We went to The Willows to celebrate a special birthday in the family, our niece (Auntie & Uncle love you, Kalena)! It was the first time dining at this place which calls for a review. The Willows is located in the busy streets of Honolulu. It’s a buffet place that serves Hawaiian food in an open-air dining experience. It also has private dining rooms, a wedding chapel, and offers catering.

THE PARKING

Before we head inside the restaurant and talk about the food, let’s start with the parking. The parking is a valet for $3, and it’s located right across the restaurant. I feel that a valet parking is not needed. We arrived at a busy time and clearly, two attendants could not handle the volume. I ended up getting the car myself.

467A1177 — Lunch and dinner are open for walk-ins, reservations, parties, private parties, weddings, and catering.

THE LOCATION

While The Willows is located in the busy streets of Honolulu, once you enter the gate, it’s quiet and peaceful. It opens up to a beautiful garden with waterfalls and with blooming trees in the middle of the city.

The atmosphere feels as if you’re in a traditional Hawaiian village, eating over the pond and watching the beautiful fishes swim by.

There’s an ample seating area available for walk-ins and reservations.

Being that we were there for a birthday party, we had a private room with air conditioning. There are five different rooms for private parties.

THE LUNCH BUFFET

The buffet menu varies during weekly lunch, Saturday lunch, Sunday lunch, and daily dinner. We went during the weekday lunch, and our buffet incorporated five different cuisines.

Chilled Items aka Appetizers: Mixed field green salad, caesar salad, antipasto pasta salad, green pea salad, potato and macaroni salad, grilled vegetables with balsamic vinaigrette, chilled tofu salad, and togarashi crusted sashimi.

Hawaii Favorites: Tako poke, ahi poke, lomi lomi salmon, poi, lau lau, kalua pig and cabbage, chicken long rice, poi stew, chicken and shrimp hawaiian style curry.

Local Favorites: Chicken kara’age, bbq chicken with kabayaki glaze, palusami, oxtail stew, squid luau, and beef luau.

Carving Station: Slow roasted prime rib with au jus and horseradish

Desserts: Fresh fruit salad, bread pudding, haupia, chocolate brownies, strawberry panna cotta, butter mochi, tiramisu cake, haupia cake, and soft serve ice cream with assorted toppings.

Happiest birthday to the most beautiful one-year-old, Kalena!

If you’re looking for a buffet style dining for Hawaiian and local food, The Willows is a great place. Especially, if you’re dining with a group. The food is excellent, endless, and the service is great. They were very attentive!

Buffet Price:
Lunch on weekdays: $25.95 / $12.95
Lunch on Saturday: $31.95 / $15.95
Lunch on Sunday: $38.95 / $19.50
Dinner: $42.95 / $21.50

For more information on The Willows, visit here.
The Willows on Facebook and Twitter.

The Willows
901 Hausten St.
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 952-9200