Gaby's Guide to Honolulu
If y'all asked me to describe my perfect girls getaway it would probably consist of the following…. shut friends, a healthy amount of Mai Tai's, plenty of glowy embankment time, a daily dose of poke (marinated ahi tuna) and not a care in the world!! Sounds pretty incredible right? That'south exactly what's in store for this edition of Gaby's Guide to Honolulu!
A few weeks ago I packed my bags headed to O'ahu for a long weekend of relaxation and ALL THE FOOD.
Before we get into my favorite parts of the trip you should probably understand 1 thing. I was all about balance when information technology came to this vacay. I'm non ane to shy away from anything… and so if there'due south a giant meal in my future, I'll exist certain to become a hike or swim in beforehand. If in that location's a boozy brunch in the AM, you can bet there will be some sightseeing or something active later recovering from nutrient comas. Information technology's really all nearly working off your meals and making sure you tin can yet show up to the beach and feel great in your swim suit. That said… whether you're girls tripping it, having a romantic weekend with your SO or heading out on family holiday…here's my guide to Oahu, Honolulu and a few primal places yous've got to hitting in the surrounding surface area!
Where to Eat:
The Sus scrofa and the Lady – Here'southward the deal, People's republic of china Town in Honolulu is a must. There are a few gems that you can't miss and this is 1 of them. With an eclectic Vietnamese bill of fare you really can't go wrong any way you lot plough. Merely if it we're up to me… I'd opt for the weekly Bahn Mi special. YES!!
The Manifest – While nosotros didn't go to spend a ton of fourth dimension in China Town, we did hit upwardly The Manifest for a few cocktails. It's a fun little bar with enough of locals and dandy people watching if that's your thing!!
Lappert's – I hateful, take you known me to ever decline an opportunity to eat ice cream? I retrieve not. Lappert'southward is famous on the island and it lives up to its reputation 100%. Trust me when I tell you… Coconut Pineapple water ice cream. Done and done.
Lunch Box Kitchen – while we didn't brand it to the brick and mortar location, nosotros did sample plenty of eats at the Hawaii Nutrient and Wine festival from Tiffin Box Kitchen and hither's the bargain… it was the best bite of the entire effect. A trip to the actual eating place is a must.
Liliha Bakery – I mean, what's a nutrient focused girls trip without the occasional indulgence right? Liliha Bakery, home to the best cocoa puffs on the island was basically a one-terminate shop of the most ballsy saccharide fix. Their cocoa puffs are chocolate-filled puffed pastries that seriously rival annihilation I made in pastry school.
Leonard'south Baker – while we're on the topic of sweets, we've got to talk about malasadas. Malasadas are a Portuguese doughnut without a hole and they are majorly famous from Leonard's Bakery kitchen. Basically fried dough dusted with saccharide. I mean, what more than tin I say. It's basically what dreams are made of.
Fresh Catch – okay at start glance you might be all like, whaaaaat? Why is Gaby sending u.s. to what looks like a Taco Bell-ish restaurant. Well, let me tell you. Looks can be deceiving!! Information technology'south the most epic "fast food" articulation on the isle and it's made up of all sorts of Poke Bowls. What? Incredible. Diverse marinated ahi tuna with different spices, dressings etc, and and so piled high on top of a mound of rice. You could take left me here for hours and I would accept been content.
Boondocks Eatery + Superette – another perk to traveling with Aida, especially to O'ahu, is that she knows a ton of locals… and what's even better than locals…. locals who are incredible chefs. Boom. Done. We hit up Boondocks Restaurant + Superette, located just across the street from one some other for 2 insanely delicious meals. Town has an Italian flair to it and Superette is a very vegetable focused tiffin end that is so instagram worthy I tin't fifty-fifty handle information technology!! Become to both. Trust me.
Duke'south Restaurant and Barefoot Bar – I mean, it's the home of the Mai Tai!! And it'south 100% mandatory for a cocktail sometime during your trip!
Sweet Habitation Waimanalo – peradventure my favorite repast of the entire trip! Only a hop skip and a spring from Waimanalo Beach is this little gem. Between the ahi tacos, hibiscus iced tea and the salmon burger, it was like a little slice of What'due south Gaby Cooking heaven!
As well! A few places of annotation that I didn't brand it to but had killer reviews from all the locals… Koko Head Café // Diamond Head Market + Grill
What to Practice:
Wild Side Specialty Tours – it's a must. I finally conquered my fright of the open ocean and hopped in for a swim with dolphins and sea turtles. Our explanation for the solar day was ballsy and we frolicked with dolphins for a solid 90 minutes before moving on to dive with bounding main turtles. For someone who is convinced they are going to encounter a great white shark upon entering the body of water, I certainly was over that by the terminate of the day!
Outrigger Canoe – Faith Surf Schoolhouse has hands downwards one of the best teams on the island that's going to rock your world when it comes time to learn how to man an Outrigger Canoe! Information technology's kinda mind boggling to think that people used to travel from island to island on these things – it's some serious hard work!! Only information technology's all worth it when you take hold of a moving ridge and ride into shore looking like a pro!
KCC Farmers Market – okay here's the deal. It's the well-nigh famous farmers market on the island and information technology'south an accented must visit, just be warned… it's a mob scene. Get early on to endeavour and avert the crowds and be sure to sample plenty of local flavors!! There are a ton of stalls from local restaurants serving a sample of their menu and having a Bahn Mi sandwich at viii:45 in the morning seems similar a perfectly reasonable thing to do!
Makapu'u Lighthouse Hike – one of the almost gorgeous vistas that I got to experience on this trip was at the summit of the Makapu'u hike. It's not crazy difficult by any means then it'due south 100% family friendly!
Kualoa Tours – I mean, who wouldn't want to cruise effectually Kualoa Ranch and pretend they are in Jurassic Park or Lost. Information technology'due south one of the nearly gorgeous parks on the isle and you can opt for a horseback ride tour or an ATV expedition. I vote horseback riding because then you feel like you lot could legit be in a movie ☺
Waimanalo Embankment – Some of the beaches on O'ahu are packed… but not Waimanalo Beach! It'due south pretty much the well-nigh perfect beach with white sand, aqua water and plenty space to prepare up store for the day under some palm trees and relax with friends.
Where to Stay:
The Mod – you know me, I'chiliad all about a fun swanky hotel and The Modern Honolulu is just that. Located just a bit off the principal drag, it'due south a super chic hotel with an ballsy puddle that looks out over the harbor. It was as well home to the Food and Wine Festival which every bit you guys know, is 1 of my favorite excuses to eat mini bites from 20 restaurants in ane evening 🙂
Royal Hawaiian Hotel – if you're feeling actress fancy, I'd probably propose The Royal Hawaiian. Information technology'south got that old school Hawaiian glamour with all the modern luxuries you'd want! Information technology'south pretty much a pinkish palace right on the isle and you'll never want to leave!
This trip we didn't make information technology over to the North Shore… simply you can bet I'll exist back for another girls adventure!
A major Aloha to O'ahu Visitors Agency for making this such an incredible feel!! Thank you to Hawaiian Airlines for such lovely flights and to The Outrigger for putting us upwards. I tin can't wait to return someday soon!
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Source: https://whatsgabycooking.com/gabys-guide-to-honolulu/