Da Ono Hawaiian Food: Casual Plates, Traditional Favorites

What the ratings suggest

Da Ono Hawaiian Food holds a 4.4 Google rating from 994 reviews, a substantial base that points to broad approval rather than a handful of enthusiastic reactions. Across the supplied public reviews, the strongest theme is straightforward Hawaiian comfort food served in a casual, local-feeling setting. Several diners describe the cooking as traditional, fresh or homemade in character, with particular praise for how the main dishes and sides work together.

The restaurant is listed at a moderate price level. Most of the positive feedback focuses more on satisfaction, flavor and cultural familiarity than on value. At least one critical diner felt the food should have been better or more affordable for such a simple room, so the experience may depend on whether the priority is atmosphere, price or access to familiar Hawaiian dishes.

What diners recommend

Laulau is the clearest recurring main-dish recommendation. Reviewers describe it as tender and flavorful, and one laulau plate arrived with rice, salad and dessert. Poi also appears repeatedly, both as a valued complement and as a point of disagreement. One diner especially liked it with squid luau and chili sauce, while another, already familiar with poi, did not enjoy this version.

Lomi salmon earns favorable mentions for balancing richer or saltier foods. One review paired it conceptually with chicken long rice, noting how its freshness cut through that dish’s salty, comforting profile. Another praised poi and lomi salmon together as sides that rounded out the meal.

Other individually praised dishes include smoky kalua pork, distinctive squid luau and chicken long rice. Those mentions are promising but less consistent across the sample than the attention given to laulau, poi and lomi salmon. The overall pattern favors ordering a plate or combination that includes contrasting mains and sides rather than judging the restaurant by a single item.

Room and service

Public feedback portrays Da Ono as small and very casual. Some diners appreciate that local, unfussy quality and describe the room as having a nice vibe. Staff also receive a positive mention for answering questions about unfamiliar foods, which could make the restaurant more approachable for diners new to Hawaiian dishes.

The setting will not suit everyone. One reviewer found the atmosphere lacking, specifically disliked the orange tables and reported difficulty reading the menu. That criticism suggests the room is functional rather than polished. Diners choosing Da Ono primarily for decor or a refined sit-down experience may come away less impressed than those focused on the food.

Editorial verdict

Based on its 4.4 rating and the supplied review patterns, Da Ono Hawaiian Food looks best suited to diners seeking a casual sampling of traditional Hawaiian comfort dishes. Laulau, poi and lomi salmon form the most review-supported starting point, while squid luau or chicken long rice may broaden the meal for a group.

The praise is strong but not universal. Flavor, poi quality, atmosphere and perceived value all draw at least some pushback. Even so, the volume of ratings and repeated enthusiasm for tender meats, complementary sides and satisfying plates make it a credible Honolulu option when food matters more than presentation.