Eating out in Hawaii’s capital Honolulu is a fun, expensive and delicious experience.
Hawaii Eats: Our Family Adventure!
Hey, fellow travelers! Our fam just got back from Hawaii, and guess what the kids were psyched about? Eating at all those chain restaurants they’ve seen on YouTube. And yep, we hit a bunch of them!
Budget Bites? Not Really…
Here’s the scoop: eating out in Waikiki isn’t cheap. It’s kinda like prices back home in Australia, plus you’ve got to tip on top. Usually, we can feed our gang of five for about 120 bucks, but even sticking to appetizers, we hit that mark after tipping.
Service: Mostly Awesome
Almost everywhere, the service rocked. These folks hustle big time, especially with the restaurants being super busy and open late. We only had one meh experience, but it wasn’t terrible. So, we only dipped below a 20% tip once.
Be Ready to Wait
If you’re dining past 5 pm, brace for a wait. Our routine at the Embassy Suites (shoutout to the evening drinks!) meant heading out at 7 pm, and boy, did we wait – up to 90 minutes at some places! The Hard Rock Cafe let us book a table, but Yardhouse, our fave spot, just bumped us up the queue without a firm booking.
Our Top Food Spots
- Yard House: Right under our hotel, so super convenient. Awesome service, great vibes.
- Hard Rock: Stellar service and just a stroll away from where we stayed.
- Cheesecake Factory & California Pizza Kitchen: Had to try them – yes, even for a dessert dash!
- Duke’s: Beachy feels with burgers, fries, and waves. Plus, top-notch service.
- Bubba Gumps: Not as great as our Bali experience. Just okay food and service.
- Chili’s Grill & Bar: A nice break during our shopping spree at Waikele outlets.
- IHOP: Our first taste of American food – overwhelming and not our fave.
Tipping: They Earn It!
The staff really work their tails off for those tips. Without them, they’re not hitting minimum wage. So, don’t skimp on the tipping – it’s crucial for their livelihood.
Check out the extensive Cheesecake Factory Menu here.
Read More About Our Hawaii Trip
Wanna hear more about our Hawaiian journey? Check out our other posts [here]. And hey, where do you love to eat in Hawaii? Drop your recommendations in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Megan 🌺✈️
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