Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image
#130 of 1,736 Restaurants in Honolulu Japanese

Genius Lounge

4.4(130 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover Genius Lounge, offering the best Japanese experience in Waikiki. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Waikiki Night Owl Essential

Tucked away just blocks from the sand in the heart of Waikiki, Genius Lounge serves as a sanctuary for those who prefer their nightlife with a side of sophisticated grazing. This isn't your typical loud club; it is a refined den where the clinking of craft cocktail glasses competes with the soft hum of conversation. The space features dim lighting and low-slung furniture, creating a setting that feels curated for intimacy rather than a raucous night out.

The Art of the Small Plate

The menu leans heavily into elevated Japanese-inspired tapas, perfect for sharing. Their signature beef tongue is a standout, grilled to a precise tenderness that locals often travel across Honolulu to find. You will also notice a steady stream of orders for the spicy tuna crackers—a textural contrast of crisp wonton and velvety fish that disappears almost as soon as it hits the table. Pair these with their infused shochu cocktails, which arrive with garnishes that look more like a botanical garden than a drink menu.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

While the atmosphere is undeniably chic, space is at a premium. The floor plan is compact, so expect to be shoulder-to-shoulder with your neighbors during the weekend rush. It is the kind of place where the energy shifts from a professional wind-down spot early in the evening to a high-energy hub as the night deepens. Parking in this part of Honolulu can be a bit of a puzzle, so opting for a rideshare allows you to fully enjoy their extensive sake list without worrying about the walk back to your car.

Photos

Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Genius Lounge - Honolulu Restaurant Image

Location

346 Lewers St, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 130 community reviews
S

Shaun MichaelGoogle Maps

Recently

I did some research for a cool birthday and Genius was an easy choice. Staff was absolutely amazing, atmosphere is great! Low key, cool vibe, Balcony at night is great. Now the food! Food was incredible!!!! Been to a lot of spots on Oahu and this place is top tier. It was so good we decided to come back the next day for dinner and try some new things on menu! (Not a drinker but they did have some great drinks as well!) Highly recommend Genius Lounge! 100% will be back again and again. We did order a decent amount of food and drinks so are bill for 2 probably would be a bit more than normal.

H

Holly CaldwellGoogle Maps

Recently

The best meal!!! Food was excellent and so perfectly cooked. Highly recommend the Hawaiian Ribeye.The staff was super friendly as well. Definitely coming back 😁

S

Souriya KhamvongsaGoogle Maps

Recently

It’s a nice place. I did have a hard time finding it, but that’s because my phone didn’t have the best reception. I actually did it like their oyster shooter. It was delicious. My Wife had some noodle dish and I had the hamburger patty with egg and rice, Loco moco. I wish it had more flavor.

W

WhitneyGoogle Maps

Recently

Pretty casual place. The menu is very limited if youre looking for higher end entrees. I honestly dont really remember what all we had. Its cute to try out but I do not recommend for a special occasion.

G

Giovanna CalderonGoogle Maps

Recently

Great ambiance and a true hidden gem in Waikīkī. Perfect for an intimate dinner but also great for groups if you want to share more dishes. They have an extensive drink menu with a large selection of sake, plus plenty of seafood and meat options. Favorites were the chicken nanban, furikake ahi, and shrimp dynamite. Looking forward to coming back to try more.

G

Giusi GrazianoGoogle Maps

Recently

Food was simply delicious! Price also very reasonable. We have had dinner here multiple times and for a reason! Highly recommended!

O

Olivia SolisGoogle Maps

Recently

Was looking for a casual dining/bar experience and came across Genius Lounge. They have a wide selection of drinks, including Hawaiian-style cocktails and fun mixes. I got the green tea shot and the sailer Jerry Mai tai, both were tasty… and a little strong. I also got the chicken nanban, papakauli short ribs, and surf & turf entree. All the food dishes pleasantly surprised me with the good flavors, especially the Hawaiian bbq sauce rib eye. Literally so juicy and delicious. Would definitely recommend for a late night eat and drink.

J

Johnathan MahGoogle Maps

Recently

I came here with my girlfriend during our trip to Waikiki to celebrate my birthday, and Genius Lounge absolutely delivered. The atmosphere is a perfect mix of relaxed and lively—ideal for hanging out with friends or enjoying a date night. The food was amazing, especially the fried nanban chicken, which was probably my favorite. Everything we ordered was full of flavor and really well prepared. Their drink menu is massive, with great prices and a lot of variety. Both our drinks were delicious. It’s located right in the heart of Waikiki, close to the beach but somehow still felt like a bit of a hidden gem—not too crowded, which made the experience even better. Will definitely come back next time we’re in town!

F

Fiona ParkerGoogle Maps

Recently

Love this cozy dive-ish bar tucked away on the 3rd floor. We've been here several times now and have tried several dishes from them. The thing that keeps us coming back are their garlic shrimp, it is simply the best. The shrimp is fresh, the garlic oil is not over powering or heavy. Their kalua pork gyozas were also really good!

I

Isaac HaalandGoogle Maps

Recently

Great food and a fun atmosphere! Was a great place to go to for Happy hour from 5pm-6pm. You gotta get the garlic curly fries!! Delicious The menu doesn’t specify anything being gluten free, but the staff was extremely helpful. They had a short list of what was gluten free and very accommodating.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Genius Lounge

Common questions from diners about Genius Lounge in Honolulu.

It is a rooftop izakaya-style restaurant with an open-air lanai and warm Aloha hospitality.

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