Restaurants in Manoa (Honolulu)

Andy's Sandwiches & Smoothies

Andy's Sandwiches and Smoothies is a mom and pop restaurant in Manoa valley that serves up fresh, healthy fare. It's a favorite lunch venue for vegetarians, old-time Manoa residents, and university students and professors. Owners Andy and Norma Rodrigues greet customers by name and ask if they'd like their usual. For many, the usual is the hot turkey and mushroom sandwich with papaya seed dressing or a vegetarian selection such as the Manoa Delight or the Eggplant Melt. For the tourist who wishes to venture a little further away from Waikiki for a mouth-watering lunch, Andy's is a good option. - Shiyana Thenabadu

Waioli Tea Room

Run by the Salvation Army, this wonderful quaint cottage is the setting for one of the most unique restaurants in Hawaii. It's a ten minute drive from the beach to the midst of lush Manoa Valley where the trade winds blow through the tropical rainforest and the orchids thrive in the shade of huge monkey pod trees. The menu is famous for the Waioli Chicken Curry Salad either in a sandwich or as a salad and their afternoon tea with offers a long list of teas and a host of fresh bakery items. Perfect for wedding receptions and baby showers. -Lottie Tagupa

Paesano

This is a nice, casual neighborhood hangout where you can easily satiate yourself on the food and surroundings. Laid-back and friendly, it's ideal for a family meal out or for when you have a hankering to feel you've been invited to dinner with an Italian family. Huge portions of traditional Italian dishes with lots of garlic are the standard fare. Fresh sourdough bread is plentiful, as are the carafes of wine. Peak dinner hours draw a crowd, so make reservations or eat early.

India Bazaar Madras Cafe & Restaurant

This is the Indian equivalent of the popular Chinese food chain Panda Express. Food is served from steam trays; just point to what you want. Sit at one of the few plastic tables or take your meal to go. While the place lacks in atmosphere, no one can deny that it serves the most inexpensive Indian food this side of Bombay. Vegetarian curry with rice is only $6. Chicken tandoori with rice and two vegetable curries costs $7. A wide selection of vegetarian dishes is featured, but there is no meat except for chicken.

Loco Cafe

Stick-to-your-ribs local food is served here for less than $5. Favorites include Ginger Chicken, Teriyaki Beef and Chicken Katsu. All plate lunches cost between $3-5, and are served with two scoops of white rice and one scoop of macaroni salad. Health-conscious diners can order a stir-fry dish prepared oil-free. Order at the counter; eat inside or take it home. This place is close to the University of Hawaii, and attracts quite a few starving students.

Hanaki Restaurant

Tucked away in the rather quaint Manoa Marketplace, this restaurant is a casual local gem. It features a buffet of sushi, tempura and other popular Japanese dishes. The chefs also have 'creative sushi' that builds on the 'California Roll' concept, and does it very well. The restaurant is in the process of changing its menu to include an a la carte menu as well as the buffet.

Fendu Boulangerie

Located in the Manoa Marketplace, this small and humble bakery is working on introducing the island masses on traditional French pastry, baguettes and other Euro-style delicacies. The heat and humidity have long made the islands one of the worst places to have a bakery, but somehow, this spot has begun to change all that. There is even a host of tasty pizzas for the pastry weary. - Lottie Tagupa