Vacationing in Hawaii can be a wonderful and culturally-rich experience when it comes to food. Wether you are from Australia or haven’t quite made that jump across the Pacific, here’s the top three must-eats that Honolulu has to offer.
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ARVO
With two of the owners originally from Australia, you can’t get much more authentic. If you didn’t know, the word Arvo is actually Aussie slang for “afternoon”This new Honolulu coffeeshop, located in Kakaako is a charming cup of coffee in the midst of the hip new developments of Honolulu. They serve classics like a long black, a style of coffee where a double-shot of espresso or ristretto is poured over hot water. They also serve the Australian spread “Vegemite” which you can eat quickly on a bite of toast or combo with avocado. So de-lish!
The baristas there are charming as well in this little cafe tucked inside a cute co-op style space with Piko, a flower and succulent shop.
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 675 Auahi St., inside Paiko Hawaii, one-hour validated parking provided.
More info and directions to ARVO -
Bills Sydney
Every Bill Granger restaurant reflects the spirit we like to think of as ‘Australian’: sunny, easy-going and generous.Bill opened his first restaurant in Sydney’s Darlinghurst at the age of 24. It soon became famous for the best scrambled eggs and hotcakes in town, served at the now much-copied communal table, where locals and travellers, families and celebrities thrived on the unique atmosphere. Twenty years later, Bill’s relaxed, friendly and oh-so-Australian approach to dining has become truly global.
His infectious joy in good, fresh food offers a genuinely warm welcome to everyone, from Seoul to Honolulu, from London to Tokyo: business suits and swimsuits, prams and backpacks, high chairs and comfy chairs…
“I only open where I’m inspired. Something about the place needs to speak to me and the relaxed island vibe of Honolulu was the perfect fit. Downstairs we’ve created the ultimate beach bar, where people can stroll in straight from the sand, while huge skylights bathe the upstairs dining restaurant in sunshine. The menu is inspired by the local tropical produce and a fusion of Vietnamese, Japanese and indigenous cuisines (with a bit of Brooklyn and Portland thrown in). We’re also serving all the bills classics and, something new for us, pizzas.”
Even if you’re familiar with Bills Sydney, Honolulu’s menu is Hawaii-inspired meaning you can have house kim chee on fried brown rice for breakfast if you’re craving it. Or if you rather stick with the Down Under theme, then go “full aussie” with their entree of the same name: scrambled organic eggs, sourdough toast, cumin roast tomato, bacon, miso mushrooms, pork and fennel sausage. Unlike the previous two places, you could return here for all three meals—breakfast, lunch and dinner (Bills does pizza now, a first for the brand)—if you wanted.
Daily, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 280 Beach Walk, (808) 922-1500, billshawaii.com.
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Tucker & Bevvy
Tucker and Bevvy is Aussie slang for “food and drink.”Tucker and Bevvy Picnic was founded in 2013 on the shores of Waikiki beach. The brain-child of Tony Sargent and Cecily Ho Sargent, Tucker and Bevvy reflects the decades of experience the couple gained owning and managing successful restaurants in Sydney Australia, prior to relocating back to Cecily’s hometown of Honolulu.
One of the most popular breakfast dishes here is the Tim Tam waffle, a toasty, Belgian waffle topped with maple syrup, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and, of course, Australia’s malted biscuit, the Tim Tam. The avocado toast packed with homemade dukkah is a must.
Australia’s locals may be familiar with this kitchen’s brunch fare. The chef and owners spent nearly two decades living in the beach-y Sydney suburb of Manly cooking up meals for the area’s residents and visitors before moving back to Hawaii.
Daily, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 449 Kapahulu Ave, (808) 732-0050, tuckerandbevvy.com.
This list was first found on Hawaii Magazine, you can read the original here