Aqua Cafe

This morning, Ambassador finally had breakfast IN Waikiki! Located a scenic stroll away from our hotel on Kuhio, Aqua Cafe welcomed us with smiles and great service. Not to mention delicious breakfast food. Thanks for the great suggestion, Scrappy Doo, on our Breakfast in Waikiki post! We really appreciate it!

Aqua Cafe has a simple menu of breakfast classics and local favorites, the most well-known being the Loco Moco: a Hawaii favorite of a ground beef patty and egg over rice with gravy. They also offer a variety of fruit to start the day of sweetly, so Ambassador decided to start off our breakfast experience with a half of tropical papaya.

We just HAD to order the Loco Moco, as recommended by Scrappy Doo, but also wanted strawberry pancakes. Let us say: no regrets on ordering both!

And can you blame us? The strawberry pancakes were light and fluffy, piled high with whipped cream, and we poured on the syrup. The loco moco was equally delicious and a well-rounded breakfast with starch, protein, and flavor. Boy, were we stuffed.


Aqua Cafe is located in the heart of Waikiki in the lower level of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. Stop by before a great day of shopping or check out their lunch and dinner services after a sunny beach outing! Check out the video below for more details.



Have you eaten at Aqua Cafe? If so, please share your experience with us. You can add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! And after you vote, stay tuned to hear the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner! Get your votes in to win! Get in on the discussion NOW here, Facebook, or Twitter!

Cafe Kaila

Ambassador had breakfast today at a small cafe located in Market City, Cafe Kaila. While Market City isn't technically located in Waikiki, the intriguing recommendation on our Breakfast in Waikiki post from Jazzybelle (thanks Jazzybelle, what a fantastic suggestion!) made us curious enough to break our loosely written rules. Cafe Kaila is only a five minute drive from Waikiki, anyway; a small price to pay for delicious breakfast served all day (though they offer lunch items later in the day as well).

It wasn't too crowded when we arrived but the staff still said they were too busy to tell us about the cafe (no video for this post, guys...so sorry!). But from our point of view, Cafe Kaila had a cute, intimate atmosphere that was light and cheerful, and we enjoyed sitting at our table for two.

It felt like a starch day, so we ordered the Belgian Malted Waffles with fruit on top. The waitress listed a wide variety of fruit options at $1 per fruit...so we picked all of them! The additional price was well worth it--as you can see, there was more fruit than there was waffle! Because of the caramelized apples, berries, and bananas, we didn't even need syrup or whipped cream, and we would call the waffle Belgian Malted Heaven.

Besides pancakes, waffles, and french toast, Cafe Kaila also has a wide variety of omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, and other options. We took a cup of joe with our meal, but you could also start off your day with an ice cream shake or hot chocolate. And if you aren't a morning person, feel free to stop by for lunch where they have a whole other menu (though breakfast will still be available!).

Have you tried breakfast at Cafe Kaila? If so, we want YOUR opinion!! We'd love to hear your feedback, especially since we don't have a video to show you. You can add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! And after you vote, stay tuned to hear the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner! Get your votes in to win! Get in on the discussion NOW here, Facebook, or Twitter!

Bogart's Cafe

For our first breakfast experience, Ambassador Waikiki took a trip to Bogart's Cafe, thanks to the awesome suggestion from Lawson on our breakfast post. Thanks a bunch, Lawson! Bogart's isn't necessarily in Waikiki, but it's extremely nearby (and in the same zipcode!) so we thought we'd give it a shot. What a great decision!

Bogart's is a very small cafe with a very large menu filled with breakfast classics like pancakes and eggs benedict to local fried rice, crepes, coffee, and more. As seen in the video below, some guide books call Bogart's the best breakfast on the island!

Lawson's suggestion mentioned vegetarian fried rice, so we decided to join the no-meat club and order it. While we normally play for the carnivorous team, this fried rice was still filled with flavor and we loved it! The extremely large portion included mushrooms, egg, spinach, and various spices to make it just as tasty as any other fried rice we've had.

Bogart's also offers a large selection of coffee drinks, and we tried a delicious Thai Coffee to accompany the fried rice. Perfect!


Bogart's is so close to Waikiki, you have to try it, and may want to try it more than once! With so many options on the menu, the choices are endless.



Have you eaten at Bogart's? If so, we want YOUR opinion on this breakfast cafe. You can add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! And after you vote, stay tuned to hear the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner! Get your votes in to win! Get in on the discussion NOW here, Facebook, or Twitter!

Burger Joint Winners!

Today is the big day where we reveal the winners of the Best Burger Joint!

