Frolic Hawaii

Frolic Hawaii Your local guide to eating, drinking and enjoying all things food in Hawai‘i.

If mian and bao are also two of your favorite things, then it’s true that birds of a feather carb together. Because ever...
01/13/2025

If mian and bao are also two of your favorite things, then it’s true that birds of a feather carb together. Because everyone’s asking about which opened a month ago in the former Piggy Smalls space.

has been a few times to check it out thoroughly. Her thoughts are in today’s post.
https://www.honolulumagazine.com/mian-bao/

The hole-in-the-wall on the back side of industrial Kalihi didn’t go out quietly. “This is not the END!!!” screamed the ...
01/10/2025

The hole-in-the-wall on the back side of industrial Kalihi didn’t go out quietly. “This is not the END!!!” screamed the copy in owner Minaka Urquidi’s post. Her copy always screamed.

See the full story as told to us by Minaka.
https://www.honolulumagazine.com/ethels-grill-why-it-closed/

Photos by and

Tamales are traditionally eaten during celebrations, making them popular at holiday potlucks and family gatherings. At T...
01/09/2025

Tamales are traditionally eaten during celebrations, making them popular at holiday potlucks and family gatherings. At Tio’s, they can be had year-round, Tuesday through Saturday. There are three fillings: a New Mexico red with pork and mild New Mexico chile; a Santa Fe green with chicken, roasted chile and Monterey Colby cheese; and calabasitas or vegetarian with zucchini, corn, roasted jalapeño and onion. You can get them on a rice and bean plate smothered in red or green sauce or packed to go by the dozen.

Head to our link in bio for the full post on on Nu‘uanu.
https://www.honolulumagazine.com/hidden-gem-tios-tamales/

All sections of the restaurant serve the full menu, which is available for lunch and dinner. That menu spans dishes from...
01/06/2025

All sections of the restaurant serve the full menu, which is available for lunch and dinner. That menu spans dishes from Mayan Yucatecan (cochinita pibil, $16) to Sichuan (mapo tofu, $12)—a style that general manager Brian Gavin calls “global local.” These are small plates, intended to be shared family-style.

Full story by :
https://www.honolulumagazine.com/vintage-books/

While the beer scene in the rest of the country has stagnated, with established breweries closing their doors, the scene...
12/30/2024

While the beer scene in the rest of the country has stagnated, with established breweries closing their doors, the scene in Hawai‘i is growing: New breweries and taprooms will appear on all the major islands. In fact, 2025 may see more openings than any year in recent memory. takes us on a year-end review of our buzzing beer scene and what to look forward to in the new year.

Link in bio for the full story!

12/27/2024

A new gem has arrived at bustling Kapi‘olani Boulevard. Meet Mara Honolulu, a lively dinner spot with a New York vibe that highlights Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist. There’s plenty on the menu to love, but these dishes—a combination of local ingredients, earthy spices and impeccable attention to detail—are what have us coming back.

From hand-cut pasta to fresh-from-the-hearth pita and so much more, read about the Best Bites at Mara, presented by @‌FirstHawaiianBank:
honolulumagazine.com/best-bites-mara-honolulu-brings-the-all-the-bold-flavors-of-the-mediterranean/

Page views don’t lie: From farmers markets to dim sum, these were our most-read food stories of 2024.Tap our link in bio...
12/27/2024

Page views don’t lie: From farmers markets to dim sum, these were our most-read food stories of 2024.

Tap our link in bio for the full round up with links to each top story.

The holiday season, aka potluck season, is upon us. No time to cook? No worries! We rounded up our favorite takeout dish...
12/20/2024

The holiday season, aka potluck season, is upon us. No time to cook? No worries! We rounded up our favorite takeout dishes that can be picked up in a pinch.

