{"id":17484,"date":"2014-09-30T09:00:38","date_gmt":"2014-09-30T16:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/?p=17484"},"modified":"2019-10-07T13:24:23","modified_gmt":"2019-10-07T20:24:23","slug":"gabys-guide-to-honolulu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/gabys-guide-to-honolulu\/","title":{"rendered":"Gaby’s Guide to Honolulu"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you asked me to describe my perfect girls getaway it would probably consist of the following\u2026. close friends, a healthy amount of Mai Tai\u2019s, plenty of glowy beach time, a daily dose of poke (marinated ahi tuna) and not a care in the world!! Sounds pretty incredible right? That’s exactly what’s in store for this edition of\u00a0Gaby’s Guide to Honolulu!<\/h2>\n

\"Gaby's<\/p>\n

A few weeks ago\u00a0I packed my bags\u00a0headed to O\u2018ahu for a long weekend\u00a0of relaxation and ALL THE FOOD.<\/p>\n

Before we get into my favorite parts of the trip you should probably understand one thing. I was\u00a0all about balance when it came to this vacay. I\u2019m not one to shy away from anything\u2026 so if there\u2019s a giant meal in my future, I’ll be\u00a0sure to get a hike or swim in beforehand. If there\u2019s a boozy brunch in the AM, you can bet there will be\u00a0some sightseeing or something active after recovering from food comas. It\u2019s really all about working off your meals and making sure you can still show up to the beach and feel great in your swim suit. That said\u2026 whether you’re girls tripping it, having a romantic weekend with your SO or heading out on family vacation…here\u2019s my guide to Oahu, Honolulu and a few key places you\u2019ve got to hit in the surrounding area!<\/p>\n

Where to Eat:<\/p>\n

The Pig and the Lady <\/a>\u2013 Here\u2019s the deal, China Town in Honolulu is a must. There are a few gems that you can\u2019t miss and this is one of them. With an eclectic Vietnamese menu you really can\u2019t go wrong any way you turn. But if it we\u2019re up to me\u2026 I\u2019d opt for the weekly Bahn Mi special. YES!!<\/p>\n

\"Bahn<\/p>\n

The Manifest<\/a> \u2013 While we didn\u2019t get to spend a ton of time in China Town, we did hit up The Manifest for a few cocktails. It\u2019s a fun little bar with plenty of locals and great people watching if that\u2019s your thing!!<\/p>\n

Lappert\u2019s<\/a> \u2013 I mean, have you known me to ever pass up an opportunity to eat ice cream? I think not. Lappert\u2019s is famous on the island and it lives up to its reputation 100%. Trust me when I tell you\u2026 Coconut Pineapple ice cream. Done and done.<\/p>\n

Lunch Box Kitchen<\/a> \u2013 while we didn\u2019t make it to the brick and mortar location, we did sample plenty of eats at the Hawaii Food and Wine festival from Lunch Box Kitchen and here\u2019s the deal\u2026 it was the best bite of the entire event. A trip to the actual restaurant is a must.<\/p>\n

Liliha Bakery<\/a> \u2013 I mean, what\u2019s a food focused girls trip without the occasional indulgence right? Liliha Bakery, home to the best cocoa puffs on the island was basically a one-stop shop of the most epic sugar fix. Their cocoa puffs are chocolate-filled puffed pastries that seriously rival anything I made in pastry school.<\/p>\n

\"Malasadas<\/p>\n

Leonard\u2019s Bakery<\/a> \u2013 while we\u2019re on the topic of sweets, we\u2019ve got to talk about malasadas. Malasadas are a Portuguese doughnut without a hole and they are majorly famous from Leonard\u2019s Bakery kitchen. Basically fried dough dusted with sugar. I mean, what more can I say. It\u2019s basically what dreams are made of.<\/p>\n

\"Malasadas<\/p>\n

Fresh Catch<\/a> \u2013 okay at first glance you might be all like, whaaaaat? Why is Gaby sending us to what looks like a Taco Bell-ish restaurant. Well, let me tell you. Looks can be deceiving!! It\u2019s the most epic \u201cfast food\u201d joint on the island and it\u2019s made up of all sorts of Poke Bowls. What? Incredible. Various marinated ahi tuna with different spices, dressings etc, and then piled high on top of a mound of rice. You could have left me here for hours and I would have been content.<\/p>\n

Town Restaurant<\/a> + Superette<\/a> \u2013 another perk to traveling with Aida, especially to O\u2019ahu, is that she knows a ton of locals\u2026 and what\u2019s even better than locals\u2026. locals who are incredible chefs. Boom. Done. We hit up Town Restaurant + Superette, located just across the street from one another for 2 insanely delicious meals. Town has an Italian flair to it and Superette is a very vegetable focused lunch stop that is so instagram worthy I can\u2019t even handle it!! Go to both. Trust me.<\/p>\n

