Wailana Coffee House and Cocktail Lounge

"Park in the yellow stalls" is my favorite late-night phrase. Why, you may ask? Because it means cheap, filling food at the right price even if it's two in the morning. Located along Ala Moana Boulevard in Waikiki, Wailana Coffee House is a safe haven for line cooks getting off of work at the stroke of midnight, late night club-goers, the occasional insomniac, night students, and of course the jet-lagged tourist. Being one of only a handful of restaurants here on Oahu that are open 'round-the-clock (there are so few that I actually count Zippy's as a late-night dining option) Wailana Coffee House is usually filled with people regardless of the hour of night you arrive (the location helps I presume).

The ambiance in Wailana Coffee House is spectacular to say the least. It's like taking a trip back in time to the 1970's. Floral print lined seats and carpet, well lit and spacious main room with a back room seating larger parties, it kind of reminds you of old Hawaii -- elegant and classy with it's beige colored rooms yet laid-back (which is classic 1970's Hawaiian architecture).

Being open 24-hours-a-day and serving both local and classic diner food, Wailana Coffee House's menu is hard to beat. A hamburger and milkshake at 8 AM, breakfast at 8 PM, what's not to like? Wailana Coffee House also always comes through with their specials. Be it fried ice cream or endless pancakes their specials always hit the spot.

Did I mention the salad bar? This is probably Wailana Coffee House's best kept secret. If you order an item that includes soup or salad I definitely recommend the salad bar. The salad bar includes your usual salad choices (leafy greens, various dressings, croutons, etc.) as well as a pasta salad, kim chee, potato salad, jello, and a few other choices. Did I also mention that it's endless? Think about it: endless. salad. bar. Not bad for ordering a ten-dollar entree. Just make sure you get there by 10 PM because the salad bar closes by 11.

Aside from the salad bar, breakfast, and endless pancakes, Wailana Coffee House also delivers on their local specialties. While the patty for Wailana's loco moco isn't the greatest (kind of tough) they make up for it with their amazing gravy and their heap of tasty mac-salad! Hungry? Then try Wailana's meatloaf which includes the endless salad bar (score!), butter-roll, and a chocolate-mac nut sundae all for around $12.

Wailana Coffee House also serves your classic diner foods such as burgers and fries, various sandwiches, and is probably one of the last places left on the island (that is NOT Quizno's) that serves a PROPER french-dip (note: I love my french dips).

Overall, Wailana Coffee House is a major contender in Waikiki's over-flooded restaurant scene. Open 24/7 (well, almost. They're closed from midnight to 6am on Wednesdays) and serving both local and classic diner fare as well as breakfast is hard to beat when you don't know what you're in the mood for. As for parking, take a right right after Todai and the garage should be on your left. Just remember, "Park in the yellow stalls."

Wailana Coffee House and Cocktail Lounge
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)

Service: 4.25 (friendly wait-staff!)
Food Quality: 2.5
Monetary Value: 3.25
Quality vs Quantity: Tie (huge menu selection)
Overall: 3.3

1860 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96815
808-955-1764