Restaurants in Hawaii
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A
Well Bento
This inconspicuous hole-in-the-wall is the macrobiotic alternative to the plate lunch, serving 'Zen' veggies and grilled tofu, as well as seared chicken or fish. This is only a take-out place but it is an easy walk to Old Stadium park for a midday picnic. Cash only.
reviewed
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B
Mema
Not the best, not the worst, Mema serves savory dishes that can be tailored to your meat-philic or meat-phobic preference: you choose either tofu, chicken, pork, beef, fish or shrimp. The stir-fried eggplant with basil and red chili with coconut milk are favorites.
reviewed
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Mi Casita
The colorful mural and lively piped-in music add just the right atmosphere for the filling Mexican fare served at this cozy family-run restaurant. Standouts include the seafood lover's fajitas, with sautéed ono and tiger shrimp, and fresh fish tacos.
reviewed
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C
Ocean Sushi
Zip atmosphere, rushed service, linoleum floors - but it's still the place for sushi in Hilo. Rolls are inventive - using mac nuts, tropical fruit, poke and more - and priced so you can order a bunch. The Volcano roll wins for best California roll update.
reviewed
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D
Sea House Restaurant
Alfresco seaside dining is enhanced by tiki torches and an extensive selection of Pacific and American fare. Stick with the seafood and you won't go wrong. A good choice is the coconut shrimp with Thai chili sauce or go purely Hawaiian with taro-crusted sea bass.
reviewed
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E
Alexander's
The place for fish-and-chips, made with your choice of mahimahi, 'ahi or ono (wahoo). The fried fare is a bit greasy but the grilled fish is absolute perfection. The food is prepared for takeout, or eat at the picnic tables at the side.
reviewed
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F
Edelweiss
Waitresses in traditional dress serve large platters of roast pork, weiner schnitzel, bratwurst, lamb and steak - with liberal sides of sauerkraut - in Edelweiss' warm (but not romantic) dining room. It's rich, hearty, accomplished German cooking that wins raves.
reviewed
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G
Naniwa
If you're stuck in Po'ipu with sushi cravings, your only option is Naniwa, which serves flawlessly fresh, impeccably presented, expensive Japanese cuisine. Two-piece nigiri average around US$11 and maki rolls start around US$12, but the combinations are creative.
reviewed
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Kaua'i Pasta (Lihu'e)
Locals prefer rice to pasta, but Kaua'i Pasta has proven popular. Colorful salads meld diverse flavors, such as peppery arugula, creamy goat cheese and sweet tomatoes. Hot foccacia sandwiches, classic pasta mains and luscious tiramisu are well made and generous.
reviewed
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H
Monico's Taqueria
Hawaii is no hotbed of Mexican food so the piquantly authentic dishes made by a local girl and her Mexican husband are special indeed. Fish burritos and tacos feature the day's catch, while fresh guacamole and homemade red or green sauces awaken your tastebuds.
reviewed
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Pizzetta (Koloa)
The setting is touristy (and most patrons are tourists), but the Italian fare is tasty and reasonable. Pizzas feature gourmet toppings such as fire-roasted veg and feta, with or without grilled chicken. On the run, try pizza by the slice (from 11:00 to 18:00).
reviewed
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I
Kalapawai Market & Deli
- O'ahu, USA
- Restaurants › Deli
En route to the public beach access, this local landmark is the place to pick up coffee or made-to-order sandwiches. Early morning customers often toast their own bagels while helping themselves to fresh coffee. There's also a broad selection of wine and beer.
reviewed
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J
South Kona Fruit Stand
This cute fruit stand is more like a fruit boutique - don't miss it. It sells both its own and other farms' organic produce, and has a bar blending all sorts of heavenly tropical smoothies. It's on the mauka side between the 103- and 104-mile markers.
reviewed
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K
Legend Vegetarian Restaurant
This Buddhist vegetarian, lunch-only spot is known for several fish and pork analogs that even meat eaters acknowledge as tasty. Favorites include the vegetarian butter fish and sweet-and-sour vegetarian pork, along with a huge selection of dim sum offerings.
reviewed
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China Boat
West Maui's best Chinese fare comes at affordable prices, with a full menu of Mandarin and Szechwan favorites. Start with the hot-and-sour soup and move on to crispy duck, or splurge on the lobster in a tasty kung pao sauce. Everything's prepared without MSG.
reviewed
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L
Komoda Store & Bakery
- Maui, USA
- Restaurants › Bakery
Justifiably famous throughout the islands for its mouth-watering cream puffs and liliko'i (passion fruit) malasadas, this generations-old family bakery makes the perfect morning stop. And the emphasis is on mornings 'cause it often sells out by noon.
reviewed
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M
Ono Family Restaurant
Kaua'i's old-time diners take their omelets and pancakes seriously - and you can taste the results at Ono's, a fixture in Kapa'a. Choose from 18 types of omelet or opt for the incomparable tropical pancakes (from US$7 with bananas, macadamia nuts and coconut.
reviewed
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N
Aroma D'Italia Ristorante
Double-dare you to walk by at dinnertime and not be pulled in by the temping aromas wafting out the door! This place has it all - classy service, old-world decor and a chef-owner who relies upon her traditional family recipes to create delicious pasta dishes.
reviewed
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O
Hanalei Gourmet
- Kaua'i, USA
- Restaurants › Deli
The best bets at this lively café-bar-deli are huge sandwiches on house-baked bread. The sit-down meals, from a sampler of lox-style local smoked fish to crunchy mac-nut fried chicken, are tasty and unpretentious, if more mainstream American than local.
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P
Sushi Izakaya Gaku
Wildly popular izakaya (Japanese gastropub) plates traditional, supremely fresh sushi and hard-to-find specialties such as chazuke (tea-soaked rice porridge) and natto (fermented soybeans). Reservations recommended.
reviewed
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Q
Adriana's
Adriana and her family make the best Mexican food in South Kona, with a twist from their native El Salvador. Take your pick of nachos, quesadillas, tacos, burritos or tamales (order ahead for pupusa). Take it to go or eat at cement tables outside.
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R
Nico's at Pier 38
French chef Nico was inspired by the dressed-down island food scene to merge his classical training with the reliable plate lunch. French standards such as steak frite appear alongside fresh fish sandwiches and local belly fillers including chicken katsu.
reviewed
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S
Tsukiji Fish Market
Christened by the famous Tokyo fish market of the same name, this newcomer to Ala Moana's dining scene is an all-in-one Japanese food feast with a full-service fish market surrounded by sushi and yakitori bars, noodle stalls and other street-food options.
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T
Horhito's Mexican Cantina
This is the real deal, with an accomplished Mexican chef, friendly staff and generous servings. Best of all, they don't skimp on the spices. If you're not up for traditional Mex fare, try the 'surf wraps' loaded with fresh fish and served with potatoes.
reviewed
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U
Eskimo Candy Seafood
- Maui, USA
- Restaurants › Market
A real find on a side street between the beach and the highway, Eskimo Candy is essentially a fish market with a take-out counter and a couple of tables. Delicious fresh 'ahi and Kula veggie wraps, decent fish tacos and excellent poke.
reviewed