\"Superette<\/p>\n

Duke\u2019s Restaurant and Barefoot Bar<\/a> \u2013 I mean, it\u2019s the home of the Mai Tai!! And it\u2019s 100% mandatory for a cocktail sometime during your trip!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Sweet Home Waimanalo<\/a> \u2013 perhaps my favorite meal of the entire trip! Just a hop skip and a jump 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\u2019s Gaby Cooking heaven!<\/p>\n

\"Ahi<\/p>\n

Also! A few places of note that I didn\u2019t make it to but had killer reviews from all the locals\u2026 Koko Head Caf\u00e9 \/\/ Diamond Head Market + Grill<\/p>\n

What to Do:<\/p>\n

Wild Side Specialty Tours<\/a> \u2013 it\u2019s a must. I finally conquered my fear of the open ocean and hopped in for a swim with dolphins and sea turtles. Our caption for the day was epic and we frolicked with dolphins for a solid 90 minutes before moving on to dive with sea turtles. For someone who is convinced they are going to encounter a great white shark upon entering the ocean, I certainly was over that by the end of the day!<\/p>\n

\"Gaby's \"Wild<\/p>\n

Outrigger Canoe<\/a> – Faith Surf School has hands down 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! It’s kinda mind boggling to think that people used to travel from island to island on these things – it’s some serious hard work!! But it’s all worth it when you catch a wave and ride into shore looking like a pro!<\/p>\n

KCC Farmers Market<\/a> \u2013 okay here\u2019s the deal. It\u2019s the most famous farmers market on the island and it\u2019s an absolute must visit, but be warned\u2026 it\u2019s a mob scene. Go early to try and avoid 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 8:45 in the morning seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to do!<\/p>\n

\"KCC \"KCC<\/p>\n

Makapu’u Lighthouse Hike<\/a> \u2013 one of the most gorgeous vistas that I got to experience on this trip was at the top of the Makapu’u hike. It\u2019s not crazy hard by any means so it\u2019s 100% family friendly!<\/p>\n

\"Gaby's \"Makapu'u \"Makapu'u \"Makapu'u<\/p>\n

Kualoa Tours<\/a> \u2013 I mean, who wouldn\u2019t want to cruise around Kualoa Ranch and pretend they are in Jurassic Park or Lost. It\u2019s one of the most gorgeous parks on the island and you can opt for a horseback ride tour or an ATV expedition. I vote horseback riding because then you feel like you could legit be in a movie ☺<\/p>\n

\"Kualoa<\/p>\n

\"Kualoa \"Kualoa \"Kualoa \"Kualoa \"Kualoa<\/p>\n

Waimanalo Beach \u2013 Some of the beaches on O\u2018ahu are packed\u2026 but not Waimanalo Beach! It\u2019s pretty much the most perfect beach with white sand, aqua water and enough space to set up shop for the day under some palm trees and relax with friends.<\/p>\n

\"Waimanalo \"Waimanalo<\/p>\n

Where to Stay:
\nThe Modern<\/a> \u2013 you know me, I\u2019m all about a fun swanky hotel and The Modern Honolulu is just that. Located just a bit off the main drag, it\u2019s a super chic hotel with an epic pool that looks out over the harbor. It was also home to the Food and Wine Festival which as you guys know, is one of my favorite excuses to eat mini bites from 20 restaurants in one evening \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

\"Gaby's<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Royal Hawaiian Hotel<\/a> \u2013 if you\u2019re feeling extra fancy, I\u2019d probably suggest The Royal Hawaiian. It\u2019s got that old school Hawaiian glamour with all the modern luxuries you\u2019d want! It\u2019s pretty much a pink palace right on the island and you\u2019ll never want to leave!<\/p>\n

\"Sunset<\/p>\n

This trip we didn\u2019t make it over to the North Shore\u2026 but you can bet I\u2019ll be back for another girls adventure!<\/p>\n

A major Aloha to\u00a0O\u2018ahu Visitors Bureau<\/a>\u00a0for making this such an incredible experience!! Thank you to Hawaiian Airlines<\/a> for such lovely flights and to The Outrigger<\/a> for putting us up. I can’t wait to return someday soon!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you asked me to describe my perfect girls getaway it would probably consist of the following\u2026. close friends, a healthy amount of Mai Tai\u2019s, plenty of glowy beach time, a daily dose of poke (marinated ahi tuna) and not a care in the world!! Sounds pretty incredible right? That’s exactly what’s in store for […]<\/p>\n

Read More… from Gaby’s Guide to Honolulu<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17524,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[8462,4565,1278,17],"tags":[4339,4340,4341,4331,4332,4333,4334,4335,4336,4337,4338],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cdn.whatsgabycooking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/GA9A7109.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17484"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17484"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37683,"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17484\/revisions\/37683"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.afterhoursagency.com\/wgc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}