Pioneer Saloon Kaka'ako
If you're looking for a laid-back yet trendy spot to enjoy delicious food in Honolulu, Pioneer Saloon Kaka'ako should definitely be on your list. Located at 675 Auahi St, this casual dining spot offers a welcoming atmosphere with outdoor seating, making it a perfect choice for both sunny days and breezy evenings. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy meal with friends or a casual hangout, this restaurant has it all.
Pioneer Saloon Kaka'ako is known for its variety of flavorful dishes that are sure to please any palate. Popular choices include the Furikake Salmon, a savory dish with a unique Japanese seasoning that adds a crispy twist to the fresh salmon, and the Garlic Ahi Steak, packed with bold flavors. For those who love a crispy bite, the Ahi Katsu and Salmon Katsu are absolute must-tries. The Butterfish is another standout, offering a rich and buttery texture that melts in your mouth.
The vibe here is perfect for those who want to unwind after a long day. With moderate noise levels, it’s great for both intimate dinners and casual hangouts with friends. Plus, if you're a dog lover, you'll be happy to know that dogs are allowed on the outdoor patio—perfect for bringing your furry friend along. Don’t miss out on the happy hour specials either, which add to the fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Whether you're a local or just visiting Honolulu, Pioneer Saloon Kaka'ako offers a perfect blend of great food, a casual environment, and a trendy vibe that makes it stand out. With its outdoor seating, welcoming attitude toward pets, and tasty menu, it’s a go-to spot for anyone craving a fun dining experience in the heart of Kaka'ako.
Reviews
Love coming here for lunch. It's a small store but the food is amazing. Our favorite is the miso butterfish. Comes with choice of rice, salad of the day or pasta salad. Also had the chicken teriyaki. There are a few tables inside and a few outside. Service can be spotty. You order at the counter and then pick up your food. It's served in styrofoam containers. There's parking in the building but the ramps are narrow so drive carefully. I believe the store does validate parking for the first hour. You'll need a code to use the restrooms.
Only via GrubHub order so can't comment on store ambiance. Top quality of food and care of packaging.
I love Pioneer Saloon on Monserrat. The Kaka'ako location is centrally located at SALT. Parking at SALT is free for the first hour! Pioneer saloon is Japanese style bento/comfort food. The menu here is overwhelming for me because so many options look and sound good. I recommend the Menchi katsu, the furikake salmon, or the ebi fry (fried shrimp) burger. Side of rice or shiso rice! The side of fries is extra $4 but a lot. My husband loves the curry katsu here. Portions are filling and pricing is reasonable! Food comes out pretty quickly. The inside is small but you can also eat on the tables outside .
Located in a food center. Relatively small venue but tons of outdoor space to eat. Reminds me of hole in the wall restaurants you would get in Japan, especially with the staff and semi-open kitchen style where you can see them prepping your food. Food was prepared relatively quickly. We ordered the chicken katsu with demi sauce. It was fried just right and the sauce was subtle and not overpowering. However, I wished they provided more greens. I was also super excited they had the matcha IPA. I went all over Kyoto looking for it with no luck but was so glad they had it. Def give this place a try.
Pioneer has locations both in Montserrat and in Kaka'ako. They both have a nice vibe. Thankfully Kaka'ako has plenty parking in the SALT garage otherwise street parking can be limited. I love the $19 grilled furikake salmon plate lunch with the ginger tofu salad and rice- deeelicious! Their katsu is great, curry, garlic ahi and they have daily specials as well with a small selection of beer and non-alcoholic drinks. They have a small number of tables inside and outside, so sometimes busy hours you may need to carry out. Which isn't bad because SALT has all kinds of fun shops and some tables for eating as well.