amazing sake selection and great variety of small plates ... This place is a Honolulu institution - came here for the first time over 30years ago... New owners but same great value and local vibe.
Jamie
Izakaya is our family favorite Sunday night restaurant. The staff is always so friendly and welcoming we feel like family. I love that you can make reservations on Open Table and ask for special requests. The menu is perfect for our family who ranges from meat eaters to vegetarian. We all can find something to order, and be sure to check out their specials. My favorite right now is their tofu katsu and moi! They have 2 private rooms that are great for bigger families and small parties. If you live in Kapahulu you should know of Izakaya Nonbei already.
J
We had a private room upstairs, perfect for our party of 11. Always excellent service and food. Favorites are the Karei karaage and wafu steak
Tracy
Years since I've been here but still a favorite. Tataki is as good as I remember. Sashimi very fresh and tasty. Even salad is great here. I'll be back soon.
Kaleiola
Izakaya Nonbei is my go-to any time I find myself in Kapahulu. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the food is delicious.
Calvin Lew
I check in 40 mins early but advise them I can return if they cannot accommodate me early. Nonbei is nearly empty. Girls checks me in and gives my party the very worst table in the house 2 ft from the entry door. We see several other tables away from the door plus we see there’s an upstairs as well. Girl checks upstairs and returns telling me I can’t have a table up there because they are for reservations only! What a slap in the face since we tell them we have a reservation! She takes us upstairs and it’s nearly empty! They give us menus and within 90 seconds, the same woman comes back and asks if we’re ready to order, rushing us to do that! We flustered through their several page menu and order including our drinks! This kind of disrespectful treatment goes on and on! Not only don’t we get the food we ordered first, dishes slowly come one at a time! We remind them of the appetizer we ordered and they tell us it’s on the way. This went on two more times over the hour! We ordered two of another appetizer, they come back 10 mins later with just one! Tells us this is just the first one! The second never ever comes! Another entree of tempura never comes after 90 mins! We cancel the food that never comes, ask for the bill, and they have double charged on another item we got but didn’t order two! We had to have them adjust the bill twice! The food we actually got was good but the service was so wonky disappointing, it made the dining experience just horrible. Sadly this was a strong recommendation from a general manager of another large successful restaurant in the heart of Waikiki. We told them about the bad experience and they were embarrassed for giving us the strong recommendation. We don’t recommend this place to anyone!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Calvin
I check in 40 mins early but advise them I can return if they cannot accommodate me early. Nonbei is nearly empty. Girls checks me in and gives my party the very worst table in the house 2 ft from the entry door. We see several other tables away from the door plus we see there's an upstairs as well. Girl checks upstairs and returns telling me I can't have a table up there because they are for reservations only! What a slap in the face since we tell them we have a reservation! She takes us upstairs and it's nearly empty! They give us menus and within 90 seconds, the same woman comes back and asks if we're ready to order, rushing us to do that! We flustered through their several page menu and order including our drinks! This kind of disrespectful treatment goes on and on! Not only don't we get the food we ordered first, dishes slowly come one at a time! We remind them of the appetizer we ordered and they tell us it's on the way. This went on two more times over the hour! We ordered two of another appetizer, they come back 10 mins later with just one! Tells us this is just the first one! The second never ever comes! Another entree of tempura never comes after 90 mins! We cancel the food that never comes, ask for the bill, and they have double charged on another item we got but didn't order two! We had to have them adjust the bill twice! The food we actually got was good but the service was so wonky disappointing, it made the dining experience just horrible. Sadly this was a strong recommendation from a general manager of another large successful restaurant in the heart of Waikiki. He had recently brought in the corporate executives from head office in Seattle. We told them about the bad experience and they were embarrassed for giving us the strong recommendation. We don't recommend this place to anyone!
Brian
The team always takes care of our family when we visit. Service is always friendly, the food comes out fast, and Bobby is the best. Mahalo again for always being awesome!
Roy
Some items were done well such as tempura. Others were not. Yakitori had burnt spots, meaning black and left unpleasant aftertaste. The staff was first rate.
Russell
Came in for short trip and made dinner reservations on 12/29. It was a combination of a neighborhood comfort food place and a high end omakase restaurant! I have never seen as wide a variety of foods on one menu in my life. I had saba shioyaki and the maguro mori combo which was 9 pieces of maguro. My wife had the crab avocado salad and chicken karage. There was a wide assortment of foods available and I wish I could've ordered more but I vowed to come back to taste more of the menu in two months when I return.
We ordered yakitori and it was burnt. I lost wallet must have been left there. When we called, owner said it's not here but not sympathetic. We went to restaurant next day, he was not really helping us. He goes “I told you we didn't see it” but can't he be a little nicer? I think he is an owner. Not nice is my impression.
Gwendolyn
We love dining at Izakaya Nonbei. My favorite is the Deep-Fried Flounder. The service was excellent. I enjoyed my complimentary Birthday slice of cheesecake. 5 of us dined. We also ordered Karei Karaage, Hamachi Kama (M), Chicken Katsu, Tonkatsu, Chirashi, Omakase Nigiri, Dragon Roll, Yakimusubi, Steamed Rice, Strawberry Dream and Kinako Mochi. All were outstanding and delicious. The presentation was so nice too.
Joel Dazey (Joel)
Good service, some surprisingly large portions, and excellent quality.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danica
It was our first time at this restaurant - we loved the friendly service and food was excellent!
