Restaurants in Central Honolulu (Honolulu)

Alan Wong's Restaurant

Tucked away on the third floor of a nondescript office building in the Mo'ili'ili district is one of Honolulu's best restaurants. Celebrity chef Alan Wong marries fresh local ingredients with a solid French cooking foundation and spectacular, towering presentations. Wong likes to describe his cooking as "playful," and each dish has an element of surprise. An extensive wine list—ranging from inexpensive blush wines to rare California estate vintages (Arujo Eisele Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994, USD325)—complements the menu. Stylish Hawaiian contemporary ambiance is augmented by a mountain view from the glassed-in terrace. Monday through Sunday 5pm onwards.

Big City Diner

Laid back, reasonably priced and friendly, this local diner serves tasty American favorites, such as ribs, burgers and sandwiches. On the Oriental side of the menu are fried rice, Oriental salads and salmon. A full bar is available. The kitchen generally stops taking orders one hour before closing time. This restaurant primarily caters to locals, but the tourists that are lucky enough to find it will be more than happy with the food, ambience and service.

The Willows

There are few restaurants in Honolulu that have quite the authentic ambiance that this secret spot has. Alfresco seating and a Polynesian ambiance is the setting for wonderful buffet dinners that feature local favorites and more. Sunday brunch is by far the most popular when families gather for birthdays and Mother's Day. Buffet selections include everything from whole roasted suckling pig to macadamia nut cream pie. Private dining rooms are perfect for bridal and baby showers and wedding receptions. - Lottie Tagupa

Fukuya Delicatessen & Catering

In the same spot for more than a generation, this is the place where folks on the way to the beach will stop in for a create-your-own bento box filled with yummy treats like spam musubi, island style sushi, shrimp tempura, shoyu chicken and chow-fun noodles. Lines will start forming early during the holiday season where specialty items are most in demand for parties and family gatherings. Parking is limited, so bring your patience along with your appetite. - Lottie Tagupa

Bubbies Home-made Ice Cream & Desserts

Once you get a chance to read the suggestive names on the menu, you might wonder just whether Bubbies was in fact named after a grandmother, or if it was named after something else entirely! But when ice cream this sinfully rich is on the menu, a naughty name is only appropriate. Generous scoops of decadent ice creams, made locally and featuring island produce, are served. Banana Splits, Cookie Sundaes, Mud Pies and other favorites, all with a questionable name, are offered.

Tsukuneya Robata Grill

Located within a walkable distance from the University Of Hawaii, Tsukuneya Robata Grill is quite a favorite among the locals. The Japanese feel is enhanced by the warm oriental colors used in the decor and the staff taking the orders on PDAs. Go for the Tukune(ground chicken with veggies, barbecued and served on skewers) which is the specialty here. A casual pub, it's a part of the Nagoya chain of restaurants and a good hang-out for dates and casual dining. If you're a vegetarian then try the salads, desserts and cold drinks. What makes the place special is its true local feel and of course the genuine Tukune Nagaya with all the seasonings; the regulars can't get enough of it.

Café Kaila

Located where Kaimuki meets Kapahulu in the Market City Shopping Center, this small breakfast café is a wonderful spot to gather with friends for a tasty and leisurely meal. Although both breakfast and lunch items are on the menu, this café excels at unique and interesting breakfast selections. By far the most popular is the breakfast wrap, an egg creation of everything breakfast should be, wrapped in a warm tortilla. The parking here is tight to say the least, so opt for the rear lot and walk or allow extra patience and time for one just outside the door. - Lottie Tagupa

Anna Banana's

College students from the nearby UH Manoa campus have made this place their own. It is a deliberate throwback to the folk houses of the 50s and 60s; entertainment ranges from solo guitar to blues, reggae and various types of rock. You can even hear a poem or two recited here from time to time. The scheduled live shows are presented every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. In the daytime, Mexican lunch foods are served. There is a large room upstairs that is available for private parties and musical events.

Ono Hawaiian Foods

Ono means "delicious" in the Hawaiian language. This restaurant serves authentic, ono Hawaiian food, from jerky-like pipikalua to laulau (ti-leaf wrapped steamed packets filled chunks of pork). Most dishes come as complete combination plates, including a square of haupia (coconut pudding) for dessert. This is not a place for vegetarians, and the drinks are limited to canned sodas. Check out the wall-to-wall autographed photos of celebrity customers. No reservations are accepted.

Yakiniku Camellia

If you are in the mood for great Korean barbecue, this is the place for you. Just minutes from Waikiki, it is a traditional country-style place with charcoal burners on each table and an accompanying, 'all you can eat' buffet. The buffet table seems to go on forever. Yes, kim chee is available, but so are at least 40 other choices. Beer is served. This is not the least expensive of the many Korean restaurants in Honolulu, but you can be assured of consistently friendly service and high quality food here.

Sanoya Restaurant

A dozen varieties of ramen soup, or Saimin as it's called by locals, are served at this restaurant. As any Hawaiian local will tell you, there are few meals more popular on the island than an enormous, steaming bowl of noodles, served with meat, vegetables, fish or a combination of all three. Donburi, fried noodle dishes and soba noodle dishes are also served. Most menu items cost about $5. Table service is offered, making it a step up atmospherically from the noodle counters found at malls and shopping districts.

Ok Cho Korean Restaurant

If you really want the Korean food experience, you have to get out of Waikiki and into a small neighborhood restaurant such as this one. Here, waitresses provide diners with hot coals to fire up the tableside grills. Cook up ample portions of seafood and meats just the way you like them. Pickled Cabbage, Cheesy Potatos and Seaweed Salad are a few of the odd yet delicious veggie sides you might see on the menu. Though a couple of beer and wine choices are available, tea is usually the drink of choice.