ZIGU
A chic Waikiki izakaya celebrating local ingredients with creative Japanese dishes, sushi, and a full sake bar.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
ZIGU
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A chic Waikiki izakaya celebrating local ingredients with creative Japanese dishes, sushi, and a full sake bar.
"The best Japanese restaurant we have tried in Waikiki! Everything was sooooo good!"
Try the Kale Udon
Savor the unique emerald-green kale udon with Japanese pesto and watercress for a burst of flavor.
Be Patient with Service
Small kitchen size may lead to staggered dish arrival. Enjoy the ambiance while you wait.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese Izakaya
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Fresh, Locally Sourced Japanese Izakaya
Experience authentic Japanese izakaya cuisine with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy creative dishes, sushi, and a full sake bar.
Emerald-Green Kale Udon Noodles
A unique and flavorful dish featuring house-made kale udon noodles tossed with a Japanese-inspired pesto and local watercress.
Hawaiian Ahi Cutlet
Crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, this ahi cutlet is a standout dish, highlighting local tuna.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Kale Udon
Savor the unique emerald-green kale udon with Japanese pesto and watercress for a burst of flavor.
Be Patient with Service
Small kitchen size may lead to staggered dish arrival. Enjoy the ambiance while you wait.
Ask for Recommendations
Staff and owners offer excellent advice on sake pairings and menu favorites.
Vibrant Happy Hour
Enjoy the lively atmosphere and great deals on the courtyard terrace during happy hour.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Kale Udon
Savor the unique emerald-green kale udon with Japanese pesto and watercress for a burst of flavor.
Be Patient with Service
Small kitchen size may lead to staggered dish arrival. Enjoy the ambiance while you wait.
Ask for Recommendations
Staff and owners offer excellent advice on sake pairings and menu favorites.
Vibrant Happy Hour
Enjoy the lively atmosphere and great deals on the courtyard terrace during happy hour.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
ZIGU garners praise for its incredibly fresh fish and creative Japanese izakaya dishes, with many highlighting the exceptional tuna and tempura mushrooms. Diners also appreciate the chic atmosphere and attentive service, though some mention that special dishes might not always impress as much as the core sushi and sashimi offerings.
"I think this is a fantastic restaurant with delicious food, great service, and reasonable prices for Honolulu! Everything we ordered was flavorful, especially the tuna, which was high quality. The tempura mushroom was outstanding—one of the best I’ve ever had—large, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The sushi was decent, but the other dishes stood out even more. Overall, a great dining experience!"
Lila C
"The fishes were very fresh and good. Not super impressed with the special dishes and the cucumber salad. Overall it’s pretty good sushi place and I think their sushi/ sashimi special dish would be my suggestion since all the fishes we ordered were good. And their servers were really nice and exhausted, we had great time there"
Tommy Tang
"Upon arriving we were greeted with a warm welcome from the entire restaurant staff. Our waiter, Garrett, was amazing. Offered great food recommendations, great service, and better conversation. The food was excellent, some of the best sushi we’ve had. We were also fortunate to try a few items on their Osaka Festival menu. Zigu was a great experience and I would recommend it to anybody."
Zach Weber
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
ZIGU is known for its authentic Japanese izakaya cuisine, fresh, locally sourced ingredients, creative dishes like the kale udon, and a wide selection of sake.
Yes, ZIGU offers high-quality sushi and sashimi options, with many reviews praising the freshness of the fish.
ZIGU has a chic indoor/outdoor setting with a full sake bar, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, especially during happy hour.
While not explicitly stated, reservations are generally recommended for popular restaurants, especially for dinner.
Don't miss the emerald-green kale udon noodles with Japanese pesto, or the Hawaiian Ahi Cutlet.
Yes, ZIGU has a vibrant happy hour, particularly enjoyable on their courtyard terrace seating.
Absolutely! The waitstaff and owners are known for providing excellent recommendations for both food and sake pairings.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The 11 Best Vegetarian and Vegan Dishes on O‘ahu Right Now
We first got the tip about Zigu’s emerald-green noodles from a friend whose reasons for living include pork belly and deep-fried chicken skin. Cool, bouncy strands of house-made kale udon are tossed with a Japanese-inspired pesto that balances the deep nuttiness of roasted macadamias with katsuobushi dashi and a sprightly hint of rice vinegar. Add in the peppery crunch of fresh watercress and this becomes a must-order at Waikīkī’s modern locavore izakaya, every time.
Top Rated Waikiki Restaurants - Worth the Experience
Zigu is a contemporary hip indoor/outdoor Japanese restaurant located not far from the main strip towards the Ala Wai Canal. They stress using only cooking with fresh ingredients to make a big impact on the flavors of their dishes. The menu is extensive with lots of choices from traditional sushi entrees to some inspiring noodle dishes to ono creative entrées that might stump you when ordering.
The 15 Best Restaurants in Oahu (Our Favorites in 2025)
If you love Japanese food but want a slightly more laid-back atmosphere, check out ZIGU. It still presents as chic but is a little more easygoing than places like Morimoto and Sushi Sho. There’s a full bar and a courtyard, where happy hour is vibrant, adding to its friendly, fun, and welcoming appeal.
Honolulu Happy Hours – Best Places to Drink, Dine & Unwind
ZIGU offers a unique twist on Japanese izakaya dining with a strong commitment to locally sourced ingredients. Tucked into a charming space in Waikiki, it’s perfect for a low-key happy hour with elevated bites and a deep sake list.
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in the Honolulu Area by Diners
- Rating: 4.4/5 (795 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 413 Seaside Ave. Ste 1F Honolulu, Hawaii - Categories: Seafood, Izakaya, Sushi Bars- Read more on Yelp. You may also like:Highest-rated restaurants in Honolulu by diners
Best Dinner in Waikīk
The menu features vegetable starters, tempura plates, mochiko fried chicken, sashimi and nigiri, kale udon noodles, and more. It’s also a sake bar, and offers indoor dining and outdoor courtyard terrace seating.
Local Restaurants | Shoreline Hotel Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu
New Japanese izakaya-style restaurant serving only locally sourced ingredients is located less than one block from Shoreline Hotel Waikiki. Did we mention they have a full sake bar?
Where to Find the Best Happy Hours in Waikiki
Enjoy award-winning Japanese cuisine using local ingredients. Try Daily Mix Poke, Mochiko Fried Chicken, or Assorted Tempura with sake or whiskey.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit