Treetops Restaurant At Paradise Park
3737 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96822
Treetops Restaurant At Paradise Park Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Honolulu for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Honolulu for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
3737 Manoa Rd
Honolulu, HI, 96822 - Phone (808) 988-6838
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
T L.
My family and I had Thanksgiving brunch there and it was really good. It wasn't overly crowded , casual and had a very relaxed local vibe. The food was always filled and at the right temperature. The staff was great! Always filled our beverages and promptly removed the used plates from the table. The owner is so personable and joyful. We had a great Thanksgiving celebration.
(4)Rise D.
Two stars for the nice scenery and kind service. I went here for a work luncheon, otherwise I would have passed. There were not that many other people besides our party there for lunch. The buffet is not that great...the best item I had was a tempura onion ring. The cheesecake was way too lumpy. The rest of the food (mostly Chinese food items) was maybe a step up above Panda Express. The restaurant reminds me of a very old cafeteria. They really should renovate, the place looks very aged and run down. I bet if they re-decorated and improved the food, they would get more service.
(2)Toni F.
Under new management and it's not an improvement. Less selections, poorer quality, and no desserts - gone is my favorite jin dui and almond tofu. No more somen salad, Kim chee, or namasu. Entrees are less Japanese influenced and more.... whatever has a lot of salt and is overcooked. The sliding doors don't open so the room felt very warm and stifling. Everything did look cleaner and newly painted, but I would take the old ambience and ono food anyday. This used to be one of my favorite places for local food. The new manager says they have only been open four days and to give them a chance. I might walk through again to see if the selections have increased and improved, but based on today's lunch, I don't have high hopes.
(2)Scott H.
Not a fan. People constantly have gatherings here, and it's not good. The setting of the restaurant is okay. Really old. Area used to be nice in the 1980s and early 90s. Once Paradise Park went belly up, the place has kinda be left to fester. The food is buffet. One buffet for ALL the parties at the place, which can hold 5-6 parties. You will be mixing and mingling (elbowing) people you don't know for mediocre food on their buffet. Standard local buffet fair. Not terrible, not great.
(1)Ronin E.
I'm so torn between a restaurant by local standards... or by 'mainland' standards. We met the manager of 30+ years, the 'famous' Martin, as mentioned on here a number of times. You rarely meet a guy so amazingly nice, so it's hard for me to talk about the negatives here but I'll try to be as fair as I can. LOCATION The location is amazing, at the foot of Manoa Falls' hiking trail. Like the name would suggest, it's high up in the trees. However, due to the location, it takes on a ton of rain and everything just feels super waterlogged. There is moss all over the exterior. I don't know how in the world someone could keep with the cleaning of that. INTERIOR (I'm so sorry Martin, this is my only real knock, sorry!!) Someone perfectly described it as someone described it as a "church basement." Very true. The chairs are metal ones with basic cushions, very minimal everywhere. There are a lot of random things when you walk in, like massage chairs, little figurine displays, etc. The good news is that these fixes would be super easy!! They just have to pay up for some new chairs (for sure!) to make it look nicer, and just, overall, give it a nice facelift. Also, as someone else said, they definitely need new flooring (carpeting or tile), maybe some nice lighting. Also, random, but the women's bathroom light wasn't working. Just random stuff like that takes away from the overall experience. FOOD I'm just a haole but I actually liked it. It's not anywhere on par with hotel buffets but for the price, it's not bad. There's not a ton of selection but what they have all tasted good to me! My wife didn't exactly agree... but when do wives ever ;) Just a minor thing... there were little fruit flies hanging around. I'm not sure how you'd correct that but they really might wanna try. SERVICE Super local and friendly, right on top of everything. Again, we talked to Martin and some others but they were all super sweet. Overall, I mean, it's worth a try if you're in the area. I don't know if you'd wanna drive out but if you're close, maybe give it a shot. I'm totally on the fence about recommending it. If you're cool with a "super local" place, then yes. If you're used to hotel and Vegas buffets, this wouldn't be for you. ** TIP... LOCK YOUR CAR!!! The parking lot is totally enclosed by trees and we noticed that there was one guy walking around "randomly" and another guy came by on his scooter, kinda looking around, then driving off... who knows what they were doing when we weren't right there but seriously, Paradise Park is a hotbed for car theft (like the Pali Lookout) just take any valuables inside.
(3)Wilfred L.
Really can't say more than to not go there. The lunch buffet is $13.00 for a reason. The people working there were nice but the place has fallen into such disrepair that it is a sad place to go. So why did I go there? My boss took all of us there to thank us for all our hard work this past year. Afterwards, even he apologized because he didn't think it was going to be like that.
(1)C Y.
Mediocre food in crumbling building. Too bad, because it is a stunning setting with great potential
(1)Debbie R.
Had my son's grad party here and I have to say it was a huge hit. The food was great, atmosphere was wonderful. We even spotted a huge cockatoo eating coconuts in the tree. Martin, the manager, is THE BEST. He bent over backwards to make sure our party was a hit. We had plenty of food, and he paid constant attention to make sure we didn't run short. It was awesome. I didn't have to do much of anything except put the favors on the table. . . Martin and his staff covered it all . . . .all we had to do is sit back, relax and enjoy. Best part, the price was very reasonable. . . if you are looking for a venue that offers full service and a reasonable price, this is the one. . look no further! My only caveat is to hire or arrange for someone to watch the parking lot (or make sure your guests don't leave a tempting valuable in their front seats) while you and your guests enjoy the party. . . . we had a break in to a couple of the cars while we were there for our evening function (dark parking lot). Might have been an isolated incident, but just wanted to offer a word of caution . . . . Other than that, this gets 5 stars . . . .excellent!
(5)Toni O.
The only reasy why I gave this restaurant two starts instead of one, was for their awesome, ono, roast chicken. It was cooked perfectly and my husband thought that it was roast duck. It was rich and cooked perfectly. The ginger fish was soft, but I needed to add my tempura sauce for more flavor. The worst thing I ate was the blueberry cheesecake. It was between moist & dry, which was fine, but the flavor was was weird. I mean, even my grandma used canned blueberries and a recipe out of the box, so I don't know how anyone could have messed this up. The interior was ok, but every furnishing in and out of the restaurant was rusted, damp, and moldy. This place is obviously great for parties for the large space, lowest priced buffets in town, free parking, in beautiful Manoa Valley. However, I'd rather have a party at a local Chinese restaurant for better food. The kiddies in the area seemed to love the place for the roving chickens and occasional loose Macaw or Amazon bird. I'm sorry if I'm so harsh and offend the family members that recommend this place :-(
(2)Chun M.
Great buffet in a remote location and very reasonably priced. We made the hike up to Manoa Falls and were famished at lunchtime. The buffet selection was just right with salad, fruit, hot foods and dessert, mostly Asian flavors. The beef stew and fish were tasty and my son had 3 plates of young chow fried rice. There was a luncheon/conference going on but service was great anyway. I wonder how they can stay in business opening just for lunch, but the owner said they've been open for 45 years and he had been the proprietor for the last 15. The place could use a facelift, but the food for the price cannot be beat.
(4)Sheryl G.
what: established in 1967! the restaurant is situated in the heart of manoa's rainforest! something good: i came here for a bridal shower and i remember eating here when i was younger but couldn't really remember much about the restaurant! it is literally located in the middle of the rainforest so it feels like you are eating in a treehouse!! the surrounding greenery is beautiful and the structure itself is really quite charming! this place is perfect for hosting parties, as there were a few going on at the same time while i was there : ) the food is pretty good for a buffet. but the coolest thing is the guy who was running the restaurant was super accommodating and so kind to our party! something not so good: the food isn't spectacular but considering it's a buffet it is pretty good! the major thing about this restaurant is the great customer service and the beautiful, beautiful surrounding!!! something to try: buffet
(4)Joy S.
Very reasonable price and I had no complaints from my guests. We had my twin's first birthday party there and the only real issue I had was the heat. The weather was so hot and humid, so the ventilation wasn't the best. The place did supply some strategically located fans, but AC would've been a ton better. Overall if you have to have a party that is more than 50 people (we had about 89), this is the place to go. The buffet was a brunch with the time spanning from 11-2 p.m. The buffet served everything from scrambled eggs to chinese food to some desserts like haupia, etc. The fish was great! My family and friends liked the food. What I liked the best about this place was that Martin (the owner) was a pleasure to work with. He let us come by beforehand to check out the place, put our minds at ease by answering all of our questions, and he was so hospitable to us!!! He made us remember what aloha is all about.
(5)Joy I.
I also am very surprised with these reviews. Really? Went there on multiple occasions for events and the food is mediocre at best. The assorted tempura was loaded with batter and so oily I took one bite of the onion rings and could not bear to continue. Thirsty? You better bring your pitcher to get it refilled. Also, it was raining really hard, and the roof was leaking onto our table. If you're restaurant is located in Manoa, it rains, your roof should definitely not leak.
(1)Lee Ann M.
Probably the worst meal and food I have had on the island of Oahu. Should have been clued in when the ambulance was at the entrance hauling away a guest The buffet selection is very minimal. Low quality meats in the Chinese buffet and the flavors were non existent. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Would give one star if I could just for the servers.
(1)Nicole K.
Overrated. My whole family loves it here, but idk, I think i'm just unimpressed. The scenery is really pretty, I'll give it that much. my mom made me dress up for a dinner here, but it's more laid back. so i think in that sense it compliments the scenery really well. She also said that this place has been in existence for a looooong time. so kudos to them for staying in business that long. the food was okay. nothing to really rave about. and for about $15, it's a pretty good deal for a buffet
(3)Mark Y.
Everything that Alice L. here writes is spot on. Very reasonable buffet, the staff and management are very accommodating - the way service should be in this down economy, and the charm of this place is a big plus. Set in a tropical rainforest, you'll want to come here during the day to see the real treetops, hehe. It's old and a little funky but they make do here. And please don't run over the mother hens and their chicks as you pull in the parking lot.
(4)Tommy C.
Didn't eat at restaurant but the Hawaiian Shave Ice vendor at entrance was excellent. Very friendly and for the $4.00 price for the Shave Ice can't be beat.
(5)Manu P.
Tucked in a back of Manoa Valley is one of the better buffet restaurants on Oahu. The food is not that spectacular but its better than eating at Makitti Hawaii. If you can by pass the oily tempuras then you will be a happy camper. Salad bar awesome. All you can bacon, breakfast sausage and eggs? Better yet. Chinese BBQ ribs one of the best! You will be licking your fingers more than once. If you looking for something grand and spectacular then go to Alan Wongs. If you want something in between then this place is for you. If you want to feel like you just wasted your money then go to Makitti Hawaii. You will regret it.
(3)V.K. P.