Ambassador is proud to announce that Kua'aina Burgers received the most votes in our Best Burger Joint category! Congratulations! If you haven't tried a Kua'aina Burger yet, you DEFINITELY must!

And now we will pick a winner from our Ambassador hat...

Congratulations to ANDY! Thanks, Andy, for suggesting Honolulu Burger Co! We loved your input and would like to reward you with a $50 gift certificate to the iconic Top of Waikiki restaurant, located in the heart of Waikiki. Please email us your mailing address so we can send this to you to enjoy! info@ambassadorwaikiki.com

For those of you who did not win the prize drawing, we thank you for your votes and input! Be sure to get involved with our next category, Breakfast in Waikiki, for more chances to win great prizes!!

Breakfast in Waikiki

Who doesn't love a good stack of pancakes? Ambassador is on a new quest to find the best breakfast in Waikiki. Closeby and delicious, Best Breakfast in Waikiki will be a syrup-filled adventure to remember!

Do YOU have a favorite morning spot in Waikiki? LET US KNOW! Which breakfast joints should we give a try and let our guests know about? You can comment on our blog, Facebook, or drop us a tweet! And if you're just looking for an omelette or two, explore with us as we navigate our own backyard to find the best breakfast place around.

Either way, let us know what your favorite breakfast place is, and why, and as we post our comments and experiences, add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! You can suggest one place per category, as well as post one vote and/or comment per category (counting as two entries total) to enter into the prize drawing. At the end of each category we will announce the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner!

So join the discussion! It's breakfast with Ambassador!

Burgers On The Edge

Ambassador took a short trip to Burgers On The Edge today, from a Facebook suggestion by Crystal. (We really appreciate it, Crystal!) The location in Kapahulu was a mere 5 minute drive from us here in Waikiki, and there was a lot of parking and seating for everyone! The menu had a lot of different options, but the coolest thing was that you could seriously customize any kind of burger you wanted! From veggies to cheeses to types of protein (or none, if that's your thing), the options were endless. More details in the video below.

We picked a special written on the board, the King Arthur, a delicious combination of bacon, crispy onions, lettuce, garlic aioli, and mozzerella cheese (though we opted for American cheese instead). We also chose sweet potato fries, though there were also choices of truffle, bacon, chili cheese, and regular.

Locally owned, Burgers On The Edge has an award winning veggie burger, as well as an infamous kobe option that has its own Facebook page! So close to Waikiki, you know you want to try it!


If you haven't tried this joint yet, you need to get to Burgers On The Edge! We want your opinion on this unique burger joint. You can add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! And after you vote, stay tuned to hear the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner! The Best Burger Joint category will be closing THIS THURSDAY! Get your votes in to win! Get in on the discussion NOW here, Facebook, or Twitter!

Downbeat Diner

Ambassador headed to Chinatown today, thanks to a tip from Christina on Facebook, to eat at Downbeat Diner. You're the best, Christina!! Downbeat Diner isn't a burger joint, per se, as the menu includes everything from breakfast to dessert. But there were four delicious burger options to choose from, along with a variety of milkshake and french fry options.

The decor was pretty hip to us, with cement floors and iconic faces gracing the black, white, and red booths. Representative of the new Chinatown, Downbeat Diner has a great urban feel and some really friendly people.

We couldn't decide between the Teriyaki Burger and the Western Burger so we ordered both:

Western Burger at Downbeat Diner

The Western was loaded with BBQ sauce and bacon while the Teriyaki had (what else?) teriyaki sauce and caramelized onions. We tried the regular and Cajun fries.






Teriyaki Burger at Downbeat Diner


Thumbs up: 2
Because: We love teriyaki AND BBQ sauce, and the scrumptious burger tasted even better when we found out Downbeat Diner supports humanely treated cows! (As advertised in the video below.)

Downbeat Diner has a large menu that includes delicious burgers, but that doesn't mean they exclude vegetarians and vegans. Any of their burgers can be alternatively ordered for a vegatarian or vegan, and there are over 40 options on the menu for those who don't eat meat! Watch the video for more details on Downbeat Diner's love for all the herbivores out there. Did we mention they open till 4am on the weekends?



If you haven't ventured to Chinatown lately, you should go and check out Downbeat Diner! We want your take on this (not only) burger joint. Add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! And after you vote, stay tuned to hear the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner! Get in on the discussion NOW here, Facebook, or Twitter!

Honolulu Burger Co.

Thanks to the suggestion on Facebook from our friend Andy (thanks a bunch, Andy!), Ambassador headed to Honolulu Burger Co on Beretania today. The decor was simple but the menu was definitely unique with a wide variety of choices from local to gourmet. The small parking lot was full, but we were able to find metered parking down the street. Score!

