Great Restaurants in Ala Moana (Honolulu)

Quintero's Cuisine

If you like lively 'South of the Border' atmosphere and large portions of Mexican food, then this is the place for you. It's been around for years, and has gained some renown for the excellent Mexican musical acts it presents regularly. It is family-owned and very casual. The lunch menu is a lot cheaper than the dinner menu, but it's only served on weekdays. Take advantage of the Pacific's proximity and order a dish that features shrimp or other seafood. Vegetarian dishes are also available

Ryan's Grill

It is located in Ward Center, a favorite for young urban professionals from Honolulu and other states. The atmosphere is lively and fun, especially around 6p, when crowds of businesspeople come in for an after work drink and nibble. This place has won the local award for, 'Best Pau Hana Drinks and Pupus,' or in mainland-speak, 'Best Happy Hour,' four years in a row. Signature items include the crab dip and the calamari. Steaks, salads and sandwiches are also served. The place offers two dozen beers on tap and live music is featured regularly.

Chowder House

Restaurants such as this one fill the gap between gourmet rooms and cheap eats. Offering tasty seafood dishes at low prices, the eatery appeals to tourists, mall workers and families. Appetizers range from hush puppies to crab won ton, while nearly a dozen seafood salads are served. On the heavier side, the menu offers a variety of fried seafood including fried clams and calamari.

Honolulu Coffee

Worn out from hours of exploring the vast, busy Ala Moana Shopping Center? This breezy indoor/outdoor cafe is the perfect place to relax and sip an iced mocha or Italian soda. Espresso drinks and pastries are served. Deliciously authentic gelato is available by the scoop. The long lines and crowded tables are a testament to the tasty fare. The atmosphere is casual; Hawaiian breezes drift through the indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Scoozee's

There are four parts to Scoozee's kitchen; the bakery, the pizzeria, the deli and the restaurant/lounge. The first three are for the quick-bite crowd, who just want to nibble something in between work shifts or shopping sprees. The formal restaurant is a popular hangout with a great Sunday brunch menu and a faithful Happy Hour following. Over-the-counter fare ranges from box lunches to pastries to pizza slices. The restaurant serves sandwiches, Hawaiian favorites and burgers. The bustling indoor dining area and cheery outdoor patio are usually both busy.

Lobby Bar

This bar is situated at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel. If you are in the mood for a hardcore party, this place is not the answer. However, it is the ideal for those who wish some peace and quiet. Or who want to relax after a long flight, a hectic day of shopping or sightseeing.

Pearl Ultra Lounge

There is no place better on the island to see and be seen. The club is located at the Hookipa Terrace at the Ala Moana Shopping Center just a few minutes from the heart of Waikiki. The décor is a collection of dark woods, upscale accents and warm hues of orange and red that makes the entire scene wonderfully Asian. The seating is tiered and showplaces each and every banquette perfect for those who want to be seen. Those who prefer to see, can cruise the bar area and have a seat at the long expanse of a bar. The menu is a collection of interesting dishes that include Tropical Shrimp, Kobe Steaks, Crab Cakes and more. This spot is the perfect place for a first date or gather with friends. - Lottie Tagupa

Jazz Minds Art & Cafe

Mostly playing host to live jazz groups, performing all forms of the genre, this venue is also known to occasionally feature special events with reggae, hip-hop, salsa, and more being the main focus. When the performers are off the stage, jazz videos are projected onto a large movie screen at the back of the stage. The space is a very comfortable, relaxed atmosphere located directly next to a large (pay) parking lot behind the Ala Moana Hotel. As a bonus, the venue is within walking distance or a short cab ride from the Waikiki hotel district. -- Rex Davidson

Black Angus Steakhouse

With sedate yet elegant ranch-style decor and a menu that's heavy on meaty entrees and light on vegetables, this restaurant provides the antidote to an overload of Pacific Rim cuisine. You won't find any $9.95 steak-n-lobster specials here. The prices are substantial, ranging from $22 for prime rib to approximately $40 for steak and lobster. There is a great prime rib special - a full meal complete with salad, fixins and dessert costs $44 for two people.

Ferno

Various incarnations of this Italian eatery have been around Honolulu for years, but the location on Restaurant Row in downtown Honolulu could definitely be the one that sticks around. It's in one of the top dining destinations in the city, and is on all major bus and trolley lines. The sophisticated Italian cuisine is served with flair. Homemade pastas in rich sauces are one specialty, grilled meat dishes another. Live music serves as a backdrop nightly.

The Pineapple Room

Culinary master Alan Wong's foray into casual dining is located on the third floor of Macy's in the prestigious Ala Moana Center. The menu offers local favorites with a gourmet twist: Kona Lobster Salad, Pineapple Room Crab Cakes, and much more. The 'raw bar' serves standards such as Oysters on the Half Shell and Hawaiian favorites such as Ahi Poke. A variety of sandwiches and pupus are served in the day and night. An old-fashioned high tea is served in the late afternoon. Special tasting events and dinner banquets are often held onsite. The decor is upscale but comfortable.

Morton's The Steakhouse

The winner of many awards, Morton's Steak house claims it's the ‘Best steak anywhere'. So if you're in this part of the world head on over and hold them to their claim! The dinner menu reads like a roster of popular dishes like Domestic Double Rib Lamb Chops, Colossal Shrimp Alexander, New York Strip Steak Au Poivre, Porterhouse Steak and much more. The lunch menu has daily specials, so if you're a fan of Chicago Style Pepper Steak then visit on a Monday; for Nantucket Seafood Shell, come on Friday. Not forgetting that fun is the corner stone of everything in life, the owners have created the 'Martini Night' a nightly affair where Martini's cost $5 and are served from 5p-7p - complimentary Filet Mignon sandwiches are also served.