The bathroom is not very updated which makes it feel unclean.
(2)Albert F.
Here for a graduation celebration brunch. The view is great... Always suprised at finding restaurants and businesses in odd locations. I have been to this area before but havent eaten here before this. The place is showing its age, but the food was great. Parking for the restaurant is at the upper lot and free. There is a bridge connecting the lot and the restaurant, and after crossing the bridge you will see a little kiosk with a jewelry vendor. The jewelry appears to be hand made crafts and reasonably priced. When you enter, there may be a cashier sitting at the desk, and you can get seated I suppose (again I was here for a private party). Looking out the many windows, you are greeted with views of the tops of the trees below (hence the name) The food was pretty good for buffet food. On the tables were: Ribs, baked teriyaki chicken, steamed mahi, ham, eggplant, miso soup, assorted salads and vegetables, lil smokies, somen salad, pickled veggies, haupia, and fresh Jin dui! I would come back here again!
(4)Shaun A.
Nice owners. So so food. Great for events or a post hike meal, but too greasy for a destination visit.
(4)COURTNEY K.
Good buffet in an amazing old building in lush manoa.
(4)Buzzy L.
Food not bad. Utensil ,dishes and plates were not clean. They were wet and still grease. You can see and feel that they were not washed clean.
(3)Chris L.
What a disappointment! It's been years since I've been there, & was looking forward to a delicious Easter brunch... Not! Somen salad - rubbery, ham - cold & canned, ribs - tasty but cold, macaroni salad - tasteless, little smokies over cooked & shriveled up. In our water glasses we found floating ants, and ants stuck to the glasses. We asked for new glasses of water, but the waiter came back again with glasses of water with ants in them again!
(1)Brian A.
I've been to the Treetops several times, all for large gatherings such as a birthday or graduation celebration. It's like driving up the hill in Hilo on the Big Island to a secluded out of the way restaurant, but this is Oahu. It's actually just interesting getting to the location because it's more like driving up the mountain in Hilo on the Big Island than just a few minutes from central Honolulu. The food is standard Hawaii local buffet kind of fare, nothing spectacular. The room is large enough to hold quite a bit of people. I'd probably mostly stick to being invited up here for events, than trek up here voluntarily with the many other food options around.
(3)Shirley Mina Y.
Kristal and I were here today for our free literacy workshop. The directions that Mapquest gave us were okay, until the mailboxes disappeared. Soon, we were following signs. We parked in the wrong parking lot, the one on the right hand side. That parking lot turned out to be the lot for the hikers. The actual parking lot was the one up on the hill and to the left. We had to move the car. I got some kind of fruity scone, freshly baked oatmeal cookie, pineapple chunks, and decaf. from the free breakfast buffet. There were all sorts of little bugs flying all around our tables and they kept on falling into the drinking glasses and one fell into our water pitcher. The room was really drafty and cold. It began to rain. I went back to my car to get a heavier sweater. The free buffet lunch was served at noon. I got the fried rice, some kind of fish, the fried shrimp, and side of Sriracha sauce. I went back for some chilled tofu and green onions after. Does their buffet menu ever change? This was the first time I've ever been here and from reading all of the other reviews, it looks like everybody else was served the same exact items.
(3)First Name L.
As my other reviews, this is CONTEXT. This is a BUFFET for $14. Don't come here if - You're on vacation and looking for a grand $14 meal, you've never been to Manoa and expect a fancy ultra modern restaurant, you are looking for superb service. Come here if - You are down to earth and realize this restaurant has been here for a long time, you are local and know what you might get for $14, you just came down from the hike and are ravaged. Treetops is older and showing it's age. The owner is wonderful and very accommodating, his staff may not appear friendly but I quickly realized they are super nice and made me feel like I was over their house eating their food. Genuinely nice people at this restaurant just not the type of service you would get at Hoku's. The buffet is great for the price. Basic salad and bread, REAL eggs, bacon, sausage, rice, fried rice, eggplant dish, steamed fish, salt and pepper shrimp, soups, lots of desserts, and more. Everything was cooked really well and some of it were as good as regular cook to order food. For example, the eggs were excellent, they didn't make you the usual crappy buffet eggs. Some of the entries were as good as the buffet at Hoku's and most others were above average. Folks, it's $14. It's a relative bargain. Like another review here, we too paid much less than expected as we came in the last few minutes of their buffet. We didn't expect it but it was a nice gesture. It was also very nice of them to continue making food considering we were only 3 people in a restaurant full of people that have already eaten.
(4)Shelly i.
My office decided to go to Treetops for Admin Professionals Day lunch. The buffet line choices are a little limited but I thought it was pretty tasty and quite reasonable at $11.50 (not including tax and tip). There were a bunch of cold salads (green salad, potato salad, jello, etc.) and the usual local buffet suspects (rice, noodles, beef broccoli). I really liked the tempura and the jin dooi they served. The owner/manager? was really nice and even brought jin dooi (fried mochi balls stuffed with black sugar) to our room so we'd be able to have some. I'm definitely keeping this on my short list for big group parties (we had a group of 40 and a private room).
(4)Derek K.
Had a bowling banquet here the other week...yes, I said bowling. Anyway, the food is your typical local style buffet, simple but good. A bunch of different salads and appetizers (tossed greens, somen salad, assorted fruit, lomi salmon, poke, etc). All fresh and very tasty. For main dishes, they have shoyu cicken, prime rib, fish from what I remember. Again, the food is very tasty. Other than the prime rib, which is very tender and delicious, I also enjoyed the chicken which had a lot of taste. Hey, the place itself might not be a very nice place...in fact the bathroom (mend side) stinks!...and there are wilding chickens running around outside, BUT all in all the food is good and the place is comfortable especially for large groups. Go in with low expectations...you not eating at some high end fancy place.
(4)Pua W.
Kind of gross. The place gets more ghetto every time I go there. Saw dead cockroaches laying about, food was oily and tasted horrible. I'm giving them 2 stars because their ribs and carrot cake were pretty good. I wouldn't go here just to go here. We had a family function there (probably because it's really cheap...I think $13 a head for buffet). It was really warm inside, but when we asked to open up the sliding doors, the breeze helped a lot. Not recommended.
(2)David C.
I've been to a couple of graduation parties here. The overall setting and dining area is quite nice. The food is all right. They offer a lot of local-style food along with the basic salads and chicken dishes. One of the most interesting experiences I've had with this place though occured when I went running by the restaurant. There is a lot of foliage and trees surrounding the area and there are some stray dogs. Based on this, all I can say is to not cross the stray chow chow that walks around that area. It will growl at you and possibly chase you. Trust me, I know from experience.
(3)Flavio S.
Very good buffet, for a great price. Amazing staff!! they showed us some of the 'lost' series scenaries, sprayed us with mosquitos repellant (before we took the trail), and took a picture of us in front of their lucky dragon. Make sure to eat there before hiking manoa falls in order to have a very nice experience!
(5)Aaron Y.
Not sure what this place is on other days, but on Sunday afternoon it was a buffet of mostly-Chinese food: steamed and fried rice, some delicious BBQ pork ribs, chicken, miso and some kind of tofu soup.. Salad bar, fresh fruits, jello, and a few delicious desserts. Choices of drinks were coffee, punch, or Asahi beer. The food was delicious and refreshing after our taxing, rained-on hike to Manoa falls, and the restaurant was a godsend as a place to rest, dry off, and fill our bellies. The host was very gracious, encouraging us to dry off in the restaurant's restrooms, then directing me straight to the soup so that I could keep warm. We'll be back any time we return and make the trip to Manoa Falls.
(4)Darlene N.
This place is a "hidden treasure"! You get all kinds of local food and they have the best spicy eggplant in town. The surroundings is "lush green" a beautiful country like setting. Best of all it's inexpensive.
(5)Jay C.
The buffet ends at 2 pm. We got there at 1:30 (after hiking to Manoa Falls and back) and were the last party to arrive. All the dishes were still available but it feels a bit like eating other people's leftovers because some of the trays were almost empty. Now the surprise came when we started eating. It was actually pretty good. The service was also quite decent. And the big surprise came at the end when we paid our bill. The owner said he felt bad we came near the end of the buffet, so he charged us for just 3 adults (there were 4 adults and two kids). This was followed by some friendly chit chat. I appreciated his gesture and left a tip big enough to cover the free adult and two kids. If you're planning a morning hike to Manoa Falls, I highly recommend stopping here afterwards for lunch.
(4)yayoi s.
my review is for my memories of paradise park. it was magical. hawaiian mountain apples are the sweet secret taste of eden that are easily attainable if you decide to hike the rainforests of hawaii. i remember walking the downward spiraling atrium with parrots, and other exotic birds squaking and landing on you to get some seeds while providing you with photo ops. i remember walking through lush green foliage, pirds of paradise, mosquitoes, wooden walkways, the smell of humidity and heat. why did they close this? i was a kid, so i don't know.
(5)J K.
Great for the price. Doesn't look like the greatest place to eat at, but the owner is such a sweet old Chinese man. Great for parties, if you don't want to spend too much. Lots of parking.
(4)Albert C.
I've come here for over 20 years. Mostly as a kid, and mostly on Sunday brunch with my folks. The quality of food is okay. But when it comes to buffets, how often is it going to be startling memorable? I can scant recall buffets I have eaten at in New Orleans or Vegas. So the food is decent, the price is fair and the atmosphere is kind of neat. How often do you get to eat local buffet in the treetops of Manoa? For me, it would be once a year. And even if the food is just okay, I'm looking forward to my net visit.
(3)Mariko K.
All of the food is bland and the coffee was cold. Service was very slow and the restaurant looked shabby. I won't be back.
(2)Thomas C.
Great place to have lunch and a banquet wroth friends and family. The food is wonderful and very peaceful. Hiking trail is great for everyone. Great for families and friends to hang out. Good for exercise and goods Cardio!
(5)Randall H.
The new renovations were great and nice but the owner now needs to put in a lot of work, cuz the restaurant now sucks.
(1)Honest Y.
