Top Bars and Cafes in Honolulu

Indigo Restaurant

The most elegant restaurant in the colorful Chinatown district, this place features a creative mix of traditional Asian and avant garden European cuisine. On the vast, pricey and impressive menu, diners will find everything from potstickers to pizza and pasta. Dim sum, Asian noodle dishes, wok-charred fish and Mongolian Lamb Chops are among the many choices. The wine list offers vintages from every part of the world. Patrons claim this is one of the best bars in Honolulu thanks to good food, great drinks, and Friday night festivities. This internationally renowned eatery offers a true multi-cultural dining experience. Hawaiian theater performances take place on Friday and Saturday.

Buzz's Steak & Lobster

Relaxed and fun, this place does its best to assure that patrons have a good time. There is a wide selection of entrees and a good salad bar. The staff is pleasant and laid-back. Children are welcome, and there's live music every night. While steak and lobster are the main menu items, there's plenty of variety. Fresh local seafood is always a good bet. The salad bar features locally grown produce.

Angles Waikiki

Crazy, loud and fun, this is the hub of the Honolulu alternative lifestyles scene for tourists. It features nightly drink specials and live shows, complete with female impersonation and rowdy hijinks. There is also nightly dancing to a very eclectic music mix; live music is featured on the weekends. They have a nightly contest that's hilarious; if you participate, be prepared to be ribbed and teased mercilessly. The "Eye Opener" special, served on weekdays, offers pastries and coffee drinks for $1.50. There is no cover charge. Call for a complete schedule.

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

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

With amazingly good beer brewed on the premises and a great view of Honolulu Harbor, this dining and drinking establishment is hard to skip. The island-style cuisine is complemented by three signature beers: a smooth, medium hopped export, a bock-style Marzen, and a dark, malty Dunkels. It is located in Honolulu's historic Aloha Tower Marketplace, and is a favorite after-work watering hole for Honolulu's downtown corporate contingent.

Lion Coffee

In a place where coffee is a major export and cafes abound, this coffee shop still manages to stand out. This is an excellent spot to stop for a latte or for a pound of authentic Kona Gold. The Kalani Street location is a roasting plant, the home of the administrative offices, and a retail location. Take a tour of the factory, and sip a cup of joe afterward. Several other locations can be found in Honolulu. Call the toll-free number for details.

Thirst Aid Station

Instead of offering a menu of different smoothie combinations, this concessionaire invites each customer to create their own smoothie. A couple dozen fruits are available: passion fruit, coconut, blueberry and mango are heaped into metal holders behind glass. Just point to what you want and it goes in the blender. Slushes, floats, frozen yogurt, croissants, popcorn, muffins and other snacks are also sold.

Petite Garlic

Billing itself as a "café and wine bar," this restaurant is rather unique, especially given its central Waikiki location. The menu is equal parts Japanese and Continental, while the décor is several steps up from anything else in the area. However, the prices are low. The menu items range from scallop terrine ($8) to Italian pasta and fried garlic rice. The restaurant is tucked away in an upstairs corner, which makes it feel somewhat private. There is a bright and cheerful dining room and a breezy, shaded balcony.

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.

Columbia Inn

American and local comfort food is served at this popular restaurant in Kaimuki. The menu offers a variety of burgers, sandwiches, salads, Asian noodle dishes and classic American entrees. Signature menu items include Broke da Mouf Beef Stew, Oxtail Soup and Super Saimin. All American entrees come with bread, veggies and potato. A full kid's menu is available.