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

[aymekae]

Originally Posted by Silly Little Pixie

Ayme, where is the Forty Niner restaurant?
And thanks for the heads up about Makahiki. It's soooo expensive for the 4 of us- if it's not great, then we can skip it.

It's not near Aulani, closer to Pearl Harbor and on the way to the airport. The address is 98-110 Honomanu St., Aiea, HI 96701. We ate there on our way up to the North Shore and on the day we flew home. I had banana & macadamia nut pancakes with haupia sauce the first time, and a fried rice omelet with Portuguese sausage the next time.

Yeah, I know we were in Hawaii at a "resort" and should just be expected to cough up $30+ for breakfast. But when you can go to Koa or Forty Niner and pay $5-10 and be completely satisfied, I mean, why not. It's a bit of a drive, but we enjoyed seeing more of the island anyway.

[msbatchelor5]

In the shopping center where the Target is there's a place called Aloha Salads. It's a sandwich/salad place but its all locally grown produce, bread, etc. it was really yummy plus I liked supporting the local business. As vegans we are there once a day. Ha! Their champagne Italian dressing is yummy!!

Also. Same shopping center is a Genki Sushi. Was super popular but went a little early the next night and had a yummy meal.

The Grass Skirt Grille on the North Shore looked and sounded fantastic. Wish we'd eaten there.

I do NOT however recommend Kapolei Chinese Resturant.

[oh_coconuts]

Lulu's in Waikiki was great for lunch. Kona Brewery has excellent food. The pink hotel in Waikiki has a coffee shop on the first floor that sells Dole Whip! Thought I could only get that at MK and the Poly.

[bfosbenner]

The Dole Plantation has Dole Whips also!
Just walk in the Gift Shop on your way to the North Shore

[runmommyrun]

Originally Posted by 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.

Heading to Aulani for first HI trip in June. A friend told me tonight that Duke's was by far the best food and atmosphere of their trip. Throwing a wrench into this thread, son recently diagnosed with celiac disease. Anywhere in particular that may accommodate that? I've become spoiled with Disney properties/restaurants because they do such a great job at making adjustments to food for celiac kids. But we have one child with a food issue and the rest of us want to try whatever we can! (That sounds horrible... we ALL want to enjoy local cuisine... just not suffer for it!).

[Dean]

Originally Posted by runmommyrun

Heading to Aulani for first HI trip in June. A friend told me tonight that Duke's was by far the best food and atmosphere of their trip. Throwing a wrench into this thread, son recently diagnosed with celiac disease. Anywhere in particular that may accommodate that? I've become spoiled with Disney properties/restaurants because they do such a great job at making adjustments to food for celiac kids. But we have one child with a food issue and the rest of us want to try whatever we can! (That sounds horrible... we ALL want to enjoy local cuisine... just not suffer for it!).

I would assume Duke's is easily able to cater to a gluten free diet. Here's the website for TS Restauran's which has Duke's among other great choices. IMO, Duke's in Waikiki is among the lessor of their choices but the best are on other island's. Roy's is a similar chain and very good. Neither are cheap but they are reasonable by resort and HI standards and very good food generally.

[spleen]

Originally Posted by Dean

I would assume Duke's is easily able to cater to a gluten free diet. Here's the website for TS Restauran's which has Duke's among other great choices. IMO, Duke's in Waikiki is among the lessor of their choices but the best are on other island's. Roy's is a similar chain and very good. Neither are cheap but they are reasonable by resort and HI standards and very good food generally.

I honestly don't get the love for Duke's that some people have. Great place to have a drink and watch the sunset and fun to people watch but never felt the food was anything special. I agree that some of the other TS Restaurant places are decidedly better (especially in Lahaina).

[Dean]

Originally Posted by spleen

I honestly don't get the love for Duke's that some people have. Great place to have a drink and watch the sunset and fun to people watch but never felt the food was anything special. I agree that some of the other TS Restaurant places are decidedly better (especially in Lahaina).

We find Duke's in Waikiki only OK and the Hula Grill (both locations) less than that. Duke's on Kauai was better. We really like Leilani's and Keoki's Paradise. I haven't tried the Duke's on Maui or Kimo's. We often have a card for a free hula pie which they normally will let you combine with other discounts or the early bird specials.

One word on Roy's, it's now under the OSI chain (Carrabba's, Outback, Bonefish) and one can often pick up holiday specials on gift cards and there are locations that sell their gift cards for a discount. I get a 7% discount through our CU and often stock up on their cards when they have holiday specials. Unlike Darden and Brinker, their holiday specialty cards are good at all of their brands, not just the chain of purchase. Only Outback tends to extend the expiration or let you use more than one card at a time in my experience but I'm sure it's by location and we're just lucky that way.

[aclov]

Went to Dukes for breakfast but the bar area seemed to be the nicest part and although I wanted to return we didn't get a chance to go back ~ Been to Roy's in Chicago and that was awesome! ~ Just tried Carraba's for the first time last week, we don't have any in my area. The chocolate dessert was soooo good

[bluedoggy]

Wanted to post that our 1st experience in Hawaii and at Aulani was absolutely amazing!! We have stayed at Disney resorts for many years, but the staff and cast-members at Aulani take SERVICE to a whole new level! From the time we drove up and were greeted and escorted through the resort to our room to the moment we left - there was nothing that was less than 1st class.

