XO Restaurant
Located at 3434 Waialae Ave Ste 5, Honolulu, HI, XO Restaurant brings a unique dining experience to the heart of Hawaii. Combining modern ambiance with a menu rich in Asian-inspired dishes, this trendy spot has quickly become a local favorite. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of inventive flavors or the cozy yet sophisticated setting, XO delivers an unforgettable culinary adventure.
XO Restaurant Delights Diners with Asian-Inspired Creations
XO Restaurant is renowned for its bold and innovative menu. Drawing inspiration from Asian cuisine, the restaurant offers a creative take on classic dishes. Highlights include the Braised Beer-ia Tacos, Pork Belly, and Hamashi Sashimi, all of which showcase the chef's skill in blending traditional flavors with modern techniques.
The menu doesn’t stop there—diners rave about the Pad Thai and Scallops, each dish presented with meticulous attention to detail. For those seeking variety, the fixed-price 7-course tasting menu provides a curated journey through the restaurant’s most popular items, making it an ideal choice for a special occasion.
Beyond the food, XO Restaurant also boasts an impressive selection of beverages. From signature cocktails to craft beer, fine wine, and even hard liquor, the drink menu ensures there’s something to complement every dish. The expertly crafted drinks enhance the dining experience, creating perfect pairings with the rich, flavorful cuisine.
Modern Ambiance and Exceptional Service at XO Restaurant
Walking into XO Restaurant, you’ll immediately notice the minimalist yet warm decor. The restaurant's design strikes a balance between elegance and comfort, making it suitable for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or enjoying a leisurely evening with friends, the atmosphere sets the stage for a memorable meal.
What truly sets XO Restaurant apart, however, is its outstanding service. Guests often mention how the staff goes above and beyond to ensure a seamless dining experience. From detailed explanations of menu items to personalized recommendations, the team’s dedication shines through. On several occasions, diners have praised the attentiveness of the servers, even when they juggle multiple roles.
One standout is Derek, the sous chef who also occasionally takes on serving duties. His enthusiasm and knowledge bring an added layer of connection to the dining experience, as he shares insights into each dish’s preparation and ingredients.
XO Restaurant: A Culinary Destination Worth Visiting
Located in a charming strip mall on Waialae Avenue, XO Restaurant offers the kind of hidden gem vibe that food enthusiasts love to discover. The small plates are perfect for sharing, encouraging guests to explore a variety of flavors. The Butter Mochi Bunnies, for example, are a playful yet sophisticated dessert that has quickly become a crowd favorite.
While XO Restaurant does not offer delivery, their efficient takeout service makes it easy to enjoy their delectable offerings at home. For those dining in, the experience is elevated by thoughtfully curated music and a cozy seating arrangement that encourages relaxation.
Even picky eaters will find something to love here, thanks to the wide-ranging menu and accommodating staff. It’s no wonder locals and visitors alike continue to sing the restaurant’s praises, with many calling it the best dining experience in Honolulu.
Reviews
XO Restaurant **** RECOMMENDED **** Food: **** Value: **** Menu: *** Ambiance: **** Service: ***** Parking: ***** in front, free While looking for restaurants to dine at during restaurant week, XO caught my attention because they had a 7-course prefix menu of their most popular dishes for $60. They offer Izakaya (small plates), with a menu that changes weekly. On their website, they say that they are a Modern Local Cuisine. If I were to classify them, I would classify them as fusion. The Chef is very creative and he combines of variety of ingredients, ethnic flavors, and styles into each dish. I really enjoyed their Kalbi Pork Belly and their Seared Scallops with Dumplings. If you're tired of the same old thing and would like to try something different, XO Restaurant maybe just what you're looking for. RATINGS & RECOMMENDED ORDER: Grilled Kalbi Pork Belly = A delicious Pan Seared Scallops = A very good Buttermilk Fried Chicken = B Hamachi Sashimi Cudo = C Beet Lotus, Shiso Gel = C Loaded Potato Au Gratin = C Brown butter bunny mochi = B (dessert) Yelp: https://yelp.to/mOHNve39Se Website: https://www.xorghawaii.com/xo-restaurant/ YELP: Milton K Sorry! They allow only one 12 second video & the remaining to 3 seconds. The full video and pictures of the entire menu can be found on other platforms/apps: MiltonIn808 RATINGS KEY: A = Really Good - one of the best B = Good - would order again C = ok - similar, nothing special D = Not very good - wouldn't order F = Terrible - avoid
friends recommended XO to us, after they had a delicious experience. we thoroughly enjoyed our 7 course meal and attentive service. the dishes were a diverse assortment of flavors with lovely sauces and pairings. I think this is a new restaurant, their commitment to creating something new and enjoyable for guests is evident.
Wonderful dining experience. My wife treated me out on my birthday and i had a blast trying all the different dishes. Some were more familiar and others unique but quality was superb for everything. The butter mochi bunnies were the hilight. Super tasty, i wish i had more of that poop sauce that was the only downside. The larb salad, korean fried chicken, porkbelly gochujang wrap were all well made renditions of familiar dishes. Hope to come here again in the future!
This restaurant has been on my list for a long time because of its fantastic reviews and its signature bunny dessert. We finally visited this place after making a reservation and got their set 9-course menu. Everything was okay, to be honest, I was very underwhelmed. I personally thought everything was too saucy and it killed the natural flavor of the ingredients. I usually love saucy foods but the food here was overwhelmingly sauced out for me :( I'm giving a high review though, because we LOVED the service we received. Our server was so sweet and kind. We're open to trying this place out again.
Service: Food : An adventure for your palette! Their Set Menu is always a great choice and gives you a wide range of delicious-ness. If you haven't been here, this a great 'reasonably priced' fancy restaurant. They won't disappoint! And Do Not Forget to try the A5 Wagyu Caramel.