Honolulu
Time of visit: February 2023 – December 2023
Honolulu:
Foodland @ Ala Moana Mall – this is a grocery store with a nice poke bar!
Marugame Udon Honolulu – casual udon spot, it’s a Japanese chain but it’s a good casual lunch spot
Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu – good lunch spot! Recommend the chicken katsu over the pork, reservations are helpful
Walkable/Uber
Magic Island – good picnic and sunset walk
Ala Moana Beach park – more quiet/local than Waikiki beaches
Kaimana Beach – same beach as Waikiki but it’s a more quiet strip
Marugame Udon Honolulu – casual udon spot, it’s a Japanese chain but it’s a good casual lunch spot
Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu – good lunch spot! Recommend the chicken katsu over the pork, reservations are helpful
Banan – Ice cream banana spot started by a local
ALOH – cute cafe to get a smoothie or a juice with outdoor seating
ZIGU – date night japanese spot
Heyday – good atmosphere in a boutique hotel, but drinks are just OK
Mai Tai bar – bar right by Waikiki beach with Mai Tais
Holey Grail Donuts – donut shop
Ono Seafood – takeout Poke shop
ALOH – cute cafe to get a smoothie or a juice with outdoor seating
ZIGU – date night japanese spot
Heyday – good atmosphere in a boutique hotel, but drinks are just OK
Mai Tai bar – bar right by Waikiki beach with Mai Tais
Holey Grail Donuts – donut shop
Ono Seafood – takeout Poke shop
SALT Kaka’ako has cute spots, like redfish poke bar, Arvo cafe, Morning brew coffeeshop
Kaka’ako Saturday Market – not the biggest Saturday market, but a fun morning walk. The green juice truck is good 
Leonard’s Bakery
Fresh Catch
Chinatown is nice for asian food! I take people to legend seafood, but you can also go to morning catch, Get viet coffee if you go to morning catch in chinatown, there’s a lil fruit/drink stand near it. Opal thai was closed for construction when I left but this is so nice, Skull and crown trading Co is a nice tiki bar, (Chinatown is V sketch at night even though its the go to spot for nights out! careful!!!!) , and oh my lord the daley burger and fries is amazing in chinatown. Theres a small asian bakery called bread house that has fluffy bread (bring cash), and if you’re in the area, P27 or Poai potions (idk if this is spelled right) is a decent coffeeshop to chill at!
Cafe Kaila – good bomb solid brunch
Yogurstory – brunch at big portion sizes, decent and popular
Fresh Catch
Chinatown is nice for asian food! I take people to legend seafood, but you can also go to morning catch, Get viet coffee if you go to morning catch in chinatown, there’s a lil fruit/drink stand near it. Opal thai was closed for construction when I left but this is so nice, Skull and crown trading Co is a nice tiki bar, (Chinatown is V sketch at night even though its the go to spot for nights out! careful!!!!) , and oh my lord the daley burger and fries is amazing in chinatown. Theres a small asian bakery called bread house that has fluffy bread (bring cash), and if you’re in the area, P27 or Poai potions (idk if this is spelled right) is a decent coffeeshop to chill at!
Cafe Kaila – good bomb solid brunch
Yogurstory – brunch at big portion sizes, decent and popular
Kaimuki – this spot is a popular area for foodies. I haven’t been to a lot, I’ve been to chubbies burgers, koko head cafe, Daily whisk matcha, Plantoem (coffeeshop – mid), the curb (good matcha), but I have mud hen water, moke’s bread and breakfast, Oahu grill all saved and they seem popular!
North Shore: If you’ll be renting out a car and making it to the North shore, here are some recommendations!
Hale’iwa Bowls
Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery
Laniakea Beach – try to spot a turtle here!
North Shore: If you’ll be renting out a car and making it to the North shore, here are some recommendations!
Hale’iwa Bowls
Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery
Laniakea Beach – try to spot a turtle here!
Waimea Bay Beach – parking is hard to find on weekends
Shark’s cove – great place for snorkeling
Aoki’s Shave Ice
Nature:
Need a car
Pillbox Hike
Diamond Head Trailhead – need to reserve a time
Manoa Falls – short hike, relatively close to Waikiki
Ko Olina Beaches – part of the disney resort, they have small lagoons that feel like a getaway!
Lanikai Beach – park near the houses and find an opening to the beach
Waimanalo Beach
Hanauma Bay – Snorkeling at this bay is one of the best things to do on the island. You need to make a reservation about 4 days in advance. You will need to wait in some lines and crowds for orientation.
Shark’s cove – great place for snorkeling
Aoki’s Shave Ice
Nature:
Need a car
Pillbox Hike
Diamond Head Trailhead – need to reserve a time
Manoa Falls – short hike, relatively close to Waikiki
Ko Olina Beaches – part of the disney resort, they have small lagoons that feel like a getaway!
Lanikai Beach – park near the houses and find an opening to the beach
Waimanalo Beach
Hanauma Bay – Snorkeling at this bay is one of the best things to do on the island. You need to make a reservation about 4 days in advance. You will need to wait in some lines and crowds for orientation.
Walkable/Uber
Magic Island – good picnic and sunset walk
Ala Moana Beach park – more quiet/local than Waikiki beaches
Kaimana Beach – same beach as Waikiki but it’s a more quiet strip