XO Restaurant
Located at 3434 Waialae Ave Ste 5, Honolulu, HI 96816, XO Restaurant is redefining the culinary landscape in Hawaii. From its unique flavors to a bold vision for the future, XO is a must-visit destination. Here’s why you should make it your next dining experience.
XO Restaurant Elevates Hawaii’s Culinary Scene
At XO Restaurant, every dish tells a story of bold experimentation and respect for Hawaii's rich cultural heritage. The menu, inspired by local and global cuisines, features comfort food with a twist—perfectly blending traditional flavors with innovative techniques. Whether you crave small plates, signature cocktails, or hearty dinners, XO delivers a memorable feast for the senses.
The restaurant's cozy and trendy atmosphere complements its creative culinary offerings, making it a hotspot for food enthusiasts. With highlights like wheelchair-accessible facilities, reservations, and an inviting ambiance, XO caters to a diverse audience while remaining a community favorite.
The Vision Behind XO Restaurant Group
XO Restaurant Group is not just about great food; it’s about revolutionizing the way Hawaii experiences dining. With plans to open 50-100 restaurants across Hawaii, each with a unique concept, the group is committed to pushing boundaries. Their approach combines risk-taking creativity with a profound respect for local traditions, offering guests a fresh perspective on Hawaii’s culinary identity.
The group’s ethos is simple yet daring: create a space where culinary artistry meets genuine hospitality. It’s not about following trends—it’s about setting them.
A Commitment to Transforming the Restaurant Industry
The restaurant industry often struggles with issues of employee welfare, but XO Restaurant Group aims to set a new standard. Recognizing the challenges faced by workers, the team ensures fair wages and cultivates a supportive work environment. By promoting collaboration and creativity in the kitchen, XO fosters a culture where employees thrive both professionally and personally.
For example, the XO team celebrates milestones with their staff, including fun activities like poke contests and collaborative projects during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives not only highlight the group's resilience but also its unwavering commitment to its people.
XO Restaurant’s Pandemic Resilience
During the COVID-19 pandemic, XO Restaurant demonstrated extraordinary adaptability. While many establishments struggled, XO pivoted with inventive solutions such as selling frozen dinners, baked goods, and even masks. These efforts were widely praised, with Forbes and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser acknowledging the restaurant's creativity and determination.
One standout moment was their Waffle Dogs initiative, which generated immense buzz on social media, drawing long lines of eager customers. From offering family meals packed in pizza boxes to hosting unique events like poke contests, XO turned adversity into an opportunity to connect with its community.
Signature Offerings at XO Restaurant
The dining experience at XO is unparalleled, with an array of signature dishes and beverages designed to captivate your palate. Highlights include:
- Signature cocktails: Known for their exquisite taste and balance.
- Small plates: Perfect for sharing or enjoying solo.
- Comfort food classics: Elevated with modern flair.
- An impressive selection of wines, beers, and spirits: Catering to diverse tastes.
Whether you’re stopping by for a casual dinner or planning a special occasion, XO Restaurant ensures every moment is unforgettable.
A Timeline of XO Restaurant’s Milestones
Since its opening in 2018, XO Restaurant has made waves in Hawaii’s dining scene. Here are some notable achievements:
- 2018: From a modest start in Kaimuki to being featured in Honolulu Magazine, XO quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach.
- 2020: Adapted to pandemic challenges with creative solutions, earning weekly features in Forbes.
- 2021: Expanded with the launch of AV Restaurant, an all-vegan concept, further showcasing the group's versatility.
Each milestone reflects the group’s dedication to excellence and continuous evolution.
XO Restaurant: A Place to Create Memories
Beyond food, XO Restaurant is a place to connect, celebrate, and enjoy life’s little moments. Whether you’re indulging in a romantic dinner, catching up with friends, or hosting a family gathering, the welcoming atmosphere at XO makes every visit special. The restaurant’s bar onsite and kid-friendly amenities ensure that everyone feels at home.
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.