Okay...close your eyes and imagine this...sometimes you just want to get away from it all and just get lost in another world...wait for it...wait for it....okay maybe not another world... but perhaps a town close enough to the city but just far enough to feel like you are in the jungle? I freaking found it! drove to Manoa and headed for the hills, the mountain, the jungle, the waterfall...all of it! And as you drive into what seems like Jurastic Park void the Dinosaurs (thank GOD) theres a restaurant nestled up high in the Treetops...you blink , you pass it and end up in a waterfall. The location is unlike anything else you will find on the islands. Hands down. The staff, greats you with genuine smiles and you are led to a table, and it doesn't matter what table within the restaurant and you have a Panoramic view of the Forrest ...or do I call it jungle? It is breathtaking. Here you will see wild Parrots and Cockatoos perched on treetops, before you get completely forgetful of why you came, a sweet waitress will ask you if you want a drink and will then guide you to a buffet. Now I am not a person who favors buffets so I walked up to it with a bit of dreaded expectation and thats when I was pleasantly awaken! It was the perfect sized buffet filled with island favorites from Kahlua Pig to fresh fish. The food was really good and the chef and staff really tended to the buffet which was great because there is nothing worse than walking up to a buffet line only to see one teriyaki chicken in the pan minus the chicken! This is an ideal place for a big party or a small intimate luncheon on the veranda or at the window. Oh and did I tell you about the parking? Tons! The next time I go, I would like to sit at the bar with some friends after a hike at Manoa Falls and just absorb the atmosphere with good company! :) :)
(5)Jamie H.
Terrible customer service. Called to make a reservation to celebrate a birthday. Woman answered the phone while yelling at someone. She proceeded to yell at me when I wasn't sure what time I wanted. I said 12:30 and then said no wait lets do 11:30 and she said, I already wrote it in the book so which is it. I politely told her that I no longer needed a reservation and SHE hung up on ME! Won't be going there, ever!
(1)Tiani B.
I came here for a baby party and thought to myself as I was pulling into the parking lot...."hey, I been here before" I used to work in photography and worked a senior luau there about six years ago and guess what!? It looks exactly the same in there!!! This place definately needs an update pronto. The food was good, the variety of food was good, nothing spectacular about it except for my cousins' party decorations. Also there is a vender in the lobby area selling earrings, necklaces, watches, angry bird accessories, I mean, you name it, she had it. I thought that was odd but none the less she was nice.
(3)Shannon O.
I've been here numerous times before for a number of birthday parties. I have never been here before Paradise Pak closed down so I only have visited Treetops restaurant. It's a pretty decent place. The setting is very casual. I could see why it's a good place to have a party. It has a lot of free parking and the scenery is very nice. I don't really know what the price per head for the buffet is but I would assume it is quite reasonable. Today I went there for a friend's Yakudoshi. It was a surprise for him. We had a room off the entrance and had about 40+ people there. I don't know if you book it by the hour or party but I didn't see any indication we needed to leave by a certain time. We had the room early on from when the guest arrived ahead to surprise him and also after dining to celebrate some. The buffet is pretty "local" standard, but also pretty good. They salad bar has a lot of things for everyone. Nothing fancy but the standard salad mix and extras like fresh cut veggies, jello, and fruit. They also had somen salad and lomi salad to round it out. For the main food they are a brunch style buffet. They had an assortment of breakfast buffet items and also lunch ones. Breakfast- they had bacon, eggs, fried rice, and a few other standard items. Lunch- oyster chiken, eggplant szechuan, steamed fish, ribs, and a couple other items. Sorry, I'm close to Yakudoshi also so my memory is not what it used to be. I need to learn to use my camera more. Basically, the buffet had an assortment of items. Nothing too fancy but all pretty good. I didn't partake in dessert but know that they had a blueberry cheesecake, gin dui, chocolate brownie, custard, and a lot of other items. Others on our table got the desserts and they liked them. Over all I thought the setting was perfect for this type of party. I would wouldn't plan to have a wedding reception here but for pretty much everything else I would think this is a pretty good place. Get in, eat, celebrate, get out. Nothing fancy, at all, but really decent food and if you choose to get out on a balcony you will like the scenery. Like I said, I've been there for numerous other parties such as graduations and birthday parties. Everyone always seemed to have a really good time and enjoy themselves. Funny thing too. They must bus some tourist in because there were Japanese tourist that came in for the brunch. I really wanted to see what kind of food they were eating but didn't want to be nosey. Oh well. I saw a lot of couples there also so don't shy away because you're not with a party. Maybe enjoy a little hike and them finish it off with a little brunch buffet. No matter what---Happy Eats!!
(3)Michael C.
Attend a 1st birthday party here today. This is a really nice location for parties. Parking wise: Even with 2 other events didn't have any problems finding parking. Even people that who we know came late was able to find parking. Food wise: this is a buffet serving both breakfast and chinese food. As i said there were 2 other parties going on the buffet was always being restocked so nothing was ever empty. Service: the workers always came by to take away dirty plates and to refill water, coffee & tea. As mentioned in the food part they kept the buffet well stocked. Overall: great location, lots of parking, really good food for a buffet. They handle big parties like pros. #Yelp 013/365 Date Visited: Saturday, August 13, 2011
(4)Nyle C.
I used to love the old treetops. We used to always have parties at this restaurant back when Martin was still the owner. The food and atmosphere was always on par. Fast forward to now and it's the first time I've been here since the renovations and new ownership. The restaurant itself is great and the renovations were well worth it. They have a brand new stage in the front, along with a bar on the side now. The bathrooms are bigger and clean. The staff was also really nice. As for the food, it kinda left more to be desired. It's a Hawaiian buffet menu that they serve now. I thought the kalua pig was good, along with the chicken. But other than that, the rest of the food was meh. I have no problem paying $20 for a buffet meal whether it'd be lunch or dinner, but I do want to feel like I got my money's worth at the end of the day. I'll more than likely come back at a later date to see if the food has improved. As for now, I'd probably pass unless you're in the area or are just curious and want to try out the new menu.
(3)Jean-Paul G.
I was a bit hesitant to write this review, but here it goes. Personally I was a huge fan of Treetops Restaurant and LOVE the location. But after "The New Management" took over this year, its clear to see they have it all wrong. RATS! Rats! rats! Running wild! in the Storage Area of the kitchen where are the plates, silverware, cups and cooking pans are kept. From the 7 balconies, Especially in the Storage Area behind the kitchen where are the plates, silverware, cups and cooking pans are kept. They do not have a front door to the restaurant, just a roll up gate. (They were advised to put a door and screens on to enclose the entire restaurant, but they did not listen). This means rats, bugs, birds and anything that can fit can stroll on in. Sounds harsh I know, but I have seen them with My Own Eyes on many occasions. You can see the traces of them... small brown droppings. And have taken pictures of them.... Gray Hair small eyes. Think of it, the restaurant is in the Rain Forest, with no door and missing screen on the windows.... I hate to mention all that. Some pleasant servers who care about their jobs, but the food and environment is lacking quality control. I am contacting the Health Inspector so they will hopefully clean up their act. Too bad, I love the location, but not the infestation of Rats!
(1)Val G.
We have been here before "renovations" and the food was awesome and lots of variety. Well we experienced the "new" Treetop for Father's Day and was extremely disappointed. Food selection VERY limited and not all that exciting. For it being renovated the walls were not painted, same old carpet. The only thing new was the stage with decor behind it, a private party area, a WAY smaller food line. BTW the women's bathroom sinks were a little above my knees and according to the guys the men's bathroom smelt really bad :( if you want a cheap meal ($15.??) that is the place to go. Also, under new ownership!!!! Needless to say we will not be going there again!!!!! POSITIVE NOTE: Servers were very attentive to use.
(1)Joel J.
5 stars for the waitresses -3 for the food The waitresses were friendly and accommodating but the food was below decent. Teriyaki chicken: boiled in Teri sauce. Gross. I've had better shoyu chicken than this mess. Beef stew: The beef was tender and the vegetables were properly cooked. Lacked salt and flavor. Everyone on the table agreed. I NEVER add salt to any dish. I really had to fight the urge to salt the stew. Kalua Pig: Should be the easiest dish to prepare. Was hard and chopped. The mouthfeel indicated high heat boiling then chopping the meat. Kalua pig should be tender which is achieved through low heat and over an extended time. Worst Kalua pig I have ever eaten. Haupia: too much water. Needed more coconut milk. The taste and texture indicated that water was used to save money. In conclusion, save your money and eat at L&L. At least you won't feel like someone stole your money. So shame, hire better cooks.
(2)Rebecca T.
Amazing view! The food is tasty. The lunch buffet is a great price $15.95. It was fun to sample a variety. Loved the large amount of veggies. They have chicken fingers for the non adventurous eater...The nachos looked amazing!
(4)Tina R.
My nephew's 'first Sunday' event was held here. I understand this is a historic property of sorts. It's been around quite some time. It was closed for rehab as I understand. The grounds are just amazing, picturesque for certain! The facility itself is older, but has had some updating done-quite nice. The service was efficient and friendly. The buffet was very decent...fairly large salad bar selection, several different entree selections of the local variety along with tasty sides also indigenous to the region. I'd do it again. Ample parking, beautiful surroundings, pleasant service, peaceful atmosphere, decent food...give it a go.
(3)Joe G.
This place was great under the past two managements. Awesome food, clean, and the a ton of work was done to fix up the place. Last time I went in, the place really took a turn for the worse. The food was less than mediocre and I heard other people saying that they saw rats.
(1)Denise S.
Mother's Day Brunch 2015. Food was okay for the price. The baked chicken was not cooked well. My husband and dad took a bite and it was still pink inside. Bad. Manager didn't even apologize about it. So sad. You had to pay upfront because there was an up charge for primerib if anyone in your party wanted. There were only two waitresses and one of them didn't work for the place. She was called by a friend to help. Both were very accomodating. Felt sorry for them. Poor planning on the restaurants part.
(1)Shar I.
Just a suggestion, maybe luau type plates might help, so that seniors don't have to carry plates & bowls? Lovely scenery. The dining room is brighter. Was nice to meet the Executive Chef's Mom. Our waitress could benefit from some customer service training. The 6 of us look forward to returning in a few months to enjoy the improvements.
(2)Ric C.
