So, I'm gonna be in Honolulu for a couple of weeks next month, anybody on here ever visited/lived there?  Its kind of a spur of the moment trip, as I have a close friend who just moved out there, and the fact that I can get really really cheap airfare.  Anyone know of any good restaurants and bars to go to, besides the typical touristy stuff that all the guidebooks recommend?  I also plan on spending some time on the North Shore, any suggestions there?

 

Any help would be appreciated.  As I would like to keep it as less touristy and stressful as possible.

Ono Restaurant

Miss Leonard's Bakery - the Portuguese donuts ----- ummmmmmmmmmm

Mona Surf Rider Hotel- Beach Bar

Matsumoto Ice

Black Sand Beach

 

I'll add as I think of more.

I second Ono. It is very authentic native (meaning some ancient flavors) Hawaiian food-so much so, the flavors and textures were really disorienting. Nevertheless, much of it was good, and the people were really nice.

 

Right near there is Rainbow Drive In. It is diner style newer Hawaiian-that Asian/surfer/Portuguese/fusion plate lunch thing. I love it!!! The Terri beef and short ribs are great. completely gut busting.

 

Anyone who say Waikiki is too touristy has not taken a sunrise walk along the length of it. Paradise.

 

Side street inn. simple sports bar in scrappy neighborhood, where all the famous chefs go after work, b/c the food is so tasty (we had gizzards, fried spicy chicken, and kimchi fried rice).

 

China Town...see if you are there the night of the Friday night art walk once a month. It makes you realize how cosmopolitan Honolulu is.

 

The east end coast:-snorkel-you can rent gear-Hanauma Bay (closed tues), . Grab another mixed plate lunch at Keneke (http://www.kenekes.net/index.html) in Waimanalo. Order something you have never had before. Take it to go  enjoy the coastal views along the road out to Rabbit Island. Spectacular. TheBus public bus is awesome. clean, cheap and easy. You can take it around the island, but you may want to rent a car for a day if your time is not unlimited. We rent scooters-but be careful...I have a hard time recommending to people that do not ride or have any training. If you decide to, wear a helmet no matter what, as well as sturdy shoes. If I think of more, I will add

Thanks alot guys!  I'll make sure I write it all down.  I was planning on using The Bus for the most part, since my friend is going car free once he gets over there.  And I was looking to make reservations for a moped for a few days, since I would like to take the drive along the coast.  Thanks alot, its greatly appreciated.

I must be insane. Forgot to add- hike to the top of Diamond Head. Ocean, beach, city and mountain views are jaw dropping. 

They have $14 a gallon OJ now. so prepare for a SHOCK.

maybe I'm out in no-man's land, but didn't we have a forumer with a connection to Hawaii? "Loves it" maybe?

^Hi. And "hai!" I live there (11 months out of the year anyway).

 

Everyone's pretty much covered the good spots... but I can't emphasize Chinatown enough. That's an amazing area that is really underrated as a tourist spot. Another great (and VERY authentic) Japanese spot is Sansei (sushi and steak) in Waikiki. Seoul Garden Yakiniku (bbq) in Waikiki is also excellent, as is Ponchon Korean BBQ between Ala Moana and Chinatown.

 

Peabody is also correct about underestimating Waikiki. A lot of people write it off because it's so tourist-centric, but it's actually a great urban area. It's also got quite a large population of permanent residents (a ton of my friends live in condos and apartments there) so it's not just a place for mainlanders. They've got everything from Italian to Japanese to Hawaiian there, as well as great shops and open air markets. So please take advantage of that!

 

I also have to give a shout-out to my favorite restaurant, Greek Corner, near the University of Hawai'i. It's not the most authentic restaurant, but the plates are huge and the food is amazing.

 

And MyTwoSense's suggestions are good (do NOT miss Leonard's Bakery... the malasadas are phenomenal), but... Matsumoto's? No, no no. If you want REAL shave ice from the North Shore, it's all about Aoki's!

And MyTwoSense's suggestions are good (do NOT miss Leonard's Bakery... the malasadas are phenomenal), but... Matsumoto's? No, no no. If you want REAL shave ice from the North Shore, it's all about Aoki's!

 

Aoki's.  Got it.  Will make a mental note!

I think Sansei has a sunday early 1/2 price sushi happy hour. It has a line out the door, but there were some decent items. Prices can be high in Hawaii. In the past when I have gone, I have done a search for Happy Hours. you can find some pretty good ones, with local brew and pupus (essentially local style tapas). China Town has some good noodle places and an Asian food market/court. I would never know where to begin to find some of these places again even though the China Town is not really large.  When you take theBus from Waikiki to China Town you will probably pass  the government buildings and some museums. They are really interesting structures.

I'm off to Honolulu tomorrow afternoon!  Thanks all for the suggestions!  I've jotted them down in my travel book and will check some of them out.  Hopefully I can come back with some nice pictures in a couple weeks.