From salads to fried chicken, gyoza and wok hei infused noodles, these crowd pleasing potluck dishes are only a stop on your way to the party.

https://www.honolulumagazine.com/takeout-potluck-dishes/

It’s the old Hanaki/Tokoname/Around the Corner space, vacant for years and transformed now into an open dining room flan...
12/19/2024

It’s the old Hanaki/Tokoname/Around the Corner space, vacant for years and transformed now into an open dining room flanked by the kitchen and bar. Tables are generously spaced—Grable says not all have arrived yet—so the restaurant seats 60 for now. When the tables come, that will go up to 75; and when the liquor license is approved, there’ll be another 25 seats on the lanai in front.

Read ’s full story: https://www.honolulumagazine.com/lady-elaine/

I could give you my recipe for chocolate chip cookies, but I don’t believe that that is necessary. I honestly believe th...
12/18/2024

I could give you my recipe for chocolate chip cookies, but I don’t believe that that is necessary. I honestly believe that mine is no better than the hundreds of other cookie recipes on the Internet. As I said before, it’s just a list of ingredients. Instead, I’m going to give you the key steps that cookbooks don’t tell you, so you can use any recipe to make a superior cookie.

Tap our link in bio to get ’s six steps to a better chocolate chip cookie

Tis the week before Christmas, and we know you—yes, you—are still wracking your brain for that last gift for Auntie Food...
12/17/2024

Tis the week before Christmas, and we know you—yes, you—are still wracking your brain for that last gift for Auntie Foodie or the coworker who’s always chasing food trends. Or for your actual Advent Calendar. So here we are, with Part 5 of our five-part roundup of ‘onolicious local finds.

Tap our link in bio for the entire foodie advent calendar round up of gifts 🎁

opened in May in the center of Hale‘iwa town. A converted 1950s gas station with a yoga studio attached, this coffee-lo...
12/16/2024

opened in May in the center of Hale‘iwa town. A converted 1950s gas station with a yoga studio attached, this coffee-lovers haven has become a neighborhood gathering place. Their big focus is caring for the regulars, as they’ve been there since day one.

For the full story by , tap the link in our bio!

If you’re celebrating the holidays sans alcohol, partaking in dry January or just don’t drink, we suggest scrolling Sara...
12/13/2024

If you’re celebrating the holidays sans alcohol, partaking in dry January or just don’t drink, we suggest scrolling Sarah Stephens’ Instagram () for her exquisite mocktail recipes. The local mixologist has been sharing recipes for her tantalizing nonalcoholic sips, including these seasonal drinks, featuring some of her Mōhala Expressions handcrafted syrups, made from invasive plants, fruits and flowers foraged on O‘ahu.

More of her featured recipes in ’s story linked in our bio

Address

1088 Bishop Street
Honolulu, HI
96813

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Frolic Hawaii posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Frolic Hawaii:

Videos

Sometimes, the best meals are the ones that don’t cost a fortune. From @bettysburgershawaii ‘s filling Double Deluxe Cheeseburger to @feast808 ‘s crispy chicken and fries and Boston’s Pizza serving up huge, crunchy slices—these $10 eats have me coming back for more. Check our link in bio for all of @lucaskamata’s $10 eats.

A new gem has arrived at bustling Kapi‘olani Boulevard. Meet Mara Honolulu, a lively dinner spot with a New York vibe that highlights Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist. There’s plenty on the menu to love, but these dishes—a combination of local ingredients, earthy spices and impeccable attention to detail—are what have us coming back. From hand-cut pasta to fresh-from-the-hearth pita and so much more, read about the Best Bites at Mara, presented by @‌FirstHawaiianBank: honolulumagazine.com/best-bites-mara-honolulu-brings-the-all-the-bold-flavors-of-the-mediterranean/

Saying goodbye to a favorite restaurant is like saying goodbye to an old friend. Sadly, @easternparadise is closing for good on Sunday, Dec. 29. Congratulations to Steve and Chih-Kuo Lee on their well-deserved retirement.   Eastern Paradise is CLOSED TODAY as it usually is on Monday but will be OPEN every day through Sunday, including Christmas, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. to give people a chance to get their last meals. Call to make a reservation!   See the full story by @awlidays at our link in bio.   Share your favorite dishes or memories from the restaurant for the Lee family to see in the comments below.   #frolichawaii #honolulumagazine