"Not quite ready for prime time". Now in all fairness, this was only the second day of business for the reincarnated Treetops Restaurant so some leeway has to be afforded to them- when your kid is learning how to ride a bike do you slam them for not controlling the bike from the get go? Of course not! You would point out the mistakes, mention where da kid did pretty well and finish it with a dash of encouragement. So here are my impressions for today's lunch: As has been publicized, they have done quite a bit of remodeling and it shows. There is a beautiful platform stage with a huge poster mural of a waterfall which compliments very nicely the waterfall landscape that you see when you first enter the restaurant. That which was once a side wing on the Makai side of the restaurant is now a lounge area with a nice open bar. The luncheon buffet is located along the window area just past the lounge area. The servers are very friendly and from hostesses to busboys everyone was doing there very best to run a smooth flowing and well timed service for the patrons. We saw one server placing the silverware and plates on the table using her fingers to get as close to an exact spacing as she could. Bravos to that gal for her attention to detail. And how was the food? At this early stage, pedestrian at best overall. The offerings included squid luau ( which I really enjoyed), kalua pig (which was pretty good), Lomi salmon (not so good, where's da salmon?), BBQ chicken, beef stew, veggie curry(ok), chicken long rice (no taste) and a salad bar. Now about that salad bar- no labeling of the six salad dressings, 50/50 chance of guessing which of the white color dressing was blue cheese and which was ranch and we guessed wrong. The salad bar items were not very chilled, seemed to be maybe just a little below room temp. ( This would be of some concern on a hot summer day). The potato and mac salad offerings were on the watery side and were like they came out of a bag or tub. Watercress tofu was also watery and devoid of much taste. Didn't bother with the Kim Chee, it looked like it was from a bottle. Dessert consisted of banana cake, Haupia cake and a chocolate cake, the banana cake having the best cake and frosting taste balance and was also the most moist. At $19.95 per adult (with an additional 10% off if you are a senior (60+), the price point is not bad considering beverage is included. After February the regular buffet cost will be $25, and if the offerings and food executions are still the same I'm not sure if it's worth it. But they are off to a promising start, nice remodeling, some winners on the buffet line, a nice service crew for customers makes this restaurant a preview of what it can be-definitely one that has better days ahead. Tweak the offerings-then I'm hoping they will have a winnah! For now, 2.5 stars for the food, 3 stars overall for great service and atmosphere. Will give them a try again later down the line- Good Luck Treetops Restaurant!
(3)Dave S.
You know this place is better than it has any right to be. I was scared since this place has all the makings of a tourist trap -- located next to a major attraction, nothing else nearby, buffet food. But the buffet was actually pretty good for lunch and varied, with aome spicy items as well as bland stuff for kids / old folks / timid eaters. Ginger chicken and the coconut hopia were standouts. Price for lunch was about $15 per, kids under 4 free. Not a steal but reasonable by Waikiki tourist standards, and the food is better than most of the hotel family friendly restaurants.
(4)Laurie M.
Went to the restaurant. Don't know how much they did on renovating except for reupholstering the chair seats, new carpet and pretty fake green marble in the bathrooms. They also have a stage where the buffet was. Senior price is $18.80 plus tax. The setting is beautiful, of course. The outside hasn't been painted and quite dirty including the outside of the windows. The window sill and sides inside where we were sitting were filthy with dead bugs and some caught in webs. The waiter caught a fly on our table and put a glass over it so we could look at it, along with the dead bugs, all lunch long. There was dirt/dust hanging from the jalousie windows. The bathrooms are very pretty and clean. The food was so so. Nice salad buffet, beef stew, 2 kinds of rice, vegetable curry, horrible fried chicken, very salty kalua pork, chicken long rice which was long on rice really liquidy and short on chicken, squid luau, coconut cake and chocolate cake squares. Tea and coffee also. Told the manager about the filthy bugs we had to see all through our lunch, and our caught fly in a glass. Of course she didn't reduce or comp one of our lunches for the filth. Didn't tell them about it for that reason, but customer relations would have been nice. They do have cute tables and chairs for 3 outside overlooking the trees which would have been nice if we had seen them and asked to be sat out there. All in all I think it is expensive for what we got, but the treetop setting is really nice. I thought with all the time they were closed for "renovation" it would have been cleaned and painted at least.
(1)Jana M.
Just re-opened and we love the renovations! Hawaiian/asian buffet + great place to hold banquets- parties, meetings, etc. Lots of parking, great views of the beautiful manoa forest. The Kalua pig was delicious and my mom in law even liked the squid luau. Buffet includes coffee tea iced tea or a soda. look for the parrots leftover from paradise park. We heard them squawking! :) my grandparents gave it the thumbs up! The decor is a tad tacky but a HUGE upgrade.
(5)Jennifer B.
Stopped at this buffet restaurant after hiking to Manoa Falls to grab some lunch and was very disappointed in the quality of the food. They didn't have much of a selection and of the selection the food looked and smelled terrible. It was $20 per person and definitely not worth it - price On a positive note, the staff was polite and friendly.
(1)Brannon T.
I love treetops! Rightfully names for the surrounding view. Great view. This place is deep in the boonies of Manoa. If you ever want to explore Manoa or plan to buy a house there, might as well go to lunch. Very easy to get lost. But once you know the way, you're set. This is a great place for parties: graduations, birthdays, really any big get together. This place is really made for big get togethers. They do have times when you can come and have a small get together. Maybe 2 or 3 people. Good for any amount. But the place is set up for bigger things. The food is really good (buffet style, of course!). The guy who owns it, will remember you. He knows my family and it's not like we eat there every week. It's more like once every few months and only if we're having a party or are in the area...and we never are. I have recently heard that treetops is under new management. I've heard that it's not as good as it once was. Like I said, I haven't been here in some time. But I hope this review gets through and maybe it could go back to the good old days. One can hope.
(5)Kosuke N.
This is the most amazing resturant ever!! Can you imagine that you can eat so ONO food with hearing the HAWAIIAN music in the JANGLE ??? The only place you can do that is the Treetops !!!! My favorite is Kalua pig and that is awesome !! There is ALOHA in the Treetops!!!!!!
(5)Wayne C.
Wow - I went here with high hopes on Easter Sunday. I was shocked to see a man (I assume the manager) was arguing with a customer. He actually pointed his finger at her when they were talking and this caused her to retreat backwards because it appeared he was going to poke her. He had NO self control whatsoever. Shocking to see a worker do this to a customer. The food was Terrible. NO Taste. If this keeps up, this place will not last. I would not go to the New Tree Tops again!!
(1)T N.
Had dinner there in this newly renovated restaurant. School function. There were GNATS all around us as we were eating. GNATS in our salad dressing, Gnats in our drinks, crawling in our bread bun, GNATS attack. Maybe go during the day? Not sure if GNATS are around only at night. IT WAS UNACCEPTABLE.
(1)Rebecca M.
Oh me oh my. This place is RUN DOWN. So ugly inside. Every single chair is stained and 100% filthy looking. The windows have a moldy tinting slime on all of them and everything else about the place is just flat out depressing. The area the place is in is absolutely gorgeous but it's not as beautiful looking through the disgusting windows. We came here for a microbiology seminar and was pretty let down. The coffee was burnt to the extreme and on the verge of transforming into sludge. The "breakfast" had various pasties from random hostess boxes with sliced pineapple and canned peaches. Seriously horrendous. The lunch seriously made me want to cry. The buffet began with wilty lettuce and mostly cabbage as a filler. They had saimin noodles, chunky eggs, rice, fried rice, some kind of bacon and sausage assortments, small servings of ribs, steamed fish that had that weird dirty taste to them, and a very gooey stir fry of some kind. I tried a few things i though were safe to eat and still got an upset stomach so i can't tell you what the egg drop soup or miso soup was like. I had one bite of the carrot cake, which was fine but tasted like it came of a box and the cheesecake i had to spit out because the small bite i took was super hard and lasted like old milk. Pretty terrible place to go eat at. I wouldn't eat here again even if the buffet was free to be honest. The tree forrest outside though is pretty much heaven on earth! So if you feel like going for a hike bring your own food and enjoy the outdoors. Oh one last thing, inattentive staff. No one ever came to clear the table. They tried to refill coffee by the end of the whole 5 hour event and that was it.
(1)Mailani V.
Two stars are strictly just for the beautiful scenery. Came here to celebrate my dads bday today. We get there the hostesses don't know anything we wait 15 mins to get seated and there is no customers in the restaurant. Second the manager himself is very unorganized and lost therefore so is his staff. You pay when you check in!!!! Never heard of that ever and I work in food and beverage for 8 years. Now the food was straight up horrible had flies all over the buffet line... Lomi was gross and I love Lomi. Pork was okay very watery everything else not wroth mentioning..
(2)Zen S.
A perfect occasion to use the description, "meh". The best part about the whole experience... the workers who served the beverages and took away the dishes.
(1)Vince B.
What is more fun?? Birthday or graduation party at the beach under a tent? Or fancy pants hotel reception where your wife or mother is harassing you..."your not going to wear THAT are you?" If you're local it is the beach park for sure! Local style: Attended a High School Grad party at Treetops recently that was a big success. Aunties, uncles, cousins, grandmas, grandpa's, friends, friends of friends, the people down the street...kids and more kids...that is local style. Everyone in attendance seemed to have a great time and enjoyed the food. Lots of family and friends talking, laughing and catching up on family news. Balloons, Pupus, Slide show presentation, goofy magic show and photos taken with the graduate on the way out. The parents of the graduate seemed pleased with how everything worked out. It was in fact quite nice. Food: Buffet style local food is what they are famous for. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ZUB4… ) Clearly not hotel quality but everyone including myself ate our fill and had no complaints. I believe the management allowed the family to bring in its own pupus. Family provided home made bean dip and chips and Poke and soft drinks. The venue: 1960's wooden building that will hold easily about 200 guests. Surrounded by dense jungle type vegetation. No A/C but depends on cross ventilation and ceiling fans. Older tables and chairs and well worn Buffet Serving area. A fresh coat of paint would do wonders in improving the ambience. Perhaps in better days: yelp.com/biz_photos/ZUB4… Parking: Ample Free parking in 2 lots at treetop level. Entrance via bridge from parking to dining room. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ZUB4… ) Parkers in this area know to remove all valuables from their cars. I had my safety stickers lifted in this lot once. Some parties assign someone to watch the cars. The way it is: Not as much fun as the beach but a bit more civilized. Clean bathrooms, no flies and you don't have to sit on the ground. Some one else described current TreeTops as "classic church basement". I don't think this was intended to be negative at all. It is a step up from the tents at the beach park but way more casual than a stuffy hotel. A little rough around the edges because it is a bit rundown. Sometimes it doesn't matter. It is people that matter. Everyone will remember this party for a long time.
(3)Randy L.
Food is a solid 3 stars. The beautiful setting and friendly management rate another star. Great place for medium-sized parties and tour groups. Restrooms are old, but okay. Apparently, the building owner wants the management to upgrade so much, that they are throwing in the towel. Treetops will close at the end of the year. Too bad. The buffet line at lunch is adequate, and kept filled. I particularly liked the chicken, the braised white fish (maybe mahimahi?), and the mixed tempura. None of the famous jin dui was out, but when one of our party requested it, They quickly fried up enough for those who were left in the restaurant. These are the best jin dui that I have tasted. Of course, they were still warm, but they had walls that were thinner than what I usually encounter. The outside was light and crusty, giving a light crunch that yielded to soft chewiness. Ahhhh...
(4)Joe G.
This place was great under the past two managements. Awesome food, clean, and the a ton of work was done to fix up the place. Last time I went in, the place really took a turn for the worse. The food was less than mediocre and I heard other people saying that they saw rats.
(1)Val G.
