This is the first place we’ll go. We already have our reservation.
My husband and I are planning a trip to Hawaii for mid-summer. We’re going for a couple of weeks, so that we can spend time on most of the islands. So, I have a big Hawaiian food question: if you’ve ever been, do you have advice about where we should eat? Even if you’ve not been, do you know of any reliable resources?
He’s in charge of things to do. I’m in charge of things to eat. I’m interested in classic Hawaiian food, like Plate Lunch, shave ice, poke, loco moco, and musubi.
I’m also interested in fine dining – so long as it’s local … I don’t want to go all the way to Hawaii to have Italian food – not that there’s anything wrong with that. One-of-a-kind food experiences, and off-the-beaten-path restaurants – huge plusses.
Poi – my husband, a haole who grade-schooled and then again young-adulted in Hawaii, has not-fond memories of poi, but I’ve been told it is quintessentially Hawaiian, so I want to try it. Laulau, Kalua pig, and lomi-lomi, too.
Of course it goes without saying that we’ll want Kona coffee – and Kona chocolate!
I’ve found a few interesting resources:
- Bon Appetit | Surf, Sun, Shave Ice, and Spam: Where to Eat in Oahu, Hawaii. We’ll probably spend our second day exploring many of the ideas on this list.
- Serious Eats | Gallery: An Eating Road Trip around Hawaii, the Big Island
- Fodors | Hawaii’s 12 Best Restaurants (Hali’imaile General Store sounds especially interesting.)
- Eater | A Highly Opinionated Guide to Drinking Coffee in Honolulu
- Thrillist | The Best Cocktail Bars in Honolulu. We’ll be two days in Waikiki. Let’s see how many of these places we can hit.
I would so appreciate your advice!
Big Hawaii Food Question
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Jeff, you know I lived on the West coast for a number of years and never made it to Hawaii so I can’t help much. With that said, don’t overlook TripAdvisor, I find them a great resource. Good luck my blogging friend.
Ron recently posted…The Sami, some reindeer and tunnbröd…
Thanks, Ron!
I have three fantastic recommendations for the Big Island — I’ve written about each of them, so I’m posting links to the articles, which also include menu recommendations, hours, locations, etc.
1 – Kawaihae Kandyz – http://cookingontheweekends.com/2017/07/spicy-poke-nachos-recipe-kawaihae-kandyz-on-the-big-island/
2 – Hawaiian Style Cafe – https://cookingontheweekends.com/portuguese-sausage-mushroom-omelet-recipe-hawaiian-style-cafe/
3 – Hale Ia Da Fish House – https://cookingontheweekends.com/hale-ia-da-fish-house-in-kawaihae-hawaii-its-where-the-locals-eat/
Enjoy!
Perfect! Thank you so much, Valentina!
I know absolutely nothing Hawaiian food, and it’s going to be interesting to see what others suggest. Have a great week ahead, Jeff.
angiesrecipes recently posted…Gorgonzola Almond Scones
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Oh I wish i was home and could look a few things up for you. I can’t count how many times we’ve visited Hawaii – mostly Maui and Kauai. We’ve had the best fine dining experiences at restaurant owned and run by well known Hawaiian chefs, but I do recommend going to a luau once. You won’t like poi, but at least you can say you tried it. Poke is also the best. Try to find good fish restaurants, but not necessary fish and gourmet restaurants where they slather seafood with sauces and charge more, when all you want to do is taste the damn mahi mahi.
That’s great advice, Mimi. If you happen to remember any of the restaurants or chefs, do let me know!
I don’t have much advice to give, but I was in Hawaii as an exchange student many moons ago. I can confirm that my memories of poi are not very fond either. And I’m a decidedly unpicky eater, having tasted fried ants in Colombia, larvae soup in Cambodia and curried rat in Guyana… But, as you say, I suppose it’s one of those things you really have to try when you’re there.
Frank recently posted…Pasta con la mollica (Pasta with Breadcrumbs)
Wow! You’re adventurous, Frank! Maybe I’ll skip on the poi.
Hawaii is fun! You’ll have a blast, You definitely need to get to a luau — not so much for the food (although you’ll get a nice variety of traditional dishes) but to watch the dancers. They’re incredible! Hawaiian BBQ is fun to try, too. And you can never go wrong with seafood — it’s incredibly fresh.
John / Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Chicken and Andouille Jambalaya
I’m definitely planning on a luau! Thanks, John.
Sorry but I’ve never been. Might be going after our month in Arizona but it’s not for sure yet. I understand that Spam is a big deal there. Personally, I would go for the Poke and Lomi Salmon. Hope you have an awesome time in Hawaii. Do blog about your good finds as I may need them.
Eva Taylor recently posted…Thai Inspired Lentil Coconut Soup
I definitely will post about is. Hey … wouldn’t that make it a business trip? 🙂
Wish I could help you but it has been years since I was in Hawaii. As for poi, I agree with your husband…not memorable, at least not in a good way. I’ll be interested to hear the recommendations that you get from others.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted…White Beans With Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette
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Oh Jeff, I am sorry I cannot help you as we were in Hawaii years and years ago, therefore much has changed..I would try everything at least once…you never know…please share in future post your experiences…have a great rest of the week!
Hawaii sounds like a wonderful place for a vacation – though I don’t have any good suggestions.
I was in Hawaii 2 years ago with my wife Lynne. You will have a great time there Jeff! To be honest we just ate near to our hotel so we weren’t really adventurous. Fish Tacos were good as was the Hawaiian Banana Bread Pudding though! Enjoy!
What? You weren’t adventurous? Well, if not with food, I’ll bet you did some nice hiking!
Hmmm…I’ve never been to Hawaii, so I can’t help you out much here, Jeff. However, whenever we travel, we often use Yelp. As long as it has 4+ stars with a lot of reviews, we’ve been mostly satisfied. That strategy is how we stumbled into a mozzarella bar (yes, a mozzarella bar) in Florence that we never would have found otherwise! I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventures this summer…I’ll be taking notes for whenever we finally make the trip out there!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Sweet and Sour Shrimp
That’s good advice. Thanks, David!
In Kona, Big Island: Da Poke Shack GREG
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Thank you again!
I don’t know if pricy cocktails count, but…
https://www.sippitysup.com/lava-lava-beach-club-blue-hawaii/
GREG
Are you kidding? They’re required! Thank you!