*Happy Hour: 4pm-6pm daily
Forty Niner Waikiki
Reminisce about Old Hawaii
while Enjoying a Local-Style Breakfast.
The beloved local greasy spoon from Aiea comes to Waikiki on the ground floor of the Aqua Skyline at Island Colony on Seaside Avenue. Its breakfast specials span the gamut from kalua pork omelettes to the Forty Niner loco mocos combining hamburger and Moloka’i salt-rubbed pork roast on the savory end, and ube colada pancakes to Punalu’u sweetbread French toast on the sweet side of the spectrum. Talk about affordable! The Forty-Niner Breakfast with a choice of breakfast meat, two eggs, and two scoops of fried rice is just $9.95, while the Hawaiian Breakfast of kalua pork, lomi salmon, two eggs, and two scoops of rice costs a few dollars more at $12.95. There is even a small Acai Bowl for only $7.50!
Forty Niner Waikiki >> Get a special offer!
Location : 445 Seaside Ave. Island Colony
Hours : 7am – 3pm daily
Phone : (808) 923 – 2058
Kono’s Northshore – Waikiki
Winner of numerous designations including Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s ‘Ilima Awards and Hawaii Magazine’s Readers’ Choice, Kono’s Northshore is most recognized for its tender and juicy kalua pork. This steamed and pulled pork is a quintessential component to Hawaiian fare. At this popular eatery, it is incorporated into just about everything including plate lunches, nachos, biscuit sliders, tacos, wraps, quesadillas, and sandwiches. The popular burrito called “Chuns,” for example, is filled with 12-hour cold-aged kalua pork, bacon, fluffy eggs, and cheese, and is made even better with some jalapenos, avocado, and sour cream. A convenient location in Waikiki is immediately adjacent to Marugame Seimen.
Kono’s Northshore – Waikiki>> Get a special offer!
Location: 2310 Kuhio Av. (behind International Marketplace)
Hours: 7am – 9pm Daily
Phone:(808) 888 – 8833
Liliha Bakery
The old adage “some things never change” can be a good thing. Take Liliha Bakery for example. This full-service bakery and coffee shop has been feeding Hawaii families since it opened its doors in 1950, right on Kuakini Street. Liliha Bakery’s long-standing commitment to baking fresh cakes and pastries from scratch using local ingredients continues today with its Dobash cakes, custard pies, glazed donuts, and cocoa puffs. What has changed is that the popular greasy spoon is now a chain, with locations around the island, including in Waikiki on the third floor of the International Market Place. Here, patrons may enjoy a combination of tried and true classics such as the hotcakes, country style omelet, and hamburger steak, as well as newer dishes including the mac nut waffard (waffle with custard), ultimate berries & nuts French toast, and kim chee fried rice and eggs.
Liliha Bakery – Waikiki
Location: 2330 Kalākaua Ave Suite 326 (International Marketplace)
Hours: 7am – 10pm Daily
Phone:(808) 922-2488
Area: Waikiki West
Aloha Kitchen
On the West end of Waikiki is Aloha Kitchen. Located about a short 5-minute walk from the Hilton Hawaiian Village, this eatery is known for its light and fluffy soufflé pancakes. Six melt-in-your-mouth jiggly cakes in total, among our recommendations are the fruit, coconut, and berry berry versions. Offset the sweet with a loco moco, breakfast sammy with bagel, a plate of eggs Benedict, or better yet, the eggs Benedict with lobster. But be forewarned that there is always a line in front at breakfast, so consider getting there early.
Aloha Kitchen
Location: 432 Ena Road, Honolulu, HI
Hours: Tue-Sun, 7:30am – 1:00pm
Phone:(808) 943-6105
Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant
Many other places have a traditional breakfast buffet, sometimes augmented with a few Asian accents like grilled fish, kimchi, or miso soup. However, Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant in the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Rainbow Bazaar offers a fun twist on the typical brunch buffet. Besides the staples of cereals, fresh fruits, scrambled eggs, and breakfast meats, Hatsuhana augments its lineup with yakisoba noodles, pork and shrimp shumai dumplings, grilled salmon, grilled mackerel, extra soft tofu, braised eggplant with paprika, porridge, and more! Some must-try dishes include braised mustard greens with fried tofu, soy-simmered scallops, and Japanese beef curry. A selection of juices, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and milk with milk substitutes are all included for just $34 per person, so maybe take a break from the regular hotel buffet this time to give this place a try.
Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant >> Get a special offer!