We have been here before "renovations" and the food was awesome and lots of variety. Well we experienced the "new" Treetop for Father's Day and was extremely disappointed. Food selection VERY limited and not all that exciting. For it being renovated the walls were not painted, same old carpet. The only thing new was the stage with decor behind it, a private party area, a WAY smaller food line. BTW the women's bathroom sinks were a little above my knees and according to the guys the men's bathroom smelt really bad :( if you want a cheap meal ($15.??) that is the place to go. Also, under new ownership!!!! Needless to say we will not be going there again!!!!! POSITIVE NOTE: Servers were very attentive to use.
(1)Joel J.
5 stars for the waitresses -3 for the food The waitresses were friendly and accommodating but the food was below decent. Teriyaki chicken: boiled in Teri sauce. Gross. I've had better shoyu chicken than this mess. Beef stew: The beef was tender and the vegetables were properly cooked. Lacked salt and flavor. Everyone on the table agreed. I NEVER add salt to any dish. I really had to fight the urge to salt the stew. Kalua Pig: Should be the easiest dish to prepare. Was hard and chopped. The mouthfeel indicated high heat boiling then chopping the meat. Kalua pig should be tender which is achieved through low heat and over an extended time. Worst Kalua pig I have ever eaten. Haupia: too much water. Needed more coconut milk. The taste and texture indicated that water was used to save money. In conclusion, save your money and eat at L&L. At least you won't feel like someone stole your money. So shame, hire better cooks.
(2)Rebecca T.
Amazing view! The food is tasty. The lunch buffet is a great price $15.95. It was fun to sample a variety. Loved the large amount of veggies. They have chicken fingers for the non adventurous eater...The nachos looked amazing!
(4)Mariko K.
All of the food is bland and the coffee was cold. Service was very slow and the restaurant looked shabby. I won't be back.
(2)Thomas C.
Great place to have lunch and a banquet wroth friends and family. The food is wonderful and very peaceful. Hiking trail is great for everyone. Great for families and friends to hang out. Good for exercise and goods Cardio!
(5)Ric C.
"Not quite ready for prime time". Now in all fairness, this was only the second day of business for the reincarnated Treetops Restaurant so some leeway has to be afforded to them- when your kid is learning how to ride a bike do you slam them for not controlling the bike from the get go? Of course not! You would point out the mistakes, mention where da kid did pretty well and finish it with a dash of encouragement. So here are my impressions for today's lunch: As has been publicized, they have done quite a bit of remodeling and it shows. There is a beautiful platform stage with a huge poster mural of a waterfall which compliments very nicely the waterfall landscape that you see when you first enter the restaurant. That which was once a side wing on the Makai side of the restaurant is now a lounge area with a nice open bar. The luncheon buffet is located along the window area just past the lounge area. The servers are very friendly and from hostesses to busboys everyone was doing there very best to run a smooth flowing and well timed service for the patrons. We saw one server placing the silverware and plates on the table using her fingers to get as close to an exact spacing as she could. Bravos to that gal for her attention to detail. And how was the food? At this early stage, pedestrian at best overall. The offerings included squid luau ( which I really enjoyed), kalua pig (which was pretty good), Lomi salmon (not so good, where's da salmon?), BBQ chicken, beef stew, veggie curry(ok), chicken long rice (no taste) and a salad bar. Now about that salad bar- no labeling of the six salad dressings, 50/50 chance of guessing which of the white color dressing was blue cheese and which was ranch and we guessed wrong. The salad bar items were not very chilled, seemed to be maybe just a little below room temp. ( This would be of some concern on a hot summer day). The potato and mac salad offerings were on the watery side and were like they came out of a bag or tub. Watercress tofu was also watery and devoid of much taste. Didn't bother with the Kim Chee, it looked like it was from a bottle. Dessert consisted of banana cake, Haupia cake and a chocolate cake, the banana cake having the best cake and frosting taste balance and was also the most moist. At $19.95 per adult (with an additional 10% off if you are a senior (60+), the price point is not bad considering beverage is included. After February the regular buffet cost will be $25, and if the offerings and food executions are still the same I'm not sure if it's worth it. But they are off to a promising start, nice remodeling, some winners on the buffet line, a nice service crew for customers makes this restaurant a preview of what it can be-definitely one that has better days ahead. Tweak the offerings-then I'm hoping they will have a winnah! For now, 2.5 stars for the food, 3 stars overall for great service and atmosphere. Will give them a try again later down the line- Good Luck Treetops Restaurant!
(3)Dave S.
You know this place is better than it has any right to be. I was scared since this place has all the makings of a tourist trap -- located next to a major attraction, nothing else nearby, buffet food. But the buffet was actually pretty good for lunch and varied, with aome spicy items as well as bland stuff for kids / old folks / timid eaters. Ginger chicken and the coconut hopia were standouts. Price for lunch was about $15 per, kids under 4 free. Not a steal but reasonable by Waikiki tourist standards, and the food is better than most of the hotel family friendly restaurants.
(4)Randall H.
The new renovations were great and nice but the owner now needs to put in a lot of work, cuz the restaurant now sucks.
(1)Laurie M.
Went to the restaurant. Don't know how much they did on renovating except for reupholstering the chair seats, new carpet and pretty fake green marble in the bathrooms. They also have a stage where the buffet was. Senior price is $18.80 plus tax. The setting is beautiful, of course. The outside hasn't been painted and quite dirty including the outside of the windows. The window sill and sides inside where we were sitting were filthy with dead bugs and some caught in webs. The waiter caught a fly on our table and put a glass over it so we could look at it, along with the dead bugs, all lunch long. There was dirt/dust hanging from the jalousie windows. The bathrooms are very pretty and clean. The food was so so. Nice salad buffet, beef stew, 2 kinds of rice, vegetable curry, horrible fried chicken, very salty kalua pork, chicken long rice which was long on rice really liquidy and short on chicken, squid luau, coconut cake and chocolate cake squares. Tea and coffee also. Told the manager about the filthy bugs we had to see all through our lunch, and our caught fly in a glass. Of course she didn't reduce or comp one of our lunches for the filth. Didn't tell them about it for that reason, but customer relations would have been nice. They do have cute tables and chairs for 3 outside overlooking the trees which would have been nice if we had seen them and asked to be sat out there. All in all I think it is expensive for what we got, but the treetop setting is really nice. I thought with all the time they were closed for "renovation" it would have been cleaned and painted at least.
(1)Jana M.
Just re-opened and we love the renovations! Hawaiian/asian buffet + great place to hold banquets- parties, meetings, etc. Lots of parking, great views of the beautiful manoa forest. The Kalua pig was delicious and my mom in law even liked the squid luau. Buffet includes coffee tea iced tea or a soda. look for the parrots leftover from paradise park. We heard them squawking! :) my grandparents gave it the thumbs up! The decor is a tad tacky but a HUGE upgrade.
(5)Jennifer B.
Stopped at this buffet restaurant after hiking to Manoa Falls to grab some lunch and was very disappointed in the quality of the food. They didn't have much of a selection and of the selection the food looked and smelled terrible. It was $20 per person and definitely not worth it - price On a positive note, the staff was polite and friendly.
(1)Brannon T.
I love treetops! Rightfully names for the surrounding view. Great view. This place is deep in the boonies of Manoa. If you ever want to explore Manoa or plan to buy a house there, might as well go to lunch. Very easy to get lost. But once you know the way, you're set. This is a great place for parties: graduations, birthdays, really any big get together. This place is really made for big get togethers. They do have times when you can come and have a small get together. Maybe 2 or 3 people. Good for any amount. But the place is set up for bigger things. The food is really good (buffet style, of course!). The guy who owns it, will remember you. He knows my family and it's not like we eat there every week. It's more like once every few months and only if we're having a party or are in the area...and we never are. I have recently heard that treetops is under new management. I've heard that it's not as good as it once was. Like I said, I haven't been here in some time. But I hope this review gets through and maybe it could go back to the good old days. One can hope.
(5)Kosuke N.
This is the most amazing resturant ever!! Can you imagine that you can eat so ONO food with hearing the HAWAIIAN music in the JANGLE ??? The only place you can do that is the Treetops !!!! My favorite is Kalua pig and that is awesome !! There is ALOHA in the Treetops!!!!!!
(5)Wayne C.
Wow - I went here with high hopes on Easter Sunday. I was shocked to see a man (I assume the manager) was arguing with a customer. He actually pointed his finger at her when they were talking and this caused her to retreat backwards because it appeared he was going to poke her. He had NO self control whatsoever. Shocking to see a worker do this to a customer. The food was Terrible. NO Taste. If this keeps up, this place will not last. I would not go to the New Tree Tops again!!
(1)T N.
Had dinner there in this newly renovated restaurant. School function. There were GNATS all around us as we were eating. GNATS in our salad dressing, Gnats in our drinks, crawling in our bread bun, GNATS attack. Maybe go during the day? Not sure if GNATS are around only at night. IT WAS UNACCEPTABLE.
(1)Honest Y.
Okay...close your eyes and imagine this...sometimes you just want to get away from it all and just get lost in another world...wait for it...wait for it....okay maybe not another world... but perhaps a town close enough to the city but just far enough to feel like you are in the jungle? I freaking found it! drove to Manoa and headed for the hills, the mountain, the jungle, the waterfall...all of it! And as you drive into what seems like Jurastic Park void the Dinosaurs (thank GOD) theres a restaurant nestled up high in the Treetops...you blink , you pass it and end up in a waterfall. The location is unlike anything else you will find on the islands. Hands down. The staff, greats you with genuine smiles and you are led to a table, and it doesn't matter what table within the restaurant and you have a Panoramic view of the Forrest ...or do I call it jungle? It is breathtaking. Here you will see wild Parrots and Cockatoos perched on treetops, before you get completely forgetful of why you came, a sweet waitress will ask you if you want a drink and will then guide you to a buffet. Now I am not a person who favors buffets so I walked up to it with a bit of dreaded expectation and thats when I was pleasantly awaken! It was the perfect sized buffet filled with island favorites from Kahlua Pig to fresh fish. The food was really good and the chef and staff really tended to the buffet which was great because there is nothing worse than walking up to a buffet line only to see one teriyaki chicken in the pan minus the chicken! This is an ideal place for a big party or a small intimate luncheon on the veranda or at the window. Oh and did I tell you about the parking? Tons! The next time I go, I would like to sit at the bar with some friends after a hike at Manoa Falls and just absorb the atmosphere with good company! :) :)
(5)Toni F.
Under new management and it's not an improvement. Less selections, poorer quality, and no desserts - gone is my favorite jin dui and almond tofu. No more somen salad, Kim chee, or namasu. Entrees are less Japanese influenced and more.... whatever has a lot of salt and is overcooked. The sliding doors don't open so the room felt very warm and stifling. Everything did look cleaner and newly painted, but I would take the old ambience and ono food anyday. This used to be one of my favorite places for local food. The new manager says they have only been open four days and to give them a chance. I might walk through again to see if the selections have increased and improved, but based on today's lunch, I don't have high hopes.
