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

[Dean]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Anal Annie]

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

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

Bump....going this summer....

Have never eaten at a Roy's but just saw it listed as an option on the back of an Outback gift card that we just used so I'll be sure to pick up 1 or 2 to bring on the trip (picking up Disney gift cards or dining gift cards is my way of saving / pre-paying for things on vaca). Should we make reservations for Roy's? Anybody do the walk-in thing?

Skimming through this thread reminds me of our previous stays in Waikiki...Duke's....Hula Grill....Shore Bird (we often stayed at Outrigger's in the past). We will have to go in to Waikiki a time or two for sure.

Looking forward to what's up on the North Shore....we haven't been there before but plan to this trip.

 

[aclov]

I bought an Outback GC last weekend and noticed that too about Roys and got super excited! Roys in Chicago is outstanding!

 

[Dean]

I bought an Outback GC last weekend and noticed that too about Roys and got super excited! Roys in Chicago is outstanding!

I can buy the OSI gift cards for 7% off plus their bonus cards can be used at all of their options unlike Darden or the group chilis/OTB/romanos where their gift cards are shared but not their bonus cards. I can also buy these at 10% off through the same organization.

 

[aclov]

Target also sells gc's for anyone that had the Red Card it's 5% off

 

[scroot]

Where is Roy's in relation to Aulani? Can one walk there?

 

[Dean]

Where is Roy's in relation to Aulani? Can one walk there?

Absolutely, it's an easy walk.

 

[candiemonster]

I prefer Fumi's shrimp truck over Giovanni's. I like the shrimp flavor better and the dinning area is free from flies. There's also a sink with faucet and soap to wash your hands with.

 

[gatorgirl02]

So after reviewing the whole thread, people seem to not really like the Paradise Cove luau but what is the general sentiment on the luau at the Marriott next door?

Thanks!

 

[twopeasonepod]

Born and raised. Here is my "local" perspective...

Best shave ice: Waiola's. I also like Shimazu. Matsumoto's is fine though, if you are out that way and don't want to come into town.

Best counter food: Kahai Street Kitchen, Aloha Salads (Kamuela Cobb!), W&M Burger (but most people prefer Teddy's), and everyone loves Rainbow's.

Best Poke: Pokeman in Wahiawa. The limu (seaweed) is incredible.

Best secret: Sunnyside, also in Wahiawa. The most amazing pies. Try the chocolate cream or Peach/Pear combo (my favorite!) They only make P/P on certain days though. They also have plate lunches, burgers, and breakfast for cheap!

Others have mentioned excellent choices like Cinnamon's, Haleiwa Joe's (I prefer the Haleiwa location), and Roy's. I also like:

Ola (right on the beach -- like really, they have tables in the sand if you prefer) at Turtle Bay

Nobu's bar -- too expensive to eat there and get full IMO, but you can get the best cocktail in the world (Suika martini -- watermelon!) and jalapeno yellowtail ahi sashimi for pupus.

PCC's luau and evening show, HA. I may be going out on a limb, but I really think the show is Disney caliber. They work really hard on it and the entertainment is incredible. Plus, you can spend the day at PCC and get a real flair for different cultures. Not like anywhere else. So you get culture, dinner, luau, and a show all in one place.

If I didn't mention it, it either doesn't wow me (or I forgot haha).

 

[twopeasonepod]

OMG can't believe I forgot one of the best places -- Little Village!

Pricey, but the best Chinese food, hands down!