13 Hidden Gems to Experience in Waikiki

You can’t miss any of Zetton’s venues, such as Aloha Table, Heavenly, Aloha Steak House, izakaya Zigu, and Paris.Hawaii (also featured here). However, Goofy Cafe + Dine, located on the second floor of a two-story building at the edge of Waikīkī, stands out for its trendy surf shack atmosphere and all-day breakfast offerings. Be sure to try one of the island’s best acai bowls or the delicious loco moco. [$$]

There are only two Dean & DeLuca locations remaining in the U.S., both in Hawai‘i. Visit the one at the Ritz-Carlton, where you can order bento boxes crafted by Sushi Sho, the exclusive 10-seat restaurant located a few floors above, helmed by sushi master Keiji Nakazawa. An omakase experience begins at $300, but you can savor a taste of the chef’s artistry with the bento box ($16), featuring large yet delicately made maki rolls. The selection changes, but you may find rolls filled with unagi, shrimp, and fluffy tamago, alongside hearts of palm sourced from Hawai‘i. [$$]

No matter the weather, locals insist on hot pot. Just take a look at the always-bustling Sweet Home Cafe, which can feel steamy with all the bubbling pots. Create your own pot in three easy steps: start with a broth selection that ranges from tangy sour cabbage infused with tamarind to healthful herbs that evoke Chinese medicinal flavors—but taste incredible. Then, help yourself from the fridge stocked with ingredients like spinach-tofu and roe-stuffed fish balls, before facing tough choices at the sauce bar (you can only juggle so many small dishes at a time). Finally, dig in—but be swift. After an hour, you’ll be served a complimentary bowl of shave ice, piled as joyfully as your hot pot, serving as the servers' sweet hint to relax and make room for the next guests. [$$]

The Zetton group excels at creating charming, well-designed spaces in the overlooked nooks of Waikīkī. They have revitalized one of the last remaining buildings from the 1930s, restoring its original wooden beams that had been covered up when it previously housed scooter rentals and a nail salon. On the ground floor, you'll find Zigu, an izakaya that blends locally sourced ingredients with contemporary Japanese flavors, but make your way to the top floor to discover Paris.Hawaii. This restaurant provides a more formal dining experience with only eight counter seats overlooking the kitchen. Chef Yuya Yamanaka, formerly the sous chef at Clown Bar in Paris, presents a quarterly tasting menu that combines French techniques with local classics, from poke to poi. Reservations are necessary. [$$$$]

Pau Hana Base brings Tokyo vibes to the tropics. Follow the paper lanterns down a seafoam alley to discover this izakaya that echoes the charm of Tokyo's yokochos. A specials board is attached to wooden beer caddies in front of guests, showcasing delicacies like tender, simmered beef tendon; sweet, chewy ray; and squid presented from beak to forehead (likely a unique mention on any menu). The regular menu features beloved staples, including ramen and tonkatsu, alongside imo mochi (crispy on the outside, chewy within), a delight for mochi fans. Tread carefully with the “Russian” takoyaki — each order contains one ball packed with a spicy secret — but you’ll soon forgive any surprises when the servers gift you a tiny cup of sugar for spinning your own cotton candy as you leave. [$$]

Within the realm of Italian-American dining, you'll find California-Italian, classic red-sauced New York-Italian, and then there’s the unique Hawai‘i-Italian style at Arancino, which prominently features seafood pastas. The sea urchin spaghetti is a standout, but the menu also offers dishes like spaghetti with tobiko and calamari, squid ink pasta, and penne tossed with shrimp in a zesty tomato sauce. There are two other Arancino locations — a high-end spot in Kahala and a casual cafe on the opposite side of Waikīkī — but the Beachwalk venue strikes a perfect balance between the two. [$$]

Located between a rental car lot and a walk-up apartment building, you'll discover the Punchbowl Coffee truck. Owner Eric De Mendonca, recognized from Terrace House: Aloha State, specializes in siphon coffee brewed from beans grown exclusively in Hawai‘i. The menu also features milk tea with coffee jelly and a unique affogato, topped with whipped cream and a vanilla ice cream pop dipped in coffee. Don't forget to check out the boutique next door for beans to enjoy at home. [$]

By day, Junichiro and Ryojiro Tsuchiya, former buyers at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, operate a stall in Chinatown. At night, they run this small takeout counter, where you'll find exceptionally fresh fish served in poke and donburi, with most dishes priced under $15. Want to indulge? Add uni for the most luxurious poke you've ever tasted. [$]

This no-frills counter, nestled next to a dive nightclub, specializes in soft serve and beverages crafted from matcha imported from Kyoto. You can indulge in matcha soft serve elegantly adorned with gold leaf, but the true treasure is the matcha parfait, a delightful mix of mochi, azuki beans, chestnuts, matcha chiffon cake, cornflakes, and matcha soft serve packed into a plastic cup. [$]

Magnolia offers a truly extravagant take on shave ice with their halo halo, a delightful creation from their California chain featuring vibrant Filipino flavors. This icy masterpiece is made with eight different ingredients, such as banana, sweet red bean, jackfruit, and coconut, all crowned with a striking purple scoop of ube ice cream. [$]

Located next to the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Island Vintage is renowned for serving some of the finest shave ice on the island, with staff generously pouring pulpy syrups made from real fruits over each cup. The attention to detail extends to its casual second-floor wine bar, where patrons can pour from a selection of 40 bottles in one-, three-, or five-ounce servings. The menu features a delightful poke bowl and Hawai‘i Island clams steamed in white wine. [$$]

Indulging in a steak dinner for two at Hy's is nearly as costly as a flight to the West Coast, but it’s a worthy investment for one of Honolulu's finest dining experiences. The bowtie-clad servers have been mastering the art of flambé for over forty years. Steaks are cooked over kiawe wood, and the cherry jubilee remains a classic highlight. [$$$$]

While many Waikīkī Japanese Mytouries are chains, Yoshitsune stands as a classic, independent gem nestled in the Park Shore hotel. In the mornings, it offers a traditional Japanese breakfast teishoku, featuring broiled fish, rice, pickles, and natto. At lunch and dinner, patrons often enjoy kamameshi, iron pots filled with rice and seafood like crab or abalone, plus seasonal matsutake mushrooms in the fall. The two-tier chirashi is also a sight to behold, resembling a treasure chest of flavors. [$$$]