(2)Jamie H.
Terrible customer service. Called to make a reservation to celebrate a birthday. Woman answered the phone while yelling at someone. She proceeded to yell at me when I wasn't sure what time I wanted. I said 12:30 and then said no wait lets do 11:30 and she said, I already wrote it in the book so which is it. I politely told her that I no longer needed a reservation and SHE hung up on ME! Won't be going there, ever!
(1)Rebecca M.
Oh me oh my. This place is RUN DOWN. So ugly inside. Every single chair is stained and 100% filthy looking. The windows have a moldy tinting slime on all of them and everything else about the place is just flat out depressing. The area the place is in is absolutely gorgeous but it's not as beautiful looking through the disgusting windows. We came here for a microbiology seminar and was pretty let down. The coffee was burnt to the extreme and on the verge of transforming into sludge. The "breakfast" had various pasties from random hostess boxes with sliced pineapple and canned peaches. Seriously horrendous. The lunch seriously made me want to cry. The buffet began with wilty lettuce and mostly cabbage as a filler. They had saimin noodles, chunky eggs, rice, fried rice, some kind of bacon and sausage assortments, small servings of ribs, steamed fish that had that weird dirty taste to them, and a very gooey stir fry of some kind. I tried a few things i though were safe to eat and still got an upset stomach so i can't tell you what the egg drop soup or miso soup was like. I had one bite of the carrot cake, which was fine but tasted like it came of a box and the cheesecake i had to spit out because the small bite i took was super hard and lasted like old milk. Pretty terrible place to go eat at. I wouldn't eat here again even if the buffet was free to be honest. The tree forrest outside though is pretty much heaven on earth! So if you feel like going for a hike bring your own food and enjoy the outdoors. Oh one last thing, inattentive staff. No one ever came to clear the table. They tried to refill coffee by the end of the whole 5 hour event and that was it.
(1)Mailani V.
Two stars are strictly just for the beautiful scenery. Came here to celebrate my dads bday today. We get there the hostesses don't know anything we wait 15 mins to get seated and there is no customers in the restaurant. Second the manager himself is very unorganized and lost therefore so is his staff. You pay when you check in!!!! Never heard of that ever and I work in food and beverage for 8 years. Now the food was straight up horrible had flies all over the buffet line... Lomi was gross and I love Lomi. Pork was okay very watery everything else not wroth mentioning..
(2)Zen S.
A perfect occasion to use the description, "meh". The best part about the whole experience... the workers who served the beverages and took away the dishes.
(1)Vince B.
What is more fun?? Birthday or graduation party at the beach under a tent? Or fancy pants hotel reception where your wife or mother is harassing you..."your not going to wear THAT are you?" If you're local it is the beach park for sure! Local style: Attended a High School Grad party at Treetops recently that was a big success. Aunties, uncles, cousins, grandmas, grandpa's, friends, friends of friends, the people down the street...kids and more kids...that is local style. Everyone in attendance seemed to have a great time and enjoyed the food. Lots of family and friends talking, laughing and catching up on family news. Balloons, Pupus, Slide show presentation, goofy magic show and photos taken with the graduate on the way out. The parents of the graduate seemed pleased with how everything worked out. It was in fact quite nice. Food: Buffet style local food is what they are famous for. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ZUB4… ) Clearly not hotel quality but everyone including myself ate our fill and had no complaints. I believe the management allowed the family to bring in its own pupus. Family provided home made bean dip and chips and Poke and soft drinks. The venue: 1960's wooden building that will hold easily about 200 guests. Surrounded by dense jungle type vegetation. No A/C but depends on cross ventilation and ceiling fans. Older tables and chairs and well worn Buffet Serving area. A fresh coat of paint would do wonders in improving the ambience. Perhaps in better days: yelp.com/biz_photos/ZUB4… Parking: Ample Free parking in 2 lots at treetop level. Entrance via bridge from parking to dining room. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ZUB4… ) Parkers in this area know to remove all valuables from their cars. I had my safety stickers lifted in this lot once. Some parties assign someone to watch the cars. The way it is: Not as much fun as the beach but a bit more civilized. Clean bathrooms, no flies and you don't have to sit on the ground. Some one else described current TreeTops as "classic church basement". I don't think this was intended to be negative at all. It is a step up from the tents at the beach park but way more casual than a stuffy hotel. A little rough around the edges because it is a bit rundown. Sometimes it doesn't matter. It is people that matter. Everyone will remember this party for a long time.
(3)Randy L.
Food is a solid 3 stars. The beautiful setting and friendly management rate another star. Great place for medium-sized parties and tour groups. Restrooms are old, but okay. Apparently, the building owner wants the management to upgrade so much, that they are throwing in the towel. Treetops will close at the end of the year. Too bad. The buffet line at lunch is adequate, and kept filled. I particularly liked the chicken, the braised white fish (maybe mahimahi?), and the mixed tempura. None of the famous jin dui was out, but when one of our party requested it, They quickly fried up enough for those who were left in the restaurant. These are the best jin dui that I have tasted. Of course, they were still warm, but they had walls that were thinner than what I usually encounter. The outside was light and crusty, giving a light crunch that yielded to soft chewiness. Ahhhh...
(4)Scott H.
Not a fan. People constantly have gatherings here, and it's not good. The setting of the restaurant is okay. Really old. Area used to be nice in the 1980s and early 90s. Once Paradise Park went belly up, the place has kinda be left to fester. The food is buffet. One buffet for ALL the parties at the place, which can hold 5-6 parties. You will be mixing and mingling (elbowing) people you don't know for mediocre food on their buffet. Standard local buffet fair. Not terrible, not great.
(1)Debbie R.
Had my son's grad party here and I have to say it was a huge hit. The food was great, atmosphere was wonderful. We even spotted a huge cockatoo eating coconuts in the tree. Martin, the manager, is THE BEST. He bent over backwards to make sure our party was a hit. We had plenty of food, and he paid constant attention to make sure we didn't run short. It was awesome. I didn't have to do much of anything except put the favors on the table. . . Martin and his staff covered it all . . . .all we had to do is sit back, relax and enjoy. Best part, the price was very reasonable. . . if you are looking for a venue that offers full service and a reasonable price, this is the one. . look no further! My only caveat is to hire or arrange for someone to watch the parking lot (or make sure your guests don't leave a tempting valuable in their front seats) while you and your guests enjoy the party. . . . we had a break in to a couple of the cars while we were there for our evening function (dark parking lot). Might have been an isolated incident, but just wanted to offer a word of caution . . . . Other than that, this gets 5 stars . . . .excellent!
(5)Toni O.
The only reasy why I gave this restaurant two starts instead of one, was for their awesome, ono, roast chicken. It was cooked perfectly and my husband thought that it was roast duck. It was rich and cooked perfectly. The ginger fish was soft, but I needed to add my tempura sauce for more flavor. The worst thing I ate was the blueberry cheesecake. It was between moist & dry, which was fine, but the flavor was was weird. I mean, even my grandma used canned blueberries and a recipe out of the box, so I don't know how anyone could have messed this up. The interior was ok, but every furnishing in and out of the restaurant was rusted, damp, and moldy. This place is obviously great for parties for the large space, lowest priced buffets in town, free parking, in beautiful Manoa Valley. However, I'd rather have a party at a local Chinese restaurant for better food. The kiddies in the area seemed to love the place for the roving chickens and occasional loose Macaw or Amazon bird. I'm sorry if I'm so harsh and offend the family members that recommend this place :-(
(2)Tina R.
My nephew's 'first Sunday' event was held here. I understand this is a historic property of sorts. It's been around quite some time. It was closed for rehab as I understand. The grounds are just amazing, picturesque for certain! The facility itself is older, but has had some updating done-quite nice. The service was efficient and friendly. The buffet was very decent...fairly large salad bar selection, several different entree selections of the local variety along with tasty sides also indigenous to the region. I'd do it again. Ample parking, beautiful surroundings, pleasant service, peaceful atmosphere, decent food...give it a go.
(3)Michael C.
Attend a 1st birthday party here today. This is a really nice location for parties. Parking wise: Even with 2 other events didn't have any problems finding parking. Even people that who we know came late was able to find parking. Food wise: this is a buffet serving both breakfast and chinese food. As i said there were 2 other parties going on the buffet was always being restocked so nothing was ever empty. Service: the workers always came by to take away dirty plates and to refill water, coffee & tea. As mentioned in the food part they kept the buffet well stocked. Overall: great location, lots of parking, really good food for a buffet. They handle big parties like pros. #Yelp 013/365 Date Visited: Saturday, August 13, 2011
(4)Albert C.
I've come here for over 20 years. Mostly as a kid, and mostly on Sunday brunch with my folks. The quality of food is okay. But when it comes to buffets, how often is it going to be startling memorable? I can scant recall buffets I have eaten at in New Orleans or Vegas. So the food is decent, the price is fair and the atmosphere is kind of neat. How often do you get to eat local buffet in the treetops of Manoa? For me, it would be once a year. And even if the food is just okay, I'm looking forward to my net visit.
(3)Ronin E.
I'm so torn between a restaurant by local standards... or by 'mainland' standards. We met the manager of 30+ years, the 'famous' Martin, as mentioned on here a number of times. You rarely meet a guy so amazingly nice, so it's hard for me to talk about the negatives here but I'll try to be as fair as I can. LOCATION The location is amazing, at the foot of Manoa Falls' hiking trail. Like the name would suggest, it's high up in the trees. However, due to the location, it takes on a ton of rain and everything just feels super waterlogged. There is moss all over the exterior. I don't know how in the world someone could keep with the cleaning of that. INTERIOR (I'm so sorry Martin, this is my only real knock, sorry!!) Someone perfectly described it as someone described it as a "church basement." Very true. The chairs are metal ones with basic cushions, very minimal everywhere. There are a lot of random things when you walk in, like massage chairs, little figurine displays, etc. The good news is that these fixes would be super easy!! They just have to pay up for some new chairs (for sure!) to make it look nicer, and just, overall, give it a nice facelift. Also, as someone else said, they definitely need new flooring (carpeting or tile), maybe some nice lighting. Also, random, but the women's bathroom light wasn't working. Just random stuff like that takes away from the overall experience. FOOD I'm just a haole but I actually liked it. It's not anywhere on par with hotel buffets but for the price, it's not bad. There's not a ton of selection but what they have all tasted good to me! My wife didn't exactly agree... but when do wives ever ;) Just a minor thing... there were little fruit flies hanging around. I'm not sure how you'd correct that but they really might wanna try. SERVICE Super local and friendly, right on top of everything. Again, we talked to Martin and some others but they were all super sweet. Overall, I mean, it's worth a try if you're in the area. I don't know if you'd wanna drive out but if you're close, maybe give it a shot. I'm totally on the fence about recommending it. If you're cool with a "super local" place, then yes. If you're used to hotel and Vegas buffets, this wouldn't be for you. ** TIP... LOCK YOUR CAR!!! The parking lot is totally enclosed by trees and we noticed that there was one guy walking around "randomly" and another guy came by on his scooter, kinda looking around, then driving off... who knows what they were doing when we weren't right there but seriously, Paradise Park is a hotbed for car theft (like the Pali Lookout) just take any valuables inside.
