Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image
#107 of 1,736 Restaurants in Honolulu American

Tango Contemporary Cafe

4.5(188 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover Tango Contemporary Cafe, offering the best American experience in Ala Moana. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Culinary Crossroads in Kaimuki

Tango Contemporary Cafe brings an unexpected fusion of flavors to the heart of Kaimuki. Walking into this Honolulu neighborhood gem, the first thing you’ll notice is the buzz—a mix of clattering silverware, spirited conversation, and the rich, roasted aroma of craft coffee. It feels less like a traditional cafe and more like an extension of a friend’s kitchen where the ingredients just happen to be elevated.

The Fusion Philosophy

Helmed by Chef Goran Streng, the menu is a study in global technique applied to fresh island sourcing. You will find dishes that marry Scandinavian sensibilities with Pacific Rim freshness. The signature house-cured salmon is a perennial favorite, arriving with a delicate balance of salt and smoke that pairs perfectly with their freshly baked breads. The menu changes frequently to reflect what is currently coming out of the farms, meaning you might find a creative risotto one day and a robust, herb-crusted catch the next.

The Local Experience

This is the kind of place where locals linger over long lunches. The interior is bright, airy, and unpretentious, making it an excellent spot for a casual business meeting or a slow weekend brunch. One minor note for visitors: the neighborhood can get quite busy, and parking in this part of Honolulu often requires a bit of patience as you weave through the side streets.

If you appreciate food that doesn’t take itself too seriously but prioritizes high-quality, house-made components, this cafe hits the mark. The open-kitchen setup keeps the energy high, and the service is efficient without feeling rushed, allowing the culinary creativity to speak for itself.

Photos

Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Tango Contemporary Cafe - Honolulu Restaurant Image

Location

1288 Ala Moana Blvd Ste 120, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814-4206

Directions

Reviews

Showing 9 of 188 community reviews
Z

Zaneta OmugtongGoogle Maps

Recently

Went here for Sunday brunch with the girls. We didn't have to wait too long. 1st come 1st serve, so if there aren't any tables available, put your name on the list. Food was ono and service was good. We had good time.

T

The HappstersGoogle Maps

Recently

We were able to get seated without reservation, although the waiter reminded us that we have an hour to use the table before the next reservation. I think this place tries to be too fancy without the proper seatings or tablewares etc. A really small area to dine in and can get really tight inside when it's full, it's practically elbow to elbow here. The two seater is actually not big enough for two people here. The server that day was prompt and friendly. Our food was okay, I order risotto but the rice was undercooked and asparagus was hard.

R

RoninGoogle Maps

Recently

​I was first introduced to this restaurant before COVID and really enjoyed it. Being in the area recently in 2026, I decided to stop by for lunch. ​To be honest, I didn’t initially realize it was Scandinavian-inspired mixed with local favorites; it wasn’t immediately obvious to me which menu items fit that description. A word of advice: if you are a walk-in, anticipate a long wait, especially for indoor seating. We actually saw a group walk in and seat themselves without checking the waitlist, which added another 10 minutes to our wait. The waiters were incredibly busy that day, so it is definitely best to call and reserve a table ahead of time. Also, just a suggestion—there isn't much difference between the breakfast and brunch menus other than the times; they really should just combine them. ​Despite the wait, we thoroughly enjoyed the food. The Lion Coffee was enjoyable—not too strong, with a great roast. Our table ordered the Braised Beef Loco Moco, the Tango Burger (cooked medium) with a sunny-side-up egg and fried potatoes, and the Plattar Swedish Pancakes. ​The braised beef was tender, soft, and savory. I appreciated that the gravy wasn't too salty, and the fried rice was seasoned well—not mushy, with a nice color likely from the shoyu. The hamburger was seasoned well (hard to go wrong there), though unfortunately, my egg broke before I could eat it. The Cajun-flavored potatoes were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The Swedish pancakes were the highlight: slightly chewy, moist, and the fruit and berry syrup really hit the spot. So good! ​The atmosphere was nice and clean, with plenty of indoor seating and a few outdoor tables available. Overall, I would definitely come back to this restaurant.

