Aina Haina Hawaiian Cafe

Aina Haina can be loosely translated as "Our home" in Hawaiian which is the sense you get from the easygoing owners and staff at this friendly Hawaiian themed cafe-restaurant-bar.

The restaurant is a large space with a high ceiling and a big screen projector on the back wall showing all kinds of videos.

The feel is a place run by a bunch of friends who decided to give running a restaurant a go, and are finding their way as they go along. Having experimented with several menus since opening in 2003, they seem to have settled upon a predominantly Hawaiian influenced selection, based on some of ex-sumo star Konishiki's recipes. Original combination dishes with some very intersting flavors and ingredients also do not dissapoint.

Hawaiian food includes poki, lomi lomi salmon, a variety of pupus (appetizers), Kalua pig (no poi), Kalua pig pizza, loco moco, noodles, soups and dessert. The offer a loco moco set for ¥600 and a Loco Moco Burger set for ¥500.

Non-Hawaiian dishes recommended by the chef include, jamaican jerk chicken, spare ribs and alvocado gratin.

The cook seems quite skilled at serving up a wide range of dishes and the owner, boasts that he can make anything you ask for whether on the menu or not.
They are happy to cater to vegetarians and accommodate any other dietary needs. Be sure to ask if dishes have meat in it before you order, as it is not always obvious from the menu.

They have a huge drinks menu of cocktails, a variety of shochu, wines and beers. The cocktail variety is not limited to the menu as they are eager to try any drink you request. They suggest trying one of their tropical frozen cocktails like a pina colada served in a funky glass with a flower.

The dinner menu is a range of ala carte dishes ranging from ¥400-¥1000.

• Seating for 30 on tables and along the bar on the first floor./ Seating and Counter room for 30-50 in the Doo Doo Bar 2F
• Japanese Menu
• Staff speak a little English
• No parking
• No credit cards
• No non-smoking area
• Reservations accepted
• A great place to organize a luau or party, special set food and extremely reasonable (not to mention generous) all-you-can drink deals available.

"Sticking to the Hawaiian Food and Doing it well"
jj - Mon Jul 2007
I just went back to this place after over a year since I have been there and I was impressed. I had one of their lunch sets- the poke loco moco- tuna sashimi chunks on top of rice with salad and a wasabi type shoyu sauce over it. It was delicious, refreshing (on this hot day) and quite healthy. The set came with soup and a drink for only 500yen. I opted not to have the soup and they gave me a free hot coffee as compensation. The menu is easy to read in English and Japanese with pictures too. The atmosphere is also relaxing and the staff are always easygoing and friendly- a real get away within the city center. If you are looking for a tropical break from your daily life, you could do much worse.

"Will be suprised it it lasts much longer."
Anonymity Personified.Thu Oct 2005
Very weak cocktails, very small portions, Japanese stereotype of Hawaiian decor. We stopped ordering after our first 3 appetizers and went to a Marios for a decent meal.

"warmth emancipation"
J.Jon - Sun Aug 2005
yes, I have ben freed from the stresses of whatever, and it happened at Aina Haina's 2nd floor, full of vibatious roots reggae and cocktail-infused warmth. The 1st floor, a restaraunt with many delicious noshables, is great, but I find the comfortable 2nd floor a better place to bob my emancipated head. Very recommended.

"Funky, wicked food"
Neen - Tue Jun 2005
My boyfriend and I checked out Aina Haina last night and it was brilliant. The decor and atmosphere reminds me of a cool hangout in Hawaii, reinforced with video on the wall of tropical coral reefs. The door was simple and delicious. Salmon with papaya, green onion and chips, Mackeral with cream cheese and onions (very good!), amazing caeasar salad and maki rolls that were the best I have had so far in Japan. Great place to chill out with friends.