(3)Wilfred L.
Really can't say more than to not go there. The lunch buffet is $13.00 for a reason. The people working there were nice but the place has fallen into such disrepair that it is a sad place to go. So why did I go there? My boss took all of us there to thank us for all our hard work this past year. Afterwards, even he apologized because he didn't think it was going to be like that.
(1)C Y.
Mediocre food in crumbling building. Too bad, because it is a stunning setting with great potential
(1)Shannon O.
I've been here numerous times before for a number of birthday parties. I have never been here before Paradise Pak closed down so I only have visited Treetops restaurant. It's a pretty decent place. The setting is very casual. I could see why it's a good place to have a party. It has a lot of free parking and the scenery is very nice. I don't really know what the price per head for the buffet is but I would assume it is quite reasonable. Today I went there for a friend's Yakudoshi. It was a surprise for him. We had a room off the entrance and had about 40+ people there. I don't know if you book it by the hour or party but I didn't see any indication we needed to leave by a certain time. We had the room early on from when the guest arrived ahead to surprise him and also after dining to celebrate some. The buffet is pretty "local" standard, but also pretty good. They salad bar has a lot of things for everyone. Nothing fancy but the standard salad mix and extras like fresh cut veggies, jello, and fruit. They also had somen salad and lomi salad to round it out. For the main food they are a brunch style buffet. They had an assortment of breakfast buffet items and also lunch ones. Breakfast- they had bacon, eggs, fried rice, and a few other standard items. Lunch- oyster chiken, eggplant szechuan, steamed fish, ribs, and a couple other items. Sorry, I'm close to Yakudoshi also so my memory is not what it used to be. I need to learn to use my camera more. Basically, the buffet had an assortment of items. Nothing too fancy but all pretty good. I didn't partake in dessert but know that they had a blueberry cheesecake, gin dui, chocolate brownie, custard, and a lot of other items. Others on our table got the desserts and they liked them. Over all I thought the setting was perfect for this type of party. I would wouldn't plan to have a wedding reception here but for pretty much everything else I would think this is a pretty good place. Get in, eat, celebrate, get out. Nothing fancy, at all, but really decent food and if you choose to get out on a balcony you will like the scenery. Like I said, I've been there for numerous other parties such as graduations and birthday parties. Everyone always seemed to have a really good time and enjoy themselves. Funny thing too. They must bus some tourist in because there were Japanese tourist that came in for the brunch. I really wanted to see what kind of food they were eating but didn't want to be nosey. Oh well. I saw a lot of couples there also so don't shy away because you're not with a party. Maybe enjoy a little hike and them finish it off with a little brunch buffet. No matter what---Happy Eats!!
(3)Sheryl G.
what: established in 1967! the restaurant is situated in the heart of manoa's rainforest! something good: i came here for a bridal shower and i remember eating here when i was younger but couldn't really remember much about the restaurant! it is literally located in the middle of the rainforest so it feels like you are eating in a treehouse!! the surrounding greenery is beautiful and the structure itself is really quite charming! this place is perfect for hosting parties, as there were a few going on at the same time while i was there : ) the food is pretty good for a buffet. but the coolest thing is the guy who was running the restaurant was super accommodating and so kind to our party! something not so good: the food isn't spectacular but considering it's a buffet it is pretty good! the major thing about this restaurant is the great customer service and the beautiful, beautiful surrounding!!! something to try: buffet
(4)Nyle C.
I used to love the old treetops. We used to always have parties at this restaurant back when Martin was still the owner. The food and atmosphere was always on par. Fast forward to now and it's the first time I've been here since the renovations and new ownership. The restaurant itself is great and the renovations were well worth it. They have a brand new stage in the front, along with a bar on the side now. The bathrooms are bigger and clean. The staff was also really nice. As for the food, it kinda left more to be desired. It's a Hawaiian buffet menu that they serve now. I thought the kalua pig was good, along with the chicken. But other than that, the rest of the food was meh. I have no problem paying $20 for a buffet meal whether it'd be lunch or dinner, but I do want to feel like I got my money's worth at the end of the day. I'll more than likely come back at a later date to see if the food has improved. As for now, I'd probably pass unless you're in the area or are just curious and want to try out the new menu.
(3)Denise S.
Mother's Day Brunch 2015. Food was okay for the price. The baked chicken was not cooked well. My husband and dad took a bite and it was still pink inside. Bad. Manager didn't even apologize about it. So sad. You had to pay upfront because there was an up charge for primerib if anyone in your party wanted. There were only two waitresses and one of them didn't work for the place. She was called by a friend to help. Both were very accomodating. Felt sorry for them. Poor planning on the restaurants part.
(1)Shar I.
Just a suggestion, maybe luau type plates might help, so that seniors don't have to carry plates & bowls? Lovely scenery. The dining room is brighter. Was nice to meet the Executive Chef's Mom. Our waitress could benefit from some customer service training. The 6 of us look forward to returning in a few months to enjoy the improvements.
(2)Jean-Paul G.
I was a bit hesitant to write this review, but here it goes. Personally I was a huge fan of Treetops Restaurant and LOVE the location. But after "The New Management" took over this year, its clear to see they have it all wrong. RATS! Rats! rats! Running wild! in the Storage Area of the kitchen where are the plates, silverware, cups and cooking pans are kept. From the 7 balconies, Especially in the Storage Area behind the kitchen where are the plates, silverware, cups and cooking pans are kept. They do not have a front door to the restaurant, just a roll up gate. (They were advised to put a door and screens on to enclose the entire restaurant, but they did not listen). This means rats, bugs, birds and anything that can fit can stroll on in. Sounds harsh I know, but I have seen them with My Own Eyes on many occasions. You can see the traces of them... small brown droppings. And have taken pictures of them.... Gray Hair small eyes. Think of it, the restaurant is in the Rain Forest, with no door and missing screen on the windows.... I hate to mention all that. Some pleasant servers who care about their jobs, but the food and environment is lacking quality control. I am contacting the Health Inspector so they will hopefully clean up their act. Too bad, I love the location, but not the infestation of Rats!
(1)Chun M.
Great buffet in a remote location and very reasonably priced. We made the hike up to Manoa Falls and were famished at lunchtime. The buffet selection was just right with salad, fruit, hot foods and dessert, mostly Asian flavors. The beef stew and fish were tasty and my son had 3 plates of young chow fried rice. There was a luncheon/conference going on but service was great anyway. I wonder how they can stay in business opening just for lunch, but the owner said they've been open for 45 years and he had been the proprietor for the last 15. The place could use a facelift, but the food for the price cannot be beat.
(4)Tommy C.
Didn't eat at restaurant but the Hawaiian Shave Ice vendor at entrance was excellent. Very friendly and for the $4.00 price for the Shave Ice can't be beat.
(5)Manu P.
Tucked in a back of Manoa Valley is one of the better buffet restaurants on Oahu. The food is not that spectacular but its better than eating at Makitti Hawaii. If you can by pass the oily tempuras then you will be a happy camper. Salad bar awesome. All you can bacon, breakfast sausage and eggs? Better yet. Chinese BBQ ribs one of the best! You will be licking your fingers more than once. If you looking for something grand and spectacular then go to Alan Wongs. If you want something in between then this place is for you. If you want to feel like you just wasted your money then go to Makitti Hawaii. You will regret it.
(3)V.K. P.
The bathroom is not very updated which makes it feel unclean.
(2)Albert F.
Here for a graduation celebration brunch. The view is great... Always suprised at finding restaurants and businesses in odd locations. I have been to this area before but havent eaten here before this. The place is showing its age, but the food was great. Parking for the restaurant is at the upper lot and free. There is a bridge connecting the lot and the restaurant, and after crossing the bridge you will see a little kiosk with a jewelry vendor. The jewelry appears to be hand made crafts and reasonably priced. When you enter, there may be a cashier sitting at the desk, and you can get seated I suppose (again I was here for a private party). Looking out the many windows, you are greeted with views of the tops of the trees below (hence the name) The food was pretty good for buffet food. On the tables were: Ribs, baked teriyaki chicken, steamed mahi, ham, eggplant, miso soup, assorted salads and vegetables, lil smokies, somen salad, pickled veggies, haupia, and fresh Jin dui! I would come back here again!
(4)Shaun A.
Nice owners. So so food. Great for events or a post hike meal, but too greasy for a destination visit.
(4)COURTNEY K.
Good buffet in an amazing old building in lush manoa.
(4)Buzzy L.
Food not bad. Utensil ,dishes and plates were not clean. They were wet and still grease. You can see and feel that they were not washed clean.
(3)Chris L.
What a disappointment! It's been years since I've been there, & was looking forward to a delicious Easter brunch... Not! Somen salad - rubbery, ham - cold & canned, ribs - tasty but cold, macaroni salad - tasteless, little smokies over cooked & shriveled up. In our water glasses we found floating ants, and ants stuck to the glasses. We asked for new glasses of water, but the waiter came back again with glasses of water with ants in them again!
(1)Brian A.
I've been to the Treetops several times, all for large gatherings such as a birthday or graduation celebration. It's like driving up the hill in Hilo on the Big Island to a secluded out of the way restaurant, but this is Oahu. It's actually just interesting getting to the location because it's more like driving up the mountain in Hilo on the Big Island than just a few minutes from central Honolulu. The food is standard Hawaii local buffet kind of fare, nothing spectacular. The room is large enough to hold quite a bit of people. I'd probably mostly stick to being invited up here for events, than trek up here voluntarily with the many other food options around.
(3)Joy I.
I also am very surprised with these reviews. Really? Went there on multiple occasions for events and the food is mediocre at best. The assorted tempura was loaded with batter and so oily I took one bite of the onion rings and could not bear to continue. Thirsty? You better bring your pitcher to get it refilled. Also, it was raining really hard, and the roof was leaking onto our table. If you're restaurant is located in Manoa, it rains, your roof should definitely not leak.
(1)Lee Ann M.
Probably the worst meal and food I have had on the island of Oahu. Should have been clued in when the ambulance was at the entrance hauling away a guest The buffet selection is very minimal. Low quality meats in the Chinese buffet and the flavors were non existent. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Would give one star if I could just for the servers.
