How to Get More Customers for Your Restaurant in Honolulu

Master the Honolulu Market: Know Your Locals and Tourists

Your first step to growth is understanding who's eating in Honolulu. The market splits into two main groups with different needs. Local residents—from families in Kaimukī to professionals in Ala Moana—seek value, authenticity, and convenience. They're looking for their new regular spot, a place for casual dinners or reliable takeout. Tourists, concentrated in Waikīkī but exploring neighborhoods like Kakaʻako and Chinatown, want memorable experiences, Instagrammable dishes, and a taste of "local" Hawaii they can't get back home.

Your strategy must cater to both. For locals, emphasize your role in the community. Sponsor a local youth sports team in Kapahulu or host a fundraiser for a Windward Oʻahu school. For tourists, create an experience. Train your staff to share the story behind your poke bowl's fish source or your haupia recipe. A simple tactic: create a "Local's Favorite" section on your menu. This immediately builds trust with residents and gives tourists a curated, authentic choice. This week, analyze your last month of receipts. Are you serving more tourists or locals? Adjust one menu item or promotion to better serve the under-represented group.

Dominate Your Digital Front Door: Online Presence is Everything

In Honolulu, a visitor's first interaction with your restaurant is almost always online. If your Google Business Profile is outdated or your Instagram is dead, you're losing customers to the restaurant down the street.

• Google Business Profile (GBP) is Non-Negotiable: Claim and optimize it completely. Post weekly updates with photos of your daily specials, like your fresh-cached mahi-mahi or lilikoʻi cheesecake. Respond to every review, especially the negative ones—this shows you care. Use GBP's Q&A feature to proactively answer common questions about parking (crucial in Kakaʻako), vegan options, or reservations.
• Visual Storytelling on Instagram & TikTok: Honolulu diners eat with their eyes. Post high-quality videos of your chefs in action at the grill, the vibrant colors of a poke bowl, or the sunset view from your Mānoa patio. Use location tags (#HonoluluEats, #OahuFood) and geotags. Run a simple contest: "Tag a friend you'd share our garlic shrimp plate with for a chance to win a $50 gift card."
• Get Listed Where People Search: Beyond Google, ensure you're visible on platforms locals and tourists use to discover food. A powerful way to increase your visibility is to list your business on Poyst, a platform designed to connect Honolulu customers with great local businesses like yours.

Actionable step for this week: Update your Google Business Profile with three new photos and post a "Question of the Week" in the Q&A section (e.g., "Do you have gluten-free options for your loco moco?").

Create Unforgettable Experiences That Beat Chain Competition

To stand out from the national chains in Ala Moana Center and the hotel restaurants in Waikīkī, you must offer something they can't replicate: genuine local character and connection.

• Hyper-Localize Your Menu & Story: Source ingredients from Oʻahu farms like Nalo or Maʻo Organic Farms. Name a dish after a local landmark ("Diamond Head Crispy Rice"). Share the story of your family's recipes. This creates a unique value proposition that the Cheesecake Factory can't match.
• Host Themed Nights & Events: A weekly "Kanikapila Night" with local musicians can draw a consistent crowd. A "Poke Making Class" for tourists on Tuesday afternoons fills slow periods. Partner with a nearby Kakaʻako brewery for a beer-pairing dinner.
• Master the Takeout & Delivery Experience: With Honolulu traffic, convenience is king. Ensure your packaging is high-quality—no soggy cardboard for your katsu. Include a small, unexpected extra, like a sample of a new lilikoʻi butter cookie. A hand-written "Mahalo!" note goes a long way.

This week, brainstorm one unique event or menu special you can launch next month that ties directly to Honolulu's culture or a local supplier.

Smart Pricing & Packaging for Honolulu's Economy

Pricing in Honolulu is a delicate balance. High costs for ingredients, rent, and labor are real, but customers are price-sensitive.

• Value-Based Bundles: Instead of just raising prices, create perceived value. Offer a "Family Luʻau Plate" that feeds four for a set price. Create a "Waikīkī Sunset Special"—an appetizer, entree, and cocktail for a fixed cost during early evening hours to attract tourists before peak dinner.
• Loyalty Programs That Work: Move beyond punch cards. Use a simple digital system (even a dedicated email list) to reward frequent customers. "Your 8th plate lunch is free" or "Get a free haupia pie on your birthday." This encourages repeat visits from your Kaimukī regulars.
• Strategic Happy Hours: Don't just discount well drinks. Create a compelling pau hana (after-work) menu that appeals to professionals. Feature local beers, pupus (appetizers) that pair well, and a vibrant atmosphere. This can turn a slow 4-6 PM slot into a profitable social hub.

Actionable step: Analyze your slowest 2-hour period this week. Design a simple bundle or promotion specifically for that time slot to drive traffic.

Turn First-Time Diners into Regulars (ʻOhana)

Acquiring a customer is expensive; retaining them is profitable. In a tight-knit community like Honolulu, word-of-mouth from regulars is your best marketing.

• The Power of Personal Recognition: Train your staff to remember returning customers' names or usual orders. "Aloha, Mr. Tanaka, the usual sashimi bowl?" This small effort builds immense loyalty.
• Follow-Up & Feedback: After a catering order or a large dine-in party, send a personalized thank-you email. Ask for feedback sincerely. If someone mentions they loved the haupia, invite them back to try a new coconut-based dessert.
• Exclusive Offers for Regulars: Create a "Kamaʻāina Club" (local's club) with a private monthly email offering first access to new menu items or a members-only tasting event. This makes your regulars in Hawaiʻi Kai or Pearl City feel like valued insiders.

This week, have your staff identify three regular customers. Find a genuine, non-intrusive way to thank them—a complimentary coffee after their meal or a sincere inquiry about their family.

Your Next Step: Get Found by Hungry Honolulu

You've refined your menu, trained your staff, and crafted your story. Now, you need to be discovered by the thousands of people in Honolulu searching for their next great meal right now. While social media and Google are essential, you need a presence on platforms dedicated to local discovery.

This is where Poyst comes in. Poyst is a local business discovery platform built to connect Honolulu's vibrant community with its best local restaurants. By creating a compelling listing, you put your restaurant directly in front of potential customers actively looking to dine out. Showcase your photos, highlight your local specialties, and share your story where it matters most. Don't let your perfect poke bowl go unseen. Take five minutes today to claim your spot and start attracting more customers who are ready to eat. List your Honolulu restaurant on Poyst and turn local searches into your next packed dining room.