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Kakaʻako·Hawaiian
Located in: SALT At Our KakaAko
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Kakaʻako has quietly become one of Honolulu's most exciting places to eat. From the laid-back brewery vibes at Aloha Beer Company to the innovative sushi and izakaya bites at Doraku Sushi Kakaʻako, this neighborhood packs an impressive range of flavors into just a few walkable blocks. I pulled together 45 qualifying spots and organized this guide so you can find exactly what you're after — whether it's a quick comfort food fix or a full sit-down dinner.
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This is a curated BEST list, meaning our editors' hand-picked recommendations appear first. Those spots carry the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page, and any restaurant our editors have personally visited is marked as well. Every other spot on the list is ranked by reputation and what the neighborhood knows them for — like Asahi Grill's legendary oxtail soup or Floralia's alfresco vegan wood-fired pizzas.
With 45 restaurants cataloged here, there's something for every mood and budget in Kakaʻako. Scroll through the full list, look for the badge, and eat well.
FAQ
Kakaʻako has a strong mix of options, from Chef Chai's celebrated Hawaiian regional cuisine to the cozy Chinese comfort food at Bo's Kitchen and the craft cocktail scene at Aloha Beer Company. Spots marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge are our editors' personally verified picks.
Asahi Grill is well known for large portions of comfort food at casual prices, and Bluetree Cafe Kapiolani offers health-conscious bowls and snacks that won't break the bank. Kakaʻako has solid options across a range of budgets.
This guide is reviewed and refreshed regularly to reflect new openings, closures, and changes across the roughly 45 qualifying restaurants in the area.
Restaurants
Kakaʻako
The experiences I actually send visitors on.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationWaikiki sunset sail
After happy hour, get on the water. A sunset cocktail sail off Waikiki is the move — drinks aboard, Diamond Head glowing behind you.
Free cancellationHonolulu tasting walk
If you like eating your way through a neighborhood, this off-the-beaten-path Honolulu tasting walk hits spots you'd never find solo. Come hungry.
Free cancellationOahu luau night
The eating doesn't stop at dinner — a real luau is the one Waikiki night out worth booking ahead. Kalua pig, fire knife, the whole thing.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationCircle the island
Best single day on Oahu if you've got wheels-envy: turtles, the North Shore shrimp trucks, the lookouts — all in one guided loop.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationDiamond Head + breakfast
Earn the breakfast plate: hike Diamond Head first, then eat. Shuttle + reservation ticket included, so the morning's sorted before you refuel in Waikiki.