(1)Sharelle C.
I attended a luncheon here. It was a brunch buffet. The food is just okay. The dessert wasn't that great. Kind of bland. The service was only well in terms of constantly asking if you need water, coffe, or tea.
(3)Monica L.
Went here for my niece's bday. Spacious, good location but interior is rather old. My folded linen napkin had dust bunnies on the inner folds. The sugar packets for coffee seemed a little moist (probably cuz Manoa is so rainy and humid). The buffet is local food.. onion rings were good.
(3)Shirley Mina Y.
Kristal and I were here today for our free literacy workshop. The directions that Mapquest gave us were okay, until the mailboxes disappeared. Soon, we were following signs. We parked in the wrong parking lot, the one on the right hand side. That parking lot turned out to be the lot for the hikers. The actual parking lot was the one up on the hill and to the left. We had to move the car. I got some kind of fruity scone, freshly baked oatmeal cookie, pineapple chunks, and decaf. from the free breakfast buffet. There were all sorts of little bugs flying all around our tables and they kept on falling into the drinking glasses and one fell into our water pitcher. The room was really drafty and cold. It began to rain. I went back to my car to get a heavier sweater. The free buffet lunch was served at noon. I got the fried rice, some kind of fish, the fried shrimp, and side of Sriracha sauce. I went back for some chilled tofu and green onions after. Does their buffet menu ever change? This was the first time I've ever been here and from reading all of the other reviews, it looks like everybody else was served the same exact items.
(3)First Name L.
As my other reviews, this is CONTEXT. This is a BUFFET for $14. Don't come here if - You're on vacation and looking for a grand $14 meal, you've never been to Manoa and expect a fancy ultra modern restaurant, you are looking for superb service. Come here if - You are down to earth and realize this restaurant has been here for a long time, you are local and know what you might get for $14, you just came down from the hike and are ravaged. Treetops is older and showing it's age. The owner is wonderful and very accommodating, his staff may not appear friendly but I quickly realized they are super nice and made me feel like I was over their house eating their food. Genuinely nice people at this restaurant just not the type of service you would get at Hoku's. The buffet is great for the price. Basic salad and bread, REAL eggs, bacon, sausage, rice, fried rice, eggplant dish, steamed fish, salt and pepper shrimp, soups, lots of desserts, and more. Everything was cooked really well and some of it were as good as regular cook to order food. For example, the eggs were excellent, they didn't make you the usual crappy buffet eggs. Some of the entries were as good as the buffet at Hoku's and most others were above average. Folks, it's $14. It's a relative bargain. Like another review here, we too paid much less than expected as we came in the last few minutes of their buffet. We didn't expect it but it was a nice gesture. It was also very nice of them to continue making food considering we were only 3 people in a restaurant full of people that have already eaten.
(4)Shelly i.
My office decided to go to Treetops for Admin Professionals Day lunch. The buffet line choices are a little limited but I thought it was pretty tasty and quite reasonable at $11.50 (not including tax and tip). There were a bunch of cold salads (green salad, potato salad, jello, etc.) and the usual local buffet suspects (rice, noodles, beef broccoli). I really liked the tempura and the jin dooi they served. The owner/manager? was really nice and even brought jin dooi (fried mochi balls stuffed with black sugar) to our room so we'd be able to have some. I'm definitely keeping this on my short list for big group parties (we had a group of 40 and a private room).
(4)Tiani B.
I came here for a baby party and thought to myself as I was pulling into the parking lot...."hey, I been here before" I used to work in photography and worked a senior luau there about six years ago and guess what!? It looks exactly the same in there!!! This place definately needs an update pronto. The food was good, the variety of food was good, nothing spectacular about it except for my cousins' party decorations. Also there is a vender in the lobby area selling earrings, necklaces, watches, angry bird accessories, I mean, you name it, she had it. I thought that was odd but none the less she was nice.
(3)Derek K.
Had a bowling banquet here the other week...yes, I said bowling. Anyway, the food is your typical local style buffet, simple but good. A bunch of different salads and appetizers (tossed greens, somen salad, assorted fruit, lomi salmon, poke, etc). All fresh and very tasty. For main dishes, they have shoyu cicken, prime rib, fish from what I remember. Again, the food is very tasty. Other than the prime rib, which is very tender and delicious, I also enjoyed the chicken which had a lot of taste. Hey, the place itself might not be a very nice place...in fact the bathroom (mend side) stinks!...and there are wilding chickens running around outside, BUT all in all the food is good and the place is comfortable especially for large groups. Go in with low expectations...you not eating at some high end fancy place.
(4)Pua W.
Kind of gross. The place gets more ghetto every time I go there. Saw dead cockroaches laying about, food was oily and tasted horrible. I'm giving them 2 stars because their ribs and carrot cake were pretty good. I wouldn't go here just to go here. We had a family function there (probably because it's really cheap...I think $13 a head for buffet). It was really warm inside, but when we asked to open up the sliding doors, the breeze helped a lot. Not recommended.
(2)David C.
I've been to a couple of graduation parties here. The overall setting and dining area is quite nice. The food is all right. They offer a lot of local-style food along with the basic salads and chicken dishes. One of the most interesting experiences I've had with this place though occured when I went running by the restaurant. There is a lot of foliage and trees surrounding the area and there are some stray dogs. Based on this, all I can say is to not cross the stray chow chow that walks around that area. It will growl at you and possibly chase you. Trust me, I know from experience.
(3)Flavio S.
Very good buffet, for a great price. Amazing staff!! they showed us some of the 'lost' series scenaries, sprayed us with mosquitos repellant (before we took the trail), and took a picture of us in front of their lucky dragon. Make sure to eat there before hiking manoa falls in order to have a very nice experience!
(5)Aaron Y.
Not sure what this place is on other days, but on Sunday afternoon it was a buffet of mostly-Chinese food: steamed and fried rice, some delicious BBQ pork ribs, chicken, miso and some kind of tofu soup.. Salad bar, fresh fruits, jello, and a few delicious desserts. Choices of drinks were coffee, punch, or Asahi beer. The food was delicious and refreshing after our taxing, rained-on hike to Manoa falls, and the restaurant was a godsend as a place to rest, dry off, and fill our bellies. The host was very gracious, encouraging us to dry off in the restaurant's restrooms, then directing me straight to the soup so that I could keep warm. We'll be back any time we return and make the trip to Manoa Falls.
(4)Darlene N.
This place is a "hidden treasure"! You get all kinds of local food and they have the best spicy eggplant in town. The surroundings is "lush green" a beautiful country like setting. Best of all it's inexpensive.
(5)Rise D.
Two stars for the nice scenery and kind service. I went here for a work luncheon, otherwise I would have passed. There were not that many other people besides our party there for lunch. The buffet is not that great...the best item I had was a tempura onion ring. The cheesecake was way too lumpy. The rest of the food (mostly Chinese food items) was maybe a step up above Panda Express. The restaurant reminds me of a very old cafeteria. They really should renovate, the place looks very aged and run down. I bet if they re-decorated and improved the food, they would get more service.
(2)T L.
My family and I had Thanksgiving brunch there and it was really good. It wasn't overly crowded , casual and had a very relaxed local vibe. The food was always filled and at the right temperature. The staff was great! Always filled our beverages and promptly removed the used plates from the table. The owner is so personable and joyful. We had a great Thanksgiving celebration.
(4)Sharelle C.
I attended a luncheon here. It was a brunch buffet. The food is just okay. The dessert wasn't that great. Kind of bland. The service was only well in terms of constantly asking if you need water, coffe, or tea.
(3)Monica L.
Went here for my niece's bday. Spacious, good location but interior is rather old. My folded linen napkin had dust bunnies on the inner folds. The sugar packets for coffee seemed a little moist (probably cuz Manoa is so rainy and humid). The buffet is local food.. onion rings were good.
(3)Joy S.
Very reasonable price and I had no complaints from my guests. We had my twin's first birthday party there and the only real issue I had was the heat. The weather was so hot and humid, so the ventilation wasn't the best. The place did supply some strategically located fans, but AC would've been a ton better. Overall if you have to have a party that is more than 50 people (we had about 89), this is the place to go. The buffet was a brunch with the time spanning from 11-2 p.m. The buffet served everything from scrambled eggs to chinese food to some desserts like haupia, etc. The fish was great! My family and friends liked the food. What I liked the best about this place was that Martin (the owner) was a pleasure to work with. He let us come by beforehand to check out the place, put our minds at ease by answering all of our questions, and he was so hospitable to us!!! He made us remember what aloha is all about.
(5)Mark Y.
Everything that Alice L. here writes is spot on. Very reasonable buffet, the staff and management are very accommodating - the way service should be in this down economy, and the charm of this place is a big plus. Set in a tropical rainforest, you'll want to come here during the day to see the real treetops, hehe. It's old and a little funky but they make do here. And please don't run over the mother hens and their chicks as you pull in the parking lot.
(4)Nicole K.
Overrated. My whole family loves it here, but idk, I think i'm just unimpressed. The scenery is really pretty, I'll give it that much. my mom made me dress up for a dinner here, but it's more laid back. so i think in that sense it compliments the scenery really well. She also said that this place has been in existence for a looooong time. so kudos to them for staying in business that long. the food was okay. nothing to really rave about. and for about $15, it's a pretty good deal for a buffet
(3)Jay C.
The buffet ends at 2 pm. We got there at 1:30 (after hiking to Manoa Falls and back) and were the last party to arrive. All the dishes were still available but it feels a bit like eating other people's leftovers because some of the trays were almost empty. Now the surprise came when we started eating. It was actually pretty good. The service was also quite decent. And the big surprise came at the end when we paid our bill. The owner said he felt bad we came near the end of the buffet, so he charged us for just 3 adults (there were 4 adults and two kids). This was followed by some friendly chit chat. I appreciated his gesture and left a tip big enough to cover the free adult and two kids. If you're planning a morning hike to Manoa Falls, I highly recommend stopping here afterwards for lunch.
(4)yayoi s.
my review is for my memories of paradise park. it was magical. hawaiian mountain apples are the sweet secret taste of eden that are easily attainable if you decide to hike the rainforests of hawaii. i remember walking the downward spiraling atrium with parrots, and other exotic birds squaking and landing on you to get some seeds while providing you with photo ops. i remember walking through lush green foliage, pirds of paradise, mosquitoes, wooden walkways, the smell of humidity and heat. why did they close this? i was a kid, so i don't know.
(5)J K.
Great for the price. Doesn't look like the greatest place to eat at, but the owner is such a sweet old Chinese man. Great for parties, if you don't want to spend too much. Lots of parking.
(4)