Lychee
2490 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu
(808) 294-4108
Recent Reviews
Sort by
Atmosphere: {{ item.info.Atmosphere }}
Food: {{ item.info.Food }}
Service: {{ item.info.Service }}
Recommended dishes: {{ item.info['Recommended dishes'] }}
Please avoid. It is not even close to worth $90 per person. The prime rib was somehow over cooked and literally cold. I feel like I have been scammed.
We have gone here before, I believe it was for there Thanksgiving buffet. This time the food. selection wasn't as much. Also, the tables nest to us and around were extremely close. A little to close considering COVID.
Honestly, I kind of lost my appetite after overthinking how they were good enough to wear gloves to handle the meat, but then grabbed your plate with the same gloved hands putting the raw meat juice on your plate. And, therefore also, touching the dirty German surface of everybody's plates after they had been touching them and going back to touch the meat they served. The buffet was mediocre, like a tiny mini Vegas buffet, but three times the price. Was the only place with reservations available the week before Thanksgiving, so made due and appreciative for the Open Table. One may say greatful.
Honestly, I kind of lost my appetite after overthinking how they were good enough to wear gloves to handle the meat, but then grabbed your plate with the same gloved hands putting the raw meat juice on your plate. And, therefore also, touching the dirty German surface of everybody's plates after they had been touching them and going back to touch the meat they served. The buffet was mediocre, like a tiny mini Vegas buffet, but three times the price. Was the only place with reservations available the week before Thanksgiving, so made due and appreciative for the Open Table. One may say greatful.
Buffet dining area was too crowded. Tables were small and crowded to fit 6 adults. Food was mediocre. For the price we paid for Thanksgiving dinner, it was a disappointment. Cooked mix vegetables were well done, almost mushy, Mahi Mahi was not fresh and overcooked. Turkey was overcooked. Mash potatoes were hard, over heated. The only thing going for the Thanksgiving buffet was the salads, charcuterie and dessert...even the coffee was terrible. Thought we were drinking hot water instead of coffee. The service was slow. We had to wait forever for the bussers to clear our table, get us more utensils and drinks. I think Lychee tried to stuff as many people in a room as they could. It was loud, crowded and very unpleasant dining experience. Plus the fire alarm kept going off.
Food was tasty, selection was okay; maybe they needed to be sure they had enough roast beef for everyone because just when it was my turn to get my slice, they cut the roast in half so I only got half a slice instead of the usual big slice. I appreciate the staff - they were hustling and making sure everyone got their drinks, the buffet was always replenished, tables were cleaned and turned over quickly for the next guests. I was disappointed in the guests because I counted at least 10-12 people (from kids older than 2 to seniors) not wearing their masks when getting their food at the buffet line. The staff that did see it reminded them to wear their masks but they would forget it again when they went back up for more food.
Food wasn't worth the money we paid... I won't be coming back again... even for free
Asked for a extra piece of turkey and got a look. There was a over weight philipino cook that made experience bad. All cheap items were out. But turkey and undercooked tough prime rib we had to wait in a line. Very very bad buffet
Not bad. Not a spectacular buffet but ok at $95 price tag for Hawaii. I shopped them the electronic California Covid vaccine certificate and wouldn't want to honor it and almost didn't let me in. This electronic certificate is same as the carton one
1st time eating here & I really enjoyed it! You had the option of searing your prime rib, how great is that?! They accommodated the kid we had in our group by getting him a big bowl of rice, what great service! The food was delicious, lot of variety?? And they even had a local singer performing during our meal! Overall a great experience!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