It’s rare to find a chef that can make jewel-like temari sushi and artful nigiri on the same line as hearty plate lunches and ramen bowls, but Yoshimi Koizimi at @minatokukitchen can.   With the recent addition of dinner and happy hour service, with beer, sake and shochu, Minatoku Kitchen is an all-day haven for Japanese food.   #japanesefood #pauhana #sponsored

What you knew as the @hawaiiconventioncenter is now a world of lights and holiday cheer. @twas.honolulu is magical—it feels like stepping into a Christmas storybook. 🎅 But this isn’t just any holiday adventure, it’s filled with festive treats!   Full story by @lucaskamata at our link in bio.   #frolichawaii

The night market in the Pearlridge parking lot fronting TJ Maxx starts at 5 p.m., when the day is beginning to cool down. Live music acts interacting with the crowd, fairy lights strung on tents, and the smell of delicious food creates a lively atmosphere. One tip up front: Bring a few friends along. Why? Seating is limited, and this way one of you can save a spot at one of the tables while someone grabs food. So how did our $60 foodie date go? Watch the full episode linked in our bio! #frolichawaii #datenightmarket #nightmarket #datenight

An all-time classic gem on Kapiolani Boulevard, @yanagisushi is a haven for local Japanese food enthusiasts. From omakase sushi to kalbi short ribs and chawanmushi, HONOLULU Magazine’s 2024 Hale ‘Aina Gold winner for Best Sushi offers a diverse menu that caters to all tastes, making it a perfect spot for anyone to enjoy a satisfying meal. Here are our Best Bites to order at Yanagi, presented by @FirstHawaiianBank. Read the full story on Frolic Hawai‘i: bit.ly/3YAzArZ

You do not want to miss the @honolulurestaurantweek exclusive menu @elcielo_hawaii. All new, generously portioned four courses for only $48. Make your reservation—this is the last weekend for HONOLULU Restaurant Week.   Mahalo for having us!   #frolichawaii #elcielo #honolulurestaurantweek #hosted

Three meals under $10! Welcome to $10 Eats, my journey to find filling dishes you can savor without breaking the bank. Today, I’m taking you to three must-visit places not far from the UH-Mānoa campus. Where should I try next? Tap our link in bio for more details on @lucaskamata’s $10 Eats this week. #frolichawaii #10dollareats #cheap #cheapeats #hawaiifood #hawaiieats

Chicken wings stand out as a beloved classic in the vibrant scene of Puck’s Alley. I set out to explore two bars with two totally different approaches to wings. With this mission, I venture to @beerlabhi and @nona.hnl inside @rbsportsbar808, a.k.a Rock Bottoms, to see which spot delivers the better wing. 🍗 #frolichawaii #chickenwings #wings #pucksalley

A hidden gem located in ‘A‘ali‘i Shops in Ward, Cino has quickly become a favorite, offering a dining experience that seamlessly blends traditional Italian flavors with modern twists. With an array of fusion pasta dishes and locally sourced ingredients, the crudo-bar-meets-chophouse concept—which, this year, took home @honolulumag Hale ‘Aina Gold for Best New Restaurant—promises an explosion of flavors, thoughtfully placed in every dish. From the charred Spanish octopus to the indulgent osso bucco and flawless panna cotta, here’s a look at the best bites to order at Cino, presented by @FirstHawaiianBank. Read the full story online: https://www.honolulumagazine.com/best-bites-cino-blends-traditional-italian-with-modern-twists/

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Team

Frolic Hawaii's team of homegrown eaters, bloggers, photographers and editors covers the local food scene with passion and personality. We honor local: There's a special spot in our bellies for food that speaks to our souls. We'll eat anything, anywhere: Spam musubi, fried chicken, Kualoa oysters with the latest mignonette. We seek out what's delicious, new, quirky, exciting, hidden. And we don't mind a good drink along the way. Welcome to a world where food meets fun.