Waikiki Eats…for Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget

Are you planning your vacation in beautiful Waikiki on Oahu, but having a little sticker shock when looking at hotel menus? While there are some spectacular restaurants at these hotels (the restaurants at Halekulani pop into mind), there are a few little tricks and tips that we use to find an equally delicious meal but at a steal. Champagne taste but working with more of a “beer budget”, here we go!

Tip #1…early bird specials.

There are a few early dining specials scattered throughout Waikiki, but our tried and true favorite is Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa on Kalakaua Avenue. The best days to go are on Sunday and Monday, at 4:45 pm (at the time of this writing-the time has changed in the past, so we recommend calling ahead of time to check) unless it is a holiday, in which case the early bird special doesn’t apply. The special pricing is only good until 5:30 which pretty much means the first seating. You’ll want to get there early and stand in line as you’ll be competing with us locals who love good food and a good deal. We’ll do a more in-depth Sansei food review in a future post, but for now, a few highlights include the new steak options and boneless braised short rib that they recently added to their large plates, the crab truffle ramen, and my favorite yaki maki sushi roll (a California roll wrapped in smoked salmon and baked with dynamite sauce). But yes, we’ll talk more Sansei food soon!

Tip# 2…happy hour.

So this one might be a little controversial. Can happy hour actually count as a meal? I suppose it depends on who you are, but I regularly have it for a late weekend lunch (a little tradition that my husband and I have to relax without the kids) and leave satisfied. So if you’re open to trying it, happy hour can be a steal of a deal. We like it as a sampling of dishes in trying a new restaurant (and deciding if we want to come back with friends for dinner) and as previously mentioned, a delicious lunch option with a nice ambiance. Happy hour times do vary from restaurant to restaurant and you may narrow your choices based on drink preferences. I’m not a true connoisseur of alcohol, but my husband is, so we will be featuring favorite cocktails at various locations soon. However, if I had to highlight one in Waikiki, I’d go with Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman over on Kalia Road in the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. We are long-time fans of Chef Peter Merriman’s dishes and the cocktails that his restaurants feature, such as the amazing Mai Tai with lilikoi foam. Several of the appetizers are 1/2 off, there are $14 pizzas, and discounts on cocktails, wines, and beer, with happy hour running from 3:30-5:00 pm except on certain holidays (again all at the time of this writing so please be sure to check ahead of going in). Maybe one of the best parts though is the stunning ocean view right from the restaurant. You may also enjoy some live music if you stay into the dinner hour, making for a genuinely wonderful experience altogether. 

One more quick tip, if you’re looking for a good drink, a few small bites, and want to get started earlier than 3:30, we like Tommy Bahama’s restaurant on the top floors of their store on Kalakaua Avenue. It’s not very food-heavy, but the regular menu is also available, and it can be a good place to get a discounted appetizer and drink in before going for more solid plates at one of the other happy hours throughout Waikiki.

But again, if happy hour is your thing, make sure you check back regularly, as it’s our thing too, so we’ll definitely be featuring a lot more of it, including in-depth reviews of the ones mentioned here (and so very many more!).

Tip# 3…casual spots.

Casual spots like Stix Asia in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza (basement level but very clean and nice) for authentic ramen, some of the best fresh sashimi bowls (Maguro Brothers Hawaii we love you!), and other delectable Asian plates. If you have little ones and want something recognizable and/or quick, the food court in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center has a variety of options, including Raising Canes, Panda Express, L&L Hawaiian BBQ, and a solid burger and Vietnamese pho and rice plate counter. It’s also a great place to pick up some dessert, whether that is Dole Whip or lactose-free soft serve from Kokoro (which seriously has the sweetest staff), or something decadent from Kulu Kulu (including a couple of gluten free finds like the matcha roll cake and Japanese cheesecake), the cake shop next door. You’ll find other casual eats scattered throughout Waikiki, these are just two main ones in the heart of the main street, Kalakaua Avenue.

These are a few brief ideas for how to find some budget-friendly meals while staying in Waikiki, but be sure to check back soon for a post on local tips coming up! You’ll be particularly keen to learn of a free and readily accessible resource on locating even more specials and deals on dining. We are so excited to share!

In the meantime, happy Waikiki vacation planning! Or are you pressed for time juggling a busy schedule and really don’t enjoy doing tons of research? Maybe the words happy and vacation planning don’t go in the same sentence. If so, come chat with me by way of our contact form, to learn more about how to have a Waikiki and/or Oahu itinerary curated just for you. We include some of our own under-the-radar favorites and unique experiences as a special bonus. There’s also the additional complimentary service of advising on the best fit for a hotel or resort based on your lifestyle and budget and arranging for everything for you, from resort to rental car to travel insurance. A Hawaii getaway, based on your vision + crafted by a lifelong local= a truly relaxing, unforgettable, dreamy time away. Let us help create one of your favorite family memories!

Sunshine and aloha!🌺☀️

Hawaii Girl Life