Josiah Dykstra
A short drive or ride from the tourist areas and well worth the trip. Amazing sushi in a relaxed and friendly setting. Get off Waikiki Beach!
amazing sake selection and great variety of small plates ... This place is a Honolulu institution - came here for the first time over 30years ago... New owners but same great value and local vibe.
Izakaya is our family favorite Sunday night restaurant. The staff is always so friendly and welcoming we feel like family. I love that you can make reservations on Open Table and ask for special requests. The menu is perfect for our family who ranges from meat eaters to vegetarian. We all can find something to order, and be sure to check out their specials. My favorite right now is their tofu katsu and moi! They have 2 private rooms that are great for bigger families and small parties. If you live in Kapahulu you should know of Izakaya Nonbei already.
We had a private room upstairs, perfect for our party of 11. Always excellent service and food. Favorites are the Karei karaage and wafu steak
Years since I've been here but still a favorite. Tataki is as good as I remember. Sashimi very fresh and tasty. Even salad is great here. I'll be back soon.
Izakaya Nonbei is my go-to any time I find myself in Kapahulu. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the food is delicious.
I check in 40 mins early but advise them I can return if they cannot accommodate me early. Nonbei is nearly empty. Girls checks me in and gives my party the very worst table in the house 2 ft from the entry door. We see several other tables away from the door plus we see there’s an upstairs as well. Girl checks upstairs and returns telling me I can’t have a table up there because they are for reservations only! What a slap in the face since we tell them we have a reservation! She takes us upstairs and it’s nearly empty!
They give us menus and within 90 seconds, the same woman comes back and asks if we’re ready to order, rushing us to do that!
We flustered through their several page menu and order including our drinks!
This kind of disrespectful treatment goes on and on! Not only don’t we get the food we ordered first, dishes slowly come one at a time! We remind them of the appetizer we ordered and they tell us it’s on the way. This went on two more times over the hour!
We ordered two of another appetizer, they come back 10 mins later with just one! Tells us this is just the first one! The second never ever comes! Another entree of tempura never comes after 90 mins!
We cancel the food that never comes, ask for the bill, and they have double charged on another item we got but didn’t order two!
We had to have them adjust the bill twice!
The food we actually got was good but the service was so wonky disappointing, it made the dining experience just horrible.
Sadly this was a strong recommendation from a general manager of another large successful restaurant in the heart of Waikiki. We told them about the bad experience and they were embarrassed for giving us the strong recommendation.
We don’t recommend this place to anyone!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
I check in 40 mins early but advise them I can return if they cannot accommodate me early. Nonbei is nearly empty. Girls checks me in and gives my party the very worst table in the house 2 ft from the entry door. We see several other tables away from the door plus we see there's an upstairs as well. Girl checks upstairs and returns telling me I can't have a table up there because they are for reservations only! What a slap in the face since we tell them we have a reservation! She takes us upstairs and it's nearly empty! They give us menus and within 90 seconds, the same woman comes back and asks if we're ready to order, rushing us to do that! We flustered through their several page menu and order including our drinks! This kind of disrespectful treatment goes on and on! Not only don't we get the food we ordered first, dishes slowly come one at a time! We remind them of the appetizer we ordered and they tell us it's on the way. This went on two more times over the hour! We ordered two of another appetizer, they come back 10 mins later with just one! Tells us this is just the first one! The second never ever comes! Another entree of tempura never comes after 90 mins! We cancel the food that never comes, ask for the bill, and they have double charged on another item we got but didn't order two! We had to have them adjust the bill twice! The food we actually got was good but the service was so wonky disappointing, it made the dining experience just horrible. Sadly this was a strong recommendation from a general manager of another large successful restaurant in the heart of Waikiki. He had recently brought in the corporate executives from head office in Seattle. We told them about the bad experience and they were embarrassed for giving us the strong recommendation. We don't recommend this place to anyone!
The team always takes care of our family when we visit. Service is always friendly, the food comes out fast, and Bobby is the best. Mahalo again for always being awesome!
Some items were done well such as tempura. Others were not. Yakitori had burnt spots, meaning black and left unpleasant aftertaste. The staff was first rate.
Came in for short trip and made dinner reservations on 12/29. It was a combination of a neighborhood comfort food place and a high end omakase restaurant! I have never seen as wide a variety of foods on one menu in my life. I had saba shioyaki and the maguro mori combo which was 9 pieces of maguro. My wife had the crab avocado salad and chicken karage. There was a wide assortment of foods available and I wish I could've ordered more but I vowed to come back to taste more of the menu in two months when I return.
Restaurantji Recommends
We ordered yakitori and it was burnt. I lost wallet must have been left there. When we called, owner said it's not here but not sympathetic. We went to restaurant next day, he was not really helping us. He goes “I told you we didn't see it” but can't he be a little nicer? I think he is an owner. Not nice is my impression.
We love dining at Izakaya Nonbei. My favorite is the Deep-Fried Flounder. The service was excellent. I enjoyed my complimentary Birthday slice of cheesecake. 5 of us dined. We also ordered Karei Karaage, Hamachi Kama (M), Chicken Katsu, Tonkatsu, Chirashi, Omakase Nigiri, Dragon Roll, Yakimusubi, Steamed Rice, Strawberry Dream and Kinako Mochi. All were outstanding and delicious. The presentation was so nice too.
Good service, some surprisingly large portions, and excellent quality.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was our first time at this restaurant - we loved the friendly service and food was excellent!
A short drive or ride from the tourist areas and well worth the trip. Amazing sushi in a relaxed and friendly setting. Get off Waikiki Beach!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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