Waikīkī is a lot. The sunscreen-scented crush of Kalākaua Avenue and the relentless retail blitz create a sensory overload that can leave even the most seasoned traveler longing for somewhere to exhale. That exhale is located just off Kūhiō Avenue at Romer House Waikīkī, the boutique hotel from Highgate that has become one of the neighborhood’s most interesting addresses. It’s close enough to the action to be convenient, yet removed enough to feel like a genuine escape.
At its heart are two destinations worth the detour: the restaurant 855-ALOHA and its sister lounge, The Lei Stand. Together they make a compelling case for staying in rather than fighting the crowds.
The restaurant’s name pays tribute to Hawaiʻi’s once-ubiquitous sky-blue payphones, and the conceit runs delightfully deep. There’s a vintage phone booth greeting guests at the entrance, setting the tone for an experience rooted in the idea of “calling home.” It’s a canny piece of nostalgia that telegraphs exactly what Executive Chef Brad Dodson is cooking: food that feels like a memory. Dodson, who grew up on the Azores island of Graciosa before making Hawaiʻi home, honed his craft at respected Honolulu kitchens including Brick Fire Tavern and Mud Hen Water, absorbing the islands’ layered culinary identity along the way. His menu is a love letter to that identity, a melting pot of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Native Hawaiian influence that honors the tradition of the potluck, where grandmother’s recipes and local-legend dishes exist side by side.
The format is built for sharing. Begin with the Aloha Platter — an abundant spread of edamame hummus, beet poke, goma-ae, citrus-cumin roasted carrots, and taro chips that reads like a greatest-hits of the islands’ pantry. The North Shore Detour Shrimp, swimming in roasted garlic, chili oil, and butter, disappears fast. Larger plates reward the indecisive: the Chinatown Chili Crisp Chicken brings genuine heat and finesse; the Kalbi Ribs — prime short rib with sesame and kimchi — are deeply satisfying; and the sushi roll program, from the showstopping Kimono to the bright, jalapeño-laced Pescador, rounds things out with flair. Printed menus, analog-inspired touches, and a phone-free spirit provide the throwback vibe.
Then there’s The Lei Stand. Co-founded by Hawaiʻi-born Emmy-winning producer Ryan Kalei Tsuji and former Universal Music Group brand strategist Tara Kanani Shimooka, the beloved cocktail bar migrated from its original Chinatown home to Romer House in 2025, bringing its community-first soul with it. Step through the arched floral entry and into a room of glowing neon, lush tropical foliage, house beats, and warm after-hours ease. Cocktails are organized into Blooms (signature builds), Bark (beer and a shot), and Grape Vine — and arrive alongside shareable pupus. (The edamame hummus is delicious, btw, and alone worth a visit.)
In the heart of Waikīkī’s glorious, beautiful madness, this little corner of Romer House is the sigh you didn’t know you needed.
Photos courtesy of Romer House Waikiki