D

Daria DGoogle Maps

Recently

I don’t understand how this place has so many awards. The Benedicts were absolutely tasteless, and their homemade focaccia tasted like the cheapest brioche. And they serve “Italian” coffee… The only Italian thing about it is the name. The cappuccino was one of the worst I’ve ever had — I took a couple of sips and returned it. Please don’t call it Italian; don’t embarrass the country!!!!!! Their coffee does not taste like this. Overall, the food was very plain and had nothing to do with the Scandinavian vibe they claim. Whoever awarded this place clearly has no idea what good food tastes like. Half of the salad leaves were spoiled. Do not waste your money!!!!

J

Judith BreischGoogle Maps

Recently

Can't believe we've been missing this place! Went in for the first time and had a delightful experience. The food was fabulous and beautifully plated. Vegan options. Friendly, personalized service. Cozy cafe. We'll be back!

M

Mr. RGoogle Maps

Recently

I don’t know where to start… Came here for weekend brunch because it was packed. The vibe was quite cozy, with chatter everywhere... felt like a classic American brunch scene. But the food? Disappointing. I had the Country Style Corned Beef Hash (way too salty), and my friend got Eggs Benedict (the potatoes were so dry). Honestly, I missed my chili sauce to fix the flavors. Not my best brunch experience, sadly.

C

CharGoogle Maps

Recently

One of our new favorite places. Here's my honest review: ✨Location✨ I think it's in such a great walkable area with free parking. There's a mall and a Dave & Buster's and a movie theater all within a few feet. If you're willing to walk 20 minutes you can also get to Ala Moana Mall ✨Price✨ I think the price is phenomenal. We've done their happy hour and we've also done their wine and dinner pairings and neither disappointed ✨Ambiance✨ The ambience was amazing. We love that the decorations and the professionalism of the servers. This time we happen to sit outside and I have to tell you, while I was skeptical in the beginning, it was a truly unique experience. There's only three tables outside and I just felt like it was a lot more personable. They came to check on us multiple times and I felt like royalty. ✨Drinks✨ Definitely recommend the expresso martini. The dessert shot we had last time was amazing but I don't even remember what it was called. More importantly you have to try the wine pairings for their wine dinner. ✨Recommendation✨ I would definitely recommend doing one of their wine and dinner pairings. Call and get yourself added to the list. They do it the second to last week of the month. I love having a curated menu with a surprise combination of flavors. I think the chef is amazing. If you can't make one of those I would definitely recommend coming for happy hour. Get the smashburger and try something new. Of all the restaurants in the Honolulu area, I think this has the best, family oriented, experience. They always remember us. They always go above and beyond. ✨Food✨ What is there not to love about the food. Constantly surprised by the variety of foods that they meld together that create such a pleasurable experience. I did not like the espresso bar but that's personal preference. I absolutely adored the Mocha Ice Cream Cake so theres something for everyone. Again I recommend that you sign up for the wine and dinner pairing because you'll get to try a lot of unique flavors under one roof. And if you don't know what you want, like me, you don't have to. The chef will curate a menu for you. ✨Customer Service✨ The customer service is amazing. They are constantly watching to make sure that you have everything you need and did a phenomenal job with allergies. Pray brief second, I thought I had something that would irritate my allergies but they went above and beyond describing the menu to make sure I knew that the bean and I was allergic to was not in the dish. They always remember us. Our server Jess is the absolute best. She will take care of you for sure! The owners have came out to talk to us multiple times and so has the chef without even knowing I do food reviews. I think that makes an experience top-notch

S

Shane WGoogle Maps

Recently

Risotto has been one of my favorite dishes here for a while now. I tried the beef stroganoff this time, did not disappoint. I thought to myself how tender the wagyu beef was and it has a nice red cooking wine flavor that is nice and savory. The waiter was very accommodating. The restaurant has a warm feel. You’ll want to park inside the parking garage that it’s attached to and they will validate your parking.

L

Lori GutierrezGoogle Maps

Recently

Cute little cafe. They provide a great brunch menu. Our table ordered several different items and everything was delicious. The service was okay, not sure if they were short staffed or if it was a busy day. I felt like they needed help with organizing (seating, bringing out orders, checking to see if everything was brought out to the table, etc.) The so called “starts” were brought out after all of the meals. Wait staff didn’t even glance at table (so busy), so that we could ask for additional items.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tango Contemporary Cafe

Common questions from diners about Tango Contemporary Cafe in Honolulu.

Yes, the cafe is vegetarian friendly and offers vegan options.

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