So I'll be in Hawaii for a few days (Oahu) and was wondering what places you guys suggest I should go see, I'm not there very long so I didn't want to waste my time on places not worth going to. Also if you guys have any suggestions of any romantic type restaurants with a nice view in the Waikiki area. Thanks!

 

dont know if your into snorkeling but hanauma bay is a tourist attraction. im sure others have better ideas. as far as dining, dont know about a view of waikiki but john dominis is romantic type i guess.. i think you have to call in a few days or a week before.

 

I would go to the North Shore for some awesome beaches, probably Waimea beach.. then hit the shrimp shacks there. Mmm garlic shrimp and steak. and as for restaraunts, you can go to Top of Waikiki (http://topofwaikiki.com/), but could be really really expensive. ive never been there.

 

Yea I head about john dominis, Top of Waikiki looks nice but usually scares me when they dont list pricing on the website.

 

Not too high up, but the view of Kalakaua at night from the Lanai is not bad.

http://www.royalhawaiiancenter.com/d...y/doraku-sushi

http://www.dorakusushi.com/doraku_menu_waikiki.pdf

My GF and I try A LOT of new places pretty often and I have to say that after going to Doraku, it's definitely a place I'd go back to. The food is ridonkulously good. Mostly sushi but with a Latin (mostly Cuban) twist. The Cuban Beef Roll, Kimchi Yakiniku Roll and the Churrasco Steak were baller. I think my GF and I whacked about a hundred bucks worth of grinds. So ono.

Others have suggested John Dominis. The view is undeniably great, but the food is a little bland and not necessarily the best. If you like steak, try Hys.

http://www.hyshawaii.com/

Aww f**k I DIE. Steak there is winnah.

The GF and I haven't really found a place that combines a GREAT view and good food yet. Hawaii Prince has a nice view of the Harbor if you go there for dinner but the dining area is only on the second or third floor. There's also a place called Chart House right down the road. Same thing. Right next to the harbor but not situated up high but again the food is good. If anything, do what I do. Park up on the roof of the Royal Hawaiian Parking Structure and check out the view (usually empty and you have it all to yourself) and then go grab some grub. Or park in the structure, walk to dinner and before you leave drive to the top and check out the lights. bruddahmanmatt so smart.

The last suggestion I have as far as the view of Waikiki is concerned is to eat at one of the places mentioned, and then go grab desert at Aarons at the top of Ala Moana Hotel. The only thing about the view there is that it's less a view of Waikiki and more a view of the Ala Moana area.

 

Yeah i was gonna Suggest Aarons I never ate there I know the promoter that used to promote there but the food looks good and it has some amazing views http://www.tristarrestaurants.com/aarons/

Also there is sarentos same owners as Aarons but Italian food. Has amazing views of the harbor my sister used to live in this building and said the food is really good.
http://www.tristarrestaurants.com/sarentos_top_of_i/

 

Aarons was a great restaurant, but I believe they shut down back in March.
Sarento's is great. John Dominis is good, but I believe they are in the process of shutting down soon if they have not already.
Michels in the Colony Surf Hotel at the far end of Waikiki (near Diamond Head) is excellent. Great food, service and a great view. They are right on the water and has a very romantic setting. Make reservations for 6ish and request a window table, million dollar view and sunset. Food isnt cheap, but is worth it.
Orchids in the Halekulani Hotel is also a great choice.

More casual dining, but excellent food and view, try Dukes or Hula Grill, both in the Outrigger Hotel in the heart of Waikiki

Definitely do snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, best place on Oahu to do it. The bay is closed on Tuesdays. If you do go, go early because the parking lot fills up fast.
If you have time, drive out to the North Shore and hang out, see the great beaches. Not much surf this time of year, but the beaches are beautiful.

Run amok through Waikiki at night, always something going on.
Hope this helps, enjoy yourself and have fun.

Michels
Colony Surf Hotel
2895 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
808*923*6552

Orchids
Halekulani Hotel
2199 Kalia Rd
Honolulu, HI 96815
808*923*2311

John Dominis
43 Ahui St
Honolulu, HI 96813
808*523*0955

 

sweet thanks for all the suggestions guys. I also heard about a sunset cruise or something like that where you can have cocktails on a boat while it takes you around or something? is that worth it?

 

theres a couple that take off from Waikiki beach. Take you out in the late afternoon, drink, get drunk, see the sunset, bring you back to shore, stumble up the beach. If the weather is good it is worth it.

 

Don't do the cruise for the food, it's like flying for the food.

Lots of food suggestions, but here's the touristy things to avoid:

Waikiki - Although there's some good food to be found, but the beach itself is poor, crowded, and full of post-middle-agers exposing too much skin. Traffic sucks too.

Dole Cannery train ride. Sucks. Visit and check out the pineapple garden to see the various types and how they grow, just keep your *** off the train.

Polynesian Cultural Center is a toss-up. The luau is decent, but if you're after some booze at it, steer clear. The center itself is about two steps above Disney's "It's A Small World" but can be a brainless way to kill a day. The show at the end is nothing but an hour waiting for the fire dancers at the end.

Do: (All of these are damn cheap too!)

Matsumoto's shave ice on North Shore.
Turtle Beach on North Shore (stop every time you drive by... I've had about a 60% chance of seeing sea turtles there).
Arizona Memorial @ Pearl Harbor.
If you do the Battleship Missouri tour, do the explorer tour, unless you or your companion(s) can't do stairs.
Valley of the Temples.
Pali Lookout.
Moanalua Gardens (bring a lunch for a nice relaxing hour or two).
Halona Blowhole.


I'll also refer you to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Avenger95.5
I've geotagged some of my favorite scenic locations on the island.

 

Do you know the names of any so I can look it up?

 

star of honolulu offers a sunset cruise with entertainment.

 

here are some.

http://www.hawaiiactive.com/category...at-sunset.html

I went on the Whale watching lunch Cruise and it was real nice the Food was awesome. and the boat didn't rock too much because of the design it's not the normal V Haul boat I have heard some bad thing about the Star of Honolulu. it seems cool for Tourists they have Hawaiian Dancers and they sing a bit. but I know a lot of the Japanese tourists always pack that boat up.

Also there are a bunch of things that are on Hawaiiactive.com site.

 

hands down romantic = sarentos, order the flambe strawberries. wine list is huge/ cheap too.
2nd romantic = la mer
best seafood = yuzen
trendiest = nobu
sunset cruise = outrigger catamaran sunset booze cruise (call the outrigger reef hotel) then go to the waikiki shore hotel to get shave ice and dole whip.

stay away from john dominis overpriced seafood taste like $h7%, service sucks too. used to be good, not anymore.

michels is good too.
doraku is cool, i just like the ambiance.
hoku's is alright seafood, take your girl there so you can see the dolphins in the lagoon.

best local food = side street inn

 

thanks for all your help guys I will check some of these places out.