"Jesse Cruz and Dusty Grable's Chinatown tavern, home to Honolulu's best burger and a sharp seasonal menu; book it for a team dinner."
About Livestock Tavern
Two restaurants face each other across the corner of Smith and Hotel streets in Honolulu's Chinatown; the one with the whiskey list is Livestock Tavern. Jesse Cruz and Dusty Grable opened it in 2014, a year after their Asian-comfort room Lucky Belly across the way, and it took Gold for Best New Restaurant at Honolulu Magazine's 2016 Hale ‘Aina Awards.
The kitchen runs a seasonal American menu that changes through the year, but the Tavern Burger stays put because regulars will not let it leave. Expect $28 to $45 per person at dinner. For the rest of the neighbourhood, see our Honolulu dining guide.
The Kitchen
Cruz and Grable run Livestock as a chef-driven tavern rather than a celebrity-chef showcase, and the cooking is confident American comfort food: the smoked prime rib, hearty braises under the menu's Beast and Game heading, seasonal greens and a burger that lands on most local best-of lists. The Tavern Burger, with its much-praised house bun, is the dish people cross town for.
The same partners gave Chinatown its dining gravity with Lucky Belly and the bar Tchin Tchin. For another Chinatown table doing serious cooking, compare Senia a few blocks over.
The Room
The room is a handsome corner space with exposed brick, dark wood and a long bar stocked deep with whiskey. The sound level runs to a sociable hum, the lighting is low and warm, and tables are close enough to feel lively without shouting. Dress is no-rules; this is a neighbourhood tavern, not a white-tablecloth dining room, and it seats a crowd comfortably.
Best for a Team Dinner
Livestock Tavern works for a team dinner because the menu has range (a vegetarian can eat as well as the steak orderers), the room takes a big table without going silent, and the whiskey list gives the night somewhere to go after the plates clear. Book the larger tables ahead. See more group rooms in our team-dinner guide.
Not for
Not for a quiet, romantic two-top; the corner room is lively and close-packed, and the energy is built for a sociable table rather than a hushed date.
Frequently Asked
Is Livestock Tavern worth it?
Yes. Livestock Tavern is one of Chinatown's most reliable rooms, with a Hale ‘Aina Gold for Best New Restaurant behind it and a kitchen that has held its standard for a decade. The Tavern Burger and the smoked prime rib are the draws, and the whiskey list is one of the best downtown. Prices are fair for the quality.
How hard is it to book Livestock Tavern?
Easy to moderate. The room takes reservations on OpenTable and usually has midweek tables a day or two out. Friday and Saturday dinners and any larger group booking fill up, so reserve those ahead. Walk-ins can often grab a seat at the bar.
What should I order at Livestock Tavern?
Order the Tavern Burger, which most locals rate among Honolulu's best, and the smoked prime rib when it is on. Round the table out with seasonal greens and a braise from the Beast and Game section, and let the bar steer you through the whiskey list.
What is the average meal price at Livestock Tavern?
Plan on $28 to $45 per person for dinner with an entree and a drink. Mains run roughly $28 to $42, with shared plates and cocktails moving the number around. It sits in the mid-range, which is part of why it stays a regular table rather than a special-occasion one.
Is Livestock Tavern good for a team dinner?
Yes, book it for a team dinner. The menu has enough range to feed a mixed group, the room handles a big table without going quiet, and the whiskey bar gives the night a second act. Our team-dinner guide lists more options.
