5 days in Honolulu, HI - December 2025
We recently got back from a five-day family getaway in Honolulu, Hawaii—and here’s a look at everything we ate.
We stayed at The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki, and it was absolutely perfect. Our room was in the historic Pink Palace, and we loved every bit of its old-world charm. Waikiki was truly at our fingertips—just a five-minute walk through the elegant lobby, past the iconic Mai Tai Bar, and straight out onto the beach. Unsurprisingly, that’s where we spent most of our time, soaking up the sun and the unmistakable magic of Hawaii.
We stopped here for coffee on our first day in Hawaii, and it was a great start to the trip. I ordered the Hawaiian Honey Latte and absolutely loved it. Located in the Royal Hawaiian Center, it’s incredibly convenient and definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.
Coffee Window Waikiki
We walked past this coffee truck window the day before and I knew we had to stop back. The women running it were incredibly sweet and helpful, and the coffee was delicious. It was definitely strong—exactly what we needed to get moving—but still smooth and high quality. Absolutely worth stopping by for a lovely cup of coffee.
Honolulu Coffee at Moana Surfrider
We stopped by the coffee shop at the Moana Surfrider for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. While it was fine, it felt a bit overpriced, and there are plenty of other great spots nearby to grab coffee instead.
Kona Coffee Purveyors was hands down the most delicious coffee we had during our entire trip. We loved it so much that we went back—and braved the long lines—twice. Both times, I ordered a flat white with honey, and it was absolutely incredible. We also sampled a few of their pastries, which were just as memorable. The black sesame kouign amann was my favorite—perfect, no notes.
I had the most delightful strawberry matcha latte from Junbi. It was perfectly balanced—sweet, earthy, and clearly high quality—making it the ideal choice for a mid-day matcha break.
While the Mai Tai Bar was technically the bar at our resort, it served some of the most delicious mai tais we had during the trip. I especially loved their piña coladas—my go-to resort drink of choice.
While the coffee at the Moana Surfrider was just okay, the Beach Bar is definitely worth a visit. They offer great lunch and appetizer options (including the spicy edamame) along with some really tasty drinks. There’s also a small slushie bar by the pool serving seriously good Dole Whip—worth stopping by for that alone.
One day during our trip, we drove up to the North Shore and stopped at the Dole Plantation along the way. We couldn’t pass it up without grabbing Dole Whip at the source—and it was just as delicious as you’d expect. Definitely worth a stop if you’re driving by!
To be completely fair, we didn’t have a full meal at Azure, the restaurant at the Royal Hawaiian, but we did go for breakfast one morning and really enjoyed it. You truly can’t beat the scenery. I highly recommend the Greek yogurt with honey, the papaya, and honestly anything with Portuguese sausage.
I’ve been dreaming about Tim Ho Wan ever since I first had it in Hong Kong back in the winter of 2016. It’s easily some of the best dim sum out there, and since my visit in HK, they’ve expanded to the U.S. with locations in New York and Waikiki. There was no way I was going to be 200 feet from a Tim Ho Wan and not go. Their shiu mai is absolutely incredible—there wasn’t a single bad bite on the table. Do not miss the chance to enjoy some of the world’s best dim sum while you’re in Honolulu.
Maguro Spot
The poke from Maguro Spot was truly delicious. The fish was incredibly fresh, the sauce options were excellent, and the portions were satisfying without being overwhelming. Definitely worth a stop.
Sato Seafood
Sato came highly recommended by close friends, and it did not disappoint. It’s a tiny spot, but it delivers seriously high-quality food. They offer both poke bowls and hand rolls—and I had to try both. The scallop hand roll was a standout, and the poke ended up being my favorite of the entire trip. Every detail was spot-on, right down to the short-grain Japanese rice. Yum!
You can’t go to Hawaii without stopping at Foodland! Their pre-made food section features a deli counter packed with poke, and it’s honestly incredible. They offer tuna, salmon, shrimp, and more, with tons of flavor options to choose from. Grab a few varieties to try along with some of Foodland’s shrimp chips, and you’ve got the perfect lunch.
Giovanni’s is an Oahu staple, famous for its seriously delicious garlic shrimp. We tried both the spicy version and the classic scampi, and I’d recommend the original along with a side of mac salad. Fair warning: the garlic is not for the faint of heart—you’ll definitely feel it for the rest of the day. That said, it’s an absolute treat and totally worth it.
Mitch’s Fish Market & Sushi Bar
Mitch’s was a major highlight for me. It’s definitely a bit funky—located in a warehouse area near the airport—but it’s truly something special. The fish is incredibly fresh, and the staff is so welcoming. A true 10/10 experience with no notes. The kiki fish (native to Hawaii) and the giant clam sushi were some of my favorite bites of the entire trip.
Fête was one of those spots that popped up on every list during my Honolulu research. It’s located in the Chinatown area, which is a really fun neighborhood filled with great bars and restaurants. While Fête didn’t completely blow me away—the food and service were both solid but not standout—it’s still a lovely spot. I’d go back to sit at the bar, order a burger, and definitely not miss their homemade rocky road ice cream.
Udon Yama at Stix Asia (food hall)
One night, we decided to eat at Stix Asian Food Hall, and it was so much fun. Everyone could order exactly what they wanted, then we met back at a shared table in the middle. After so much poke and seafood earlier in the trip, I couldn’t resist a warm bowl of udon from Udon Yama. I loved that you could choose your tempura, and I went with their classic niku udon. It was comforting, flavorful, and exactly what I was craving—I’ll always say yes to a good bowl of noodle soup.
Olay’s Thai and Laotian was probably one of my favorite meals of the entire trip. This spot has so much personality and serves some seriously delicious food. We tried a lot of dishes, and everything was excellent. It’s also BYOB, so bring your favorite beers—and don’t miss this incredible spot.
Skull & Crown was a true highlight of the trip. We stumbled upon it while looking for a place to grab a drink before heading to Fête, but it ended up being one of our best finds. If you’re looking for an elevated tiki bar with seriously good cocktails, this is the spot. My drink was absolutely delicious, the staff was friendly and helpful, and we shared an appetizer that was just as good. Be sure to make a reservation—you won’t want to miss this gem.
Duke’s is a Waikiki institution, and while we usually go for their famous breakfast or brunch buffet, this time we stopped in just for dessert. Their Hula Pie (aka ice cream cake) was absolutely delicious and such a fun way to celebrate my dad’s birthday.