Hilton Hawaiian Village Rainbow Bazaar, 2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 946-8287
Breakfast buffet hours: Thu-Tue, 7:00 – 10:30am (closed Wed)
Pesca Waikiki Beach
Enjoy the Beautiful Ocean View
Towering above Waikiki is Pesca Waikiki Beach, Hawaii’s premier Mediterranean seafood restaurant. The fine dining establishment located on the 30th floor of the historic Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites offers breathtaking panoramic views of Honolulu’s coastline. The cuisine celebrates the unique culture rooted in the Mediterranean via fresh, quality ingredients. And while dinner may be a lavish affair, the restaurant offers surprisingly reasonable prices on its breakfast menu, with some dishes starting at just $10. Acai bowls share the menu with Greek yogurt with granola and honey. Egg dishes include a selection of eggs Benedict, and an Artisan Omelet with three eggs, thick-cut bacon, bell pepper, caramelized onion, mushroom, cheddar cheese served w/ roasted potatoes or salad. For those with sweet tooths, an order of local-inspired banana macadamia nut pancakes is equally tempting as pistachio pancakes.
Pesca Waikiki
Location: 1777 Ala Moana Blvd. Ilikai Hotel (Sky Floor : 30th Floor)
Hours: Breakfast : 7am – 11am, Lunch : 11am – 3pm, Happy Hour : 3pm – 6pm at the bar, Dinner : 3pm – 10:30pm
Phone:(808)777-3100
Area: Waikiki East
Aloha Cafe Pineapple
On the way to Diamond Head lining the east end of Waikiki is Aloha Cafe Pineapple, a cozy cafe located on Monsarrat Street. A taste-tempting breakfast menu is served until 10:00 a.m., featuring dishes as low as $6.80–a plate of toast, fried egg, and bacon. For a few bucks more, consider the Chocolate Banana or Strawberry French Toast for just $9. Or maybe the freshly made malasadas for $2 each. After all, malasadas are donuts, and are considered a morning treat, especially these with their irresistible textures!
Aloha Cafe Pineapple >> Get a special offer!
Location: 3212 Monsarrat Ave.
Phone : (808) 739 – 1630
Hours: 7am-3pm (L.C. 2:30pm) *Closed Tue
Lulu’s Waikiki
LULU’S STUFFED TOAST
guava sweet bread, pineapple marmalade, powdered sugar, strawberry, whipped cream, honey. $17
Near the Honolulu Zoo is Lulu’s Waikiki, an establishment boasting spectacular views of Waikiki Beach. For breakfast, a Longboard Burrito is packed with kalua pork and fluffy scrambled eggs, and a Beach Benny puts a fun twist on the traditional eggs Benedict with the added option of substituting out the Canadian bacon with succulent kalua pork. There are a few omelets, pancake selections, and even an avocado toast, but we highly recommend Lulu’s Stuffed Toast, featuring slices of guava sweet bread filled with a luscious pineapple marmalade, drizzled with honey, and garnished with fresh strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream.
Lulu’s Waikiki >> Get a special offer!
Location: 2586 Kalakaua Ave. 2nd Floor
Phone : (808) 926 – 5222
Hours: 8am – 2am (Mon), 8am -12am (Tue – Sun)
Bogart’s Cafe
Another spot along the way to Diamond Head is a local favorite. Bogart’s Cafe has a long-standing reputation for serving great breakfasts, including a variety of acai bowls, ranging from the standard to some made with Nutella and cacao nibs. Looking for bagels or toast, maybe some waffles or pancakes, or possibly omelets or Benedicts? Well, seek no more as Bogart’s Cafe offers them all. We suggest ordering some flavors that locals love, so if you are not having an acai bowl, consider the taro banana pancakes, mango pancakes, strawberry Nutella waffle, crab and avocado omelet, garlic shrimp fried rice, or Mama’s fried rice and you will be “playing it again.”
Bogart’s Cafe
Website: https://www.bogartscafe.com/
Location: 3045 Monsarrat Avenue, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 739-0999
Business hours: Sun-Sat, 7am – 3pm
Deck Waikiki
With virtually unobstructed views of Diamond Head is Deck., located in the Queen Kapi’olani Hotel. Featuring an open-air terrace, the restaurant is spacious and comfortable. Whether it be a standard breakfast dish such as eggs Benedict, acai bowls, avocado toast, or French toast, or a local dish such as braised beef loco moco or beef curry rice, this restaurant is truly picturesque. While Deep Dish Haupia French Toast is a house favorite, another popular item is the Tokyo Style Pancakes, fluffy flapjacks made with ricotta cheese that may take about 15 minutes to prepare, but are certainly worth the wait.
Deck Waikiki
Location: 150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI Queen Kapiolani Hotel, 3rd floor
Phone: (808) 931-4488
Business hours: 6:30am-10pm
We hope you use our useful guide to navigate the plethora of amazing breakfast spots in Waikiki. Maybe start on one end and work your way to the other, ending with a hike up Diamond Head to work off the calories.
