Going to Aulani -- Let's list places to eat

[TagsMissy]

hey Gang,

Thought I'd start this thread for DVCers so we can share ideas of places to go for a meal on the Island and for DISers to share their experiences.

I'll start with a list of a few places to check out:

Anna Miller's Restaurant
Roy's Restaurant
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

 

[Carriemel]

In Oahu, on Waikiki...the SHORE BIRD! OMG...kalua pork sandwich...unreal!

 

[travlrmel]

On our first (so far only) visit we sampled several places around the island for some local flavor. Here are just a few places we went to.

Koa Pancake house near Aulani for inexpensive breakfast:

Matsumoto's on the Northshore for Shave Ice:

Helena's for some real Hawaiian food:

Royal Kitchen in Chinatown for Manapua:

Coco Puffs at Liliha Bakery, they also have a 24hr counter 6 days/week:

Malasadas at Leonard's Bakery:

 

[Disneypapa]

hey Gang,

Thought I'd start this thread for DVCers so we can share ideas of places to go for a meal on the Island and for DISers to share their experiences.

I'll start with a list of a few places to check out:

Anna Miller's Restaurant
Roy's Restaurant
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

Before Aulani, my wife and I stayed at the Marriot Kolina and enjoyed the luau at Paradise Cove. Just a few miles inland toward town is a large shopping mall with several chain restaurants.

 

[CrazyDuck]

You gotta figure out if you want to eat where the tourists eat or if you want to eat where the locals eat... 2 totally different experiences!

 

[aymekae]

Interested in suggestions as well. I've been thinking lately about how much to budget for food.

We'll be in a studio, so while we plan on some groceries, we won't be cooking. We're also not planning on eating at the resort. I think we will be mostly eating at recognizable chains for a few reasons. First, DH is very picky. He's happiest with burgers, pizza, and hot breakfasts. Second, I will be eating gluten free. Chains do have one good thing going for them... they are consistent and as such, usually have allergen info available. So we won't be able to go as authentic as I'd prefer.

My original estimate is $50 per person per day, so $1,000 total for 2 adults for 10 days. Anybody have any thoughts on this? Anecdotal experience? TIA

 

[rstamm]

Interested in suggestions as well. I've been thinking lately about how much to budget for food.

We'll be in a studio, so while we plan on some groceries, we won't be cooking. We're also not planning on eating at the resort. I think we will be mostly eating at recognizable chains for a few reasons. First, DH is very picky. He's happiest with burgers, pizza, and hot breakfasts. Second, I will be eating gluten free. Chains do have one good thing going for them... they are consistent and as such, usually have allergen info available. So we won't be able to go as authentic as I'd prefer.

My original estimate is $50 per person per day, so $1,000 total for 2 adults for 10 days. Anybody have any thoughts on this? Anecdotal experience? TIA

We too want chains, I saw a post that Outback is nearby, we will probably hit that at least twice, any Red Lobster or Olive Garden?

 

[living20057]

I had half of these on my list of places to go. This means I'm taking good notes

On our first (so far only) visit we sampled several places around the island for some local flavor. Here are just a few places we went to.

Koa Pancake house near Aulani for inexpensive breakfast:

Matsumoto's on the Northshore for Shave Ice:

Helena's for some real Hawaiian food:

Royal Kitchen in Chinatown for Manapua:

Coco Puffs at Liliha Bakery, they also have a 24hr counter 6 days/week:

Malasadas at Leonard's Bakery:

 

[living20057]

Interested in suggestions as well. I've been thinking lately about how much to budget for food.

We'll be in a studio, so while we plan on some groceries, we won't be cooking. We're also not planning on eating at the resort. I think we will be mostly eating at recognizable chains for a few reasons. First, DH is very picky. He's happiest with burgers, pizza, and hot breakfasts. Second, I will be eating gluten free. Chains do have one good thing going for them... they are consistent and as such, usually have allergen info available. So we won't be able to go as authentic as I'd prefer.

My original estimate is $50 per person per day, so $1,000 total for 2 adults for 10 days. Anybody have any thoughts on this? Anecdotal experience? TIA

This is range I was planning to spend on food. It probably will be more because I would like to try all of Aulani's restaurants.

 

[spleen]

We too want chains, I saw a post that Outback is nearby, we will probably hit that at least twice, any Red Lobster or Olive Garden?

No Olive Garden in Hawaii. Only one Red Lobster and it's in the middle of Waikiki so may not be practical to go.

I've got a couple of chains listed on my map. Click thumbnail to enlarge.



