Monkeypod Kitchen - Waikiki — Restaurant in Honolulu

Monkeypod Kitchen - Honolulu, Hawaii: A Culinary Oasis in Paradise

Nestled in the heart of Honolulu, Monkeypod Kitchen effortlessly combines the relaxed ambiance of island life with an elevated dining experience that tantalizes the senses from start to finish. Our recent visit was nothing short of extraordinary, with a menu that delighted us at every turn.

Drinks:

We began our evening with a selection of cocktails that set the perfect tone. The Mai Tai was a standout, showcasing a masterful balance of sweet and tart, with fresh lime and a hint of orgeat syrup, all crowned by a dark rum float that made each sip a journey to tropical bliss. The Mojito followed suit, refreshing and invigorating, with muddled mint and lime perfectly accentuating the rum's smoothness. For those opting out of alcohol, the Virgin Daiquiri offered all the brightness of fresh strawberries with a velvety smooth texture—a delightful non-alcoholic option that didn’t feel like a compromise.

Appetizers:

Our culinary adventure continued with the Lobster Deviled Eggs, a decadent twist on a classic. The creamy filling was rich with lobster essence, each bite punctuated by a satisfying burst of flavor from the lobster chunks and a dash of paprika. The Crispy Wings were next—tender on the inside with a perfectly crispy exterior. These wings were seasoned to perfection, striking the right balance of spice and savor, leaving us reaching for more.

Main Course:

Monkeypod’s Ramen Noodles offered a soulful bowl brimming with umami. The broth was deep and complex, with noodles cooked to an ideal chewiness, and generous toppings that added both texture and flavor, making this dish a standout comfort food. The Ahi Poke Tacos were an absolute revelation—each taco packed with fresh, melt-in-your-mouth ahi, accompanied by a tangy and creamy sauce that elevated the fresh flavors of the fish and the crunch of the taco shell.

Sides:

No visit would be complete without indulging in the Truffle Fries. These golden fries, kissed with truffle oil and dusted with Parmesan, were addictively crispy and aromatic—an indulgent side that perfectly complemented the meal.

Overall Experience:

Monkeypod Kitchen isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience. From the creative cocktails to the impeccable execution of every dish, this establishment takes you on a culinary journey that celebrates the flavors of Hawaii with a modern twist. The ambiance, with its laid-back island vibe and attentive service, makes it an ideal spot whether you're dining with friends, family, or a special someone.

This visit left us already planning our next trip back. Monkeypod Kitchen is a must-visit gem in Honolulu, offering a vibrant, flavorful experience that is as unforgettable as the...

Monkeypod is a great idea for me as a frequent solo traveler. I don’t care the order that food comes out, I don’t need to be able to hear (it’s popular), and I can relax and write while enjoying delicious cocktails and fresh food. I’m deeply impressed by the commitment to organic wine and the effort that went into developing partnerships that significantly reduce carbon footprint. One member of the team explained that Peter Merriman goes out of his way to make this possible and it’s difficult to begin to express my respect for that.

Unfortunately, I also haven’t left a bar crying in about 15 years, and it hasn’t been because of a member of the team. I was greeted curtly by a busy person behind the bar — not that unusual. I ordered a drink to a flat “ok.” Fine with me, I’m coming off a trip where many Japanese bartenders would silently nod, and even one place where I was getting what the house decided. I ordered food without fanfare. Drink slapped down a while later — and let me again reiterate it was delicious. The lilikoi foam must bring them 100 orders a minute. The dish really needed salt, which took 20 minutes to acquire because she would not acknowledge me, while having markedly less terse conversations with other patrons.

Eventually she came to me to say “good?” which I presumed was a query regarding my empty glass. I said “Yes! I just need a salt shaker and if that whiskey bottle over there is Hakushu, a pour of that.” She kept saying “what are you talking about” which was not the result of a language barrier issue. Eventually her colleague said “it’s Hakushu 12!” And she said “good because i have no idea what you’re saying,” and walked away. Her colleague got me my drink. She walked past a few more times so i had to ask her colleague for the salt. At that point, i enjoyed my $40 whiskey over tears. I left a note with the host stand because i am so unaccustomed to leaving a complaint.

People have enough going on in their lives. I imagine this person does too, but should leave the editorializing inside. It pains me to leave a negative review of a place emphasizing local food, natural wine, and carbon reduction, but it pained me to spend 100...

Just enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner here. To be honest, it wasn’t initially my first choice for the occasion but I was ‘late’ planing (in early September) and my first few choices (restaurants at the Halekulani, Moana Surfrider, and the Kahala Hotel, etc.) were unavailable. So, Monkeypod Waikiki it was to be.

Following my experience with this Thursday’s supper, I may have to reorder my prioritized lineup of favorite reliables.

I expected it would be more than fine as I’ve dined here before, and family and friends have enjoyed themselves each time.

I’ve dined at Monkeypod in Ko Olina at least a half dozen times as well - always reliable but nothing outstanding (simply reliable, convenient to the big resorts out there, and at least as good if not slightly better than what else is on offer out there).

Monkeypod Waikiki, however, is far better than that! (And, relative to its own ‘competition’ on Waikiki strip).

Thursday was the 3rd time I’ve been back to host others at Monkeypod Waikiki.

The Thanksgiving special was terrific. And the price delivered more than fair value for what they provided - not to mention the beautiful setting.

What was exceptional, however, was the Service!

We had a slight problem - while my dinner was tasty (albeit on the slightly smaller portioned size), my family member got a bum serving - too much turkey skin and gristle.

I wasn’t aware…. Management / service insist that patrons have a positive and enjoyable experience. Our server, KC, attentively noted the uneaten portions and apologized for the plate (which, ofc, was in the kitchen’s domain and outside his control), and he and Whitney (the manager) could not do enough to make things right - which they did. And, beyond expectation.

They turned an already memorable and mostly satisfactory experience into an incomparably excellent and unforgettable one.

Most definitely, I’ll be competing with any who might read this offering of my own whom are persuaded to book a reservation here in the future.

No doubt you and yours will enjoy yourselves.

One small wish : I wouldn’t hate it if they augmented their...