Royal Hawaiian Center is Waikiki’s largest gourmet and shopping spot.
With a wide range of shops ranging from high-end luxury brands to local brands, it is a convenient spot where you can find everything, whether it is a small souvenir or a popular brand’s Hawaii-limited item!
Actually, there are plenty of popular gourmet spots as well, so if you look around carefully, it might take a whole day. Haha.
Since it is within walking distance from almost all hotels if you are staying in Waikiki, most people probably stop by at least once, don’t they?
It is a shopping center that represents the cutting edge of Hawaii and is full of highlights, so please make time to stop by.
Top 5 Recommended Gourmet Spots at Royal Hawaiian Center
First, I will introduce recommended gourmet spots, ranging from a casual food court to popular high-end restaurants.
There are many shops and cafes that handle food products, and it really is a parade of famous stores.
The Cheesecake Factory
This is a hugely popular chain with over 200 locations worldwide, known for its extensive menu and hearty meals.
There are always more than 30 types of their famous cheesecakes available, and all of them have a rich, distinctly American flavor!
Dinner time is often very crowded, but you can usually enter without waiting much during lunch hours.
By the way, if you are just getting cheesecake for takeout, there is no need to wait in the main line, so you can just go inside the store and purchase it.
It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the most popular restaurants in the Royal Hawaiian Center!
Dean & DeLuca
This store is famous as a select shop for fine foods and a cafe!
Above all, the Hawaii-limited design tote bags are extremely popular, and many people visit just to get them.
There is a line in front of the store every day from around 5:00 AM seeking the numbered tickets distributed from 7:00 AM.
Basically, it is a cafe, but it feels more like a shop where you can buy popular items like various sundries and bread for takeout.
The fact that they offer limited items different from the Ritz-Carlton location is another reason they captivate fans!
Island Vintage Coffee
This is a shop where you can eat the most popular acai bowl in Hawaii!
If you look around the store, you often see every single customer eating an acai bowl. Haha.
It is a cafe that mainly features Kona coffee, but actually, the food menu and souvenirs are also extensive.
They are particular about the quality and freshness of ingredients, so the price is a bit high, but the taste is guaranteed.
It is also recommended to enjoy a relaxing cafe time while looking out over the scenery of the center of Waikiki!
Signature by The Kahala Hotel & Resort
This is a gift shop directly operated by The Kahala Hotel, one of Hawaii’s top luxury hotels.
You can purchase the original macadamia nut chocolates that could previously only be bought at The Kahala Hotel!
Macadamia nut chocolates made with French chocolate and Hawaiian macadamia nuts have a premium taste that sets them apart from mass-produced products of other brands.
In addition to the basic four types of dark, milk, white, and blonde, several shop-exclusive flavors are sold.
It is expensive for a small souvenir to give out to many people, but for a present for someone special or a treat for yourself, it is the pinnacle of Hawaii!
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
It is the number one popular steakhouse in Hawaii, a popular restaurant where customers never stop coming from breakfast to dinner.
The famous porterhouse steak is a supreme masterpiece that continues to be introduced in the media!
It is one of the top-class popular restaurants within the Royal Hawaiian Center.
It is known as one of the leading high-end restaurants in Waikiki at night, but breakfast and lunch can be eaten at a very reasonable price.
Since the aging, preparation, and cooking are all done at the highest level, resulting in a steak with the best American meat taste and flavor, please try it at least once.
Top 5 Recommended Shops at Royal Hawaiian Center
Over 90 stores, including high-profile select shops and brands known to everyone, have opened here from all over the world!
At a glance, it is an amazing lineup, and it is nice that they are gathered in one place.
Kith
This is an apparel shop popular with young people that was born in New York in 2011.
Many shoes and clothes in collaboration with famous brands are released, so many of you may know it!
Among them, the regularly released limited items that can only be bought in Hawaii are particularly popular.
At the back of the store, they also operate an ice cream shop called “KITH TREATS.”
Actually, this ice cream is a hidden popular sweet at Royal Hawaiian Center known to those in the know.
Leather Soul
This is a gentleman’s shop popular for handling only high-quality, high-end leather shoes.
It is also a shop certified as an authorized dealer of the popular American brand, Alden.
Many people visit to purchase because each item is sold at a more affordable price than overseas.
To prevent resale, they strictly require purchase by the person themselves, which might be the secret to maintaining the rarity value.
They also handle European high-end brand shoes and bags, so it is a must-see for business people!
Stüssy
This is a hugely popular American street fashion brand selling various apparel products such as T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and caps.
The most popular item is the limited T-shirt with the Hawaii logo, and it is not rare for people to line up from the morning seeking it!
By the way, the design with the print “HONOLULU” is the limited product.
It is also very popular with locals, so when walking around Hawaii, you see many people wearing this T-shirt. Haha.
Regular items are often better value here than in other countries, so please check it out.
Hermès
Hermès, one of the top luxury brands, is also a quite popular shop!
Actually, the shops in Hawaii have some of the lowest price settings within the United States.
The reason is the low sales tax. If you were to buy a product worth $10,000, Hawaii’s tax is around 4.5%, but California’s is around 10.25%, so there would be a difference of over $500.
There are states in the US with no sales tax, such as Oregon and Delaware, but there are no Hermès stores in those places.
Moreover, since the Hawaii location is large, it stocks products not yet released in some countries and has an abundant selection of items that are sold out elsewhere, making it easier to get your hands on them.
Island Slipper
This is a sandal shop that continues to insist on Made in Hawaii and hand-crafting by artisans.
Do not underestimate them as just flip-flops; these handmade sandals using high-quality materials are extremely comfortable to wear and have a very nice tropical atmosphere.
The refined design matches a wide range of fashion, so there is no problem at all using them in town!
It is a brand that boasts overwhelming popularity as a Hawaii-made sandal.
They are also highly recommended to pair with casual summer wear or resort outfits!
Basic Information about Royal Hawaiian Center
| Name | Royal Hawaiian Center |
| Address | 2201 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Closed | None |
| Restroom | Available |
| Parking | Available (Paid) |
Recommended Transportation to Royal Hawaiian Center
BIKI [Shared bicycles for easy travel in the Honolulu area]
Waikiki Trolley [Large buses specialized for sightseeing at standard spots]
Royal Hawaiian Center Surrounding Area
[Complete Guide] Recommended Popular Sightseeing Spots in Waikiki & Ala Moana, Oahu, Hawaii