I enjoy writing content for my friends and family. This post in particular was created to share with one of my brothers who was going to Waikiki as part of his honeymoon. He asked if I had any recommendations, and I was happy to write this post for him and my new sister. I aimed to provide a quick list of easily accessible information – and I left the ball in their court. They could make and download a map of restaurants, or simply gloss over all of the info and seek the restaurants in between. I’m not a pushy sister, I’m just the kind that dumps information and sends you off to make your own discoveries.
This collection is a little dated; it’s based upon my pre-pandemic experience, and some of the places that I recommended may have closed during the COVID-19 pandemic (multiple waves, then Delta Variant). If you’re reading this and you know that Restaurant X closed down – please leave a comment below so I can corroborate and update!
Mostly original post follows – I lightly updated this post in October 2021.
Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; I may earn a tiny commission from purchases.
For the record, I consider Five Favorites in Hawaii, O’ahu to be Part One – so this post stays on Waikiki and has a few more notes. Instead of a leisurely read, this post is written for those HONEYMOONERS IN WAIKIKI *ahem* so you’re not going to be glued to your phone reading blog posts, but you might like to have a few places to go. So…allonsy!
1/12 • DEAN & DELUCA (google map link) – Ritz Carlton
facebook.com/DEAN-Deluca-577112899139772/
Keep this one on your brunch radar. Personally I didn’t have their brunch, but that was only because we ran out of time. We walked over for coffee almost everyday. Be advised that there’s a second Dean & Deluca on the ground floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center, but I don’t think they offer a brunch service.
2/12 • WAIKIKI YOKOCHO (google map link) – Basement of Waikiki Shopping Plaza
facebook.com/waikikiyokocho/
Surprise passport to Tokyo! As you know, Mister and I quite like Japan, especially the food. Waikiki Yokocho is an authentic Japanese food court (well, you can order in English so that feels weird) but it’s great and we went there a lot. At minimum, go grab some volcano ramen and grab a green tea froyo on the way to Nomu where I quite like their chu-hi (cheap booze) with hanpen fish (no American equivalent – remind me to show you a photo).
3/12 • MAI TAI BAR (google map link) – Royal Hawaiian Hotel, beachside access
facebook.com/MaiTaiBar/
Our favorite bar! They made the first mai tais, so they have the most practice and make these the best. Food menu is good too, I recommend the chopped salad. Not a thrifty place though, Mister Jupiter and I easily ate and drank $70+ each visit. NO RAGRETS.
4/12 • BAREFOOT BEACH CAFE @QUEEN’S BEACH (google map link)
facebook.com/BarefootBeachCafe/
Get the Surfer’s rice (with Spam and an egg)! Yum. Super nice reward for walking to Queen’s Beach from Waikiki.
5/12 • SHAKA POKE-DON (google map link) – Basement of Waikiki Shopping Plaza, but different entrance from Waikiki Yokocho
facebook.com/pages/Shaka-Poke/949596368411051
Customizable pokĂ©! I don’t know how you and K. feel about pokĂ©, but if you want to mix your main fish with other sauces and toppings – go here. Indoor seating available maybe for six people, so you may need to take your order to-go if someone is dining in.
6/12 • DUKE’S WAIKIKI (google map link) – Outrigger
facebook.com/DukesWaikiki/
Good food on the beach! Beachside dining has a separate seating host, and that side opens up around four or five pm. Otherwise you’ll need see the regular host from the Outrigger. Good food and good drinks, recommended!
7/12 • ABC STORES (google map link) – Royal Hawaiian Center
facebook.com/abcstores/
This should link you to store #31 in the Royal Hawaiian Center – regardless, you’re going to see an ABC store every 500 feet in Waikiki. It may seem excessive to American eyes, but this is normal for their Japanese clientele. You can rely on ABC for high quality souvenir macadamias, sandwiches for lunch on the beach, and cheap drinks to take to the hotel. The one in Royal Hawaiian is bigger than others in the area -lots of grab & go food- also, don’t forget to use your reusable shopping bags here!
8/12 • DRYBAR (google map link) – International Marketplace
facebook.com/Drybar-297411754433469/
It’s a hair salon with a bar! I popped in for walk-in hair doing, and Mister Jupiter had a great time talking with the bartender. This isn’t a must-do, but if you two are walking through the International Marketplace and you see it (first floor) – stop in for a glass of wine.
9/12 • BURGER & SUSHI (google map link) – Hawaiian Monarch
facebook.com/Burgers-Sushi-818303431552436/
Great hole-in-the-wall place! Surprisingly large menu, small interior space. I definitely recommend their lomi lomi salmon if you need something salty.
10/12 • CINNAMON’S (google map link) – Ilikai
facebook.com/ilikaihotel/
Yum. You’ve eaten at a Cinnamon’s before, but this one is still worth noting for a solid meal. I like their macadamia roll with a mimosa.
11/12 • FORT DERUSSY BEACH PARK (google map link)
facebook.com/Fort-DeRussy-Hawaii-289267284023/
Just a nice piece of beach with a park attached. Good photo spot, no military ID required.
12/12 • H&M (google map link) – Waikiki Business Plaza
facebook.com/hmtheus/
Standard H&M, just good to know where one is in case you need more shorts. Remind me to tell you about that one time in Chicago where my shoe fell apart and I shopped in my socks (in H&M), yet walked out wearing shoes like a normal person.
That’s the list biggest little brother! Love you and K. ♡ ♡ ♡
  
 
Lady Jupiter 