Get your drawstring or elastic waistband pants on and put off that New Year’s diet resolution for another day because it’s National Buffet Day on January 2! Honolulu has some fine breakfast buffets to consider, and here are some of our favorites.
Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant
Hawaii locals may not realize that Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant offers a breakfast buffet with an Asian twist for just $34 per person.
Sure, there are the Western staples of cereals, fresh fruits, tossed salad, scrambled eggs, link sausage, and bacon, complete with a selection of teas, hot cocoa with various toppings, and a coffee machine that brews a fine cup of espresso or Americano.
However, there is also an impressive roster of Japanese dishes, some of which are gluten-free or vegan.
Flavorful braised dishes include mustard greens with fried tofu, burdock root, fried eggplant & red bell pepper, and Okinawan potato, and a must-try soy-simmered scallops. Miso soup, rice porridge, extra soft tofu, and fragrant Japanese beef curry are popular selections as are traditional simmered dishes, including deep-fried vegetable tofu with daikon, and a potpourri of root vegetables and shiitake mushrooms.
Combine with various seasonings and side dishes to transform into a richly flavored Japanese meal.
Grilled salmon and mackerel, yakisoba noodles, and pork or shrimp shumai dumplings make a second serving irresistible. And if still craving eggs with breakfast meats, consider grabbing some arabiki, a seductively smoky Japanese pork sausage.
Visit the condiment area for some Japanese tsukemono or pickles, including the highly addictive soy-marinated garlic cloves. There is also a wide selection of American and Japanese seasonings to accent different dishes, so be sure to ask the staff for their recommendations.
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)
Makana Lani, A Dining Experience
One of the newer restaurants in town offering a breakfast buffet is Makana Lani, A Dining Experience.
Enjoy a refined, all-you-can-eat dining experience featuring more than 50 options for just $38 per person, while gazing at tropical fish swimming in one of Honolulu’s largest indoor aquariums.
Served Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., the impressive spread includes offerings such as salads, fruit, baked goods, breakfast meats, mini pancakes or waffles, rice, potatoes, steamed vegetables, and an egg station. Be sure to try the rosemary candied bacon that will have you filling up your belly with pork belly.
‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, 2490 Kalakaua Avenue, 2nd Floor, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 921-6198
Breakfast buffet hours: Mon-Fri, 7am – 11am, Sat & Sun, 7am – 10am
Website: https://www.makanalanihawaii.
Plumeria Beach House
Inaugurate your luxurious day extra early at Plumeria Beach House, which offers a breakfast buffet from 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. Start with juice, coffee, or tea before diving into a selection of fresh seasonal fruits, yogurt, cereal bar, and pastries.
Indulge in waffles, French toast, egg dishes, and breakfast meats while enjoying the breathtaking oceanside views. A special weekly sausage rotation changes up the complements to a wonderful omelet station. There is even a Japanese station with miso soup, natto (fermented soybeans), and pickles to go well with the steaming hot white rice. And be sure to take some of the delicate thin pancakes, rolled and lacquered in heavenly butter and warm maple syrup because that selection alone is worth the $55 per person price.
Plumeria Beach House
The Kahala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kahala Avenue, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 739-8760
Breakfast buffet hours: Sun-Sat, 6:30 – 11:00am
Website: https://www.kahalaresort.com/
SHOR
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa features an all-you-can-enjoy breakfast buffet from 6:00 to 11:00 a.m. daily at SHOR, located on the third floor of the Diamond Head Tower. The lineup includes a pantry selection of mixed greens, fresh fruits, yogurt parfait, artisanal cheeses, oats, and more for cold selections.
The hot stations intrigue with a selection of rotating eggs Benedict such as smoked salmon with wilted spinach and dill Hollandaise or tomato and arugula with a truffle Hollandaise.
Breakfast meat options feature naturally cured pecan wood bacon along with an alluring sausage rotation among kim chee sausage, Portuguese sausage, and more. Different types of breakfast potatoes are available daily for those seeking a gluten-free option, and cage free eggs are available at the made-to-order egg and omelet station. Some griddled dishes such as buttermilk pancakes or Hawaiian sweet bread French toast vye for your attention against the Belgium waffle station. And a chef’s selection of assorted pastries round out the impressive mix for just $39.95 per person (children pay their age).
SHOR
Hyatt Regency Waikiki, 2424 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 923-1234
Breakfast buffet hours: Sun-Sat, 6:00 – 11:00am
The Veranda at The Moana Surfrider
Making its grand return is the popular breakfast buffet at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. After taking a three year hiatus spurred by the pandemic, this is the first buffet making a comeback among Marriott’s Waikiki Collection of hotels. Savor a variety of hot and cold selections including eggs Benedict, salad, smoked salmon, breakfast meats, breads, fruits, juices, and local-favorites such as local-style fried rice, omelet station, the Moana’s signature “beautiful pancakes,” and mochi waffles. A Japanese breakfast station adds diversity with broiled or misoyaki salmon, pickled vegetables, miso soup, and natto. The buffet runs from 6:00 to 10:30 a.m., and is priced at $44 for adults, and $22 for children under 12 years of age.
The Veranda
The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, 2365 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 931-8646
Breakfast buffet hours: Sun-Sat, 6:00 – 10:30am
Website: https://www.verandawaikiki.
While National Buffet Day falls on a Tuesday, start your first workday meal right. Sure, after such an amazing spread, you may feel a little lethargic, but at least you are not rolling out of bed at 9:00 a.m. like those who celebrated a little too much for New Year’s. Plus, you may consider another buffet for dinner to really celebrate the day right.
