New eats: Hiking Hawaii Cafe

I found a sandwich I liked so much, I’ve had it three times in three weeks. The only reason I didn’t get it the fourth time I went to Hiking Hawaii Cafe was because the remnants of the third were still in my fridge. And I don’t even like sandwiches.

Hiking Hawaii? It’s unlikely, a tiny Wi-Fi cafe downstairs from Todai Restaurant at the edge of Waikiki, below ground level and hidden from view. Two friends called and told me I had to check it out, or I’d never have found it. Not to mention the small menu of sandwiches, pizzas and smoothies is geared toward easy and grab-and-go, which you’d expect from a cafe attached to a guided hiking tour outfit with a tour desk in the corner and light hiking gear for sale.

But the sandwich! A happy panini of prosciutto, brie and the surprise of fig jam, crisp and ungreasy and balanced in its flavors. And there’s a pizza I found, light, with fresh ingredients and an un-obnoxious dusting of cheese, and an acai bowl I still think about, even though the rest of the time I never think about acai bowls because I don’t understand them.

So even though the menu is small, and of itself not remarkable, and even though the cafe is oddly named and hard to remember, this place is worth a stop if you’re passing by. And major bonus for Waikiki: free parking in the building (with a caveat — click to the last photo).

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Hiking Hawaii Cafe (11 of 11)

A horrid pic, but practical. This driveway on the back side of the building on Ena Road leads to likely the grodiest parking garage in Waikiki, but it's free. Heading toward Kalakaua from Wailana Coffee House, it'll be on your right just past the bend. The ripe human smells in both stairwells will make you opt to walk back down this driveway, around the corner and to the front of the building.

My last tip: Since it's new, Hiking Hawaii is out with deals on discount sites, including Frii and Hot Deals Hawaii. Try them.

Hiking Hawaii Cafe
1910 Ala Moana Blvd.
855-808-4453
www.hikinghawaii808.com

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