Other good places to eat on Oahu (high end) (located all around the island, not necessarily close to Aulani):
Alan Wong's
The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong in Macy's Ala Moana
Mariposa in Neiman Marcus in Ala Moana
Azure in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Hoku's in the Kahala Resort
Roy's (already mentioned by others)
Chef Mavro
Le Bistro
Sushi Sasabune / Mitch's Sushi
town / 12th Avenue Grill

Non high falutin good places to eat on Oahu:
Side Street Inn (large quantities of local Hawaiian bar type food and surprisingly good quality)
Rainbow Drive Inn (classic plate lunch - can't go wrong with the mixed plate)
Liliha Bakery (at the counter - already mentioned)
Kahai Street Kitchen (upscale plate lunch)
Teddy's Bigger Burgers
Genki Sushi / Kuru Kuru Sushi (conveyor belt sushi places)
Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory (humongous Chinese food plates)
Grace's Drive In (great chicken katsu)
Honolulu Burger Company
Kua Aina Burger (the original location in Haleiwa)
Assagio's (many locations - neighborhood Italian joint)
Zippy's (classic Hawaii drive in)
Curry House Coco Ichibanya (for curry anything)

 

[CrazyDuck]

Also in the same shopping center that houses target is a Denny's and a Subway. In kapolei near Safeway ther is also a pizza Hut and Taco Bell

 

[TagsMissy]

Anybody have recommendations over what luau to do? We want to do one but if we're doing one we want to do it right.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Just do the one at paradise cove... You can just walk there from Aulani. The others on the island are equally cheesy not worth wasting gas to get to!

 

[cj9200]

Great suggestions. Thanks for the lists. Cut and pasted them to my HI file. I am looking for non tourist places.

This will probably be my one trip to HI. Is it worth going to a luau? I imagine a more authentic version of the Spirit of Aloha and maybe not worth the time.

 

[ccigliano]

We like Duke's in Waikiki for the ambiance. And while Waikiki is like a city on the beach - it does have some great nightlife but keep in mind it's a good 45 mins from Ko Olina. Be sure to visit Lanikai Beach on the east side of the island as it is just spectacular.

 

[adminjedi]

No Olive Garden in Hawaii. Only one Red Lobster and it's in the middle of Waikiki so may not be practical to go.

I've got a couple of chains listed on my map. Click thumbnail to enlarge.



Other good places to eat on Oahu (high end) (located all around the island, not necessarily close to Aulani):
Alan Wong's
The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong in Macy's Ala Moana
Mariposa in Neiman Marcus in Ala Moana
Azure in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Hoku's in the Kahala Resort
Roy's (already mentioned by others)
Chef Mavro
Le Bistro
Sushi Sasabune / Mitch's Sushi
town / 12th Avenue Grill

Non high falutin good places to eat on Oahu:
Side Street Inn (large quantities of local Hawaiian bar type food and surprisingly good quality)
Rainbow Drive Inn (classic plate lunch - can't go wrong with the mixed plate)
Liliha Bakery (at the counter - already mentioned)
Kahai Street Kitchen (upscale plate lunch)
Teddy's Bigger Burgers
Genki Sushi / Kuru Kuru Sushi (conveyor belt sushi places)
Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory (humongous Chinese food plates)
Grace's Drive In (great chicken katsu)
Honolulu Burger Company
Kua Aina Burger (the original location in Haleiwa)
Assagio's (many locations - neighborhood Italian joint)
Zippy's (classic Hawaii drive in)
Curry House Coco Ichibanya (for curry anything)

What about Morimoto's restaurant in Waikiki?

 

[TreesyB]

I went here for a snack:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/yard-house-honolulu#query:yard

They have happy hour. And the countless draft pulls are picture worthy!

 

[TEK224]

I definitely want to get to Leonards for the malasadas! Trying to figure out how to get them home in eatable condition.

Plan on Roy's for dinner. The chocolate souffle' is awesome.

I love Paradise Cove luau (although haven't been there for several years)

Where exactly is Giovanni's Shrimp Truck. I know there are several trucks and want to make sure I hit the right one.

Two years ago I ate breakfast in a local place in Haleiwa. I can't remember the name of it, but it was on the main road near Matsumoto's. Breakfast wasn't fancy, but it was good and reasonable.

Less than a month until I'm Hawaii bound!

 

[spleen]

What about Morimoto's restaurant in Waikiki?

Morimoto's is an interesting experience. Been there twice now - once on a tasting menu. I wouldn't rank it in my top 5 restaurants of Oahu but the food is good (if expensive) and if you're a fan of the Iron Chef, it's hard to go wrong visiting his restaurant, maybe catching a glimpse of him working (he shuttles between all of his restaurants but does seem to spend a fair amount of time in Hawaii). If you get lucky, you could even get a photo with him or get him to sign a cookbook!

I would probably rank Nobu's in Waikiki similar to Morimoto's. Which sort of makes sense given their background.

 

[spleen]

I definitely want to get to Leonards for the malasadas! Trying to figure out how to get them home in eatable condition.

They really don't travel well - they're nowhere near as good even 30 minutes later so good luck with that.

Where exactly is Giovanni's Shrimp Truck. I know there are several trucks and want to make sure I hit the right one.

Here's their website - has directions on there. I think the Kahuku one is the original but don't hold me to it.