From a distant past with pineapple and sugar cane plantations, many immigrants came to Hawaii, especially from Asia, and in Honolulu you see that everywhere. For a fascinating look at 'little Japan' you would do well to plop down for an afternoon at the wooden picnic tables next to the Japanese superstore Don Quixote. Not only a fascinating place to watch people and imagine yourself in Japan, you can also eat well for a very reasonable price at numerous small eateries next to the superstore. Think street food, noodles, food trucks and small dishes, from Thai curry to Vietnamese spring rolls and Japanese wagyu steak. If you can handle a multitude of colors, screaming labels, chaotic store layout and masses of people, then definitely go to Don Quijote; a household name in both Tokyo and Honolulu and almost an attraction.

Don't be put off by the menu that offers both Vietnamese and Italian dishes. I also thought 'huh' at first but the food is really good, the service is enthusiastic and you can choose between sitting inside or outside in the cozy courtyard. It is expensive, so you have been warned.

Thursday

A tourist attraction for years. Just like Fête, you have to make a reservation days in advance, otherwise you'll be waiting for hours. The only one who can sit down without knocking is former President Barack Obama, and he's a regular there (he has a house on Oahu and was born here, that's why). The Asian menu mainly features pho and other noodle dishes. 

The Pig and the Lady

You might not immediately think of high tea, but China is of course a tea country par excellence and this drink is served at this picturesque address from grandmother's collection of pots and cups. Cakes, small sandwiches and other delicacies are served as small gifts. The interior alone is worth a visit. Only to be visited by appointment by booking in advance.

Tea at 1024

This is the place to be, this is the place to be. The hip & happening bar with club vibes, a DJ and a dark ambiance looks like a flower shop from the street, and indeed, when you enter you can actually find a lei (necklace of fresh flowers), but you are not obliged to do so. You do need to make a reservation. Suitable for a night out, drinking cocktails at the bar or a small (bar) snack; do not go here for a good conversation because the music does not allow for that.

The Lei Stand

In Chinatown you will find a wide variety of pubs; from Irish pubs such as Murphy's (lovely brown pub atmosphere) and Black Shamrock Tavern (historic building) to the oldest bar on the island, Smith's Union Bar. And the bar with the oldest men: Hanks. But also old-fashioned pubs that have been given a new look, such as Smiths & Kings. In addition to bar snacks and beer, you can also play numerous card and board games to your heart's content all evening, as befits a good pub. Not so much a pub but a restaurant with a cozy pub vibe and a long bar with the possibility to also eat deliciously at that bar. livestock Tavern:.

If you're staying near Waikiki and are mainly looking for a place where you can enjoy the view while you eat and drink, go to Monkeypod Waikiki, or to House without a Key (live music and hula dancing every night, AND Hemingway once had his own table there). This open-air restaurant by the sea is part of the very chic and Japanese-oriented Halekulani hotel, but non-guests are also welcome in the various restaurants and bars. Especially a must if you like jazz and blues music and a speak-easy ambiance: Lewers Lounge. Here, an aging local diva, Maggie Herron, sings her heart out every Friday and Saturday. There is a dress code; men wear a collar, no flip-flops.

Of course, in a touristy place like Hawaii you will find visitors everywhere, but there are places where you will mainly find locals, such as one of my absolute favorites Merriman's in Honolulu. Great food, always live music in the afternoon/evening, large terrace outside, authentic interior, local products on the menu and happy hour every day from 15-17 pm. Try their variation on the Mai Tai cocktail, mmmmm. If you go to the trendy Ka'kaako neighborhood, you will not only find many boutiques and murals there, but also the cozy SALT, a gathering place for eateries, bars and terraces. My favorite here is Moku, but also try the local cuisine at Highway InnIn touristy Waikiki you will find plenty of locals at Zigga, a small eatery with a private patio where you feel like you are off the beaten track.