Honolulu Food Recommendations

In no particular order:

Izakaya Naru - located on King in the same building as Sushi King, my favorite izakaya on the island. Dinner special prior to 6:45 is a fantastic deal (enough food and variety for 2 @ $13); their saba sashimi is fantastic, as is their karaage... honestly everything here is good. The udon is fantastic, a really well executed delicate broth. The deep-fried spareribs are worth it. The western food that shows up on their specials board is always fantastic; the best lasagna I've had was here. This is where I take anyone I really, really like.

The Whole Ox - In Kakaako across from where the old CompUSA is near Restaurant Row. Best burger I've had on the island, really really good poutine... like seriously this place is fantastic. Again, bring friends.

Cafe Maharani - On King across from Longs. Best Indian on the island; best Indian I'm aware of anywhere. They take spiciness seriously. The samosas are great; the pepper chicken is great; the lamb vindaloo is transcendental and I don't care for lamb. They have something called Tawa Chicken Manchurian that is like the lovechild of a General Tso's Chicken and a blooming onion. Take more people so you can order more curries - they have group deals for 2+ people that are great. Another place I like to take people I like.

Aki-no-No - My favorite sushi place, located on King across from the 7-11 & Kokua Market. Life-changing hamachi, really good katsus & teppanyaki, best Japanese curry I've had. However, don't get the saba sashimi here - go across the street to Izakaya Naru. Also order the scallops. The default salmon is slightly smoked which is a surprise but also really good. I'm a fan of their ahi katsu too.

Little Village - In Chinatown, the best American Chinese restaurant of which I'm aware. Order the salt & pepper pork chops. Bring your own beer.

JJ Dolan's - Good pizza at a bar! Also in Chinatown.

Sikdorak - On Keeaumoku in the Sam Sung II Plaza. 24 hour Korean barbeque, my favorite still open. $19.95 all you can eat meat; bring friends.

Honolulu Burger Company - good burgers, great chili, fantastic barbeque sauce. The peanut butter vanilla milkshake is worth your time.

Panya - Laksa & Taiwanese beef noodle soup; their curry is fine, but really really don't get it with cheese (as they use a square of American). They've a few locations (Waikiki, Ala Moana, downtown) - if you're at the Ala Moana location, skip the dessert as there's a much better bakery in the mall.

La Palme D'Or - The better bakery at Ala Moana. The only good croissants I've had on island; they do coffee & other jelly drinks which are fun. The cakes look wonderful, their truffle cups are a ridiculous deal, and their cheesecake is light and delicate without being unassertive.

Pho Mai - On King at the Keeaumoku intersection, my favorite pho place.

Chiang Mai - On King near the McCully Public Library, my go-to Thai restaurant. They take spiciness seriously here and a youthful indiscretion with ordering things spicy here is why I no longer tell restaurants to make it <cuisine> hot.

La Cucina - On Kapiolani near Ward. I've only been here once but this is the place run by Mediterraneo's former chef. I had cioppino and I was quite pleased. Portions were kind of ridiculously large but the food was quite good.

Do you dim sum?

If so, while you get your name on the Legend Seafood Restaurant list, you should swing next door to Won Kee and get the shrimp look fun while you wait. The look fun is the only thing that Won Kee does better than Legend; Tai Pan is also quite good and has better juk than Legend. Overall, Legend is the best. If you're vegetarian, right across from the entrance to Legend Seafood you'll find the entrance to Legend Vegetarian Restaurant - they almost never have a wait and they're just as good as their omnivorous counterpart. Behind them, further north along the river front, is the place with the passable xiao long bao.