The cashier said that Honolulu Burger Co is known for their Blue Hawaii Burger, equipped with blue cheese and bacon, so we ordered one along with some truffle fries. From white, wheat, and taro, we got our Blue Hawaii on taro bread and the burger medium rare. Custom perfection!




Ambassador says: "Hamburger Happiness!"
Why?: The tangy blue cheese and the sweet taro bun created a flavorful, gourmet experience!

Honolulu Burger Co is an advocate of buying local and organic products, as the owner of the joint shares in the video below. Fans like Andy and customers we met there praise the creativity and ingenuity of the menu - check out this burger joint to satisfy your taste buds' curiosity!

If you haven't already, you have to try Honolulu Burger Co! What's your take on this culinary creativity? Does it make your favorite burger list? If not, give us other suggestions! Add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! You can suggest one burger joint, as well as post one vote and/or comment (counting as two entries total) to enter into the prize drawing. And after you vote, stay tuned to hear the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner! Get in on the discussion NOW here, Facebook, or Twitter!

Teddy's Bigger Burgers

Today Ambassador took a trip to Teddy's Bigger Burgers on Beretania, thanks to the fantastic suggestions from our friends Kurt and Dara (you guys are the best!). Teddy's truly fits the definition of a "burger joint" with its 50's flare and groovy tunes, while its menu has a wide variety of local and classic favorites.

The manager, Amber, was so helpful when we arrived, and asked what kinds of flavors we liked. As teriyaki enthusiasts, we were advised to order the Kailua Style Specialty Burger: a classic teri burger with mushrooms, swiss cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, and tomatos.

Grade: A++
Comments: Teri burgers can get messy, but Teddy's is generous with the Wet Naps! The variety of flavors and textures in the Kailua Style burger were to-die-for. We definitely recommend!

Amber sold us on some delicious onion rings (though you could also choose regular, garlic, spicy, or cheese fries, or go Napoleon Dynamite with some tater tots--Ambassador tip, don't put them in your pocket) and we washed down the whole meal with a refreshing soda. Yum.

Teddy's has a number of locations besides Beretania, including one in Waikiki and even over seas in Japan and Washington. While Teddy's has gone international, however, its origins are in the aina (Hawaii) so we are proud to call it our own. Teddy's gives many discounts, including those to University of Hawaii students and military, and they even take phone orders so you don't have to wait in line! (Try 808-949-0050!) And Teddy's greatly values buying local, as shown in the video below.

If you haven't already, get down to Teddy's Bigger Burgers! We want your two cents on this old fashioned burger joint! Does Teddy's make your favorite burger? If not, give us other suggestions! Add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! You can suggest one burger joint, as well as post one vote and/or comment (counting as two entries total) to enter into the prize drawing. And after you vote, stay tuned to hear the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner! Get in on the discussion NOW here, Facebook, or Twitter!

Kua'Aina

Kua'Aina Burgers was Ambassador Waikiki's first stop in the Burger Joint category, thanks to the wonderful suggestion from Joycelyn via Facebook! You rock, Joycelyn!

For a burger joint, Kua'Aina has an extensive burger and sandwich menu, and they sell souvenirs as well! You can choose from a variety of burger and sandwich options and make any option your own by switching up the bread or adding extras like bacon, pineapple, or grilled peppers. If the plethora of sides, salads, and extras isn't enough, they even offer a BYOB option on the menu...free!

Both the cashier AND our friend Joycelyn recommended the avocado burger and fries, so we indeed ordered the avocado burger with fries!

Pros: delicious.

Cons: a rather tall order for the average mouth!

But if you're willing to open wide, the avacado paired perfectly with the skinny, salty fries, leaving Ambassador with a very happy tummy.

If you haven't tried a Kua'Aina burger yet... you definitely should! The main reason being, quoted from a Kua'Aina chef in the video below, each burger is made with Aloha, and without Aloha, burgers are a piece of crap! Kua'Aina has a convenient location in the Ward area and there is PLENTY of parking for everyone. There is both indoor and outdoor seating depending on your mood and the weather! There is also a location in Haleiwa.

Whether you're a Kua'Aina regular or just a first timer...we want to know your thoughts! Is Kua'Aina your favorite burger joint? If not, give us other suggestions! Add YOUR VOTES to be entered to win restaurant gift certificates and more! You can suggest one burger joint, as well as post one vote and/or comment (counting as two entries total) to enter into the prize drawing. And after you vote, stay tuned to hear the TWO WINNERS! The Ambassador's Pick and our prize winner! Get in on the discussion NOW here, Facebook, or Twitter!