Reviews - Zigu
Reviews summary
Zigu, a charming Japanese tapas and sushi restaurant in Waikiki, offers an enticing yet polarizing dining experience. While the ambiance draws patrons in and the presentation impresses, opinions on service and food quality vary. Though some found the prices high, many praised the exceptional flavors, particularly the soba noodles and unique appetizers. Service can be hit or miss, with some experiencing attentive servers while others felt overlooked. Overall, Zigu is recognized for its authentic izakaya feel and remarkable dishes, making it a worthwhile stop, especially during happy hour. A must-try for anyone visiting Hawaii!.
Was Anonym at Zigu a mag?
Our waitress, Loa U, at Zigu was fantastic! She gave us plenty of time to explore the menu and answered all our questions with great knowledge. Having lived in Japan, I can say the dining experience at Zigu feels truly authentic. View all feedback.
What Anonym dislikes about Zigu:
Server was not attentive at all and the food was not up to par for being an authentic Japanese tapas and sushi restaurant. The only great dish was the Soba noodles. View all feedback.
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Reviews from various users
Last update : 06.06.2025
We just had a fantastic meal at Zigu. The happy hour specials (4 6pm) are a good deal the smoked potato salad, watercress and tofu salad and tempura being particularly tasty. Then we jumped to the abalone, natto tuna poke and sashimi platter all ofwhich were delicious! The food was fresh and tasty, with prices better than some other honolulu restaurants we ate at. And tocap it off, we had hospitable service and our server even chased us down the street when he realized that we had left our ballcaps behind! If you haven't been yet, we recommend that you try Zigu!
LOVED Zigu. I live in NYC with a lot of Japanese food options and none of it (Tempura, Sushi, the side dishes) are remotely as good as Zigu. The ambiance is wonderful. It’s charming, just off the touristy drag so it’s quiet, and service isimpeccable. You really feel as though you are in Kyoto! We had the Watercress salad, Tofu, Veggie Tempura, Sushi (it wasperfection- the quality of the fish was outstanding), Sake and a few other dishes. All were excellent. I thought the priceswere to be expected and very fair especially considering the quality of the ingredients (both the fish and produce). The bestpart is, this place as a neighborhood feel. Like it’s a hidden gem. There is a great back patio with expanded space. Theyalso take reservations!
This reminds me of a typical Izakaya (pub) in Japan. The atmosphere was pleasant, service was exceptionally fast, and the food was incredible. My wife and I arrived during happy hour (4 6PM) where they had discounts on some appetizers and drinks. Weshared the spicy edamame appetizer which was phenomenal. I had the Honolulu Beerworks Cocoweizen I love typical Hefeweizensand this was both unique and delicious. I got the chilled soba noodle and my wife got the vegetarian Taro maki roll. It was adelightful first honeymoon meal and I would absolutely come back here!
I absolutely loved Zigu! As a resident of NYC with an abundance of Japanese cuisine available, I can confidently say that none of the offerings—whether it's tempura, sushi, or the side dishes—compare to what Zigu has to offer. The ambiance is delightful; it's charmingly located just off the touristy path, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere, and the service is impeccable. You genuinely feel transported to Kyoto! We enjoyed the watercress salad, tofu, veggie tempura, and sushi (which was flawless—the quality of the fish was outstanding), along with some sake and a few other dishes. Everything was superb. I thought the
We just enjoyed an amazing meal at Zigu. Their happy hour specials from 4 to 6 PM offer great value, with the smoked potato salad, watercress and tofu salad, and tempura being particularly delicious. We then moved on to the abalone, natto tuna poke, and the sashimi platter, all of which were exceptional! The food was fresh and flavorful, and the prices were better than some other restaurants we tried in Honolulu. To top it all off, the service was incredibly welcoming, and our server even ran after us down the street when he realized we had forgotten something.
Last update : 25.11.2023
The food was excellent and the service was top-notch. We arrived right when the restaurant opened, so we were one of only two couples dining there.
As Japanese tourists, we thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients. We will definitely return and recommend this place to our friends. The waiter was very helpful and friendly as well.
This is a fantastic restaurant with an authentic atmosphere. The food was excellent, and the service was top-notch. However, it can be quite noisy, and the seating feels cramped, which could be improved.
It was our first time, and we surprisingly pleased from the ambience and the food selection, sushi and sashimi. We had a trio samples sake, which was wonderful. The service was great. We were served by Maddie, who was very friendly and attentive. Overall, we enjoyed our experience. 
This is a MUST TRY! Ryo provided incredible service and recommendations! Food was amazing and the watermelon sangria will have me traveling back across the country for! So glad we found this place.
Last update : 27.07.2023
"On January 30th, I visited the restaurant and opted for a seat on the sunny terrace. It appears to be quite popular! The tables along the terrace provide a lovely dining experience. I tried the Longboard Lemon Sour drink, which was refreshing. For my meal, I enjoyed the local lemon dish from O'ahu, featuring Kauai wasabi shrimp and Maui onions. The flavors really stood out, and everything tasted fantastic. I highly recommend this place!"
If Japan and Hawaii had a baby, it would be called Zigu. The atmosphere is laid-back and trendy, and the staff is incredibly friendly. The ingredients are sourced locally, and the food is delicious. I live just around the corner and have to restrain myself from eating here all the time. I absolutely love this place!
I absolutely loved Zigu! The dishes are both creative and delicious, and the patio is fantastic and trendy, creating a casual vibe. It’s a refreshing choice right in the heart of Waikiki!
Last update : 30.04.2023
We took my father-in-law here for his 80th birthday, and it was a wonderful experience. He enjoyed steak while the rest of us indulged in sushi. The cocktails were delightful, and they offered a great selection of local beers on tap. I opted for the flight of local sake, which included three samples, all of which I really liked. Our fantastic server added to the evening with a spectacular display of birthday candles and ice, making for some unforgettable photos! We had a great time at ZIGU.
I discovered this restaurant through a search and requested to sit outside. That was my mistake, as the outdoor area was lovely, but on a cool night, the cozy interior would have been perfect. The staff was attentive, the prices were reasonable, and the menu had a nice variety. When we arrived at 7:00 PM on a Friday, the place was quite busy. One thing to keep in mind: if you order all your food at once, it comes out extremely fast. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's good to know if you prefer a more leisurely dining experience. As locals, we will definitely be returning!
The restaurant has a lovely appearance from the street, but I ended up seated in the back room, which was disappointing. The tables were sticky, though I remained optimistic, as sometimes the best places have that problem! Our server, Asia, was fantastic and very attentive. The prices for the sushi are quite high, but the quality of the fish was impressive. However, the rolls were pricey and contained very little seafood. For instance, the Zigu roll was mostly filled with beef, mushrooms, and egg, with just a small piece of tuna on top. I think I’ll pass on that one next time.
Only really excellent food . Fried chicken, sushi is phenomenal and sweet pig. Great mood and service .
Service was excellent. Price was towards the high-side; 30$-50$ an entree but probably just because this is Waikiki. Food was delicious though. Good sake selection.