On food- we LOVED AMA AMA we ate there for meals at breakfast lunch and dinner. the view is beautiful. The best server we had was a young woman- Lokelani. Smiling-knowlegeable-friendly and so accomodating. We liked AMA AMA the best. Actually better food than in the buffet at Aulani.

Looking forward to another trip to Hawaii ... we'd be happy to just hang out at Aulani...

[woodkins]

After our Thanksgiving stay at Aulani I can offer my $.02.
-Makahiki character breakfast was great, good selection, we had excellent service & the character interaction was great.

-Makahiki dinner buffet-literally walked out. The kids menu has 3 choices a la carte and then the buffet. My daughter is 10 so they gave us the choice of the kids menu or pay adult price for buffet ($43). all she wanted was chicken nuggets (and eats literally 3). they have nuggets on buffet but not on separate menu and refused to substitute them for the baked chicken breast or mac and cheese on kids menu, so told me I would have to pay $43 for her to get the 3 nuggets....ummm no.

-Poolside dining was great, good selection, excellent drink and food delivery.

-ABC store has great sandwiches and prepared foods. Well worth the quick walk across the street

-Roys...by far the best meal of our trip. Macadamia crusted pacific blue nose with a chocolate souffle for dessert!! Delish! Also within walking distance of the resort

-Paradise Cove luau: overpriced tourist trap! Food was beyond disgusting. We paid for the "Deluxe" which meant they deliver the gross food to your table! Sooo not worth it.

-Ama Ama: food was excellent, although we preferred Roy's. The atmosphere and view are amazing and nicer then Roy's so we considered it a tie.

[tfc3rid]

We went to Aulani last January for a aweek and had a blast... First time to HI...

We ate at:
Ama Ama (dinner) - enjoyed it... Expected the high prices but was a terrific dinner
Makahiki (dinner) - really liked it... high price but expected in HI...
Maui Mike's Fire Roasted Chicken - Excellent prices and great chicken/sandwiches/etc. Located in Wahiawa... Big spot for the military.
Genki Sushi - near Aulani. Conveyor belt sushi... Yummy food, good choices and not a budget buster.
Cinnamon's Cafe (breakfast) - Located in Kaneohe - Terrific breakfasts... Lots of food, reasonably priced. Red velvet pancakes...
Macky's Shrimp Truck - Terrific value and wife loved the shrimp.
Leonard's - Stopped at the truck about 3 or 4 times for hot malasadas... Excellent

We went to the PCC for the Luau and night show... It was ok... A one time thing... Wouldn't do it again...

We had lunch from One Paddle Two Paddle often as well as had breakfast in our room and made some frozen pizzas for lunch...

Loved our time at Aulani and cannot wait to return!

[lilpooh108]

Originally Posted by spleen

I honestly don't get the love for Duke's that some people have. Great place to have a drink and watch the sunset and fun to people watch but never felt the food was anything special. I agree that some of the other TS Restaurant places are decidedly better (especially in Lahaina).

Thank you.

[mom2aidanNpiper]

My DH and I went tp Hawaii in the spring sans kids. We went all over the island but stayed in Haleiwa. We are headed back in April for a split stay at Aulani and the bungalow we rented.

Here is where we ate:

Waikiki:

Rumfire (in the Sheraton hotel). Went for drinks and apetizers. So good! Tip: get an outside table facing diamond head. Order the fish tacos

Alan Wongs: our major splurge! Loved everything about it. Can't go wrong here but make reservations in advance, its tiny.


Dukes at the outrigger hotel: came here for lunch. We both got burgers, I'm a vegetarian (I do eat seafood) and got the best veggie burger in my life. Mixed drinks good as well. We got an inside table though so atmosphere just so-so.


East side:

Kalapawai market (in Kailua)- very good. Came here for lunch. You can order made to go entrees or get something out of the deli case. They also have beer/wine and an espresso side of the cafe. Lots of tables.


West side:
Ama Ama- we came for lunch and were pleasantly surprised since we had heard bad things. Got fresh catch of day and was really good. The ginger lemonade (with vodka) my favorite drink.

Off the hook: we came for apetizers and drinks before Paradise Cove Luau. Good drinks. DH got fish tacos and I got tofu lettuce wraps. Both good

Paradise Cove Luau- awful in our opinion. Maybe just us but it was over the top. We had a long day and were mostly.in nature (did the LOST tour at kuolua ranch ans were basically on our own in the mountain valley all afternoon- pure bliss). We got our free drinks (not great). Wandered a bit and actually left during dinner without our picture package cause food was awful.


North Shore:
Teds bakery: we came here every morning for breakfast. So good! Then we went 5 min down the road for Starbucks (we didn't think teds coffee was that great)

Haleiwa Joes- so good! Pricey though! Try the black and blue ahi appetizer got fresh catch of the day for entree.

Grass skirt grill- great cheap food. Not a lot of seating so its best to count on taking it to go. Cash only! We got the ahi plate.

Luibuenos- Mexican and seafood. Good food! Got swordfish with saffron rice and tomato pesto sauce. Got a passionfruit margarita and was amazing.

21 degrees North (at turtle bay resort)- had our wedding night dinner here. Very good! The chocolate Soufle was to die for!

The bar that serves lunch at turtle bay (don't remember name)- awful!!! Way overpriced and icky food. We ordered up to our day room on our wedding day while we got ready and was basically inedible.


Ok I think that's it

[DUHgreg]

Bump. We're going to Aulani in March. Keep giving us suggestions.