I searched online, prior to my trip to Honolulu and during as while, various Waikiki hotels and restaurants, yearning for a place to enjoy a delightful breakfast. My list included House Without A Key at Halekulani, Surfroom at the Royal Hawaiian, Eggs & Things Saratoga, Sydney Bills, Lychee at Alohilani Resort, The Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider and, Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani. We woke up and departed our hotel, walking towards the Royal Hawaiian Hotel first where I ventured into the Surfroom to look at the buffet/menu selections. The ocean views were breathtaking, with the restaurant tables so close to the sand and sparkling waters at this pink palace of Waikiki. Yet, I wasn't intrigued by what I saw on both the menu, which we were to choose from and, the additional selections we could dine on from the buffet. So, we walked towards its sister property, just a short walk, to the Westin Moana Surfrider. The open-air terrace seating and again, beautiful ocean views beckoned me to dine here but, the buffet selections just didn't interest me once again. At least I got to sit on the rocking chairs fronting the hotel before departing and heading to the next hotel property, the Alohilani Resort. The Alohilani Resort recently completed a top-to-bottom, multi-million dollar renovation, letting go of the Pacific Beach Hotel name and dining establishments such as the Oceanarium, that became a favorite for many years in the local community for holiday and weekend dinner buffets. Now with a sheek, stylish new look with warm color tones and reimagined public spaces, the resort now offers dining at two Moromito restaurants from the Food Network's Iron Chef and a hidden buffet establishment on the third floor only serving breakfast daily. Welcome to Lychee. Pay first, gratuity included with the price per person which wasn't that extreme. Interesting concept, a first for me in Hawai'i, especially at a hotel of this caliber yet, bringing back memories when I was in Vegas. After paying for breakfast at the host stand, we were escorted to our table and greeted immediately with a warm welcome and a smile from our server. There was a reason why I chose this restaurant over the others, even though breakfast would've been complimented with beautiful ocean views. The buffet at Lychee I feel, seemed to have care in the preparation and presentation of the items showcased for us to select from. Yes, I walked through this buffet before deciding to dine here. Freshly baked pastries were lined on trays, a selection of cereals and breads to be toasted, an omelet station, fresh island fruits, yogurt parfaits, breakfast meats in chafing dishes, strawberry filled french toast with whipped cream, chorizo burritos with salsa, crab cake benedict, breakfast potatoes, broiled salmon and, miso soup. So much to choose from, tastefully presented, delightfully yummy. My favorites; the crab cake benedict, chicken apple sausages and, the broiled salmon with a bowl of miso soup, white rice and pickled Japanese vegetables. And the Strawberry French Toast, divine. Two pieces of brioche, french toast style, not eggy and soggy, placed together with a light strawberry cream in the middle. Add a drizzle of warm maple syrup and topped with fresh whipped cream, yum. I had three servings of this, and the benedict. We enjoyed our first encounter here that we returned for a second visit and invited my sister and her family to join us, which was equally as delightful. Most of the buffet items remained the same, yet there were some changes. A bit sad that the Strawberry French Toast was replaced with another sweet creation, the benedict was replaced with a surprisingly well executed item which has been a local favorite of mine since I was a child. Loco Moco, individually plated in bowls, made me smile and I definitely went back for more. On the bottom of the bowl was fried rice topped with marinated beef, an over easy egg and finished with a rich demi glace, not brown gravy. Beverages were refilled throughout breakfast, whether tropical f
Great food, great selection and not your typical Buffet we went for breakfast and was amazed, none of the food was massed produced everything was fresh, and they have an aquarium in the dining area. The buffet is attached to a hotel which one I don't remember and it's $40 per person and that includes the servers tip is included. If you're going to Hawaii remember that nothing will be cheap the big hotels don't offer free breakfast so you're going to pay for breakfast, but if you're worried about the price there's a Denny's around the corner.
Renovated and redesigned since last we were here. Parking was surprisingly easy, very attentive service and amazing view of the aquarium. Perfect for a family brunch!
Amazing food.
We made reservations for the breakfast buffet there and were not disappointed. While waiting to be seated I spotted a table with perfect location for enjoying beautiful Aquariums in the lobby at Alohilani. The table had “reserved” sign which made sense. To my surprise the hostess proceeded right to that table and offered my daughter and I to take it. Definitely set the right mood for breakfast! Food wise there were many options for savory and sweet appetites from American and Asian cuisines. Plenty of fruit choices, coffee, and juices. I also liked that they charged half prices for kids 12 and under as kids typically don’t eat much at buffets anyways. Definitely recommend as a breakfast spot during Waikiki visit!
Loading...